"our paths in life are never a straight line."
✧✧✧

If Kira's insomnia was bad before, it's near-incurable after her conversation with Wu.

The rest of that night is spent staring up at her bedroom ceiling. Her head aches from the whirlwind of thoughts and words inside, spinning and swirling around like a wild tornado. Her eyes burn and twitch from exhaustion and the slightest hint of tears. In just under an hour, her entire world has been flipped upside-down. Everything she thought she knew has been thrown completely out the window. Questions upon questions swirl through her brain: if Wu knew she had this power, why did he wait this long to say something? Heck, if her mother knew she had this power, why didn't she think her daughter deserved to know? And why did she seem to hate Wu so much?

It's unbelievable, she thinks, how quickly things can go from being perfectly fine to making no sense at all.

She shifts to glance out the window, where the full moon still glows high above.

"Maybe I was right to wonder about you so much," she whispers.

When she finally does drift off, it's in the early hours of the morning, and she sees her father's face in her dreams.

Kira isn't sure how long it's been when she drifts back into consciousness. A groan escapes her as her eyes peel open, blinking groggily against the morning light flooding the room. Once again, she's overslept, but today she's too tired to care. Her head pulses, begging to return to bed. Maybe she's really still asleep, and everything that happened last night was just a crazy dream. Maybe any minute now, she'll wake up for real, and she'll go get dressed and help her mother make breakfast, then go sell their tea for the day. There won't be any tension or secrets between them—just laughter and lighthearted banter, like every day.

It's wishful thinking, but it brings her comfort for the smallest of moments.

Kira groans again. She rolls over—straight off the edge of the bed—and lands hard on her face. She lies there for a few moments, contemplating her existence. It's not until the bedroom door creaks open that she lifts her head again.

"Rough night?" Aimi stands in the doorway, already dressed for the day. Kira doesn't miss the way her voice sounds stiffer than usual.

"Mm."

"I see. Well...I'm going to set up shop. There's leftover breakfast downstairs. I'll see you later."

Kira mumbles in acknowledgement. The door closes and she's left alone. A while passes before she exhales, finally dragging herself to her feet and grabbing her clothes. It feels as if there's a weight sitting in her gut, slowing her down as she trudges to the bathroom to get dressed for the day. Like every morning, she bathes and dresses quickly, then brushes her hair and fixes it in the half-braided style. She stops to study her reflection after. A massive bruise has begun to bloom on her forehead, turning the skin a hazy red. She huffs.

Good job, Kira. Very attractive.

She ignores the bruise and looks closer.

When she looked in the mirror just a day ago, she saw nothing but a village girl—simple and plain, sure, but familiar. Normal. She isn't sure what to think anymore. Somewhere deep inside that girl is raw, untapped potential, waiting to be unlocked. Her gaze shifts down to her hands. If Wu is right about her, those very hands are capable of extraordinary things. There's power at her very fingertips, and that knowledge alone makes her brain feel like it's frying.

Kira jumps as her stomach suddenly rumbles like an earthquake. She sighs and heads for the kitchen. Just as her mother said, a plate of food waits for her on the table, but she ignores it in favor of the photograph on the wall. Her parents' faces stare at her, smiling like they haven't a worry in the world. Her focus locks on Kenta, whose brown eyes seem to sparkle with warmth and love, even in a picture. It's hard to think such a kind-looking man was once a fierce warrior.

If she hadn't known the truth about him, she would've refused Wu's offer on the spot. Become a warrior? Train alongside the famous Ninja? An exciting offer, but definitely not for her. Life in Jamanakai is stable and quiet, which is just the way she likes it. But she knows better. Her father was an Elemental Master. And now, she could be one too.

"This is all so weird," she whispers. "I've always wanted to know more about you, but this? This is crazy."

Kenta offers no input.

"Would you have told me, if you were still here?" Kira continues. "Would you have trained me?"

She closes her eyes and imagines it: her father teaching her to use her power with patience, his laughter mingling with hers whenever she makes a silly mistake, his smile prideful when she finally gets it right. Her eyes open again and the fantasy disappears, but whatever power her dad left her with, it remains.

"This could be my only chance to learn more about you," she utters, staring her father's picture in the face. "The kind of person you were, the kind of powers you had...we could have a connection. Something more than just talking to the moon at night. Something deeper."

Kenta's face remains still.

Kira sighs and turns away, but the thought lingers, running through her head over and over like a broken record.

My only chance...

------------------

Things around the Desarin household are awkward for a while, to say the least.

The silence at dinner that evening is so deafening they could hear a pin drop. Kira finishes in record time, excusing herself hastily and leaving her mother alone. A cycle continues for the next few days: Aimi tends the shop alone while Kira wanders the house all day, contemplating. Aimi gets home, and they eat dinner before Kira goes back upstairs for the night. All the while, the house is painfully quiet. Aside from the half-hearted "good mornings", "good nights", and a few other phrases, Kira and Aimi barely exchange words. It's not until the third day of the week that something meaningful is said at last.

