chapter sixty:
❛ into the fire ❜

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Clementine sat in the hospital bed, staring at the blank television screen across from her. The room was quiet except for the soft beeping of the heart monitor beside her. It had been a month since the fight in Barcelona. A month since she had been stabbed. A month since her entire life had changed.

At first, it was just about the wound-recovery, physical therapy, making sure there was no infection. But then the doctors found something else. Something worse. A mass.

Ovarian cancer.

She still hadn't fully processed it. The words lingered in the back of her mind like a sickness of their own, gnawing away at her. It wasn't just the diagnosis. It was what came with it. The surgery. The chemo. The radiation. The uncertainty of what her future would look like. If she even had a future.

The door creaked open, and she didn't bother looking up. She knew who it was.

"Hey," Robby's voice was soft, but there was something weighted in it.

She finally turned her head to him. His face was serious, brows slightly furrowed, hands shoved into the pockets of his hoodie. He looked exhausted, like he hadn't been sleeping much.

Clementine sighed, pressing her head back into the pillow. "What now?"

Robby hesitated, moving toward the chair beside her bed before deciding against it and sitting on the edge of the mattress instead. "Counselor Blatt had a meeting with my parents today."

That got her attention. She shifted slightly, eyes flickering to his. "About what?"

Robby exhaled, shaking his head. "She doesn't think I'm gonna be able to graduate this year. Or go to college."

Clementine felt her stomach drop. "What? Why?"

"Everything with juvie, missing school, the fight in Barcelona... I'm too far behind. Even if I bust my ass, I probably won't make up enough credits in time." His voice was level, but she could see the frustration behind his eyes.

Her throat tightened. "Robby..."

He forced a small smirk. "Kinda sucks, huh?"

She hated this. Hated that he was trying to play it off like it didn't matter when she knew it did. "You've been working so hard to fix things."

"Yeah, well, doesn't seem to be working out too well," he muttered.

She swallowed hard, her fingers curling into the blanket. "I'm sorry."

Robby shook his head immediately. "No, Clem, don't-this isn't about me. I came here because I wanted to see you."

Clementine let out a bitter laugh, looking away. "Right. Because I'm doing so great."

Robby's eyes softened. "I know you're scared."

"I don't want to do it," she whispered.

He frowned. "The surgery?"

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "If I want kids one day... I might be able to." Her voice wavered. "But I still have to get chemo and radiation, Robby. And plus... now I'm not gonna be able to go to the military. My dad won't let me." She let out a shaky breath. "I don't want to do this surgery. I'm not doing it."

Robby's heart clenched. He had never seen her like this-so vulnerable, so defeated. Clementine was always the strong one. The one who kept going no matter what. But now, she looked tired.

He reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers. "Clem..."

She shook her head, biting her lip to keep from crying, but it was no use. A tear slipped down her cheek, and then another, and then she was sobbing. "I don't want to do this, Robby," she choked out. "I don't want to go through all of this. I don't want to be sick."

Robby pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she cried into his shoulder. "I know," he murmured, running his fingers through her hair. "I know it's not fair. I know it's scary. But you're not doing this alone, okay? You have me. You have your family. We're gonna get through this. You are gonna get through this."

Clementine clung to him, her hands fisting his hoodie. "I don't feel strong enough."

Robby pulled back just enough to cup her face in his hands, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. "You are, Clem. You're the strongest person I know."

She sniffled, her eyes searching his. "Even stronger than you?"

He smirked. "Way stronger than me."

A small, watery laugh escaped her, and Robby grinned. "See? There's my girl."

She shook her head, but the smallest smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're an idiot."

"And yet, you love me," he teased.

Clementine sighed, resting her forehead against his. "Yeah," she whispered. "I do."

Robby kissed the top of her head, squeezing her hand. "Then trust me when I say-you've got this."

Clementine's sobs slowed to quiet sniffles as she clung to Robby, her head resting against his chest. The weight of everything-the surgery, the cancer, the missed future-was too much. She felt small, vulnerable, and entirely out of control.

Just then, the door creaked open softly, and her father's voice echoed through the room. "Clem?"

She stiffened, her body tensing against Robby, and slowly pulled away, wiping her eyes hastily. Caleb stood in the doorway, his face a mixture of concern and determination. It was hard for Clementine to believe it, but there he was. Her father, the man who had been in jail for so long, now out and found not guilty of the crime he'd been accused of.

He had his old job back at the hospital as a pediatric surgeon, but none of that really mattered to Clementine right now. What mattered was that the man who had once been absent was standing there, about to offer her comfort.

"Dad," she said softly, her voice cracking as she fought the tears that wanted to come again.

