Kimiko got home to find Yuuji waiting for her.

"Hey honey I'm home," She said gently, smiling.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah … just tired." Said Kimiko.

"Well, I think you should get some sleep." Said Yuuji.

"How are the new settlements coming?" Asked Kimiko.

"They're coming," said Yuuji, "Clay's got it under control, you don't have to worry."

"I know … I shouldn't … I mean I just sat down and had a cup of coffee with Chase young like we're friends," said Kimiko, "I trust his word. He's let us go before purely on his word … I just don't want to have to rebuild all this."

"You would've had to anyway," said Yuuji, "He found your hiding place and if he hadn't turned up then, Tammy would've told him."

"Well at least she's gone." Said Kimiko.

"I think it was a good call sending her out," Said Yuuji, "I don't think Raimundo could've handled having her here either."

"Oh god, on top of all this we've got to sort of Raimundo." Sighed Kimiko.

"What do you mean?" Asked Yuuji.

"He was distracted by Tammy, she kept him from feeling the full effect of the time skip and stopped him from …" She sighed.

"Coming after you?" Said Yuuji, "Listen, I think Raimundo's happy to give you your space. As for the time skip, he'll get used to it."

"Yuuji, he could fall seriously ill, he hasn't taken a break since he got here just to sleep for days on end … he could just collapse. Being with Tammy stopped him from feeling it." Kimiko sighed, "He's not even got a proper job or anything … he's still acting like a fourteen year old. We've got to help him."

"You've got to help him," Said Yuuji.

"But you'll help me?" Asked Kimiko.

Yuuji pulled away and looked across the room.

"No … I won't be here to help." Said Yuuji.

"What?" Asked Kimiko.

"Tammy gave me something to think about," Said Yuuji, "Why did you say yes to me after sleeping with Raimundo?"

"What?" Asked Kimiko, "She said that to get to us! Yuuji …"

"No … she's right … why did you do it?" Asked Yuuji.

"Because I love you and I made a mistake!" Said Kimiko.

"Listen to me Kim … I get why you did it." Said Yuuji, "I held hope that you did it because you chose me … but the fact is you wanted to prove to Raimundo that you didn't want to be with him … when that's a lie."

"No … Yuuji … please." Said Kimiko, "I chose you!"

"You couldn't stand the fact that Raimundo beat you, he got exactly what he wanted and so did you … you just didn't want to admit it." Said Yuuji, "And I don't think we can get married if you still love Raimundo."

"You've got to be kidding me!" Said Kimiko.

Yuuji walked into the bedroom and came out with a bag swung over his shoulder.

"Chase Young came to me earlier today," Explained Yuuji, "He said he wants someone to go collect his troops from Amerika's territory."

"He should've come to me!" Said Kimiko.

"He wanted me to go Kim," Said Yuuji, "He wants someone both sides can trust and he feels I'm the one to do it … and in face of everything that's going on between you and Raimundo, I think it's better if I get out of the way until it's sorted."

He headed for the door.

"Yuuji stop!" Said Kimiko, "This is madness!"

"No," said Yuuji, "Staying here and trying to persuade myself that there's nothing going on would be madness."

He looked at her briefly.

"If you really don't think you have to think things through, then stop me before I leave," Said Yuuji, "But thinks things through first."

"Yuuji … if you leave you'll have nowhere to come back to," Said Kimiko, "we'll all be killed."

"No, they won't," Said Yuuji, gesturing towards the city through the window, "They've got you."

With that he left.

Raimundo was just opening his door when he saw Yuuji leaving.

"Hey Yuuji, where you going?" Asked Raimundo.

"I've got a mission." Said Yuuji, "I …"

"You're not coming back are you?" Asked Raimundo.

"I will if I can, but I'm taking Chase's troops and bringing them here." Said Yuuji, "I'll just be stopping by now and then."

Raimundo nodded.

"Hey Raimundo, do me a favour," Said Yuuji, "keep her safe."

"Of course," said Raimundo.

"I mean it, promise me that if she doesn't something stupid … just stop her and take over." Said Yuuji, "Don't let anything happen to her."

"I promise." Said Raimundo.

"Thanks," Said Yuuji, "I'll see ya around … maybe."

With that he left, walking away. Raimundo waited until he was gone and then ran to Kimiko's home. He walked in and found her sat on the sofa, just staring.

"Kim?" Asked Raimundo, walking over to her.

"Yuuji's gone …" She whispered.

"I know … I'm sorry." Said Raimundo.

"It's because of you," She whispered.

"Huh?" Asked Raimundo.

"Because of you and me …" She covered her face with her hands, "god … I've screwed everything up …"

"No!" Said Raimundo, "I'm the screw up around here and no one is going to take that away from me! You've done more for these people than anyone else has! You've given them a home and protection … you're a hero Kim!"

"He said to go after him if I … but I can't …" Said Kimiko, "He'll know I'm just saying it because I'm scared … scared of doing it on my own."

