Destiny

Returning Home: Part 4

A whole month had passed, and Raelyn still couldn't muster the courage to return to the Ninjnerds. A load of worries and questions swam through her head. On top of that, she was afraid. What if they didn't welcome her back?

She kept playing her conversation with Aoi over in her head. She had never really thought about her destiny or fate. And she never would have thought that it included returning to the dojo and Alex. She had spent the months after she left trying to put it all behind her. Of course she could never forget her training and her friendships, they would stay with her, forever.

"I made the right choice in leaving." She told herself as she pulled on her coat and exited her apartment. "And now I have to go back..." She sighed. "But I can't." She stopped mid-step and was about to turn back. But Aoi's voice kept reminding her, 'He needs your help.'

She did turn back. But not to run away from her problems. She went back to her apartment, opened her small closet, and took out a box stored away at the back. She laid the box on her bed and removed the lid. Inside was her ninja Gi, folded neatly. She reached into the box and fingered the material.

"Ninja never quit," She whispered. She changed into her Gi, threw her coat back on and went to catch a Taxi.

Thirty minutes later she found herself walking up to the dojo's door. She lifted her hand to knock on the door but hesitated. Before she had time to consider tuning back, the door opened, and Cassie flew forward to embrace her.

"Rae!" She shrieked. "I'm so happy you're back!" She released Raelyn from a tight squeeze and began to pull her inside. "Come inside. Everyone will want to know you're here." Rae readily followed Cassie with a smile spread across her face. She hadn't known it, but her heart had been aching for this. She was home.

Her fellow Ninjnerds were overjoyed at her return and she silently chastised herself for thinking they wouldn't welcome her back. When everyone finally settled down, it was only then that Rae noticed someone was missing.

As the students went back to their training, Taylor and Cassie took Raelyn aside to catch up. They each sat on a flat cushion around a Chabudai tea table. Taylor served them a cup of jasmine tea as they started talking. Raelyn explained how she had left to find her mother and apologized for not saying goodbye.

"We understand, Rae," Taylor assured her. "And we don't fault you for leaving like you did. We're just glad you're back." He took a sip of tea before continuing. "You know you will always have a place here, no matter what."

"Will you be staying?" Cassie asked.

"Yes, I think I will be," Raelyn smiled. "The truth is, I came to talk to Alex. But I didn't see him, is he here?"

Taylor's brow creased. "I'm afraid he left not long after you did. He didn't keep in touch and we have no idea where he is."

"He took your leaving the hardest," Cassie put in. "He just wasn't himself after."

"I need to find him," Raelyn said. She could never forgive herself for what had happened. "I have to make things right."

"And we will help you," Taylor grinned.

Gratitude was written all over Rae's face, but she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that came over her upon hearing Alex was gone. What if something had happened to him, why else would Aoi say he needed her help? She couldn't help but remember what had happened between them before she left. She forced her thoughts aside and tried to fully enjoy being back home. She still had many unanswered questions, all she knew for certain was that this was where she belonged. And she wouldn't give it up, not again.