Kimiko jumped down through the gash in the air. She was in the hills which over looked a small village. She knew that from here she could make it to an area where there wouldn't be any people to harm.

Stretching widely she began walking along the path towards the fields. The long grass swayed in the light breeze and the clean air filled her lungs. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this relaxed.

A sudden and sharp pain ripped through her. It felt as though her skull was being ripped in two. Groaning she put her hands over her ears; trying to block out any sound. She staggered and fell to the ground.

Kimiko knew what was happening and quickly, she pulled off the tiger-claws and lifted them up, ready to throw them as hard as she could, but it was too late. She straightened up and dusted the grass from her clothes.

"What?" she muttered, "What am I doing here? Where's the temple?"

"Miss? Is something wrong?" asked a man, standing at the top of one of the hills.

"No," said Kimiko.

"You were in pain…or that's what it looked like." Said the man, shrugging.

"Tell me," said Kimiko, turning around, "Where am I? What is this place?"

"This place? It's the middle of nowhere," laughed the man.

Kimiko laughed too and quickly raised her hand. Fire spurted from her finger-tips, spreading through the long grass. The man fell back with surprise.

"Not a problem," she laughed, looking down at the tiger-claws still in her hand.

She quickly slipped them on and raised her hand. She swiped it across the air and jumped into the purple gash. The man stared in amazement and then got to his feet and started running back to the village.

"This is pointless," said Raimundo as they landed back at the temple, "We're never going to find her."

"We will, we have to!" said Clay, "And if all else fails she'll come back here."

"Sure she'll come back, but will it be Kimiko or Wuya who returns," said Raimundo.

"Kimiko left for our protection," said Omi, "We shouldn't doubt her judgment."

"How do we even know it was Kimiko who smacked me over the head with that vase?" asked Raimundo angrily, "Wuya could be controlling her and…and…I'm going to find her!"

Raimundo stormed away, leaving Clay, Omi and Dojo in the courtyard.

"Anyone else worried about him?" said Clay, "Y'know, now that Kimiko's not here to keep him in one piece?"

"Raimundo is perfectly capable of looking after himself, but Kimiko…" Omi shook his head, "In her current condition it is dangerous to leave her outside the guard of the temple."

Dojo looked from Omi to Clay and back again. They were both so concerned about Kimiko and Raimundo, which was understandable, but what about everyone else out there? What if Wuya did some serious damage? It was risky, seriously risky.

"Standing around here isn't going to do you any good," he said, "Why don't you two got to bed and get some rest?"

Omi and Clay looked at one another and then trailed away. Master Fung watched them leave and then approached Dojo.

"I'm concerned," said Master Fung, "If Kimiko has the golden tiger claws then Wuya is capable of getting to us. We will need a guard for the vault."

"Is that a hint?" asked Dojo.

Master Fung smiled gently and Dojo nodded before turning away in the direction of the Shen-Gong-Wu vault. Master Fung stood alone and thought about everything the dragons had had to endure since Wuya's return. He recalled how half a year ago he had sensed that either one of the dragons or Wuya was going to lose their life in that final battle, but he had been unsure who. At the last moment he had lost his concentration and was sure that Wuya was the one to lose her life, but apparently he had been wrong and now, once again the future of the dragons and the temple was unsure.

He shook his head sadly. He could guess exactly who it was going to be to lose their life and he knew it was going to take everything out of the dragons, but of course, he could only guess. The fight with Wuya would exhaust them and the loss of friend would be even worse, but either way, they were in for the battle of a life time.

Dojo crawled through the door and instantly knew something was wrong with the scene in front of him. The vault was open and standing above it, was the dragon of fire. She looked at him and a thin smile spread across her pale lips.

"Kimiko?" he asked.

"More or less," laughed the girl.

"Wuya!" spat Dojo, super-sizing.

He stuck his head out of the door and spurted out flames, signalling that there was trouble. He turned back into the temple and Wuya laughed.

"You'll be dead before they get here!" she laughed harshly.

"Not if I have something to say about it!" came a shout, from the window above, Clay jumped down, catching Wuya and pulling her to the ground.

Wuya pushed him off her and stood tall. She looked around at the door where Omi was stood.

"You didn't think we would just let our guard down so easily?" he laughed, "now I request that you leave Kimiko alone!"

"And give up this youth?" laughed Wuya, harshly.

Omi leaped into the air and came down, leg out straight, preparing to kick Wuya straight in the face. Wuya stepped sideways and caught Omi's leg in mid-air before throwing him into the wall. Clay grabbed her arm. Fire engulfed Wuya's entire arm, burning the skin on Clay's hand. He let go with a yelp and stepped backwards. Omi came up behind her went to hit her in the back of the head. Wuya turned around and grabbed his fist. He began backing up as she walked forwards, her hand still clasped tightly around his fist.

"Release me witch!" shouted Omi.

"Tell me, you were unconscious at the time," laughed Wuya, "but did it hurt when that knife pierced your flesh. Although, I suppose you don't remember. Let me remind you."

Omi suddenly cried out and sank to his knees, blood pouring from the previously closed scar on his stomach. Wuya smiled gently, a firm grip still holding his hand. She suddenly tightened her fingers and the bones in Omi's hand cracked loudly. He cried out again and Wuya let go of his hand.

"Kimiko!" came a shout from the door.

Wuya turned around lazily. Standing in the door way, a pleading look on his face, was Raimundo.

"Well well Raimundo," said Way, tossing back her long black hair, "you finally decided to show up."

"Wuya," spat Raimundo.

"I'm going to say this once and once only," said Wuya, frowning, "Don't try to attack me."

"And I'm going to ignore you," said Raimundo, "Wind!"

Raimundo span in the air kicked Wuya straight in the face. Wuya fell backwards.

"You're going to risk Kimiko's life to stop me?" asked Wuya.

"No, I'm going to risk mine," said Raimundo, "I'll do whatever it takes to get Kimiko back, even if it means giving my life…"

(A/N) So sorry it's late. I've got exams and I'm really tired and busy. Please R&R. Lots of luv, Becky.