Is this destiny?

~ Close to the border of China with Kazakhstan ~

Monday morning…

Master Hollow is irritated that Haru interrupted his morning routine. What can be so important? And why is he not telling him what is going on? What does Haru mean by 'you have to see this to believe it'?

Master Hollow's mood got darker when he realized that Haru is leading him toward the cabin used for storage. He knew that this is about Aiden. 'Rascal! He escaped again to spoil that girl who is too kind to chase him away!'

The old man paused at the doorway of the cabin while observing the scene inside: Aiden is in a half-seated position on top of sacks of rice, cradling in his arms Sarah whose legs are curled on his lap and her head rests on his shoulder. Both of them are sleeping.

Master Hollow shook his head, exhaled and walked away.

"Master, should we punish him?", Haru was one step behind him.

"For what?" The old man stopped and looked at his overenthusiastic disciple. How can Haru be so petty? Maybe he should give him more squats as a punishment so that he reflects on himself.

Haru was speechless. Is it possible that Master does not want to punish Aiden? Maybe they are fully clothed, but he is sleeping with a girl again!

Master Hollow could read Haru's thoughts like an open book.

"I told that rascal to sleep here and not go to Sarah. I never told her what to do.", the old man said before walking away, leaving behind confused Haru.

"Don't be too harsh on judging them, Master.", Jesse told old man.

"Oh, it seems you have a story to tell." Master Hollow loves listening to stories.

He is in the middle of nowhere with his four disciples, and they don't talk much. It's been years since last person wondered this way, and he finds that these three newcomers are disturbing and refreshing at the same time.

After listening to Sarah and Aiden, he spent quite some time recollecting his past related to Lebedev and Voronin families. He didn't interact with their members much, but he remembers how ruthless they are. Always craving for more. More money, more members, more territory, more power. Both of those families have the same greedy attitudes passed from one generation to another with a belief that they are better than anyone else and the only thing preventing them from expanding uncontrollably is that they are rivals. Those two ruthless organizations are involved in many illegal and immoral dealings and they don't care who gets hurt as long as they can grow. Lucky thing in all that mess is that they are controlling each other's growth. He does not want to think what would happen if the balance of power between families shifts one way or the other.

Many years ago, he decided to distance himself from them, and he would make the same decision if he gets a chance for a do over.

He is curious what Jesse's story is.

Jesse and Master Hollow had breakfast together while Jesse shared his experiences with Sarah and Aiden: How they saved kids from the diamond mine and took him in… Helped him get rid of the tracker in his tooth… How they are giving him and those kids a chance for a new life.

Master Hollow was surprised to hear that this young couple already touched so many lives. At the same time, he was moved by the thought that these two are helping others instead of egotistically enjoying their youth.

"And the seven kids who were there when we arrived, they have stories of their own to tell. Sarah and Aiden saved them from a grim future…", Jesse recollected what Ade re-told numerous times before. "Sarah and Aiden are giving them opportunities to do whatever they want, but all of them desire to stay by their side because they respect them and are grateful for how well they are treated. Like a family."

Jesse also mentioned another group of people. "Just recently I found out that we are not the only ones. Sarah and Aiden have a history of helping out others in need." He doesn't know the details, but Marija told him that each member of the Sigma army feels indebted to Sarah and because of that all of them are improving their skills and are ready to help her without questions asked. And the fact that Aiden accepted them into their home in France, and is willing to share his knowledge, makes them feel gratitude to him as well.

"Why are you following them?", Master Hollow asked Jesse.

"They are good people. And they give me a purpose.", Jesse explained. "They helped me when I didn't see a way out. If not for them, I would still be in that mine, not knowing if it's safe to get back into the civilization. I can only hope to be strong enough when the time comes to not be a burden and to have the capability to help them out…"

It was late morning when Jesse and Master Hollow walked out of the cabin.

Master Hollow looked at Sarah and Aiden who are sharing a mat. Something in the old man stirred when he saw them sitting next to each other, perfectly happy just because they are together. And he chocked at the thought that two large forces will do unimaginable things just to prevent them from doing that: staying close to each other.

"Come", he gestured toward the clearing used for training. "All three of you."

Sarah and Aiden exchanged questioning glances with Jesse which were left unanswered and followed Master Hollow in hurried steps.

That morning all three of them received special instructions.

After lunch, Jesse disappeared into the forest and returned with his catch. Previous day he set up few traps and now he returned with three wild rabbits and a quail.

"I don't know if you eat meat.", Jesse awkwardly said when he noticed that the Master and his four disciples are giving him strange looks.

Master Hollow cleared his throat and responded in a serious tone. "We prefer vegetarian diet, but we will not refuse your offerings."

Sarah laughed internally while thinking that 'yes, we eat meat' was a much more straightforward answer. But she can see that these five are not used to receiving 'gifts' from others.

Jesse was proud to hear that they decided to have his catch for dinner. He didn't want to be a freeloader, so yesterday he set up traps with a goal to catch some wild animals they could eat. Now he feels that he is contributing to this small community.

Aiden offered to be the chef in charge. Of course, Sarah volunteered to help him out. She loves when they cook together.

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