Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown
~Chapter Two: Her Task~
Impatiently striding to and fro, Kimiko inwardly curses Chase Young. She curses her situation. She curses this thousand-year old poison. Kimiko Tohomiko inwardly curses her inability to do anything…she curses her powerlessness.
"Papa," Kimiko huffs miserably, setting herself atop the four-postured bed's soft linen. The Xiaolin Dragon of Fire's sapphire eyes flicker about, looking for any miniscule distraction – even if only for a moment. Unfortunately, though, the room offers no such thing. Aside from the luxurious bed (dressed in crisp, white sheets and several throw pillows), Chase Young's guest room is completely unadorned. The smooth, cream-colored walls bear no form of décor. Not even a picture frame or window to gaze through, while the pristinely gray carpeting only reminds Kimiko of her irate temperament. If not for the jungle cats behind the door, she would prefer to camp outside in the fresh air than this musty hole.
Despite her sizzling annoyance, the Xiaolin monk silently marvels at the effective torture-technique Chase Young created with the dull space. By absolving any form of entertainment, the Heylin master leaves his "guests" to suffer within their own minds as they image the worst-case scenarios involving their predicament. At the night's end – if the person has not succumbed to the madness of their own mental state – Chase Young's prisoner becomes mere putty in his hands. However, Kimiko refuses to allow him such satisfaction.
Suppressing an immense yawn, Kimiko falls back upon the clean covers. Contending with her desire for sleep, the Fire Dragon's mind gradually drifts toward her conversation with the Heylin Master. However, despite several attempts, she is unable to deduce the meaning behind the glint hidden within his reptilian slits. Chase Young knows more about the Xiaolin's situation than he is letting on. But, the real question is, how much? Honestly, though, Kimiko never expected to cross this far into the darkness.
It all began two nights previous…
Kimiko Tohomiko shivered relentlessly beneath the pelting rain as she and her fellow Xiaolin warriors in training return to the temple grounds.
"Chin up, kids." Dojo attempted to encourage the sulking dragons. "You win some and you lose some. No big deal."
"Yeah, except it was a big deal!" Raimundo growled between chattering teeth.
"I must agree with Raimundo." Omi grumbled. "That was a shameful defeat."
"Oh, come on, you guys!" Dojo chided. "Sure, you got banged up a little and lost horrendously, but look on the bright side!"
"Dojo, there is no bright side." Kimiko remarked irritably.
"I reckon' the little lady is right." Clay drawled.
"S-sure there is! Let's see…um, how about-! No wait…uh – Oh, oh! I know there was… Actually, never mind." The four warriors groaned simultaneously, signaling for the ancient dragon to shut up! The remaining trip was spent in silence as each monk wallowed in their own self-pity, while reassuring themselves that it was their fellow warriors' fault and not their own.
"What is troubling you, my young monks?" Master Fung inquires as they finally arrived home.
"Jack Spicer has beaten us to the Sheng Gong Wu, Master." Omi confided, while he and his fellow apprentices slid off the ancient dragon's back.
"Well, as the old scrolls say-" Kimiko, Raimundo, Omi, and Clay released annoyed groans. Master Fung raises an eyebrow, but continues unphased, "'you win some and you lose some.'"
"That's what I said!" Dojo exclaimed.
"With all due respect, Master, losing is not the problem."
"Oh, and tell me, young Omi, what is?"
"I'll tell you!" Raimundo swept before Omi, cutting him off. "Losing to Spicer, that's the problem!"
"What Rai means to say," Kimiko stepped forward; hastily, she elbowed the Dragon of Wind to prevent him from coaxing a life lesson out of Master Fung. None of them had the patience for one of the Master's 'ancient wisdoms' at this point. "We are only disappointed that Jack Spicer got to the Sheng Gong Wu before us and, um, that he hurt Omi during a Showdown." She glanced at the Water Dragon, who was rubbing his backside in remembrance of the pain.
"I see," Master Fung sighed; though, he refrained from his lesson due to his apprentices' sordid states. "Go dry yourselves, young ones. There is tea and cookies waiting for you in the kitchen." Immediately, Clay and Raimundo rushed away at the prospect of food.
"Thank you, Master." Omi quickly bowed before chasing after his friends.
"Ah, Kimiko, may I have a quick word?" Master Fung spoke as she, too, was about to race away.
"Can it wait?" Kimiko inquires through chattering teeth.
"No," Master Fung sighed wearily; his wrinkles - foretelling his true age - were suddenly apparent to the Dragon of Fire. "I fear the news will be much harder to deliver if I do not inform you now."
"Okay?"She raised an inquisitive eyebrow. The Xiaolin apprentice hugged herself tightly to entrap her escaping body heat. "Shoot."
"It's about your father, Kimiko. I am afraid to inform you that he may not have much more time to live." Kimiko Tohomiko's arms fell limp – her sapphires' boring deep into her Master's weather worn face – as crackling thunder reverberates off the fresh mountain air overhead.
After informing her of the situation, Master Fung insisted that Kimiko wait until the storm cleared before she rushed to her father's side. It took three cups of tea and two hours of meditation to calm her fiery spirit. Once the Master allowed her to retire to her room, reassured that she would not escape in the night, Kimiko immediately contacted Margaret – the Tohomiko's most loyal maid and longest friend. When Margaret finished delivering all the important information, the young Miss spent the entire night hacking into the hospitals database and downloaded her Papa's file. By morning's first yet fleeting light, despite time being of the essence, Master Fung insisted she remain another night due to the storm's persistence. She reluctantly agreed. Thankfully, though, the Master absolved her from any training or chores that day, and instructed the boys to leave her be. Similar to the night before, Kimiko spent the entire day researching her father's mysterious illness – taking her meals in her room. The following night – after finding a short synopsis of the Acridoym poison – the Xiaolin Dragon contemplated her options. However, the idea of seeking help from him was the only one that came to mind.
