Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar world, that is all owned by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
—
Chapter 11
Rin Alone Part 3
Screams, all she heard were screams. They sounded from everywhere, surrounding her, suffocating her own voice. Darkness ebbed at her vision, and whenever it faded it was replaced by memories, of scenes long ago. They came in and out, all at once and at the same time pulling away just as quickly. Drowning her in heavy waves.
Rin struggled in the water, her entire body felt heavy. She flailed her arms and legs to no avail.
The young woman desperately searched the darkness to find a light, searching for her escape out of the nightmarish situation. But all around her was pitch black. There was no direction, every movement was up and down at the same time.
"Water…" The thought floated into Rin's frantic mind. "WATER!" Echoed around her.
That's right. Rin was a water bender, she could get out of this nightmare. All she had to do was focus, think and take a deep breath. Bubbles fluttered into the distance as Rin moved her body. Quickly making the familiar motions she had done so many times in her life. But nothing happened, no response came to her, the water didn't listen.
"What?" Rin whispered, eyes pitch black. Her hands moved to cover the sockets, as her mind began to crack against the pressure. Then the water bender remembered, she wasn't a water bender anymore.
Pain exploded in her leg, pulsing through her body as if her heart had moved. Rin screamed, combined with the screams that followed her relentlessly in the darkness. Whether they were her own, old acquaintances, old memories, voices burned into her mind, faces long forgotten, there were only screams and despairing darkness as Rin drowned.
—
And then there was air and light as Rin gasped. Flashing her blue eyes open as she sat up with a gasp. Panicked, she looked around the unfamiliar surroundings, grabbing hair out of her face. She wasn't in the alley anymore.
"What happened?" Rin gasped, hand on her head as she scanned her memories. Slowly, her breath slowed down as she recalled the night before. "Right… Pao Shi found me, and let me stay the night in his attic." Rin remembered, sighing as her heart beat returned to normal.
Silently she pushed herself out of the mattress she had slept on. A phantom pain shot through her leg, making her grit her teeth while biting back a wince. It soon vanished, though Rin still felt the wooden peg that had replaced her missing limb.
She was having that nightmare all too often nowadays.
Rin began a slow descent downstairs. She felt oddly out of touch in the homey atmosphere, having spent so many years sneaking and fleeing through them without a second thought.
In Pao Shi's kitchen, she found the man himself sitting at the table. On it were a large plate of steaming dumplings, and two bowls of noodles. The smell made Rin nostalgic, reminding her of her childhood before everything changed in a matter of months.
"Morning Rin." Pao Shi casually greeted, raising his hand.
"Good morning." Rin quietly replied, taking the seat opposite to her former teacher and digging into the noodles.
"How'd you sleep." Pao Shi absentmindedly asked, sipping a cup of ginseng tea.
"Fine." She curtly replied. "These are good." The young woman complimented, taking a dumpling from the plate.
"Thanks." Her former teacher responded with a smile. "So, if you don't mind me asking. What brought you back all of a sudden?" He gently prodded, placing his cup down.
"A boat." Rin sarcastically responded. Pao Shi let out a few humourless chuckles in return.
"That's not what I meant." He stated.
"I don't really want to say… it's complicated." Rin explained, looking down at her feet under the table. "I should leave." She sullenly muttered, standing up and heading for the door.
"Where you headed?" Pao Shi curiously questioned, resting his arms on the table.
Rin opened her mouth to respond but found herself unable to answer. Averting his eyes, she pulled her hood up.
"I don't know." She honestly admitted, sounding truly lost. "I… I guess I'll just see where my feet take me." Rin whispered, hand on the knob.
"You can stay if you like." Pao Shi offered, eyes warm, and… filled with pity. Rin stiffened at the look.
"I don't want your pity." She shot back, though the harsh tone was barely visible.
"It won't be for free then. I could use an assistant for the dojo anyways." Her former teacher easily proposed. "You're still good with a sword right? It would really hurt to find out that one of my star students ended up abandoning the skill." He added.
"Of course I can still use it." Rin stated. "Just didn't use it as much as bending." She mentally thought. "That… doesn't sound awful." Rin said.
