Xiaolin Showdown does not belong to me. Jesus is going to tire of me saying that…poor Jesus-man…
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Again, like many times before, he woke up in an icy-cold sticky sweat and he shuddered uncontrollably and with his heart hammering in his chest. Those dreams, those muddy grainy dreams with ugly wall shadows and a stuttering low voice frightened him so much, but it was all in his head and definitely not real for they were only dreams.
Yet even as he shook and breathed in panic, he realized those dreams might not just be mere night terrors; the leader -shadow, the minion-blobs and the raspy voice were touchable and so very real.
They were always there to beleaguer him in Chase's Young's pseudo dream-like castle and the visions never relented in torturing him. He might have been 'Heylin', but he had been frightened by transparent predatory smiles.
He thought the dreams would ebb away once he was welcomed back into the Xiaolin way.
Well, he was mistaken…
"No…leave me alone…I did wrong, that I know…but I repent…"he whispered in half-prayer. "I burn. I am so cold…leave me alone…"
He was answered by a high-pitched distorted laugh. It echoed and bounced and reached his covered ears.
"Never leave you alone…"
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The dragons of fire, earth and wind watched as the child of water sprinted and swayed and leaped through the day's course. There was fire and desperation in his actions and nobody could see as to why. They wanted to ask, but they hesitated in approaching him.
Perhaps he needed to for he spoke of repenting often. Perhaps sour memories plagued and he needed to vent them out. It was all a matter of perhaps for they knew naught and maybe it will forever stay like that.
One of them knows more of the situation, but he refuses to speak of until his fellow companion reveals all.
Until then, nothing will be said.
The little monk finally ceased his frantic activity and sprinted over to where his dear little friends were. His face was once more devoid of stress harshness and exhausted lines and his smile was now awfully bright.
"Have you come to watch my greatness?" he quipped.
The other three monk-children snickered at his seemingly innocent question. Naively arrogant he was, but they thought it was sweetly adorable.
Two troubled thoughts ebbed away as the water child's smile infected them. Perhaps, they thought, Omi's recent strange behavior is just a small little phase that he must conquer.
Two thoughts, but not three; the wind dragon was not fooled and he was ready to give a tiny push.
"When will you stop lying?" he said quietly and solemnly.
The two other monks gave him scolding startled glares and gave the water wielding monk worried non-intentional suspicious looks.
"How can you say he's lying?" Kimiko demanded as she intuitively wrapped her arms around Omi.
Clay paused and reflected upon the words said. He was not as impulsive and as judging as Kimiko. He wanted to know all before he judged. "How do you know? And why do you say he's lying?"
Raimundo stayed silent and watched Omi's eyes widen and narrow in a single second.
Cold…he lies…you do not lie...cold are you…but you dance around the truth…
The fire and earth monks continued in their efforts in making Raimundo talk. He remained tight-lipped and his gaze was fixated on a distant weak-barked tree. The other two whined and questioned and demanded answers to all.
Omi was still being smothered in Kimiko's warm motherly grasp and all of him was hidden by her slight childlike body; only his black eyes peeked out from the folds of the robe to scrutinize his friends. He wisely remained soundless throughout the interrogation.
Out of the blue, he began to shake and shudder slightly.
Cold. It's so cold…were his only slowly beating thoughts…Chase…cold…warmth…
Finally, the fire dragon noticed the trembling resonating in her arms and glanced down to the quivering form in her arms.
"Omi? Omi? Hey…what's wrong?"
At the sound of panic in her voice, the others soon came to rest their eyes upon the shuddering child. At once, they all began to crowd the frail body to offer comfort and demanding questions; such is the nature of human psyche. Comfort and question a frightened comrade before aiding.
The shaking stopped abruptly and Omi glanced up. "Nothing…I was just thinking that perhaps Raimundo is correct…"
A breath of relief and a sigh of doubt.
The earth dragon smiled gently. "You don't lie…you just dance around the truth a lot."
The wind wielder remained observant while the other two remained oblivious and as they continued to comfort the brooding child.
"Thank you, Clay and Kimiko," Omi said with genuine sincerity.
His gratitude was genuine, but his answer of being well was a well-hidden lie.
Liar, liar, pants on fire…I think that is what the children say…taunted the voice that sounded eerily like Chase's.
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Night once more. Cold once more.
The lump on the cot tossed and turned in restless discomfort. Blue coarse blankets shifted its cozy folds to warm the shivering body.
"Why is it so cold?" Puff.
A shift here.
"I need warmth." Huff.
A turn there.
Finally the little child rose from his simple ice-tinged bed and escaped the all-to-cold temple.
"Chase…" Puff-huff.
And off he trotted into the very cold night with none the wiser.
"Unless you remain by my side, you shall forever be cold…" was the smiling warning he received upon his ears as he fumbled into sleep.
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Eh, I decided to update by circles. Whispers, Murderer is Arrogance, and then Fundamental Lack…or at least I shall try. One-shots do not count in the circle; they are free-range.
For all of you that are thinking that Omi has gone slightly crazy, I answer… "nope"
Chase has just gotten into his head…quite literally. It shall be explained further on.