Most of you guys say you don't like Ashley's mom. By the end of this short story, you'll absolutely hate her. Thanks for the reviews! This chapter will focus on meeting Ashley's family and her past. Enjoy!
With the modifications that Nya and Jay made to all their Spinjitzu vehicles, Kai's Blade Cycle now had a convertible roof. Keeping the heavy winds, and loud noises from waking up Ashley, Kai set his bike to auto-pilot, lied back in his seat with Ashley against his chest.
Wrapping his muscular arms around her bony waist, Kai closed his eyes and started to relax. According to Zane's calculations, it would take four hours in his Blade Cycle to get to Ashley's home town Rapids. Kai didn't know much about Ashley's family, only that she lived one of the most popular villages in all of Ninjago.
As hours went by, Kai and Ashley's journey, became short-lived as Kai took control of his Blade Cycle, and slowly made his way into the village. Ashley began to stir as her eyes opened, Kai greeted her with a smile. "K-kai? What are we-" Ashley shot start up from Kai's arms and looked around frantically.
"We can't be here!" Ashley hugged herself, hoping it was all a dream. Kai drove slowly through the village, he stopped in front of a mailbox that had the name 'Accorsi' painted on it. Turing his bike back into his sword, Ashley stared at her childhood home. A small grey house that had a rusted tin roof, and wood boarding up the windows. The grass was uncut, the picket fence that ran along the property line was broken, and the white paint had chipped off leaving rotten wood.
"Can I help you?" Ashley's heart stopped, tears pricked her eyes as she slowly turned around. A girl around the age of 16 stood behind them, a hand on her bare hip. She adored a lime green bikini, and large black sunglasses. Dirty blonde hair was left down, going to her lower back. Her tanned skin complimented the bikini, taking off her sunglasses, her arm fell to her side, and the sunglasses fell to the ground in shock.
"Sarai?" Ashley's lip quivered, stepping closer to the teen. Sarai jumped into Ashley's arms, "I thought you'd never come back." Pulling away Ashley took a long look at Sarai before turning back to Kai. "Sarai, this is Kai, my boyfriend."
Sarai's eyes widen, "But Ashley! The Shuǐ Festival!" Ashley shook her head violently, "I know." A sad smile spread across Ashley's face, a questioning look appeared on Kai's face. "What's the Shuǐ Festival?"
"I'll tell you later." Ashley grabbed his hand in reassurance, and smiled at him. Walking passed the wooden fence up to the front door. Knocking loudly on the door, Ashley, and Kai stood side by side, waiting for an answer.
"Momma open up it's me!" Sarai shouted slightly, pounded on the door relentlessly. A loud groan emitted from inside the house, "Sarai, what have I told you! Take your key when you go out, I'm taking my nap!" The door was suddenly flung open. A tall woman with short black hair stood in the door way, hand on her hips in aggravation.
Her gaze landed on Kai and Ashley. "Ashley." The woman crossed her arms, "You look terrible." Moving back into the house, they followed her. "I could say the same for you." Ashley retorted casually, crossing her arms.
Silence grew between the group, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking my afternoon nap now." Walking into another room of the small home. The grown woman slammed the door, leaving them in the living room.
'I never knew a mother could dislike their children so much, but insisted on keeping them around. This woman is, weird.' Kai thought to himself, focusing his attention back on Sarai and Ashley's conversation
"In the meantime, do you wanna go see if Issac and Donnie are off work?" Sarai asked, walking out the door with Ashley and Kai in suit. Walking down the dirt road, Kai observed the rest of the towns residence. Just like the Accorsi household, each house had a rusted tin roof, and a small yard.
The size of the houses got bigger the further they went down the road, until they came to a large market place. In the middle of the market place was a large and fast river flowing. One single bridge was placed for people to cross easily, in the river were people floated and swimming casually. The dirt road turned into a brick road as they ventured further into town. Suddenly, they were faced with a medium sized mansion, with a small fountain in the front.