"Great. As as assistant, you'd just help the kids with their form, a spar here and there, the like. But, all my swords are being used by the students usually. Would it be possible to make your own sword out of ice?" Pao Shi continued. However, Rin froze where she stood. "And… Rin, you okay?" Her former teacher asked concerned.
"I…" Rin started, swallowing. "I… can't water bend anymore." She explained, voice shaking despite her best effort. Pao Shi's eyes widened at her words before he looked down as well.
"I see… does, that have anything to do with uhh…" He quietly asked, gesturing towards her wooden peg.
"Kind of." She replied, omitting mountains of information.
"It's really that complicated. I'm sorry." Pao Shi said, slumping in his seat.
"You have nothing to apologize for. I really wouldn't mind working at the dojo, if I still can that is." Rin assured, feeling guilt for making her older teacher feel down.
"Not even a question, you're hired." Pao Shi stated, brightening a bit. "So, can you help me finish these dumplings. I made way too much." He awkwardly requested, eliciting a small laugh from Rin.
"Sure." She said, taking the same seat as before. "So, uh… With that out of the way, what happened while I was… gone." Rin awkwardly asked, popping a dumpling into her mouth.
"Not much if I'm being honest. We're still a small town after all." Pao Shi informed with a wave of the hand. "I mean, Koto and Rozoku left town. I think Koto moved to the capital and got married. But, you know her how her Mom likes to talk." He said.
"Oh…you don't say." Rin returned, uncomfortable at the mention of her old friends.
"You know, they seemed quite upset when you left." Pao Shi stated offhandedly.
"They did?" The former bender said, surprised.
"Yeah. They actually visited me a bunch." He casually responded, chewing on a dumpling. Rin was silent for a moment, before slowly changing the topic to something more lighthearted.
—
"My name's Liu, good to meet all of you." Rin introduced in a light tone, standing with Pao Shi in front of a group comprised of children. The youths in turn happily responded in a respectful manner.
Rin had started working as Pao Shi's assistant for a few days by that point. She had done multiple introductions to the dojo's various classes under the pseudonym Liu. As though she doubted anyone would recognize her, the name had the potential to stir up old memories. Pao Shi taught more classes then before, having left his old job at the school once the school year had ended.
Rin had been hesitant at first, concerned that an old reaction would appear. Though eventually, she had eased into the role. So much so that she was comfortably prepared by the time the children's group met her.
The two adults spent the afternoon assisting the aspiring swordsmen. Rin gave a soft smile at the mingling sea of kids, slightly reminiscing about better days. She felt someone lightly poke her elbow, turning to find one of the younger girls with dark eyes.
"Hey there, what can I help you with?" She cheerfully asked, planting a smile on her face.
"Miss Liu. Do you wanna spar with me?" The girl, whose name Rin recalled was Lei innocently requested with big eager eyes.
"Sure thing Lei." Rin easily replied.
All Rin did was spar, assist and give comments to the numerous disciples. She had spent a day crafting a makeshift wooden sword to help since none were available. It was painfully boring, but it was something and better then nothing.
When the session was done, Rin and Pao Shi began cleaning the dojo up. Most of the disciples stayed to assist them, as many were taught to do so. Rin found Lei helping her specifically. The older of the two engaging in more small banter as they put the swords away. "So Lei, what made you interested in swordplay of all things?" She quipped with a smile.
The girl in question paused with multiple broadswords in her arms.
"I wanted to do something different then Lon." Lei replied, with a small blush on her cheeks.
"Lon?" Rin prodded, tilting her head.
"Lon's my brother. And we do a lot of things together. But, we're really similar, so I want to do something that he doesn't." Lei explained, embarrassed as if she had just committed the worst crime imaginable.
"Chin up, that's nothing to be ashamed about." Rin comforted, taking the weapons off the girl's hands.
"Hey Miss Liu?" Lei prompted, leaning forward while putting her hands behind her back.
"Yeah?" The older of the two absent mindfully went.
"How'd you start working here? We didn't think Mister Pao Shi would ever find someone to help him." The young girl curiously questioned, walking in a circle beside Rin.
