𝟬𝟭𝟬, into the fire

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⊱ ─── ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ ─── ⊰

milo manheim as derek

The air was heavy with the scent of burning incense, mingling with the soft rustling of leaves as the wind whispered through the trees. The distant mountains stood tall, unmoving, a stark contrast to the raw grief weighing down the mourners gathered in the clearing. The sky, a dull shade of gray, seemed to mourn with them, the sun struggling to break through the thick clouds.

Sasha stood at the edge of the group, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her body rigid with the effort to keep it together. But her resolve was slipping fast. Her fingers dug into the sleeves of her black dress, gripping the fabric like it was the only thing tethering her to reality.

Then she saw them.

A small group of Kwon's closest friends emerged from the crowd, their faces somber, their movements careful and deliberate. In their hands, they carried a ceremonial funeral basket, draped in a pristine white cloth. Atop it, neatly folded, was Kwon's gi. The sight of it sent a sharp, searing pain through Sasha's chest, as though someone had driven a blade straight into her heart.

Her breath hitched.

The last time she had seen that gi, Kwon had been wearing it, grinning at her after a particularly tough training session. You gotta keep up, LaRusso, he had joked, nudging her shoulder. Can't let me be the star student forever.

Now, that gi would never be worn again.

A quiet sob broke past Sasha's lips, and she quickly covered her mouth, her body trembling. The others stood in stoic silence, their faces unreadable, but she could see the grief in their eyes, in the way their shoulders tensed, in the way they clutched their hands together to keep from falling apart.

The ceremony continued with reverent silence, each movement steeped in deep tradition. Then, the crowd parted.

An elderly man stepped forward, his presence commanding even in his old age. Sensei Kim's grandfather. His cane tapped against the ground with every slow, deliberate step he took, his expression hard, unreadable. The moment he reached the burial site, he lifted his cane and brought it down with a sharp thud.

The sound cracked through the silence, echoing across the open field.

Yoon immediately stepped forward, his jaw clenched, his movements precise as he grasped the ceremonial torch. He hesitated only for a moment before reaching for Kwon's gi, lifting it from the casket with the care of someone handling something sacred. The white fabric billowed slightly in the breeze before he held it steady.

Then, with a steady hand, he lowered the torch.

The flames ignited instantly, consuming the fabric, the casket, everything. The fire roared to life, crackling as it devoured what remained of Kwon's earthly form. Smoke curled upward in thick tendrils, carried into the sky as though it would reach Kwon himself.

Sasha couldn't move.

Her vision blurred with tears, her chest tight, her breathing uneven. The heat from the fire licked at her skin, but she barely felt it. She could only stare as the smoke carried Kwon away, the finality of it all sinking into her bones like ice.

In front of her, Sensei Kim and Kreese stepped forward, their movements synchronized as they bowed deeply toward the grave. It was a sign of respect, of honor. A warrior's farewell.

Then, Sensei Kim turned.

Her sharp eyes locked onto Sasha, assessing her with that unreadable gaze. Sasha quickly wiped at her tear-streaked face, forcing herself to stand straighter, even as grief threatened to pull her under.

Sensei Kim took a slow step forward.

"LaRusso," she said, her voice cool but not as harsh as it usually was. "I don't like your family."

Sasha swallowed hard, bracing herself. But then, to her surprise, Sensei Kim's expression softened-just barely.

"But you were good to him," she admitted. "And he would want you to have this."

At her nod, Yoon stepped forward once more, this time carrying Kwon's gi in his hands.

Sasha's breath caught in her throat.

The gi was untouched by the flames, carefully set aside before the burning. It still smelled faintly of the detergent Kwon had used, still had the faint wrinkles from the last time he had worn it. It was his. And now, it was being offered to her.

"If you want to fight in a tournament again," Sensei Kim continued, her voice steady, "wear this. Honor him."

Sasha's hands trembled as she reached out, her fingers barely grazing the fabric at first, as if touching it would make this moment even more real. Finally, she took it, clutching it tightly to her chest.

Tears burned in her eyes, but she held them back. Instead, she bowed her head, whispering a silent promise.

I will.

Sasha's footsteps echoed in the hallway as she stepped into the house, her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, her body heavy with the weight of grief. She had just returned from Korea, from Kwon's funeral, a trip that had drained her in every possible way. The memorial, the rituals, the final goodbyes-it had all felt like too much, too fast.

She barely noticed her mother, Amanda, standing in the kitchen, her eyes widening as Sasha walked through the door. Amanda stepped toward her, a warm but tentative smile on her face, but Sasha didn't acknowledge her. She kept her gaze fixed forward, avoiding her mother's presence as if it physically pained her to look at her.

"Sasha," Amanda called, her voice soft, but laced with concern. "How are you? How was the trip?"

