XIAOLIN SHOWDOWN - "The Choices We Make"

by Stephen R. Sobotka Jr. / 2006

DISCLAIMER : Xiaolin Showdown is the creation of Christi Hui / Warner Bros. Animation; all characters of this story -- with the exception of any original characters that I created -- are the property of said licenses, and WB Television Animation, and are used here without knowledge or permission of same. This story was produced to entertain fans of the original show, and is in no way, shape or form intended to be published for monetary gain. Please do not sue.

This story is an original prose based on situations and themes from the original "Xiaolin Showdown" animated series. This story is the rightful property of the author; all original characters and the plot depicted within are protected by copyright law.

AUTHOR'S NOTES : I wrote this because it irks me that, out of all the XS fanfics out there, the general focus is on Rai/Kimiko 'shippers. So, don't hate me if I feel that the little fiery gal from Japan would be better off with a certain big boy from Texas.

Comments are most welcome, so please DO comment!

Enjoy the story! - SRS Jr

CHOICES

It's like a nightmare, only we're all awake... and I seriously doubt any nightmare could be as bad as reality is now!

Moving desperately, KimikoTohomiko hit the ground hard on her shoulder, rolling several times as sparks flew from the lashing claws of her attacker as they grazed the ancient temple stones.

"Hold still, you little witch!" Katnappe snarled, drawing her hand back to slash at the Dragon of Fire. "I'm going to skin you alive!"

"Takes more than a cat, to skin me!" As the cat-suit wearing foe paused, the young Japanese girl planted one hand beneath her and lashed out with a sweeping kick.

Katnappe hopped over her feet. "Rrrow! I'm more than enough to deal with you, Xiaolin Loser!" Swiping both arms out in a double-slashing motion, Katnappe tried to hit Kimiko in the middrift, but in missing completely, she left herself wide open.

"Deal with this," Kimiko said, "Judolei Kick FIRE!"

With a yowl of pain, Katnappe sailed backwards to crash against the far courtyard wall of Chase Young's temple. Sliding to the ground with a groan, the cat-fighter didn't bounce back onto her feet right away.

Which allowed Kimiko a few precious seconds to gather her breath. This is insane! she told herself. When Master Fung said this was to be the last battle... I don't think any of us expected this!

Truth be told, the fighting raging inside and around the Heylin-held temple promised to live up to that 'last battle' moniker. Chase's personal guards, enhanced by an army of mystical monsters whipped up by Wuya and Hannibal Bean, were all arrayed against Master Fung and the four Xiaolin Dragons; herself, Raimundo, Omi and Clay.

It would've been a slaughter on the onset, had not a sudden shift in the balance, in the form of Jack Spicer and his robot army, suddenly arrived. Before Wuya and Chase could counter it, he ordered his Jackbots and other assorted minions to attack the Heylin foes.

Much to the surprise of the Dragons, Jack briefly stated before joining the fray, "Hey, I just wanna rule the world! They wanna DESTROY IT! Hello, never a good idea!"

For a time, it appeared that Jack's aid would turn the tide... only now, in the midst of the melee, Jack's robots were losing three to one over the Heylin forces. In a split second, it had gone from a fight between good and evil, into a fight for everyone's life!

I've got to find the others! Kimiko said, rising to her feet as she felt a ping of pain in her side. "Ouch! Not good!" Moving forwards, she got close to where Katnappe was slowly moving her head and groaning.

Just as the cat-burglar lifted her head to peer at the Xiaolin warrior, Kimiko snapped out a side kick that cracked against the side of fallen fighter's head. With a whimper, Katnappe slumped unconscious once more.

"Take a nap, Nappe," Kimiko hissed, never giving Katnappe a second look as she stumbled onwards into the thicker part of the battle.

All around the stone courtyard, the forces for Xiaolin and Haylin were locking horns. Master Fung and several of his fellow monks were hemmed in near one corner by several demons. Clay and Raimundo traded places -- and foes -- with each other as they tried to keep the bulk of Chase's stone warriors from overwhelming the center. Jack Spicer hovered over everyone, directing his horde of Jackbots, which were currently engaged with Hannibal Bean.

This left Omi to face down Chase himself; the powerful young man fighting the smaller-yet-determined monk up and down the main part of the courtyard. Both were using what Shen Gong Wu they had with blazing proficiency, which had kicked up a major lightning storm all around them.

Everyone seems to be covered! Kimiko thought. But I don't see that witch-!

