Chapter 26: The Secret Is Out, and the World Knows.
Memory is a tricky thing. Some memories are so unbearable; the second it happens you erase it from your mind. Kimiko did that, and now she wanted to know who it was. But it was something not meant to be rediscovered! That lad is gone. So she shouldn't worry.
"Kimiko, are you cold or something?" asked Raimundo, somewhat concerned.
Giving a glance of recognition, she closed her eyes and shook her head. Expecting him to take off again (He came down after a while), Kimiko lay her head back down on her arms and sighed.
Getting stuff through Raimundo's head is very hard.
But when Kimiko actually looked at him for a moment, he could see that hidden emotion in her eyes. Was she trying to hide it by not looking at him all this time?
Raimundo did have a slight suspicion, if he thought about it.
"Are you going to be doing anything then?..." he said, trying to start a conversation. No avail.
"Can you believe the whole village of Xiaolin is... Quite nearby? I even think Chase Young, Wuya, Clay, and everyone we know will be there. Don't you think?" he asked, sitting down in the dirt as well.
It didn't matter; his clothes were already stained enough.
"Raimundo, have you ever fallen in love with someone?" Kimiko questioned, finally saying something.
"Well there's you. I never liked anyone in the past; they're nothing compared to you. Why do you ask this question? There's no need to worry about us."
"I'm not talking about us. I never told you about something... You might be angered, but I always said there was someone else there, who used to like me, as I thought. Love wasn't between us. I think he wanted me there just to take up space." she said.
A frown was on Raimundo's face. Kimiko didn't take up space. Well, everyone did, but not in a bad way.
Raimundo spoke again, "What's his name? I might know him. And this could only have happened while you were in Xiaolin, so I he could be living in this place right now,"
Kimiko gave a small smile before shaking her head yet again.
"It's not like that. He could have gone away. It was so long ago. I don't know his name. I'm sorry for bringing this up, Raimundo. You shouldn't know about him, he's a terrible bastard not to be dealt with," She rose, and stepped out of the shadow of the castle. "I am hoping he's gone away, so he can not come and bother us. I feel better now. Thanks for listening, Raimundo."
He nodded, while he got up as well. Raimundo didn't do anything but listen, but he would accept a few spare complements.
"You're welcome. Now, do you want to see everyone in Xiaolin? They won't know me or you, and I think we can do something about Sophia. She doesn't look good in silk, does she?"
Kimiko didn't answer his question; but instead she gave him a warm hug. This was enough to make Raimundo be quiet.
After the burden of the past was removed from Kimiko, she zoomed about like Raimundo. On the other side of her, Raimundo watched, while his own grin grew wider.
Then he had a thought of that person. Could it be...?
"Our plan. What are we going to do anyways? Raimundo, I thought you had this worked out!" Kimiko whispered as she crawled through the bushes. She could almost see him shrug and make another excuse. "I wasn't thinking because you were thinking," Raimundo muttered, shaking a beetle off his hand. "So I didn't do anything wrong. And... I was too busy worrying about you."
Kimiko smiled again and took in the view of the castle. To think her boyfriend was so rich; but that wasn't the reason she liked him. Or loved him.
The sky still was sunny, though clouding up by the minute. Raimundo's doing? Yep. And how could the people stand all the suspense? They didn't even care if the Prince of Xiaolin never came. Everyone here was probably forced to come, or they enjoyed not working the entire day just to see a Princess and a Prince come together in a dreary Wedding.
Sure, it wouldn't play out that way.
"Omi should be there, spraying the crowd with water in a couple of moments," Raimundo said, "He'll be there, while we pull our trick, or rather my trick."
"You have a trick?"
He shook his head slowly.
"Actually, I got the idea from Clay, who said something in his different way of talking."
Kimiko rolled her eyes. Nothing could come out of Raimundo's brain too quickly. Unless he really wanted something to happen. Did he?
Kimiko asked Raimundo what the trick was, and he wouldn't tell. It couldn't be that bad.
Coming from Raimundo anyways.
Kimiko stopped moving inside the bushes. "Won't people think we're a bit suspicious while we hide in the bushes right next to a highly guarded palace?" she asked.
"Well maybe. First we have to do what we came for, and then..."
"Then what?"
"Then I don't know. We could stay up in the balcony until things clear up, or we could just live in the water fall,"
Kimiko grumbled and thought about his options. If you know girls, they have to have something to rely on. Like you need a better place to live than out in the wilderness. He could have at least made a small effort to cheer her up and not make them live somewhere disgusting.
Raimundo still gave her a humored look. "Why we shouldn't think about that just yet. We have business here." Raimundo got up slightly, and he turned the corner; toward the groups of people.
"But it will soon be over." Kimiko whispered while he was out of ear shot.
Yes, it would be soon over, and then there would be absolutely no place to go and stay, without getting hunted down by Chase Young, Wuya, Charon, Lucia, or some other person who was willing to make Kimiko's life miserable. Which would include everyone.
