Hello and welcome to what will be the last installment in my little unintentional AU storyline. This thing is just forty pages long and I typed the whole thing out in about forty eight hours (cries for impending carpal tunnel syndrome).

But enough about me! For those of you that are just joining up with this story I suggest that you read "Fleeting like Fireworks" at the very least. Reading all three stories that preceded this one ("Simple as Snowflakes", "Cupid Confusion", and "Fleeting like Fireworks") would be nice but not necessary. I left readers hanging as to Kimiko and Raimundo's fate at the end of fireworks and in this story I give it a definitive answer.

However I must post a warning for this story, it certainly gets darker than probably anything else I've written for this website. So here's your warning: there will be bad language, talk of sex, suicide, depression, and drug abuse. I've got this rated at 'T' because I don't think it warrants an 'M' rating but if I get complaints I'll change it. On that note there is an 'uncut' version of this on my deviant art account (once the story is done being posted here) for anyone who is interested. There is slight lime in that version but that's all that differs.

Alright, enough of this long author's note and on to the conclusion of what I've come to call the 'Mercer Universe' , enjoy!

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"Fuck, fuck, fuckity, fuck," Keiko hissed under her breath.

"Never a good thing to say," Jermaine said looking over at her. They were sitting at one of the dining halls on the NYU campus, grabbing breakfast together before each went their separate ways for class until they could meet again for dinner later in the day. Keiko had a newspaper unfolded out in front of her and apparently something had set her off.

"I can't freaking believe it," she said breathily as her eyes narrowed.

"Elaborate please," Jermaine pleaded.

"Look," Keiko said folding the paper back and showing it to Jermaine whose eyes widened at the small black and white picture position in the center of the an article in the Entertainment section.

"Is that," Jermaine asked taking the paper to inspect it better, "is that Kimiko?"

"Yeah," Keiko said bitterly. "What do you think the chances are that Raimundo never, ever sees this?"

"I don't know," Jermaine said as he scanned the article quickly. "How often does Raimundo read the entertainment section?"

"How should I know?" Keiko said glumly. "I know he looks her up, more often than he wants to admit, but ughh. What the hell?"

"I'm finding this a little hard to swallow," Jermaine said once he finished the article. "This just doesn't seem like Kimiko."

"Kimiko not coming back to finish school with us doesn't sound like Kimiko either but she managed to do that," Keiko bit back, hands clenching on the tabletop. "Maybe I need to skip my classes and go find Raimundo to make sure he's ok. He doesn't have class until eleven so I could get back to the apartment and intercept him."
"He's going to find out eventually," Jermaine told her with a shake of his head. "You shouldn't skip classes to coddle him. He's done pretty well for the last two years."

"But, this is big," Keiko chewed her lip and then gave a definitive nod of her head. "Yeah, I'm going back. I'll call you about dinner," she said as she stood and pulled her bag with her.

"You sure?" Jermaine asked frowning.

"Yeah, Rai's going to need a friend," Keiko answered placing a quick peck on Jermaine's cheek as she walked by. "See you later." Jermaine watched her go a feeling bad about himself. He knew that he could trust Keiko, but that didn't keep him from being a little bit jealous that his girlfriend was living with another man. After the group graduated from Mercer Academy two year Raimundo and Keiko had almost immediately moved in together. With Kimiko never coming back to New York and Clay returning to Texas for college the two had come together, becoming close throughout senior year, companions in their longing for Kimiko. Because they'd only been going out for less than a year both Keiko and Jermaine had agreed it wasn't time for them to live together but now Jermaine was wishing Keiko would give some thought to living together. But he knew that would never happen because Keiko wouldn't want to leave Raimundo.

Rai never completely told everyone what had happened at Clay's ranch between the two the summer before their senior year but he told enough to give the idea. Kimiko's father wanted her to go to school in Japan and she wouldn't refuse him. He did say that he'd thought she might defy her father and return, if not to finish out high school than at least for college. But no one had been expecting the complete cut off they'd experienced from Kimiko. Phone calls and emails went unreturned, letters were sent back, and when Keiko had tried to visit her on a trip back to Tokyo she'd been turned away. No one had heard anything about Kimiko, save for a small clip in the news every so often, usually of Kimiko standing near her father at some event. But that was it.