Suddenly, Wuya appeared in the midst of the lightning storm being generated by Omi and Chase's clash of wills. Bursting into the clear, her fingers curled around a eldritch ball of energy, as she glared menacingly... straight at Kimiko!

"Time to die, little Dragon!" the Haylin witch cackled, as she pulled her hands back to intensify the energy blast she was about to send rocketing towards the young girl.

Wide-eyed, Kimiko heard her mind scream Move, movemovemoveM-!, only to realize in a split second that it would be too little, too late. Staring death in the face, Kimiko let her mind flash quickly over memories of her family. Master Fung, Dojo... Rai, Omi-!

"NO!"

The bellow cut across the battlefield was one raised on calling in cattle across the wide Texas plains. Clay Bailey -- the Xiaolin Dragon of Earth -- smash two of Chase's stone tiger's aside like they were confetti as he charged across the temple floor.

"Clay?"

With a burst of desperate speed, Clay got in front of Kimiko. "Third-Arm SASH!" With that, the trailing end of the Shen Gong Wu wrapped around his waist shot out and -- forming a crude hand with the tassels at the tip -- shoved the young girl back several feet.

Hitting the ground, Kimiko gasped from the pain lancing up her side. "Ow!"

"Just stay down, Kimmy! Two-TON TUNIC!" Clay shouted, activating the Shen Gong Wu's power -- which turned it into a massive armored shirt -- as he faced Wuya.

With a leer, the Heylin witch laughed. "It doesn't matter... you both can just DIE together!" With that, she aimed and shot the large ball of energy straight at the two Dragon warriors!

"Not likely, you hag!" Before Kimiko or the Heylin witch could react, Clay clenched his hand, drew it back and swung with all his might as the ball was just inches in front of him. "FIST OF TEBIGONG!"

The power of the Fist could shatter mountains.

The Two-Ton Tunic was said to be indestructable, and could absorb most any physical punishment.

The heart of the slow-talking, easy-smiling young man from Texas could lift even the darkest of spirits.

But in a matter of seconds, before Kimiko's horrified eyes, all three failed against the explosive blast of Wuya's eldrich power! Amid a flash as bright as a supernova, She barely caught the silhouette of Clay's broad body as it sailed backwards, but she couldn't ever miss the cry of ultimate terror that filled her ears; a cry wrenched from Clay's throat that died just as quickly as it existed.

There was a sickening thud... and, when Kimiko could see clearly in the aftermath, she saw the proud young Earth Dragon lying broken on the ground behind her.

"Clay...?" Unable to process the image, Kimiko barely noticed the battle around her, as she turned and started stumbling towards her friend's limp body. "No... no, no, NO! CLAY!" Falling to her knees beside him, Kimiko reached for his one hand, her eyes filling with tears as she beheld the scorched flesh on that hand; the result of the destruction of the Fist of Tebigong. The ruination of that shattered Shen Gong Wu continued up his arm, even charring the sleeve of the now-reverted Two-Ton Tunic.

"Oh no!" Kimiko looked tearfully at Clay's face, which was locked in a rictus of agony. "This... I can't-!" She suddenly cried out, "DOJO! HELP!"

Even in the midst of the flowing battle, the ancient dragon -- in reduced size -- made his way through the fighting to slip up alongside the young woman. "Hey, hey, Kimmy! You can't just sit still with-ah-hah-yeeeeeOW!" Dojo's face went pale when he looked at Clay. "What happened to-?"

"No time!" Kimiko snapped, cutting Dojo off. "We've got to get him to safety!"

Dojo stared hard at her. "B-but, the battle's not over! We're gonna need your help to defeat Chase!"

A moan from the fallen Dragon of the Earth beside them, brought both Dojo and Kimiko's attention back into focus.

"If we don't act now, we'll lose Clay!" Kimiko said firmly. "Help me get him at least out of the battlefield, please!"

Dojo glanced quickly around, before he said, "I'd be a sitting duck if I went super-sized right now!" Suddenly, he caught sight of Raimundo, who was fighting his way past them, engaging three of Wuya's stone golems. "But, there's another way!" Dojo suddenly darted away; slipping through the fighting with a speed borne of desperation.

Kimiko watched the diminutive dragon scurry away. "Hurry, Dojo!" She ducked as another blast of energy sailed close overhead, using her body to cover what she could of Clay's injured form. "Hurry, please!" She watched as Dojo slipped in and around several shattered stone piles, making his way towards Raimundo; who was lashing out at the trio of attackers with his signature weapon.

