Chapter 69: And Nothing Ever Dies.
Kimiko couldn't sleep. Raimundo had already given her a short lecture about 'Evil can't come back, we killed it.'
She trusted him dearly, but why didn't she believe him?
Groaning, she peered at the alarm clock.
2:00. Brilliant.
Not trying to disturb her husband's sleep, she crept out of the bed and walked over to the window.
When was the last time Raimundo had gone star gazing with her?
She had to admit, it was a very long while ago.
But now she couldn't risk anything, not with her second child on the way.
Moving her gaze to Raimundo, she sighed. He looked pretty cute with the moonlight passing over his features. Was he right?
Was she the one that was wrong? Yes, nothing could go wrong, and everyone was happy.
Raimundo tossed a little in his sleep, and his hands moved around.
He jumped up from the bed, and scanned the room for Kimiko, she was standing right next to the window.
"Don't scare me like that!"
Kimiko raised in eyebrow, she didn't feel like talking."What's wrong Kim?" Shaking her head, Kimiko glanced out the window. She couldn't tell Raimundo about this mess. It was all her imagination. Worrying about Raimundo wasn't going to do her any good. He edged over to her and rested his chin on the top of her head.
"Kimiko, I know what you're thinking, and it won't worry me one bit. See the stars? Make a wish."
Finding her voice, Kimiko whispered, "I think you should take this one."
The stars were indeed very bright, showing many constellations, but she couldn't waste a wish, he needed it.
"But
you always get the wishes, you should choose." Raimundo insisted.
Again, she shook her head silently. Standing on her toes, she opened
the window, cool night air rushed in.
"Coming?" asked Kimiko. Shrugging, he followed her out. But they forgot one thing. The window was wide open.
"You don't think anything is going to happen?" prodded Kimiko.
"I already answered that question. No. We're together, and that's what matters most. See? The Temple is here, and so are all our trusted friends. Everything is perfect. I wouldn't want it any other way."
Searching around for any emotions, Raimundo found nothing except love and worry, this bothered him. "It's okay Kimiko! We have everything we could wish for."
Kimiko smiled at his concern. He only showed this side to Kimiko, which made her feel extremely fluttery. Now, it didn't help much.
"Raimundo. I don't think evil can really die forever. It's going to come back. If good died instead of evil, then good would come back as strong as ever."He closed his eyes and processed what Kimiko was throwing at him. The Wind helped him concentrate a little. Kimiko was on to something, but it was impossible for evil to come. Or was it?
Not wanting to think about it more, Raimundo said, "Kimiko, I don't think we should think about this now. When it happens, we will. For now, I think we should get some sleep."
Kimiko placed a hand on his chest and kissed him on the lips."Well that's thanks enough." Raimundo commented, taking her hand and walking her back to the Temple.
Kimiko stopped in her tracks. Fear was in the air.
"Raimundo. Fly."
He
took her waist and lifted into the air, just in time. Something had
landed on the ground, and it looked strangely like the Sphere of Yun.
This wasn't good...
"The Temple is on fire!" Kimiko almost cried, smoke was reaching her eyes; and her daughter was in the Temple!
"Evil strikes again, Kimiko, this time it's personal."
Raimundo and Kimiko were moving quickly through the forest, they could be spotted from the air, but not surprise attacks.
"Here Kimiko." He handed her the Shroud of Shadows.
Kimiko
wiped her eyes and gave it back to him. "I'm not leaving without you."
Raimundo shoved it in her hands and moved back a couple of paces.
"You have to go! You use that to get Elinor, while I get everyone else? Got that? Now go!"
He kissed her on the lips and pushed her toward the Temple.
Teary eyed, she put on the Shroud of Shadows. Then she disappeared into thin air.
Raimundo knew he made the bad decision, and he was putting his life on the line... But he would do anything for Kimiko.
Brushing past a few branches, the Temple came in sight. One part was burning, but no one came out. Why? They could at least save themselves!
Narrowing his eyes, Raimundo looked around for anyone. There was a tall shadow... Chase Young! He was responsible for all this! Raimundo had the sudden urge to run up there and kill Chase.
But was he too weak? Years ago, it took all four monks to defeat evil. Not only one lonely Wind Dragon...
There was someone else too. Jack Spicer. This wasn't evil Jack, but good Jack.
