Title: Temporary Dream
Fandom: Xiaolin Showdown
Characters: Rai, Kim
Prompt: 020:Colorless
Word Count: 1,328
Rating: PG
Summary: Rai's aggravation leaves Kimiko with unanswered questions.
Author's Note: I'm not gonna say anything 'cuz I don't want to spoil anything. Other than it takes place after 'Dream Stalker'.

The opposite of fear is courage, she thought as she made her way to the Shen Gong Wu vault. Making sure she didn't run into any of the temple monks. When she saw one, she would hide behind a conveniently placed vase or pedestal. Then she went into the vault and entered the combo. The stone steps cascaded down as she made her way towards it. She stepped down and skimmed through the many drawers until she found the two Wu that she needed: The Shadow of Fear and the Reversing Mirror. Though as hard as it was to carry both Wu, she managed to make it back to the room that resides the three remaining sleeping dragons. She put them gently on her own cot and faced her head towards the cot that held the Dragon on the Wind. She heard him snoring and muttering something about the World Cup. She didn't know, she couldn't make it out.

Something has been bugging him though, and I'm gonna find out what it is, she thought and she was right. Raimundo seemed a little vacant for the past couple of days. Well, a little more than usual. And whenever she asked him what was wrong with him, he merely scoffed off and tried to ignore her concern. She wouldn't take it though. She took hold of the two Wu.

I hope this works, she thought as she tip toed her way to him.

"Shadow of Fear. Reversing Mirror," she whispered and she immediately turned into mist and crept her way into Raimundo's ear. She materialized again when she successfully entered his subconscious. She was surprised when she saw that she wasn't standing in the middle of a soccer field like she thought he would dream about, but a vast desert with no signal of life. Not only that, but everything was in black and white. She set down the two Wu and took a look at her hands and saw she was the only one in color.

That's weird. She looked around again to see if his dream self was anywhere near. There was no one.

"And I thought his head was empty before," she said aloud.

"I heard that." She jumped as she turned to the source and saw that it was Raimundo and he was in black and white with only his swim trunks. She blushed when she stared at his abs. But he had stern look on him. "What are you doing here, Kim?"

She relaxed a bit and managed to straighten up.

"I'm worried, Rai."

"Don't be," he said very smug like.

"I think that's gonna be a problem," she said as she pointed out to the desert. "Can you tell me what's wrong?" He turned away from her.

"You should know, Kimiko," he said as he jumped up fifty feet into the air and came back to the ground with gusto and created a mushroom cloud. The blast was fierce and it nearly knocked her down. She sensed his anger as she made her way towards him as the dust settled down again. She knelt down beside him and heard his heavy breathing. She brought her hand to his face and delicately brought it towards her own.

"Tell me," she said and his look softened and finally relaxed into his own weight. He looked away from her and focused on a sand dune not to far off.

"It seems like... Like everyone wants to get into my head," he said finally. She raised her eyebrows at him and finally understood.

"Are you talking about Hannibal Bean?" she asked.

"It's not just Hannibal, before that it was Wuya and then Jack. I'm even surprised Chase hasn't gone in yet. And now, there's you." She let out a gasp and felt a pain come to her chest.

"Raimundo..." she exasperated.

"Don't. It's hard enough as it is," he said as he got up and started walking to the sand dune he was staring at earlier. She got up as well and ran towards him, stopping just before him. Placing her hands onto his arms. He looked down and met her concerned eyes.

"Rai, I was only worried about you. That's what makes me different from Wuya and whoever else that entered your head." She raised her hands up to his face and stroked her thumb on his cheek bone. He tried to avert his gaze but found it to be difficult. Especially when her hands are placed gracefully on his face. But he knew what he had to do.

"Kim..." he said as he placed his hands over hers and brought them down without letting go. "I appreciate on what you're saying, but it still doesn't change the fact that you went into my dreams." He scowled and closed his eyes tight. She looked down as a tear threatened to go free. He let go of her and started walking to the sand dune again. Leaving her anger to percolate.

"Why are so stubborn?!" she yelled and he stopped in his tracks. He turned to her and saw her red face. "You know, I bet this is why you dream about being in a desert! You're afraid of letting out your own feelings!" It was his turn to be angry.

"Who says I'm afraid?"

"Oh geez, I dunno, maybe this whole desert scene and everything in black and white?! It's no wonder why I'm the only one in color!" He looked away from her and knew that he was going to regret what he is going to say next.

"Do you have any idea how hypocritical that sounded?"

"Excuse me?" she asked sounding disbelieving.

"You say I'm afraid of letting out my feelings when you're the one that's in denial." Her eyes widened and confusion engrossed her.

"What are you..." Her eyebrows lifted and realization set in. She placed her hand on her gape mouth as a blush crept on to her face. He walked towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him and saw his solemn face.

"You'd better go." She looked up at him quizzically. "It's not what you think, I'm gonna wake up soon."

"Rai... I'm so sorry."

"Don't be, for all I know, this will be the last I see this," he said while pointing out to the desert. He traced his index finger along her jawline. He gave her a genuine smile and the green glint in his eyes returned and slowly, his whole demeanor returned to its normal colors. She slipped out of his grasp and picked up the two Wu she left behind.

"Shadow of Fear! Reversing Mirror!" she shouted and she turned into mist once again and left through his ear. She materialized again as she was back in the real world. She heard someone stirring behind her as she put the Wu under her cot. She turned around and saw Raimundo beginning to wake up. He sat up on his elbows and rubbed his eyes. When they came into focus, he saw Kimiko standing by her cot. He let on a smile.

"As if I see enough of you during the day," he smirked. She walked over to him and hit his shoulder. "Seriously though, I'm... I'm sorry, Kimiko."

"For what?" she asked curiously.

"I've been a jerk to you." She grabbed his hand and stroked it with her thumb.

"Don't be, I should have known that the last thing you need was someone snooping around your head," she said as she sat down on his cot. He sat up even more and rested his arms on top of his legs. Not letting go of her hand.

"Y'know, in a way, you did kinda help me out there. So really, I should say thanks." She smiled at him and continued to stroke his hand. Then he brought her close and wrapped his arms around her shoulder blades. She embraced him back.