"Sword of the STORM!" At his command, a wind-tunnel force wind slammed into the nearest golem, pitching it backwards into a cluster of Chase's animated guardians. "Yeah! Boo-YAH! Anyone else wanna be blown away?" Raimundo said archly. "Step on up! I got plenty for all of ya!"

As he faced off against the remaining golems, Dojo slithered up one of his legs, before diving into the carry-sack that the young Dragon of Wind had strapped to his waist.

"Hey! What's with the-?"

Dojo popped his head out of the bag. "No time to explain!" He pulled out a long set of blades, mounted on a hand-grip. "I need to borrow this one! I'll bring it right back, I promise!" With that, Dojo jumped away from Raimundo and started slithering back the way he came.

"Dojo? Why do you need the Golden Tiger Claws!" Before he could go after the tiny dragon, Raimundo was violently shoved back by one of the stone golems; sliding back until he hit one of the decorative pillars in the middle of the courtyard.

Kimiko winced. "Ow! Rai!"

Dojo skidded to a halt next to her. "Rai's a tough cookie! He'll be fine for the moment, but if you're going to get Clay to safety-!"

Kimiko grabbed the Tiger Claws and nodded. "I know! I'll be back as quickly as I can!" Raising up, she slipped her hand into the hand-grip and turned away from Clay for a moment. "Golden Tiger CLAWS!" Slashing the air, she didn't wait to see the formation of the magical rift beside them. Moving as carefully as she could, she lifted Clay's body up and started dragging him into the maw of the rift.

Just then, a shriek of hate filled the air, making the blood in Kimiko's veins freeze: "No! You will not get away!"

Snapping her head around, Kimiko gasped at the sight of Wuya -- now recovered from the backlash of her deflected attack -- now wreathed in eldrich flames as she glared at Kimiko and her unconscious teammate. "Oh no!"

Before Wuya could advance or attack, the space between her and her prey was filled with the expanding form of Dojo! "Not on my watch, Sister!" the full-sized dragon growled. "Leave them alone!"

"Dojo! You can't face Wuya alone!" Kimiko said.

Wuya sneered and said, "The little dragon-girl is right, you over-grown gecko! You cannot withstand my full power!" She held up one hand, letting a streamer of energy crackle between her fingertips.

Dojo just scowled, letting smoke vent from his two nostrils. "I don't need to withstand you, Wuya... just hold you back!" Flexing his claws, he snarled deep in his throat and started to slither around to the left of the Heylin witch.

At that point, Master Fung and two of his fellow monks appeared at Kimiko's side. Looking battered, but not beaten, the Grand Master of the Xiaolin Temple took only a few seconds to assess the situation. "Go, help Dojo!" he told the two monks, before turning towards Kimiko and Clay. "Kimiko! What are you-?"

"Clay got hurt, stopping one of Wuya's attacks! I've got to get him back to the temple!"

Master Fung nodded once. "Let me help him," he said, moving to get his strong arms underneath Clay's burly body. With his help, the two of them got the young man into the rift, following after without a glance back at the battle raging behind them...

ooooOOOOoooo

Back at the Xiaolin Temple...

The battle had been terrible and long, but the Xiaolin forces were victorious... in the end, it had been a combination of Omi and Raimundo's skills -- and the use of several combined Shen Gong Wu -- that had defeated Chase Young and Hannibal Bean.

But, evil had gotten their licks in as well.

Several of the Temple's monks had been injured badly, and were needing the care and skills of the Xiaolin Brotherhood's healers. Dojo himself had been battered in the scuffle with Wuya -- during which, thanks to the use of the Yin Yo-Yo, the Heylin witch was banished into the Yin-Yang World -- and, not even the remaining young Dragons had escaped without some sort of injury.

Hours after the end of the battle, Raimundo, Omi and Kimiko were waiting outside of the Temple infirmary; Kimiko with a few scrapes and bruises, Rai with his left arm in a sling and Omi himself sporting a lovely, black eye. Restlessly, the young warriors waited for word to come on the condition of their last teammate.

Several times, a couple of monks entered and left the infirmary, but none stopped to leave the trio with any news of Clay.

"Man, I hate this," Raimundo said, craddling his arm gingerly. "Just waiting around like this, it's murder!"

"Don't remind me," Kimiko said, her eyes fixed on a single spot on the floor ahead of her, filled with worry. "What could be keeping them?"

