The Balance in Love, Lies and War
A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown or anything related to it, only this Fic and my own characters/objects/plot.
Reviews: None this week!
Other: Longest chapter yet! Anyway, Cookies and Marshmallows go to whoever can tell me who is talking in the each of the dream sequences! I'll be interested to see who can get it :D
I had this chapter finished by Wednesday! Amazing, no? Don't have much else to say except, much love for Arachne! Bad scribble of her of my DeviantART if you wish to see :D Also sorry if I spelt their attacks wrong, I have no idea :)
Warning! Kimiko says a naughty word
Much thanks for the 673 hits! Enjoy, review and enjoy some more :)
Chapter 8:
'Dreaming away the Day'
"Kaida! Typhoon Boom!" Raimundo yelled, blasting the creature with a gust of wind in an attempt to stop its fist from crashing into the Zen Xiaolin Warrior. He had heard the bones crack, heard her gasping for air, and he'd be damned before he let her get hurt again. But she still stood there, that dark sinister aura surrounding her, that evil glint in her eyes. Whenever Kaida was coated in the elegant yet so sinister aura, she fascinated him. The maliciousness repelled him of course, making him shiver in fear, but curiosity and fascination over ruled it all. Raimundo shivered as he thought this; he had no time for that now.
His blast of wind had been deemed, ineffective, as the creature's fist came crashing down towards Kaida once again. But it did not hit her. She stood there, glaring up at the monstrous beast, hate dancing in her glare for all to see.
"You won't touch me again." Kaida hissed, while the monster's fists pounded against a mass of dark energy that blocked its violent attacks. But with every punch that was blocked by the dark energy, Kaida winced, as if she still felt each blow. Raimundo gulped. None of them had any idea of what to do. All they knew was that Kaida wouldn't last long…
"Fire melts stone young warriors, Kimiko! Help your friend!" Master Fung called out, arrows tipped with fire shooting through the air. Behind the warriors stood Master Fung and several other monks and pupils, clutching bows and arrows, looking fierce. Daisuke was one of them, big grin never leaving his face once. Nodding towards them, Kimiko took a running jump shouting,
"Judaltte Flip, Fire!" Fire exploded around the monster, as the Japanese teen kicking it furiously, mud oozing to the floor in pools. Thick, lime green liquid dribbled from the area Kimiko had kicked, melting with the mud and stone, mixing into the muddy brown and stone grey tones. It's head was the last to disappear, melting slowly, still grinning maniacally at Kaida, fangs glinting with a sickly green hint.
Kaida could barely look at the puddle, the dark energy disappearing, leaving her shaking and shuddering. Her knees collapsed beneath her and she fell to the floor, eyes closing, loosing consciousness. Today had been too much.
The warriors and monks and pupils rushed over to her, Master Fung shooing every one away. After checking she was still breathing, Master Fung said gravely,
"Take her to the hospital wing Warriors; I shall meet with you shortly. The rest of us shall clean up this mess." There were no groans of complaint as the pupils began to clean; Raimundo picking Kaida up in his arms, prepared to carry her to the Hospital wing himself.
"Do you not want any help there Rai?" Clay asked kindly, following him as the Brazilian silently walked away. Raimundo turned to him, eyes filled with a cold sadness. His voice barely more than a strangled whisper, he replied stonily,
"I said everything's ok, but it isn't…" They walked to the Hospital Wing in silence, all condemned to their own thoughts.
Enter.
"My Princess, finally, it is an honour."
Shout.
"I did not think we would meet like this."
Fight.
"I do not wish to hurt you, do not make me."
Defeat.
"You will never enter here again."
Leave.
"I will regret nothing."
"What!" Chase Young shouted, slapping the blue, eye-like globe sprouting out of the floor. Pacing around it stormily, he growled to himself, brow furrowed and fists clenching and unclenching by his sides. Roaring, his fist was flung into the terracotta-coloured wall, bricks crumbling and cracking. Withdrawing his fist, he growled again, pacing the rectangular shaped room. Something sparked in the large fireplace, huge flames flaring outwards, shadows dancing around the room like monsters flickering in and out of reality. Stepping out of the flames, the silhouette stretched, brushing off ash from his shoulders. It was as if human eyes were not allowed to gaze upon, fang filled grin the only thing showing. Except this time, Athanasius, the Demon King, was not grinning. It was more of a grimace.
