This is my fifth fanfiction and I really, really worked hard to make this chapter descriptive and interesting. With plenty of dialogue, don't worry.

Please enjoy chapter one of Amaranthine, 'The Beginning of the End'.

In this story they are all 17 by the end of the training.

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Introduction

The four young monks were finished with the temple, and set off for their own lives. They still had the power of Xiaolin Dragons, but they had done all they possibly could and had officially become Grand Masters. They all feared saying good-bye to one another on the last day of training. In the 4 or so years they had been together, they had grown to become the best of friends and depended on each other. Jack Spicer was defeated along with Wuya, and Chase no longer had his immortality or his powers because they had worked together to defeat him. The world was safe for the time being. There were no longer any great threats, unless a small evil lurking past arose to greater power and tried to reign as Chase and Wuya had done before them. But this was not likely, and there would always be four monks, four Chosen Ones, to stop them. This was enough.

For the day, they had some time to practice training but also had plenty of fun afterwards. They no longer needed to go through tedious training and were to depart the next morning. Raimundo was going home to Brazil, Clay would roam to the land of the cowboys once again, Kimiko headed to her father's company in Tokyo, Japan and Omi stayed at the temple in the care of Master Fung, who although was not his real father was his guardian.

And so, the last day's sun rose upon them.

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Raimundo awoke from his sleep, rubbing his eyes. For a moment he simply looked around at the Xiaolin temple, and then, with consciousness, realized that this was the last day at the Xiaolin temple for them. Him and Kimiko and Omi and Clay. They were going to leave and go back to their real homes… well, except for Omi. Omi had already spent his whole life in here.

He didn't want to leave the temple at all. It would mean leaving his friends and everything that was familiar to him. Before, he had never even thought of appreciating the beautiful scent of the flowers on the trees or the great view on the mountain, but here, on his last day, it sank in. Raimundo tried hard to hide his sadness, but his face was faltering. He really, really would miss the trees of China and the mountains and valleys and grass. But most of all, more than any amazing scene, he would miss his great friends, no matter how bad their accents or comebacks were.

"Raimundo! It is time for our daily training," Master Fung called to him in his usual voice, although to Raimundo his voice sounded cracked and a little broken. At least Raimundo wasn't the only one who would be sad about this day. Master Fung, too, seemed upset that they had to leave. Suddenly, Raimundo felt a little comforted and turned to the temple.

And he walked into the front lawn of the temple, looking at the eager faces of his comrades. He ran up, waved, and joined them. This morning, it seemed like their friendship was over, yet somehow it mysteriously seemed to have just begun.

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At twilight, the monks' tedious training was over. It had been the last day and more enjoyable than the rest, perhaps because they knew that it was their last training day together. The work didn't seem so tedious anymore.

"So, guys…" Raimundo whispered to his fellow dragons in the middle of the night. He had to work extra hard to get Omi to wake up, because Omi seemed to still believe he was in the battle field and was thrashing wildly as Raimundo tried his hardest to get the little yellow-headed monk to stay still for at least a second. Finally, Clay dumped a bucket of water on Omi's head.

Omi felt a strange sensation all over him as he suddenly woke up. "Water?" he called out. Was he drowning? He had the most unpleasant feeling of a person who had just been dunked with water. "Ouch!"

"Sorry, Omi, but Rai wanted to talk to us all," Kimiko said, smiling.

After they all lit a single burning lantern, Raimundo tried to speak. An overwhelming sadness came over him and he suddenly couldn't talk anymore. Through the thick darkness, he could see a tear coming out of Kimiko's eye. Omi and Clay both looked miserable as well.

"All right…um… well, you know. It's just that I'll really, really miss the Xiaolin Temple and you guys." Raimundo stifled his sob. "We've stayed here for four years… and now…I mean…"

Raimundo broke off. His voice completely gave it away; he was crying. Big, sloppy tears came down his eyes like never before. He couldn't stop them, he couldn't stop the way he felt about leaving the temple and his friends. He sank down on the ground, ashamed.

"Oh, Rai…" Kimiko's face came up at Raimundo. She held his face gently up and attempted a brave smile. She, too, was crying hard. But she smiled as best as she could in this moment for Raimundo's sake. "It's gonna be okay. We can still write to each other and…who knows? Maybe I'll see you again sometime."

