-1Raimundo was cold and wet and miserable. He knew he could get very sick and even die out here if he did not find shelter. As he was walking, he tripped over a rock, landed hard on another rock in the mud and cried out in pain. Whimpering, he got up and cleaned himself off the best he could and limped on until he came to a cliff with an overhang. ''It will have to do,'' He mumbled to no one. He huddled under the overhang and waited for sleep to claim him.

Chase could not believe he was about to do this, about to lower himself to this. However, if his plan succeeded, it would be worth it. Chase grabbed Jack and pulled him into a tight embrace, causing Jack to squeal in fright. Chase was glad the Xiaolin apprentices were in front of them, and the roar of the wind and rain kept them from hearing much; otherwise, he would have to explain just what he was doing to Jack. ''Calm yourself, young one. I simply wish to apologize. I am worried for Raimundo, though that is no excuse for my behavior.'' Jack was silent for a moment, then he said, ''I'll accept your apology, but that doesn't mean I believe you.'' Chase was surprised. He felt what seemed to be a small trickle of respect for the pale boy. But that wouldn't stop him from proceeding with the plan. He wanted to witness the fear and humiliation that he knew his manipulative ways could instill in Jack. He loved to control people and especially loved to mess with his young admirer's head. In fact, this whole thing, this plan, was just so he could see the hurt and confusion on Jack's face. Jack spoke, breaking into Chase's sadistic thinking, ''Let go of me!'' Chase sighed and let go of Jack. Jack was quick to move away. Chase was annoyed; he needed to think of way to get back on Jack's good side. Then a slow smile spread across his face. He knew exactly what to do.

When Raimundo woke up, he noticed an aching in his ankle and chest. He remembered the fall he took and recalled that he landed on a rock. After inspection he concluded he at least had a sprained ankle, a broken rib, and an empty stomach. ''Aw man, I can't move, what am I gonna do for food?'' It was then he spotted a bush full of edible berries a few feet away. He readied himself, and then began the painful crawl towards the bush.

Even though Chase had been doing his very best to find Rai, they had not found a trace of him. Jack had stopped sleeping and refused to eat. He became just about as responsive as Sylvan and still blamed himself for everything. Jack was also beginning to lose trust in Chase. He found it ironic that Rai had run away because Jack had defended Chase's trustworthiness, and now he didn't trust in Chase either. Jack hated irony. Jack was currently in his room, staring at the ceiling, after being literally forced to take a break from looking for Rai, after searching obsessively for weeks. He would have snuck out a long time ago, but the other monks at the temple were keeping guard, making sure he didn't. They wanted to keep the flap that served as the rooms door open, but Master Feng said that would put him on edge and he needed to relax. Jack had mumbled his appreciation and collapsed miserably on the mat. He wasn't mad at the monks; he knew that they were only concerned for his health. But he was angry. He wanted to help search for Rai.
A young monk walked in with Jack's lunch. ''Thanks, but I'm not hungry.''
''You need to eat, young one. You haven't for weeks.'' Jack sighed. ''I know, I don't mean to be stubborn. I just… I just miss him.'' The monk looked concerned, ''I am not as good as Master Feng when giving moral support. But it seems you need encouragement. The apprentices and monks, including myself, are all looking for young Raimundo. We are all very determined to find him and with your added efforts, we should find him soon.'' Jack didn't look any happier. ''My added efforts? How can I add an effort if I am sitting here?''
''You have been searching for weeks. You are merely taking a well deserved and much needed break. Now please, eat something. You must be very hungry. '' Jack shook his head, ''I'm actually not.'' The monk knelt beside him. ''You must eat. Otherwise, you will have no strength to look for Raimundo.'' The monk had said the right thing. Jack picked up the chopsticks and tentatively put some food in his mouth. The monk patted his head and left. When the apprentices returned, they were happy to see Jack curled up on the mat, sleeping, and an empty plate beside him. Omi tiptoed into the room and pulled a blanket over the sleeping form. Jack sighed softly in his sleep and pulled the blanket tighter around him. Omi smiled and picked up Jack's plate. ''I do hope we find Raimundo soon.'' He said as he left the room.

Raimundo's injuries had not healed well, to the improper rest. But his ankle was okay to walk on now, so the rib's healing process could begin, now that he wasn't putting pressure on it dragging himself around. Raimundo had made a shelter using the cliff and its overhang as the back wall and the roof. It wasn't great, but it kept the elements out. Except for the wind, that particular element followed him everywhere, even inside buildings. Sitting in his shelter Raimundo wondered if he'd ever see the temple and the people who lived there again. And if he did, would Jack even talk to him? Or would he still be angry? Rai didn't know if Jack was one to hold a grudge or not. This was his and Jack's first fight. Raimundo's head was buzzing from the stress and lack of food. ''Wait a sec, that isn't my head.'' Rai looked around for the source of the noise. Now that he was listening, Rai realized that it wasn't a buzzing but the sort of sound that the sprinkler would make. Rai's eyes landed on the object. The reason it had taken him so long to find it was because he was right on top of it. Literally. The rattlesnake had not been moving when Rai had come back from looking for food, so he hadn't seen it. He had lain on top of it and fallen asleep. The snake hadn't minded that so much, it had even liked the added warmth. But when Rai woke up, he had started moving around on top of the reptile, causing its scales to rub the wrong way across the ground, agitating it. Rai scrabbled to get up. Wrong move. The snake lunged and latched itself on to Rai's arm, injecting venom into his veins. Raimundo moaned in pain. He slumped back to the ground in defeat. The snake's poison was not potent enough to take affect immediately, but Rai knew that, without medical attention, it would kill. ''My only regret,'' He said, ''is that I didn't get to tell Jack that I was sorry and that I loved him one last time.'' Rai closed his eyes and waited to die.