Omi said, "I am certain that our fellow Xiaolin will be healed and recover soon." Looking worn-down, the smallest Dragon glanced at Kimiko. "I would not worry about Clay, Kimiko... our healers are the finest in all the land!"

Raimundo nodded. "The lil' cueball's right, Kimmy," he said, "Though, I gotta admit... I just didn't think any of us, you know, would get hurt."

"I can't help it, Omi... 'specially since it was my fault!" she said.

Both Raimundo and Omi looked at each other. "Whadda ya mean, it's 'your fault', Kimmy?"

"Raimundo is right," Omi said, a curious tone in his voice. "Why would you think-?"

"I don't think!" Kimiko snapped. "I just know! It was because of me, that Clay got hurt!"

Both of her fellow Dragons looked at her in aghast. "No... I cannot believe this. You could not have been the cause for Clay's injuries!" Omi said softly.

"You are right, Omi." From the doorway of the infirmary, Master Fung stepped out into the hallway to face the trio. Looking as haggard as he sounded, the old monk still projected a calming presence as he said, "Clay was injured when the Fist of Tebigong was destroyed, thanks in part to a blast of Wuya's power."

"Woah! Wuya destroyed a Shen Gong Wu?" Rai asked.

"Master Fung, I did not think such a thing was possible," Omi admitted.

"Almost anything is possible, young monk," Master Fung replied. "Fortunately, Clay used the Two-Ton Tunic to shield his body from the majority of the Fist's destruction. Had he not-."

Not wanting to hear any more gruesome details, Kimiko shot to her feet, facing Master Fung. "Master, forgive me but, is... is Clay-?"

"Clay is resting now, Kimiko," Master Fung replied, sensing her distress. "However, it will be some time, before he is fully recovered."

Kimiko said, "Oh no! Master Fung, can I-?"

"Clay will not be able to speak or know you are there, Kimiko," Master Fung said. "However... I do believe you can see him, for a brief moment."

With a relieved look, Kimiko bowed to Master Fung. "Thank you, Master!" Giving both of her teammates one last look, she turned and slipped around the corner of the doorway. Barely out of earshot, she heard both Raimundo and Omi's voices raise as they fired off questions to Master Fung...

ooooOOOOoooo

Inside the infirmary, the quiet air of the long chamber lay filled with the soft scents of medicinal herbs and calming incense. On low pallet beds, many of the survivors of the battle were either resting or being tended to by monks with healing skills.

Walking between them, Kimiko hugged herself against the chill she got as she looked from one bed to the next. We... we all really got the worst that Wuya and her Heylin friends could dish out! Swallowing, she moved along, until she came to the far end of the chamber...

In one corner, next to an open window, she found Clay.

Coming up next to his bed, Kimiko couldn't help the whimper that slipped through her lips when she looked at her fellow Xiaolin warrior. Lying on a small pile of pillows and wooden bracing blocks, the tall Texan looked like a lesser shadow of his formerly-robust self. His face was pale and drawn underneath the blond bangs covering his forehead, and the majority of his upper body and one arm lay wrapped in thick bandages.

Kneeling slowly, Kimiko watched his chest rise and fall for a few seconds, before she peered up at his face and sighed. "Clay... I know that... Master Fung said you can't hear me now," she said. "But, I've got to say this... though I wish I could say this to you, while you're awake."

She glanced down to the side, noticing that Clay's ten-gallon hat had been left by his bedside.

With a sad smile, she picked the dun-brown hat up and held it between her hands for a moment, before she lowered it to her lap and said, "I know we're supposed to be there for each other, and protect one another when danger threatens us... but, you got hurt really bad, and... it was my fault for not moving fast enough! It was my fault that..."

She closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to spill onto her cheeks. "It's my fault Wuya nearly killed you, and... and I'm sorry, Clay! I... I'm... so, sorry!" Unable to stop herself, Kimiko hugged Clay's hat to her chest gently, while the tears now flowed unchecked from her eyes.

From his bed, Clay seemed to roll his head towards her as a soft moan leaked from his lips.

For uncounted moments, Kimiko remained at Clay's side, holding onto his hat... until, with a gentle touch to her shoulder, she was roused from her numbness by Master Fung. "Kimiko," he said, "come away now. Clay will recover, and you can speak to him when he is finally awake."

With a shudder, Kimiko turned and replaced Clay's hat back nearby. "I know, Master." Rising up, she leaned over Clay briefly to brush some of his blond bangs out of his face. "Please, get well... soon, 'kay?" she whispered. Turning away, she followed Master Fung out of the room, pausing only briefly to glance back at the unconscious form of her friend once more.

ooooOOOOoooo

Kimiko and Master Fung emerged from inside the temple, walking out onto the wide front steps as the sun began to rise on a new day. It looked so different from the previous day, which had been dark with the promise of death and destruction.