With that, Raimundo sobbed even harder. Kimiko was so wonderful… and he couldn't keep her. Keep the delicate face and the sapphire blue eyes, glittering in the moonlight, the rose-red lips and the shining black hair and fiery temper that was Kimiko. The part that most worried and frightened him was what Kimiko said. Maybe I'll see you again sometime. Those words made him sadder than ever. 'Maybe' wasn't a promise, it wasn't even a 'probably'. He hated that word. Maybe didn't mean anything at all, not now. Because what if he never did see her or Omi or Clay again? He didn't want to think it, but he knew that it was probably true. His sobs quieted, but inside he was fighting an even fiercer battle. I want to see you again. I can't leave you…

Kimiko hugged him and for the second she did, he felt extremely at ease, blushing a little. Raimundo smiled and thought, That's the best feeling in the world, being hugged by someone you love. Then he hugged her back. His control completely vanished and he wasn't even aware of what he was doing, what he was thinking, but he did it. He hugged her tighter and moved his face up to hers so that they lined, and gently but firmly kissed her. He could smell her face, which had the faintest scent of the trees in the temple. And then he felt Kimiko let go, and suddenly… he could feel warmth, and it felt as if they were the only people in the room. He smiled. She had accepted his kiss and kissed him back…

He suddenly remembered that Omi and Clay were still in the room. Slightly embarrassed but also feeling infinitely triumphant, he looked at Omi and Clay, who were shocked but also gave him a slight smile, as an indication of approval.

Raimundo returned the smile, and then all of a sudden it was like the arrival of a tornado. He was going away after what he had just accomplished, and he would miss them so much. He didn't cry; it was beyond that. After gaining happiness, it was all covered up by the fact that it was almost dawn. Almost time for his mother to pick him up at the temple. Ironically, the light of happiness had been covered by the light of dawn.

He pointed at the sky sadly to his friends.

"Durn cowboy dad's comin' early in the mornin'," Clay said with an air of dread. His eyes were very red but he pretended to act casual. "I'm 'fraid I might be the first one leavin' today."

"Well then," Kimiko said, also seeming to remember her sadness at leaving but concealing it, "Were just going to have to give Clay our big group hug. Everyone crowd in on Clay!"

"Yes indeed, my friend Clay, we will miss you when you leave!" Omi said, forgetting his sadness for a moment. He hugged Clay very tightly. Raimundo followed, and then Kimiko.

"I wish it weren't such a sad world all around," Raimundo whispered miserably. "Why did I have to leave?"

He absently wondered whether he would have erased all the times he had spent with his friends to not have this horrible pain. Did he want to erase four years of life if he could? He thought for a while, and then came to a conclusion. No, he thought, I really wouldn't. Because in erasing pain is erasing the greatest friendship I've ever known, and I don't want that. It kind of evens it out, the happiness and the sadness. Anyways, I could never want that to be gone. I want to remember, to keep all my friends in my mind no matter what happens. I will never forget. Never.

Omi, too, was looking extremely unhappy once again. He thought that it was lucky he would still have Master Fung to guide him, to help him… but his poor friends! What would happen to them without him? He was very worried about them and didn't want them to leave. He wanted them to be friends forever. He was faltering, falling down to the sinking earth.

Clay looked anxiously at the window to see if his dad was there yet. He ruffled his cowboy hat, unsmiling, and thought about his situation. If I could have just one more day with my friends…What I wouldn't give for that…He would miss Raimundo's cool-guy attitude, Kimiko's good aspects and bad aspects, and Omi's little round head and the constantly horrible slang and comebacks.

Kimiko sat near the window, not bothering to look out. She didn't cry anymore, but she felt a deep sadness that was threatening to overwhelm her. She had had so much fun during her time here, learned so much, and found great friendship. Even more, she realized that she had found out what true love was. She couldn't bear leaving Raimundo. She had known him for so long, and they had just been good friends, and now… she realized that her feelings for him weren't just that simple. Deep inside, she loved him. That was proven tonight. She loved his emerald green eyes and his Brazilian atmosphere. He seemed to be a tough guy, but inside he really cared.

