::Time Heals All Wounds ::

[Chapter Ten]

[Revisit]

Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters do not belong to me!

Author's Notes: Thanks for reviewing…this chapter's short too *ducks blows*…I love the ending…do you? Tell me!



Replies:

Joy: Thanks! Hope you're reading this chapter too!

Cookies: Just glad you started reading and loved it! *smile* "Cloud Nine" was a suitable title for chapter nine, and matches the story as well, ne?

E.C.: Thanks! I don't mind the reviewers blabbering…in fact, I rather enjoy reading them!

White-angel: Sorry, this isn't really a long chapter…may even be shorter than the other, but who's counting? Planning my next fic now, and including some longer chapters! So just bear with me for the remainder of this one, 'kay?







Four years ago, a family of four went to the beach.

Only one stood on this very beach now.

Cold and lifeless, the three others had returned, so to speak. But they had returned in coffins.



Suzuki Kimi watched as the crests of the waves rose and fell in a hypnotic rhythm, matching the thoughts beating in her head. The scenes flashed by once again, despite her willing them not to, and she once more relived the moments of terror.



"Run!" Her father's baritone was the only thing that she heard. Its clarity belied the fear behind it. A fear born of a madman. She froze, not knowing what to think, and then her instincts for self-preservation took over. She ran.

"Run!" Her mother's tearful voice was shrill and scared, full of the love for her family that made her fear for them. She pushed Kimi ahead, but was rendered unable to follow.

"Run!" Her brother's response had been quickest, his small feet speeding across the sands. He had thought it was a game, and beckoned Kimi and the rest of his family to chase him. But those who chased him were not family; they killed him.

"Run!" Kimi's athletic ability spurred her on, as her legs pumped up and down relentlessly as only a person in fear of his or her own life is able to do. Breathing came hard and fast, and the ache in her abdomen was unbearable. But still, she bore it.

"Run!" The voice in her head urged her. She ran without turning back, as her father had always told her to do. He was her coach, her mentor. He was dead.

"Run!" Three bodies were enough, it seemed, and she heard no more chasing footsteps.

"Run!" Her last thought as she sank to the ground, exhausted, in front of the police station.



If she had looked back, she would have seen the yakuza beat her father to his death as he tried to stop them from harming his family.

If she had looked back, she would have seen her mother stand unyieldingly by his side.

If she had looked back, she would have seen her brother's corpse being torn apart in front of her mother's eyes.

If she had looked back. But she didn't.



She closed her eyes.



She looked at the one who stood beside her now, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder.

Kogure Kiminobu.

An unlikely saviour.

Yet, he had helped her to face her deepest fears.



The beach was calm today. The waves of the retreating tide ebbed and flowed gently on the sands.

Her heart was calm today. Calmed by the presence of the one whom she loved; the one who had helped her find love.



"Let's go."

Her voice had a slight lilt at the end, serenity Kogure had never heard before from her when they stood on the beach.

"Let's go," he agreed.

Together, they walked away from the beach, where the footprints of bad memories had been washed away, finally, by the tide.