And still Raimundo waited faithfully for her. It was both romantic and sad at the same time and although he'd never say it Jermaine had been starting to think that maybe it was time for him to move on. The article in the newspaper today seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. As soon as Raimundo read the headline he's have to admit it too. He glanced at the paper Keiko had left and frowned finding the whole thing hard to believe as well but it was staring straight back at him with a nice head shot of Kimiko and who Jermaine assumed was Toya Higuchi, son of the President of the American division of Tohomiko Electronics and was on the fast track to following in his father's footsteps though currently he was working as a lawyer in one of Stamford, Connecticut's most prestigious law firms. Toya was smiling gamely for the camera while Kimiko gave a polite smile, but anyone who knew Kimiko could tell that she was uncomfortable.

"Keiko was right," Jermaine said to himself, "fuck."

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"Rai!" Keiko called intercepting her roommate just as he was locking the apartment door behind him.

"Hey Keiko. What are you doing here? Don't you have class?" Rai asked looking at the girl with confusion.

"I decided to skip," Keiko waved it off and Rai frowned.

"Are you feeling ok?" he asked. "You don't usually start skipping classes until like the third or fourth week. And we're only two weeks in now." Keiko just shrugged again.

"Whatever, you know I'm lazy like that. So do you want to skip with me? We can go see a movie or something," Keiko suggested.

"Alright, what's up with you?" Rai asked looking suspicious. "You're acting strange."

"Am not," Keiko pouted. "So come on! You in for a day of hooky?"

"I don't think it's called that in college," Rai laughed. "And no, I've got seminar today and I actually want to attend. But I'll be back probably around two. If you want we can catch a movie or something else then. Sound good?"

"But," Keiko protested.

"I'll see you later," Rai told her in a final tone as he moved past her towards the stairs and Keiko let him go, praying that he wouldn't see the paper.

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"I'm freaking out here Clay," Keiko said into the phone later in the night. It was nearing seven o'clock and there was no sign of Raimundo.

"He's a big boy Keiko," Clay told her, "he can take care of himself."

"I know that," Keiko lamented. "I'm just worried her heard the news and freaked out and hurt himself or something."

"Rai would never do anything like that," Clay disagreed, his focus wavering until he heard a bang in the background. "What was that?" he asked Keiko.

"Well it seems you were right about Raimundo," Keiko told him, "he didn't go out and hurt himself. He's just drunk off his ass."

"Rai? Raimundo Pedrosa?" Clay asked surprised. "He's only twenty!"
"Well apparently that didn't stop him," Keiko sighed as she watched Jermaine deposit Raimundo on the couch. "I have to go. I'll call you back." She heard Clay say goodbye as she pulled the phone away from her ear and hung up. "What happened to him?" Keiko asked coming over to the couch.

"One of the guys on the soccer team called me and said Rai was drinking himself stupid in that bar 'The Branch Office' right off of campus. Said he was worried about Rai getting caught and getting kicked off the team."

"So glad they're so concerned," Keiko said sarcastically. "Thanks for finding him Jermaine."

"No problem," Jermaine assured her with a kiss on the cheek. "But I have to get going to basketball practice. Are you going to be ok with him?"

"Should be," Keiko said looking down at Raimundo laying the couch and staring at the ceiling. Keiko and Jermaine moved toward the door and Keiko whispered, "Did he say anything on the way over?"

"Nothing really coherent," Jermaine shrugged. "Luckily he came without a struggle and didn't do anything on train. Just mutter incoherently the whole time."

"Anything about Kimiko?" Keiko asked almost scared for the answer.

"Like I said," Jermaine told her, "I could barely understand him. But he might have mentioned her more than once." Keiko winced slightly.

"So I guess he saw the article."

"Sure did!" Raimundo suddenly shouted from the couch. "Got the article right here," he called holding a crumpled piece of torn newspaper up so they could see. "I thought I'd frame it."

"You going to be ok with him?" Jermaine asked glancing at his watch.

"Fine," Keiko assured him, "now get going. I don't want you to be late."