Suddenly the bell outside the temple rang, cutting their deep thoughts about each other. Someone had come to the temple! Kimiko, Raimundo, Clay and Omi all gave each other very nervous glances and gulped hard. Quickly, they gave each other a last group hug, squeezing each other tightly. Omi thought he was going to choke, and tried to point this out, but he couldn't talk.

The door flew open, loudly and obviously. A burly man in a cowboy hat, a blue shirt and handkerchief, cowboy boots and a replaced 'Lone Star' walked in loudly. Clay, at the sight of him, looked as if he were about to faint.

"Had a good time here, m'boy?" the cowboy said grumpily.

"Y-Yes, Papa," Clay said in a quivering tone.

"Well, good, because you're comin' with me," Clay's father said, gesturing for Clay to come to him.

Clay stood up, exasperated. He carefully took off his handkerchief and slipped it to Kimiko, gave Raimundo his gloves, and handed Omi his oversized hat. "Can I leave these for my friends?" Clay asked.

"Oh, all right, you doggone boy," Clay's father said, sighing.

"Thanks, dad," Clay said, smiling. "Well, Omi, Raimundo and Kimiko, hope you like your presents. Bye."

Clay's smile broke as he walked out the door with his father. His head was hung down and he looked upset and troubled. The three other Xiaolin Dragons ran out the door to give him their good-byes.

"I'll wear you handkerchief everyday!" Kimiko called. "I'll never forget you and your cowboy talk. BYE!"

"Hey Clay, maybe sometime I'll go back to your cowboy ranch again, dude," Raimundo shouted, smiling. "Have a great time!"

"Clay, do not forget me! I'm the one who taught you to be so good, remember?" Omi said. "Good bye, my friend! Have a good time in Texas!"

Clay rode his dad's horse back to the airport, waving at them. They all waved at him until the horse rode out of sight into the mountain terrain.

The three Xiaolin dragons left felt very empty. Without Clay… Omi shook his head in misery. Clay had been one of his best friends he ever had…

"I hope I'm not next," Raimundo said with dread.

Master Fung walked out of the temple suddenly and smiled. "I've already said my good-bye to Clay, now I guess I must do so to you young monks."

Master Fung smiled and hugged them each briefly. "Forgive me, I am not as youthful as I used to be. I hope you have a good time at your true homes, and please don't forget any of your fellow monks, for there may be a time when you will need each other again. You can never truly forget your loved ones, young monks."

For once Raimundo didn't comment on Master Fung's use of sayings. He knew that what Master Fung said was true.

Kimiko gave a forced smile as she pointed upward. "It's my dad's airplane."

Suddenly she fell into Raimundo's arms, crying heavily. "I missed my dad so much before, and now…I think I'll miss you guys even more. Maybe someday, I'll come back here again. Maybe I'll see you all together and we can have fun like the old times. Maybe."

Raimundo hugged her tightly. "Don't worry. It's gonna be okay. You promised me that. I can do that favor back to you."

Kimiko wrapped her arms around Raimundo, giving him her last kiss. They held in that position for a minute or so, but to Raimundo it seemed like eternity. The entire time made Raimundo feel warm, loved. That amazing, wonderful feeling was shattered as Kimiko had to pull away. As Kimiko walked away with her father, waving desperately, she threw him one of her father's Kimiko robots. "So you will remember me," she said.

"Don't worry," Raimundo said, crying, "I always will."

He yelled things to her like "Bye!" and "Have a great time home!" while she was there, and Kimiko did likewise. After the plane was far out of sight, Raimundo awaited his mother's pick-up. "I guess I'll be the last one, huh?"

He saw a green car pull over on the dirt. "Mom," he whispered. He was glad to see her, but now he knew it was finally over. Their friendship as he knew it was gone. At least for a long time, until they saw each other again. They would never beat any evil villains together, never have training together, never sleep in the same room. Unless fate had a different twist from what he expected, he knew they would never see each other again. And that was what made him cry the hardest as his mother pulled him away, riding into the hills and valleys of China.

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No, this is not a one-shot, as some of you might think. This was really long for my standards though. And yes, they will see each other again. Sorry I had to end the chapter off so sadly… (cries)