Apology (Ninjago)

Forgiveness is not easy...

...But Harumi takes the risk anyways.

Harumi rode in the passenger seat of Odette's Swan Driver as she rode them around the rural outskirts of Ninjago City. They were looking for a certain place, Odette mumbling in frustration as she fuddled with the complex GPS. She offered to go with Harumi, as the Ninja were busy with their duties&reconstruction efforts. In her mind she imagined the rest of them wanted anything to do with her. Not after the things she did.

After years of clinging on to anger and bitterness, Harumi discovered the real culprit behind her parents' deaths. It wasn't the ninja as she initially believed but the VERY entity who brought her back to life and promised her everything. Abandoning her revenge she ended up helping her enemies fight him off. Once the literal dust settled Harumi vowed to spend the rest of her life to make amends to all the people she hurt.

The first on her list: Hutchins' family.

Her old bodyguard mentioned having a wife and son one occasion. It was risky giving out too many details of his personal life, and Harumi never cared much. "I guess we all had our secrets" Harumi mused sullenly. She needed him out of her way, he was getting suspicious and the last thing she wanted was an obstacle to her revenge. So she bombed the palace, killing him and her so-called "parents." A sob story to earn the Ninjas' sympathy so they'd accept her quicker. But after dying herself, spending time as the Overlord's errant girl, and learning the truth of that day, she realized she killed an innocent man. That same pain she felt, now his family had to experience it.

And it was all her fault.

"We're here," Odette replied quietly breaking Harumi from her thoughts. The ex princess saw that they were in a rural area dotted with cottages.

Odette spotred the house with the correct address. "There it is," she said as she parked the bird shaped vehicle a few yards away from the cottage. Harumi unlocked her seatbelt and was about to head out when Odette asked, "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

Harumi shook her head. "No. This is something I gotta do alone."

Harumi nodded back then started to make her way up the gravel walkway towards the house. Clutching the front of her jacket to calm her nerves. In other situations she would've had a trick up her sleeve. Or her trusty dagger. But not this time: just her and the apology on her tongue.

Once she got to the front door she paused unsure whether to go through with this. Would they shout and scream? Curse her name, or call the police? She knew Odette had her back - even after everything she put her through, the Yokai was still looking out for her, something she'd never openly admit her admiration for - but still the possibility frightened her. But with Hutchins' grave in her mind, she understood she had to do this. So with a deep inhale, she knocked timidly on the door.

She heard footsteps then the door unlocked and a woman's face peeked out.
Harumi coughed. "Excuse me but are you Mrs hutchins? I'd like to have a chat with you."

Mrs. Hutchins opened the door fully and they stared at each other. The widow graying brown hair were in a messy bun, and she wore gray mourning robes. When her red shrunken eyes fell on Harumi she grimaced.

"Why are you here?" Mrs. Hutchins asked wearily.

"I'm here to say I'm sorry for-"

"Hmph! You didn't seem very sorry when you were standing beside Lord Garmadon laughing and grinning," snapped the Mrs. Hutchins.

Harumi flinched. That brought up another memory of her fatal overconfidence.

"I know what I did and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I've done to yoir family. But I'm not here to wallow in self pity or beg for your forgiveness."