"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." Sydney J. Harris

MIA

The 2 families arrived at the Middleton International Airport and began to check through security. Dean had a slight problem when he tried to bring his backpack with him through security. "No Martial Arts stuff allowed onboard sir. You'll have to check this bag."

"Dean why are you bringing that stuff along?" Anne wanted to know "They have all that at Yamanuci."

"I know they have everything we need to train. I just like using my own equipment is all." Only because he knew it could handle having his power channeled through it. "I'll meet you guys at the gate after I check this bag."

"I'll wait here for you Dean. Maybe we can find something for us to do on the plane. It is a 15 hour flight after all." Anne actually wanted to have a chance to talk with Dean, alone. His mother hadn't allowed him to run with her yesterday, and she wanted to know why.

"We'll wait for you two at the gate, Gate 31B remember." Sheila called back over her shoulder as the 3 older women walked toward the gate.

"Yeah 31B. I heard you the first six times mom." Dean was growing more annoyed with his mother. She had really been riding him the last two days. Something was bothering her, he could tell. But she refused to talk about it and it drove him nuts.

"Relax Sheila. Dean is a big boy. I'm sure he can remember what gate we're leaving from." Kim didn't want to tell her how to raise her son but…

"Zip it Kimmie! He's my son, not yours!" Sheila snapped, and quickly realized she should apologize. "I'm sorry Kim. I've been stressed out these last few days."

Kim looked at her like she had just seen a ghost. 'Kimmie?…No, that's impossible.' Kim shook the thought from her head. "Its okay Sheg…Sheila. We've all been under a lot of pressure these last few weeks."

"You two had better relax. It's a long flight. I don't want to have to separate you. But I will." Nana knew how to keep kids inline, even if they were all grown up.

"Sorry Nana" Kim and Sheila responded in unison.

Anne waited patiently near the security checkpoint for Dean to come back. When he finally got back through they walked together to the Bookery bookstore. "Dean why didn't your mom let you go running yesterday?"

He hated lying to her but she couldn't know about his powers, not yet. "She had me doing some clean up around the house, punishment for taking off and not telling her where I was." He had actually been training on using his powers. "You going to buy a book for on the plane Anne?"

"Probably, I'll need something to do. 15 hours is a long time. What about you Dean? You going to buy a book or something else to do?"

"I think I've got everything I need to do right here." He patted Anne on the ass.

"Perv" She couldn't help blushing at the thought of joining the mile high club.

"I'll probably grab a book too though. I don't think I could keep at it for 15 hours, but it would be fun trying." He smiled at Anne and she smiled back and said. "It would be fun to try." He looked over a selection of hardcover fiction before grabbing a copy of 'The Big Bad Wolf'. Twenty Eight bucks for a book he was going to probably read once. Damn that's expensive, even when you're rich. He paid for their books and they went to the gate. 31B.

747-400

Sheila had arranged their seating before hand. She was concerned about the relationship between her son and his best friend. She would probably be sickened if she knew the truth about what sort of relationship they actually had. "Okay we're in the 5 across row. Seating is going to be Kim, Anne, Nana, Dean and me. We can rotate seats for window views if anyone wants one." Everyone seemed to be okay with the arrangement, Dean had wanted to sit next to Anne but knew he couldn't risk anything happening between them for his mother to see. He would have to wait for the return flight, maybe he could convince his mom to let him sit with Anne by then.

Sheila hated flying on commercial airlines. She felt safer when she was the one in control of her life. It didn't take too long before she was well sauced on free drinks. Vodka straight, with a Coke chaser. She always loved quality Vodka. She passed out about 4 hours into the flight, and would most likely stay that way until they touched down in Tokyo. Dean was the only one left awake in the cabin when he finally decided it was safe to get Anne.

He snuck out of his seat quietly and walked around the back of the cabin to her seat. He tapped her lightly on the shoulder, when she woke up he motioned for her to come back to the lavatory. They entered together, nice thing about first class, big bathrooms. They spoke in whispers. "Good morning beautiful"

"Good morning to you too Dean."

"I missed you yesterday." They said it at the same time. "Jinx. You owe me a soda Dean."

"Can I give you one of these instead?" He kissed her lips, and slipped his tongue into her mouth. She returned the favor, sliding her tongue into his mouth.

When they broke off the kiss she said "I guess that's a decent substitute. But I still want my soda." She giggled before Dean interrupted her, pressing his lips to hers.

"We can't take too long. My mom is out cold but Nana or Kim could wake up and wonder where we are." Dean wished they didn't have to be so secretive with their love, but he didn't want to risk losing Anne.

"Well then we should probably get started." Anne reached down and started to unbutton the fly on Dean's pants. The next 15 minutes were pure heaven, for both of them.

Dean let Anne exit first, she had to worry about 2 guardians. He only had his mom. A few minutes after Anne walked out Dean returned to his seat. Sheila was still out cold, as were Nana and Kim. He looked over to Anne and smiled at her. She returned his smile. They both leaned back to sleep, they still had 7 hours to go before they touched down.

