"Who are you?"
Rai turned around suddenly, at the sound of the new voice at the back of him.
Behind him, Clay stood, his arms crossed as he leaned in the doorway. His clear blue eyes flashed with a fire he had never seen before. His hat was pulled low over his face, while his voice held none of its usual jovialness. In fact, it was quite severe.
His irritation started to kick back in. "What is it with you people? What are you talking about?"
Clay didn't move. "I asked you a question. Who are you?"
Rai raised an eyebrow at him, "What are you talking about? You know who I am!"
Standing up straight, the cowboy moved toward him, his hands in his pockets. "No, I don't. You look and sound and fight like Rai, but you're not him. You couldn't be. The real Rai would never do what I just saw you do."
The Latino annoyingly realized what he was talking about. "You were listening?"
Clay stopped in front of him. "Every word. And I refuse to believe that what I saw and what I heard, was you."
Rai was tired of this. Turning around, he began his wind exercises once more. "Don't you have somewhere to go, with that girl of yours?"
Suddenly, a heavy hand spun him violently around. Clay looked him in the face, his voice raised. "I'm talkin' to you, Vega! And don't you dare even think to mention Vicki! You've got some explainin' to do, and I won't take no for an answer."
The frustration and fury and Rai's heart began to boil over. Taking hold of Clay's hand with one hand, he filtered his energy to his free one. "Don't touch me!"
With his last word, he thrust his fist into the Texan's face! The elemental energy that had gathered within it, caused Clay to feel as if he were hit head on by tornado-style winds!
Thrown backwards into the wall, he rubbed his bruised jaw. Glancing at his hand, he wasn't surprised to find blood. Standing up, he removed his leather jacket and tossed it to the floor. Cracking his knuckles, he began gathering his own power. "Fine, ya wanna fight, than let's fight!"
Behind him, the walls began to shake, followed by pieces of brick and rock that began to dislodge and hurl themselves across the room!
The Dragon of Wind quickly dodged the first few, and countered the others by shifting the air currents and slicing the rocks in half.
Clay gestured toward the ground, pulling his hand forward. The hardwood floor complied with the Master of Earth and shifted toward him, the sudden imbalance causing Rai to fall to the ground, open for attack.
Hitting his fist to the ground, Clay proceeded to open a fissure in the floor! Rai had only a split-second to roll out the way, before he would get swallowed up!
"Ok, no more kid gloves!" Raimundo moved toward his opponent—the same guy who had carried him to the hospital in the rain, while dying. The same guy, who had stuck by him through thick and thin. The same guy, he had laughed and cried with, many times over.
Flinging out his arms like twin sickles, strong, pressurized wind currents flew from them, in the shape of crescents with keen edges! "DANCE OF BLADES!"
Sensing the immense danger, Clay swung his arms up, pulling up the floor causing an impromptu shield. Holding the shield up with his own physical and mental strength, he could feel the air "blades" striking at him!
Huge chucks of wood and concrete flew off into the air, as they cut huge gashes out of his shield. Feeling it shake and crumble with every hit, Clay began to realize two things: 1) Rai had become stronger and more callous than before, and 2) This new attack of his, Dance of Blades. If they had actually hit him—he would be cut up beyond recognition, not to mention, to death. Raimundo…was aiming to kill.
With as much strength as he could muster, he sent the remaining pieces of his wooden shield headfast toward the source of the attack; knowing that to dodge it, Rai would have to cease his assault.
He was right of course. The Wind Master saw the wood and rocks coming toward him at breakneck speed. Stopping his attack suddenly, he rolled out the way!
CRASH!
Looking to where he had been, he could see the pile of wreckage as high as he was. That was a close call! Looking back up, he saw that Clay was making no move to attack further. In fact, he was just standing there! What's going on?
Clay began to speak, his voice staid, yet also disappointed. "Look at us. So, it's come down to this. You know? I thought the world would have ended by now." Standing up straight, he retrieved his jacket from the floor where he'd thrown it.
Raimundo stayed in his fighting stance, watching the other man's moves. "What are you talking about? Are you going to fight or not?"
Clay shook his head smiling, "No, there's no point. And as to the question before, there was a time, when you said, that the world would end, before you betrayed us. Well, I guess that's to be expected. You're not one to keep your vows."
Rai stood up straight, trying to understand. "What do you mean? I've never betrayed you."