Caleb walked into the room slowly, not wanting to overwhelm her, but his gaze softened when he saw her distress. He made his way to her side, sitting on the bed next to her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "Hey, sweetheart," he said quietly. "I'm so sorry you're going through this."

She swallowed, trying to keep herself from breaking again. "You should've stayed in jail." Her voice was laced with anger, but she didn't mean it. She didn't know what she meant anymore.

Caleb sighed, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "I'm not going anywhere now, Clem. I'm here. I'm not going to leave you again."

Robby, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke. "We're both here, Clem. You don't have to go through this alone." He squeezed her hand, giving her a small, encouraging smile. "We're with you every step of the way."

Clementine looked between them, her chest tightening. She couldn't deal with this. She didn't want to talk about her illness, about the surgery, about any of it. Not now, not when her emotions were already so raw.

"Where's Tyler?" she asked abruptly, her voice sharp with a mix of frustration and sadness. "Why isn't he here?"

Caleb hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Tyler's still in the process of finding your Aunt Anastasia." His eyes flickered with a hint of worry, but he kept his tone steady. "She went to London with her boyfriend, and we haven't heard from her in weeks. He's trying to track her down, but it's taking time."

Clementine's heart sank, and she covered her face with her hands, fighting to hold back the flood of tears that threatened to come again. Tyler had always been the strong one, the one who took care of things when no one else could. The thought of him being caught up in some endless search for their missing aunt felt like another weight she couldn't bear.

"I'm so tired," Clementine whispered, her voice muffled by her hands. "I just... I don't know what to do anymore."

Caleb's hand gently rubbed her back, his voice soft but firm. "I know, baby. I know. But you're not alone in this. Not anymore."

Robby stood up, his expression pained but resolute. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Clementine's head. "I'm going to give you some space. But I'll be back. I think I have an idea that might help."

Clementine didn't look up, her face still hidden behind her hands, but she nodded weakly. Robby took a step toward the door, pausing before he left. "I love you, Clem."

"I love you too," she murmured, barely audible.

As Robby walked out, Caleb sat silently beside her, waiting for her to gather herself. He wasn't sure what else to say, but he knew this was a battle they had to fight together.

"I'm here, Clem. Always," Caleb said again, his voice unwavering.

She didn't answer, her body shaking with the remnants of her tears. She felt completely out of control, like her world was slipping away, and she couldn't catch up. Her dad was back. Robby was by her side. But it wasn't enough. Nothing was enough.

Not when her future was slipping through her fingers.

The afternoon sunlight filtered softly through the blinds of Clementine's hospital room, casting long shadows across the floor. Clementine had been staring out the window for what felt like hours, her mind swimming with uncertainty. The surgery. The cancer. The uncertainty of everything. She had barely spoken a word since Robby left, and the silence in the room felt suffocating.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Alison stepped in, a little out of breath, as though she had been running. She was always like that, moving a mile a minute, her energy filling the space the moment she entered. But today, her usual carefree demeanor was replaced with something more serious, more determined.

"Okay, what's this I hear about you not doing the surgery?" Alison's voice cut through the silence like a sharp knife.

Clementine didn't turn her head. "I don't want to, Alison. What if it goes wrong? What if it changes me? What if I can't have kids? What if it doesn't even work?" Her voice trembled, the fear she'd been bottling up finally spilling out. "I don't want to go through all of that... and not even know if it'll help."

Alison's footsteps were soft as she walked closer, sitting down beside Clementine on the edge of the bed. "Clem," she said gently, placing a hand on her friend's arm, "I get it. I do. But you are strong enough. And you don't have to do it alone. You've got people who love you-people who will be there for you every step of the way, no matter what happens."

Clementine shook her head, her hands curling into fists. "But what if I'm not enough for them? What if I'm just... broken?" Her voice cracked.

Alison gave a small, humorless laugh. "You, broken? Clem, have you seen yourself? You're tougher than anyone I know. And you're not just some 'broken' thing. You're Clementine. You're smart. You're strong. You've been through worse. You can do this."

Clementine turned her head, finally looking at her. There was a quiet intensity in Alison's eyes, a determination that pushed through the uncertainty.

"You've already beaten so much, Clem. You've been through things that would make anyone crumble. But you didn't. You fought. And this surgery? It's just another battle. A battle you can win. And when you do? You'll come out on the other side even stronger. You're going to be okay. I know it."

Clementine swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat. "What if I'm not okay? What if it hurts too much?" she whispered.

Alison squeezed her arm. "It's gonna hurt, yeah. But you can't let fear stop you. You have so much to fight for, Clem. So many people who care about you. You can't give up now."