"I'll come by later to check in," Jermaine promise and Keiko nodded after they exchanged a quick kiss. "I'll see you later," he told her again as she shut the door behind him. With a heavy sigh Keiko walked back over to her tiny living room and glance over the back of the couch at Raimundo.

"How about a big bottle of water and two aspirin?" Keiko suggested but Rai didn't immediately respond. He had his hand with the article pressed over his eyes and Keiko could tell he wasn't in a good way more emotionally than physically. "Rai?" Keiko questioned coming around and kneeling next to the couch.

"Engaged, she's fucking engaged."

"Rai," Keiko said helplessly.

"She said she loved me Keiko," Rai mumbled. "And I told her I'd wait. Why the hell didn't she wait?"

"Rai, I'm sure," Keiko started to say but Rai interrupted.

"Sure about what?" Rai practically barked.

"I'm so sorry Raimundo," Keiko told him truthfully and Rai dropped the paper so it tumbled to the floor.

"She doesn't look that happy in the picture," Rai observed. "She's doing that, 'smile politely for the camera' smile she does when she isn't really happy but is supposed to be."

"Raimundo can I do something for you? Anything?" Keiko asked.

"Take back the last two years and make it so that Kimiko comes back to Mercer, or at least talks to us," Rai asked. Keiko smiled sympathetically and took one of his hands into hers and squeezed it.

"I'll get started on that right away," she promised and Rai glanced at her and managed his own weak smile.

"Thanks Keiko," he said sincerely.

"So," Keiko started to ask as she sat on the coffee table that was next to the couch, "what happened to you?"

"Well I now understand why you were trying to keep me from leaving earlier," Rai answered sitting up slowly. "I made it to class and through class but then went to get a cup of coffee and there was a paper on the table and, as they say, the rest is history."

"I should have told you," Keiko told him with a sad smile.

"I just can't believe it," Rai said catching his head in his hands and propping his elbows on his knees.

"You know what you need," Keiko said standing up and Rai looked at her curiously. "You need Chinese food, it's a sure fire pick me up."

"I'm not that hungry," Rai lied.

"Well we need to get something in your stomach so you aren't feeling like crap later," Keiko insisted. "So you can suffer through my cooking or we can order in. You're choice."

"Chinese sounds good," Rai answered reluctantly after a minute.

"Good," Keiko nodded moving to the kitchen to find their take out menus. "And water, lots of water will be good for you right now."

"Nothing is good for me right now," Rai whispered to himself.

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"You practically snuck out Kimiko," Toshiro lectured his daughter.

"They knew I was going," Kimiko argued back, "just because I left when they were gone doesn't mean I snuck out."

"Hiro nearly called the police," Toshiro said in a controlled voice, "he was worried you were kidnapped."

"Cause when people get kidnapped they pack and take their suitcases with them," Kimiko rolled her eyes though she knew her father couldn't see her.

"Kimiko," Toshiro said in a warning tone that Kimko didn't respond to. "I know I agreed to letting you live in the city," Toshiro went on, "but you know that I would feel better if you were living with the Higuchi's."

"That would be too much of a commute everyday," Kimiko said using the same old argument.

"That may be so," Toshiro told her, "but Toya offered to live with you, I don't understand why you turned that down."

"Please don't make me go through this again," Kimiko lamented. "I have to go," she lied, "we're here. I'll call you later." Kimiko hung up without waiting for a response and sighed heavily as she sunk into her seat.

"Everything ok ma'am?" her driver asked.

"Just family issues," Kimiko told him.

"I don't mean to pry but are you sure?"

"Nothing you can help with," Kimiko said softly. "But your concern is appreciated."

"Its just you're around the age that my daughter would be," the driver answered and Kimiko suddenly felt bad. By his tone Kimiko could tell that either his daughter was no longer with him or at least not in his life.

"It's just," Kimiko decided to take a chance and talk to the man, "my father and used to have a great relationship but after he got remarried, it's like he wasn't the father I always knew and loved."

"Cinderella syndrome?" The driver asked and Kimiko smiled genuinely.

"You could say that. I had to fight to be allowed to live by myself in the city and even then it's only because I'm on a tight leash."

"You're what nineteen? Twenty?" the man asked

"Just turned nineteen a little while ago," Kimiko answered.

