A heavy silence lingered between Sayuri, Ichiro, and Jack Drake.

Ichiro Haga had come to their place and told them that he had to take Sayuri back. Apparently, it was a family tradition that their descendants were sent to an academy in Kyoto instead of sending them to an ordinary high school.

He told Jack that Sayuri's name had been enrolled by her mother so they should respect the woman's wishes and let Sayuri go back to Japan. Jack wanted to object but Ichiro had prepared an answer for every question he had.

In the end, the decision was left to Sayuri.

Ten years had passed but she hadn't fully forgotten that terrible night her mother had been murdered. Before meeting Jack, her mother and those people were all she had had. And right that moment she was stuck choosing one path from the fork of two roads that lay ahead of her.

She did not want to leave her father and her brother because she knew things would be hard for them if she left. But on the other hand, she knew if Ichiro had come to take her back, it must have a bigger reason behind it than he was telling her in front of Jack.

Ten years were a long enough time to move on from the past but right then, her past was staring her right in the eyes, making her remember everything she had buried deep in the farthest corner of her brain.

She couldn't run away from her destiny forever.

She couldn't leave her people to die.

Jack was expectantly looking at her as if waiting for her to say no to Ichiro. But when she looked back at him, her eyes had an apology written across.

"I'm sorry, Dad, but I will have to go," she told him, "I can't object to my Okasan's last wish."

Ichiro nodded and bowed his head in respect, "she will be proud of you, child."

Sayuri might not know the full extent of her being the warrior clan's next leader but there were bits and pieces that still lingered in her memory. She remembered her mother was a warrior and that was what had gotten her killed.

But in the end, she had died protecting her people.

"Uncle, will I be allowed to keep in touch with my family here?" She asked, knowing that Jack and Tim would want to keep hearing from her and be sure that she was doing well.

"Certainly. You will be allowed to call them once every week or as you see fit. But I'm afraid you will not be permitted to visit as it takes days to get to Gotham from Kyoto. However, after you have graduated from the Academy, you can visit them."

She nodded, "alright. I want to discuss it with my father and I will let you know. Thank you once again for coming."

Ichiro stood up, taking his cue to leave, "I will await your reply."

After the man had left, Tim came out of his room from where he had been listening in and sat beside Sayuri, "why are you leaving? Please don't go."

"I'm not going," she ruffled his head gently, "at least not yet."

Jack too was thinking about what it could be that had made Sayuri take her decision so quickly. She had told Ichiro that she would discuss it with her family and then let him know but he could see she had already made up her mind.

Her grey eyes held that determined sheen which indicated she had chosen her path.

"Dad, promise me you won't get angry at me," she spoke up, "I don't want to leave you too but I will have to go."

"If you don't want to go, I can talk to Mister Haga right now," he replied, grey eyes worn out yet still focused to find a way out, "he told me they will not take you away without your consent."

"I know... But I have to go," she lowered her gaze, "just like you both are my family, they are too. And if my mother decided something for me, I can't disrespect her wish. I don't want to."

"But Sayuri, I will miss you a lot," Tim mumbled, his large blue eyes welling up.

Sayuri took in a deep breath, hugging her brother tightly, "I will keep in touch, I promise. And if I can't call for some reason, I will definitely send emails. I will send them to Dad and you can ask him to show you..."

Jack could see that nothing he would say could convince her to stay as she had made up her mind by then. And he didn't want to forcefully keep her with them if she wanted to go.

So after two days, both Tim and Jack were at the airport, bidding goodbye to Sayuri. her eyes were full of tears as she hugged them both tightly.

"I will miss you guys so so much," she told them, "and I promise I will come back soon as I can."

Jack patted her head gently, "we will wait for you. Stay safe."

"I love you, Dad. I love you too, Timmy," she bent a little to be on eye level with the boy, "be a good boy and don't bother Dad so much, alright? He's very busy so make sure you don't end up annoying him."

He nodded, wrapping his little arms around her in a tight hug.

None of them wanted her to go but she had to.

After ten years, she was returning to her people, to the Sasuke clan, at last.

***

All members of the clan were gathered to welcome their leader who was finally returning after ten long years. Her return was like a new hope for them and they were very eager to have her back.

The chief, Sota Ishikawa, was standing in front of the rest of the people who had gathered to welcome Sayuri and as the gates to the base parted and Ichiro stepped in with the girl, he stepped closer and bowed his head to her.

She was taken aback at that gesture and quickly bowed her head in return, knowing that was a way to greet people with respect. She did not know why such an intimidating man was showing respect instead of being the other way round.

But then after him, all the people who were standing in the ranks behind him bowed their heads as well.

She couldn't recall any of them because it had been a long time since she had last seen them but she bowed her head in reply, waiting for an explanation.

She remembered her mother seemed to be the leader of the clan because the only other person she had seen all the people bow their heads to was her mother. But she wasn't aware of everything about the warrior clans and their hierarchy system. There was a lot she had to learn including how to fight and protect.

"People of the Sasuke," Sota turned to face the people who had lifted their heads up by then, "Nuriko San's daughter is among us and after all these years, we finally have our true leader. I, Sota Ishikawa, promise to lay my life at her command. So should you all."

Sayuri looked rather confused and got startled when the man bowed his head and all the people did so in obedience. 

Gradually, the people were dismissed and she turned to Sota, recognizing his features although he looked much older than she last remembered. She knew he was the husband of the woman who was the clan's Healer and had helped her out back when she had been brought to the base from her mother's place. 

"Where's Kaiko San?" She asked, "can I meet her?"

His stern features softened and a sad look spread on his face, "no. She's not alive anymore."

"Oh, I'm sorry," she felt bad asking that question, "I didn't know..."

"There's a lot you don't know but it's fine, you will learn," he remarked but his tone wasn't accusatory, "come, you must rest after the long journey. Then there's a lot to be done."

"And the Academy Uncle told me about?"

He nodded, "you will be starting your classes there tomorrow. For now, you can call your father to tell him that you have safely reached. Then come join us for dinner."

She nodded, taking the phone he gave her. He had gestured to a woman to show Sayuri to her accommodation in the base and the girl left with her, the luggage she had was being taken there as well.

Sota was standing there by himself, thinking about what lay ahead in the clan's fate until his son stepped out of the shadows, joining him. Ryuu and two other warriors from their clan who had been enrolled in the Ninjutsu Academy had come to the base for that day upon Sota's urgent call but they had to return soon.

"You will take her to the Academy tomorrow," Sota ordered, "make sure that she is safe. Protect her with your life if the need arises."

"I understand, Otosan," Ryuu nodded, knowing how important Sayuri's safety was for all of them. 

If their enemies found out that Nuriko's heir was alive, they would come after her and eliminate all chances their clan had of standing up to their former glory again.

And they could not afford to let that happen.

***