Oh my.

All of you hate me, I just know it. And I am so sorry, honestly. I had totally forgotten about this story, but, upon reading all your wonderful reviews, I've decided to pick it back up. I hope you guys can forgive me.

Also, if you guys have any ideas or suggestions for the story, feel free to message me. I need a little help. But, I promise, for the next month, I will dedicate my time into brainstorming and writing for this story!

I love you all,

Sarah

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Face Down

By: Sarah (xXxTDIAngelxXx)

Chapter Four: Tsu

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Night had fallen over the beautiful town. Moonlight glistened off the timeless buildings. Street lamps twinkled along the cobblestone path that circled the beautiful park. Though the sky had turned dark, Kimiko could still see families playing on the monkey bars and lovely couples walking hand in hand down the path, a journey yet to be determined. That was another thing Kimiko noticed about Texas that was so different from Japan; the people seemed to be so free, unaffected by any tragedy or dispute. She envied them. She wished she could live in a stress free world. She wished she could be awarded the same pleasures these people were given. Even though her day had been amazing, talking and catching up with some of her best friends, dread and fear still crept in the corner of her mind. She had hoped that this trip would ease some of her stress, but it had incidentally intensified them.

The quartet was now strolling along the perimeter of the park. After they had rendezvoused for lunch, Clay and Chloe had entertained them with a tour of the town. Much to her surprise, there was a lot of things to do in the quaint town. After watching a theatrical production of 'Hamlet' by Chloe's Senior English students, the four explored every shop within a twenty mile radius. Now, weighed down by numerous shopping bags and a variety of carry-out orders, they set up a blanket on top the freshly mown grass.

Kimiko couldn't help but smile, this day had been fabulous. She needed to stop worrying about the not-so-distant future and just concentrate on every moment happening now.

Chloe passed out the carry-out orders, chattering excitingly about wedding plans. "I was thinking about yellow and cream for our colors. It reminds me of summer, you know? It's soft and delicate, yet not boring. What do you think, honey?"

Clay, who had been paying more attention to his burger than his fiancée, hastily nodded. "Great idea, babe. Super."

"Excellent! Kimiko, do you think the bridesmaids dresses should be yellow or cream? Obviously, with your skin, you could pull off either color."

Kimiko blushed at the unexpected compliment. It felt foreign, to be talked about in a positive light. "We'll do whatever you want."

"Well, I don't know what I want. I mean, you did a fabulous job picking out my dress. Can you just think on it? Maybe draw up some ideas?"

"Sure thing. No problem," Chloe smiled. Kimiko liked her. She seemed so sweet and reliable, like you could trust her with anything. In many ways, she reminder her of how Clay was at the temple. Simple, down to earth, always generous. She could see how they made such a perfect couple. Kimiko silently prayed that one day, she too would find such happiness in another.

Kimiko's phone vibrated dangerously in her pocket. Politely excusing herself, she walked to a near by oak tree. Hiding underneath the dark shadows of the tree, she snapped her phone open.

"Hello?"

"Where have you been?"

She squeezed her eyes shut. Of course it would be him. Who else would it be?

"I've been out with Chloe and Clay today." She knew better than to mention Raimundo. The outcome would definitely not be pleasant.

"And you didn't feel the need to call me?"

Why was he worried about this now? It was nearly eleven. "No, I didn't. I'm a big girl, Kenji. And it's not like you wanted to come, anyways."

"Listen, bitch, you will call me whenever you go anywhere. Are we clear?"

Kimiko bit her lip. She wanted so badly to stand up to him, to finally speak her mind. Maybe then everything would be over and she would be free of him. But she couldn't. She touched her arm instinctively. She knew the repercussions. "Crystal." she growled.

"I'm coming over tomorrow to get you. I want you to stay with me."

"No! They need me to help with wedding plans."

"I don't give a shit about their hick wedding."

"Then why did you let me come?" she practically screamed. She could feel the tears threatening to leak from her sapphire eyes, but she forced them back. Though the sky was darkening by the minute, she would not risk her friends seeing her weakening state.

"Well, Kimiko, I didn't expect to land in the middle of nowhere! This town is pathetic. This hotel might as well be run by rats."

"Then why don't you leave?"

"And leave you here? No way in hell, babe. I'm not risking you bumping into your little Brazilian friend."

Kimiko froze, "How do you know about him?"

"That's not important. Just have your things packed by tomorrow." And with that, the phone went dead.

She leaned her back to the rough bark and slowly slid to her heels. Digging through her jacket pocket hastily, she retrieved two small, white pills. She swallowed them dry and concentrated on calming her breathing. Her arm and abdomen pulsated painfully. Hugging her knees, she slowed her breathing to a normal pace and finally dried her eyes. Just when she was about get up, she felt a figure slide down beside her. At any other time, she would have sprung to her feet, prepared to attack the intruder. But she recognized the familiar feel of the person's body, she recalled the smell of his cologne. She sighed, wiping any remaining trace of her previous mood.

"Are you okay? I heard you shout a minute ago."

She banged her head against the bark, silently cursing herself for not being more conscious. "I'm fine. Just a misunderstanding at work."

He was silent for a moment. Kimiko took time to notice just where she was. The dark, nearly leafless oak stood tall and dark over them, seeming to be a large, untouchable force among the sea of peace and serene. The thin branches dance in the wind, casting eerie shadows across the dew soaked lawn. It was beautiful and dangerous, she thought. Something she could definitely relate to.

"I thought you knew that you could tell me anything." he spoke softly. Even in the pitch black, she could still make out his eyes; large, emerald spheres against the darkness, illuminated by their own light.

She cleared her throat, finding the will to look away, "There's nothing to talk about. Honestly, I'm fine." Wanting to distract herself, she picked up a nearby twig and began marking in the dirt beside her. She eased the twig lightly over the moist area, creating a mismatched pattern of swirls and loops, all intertwined by a single thread, a wave if you will.

"You don't look fine. Come on, Kimiko, I'm not stupid."

Kimiko. It sounded so pleasant, so sincere, coming from his lips. She swallowed, she didn't want to tell him everything. She would never tell anyone everything. She had to say something, though, because he was right, he wasn't stupid. If she didn't give him something, he would go looking for answers himself. And she was terrified at what he would think of what he found. She kept drawing, hoping to distract herself enough so that she wouldn't break down in front of her long lost friend.

"Kenji is just being... difficult. He doesn't want me to stay with Clay, and is insisting to come to the hotel tomorrow night."

"Then, why don't you tell him you don't want to? The Kim I know never takes orders, especially not from a man."

Kimiko bit her lip. That girl isn't here anymore, she thought. She rose to her feet, "We might want to get back. They're probably getting worried."

Raimundo rose as well, grabbing her wrist. She automatically flinched, turning away from him. He dropped his hand, but inched closer to her. She could feel his stare, could hear his breathing just within her grasp. "You know I would never let anything happen to you, right? If he hurts you-" he paused, letting the sentence hang. Kimiko was sort of thankful. She knew what Raimundo was capable of, but she didn't want to hear it. "I just want you to know that you can trust me."

With that, he turned back, disappearing into the shadows, his footsteps light and deliberate. Kimiko breathed in the cool night air. She knew she would have to face her demons someday. She just hoped that, when she did, he wouldn't be around to see it.

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Definitely not my best, and shorter than I would have liked, but I just wanted to inform everyone that I wasn't dead. I slept on some ideas, and I came up with a few to make the story a lot longer.

This story will be revived!

Again, I love all you guys (don't tell anyone, but you're my favorite reviewers), and I hope you guys can forgive me :)

Happy Writing!

Sarah