"You are angry? Why?" Chase Young scowled at him.
"Why? Because I lost her, again! She chose to stay with them, again!" He growled again, running his hands through his shinning black hair, stressed. The Demon King shrugged, as if bored, replying in a drawl,
"So, there will be other chances. Bide your time, she is not ready-" Chase Young roared, interrupting the Demon King, punching the eye like globe furiously.
"I don't care about that! I lost her! I want to rip something apart! She probably hates me more now! I want to rip that stupid creature apart! I want to rip myself apart! How could I let that happen to her! She could've-" He stopped abruptly, sighing, rubbing his temples.
"I feel oddly disjointed… perhaps I should rest, yes. Rest sounds good, I have not slept in a while…" The Demon King glared, watching Chase Young intently. Pausing for a moment, he nodded his head slowly, replying,
"Perhaps that would be best…" Chase Young nodded, not saying a word, rubbing his eyes, slamming the thick wooden door behind him. Athanasius growled loudly, reaching in to the fire and grasping an inky-black hand. Its fingers were elongated, much more like knives than fingers, with only three instead of the usual four, with a thumb as normal. Clamped to its inky-black wrist was a golden bracelet that wound around the bony wrist with criss-crossing bands of gold, a red gem centred on top. The fingers flailed uselessly as Athanasius' grip tightened while he hissed,
"Betraying witch! I should rip you apart and feed you to the mortal scum! But for now I have a job for you. Watch his dreams tonight and make sure he does not dream of things he isn't supposed to. Do you understand, Watcher of dreams, My Queen?" The fingers stopped moving and there was a soft voice with only a slight hint of demonic evil, sounding sleepy and dreamy.
"Yes My Master, King Athanasius." The Demon King grinned, his grip on her wrist tightening, the inky black skin glowing red, bracelet turning white hot, the fingers stretching, shaking in jerky movements.
"Good. Let that be a reminder Arachne, I will not have you listening in on my private conversations." And with that, both hand and Demon King disappeared into the flaring flames, which died down into ash.
Surprise.
"I am a messenger."
Praise.
"There is no need, I only want one thing."
Doubt.
"You wish to please the Lord?"
Sacrifice.
"You have done well my servant."
Betrayal.
"You mortals are such foolish creatures."
Laugh.
"Bring me my daughter!"
"Raimundo, you need some sleep, Kaida will be fine, c'mon!" Kimiko asked desperately, pulling at the boy. He refused to move an inch, sitting determinedly by the side of a sleeping girl. The sheet had been pulled up to her chin, so only her face was showing, hair surrounding her like a black halo, white fringe still covering the left side of her face.
"I'm not leaving her." Raimundo mumbled quietly in reply, eyes drooping, moonlight illuminating his tanned skin in a pale blue light. Kimiko sighed, letting go of his arm, which dropped to his side. Standing in the doorway she whispered,
"It wasn't your fault Rai, no matter what you tell yourself." She walked out, closing the door behind her sighing softly. Making sure it had been closed properly first; she slid down it, tears welling up in her eyes. Looking down to the floor, she stared at her hands uselessly, sniffing quietly before hearing a cough. Looking up she saw Jack standing above her, smiling warmly, offering her a hand. Wiping her eyes, taking the hand, Kimiko got up whispering,
"I only just got her back, I just, I just don't want to, I just don't want to lose her again!" Falling into Jack's outstretched arms; Kimiko burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably into his chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he hushed her quietly in a soft voice,
"Hey, hey, it's ok. Shhh, it's ok, shhh. It's ok, I got you, don't cry, it's ok now. Don't cry baby, I'm here, shhh." Kimiko was so overcome with emotion she even forgot to shout at Jack for calling her baby.
Gasp.
"Can you feel the pain yet little girl?"
Scream.
"You have such a wonderful voice my Princess."
Cry.
"I'm the only one who can hear you now."
Bleed.
"You look more beautiful than ever."
Infect.
"This won't hurt a bit…"
Laugh.
"I lied."