Slipping his jacket over his shoulder, he turned back to him. "Yes, you did. You've betrayed our trust…our loyalty…and our friendship. And that's not the only vow you've broken. There was also a time, when you said you'd rather die, than break Kimi's heart. Well, you're not dying and I hope you don't. You need to live with what you've done."
With one sudden move, he came in close, and tore Rai's shirt clean off!
Rai stepped away, shocked. The remaining pieces falling off him, revealed his scarred bare chest. "What are you doing, Clay?"
Clay pointed to a single scar on his chest. It was the biggest and the deepest. It was a large slit, which lay right over his heart. "I felt you had to be reminded. Do you remember that? You got it, when you took a knife in the heart, for the girl you loved most in the world. You were once willin' to die for her—the same girl you just threw away, quite literally I might add! She's carried you all this time, it's time you carried the burden of the fact, that out of all the villains we've faced— you were the one who hurt her the most."
Turning away from him, Rai felt the Texan's words settle onto his heart. "Listen Clay, you don't understand— Look! This is none of your business anyway!"
Slipping his hands in his pockets, Clay walked towards the door. "Yes, it is. It's been my business, ever since we took oaths as Xiaolin students, to watch out for each other…no matter what."
Wiping the grim and blood from his face, he leaned in the doorway, one foot in and one foot out. "This is my last advice to you. Let's say you conquer this thing that's botherin' you—whatever it is. That you become the greatest and most powerful among us. What will it cost you? 'Cause I'll tell you now, if you keep on the path that you're on…you're gonna lose her—forever."
His eyes looked straight at, and maybe in, Rai; grief and resolve within their blue waters. "You will lose her…like you've just lost me."
With that last word, Clay too disappeared from the room, like a whisper of smoke on the wind. Leaving Raimundo bewildered and—alone.
The outside gardens had been based on the Japanese design. Filled with small trees, brooks, waterfalls, and ponds, the place was an excellent place to sit and think. That had been the intended idea, when they had placed a stone bench beneath the trees. Especially, beneath a great weeping willow, that shadowed the edge of a pond, filled with carps and goldfish.
It was raining, which caused the gardens to be deserted. Well…almost deserted. Underneath the vast weeping willow, where the branches touched the water's edge, a girl sat.
The leaves rustled, rain and wind manipulating them. Raindrops mingled with the girl's tears. The make-up on her face had washed away, and the dye in her hair had all but rinsed out. Her clothes too, were soaked through and through. Her appearance was ruined, but she didn't care. The darkness of a deep depression had overtaken her. The storm clouds were not just in the sky, but within her heart.
What had happened to them? She had loved Rai with every part of her being. She would have gone anywhere with him, done anything for him, even if it cost her, her life. Yes, she would have, for that Raimundo. But now, it seemed that that Rai, was gone. He had changed into a man, who had no time for love, or endearing thoughts. A man, who had no time for her…
Was it that, my love did die in that mountain battle? Replaced by this hardened, unfeeling thing? If he did die, what purpose is there for me? I am no use to anyone, including myself. A feeling of utter despair and death seemed to take over her soul…and she didn't have the strength to stop it.
The curtain of rain-bejeweled leaves moved around her, but she paid no attention; closing her eyes, not bothering to try to cease her tears.
All of a sudden, she felt an almost unnoticeable weight on her lap! Looking down, she was astonished to find, a fresh, perfect, ruby-red, long-stemmed rose.
There was a hand holding onto the stem, offering it to her. Following the hand, up the arm, and on to the body; she was surprised to see, that it was Kyōto sitting next to her.
Wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, he too was soaked, rainwater streaming down his handsome face. His enchanted eyes twinkled with their usual calm, but for the first time, they also looked unsure and hesitant.
Kimiko hurriedly tried to wipe away her tears in embarrassment. Taking the rose from him, she also saw that all the thorns had been cut off.
Looking at him, she softly asked in Japanese, "What's this for?"
He turned slightly away, as he answered in kind. "It-it's for you. It's…well, it's an anniversary present."
Her eyes went wide with shock, what was this—the world's worst irony joke? "A-a-anniversary?"
He nodded, "Yes…it has been a month, since you came here. I wanted to get you something to show you how glad I am, that you came."
