Hidden within the trees, Kimiko focused on the open clearing. The slight breeze brushing the short strands of hair against her cheeks.

"All clear my end. You?" the earpiece voiced.

Raising her hand to her ear, she pressed the button. "All clear. Too damn quiet if you ask me,"

"I'm up for proceeding as normal. Just be extra vigilant in case anyone shows up,"

"On it,"

She scanned across the empty camp. It was unheard of for Wuya's army to desert a base, especially when the Xiaolin warriors had yet to claim it back.

Stepping from the trees, she kept her body low as she ran towards the buildings. Resting her body against the wall, she peered around the corner.

It was clear. Empty of life, human or otherwise.

Looking at the buildings, she decided where to start. The bigger one seeming the obvious choice.

Checking again, she looked to the empty space as she moved forward. Standing in the building's doorway, she paused at the sensation in her gut.

Moving her hand to her ear, she whispered the code. "Omi's probably watching a battle," I think I'm being watched.

"Need backup?"

"I think he's good," I'll be fine.

The room held a sense of familiarity. Kimiko's mind struggling to connect until she stepped around the corner.

The bed.

The bed she woke on only three weeks ago. The head injury she was still unable to explain. The kiss she allowed herself to get carried away with.

It had taken her a week to get her head around what had happened, Clay providing her as much comfort as he could while feeling just as conflicted.

She had to leave. She'd search the rest, just not there. Leave the building; that's all she had to do. Outside was better.

"You know, I never did ask why the haircut,"

Only a short distance from the doorway, her body stopped. She didn't move — couldn't move.

Raimundo chuckled as he moved from the wall, keeping a short distance between them as he approached.

"It's just us, Kimiko," his voice soft, a gentle encouragement. "You can relax,"

Turning her face to him, Kimiko watched him smile as he tilted his head. Silently cursing herself as her heart pleaded to be closer.

"So, why the haircut?"

Turning the rest of her body, she pressed her hands against her hips, arms relaxed.

"It was supposed to be easier for battles," she calmly answered, her eyes focused over his shoulder.

"Supposed to be?"

"I hate it."

Raimundo burst into laughter at her bluntness, hunching slightly as he did.

She smirked, trying to push down the sadness in her gut. A potential they could've had if he hadn't left.

His hand moving towards her eyes made her flinch, her gaze locking on his, her arms changing to a defensive position.

"I'm just looking," he whispered, afraid he'd startle her more.

Taking her arms relaxing as a sign to continue, his hand brushed her hair, revealing the healing wound.

"That looks a lot better,"

Kimiko only nodded in response, suppressing her enjoyment of his touch on her face.

"What's the update?"

Their eyes widened, both equally surprised at Clay's voice coming through the earpiece.

Moving his hand, he gently cupped her face. "You know, we would be safer inside…"

Taking a step closer, he rested his right hand on her waist, mindful of the Golden Tiger Claws resting on said hand.

It could be just the two of them, no right or wrong, Heylin or Xiaolin. Just a pause on the war for them to be alone.

Pressing the earpiece, Kimiko's gaze never faltered. "Still searching, nothing to report,"

"And the battle?" are you being watched?

She forced the smile away as she watched Raimundo's confusion.

"False alarm, I'm alone, I'll be back when I've finished here,"

Feeling brave in her choice, she allowed Raimundo to take her hands, guiding her into the building.

"So, do we talk or pick up from where we left off last time?" Raimundo asked, his hand on her waist pulling her closer.

Kimiko smirked, his breath against her neck sending shivers down her spine. "What exactly are you hoping happens?"

One quick movement, spinning her so her back was against the wall as Raimundo pressed against her forced a sharp inhale from the girl. Smiling, he took both of her hands and gently held them against the wall.

"Whatever you want to happen, Kimi,"

She watched his face, his forehead resting against hers, eyes focused on her own. The adoration in those eyes could never be faked. It was genuine, pure.

"Why now?" she whispered, her insecurities gnawing in the back of her mind.

He inhaled at her question, vulnerability being something he'd never known to come from Kimiko. Using his left hand to brush her face, he whispered, "Because I never had the chance before,"

Kimiko pushed her face forward, her lips meeting his. Raimundo's arms wrapping around her waist. Her arms around his neck as a hand moved into his hair, pulling him closer. She'll deal with her regrets later, right now she wanted the one thing which had preoccupied her mind so badly these last three weeks – Raimundo.

His hands came to her cheeks – the golden tiger claws startling the duo as it scratched against the wall. A mutter under his breath brought her attention back to him before he grabbed her thighs, lifting her to his chest. Their mouths reconnecting as his hands adjusted on her legs.

Walking the two through to the main room, Raimundo dropped the Shen Gong Wu onto the stone side table, his hands now free to do as he pleased.

He revealed in the sensation of her against his body, her hands touching as much of his face and upper body as she could get. His hand slipped under her shirt, his calloused fingers stroking her toned back. The mere feeling of their skin touching sent shivers through his spine.

Feeling the bed frame against his leg, Raimundo carefully lowered the two onto the covers, pausing their kiss at Kimiko's fingers tugging at his hoodie.

