The Balance in Love, Lies and War

Chapter 21:

'Gleaming Coal-black Dark'

Snow littered the paths, dusting the rooftops, powdering the world's imperfections away. Winter had snuck up on the Warriors far quicker than normal, the months falling away faster than the leaves of the courtyard trees. The world outside the window was now barren and desolate, the glass pane fogging slightly, the air outside harsh and cold. But inside the temple, life blossomed happily. Omi's fifteenth birthday was fast approaching, Christmas soon after, only for Kaida's and Kimiko's birthday's to strike as well, making the next two months absurdly busy and bustling with cheer.

Unfortunately there's always one scrooge, grumbling 'Bah Humbug' in the corner. This year there were two.

"No! There will be no celebrations for my birth! There will be no presents and there will definitely be no cake!" Kimiko quipped her brow at the angry little boy, checking things off her rather expansive 'to do list' "Well… there may be some cake. But not of the birthday variety!" Clay chuckled.

"You can't have your cake an' eat it my friend, you either celebrate and eat cake, or you don't do neither. Which is it going to be?" Omi pouted, defeated, pacing in circles, wringing his wrists in agony.

"That is a most difficult decision, I cannot decide!" Kimiko shook her head and patted him briskly.

"Just celebrate with us, I know it's not your real birthday, but we can celebrate Master Fung finding you can't we? You're our special little Omi after all!" The little boy seemed ecstatic after this, his little cheeks round and red, hands clapping together, black eyes filled with dancing stars.

"So I can have cake?"

"You can have cake."

That was one scrooge taken care of. But of the other…

"Bah Humbug! I hate Birthdays, I hate Christmas and I hate Birthday's all over again! I hate winter, I hate snow, I hate cold and I hate, hate, HATE ice!" Jack cried angrily, nursing his sore muscles and aching joints. Kaida rolled her eyes at him, taking another handful of his shopping bags, skipping in front quite happily.

"It's your own fault for being so clumsy! The ice just… helps a little!" She laughed as he tried to swipe at her with his free, but sore hand, sulking when she jumped out of his reach. She just smiled back. "And Kimiko's birthday is only a month after Christmas, you fret too much, you'll be fine." Still, his bad mood persisted so Kaida cocked her head and leaned forward, bags rustling in her hands, the crowds darting around parting as they walked through. "At least you're not in Master Fung's bad books, he's still got me doing the worst chores because of my disregard to teamwork and schedule…." Her voice pittered off as she scowled, looking past Jack, glaring at the old man back at the Xiaolin Temple. Jack tweaked her nose playfully, his fingers stiff and cold even in his thick gloves.

"That's what you get for being anti-social and over zealous!" She laughed and was about to quip back at him when they were interrupted.

"Hey, I bought this for Omi, I'm just going to pop in there and look for Clay's present, alright?" Raimundo called, his scarf trailing behind him, his hands full of surprises for his friends. Jack waved, nodding his head, before turning nervously to Kaida.

"Are you sure that-"

"Yes. Stop asking."

"But he ra-"

"I know!" Her tone was suddenly harsh, eyes shut tightly. But her voice softened, looking away from the red-haired boy. "I know. But I think… I think we've come to a mutual understanding…"

"Really?" Kaida shrugged.

"Maybe… I think so… He might even apologize…" She couldn't help but blush a little, hoping Jack would blame it on the cold.

"Bloody taken his time don't you think?" Jack huffed looking over to the Brazilian running over with narrowed eyes.

"It's bloody cold!" Raimundo laughed as he jogged over, shivering a little, his warm mittens and thick winter coat doing nothing to stop the chill.

"That's what you get for wanting to come to London for Christmas shopping!" Kaida chuckled, hoisting up all the gifts, shoulders aching a little.

"Are you not cold?" Asked Jack, concerned, stepping between Kaida and Raimundo, still wary and a little unforgiving. The Warrior of Balance shook her head.

"I'm used to English winters, silly." Suddenly, her gaze sparkled with interest, a black, silk covered hand pushing her fringe out of her eyes for a moment. "I'm just going in there, I was thinking about giving Kimiko some jewellery." As she ran off Raimundo shouted that they would wait there, Jack's shoulders tensing at the friendliness of his tone. His bruises started to pain as the younger boy placed a hand coolly on his back.

"What's wrong Jacky, you seem tense, nothing's bugging you right?"

"What are you up to? Are you actually going to try and set things straight or are you just going to let them hang awkwardly forever?" Jack muttered hotly, glaring deep into those dark green eyes. Raimundo sounded shocked when he answered.

"Jacky, honestly, I am truly sorry for what happened. I just need the right moment to make everything right again. Trust me." He looked so sincere that Jack couldn't help but falter, words failing him. Turning away, the boy genius pushed all logical thought and instinct away.

"Ok. Ok fine. Have it your way." Although Jack couldn't see it Raimundo grinned maniacally, his teeth and gums showing.

And somewhere where neither of them could see, deep in the depths of his realm, the Demon King sat on his throne and chuckled.

"Good."

