Is this destiny?

After the fireworks, guests started dispersing.

Soon, it was only a handful of people left in the garden and Sarah and Aiden went to talk with the kids before they call it a night. They will be out for a month, and they need to ensure that everyone knows what they are supposed to do.

Sophia, Felix, JoAnna and Jeff were also present. In case kids need any 'grown-up' guidance, those four are available.

This is the first time that Sarah and Aiden are planning to be out for such a long time, and they are a bit nervous to leave the kids unattended. With their studies and the army of Chaos, a lot of things can go wrong.

"Don't slack off with studies just because we are not here.", Sarah advised them. "Submit your assignments as usually and we will check your progress occasionally."

"If nothing urgent comes up, we will return in four weeks.", Aiden added. "Jesse and Oni have a mission in Europe, so they will leave with us tomorrow morning. The two of them will return in four days. Until then, Haru, Nala, Julius and Allen will be in charge as we divided work…"

Sarah gestured toward her sisters, Jeff and Felix. "Don't be shy to reach out to them if you need something..."

Sarah and Aiden took turns in repeating instructions and making sure that everyone heard them so that they don't come up with 'I-didn't-know' excuses if things go wrong: generals will be in charge of the army of Chaos with Masika and Imani leading the sniping teams, Oni and Nala are strategists, Zula and Beck are on point for first aid, Ron and Haru are in charge of attacks, Allen and Julius for defending current assets, etc.

They didn't mention Jesse, because he will act as Aiden's backup at the White foundation. Because of this, Jesse spent most of the afternoon with Mason and Ryder.

Jesse's body was there, but his mind was on the next mission. He and Oni will go and scout the next location in Frankfurt, Germany. They are leaving at the same time with Sarah and Aiden to France and then Jesse and Oni will take a car and drive to Frankfurt with French passports. He knows that it's only scouting, but with every next mission, his anxiety is increasing. He is getting closer to the truth and he can almost feel it: Why Shadow Ravens betrayed him? Why did they betray his whole team? Why everyone had to die? Why… Jesse, his lover?

Oni glanced at Jesse and she saw that his handsome brows are furrowed and his hands are balled into fists. He does that subconsciously before their scouting missions.

She sighed helplessly. Oni wishes to ease his worries, but she does not know how. By now, Oni is aware of her feelings and that she is absolutely head over heels for him, but she also knows that he is keeping his distance from her.

Oni wonders if Jesse thinks that she too young, or he does not like her, or is there something else preventing him to reach out to her? She does not know, but she can see that Jesse created an invisible wall between them, keeping them apart… breaking her heart in the process. She decided to be by Jesse's side because she is unable to stay away from him, even if that means that the wall between them will never crumble.

Sarah and Aiden ended with their instructions and accepted from the kids wishes for a happy vacation.

Sarah stood up, ready to leave. "OK. If there is nothing else, then…"

"Boss, there is one thing…", Ade interrupted her.

Sarah smiled knowingly. If there is anyone with more questions that is Ade. She wondered what he is up to. "Yes?"

"Since you will be out for a month, can you and boss Aiden spar for us?", Ade asked with sparkles in his eyes.

"You want me and Aiden to spar?" Sarah wanted to confirm.

All the kids were nodding in confirmation.

She glanced at Aiden who gave her a 'why not' shrug.

Sarah looked at Ade and then at the other kids before spreading her arms, palms up. "OK."

…

Outside…

Stella, Edward, Elanor, Oscar, Jarred and Mrs. Ronin are at the table, chatting and snacking while sipping beverages. 

They are not paying attention to Kitty, who is napping in the tree above them.

Stella and Edward are staying for the night at the Cliffside villa, Elanor and Oscar wanted to stay with Hill parents longer. As for Jarred and Mrs. Ronin… no one knows why the two of them stayed longer, because Charlie, Emma and all Ronin brothers left.

When Emma and Charlie were leaving, Jarred said that he is happy to drop off Mrs. Ronin to Charlie's villa… later.

