Diclaimer: I don't own the immortal or any of its charcters.

This story is my first immortal story! I remember in the show Kiyomi made some reference to when Goodwin saved her from drowning in the pond and how he nearly died from getting sick afterwords. I had always wanted to hear more about that story so I decided to write the extended version. Here is chapter one! Hope you like it!

It was cold outside. Bitter cold, which was expected considering it was winter, but that didn't mean he liked it.

Goodwin pulled his cloak around himself a bit tighter, shivering. He had been out to gather some herbs for a remedy Yashiro was making although at the time he doubted he would find much under the newly fallen snow. He had voiced this opinion to Yashiro but his only response for Goodwin was, "So then dig."

Goodwin grumbled to himself for that was exactly what he had had to do, and that was after hours of searching in the cold.

He trudged up towards the home of his dear friend Raphael. He and his family had taken him in after he had run away from his masters. After ten years of slavery and being whipped and beaten, he had finally decided to run for his life. He knew if he was caught it would mean his death but he also knew if he stayed he would suffer the same fate. Raphael had been kind enough not to ask many questions. Goodwin had a sneaking suspicion that Raphael knew the truth, but he would never bring it up and neither would Raphael.

Goodwin had been welcomed by the family mainly out of an act of pity. He knew they didn't fully trust him. He didn't blame them though considering he had pathetically tried to rob him when he first met them. He had just been so hungry though after days of running, and was desperate enough at that point to try anything. Raphael had ended up giving him a thorough beating and was going to send him packing when he saw the cuts on his back. That was when he knew, and when he stopped asking questions.

"Ouff!" Goodwin yelped as he stumbled over a branch, interrupting his train of thought. He was almost in sight of the cottage and quickened his pace. As he entered their yard he noticed Kiyomi crouching near the pond curiously fascinated by her reflection in the ice. She was a cute kid and Goodwin had taken a liking to her. She was very shy like most young children but had a wild spirit when she was comfortable with whom she was with.

Goodwin waved at the girl as he walked by but she obviously too caught up in her fascination with the ice pond to notice.

Goodwin smiled to himself heading towards the house. He was surprised neither Raphael nor Mikiko were around watching her. The two usually were quite protective of their daughter and were never ones to just let her wander off.

Suddenly he heard a crack, a splash, and a scream.

"Kiyomi!" Goodwin yelled as he whirled around to see Kiyomi flailing desperately in the pond. The pond had frozen over this winter but the ice had obviously not been thick enough to support her weight.

Goodwin ran to Kiyomi knowing the danger she was in. The pond itself was not that deep. It only came up to his mid chest, but for five year old Kiyomi it was more than deep enough. The other issue was the issue was the water itself. It had to be freezing cold and if he didn't get her out of there quick she could die from more than just drowning.

Goodwin stopped at the edge of the pond. The moment he stepped on, the ice cracked beneath his feet. It wouldn't hold him. He was going to have to wade in, breaking the ice as it came. The task itself was surprisingly easy and Goodwin was shocked at how far out she had gotten before falling through.

Goodwin cringed at the shock of the ice cold water. It was the type of cold that was so cold it hurt, sending icy daggers up his feet and legs as he wadded in, while breaking apart the ice with his hands. The breaking apart of the ice became more difficult as he waded further forcing him to put his whole body weight on the ice just to crack it. This unfortunately got him more wet when it broke under his weight causing him to be soaked in the ice water from head to toe.

When Goodwin finally reached Kiyomi she was clinging desperately to the edge of the breaking ice, trying to stay afloat. He picked the crying girl up in his arms and began to quickly wade back to the shore. Both of them were shaking uncontrollably from the cold, yet Goodwin still rapped his arms around her, desperately trying to keep her warm.

By this point, Raphael and Mikiko had burst out of the house, hearing all of the commotion from outside. They came out just in time to see a very blue lipped Goodwin carrying Kiyomi out of the water. They ran to them, Raphael taking Kiyomi out of his arms just in time. Goodwin felt as though he were about to collapse and probably would have had he not been relieved of the extra weight.

"What happened?" Raphael asked as he lifted Kiyomi into his arms.

"I s-s-saw her p-playing b-b-by the p-pond," Goodwin replied shivering while he spoke. "N-n-next thing I k-knew I heard s-s-scream. S-s-she f-fell through t-t-the ice."

"You saved my daughters life," Raphael said in almost a question like manner rather than a statement. He was more than a bit shocked having always seen Goodwin as the cowardly type. He had certainly never done anything to prove otherwise, that is, until now.

"Y-you s-saved my l-life first. H-had to r-r-repay the f-favor." Goodwin replied trying to smirk through his chattering teeth.

Goodwin stumbled as Mikiko ushered him into the house directing him towards the fire. She wrapped a warm blanket around him but he felt none of its effects through his water soaked clothing.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Raphael handed Kiyomi to Mikiko and headed to the door. He opened it to find a very annoyed looking Yashiro with his staff in one hand and a basket in the other.

"Have you seen Goodwin?" he said storming into the house searching around. "That boy, I swear! I sent him out to gather some herbs for me this morning and he still isn't back yet! If find out he's been lazing about at the tavern again-"

"Yashiro, my friend, stop for a moment" Raphael interrupted. "We have a more important problem at hand and we need your assistance."

Raphael led to the room where Kiyomi and Goodwin were sitting. Mikiko had gotten them both changed out of their wet clothes and had them sitting by the fire wrapped in blankets. Goodwin was trying to warm his hands by the fire but they were still too numb to feel the heat. He resigned to pulling his blanket tighter around his shivering body. No matter what he did he couldn't seem to make himself feel any warmer. He looked over to see Kiyomi being rocked in her mothers arms as she tried to help warm up her daughter.

Yashiro gasped. "What on earth happened?" he asked rushing over to the two of them.

"Kiyomi had wandered off into the yard," Raphael replied. "She got too close to the pond and fell through the ice.

"Goodwin, thank god," Mikiko added, "was there and went in after her to save her."

Yashiro went back and forth between Kiyomi and Goodwin feeling their faces and checking their hands. They were both ice cold and both were still shivering, although Kiyomi did seem to be getting better in her mothers arms.

"Raphael," Yashiro barked, "Go get some water and start boiling it for tea. I have some herbs with me that should help."

Raphael immediately rushed out the door while Yashiro put his hand on his daughter's shoulder. Concern was growing in his face.

Can you say foreshadowing? He he! Well, not really considering you already know what's going to happen next but if ya didn't then WATCH OUT! A surprise would be coming straight your way!

ANYways! As always, please read and review! Whether good or bad, fantastic or flaming, I really don't care. I just want honesty! I have no problem with flames because if you really didn't like it that much, then I MUST be doing something wrong, and I would certainly like to know what that is!

Thanks!