Christmas crashed down upon them like an avalanche, Omi's 'birthday' celebrations swept away in the wake of it. Presents were exchanged, students sent home, and a great feast for all left in the temple to enjoy. Although not everyone was a Christian or even religious, they gathered together to give those they loved appreciation, to thank those who had picked them up when they fell down. Religion played little part in the Xiaolin Temple's Christmas; no gaudy Christmas decorations or nativity scenes were splayed around. The snow and the excitement in the air were all they needed.

Jack's present to Kimiko was a secret. At first Omi had almost cried from disbelief, demanding to be told what trinkets she had been given, but Clay soon quieted him with a quick whisper and the little fifteen-year old giggled, cheeks pink. Kimiko's cheeks were pink too, her hair red and green for the occasion, her mind cast back to the year before, when Jack had suggested that since it was too cold for ice cream they all go Christmas shopping. He had sheepishly pressed a box of strawberry pocky into her palm, his face as red as his hair. The notion had been as sweet as the candy itself and Kimiko had hurriedly bought him a little silver bell, hanging it from a Christmas ribbon and tied round his throat. She said it was so she'd always hear him coming.

Jack was thinking of the same memory, cheeks also pink, a little silver bell tinkling in the hollow of his collar bone, the ribbon shining in the firelight. Their hands held tightly, the two of them tingling with the magic of sweet memories and December, snow-swirling happiness.

Their present to Master Fung had been to clean out his conservatory, re-pane it's shining windows and to fill it with mysterious plants from the furthest and darkest corners of the Earth. His eyes misted over and he thanked them, Dojo sat on his shoulder scoffing the doughnuts he had been given ravenously.

Daisuke had given them all little gift bags, containing sparkling delights and scrumptious confection; Raimundo noticed his was considerably smaller than the others, but didn't let it bother him.

Adrastos had been unwilling, but thanks to Daichi's persistence and help (here meaning that he wrapped and tagged it himself), he had managed to give Bella a present. It was small, a book she had been wanting to read, but when she smiled, her whole beautiful face lit up and Adrastos melted, feeling small and insignificant stood next to her. His hopes sunk as he reminded himself that being a year and eleven months younger probably slaughtered any chance he had, his fear of rejection freezing his lips as he tried to return that warm smile. She'd never even look at him like that, she'd probably never even seen him in such a way before, in fact-

Daichi came to rescue him from his doubts, cheerily bringing out a sprig of mistletoe, the hall filling with laughter as it was thrown around. As Adrastos and Bella stood under it he received a Christmas peck on the cheek that lasted that split second too long which sent the blood surging furiously into his cheeks, sandy hair standing on end, his life suddenly filled with dancing lights and fireworks that rattled his startled mind.

Raimundo tried to take Kaida's hand, to lead her somewhere slightly more private, but she snatched it away, as if his touch burnt her. He winced, looking more hurt than her.

"I'm sorry." He said solemnly. Kaida gulped and nodded, following behind him. She stayed as close as she dared. She didn't make a sound. But she trembled, excited and scared all at once, her head spinning as she was led into the snow, the wind blowing harshly. Snow flakes flittered through the strands of black hair, landing in her dark lashes, blinking, wet sparkles dazzling her cheeks. Her nose went pink.

Raimundo's eyes were stony. To her, he seemed apprehensive. Her heart thudded in it's cage of ribs, her breathe scarcely leaving her dry lips till it was sucked back in. Reaching into his pocket, his snake-skin eyes never left her, inching that little bit closer. The fronts of their clothes touched; there hadn't been enough time to grab coats. The chilling wind disguised the heat of his body; the girl did not flinch or step back, not realising how suffocatingly close he was.

His eyes had entrapped her, an apple for her to bite.

"What did you want me for?" She whispered, her voice cracking.

"To give you my apology. Words failed me, so, since actions speak louder than words I bought you a gift that described it perfectly." A little red velour box was hidden in his palm and he pressed it into hers smiling ever so softly.

The green of his eyes suddenly scared her, the snake-tongue that deceived her before, the hands, that had clawed and torn her skin, now touching hers, clasping, pressing; it all became too much and she screamed, batting him away, shaking uncontrollably, dropping to her knees as she shied away from him and his mottled snake skin. Although he apologised there was a dark pit in his eyes filled with humour and crimson flashes. Kaida suddenly realised how afraid she was.

He knelt before her and found her hands again. Crying out, she tried to pull away, eyes squeezing shut; he only tightened his claw-like grip, smiling a sickly sweet smile. He opened the box for her and pulled away. When the shaking had finally started to lessen and the terror stopped wracking her body she opened her eyes slowly and looked down.

Her heart stopped.

Gleaming black diamond dust, a star filled sky on a cloudy night, those poor suns unable to shine through. Disbelief sped through her blank mind, cold fingers reaching out to it. The corner crumbled, black soot on a white night. She had been struck dumb, unable to comprehend what this even meant. The demon knelt in front of her, his snake features starring at her cruelly, deciding to explain to this stupid little girl.