Kimiko clutched the rose close, as her eyes and heart fluttered in the sudden flood of emotions. "Y-you didn't have to, Kyōto. I enjoy being here, and well, it's just that—thank you."
He stopped her suddenly, putting a finger on her lips. "No, I should be the one to say 'thank you'."
After he had removed his hand, she kept absolutely silent, not sure what he was saying, but knowing that nothing was more important as of now.
Shifting slightly away from her, Kyōto looked away toward the sky. The rain kept falling, flowing down his face like tiny rivulets, which he seemed to actually enjoy.
"Lady Kimiko…before you came here, life had been very hard for me. My brother, Kenshin and I, had been together for what seemed like forever—inseparable. He was Jonathan, and I, David. But then…he arose to become the shrine guardian, and that's when we began to drift apart. When I was sent here, our ties became even more distant. Here I was, more isolated than I had ever felt before. There was no one here who I could identify with. Kama-sensei was there for me, but it wasn't the same. It couldn't fill the hole in my heart left by my missing brother. I couldn't seem to get close to the other students, so I shut myself away into my training and studies; figuring, it didn't matter that I was so lonely. To just ignore the way I felt, and that my happiness was not important. My duty to my family was all that gave me purpose."
Flicking a wet strand of hair behind his ear, he looked back at her. His face was placid, but his eyes seemed to explode with different emotions. He began to speak again, "But…the more I tried to ignore it, the more desolate I felt. My body would move mechanically, my mind, lost in despair. I was caught in a whirlwind of misery and self-rejection; my purpose for living was not enough. I didn't let anyone see it, but, while I seemed so strong externally…I was breaking on the inside."
Slowly, he reached out and touched her face intimately. Kimiko, totally absorbed by his story, felt her heart flutter from his loving caress. Looking at him, she was locked in his mesmerizing gaze; the winds and rain were no longer noticed.
He softly continued, "But then…you came. Someone I could connect with, I could talk to, and fight alongside. You were different from everyone else. Your temper, your tenacity, your kindness, your beauty, they all amazed and reawakened me. Without knowing it, I began to heal; you opened up my heart, and made me feel alive again! For the first time in years, I-I don't feel alone…and it is you, I have to thank for that. You make each morning, worth getting up for…worth living for. You're my lifeline, Lady Kimiko…I need you. This small gift only pales in comparison, to what you have done for me…how much you mean to me. I am the one who says 'thank you'."
A sense of purpose, a sense of wanting and to be wanted—it was a feeling she yearned for, but had been denied.
'You're my lifeline, Lady Kimiko…I need you.'
To be desired again, to be needed…it was almost too much for her feelings to take!
Her stored up feelings of anger and hurt broke like a dam, rushing out as a flood. She could no longer hold the tears back. They began flowing unbidden, like a tsunami that hit her homeland during the rainy season.
She didn't care if he was repulsed; he had already given her the world without knowing it. It was more than any man had ever done for her. Somebody cared, and someone wanted her! It was a truth, a truth that she would hold onto…forever!
"Oh, Kyōto!" She thrust herself at him, into an embrace as strong as her heart dared. She released her suffering, her burdens, her happy and sad thoughts—she released them all!
Her silent cries, turned into heartrending sobs. She cried like she had never wept before…like she had been afraid to weep. She was always scared to open up in front of others, especially Rai. She didn't want to appear weak. But now, she didn't care. Now, she was weak.
She waited for Kyōto to push her off, to abandon her. She wouldn't blame him, or mind if he did. She had felt warmth, and that was all she needed to feel for now.
But, he didn't! He didn't move, as she cried into his shoulder. At first, he was rigid with surprise, as if he was deciding what to do. Then, he did what she would never have expected.
Slowly, ever so slowly, his arms began to enfold around her, as he pulled her into his own embrace. One hand held her closer to his body, until she could hear the steady thump of his heartbeat. His other hand held her head nearer to his shoulder, indicating that it was okay from her to weep.
His grip was gentle but firm, as he cradled her close to him. He was so sweet-scented; his body seemed to permeate a kindness and understanding that she had never felt. His words seemed to calm her like nothing else she had known.
"Let what strength I have, be your strength. Let your pain be mine. Let me carry your burdens. I will do as you bid, my lady."
Suddenly her anger peaked (a definite sign that she was starting to feel better), "W-why do you k-keep c-c-calling me that! Do you mock me? Why!"
