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

Chapter 3

"...there's something we need to ask you, Kimiko." Raimundo took in her expression of worry, and plowed ahead. "Would you come back to the Temple with us... please?"

Kimiko experienced a sensation like in her nightmare... of the world coming to a slow, grinding halt, though it was all centered in a tight, cold ball inside her tummy, and she wasn't in the middle of a dream. She was standing in the middle of her personal office in Shibuya City, facing Raimundo and Dojo: two people from a past she never thought she'd see ever again.

Only now, her former Xiaolin teammate had asked her a question she'd dreaded hearing in her fear-filled waking dreams. "What-?" She stared up at Rai with wide eyes, her skin draining to a pale cream color in seconds. "You... want me... to-?"

Stepping closer, the tall Brazilian warrior in dark blue and red robes held up one hand to forestall any outburst. "Kimmy, listen," he said, "just hear me out first... I mean, I understand how you felt ten years ago-."

Shaking her head, Kimiko said, "No, Rai... I don't think you do." Oh man! Why was he dragging this back up now?

Rai and Dojo looked at each other. Sighing, the mini-dragon said, "Look, Kimiko, let's all sit down and talk for a bit. I mean, we're not trying to put you on the spot here... well, not on purpose, anyway."

Rai nodded. "There's been some things a-changin' back at the temple... things we've got to tell you about, before you make any decision, one way or another." He looked at her frankly. "It's the least we can do. After all, as long as you've been away-."

"I.. get the point, Rai," Kimiko said, a wan smile threatening to form on her lips. "Well... I guess, talking things over won't kill me."

Her friend looked at her knowingly. "Besides, news of this nature demands you treat us to lunch!"

Kimiko had to smile at that. "You sure that's all you came her for, Rai?"

Chuckling, Rai said, "Well, you do remember, when we said good-bye that last time, that I told you we'd stop by for some sushi, right?"

Kimiko laughed softly. "Well, I just did ask my assistant to call up some obento box lunches... I guess I'd better let him know we'll need enough for three now."

"Great idea!" Dojo grinned. "The fashion district has some of the best sushi boxed lunches the world over," he said knowingly. When Kimiko shot him an arched look, he said, "What? It's a cuisine I happen to like!"

ooooOOOOoooo

Within an hour, Rai, Kimiko and Dojo were seated at her conference table, with the contents of several bento-boxes spread out between them. For a while, the only sounds inside Kimiko's office were the click of chopsticks and the sounds of companionable talk between friends.

"...so, you can imagine how shocked Omi was," Rai said as he told Kimiko of the latest scuttlebutt going on at the temple.

"I so can imagine it," Kimiko said. "Wonder what Master Fung thought about all that mess in the temple kitchen?"

Dojo paused to swallow a mouthful of egg roll. "Well, let's just say Master Fung decided after that, that if Omi wanted to take responsibility for his actions, then he could take responsibility for it all!"

Kimiko stared at the tiny dragon. "Care to run that by me again?"

Rai said, "He means that Master Fung felt that Omi was ready to take full charge of the temple." He fished out a piece of tekamaki from the nearest box and popped it in his mouth. Chewing quickly, he said, "I mean, after the last battle with Chase, Master Fung made Omi a Shoku Warrior... so, naturally, he took him up to the next level!"

Kimiko gasped. "No way... Omi... is a-?"

"A full Master Monk," Rai said simply. "And, before you ask, I'm cool with it. Hey, I'm still the Dragon of the Wind and in charge of the team when we go out to look for Shen Gong Wu! And let me tell you, with Omi sticking around the Temple more with Master Fung, it makes things a lot more quiet when we're out looking for Wu."

Kimiko shook her head. "I can't believe it. Our Little Omi... a full Master!"

Munching on some stir-fried vegetables, Dojo mumbled, "Believe it, sister! You don't even know of all the changes that have come around the old Temple-place in ten years!"

Rai set down his chopsticks and nodded. "Dojo's right, Kimmy. There's been a lot of changes... at the temple, in the team... you've got to see it to really believe it all." When he saw her face fall into a frown, Rai said, "Hon, believe me, I know it's not gonna be easy. But, look at it this way. You know you've always wanted to know, well... what happened after you left, right?"

Nodding slowly, Kimiko replied, "Yeah... I mean, it still hurts to admit it, but you're right."

"We're not askin' you to stay on," Rai said, holding out his hand by way of an offer. "I mean... seein' what you've done for yourself here, well, you did pretty good."

Dojo said, "Besides, you come back to the Temple for just a couple of days... see the old gang, see all the new Wu we got, and, Hey! You'll even get to meet the new team members!"

With a wan smile, Kimiko asked, "So, you did find someone to replace me?"

"Not like we really could function without a Fire Dragon," Rai said somberly. "Still, the new blood will make you proud, Kimmy." He gave her a charming smile that was all-too-familiar with the young Japanese woman. "C'mon! What do you say?"