"My name is Guan," the driver told her.

"Kimiko."

"You came from a very nice location back in Connecticut," Guan observed. "Not interested in living there?"

"No," Kimiko said looking out the window, "it's complicated."

"I understand," Guan told her as they navigated through evening traffic into the city.

"Have you ever had to do something, something that is life altering, that you didn't want to do?" Kimiko asked.

"Who hasn't?" Guan answered and Kimiko sighed.

"I just feel like what I'm facing is so," she trailed off unable to figure out the words.

"If you don't mind me asking does this have anything to do with your fiancé?" Guan asked and Kimiko perked up in interest.

"How do you know I'm engaged?" Kimiko asked slightly apprehensive.

"I noticed your ring earlier," Guan told her. "Are you moving into the city to live with your fiancé?"

"Actually the opposite," Kimiko laughed. "I'm taking a little space for myself."

"Good for you," Guan told her and Kimiko smiled again. "So are you living with friends or by yourself?"

"By myself," Kimiko told him, "I don't really have friends."

"I find that hard to believe," Guan said glancing back at her in the rearview mirror.

"I had some amazing friends," Kimiko admitted. "But I cut them out of my life. It wouldn't be fair to them to ask them to stay as my friends."
"Sounds complicated."

"It is," Kimiko agreed.

"I'm sorry," Guan said out of the blue.

"For what?" Kimiko asked.

"For bringing up something that is obviously painful."

"It's ok," Kimiko assured and looked out the window again, "I've put it behind me."
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The sun was blinking in through her blinds and the world was coming to life when Kimiko finally opened her eyes. She'd slept solidly thanks to a healthy helping of sleep medication and an incredibly comfortable bed and 'cuddly' blankets. With a tiny sigh Kimiko pushed herself out of bed and moved toward her bathroom. Per her request the apartment had been outfitted with furniture and other amenities but it was still waiting for a bit of her own personal touch. She moved through the apartment as she brushed her teeth thinking it wasn't all that bad but it also seemed so empty.

'Maybe I do need a roommate,' Kimiko considered but dismissed it. She knew her father and her fiancé wouldn't like that and she'd specifically rented a one bedroom so as not to tempt her in moments of loneliness like this. Moving into the kitchen Kimiko switched on the coffee maker and looked in the cupboards, happy to see they were filled with the basics including a bag of her favorite Godiva coffee. Kimiko was so immersed in exploring her cabinets that when her phone went off she let out a tiny scream and her tooth brush fell from her mouth with a clatter on the floor. Swearing profusely Kimiko spat into the sink and rinsed her brush, letting the phone ring. She hadn't wanted a land line but apparently she was getting one.

'Another way to keep tabs on me?' Kimiko wondered as what she guessed was the answering machine beep.

"Hey sleepy head wake up," the voice of her finance Toya rang through the empty apartment. The overly sweet voice didn't fit him so Kimiko guessed there were others in the room and could hear him speaking. "Just wanted to remind you that I'm expecting to see you for dinner back in Stamford on Friday. Let me know if you want a ride or need help arranging a car service. Call me later love." Kimiko shook her head at the machine and wondered if maybe he might actually care for her. Looking at the clock Kimiko decided that she needed to do something with her day. Everything was all set up to start school on Monday, leaving her the remainder of this week to get herself acclimated to the city again and settle in.

Deciding to go to the grocery store first Kimiko slipped into the shower and tried not to slip into her memories. She hadn't spoken to anyone from Mercer Academy since her trip to Clay's ranch all those years ago. It seemed like forever but it had only been about two years. She tired so hard not to think on that time in the abandon lake house with Raimundo but when she was feeling her worst, pretending she was there again often eased her pain at least temporarily. And she would remember the wedding in Rio and how much fun that had been despite the looming decision she had to make, knowing in her heart of hearts that she really didn't have choice in the matter, but it had been nice to believe.

Shutting off the water Kimiko slipped out of the shower and into a bathrobe before searching in her bag and pulling out the multiple pill bottles to place in the cabinet above the sink, but not before selecting a few and swallowing them dry. She moved without anymore thoughts except to what to wear and then wrote out a list of when she'd need at the grocery store as she drank her coffee and munched on a piece of toast. She was living in an apartment just about a block away from Central Park, her father insisted she lived in a 'safe' area which for him obviously meant expensive and Kimiko didn't have a problem with that. If he was going to attempt to rule her life then she was going to make him, literally, pay for it.

