Hello and here's an update.
I wanna say a big thank you to my faithful reviewers: Elena, Badkidoh and Halfhuman123. I love you guys!
I borrowed something for this chapter, from Mr. Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" – or was the thing da Vinci's in the first place? I like to think so, hence I borrowed it… aaaanyway…
Oh and there's a Willy Wonka quote in there.
Disclaimer: I don't own. Don't sue. It's what Wuya wants you to do.
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Chapter 9 - Team
Somehow, Kimiko wasn't sure exactly how they managed it, but they made it. The floor was collapsing, arrows were buzzing through the air, the walls were trying to crush them, yet somehow they made it across.
They stood hunched over and panting, struggling for coherency.
"You stupid…idiot!" Kimiko gasped, trying to get air into her burning lungs.
Jack wheezed using a wall for support. He managed to speak on his second attempt "That-that's harsh babe"
"Harsh? You just wait till I catch my breath and I'll show you harsh" Kimiko said, still panting.
"Well we made it didn't we?" Jack said a little testily as he straightened up his long frame.
"No thanks to you" Kimiko said, glaring at him.
"I notice you venting one me. Don't you think I'm upset? Do you know how many robots I lost in there? How much time, effort and money wasted? It's all impaled, crushed and buried in there!" Jack snapped.
Kimiko was a little taken aback at his outburst. It was the first time she saw him get angry. She was glad for it. She wanted an argument.
"it's your own fault" she retorted, unwilling to back down.
Jack glared at her "You know babe, you really need to learn how to keep your mouth shut" he said, practically looming above her. His red eyes narrowed and shooting daggers.
Kimiko bristled at this. If he was trying to be intimidating, he'd picked the wrong target to intimidate " I think you should follow your own advice Spicer!"
"You vicious little thing! You've been snipping at me this whole evening. Why don't you just calm down!" Jack snapped.
"Calm? I've just been used for target practice because of you. I am as calm as possible under the circumstances. And you deserved every single thing I said to you!" Kimiko cried poking him in the chest with every word.
"So an accident happened. I on the other hand have been putting up with your constant complaining and moaning for days and you didn't once hear me complain!" Jack said acidly.
"I do not constantly moan and complain!" Kimiko exclaimed, blushing angrily.
"Right, you need to breathe sometimes" he said sharply.
They stood there breathless, scowling at each other. Anger spent, they both waited for the other to speak. After five minutes of this staring contest, Kimiko, taking a big blow to her pride, decided to take the adult course of action.
"Look. This is stupid. I'm sorry for your robots, and I'll admit I was a little out of line" she said grudgingly.
It was just as well Kimiko decided to back off, Jack thought. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep an angry face when she looked so delightfully ferocious, it was very distracting.
"Good" he said, a touch smugly
Kimiko fumed in annoyance, of course he wouldn't be gracious about it "Do you think there are more traps around here?" she asked, stifling certain more violent urges.
"Hmm…well, we've had arrows, we've had spiked pits, slashing giant blades, squeezing walls" he said counting them off his fingers "I think we've got the lot" he said.
Jack paused, tilting his head slightly to one side "There is the dropping piano. But that might be a little modern" he finished frowning.
There was no trace of a smile as he said this. Kimiko felt her remaining anger dissipate, defeated by his whimsical nonsensical thought patterns.
She examined him by the light of the lantern. Jack was significantly more ragged then he had been at the start. His jacket was torn in places and his shirt was hanging out of his pants. There were dark smudges on his cheeks and nose, and his hair was as chaotic as she'd ever seen it. She found the sight strangely endearing. He did try so hard.
Kimiko's eyes were drawn to some suspicious looking rips in the sleeve of his right arm. An arrow end was still hanging from one.
"Jack!" she exclaimed startling the man "You were shot?"
He blinked in surprise at her, following her stare, his eyes dropped to his arm. He lifted it to eye level, and examined the rips with some curiosity. He pulled out the arrow end, and fished the tip out from inside the sleeve "No" he said sounding a little nervous "It must have pierced it while I ran. Thankfully my arm was speared, I mean spared!"
"Oh, that's good" Kimiko said with some relief "Lucky"
They were silent a few moments until Jack solemnly declared "No, definitely too modern. A dropping anvil though…"
Kimiko laughed at that, it was such a silly thing to say.
Jack gave her a surprised look, but smiled back all the same.
Kimiko walked over to him and reaching up brushed the dust off his shoulders "You really are something" she said, amused "I doubt piano's are going to drop from the ceiling though, justified as that thought may be. So I think we should get a move on" and because he had stooped slightly to give her better access to his shoulders, she flicked his nose.
"Hey!" He cried pulling back sharply and rubbing his smarting nose.
Kimiko smiled and tossed her hair. The equipment Jack had provided, she noted, was proving to be quite durable. Her one inconvenience, were the six inch heels, currently murdering her feet. They were pretty, and looked good on her feet, but they simply were not made for this sort of action. It was amazing they were still intact.
For the first time since their tumultuous arrival, Kimiko began to look around the room. It was very large, cavernous. It was big enough to make Kimiko wonder how No one had ever discovered it's existence.