"So...should we talk about the elephant in the room?" Aimi asks that evening at the dinner table.

Kira looks up, her mouth stuffed with vegetables. She swallows her food quickly and straightens up, looking hesitantly to her mother.

"I know I should've checked on you sooner," Aimi continues. Her eyes swim with guilt, a sense of pain evident in their brown depths. "Everything that happened with Wu was just...a lot for me, I suppose. But it must've been a lot for you too. Are you feeling okay?"

"I..." Kira starts. She pauses, attempting to stay composed, before finally spilling her thoughts. "I don't know. Just really confused, honestly." She lowers her gaze as her voice grows quiet. "I just can't believe you hid it from me. Sixteen years...and I never knew."

"I know. But it's like I said, Kira. I did it to protect you."

"You didn't think I deserved to know?"

"You deserve to be safe." Aimi's jaw tightens, but she relaxes quickly, the guilty look returning to her face. "Still, I understand if you're angry with me. I know I'm not winning any parenting awards for keeping this from you."

"You're not a bad mom," Kira murmurs. "And I'm not mad. Just...I don't know, confused and sort of disappointed."

"I understand. I suppose you were bound to find out eventually, even if Wu didn't tell you."

Hearing the old man's name again, Kira tenses. Her mind wanders back to last night, toward the coldness in her mother's eyes and the venom in her voice. "How come you hate him so much?" she blurts before she can stop herself.

Aimi flinches slightly. "Hate is a strong word."

"But you don't like him. I mean, I've never seen you so mad at anyone before. What did he do to you?"

Her mother sighs, swirling her spoon through her soup. "I don't know, Kira," she says. "I guess I was never a fan of the whole Elemental Master thing. What Wu and the others were doing, it was dangerous, and I didn't like that he'd roped my husband into it."

"But that doesn't seem like a reason not to like him," the younger girl insists. "I mean, from the moment he showed up and you insisted he broke his promise..." She cuts off, suddenly reminded of yet another memory from the previous night. "Wait...what did he promise you?"

Aimi might've looked surprised, but her expression shifts to confusion so quickly Kira wonders if she imagined it. "Promise?" she repeats, brows furrowed. "Kira, what are you going on about?"

"When you went to answer the door for him. I thought you said—"

CRASH!

Both Desarins flinch as Aimi's teacup, which had been sitting dangerously close to the edge of the table, smashes to the floor. Kira flinches as the pieces go sprawling across the kitchen in an explosion of fine china.

"Well, that's what I get for leaving it there," Aimi huffs, face-palming. She moves to the dustpan and starts to sweep up the mess. "So," she says as she dumps the pieces in the trash, "how do you feel about Wu's little offer?"

Kira hesitates. Her eyes flutter shut and she takes a deep breath, fingers tightening around the fabric of her clothing. "I...I don't wanna have to leave home. To leave you." Even if you weren't always honest with me, she adds silently. "You know I've never stepped foot outside the village my whole life. The thought of leaving everything behind? It scares me."

At this, hope flickers in Aimi's eyes. Kira bites her lip. Her gaze flits to the photo of her parents, of Kenta's grinning face, before staring her mother dead in the eye. When she speaks, her voice comes out clearer, stronger.

"But...this could be my only chance to get closer to Dad. If I have his power, I want to learn more about it. If he was an Elemental Master, I want to be one too."

"This is exactly what I was afraid of," Aimi sighs, bringing a hand to her temple. "I know you miss him, Kira, but you don't know what you're getting yourself into. What your father did wasn't for the faint of heart. Whenever he left on a mission, there was no guarantee he'd come back. I don't want that life for you."

"But if I don't take this chance, I know I'll regret it later. And, well...I can't live the rest of my life knowing I could've done something, but I didn't."

"And what if you don't come home?" Her mother challenges, and Kira notices her eyes growing moist. "What if Wu has to come back here to tell me that my only child has been hurt, or gone missing like my husband did, or worse?" Her voice breaks, fading into a soft sob. "You're all I have left, Kira. If something happened to you..."

Kira winces, feeling her heart shatter like glass. She blinks back tears, swallowing the massive lump forming in her throat, as the full weight of her decision hits her.

If I go with Wu, she'll be worried sick and all alone...

Nevertheless, for the first time in her life, she knows what she wants.

"I know you're just trying to protect me," she murmurs. "And I appreciate it, really. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It scares me, but I can't say no." She exhales. "Please, just...try to understand."

"I don't understand, Kira. What could possibly be more important than your safety?"

"My family."

There's a beat of tense silence. Kira bites her lip and fidgets slightly, knuckles growing white as she grips her clothing tighter. Aimi looks away, a heavy sigh leaving her, before her gaze shifts back to her daughter.

"Is this really what you want?"

"It is."

"Then I won't stop you."

At this, Kira stiffens. A small, surprised exclamation escapes her as she processes the words that have just been spoken. "You...you mean it?"

"I wish you'd listen to me when I say I don't like this. But clearly I can't change your mind. Might as well let you satisfy your curiosity now instead of wonder forever."

