Chapter Title: Burning Rules

Word Count: 819

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Petulant sunbeams stuck the pale Japanese girl's face as she roused from a restful sleep awaking to see the still comfortably dozing brunette next to her. This weekend had been difficult and wonderful all at the same time, but she was ready to resume life at the temple, even if things wouldn't exactly go back to normal.

"Mornin'"

Raimundo's voice cut into Kimiko's thoughts as her mind raced through all the complications and changes that would have to occur in order to making dating at the temple feasible.

"We probably aught to get ready for the barbecue...And then I anticipate Master Fung will want us to return to the temple…" Raimundo shyly stammered.

Oh the awkward newness of a budding relationship; it felt even weirder to Raimundo because they'd been zigzagging across the line for several months leading up to this with affectionate hand holding and quick stolen kisses and now that they were official...where did it leave them? Or were they official? Raimundo's memory strained to recall whether he'd actually asked her out or not or if he just made a sweeping declaration without asking her to be his girlfriend?

Kimiko watched with interest as Raimundo mentally tortured himself. Maybe she would cut him a break and let them not declare their relationship status publicly at the temple yet. Master Fung had been really insistent that they not date and had stressed it right before they left which probably meant he'd revoke freedoms if they came back dating. Oh the joys of temple life.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Raimundo blurted out having come to the conclusion that he had not in fact asked her out the previous night.

Kimiko's response was laughter which made Raimundo's face fall instantly.

"Yes; I thought we already established this yesterday." She spoke through peals of laughter. Of all the things that had been concerning the brunette, asking her out was somehow the scariest?

Raimundo visibly calmed down and defended his request, "I just wanted to make sure it was official, you know?"

"Lightness and communication?" She teased.

"Couldn't be the dragon of wind if I didn't" He replied sticking his tongue out at her. Some things would never change.

"But I'm assuming you'd be okay with keeping this quiet for a little bit longer at the temple?" Kimiko retorted.

"Uh…" He stammered nervously. For all he'd said about making a plan last night, he still had no answer to that pressing issue. In just a few hours they'd be back at the temple and he'd have to answer to Master Fung once more.

"It's okay Rai, it would probably be better that way for just a little while. If Master Fung thinks we broke his rules on a fun trip, then I'm guessing there's no more fun trips." She put fun in air quotes as she spoke. She was still fairly ambivalent about the weekend – happy to have a favored conclusion, but it had been more work than expected to get to that point.

He looked at her hopefully. "You wouldn't mind? Just for a little while of course…"

"It's fine, Rai. We just need to put some time between Rio and telling the others." Kimiko explained earnestly.

He kissed her gently in thanks. This would make life both a little complicated, and a lot easier at the same time.

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They said goodbyes to Raimundo's family at the barbecue, Ana clinging to Kimiko's leg with a grip that would put the tangle web comb to shame. Eventually Ma pried the small girl off Kimiko's leg and passed her to Raimundo's father. Ana wailed incessantly all the while.

"It was nice seeing you futura nora; don't be a stranger." Ma said embracing the petite Japanese girl.

She smiled at Raimundo's family as he grabbed their bags and the golden tiger claws to transported them back to the temple. Rio had done a lot for them, it scorched their metaphorical walls, relight hope in one another, and burnt the rules so they could come back to the temple as a couple. She was sure they'd see Rio again, a small freesia tucked behind her ear was all the evidence she needed.

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So not quite the long end chapter I'd predicted, however I don't want to just throw words at it for the sake of extending it. I've decided there will be a sequel and I've included a description below. I'm going to try and alternate weeks with TT and XS to give XS a more fair shake at things (especially since the sequel has a planned arc already).

Sequel (coming soon): The Price of Prophecy

Summary: Master Fung had always cautioned them against dating, but they never could have imagined how serious the repercussions could be. Forget 10,000 years of darkness bad - this has the potential to outright destroy the whole world, and it's all Raimundo and Kimiko's fault. RaixKim.

Review if you'd like.

- FWFT