1. The Dark Side of Destiny: Beginnings

Chapter 14 - How to be a Family

One day, Kai was inexplicably absent from training. Everyone thought it was strange, and Zane was admittedly a little worried about his friend, because Kai had never been known to miss even a single training session yet. Wu didn't seem so much worried as angry when, after they'd gone through their whole routine and the lesson ended, Kai still hadn't shown himself. The boys decided that they ought to try and find out what had happened to their friend.

Jay and Zane shoved Cole forward. "You're the leader. Ask him!" Jay hissed. Neither of them were eager to see their teacher's reaction if he refused their request, so it only made sense that Cole should take the fall if need be.

"Um, Sensei?" Cole said anxiously.

Wu said nothing but raised a single eyebrow.

"The three of us were hoping that you might let us go and see Kai so we can find out why he didn't come today." Zane suspected that Cole wasn't really as concerned as him and Jay. He may have even been relieved, due to their recent rivalry, to have had a break. Still, Cole continued: "We're a little worried that something might have happened to him . . ." Cole trailed off, seeing the fire in his sensei's eyes.

But then Wu's gaze softened somewhat as he considered their request. "Yes," he nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps you should find out what was so important that he could not join us today."

A portal appeared, much like the ones they had become so accustomed to. "Go. Find him."

They dashed through without hesitation and emerged to find themselves standing on a stone path winding up grassy hill. At the end of the path was a lone house.

"That must be where Kai lives," Jay observed.

Cole nodded. "Come on guys, it's time to put all our training to use. Let's make Sensei proud!"

Zane followed Cole's lead as he crept towards the house, crouching behind large rocks and bushes alongside the path. As they approached, the house seemed eerily quiet.

Jay suddenly whispered, "What if he's not home?"

"Then we'll still have something to tell Sensei," Cole answered. "Now shush!"

Instead of a door, the house a large opening in the front, and next to it, a window. The boys snuck closer and crouched beneath the window. They peeked inside, but it appeared to be empty.

"What now?" asked Zane.

"We'll check the back, and if he's not there, then we'll have to go."

The boys crept around the corner to a yard enclosed by a stone wall. There was a round space removed from the wall to serve as a doorway. When the boys looked inside, they saw Kai sitting beneath a crooked tree, his arms wrapped around his knees and his forehead resting on his arms. Zane took note of the white shirt he wore, which was a stark contrast to the black gis they would wear during training.

"Kai!" Jay whispered.

Kai's head shot up and he glanced in their direction before turning away. "Go away!" he hissed.

"You were not at training today so we needed to come see that you are okay," Zane tried to explain.

"I'm fine, just go away!"

Zane took a step into the garden. "Please, Kai, we're your friends. "If there is something wrong –"

"I already told you, there's nothing wrong!" he snapped, his back still turned to them. "Now get out of here before someone sees you!"

Zane considered obeying his request, but something told him that they couldn't leave yet. Instead, Zane drew nearer and knelt beside his friend. He placed a hand on Kai's shoulder. "You don't have to speak if you don't want to." Zane waved Jay and Cole closer. They looked unsure at first, but relented and sat beside him. "We would just like to stay with you for a little while."