Sasha's fingers gripped the strap of her bag tighter, her body tense, but she didn't respond. She just walked past her mother, her pace quickening. Amanda watched her, helpless, but didn't follow right away. She knew better than to push Sasha, especially when she was like this.

But then Sasha stormed down the hallway, pushing the door to her bedroom open without a word, and into the adjoining bathroom. The door slammed shut behind her, and Amanda could hear the muffled sounds of Sasha's breathing from the other side. She stood there for a moment, staring at the door, her heart aching with the need to reach out, but also with the knowledge that Sasha wasn't ready.

Amanda's instincts kicked in, and she walked toward the bathroom, gently knocking on the door. "Sasha? Sweetheart, please let me in."

There was no response, just the sound of muffled sobs. Amanda's heart broke at the sound. Without another thought, she gently turned the handle and stepped inside.

Sasha was sitting on the bathroom floor, knees pulled up to her chest, her head buried in her hands. The faint sound of her crying seemed to make the walls of the room feel smaller, like the air had thickened around them. Amanda knelt beside her, her hands hovering for a second before she reached out to rest a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"Sasha..." Amanda whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry. I know... I know how much Kwon meant to you."

Sasha tensed at the sound of her name, her shoulders hitching as the sobs grew more frantic. She didn't look up, didn't meet her mother's gaze. She didn't want to see pity in her eyes. She didn't want to hear how everything would be okay.

"I should have been there," Sasha choked out, her voice cracking. "I should've been there with him... I should've done more. If I wasn't so caught up in my own life... I-"

Amanda's heart broke at the raw pain in her daughter's voice. She knew Sasha blamed herself. She could see it in the way Sasha pulled away, in the way she didn't want to talk, didn't want to feel anything other than the crushing weight of regret.

"No," Amanda said firmly, her voice soft but full of conviction. "You did everything you could, Sasha. Kwon knew you loved him. He knew you cared. And you were there when he needed you the most. Don't ever doubt that."

Sasha wiped her face with the back of her hand, shaking her head, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "It's not enough, Mom. It never is. I don't know how to live with this. I don't know how to live without him."

Amanda let out a soft breath, her fingers gently brushing the hair from Sasha's forehead as she leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. "You don't have to figure it out alone. I'm here for you. I'm always here."

Sasha's tears seemed to come harder now, her sobs shaking her entire body. The walls she'd built up between herself and her mother seemed to crumble with every word, every gesture of tenderness.

"I don't know if I can do this," Sasha whispered, her voice muffled against her knees. "I don't know if I can go on pretending like everything's okay when it's not. I'm just... so tired."

Amanda gently pulled Sasha into her arms, her own eyes stinging with tears she hadn't let herself shed. "It's okay to be tired, sweetheart. It's okay to feel like you can't go on. But you don't have to do it alone. You have me. You have us. We'll get through this together. One step at a time."

Sasha clung to her mother, allowing herself to sink into the warmth and comfort that Amanda offered. The sound of her mother's heartbeat, the rhythm of her breathing, was the only thing that felt real in that moment.

For the first time since she'd returned, Sasha let herself cry, let herself feel the overwhelming loss of Kwon without the guilt, without the pressure to be strong. She could feel Amanda holding her close, steadying her when she felt like she was drowning.

It wasn't okay. Nothing would ever make it okay. But at least, for now, she wasn't alone.

A month had passed since Kwon's death, but the pain of losing him still felt as fresh as the day it happened. Sasha sat in the youth group room, her eyes downcast, her fingers absently playing with the hem of her oversized sweater. The soft hum of quiet conversation surrounded her, but she wasn't really listening. She wasn't even sure why she came. But the group leader, Coach Daniels, had asked her to share, and for some reason, she couldn't say no.

Sasha had dyed her hair blonde. The change wasn't drastic, but it was enough to feel like something different. She didn't even remember why she did it; it was just something to feel like she could grasp hold of, something that wasn't as tied to her past. But no matter what she did with her appearance, the hurt didn't go away.

The group grew quiet as Coach Daniels gave her a gentle nod to begin. Sasha hesitated, biting her lip. Everyone was watching, waiting for her to speak, but she wasn't sure what to say. She opened her mouth, but the words didn't come immediately. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she finally spoke.

"I... I wish I'd met Kwon earlier," Sasha began, her voice softer than usual. "I wish we had more time. I never thought I'd lose him so soon. I always thought... you know, there would be time for us to figure everything out, to... to be happy, to make plans. But instead, we met at the Sekai Taikai and... and it wasn't enough."

Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve. Her throat felt tight, but she pushed through it.

"I just think about all the things I wanted to do with him. All the things we never got to say or experience together... and now, it's too late."

