Kimiko was notoriously stubborn and the thought of being told not to look into something just spiked her curiosity even more. She knew that Master Fung had probably been right in telling her not to look for it, but she still felt a little insulted that he didn't consider her strong enough to control the power of the ring herself. Raimundo refused to listen, telling her that it was pointless going over the facts when there was no chance of her even getting near the ring.

It was a few days later when her chance for success became apparent. A new Shen-Gong-Wu came into appearance.

"It's called the Silver Gauntlet. It can transform into full body armour and give the wearer enhanced strength and agility." Dojo explained as they flew into the mountains, "It's nothing out of the ordinary as far as Shen-gong-Wu go."

"Shen-Gong-Wu is Shen-Gong-Wu." Said Raimundo, "Besides, we might at least get a little work out from it. Maybe Spicer will show up."

"That's hardly a work out." Said Clay.

"Besides, it looks like we're going to get more than a work out," Said Kimiko.

They looked down and standing with the Shen-Gong-Wu in his hand, was Chase Young. Kimiko smiled to herself; what were the chances? They touched down and jumped out Dojo's back.

"Hand it over Chase Young!" Said Omi in his very best battle voice.

"Why?" Asked Chase Young, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

"Because … we want it?" Said Omi, obviously confused.

"Then you'll have to take it." Said Chase Young.

Several of his large cat warriors sprung out and quickly engaged Omi, Clay and Raimundo in battle. Kimiko however, fought her way straight through to Chase Young.

"Do you really think you're a match for me?" He asked.

"You talk tough, but you're still too afraid to use the Black Thorn Ring?" Laughed Kimiko. He gave her a thoughtful look.

"How did you discover the Black Thorn Ring?" He asked, with a certain curiosity about his voice.

"I did my homework," She grinned.

"Only a fool carries the Black Thorn Ring lightly." He said, "You would do best to leave it to those who can handle it."

It was then that Raimundo, Clay and Omi cut in. The fight continued for a little while, but eventually, apparently bored with teasing them, Chase Young left, Shen-Gong-Wu still firmly in hand. This left the three boys in an extremely bad mood for the rest of the day. Kimiko however, felt no such disappointment. Chase Young had just confirmed what she wanted to know. The Black Thorn Ring was definitely in Chase Young's lair.

It couldn't possibly work. The plan of waiting until the next Shen-Gong-Wu to activate and then sneak into Chase Young's lair was not an even remotely intelligent idea. However, it was the only one she had and it would at least give her a chance to look around his lair if she couldn't find the ring. Now all she had to do was wait.

She didn't have to wait particularly long. A Shen-Gong-Wu activated only a week later. It was early morning and Dojo came running into Kimiko and Raimundo's room, waving the scroll enthusiastically above his head.

"A new Shen-Gong-Wu! Come on! Get up!" He cried, jumping up and down.

As Kimiko slowly opened her eyes, it dawned on her that this was the perfect opportunity and gave a fake, but convincing groan of pain.

Raimundo sat up and yawned.

"Kim? You awake?" He asked.

She coughed and groaned again, sitting up slightly.

"You okay?" He asked.

"I don't feel too well." She mumbled.

Raimundo put a hand to her head. Luckily she was prepared for this and focus just a little of her power on her head, making her forehead heat up slightly.

"You feel a little warm." He said, "Maybe you should stay in bed."

She grumbled her agreement and lay back down, silently congratulating herself on her performance.

She was up and dressed as soon as the others had gone and she sneaked out without notice. In her hand she was carrying the Golden Tiger Claws. This was her one and only chance to find the Black Thorn Ring. She had no intention of wearing it; she just wanted the sense of victory of capturing from straight out from under Chase Young's nose.

She got a little way away from the temple and raised her hand.

"Golden Tiger Claws!" She cried, swiping down.

She jumped into the swirling purple vortex and found herself jumping out moments later just inside the entrance of Chase Young's lair. She pressed herself against the wall, praying that Chase Young had gone after the Shen-Gong-Wu. She crept through the vast halls with no interference. Walking from room to room, it suddenly occurred to her that this was a very bad idea. She had no idea where the Black Thorn Ring could be hidden and whats more; she had no idea where she was.

She made her way through to a large room that she suddenly recognised as the main entrance hall, just through another door. She had come in full circle. She swore to herself and began to walk across the room, thinking that she could start again from the same door and just try another path.

"I thought I had made myself perfectly clear." Came a cold voice with a hint of amusement from the top of the steps not far away.

Kimiko looked around to see Chase Young staring down at her, arms folded and a slight smile across his face. She raised the golden tiger claws, preparing to cry out, but Chase Young moved so quickly, she barely saw him. Suddenly he was in front of her and held her arm firmly in his grip. He lifted her up by it and the Tiger Claws slid off. She fell to the floor at his feet as he threw the claws to the crow that circled above them. The crow flew off and she cursed as she realised that had been her only escape route.

She got to her feet quickly and stood a little way away preparing to fight.

