This story takes place in the middle of a world war where the Xiaolin warriors are leading the defense against a great darkness, a Heylin force.
When Kimiko didn't find Raimundo playing soccer at his makeshift goal posts, she knew he must be flying somewhere. It was either one or the other when he was like this. Closing her eyes, she focused on sensing him. As the dragons' powers had developed and matured, their connection had as well, to the point of telepathy. Getting a good read on the moving wind dragon in her mind, she used her powers over heat and fire to launch herself into flight. As she moved into Raimundo's range, he descended onto a shelf on the edge of the mountains he had been soaring through.
Raimundo felt and heard Kimiko land behind him. "I don't need your hope, Kimiko."
Many of the soldiers in the war had nicknamed Kimiko the Guardian of Light, partially because of her ability to control fire and light and partially because she gave many hope in such dark times. Her ability to give rallying speeches had come out in the war. Master Fung had said it was her element shining through in her personality. Raimundo had said it was her years of listening to him bullshit finally shining through.
"I'm not here to give you hope. I'm here because I'm your friend," she replied, trying to keep the snappiness out of her tone.
Raimundo grinned slightly at her retort. After all these years at the Xiaolin temple, she still hadn't quite mastered the zen philosophy of serenity and patience.
"I know everyone messes up and it was just my turn. I just need some time alone, Kim."
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know, Rai," she replied gently. "I'm just here to remind you that you still have us. We're a team. You may be our leader, but we're in this together."
He made no reply, so Kimiko lightly squeezed his shoulder one last time before preparing to take flight. Before she could, though, he grasped her wrist.
"You could stay, if you want." He had a shadow of his old smile on his face. From when times were simpler.
They settled leaning back against a bank on the grassy shelf and watched the clouds roll by. They were far from civilization, from the front lines. Or at least far enough. Here, you wouldn't be able to guess the atrocities occurring not fifteen miles away.
"I'm glad you're here, Kim."
Kimiko smiled slightly before turning to press her nose into the crook of his neck. It was all she could do at a time like this without complicating things and becoming a distraction. "Me too."