Pulling the material from his body, Raimundo stood, looking down at the dishevelled Kimiko, her eyes clearly appreciating the sight before her. Smirking at her reaction, Raimundo quickly dived onto the bed, wrapping her legs around him as he resumed their kiss.

It was hot, passionate – everything he imagined it would be. Everything he dreamt of—

"We've got reports of rocks heading your way,"

Kimiko's eyes widened, breaking the kiss as she tried to push herself from Raimundo. Panicked at the potential trap.

"I don't know what he's talking about," Raimundo rushed, desperate to keep her close. "They don't know I'm here,"

Stopping her attempt to scramble from beneath him, Kimiko watched his face, searching for any hint of a lie. Sensing nothing but honesty, she relaxed in his hold, reaching for the earpiece.

"How many we talking?"

Their eye contact never faltered as they waited for the cowboy's voice to return.

"Can't be certain, but we think four,"

"Shit," Kimiko whispered under her breath, her eyes on the exit.

"Hey," Raimundo gently spoke, guiding her eyes back to his. "If they get too close, we can always ditch with the Golden Tiger Claws,"

She looked to the side for a moment, considering her options before nodding, "Okay."

"Tell that traitor he best keep you safe unless he wants a permanent print of my boot on his ass,"

Kimiko's face reddened, embarrassed at being caught whereas Raimundo could only grin. Mischief plastered on his face.

Leaning over her, he moved his face to her ear. "Let me speak to him,"

Shivering at the breath against her skin, she brought her hand to her ear, mindful of his face before giving a small nod.

"And I love you too, cowboy,"

Pulling her hand from the earpiece Kimiko could only roll her eyes as the man above her happily chuckled to himself.

"Pleased with yourself?" Kimiko questioned; eyebrows raised.

"Yes actually, I am," he grinned, lowering himself enough to grab her mouth with his.

The kiss was short. A moment of affection because he could. Satisfied with the blush darkening to a deeper shade of red across her cheeks, he turned his attention to her arm. Fingers lightly tracing up and down her skin, sending shivers across her body.

"So, they know what happened?"

Kimiko's eyes flicked to his. "I may have freaked out. Clay found me when I got back. Although at the beginning he was more concerned about my head,"

"Dare I ask how Omi reacted?"

It was an innocent enough question. After all, how was he supposed to know the young monk's current situation.

Kimiko's eyes focused on the bed, forcing a smile to her face. "You don't dare,"

It was a strange reaction, but he didn't press, instead choosing to brush his fingers through her hair. Using his element to listen out for any rock creatures that may happen to be in the area.

"What're you thinking?"

He looked back at her; eyes filled with curiosity as she looked at him. "I'm just listening for potential threats. I'm not used to doing it with someone I can talk to with me,"

Smiling at his answer, Kimiko laid her head back, resting on her arm as she closed her eyes. Humming in appreciation at the hand still in her hair. "That feels nice,"

"I'm glad," he smiled back, kissing her forehead, continuing to brush through her hair. "I miss your long hair,"

"You and me both," she chuckled. "I've been told I can't try and fix it with the Tangled Web Comb,"

"Omi setting the rules, huh?"

"Uh, no," her eyes looked to the ceiling, avoiding his reaction. "Spicer said it. I was going to ignore him until Clay agreed,"

"But nothing from Omi?"

Glancing at the young man, she saw his eyes focused on her face, determined to figure out the secret.

"He didn't have any input,"

"I want to ask what you're thinking, I just don't know if you'll tell me,"

Locking eyes, Kimiko silently cursed. She never could lie to him.

"I don't know if I can,"

Stroking her face, he leaned in for a kiss. Pulling back, he admired her face, eyes closed, lips waiting for more.

"I understand," he whispered.

A sound of heavy footsteps travelled through the air. Jolting up, Raimundo threw his hoodie on, eyes on the doorway.

"What's wrong?"

"They're getting close, there's more than four though,"

Kimiko's hand went straight to her ear. "Clay, there's more than thought approaching. Any ideas on numbers?"

"No, we're blind there at the moment, you need to evacuate,"

"Shit," she looked to Raimundo, "I need to leave, I thought this place was abandoned,"

"It was," Raimundo confirmed, not caring he was telling secrets to the enemy. "Wuya said she'd found better land and we switched two weeks ago, they shouldn't be here,"

"She doesn't know… does she?"

Turning from the corridor, Raimundo's face creased with horror.

"Absolutely not, you'd become her main target,"

"Are you evacuating?" Clay.

Walking towards her, Raimundo held his hands on her hips.

"When would I see you again?"

"I can't exactly plan a date, Rai," Kimiko stressed, "We're in the middle of a war, remember?"

His brows creased; both knowing who started it. "Can you at least try?" he pleaded, "I don't want to lose this,"

Bringing her hands to his face, her thumbs stroked his cheeks. "Come back with me?"

"You know I can't,"

"At least think about it," she asked, "And I'll do what I can to see you again,"

"You promise?"

Leaning in, her lips found his. "I promise,"

Happy new year!

I've had the sudden urge to work on 3-4 different fics at once so you should be getting more from me at some point!

Do you like my fanfiction? I've published a book!

Look Up by Stephi Durand. Available across all online book retailers (and can be requested in stores/libraries!)

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