Here, he leads.
Their teenage years are swift and exciting, crucial relationships both broken and mended. As the years pass, he becomes the promising man Master Fung predicted him to be. A true leader among his team, willing to take risks, and though often tempted by chance, ultimately striving for good to prevail in the end. Mission after mission she watched him from safe distance, giving in to his teasing and taunting for many months. She had fallen for him so quickly. Men who claimed to need only themselves to survive were the most appealing for her. A challenge, she admitted, was always interesting. To bring someone like Raimundo to their knees was no simple task, and it would remain burdensome until the warriors finally parted their ways.
Their bond is strong due to his leadership. It is he who considered her first, stole the first kiss, promised her. Because of this he claims he is her keeper. While she fights for her own voice from time to time, she feels safe knowing someone will be there to make decisions when she is uncertain.
To many, he's a determined man with never ending aspirations, but from time to time she still sees the childish Brazilian boy with an odd loyalty to video games. It's perhaps, for this reason, she agrees to marry him.
The nights are enticing. She's whatever he wants her to be underneath linens. Even here she is second place, but she won't complain. Each experience is more riveting than the last. There's a bit of yelling, some roughness here and there. She's a whole new woman in their bedroom. Daring, sensual.
Ignorance is bliss, they said.
Since the warrior path had been a thing of the past, he shifted into business, eventually gaining his own soccer team. Endorsement deals and partnerships helped him reach riches beyond his wildest dreams. To ensure her happiness he payed for her clothing line to come to action, the Tokyo inspired apparel launching soon after their wedding. Kimiko, too, was content with their success, but feared the luxuries would change him. Raimundo was still the lusting man he was all those years ago. Even with a wife he was curious, open for excitement and chance invitations. Women were easily drawn to him. Not only was he wealthy, but he was also handsome and held a gleaming personality to match. He had lost sight of his once respectable and modest lifestyle, and Kimiko was losing vision of the man she once loved.
It was only when she threatened to leave was he brought back to reality. He promised her the world, while all she wanted was for him to give it back. Hesitant, but still madly in love, he kept only a fraction of his fortune for the two to live off in the near future. She couldn't kid herself, though; she knew that even if he remained power hungry, she'd stay by his side. She was thankful he hadn't changed completely.
"I missed you." She'd say.
"I know you did," He smile back.
It's been so long since they've had dinner together, and all the while Raimundo pokes at her cooking, jokingly insisting that he himself could prepare a better meal. It's name calling first, then the tossing of dishes, and in the end the two laugh over their foolish ways before heading to bed.
"I love you." He'd say.
"I know you do." She'd say back.