Till Death Do Us Part
Part 3
Yume Miru Shoujo Ja Irarenai
(English Trans: I Can No Longer Be the Kind of Girl Who Dreams)
By Nick Maro
David and Kyoko stared at her uncle in disbelief. Kyoko stepped forward and grabbed her uncle by his coat lapels. "[What do you mean David will teach your men the Bayushi and the Ikari styles of martial arts? This is something neither of us will agree to. We made a deal saying that if David married me, you'd leave us alone and let him teach the Bayushi style in peace.]"
Soun Matsuo smirked and slapped Kyoko's hands off his coat. "[Don't you touch me, you insolent little whore. Just be grateful I'm letting your friends live. I never intended on letting you retain the school. I knew you wouldn't be able to teach my men so I tricked you into marrying the one person who I knew could. Now you better remember who I am and what I'm capable of.]"
Lunging at Soun, David pushed the Yakuza boss against the wall and twisted his coat lapels in his fists. An anger he had never felt raged in his blood as he leaned in and growled his words. "[You spineless bastard! You dare to threaten and harm my family and friends? You dare to kidnap them and threaten their very lives if I don't help you? I will not train your men, you sick bastard. Right now I'm going to free my family and friends. Then I'm walking out of here with Kyoko. You will never have contact with her again. If you do, I will see that no amount of Hell can ever equal my wrath.]" David spat on Soun's coat. "[That is what I think of your pathetic little Yakuza.]"
"[How dare you speak to me in such a manner!]" Soun yelled and pushed David away. "[How dare you! You don't think I won't harm one of your precious family or friends? Allow me to give you an example.]" Soun gave a flick of the wrist.
One of the men behind the two way mirror with The Misfits and Kimber then pointed a gun at Jetta's head. He pulled the hammer back, aimed at her leg and fired. Jetta screamed in pain while the others screamed in shock and horror. Kyoko jumped and grabbed David's arm. David began to run towards his friends, but Soun grabbed his other arm. "[Now do you believe me when I say I'm serious?]"
David wrenched his arm away from Soun. "[I believe that you're a mad man. But I know that you're willing to go through with what you say you will.]" He watched a maid apply first aid to Jetta's leg. "[I'll teach your men on one condition. You allow me to talk to my family and friends first. After that you must let them go and never bother them again. Is it a deal?]"
"[Yes, but you must vow that you'll remain loyal to me.]"
Kyoko grabbed David by the shoulder. "[No, you must not give him what he wants!]"
David leaned close to Kyoko's ear. "[I have no choice. Besides, this is going to plan.]" He turned around and glared at Soun. "[I vow to teach your men till the day I die.]"
Soun let a smile spread across his lips. "[Yes, I knew you'd agree. You may see your friends in an hour. You and your new bride may go freshen up in your own room. After all, the sooner you sire an heir the better. Tomorrow you'll begin training my men.]" He left the room and was followed a few of his men and bodyguards.
"[David, let's go get cleaned up. I'm worried about Jetta and the others.]" Kyoko wrapped her arm around his waist and they headed to their room. She gave a sad, comforting wave to Kimber and her friends. Kimber waved back slowly and tried to smile. David couldn't even make eye contact with her.
Kyoko walked past David for what seemed to him was the hundredth time. She looked at David out of the corner of her eye each time she went past. Kyoko was still in the main part of her dress. She'd taken off the veil and the train on the way to the room. She finally stopped in front of him, knelt down and gave him a tight hug. "I'm so scared. This idea of yours had better work. You're putting everyone at risk."
"I know. Believe it or not I'm scared to death myself. Your uncle had Jetta shot in the leg without a second thought. I don't believe for an instant that he wouldn't try to kill anyone else we cared for if we didn't do what he demanded." David guided Kyoko to next to him. "So for now I say we play along. Just to make sure everyone stays safe."
