Comfort Zone
Chapter 10: Past, Present, and Future
Dear Dragons, and Jack,
I hope your fight is going well. I know, it may seem weird that you're reading this, considering you've probably thought me to be dead a long while ago. You're right on that part. Unfortunately, the magic of being a Xiaolin Apprentice didn't exactly give me a second chance at life, but it did give me a chance to say what I wanted to say. I'm really glad you guys are reading this... I miss being there, and I'm deeply sorry that I couldn't help you defeat Wuya.
Take that bitch down!
Now, I have something to say to each of you. I know I sent you all personal letters, but this is pretty important. Those were from me to you, but this is from me to the team...
Kimiko, you have to realize something. That day that you left Keiko... Don't be alarmed. She is still alive! She's with a boy named Kosuke that you should probably know. (Don't ask how I know this... It's in the cards when I die, okay?) As for your father, I'm not sure... But, I'm sure he'll be found. I know you would have felt a great deal more saddness if he weren't alive. :) As of now, you and Jack, or you and Raimundo are for sure running the team. I know you most likely don't think you're going to win. But good god, there's going to be help for you! I can promise you that...
Omi, if I knew Master Fung, and Dojo at all... I know they wouldn't want you to be upset. You have to be strong, so we can win this fight! You still have Kimiko, Raimundo, and Jack along side you... Be the leader I know you were born to be, and help them out! You're strong, and I know you can do it. Somewhere in that noggin of yours, you can find a plan... I promise you that. Think back on what Dashi told you, and think ahead to what you want the future to be...
Raimundo, don't you dare do anything to screw this up. I know you've helped Omi and Kim out a lot from being back. But, you know there is some sort of trust issue. You tagged along to help us, and if you screw it up like Corina did... Well, we can just say you won't be going where I go. Other than that, I know you can help Omi with his plan, cause you can sneak, and pry, and charm your way into victory. I have faith you'll help lead this team...
And finally Jack. You've been with us from the beginning of this huge mess. I'm surprised that you stuck with us. Even though at those few parts you wanted to go to the evil side, you didn't and stuck close to us... Helping us out however you can. You'll be able to beat Wuya if you guys put your mind to it. Keiko and this Kosuke guy have rhiled up a rebellion. They're going to help you guys out a lot... Just, don't let them down. Jack, you'll be able to get under Wuya's skin. You were always her companion to go back to, no offense, but that will be an advantage.
I'm sorry I couldn't say more, but this magic stuff is weird. It's like I'm back from the dead to write one last letter. Strange stuff. Good luck... And like I said before. Take that god damn bitch down! She needs to die already. Isn't 1500 years old enough?
Everyone is counting on you guys. No pressure :)
-Clay
Everyone backed off of the hover circle they had created when reading that letter. What did Clay mean by this? He was able to send one last message... they understood this.
But, with Raimundo? He could screw this up? Kimiko glanced at him, and studied him, his face just as shocked as everyone elses. He'd always been an awesome actor... But, she couldn't help the feeling of betrayal swell in her heart once again. She shook her head slightly. He couldn't do this again. Not after she had layed more than enough trust in him.
And then she glanced at Jack. Jack's face was unreadable. It was usually like that these days. But there was something in his eyes, that she couldn't quite make out the meaning for... It was... Fear? Suspision? Hate? Anger? She couldn't tell if it was a distinct emotion, or a lot of them swirled together. But, she feared he was going to pin a betrayal on Raimundo before it happened, even if he never intended on it.
But, another thing pushed the thought of the boys out of her mind. Her father might be alive? That was wonderful news. Keiko and Kosuke were alive? That was even more excillent news! She couldn't believe what Keiko and him were doing. She wanted so dearly to find them, and help them... But, she knew if she did that, Wuya would come after them.
"How does Wuya keep finding us?" Jack suddenly voiced.
"What?" Omi looked at him, giving him an expression that sought him out to be crazy for asking such a thing at a time like this.
"She doesn't have any track on us - "
"It's her magic." Raimundo nodded. "She can - "
"How though?" He looked at the brunette, the look in his eyes just a few moments ago, vanished like ice on a hot day.
"I don't have a clue. It's just her magic, what more do you want?"
"I don't understand how she is though. Is it like... Every time we use our magic? Or if we're split up? She keeps finding the absolute worse times to pop up in our faces."
"It's in her nature." Raimundo shrugged, not being able to give a better answer. Jack went back into deep thought.
"The Changing Chopsticks, Mantis Flip Coin, the Two Ton Tunic and the Eye of Dashi. Can we even work with that?" Jack asked, looking down at the small collection of trinkets Omi pulled out.
"I don't know. It'd be hard..." Raimundo shrugged once again, giving no better answer than last time.
"Every Shen Gong Wu numbers!" Omi grinned.
"Counts." Raimundo and Jack both said at the same time. Omi answered with his normal 'that too', and went on shifting through stuff.
As all of this was going on, Kimiko sat in the background and watched her team. From Clay's letter, it had shooken her trust with Raimundo, and truthfully... That scared her. She wanted to be happy with her own little team again... And, she was finally starting to get that, even though there was tension between Jack and Raimundo for a reason Kimiko didn't know... But, she was pretty sure everything else was fine.
But now...
She wasn't so sure.
??
Kimiko's eyes opened slowly, as she looked around. Jack had fallen asleep, his head on her shoulder, her head on his. Raimundo was sound asleep right next to Kimiko, a hand ontop of hers, and Omi was sleeping in his normal position on his head, in the grass a few feet away.