He shifted her head up to face his, and instantly, all she felt was shame. "I mean no such thing. I call you 'Lady', my lady, because I'm not worthy to call you anything else."
Mortified by her outburst, she turned her face away. "Kyōto…right now…I-I can think of no one better."
Out of the blue, a drop of moisture hit her face. It wasn't rain; it was too warm and light… Somehow, she knew it was a tear—one which was not her own.
"Thank you once again, Kimiko." His strong voice had become soft and personal, as if for the first time in a while.
The two sat there in a silent embrace, while the pouring rain diminished little by little. Her arms wrapped around him, his around her. They seemed to shield one another, giving each other what healing force they could. Soon the clouds in both the skies and in their hearts parted, revealing a blue-skied afternoon in both.
"Hey, Kyōto?"
"Yes, Kimiko?"
"Are you…doing anything this weekend? Why don't you visit your brother?"
"Alas, no, my brother is away from our family home on business. Yet, it would make no difference, for I cannot afford it, no matter how homesick I am."
"Would you like to go with me, Kyōto?"
Separating from her, he looked her in the face. "I couldn't let you do that."
"No, it's no problem. I was going to go to Tokyo anyway, with a friend…visit my folks and everything. But my friend, canceled."
"Are you sure, you're friend does not mind?" His eyes told her that he knew exactly who the friend was.
He stood, helping her up beside him as she answered. "This is my money and my jet; I shall do as I please."
"And my roommate—"
"—no longer wants any part of me. My heart no longer belongs to him; it has exchanged hands."
"What happened? I don't—"
This time she put her fingers to his lips. "You don't need to understand, just—please come with me."
He gently removed her hand, his charming smile had returned. "You don't have to ask me twice."
"Then we'd better get out of these wet clothes. I'll meet you in the foyer in an hour."
Kyōto watched her as she walked away, his rose in her hand, admiring her imminent beauty as she moved.
He was surprised when she stopped and turned around. She said from a distance, "I forgot something."
Looking behind him, he didn't see anything that she had left behind. Had she forgotten to tell him something? Something about the trip, maybe? Was she going to cancel?
He stood still, watching her return, wondering the possibilities. When she finally stood in front of him, she smiled that bright grin he loved. "I-I forgot something." She repeated.
"What is that?" a slight nervous twinge in his voice.
"This." With that word, she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. Then, she kissed his lips, with a passion and ardor he had never experienced!
Then, just as suddenly, she pulled away from him with a girlish giggle, and ran away toward the building like the wind was her wings.
Kyōto stood there in utter shock, unable to say anything. Did she just—?
He touched his own lips. Was this—could this—be what she meant, when she said her heart had 'exchanged hands'?
He smiled knowing it was too good to even think about, but, if this was a dream. He never wanted to awaken…
If he had been more alert, he would have noticed Shin-ji's hiding place. The boy stood high in the trees a little ways away, watching, his cheek freshly bandaged. He smiled as he jumped back down to the ground, not surprised by what he had seen.
A subtle knock came to her door. "Kimiko?"
She had just finished getting redressed and doing her hair, when she heard Clay's voice.
Pushing the button to open the door, she went to greet her friend. "Hey! I thought you'd gone hours ago!"
As he stood in her doorway, he raised an eyebrow at her behavior. "Never mind about that, are you okay?"
She turned from him, "You know?"
"Yeah…I know."
"I'm going to be okay, Clay. Don't worry about me."
He shrugged, "Look, you're free to go with Vicki and me it you'd like."
She smiled, wiping the welled-up tears from her eyes. Turning back to him, she smiled. "No thanks, Clay. You guys have a nice time. I'm going to go on with my original plan…without Rai."
"You're goin' alone?"
"No, not alone…with a friend."
He nodded, having a pretty good idea who this friend was. Well, he warned Rai…
"Oh, and Clay?"
"Yeah, darlin'?"
"Can you do something for me?"
"Of course, Kimi."
She put her hands on Clay's shoulders, "Don't tell Omi about Rai."
Clay snorted and put his hands in his pockets. "He's gonna find out eventually. Rai's changed."
"It's not all his fault. He's still Omi's brother, he might not take it well."
Clay turned to leave, "Hey, I'll do it for you, but he will find out sooner or later, no matter how much we try to protect him."
Kimiko watched him depart, knowing he was right…