"Really?" Rin slowly responded, interest piqued. "Well, I was just passing through town. And me and Pao Shi used to know each other." She cooly explained, careful about her words.
"You did?" Lei asked.
"Yup…He used to be my teacher in fact." Rin hesitantly added.
"Wow, so Mister Pao Shi is really old." The younger of the two bluntly surmised with a stoic face, completely serious.
"I… I guess he is." The former bender choked out, unable to stop herself from chuckling.
"Do you want to see something cool?" Lei offered after putting all the weapons away. Everyone had finished up their own jobs around the dojo as well. Some were even preparing to head home.
"Go for it." Rin said in turn, leaning back.
An excited grin spread across Lei's face as she did a small jump back. Taking a deep breath, the girl made extremely familiar patterns with her arms. Rin's eyes widened as she realized what was going to happen. Nearby in the small stone fountain, the water swirled around the middle spire. Quickly rushing out of the decoration, it moved to circle Lei.
The girl cheerfully giggled as she twirled inside.
"Cool right? Lon shows me a bunch of stuff he learned in school. See?" Lei said, freezing individual sections of the current to create intricate shapes that the water pulled along.
However, before Rin could react to the sight, Lei was swarmed by the other children. The older woman tensed, instantly recalling her own unfortunate experiences. She was ready to intervene if necessary. But, she didn't need to.
The gaggle of loud youthful voices and laughter showed no signs of prejudice or hostile behaviour. They were just having fun, requesting various random shapes while generally lax in attitude. Rin watched in stunned silence. The moment was broken when some of the children's families arrived. Lei ran off to three figures in the distance, two adults and an older boy who was most likely her brother.
When the dojo was empty, Rin and Pao Shi exited quietly. The latter locking the building's door on the way out. In that moment, Rin spoke up.
"So, there's… more…" She started but the words died in her throat.
"People from the Water Tribes. Yeah." Pao Shi softly finished while they strolled towards his house.
"How long?" Rin quietly asked, looking at her wooden peg and foot.
"Well, town got a flood of new residents about a year after you left. Most of the new guys came with em." He explained with a whistle. "By the way, why did you leave?" Her former teacher gently prodded, making Rin accusingly turn her head to look at him.
"Did my parents never say anything?" Rin bitterly shot back.
"Oh they did." Pao Shi quickly answered. "Apparently you guys had a fight, said and did some things they didn't mean, at least that's what they said to those who listened." He informed. "Anyways, they spent months looking for you. It honestly didn't help that Miss Ping got murdered that night too. But really, that was probably the only reason they got other people to help search. A lot of people thought you were the killer." He rambled.
"They what?" Rin sputtered, halting in her steps.
"Well, you were kind of gone when she was murdered. And, there was a bloody dagger made of ice." Pao Shi slowly stated.
"Oh right." The former bender thought to herself as she recalled that night. "Ugh, why didn't I think of that? Stupid, of course they would've blamed me. Then they would've harassed my parents. Which means that entire thing was useless." Rin angrily reprimanded, not listening as Pao Shi went on to explain how the town's residents slowly moved on from the incident. None besides her parents caring enough to take it outside of the town to no avail.
"Things really mellowed out after that. No one forced anyone out, it's nice." Her former teacher went.
"…How are they-my parents?" Rin asked after a short pause.
"Mostly alright. They're still living in the same house, still got the shop running and everything. Just, quieter… sadder." Pao Shi softly stated.
"Are they really that upset, because of me?" Rin wondered. "Should I be worried about getting arrested?" She abruptly asked, turning away from the topic of her parents.
"Nah, like I said, people moved on. Also evidence was pretty weak while mercenaries and the like commonly pass through towns for jobs. Besides, not like you actually did it." Pao Shi waved off.
Rin stiffened, before grabbing her left arm, eyes downcast. "Wait… did you actually kill her?" He whispered, eyes wide and posture going slack. Her guilty expression gave away the answer. She didn't even try to hide it. "Rin…" Pao Shi muttered, pressing a hand against his forehead.
"I can go.-" Rin started before being cut off.
