Disclaimer: I don't own Xiaolin Showdown. Never did, never will. Would love, very, very much, to own Raimundo. Still don't. :sigh:
Title: Fanning the Flames
Summary: The Bracelet of Aikou (love) has just revealed itself. Unfortunately, during battle, Kimiko accidentally activates it, turning Raimundo into a love struck fool. This wasn't quite what Master Fung had in mind when he said fan the flames...
Author: Silverflare07
Dedication: To Chibi! For her birthday! I know it took me FOREVER and two years to post this but I finally did! Aren't you proud of me!
Author's Notes: The title and some inspiration (plus a line in the second chapter) came from the Danny Phantom episode Fanning the Flames (my absolute favorite episode, or one of them). I don't own Danny Phantom either but, once I again, I would love, very, very much, to own Danny. But I don't. :sigh:
Stuff You Need to Know:
"Speech"
Thoughts"HIYA!" Kimiko leapt through the air, leg outstretched in front of her.
In front of her, her target, Raimundo, smirked. "Is that all you got?"
As she reached him his arms shot up and grabbed her leg, swinging her around. Using a blast of wind he threw her almost clear across the training grounds. He smirked triumphantly.
"HA!" Omi brought his arm swiftly up towards Clay's gut but the cowboy jumped above him.
"Sorry partner." Clay tipped his hat. "But it looks like you'll have to grow a few feet to get me that way."
Clay lifted his fist into the air and along with it came five clods of dirt. He moved both his fists out in front of him and the dirt began to circle Omi. The little monk looked up, still impressed with everyone's new mastery of the elements. He sensed, just in the nick of time, what the Dragon of Earth was going to do. As Clay brought his two fists together the dirt closed in on Omi, who jumped.
"I am most sorry my friend," Omi grinned. "But you will have to be much faster to get me."
Kimiko stood up and glared at Raimundo from across the way. "So that's how it's gonna be, huh Rai?" She asked as she walked towards him.
His smirk was still in place, apparently unfazed by the fact that Kimiko was all right. "I guess so. SWORD Of THE STORM!" He held out the blade in front of him, spinning it until it was just a tan blur. The powerful funnel of wind shot straight at the Dragon of Fire.
"Uh, no." Kimiko brought up her two hands in the classic 'stop' gesture and a wall of fire sprang to life in front of her, shielding her from the oncoming attack.
When Raimundo's wind met Kimiko's flame the fire surged higher and circled around her. Kimiko glared at the fiery walls surrounding her. Did he honestly think she would be a prisoner of her own element? She smirked, well then he had another thing coming.
She reached into her robes and pulled out a small coin. "Mantis Flip Coin!" She flipped it into the air and jumped up to catch it. After she'd landed safely she brought her hands together rapidly, jumping just in time as the circle of fire converged together into one tall column. She grinned as she landed on top of the searing column, completely unaffected by it's heat.
"ORB OF TSUNAMI!" Omi held the light blue sphere above his head and a large torrent of water rushed out towards Clay.
The cowboy backed away swiftly, not entirely sure of the best method to counter water. But to his surprise the water stopped inches from his face, the liquid just hanging in the air. Slowly it retracted, back towards Omi. Clay blinked and leaned over to the left, trying to see what the monk was doing.
Omi was concentrating, his nine glowing dots shining brightly. His hands were pressed together, almost as if he was in prayer. He brought his arms above his head and the water turned and rushed directly at him. Just before it reached him it sprang up. Omi opened his eyes and quickly jumped up, riding the pillar of water to the sky.
From the ground Clay watched as Omi balanced on the moving water. He knew exactly what to do. "SIZMIC KICK! EARTH!" He brought his foot down over the ground and a large chunk of rock and dirt rose from beneath him. Concentrating he kicked his foot out towards Omi's water pillar, the dirt clod following his path.
It shot out and sliced the water pillar, just under where Omi was standing. Without the rest of the water to keep him up, Omi and the little water that had remained on his side began to fall towards the ground. Omi, however, had been expecting this and, instead of free falling, he spun himself in the air until he was just above Clay's head. Then, with lightening quick reflexes, his leg snapped out and caught Clay in the chest, the force he'd gained from his fall sending Clay skidding back.