"Do not fret for him," Master Fung said, watching the young Dragon as she walked away from him. "Clay is young and strong. He will recover."

Kimiko stopped next to the railing of the temple's veranda. "How long will it take for him to get completely well again, Master Fung?"

"It will take as long as it will take, Kimiko," Fung replied. "It was a terrible injury."

"One that... that shouldn't have happened," Kimiko said softly. Reaching out to grip the railing in front of her, she closed her eyes and said, "It wouldn't have happened, if he didn't try to save me!"

Master Fung looked at her with surprise. "Clay saved your life. Something he would have done for even Omi, and for Raimundo, too."

"But, he shouldn't have had to risk his life like that!" Kimiko clenched her fist and pounded it against the wood rail. "If I'd been paying attention, or had moved faster-!"

"Kimiko!" Master Fung said sharply. "This was not your fault! Even though you were chosen to be a Dragon of the Xiaolin, it cannot be expected for any one of us to be responsible for what happens to the others in the heat of battle!" He reached out and turned her to face him. "Kimiko, I understand your guilt, but it is misplaced. Clay would tell you as much, were he awake."

Kimiko moaned and pushed the Xiaolin master's hands away. "It doesn't matter, because he's not awake! We both know that he wouldn't be hurt if I hadn't froze in front of Wuya!" Shaking her head, she turned away and stared out over the temple grounds. "I've lost it... I've lost the edge I needed in that fight, and thanks to me, Clay nearly paid for that with his life!"

Master Fung stood there, looking at her sadly. "Then... what is it you wish to do, child?"

Bowing her head, Kimiko said, "I've been thinking about that... ever since we all got back from the end of the battle, Master. I... I think I need to leave."

Master Fung nodded. "To return to your home, to rest and recover-."

"No. No, Master," she said, cutting him off as she turned back once more. "I think, it'd be best if I left the Temple... for good."

ooooOOOOoooo

Within a couple of hours, even though Master Fung tried to sway her with every possible argument, Kimiko had already packed her personal belongings and pulled them out into the temple courtyard. A call had been sent to her parents, and soon a private transport would be arriving to take her back home.

Waiting on the main temple steps, Kimiko had changed from her Xiaolin robes to a more contemporary outfit; one of her school uniforms, complete with a pleated skirt, blouse and blazer jacket, knee socks and tie. Rubbing her hands over the sleeves of her jacket, she looked up into the morning sky and frowned.

It's better this way. she told herself, though even her inner voice didn't sound very convincing, even to her.

"I do not believe what I am seeing!"

Without turning around, Kimiko sighed. It was bound to happen, Kimiko. she muttered inside her head, before she said out loud, "Believe it, Omi."

Stepping around to look up at her, the shorter monk's wide, yellow face was covered with a frown. "No, this cannot be! Kimiko, you cannot be leaving us."

Stepping up to her other side, Raimundo added, "Even I couldn't believe it when Master Fung told us! Kimmy, Omi's right... you don't have to go-."

"Yes, I do, Rai." Kimiko folded her arms and lowered her gaze to the ground. "Trust me, it's for the best."

Both Omi and Rai looked at each other. "But, you are the chosen Dragon of Fire, Kimiko!" Omi held out his hands in an expansive gesture. "If you leave us now, what will we do without you?"

"The little guy's right," Rai said. "You're part of the team, Kimmy. We can't function without you!"

Shaking her head, Kimiko said, "No, you'll see... you're better off without me, Rai. You may not like it... but someday, you'll find someone else to replace me."

Omi scowled, but in a pained-little-brother sort of way. "Kimiko," he said sadly, "no one could ever replace you! You are... one of the most unique females I have ever met."

"Considering how young you are," Rai added under his breath, before he said, "But the little guy's right. We could never find anyone else like you, Kimiko." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You need to reconsider leavin' us, hon! I know you feel all guilty about-."

"That's the whole point, Rai!" Kimiko stared at him hard. "No argument can stop me from feeling guilty about what happened to Clay! How can be expected to look him in the face, knowing he got hurt because of me?"

"I do not think Clay would blame you-."

"He wouldn't have to, Omi."

"Besides, the big guy would totally forgive you!"