"No… no, you can stay. But, can we at least talk about it?" He shakily asked. Rin hesitated, making the man let out a deep sigh. "Never mind, not now then. We'll talk later when you're ready." Pao Shi stated with a cough as he led the way inside his home. She silently followed.
When night came, Rin couldn't sleep. Usually it was because of not wanting to relive her nightmares. This time though, she was finally recalling her last memory with her parents.
The final straw.
—
Turning, a young Rin was surprised to see her parents awake and staring at her. Both were extremely disheveled and still in their night clothes, as if they had just recently awoken. Their faces were pale in the darkness, postures tense and eyes bulging. A slight tremble seemed to overtake them at times. The moonlight illuminated the room. It was deathly silent as the wind raced outside.
"Mom, Dad I-" Rin fumbled, attempting to explain herself.
"Rin… please explain." Her father whispered, eyes broken with a pleading look.
"I… I?" Rin stuttered, trying to find her voice.
"We wake up in the middle of the night and find you out of bed and nowhere is sight. Then, we find this on your desk." Her mother said in a firm voice. The older woman put a shaky hand forward. Tightly clasped in her shaky fingers was the crinkled paper from the Purple Lotus. The colour looked poisonous in the dark.
"What were you doing?" She demanded, whipping the incriminating scrap back before crunching it in her hand.
"I was just-" Rin frantically began, beginning what would've been a lie made on the spot.
She was never a good liar.
"The truth, Rin." Her mother sternly ordered, a rare die of the woman. The young bender nervously gulped as she restarted.
"Okay… uh, when I was in the capital earlier, I may have gotten robbed." Rin slowly explained, hands behind her back. "But don't worry, I got the yuan back." She hurriedly added when seeing her parent's alarmed expressions.
"That's not what we are concerned about. How were we not told about this?" Her father wildly questioned.
"I… didn't… exactly tell anyone." Rin admitted, a heavy stone in her stomach.
"Why would you not tell anyone!?" He yelled, instantly exploding, tired hands raised.
"The woman who robbed me offered a quick job. By the time I figured out that she was Purple Lotus or what the job was, I was in too deep!" Rin quickly explained.
"So you had no choice tonight?" Her mother interjected.
"Well… not exactly…" The squirming water bender corrected.
"Rin…" Her mother warned.
"Look, I left the first chance I got. I never intended to associate with them again. But then… I learned about the eviction and went to them for money." Rin vehemently shot out.
"And they just gave you some?" Her father prodded, doubtful with a sharp edge to his voice.
"No I… I did a quick job with them." She defended, looked down to avoid her parent's gaze. There was a small pause before her other spoke.
"What… Rin… what did you do?" The older woman choked, taking a single step forward.
"Mom-" Rin tried to say, moving her hands forward.
"What. Did. You. Do?" Her mother asked again, voice strangled and desperate. Sweat trickled down Rin's forehead as she looked at her parents. Her hands uselessly fell down at her sides. Lowering her head, she responded with hard eyes.
"I killed someone." The words collided against the room, smashing the walls and floor. The reaction from her parents was as if an invisible force had pushed them back. There was a long suffocating silence for almost a minute, no one speaking or looking at each other.
"How could you?" Her father accused, voice sounding so broken. Those words ignited a fire within Rin. Her loose fists suddenly clenched, pain coursing throughout the fingers. A storm brewed in her narrowed eyes as she snapped.
"How… how could I? Are you kidding me?" Rin angrily shouted. "It was for out family! Now we won't get kicked out!" She continued, shoving the bag of yuan in their faces. They recoiled from her.
"We didn't, would never want you to kill anyone." Her mother exclaimed, the woman's body slightly shaking.
"What did you expect me to do then? Sit around and do nothing?" The girl darkly retorted.
"Not kill anyone." Both parents loudly replied.
"Well maybe I wouldn't have had to if you told me what was going on instead of leaving me in the dark!" Rin screamed. Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted in her cheek. Gasping, she slowly brought her hand up to tenderly hold the redding area. Looking up, Rin saw her mother panting with her arm raised.
"Get out." The woman quietly muttered, refusing to meet her daughter's eyes.
"What?" Rin whispered, eyes wide in shock. Previous anger and pain rapidly depleting as she took the two words in.