Kai's POV
Walking pass the mansion and into the forest, I started to grow suspicious. 'What kind of job could be way out here?' The further we walked into the dense forest, the more I noticed a thick black fog growing around us. I inhale the thick smoke and start to cough. I recognize the smell any day. Coal. It's what we used to use at the Blacksmith shop to keep the fire going when we were making weapons or armor.
The further we walk, the easier I can see our destination. The girls stop in front of a small cave, the thick black fog that congested to forest started to clear. Slowly, two small yellow lights emerge from the cave. The two lights turned into large male figures. They got closer and I protectively got in front of the girls.
"Sarai? What are doing here it's too dangerous." The figure on the right ran towards us, while the one on the left walked casually towards us. The one on the right stood in front of us, "Donnie, Ashley's back!" Sarai hugged the man known as Donnie, cinnamon colored hair like Sarai and Ashley's was shaved down too a buzz cut. His bright yellow mining suit was dirty and torn from the many days of hard work.
Another man around the same age as Donnie came walking up, hands placed angrily in his pockets. Unlike Donnie's hair, it was black, tied back in a low ponytail. "Oh come on Issac, don't be such a grump, Ashley's back!" Donnie draped an arm over Issac's shoulders. Rolling his eyes and shrugging Donnie's arm off his shoulder, he crossed his arms defensively, "Why would I be happy she's back. I don't want my sister to be betrothed to some idiot."
Ashley's eyes widen, "Hey! I'm not an idiot, besides, we're not even engaged yet!" I get into Issac's face, I clench my fist and try to contain the fire boiling inside of me. 'Wait, did he say betrothed?'
I back up away from him, looking back at Ashley I notice tears start to build up in her eyes. Fear starts to take over me, my hands start to shake and a cold sweat washed over my body. "W-what are you talking about?"
Issac starts to laugh, a cocky grin spreads across his face, "You must be dumber than you look, fire breath. Our family has been chosen for the Shuǐ Festival. Meaning one of the female member of the Accorsi family is to be wed with the mayors next of kin. Ashley being the best big sister that she is, she's betrothed to that scumbag." I look at him disbelief, 'No, Ashley and I, we're suppose to get married, it's bad enough I'll lose her to fate, but now...'
I turn my body towards the woman I'm deeply in love with. 'All we can do is wish for a miracle. I'm sorry.' Her hands cover up her mouth, tears stream down her face. I push aside my anger and walk over towards her in small strides. I don't yell, my hands don't glow in red and orange flames. Instead, I embrace Ashley's shaking form one hands hold the middle of her back; I can easily feel her shoulder blades move with her body. My other hand rests on top of her head, rubbing her hair soothingly.
I take a deep breathe, attempting to calm my nerves before I speak, "I only want you to be happy. I don't care what you do, that's all I want." A loud sob escapes her lips, "You don't understand Kai. I'm happy with you! I want to be with you for the short time I have left! I never want to leave you!"
Time seems to stop around us as I hear Sarai's voice, "A-Ashley." Without even looking her I can tell there;s tears in her eyes, her lips is quivering. She wants to know if Ashley's telling the truth, hoping that it was just a prank. "W-What do you mean?" Ashley lifts her head from my chest and looks at her only remaining siblings. "Just like Grandma and Mom, the cancer got a hold of me as well." Ashley paused not wanting to finish her sentence, "But this time, we were too late."
An eerie silence rests in the forest, the fog from earlier seems to return, making the mood worse. Her two brothers stare at their older sister in shock, as Sarai falls to the ground; on her knees. Sarai sits on the ground with her head in her hands, her cries are loud enough to be hears from town.
But, the only thing I could think of was, this is all my fault.
Hehe. Sorry for the long wait, time sure does fly by fast, doesn't it? Anyways, I hope you all enjoy, and please review!
P.S. Sorry for any mistakes.
