"What?!" Jay cried. Cole and Zane came rushing to the training yard. Shocked looks covered their faces when they saw the yard was empty. "You said they would still be here, Cole, and they clearly aren't!"
The doors to the monastery opened. Seliel and the others came in, out of breath. Pixal ran to Zane and hugged him. Jay went over and helped Nya up; they embraced, and Jay planted a kiss on Nya's cheek. Seliel and Skylor walked over to where Cole stood. While the two embraced, Skylor searched the yard, looking for her daughter and her comrades. She was hoping they would've beat them back, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"Where's Seth and the others?" Skylor heard Cole ask Seliel. Seliel sucked in a deep breath and looked up, staring Cole in the eyes.
"Homura came and led them away while we escaped," Seliel explained. Skylor watched as Cole's jade eyes widened at the statement, but he let Seliel continue. "I can't believe he would hurt Nya like that; it just didn't seem in his nature to do something that harsh."
There was a loud banging noise on the doors. Jay and Zane headed over and opened them. Standing in the doorway was the group of amateur ninja. As Cole looked towards their direction, he saw they were unharmed, save for a couple cuts on Homura's small frame.
"I'm glad you all are back safe. Homura, Seth, get to the meditation room; wait until I get there," the tone in Cole's voice told the two leaders to not question, and that they were in trouble. He watched as they headed inside, then turned to face the others. "Jay, Zane, heck, all of you guys can train and spar. I gotta go discipline those two."
Cole disappeared into the building. Brook and Paige looked at each other, sharing a terrified look. There was no doubt that their comrades were going to get chewed out for their reckless mission. While it was Homura's idea to go, they couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt for following her like dogs on leashes.
"Paige, you are unharmed, correct?" Pixal asked her daughter. Paige looked at her mother and father and nodded her head.
"All systems are functioning properly. Nothing has crashed or malfunctioned," Paige replied. Pixal nodded in confirmation and stepped aside, allowing Zane to view Paige more clearly. "I am fine, there are no scratches or any other damage from the scuffle. Homura was the only one who suffered minor injuries."
While Paige was talking to her parents, Brook and Jay were talking enough to drive anyone insane. Nya rolled her eyes, a smile on her face as she listened to her husband and son conversing about their first mission. She blushed when Jay mentioned how they had first met; that being the time where Cole had hit Jay in throat with the tip of his scythe, making him lose his voice.
"No, it was fine, Father. Homura was the only one who got hurt, and she was fine," Brook was saying. Jay kept asking questions left and right, much like his adoptive parents. "Father, please stop talking my ear off!"
"Jay, let the kid have his moment. You've had plenty without your parents around talking to you all week long," Nya chuckled. Jay's face turned as red as Homura's gi. He playfully punched Brook in the shoulder and planted a kiss on Nya's forehead. Brook mumbled under his breath at his father, but Jay took no notice of it. Oh? ? ﾟﾑﾀ? ﾟﾑﾀ? ﾟﾑﾀ? Brook?
Seliel and Skylor were standing underneath the overhang. "What do you think Cole is doing with them?" the master of amber asked. Seliel shrugged her shoulders. Skylor sighed quietly. A bit of her was anxious about the punishment that Homura was going to receive. She was only saving them from the enemy.
"He's probably giving them a talking to for disobeying orders," Seliel replied. Skylor scratched her head.
"I understand that they disobeyed his order to stay here until he returned, but they did save us. He's got to give them some of that credit, right?" Skylor questioned. Seliel only shrugged her shoulders once again in response. "I guess we'll know when they come back out."
The thought of seeing her daughter with someone like Cole's son, Seth, pleased Skylor. She knew Homura had trouble trusting others ever since the accident. Skylor saw the way Seth looked at her daughter, and she knew she needed someone like that in her life. Seth struck her as a person of strong and honest character; one who could make the world light up even in the darkest of shadows.
Whatever happens, it was the right decision Homura. Never forget that. Your father would be proud if he was here to see the young woman you've become. Skylor thought to herself. She watched the sun set below the monastery wall, and let out a sigh.
...
Homura forced a swallow. Her hands were shaking, her breathing was coming in short, rapid bursts. Sweat ran down her face, and her amber eyes were dilated. Why had she done that? Why had she disobeyed the orders to not engage? Her arms were now trembling, and her face was flush.
Seth kept his gaze forward, waiting for his father to enter the room. He could feel Homura's anxious energy. He knew she had gone against his orders, but from the little bit of explanation beforehand that he had heard from her, it appeared to have been the only option. If she hadn't leapt into action, his mother and the rest would've been taken to the darkness's lair and sacrificed. He shuddered at the thought. Seth couldn't help but notice just how stressed Homura looked. She was trembling uncontrollably, and it kept the room more tense than Seth wanted to handle.
Without thinking, Seth laid his hand on Homura's shoulder. The petite girl looked up, her shaking becoming less and less. Her breathing seemed to slowly return to a normal rate, and her pupils were shrinking to their original size. She sucked in a deep breath, and slowly let it out. It was relaxing, knowing Seth could always comfort her when her anxiety took over.
Weaknesses. That's all that petty desire for that boy to protect you is. Where is that side of you where you are always hostile? The voice in her head asked. Homura snarled quietly, hoping to keep Seth off her trail.
Shut up. You're the whole reason I've fallen so far off the bridge in the past. He's trying to help me. Homura shot back at the voice inside her head. She heard a cackle. Another low, almost feral growl escaped her throat.
How heartbroken would he be if you shunned him out? I can make you fall even further, say you'll fall into an abyss and never stop. Not even he could save you then. You'll be too far gone! The voice screeched. Homura placed a hand to her head and closed her eyes. She took a couple deep breaths and opened them again. A sigh of relief escaped her lips when she saw Seth hadn't picked up on her trail. She snapped out of her trance when the door sliding open hit her ears.
Seth and Homura both perked up and bowed in respect when they saw their sensei enter the room. Seth held his breath, waiting for what his father was going to yell at them. That had to be why he called this meeting, right? He swallowed, staring at their sensei, waiting.
Homura on the other hand, had gone back to being a nervous wreck. Her eyes were wide open. She was fighting the bile that had risen to her throat. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, she felt her body relaxing once again. Reopening her eyes, she stared at Sensei Cole, waiting for his words.
"I hear that you both were told not to leave, correct?" Cole questioned. Homura and Seth both nodded. "Since you two are the leaders, there will be a punishment-"
"Sensei! It was my idea to go and save them, please don't punish Seth because of my recklessness!" Homura cried out. She clasped a hand over her mouth as soon as the words escaped. "Sorry, Sensei…"
"Nonsense. Even though you did disobey my orders, you did save them all. If you guys hadn't gone, then they would all be gone; taken by the enemy. Therefore, no punishment for saving them," Cole responded. The two teenagers nodded their heads. "You're dismissed."
Seth led Homura back to her room. He could tell she needed a little time to recompose herself. Knowing how she carried herself, Seth figured she didn't want to appear delicate to the rest of the team. He saw a small smile on Homura's face. How reminiscent this felt; it was almost like the first time they met.
"Just come out whenever you're ready," Seth's voice was soft and tender. Homura nodded, a warm feeling in her heart as she watched the earth wielder leave the room.