But she wished so much that wasn't the case.

After walking around aimlessly looking for a grocery store Kimiko finally located a tiny neighborhood shop that looked like it would fulfill her needs. After a quick shop she stepped back out to the streets and nearly took out a box full of puppies that was near the door.

"Oh my god! I am so sorry!" Kimiko shouted practically dropping all of her bags to make sure she hadn't done any permanent damage to the dogs.

"Its ok, they're fine," a middle aged woman with a heavy Hispanic accent assured Kimiko and gave her a smile. "You wouldn't be interest in one would you?" she dared to ask and Kimiko smiled sadly.

"I wish I could but I don't have time to house break a puppy right now," Kimiko apologized.

"I understand," the woman told her with a sad little tip of her head and turned to a young boy who'd run up to the box excitedly. Kimiko wished her luck and went on her way; knowing that the seed had been planted. After stowing her groceries Kimiko was back on the street looking for the closest animal shelter she could find. It took her the majority of the morning to find one but when finally did she found it hard to go in. This would be her first, of what she predicted would be many small stands against the man she was being forced to marry and her father who had changed so drastically.

"Toya probably hates dogs," Kimiko mused out loud to herself. She wasn't sure if that was true or not, after all she'd never asked, but she could guess enough. And most likely, if he did like dogs it probably would be the kind that you would never find in a city shelter.

"Good morning," a voice greeted Kimiko when she finally entered the tiny building. "What can I do for you?" the male volunteer behind the best asked looking too perky for such a depressing setting.

"Morning," Kimiko greeted as well, "I want to adopt a dog."

"That's wonderful!" the man almost squeal and Kimiko's 'gaydar' was set off. "What kind of dog are you looking for?"

"I'm thinking it will be one of those, 'I'll know when I see it', things."

"Well we've got some adorable puppies that were dropped off yesterday," the man told her.

"I'm actually looking for a full grown dog, or at least one that's house broke," Kimiko told him and the man smile grew.

"You'd be surprised how few people we get like that," he told her coming out from behind the desk, "everyone wants a little puppy."

"I like puppies but I'm looking for a dog. I'm living by myself and need a friend."

"By the size of the rock on your hand I'd say you at least have some sort of relationship," the man said and immediately look embarrassed as Kimiko covered the ring. "Of I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. I didn't mean to offend you."

"Its ok," Kimiko assured him. "It's just a little complicated."

"Ohh," was all the volunteer said as he fumbled with the keys into the back. Normally unless she was with Toya, her father, or some sort of social event Kimiko wore the ring on a chain around her neck to keep it close incase she did need to suddenly slip it on, but last night she had forgotten to take it off and it hadn't been on her mind that morning.

"If you don't mind," the volunteer said as the perused the kennels, "there's one dog in particular I want to show you."

"Ok," Kimiko agreed and she was lead toward the back.

"Here he is," her guide told her as they stopped at one of the caged kennels. Inside was a dog that looked like it was a mix of every bred imaginable but didn't look at anything at the same time. Its tail was long but bent at an odd angel, probably broken at some point in time but it didn't heal properly. One ear was raised, the other flopping lazily, partially covering one of its grey green eyes. When standing the dog's long, Shepard shaped head would probably reach her hip thanks to long thin legs that probably came from a grey hound. It had a long ridge backed body that was too thin for a dog its size. Its coat was a grayish brown dotted with lighter brown specks.

"Flea bitten," Kimiko murmured remembering riding horses of a similar shade in Central Park.

"Oh no, he doesn't have fleas," the volunteer insisted.

"No, it's just what I was calling its coloring."

"Ohhh."

"What's his story?" Kimiko asked. "Why did you want me to see him?"

"This guy is called Simon," the volunteer said, "and I'd love it if you adopted him. He's been here for too long, poor fella."

"How old is he? How's his health?" Kimiko asked still studying the dog who was staring unblinkingly at her. "Is he ok?" Kimiko asked.

