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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Jayden's Done
A/N: Hello my wonderful readers! I'm trying to update all my stories today because it's my birthday! Virtual cake for all! Enjoy this chapter and your cake too!
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on." -Robert Frost
Jayden went to go check on Tiara for the third time that day. It'd been only a couple of days since her father had died, and she'd been a little distant. He knocked on her door and heard a muffled reply. He opened the door. "There's someone here to see you."
Tiara nodded and stood up. "Ok. I'll be right there."
Jayden could see the tear marks on her face and frowned. He wished he could make everything better for her. She left her room and he followed her back to the living room. She stopped when she saw Akito standing in the front hall, talking to Ji. He saw her and she ran straight for him. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. Akito in return, kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. "I'm so sorry, My Flower," he said in Japanese.
Tiara sniffed. "I'm glad you're here," she replied in the same language. "I've been so-"
"Shh. It's ok. I'm here now. I'm not leaving your side. I promise."
"I love you."
"I love you way more than you can understand." He kissed the top of Tiara's head and hugged her tight.
"Come on, we have to talk." She pulled away from the hall and towards her room.
"You're going to let them be alone?" Lauren asked Ji.
"Tiara should be old enough to make her own decisions," Jayden interjected. "Mentor Ji is only allowed to tell us what to do as long as we're minors. Which we're not anymore."
Lauren sighed and leaned against the wall. As much as she hated watching Jayden and Ji fight, she knew someone had to referee. Or at least keep them from killing each other.
"My job also extends to preserving honor and integrity of the Shiba Clan," Ji said icily.
"And you think any of us would do some thing stupid to taint our family's reputation?!" Jayden demanded. "Do you really think that low of us?!"
"Judging by your actions of late, it makes me wonder! All I am trying to do is make sure you make the right decisions!"
"I don't need your help!"
"Yes you do!"
"No I don't! Stop telling me what to do! You're not my father!"
Lauren bolted up straight. "Jayden!"
"Obviously not," Ji replied. "But nether are you! James would never have acted this way! He acted like a true head of the Shiba Clan! Unlike his son!"
"Ji!"
Jayden simply shook his head. "I'm done! If I'm not a good samurai, then so be it!" He grabbed the golden necklace around his neck, identical to the ones his sisters wore, and jerked it off. He threw it on the ground at Ji's feet. "If I'm not worthy enough to be here, then I'll leave!"
"Then leave!" Ji snapped. "What's stopping you!?"
Jayden had honestly been expecting Ji to stop him. His mentor's words only fueled his anger and interpretation of the situation. "Fine! I will! But I won't come back!" He turned away and ran to his room. He slammed the door shut and grabbed his bag. He began putting his things into it quickly and zipped it closed. He threw it over his shoulder and grabbed his motorcycle helmet. He left his room and headed for the front door.
Lauren saw him hesitate, before steeling himself and leaving the house. She shook her head. "No," she whispered. She followed him out. "Jayden!"
He stopped and sighed. "What?"
"Where do you think you're going?!"
"Away from here!"
"Away?! Jayden the Shiba House is your home!"
"Maybe. But I can't stay here and let every tell me what to do my whole life!"
"You can't leave though!" She reached out and snatched his helmet from his grasp.
"Lauren give me my helmet back!"
"No! Jayden, Tiara's dad just died! She needs you!"
"She can call me. And I'll go anywhere she needs me to go. Plus she'll have you."
"If you won't stay for her then stay for me! Jayden I couldn't have contact with you for most of our lives! Please, don't make me live without you again."
Jayden felt guilty when he saw the look his sister was giving him. "I'm sorry Lauren. I'm so sorry. But I just can't do it anymore. I'm done."
"Jayden, please-"
"My helmet." He held out his hand. "Come on, don't make me take it from you." Lauren reluctantly stepped forward and put the helmet I'm his hand. "Thank you."
Lauren sighed and hugged him. "Please be careful."
"I will." Jayden pushed her away and turned his back on her. He left the yard and went to get his bike.
Lauren watched as the gate closed after him and stood alone in the empty yard. She listened as his motorcycle drove away and got quieter until she could no longer hear it. With a heavy heart, she went back into the house, suddenly feeling like she was a faliure.
-Samurai Ranger Life-
Jayden drove through the city, trying to think of where to go. He knew there were places where he could stay. They were like special half-way houses set up for the samurai rangers and their families. He quickly cast the idea aside. He was done being a samurai. (I want nothing more to do with this!) he reminded himself. He decided there was only one place he could go and headed straight there.
He reached Lorrie's apartment building in no time and parked his bike out front. He tuned it off and got off slowly. He approached the front door and rang her buzzer. He waited a couple minutes and then the door opened.
"Jayden?" Lorrie asked. "What's going on?"
"I...um...had a fight with...um...and I just..." He sighed. "Can I stay with you for a little while? I have no where else to go."
Lorrie smiled and hugged him. "You can stay as long as you want. Come on up."
Jayden grinned and followed her up the stairs and into the building. As the door shut he felt like it was finally separating him from his old life. He followed her up to her apartment and looked around when they got there. "Wow. It's..."
"I know it's probably not what you're used to."
"Yes, but that's ok. Perfect actually."
Lorrie smiled as she shut the door. "Can I ask what happened?"
Jayden sighed. "It's hard to explain."
"Why don't we sit down?" The two of them sat down on her futon and she put her hand on his. "Talk. What happened?"
"I just...I had a fight with my guardian, Ji. He's just...he keeps trying to tell me what to do even though I'm an adult now. And I realized that my whole life everyone's just been expecting me to be prefect, you know? And I can't take it anymore. I can't live by everyone else's rules any more. I just can't. It's my life. "
Lorrie nodded. "I understand. That's perfectly acceptable. So, what're you going to do?"
"I don't know. I haven't really thought it out. I just...I want to live my life for me. You know? No real expectations, no pressure. I want to live a real life. One where I'm in charge." The more he thought about it the more Jayden realized what he needed to do. He looked at Lorrie and took her hands. "I've got it! I'm going to start a new life."
"Really?"
"Really. It'll be perfect. I can get a job and an apartment and everything. I can learn life skills and become my own person."
"Is this really what you want?"
"Yes. That perfect boy is gone."
Lorrie grinned. "You're still prefect to me." She kissed him gently. "If this is what you want, then I'll support you."
"Really?"
"Yes. I'll help you find and job and a place. I'll help you build this new life of yours. Whatever you want."
"Thank you."
"Just one condition though."
"What?"
"I demand a payment of at least ten kisses a day in return for my services."
Jayden smiled and kissed her. "I think I can afford that."
Lorrie pulled him down onto of her and giggled. "I'm glad." She stroked Jayden's face once, then pushed him off. "Ok, let's go."
"Go where?"
"To find you a job. First step in starting a new life is you need a source of income. Now what do you know about getting a job?"
"Absolutely nothing."
She sighed and flopped back down. "Ok. Looks like we have some serious work to do."
