Thank you everyone for all of those kind, kind, kind reviews. On with the 11th chapter!

Life Of A Xiaolin Dragon

Chapter 11: A Clouded Mind

It's like I don't even know him anymore! Kimiko thought. Just when I'm certain he's a cocky jerk he gets sensitive, then once I think everything's fine I find out that he doesn't trust us, his own teammates! The thing I really don't get is how he can't trust himself. I mean, not trusting others is normal but to be unsure of yourself...there's still something he's not telling us. I just wish he was more open!

All of the monks and Ricardo had boarded Dojo and were headed towards Rio de Janeiro.

"What's the shen gong wu?" Clay asked.

Kimiko opened the scroll up to show an image of a black figure holding a necklace. It was a circle with an hourglass in the middle that was hanging off of a long chain. It was aimed at another figure at the opposite end and he began to run around in circles and jump up and down.

"It's the Hourglass of Shì. It can change someone's mind to think like a young child. It can actually be very useful in battle because the opponent will become very vulnerable."

"We must not let the forces of evil place feet on this most wondrous shen gong wu." Omi stated.

"I think you mean 'lay hands' little buddy." Clay chuckled. "Hey Rai, aren't you from Rio?"

Raimundo looked down at his lap. He wasn't talking much ever since he told them about his past.

"Well technically, no."

There was a long awkward pause where everyone waited for the rest of his answer.

Ricardo sighed at the sight of his depressed brother and explained the situation to Clay.

"Well we all grew up in Rio but Rai was born in Tobiaras, Brazil."

Clay nodded his head slightly to show that he had taken in the information.

After a while in silence Dojo had finally announced that they had arrived in Rio. Everyone took a look at their surroundings and Kimiko was in awe.

"Wow. This place is beautiful."

Raimundo looked back at Ricardo and they both had the same worried expression on their faces. Their silent conversation didn't go unnoticed.

"What's wrong?" Clay asked.

"Nothing." They replied in unison.

Clay was starting to get fed up with that answer. "Well it is something and I'm not droppin' the subject until you answer me."

Raimundo just looked ahead and let the wind flow through his hair. "It's just the bad part of Rio. There are deaths and stuff like that."

"Something tells me that you experienced 'stuff like that'." Kimiko placed her hand on Rai's shoulder to comfort him. He shrugged it off in an aggressive manner and turned back at her with a blank expression in his eyes.

"Why do you care?" he spat.

Kimiko was thrown off guard at his strange reaction to her kindness. "Rai, I was just trying to make you feel better. Just because we don't know what's wrong with you doesn't mean we can't help!"

"I don't need your help!" He shouted in an outrage. "I'm not just some machine that needs fixing so it can work right. People aren't always happy you know!"

"What are you talking about? I know people aren't always happy!" The young dragon of fire was starting to get angrier.

"Well a spoiled rich girl like you couldn't possibly know what it's like to have to suffer. The worst you probably had to face was if your daddy didn't get you what you wanted!"

Kimiko raised her right fist, aiming it at Raimundo's face but a strong hand held her back. She looked up to see Clay's disappointed expression staring at her.

"Just leave him be. He's not worth it." He stated softly.

Kimiko just shook with anger and managed to free her arm from Clay's grasp and pointed a finger at Raimundo.

"How dare you make an accusation like that! I had to deal with my mom dying when I was only five years old!" tears started streaming down Kimiko's face.

Ricardo felt sorry for Raimundo but enough was enough. "Raimundo...what's wrong? You're not acting like yourself."

Raimundo let out a heartless laugh and looked up at the sky as Dojo landed in an empty alley.

"How would you know what 'myself' is. You don't know me."

"Of course I do! You're my brother...I know everything about you."

"We were close but let's face it. You were too busy taking care of the family to notice me. Only when I was hurt did you care but you always sent somebody else to help."

"That's not true!"

"Yes it is! It's okay though. I'm used to being forgotten...it's no big deal." Raimundo slowly turned around and started walking away."

Ricardo was trying his best to hold back tears. "Raimundo! I never forgot about you!"

Rai turned around casually with a small, fake, smile on his face. "It's okay, you had other people to worry about...you didn't have time for me."

Ricardo just stared at his brother in shock at what he had said. What shocked him the most was that Raimundo was right.

"I'm so sorry Rai. I never realized that I did that."

"It's alright." Raimundo nodded. He turned around again to walk away but was stopped again by a rather confused monk pulling at his sleeve.

"Where are you going?" Omi asked.

"Just looking for the shen gong wu." Raimundo muttered.

"Well then I will accompany you so that you don't get lonely on your journey."

"I would actually like to go alone Omi."

The bald monk looked crestfallen at Raimundo's words. "Do you not like me?"

"No Omi, that's not it. I just want to spend some time by myself."

Raimundo gave a weak smile to his fellow monks, brother, and dragon and set off on a short walk.

When he was out of sight he let a few tears escape his eyes but quickly wiped them away. Due to his emotions clouding his concentration he didn't notice two figures approaching him...and they weren't empty handed.

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