"Damn it!" came Jack's sudden exclamation.
Kimiko turned around in alarm "What is it?" she asked tensely, looking at the ceiling for any sign of dropping pianos.
"I dropped my torch in the tunnel!" Jack whined pathetically.
Kimiko rolled her eyes "Yes, I know. That's what triggered the walls to close in on us and to basically lock us in here" she informed him drily.
"Oh. Really?" he asked sheepishly "I never noticed in all the commotion"
"Yes, really" a warning in her voice.
"Well, no sense in dwelling in the past" he said hurriedly and pulled another little flashlight from an inner pocket.
Kimiko wondered how many things he had stored in those pockets. How many pockets did he have anyway?
Turning it on, Jack went to examine the walls. After a moment he called for Kimiko to join him "Follow the markings" he explained.
They did so. The marked bricks formed a line stretching across the wall. It led them to a platform. In the center of it was an ornate pedestal, holding a large, plain, stone cube. On each of its faces was carved the mark of the salamander.
"Kimiko, if you'll do the honors?" Jack said, falling back a step.
She focused, the cube stone began to turn red, then it started to shake. Jack grabbed and pulled her down before it shattered, sending rock fragments flying across the room.
Choking a little on the dust, the two tried to see what the stone box had contained. Inside a narrow, but thick walled compartment, was a cylindrical shaped object. Jack pulled it out carefully, and bathed it in light.
It was a cylinder, about three inches long, half of it was covered in a wider, metallic looking, cylinder with an intricate maze like design on it.
Kimiko frowned "That doesn't look much like what I imagined the Salamander would look like" she said.
"That's because it isn't the Salamander" Jack said, sounding excited, and turning the object over in his hand "It's a cryptex!" he declared.
"Why are you so happy?" Kimiko demanded.
"This is what a treasure hunt is all about! Inside this marvelous little contraption, is a clue that will lead us to the Salamander" Jack said excitedly, reverently examining the cryptex.
Kimiko gaped at him "You mean it's not here? We went through all that for nothing?" she asked in disbelief. The pain in her feet, was beginning to get to her.
"This is not 'nothing'" He said, like she'd just uttered blasphemy.
"Right. Well then Jack, since you're so happy with your little trinket, how do we get out of here? Not to pressure or anything, but the corridor just closed on us" Kimiko said.
" The back door of course" he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"There is a back door?"
"Naturally"
"Why do you not feel the need to tell me these things Jack?" she asked pinching the bridge of her nose, between thumb and forefinger.
"I thought it was obvious" he said defensively.
"Just…just lead on, before I lose the rest of my patience" she said tiredly.
"And there's not much of that to begin with" he said, possibly unwisely.
Kimiko lifted an eyebrow.
"Right. I'm going" Jack said hastily.
"See it's easy, just another salamander stone" he said tapping it.
"Jack there's dozens of these stones in this room. How do you know it's the right one?" she said.
"Because this one has the motto written on it" he said patiently.
"Ok, but how do you know this is the back door?" she asked examining the brick.
"Er…Lucky guess?" Jack said a little flustered.
"Oh Jack" Kimiko groaned.
"Look it's okay, just heat the thing up"
Kimiko did so. The horrible grinding and rumbling filled the place, the sound only magnified by the echoing chamber. The wall slid back to reveal another narrow passage.
"They weren't too creative with this" Kimiko said "I mean, it's just the salamander thing, over and over"
"Yes, well I'm sure they didn't want to risk forgetting any vital trick, if they were ever in a hurry to get down here. They wouldn't want to make it too difficult for themselves" Jack said, shrugging.
"Makes sense I guess. You don't suppose that" she said indicating the opening "is booby trapped, do you?"
"No, no. Nobody booby traps the back door" Jack said firmly.
Kimiko gave him a flat stare "Why didn't we come down this way then?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.
"Well, that's because this door can only be opened from inside. Also I have no idea where this leads to" he declared, sounding quite unconcerned.
"That's comforting" she sighed, and walked into the dark unknown.
It remained a stone corridor for only about twenty feet. It then turned into a rocky, muddy slope, they had to climb.
"Tell me Jack, how did they open these things in the days of old? That is, assuming there weren't all that many Fire Dragons around." She said over her shoulder, as she climbed. She was using what seemed to be roots to pull herself up.
"I imagine a torch would have worked well enough. If a little slower" Jack said.
"So you brought me along for expediency's sake" Kimiko said, grabbing at another root.
Jack laughed, behind her. Then "Did I ever mention I was claustrophobic?"
After what felt like hours of climbing and crawling, Kimiko was willing to bet her hands and feet were worn raw. She was happy beyond measure to feel fresh air on her skin. Kimiko crawled to the surface and breathed in deeply. The sky was partially obscured by thick branches and foliage, but from what she could see it was near dawn.
"Forest, huh? Well, I guess it'd be pretty hard to find the tunnel here" Jack said, coming up behind her. He sounded immensely relieved. Tight places really didn't agree with him. And that tunnel had been pretty tight.
"There should be a road here somewhere" he said and walked off, in pursuit of it. He stumbled over some roots.
