Title: Ready
Rating: T
Genre: general/romance
Word Count: 503
Summary: Years after leaving the temple, it's time to move on. But just where is everyone's place? How does one simply move on?
AN: Well, it looks like I haven't completely lost my touch with writing! :D Inspiration finally hit, and I wasn't going to pass it up. So I hope that you'll enjoy this drabble as much as I did writing it. :)

She was so flustered.

Frantically pacing the floor… fingers raking through her hair…

Raimundo suppressed a small smile as he enjoyed the clicking of her heels.

Leaning back into the armchair, he watched her with amused eyes. She was whirl of endless motion, and he found himself strangely aroused.

"Kimiko, relax," he said with a lazy smile.

But his only reply was a glare that made daggers look blunt.

Sighing, he closed his eyes, and raised himself from the chair. Placing his wine on the table beside him, he walked to where Kimiko was standing.

"I'm just worried," she said tightly, hugging her arms close. "It's my first board meeting as CEO… what if I royally screw up?"

"You're not going to screw up," Raimundo replied with small sigh. "How many hours have you been practicing? Revising your outline? Seriously girl, even I know it by heart now."

Kimiko let out a small laugh, the sound tinkling like bells. "That's true, I suppose… but you never know what will happen."

Turning her head away, she gazed outside the window. And for a moment, she felt safe, back home where she belonged.

Tokyo was awash with light, the only way she ever remembered it. The bustle was almost palpable, the shouting… the beeping... Closing her eyes, she let herself relax. Raimundo was right, she suddenly realized. She knew what she was doing.

Turning to face Raimundo, she reached for his hand.

"I don't think I'm completely ready," she said with an honest smile. "But I know what I want to do, how to move this company forward."

Raimundo started to speak, but she silenced him with her finger.

"And it's okay that I'm not ready; I'm human, after all. I know I'll make mistakes… I know that I'll screw up… but no matter what happens, I'll learn from them. That's life."

Leaning against his shoulder, she pulled him into a hug.

"I'm glad you're here," she whispered. "Thanks for flying down."

For a moment, he stalled, his brain awhirl with thoughts. He'd never seen her act so vulnerable… so open… so honest. She had always just been Kimiko… the fiery girl with a temper to match. Kicking evil's butt like no tomorrow, and fighting battles with stone-cold eyes.

But times have changed, he thought, with just a hint of nostalgia. Their temple days were over; it was time to move on. For Kimiko, that meant work, and taking over her father's legacy. And for a moment, he wondered… where did he fit into that puzzle?

Solely on instinct, he leaned down, surprising them both. Then, with sudden deftness, he caught her mouth with his.

They were friends, he knew. Best friends, even. But he wanted more, he realized. He wanted to explore more.

Pulling away gently, he leaned his forehead against hers. He felt the tickle of her hair; the softness of her curls.

"Raimundo," she whispered, her blue eyes luminous with light.

"It's okay… You're ready…"

And he took her mouth once more.