From Ashe Vol. 3: From Ashe, #3

By Joshua Piedra

A dark past has been revealed. Renji finally decides to have the long-awaited talk with Ashe about their memories that have once been concealed in his mind. As the two of them relive their lives, they experience both the joy and pain that shaped them into who they are today. However, their journey is just beginning. Not for just Ashe and Renji, but for others as well. Just when Renji and Ashe think that they have moved on, another issue arises that captures their attention... an issue that cannot wait for another ten years to solve.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joshua Piedra
• Release date: May 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223424161

Book preview

PREFACE

Hello! I appreciate everyone picking up the third volume of From Ashe!

I learned a few things from my previous series, A.R. Dragonfly. One of those things is to never skimp on a backstory otherwise you may end up writing two Origins books to fully flesh out your characters! The other is to not wait until Volume 6 of a 12 volume series to explain the backstory of one of your main characters!

Before I even wrote the first book, I already knew Ashe and Renji’s backstory. I knew how all of the events would unfold and what would shape them into the characters that they are today. This story lived in the back of my mind for quite some time so, as you could imagine, I was excited to get it all down on paper!

The first four chapters of this volume comprise Ashe and Renji’s backstory. In fact, I wrote the entirety of it over a single weekend. Since it had lived in my head for so long, it was really easy to get it all out. I made several tweaks during the editing process but I had never laid out four chapters of a book so quickly before!

I hope you enjoy their backstories but they are not the only ones you’ll find! You’ll get some insight on Kelsey as well as the continuation of some of the other stories! Enjoy and I’ll see you on the other side!

Contents

PREFACE

PAGE 15

PAGE 16

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

PAGE 21

STORIES FROM ASHE

AFTERWORD

PAGE 15

THE DAY THAT EVERYTHING CHANGED

I ’m ready to tell you everything.

Those words echoed and reverberated throughout Ashe’s body which allowed her to experience a cornucopia of emotions. The moment she had been desperately hoping for had arrived; however, that hope came with a bit of a price.

What was to be a delicious dinner that tantalized Ashe’s very senses turned into something so bitter that she couldn’t stomach even a single bite. That unique quality about her in the fact that her taste buds could change with her mood proved to be the catalyst for Renji. He knew that he couldn’t let this go on any further than it already had. As he stood there looking into Ashe’s eyes, he could see both the fear and the hope within them.

It was the fear for Renji’s safety and his health juxtaposed with the hope for finally obtaining closure and moving past the memories that have directly haunted him… those same memories that have indirectly caused Ashe so much anguish and pain.

Renji… if this is what you truly want, then let’s sit down. I don’t want to take any chances and if you feel even the slightest bit of discomfort, then please… don’t go any further, okay?

Mmm… said Renji in agreement.

The two of them walked over to the living room where they took a seat next to each other on the couch. Ashe stared at Renji as she waited for him to get the ball rolling. She could see a unique combination of expressions on Renji’s face as it looked down in the direction of the floor. One that looked fearful of the words he was about to say and one that was a look of determination as he knew this had to be done. After a bit of hesitation, Ashe reached over and grasped Renji’s hands with her own. Renji turned his head and looked into Ashe’s eyes where he saw that very same fear and hope as he did just moments ago; however, there was something different about the look she wore. She also looked like she was doing her best to support him.

You don’t have to do this alone, Renji. Just say what’s on your mind. After all… they’re my memories, too and if need be, I can jump in and take some of the burden off of you.

Renji closed his eyes as he knew that there was no turning back. With one quick lick of his lips to moisten them, he spoke.

Do you remember, Ashe? What it used to be like back in the day?

I do, said Ashe with an affirming nod.

Me, too. I’ve never forgotten those days…

"Me neither. Remember the time that you came to visit right when summer vacation was about to end?

Mmm…

***

It was a bright and sunny afternoon in early September. There was only one week left of summer vacation and, just like any other kid, Ashe was not looking forward to going back to school. Being only eight years old, she was having too much fun running around outside and playing like any other healthy child. To know that all of that would be coming to an end soon took the wind right out of her sails. 

Ashe sat on the front porch of her home pouting in protest over the fact that she had just returned from the store where her parents had bought her all of the school supplies she would need for the upcoming year. Realizing that Ashe needed some cheering up, the front door to the house opened, and out stepped a woman who stood around five feet, seven inches, and was as slender as they come. She had long, flowing silver hair with matching gray eyes. She wore a tan short-sleeved shirt and stone gray jeans. Ashe turned around and saw her mother Emily standing there with the phone under her arm, the cord stretching across the house into the kitchen. If there was one thing that Ashe’s mother loved, it was having the freedom to walk around the house while talking on the phone.

Ashe! Guess what? Mr. and Mrs. Keita will be bringing Renji by this afternoon so you two can hang out!