"I guess I can agree to that." She looked at him for a long minute. "Well, I guess I don't have a husband who is that bad looking. Not Mr. Universe, but good enough for now." Kyoko giggled when she saw David's face starting to turn red. "Hey, I'm only married to you, not your destined lover. That's Kimber's job. So I have to ask is how far do you want to take this marriage thing?"
David let out a held breath and looked at her. "That's something I've been thinking a lot about. It's one of the things I have to talk to Kimber about. I won't lie and say I'm not attracted to you, I am. It's just I have to make sure that Kimber is okay with us pulling off a charade like this." David leaned his head on her shoulder. "I know one of us has said it before. How do we get ourselves in these messes?"
Kyoko giggled and kissed his cheek. "You're just fated that way with blind, stupid luck, but we should go see everyone. It's been an hour." She adjusted her top in the mirror and stood next to David by the door.
"Dammit," David muttered quietly.
"What's wrong?"
"I just realized I'm more scared of what Kimber's reaction will be to seeing me than I am of your uncle." He smirked then took Kyoko's hand in his and exited the room. At the end of the corridor, a pair of Matsuo's men waited and watched David and Kyoko come down the hall. One told David where The Misfits and Kimber were being held. Together they followed the man's directions. Within moments they were standing in front of a plain, dark walnut door.
"Go on, open it." Kyoko nudged David with her elbow.
David glanced at Kyoko out of the corner of his eye without turning his head. She smiled reassuringly and nodded. He let go of her hand and knocked lightly while opening it. "Room service," David said in a very light and high tone. The five women in the room turned at the same time to see David entering. Pizzazz ran up to her brother and hugged him tightly. The rest of The Misfits hugged him in turn. David noticed that Kimber stayed where she was sitting.
Pizzazz whispered in his ear. "Go talk to her. We'll stay over here for privacy."
"Thanks," he said just as quiet. David slowly smiled as he walked up to Kimber. He sat on the bench next to her and laced his fingers together in his lap. He let out an exaggerated breath and looked up at her. "So," he said letting the word drag out, "was the ceremony any good? I felt it was too rushed and too quickly put together, but that's what you get when you hire mobsters."
Kimber stared at David in disbelief for a long time. She then took a necklace off with a ring on it and handed it to him. "Suppose you want this back, huh?"
The silver necklace held a thick golden band on it. David looked at it quickly and handed it back to Kimber. "Do you remember the message Yukio gave you when she handed you this?"
"Yeah, she said that one day you'd come back for it and me." She looked at him confused.
"Have I done that yet?"
"I-I guess not. But why are you giving it back? I thought you'd want it since you're married to Kyoko now." Kimber put the silver necklace back on.
David looked up at The Misfits and Kyoko. They weren't looking at him and Kimber. He turned Kimber's head towards him and kissed her deeply, the kind of kiss he only gave her when they were truly alone. When he broke the kiss he saw confusion and longing in her eyes. "I'll be back for you and ring, Kim. Then we'll get married ourselves."
Kimber choked back her oncoming tears. She looked away and wiped her nose on the back of her hand. She cleared her throat quietly and looked up at him, trying not to burst into tears. "So what's your plan? What are you going to do about this?"
"I'm afraid that—"
"—that you can't tell me because I won't understand. Or that it's too dangerous and you're afraid that I won't understand. Or maybe it's too dangerous and you don't want to tell me because you're afraid I'll get hurt. Does that about cover your famed list of excuses?" Kimber looked at David with eyes welling with tears again.
David looked at his feet for a moment then at Kimber. "Yeah, that about covers it, but I'll be back for the ring soon, but most of all I'll be back for you. I promise." He hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "I love you. It was you who I was making the vows to at the altar in my mind. You're not losing me this easily."
"Yeah, I know. It's just so fucking hard being in love with you at times." Kimber laid her head on his shoulder. They stayed like that until there was a knock on the door telling David and Kyoko that that there time was up. They said their farewells and left The Misfits and Kimber behind them.
