The ground beneath him felt hard and dry. Small clumps of dirt breaking under his feet. Grass was a rarer sight, only the smallest of patches attempting to grow through.

He had decided to patrol the area. The rock creatures murmuring rumours of a fight that morning; a Xiaolin Dragon supposedly apart of said battle.

It had been months since he'd seen any of them. While separated from their master they still planned, took down stations, and attempted to slowly reclaim land.

It was obvious they worked to avoid him, as much as he with them. Those battles were always the longest. The land around them always paying the price for their fights.

A small rabbit scurrying through the trees brought his attention to his left. His eyes looking, searching, for signs of trouble. His eyes dared a hint of confusion at the pale colour peeking through the shrivelled bush. Curiously stepping forward, he went to investigate.

The closer he got; he realised the pale colour was skin, a hand.

Leaning down, he pushed what of the bush remained away. The figure lay on their front. He presumed female, the short black hair dropping to the floor, covering the part of her face which wasn't in the dirt.

The clothes weren't familiar, though clearly scavenged. He smirked at the thought. One of the resistance stupid enough to hide themselves away. Like that would've worked so easily.

Pulling her left shoulder, he rolled her body onto her back. His eyes widening in horror at the bloodied face before him.

The hair was different, her body seemed more toned although slightly malnourished. But he'd never not recognise that face.

The presumed resistance member turning out to be Kimiko Tohomiko. The Xiaolin Dragon of Fire.

Blinking away the shock, he realised just how still she was. His hand instantly moved to her neck, checking — praying — for a pulse. It took a few moments, but it was there. She was alive.

Looking at the blood sitting on her face, he looked for any obvious direction. Following the lead, he brushed away a chunk of hair to reveal the hideous gash.

Without fully thinking it through, he scooped her into his arms. Noting how she felt lighter than he remembered. It wasn't until her hair hung over his arm, he realised how jagged her hair was cut, her fringe also growing out.

Knowing he could get most of the way back unnoticed, he only had to figure out how to get her past the rock creatures and into his 'home'.

Several minutes later, he was back. The rock creatures proving to be brawns and no brains. Glancing back at the girl in his arms, he carefully lay her on his bed.

He didn't know much about medicine or first aid, but he at least had experience cleaning wounds.

It had taken a few minutes, but he was soon back with water and a clean rag. Looking over at her, he smirked as she lay on the bed, unmoved. Sitting next to her, the small bowl of water rested on the floor as he soaked the rag. He managed to resist until he'd removed the blood from her face before whispering, "I know you're awake,"

Her left hand grabbed the wrist above her face. Glaring as her eyes met his. Before she could speak, he forced his left hand over her mouth.

"Nobody knows you're here. So, if you keep quiet and don't start a fight, those rocks outside won't alert Wuya who'll happily kill you in your current state, and I don't think either of us wants that, hm?"

He watched her face as she visibly processed his words. Her eyes locking onto his as her hand released his wrist, showing her compliance.

"Good. Now, how did little Kimi end up unconscious in the woods?"

"You have no right to call me that," she growled. Her face scrunching in pain as her hands held her head.

"Easy," he soothed, "It's a nasty injury, seems like you lost a bit of blood as well,"

Snapping her eyes open, she focused on the now-red rag.

"You're not wearing your robes," he commented.

"They're a bit of a giveaway, don't you think?"

"Nothing wrong with an easier target,"

"Raimundo," she warned, her eyes watching his smirk.

"Last I checked, that's my name,"

He wasn't sure why he was trying to act like he did before the war. The temptation to rile her up burned as strong as it used to.

"Why am I here?" she questioned.

"You're injured,"

"Why didn't you leave me for dead?"

Fighting the dizziness, she pushed herself up. Sitting to face him, she waited for his answer.

"You've gotten thinner since our last fight," he answered, dabbing the material against her head.

"Don't ignore my question."

"You never answered mine." he retaliated.

She gave him a questioning glance before hissing from the pain.

"How did you end up unconscious in the woods?"

Shifting his gaze to her face, he watched as her eyes focused on his left shoulder.

"I don't remember…" she murmured. Her eyes refusing to meet his face.

He continued to clean the wound, wondering what else he could do to help it heal. Dropping the rag into the bowl, he rested his arms against his legs.

"Just because we don't get along, doesn't mean I want you to die,"

Raimundo didn't need to look to know she was watching him. Her eyes no doubt watching his face for any sign of trickery.

"Well I'm glad we can still agree on something,"

The small laugh escaped his lips as he turned his head, daring the small smile on his face.

Kimiko's eyes softened at the sight. Their Raimundo showing through. Her smile faltered at the inside of her head beginning to spin.