Kimiko, however, wasn't smiling any more. In fact, she stared down at the table, into the half-filled cup of green tea by her hands.

Dojo swallowed the last bite of his egg roll past the lump that suddenly formed in his throat. "Ah, eh-heh... Kimiko?"

"You know... I've always wondered, yet feared, ever learning what happened... you know, after I left the temple." Sighing, Kimiko lifted her face to gaze at Rai. "I can't help it, but... I'm afraid of what I'll find, waiting there for me." She shivered. "I don't like the idea of facing it all by myself!"

Rai nodded. "You don't have to, Kimmy. I'll be there, as will Dojo, and Omi... and others," he said. "No matter what, you're never going to face anything, without your friends being there with you." Standing up, he moved around the conference table and placed one hand on Kimiko's shoulder. "We're always here for you."

Dojo nodded. "Friends always are there for ya, sister."

With a sad smile, Kimiko turned and raised her hand to give Rai's a squeeze. "Thanks guys... I really appreciate it." With a long sigh, she said, "Well... I've put this off for too long. Guess there's no better time like now to resolve things."

Rai smiled. "So, what's the plan?"

Turning back to the table, Kimiko reached out and tapped the intercom. "Zumi... do me a favor, please? Put all my current appointments and schedule on hold for... oh, say the next two weeks."

A surprised voice replied, "Ahh... hai, Madame! But... why, may I ask-?"

"Something's come up," Kimiko said, while she felt another knot of ice begin to settle in her tummy. "I've got to make a trip... a very important one!"

ooooOOOOoooo

Within hours, Kimiko had finalized all her personal affairs with her business and her home -- much to the chagrin of her maid, who had to hurry to pack even a modest assortment of travel clothes and necessities -- and, once Rai had dropped Katnappe off with the local authorities, they were soon winging their way on Dojo, heading back to the Xiaolin Temple.

Of course, Kimiko had to change into more suitable clothes for travel: dark pants and sturdy 'hikers', along with a khaki vest over a black cotton T-shirt, while her hair was now braided into one long twist with a single, brass clip at the end.

Looking back over her shoulder as she rode on a now-super sized dragon, Kimiko chuckled at the chagrined expression on Raimundo's face. "Oh come on, can you be a little more happy here? I'm doing what you wanted, after all!"

Leaning back against the small mountain of bags and luggage that Kimiko's maid had prepared -- tied to Dojo's back with several ropes -- Rai said with a sour tone, "Did you have to bring half of a department store with you?"

"Oh stop! I only brought six pieces and two garment bags!" Kimiko shook her head. "You don't hear Dojo complaining, do you?"

From in front of her, the large head of Dojo twisted back and muttered, "Speak for yourself, sister! Ooo! What did you pack in there? Lead Bloomers?"

Rolling her eyes, Kimiko ignored the snipe and turned back to watch as the once-familiar land passed by beneath them. Privately, she was as nervous... well, to hear Clay say it once, 'As nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockin' chairs.'.

Geez, I know the guys didn't say it, but I have to wonder if Clay's still with the temple? Wringing her hands in front of her, Kimiko tried to shove the ball of ice that threatened to form inside her middle to the side. Stop it! They also didn't say he left, or... no, don't think like that!

Soon enough, Dojo called out to his passengers, "Next stop, Xiaolin Central! Please keep your arms and legs astride the dragon, until we come to a complete stop!" Descending quickly from the sky, the huge dragon weaved his way down towards the sprawling hills and green forests that bordered a simple-but-profound compound of buildings; the great Temple of the Xiaolin Monks.

Unable to keep from staring, Kimiko gasped at the first things she noticed were the growth of the main bell tower and the extension of the large wall that encircled the compound. "You said there were some changes, but-?"

Rai nodded, while Dojo gently touched down in the center of the wide courtyard. "We had a little trouble with some of the leftover foes that used to help the Heylin side," he explained. "Master Fung finally listened to me and Omi, and we did some improvements... to better protect the temple."

Stepping down from Dojo, Kimiko looked around the courtyard, she took stock of some of the other things that looked different; some of the smaller parts of the temple buildings were expanded, and there were a few modern touches -- such as a satellite dish on the dormitory annex! -- that she clearly recognized as one of Rai's touches.

"Been making a few, ah, improvements, Rai?" she asked wryly.

"Oh, Raimundo cannot take all the charge for some of these things," a voice that sounded very familiar-yet-different said.

Automatically, she replied, "That's 'credit', Omi!" Kimiko turned around, and while she'd been forewarned by Rai, it was still a shock to her to see him in person, with her own eyes! "Omi?"

Standing at the top of the steps that lead into the temple's main hall, Omi made a small bow, yet his round, yellow face was filled with a happy smile as he rose back up. "It is I, as you say... 'in the flesh'." Moving down the steps with a calm, steady pace, the Master Dragon monk in blue and white robes held out his arms and said, "My good friend Kimiko! It is so good to see you again!"