The black clothed form stayed in a kneeling position until they were commanded to rise. They rose causing black hair to spill across they're slender shoulders. Her dark brown eyes locked with the older man standing before her. "[Master,]" she spoke in a polite, even tone, "[I would not have come here unless it was needed. The Ikari and Bayushi Schools are each in danger of being used for training assassins for the Yakuza. I was asked by David Ikari to come here in case of this danger.]" She knelt again and bowed her head. "[I beg you Master to send help to Ikari-san.]"
The older man lifted the woman's head so he could look into her eyes. "[Rise, Yukio Matsuura. You must accept that the Matsuura-Arashikage Clan war is over. You have lost but you are now our equals. I have known about this danger of the two schools being used for illicit means. David Ikari is a very intelligent and resourceful young man.]" He gestured for Yukio to follow him as they walked. "[I trust that David has sent you with a plan?]"
Yukio walked past trainees and experienced warriors of the Arashikage Clan. She spotted a few old friends from the Matsuura Clan being trained in the Arashikage style. "[David gave me a sealed envelope to give to you. He said it was for your eyes only.]" She reached inside of her uniform and pulled out a white envelope bearing the Ikari Clan seal in dark brown wax. She put it into the elderly man's hand while they walked. "[He told me that you are to open in complete privacy. Only you are to know the contents.]"
"[I gathered as much,]" the older man mumbled under his breath. He put the envelope into his uniform. He walked next to Yukio in silence. They walked to a secluded spot by a pond. He knelt on the grassy shore and motioned for Yukio to join him. "[How are you doing, Yukio? Have you found America to your liking or do you wish to return here to teach?]" The Arashikage Clan leader watched Yukio's face.
"[America is very nice, Master, but I keep forgetting myself there. David's friends have told me that I need to loosen up. I have been trying but it's very difficult.]" Yukio picked up a pebble and studied it then tossed it into the pond. "[That is how I feel at times.]" She then picked up another and tossed it into the pond.
"[You feel like a small pebble under the pressure of the water around you. Yes, I know that feeling myself. The first time I came here to learn the family art. When I graduated and moved to Tokyo to become a painter. When I came back to teach after failing as a painter, and finally, when I became the Master of the Arashikage Clan.]" The wizened master smiled at Yukio. "[There is no true secret to relieving yourself of those pressures. Just do the best you can.]" He looked at her right arm and frowned slightly.
Yukio looked at her arm and returned the confused frown. "[Something wrong, Master?]"
"[I was wondering when you had planned on getting the hexagram for the Arashikage Clan on your arm. I know it was your choice not to receive it until you've proved yourself to David, but now I believe you have. What do you think?]"
"[I think I want to hear it from David himself.]" Yukio picked at a blade of grass. "[Maybe you should read the letter, Master. I was told by David to leave for America once you received it. He wishes that I protect his family while he's gone. I'll leave you to the letter now. If you wish I won't leave the school until you've finished reading it.]" Yukio stood and bowed deeply.
The leader of the Arashikage Clan stood and bowed. "[I would appreciate it if you stayed while I read it. You vowed your life to David's. By that vow alone, you have every right to hear what he has to ask of me.]" Yukio nodded and the Master broke seal on the envelope and read the letter silently at first. Once finished he looked up at her. "[Come. We have much work to do.]" The master quickly walked by his students to his home while explaining to Yukio what the letter said on the way. Once finished explaining Yukio and the Master hurried their pace.
The setting sun beat down on David's back. He stood on the shore of the man made lake. He watched the koi dart back and forth in the shallow waters. David threw a small piece of bread into the water and watched a fish gulp it down quickly.
"Well, I have to admit that my uncle has a beautiful home. He had this lake made just so he could fish in it," Kyoko said coming up behind him. "The Misfits and Kimber just left. My uncle kept them an extra day for Jetta's leg. I think they're still going to the hospital though. They're going to be okay, right?"
David threw a small piece of bread to a fish. "They'll be fine. While I'm here Yukio is going to watch over them. Besides, if everything goes as planned, we both won't be here much longer, but you are right about one thing, this is a lovely home your uncle has. Too bad it's spoiled by the fact it was paid for in blood money." He sat on a nearby log.
