A Realization

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or ideas related to Xiaolin Showdown

Two days had passed since Kimiko had been taken to Jack's lair. Her days were spent sitting chained to the couch, staring at the walls, and only being let loose to use the bathroom. Jack brought her three small meals a day, usually made up of a piece of fruit, a sandwich, and water. A couple of times, Jack had come and sat down near her and talked for a few minutes about Shen Gong Wu, or complained to her about Wuya's nagging. Kimiko liked his company, only because she was a human who thrived off of interaction with others. She dearly wished she had her cell phone or laptop with her so that she could contact her friends in Tokyo. (There was no technology at the Xiaolin Temple, so she wouldn't have been able to contact the other apprentices.)

Her mind was filled with boring thoughts. What is Wuya doing? She looks like a purple shawl trying to act human.

Jack's hair is really bright. It could blind someone. Well, maybe not literally. I wonder if he dyed it, or if it's a glitch in nature? Hmm…

It's disgustingly messy in here. How can anyone live in this clutter? I'm surprised Jack even remembers where he puts the Shen Gong Wu.

Kimiko was beginning to feel like she was going insane. She had only been there for two days, but for such a social butterfly, it was killing her to be stuck with only Jack to talk to. And besides, it wasn't really talking to Jack, it was Jack calling her "pathetic girl" and Kimiko calling him a "pitiful Mama's boy." She really wanted to ask Jack if he'd done something to harm the other three apprentices. She couldn't help but worry why they had not found her yet. Surely they had not just abandoned her. But she would never let Jack know that she was distressed.

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After the near fatal fall on Dojo, the three apprentices walked back to the temple on foot, Clay carrying Dojo at gecko size. When they finally arrived four hours later, they immediately sought out the Healer of the temple, a wise monk by the name of Mohe, to help Dojo. He willingly took in the patient, having dealt with Dojo's tree allergy before. Mohe assured the three teens that he would give his full attention to Dojo's recovery. Clay worriedly asked if the dragon would be okay, and Mohe didn't have much of an answer. "I'll see what I can do," was all he said.

Arriving back at Master Fung's study quarters, Omi, Rai, and Clay told him of the problem at hand, and of Raimundo's injuries. (Rai had had a very painful time walking back to the temple after his terrible landing.)

"This is a dreadful time for Dojo to be ill," Master Fung's voice was calm and smooth as always. "You need Dojo in order to find Kimiko, and now, you will have to travel on foot. The search will be much slower. But first, Raimundo must be checked by Mohe to see if he is up to the journey. Clay and Omi, you go meditate on where to look for Kimiko." With that, Clay and Omi left for the meditation room, and Rai went to join Dojo in the Healer's room.

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"Sit here on this stool." Raimundo complied. "Now, twist your upper body to the left. Now to the right." Mohe talked in a soothing voice while looking over Raimundo. As Raimundo turned his body, he winced in pain. "Hmm. Where does it hurt?"

"Uhh, right around here," he pointed to a couple spots on his ribs on the right side of his body.

Mohe gently felt around the spots on his body, poking and prodding. When he touched certain places, Raimundo winced or made a strange noise of pain. After a thorough examination, the conclusion was made. "Well," Mohe said, "you aren't bad off at all. But you have minor cracks in two of your ribs."

"Uggh. Cracked ribs? No way," Raimundo said with his cute Brazilian accent. "Can I still go with the others to look for Kimiko?"

"Hmm." Mohe stood still, thinking. "It would be best to let it rest so that the ribs will heal. But… it wouldn't hurt too bad if you were only walking on the trip."

"Yes! So I can still go?" Rai said thankfully.

"I suppose so. But just be sure you don't hold back your coughs. It could damage your ribs more if you do."

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After Mohe had given Raimundo special instructions, he joined Omi and Clay in meditation.

"I just don't see why Kimiko would have left," Rai puzzled.

"I do not believe she left of her own accord," Omi said, brainstorming.

"You mean you think she was kidnapped?" Clay drawled.

"I am not sure," Omi said.

"I really wish Jack Spicer didn't have the Silver Manta Ray. If we had it, we wouldn't have to walk," Raimundo said.

"Yeah. If it wasn't for Jack Spicer, we'd have a better chance of finding Kimiko," Clay stated.

Omi's eyes widened and he gasped loudly. Rai and Clay already understood what was going through Omi's head.

"Spicer's got Kimiko," Clay spoke for all three boys.

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At this point, Kimiko's muscles were aching from sitting all day. She was just about to try breaking out of the chains when Jack walked in. He didn't have the usual sneer across his face. He just looked like a regular sixteen year old guy. His hair was not slicked backwards, but fell around his face in all directions. He wasn't wearing his yellow goggles on his head, and was dressed in baggy flannel pajama pants, and a black sleeveless shirt. Kimiko waited for Jack to talk first.

"Um, do you need anything? I'm about to go to bed," Jack said in an even tone. Not evil at all, Kimiko mused. She decided not to start a fight as long as Jack wasn't going to.

"No, I guess not," then she quickly said, "well, I really need to stretch my legs. You know, just, walk around some?" she ended in a pleading voice.

"Actually," Jack said thoughtfully, "I can lock the door to this room, and you can walk around in here, instead of being chained up."

Kimiko was amazed at his answer, and how he was acting. He seemed somehow more mature. "That'd be great," Kimiko smiled.

Jack unchained her, then walked over to the door. He walked out, then hesitantly poked his head back in. "G'night."

Kimiko couldn't help but smile slightly, and held her hand up to wave good night back to him. With that Jack locked the door, leaving Kimiko very confused about his manner tonight.

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A/N: Hope you guys are liking my story so far! Thank you to all my reviewers. It really pushes me to write more when I get reviews. Sorry if I'm going a little too slow for some of your likings on the romance part, but I don't want to rush it to the point where it is just stupid. You know what I mean? Anyway I have a great idea for the third chapter so I'll have it up soon! Once again please review and let me know if there is something I wrote wrong, or something I can improve on, or just whatever. Thanks!