She paused again, looking up at the group, meeting the eyes of the other teens gathered around. They were all silent, but their faces held nothing but compassion. It was like they understood, even though they didn't know the full extent of her relationship with Kwon. That comfort, that unspoken connection, was almost enough to make her break down right there.

One of the guys, Derek, a tall guy with dark brown hair and a years older than her, shifted in his seat, his gaze soft and thoughtful. Sasha had always known Derek as someone who was quiet but had a heart that was open, even if it wasn't always obvious.

"I get that," Derek said, his voice steady but quiet. "I lost someone close to me too. Someone I really cared about. And I keep wishing I could have just one more day with them, you know? Just one more chance to do things differently."

Sasha turned toward him, her eyes a little wide. It was rare for Derek to open up like this, but his words settled something inside her. The empathy in his voice made her feel less alone.

"You get it," she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else. "It's like... I never had enough time. I always thought we would have more time, but we didn't. And I didn't even get to say goodbye properly."

Derek leaned forward slightly, his voice growing softer. "It sucks," he said, "but... you can still hold onto the good things. You don't have to say goodbye to everything. You just have to find a way to keep them with you. To remember them."

Sasha felt a lump in her throat, but there was a flicker of something else. A sense of peace she hadn't realized she needed. She gave a small smile, her lips trembling slightly.

"I'll try," she whispered. "I'll try to hold onto the good parts."

Coach Daniels, who had been silent throughout the exchange, gave her an encouraging smile. "You're not alone in this, Sasha. You've got all of us here for you."

Sasha nodded, and she realized, for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel so alone. Derek's words helped, but the group's presence-the fact that they cared-was even more comforting than she had expected. She glanced at Derek, and despite the sadness still lingering in her chest, there was something about his understanding, the way he'd opened up, that made her smile.

"Thanks, Derek," she said, her voice quieter now, but with a sense of calm she hadn't expected.

Derek met her gaze, a soft smile curling on his lips. "Anytime, Sasha. Anytime."

And for the first time since Kwon's death, she didn't feel entirely empty. There was still a part of her that hurt, but there was also hope-a hope that maybe, one day, the grief would hurt less. And that was enough for now.

Sasha stepped out of the youth group, her thoughts swirling as she tried to block out the noise of the world around her. The cool evening air did little to ease the suffocating grief in her chest. She hadn't been able to shake the feeling ever since... well, since everything had changed. The church parking lot stretched before her like a vast emptiness, and she walked aimlessly, trying to clear her head.

But then, she heard it.

"Sasha?"

The voice was tentative, almost hesitant. It cut through the fog of her mind, and her stomach did a little flip as she turned. There, standing just a few feet away, was Derek. He had been at the group, sitting quietly in the back. She hadn't thought much of him then, but now-now, something about him caught her off guard.

He was staring at her with a quiet intensity, his dark eyes searching her face. Sasha blinked, confused by the fluttering feeling that rippled through her chest. It wasn't just the way he looked at her, but the unspoken connection that seemed to hang in the air. She couldn't place it, but there was something in his gaze that made her heart race.

"I... I just wanted to check on you," Derek continued, taking a tentative step forward. "You've been kind of quiet lately. Are you okay?"

Sasha's breath hitched. Are you okay? It was such a simple question, but it felt so complicated right now. She hadn't really let anyone in since... since it all happened. Her throat tightened, and she forced herself to take a step back.

"I'm fine," she said, her voice harsher than she intended. She cleared her throat, trying to mask the quiver of emotion that slipped through. "I don't need anyone's pity or advice. I'm not looking for that."

The words felt like they left her mouth on their own, and she hated how bitter they sounded. It wasn't like Derek was trying to fix her, but something about him standing there, concerned, just made her feel like she was supposed to have it all together. Like she should've moved on already. But she hadn't, and she couldn't.

Derek hesitated, his face softening, but there was a trace of hurt in his expression. "I didn't mean to upset you, Sasha. I just-I thought you might need someone to talk to. It's okay if you don't want to, but-"

But Sasha couldn't do it. She couldn't let herself go there. Not yet. Not when everything still hurt so badly. She couldn't let someone like Derek-someone who wasn't part of the grief she was carrying-get close enough to make her feel something she wasn't ready to feel. Not so soon.

Her chest tightened, and she shook her head. "I'm grieving, Derek," she snapped, the words slipping out before she could stop them. "I don't need someone like you trying to fix me. I'm not ready to move on." She could feel the anger and frustration building within her, her emotions too raw and too fresh to handle.

The fluttering feeling in her chest vanished, replaced with a sharp, defensive edge. She didn't want to feel anything other than this weight, this suffocating grief, for just a little longer. It was all she had left, and she wasn't about to let it slip away because someone else thought she should be "okay."