Kyoko sat close to David. "You never told me exactly what you have in mind. Just that there is a plan and I'm in the dark about it. Can you tell me what it is?"
"Sorry, I can't," David said shaking his head slightly. "Only two people know what it is, me and one other. There's less chance of anything going wrong this way. You'll see what I have in mind when you learn of who the second person is. Your uncle is about to learn that he's not the only one who can play dirty." David cracked his knuckles and grinned.
Grabbing David's arm and laughing, Kyoko looked up at his face. "I'm sorry. It's just so funny to hear you say it that way. You looked and sounded like a bad action star. Maybe you should consider acting." She winked and began laughing again.
David wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "Two of your uncle's men are coming. Just follow my lead." He whispered quietly and Kyoko nodded slightly.
He saw the two men walk out from behind two bushes. He quickly hugged Kyoko tightly and kissed her deeply. She pressed her body against his and they tumbled off the log with her landing on top of him. She nuzzled his neck and gave it a light kiss. The men stopped and watched them for a moment. One laughed under his breath and backhanded his partner. "[Looks like the newlyweds want to celebrate their honeymoon everywhere.]"
The other man laughed deeply and took a bite out of his apple. He spoke around the mouthful of fruit. "[Can you blame him with a wife like that? I wish I could trade my wife in for a woman who looks like her.]" Both men laughed and left the couple to their affection.
Kyoko kissed David deeper and ran her fingers through his hair. David rubbed her back and returned the kiss. He stopped when realized they were alone. He had a hard time breaking the kiss from Kyoko. "They're gone. Did you catch what they said?"
"No. I kinda lost myself there for a moment. I'm sorry." Kyoko's face turned bright red.
"Don't be." David sat up on his elbows with her on his stomach. "I was enjoying myself also." He hung his head. "I feel like I just betrayed Kimber."
"You haven't. It was an act to fool the guards. Besides, we have to look like a pair of newlyweds anyway. You said so yourself. Let's go have dinner, okay?" Kyoko stood up and held her hand out for him. He took her hand and walked back to the mansion hand in hand. David felt ill at ease that he was comfortable with doing that with Kyoko. He tried to deny that maybe there was some chemistry between them.
The next morning David was up early doing his morning kata. A few of the guards had stopped and started to watch him exercise. He noted that a few of the guards had set down their guns to mimic the easier moves that he was doing. He stopped and went to the bag on the patio where a couple of the guards were standing. He pulled a towel out and began padding the sweat off.
David looked up at the guards who were mimicking his moves and smiled. "[I saw you copying what I was doing. I'm not mad or anything, I just want to offer to show you how to do it properly.]" The men looked at each other, shrugged and nodded. "[Great, I assume you guys work in shifts. When does your next shift take over?]"
"[In a few hours, Matsuo-san wanted us to learn martial arts from you anyway]," one of the men reminded David.
"[Yes, I know. I figured I'd start with the men who looked like they were interested in learning first. That way they could help teach classes later on. Makes sense doesn't it?]" David wrapped the towel across his shoulders and smiled at the men. They slowly nodded and agreed. "[Glad you see my point. You may inform Matsuo if you choose. I understand that he doesn't care how I teach you, just that I do.]" David picked up his bag and left the men on patio to think about his proposition.
Opening the door to his and Kyoko's room, David threw the bag on the floor and lay on the bed next to her. She rolled over and shoved him out of the bed. She peeked over the edge she had just pushed him and smiled playfully. "If you're gonna lie next to me, take a damn shower. You're sweaty and stinky."
David smirked at Kyoko. "Kimber used to do that too. I'm happy to see that some things don't change among women." He got off the floor and grabbed a new set of clothes and entered the adjoining bathroom. He started the shower but kept the door open so they could talk. "Some of your uncle's men were watching me do my kata. A few were copying the moves. I think they'll be easy to turn into allies."
