Chapter 4

Blinking up from her slumber Kimiko fluttered her delicate eyes to the morning sun. A beautiful time she always loved. But today was different because she just remembered her plans for today. Shooting right up from her bed she quickly got dressed and starts heading outside to start her training and investigation of her friends.

She didn't really have anyone in particular to pick on but she'll go along with anyone. Then coming around the corner was Omi with his egotistic smile she always knew in the morning by heart.

Getting closer to him she says, "Morning Omi"

Looking up to her he says, "Morning Kimiko, have you stopped your crying from yesterday"

Flinching she asks, "What! I wasn't crying"

Patting her back he says, "Aww you don't have hide it anymore"

Now getting upset she huffs, "Hide what!"

"The touchy feelings that you girls have when we boys merely try to help you, It's OK, I understand you just need time"

Kimiko couldn't believe this boy's understanding about girls. She knew now that Omi was a hopeless lost now, of not considering her as an equal. With that being the case she had a point of leaving.

"Thank You Omi"

Looking up at her he asks, "For what?"

Crossing her arms she says, "For making a difficult decision a whole lot easier" She walks away to leave Omi dumb founded with her answer.

Reaching to the training grounds Kimiko spotted Clay trying to lift up a couple of weights and transfer them across a line of beams that he was crossing.

Kimiko walked up to the set of poles and asked Clay a question, "Clay do you think I'm a good fighter?"

With a hard and difficult stop Clay sweated his way to turn to Kimiko and say, "Y-Yeah"

Getting his attention she crosses her arms and asks, "Then why don't I help with that Clay, by the looks of it you may need some help"

Huffing to answer he says, "No thanks Kimiko, I don't think you could handle this much weight anyway"

Frowning she says, "What you think I can't handle myself too Clay?"

Clay saw what he did and he tried to explain, "Ahh No that's not what I meant, it's just I-" he couldn't finish words, he was losing his grip and balance.

Looking away she yells, "See, you can't even finish your own sentence about me, so you must be thinking I can't handle myself"

With that Clay slipped a little, but he was still trying to explain, "I'm not trying to say AHH K-Kimiko I"

"Save it! I'm going" walking away and a little farther she whispers to herself, "maybe" than moving on into the temple again she looks for Raimundo this time.

Reaching the tea room she spots him sitting near the table just chilling next to a pot of tea. She paused for a moment or two than continued to Raimundo, when she got there she whacks his head to the side with her hands, "Hi there Mr. Know it all"

Rubbing his head Raimundo yells, "Look I said I was sorry, I thought you chicks were suppose to forgive and forget"

Sitting across from him she replies, "Is that your thoughts about me, forgetting how you guys disregard me for just caring"

Rolling his eyes he says, "No, I'm just saying you just didn't consider how we thought about our failures"

She yells, "Raimundo I did care that's why we needed a break, I was only appreciating that we failed alive, don't you see how close we were too death"

Getting up and leaning over the table to her he yells, "And what I'm saying it wouldn't have happen if we just keep training to stay alive! So the next time we train I except you to be there, just be there!"

Now leaning over the table she yells, "Am I just an accessory to you!"

Pausing to glare at her he screams, "Right now you're just a burden!" Kimiko felt hurt, "Your just forever the looks, you have no talent in being here nor the understanding of being warrior, you're better off leaving the temple!"

Kimiko felt the out most pain in her heart, "I see… If that how you feel about me than maybe it's best for me to leave then" turning away she started to feel her tears of hated filling inside her eyes and heart.

As soon as she left, Riamundo finally got her response and was forever kicking himself for saying such things to her, trying to run after he tries to gather everyone to have a serious monk meeting.

As she ran outside the temple in tears and hatred for her friends she couldn't believe what happened or accept the reality of things that were finally revealing themselves to be. She stood in the temple's gardens wiping away her tears, just then she saw Master Fung walking from a far from her, She watched him walk pass the gates and re-enter the temple where she came from.

She wanted to talk to Master Fung but it was no help, she knew he would just be concern and try to fix her problems. She didn't want that, if her master believed in her, she would have dealt with her problem a long time ago without any of his help.

Looking down she walks for a bit, thinking about the results of today. Omi would never learn to believe in her as a equal person; Clay wasn't being the man to talk to. Then Raimundo had to say those things to her. She had no chose but to accept the truth.

Then all of a sudden the air changed into a chilling atmosphere. She quivered under the feeling but then heard the voice of her new master, "Do you believe me now?"

Turning around at the voice she softly says, "Yes" looking up at him he was in the center of the garden.

"I had hoped you'd give me your answer this morning" looking down in disappointment he says, "but I see you just wanted to learn the hard way"

Kimiko looked away in shame but not forcibly turning away from him, "I just wanted to see for myself"

"Hey, can't blame you for that" smiling he continues, "but I must have your answer right now"

Looking side to side, adding everything as quickly as possible she answers, "Alright then Chase, I'll join-"

Putting his hands up he says, "Stop!"

Frowning for a quick second she asks, "Why?"

He grinned at her question, "I want you to make an oath instead" getting serious he says, "That you'll become my apprentice and that you will stay by my side no matter what happens"

She stared at Chase in fear now, he was asking her to sign a binding contract that could go wrong at any moment, "Will it involve the guys" She stared up at him in fear.

Lowering his eyes to her level he says, "It will get personal at some point, but I need you to ultimately swear you'll stay by me" putting his hands out to her he waits

She was feeling stuck, but it was too late to turn back now. She knew this guy was evil but he so far has been right on a lot of things that she couldn't understand or see form her friends. As she reached out for his hands she gulps her mind down to her stomach. To finally intertwine a binding grip around his palm to seal the deal.

With the handshake being done Chase chuckled with glee, "Excellent!" Grabbing her hands tighter he pulls her along with him.

"You won't regret this Kimiko" Picking her up he starts running, "For I truly believe you are perfect" Kimiko could only blush at his actions and comment about her. As the haunting scene unfolded she was being carried away by the famous Chase Young.