Kira blinks once. She hesitates, then manages a small smile, a look of bittersweet gratitude softening her features. "Thank you, Mom. Really."

"Just be careful what you wish for, Kira Desarin."

------------------

The rest of the week goes by quicker after that night. Before the Desarins know it, Friday has arrived. Kira spends most of the day bustling around the house, stuffing her few belongings—clothes, hygiene supplies, pens and paper—into one of her mother's old bags. Aimi takes the day off from the tea shop to help her prepare, although she seems less than thrilled about it.

That evening as the sun sets, Kira sits on her bed, swinging her legs anxiously. Any moment now, Wu will arrive, and when he leaves she'll be going with him. She stares around her room, the place she'd spent so much of her time for sixteen years. As small and simple as it is, it's become a safe haven, a home inside her home. It's where she always went when she needed time to herself, to think or to cry or just to be alone. When the nights grew late and she couldn't sleep, she'd watch the moon from this room and dream. The thought of leaving it now sends a dull ache through her heart.

Knock knock knock.

The sound of rapping on the front door makes her breath hitch. She slides off the bed so quickly she nearly trips, slinging her bag over her shoulder and scrambling to the bedroom door. With one last glance at her room, she turns and hurries downstairs. Aimi is already opening the door, and Kira sucks in a breath as her eyes fall on Wu.

"Hello again, you two," the old man says with a smile. "I hope you've both been faring well since my last visit."

"Oh, we've been just fine," Aimi replies dryly.

"I'm glad to hear it." His warm gaze shifts from Aimi to her daughter. "Kira, have you made a decision regarding my offer?"

"Y-yes sir," Kira straightens and puffs out her chest, trying her best to look confident. "I...I accept your offer. I want to become an Elemental Master."

"Ah, a wonderful choice! I promise, it will be one you won't regret." The old master smiles. "Although...do be careful. I'm sure you wouldn't want another one of those anytime soon." He gestures toward the bruise on her forehead, making her face flush.

"You don't have any idea when she'll be back, do you?" asks Aimi.

"The training process is long and difficult. It cannot be rushed," Wu replies. "Kira will return when she is ready."

"I was afraid you'd say that."

Wu turns back to Kira. "Well, Kira...are you ready to go?"

Kira's heart races. Her grip on her bag grows tighter. For the first time in her life, she's traveling somewhere far away and unknown, with a near-stranger no less. Everything she knows is about to be left behind, for a long time by the sound of things. What kind of experiences await her she can only dream about. She takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders.

"Yes. I'm ready."

She turns to face Aimi, but before she can even finish moving, her mother surges forward and envelops her in tightest hug she's ever given. They hold each other for a few moments longer before Aimi pulls away. Her palms are warm against her daughter's skin as she cups her face gently in her hands, eyes glistening with tears. "Please...just promise me you'll be safe."

"I promise."

"Thank you." She presses a tender kiss to Kira's forehead, making the younger Desarin smile for a brief moment.

"Bye, Mom."

"Goodbye, Kira."

Kira gives one final nod to her mother before tearing her gaze away. Wu starts to walk away, his bamboo staff clicking gently on the ground, and she follows tentatively. Her head tilts upward, stomach lurching at the sight of the looming mountains in the distance.

"So, um...are we really gonna climb those ourselves?"

There's a gleam in Wu's eyes as he grins at her. "Not quite."

His eyes close, brows furrowing in concentration, as he readies his body. His arms begin to move in a strange yet fluid motion. Kira steps back, eyes wide, as she notices his palms are glowing with a sort of golden energy. It moves with his hands, creating an odd, winding shape. Then, there's a blinding flash of light, causing Kira and Aimi to shriek and shield their eyes. When her vision clears, Kira gasps. Where there was nothing moments ago, an enormous dragon now stands, golden-white scales glowing in the sunset.

Kira's mouth gapes. No way...

She was awed by the stories of dragons
her mother told her as a child, but to see one in person takes her breath away completely. She notices that, with the long beardlike tendrils trailing from its snout, the beast looks oddly like Wu himself.

"We'll be taking Goldie here," Wu says as he mounts the massive creature with ease. "Unless you'd prefer to climb the Mountains of Impossible Height yourself."

Kira blinks. "Air travel it is."

Her body trembles as she shuffles toward the dragon, flinching when a rumble sounds from deep within its throat. As Wu helps her onto its back, she finds its scales are surprisingly warm against her skin. She settles down as best as she can, gripping the old man's shoulders for support.

Wu's grin grows wider. "Hold on tight."

He tugs at the dragon's reigns. With another low rumble, the animal begins to ascend, its powerful wings beating the air steadily. Kira's heart drops to her stomach as they leave the ground, rising higher and higher, until the buildings of Jamanakai Village become nothing more than specks far below.

Beneath them, Aimi slumps against her doorway with a quiet sob. She wipes at her tearful eyes, watching helplessly as they fly away into the sunset.