Before she could react, her father grabbed her arm and began dragging her towards the door. "Hey, wait a second! Dad! Mom!" She loudly protested, trying to fruitlessly free herself from his grip.
"We… did not raise… a murderer." The man forced out, tone cold before throwing her outside.
For years, Rin pushed that night out of her mind. Tried burying it under jobs and new memories. For so long she had convinced herself she had been in the right, But maybe, just maybe, she hadn't been.
Pao Shi's words and Lei filled her mind. Recalling that earlier moment so unlike her own memories.
Maybe, just maybe, her parents had been right.
—
A week soon turned into a month, then another month. She was able to avoid seeing anyone from her past. But, Rin's days began to turn back into the slow, forgettable ones she had felt trapped in during her childhood. Except she no longer had an outlet to express it, and nowhere else to go. She despised it. As if she had become a ghost in her own life.
One starless night, she wandered out onto the beach alone. The scenery made her nostalgic of better times. A light breeze pushed pass while she took a seat in the sand, resting her head on top of her knees. Rin cast a glance above to the full moon. Even without her bending, it's luminescent light and the soft sounds of the sea brought her solace.
Her thoughts began to drift as she gazed at the waters.
"What am I even doing?" Rin tiredly muttered, caressing the sand around her. "What can I do?" She despondently added, swaying as her eyes closed. "I can't even fight anymore…" The young woman thought, recalling the previous afternoon.
The last session of the day had packed up and left. Pao Shi had offered to do a quick spar to get some dust off the spears. Despite not being experienced with the weapon, Rin had felt confident in her abilities. Then she was defeated in a humiliating excuse of a fight. It was too be expected, going against an expert like Pao Shi. But, that loss had felt different. According to her old teacher, she had lost her old spark. Her fighting spirit was in shambles.
Dark shadows of the silent town reflected in the small tides that pushed against the shore. Soon, her darker thoughts began to consume her mind. Waves of consternation flooded every mental corner.
"Why am I even still here?" Rin spitefully thought. "I have nothing, absolutely nothing left!" She continued, suddenly standing."Maybe… I could just…" Rin went, taking a single step forward to enter the water. Her eyes glossed over, memories rushing forward. There she was again, drowning, screams, the feeling of helplessness. Would her last moments feel like that?
Like a puppet's string being snapped, Rin gasped. A moment of clarity shining through. She blinked before yanking her trembling leg away and shaking her head. "How pathetic…I can't even bring myself to… to…" Rin whispered, but couldn't finish. Her body convulsed while she collapsed back onto the beach, panting.
"I don't know what to do! I DON'T KNOW!" She yelled in her mind, squeezing her eyes shut. And then, she stilled. "Did… did I ever?" Rin suddenly questioned, eyes flying open to greet the frigid air.
When she was little, she didn't want anything. Rin had been content with only her friends, family and home. And then she slowly lost those things, clinging onto them until they left. Afterwards, it was job after job. She had convinced herself that the thrill was all she needed, that she had to just keep going through that life. Nothing really changed when she joined the Dai Li, only then she worked with Wikilow. Assignment after assignment. She had been convinced that was what she had to do. She had been convinced that was what she wanted.
Truthfully though, she had never really enjoyed that life, of robbing people of their precious lives. In the end, Rin had been lying to herself.
With this epiphany, she took a few shaky steps back, a sudden nausea clouded her mind. Resting her head against her hand, Rin turned to head back to Pao Shi's. She couldn't keep it bottled up, all of her sudden feelings of guilt, regret, confusion and loss. She needed to talk to someone.
And so she did.
—
Out of respect she waited for morning to come. Then finally began speaking during breakfast. Pao Shi had noticed something her tense, silent mien. Rin focused on the sound of utensils scraping against plates and bowls. Her eyes felt heavy, not getting much sleep the night before. Yet her mind sharper, sharper than it had ever been up until then.
"Your session doesn't start until the afternoon, right?" She quietly asked, moving the rice in her bowl.