"He's very shy. He's only about two, maybe three years old. Good health and a sweetie once he gets to know you."

"I sense a but," Kimiko told him.

"Like I said he's shy. He's been taken out a few times but never bonds with anyone because no on gives him the time. Also, I don't think he likes kids. He's more of a one person dog. A good friend and companion to the right home."

"He doesn't seem to have much of a personality," Kimiko said as the dog took a tentative step toward her and pressed his nose to the mesh between them and Kimiko offered her hand. The dog gave a tentative lick before hurrying away back to the back of the kennel.

"Oh my gosh! He really likes you!" the volunteer squealed and Simon gave a little whine.

"Can I ask why you're so eager for this?" Kimiko asked standing from where she'd stooped to see the dog.

"Well, he's schedule to be put down soon and I really don't want that to happen," he admitted nervously picking at his nails.

"That's awful," Kimiko said looking back at Simon who was now watching her with some curiosity in his grey eyes.

"That's, unfortunately, life." Kimiko chewed her lip nervously wondering if she should give into the sob story and take a chance on the dog. She'd wanted something immediately lovable, not a project. Finally she came to her decision.

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By the time Kimiko filled out all of the paperwork necessary for adopting a dog, even a nutcase like Simon, it was well after lunch so Kimiko bought a bag of bag of burger and fries from a stand near her apartment. She got a few looks on the street due to the fact that she nearly tripped more than a dozen times as Simon tried to hide between her legs as she walked. Her doorman also sent her a quizzical look as she struggled with her lunch, new dog, and the supplies he'd come with but when he offered to help he scared Simon so badly that Kimiko was worried he might pee on the spot.

"Alright Simon," Kimiko said when they actually made it to her apartment, "we're going to have some lunch and then head out to the nearest Petco and buy you some things. Does that sound like fun?" Simon tilted his head to the side. "Alright, it says here to get your weight up," Kimiko continued on reading the label of the sample food she'd been given at the shelter, "we need to feed you this super healthy dog food to you three times a day. Sounds good right?" Simon titled his head to the other side and Kimiko laughed a little. "You are kinda cute aren't you?" she asked and Simon's tail flopped once. "Ok," Kimiko said once she'd opened a can of dog food that didn't look appetizing in the least, "ready to give this a shot?" Simon just continued to shit there and watched carefully as Kimiko set food on a paper plate in front of him. As she waited for Simon to start eating Kimiko settled on a bar stool pulled up to a counter and started in on her own lunch. Simon looked back and forth from his food to the burger in Kimiko's and seemed to ask 'are you kidding me?'

"You're supposed to eat that super healthy dog food," Kimiko told him. Simon looked at her with a pitiful look. "Can you at least try it?" Kimiko pleaded and then realized what she was doing. "I'm talking to a dog and now I'm talking to myself." Kimiko looked over as Simon who watched her with interest and intensity. "I really am lonely," Kimiko said with a sigh, sounding depressed even to her. Simon gave another wag of the tail, this time with more enthusiasm. "Ok, ok," Kimiko said sinking off the chair with lunch in hand and sitting cross legged on the floor so she was level with Simon. "You want half?" she asked tearing the burger in two. Simon quickly moved over to her and took the offered burger, engulfing it in a few bites and then looking at her expectantly.

"What? You want fries too?" Kimiko asked as she ate her half. Simon gave a little wiggle as he shifted further. "I'm a light weight," Kimiko complained to herself and pulled a handful of fries out of the bag and laid them on the floor out in front of him. As the dog quickly ate up the French fries Kimiko couldn't but laugh and decide that this wasn't a total mistake.

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"So how is Raimundo doing?" Omi asked over the phone during a three way between himself, Keiko, and Clay.

"A wreck," Keiko sighed.

"Has he been up to anything?" Clay asked remembering his last call with Keiko had been cut off when Rai stumbled in drunk.

"He gets up, goes to class, and comes home and locks himself in his room. And he really hasn't gone anywhere since the start of the weekend. I basically have to force feed him. But I suppose he could be worse," Keiko admitted.

"I cannot believe that Kimiko would do such a thing," Omi said making a 'tsk' noise at the end of the sentence.

