-1Disclaimer: I don't own Xiaolin Showdown.

Edited: August 16, 2007

After I had finished with the shower, I walked out into the room, wrapped in a towel. Some clothes were on the table, along with another note.

Kimiko,

I don't really want Chase to know who you are. So, please wear these clothes, and leave your hair normal. As in no pigtails. If Chase knew who you were, it wouldn't end very well.

Thanks,

Jack

So, I thought, I gotta dress gothic. Not that gothic was bad, but it wasn't my style. I looked at the clothes he had laying out for me. A black shirt that had elbow length sleeves, and a knee length skirt. The shoes were black sandals, and the socks were (you guessed it) black.

I got dressed, and went back into the bathroom. There was black nail polish in the mirror. I guessed I could use it.

Five minutes after later, I had my hair brushed, and my nails done. I was now standing in front of the door to the lab. I took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.

Jack opened the door, and stared at me. His mouth was slightly agape. After a few seconds or so, I brought him back down from space.

"Uh, are we going or what?" I asked. Jack finally got rid of the glistening look in his eyes, and nodded. He backed away, to let me through.

"Jack, is there a problem or something? Is there something wrong with my looks," I said as I tried to force him into a conversation.

Jack looked at me in disbelief and said, "Are you kidding me? If anything, you're too . . ." He didn't finish his sentence. Instead, he blushed, and led the way outside. I noticed he was carrying the Silver Manta Ray.

"Silver Manta Ray!" he cried, and in a flash, a giant manta ray like plane stood in front of us. Jack held out his hand. "You'll need help," was all he said.

I immediately took his hand. I knew I was gonna need help. The other time I had been in it, Clay had to help me get up. But then, instinct took over. Instead of just taking his hand, I put my arms around his neck. He gave me a questioning look.

"I, uh, don't trust your hand that much. What if I slip?"

What on earth was wrong with me? I was practically . . .no I was hugging Jack.

He shrugged, and turned on the Heli-Pack. I realized that my arms around his neck weren't good enough. Before take off, I jumped up, and he caught me. To possible passerby, it probably looked as if he were holding me bridal style. I smiled at Jack. I knew he wouldn't drop me for some reason.

When we finally landed, we were in our transport. I always liked riding in it. It was like riding on the best plane in first class. But as much as I tried to enjoy being in the Silver Manta Ray, the thought of seeing Chase Young bared down on me. And then, the little devil of a voice came back.

If Jack is with you, you shouldn't be that afraid. Admit it, you like him.

No, I thought, I don't like him. I'm just grateful he's not acting like a big jerk.

Liar, it said. After that, I didn't pay attention to it. It seemed to want to ruin my whole day, not that it wasn't already ruined.

"Kimiko!" Jack shouted, waving his hand in front of my face. I didn't realize I had been tuning out. I shook my head, and asked, "What?"

"We're there."

I looked out the window. I couldn't believe it. I hadn't even realized we'd taken off. What on earth was getting into me? I felt queasy. I was visiting Chase Young, evil villain, with Jack Spicer, evil boy genius, as a kidnap victim. Oh how the mighty have fallen, the evil voice mocked.

I started walking forward, until we hit a wall. I heard Jack say, "Stand back far. I don't know which way this door opens." And then, I heard stone move. The entrance to Chase Young's lair was open. Jack offered me his hand once more, and I accepted it.

The place looked exactly as it had when I had last been there. Cat servants surrounded us above. They looked as if waiting for the signal. I looked straight ahead, and saw Chase, standing in his little gazebo.

"Spicer! Why are you here? And who is your friend?" His voice made me wince. It was an awful voice.

Jack glanced a Kimiko nervously, and said, "I wanted to talk to Wuya. And you don't need to know who my friend is."

"WHAT!" The loud voice of Wuya sounded. She zoomed down as fast as lightning, and looked at me. After what seemed like forever, she asked in a whisper, "Are you really a friend of Jack? If so, you should know you're the first." Before I could answer, Jack stepped forward.

"She can't talk. A mute you know. If you're really that curious, than I'll tell you who she is. This is Kate. She's my," Jack quickly glanced at me, in a I'm-sorry-please-don't-kill-me sort of way.

"She's your what Jack?" Chase asked, descending the stone steps.

Jack took a deep breath. "She's my girlfriend."

Wuya's eyes became (if possible) larger than normal. Chase looked at Jack with a slightly amused look. I looked at Jack, and didn't know how to look. If I looked angry, it would blow my cover. I couldn't bring myself to look happy, so instead, I nodded. Just to make sure everyone believed it, I acted the part by kissing him on the cheek, and stroking his hair affectionately.

Chase finally got to the bottom of his stone steps. He looked at me, curiously. I tried to ignore his gaze, concentrating on Jack.

After a moment or so, Chase smiled, and pulled me away from Jack. He forced me to look him in the eye. In the end, I had to look. And when I did, I pulled away with all my energy, and ran behind Jack.

Chase smiled. "That is no Kate. The fire in her eyes, her burning soul. Those are all the marks of a Xiaolin Dragon of Fire. You have Kimiko."