And now here she is. Seeking help from one she wishes never to be indebted to. Subduing another yawn, Kimiko repositions herself as she comfortably tangles her form within the linen. She must remain awake – the Dragon of Fire thinks to herself. After all, an opponent is utterly defenseless in the confines of sleep. Chase Young may take this opportunity to rid himself of another enemy. It's apparent that he is growing tired of playing this game of war. Yet, despite her half-hearted attempts, Kimiko's eyes refuse to remain open any longer and she falls into a deep slumber soon thereafter.
A few moments later (or so it feels to the young monk), Kimiko awakes with a start as her sapphires briefly locks with the tiger's opal glare; the one that had been diligently guarding her door during the remains of the night. Releasing an almost inaudible growl, the jungle cat paces toward the entrance – nodding its head as an indication for Kimiko to follow. Instantly, the Xiaolin Dragon in training leaps from the confines of the tangled linen, and rushes after her supposed guide. En route, Kimiko vigorously slaps her cheeks a few times, and then she rubs her eyes frantically. For whatever the Heylin Prince is planning, she needs to be alert and ready.
As a pleasant aroma wafts about, Kimiko and her guide burst forth into the well-occupied dining room from the night before. Unlike her previous visit, though, the Xiaolin's sapphires drift longingly across the breakfast spread. Eggs (prepared in three different styles), toast, jams and jelly, a variety of fruit, and other types of breakfast assortments span the table's length. Kimiko reluctantly tears her eyes away from the tempting sight, and fixates her gaze upon the Prince of Darkness himself.
Positioned in the same seat as the night previous, Chase Young sips noisily upon his meal – most likely the Lao Mang Lone soup as its ghastly scent lingers about. However, he does not even glance up as the tiger places her across from his master. Kimiko noisily clears her throat yet his eyes fail to divert anywhere but the magazine before him. Before the Dragon of Fire is able to address the Heylin, a wondering panther places an empty plate in front of her. Closing her somewhat gaping mouth, Kimiko raises an inquisitive eyebrow as two more jungle cats prompt the breakfast assortments within reaching distance. Sighing for the umpteenth time, she partakes in the meal (most likely) prepared for her. It doesn't appear as those the Prince of Darkness will speak until she has eaten anyways. Despite her desire to stuff herself full, Kimiko retains a lady-like disposition throughout her meal. However, she is prepared to induce vomit at the slightest hint of poison.
While she carefully indulges upon the exquisite banquet, the Xiaolin apprentice fails to take notice the Heylin master's amused features. However, he refrains from commenting that poison is a coward's way of killing in "fear" she may cease eating. After all, the young monk will need her strength to complete the daunting task that looms before her.
Sooner than Chase Young expected, Kimiko replaces her silverware atop her half-finished meal. More than likely, she is refusing to "test her luck" any further. Almost immediately, Chase Young sets his magazine aside. Yet, he refrains from speaking until the table is clear, curtesy of his fallen warriors. Once the dining room is completely vacant aside from the two monks, Chase Young clears his throat to break the lingering silence.
"After careful searching last night, it appears that I possess all the ingredients necessary to create an antidote for your friend." Tentatively, the Heylin observes the Fire Dragon as she expresses significant relief but remains – simultaneously – focused. "However," Kimiko holds her breath as her body tenses once again. "The antidote will take a least a day to prepare." His reptilian spheres lock with her blazing sapphires. "This gives you time to complete your task." He rises. Folding gloved hands behind his back, the soulless beast gestures for the sparrow-like girl to follow him into his vast throne room. Once there, seemingly from thin air, Chase Young draws out a parchment scroll. Reluctantly, Kimiko accepts it – careful to avoid touching him – and tentatively unravels it.
"It's blank." She states, sounding greatly disappointed. He smirks but ignores her comment for the moment.
"A journey away is the Heylin Moon flower."
"Sounds reassuring," Kimiko muses sarcastically.
"Do you want the antidote or not?" He growls; his voice is none too patient or kind.
"Sorry." She mutters unapologetically before speaking a bit louder, "A journey away is this Heylin Moon flower."
"Correct." He sighs, her presence suddenly cumbersome. "It resides in the depths of a mystic forest that reveals itself only to those who seek it, and remains hidden to all else. Your task is to find the Heylin Moon flower and return with six seeds."
"Okay and how do I find this flower once I arrive at this…mystic forest?" She inquires, tapping her foot impatiently.
"The scroll. It is a map of the mystic forest. And, like the forest, it will only reveal itself in due time. Do you understand?" Slowly, she nods her head. Chase Young spares the Xiaolin a pleasing smirk. She is comprehending the situation far quicker than he anticipated. "The journey will not be quick or easy, so prepare yourself. The antidote will be ready as soon as you return." Despite her longing to race away – away from the Heylin and closer to her father's recovery, Kimiko hesitates.
"What will you do once you gain possession of these seeds? How will they benefit you?" Kimiko uncertainly asks.
"It needs not concern you, young one. Now. Go!"
(Author's Note):
To my dearest readers,
Thank you for your merited patience with my story, "Poisoned Favor." I have good excuses and not so good excuses as to why this chapter is so late; however, I will not bore you with details. I would like to you inform you, though, that it will take some time before I update again. Thank you – once again – for your outstanding patients and I hope you enjoy the story. Please feel free to review, follow, and favorite.
Yours truly,
sxTweetyBirdxm