(cracks knuckles) Oke-Doke, here we go! By the way, does anyone know how to spell Oke-Doke properly? How exactly are you supposed to spell it? Sorry, random question...

Anyway, ALL questions shall be answered now, in this chapter!! Well...SOME of them anyway...:)

Enjoy, and, as always, PLEASE REVIEW!!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN XS!! IT BELONGS TO CHRISTY HUE, CARTOON NETWORK, AND WB!! THIS FIC IS PURELY FAN MADE AND NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT IS INTENDED!!

11

Omi POV

"What do you mean he's your father?!" Raimundo burst as we all sat in the meditating hall. I lowered my head in sadness, wishing that it weren't true. "It's true" I murmured, feeling the tears begin to seep into my eyes. I shut my eyes, wishing that I were not such a baby. "Would you care to explain?" Clay asked lightly, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. "No" I replied, keeping my head lowered, "But I shall tell you anyway."

I raised my head, facing my three friends. Master Fung was sitting somewhere off to the side in a grave silence. I exhaled.

"I was born here, at the temple" I began. "Master Fung has been good friends with my mother, and had offered her and my father shelter from the rain the night that I'd been born. My Father, Long, as you know, claimed that he loved my mother and I with all of his heart." I scowled, the memories piercing me painfully. "But now I see that it was all lies.

"After the first few days of my infancy, I was taken home with my mother and father. My mother loved me. I knew that. I remember that she always played with me, and held me. She'd even picked out my name. Long didn't really seem to care for me. All he cared about was himself, and raising me to be as strong and as good of a fighter as he was."

Suddenly, my worst memory of all time hit me, washing over me freshly as though I'd just experienced it. I wanted to curl up in a ball and cover my ears, trying to block out the awful noises. But I didn't. I knew that I must not be weak, and I also must continue my story.

"One night, when I was six years old, my mother got into an argument with my father. I remember sitting in my room, next to the closed door, listening to them argue. They were arguing about me, my father declaring that something was wrong with me for I had not proved myself as worthy as himself. My mother strongly disagreed, declaring that I was gifted in my own talent, and that my father just couldn't see that. She called him awful names, and he shouted them back at her. Then, it turned ugly. My mother got so upset, that she threw a vase at my father. I remember hearing it smashing."

I shut my eyes. This was the worst part of all.

"I can still hear the thunder, and see the lightning flash as I heard my mother scream. And I cracked open the door, to find my father strangling my mother. I remember being frozen in terror, but nonetheless running to help my mother. I tried to drag Long off of her, but he wouldn't budge, remaining in the death hold around her neck. He just smacked his fist into my stomach and I hurtled backward, smashing into the wall.

"Long then took out a long knife and...and..." my voice broke off; I could feel my lip trembling. "He killed your mother?" Kimiko whispered, with horror, sickness, and sorrow spread thickly through her voice.

I lowered my head. "Yes. And then he advanced on me, to kill me too, but I thought quickly, and dashed out of his way, running out of the house and into the rain. I can still hear my pounding heart, and my father's retreating footsteps as he chased me. I came here, to the temple, where Master Fung took me in." I flashed a grateful glance at Master Fung. "But I didn't tell him, not anyone what happened that night. Only that I couldn't remember." I concluded my story by taking a deep breath and shutting my eyes.

There was a horrified silence.

"And your house?" Clay whispered. I shook my head. "I have never been there since." I swallowed.

Raimundo stood up, sticking his hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry, Omi" he whispered, bowing his head. I stood up too, and bowed to him. "It's alright, Raimundo. There is nothing to be sorry for." And then I exited the vault.

Rai POV

"Poor little Cheese ball" I muttered. I sat back down, next to Kim, and she patted my arm. "So that murderer is going to kill us in a week?" Clay whispered. I nodded my head. "That's what he said" I stated. "But I don't want to die!" Kimiko burst out. I raised my head to look at her, meeting her eyes, and whispered "I don't either."

"What should we do, Master Fung?" Clay asked. Master Fung raised his head, staring directly at me. "You should be asking Raimundo this, Young Monk. He is, after all, your leader. But I would suggest that you increase your training, and prepare yourselves. I fear that we may not all survive this battle." Master Fung turned and walked out of the temple.

I inhaled, and exhaled slowly, trying to think clearly.