Tears pricked at the corners of Clementine's eyes, but she held them back. She had always been the tough one, the one who never let anyone see her cry. But with Alison's words, something inside her shifted. Maybe she could do this. Maybe she wasn't alone.

She took a deep breath and nodded, her chest tightening with a mix of fear and determination. "Okay. I'll do it. I'll have the surgery."

Alison grinned, her expression lighting up with relief. "Hell yeah, you will. And when you wake up, I'm gonna be here, cheering you on, okay?"

Clementine managed a small smile, but it was real. "Thanks, Alison."

Alison leaned in, giving her a quick hug. "No problem, dummy. But, uh... before I go, there's one thing I need to remind you of." She pulled back, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Clementine raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Alison's grin widened. "Robby owes me twenty bucks. He bet me you wouldn't go through with the surgery. So, when you're all better, make sure he pays up."

Clementine blinked in surprise, but then the laugh escaped her. It was small at first, but soon it filled the room, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like everything might be okay. "You're impossible," she said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Yeah, but I'm also right," Alison teased. "Now, you get some rest, okay? You've got a big fight ahead of you, and I know you're gonna win it."

As Alison stood up to leave, Clementine felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. She wasn't alone in this. She had people who cared, people who believed in her. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to get her through.

"Thanks, Alison," she whispered again, her voice steadier now.

"Anytime," Alison replied with a wink before stepping out of the room.

Clementine lay back against the pillows, feeling the weight of her decision sink in. The road ahead would be tough, but for the first time in a while, she felt like she could face it. She wasn't broken. She was a fighter. And she was going to fight for her future, no matter what.

Even though Clementine was about to start treatment for her ovarian cancer, she couldn't stand being in that hospital for another second. The white walls, the sharp scent of antiseptic, the quiet hum of machines-it was suffocating. Every time a nurse walked in with a clipboard or adjusted her IV, it was another reminder that she was sick. And she hated that.

She didn't want to feel like a patient, like someone fragile who needed to be handled with care. She wanted to feel normal.

So, she convinced Robby and Miguel to take her out, and she walked into LaRusso Auto Group as if she hadn't just spent days hooked up to an IV. The moment she stepped inside, the familiar hum of conversation and the scent of fresh leather from the showroom hit her. It felt good. It felt like home.

But the second Sam spotted her, Clementine knew she wasn't getting away with this easily.

"Clem?" Sam's eyes widened in shock as she practically sprinted over. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Clementine sighed, already bracing for the lecture. "Uh, walking in?" she quipped, flashing a smirk that she hoped would disarm Sam's concern.

It didn't.

"You just got out of the hospital!" Sam scolded.

Miguel shifted awkwardly beside Clementine, while Robby tightened his arm around her, as if he could physically shield her from Sam's intensity.

"Yeah, and I'm already over it," Clementine said, crossing her arms. "I needed fresh air. And don't start with the whole 'you should be resting' speech, because I've heard it enough."

Sam folded her arms, unimpressed. "I mean, you should be resting."

Clementine groaned. "Oh my God."

"Seriously," Sam insisted. "You just had surgery. You're about to start treatment. I get that hospitals suck, but maybe let your body recover before running around town?"

"I'm not running," Clementine said, gesturing around. "I'm literally standing in a car dealership."

Sam wasn't amused. "That's not the point."

Miguel, ever the peacemaker, tried to ease the tension. "I mean, she does look pretty good for someone who just went through all that."

"Thank you, Miguel," Clementine said, giving him a triumphant look before turning back to Sam. "See? I'm fine."

Sam wasn't convinced. "You look exhausted."

Clementine's smirk faltered for just a second, but she quickly covered it up. "Yeah, well... that's nothing new."

Robby, who had been quiet this whole time, finally spoke, his voice gentle but firm. "Clem, no one's trying to keep you locked up. We just don't want you pushing yourself too hard."

Clementine sighed, leaning into him slightly. She knew they were all coming from a place of love, but she hated this-hated being treated like she was fragile.

"I just don't want to sit around and feel sorry for myself," she admitted. "If I have to deal with all this, I at least want to feel normal while I still can."

Sam's expression softened at that. She reached out, squeezing Clementine's hand. "We get it. We just want to make sure you're okay."

"I am okay," Clementine promised. Then she smirked. "But if one more person asks me how I'm feeling, I swear to God, I will throw a wrench at them."

Miguel laughed. "Noted."

Sam rolled her eyes but finally cracked a smile. "Fine. No more asking."

Robby kissed the top of Clementine's head, holding her just a little closer. "But you're still not carrying anything heavy."