"Raimundo? What are you doing?" Lifting his head from the bed, dim light spilling in from the window, Raimundo looked up sleepily to see Master Fung standing over him; a worried look upon his face. Sighing slowly, he took the Warrior's arm and lifted him up, directing him to the door saying in a kind but stern voice,
"You are to have your breakfast now, then you may rejoin Kaida." Raimundo nodded slowly, voice choking with sleep, replying,
"I just had to make it ok…"
Sob.
"You're giving up?"
Segregate.
"You can't look at him."
Departure.
"He's gone?"
Blame.
"You've lost him, it's all your fault."
Decide.
"I'll never let someone else pay for my mistakes."
Agree.
"Never."
Sitting up with a start, Kaida gasped. Panting heavily, she wiped her forehead and looked around her. She was in a white room on a white bed and it smelt of sterilised equipment, burning fabric, human flesh and sickness. A wave of nausea came over her. Shaking, she looked down at her arms.
Burning through the fabric, wisps of smoke swirling upwards, her skin, her scars were showing through the melting fabric. Scowling, cursing, she pulled off her robe, peeling off the already cooling ooze that was once her black monk's robe. She began to tug at the silk shirt underneath, but heard footsteps echo in the distance. Scowling, cursing quietly to herself, she pulled the white sheet up, covering her completely except for her head, waving away the remaining smoke quickly. However not quickly enough. With only enough time to bring her scarred arms back under the white sheet, Raimundo came in, looking worried.
"I heard a scream, are you alright?" Kaida smiled, blushing slightly. She did honestly feel a lot better, calmer and more controlled; in balance. Nodding slowly she replied,
"I'm fine, I just had a, uh, nightmare. No problem." Raimundo looked at her suspiciously, raising his thick eyebrows. Kaida felt her cheeks heat up; what was he looking at?
"Are you smoking?" He asked with curiosity. Kaida looked down and saw a final wisp of smoke escaping from underneath the sheet. Laughing uncertainly Kaida answered,
"Technically, yes. I had a little, uh, accident…" He eyebrows were raised further at this statement. Kaida blushed again.
"Well when I woke up I didn't realise I was awake and I sorta, uh, well, burnt-through-my-clothes-accidentally." It was Raimundo's turn to blush, shoving his hands into his pockets, mumbling,
"Shall I get you some new robes?" Kaida nodded, smiling brightly at him. He nodded and left the room quickly. Kaida smiled to herself, sighing contentedly. The plain room was bright, white almost blinding, sunlight pouring in from the window. Rubbing the soft sheet against her face she smiled, feeling the soft fabric against her skin. Concentrating on the brightness of the room distracted her from the cold clammy feeling of molten silk sticking to her back.
"Uh, I brought you a robe, it's a Xiaolin Monk one though, we don't have any of your black ones." Raimundo said, entering the room holding out a neatly folded robe for Kaida. Placing it on the end of her bed he smiled at her, blush slighting, but still there. Kaida smiled widely at him.
"Could you give me a sec Rai? I need to change." Raimundo nodded, leaving the room quickly. She smiled looking down at her arms, sighing at the black silk that was now stuck in droplets to her skin. She tried to pull it off, wincing as she pulled her skin. It was stuck firmly on. Scowling she realised it would take some scrubbing to get off. Shrugging on the other robe, she hid her fists up the sleeves, not wanting anyone to see the scars that had burnt through.
"I'm done." She called out, sitting cross-legged at the head of the bed. He walked in, sitting beside her, blush forgotten. They sat in silence for a moment, eyes connected, just smiling.
"So you're alright now?" Raimundo asked quietly. Kaida smiled and nodded. Though the room stank of burnt clothes and flesh with a mixture of sickness and sterilisation, the brightness comforted her.
"This room is making me feel a lot better…" Raimundo's eyebrows were raised before she could even finish her sentence. Laughing, punching him gently in the arm she continued,
"As I was saying, I used Dark energy against Chase, I was stuck in shadow in that obstacle and I used dark energy against that monster. It brought me out of balance. Now I'm surrounded by light, I feel a lot better." Raimundo smiled.
"Glad you're feeling better. Though I have to ask, what was that piece of paper you tore up yesterday?" Kaida frowned.