Raimundo hugged her as she cried.

"I'm sorry Kim … I wish I could make this better for you." He said.

Raimundo woke up the next morning, still on the sofa. There was a note there.

"Gone to work," He read, getting up. They had fallen asleep on the sofa and it was by no means comfortable. He stretched and decided that he should get home and get changed.

By the time he made it to the Rebellion, everyone already knew that Yuuji was gone. Chase Young was stood at what had been Tammy's desk, listening to an incoming call. As Raimundo approached, he hung up.

"Dragon of Wind," He said in his calm voice.

"You seen Kim?" Asked Raimundo.

"She went to her office," Said Chase, smiling slightly, "She seemed a little … distracted."

"Like you don't know why," Said Raimundo.

"Well, if you're going take these to her." Said Chase, handing him some papers.

His hand brushed Chase's as he took the papers and as he approached the door, his head started to spin. He took a breath and leant against the wall for support as people around him looked at him concernedly.

"Raimundo?" Asked Clay, coming a door not far away.

"I … I don't feel …" Raimundo collapsed onto the floor.

As he opened his eyes, he was back at the temple. He looked around; he was in his room. He got up and walked out. Had it all been a dream? Was he back at the temple?

"Kimiko!" He called, running out, looking for her.

"Fire!" Shouted her voice from somewhere.

He followed it and then he saw them. Chase, Wuya and Omi were approaching with half an army behind them. The temple was desperately trying to defend itself. He saw Kimiko and Clay; they looked barely half a year older than the day he had fallen into the time rip.

"Kimiko!" He called.

She couldn't see him, no one could. They were attacking. Raimundo knew that this must've been what had happened after he left. Everything was burning. He looked out and saw that they were easily being defeated. As the walls of the temple fell, they all scattered and then he felt a rush as he fell into a different scene. Master Fung, Kimiko and Clay were standing in the rain in the temple ruins.

"We have no choice but to separate," Said Master Fung.

"There must be another way!" said Kimiko.

"I'm sorry Kimiko, but we have to protect the entire world, which we cannot do while still here." Said Master Fung.

"If Raimundo were here he would want us to …"Began Kimiko.

"Well that's the problem isn't it?" Said Clay, "He ain't here, and he won't be here tomorrow or the day after… Kim … I don't think he's ever coming back."

Kimiko's head fell and they picture faded to an image of Jack Spicer.

"Jack?" Asked Raimundo.

Jack pointed behind Raimundo, so he turned and saw something … something that made his heart skip. A large hourglass, an hourglass he recognised.

"The sands of time …" He said, "That's it!"

As Raimundo opened his eyes he saw Kimiko standing there, with Master Fung and Clay and Omi and Dojo. The gang. He looked around, no Chase Young or enemy in sight.

"You've been asleep for three days," Said Master Fung, "We were worried."

"I've got a plan to stop Chase …" Said Raimundo, "Once we beat Wuya …"

"Right now, Wuya is our priority right now." Said Kimiko, "Rai … she's practically on top of us. We're waiting for Chase Young's signal that she's in position before we get ready to attack … any minute now."

"Then we'd better get ready." Said Raimundo.

"What was your idea?" Asked Dojo.

"The sand of time." Said Raimundo, "Kim … do you have them?"

"Somewhere in one of the vaults," Said Kimiko, "What's your plan?"

"We stop me from falling into the time rip," Said Raimundo, "that way the temple won't fall and the war will never happen!"

"You think you're that good?" Asked Omi, "I'll still be evil!"

"We can help that!" Said Raimundo.

"That's too risky," Said Kimiko.

"It's the best idea we've got." Said Clay.

"It could destroy the world as we know it!" Said Kimiko.

"A thousand years of darkness … again," Said Master Fung.

Kimiko took in Raimundo's serious features. He was sure this plan would work.

"I'll think about it." Said Kimiko.

"What made me pass out anyway?" Asked Raimundo.

"The full effect of the free fall through time caught up with you," said Clay, "When you came in contact with Chase Young, the magic left over recognised where it came from and sort of … reactivated. It drained you a bit and you passed out."

A phone rang on the bedside table. Kimiko took breath and answered it.

"Hello?" She asked.

Raimundo could just hear Chase's voice on the other end.

"Ten minutes and counting." He said, "I take it he's awake?"

"Yes," Said Kimiko before hanging up.

"Come on people we've got to move!" She said and everyone got up and ran for the door.

As they took their positions, Kimiko signalled to Raimundo to go over to her.

"Stick with me and follow my lead." She said.

"I know how you guys fight," He said, "It's not like I'm new at this."

"Just don't screw up." She said.

"I don't intend to." Said Raimundo, the words stinging slightly.

(A/N) That was kind of a rushed chapter but I had to get on with it. I have a lot I want to get through. I think Kimiko's feeling the full effects of Yuuji's absence and that's why she's so snappy. Have a good Easter.

Lots of luv, Becky.