The cowboy grinned at the monk weakly. "Now that's what I call rustling partner." Then he promptly fell on his back.
Kimiko soared skyward, glancing down at the tiny form of Raimundo as she did so. She smirked. "Can't get me from up here, can you, ya big show off."
From down on the ground Raimundo smirked once again at Kimiko's words. He would be winning this fight that was for sure. He twirled the Sword of the Storm once before shooting a grin up at the girl, although he was sure she couldn't see it. "I wouldn't be so sure about that if I was you. SWORD OF THE STORM!"
Again he unleashed a mighty funnel of wind but this time he used his free hand to direct it. He shot his hand upward and the funnel shot up, snaking around Kimiko's column of fire, but never actually touching it. Kimiko turned around as it reached the top expecting it to come at her from behind. Unfortunately Raimundo had anticipated this so the funnel crept up behind her (or what would have been in front of her if she hadn't moved).
Raimundo thrust his hand forward and the wind pushed Kimiko's back, knocking her off her column of fire. Instead of just letting her free fall to the ground the wind gently pushed her in a descending u-turn so that she was once again facing Raimundo. He let the wind gently carry her down about half way then he snatched his hand back towards his body and the wind disappeared completely.
At the same time that Kimiko began to fall Raimundo jumped up and caught her safely in his arms, landing on the ground a few feet away. He grinned triumphantly at the girl in his arms. "I guess that means I win." He set her down.
She stood up and smiled warmly at him. "Oh Rai..." She cooed, placing her hands on his shoulders. Her smile turned evil. "HIYA!" Quickly her hands slid down to grab his upper arms and she threw him a few feet away. "Think again."
Raimundo lifted his head to stare at the girl in front of him. He groaned and placed a hand on his head before letting it fall limply into the grass. "That was cheap Kim. Real cheap."
Kimiko shrugged. "You call it cheap. I call it a win."
Raimundo groaned again. "I guess I should just be happy you didn't kick my-"
"Don't even Pedrosa." She threatened warningly.
Raimundo laughed and slowly sat up. Kimiko walked over and offered him a hand up. He took it and she helped pull him to his feet. Together they made their way over to Clay, Omi, and Master Fung, who had been watching them finish their battle. Raimundo cracked his neck before turning and facing Master Fung, all of them waiting for instructions.
"You have done well today young monks. Your control over your elements has improved greatly." All four teens bowed in thanks. "Now Omi, Clay," He turned towards the two monks. "That is all your training for today. I have a specific session for Kimiko and Raimundo."
Clay nodded but Omi looked disappointed. "Why can I not learn this trick? I am just as capable as Raimundo! Even more so, as I was an apprentice before him."
Raimundo grit his teeth and glared at the little monk. Kimiko and Clay just shook their heads. It seemed Omi was never going to learn. While it may have taken Raimundo a little longer to earn the Apprentice title when he had gotten it he'd certainly deserved it more. Master Fung sensed this too because he sighed.
"It has nothing to do with level Omi. In fact, the ones who take the longest are usually the ones that deserve it the most."
Omi's face fell. "Then...then you are saying I did not deserve to be an apprentice?" He hung is head in shame.
"That is not what I am saying Omi. But you must not continue to look down on Raimundo simply because he did not earn his sash when you did."
"Yes Master Fung. I believe I have learned my lesson. Now may I pleeeeease learn this new technique with Kimiko and Raimundo?"
Master Fung shook his head. "I'm afraid not."
"But...but why?"
Master Fung sighed again. "Perhaps you should come watch. Then you will understand."
The four monks and their master made their way to the center of the training grounds once again. All four took a seat, Kimiko and Raimundo up front and Clay and Omi just behind them. Kimiko and Raimundo both looked up at Master Fung, serious expressions on their faces. When he opened his mouth to speak they expected something complicated and cool. What they got surprised them.