"It was just Chase Young saying that I had a choice of leaving you guys peacefully and joining him or else fighting and being taken by force, starting the war. But what do you mean yesterday?" Raimundo's smile gentled.
"You collapsed yesterday afternoon, its nine in the morning." Kaida looked shocked, biting her lip slightly.
"I've been asleep? He didn't attack again did he? Oh god, no one was hurt were they?" Raimundo patted her shoulder gently replying softly,
"You worry too much. We're fine. Chase Young hasn't bothered us since yesterday afternoon. We've been worried about you." He paused, shifting closer to her.
"I've been worried about you." Kaida looked away, smiling bashfully.
"Don't worry about me, I've been through worse." She said it jokingly, but those few small words seemed to hold a deep sadness within them. Her eyes connected with his again and she whispered,
"This is my fault, I can't help worrying about you all. If you get hurt it's all my-" Raimundo pressed his finger against her lips, silencing her. Smiling, he moved even closer, moving his arms around her slowly.
"Kaida, I think-" this time she pressed a gloved finger to his lips, cupping his face in her hands. Gulping, heart beating quicker, she said softly,
"Don't. Don't say anything. Just, just enjoy the silence…" And she moved her face closer, closing her eyes, kissing him softly, lips touching ever so gently; hearts pounding faster and faster. Drawing back, Kaida smiled before blushing.
"I-I'm s-sorry, I didn't mean-" He interrupted by kissing her. Kissing back, wrapping her arms around his neck, Kaida realised she didn't care. She didn't care that her scars might've been showing. She didn't care if someone walked in on their kiss. She didn't care that she was now part of a war. She didn't care that Chase Young was after her. She didn't care that the Zen was making smooching noises in the back of her head. She didn't care that she had only known this guy for two days, roughly. She didn't even care that she had no idea what she was doing, as this was her first, proper, kiss.
All that mattered was this moment that the two of them were sharing. It was perfect and Kaida knew it would last forever...
"If it's not broom cupboards its hospital beds! Will you two just get a room already!" Kimiko laughed, watching the two warriors jump apart, blushing, looking guilty. Jack and Omi burst into the room, both with their eyes covered, Clay following, rolling his eyes at the pair.
"Is it ok to look, they're not doing anything gross are they?" Jack asked while bumping into Kimiko.
"Yes, we most certainly would not want to see this most scandalous action between them!" Omi called out, walking into the bed, falling down. Rubbing his head looking up, he exclaimed,
"But they are not doing anything! Is this scandalous image nothing? When I do nothing I am scandalous!" His eyes widened in shocks, hands clasping his cheeks in horror. Clay sighed patting his shoulder saying gently,
"I think you like saying that word too much, now pipe down before Master Fung hears you talking 'bout those sorta things." Omi blushed, changing subject by climbing onto the white bed, asking Kaida,
"You are well my friend?" Kaida smiled nodding.
"Indeed I am!" Omi grinned widely.
"That is very god to hear Kaida." Master Fung said, entering the room silently. They all turned to him as he smiled at them.
"Dojo has just informed me that two Shen Gong Wu have activated, one being the Jasmine Jewel and the second, unknown." Kaida's smile widened as she asked,
"Do you think it's the Kaida's Tear?" Master Fung simply nodded. Kaida smiled, jumping off the bed exclaiming,
"I have to have a shower!" Grabbing Kimiko's hand, Kaida dragged the teenage girl with her; the boys giving them both strange looks as the door closed behind them. Omi scratched his head before mumbling,
"I will never understand females…" Raimundo laughed, patting his friend's shoulder, replying,
"No one ever will lil' man." Omi, Clay, Jack and Rai laughed before Master Fung held up his head, in a gesture for silence.
"I understand that now you are all older and more responsible and I understand that some of you are viewing your comrades in different ways." Though his speech was not directed at any one of them in particular, it was Raimundo and Jack who blushed.
"I do not mind these relationships as long as they do not distract you from your training and you handle them with responsibility. You are old enough to make your own decisions." His eyes flashed and all the boys gulped.