Kim stirred slightly when Anne leaned her seat back, she didn't really wake up but she became aware of a scent. Anne's scent. It hung heavily in the recirculated cabin air. Kim could smell it, she recognized it. 'Best friends as lovers. If only I could go back…relive my life, change things with Ron. If only…' She fell back into her slumber and dreamed a dream. It started out pleasantly enough.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She walked into Bueno Nacho. Ron was there, 17 years old, at their usual table. Kim couldn't help but smile seeing her best friend again, happy. "Ron. How are you doing? I miss you so much." She pulled him out of the booth and hugged him.

"KP what are you talking about? I haven't been anywhere. I've always been right here. I'll always be right here." He smiled at her and returned her hug. Just like he always did in her dreams.

'I'll always be right here' Locked forever in her mind as the boy she loved, but never told. Until it was too late.

"Have you seen Rufus around Kim? I seem to have misplaced him." His smile was gone.

"I'm sorry Ron. Rufus is dead." This dream had been familiar up to now. Kim had been dreaming it ever since Ron died. "I'm so sorry for what happened to him, because of me. I wish I could offer you something more. But I can't…I'm sorry."

"Sorry won't work Kim." His eyes were no longer bright and cheery, they were dark and soulless.

"Ron?" Kim was scared. Ron was looking less like her friend and more like the man who tried to kill her.

"You shouldn't have come back Kim. Actions have consequences, and the time has come for you to pay for what you did." He produced a sword from out of nowhere. She couldn't help but scream as he swung it at her neck. Just as the blade made contact with her skin.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She jerked awake with a gasp, startling Anne. "Are you okay Kim?"

Kim was covered in a thin sheet of sweat, which was strange since the cabin was actually slightly chilly. "I just had a weird dream is all. I'm okay."

"Well we're going to be landing soon." Anne could tell that Kim was more than just a little freaked out. "Are you sure you're ok Kim?"

"I'm fine." Kim got up out of her seat and headed for the bathroom, she wanted to freshen up before they landed.

Dean reached over to his mom and jostled her shoulder. "Mom wake up. We're almost ready to land."

"Wha? Dean? Oh…can you get me some aspirin and a water please." She had a major headache, she cursed herself for drinking so much.

"Already got it for you mom." Dean held out a bottle of water and some aspirin for her.

She took the aspirin and drank some water. "Thank you." She finished the bottle and then got up to go to freshen up. She was still half asleep when she tried opening the bathroom door, it was locked. "Damn it…hurry up in there." She hit the door with a closed fist.

"Keep your shirt on. I'm almost done." Sheila recognized Kim's voice coming from behind the closed door.

"Sorry Kim. I didn't know it was you." She felt like crap.

"It's okay." The door opened and Kim stepped out past Sheila. "Its all yours now." Kim did a little half bow and swept her arm toward the open compartment.

Sheila didn't say anything, she just scowled at Kim. Then grabbed her head, as if making that face hurt. She stepped in and closed the door roughly. Kim just chuckled a bit and returned to her seat. 'Poor Sheila, I feel sorry for her.'

Yamanuci

The Families stand gathered about the gravesite. Nana was leading them in prayer. Dean couldn't help but feel that he and his mom were intruding on what should have been a strictly family event. He glanced over at Anne, her head was bowed but she turned it slightly and gave him a reassuring smile. He felt immensely better knowing that he was welcome. He looked to his mothers face…she was crying. 'I wonder why this is having such an impact on her? I mean she didn't even like Ron. They were enemies. Maybe she's just a big softy after all.'

"…He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen." Nana had just finished the lasts lines of the Kaddish. Now it was time for the placing of the stones. Nana placed her stones on Ron and Yori's markers, with a photo of Anne under each one. "You have a beautiful daughter."

Anne was next to place her stones. "Mom and Dad…I miss you both so much…" She broke down crying.

Dean rushed to her side and held her up in his arms. "Its okay Anne. I've got you." He placed his stones, but didn't say anything. He didn't know what he could say.

Kim placed her stones, one on each of the three markers. "I'm so sorry for what happened, because of me. I wish I could offer you something more." Kim began to cry. "But I can't…I'm sorry…I miss you so much Ron…I love you."

Nana could tell that something was wrong, not since their first trip here had Kim ever been so grief-stricken. She looked over to Dean and motioned for him to come help her with Kim. He led Anne over and together they helped Nana guide Kim into the main grounds of the school.

Sheila was alone at the gravesite. She stood silent for a long time, her eyes closed. She knelt down next to Ron's marker and placed her stone. "Your mother was right Ron. You have a beautiful daughter…" She slipped a photo of Dean under her stone. "…and a wonderful son."

To Be Continued.

AN: Ok I know that I didn't get to the Lotus Blade part. This Chapter is getting too long IMO. Next one should be up hopefully this weekend or early next week.