"But, I can't forgive myself... and that's the thing I have to deal with, on my own." She looked away once more. "I can't function as a part of this team, until I can do that."

Both Omi and Rai were still in shock. "But, certainly... you can still remain here, at the temple?"

Rai shook his head. "Face, Omi, she's made up her mind. I don't think there's anything we can say about it."

"No, you are wrong!"

Both Kimiko and Rai looked sharply at Omi. His words were not shouted, but they were delivered with such conviction, that they could have sworn he just bellowed as loudly as Clay would have done.

"There is something we can say to her." Turning to face her fully, Omi folded his arms in front of himself, before bowing low. "Kimiko... if you feel you must leave us, then please do not leave us completely." He rose and gave her a sad, yet supportive expression. "For we all will miss you, so much."

With tears glittering in her eyes, Kimiko leaned down and wrapped Omi up in a hug. "Oh, Omi! I could never let you guys leave me completely, either!" Releasing Omi, she turned and offered a hug to Raimundo, who returned it with equal measure.

"You're always gonna be a part of us, Kimmy," Rai said somberly. "No matter where you go, don't you ever forget us."

Kimiko nodded, looking up at Rai with a wan smile. "I'll never forget our times together. Fighting evil, searching for the Shen Gon Wu..."

"Even dealing with Jack Spicer?" Rai said with a grin.

Scrunching up her face, Kimiko replied. "Ew! Well... yeah, even Jack's unforgettable."

Just then, the sound of an approaching helicopter filled the air, making all three young people look skywards. Sighing, Kimiko said, "Well... looks like Daddy didn't waste any time. He send the fastest 'copter in our family's fleet."

Both Omi and Rai didn't know what more to say, as they waited with her for the fast-moving helicopter to land. Once down, they stood nearby as the pilot and one of Kimiko's family servants moved to load all of her belongings onto the vehicle.

When the task was complete, Kimiko waved the pilot on to start preparing for take off, before she turned to give Omi and Rai one last hug each.

"I'm really going to miss you guys!"

Omi asked, "Do you wish for us to tell Clay good-bye for you?"

Rai nodded. "The big guy's gonna be put out, that he wasn't awake when you left."

Swallowing, Kimiko shook her head. "Just... just tell Clay... I said good-bye, and I'll miss him," she said softly.

From behind her, the whine of the helicopter's engine grew in pitch.

Nodding, Rai gave her a nudge. "Go on, Kimmy... your flight's gonna take off without you."

With a weak smile, Kimiko turned and started walking towards the waiting 'copter. "Bye, guys! Guess I'll see you around?"

Waving, Rai said, "Sure you will! If another Shen Gon Wu pops up in Japan, we'll stop over for some sushi!"

Omi gave her a dignified smile as he waved. "Do be safe, my good friend Kimiko! Good fortune... and good journey!"

Stopping to smile and wave one last time, Kimiko cast a glance at the Xiaolin Temple. Staring hard, she felt a sharp pain inside her chest... which she smothered as she turned and climbed inside the idling helicopter.

Moments later, while Rai and Omi watched from the ground, the helicopter rose gently into the morning sky, turned and headed swiftly towards the East; towards Japan, Tokyo... and home.

ooooOOOOoooo

Inside the Infirmary, near the same instant that Kimiko departed from the Xiaolin Temple, Dojo and Master Fung were seeing to Clay's bandages.

"The kid don't look good," the tiny dragon said softly.

"He is... improving," Master Fung said, moving to wring out a compress in a bowl of cool water. "It is just a pity that he did not awaken, before Kimiko departed."

Shaking his reptilian head, Dojo asked, "You think he'll take the news well... I mean when he does come back to his senses?"

Laying the cloth on Clay's forehead, Master Fung closed his eyes and said, "No matter what happens when he does awaken, we will be here to help him heal all of his wounds. As the Wisest Dragon once said... 'No matter if an injury is of the flesh, or the spirit, all can be healed with time and good friendship."

Dojo gave the Xiaolin master a sly look. "You really should publish some of this ancient wisdom, y'know?"

Rising from beside the bed, Master Fung gave Dojo a tolerant look as he said, "Come, Dojo... we must speak to Omi and Raimundo. They must be prepared to help Clay heal himself."

As they left the chamber, neither dragon nor monk saw the slight shift in Clay's comatose form... or that he lifted his hand from where it lay on the bed beside him, as if reaching out to take hold of someone.

"k-k... Kim-m-mi-ko-o-o?"

TO BE CONTINUED...