Kyoko stretched in bed and sat up. "Good. I can't wait to see what you have in mind." David poked his head around the corner of the doorway to the bathroom and just smiled. Kyoko threw a throw pillow at him. "Just take your damn shower."
A week went by with David training the men who were first interested in learning the ways of martial arts. He was in the middle of training his first class, when an assistant from Soun approached him and bowed nervously. "[Ikari-san, there is a man here to see you. He says he is the leader of the Arashikage Clan and wished to speak to you about what you're doing here.]"
David held up his hand to stop the class. "[Tell him that I will meet with him in a few moments. I just need to get cleaned up.]" He turned away from the assistant and addressed his class. "[Looks like you're getting off lucky today. That will be all until tomorrow.]" He bowed sharply and his class returned the bow as one. He turned on his heel and walked up to the mansion.
To his surprise the men David who had asked to learn martial arts were very well disciplined. As far as he could tell they each had the mentality and focus of a martial artist. He kept that in mind to add to his plan later. He opened the back door and went straight to his room. He walked past Kyoko in the room and went directly to the closet. He pulled out his ceremonial kimono. "Change into your kimono as well." He looked up at her with a sly grin. "My plan is starting to unfold."
"What do you mean it starting to unfold?" Kyoko asked as David turned on the shower. "Just what the devil is your plan?"
"Just do me a favor and change into your kimono." David changed out of his clothes and entered the shower in front of her. He decided that he shouldn't be modest in front of his wife anymore. "I have a guest and it requires that you be in your kimono. Just trust me on this one."
Kyoko sighed to herself and changed into her ceremonial kimono. He came out of the bathroom a few moments later in his. She grabbed his arm and turned him to face her. "David, why am I worried that I won't like the way this plan goes? You have that look in your eye that tells me you're about to do something crazy or stupid. Maybe both." She hugged him tightly and whispered in his chest. "I don't want to lose you like the way I lost Shin."
David pressed her head against his chest and kissed the top of her head. "Sometimes necessary sacrifices must be made." Kyoko looked up at him with fear in her eyes. "But not all are what they seem." His smile set her at ease. She knew that his plan was something he had thought long and hard about.
Together they left their bedroom and walked to the entertainment room. Kneeling while facing the door way was an old man, who seemed to be meditating. Soun was sitting in an armchair sipping his morning tea. David and Kyoko stopped at the doorway. Soun looked at the couple and smiled behind mug. "[David, Kyoko please come in and greet our guest. In fact, he came asking for you, Ikari.]"
The old man opened his eyes and stood. He looked both Kyoko and David from head to toe and back then he bowed very deeply to both of them. The two returned the bow to the old man. "[David Ikari, I trust you remember who I am and I'm sure you know why I'm here.]" He looked David in the eye and waited.
"[Yes I do, Master Arashikage, but I have chosen my path.]" David pulled up his kimono sleeve. "[I do not bear the hexagram of the Arashikage Clan. You have no say over me. What I do with the Ikari and Bayushi Schools is my own choice. I'm sorry that you made a trip to see me. Good day, Master Arashikage.]" David bowed and turned around to leave.
He was stopped by the leader of the Arashikage Clan grabbing his kimono sleeve. "[You made a pledge to the Arashikage Clan on your family's honor that you would do right by your art. You also pledged loyalty to the Arashikage Clan itself. You have since broken both pledges by aligning yourself with a criminal.]" David turned around to face the old master. "[I hear by challenge you to a duel to the death for your honor. If you lose the Ikari and Bayushi Schools go to the Arashikage Clan. If you win the Arashikage Clan will leave you alone to live with your own shame. What is your answer?]"
"[Name my opponent.]"
The old man narrowed his eyes to slits. "[Yukio Matsuura.]" Kyoko gasped and put her hand over her mouth. David tried to hide his own surprise and nodded woodenly in acceptance. "[Very well, the duel will be this afternoon on the shore of the lake here.]" He turned to Soun. "[Is this permissible?]"
