The following morning, Alena and the girls made their way to the dojo where they would join with the rest of their class. However, to everyone's surprise, Kenrir was not standing in wait. This was something unusual to everyone, as bickerings began amongst the students.
Tika, Maulana and Alena too were scanning the crowd as the room filled with gossip. Elijah was in his typical spot, perching up in his harness over Alena's shoulder. Kazran was in his place, staring straight ahead free of any concern regarding this instance; and at the far left side of the front row, was Karra who too was scanning the room in her serious demeanor. She noticed Alena, who seemed to have already made quick friends.
She watched as the three girls stood together, scanning the room, and a small part of her was bothered by this. She kept her eyes on Alena, and wondered how this young girl came to be a student so late into the corriculumn. Karra reflected on her earliest days within the dojo, back when she was just a small child around Alena's age. Though back then, she had to start her lessons under Kenrir's teachings later than others due to the timing of her age in the past, whereas Alena was plopped in suddenly, not having to wait for a new season to start. A slight jealously for Alena began to stir in her heart, as her eyes averted away, finding their site to Kazran's position, leaving her in shock as his eyes were intensely focused on her. Karra turned her face away from Kazran's view as she gritted her teeth, frustrated and uneasy.
In moments, Alena caught site of Kenrir entering in the back wall door. Some of the students were surprised, as many had no idea the back wall consisted of one, for it was designed perfectly to blend in.
"My apologies for making you all wait, I had some important matters to attend to. As with such matters, I must regretfully postpone today's lessons, and I need to request that each of you remains within the temple grounds until I've completed settling these matters," Kenrir informed them, "As such, should you need help with anything or have any concerns, we have some visitors here who I'm sure can entertain you. Now unless any of you have any questions for me, you are all dismissed."
With that, Kenrir stood silent, watching as the students bowed to him, and the dojo gradually began to clear out. Many of the students were still confused, but none had stopped to ask any questions before going their separate ways.
As the girls, including Karra, started to leave, Kenrir spoke up, "Alena, I'm afraid that I must ask you to remain here a moment. I have something that requires your attention."
Tika and Maulana's eyes met with Alena in surprise, as they hesitated a moment before heading off.
"I guess we'll see you later," Tika said in farewell. "Be well," Maulana followed.
Alena nodded to the two girls, remaining behind. "Okay," she replied.
Karra watched the interaction between the three girls briefly, before continuing on toward the exit.
As the room grew empty with Alena standing there, Kenrir slid the back wall open, allowing Alena's father, Sem, to make his way inside. Alena's eyes shot wide at her father's presence. "Daddy!" she cried out excitedly, taking off towards him. Karra, who wasn't quite out of earshot, froze, and soon turned around to peak inside.
Alena lept into her father's arms, completely overjoyed, "Daddy, you're back!" Sem felt so relieved seeing his daughter as he hugged her firmly in his arms. The two nuzzled their heads together along the side, as Sem cupped his hand around the back of Alena's head, whose arms were thrown over his shoulders in their embrace.
Karra watched this sentimental moment, and while she was slightly surprised seeing Alena's father, she reflected on everything that had lead her to this point. She recalled her own parents, and wondered if she was going to be fortunate enough to see them again.
Karra missed her own family dearly, and she felt Alena was lucky to already be getting to see one of her parents again so soon. Her eyes shifted towards the floor ahead, not looking at anything in particular. She was deep in thought with her emotions.
"My dear girl, how are you?" Sem asks her. He pulls away to look into Alena's eyes. "Are you finding your way around well?" he continued.
Alena gave a comfirming "Mm-hmm!" insinuating just that.
"I'm doing well daddy. The people here have been really nice so far," she replied, "and I've already made new friends!"
Sem smiled happily to his daughter, "I'm glad to hear that."
"What brought you back?" Alena asked with thoughtful curiousity.
"The others and I returned with another run of supplies, then I had an ilportant meeting to tend to, so I thought I'd pay a short visit to see how you were doing beford we head out again," he explained, "Do you remember Ania and Yonka?"
Alena's eyes lit up brightly at the mentioned names.
"Aunni and Yonna are here?!" she asked joyously.
Sem nodded lovingly to his daughter, "They're just outside. They'll be here visiting you for a time while the rest of us take care of some important matters," he explained.
Alena, hearing these details, was brimming with joy. In her excitement, she hugged her father with all her might.
"I'm so happy!" she exclaimed in her embrace.
The very next moment, Alena was trying to push off of her father.
"Put me down! Put me down! I want to go see them!"
As Sem knelt down to release his daughter, he felt cpmpletely pleased that his daughter's joyful nature was still fresh in her heart. Even Kenrir had a smile as Alena took off for the exit. Seeing this, Karra reacted quickly, ducking out behind the wall; the last thing she wanted was to be caught snooping in other people's private affairs. She felt frustrated that Alena's life seemed to be so carefree, and quickly looked away as Alena ran by.
"It's good to see she's adapting well here," Sem remarked.
"Your daughter is an interesting one. She's already showing a lot of promise after her short time here," Kenrir regarded.
"In just one night?" Sem asked.
Kenrir nodded, "She seems to be a bit stubborn, but that can be put to good use."
Sem became curious, as he wondered what Kenrir was referring to.
"Stubborn? I can't say I've ever seen her with a trait like that."
"You're a good father, and a busy man. Perhaps new circumstances just take the right conditions to surface," Kenrir replied, "If we want her joyous demeanor to last, we'll have to ensure the safety of our village."
Sem nodded in agreement.
"If what we're thinking is true, I'll stop at nothing to keep my family safe," Sem remarked boldly.
Just outside in the temple courtyard, Ania and Yonka were standing by, just finishing up being greeted by the various, curious students. As they waved the students off, they heard a familiar voice calling to them.
"Aunni! Yonna!" Alena called, as she made a mad dash towards them with the biggest of smiles and open arms. Ania and Yonka's faces lit up as they saw their adoring surrogate sister running their way.
"Sissy!" they both exclaimed.
Their enthusiasm was pure, and they held out their arms closely together to take Alena's embrace head on.
Alena sprung forward, and Elijah lept down as Alena lept into their arms, hugging the both of them tight.
Elijah had decided to jump up onto the bordering fenceline, and made himself comfortable as he watched their interaction unfold.
"I missed you!" Alena's small voice cried out to the twins.
The two girls shrieked with joy before responding in unison, holding Alena tight, "We missed you too!"
It was a beautiful scene.
"How about some hugs for me?" Sheila asked as she stepped in from behind Alena's view.
The young girl turned her gaze as she held the twins in her arms, and when she saw who spoke, Alena's eyes and mouth became wide with evermore thrill.
"Shea-Shea!"