"Have you ever heard the expression fanning the flames?"
Both teens, who had heard the expression, flushed red but nodded regardless. "It's when you sense some chemistry, or a spark, between two people and you decide to try and push them together." Kimiko told him. "I think I remember watching a episode of some cartoon with that title."
Master Fung nodded. "Now think of it in more literal terms."
Both Kimiko and Raimundo tried to think of it but before either of them could answer Clay spoke up. "You mean like of a fire needs oxygen to grow?"
Master Fung nodded again. "Correct. Fire is the only 'man made element', or element that isn't found in nature. The air to make wind is everywhere, so is the earth, and there are very few places you can go where you will not find water. Fire, however, has to be created."
Kimiko, Raimundo, Omi, and Clay all gave Master Fung a blank look. He sighed again and continued explaining.
"All that means is that, since Kimiko's element must come from inside her it takes more of her energy to create and control of her fire. The bigger the fire, the more energy she must use in order to create it. Do you understand?"
Four heads nodded in perfect unison.
"Good. Now, this is a limitation for Kimiko, there is only so much she can put out before she collapses. But," and here he fixed Kimiko and Raimundo with a piercing stare. "If Raimundo were to use his wind to give Kimiko's fire more fuel then she could control larger sized fires using less energy. Like what happened today when Kimiko's wall of fire met Raimundo's wind funnel."
They all nodded again. "So basically, Rai's wind is the fan to Kimiko's flames." Clay stated simply.
"More or less." Master Fung agreed. "Although both sides do well. Kimiko can use more fire using less energy and Raimundo's wind becomes a more destructive force."
Raimundo jumped up to his feet. "Alright! Let's get training right away!"
Master Fung nodded. "Very well. Face each other like you did earlier."
Kimiko walked to the left and Raimundo to the right. They turned and faced each other, standing still and waiting for further instruction.
"Now Kimiko call up a small flame in the palm of your hand." Kimiko did as instructed and tiny flames leapt and danced in her hand. "Good. Now Raimundo, you must be extremely careful. You only want a tiny bit of wind, otherwise the flame could get too large, too quickly and consume Kimiko."
Raimundo gulped and nodded, concentrating. He certainly didn't want Kimiko to get hurt. He closed his eyes, concentrating his chi and maintaining his focus. He silently willed a gentle breeze to waft around him. He could see Kimiko in his minds eye, standing just a few feet in front of him. Slowly he willed the breeze to move carefully in her direction.
"HOLD IT!"
Dojo's voice cut through their concentration. Kimiko's fist closed in surprise causing the flame to disappear. As she did so Raimundo's eyes opened in surprise and his gentle breeze turned into a full-blown gust that swept past Kimiko at such a speed that her pigtails turned up.
"Dojo!" Both teens snapped at the dragon, irritated that their focus had been broken.
"Sorry," The dragon apologized, "but we have to go. NOW! There's been a new Shen-Gong-Wu activated." He held up the scroll.
"A new Wu?" Kimiko was now more curious then angry. "Which one?"
Dojo slid the scroll open and the four monks, plus Master Fung, leaned over to see the image. "It's called the Bracelet of Aikou."
"What's it do?"
"It allows the wearer to choose a member of the opposite sex to fall in love with them." Dojo narrated as they watched the first man in the blue circle hold up his arm. A heart incased the other person, presumably a female, and when it disappeared in a flash she leaned over and gave the man a kiss. "As you can see," Dojo snapped the scroll closed, "We need to get this right away.
Raimundo made a face. "Right...because this Wu is so dangerous."
"Now Raimundo, you are not looking at every angle. What if Wuya got a hold of it and had Jack us it to control Kimiko?" All four monks, plus Dojo, shuddered. "Or if Wuya got it and got her human body back. I have no doubt that she would use it on one of you. Would you like to work for her again?"
Raimundo shook his head quickly. "Uh, no thanks. I've had my share of evil heylin witches."
"How long does the spell last?" Kimiko asked.
Dojo shrugged. "Are you kidding me? Do you know when the last time the bracelet was used?"