Cringing, Raimundo headed toward the back of the Temple, maybe Omi was there, waiting to fight? Confusing...
Something tapped him on the shoulder, seeing no one there, he kept running.
"There's no way in Raimundo
."That was the voice of Kimiko. Removing the cloak, Kimiko revealed her face, she was even paler than before.
"There has to be! We came from a window! Didn't you try that window!"
She shook her head and pulled the Shroud over her head.
He was on his own again. And the fire was spreading throughout the Temple!
Pushing himself to run faster, Raimundo headed for the window he forgot to close.
At the water fall...
Kimiko had already gotten all her friends, but where was Raimundo and her daughter?
The problem was, none of her friends would wake up. Not even Master Fung.
First, she tried yelling, but changed her mind. Whoever set the Temple on fire could have heard her if she screamed. Then, she pleaded. What would happen if they were gone forever? It was as if they were all dead, but still breathing.
Maybe the person who set the Temple on fire drugged her friends too!
"Master Fung, anyone. Please wake up!"
She slapped Master Fung's cheek. If he didn't wake up, then Kimiko was doomed! He would surely know what to do... If he was awake.("Raimundo, if you can hear me, get Elinor fast!"
"It's Chase Young! Didn't you see him! I can't find Elinor anywhere!"
"Meet me at the water fall Raimundo.")
Her voice in her head cracked. Her child, which came from her womb, was missing. Possibly dead.
Tears were trickling down her face in a few seconds.
Everything was turning into hell, all because of Chase Young. If she ever got her hands on him she would strangle him to death.
Her tears dropped onto the ground, forming a pool.
"My child... Gone." Choking back a sob, Kimiko faced the water fall and stared into the dark blue depths.
Would anything work out? How come she couldn't do anything about it?
If
she had brought out Elinor in the first place, then she wouldn't be
gone! There were so many accusing thoughts in her head, and this made
her a bit pissed.
"It's all my fault!"
The Water rippled, as if
sorry for her. The Earth seemed to be listening, and the Wind was
blowing her hair in all directions, gently though. The only thing that
was missing was Fire.
A single tear fell in the water, creating
several ripples. Gazing into the sky, Kimiko made a wish. "I wish evil
would go away forever."
Raimundo came to the water fall, and Kimiko was there, crying her heart out.
"Kimiko...
I know Elinor isn't gone. She's there somewhere. There's a legend that
says when a child dies, the mother gets stronger. I don't think-"
"Like that GOING TO help Raimundo!" Kimiko screeched, releasing her anger.
He sighed and sat beside her near the water.
"It's not my fault. It's only Chase's fault."
Finally gaining her self control, Kimiko nodded and muttered, "Sorry." Her apology was excepted by Raimundo with a slight shrug. "It's okay."
Raimundo kissed her, giving her comfort.
Kimiko
moved her hand to his hair, twirling it around in her fingers. This was
one thing that kept her happy. But without her child...
By this time, Kimiko noticed she was leaning back, causing her hair to dip into the water. He pulled away and gave her a half smile.
"So... What's wrong with everyone?" asked Raimundo, trying to lighten up the mood.
His
first reaction poke everyone to see if they moved, but he learned quite
a while ago you're supposed to look before you leap. Raimundo wasn't
really listening when Master Fung explained though.
"They won't move Raimundo. I've tried everything. Even poking them."
Kimiko could read Raimundo like a book, and she most likely knew what
he was going to say next.
"How about...Um... Did you do anything else?"
"I screamed, pleaded, hit, and talked." Kimiko mumbled, her tone emotionless.
Raimundo
knew what she was saying, but his mind was drowning everything else
out. What was going to happen to the Temple? It was burning right now,
and all his possessions were burning too.
Even the pictures of his family.
"You
aren't listening Raimundo, and you're photos are fine." How? A grateful
expression came over his face for a second, and then it turned grave
again. This wasn't right, Elinor would have to come first.
"My photos aren't as important as my child... So keep them. Give
them back when Elinor is back." He turned around and lay down on the
ground, getting dirt in his already brown hair. "We should sleep over
here tonight. I'll keep watch."
Kimiko didn't say anything, or even
nod. Her heart was full of love when she was brought into this world,
and now it seemed like a huge part was torn out. When Raimundo wasn't
listening, Kimiko said in a hushed voice, "Please." And the stars heard
her.