Chapter 8 of Xiaolin School, finally! I'm getting pretty far with this fanfic. I love you guys for reviewing, thanks for all the reviews. (Hugs everyone)

Anyways, about what ChinaWings said… I know that it's a bit confusing, like the part about their parents picking them up. You're right about that. But Kim and Rai aren't really moving that fast if, and they knew each other before so they're comfortable with each other. And it doesn't really matter if 'shit' is in 'Ai Shiteru', it's just a Japanese phrase. Thanks for pointing those things out to me. :)

Hope ya like chapter 8, The Beginning of the Battle.

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Chase Young was irritated at Tara to the point of wanting to dump her and find a new apprentice. Yes, he had told them he would give her wealth and something she had wished for if she agreed to join him. But he had not counted on Tara to nag him every few minutes about clothing. And Keith wasn't exactly hard-working, although he was much more focused that Tara. Chase felt that if he could have a headache, now would be a great time to have one.

Hey groaned inwardly as Tara popped out of her room. In an irritated and wary voice, he asked, "What is it?"

"Oh, Chase, um… can you give me another twenty dollars for good behavior?" There it came again. Chase had come to expect it now. If this was how it was going to go, he knew he couldn't keep Tara in much longer. Keith was attempting to work hard and do other things, but even he sometimes came in and asked for possessions.

"Here. Just walk up to my small cabinet behind that blue room and take all the money you want," Chase said irritably. "But don't ever walk up to me and request for something again, or else you won't get anything."

"All right," Tara said, her eyes glinting wildly. She ran to the money cabinet and took out a hundred dollars, dashing out of the cavern.

Keith walked in quietly. "Tara is annoying, isn't she?"

"Yes. I thought she would make an excellent warrior, and she has proven to be a good fighter, but aside from training and sleeping all she does is ask for money," Chase sighed. "I'm in a tough predicament, as you ought to know by now."

"That's exactly why I told you not to let her in here. She's such a brat, I don't understand how her parents ever put up with her," Keith said, looking tired too. "Can't you just tell her to get lost? She practically searched every room to find mine and knocked at it for 1 hour straight! I couldn't stand the noise so I let her in and she wants to sleep with me! Why don't you just get rid of her? It's been a miserable life ever since Tara came, and before it was a great place to be."

Chase gave Keith a blank look. "Well, at least you're doing your duties. You don't go shopping nearly as much as Tara and you spend less than a hundredth of the money she does. But I don't think I can get rid of her. And it may take a while before I find someone else worthy of the duty."

"So what kind of warrior is she? I'm the Dragon of Darkness, remember? What's Tara's element, Chase?" Keith asked.

"She's been training separately from you, as you know, because I didn't believe you two would get along. Evidently, I was correct," Chase said, looking tired. "And her element, you say? She is the Dragon of Destruction."

"It's not my fault she's got peas for brains," Keith said resentfully.

"Don't speak of your partner that way. If you need to work together one day, you cannot fight. You two have been trained under the greatest possible master, but I need to know that you are making effort towards your own work and working together as well. Keith, today I shall put you and Tara together," Chase said smoothly.

"Aw, did you have to tell me now? I'm in a horrible mood," Keith said miserably. "Tara was in my bedroom last night, trying to force me to let her get in my bed. In the end she fell asleep in my bed and I didn't want to stay there so I moved onto the floor. Can I please, please get a new key?"

"All right, Keith." Chase waved his armored hand and Keith saw that in his grasp was a golden key, waving in the breezy air. "But if you might lose this, or if Tara gets ahold of it, you will not be receiving a new one."

"Got it, Chase." Keith walked to his room, slumping as if he were extremely tired.

Chase sighed behind him, wondering why he had ever decided to choose Tara. At first he had just noticed her skill and her ability to battle and use her anger as a weapon, but he had never taken a true in-depth analysis of her personality. He regretted his decision, acknowledging that Tara was not a person who worked to achieve what was needed and instead spent his money on her own leisure. But it was too late now.

--

It was two hours later and Tara had finally come back from shopping.

"Oh, hi Chase," Tara said in a bored voice. She was carrying a stack of clothes and other accessories and was making a big deal of showing them off.

"I must ask you to meet me and Keith in the training room in ten minutes," Chase said.

"Oh, all right," Tara said, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Very well."

After ten minutes Tara ran into the training room and smiled flirtatiously at Keith, who gave her an irritated look and sat down on the floor to listen to what Chase had to say.

"As you both know, darkness and destruction cause chaos, the beginning of all true evil. If you can master your elements, use them complementarily, then you can create a great power unstoppable by your opponents. First, Keith, demonstrate your abilities to Tara so that she will know what she is working with."

Keith walked over to the center and concentrated. After about 10 or so seconds, everything went dark and there was a mist of despair all around, as if the people in the room couldn't breath. Then Keith lifted the darkness and everything returned to normal. Chase looked at Keith approvingly and nodded to Tara, signaling her to begin.

Tara took Keith's place in the center. She closed her eyes and her body emanated a dark violet glow. Suddenly, beams of purple shot at a table, bursting it into shreds.

"Excellent, excellent," Chase said. "It is now time for you to master your abilities with each other, where they will be stronger."

Keith walked to where Tara was, causing a huge darkness that spread throughout. But through the darkness, there was a light- the violet light of Tara as it crashed along, destroying many objects in the training room.

When the chaotic scene was over, Chase smiled for the first time in a while. "You two are fine students."

The next day, both Keith and Tara returned to school.

--

Kimiko sat in her usual spot, waiting for Raimundo to show up. She had savored that moment the night of the dance over and over and felt that wonderful feeling again, wanting to keep it forever. She wanted to experience Raimundo's kiss again, one thing that made her feel warm and protected no matter where she was.

She glared at Keith suspiciously as he came in, and strongly suspected that Tara was back at school again even if she wasn't in the classroom she was in, of Mr. Young. Keith flashed her a smile and Kimiko turned away quickly.

Raimundo walked in, just on time from his locker. He gave Kimiko the thumbs-up sign and sat in his seat, looking bored. Neither of them knew what was in store for them…

After about 4 hours of doing various subjects, it was time for lunch and Raimundo practically ran to the room in his hunger. Kimiko walked, rolling her eyes at Raimundo playfully.

For about half the lunch period, everything was fine. Then a great darkness fell over everybody and everyone was frantic to get out.

"What's happening?" was the most common question as everyone struggled against one another to run out. Everyone was screaming, believing it was a blackout. Suddenly a purplish light lit the darkness, and although it was a light, it gave off the eerie glow of darkness nonetheless.

Kimiko held Raimundo's arm and nudged him to stay. "We have to fight," she said stonily. "It's Keith and Tara again."

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I didn't want to make this too long and I wanted to update a little more, so here you guys go. Next time you'll actually get to see the battle.