Any encumbered feelings Ashe had were suddenly wiped away and a bright, shining smile practically beamed from her face. She quickly popped up to her feet and started hopping up and down with excitement.

When!? When!? When!? When!? When!?

Soon. They, too, are finishing up their school supply shopping for Renji so they’ll drop him off when they get back. Apparently, you and Renji have something in common… you both hate the idea of going back to school and they thought that he could use some cheering up.

School sucks! School is for nerds! Why do I have to go back!?

Do you hear this Mrs. Keita? asked Emily as she brought the phone back up to her ear. Yes! Kids will be kids, indeed! We’ll see you soon! Bye!

Emily cracked a smile and walked away from Ashe without answering her question. Having it ignored perturbed Ashe as she made an even bigger pouty face before spinning around and plopping back down with her arms folded in protest.

Back in the house, Emily hung up the phone as her husband, Dean, looked over his shoulder after making a mental note of where he paused in the book he was reading. Dean appeared to be a very clean-cut individual as he had short dark brown hair that was parted to one side with an executive look to it. He had thin rectangular glasses and wore a navy blue sweater vest on top of a light gray dress shirt and light gray slacks. One thing that Dean loved to do was smoke a pipe which he had protruding from his mouth.

I take it Ashe is in a better mood now?

Somewhat. She was certainly excited that Renji was coming over but she’s at that phase where all she wants to do is stay home and play. She thinks school is for nerds.

IT IS FOR NERDS! Ashe shouted from the porch as she overheard their entire conversation.

Ignoring Ashe’s protest, Dean continued on not caring if Ashe heard him or not, Well, she’s not wrong. School is for nerds but you kind of have to be one if you’re going to be something in this day and age. Unless you want to pump gas or flip burgers your whole life. Oddly, I think Ashe would be happy doing either one of those.

Don’t encourage her, Dean! The last thing I need is my little girl growing up to be a minimum wage slave for the rest of her life!

Relax, I was being facetious. Of course, I want Ashe to grow up and be successful. You take me too literally sometimes, you know that?

Well, I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t have such dry humor. I swear each one of your jokes could put the Sahara to shame.

My jokes aren’t any dryer than the martinis you drink on the weekend, dear. Besides, my dry humor is what you fell in love with. If it weren’t for that, you probably would have married someone else and had a happier life. Face the facts. You’re stuck with little old, mediocre me!

Oh, gee. I guess I’ll just have to continue living with that as I have for the past ten years!

That’s the spirit, honey!

Both of them cracked up over their banter. This was the unique chemistry that held the two of them together. Ashe cracked a smile as she sat on the porch as while she didn’t quite understand the banter between them, it always made her happy whenever she heard her parents laugh. 

Dean had some of the driest humor on the planet, yet, Emily was a complete and total sucker for it. She felt as if it was his most charming quirk and it was one of two reasons that she decided to marry him… the other was the fact that deep down inside, he was a very caring individual that always treated her like gold. That carried over into parenthood as Dean loved Ashe with all of his heart. In fact, Emily would often get upset with him for spoiling her rotten at times.

Dean went back to reading his book while Emily did some quick cleaning to get the house in order before Mr. and Mrs. Keita stopped by to drop Renji off. Ashe got tired of the heat and meandered back into the house where the cool air conditioning hit her face, instantly refreshing her. Knowing full well that Renji could be there at any moment, she ran over and plopped herself down on the opposite side of the couch from her father, kicking her feet as they dangled over the edge of the cushion.

About fifteen minutes later, as Emily was in the kitchen putting together some snacks, there was a knock on the front door. Emily dusted off her hands and turned around but before she could even take a step, Ashe had already leaped off the couch and had bolted to the door, opening it. On the other side stood a boy eight years of age with short black hair in a bowl cut and piercing deep blue eyes. He wore a light gray t-shirt and dark navy blue shorts. Ashe lunged in and wrapped her arms around Renji, squeezing him as tight as she could.

Renji! Renji! Renji! Renji! Renji! Renji! Renji!

A-Ashe! Too tight! Can’t breathe!

***

Ashe began to giggle as she remembered squeezing the life out of Renji. It wasn’t that she was a masochist and found humor in the suffering of others but she simply thought about how she would sneak up behind Renji whenever he was in the kitchen cooking for her, practically doing the same thing ten years later. 

Some things never change, do they?

I... I guess not…

Well… it’s just that you’re so huggable, Renji. Always was and always will be. Still, I was happy whenever you came to visit me. It didn’t matter if you came over to my house or if I went over to yours. As long as I got to see you, it always put a smile on my face. In fact, do you remember what we used to do whenever you stopped by?

Renji swallowed pretty hard as he had a good idea where Ashe was going with this. Seeing Renji’s reaction caused her to don a sly look on her face.