Wincing, Kimiko followed, careful to avoid the roots.
It turned out there really was a road.
"And there is the castle" Jack said, pointing at the shadowy building. It was quite far, Kimiko noted.
"And this is where we're going" he said, tuning to walk in the opposite direction, along the road. He, vainly brushed at his tattered clothes as he went.
Kimiko hobbled after him, rolling her eyes.
"This just occurred to me Jack. The car. It's still in the parking lot. Won't people wonder about that?" she asked.
"Ah, but you see my dear, I requested complete services from the boys. This includes driving the car to a specified location" he explained, sounding extremely please with himself.
"That's very trusting of you Jack" Kimiko said
"Not to worry, I've taken precautions. Driving off with the car is the last thing on their minds" he said deviously.
Kimiko could imagine the evil smile curling his lips right now. Poor kids.
He stopped so suddenly, had Kimiko not been a ways behind, she'd have walked right into Jack's back. He turned to look at her.
"Are you hobbling?" he blurted out, disbelieving.
Kimiko glared at him "No. I'm swaying my hips in a fetching matter, in hope that I might attract a passing driver. Yes I'm hobbling!" she snapped noticing Jack's expression.
"Why? Are you injured?" He asked in genuine concern.
"No. Well, if you call what my shoes did to my feet injuries" she shrugged.
"Your shoes?" Jack intoned, his eyes falling to her feet. He gave a low whistle "Ah" he said, eyebrows lifting in understanding "Sexy. But I take it, not the best choice in the circumstances"
"It was a formal party, and I'm short, six inch heels are practically mandatory. Running, jumping and climbing in these, was possibly not the best idea" she admitted, a little annoyed with herself, for sounding so apologetic.
Jack turned his back to her, and crouched forward slightly "C'mon, hop on" he told her.
Kimiko stared at his back "I don't think so" she declined shortly, and started walking again.
Jack rolled his eyes and grabbed her hand as she went by him. "You're in pain. You can barely walk. You're getting more waspish with every step you take. For both our sakes, just let me give you a piggy back" he reasoned.
Kimiko sighed, pulling back her hand "Really, Jack, your bravado won't impress anyone. You're dragging yourself along as it is" she said, but it wasn't exactly true. It did impress her. She almost regretted not letting him hold her hand a little longer.
"Not to offend, but you're not all that big, babe. Now come on" Jack said, offering her his back again.
Feeling humiliated, but deciding it was the quickest, most expedient, not to mention less painful, way, she removed the offending shoes and climbed carefully on his back.
Jack hoisted her up, his hands holding her thighs pinned firmly to his sides.
"Watch the hands" she warned.
"Sure thing babe" he said giving them a quick squeeze. This earned him a smack across the head. It wasn't much in the way of chastising. Jack smirked.
Crisis averted, Kimiko tried to settle comfortably. It wasn't hard, Jack's back, though not particularly broad, was large enough to accommodate her. She rested her cheek on his shoulder. A happy little sighed escaped her lips, it felt so good to have her feet off the ground.
The gust of air from her lips tickled Jack's ears and sent a chill down his spine.
"We were pretty cool tonight" Jack said, clearing his voice.
"Cool, huh?" Kimiko smirked.
"Yeah. We made a pretty good team" he said happily.
Kimiko laughed softly, enjoying the vibrations of his voice, and the warmth his body gave off "Yeah, especially when you tripped in the middle of a rain of arrows, and I had to run back and drag you out of harm's way. While wearing six inch heels"
"Yeah. That's exactly what I'm talking about. Watching each others back" he said quickly, not enjoying the reminder "Lending them, when required" he added, giving her a little jostle.
"Yes. I do suppose you owe me this" she agreed, stifling a yawn.
"For what it's worth, I thought you were brilliant back there Kim" he told her, his voice curiously soft.
"You weren't too bad yourself" she answered, glad he couldn't see her blush. "To tell you the truth Jack, I doubted you were telling the truth when you said you were a treasure hunter. I mean it sounds so whimsical, and far-fetched. But if I learned anything from this ordeal, is that that, and I mean this in a good way, is exactly what you are. And your experience in the field does show. "
Jack laughed weakly "You should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about" he quoted, earning a little laugh from Kimiko.
"Where did you put the cryptex, by the way?" she asked.
"Safely stored in my pocket" he answered promptly, giving it a little pat.
"Yes, because we both know how safe that is" she said archly.
"Would you please let that drop?" Jack cried.
Kimiko grinned "I'm only teasing"
"Yeah, yeah" he huffed.
Kimiko realized she must have fallen asleep, because she was suddenly in front of her hotel room.
"Kimiko?" Jack whispered again, bouncing a little, in an effort to wake her.
"Yes. You can put me down now" she whispered back.
"I'd wish you good night, but…" he looked out a nearby window. It was dawn "Get some rest" he said instead.
"You too" she said.
He nodded and went to open the door of his own room.
" Jack?" she called.
He stopped, with the key in the lock, and turned to look at her.
"Thank you" she told him seriously.
Jack grinned crookedly "Any time babe" and as a second thought "I need to make you some matching boots"
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Next chapter: What mysteries doth the crytex hold?