Prologue

Dawn breaks in a cascade of golden brilliance over gently rolling waves. A catspaw of wind drifts across the crystalline beach, as song birds start to sing from the tops of trees. Ryo Sanada sits on the edge of the balcony, and takes a sip of his hot chocolate. It ripples down his throat in waves of satisfying warmth. At his feet, his pet tiger, White Blaze, dozes on the warm boards; occasionally issuing a soft contented rumble. Contented and happy. After all that the two of them had been through in the recent past, it was about time they had this measure of true happiness. Granted, most of the time, there was some baddie or another who had some insane desire to get his rear tenderized, flambéed, sliced n’ diced, skewered, or flushed down the proverbial toilet. Depending on who he terminally ticked off. Now it felt strange to be taking some time off, like he should be doing sometime constructive, not sitting here guarding a house that didn’t need guarding... But, hey, why look a gift horse in the mouth... he and White Blaze were happy and that had to mean something. Still, Ryo finds himself amazed at how much has happened since he had first claimed his armor. So much had changed... so many battles.... Now, in this exceptionally quiet period, he and the guys had taken a break from each other over their summer vacation. Ryo finishes his hot chocolate, and pads back inside to the kitchen. This ocean-front cottage belonged to someone in Mia’s family, who he didn’t know. He still felt like he was some uncouth slob, even just walking on the carpet. He refills his mug and gets himself a bowl of cereal. On his way back to the balcony, Ryo passes a picture he didn’t dare display when they were battling the Dynasty. He feels a pang of loneliness and reminds himself sternly that his sister wouldn’t be this homesick; or this lonely. She knew him well enough to know that if he kept his distance, it was for her protection. Ryo could risk his life, but he wouldn’t risk hers. As his only living relative, she meant too much to him... But NOW... Ryo lunges for his cordless phone (a gift from Mia) and quickly punches a number he had committed to memory. It rings again and again. Then... ["Hi, this is an answering machine. You know what to do."] "Hi, could you give a message to 'Rainbow'? It’s her brother. I’ve finally slowed down, I guess she hasn’t. The phone number where I’m staying is... Um. Forgot. I’ll call back with that later. And in case I’ve never said it before: I love you, sis."