Omi watched from the roof, taking out his orb. It was hard turning against the kingdom like this. Being under the service of the palace for years made Omi respect it a little. Wringing his hands nervously, he opened his mouth and said as quietly as he could, "Orb of Tournami"
Water poured out swiftly, and he pulled back; anxious. Someone could have seen him. Someone could get him fired, and make him live somewhere on the road.
The last time Omi sneaked out to find Raimundo and Kimiko, he almost got himself caught. If anyone knew he was helping the run aways, they would execute him after he told the King where Raimundo was hiding.
Although it was hard to find that breezy boy most of the time.
But if they found Kimiko...
Screams snapped him into his thought again. Shrieks, gasps, screeches, and unpleasant noises filled the air.
The water had fallen, and it most likely landed right on top of Sophia's dress. Everyone else wore their best clothes too.
So this wasn't good...
A gust of Wind hit Omi in the face, as it did to Kimiko. That meant Raimundo was acting fast, and he wouldn't be seen by anyone because of his stealth, but he made another careless mistake he would be found out.
Even though he didn't have his crown on, Sophia would be the one first to recognize him. With his heart pounding, Omi back flipped out of sight; into the servant's quarters.
No one would know it was him as long as he was quiet, and if he had proof. Which he faked.
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Now the next plan was in act. He could imagine Kimiko there, covering her eyes, and Raimundo laughing and taking her by the hand, leading her to who knows where. Perhaps he should follow them there?
Nothing would come out of standing around in the palace. Frowning at his disloyalty to the King, Omi peered out of the servant's beaten down window.
Sophia was standing at the front door of the palace, not soaked in water; but coated head to toe in something. Let's call it...
Dung.
Waste.
Poop.
The look on her face was horrible. Her teeth were gritted, her hands balled, her eyes flashing. Then, she started yelling, and she pointed at the shrubs, right underneath Omi's window.
Omi's eyes widened, and he ducked out of view again. After a while, no one came to take Omi away.
Who did they discover?
Curiosity took the better of Omi, and he hopped out of the window to see what happened. No. They... They found Raimundo and Kimiko.
Both of them were crouched in the bushes, Raimundo glaring, and Kimiko cowering in his arms. Somehow, by Kimiko's theory; everyone knew it was the Prince of Xiaolin. How do you expect they knew? Sarcasm here.
"Aha! I knew you were here, Prince. The King has been expecting you, and Sophia has been waiting as well. She is... currently unable to see you, so you shall stay and explain to all of Xiaolin why you were not here."
A guard jerked Raimundo up, and they didn't even see Kimiko. She didn't make a move, and she didn't argue.
Omi stood there, open mouthed, and he didn't speak either. People brushed past him as well. Raimundo gave all the guards a nasty look before he was shoved to the front of the castle. "Speak."
Someone hissed.
Raimundo held his head high and spoke rudely, "I wasn't here because I didn't want to be here with the Queen of scum, and all you people here today. There is no use in coming, I am not getting married. Leave now by the oder of your 'Prince.' I'll be going."
Turning on his heel, Raimundo pushed everyone out of his way, but the guards stopped him one more time." You shall not pass us till Sophia comes, and you will wed her." Great.
Raimundo cussed, and kicked one of them in the stomach, sending the guard to fly backwards. Omi backed away, still keeping Kimiko and Raimundo in sight.
He could go, and he wanted to go, but how could he?
Kimiko, still huddling in the corner; finally got up, and she started fighting as well. Everyone was horrified, except the King and Queen. In fact, they weren't even watching.
It went like that.
Guards fought back with their swords, Raimundo dodged and returned a few hits, while Kimiko aided him. How long till Sophia showed up? She would be furious. Or even more furious when her Prince runs away from her.
Omi kept switching glances to the fighting, and toward the door. Raimundo would have to move faster or else Sophia, Lucia, and Charon would come through the door.
Raimundo couldn't use magic either. He had to keep it secret from other on lookers.
And he couldn't teleport because he was exhausted; same with Kimiko. Suddenly everything seemed still.
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Then Sophia stepped into the scene.
Time slowed down.
She took one step, another, and she looked at everyone daintily as her Wedding dress trailed behind her. Her eyes stopped on Kimiko, and she gave a satisfied smirk.
To the eyes that had never seen Sophia before, it looked like she was just giving Kimiko a smile. "So I heard you were talking about ruining my Wedding, and taking my precious Raimundo. I have to tell you something, Tohomiko. Things aren't as they seem. Who's that boy you used to know? What's the name that's always in your head? You know what I'm talking about"
Sophia smirked again and flipped her platinum blond hair over her shoulder. Her voice was calm, and sweet. But if you knew her then you knew she was a devil at heart.
"You know too, Raimundo. There was a girl before me, and you broke her heart. Guess what her name was?"
Kimiko looking confused for a second, put a hand on her hip. Then realization came into her eyes. She stumbled away from Raimundo.
"You... YOU! How could I ever?... You! Raimundo Pedrosa, you're that terrible boy from the past that hates me!"