Derek looked stunned, his eyes wide as he tried to meet her gaze. "Sasha, I wasn't trying to-"

"I know what you were trying to do," she cut him off, her voice now laced with frustration. She could feel her hands trembling, her heart pounding. "But I'm not interested, alright? I need time to figure this out. I need time to grieve."

For a moment, there was silence between them. Derek didn't move, didn't say anything. The air between them felt thick, heavy with words left unspoken. Sasha's breath was shallow as she tried to steady herself, willing the burning in her chest to go away. She wasn't sure what she wanted from him, but it certainly wasn't pity.

Finally, she couldn't stand the tension any longer. She turned sharply on her heel, not bothering to look back, and strode toward Sam's car. It was parked just a few rows away, the familiar sight of her sister's car a small comfort in the storm raging inside her. Sasha reached for the door handle, her fingers trembling slightly as she pulled it open.

Sam was already sitting in the driver's seat, her expression unreadable as she glanced over at Sasha. There was no need for words between them. Sam knew. Without a word, Sasha slid into the passenger seat, slamming the door shut behind her.

As the car started, the engine purring to life, Sam didn't ask. She didn't push for details. The silence between them was comfortable, almost soothing. Sasha sank back into the seat, staring out of the window, trying to block out the ache in her chest.

Sam glanced over at her, her eyes soft. "You okay?" she asked quietly.

Sasha didn't answer at first. She couldn't. She didn't want to admit how broken she felt, how lost she was in this new version of her life. But Sam was there, and for now, that was enough.

Finally, Sasha sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah. Just... not now."

Sam nodded, her grip on the wheel tightening slightly, and the car rolled silently into the night, the weight of everything between them pressing down, but at least they didn't need to talk about it. Not yet.

The walls of Sasha's bedroom trembled from the heavy bass of the music blasting through her speakers. It was loud-loud enough to drown out her own thoughts, loud enough to make her forget, even if just for a moment. The once-pristine room was now a mess. Clothes were strewn across the floor, half-empty water bottles cluttered her nightstand, and the curtains were drawn tight, shrouding the space in a dim, suffocating gloom.

Sasha lay curled up on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her body motionless except for the slow rise and fall of her chest. She hadn't moved much in days. She hadn't wanted to.

Then, the door creaked open.

"Sasha?"

She barely reacted.

Sam stepped inside hesitantly, her brows furrowed in concern as she took in the state of the room. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of neglect-stale air, unwashed clothes, and the faint trace of something floral from a candle that had long since burned out.

"You missed the LaRusso Auto Group anniversary party," Sam said, her voice gentle but firm.

Sasha squeezed her eyes shut, her jaw clenching. "Get out."

Sam didn't move.

"I'm serious, Sam," Sasha snapped, her voice rough from days of disuse. "I don't want to hear it."

Sam crossed her arms, refusing to back down. "I'm worried about you."

Sasha let out a bitter laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Yeah? Well, don't be. I'm fine."

Sam sighed, stepping further into the room. "You don't look fine." She turned to the stereo and, before Sasha could stop her, reached over and turned the volume down.

"Hey!" Sasha sat up abruptly, glaring at her sister.

"I need you to listen to me," Sam said, her tone serious.

Sasha scoffed. "Oh, great. Another lecture?" She flopped back onto her bed, draping an arm over her eyes. "Can't wait."

Sam hesitated, then took a deep breath. "If you would like to know... the Sekai Taikai is back on."

Silence.

Sasha's arm slowly slid off her face as she turned to look at Sam. "What?"

Sam nodded. "It's happening. And it's going to take place in the All Valley arena."

Sasha stared at her, her heart pounding. For the first time in weeks, something inside her flickered-something other than grief.

"The Sekai Taikai," Sasha repeated under her breath, as if saying it aloud would make it real.

Sam nodded again, stepping closer. "We need you, Sasha." She hesitated, then added softly, "Do this for Kwon."

Sasha's breath hitched.

Kwon.

His laughter, his determination, the way he had pushed her to be better, the way he had always believed in her-even when she doubted herself.

She swallowed hard, gripping the sheets beneath her.

For Kwon.

For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had a reason to get up.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

hiii!! welcome back to the final chapters. i can't believe this is happening :( we only have a few chapters left and then this over.

i'm so excited for what is stored left!! so please don't be a ghost reader and keep voting, commenting and reading.

updates will be every 2-5 days only because i have to update a lot more fanfics now! i am not abandoning any fic, i just have more fics to update now so updates MIGHT be slow.

also today is the first day of cobra kai s6 part 3, so no spoilers please for those who might not be finished with cobra kai :)

but again, no ghost readers please!!! this almost the end!! please vote and comment :)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) PLEASE JUST STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up bt votes not its hard for my motivation!