"You may go get ready for Shen Gong Wu collecting." He waved his hand dismissing the subject, his smile returning. They all left the room quietly except Raimundo and Jack who were stood in silent shock. Looking at each other, nodding their heads they shook hands and mumbled in unison,
"Own decisions, right; I'm making sure you don't mess up."
"So he kissed you! Oh, sorry!" Kimiko gasped, trying to peel off the molten silk that was stuck to her friend's back. Kaida smiled, turning her head nodding happily.
"Yep! Well, I kissed him, then he, ow, kissed me, then you walked, ow, in." Kimiko giggled, pulling off another piece of silk.
"Sorry, that is so cute! Sorry for walking in, I ruined the moment." Kaida shook her head still smiling; trying not to wince as Kimiko pulled off another wad of cooled silk.
"Nah, I got to kiss him, that's the main thing isn't it! Oh God he's amazing, I'm so happy!" Kimiko laughed before angrily shouting,
"How the hell do you melt silk anyway! Sorry Kai, it's sorta stuck…" Kaida winced as a large strip was pulled off her back.
"It's almost done now Kai. How did you do this anyway?" Kaida smiled and laughed as if joking,
"You know, dark energy infected scars burning through my clothes as I sleep, no biggie." Kimiko bit her lip nervously, pulling off the final bit of silk. Checking her back for any cooled silk that she had missed; Kimiko's fingers passed over something that gave her chills. Peeling off the final mound of silk she gasped. It was the smallest scar of all of them, resting at the bottom of her back, next to the cross. But it hissed savagely letting out a final plume of angry smoke.
"Kaida he, he… Sick bastard!" Kaida turned to her, smile fading slightly.
"And you lot wondered why I wanted to leave?" Kimiko half smiled, laughing nervously, patting her friend's shoulders gently, saying softly,
"Go have a shower, you're all done…" Kaida smiled, getting up, making sure what was remaining of the silk shirt did not fall off her, the sleeves and back ripped off; hugging her friend before disappearing into a shower cubicle. Kimiko picked up the remains of the silk shirt, and Kaida's black robe looking at it, searching for something. She couldn't believe anyone could be that sick, she must've imagined it…
But she found what she was looking for. In the fabric of the silk was the imprint of a name.
"Chase Young…" Kimiko breathed, gasping. Folding up the robe with shaking arms she shivered violently, walking out of the room.
'He signed her back… he carved his name into her back…' Shivering again, Kimiko got small comfort as the Fire said,
'And you wonder why she disappeared for four years.'
Return.
"Congratulations, You did well."
Glare.
"Don't tell me you didn't have fun!"
Shout.
"What do you mean?"
Repeat.
"Regret? That's unlike…"
Laugh.
"You're just as foolish as you were before."
Pain.
"I don't like punishing you, don't make me do it again."
Whisper.
"You're not coming back Chase Young."
Sitting up with a gasp, Chase Young rubbed his temples icily. He could still feel the Dream Watcher tearing through his mind, so he waited patiently for her to leave, wanting his thoughts to be kept private. Feeling her presence disappear, his head fell into his hands and he sighed; almost wishing he could cry. The Dream Watcher had made sure he dreamt of what Athanasius wanted him to: Power, Domination, Destruction, Violence, and Kaida… But she had almost made sure his dreams were his own. Growling, he rubbed his eyes, wishing that for once his eyes would fill with tears and let him sob, whispering to himself,
"I regret everything…" Suddenly he let out a small gasp of pain, clutching his head in a tightening grip, eyes scrunching up, growling furiously,
"No, must, stay… control, don't…" He sat up scowling at the bed sheet, lifting it off him as if it did not deserve to lie on top of him.
"Get this hideous thing out of my sight! Servants! Take this wretched thing awa- ah! I do believe Wuya is sensing a Shen Gong Wu! The Jasmine Jewel and the… unknown?" His mouth lifted into an evil smile.
"Ah, the Kaida's Tear, perhaps? Never mind, it is another opportunity to retrieve my Princess. I feel today shall be most rewarding!" And he left the room, leaving his cat-warriors to remove the bedding, forgetting everything he had dreamed of that night, much to the dismay of the Demon Queen who watched him with a sombre expression on her face. Her plan was not working as well as she had hoped…