"Yup. Why do you ask?" Pao Shi prodded in turn. Rin lowered her gaze to her lap, closing her eyes for a brief second to gather her thoughts. She had gone over the risks countless times. What her former teacher's reaction would be. Would he make her leave? Would he report her to the authorities? Would he even believe her?
But, Rin would take that chance. She had nothing to lose, and the alternative was continuing a silent suffering.
"…I have, a lot of stuff to confess." Rin stated, gaining some volume in her voice. Her heart pounded in her chest as she observed Pao Shi. He crossed his arms as he leaned back into his chair. An understanding and curious look on his face.
"I have time." Pao Shi slowly stated.
And for hours, while the sun reached a zenith in the sky Rin spoke. She explained from the beginning. Her slowly changing mindset, meeting Mei Ling and her parents confronting her. How she stormed away afterwards and led a life of a mercenary. Then she went further. She revealed how she eventually joined the Dai Li and met Wikilow. Meeting Elsi and losing her bending. Concluding with the Dai Li giving her the boot as well and her travel back to the town.
Pao Shi attentively listened, pulling every word in. He only interrupted thrice. A disappointed mutter when she discussed the Dai Li, an astonished remark on Wikilow's status and apparent personality. Finally, a horrified gasp when the details of her missing leg was disclosed.
It was utterly silent as Pao Shi stared at the floor. Rin dropped her head, an icy fear gripping her body. An invisible presence chaining her to the chair. "…Wow… that's… a lot to take in." He breathed out, staring at the ceiling.
"I know." Rin unenthusiastically responded.
"The Dai Li, Rin? The missing Avatar half the nation thinks is dead? He exacerbated, painfully drawing every syllable out.
"I know." She again replied, quieter.
"Wow… wow, wow, wow." Pao Shi repeated. His face was serious, clearly contemplating the matter.
"I'll leave if you want me too. I would completely understand." The young woman offered, wringing her hands on the table. He didn't answer at first, shifting his body into a more comfortable position.
"Rin, do you know what you want to do?" Pao Shi gently questioned.
"…No… not really. Honestly, I don't know what I can do." Rin reluctantly stated.
"What if you still had your bending?" Her former teacher asked out of nowhere, resting his cheek on his knuckles.
"What does that have to do with anything?" She snapped, before reeling herself in. "I'm sorry-" She stammered, but he raised his other hand, making her cease.
"Please don't apologize. It's pretty insensitive of me to be asking in the first place. But, hypothetically, if you still had your bending-" He continued.
"If I could still bend I wouldn't be here! I would probably still be working for the Dai Li." Rin hissed, abruptly rising from the table.
"Hypothetically, if for some reason, you still got kicked out, lost your leg etcetera. What would you do?" He brutally clarified. She allowed herself to fall back into the chair to think. Tapping her foot against the floor she answered.
"In that scenario. If I miraculously regained the ability right now… I'd… I'd want revenge on the Dai Li."
"And just because you cant bend you can't? Or won't?" Pao Shi replied. At Rin's confused silence he continued. "Your bending doesn't define you, Rin. There are so many other things you can, even without your bending. You know, the renowned Southern Water Tribe chief Sokka was a non bender." He explained with a wise, gentle tone.
"Are you of all people suggesting that I go fight the Dai Li?" Rin retorted, crossing her arms.
"You did just say you wanted to. Besides, the Earth States are more stubborn then you think. There's undoubtedly resistance that the Dai Li are keeping under wraps. But I got a dojo to run." He nonchalantly encouraged and excused. "Maybe, you could even meet up with, Wikilow and Elsi was it?" Her former teacher suggested.
"…They got a bird too." Rin went, though her tone indicated how she found the idea unfavourable. However, it was the advice she was looking for. She had a goal again, some platform to base her actions off of. "Thanks Pao Shi. That might work, getting a little payback." She warmly stated with a sigh. "Actually, I'll get started right away." Rin concluded with determination.
"So, you're leaving?" Pao Shi asked, small traces of resigned disappointment in his voice.
"…Yeah, I guess I am. But once again, thank you for everything." She earnestly answered, spirits high.
"I'm glad I could help you, Rin. But, before you go, let me go grab something that might be of help." Her former teacher said before exited the house towards the dojo.