"I'm not sure it's really Kimiko's choice," Clay cut in. "Sounds to me like it might be more of a marriage of business than love or affection."

"But Kimiko would never let herself be sucked into a loveless marriage," Keiko argued, "even if it was for her dad or the business."

"We haven't known Kimiko for the past two years," Clay said glumly, "she could be an entirely different person."

"Kimiko never struck me as such a person who would change easily or at all," Omi said sounding confused.

"Sometimes outside forces can change a lot of things. She got a new stepmother right?" Clay explained.

"But still," Keiko trailed off.

"Kimiko and Raimundo loved each other very much," Omi said confidently, "I cannot imagine that either would go back on that."

"Raimundo certainly hasn't," Keiko agreed. "He hasn't lost hope at all he'd be with her again someday."

"It's been two years since we've heard hide or hair of Kimiko outside of a few mentions in news paper articles," Clay said still sounding glum. "And Kimiko has given no indication that she's still waiting for Raimundo."

"She waited for him since what? Fifth grade? I feel like she would wait a little longer," Keiko snapped at Clay.

"Hey now, I'm not saying she wouldn't, I'm just saying we don't know the full story with her," Clay said trying to defend himself.

"I agree with both of you," Omi interjected. "I believe that something more must be going on than meets the eye."

"You're right Omi," Clay agreed, "I just don't want Rai to be wallowing. He needs closure at some point in time." Keiko was silent. She couldn't argue with that but she felt alone with Raimundo on this. Of course she had Jermaine but he seemed to be at more of a loose than she did. He'd been pressing somewhat to have her move in with him but Keiko couldn't leave Raimundo, especially not now.

"It would be great if you guys could come here and help," Keiko said half serious.

"If I could you know I'd be there," Clay answered and Omi gave a similar answer. He was attending school in Washington so it was more plausible that he could come but probably less likely than Clay.

"Well, he'd probably appreciate hearing from you all at least," Keiko sighed. "Listen, I've got to go. Talk to you guys later, kay? Bye?" She heard the two boys say goodbye and then she hung up and sighed lying back on her bed. It was Sunday afternoon and a beautiful autumn afternoon and Keiko didn't want to be inside. Jermaine was gone, visiting relatives in Long Island and although she'd been invited Keiko had no desire to attend any sort of family get together. Besides, there was no way she could leave Raimundo as he was now.

"I need to get him out of the apartment," Keiko decided and stood up and quickly changed out of her sweats and into a pair of jeans, t-shirt, and pulled a hat on her head before going to knock on Raimundo's door. "Rai?" Keiko called as she knocked but got no response. "Raimundo Pedrosa answer this door!" Keiko tried to order. When he still didn't respond Keiko test the door and found it unlocked. "Ok, you better be decent," Keiko told him as she tentatively pushed open the door. Peaking in she was surprised to find the room still clean for the most part with Raimundo lying unshaven with rumpled clothes on top of his bed.

"What do you want Keiko?" he asked without looking up at her.

"First for you to take a shower, clean yourself up some, and then we're going out," Keiko told him as she pressed her fists into her hips.

"Not really feeling like it," Rai responded with a sigh.

"No isn't an option," Keiko said walking back out of the room and then returning with a full bottle of water and dumped half of the contents directly onto Raimundo who sat up sputtering.

"Keiko!" he yelled wiping off his face. "What the hell?"

"Shower, shave, now," Keiko commanded. "I refuse to believe that you are kind of person who just sits around and mopes. You've got two choices here. A, you can get over it and get on with your life or B, do something about it. Sitting in the dark isn't ok!" Keiko was seething after she said all of this and waited for Raimundo's response, bottle of water still in hand.

"Fine," Rai said moving toward the shower but not saying if he decided on a course of action.

'Well at least it's a start,' Keiko thought.

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"Alright Simon," Kimiko said standing in front of the dog who seemed to be more interesting in watching the television than her. After spending the past five days or so with the dog Kimiko was starting to wonder if she'd been had. True, the dog was shy, but certainly not timid when it came to her. He didn't seem to like the dog bed she'd bought for him, instead he liked to occupy the queen sized bed with Kimiko at night. He also wouldn't touch dog food unless it was mixed with some part of her dinner and she'd gotten into the habit of buying or making a hamburger for him at every meal. He also enjoyed being inside more than a normal dog probably should and Kimiko had taken to leaving the TV on for him the times she went out without him.