Soun set his tea down and sat up in his chair. "[Yes, it is, old man. It should also be very entertaining.]"
The old master turned back to David. "[The duel shall take place at five this afternoon.]" David bowed deeply again and left the room with Kyoko following close behind him.
"This is fucking insane, David!" Kyoko tried stopping him from checking his katana. "Dammit David, this isn't a fucking game! Yukio intends on killing you!" She tried pulling on his arm but he just pulled it out of her grasp. "She's your friend, David! Don't you understand that?"
David stopped checking his sword and hung his head a little. "Yes, she's my friend. I know that!" He hit the wall with the side of his fist. "This isn't how the plan was supposed to go." He looked at Kyoko a long moment. "I'm sorry. This isn't how it was supposed to go, but now it really is a matter of honor." David slid his katana into his belt. "Now I must face a friend on the field of battle. No matter what, win or lose, I lose."
Kyoko looked deep in his eyes. "You're going to throw the fight, aren't you? You think that it's the lesser of two evils."
"No. If I throw the fight the terms of the duel become null and void. I can't and won't do that." David looked deep into her eyes now. "I will get you out of this. I will free you from your uncle's control. You have my word."
"Yeah, I know." Kyoko hugged him tightly then gave him a deep kiss. "[Fight with honor, my husband. I love you.]"
David stood straight and tall. "[I will for your honor and the honor of our schools combined.]" He turned around and walked out of the room as he headed to the lake's shore. Kyoko followed and stood with the master of the Arashikage Clan.
Yukio knelt a few feet in front of David. She stood and drew her sword. "[The only person I feel truly sorry for is Kimber. For you are not the man she fell in love with.]" She stood with her sword leveled at her mid-section.
David unsheathed his sword and held it low. He locked eyes with hers and ran towards her without saying a single word. He swung up at her sword sending sparks into the late afternoon sky as they clashed. David kicked Yukio in the stomach and brought his sword down on her. She swept her sword up, easily deflecting the swing. She sliced her sword at David's legs. He jumped forward while flipping in mid-air and landing behind her.
Yukio rushed towards David and swung her katana at his chest. He crouched low with his sword up to block it. At the last second Yukio pulled the sword back and kicked him in the face, sending David backwards into the grass. He got up and spat out some blood. He threw his sword down and ran toward Yukio. She threw her sword aside as well and stood in a ready position.
When David reached Yukio, he performed a feint of a leg sweep and elbowed her in the head. She grabbed his arm and twisted it around. David countered to face her. Yukio brought her other arm up and hit him in the chest. Kyoko saw David's eyes go wide and his jaw go slack. He tried to say something but no words came out. Yukio let go of David's arm and his body fell to the ground. In the hand Yukio hit him with was a foot long blade coated with blood.
"No!" Kyoko screamed. "David!" She ran up to his body and hugged it close to her chest. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked up at the woman who had just killed him. "You bitch! You heartless bitch! He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve to die like this!"
Yukio looked down at her and wiped the tears from her own eyes. She crouched down and whispered to Kyoko. "It had to be done, Kyoko. It was part of Ikari-san's plan." She turned around left Kyoko to cradle David's body.
The master of the Arashikage Clan turned to Soun. "[The Arashikage Clan claims his body and both schools. We also wish that Kyoko come with us to observe a private funeral. She is no longer of any use for you.]"
"[Fine, I don't care. You have an hour to get off my property.]" Soun walked back to his home in defeat, furious at the results of the duel.
The old man walked up to Kyoko and put his hand on her shoulder and spoke softly to her. "[Kyoko, please come with me. I think you'll be very pleased with what I have to show and tell you.]" Kyoko looked up at him with reddened eyes and nodded. She took a last look at David followed the old man. Two Arashikage students picked up David's body and headed towards a waiting car.
The Arashikage master examined David's body. He pressed a few random spots on his body and stood back. Kyoko shot him a suspicious look and he smiled and motioned to where David laid. She watched his body and after a minute she heard him moan. She looked at the old man again in shock this time. "[W-what?!]"