Oh ho ho… that look tells me you do!

***

Ashe let Renji go and grabbed him by the arm, practically yanking him into the house and making a beeline for her room. Emily could only laugh at the two of them as they breezed past her, just thankful that Renji’s presence helped get Ashe’s mind off of going back to school. After composing herself, she turned her attention to Satoshi and Akemi Keita, Renji’s parents.

Please, come on in!

Thank you very much. Please pardon our intrusion, said Satoshi.

Emily offered them to take a seat; however, they politely declined.

Thank you for bringing Renji over. As you can see, it really made Ashe’s day.

I know how much your daughter likes our son, said Akemi. They are always so happy together. I have a feeling as they get older, they may become even more inseparable.

You may be right. They’ve already known each other since kindergarten when you two moved in next door. I was amazed at how fast the two of them became friends.

We were worried about Renji, said Satoshi. When we moved here, we knew that coming to a whole new city might be a hardship for our son so were very lucky to have him find a friend like Ashe right away. It could have been harder, though. I had to move here with my parents when I was just fourteen years old. They took a job here in America so I was taken away from all of the friends I had made in Japan. Not knowing any English at the time made things harder. Then, in high school, I met this wonderful foreign exchange student who taught me everything I needed to know. I was so thankful, I talked her into marrying me.

You tell it as if we got married in high school! Of course, I had to go back home to Japan once school was over but Satoshi was so persistent about me coming back to visit. Little did I know that when I did come back, he would talk me into staying. It took several years but we stayed in communication by writing letters to each other. I still remember how excited I was whenever the mail would come and there would be a letter from Satoshi in it. He tried to write them in English to show me how much he had learned but I ended up writing him back and giving him extra lessons!

Still, to have that kind of love over a great distance like that… it’s like you two were made for each other!

It would seem so, said Satoshi. We can see that same spark in Ashe’s eyes whenever she sees our Renji. Maybe the red thread of fate is finding something near… something familiar to bind itself to!

I guess time will tell, won’t it?

Indeed, it will. I apologize for not being able to stay long; however, we do need to get back and put away the things we bought Renji for school but before we go… we are planning on being away on business not long after school starts. Would it be too much trouble to ask you to look after Renji for a week for us?

Of course we will! Renji is always welcome here and I’m sure Ashe will be overjoyed to know that he will get to stay here for a while! Like always, we’ll take very good care of him!

Thank you very much! If there is anything we can do to repay you, do not hesitate to let us know!

It was good seeing you, Mr. and Mrs. Keita, said Dean from the couch.

See us? You haven’t looked over here this entire time! said Akemi.

Dean simply looked over his shoulder and cracked a smirk. Akemi and Satoshi knew Dean very well and understood his remark as another one of his dry humor jokes. They simply shook their heads at Dean before excusing themselves. After Emily closed the door, she also shook her head and let out a sigh.

Just be thankful they’re used to you. With anyone else…

Aw, they know me! They know it’s not unlike me to make a joke here and there! Besides, Satoshi and I are good poker buddies. He knows me well enough to get my humor.

I don’t know if he gets it as much as he tolerates it like the rest of us.

And yet you tolerated…

...yes. I tolerated it enough to marry you, said Emily, interrupting him.

Back in Ashe’s room, she and Renji laid down on the floor with coloring books laid out in front of them. One of the things that the two of them loved to do was color in some drawings while making up fantasy stories. Usually, once they got deep enough into a story, they would head outside and reenact it at a special spot that Ashe had picked out for the two of them. This time, it would be no different.

Check it out, Renji! I’m coloring a dragon!

Ashe… that’s a dinosaur.

Well, today it’s a dragon and it’s flying high above the kingdom! It has a buncha smoke poofing out of its nose as it’s getting ready to breathe fire! This is where you come in!

Do I have to play the knight again?

Well, duh! Who else is going to save the princess from the dragon? I can’t do it by myself! I’m just a little girl who got spoiled by her rich parents! The only thing I know how to swing is my arm when I’m ordering my servants around!

Ugh. Fine. Oh no! It’s a dragon! I better check and see if the princess is okay!

EEK! A dragon is flown into the kingdom! Surely it’s going to swoop down and pick me up and dig its claws into my tiny body! It’s going to bring me back to its nest to feed me to the baby dragons! If only a knight would come and save me!

Have no fear, princess for your knight is here! I will slay the dragon and save you!

You won’t be able to reach it from the ground! Here, take this… uh… magic… rock… and throw it at the dragon!

How is a rock supposed to kill a dragon?

It’s a MAGIC rock!

What kind of magic does the rock have?

ANTI DRAGON MAGIC! DUH! Now just throw it!

"I threw the rock but it didn’t