No one saw Ade approaching them, and they were startled when they heard his voice.

"Excuse me…", Ade said breathlessly while grabbing a plate with pastries from the table behind Edward.

"What is going on?", Stella asked.

"Boss Sarah and Boss Aiden are about to spar. I'm here to grab snacks.", Ade responded and dashed toward the training grounds, not waiting for another question. He does not want to miss the beginning.

Six people at the table exchanged glances.

Stella and Elanor stood up first, followed by Edward and Oscar, and four of them headed after Ade in hurried steps.

Jarred looked after them and then glanced at Mrs. Ronin. "It will be a good match."

Mrs. Ronin understood that Jarred wants to go and watch. She is not interested in violence, but everyone is going. Even the bodyguards who were at the table on the right, rushed in that direction (they are bodyguards who came with Elanor, Oscar and Jarred).

Jarred was happy that Mrs. Ronin stood up and headed toward the rink. Jarred can't forget Sarah's and Aiden's fight at the parking lot of LA Medical Center, and he is happy that he got another chance to see their skills.

By the time Jarred and Mrs. Ronin reached the rink, four spotlights were pointing at the Sarah and Aiden who were inside the rink, ready to start their spar.

Jesse was on the side, acting as a referee. He didn't dare go inside the rink.

Stella's unblinking eyes were on Sarah, and she held her breath while observing Sarah's posture, facial expressions, that small glint in her eyes. It's a while since Stella saw Sarah fight, almost three months, and she can see that Sarah changed. There is a certain aura of excitement around Sarah, as if she is looking forward to the fight. Or maybe it's because she is facing Aiden.

"Ladies first…", Aiden gestured to Sarah to start.

Sarah tilted her head slightly. "It's your turn to attack first."

Aiden refused. "It's your birthday."

Sarah rolled her eyes. Why is he acting like a gentleman when they are about to fight? "Fine."

In next moment, she dashed toward him.

'SWISH'

Sarah arm swooped toward Aiden's head and he leaned backward to avoid it. Her palm missed his nose by a fraction.

Aiden gave Sarah 'you are not kidding' look and she smirked while attacking repeatedly.

It took Aiden few seconds to start countering Sarah with a goal to grab her arm or a leg. But she is fast, so he has to wait for the right moment, when she drops her guard a bit.

With every next attack, their moves were faster and fiercer.

The audience watched in total silence, and they could only hear the sound of Sarah's and Aiden's limbs cutting through the air.

'PAK!'

A sharp sound filled the space when Aiden blocked Sarah's arm.

'THUD!'

Another loud sound was heard when Sarah blocked Aiden's punch. He retracted his hand swiftly when he realized that Sarah is wrapping fingers of her left hand around his wrist. That was close. Last time he was reckless enough to allow Sarah to grab him with her left hand, he had a nasty bruise for almost two weeks!

Everyone's hearts were beating rapidly, and Mrs. Ronin thought that she will pass out from the excitement while she wondered if she is seeing right. How can they move so fast that parts of their bodies look like a blur? Isn't that the youngest Hill sister? Is this the world Emma lives in now? What about her three sons? She spent her whole life to keep them away from danger and violence which is lurking because of their father, and it appears that her children found a violent world of their own. Mrs. Ronin wondered if the whole world is violent, and she is the one who is living in an illusion of safety she created for herself.

Stella held her breath while admiring the skills Sarah displayed. She is much faster and more precise than Stella remembers. Stella wondered, did Sarah grow so much in last three months? Or is it possible that Sarah didn't show all she has when they practiced last time? Is this all, or is Sarah hiding more? Just how great is her potential? 

Another surprise for Stella was that Aiden can match Sarah. The two of them are perfect and Stella can see that they are practicing together often. And based on their lit up expressions, it's obvious that both of them are enjoying.

After about a dozen blows, Stella confirmed that the both of them are holding back because they are focusing on not hurting each other. Part of Stella wished to see them in a fight against an enemy, just so that she can see their full power.

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