Without hesitation, Kimiko threw her arms around Omi and hugged him tight. "Oh man, it's good to see you, too!" Pulling back a bit, she stared him up and down for a moment, taking in the changes to his appearance... especially one big difference!

"Omi! What has Master Fung been feeding you?" she asked. "You're as tall as me now!"

Chuckling, Omi stared back at her -- now eye-to-eye with his former teammate -- and said, "Oh, my friend! I simply managed to hit a... growth spit?" He winked before correcting himself, saying, "I meant spurt, actually."

Rai came up next to them, laughing softly. "Omi's not one to brag, but he managed to lose that big ego of his, so he could finally grow into his sandals!"

Omi shot Rai a sidelong glance, but it was clear to Kimiko that the young monk had also grown a more tolerant stance with Rai's wit. "I simply managed to focus my purpose, Friend-Raimundo." Looking at Kimiko, he asked, "Will you be staying long, my friend? You are most welcome to stay for as long as you would like to."

"That's, well, still up in the air," Kimiko said, trying to keep a brave face in place as she looked past Omi. "Say, where are the rest of the Dragons?"

"I think they should be in the middle of training," Rai said.

"Actually, we finished this morning's training a short while ago," Omi said. "In fact, I had a feeling something would be happening, so I had them wait in the great hall." He gave Kimiko a telling look. "Call it my 'tiger' instincts." Turning he clapped his hands smartly, before calling out, "Young Dragons! Come here, please! We have a most honored visitor with us today!"

As Kimiko watched, the doors opened up and two figures in the red robes and white pants of Xiaolin Apprentices emerged into the daylight: one was a young woman, nearly a head taller than Kimiko stood, with cocoa-tinted skin and dredlock-braided hair that looked so white it resembled bleached cotton. The other was a shorter, stouter woman with a definite swagger, blond hair and a cowboy hat that Kimiko immediately recognized.

"I don't believe it! Jessie?"

Rai nodded with a laugh. "Told you had to see the changes to believe them!"

As the two women approached, Omi smiled and motioned to each with a wave. "My friend, please allow me to introduce to you Mizuko, our new Dragon of Water, and Jessie Bailey, our new Dragon of Earth."

Blinking eyes of rich violet, Mizuko bowed to Kimiko. "I greet you with much warmth, and hope to know you as a good friend, Kimiko-san."

Beside her, Jessie merely tipped her hat back and said, "Well, look-ee who showed up?" She grinned, but there was a coolness to her smile. "Good t'see ya, girlfriend!"

"Likewise," Kimiko offered, though she was more focused on the new Dragon girl than on Clay's sister. "You're Japanese?"

Shaking her head, Mizuko replied, "No, I am Hawaiian by birth, but my father was Japanese, so he gave me a fitting name."

Omi said, "Both Mizuko and Jessie recently achieved their status as Xiaolin Apprentices. Soon enough, the new team of Dragons will be at equal strength."

Jessie wrinkled her nose and snorted. "That's if the runt of th' litter can pull it together an' pass his trials!" She grimaced and shook her head. "Boy's about as quick on the draw as th' Tinman caught in a rainstorm!"

Kimiko looked at Rai and Omi. "Who did you guys get that's that bad?"

Omi shot Kimiko an embarrassed, half-grin as he rubbed the back of his bald head. "Ah, well... it may come as quite a shock to you, my friend, but..."

Rai picked up after Omi's words trailed off, saying, "It's not the proudest thing we've done, since we've been in charge, but-!"

Just then, a voice sang out from the entrance to the main hall, "Hey, where did everybody go? Geez, you leave a guy to meditate-!"

A third figure appeared, and the moment they stepped into view, Kimiko found herself staring past the others in total shock for a second... then, by sheer reflex, she shot towards the equally-surprised speaker; her hands whipping out in a modified strike, aimed at his pale face.

"YOU? What in the devil are you doing-?" As Kimiko was about to connect with her blow, a loop of rope slipped down over her, coiling about her body in a split-second before tightening and halting her forward movement with a hard jerk! She fell back and landed on her rump, staring up at the cringing form of the last person she ever expected to see, wearing the robes of a Xiaolin -in-Training!

"Ahhh! Don't hit me! Please, I didn't do nothing to you!"

Rai and Omi were at Kimiko's side, along with Mizuko and Jessie -- who still had hold of the lasso she used to stop Kimiko in the first place. "Kimiko, do not harm him!" Omi said.

"Yeah, he's not our enemy anymore," Rai said quickly.

"Not our enemy?" Kimiko stared hard at her former teammates. "You've got to be kidding me!"

With an embarrassed laugh, the person in question uncoiled from his defensive posture, and gave Kimiko a wave. "A-heh-eh... um, surprise? I guess they, ah, never told you about me joining up with them, huh?" asked Jack Spicer.

TO BE CONTINUED...