Authors Note: Hello new and old readers. I must say I am VERY happy. Why you ask? Because I love this story, and I love all of you for loving this story as well. It just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. I am saying now that this chapter may be the last for a long time because my computers broken. My comp has this very unfortunate habit of over heating and shutting down A LOT. So I am sending my computer back to the computer ppl, hopefully they will be able to fix it. I hope you like this chapter and please review. Also I hope you like meeting the "black haired boy". Truth be told I have fallen completely in love with him :) One more thing, after taking into consideration of the pole I have decided that this story will mostly be about how Clary gets involved in the Shadowhunter world. There will also be some Jace and Clary romance but also a romance of another kind.

Also I would like to thank softballtwichick for recommending the name Kieran for the "black haired boys" name.

This chapter is dedicated to faint-of-hart!

Title: Drowning Shadows

Summary: *SPOILERS* Sequel to Take a Breath: Now that John is dead Clary doesn't know what to do with herself. She is in a deep hole of depression that keeps spiraling down. But the only thing that can make her forget is Kieran. But is he good or bad?

Speaker: Stranger, what do you seek or ask from us?

Tamino: Friendship and love.

Speaker: And are you prepared even if it costs you your life?

Tamino: I am.

-- The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

"Heart reveals what smiles betray. Your Sunset eyes gave you away." -Strength to Go On by Rise Against.

ONE

Clary watched the small droplets of water fill the puddles on the dirty New York City sidewalk.

That was one of the reasons that she loved spring, the rain. It washed all you problems away and left you with a clean slate.

Clary wrapped her hands around her coffee mug, sucking in the smell. It was the same dinner that John and her had gone their first night in New York City. It brought back so many great memories…and so many horrible ones. Clary had tried to morn and move on, but the fact was she couldn't morn, she just couldn't. She had tried but the tears just wouldn't come. She wouldn't let go, she couldn't.

"Hello, can I sit here?" A voice came from the side of her. Without even answering the boy slid into the seat. He was tall, much taller then Clary. His black hair swept over his royal blue, ice cold eyes. For a moment Clary held her breath and just looked into his eyes. They were so...alluring.
"So are you going to deny me access to this lovely booth or what?" he asked a hint of a smirk on his face.
Clary broke contact with his eyes and took a short breath. Still she didn't answer him. He was just some inconsiderate boy with some of the most amazing eyes she ha-
"may I have a sip?" he asked but then again, didn't wait for her answer. His hand wrapped around her coffee cup as he took a big gulp. His wrists were covered with black, blue and red brackets. He had two piercings above his eye brow. Suddenly Clary got mad, what was he doing sitting down next to her, talking to her, drinking her coffee.
"So you're just the average emo badass on the block aren't you?" Clary said her face turning red. What did this guy think he was doing?
"Whoa there little lady. Don't go blowing your top." he said putting his hand up, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You know what, fine." Clary said, Grabbing her coat, hat and bag and sliding out of the booth.
"I hope I never se-" but she abruptly stopped speaking because then they were attacked... by a horde of other emo boys. Maybe about five others, but they were all so tall that it seemed like hundreds. They all ran up so quick that Clary was pushed back into the booth, he head falling on the boys hard, toned, muscular chest.

"Pay up, pay up." The boy said totally ignoring her and jumping over the table and sliding out of the booth.

All the other guys groaned and reached into their pockets, pulling out money and slapping it into he black haired boy's hands. They all laughed and yelled at each other until a waitress had to come over and push them all out the door.

After they left the dinner returned to its usual soft, gloomy self, as did Clary. Her thoughts returned to the sadness she had felt in the past months, and how she would give anything to take it all back.

Clary leaned back in the booth, letting her head rest and closing her eyes.

"Why does life have to be so hard?" she whispered letting her pain seep out a little in each word.

"It doesn't." A voice said. Clary flashed her eyes open, but no on was there. Once she closed her eyes again the voice continued. It whispered soft nothings into her ears, comforting her, almost lulling her to sleep. And she forgot about John, about Jace, about everything. Everything that was causing her pain and sorrow. But what surprised Clary the most when looking back on it was that she let herself listen to his words. That she let herself follow his words. That she let herself fall in love with his words. Chills traveled down Clary's spine, but she didn't know why because this was the best she had felt since... John. It felt like sun beams were shooting into her body, warming her heart and soul.

"And by the way" the voice said as a closing. "I have lacked to mention my name."

Clary could hear the voice smile.
"My name is Kieran, Clarrissa. And I do hope you like it because I've seen the future, and we fall in love."