And she could have sworn that once he'd actually changed the channel.

"Alright Simon," Kimiko started again showing off a leather leash she'd bought for him. "Let's go for a walk. Doesn't that sound like fun?" Simon only glanced at her. "I'm not taking no for an answer here Simon," Kimiko told him firmly. She'd resigned herself to the fact, by the end of the second day with her new dog, that she couldn't help having conversations with him- and worst he always seemed answer in some way. "Please Simon?" Kimiko said trying to convince him instead of ordering him. Simon only gave a yawn from the couch. "All right, no more Ms. Nice guy," Kimiko said and turned off the TV and pulled Simon off the couch before clipping the lead to him. "It's just a walk," she told him as he gave her a pathetic look. "Most dogs love walks. We'll go over to Central Park and you can sniff things and lay in the sun and you'll even get so excited you'll chase a tennis ball."

Simon didn't seem convinced but followed Kimiko out of the apartment anyway. Kimiko hadn't done much over the past few days besides shop and hang out with her head case dog. It had been a fun couple of days but she was looking forward to starting at NYU on Monday.

"Going out for a walk?" the doorman asked when Kimiko and Simon walked out.

"Yea," Kimiko told him, "we're heading for Central Park."

"Have fun," he told her half heartedly but it didn't really bother Kimiko. It seemed Kimiko was not the most welcome of new tenants. Dogs weren't exactly allowed in the building but Kimiko, and her father's money had been insistent and Kimiko had won out in the end.

"I'm turning into a bad person I think," Kimiko told Simon as they walked. "I keep trying to make life difficult for my dad and Toya but I only seem to make trouble for other people who don't deserve it." Kimiko sighed heavily. "I don't like the person I'm becoming."

Simon made a whimpering noise as if understand her distress and Kimiko scratched the top of his head as they paused at a cross walk. While waiting for the light Kimiko tried to direct her mind to anywhere except for where it wanted to go. She'd realized on the plane ride from Tokyo that there was going to be no way to live in the city if she avoided all of the places she and Raimundo had memories. If that were the case then she'd be hold up in her apartment all day. This was however her first time in Central Park since she'd been back and it was becoming hard to blink back tears as she crossed the street and moved into the park.

The park was teeming with people enjoying what would certainly be one of the last truly nice days of fall. All too soon there would be a bite of cold in the air and people would scurry about from one building to another with their heads down and avoiding being out for longer than necessary. Kimiko glanced at Simon who was actually perking up and looking intrigued by the sights, sounds, and smells in the park.

"Now you're starting to act like a real dog!" Kimiko encouraged him as he took a sniff of the ground. Kimiko was so happy that she unconsciously slackened her grip on the leash which was her first mistake. The second mistake was assuming that Simon would even attempt to race off but he did, letting out the first bark she'd ever heard him give before tearing off in search of something. "Simon no! Stop!" Kimiko called immediately running after him. Kimiko was running in a full out sprint after her dog who was starting to become only a blur and sent a prayer to anyone who would listen that someone would manage to catch him. "Simon!" Kimiko called when she had to stop for lack of breath. "Simon! Come on!" She heard a bark and spun trying to locate the sound. "Simon!" she yelled again earning another bark and this time she was able to pinpoint the direction it had come from.

Coming around the curve of a path Kimiko caught sight of something white. With a smile she picked up her pace and rounded the last part of the turn and smiled at the sight of Simon who was dancing on the end of his leash as if not able to decide if he like the human holding onto him or not.

"Simon!" Kimiko said fighting off tears of happiness; she'd been worried for a moment that she'd actually lost the dog. Simon seemed to recognize her broke away from the man holding him to run to Kimiko, jumping up and planting two paws on her shoulder in greeting. "Stupid dog,' Kimiko said happily pushing the dog off of her, turning her attention to the man who'd caught her dog and could hold back the gasp that escaped her lips.

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So here is the end of part one!! The second part will be out soon but let me know what you think of this one! In other words please review!!