This was all my fault. I was the leader, I wasn't supposed to let this happen to my team. I pursed my lips, shutting my eyes. "Raimundo?" Kim whispered, prodding my arm. I opened my eyes.

"I have to sleep on it" I responded, standing up. "For now, just do what Master Fung said. It seems the best choice."

That Night...

The thunder and lightning crackled outside as I sat on my mat. There were not lights on, except for a lit candle that sat on the floor next to me. It was my only source of light. The white lightning cracked through the sky as rain drummed on my window and thunder shook the temple. In front of me, lay a white, blank piece of parchment. I had an ink jar next to me, and a brush in my hand. Now, the only problem was to figure out what to say.

I'd already written one to Kim, for her eyes only. Knowing that this was going to break her heart made mine shatter into a million pieces. It'd taken me forever just to write the first word, and even that had been painful. But now, what I had to say now, to Master Fung and the others, made me grow cold and numb.

Finally, I managed to reach my hand down and stroke a few words. I wanted to stop, to slap myself in the face, and scream "This is stupid!" but I didn't. I kept writing, now that I was on a roll.

You can't do this to yourself, Raimundo! one part of me said. Sure I can, I retorted to it. Think of what this is doing to the others, to you! ...and to Kim. I had no retort to this, and I didn't reply, but, somehow, I knew that I had to.

Long was coming after me, not them. It was because of me that Wuya and Chase had hired him, because I'd left them, and also because, in my first years as a monk, I betrayed Wuya. I was the leader, and like I said, I wasn't supposed to let this happen to my team. I figured that if I left, Wuya and Chase would come after me, or just attack the temple anyway. I was hoping for the first option.

My letter done, I rolled it up into a scroll. I hadn't bothered to put on my pajamas, so I was still dressed in my clothes. I took a backpack, and slung it across my shoulder, which had everything I needed in it. Then I picked up the scrolls and extinguished the candle. I set one scroll, the one meant for everyone, on the head of my bed.

The other, I took with me, out into the silent hallway.

I reached Kim's cubbie in maybe about ten seconds. She was sleeping peacefully, her black hair sprawled all over her pillow. She looked so pretty, it took me a second to walk in and gently set the scroll next to her head. She'd find it.

Then, slowly, I retreated, my footsteps not making any sound as they connected with the hard wood floor.

I walked around the temple, through the courtyard, until I reached the front arch. The rain was heavy, and had already plastered my hair against the sides of my head. My clothes were soaked, chilling me more than I already was.

My backpack was wet, but gained no weight.

I paused when I reached the arch. In front of me, the road stretched endlessly, through the country side, and eventually reaching a valley with a village in it. I turned my head, getting a last look at the temple. Even though I was still here, the training area seemed...emptier, I suppose. I wind was blowing toward the temple, as if begging me to stay.

Sadly, I turned away, and walked out of the temple, heading for the woods that surrounded the temple. I couldn't help but feel guilty. And I couldn't help thinking about how heart broken and depressed Kim would be when she read the letter. I tried not to think about it. But it just kept coming back to my mind, the words I wrote, over and over again.

Kimiko,

I'm sorry. I couldn't face you with this. I know I'm breaking your heart, and mine as well. But I have to do this. Please understand that.

I'm going away, as in, leaving, forever. I don't think I'm ever coming back, not until Long, or Wuya and Chase for that matter, are dead. I'm putting you all in danger, with me being around. Long is just after me, Kimiko, not you guys. If I go away, he'll chase after me, or he might attack you guys anyway, but I really hope it's the first option.

Like I said, I have to do this. Please don't come after me, don't try to follow me, just stay there. Fight, if you have to, and don't die...please. I couldn't stand it if you died, or any of you, for that matter.

I'm sorry, and I love you, Kimiko.

Rai

I shook my head. I knew that I was just making things worse. I concentrated on how wet my clothes were getting now, and how I risked being killed by lightning in this weather. Heck, I concentrated on everything, anything, to make me forget what I had done.

Well now, that was a bit on the short side, wasn't it? Oh noes, what's going on?! Rai is leaving?! Again!? And will Long attack!? What will happen!? The suspense is killing even meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

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Sugar rushes are EVIL. Pure evil.

Anyway, I hope you all liked it. PLEASE REVIEW (cough) as usual...I'll update when I get home, which is tomorrow, whoot!! .

Hope you all enjoyed, and PLEASE REVIEW!!