A hand gently held the right side of her face as another rested on her back.

"You really need to lie down," his words just above a whisper, his eyes begging her to comply.

Opening her eyes, she was met with the intense green of his. His forehead gently resting against hers at her refusal.

"You expect me to let my guard down?"

"Does it look like I'm trying to attack you?"

Squinting her eyes, she soon became aware of their foreheads still touching, as well as their overall closeness.

Unconsciously glancing at his lips, she didn't have time to consider what they'd be like to kiss.

It was gentle at first, his lips barely brushing against hers as he tested her reaction. Her eyes closing the instant she felt the touch.

Leaning in, she pushed her lips forwards, feeling the warmth of his against hers.

Her fingers moved to the back of his head, entwining themselves within his hair. Pulling his head closer, she slightly tilted her head as her nose pressed into his cheek.

Awkwardly adjusting his position, Raimundo moved to his knees as Kimiko moved with him, their lips determined to stay connected. Sliding his hands up her thighs, he grabbed on before pulling her onto his lap.

She gasped at the sharp sting in her head, forcing her to break the kiss. Raimundo's hands were at her face, supporting her head.

"I've got you," he whispered, breathless. "You're okay,"

Resting her head against his, she let the pain settle before figuring out her next move.

Raimundo watched her with half-closed eyes. Her jaw pushing forward as her mouth slightly opened before pulling back. Her inner fight between her heart and her brain.

Lightly brushing her cheek, he brought his mouth forward, his tongue meeting hers in her still-open mouth.

Wrapping her arm around the back of his neck, she pulled herself closer. Relishing the feeling of their tongues moving in sync.

His hands were back on her thighs, a protective hold as he held her close.

Moving his tongue from hers, he tilted his body, gently lowering her to the bed as he lay on top of her. Kimiko's legs wrapping around his waist as he slowly kissed up her neck.

Their eyes connected, each showing a want which was once buried for so long. Their gaze lasting moments before their lips reconnected.

Raimundo's hand held her waist, feeling her soft skin beneath his fingers. He smiled into the kiss, his first experience of true happiness in months.

A noise from outside broke their kiss, the duo staring towards the entrance.

Quietly panting, Kimiko felt a finger brush against her lip. His silent request for her to stay quiet. Trusting him, she watched the young man climb from her body, picking up the Golden Tiger Claws she'd failed to notice next to them.

Offering his free hand, he gently pulled her from the bed, cautious of her head.

"Listen to me. Use this to take you wherever you want, I just need to keep it when you jump through,"

"What? Rai—"

"You need to leave. It isn't safe here." he gently ordered. His face visibly wishing she didn't have to go.

"Come with me," she pleaded, resting her hands on his. "Please,"

He leaned in. Fighting the need to kiss her again. His heart begging as she leaned in, her eyes closing.

"I can't, he whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. "I just can't,"

Pushing her lips against his, she held his face. Putting everything she possibly could into the kiss — a promise she'd be back for him.

Taking the Claws from his hands, she quietly created a portal before them.

Turning to give him the Wu, she asked one last time, "You sure you won't come with?"

Raimundo shook his head, fearing his words would betray him.

Taking the hand that returned the Wu, he brought it to his face, kissing her palm. His eyes watching her as she stepped back, moving through the portal.

He released a heavy breath, looking down at the blood-soaked rag in the bowl. His mind more conflicted than at the start of the war.

Landing through the portal, Kimiko fell to her knees. Her mind processing everything that just happened.

"Kimiko!"

She stood as the caller ran towards her.

As he came to a halt, Clay could only watch her with concern. Her face a pale shade of red, and a small patch of blood slowly building up in her hair.

"Kimiko… What happened?"

Her face turned as tears forced their way out of her eyes. Clutching Clay's shirt, she sobbed. The cowboy knowing nothing but to hold her.

AN: It's worth noting that whenever I write the XS fics, I always picture them as 17/18ish.

Also, this is currently a oneshot, but I do see it having the potential to become a longer story. Just let me know if you'd like more or prefer the oneshot.
I'm still working on 26 prompts, I promise. Not to mention a fic I started back in 2015 which is currently at 15k words and not even halfway through yet (fully expecting that one to become novella-length at a minimum!) and also a story I was requested to do my DM's. That on top of working fulltime for my apprenticeship (Keyworker, woo) and other day to day tasks, I've been a little busy, but I'm wanting to write again, hence this fic.

If I do continue this fic, I can easily see a chapter becoming M rated, a style of writing I do want to learn. But that's for future me to possibly write.

Anyway, it's almost 1am over here, I'm exhausted and I wanted this up before I passed out. So, as usual...

Review — I'd love to know what you think!