Rin remained inside, wandering around the residence. She firmly entrenched the memory into her mind, as it would be a while before she returned. Eventually, she rounded the house before stopping at the only room she had never been in, Pao Shi's. Curiosity inched it's way in though she tried to ignore the feeling. It would be highly disrespectful. However, she was feeling braver as of lately, and took a quick peek inside.
What she saw took her a back.
There wasn't anything wrong with the room. It was perfectly ordinary and befitting Pao Shi's persona. It was what lay on the shelves that made her freeze. On the well kept shelves, were three very familiar glass figurines. A family of alligators, a fox and two koi fish. Made all those years ago by her parents.
Rin was snapped out of her temporary trance by a hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump and spin around. Luckily, it was only Pao Shi.
"Looking for something?" He joked to which she nervously joined in, before noticing the objects in his hands. A spear, and enough yuan for a boat back to the Earth States. "I know you probably would've preferred a sword. But, supply's limited so I can't spare any." Pao Shi explained as he handed the items to her.
"I got destroyed the last time I fought with a spear…" Rin deadpanned to which he chuckled in response.
"You were against me once, Rin. Knowing you, you'll be fine." He waved off with a smile.
"…Thank you." Rin once again said. They made to leave, but she turned back to look into the open door at the figurines, a sad look in her eyes. "…You, kept them?" She hesitantly prodded. Pao Shi followed her line of sight to the figurines, immediately understanding.
"Why of course. I did say they were well crafted." Pao Shi answered, looking between the small static creatures and the expression on Rin's face. "Hey, before you go. Are you sure you don't want to try talking to them?" He softly questioned, both knowing who them were. Rin gained a hard look in her eyes.
"They… no matter what I did. Even if it was wrong. They just kicked me out. Wouldn't parents who actually cared try and help me, try and prevent me from wasting years of my life instead of just getting rid of me?" Rin darkly retorted, tense.
"An impulsive decision made by two impulsive people that they immediately regretted." Her former teacher stated. "Sounds familiar, eh?" He continued, making Rin bite her lip.
"I can't. For the same reason I'm not going to try and find Wikilow and Elsi, I just can't right now. Not yet." She said. "Not now, maybe one day, but not now." Rin bashfully explained.
"I understand." Pao Shi stated and with a sigh made his way to the door. Rin began following but gave one last look to the figurines. She looked down to the floor in thought, slightly closing her eyes. She reminisced on her life, her childhood. Deep down she could feel it, the longing to see her parents again. The love she still felt for them. But, she couldn't bring herself to face them, not yet. However, there were other ways.
"Hey, Pao Shi, could you lend me some paper and ink quickly?"
—
She sneaked into the shop as quick as she could while no one was inside. Before anyone could race down when they heard the bell, she placed the letter on the counter and fled. By the time her mother arrived, it was like no one had been there at all. Puzzled, the older woman noticed the slightly crinkled paper and began reading. But froze at the first four words.
"Hi Mom, Hi Dad." The older woman grasped the letter in her shaky hands then immediately dashed towards her husband.
It had been simple, conveying her thoughts and feelings. Rin apologized for the grief she had brought her parents. Described what had occurred in her life while they were apart. Including the guilt she now felt. Rin had been vague on what she was planning for the future. Simply saying that she needed to do some things before meeting them in person. It was the end that brought all three to tears.
"I don't know when I'll come see you. But until then, please keep your spirits high and live a happy life. I love you Mom, Dad. Even if you can't after learning about all I've done."
On the outskirts of town, Rin finally stopped running. She bent down in a pant, but was determined. The spear was tightly held in her hand with a mighty grip. Before setting off again, the red ribbon still wrapped around her wrist caught her attention. Rin paused, raising her hand to examine the ribbon.
She smiled and unwrapped it. Then reached behind her back to tie the bottom area of her hair together.
And away Rin ran. All the way back to the Earth States.
—
Authors Note: Once again sorry this took so long to write. But probably should've put more then the 'backstory and goes to earth states eventually' in the planning. As this was supposed to have a bunch more character development for Rin. In all honestly, the entire Rin Alone bits are probably my least liked part of the story.