"Let me guess," Raimundo replied sarcastically. "Dashi used it on Wuya."
Dojo stopped to think. "Actually yeah."
All four monks sweat dropped. Dojo looked around incredulously. "What? Didn't you know? That whole box thing was just plan B."
Silence met his statement and he shrugged. "Oh well," He transformed to his full size. "Hop on kids we got a long way to go."
Kimiko, Raimundo, Clay, and Omi looked at each other, shaking their heads, before running and hopping onto Dojo. They took their usual places, Omi in front, Kimiko behind him, Raimundo behind her, and Clay last. Master Fung watched at they rose into the air.
"Remember," He called after them. "Fan the flames."
"Ah, beautiful Ireland." Kimiko breathed in the fresh air as they soared above the vast green land.
Dojo slowly descended to the ground and landed in front of a large, run-down castle. Clay raised an eyebrow. "We're at the Blarney Castle?" The others turned to look at him quizzically. He shrugged. "My aunt went to Ireland once, she brought us back some pictures."
Dojo nodded. "Okay. It's around here somewhe-" He suddenly began to shake uncontrollably. "That way!" He yelled, pointing to his right.
The four ran to the left and through a small tunnel. They looked around as they came to the other end and found themselves in forest. "It looks like a nature walk." Kimiko commented.
"Well keep walking!" Dojo pointed to the dirt path. "The Wu should be just up ahead."
They continued down the path another few feet, crossing over a small wooden bridge almost completely covered by plants from both sides. Just after the bridge Dojo, who was in Clay's hands and acting like a detector, shot up. "There it is!"
He was pointing to a large, gnarled tree. The trunk itself was short and stumpy but the there were many thick, twisting branches shooting upward. The branches wove around each other, leaving an almost hollow spot in the center, giving the tree the appearance of a rather uncomfortable chair. Something gleamed in the fading sunlight from one of the many branches.
The Bracelet of Aikou.
"I got it." Raimundo cried, rushing forward and jumping onto one of the tree branches. He quickly worked his way through the tangle of branches and grabbed the bracelet. He jumped down and landed at the base, holding the bracelet up for them to see.
It was a simple gold bracelet, the two ends meeting at pink heart. It didn't look particularly impressive but, then again, the strongest Shen-Gong-Wu rarely did. Suddenly something slammed him from behind and he went head first into the ground, the bracelet flying from his grasp. It soared towards the remaining three warriors.
"Not so fast Xiaolin losers. The Bracelet of Aikou is mine!" Jack Spicer laughed as he hovered over them.
Clay and Omi frowned up at Jack but Kimiko had already darted towards Raimundo. She ran with her left hand stretched above her head, ready to call a flame to shoot down the Jack-Bot that had attacked Raimundo. She failed to notice the gold dot flying towards her until the bracelet fell onto her out stretched hand. She gasped in surprise.
"The Bracelet of Aikou!"
As if in response to her words the bracelet shrunk, fitting her tiny wrist nice and snug, not as loose as it had been previously. Jack cursed under his breath and everyone waited to see if anything would happen.
Nothing did.
Raimundo jumped to his feet. "Stupid Wu, it's probably defective or something." The words had barely left his lips when the Jack-Bot rammed into him from behind again, this time with more force. Raimundo went flying back, twisting through the air and slamming into the ground. Kimiko gasped.
"Raimundo!"
"NOOOO!"
Wuya's voice lifted into the air as a bright light emitted from the bracelet and shot towards Raimundo. It engulfed him and he screamed, although it was more from shock then from pain. Then there was silence. An instant later Kimiko realized what she had done. She gasped and brought her hand up to her mouth as the light began to fade.
"Uh-oh..."
There's chapter one! I hope you guys like it. I've already got about half of this fic written out and it all planned out. We're looking at 7 chapters. If you've got any cute ideas for things poor love struck Raimundo should do to/for Kimiko I would love to hear them. I could probably fit them into my fic too; I'll try my best. You'll get full credit for the idea of course.
R&R!
Come on, send me a smile!