"[Just watch, Kyoko]," the Master said in his soft voice.
Kyoko watched as David moaned again and moved his arm. She rushed up to his body and looked at his face. David's eyes slowly opened and he smiled wide but grimaced in pain. "I take it by the look on your face my plan worked." He winced in pain again. "Didn't think it would be so damned painful."
"If you weren't in pain already, I'd beat the living shit out of you for scaring me like that." Kyoko gave his a gentle hug and kissed him on the cheek. "Can you sit up?"
David nodded and slowly propped himself on his elbows. Kyoko helped him to sit on the edge of the bed. "[Master Arashikage, thank you for your help. Did Swordsmaster Kanno give you the papers I had signed?]" Kyoko gave him a curious look. The old man pulled the papers that were signed before the marriage. "Kyoko, look over those papers. I think you'll be pleasantly pleased."
Kyoko took the papers from the master and flipped through each one. When finished she put them down and sat down with a relieved sigh. "I can't believe you did all of this for me. Our marriage is now over because you've been declared officially dead by the Japanese government. I have the school back because of Master Arashikage and you have full control of the Ikari School. Not to mention, my uncle is leaving me alone." She stood again and hugged David once more. "I don't know how to thank you."
"Just seeing your smile is enough." He hugged her back.
"I just have one question. How did you pull off your supposed death, anyway?"
David laughed then moaned in pain. "The Ikari Death Trance, I sent the maneuver in the letter through Yukio to the Master. When Yukio hit me each time she was hitting the needed pressure points, but to activate the trance she needed to stab me. It was very dangerous since it was next to my heart. Understand now why I couldn't tell you? If you had known, you wouldn't have reacted the way you did."
Yukio silently entered the room. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. "Ikari-san, I'm so glad it worked!" She looked at Kyoko. "I'm sorry I had to scare you like that. I can never make it up to you." She showed David her right forearm. It was still blank. "Ikari-san, I think its time that we show the world who we are." David smiled and nodded. Together the three martial artists left the room slowly. Kyoko supported and helped David out of the room.
Kimber lay under the tree with her eyes shut. She had been reading a book and relaxing in the summer sun. She heard footsteps approaching but didn't open them. She was too tired. The person stopped and sat near her and leaned against the tree. She felt a cool glass press against her arm. "Thanks, Mary. I was getting thirsty," she said without opening her eyes.
"Well, I'm offended. I'm gone a month and you've already forgotten how I sound when I walk?" David said with mock offense in his voice. "I might as well go back to Japan and marry Kyoko all over again."
Kimber's eyes shot open when she heard his voice. She sat straight up and kissed him without a word. "You're back!" Tears of joy fell down both of their cheeks. "What took you so long? Is Kyoko safe? What the hell took you so long?!"
"I had to heal. Kyoko is very safe. The Arashikage Clan is making sure her uncle doesn't try anything again. Then I had to heal some more." David explained his whole plan to Kimber. "I now think of Yukio as a clan sister. She's family to me. Kyoko is more than a best friend. She's someone I hold dear in my heart. I love her, but not as I love you. That's what makes this next part so hard."
"I don't like the sound of that," Kimber mumbled as she cuddled against him.
David chuckled. "Thought as much, but I don't think I'm ready for marriage. We should wait until our lives settle down."
"You know, I was just thinking the same thing." Kimber hugged David tightly and kissed him deeply again. The two lovers cuddled under the summer sun while catching up. She looked at David's right arm and saw his whole forearm was wrapped in a white cloth. "What happened to your arm?"
"Nothing." David said while undoing the cloth revealing the hexagram of the Arashikage Clan. "Yukio and I are now a part of the Arashikage Clan." David stood and offered his hand to Kimber. "Come on. No one else knows I'm back yet. Let's take advantage of that." Together they walked with their arms wrapped around the other's waist towards their house.
TO BE CONTINUED IN
SIX MONTHS PART 1