"You didn't honestly think I didn't see this coming?" asked Chase Young, "The moment you mentioned the Black Thorn Ring I knew you would be coming here to claim it."

"I don't know what you …"

"Don't patronise me girl!" Snapped Chase Young, "You came to find the Black Thorn Ring. You fool yourself that you want it because you don't want someone like myself having it, but what you really want is the power. You believe you have the strength to be the host for the ring. Well, I am telling you this now; there is not a soul alive with the power to hold the Black Thorn Ring."

Kimiko glared at him as they circled each other. She wasn't doing it for power. She was just curious, she was just … what was she doing?

"Why haven't you tried to harness the power of the ring?" She asked.

"Because I know that my soul is not strong enough. The power of the Black Thorn Ring can only belong to one who is and has always been purely evil. I was once on the side of good myself and so I will be corrupted by it." He said, "And if it will do that to me, just imagine what it will do to you."

"I don't want the ring, I'm just curious about it." She said.

Chase young stopped circling and focused on her with his golden eyes.

"If you believe that," He said, "then you are even more of a fool than I thought."

Kimiko stopped circling as well and tried to guess as what Chase Young was doing. He probably could have killed her by now if he wanted to and he didn't appear to even be lying to her. Then again, how could she tell if he was?

"Will you at least show me the ring?" she asked.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"You can always move it. I just want to see it." She said hurriedly.

He gave her a very thoughtful look, which lasted for a moment longer than she would've liked. She felt uncomfortable with his eyes covering her.

"Very well," He said, a smiled crossing his face.

He crossed the room and placed his hand on the wall. Where his hand had touched it, the wall parted and split to two sides. Just beyond the opening was a small, circular room with light blue walls and a black floor and high ceiling. In the centre of the room was a broken pillar, coming up to Kimiko's waist. On top of this broken pillar, was a single black rose.

She wandered into the room and looked down at it thoughtfully. The scrolls hadn't mentioned that the ring was capable of taking on the shape of a rose.

"Is this really it?" she asked accusingly.

"This is it." He said, grabbing her hand as she reached out to pick it up, "Don't touch it."

"Why not?" She said angrily, pulling her wrist out of his grip.

"Because the moment you touch it with your bare skin, you become its new host and it will attach itself to you like a leech, draining your soul and mind." He said. "It will eventually destroy the host through mental and physical torture and then it returns to its original form until the next host comes. Its energy can only be focused by one whose soul and mind are and always have been completely detached from the physical body."

Kimiko shuddered slightly, but even so, as she gazed upon the rose she felt an unnatural desire to possess it. Just to take it in her hand would be enough and she felt herself beginning to reach out once more. However, this time, Chase Young was not reaching out to stop her.

A crash sounded from behind her. The door of the lair had been flung wide open and there stood Raimundo. A cold fury was shown on his face as he walked across the entrance hall.

"Kimiko!" He shouted with a terrible anger.

"Raimundo?" She asked, and as though snapping to her senses, she lowered her hand.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He shouted, stalking across and grabbing her by the arm.

"Raimundo you're hurting me!" She said.

"I do not feel comfortable with this sudden invasion of my home," said Chase Young, "I don't believe you were invited."

"Master Fung told you to leave it with him!" Shouted Raimundo, ignoring him, "Didn't you hear what it could do to you? He's the only one who can keep it safe!"

"I was just curious!" Said Kimiko.

"Don't you understand what this looks like?" Shouted Raimundo, "Coming to his lair? Looking for an evil Shen-gong-Wu?"

"What does it matter what it looks like?" She asked, "What matters is what it is and what it is, is just me coming to find out a little more about the Black Thorn Ring!"

Kimiko wasn't entirely sure what happened next, but suddenly Omi and Clay were there with Dojo and a fight was breaking out. The battle raged on around her and she had no idea what was going on. All she cared about was getting back to the temple now.

"Stop it all of you!" She shouted, but none of them listened.

It was purely by accident. No one could have seen it coming. No one meant for it to happen, but it did. Someone was thrown back and then collided with Kimiko. She staggered back and fell into the pillar. Throwing out a hand to stable herself, the tips of her fingers came into contact with the stem off the black rose. She felt a blinding pain and suddenly everything went black…

"Kimiko!" Came a shout from above her.

She opened her eyes. She was lying on Dojo's back and her head was pounding. Raimundo was leaning over her, concern flooding his face.

"I'm okay …" She murmured, sitting up and putting a hand to her head.

"Master Fung's going to want to discuss this when we get back to the temple." Said Raimundo, supporting her.

"I know," she said, "I'll explain it myself. It was my fault."

"I'll be right at your side." He said, kidding the top of her head.

Neither of them noticed the thin black ring, which was now wrapped around her finger.

(A/N) Sorry I didn't update sooner, but my computer was in the shop. I didn't expect this part of the story to take so long to write. I was hoping to get it done in two chapters, but it looks like it's going to take at least three. Oh well, talk to you soon!

Lots of luv,

Becky.

XxX