He ran like the wind, hoping the wind that leapt up from his feet would arouse the fire of what was left in Kimiko. God, he never knew he could get worried over someone this much. He was appalled at the sudden realization that hit him like a ton of bricks. To be so unselfish was rather unusual of him. To be selfless to help someone else – that was a wow. But for a girl? He remembered the time when he thought helping girls would result in lots and lots of cooties. Now, he actually thinks he's got feelings for her.
Impossible! She's like his friend. His close friend. Obviously the imperatives don't quite match. Shit, he knows denial is the first step to admitting his feelings. He's gonna need a strong fact to prove him otherwise.
He went in the direction of the swiftly moving shadow, hoping that he was going in the right direction. I mean, there were shadows everywhere. How could he tell?
His legs had taken him to a dark forest near the temple, coincidentally. He sighed. He probably had imagined the whole 'black apparition' thingy. If that wasn't the case, he knew it was way too dark to go looking for something equally as dark – and as sinister to have chased Kimiko in her dreams like that.
He reached home safe and weary and was about to close his door when a pale hand held it open. Speculations and fears crossed Raimundo's mind as he remembered Kimiko's description of her dead brother – she never mentioned of a brother before – and he froze in position. Pale. The pallid hands shoved the door open to reveal a haggard looking Kimiko, an apologetic smile playing on her lips.
"Aw, man, Kim! Do you know what time it is? I'd been out all night chasing that black thing – whatever it was – and I'm beat. Can ya please let me rest?" he groaned, trying not to feel awkward in her presence.
"Sorry, Rai. I was just about to wake you up. It's breakfast time!" she grinned the biggest grin she had had in long time.
Raimundo twitched his nose as the fumes of freshly baked waffles filled his nostrils. Well, if he could not have a good rest at that time, at least he knew Kimiko was getting better. And at least he had tried to save her in whatever way possible.
At the dining table, the group seemed as lively as they used to before Kimiko started having the nightmares. Kimiko was shocked at how long she had been withdrawn from her social network of friends from overseas and had been chatting with them incessantly on the phone while waiting for waffles to be served. Omi was being all excited about everything, and I mean everything. He would not stop bugging Kimiko on her health and Clay would grunt good-humouredly.
Raimundo, on the other hand, was having trouble keeping his eyes open. Dojo slid around his neck in an attempt to get his attention.
"Hey, warrior of wind! You don't look so gusty today!" Dojo remarked, eyeing the tired boy between big yellow eyes.
"I was out all night. Ya think Master Fung would mind if I slept in today?" Raimundo replied, getting up from his slouching position.
"I think he would, young warrior. It is your responsibility to have enough rest before the next day's training, young man. Let us all hope you will not collapse. That is all." Master Fung's voice boomed throughout the dining hall, a pan of waffles clad in his bony hands.
Raimundo groaned. He knew arguing was pointless and dared not mention the Black Wolf chase in front of Kimiko. Sigh. Kimiko. Wonder what had happened to his sanity?
Before the gang set off for training, they always usually had some time to digest their food and to prepare their stuff. Raimundo had decided to sleep his remaining half hour away. Kimiko stole a few affection glances to the wooden bench where he lay and smiled to herself.
Any girl would have died to have such a caring and faithful friend by her side whom she could tease and mock without having to worry about upsetting him. She had been teased mercilessly by her friends when she had showed them pictures of the monks with them commenting on how compatible she and Rai looked. Of course, she would laugh it off and not take it seriously, as he was after all only a friend.
Some of her mates would even chide her in jealousy for being under the same roof of a gorgeous Brazilian young man for years. Kimiko could only add a little smiley in her IMs, adding a fake apology and hypocritical 'wish you were here's.
But although hysterical and delirious that night, she could not fight the flutter that screwed up her belly as Raimundo had hugged her, soothing her. All thoughts of the Black Wolf were immediately cast aside as her mind was ultimately possessed by thoughts of Raimundo's hug. That was when she was reminded of the nightmares.
Kimiko shook her head vehemently. Ridiculous. She couldn't be having a crush on her best guy friend! But he was indeed really handsome… Gah! Get a grip on yourself, Kimiko! But then again, at least thought of him would push away thoughts of shudders black wolf, right?
MEANWHILE…
Raimundo opened his eyes to find himself in a dark forest with no way out at all. He felt the familiarity of it all, relating it to Kimiko's nightmare. Could this be it? He thought, anticipating another presence in the forest. Just like in Kim's nightmare, he suddenly realized a full moon looming up ahead and guffawed at it in horror. And when he looked behind him –
"Please don't be frightened," came a velvet soft, deep voice that seemed to resonate through the forest. It came from a pale, young man in his youth, with eyes that seemed to resemble Kimiko's description of the dead brother.
"Are you alright?" the brother inquired, widening his eyes to reveal normal human eyes with whites. Man, how big could his pupils get??
Raimundo nodded feverishly.
"I am Takeshi. Kimiko's brother? Well, I'm not exactly supposed to be here right now but I've been trying to convey a message for my sister since last week through her dreams… But somehow, her memories of my death keep mangling with my presence and she freaks out and I can't contact her…" he began.
Raimundo took a step forward tentatively. "So you're the dead brother, huh? You're the one turning into a wolf and eating Kim alive??"
Takeshi scrunched up his face in deep thought. "Dead, yes. But wolf? I do not understand. But I believe it is due to the fact that she thinks I'd been eaten alive by a black wolf that was rumoured to linger around in the mountain near our home in Japan." He breathed a throaty chuckle "Please, tell her it isn't true so that I can contact her uninterrupted."
"Why can't you just convey it through me?" Raimundo asked.
"It's confidential. Oh great, I've got to go now. Don't ask where. By the way, Kimiko must really like you a lot" Raimundo blushed at this. "She never allows anyone to call her Kim."
With a wink, Takeshi smiled and disappeared. Raimundo awoke to a sharp yank to the collar of his shirt upwards.
"Rise and shine – you're late, little man!" Clay's voice boomed in his face, awaking the Brazilian brunette immediately. "Look, you ain't even dressed right. Where's your training gear?"
A/N: Okay, so now it's not as scary as it seems. In fact, the dreams don't make sense and it really is no big deal overall. but remember, I'm just trying to highlight certain issues in ths chapter... Y'know what I mean! Chapter 4 up soon!