Suddenly, something struck her. Okay, so it wasn't the first time... But, she look to her right where Jack was, and to her left.
Jack had been the one to pack up her stuff... The first time she had asked Raimundo to do it, he did it the total wrong way...
And Raimundo had found the key on the wall, but Jack had snatched it down before he could.
Why hadn't she seen it before? She figured, of course that Raimundo had liked her. That conversation they had had when they were both unconscious... Kimiko couldn't remember if she had thought to like Raimundo back or not...
And Jack. Hadn't she seen the signs of affection he had always layed on. Or, how he'd gotton so mad over Ashton, and the fact she payed less attention to him than everyone else.
The day that seemed so long ago, that Jack had promised her that she would live... Raimundo couldn't promise her anything... He hadn't even given a signal besides that kiss that said he even loved her back. Jack... Jack had been there for her forever.
Deep down inside of her, even though she didn't know it yet, her heart was telling her... She loved him...
Jack...
??
A week had gone by, and they'd been trying by every means to meet up with that group again. Mostly, everything was silent. They had conversed a little bit, but other than that, they had their own thoughts to ponder.
Kimiko had hoped dearly that Keiko was still alright, and that Wuya hadn't found out about their rebellious army, and hoped to destroy it before it could even help. She wanted to see her best friend again... And, she prayed that Keiko got enough people to follow her and Kosuke that they might actually win this fight...
It was a possibility. A long stretch yes... But, there was a slight chance that they could win. And the world would be saved...
But, what would happen after that?
She had always dreamed after this mess was over, Raimundo would come back to her... And they'd live happily ever after. But, again, Clay's letter still shook her trust.
Can I still trust him? Can I still consider him my comfort zone?
She wondered this about every ten minutes, every day, for the week they had been traveling. Of course, she hadn't in her mind, realized yet that she loved Jack, but... It was slowy coming to her...
The things she'd never noticed about him, that she noticed now, and had grown fond of. On the first day of the week, she had noticed he ran a hand through his hair, everytime he was stressed or nervous. Or that, when he was mad he would grind his teeth, and try to calm down... Even though on the inside he was perfectly fine.
His eyes would have a certain spark in them whenever he was talking to her. A spark that made her stomache churn for no apparent reason.
The sad part was... She still hadn't realized it.
Depressing.
??
Jack popped his head through some bushes, and glanced around. There was a small fire, and some unfamiliar people. He tried to scan out someone who looked like Kimiko, but in the dark... It was too hard.
These could be people who had wanted nothing to do with them, it could be the people he was looking for... Or it could be a trap by Wuya. Whatever the means, he wasn't about to risk any of the Dragons' lives. They were the most needed in this fight, as they all had the elements. Jack had nothing.
Suddenly, before anyone could stop him, he jumped out of the bushes. Kimiko wanted to scream at him to get his stupid ass back into hiding, but Raimundo covered her mouth and held her back. If Jack wanted to jump out and see for himself, both of the guys knew that he couldn't endager the rest of them.
People looked up, scared from the black, and with the redhair. Others stood with sticks and stones, charging at him. Jack called out stop. When they hesitated for a moment, he thought this as his chance.
"I'm looking for Keiko Askura."
A girl, about his age, with black hair, and green eyes stood up. "Who for?"
"I'm Jack Spicer. I'm with the Xiaolin Warriors..." Everyone hesitated, wanting him to obviously give more details. "We met... The last time Kimiko saw you... Keiko... " He nodded slowly. Kieko's eyes widened in familiarity, as she ran to hug him.
"Where is Kimiko? And Clay, and Omi?" She pulled back, tears glimmering in her eyes. She was so happy they were alright.
Kimiko stepped out of the bushes slowly, accompanied by the other two. But, it was not Clay that was with them. It was Raimundo.
Keiko had always gotton the sense from the first time she heard about Jack's attitude towards Kimiko, that he had liked her. She had also gotton the impression that Raimundo liked her. She could only figure that Jack was the better choice, considering the fact Raimundo had created this whole god damn mess.
But, pushing these thoughts out of her mind for the moment, she walked over to Kimiko. There was a serious moment, until the sapphire eyed girl broke into a grin. From here, Keiko squealed and hugged her best friend. A reunion that spread such joy between the two girls, it made even the most down in the dumps person look up and grin.
Even though most didn't know the two girls, they were as happy as ever they had found a slight comfort in the world of today.
The mood spread in a radius, getting bigger and bigger by the second. With this momentum boost, Kimiko spun around, grinning to everyone in site.
"We'll fight!" She screamed, trying to rhile everyone's mood up. "We'll fight, and we'll win!" People began to clap. "That son of a bitch is going down!!" She screamed.
By the end of these taunts towards Wuya, everyone was cheering. Everyone was happy for a moment, and all differences were put aside.
A new hope had dawned on the world... Even though small... And even if it was only a fool's hope...
Wasn't that the best kind of hope?
??
Woo! This chapter's complete! Aren't you all happy? Are you disappointed with some of the things that happened? (You should know what I'm talking about)
I'm so sorry for the long wait, but... I've been doing LOADS of other stuff, and trying to cram different things in all at once.
Please review... I know you guys are out there reading! It'll make this so much better, and I promise I'll update faster if you guys doo!!
-zesty!-
Poll Time!
Wuya has to make a descision. Which would you rather NOT see?
A. Kimiko's Spirit Cracked
or
B. Raimundo's Spirit Cracked
Put it in your review!!
