Chapter Four
Next Stop: the Soul Society
The Next Morning…"Today," Lora Kaelin addressed the two students of hers. "We're going to the Soul Society. Is everybody ready to go?" She asked.
"Yes!" Came one answer.
"No. I can't go. Not with how Katie's feeling. Once it's all settled, I'll get mom to contact you." Nick said.
"Are you sure, Nick?"
"I'm sure. See you later."
"Think about it for a while, okay? We'll wait for a few hours. In fact, I'll be right back." Lora went inside the house to find Tabitha.
Lora found Tabitha in the living room, looking at a picture of Elias, the twins' father. She looked behind her to see Lora. "Oh, hey Lora."
"Tabitha, is something wrong? This is about me taking your precious twins, isn't it?"
"Yes, and no. I don't mind about Jasmine, but Nick is the only tie I still have to remind me of Elias. Even though he doesn't have his father's eyes or hair, he has his face. I don't want him taken away. Raymond can't keep him in the Soul Society. I am making that entirely clear, okay?"
"Of course, Tabitha. I will not let Nick get drafted to actually join a Squad. I'll bring him right back after his training."
"No, I meant that Raymond can't keep him in the Soul Society. Not as in Nick is part of a Squad, but I want him to still come back to me."
"Oh. Still, of course I'll make sure. Raymond can't keep a child away from his mother, no matter how acquainted him and the child's mother may be."
"Thank you, Lora. But, I thought you were all leaving now?"
"Nick doesn't want to leave Katie behind. He said that no matter what, he wasn't going to leave her side."
"Oh, I understand what he's thinking. I'll go talk to Katie. Only she can reason with him right now."
"Thank you Tabitha. If she could get Nick to go, I would be grateful to her." Tabitha nodded and left the room.
Katie's Temporary Room…Katie was sitting on her bed, thinking about how her and Nick were going to take care of a baby when they were only sixteen. She started crying when she heard the door open. She looked and saw Tabitha Negron come in. "Oh, Mrs. Negron."
"I'm sorry, Katie. Did I catch you at a bad time? I only came because we have a small problem."
"Is Nick hurt? I saw him go out of his body yesterday evening and I was worried! I don't know if I can go on with this pregnancy! I don't even know what my father will say if he ever finds out!"
"Wait. You could see him outside of his body?" Katie nodded. "Well, Nick was able to because he has certain powers. Now, why were you crying?"
"Its just that I don't know what we're going to do. I don't want to give the baby up, but after I have it, my father is going to kill both Nick and I. I don't want to die just after having my first child." She started crying more hysterically.
Tabitha, worried about the girl that had her son's heart, hugged her and comforted her. "Katie, everything will be alright. I promise, you will not come to any harm. Now, can I please ask you a favor from Lora and I?"
Katie nodded. "Yes, what do you guys need?"
"We need you to talk to Nick about going to the Soul Society. I've told you about it before, and Nick and Jasmine will be going there to train. But, Nick will not go because he doesn't want to leave you. I've tried explaining to him that time here stops when he's there, but he insists on staying. He needs to learn how to be a better Soul Reaper, so I need you to talk to him. You have his heart, and you're the only one who can convince him to go. So, will you do it?"
"Of course. If it's for Nick to help him protect his child, and me then I'll do whatever it takes. I'll go right now."
"Thank you, Katie!" Tabitha hugged her. "You know, I'd love for you to be my daughter-in-law."
"I'd like that, too. I'll go talk to him now." Katie left the room.
The Basement…Katie had finally found Nick in the basement, looking deep in thought. "Hey, Nick."
Nick looked up. "Oh, hey Katie. What's up?"
"Well, I wanted to talk to you. It's about you going to the Soul Society."
"Nick looked at her confused. "Wait. How do you know about the Soul Society?"
"Your mom told us when we were little. She reminded me of it earlier. I wanted to talk about you going there."
"I'm not going! That's that."
"But, Nick, why?"
"Because I'm not leaving you."
"Is there any way that you can go knowing I'm safe?"
"No, but I promise you that I won't leave you until you say its okay. I love you too much to leave you now."
"Go, Nick. I'll be with your mom. I'll be fine. Please, don't worry about me. Your mom can protect me."
"But, I don't want to leave you. By the time I get back, you may not be able to recognize me. Where I'm going, you won't age, but I will. I'm not leaving."
"Your mom already told me where you're going. Shit, Nick, I can see you in Soul Reaper form! She told me that as soon as you get back, the aging, if any, will reverse itself and you'll be the same age you are now. Don't worry. It's not like I'm going to be waiting for you since time here is going to be stopped. I just wish I could come with you."
"Well, if you really don't mind me going, then I'll go."
"Go, Nick, and stay safe, okay?"
"Of course, Kate. See you when I get back."
Living Room…Lora, Nick and Jasmine were standing in front of a portal into the Soul Society. Lora looked back at the two teenagers. "Are you two ready now?"
"Yes." Came the chorus of agreements.
"Okay, now we just have to step through the portal and we'll be in the Soul Society. Now, let's go." Lora led the way into the portal.
Nick was having second thoughts and looked back at Katie. She smiled at him and mouthed. "Come back soon." Nick nodded and walked through the portal.
Soul Society Entrance Gate…
When Lora, Nick and Jasmine stepped back out of the portal, only Lora was aware that someone would appear to them.
"Halt. Who goes…?" He started. "Oh, Lieutenant Kaelin. Welcome back. Who are these children you have with you?"
"These 'children' are the twin children of Former Squad One Captain Lenora. Now, let us pass."
"O-okay." The guard stepped aside and the trio went into the interior of the Soul Society.