Clementine groaned but didn't argue. The tension had lifted, and for the first time in days, she actually felt like herself again.

The soft hum of conversation and laughter filled the showroom, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the occasional rev of an engine in the background. The warm glow of the overhead lights reflected off the polished cars, casting a golden hue over the crowd. There was an air of celebration, of camaraderie, but as soon as the distinct clink of glass meeting metal rang through the room, the noise gradually died down.

Daniel LaRusso stood at the front, a gentle smile on his face as he tapped his glass again for good measure. He scanned the room, his eyes filled with pride as he looked at the people gathered before him-friends, family, employees, and even the next generation of fighters who had become part of his life in ways he never expected. He cleared his throat, the weight of the moment settling in.

"I just want to take a moment to thank all of you for being here with us tonight," Daniel began, his voice rich with sincerity. "We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by friends, family... and the family that we have chosen-the LaRusso Auto Family."

A ripple of agreement moved through the room-nods, murmurs, knowing smiles exchanged between those who had stood by his side over the years.

Clementine stood near the front, her fingers laced with Robby's as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He wasn't the type to be sentimental about these things, but he respected Daniel-especially in moments like this. Clementine, on the other hand, found herself surprisingly moved by the speech. She hadn't known the LaRussos long, but she understood what it meant to build something, to fight for something.

Daniel continued, his voice steady. "Family means that we love and support each other, no matter what. It means standing together through the tough times and celebrating the victories, no matter how big or small. And as I look around this room tonight, I couldn't be prouder of every step forward we've taken together. Because even after eighteen incredible years... there's still so much ahead of us."

Clementine glanced at Miguel, who stood beside Sam. He shot her a small, knowing smile, as if he could tell she was feeling sentimental but wouldn't dare admit it.

"In the early days of this business," Daniel continued, his gaze drifting briefly to Amanda, who watched him with quiet admiration, "things were pretty uncertain. We knew we were taking a risk. We had no idea if we'd be well-received, if we'd even make it past the first year. But we built something of our own. We trusted each other. And we trusted that no matter what, it would all work out... because we had each other."

The room was silent now, everyone hanging onto his words.

Daniel lifted his glass higher, his smile widening. "So tonight, I want to say thank you. To everyone in this family, both old and new. Here's to the next step forward."

A chorus of cheers erupted as glasses were raised high, the room once again filled with warmth and celebration. Clementine lifted hers, a small but genuine smile gracing her lips. Sam, beaming ear to ear, eagerly clinked her glass against Clementine's with a bright clink.

As the energy in the room settled into a pleasant hum, Sam leaned in slightly, lowering her voice just enough for their group to hear. "Hey, I heard that the Sekai Taikai is still back on."

Clementine's eyes flickered with interest, and she felt Robby's grip on her hand tighten slightly. Miguel exchanged a glance with her before all four of them turned, almost in sync, toward Daniel. Without hesitation, they made their way through the small clusters of people until they reached him.

"Dad, is it true?" Sam asked, her voice carrying the same determination she always had when it came to karate. "Is the tournament back on?"

Daniel hesitated, just for a second. He and Johnny exchanged a look-one that spoke of understanding, of mutual respect that had taken years to build. Finally, Daniel exhaled, looking at the eager faces before him.

"It's true," he admitted. "If that's what you all want."

There was a brief pause-a moment of silent acknowledgment between them all. This wasn't just about competing. This was a challenge, an opportunity, a chance to prove themselves on a level none of them had ever faced before. And for them, the answer was obvious.

Sam smirked, a fire lighting up in her eyes. "Bring 'em on."

Clementine shifted her glass from one hand to the other before crossing her arms. "And I'll compete if needed."

The group immediately turned to look at her. A beat of silence passed.

"Clem," Robby started carefully, but she cut him off before he could continue.

"Stop treating me like I'm gonna die," Clementine said, her voice firm, though not unkind. "I'm not going to. Doctor said there's a chance I don't even have to get chemo."

Robby's brows furrowed, but he didn't argue. Sam and Miguel exchanged uncertain glances, but it was Clementine's unwavering expression that made them hold their tongues.

Finally, Miguel let out a breath, shaking his head with a small chuckle. "Well, guess we better start training, then."

A slow grin spread across Clementine's face. "Damn right."

ASH SPEAKS!!!

i apologize for no jackson & tory, or alison & hawk!! next chapter there will be plenty of that :)
OH AND AS WELL AS CLEMENTINES FAMILY!!

and no clementine won't die... maybe.

also 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:) STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!!

STOP BEING A GHOST READER!!
i'm sorry for all the notifications but 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 but votes are not... its hard for my motivation!