"It's coal. Because you don't deserve a proper present. You never made it to the 'good-girl' list." The little dragon was silent, eyes wide, hands shaking. The knees of her jeans were soaking with snow, the white flakes catching in her clothes, her skin goose pimpled, her intake sharp, her lips turning to blue. Bored of silence, he continued, looking aloof as he starred away from her. "It could be worse, I could've got you a different present," his eyes flashed back at her, crimson, his teeth suddenly pointed, the wind blowing horn-like spikes in his hair, "I was going to get you..." He mumbled the rest but Kaida understood what he was implying. Shooting up, red in the face she shouted,

"Why on Earth would you-!"

"Because it'd be the only way I'd ever want to take you again." White-hot anger surged through her, her pupils pinpricks, eyes bloodshot with hatred. The coal dropped to the floor, sullying the white water, it's black poisoning the delicate structures of the snowflakes. She rushed toward him, fist drawn behind her, as he stood up, readying himself to guard, but she ducked under his arms, throwing him over her shoulder, roaring as the effort made her shoulders groan.

He didn't wince as he crashed down, but, winded, he was defenceless. "Oh you naughty little girl." He gasped, unable to stop that horrific grin. Feral, wild, no longer thinking like a human, Kaida stood tall over him, almost snorting in rage. Crack! Her foot crashed into his ribs, her muscles straining as she poured every ounce of hatred into her kick. Crack! This time she felt bone break brutally under the force of her attack. Unable to stop herself, she carried on with her onslaught, her mouth wide, her throat thrumming as she howled, sounding inhuman. The Zen stayed silent for she had no right to stop her.

It was Daisuke who eventually did, calmly pressing the pressure point in her neck, pulling the beaten boy away as she sagged to her knees, shocked. He asked two of the older boys to take Raimundo away and fetch for Master Fung, even borrowing one of their coats which he carefully slipped over the shaking girl's shoulders. He sat in front of her, his dark eyes glinting. He spoke like one much older and wiser.

"Raimundo's been acting differently. He's been taken over by the Demon King hasn't he, or, so you think anyway." Kaida nodded dumbly. Her eyes hurt too much for the tears to come. "It's called the Demon Heart. A demon puts a fragment of himself inside someone, infecting their heart, locking away their original soul, any spirits included." Her neck snapped up. She wanted to ask how he knew this but her mouth formed no words. Somehow, Daisuke answered anyway. "My Dad's got Demon blood, he works with them sometimes." A jolt of surprise shocked her.

As she looked at him she noticed his eyes were more of a deep grey than a black, another little sparkle of coincidence, another similarity she had glazed over before. Suddenly the boy became far more interesting and her eyes pried into his, understanding in a hazy way that there was something about Daisuke Akashki that she needed to understand, the reason they were connected, similar.

A voice of ice cut through any thoughts she had, the air falling aside. Master Fung's arms were crossed and Kaida could feel his glare on her shoulders.

"You are in a lot of trouble Kaida Balance."

"You spend far too much time with that little red human, I'm starting to feel lonely." The Fire shook her scales, gliding down from the tree, maple leaves jumping around her feet. Kimiko couldn't help but giggle at the strange way her mouth twisted, almost resembling a pout.

"Don't be silly, I spend every night with you don't I? I can't sleep all day can I?" The two embraced, the Fire's tail swishing happily.

"I suppose so." Kimiko smiled, the smooth scales hot to the touch, the bony spines pressing in on her. Suddenly, she felt sad. Locked away in this little room for just over eighteen years, before then sleeping in the minds of others, waiting for one chance… It was a dampening thought, that this beautiful creature had spent most of it's life locked away. And even then, Fire's very nature was to be caged, contained, used for another's purpose.

And what for? For two hours of pointless conversation with a little girl who would probably never comprehend anything about her? How was that worth it?

"Stop it." The Fire whispered. Kimiko looked up, smiling.

"Sorry. I just realised how little I knew about you." Those fiery eyes starred deeply into her own, the girl suddenly uncomfortable, fidgeting, embarrassed. A tail swished and knocked her to her feet, the Fire settling beside her, head resting in her lap.

"Then I will inform you." Kimiko looked shocked for a moment but got no chance to reply. "My name is Pyras." The dragon hushed, the girl she led on absolutely stunned. "When I was first born I carried out my duties to watch over your world, although I was a little excitable and rash." Her charcoal eyes looked away and Kimiko knew she felt ashamed when she next spoke, she could feel it resonate off of her. "The problem with mortals is that they wish for power," Pyras whispered, "the problem with Spirits is that they wish to be mortals." Kimiko felt herself gasp. "To feel is a miracle, but also a curse."

"By the time Chase Young came along you might've said we were as mortal as he was. Arrogance, passion, love, respect, anger, we felt those deeply within us."

"But weren't you happy?" Pyras looked sad.

"No. Not really." Her head nestled closer to the girl. "We weren't like you, we weren't friends. We were just six dragons who happened to learn how to feel, abandoned by our creator." Kimiko sat a little straighter.

"Creator? You were created?" Pyras tensed, her muscles clenching, scales scraping, a true fire in her voice.

"Do not speak of him. My tongue is poisonous when it comes to him, for all he has done for his world and for us I am too selfish to stop hating him." The girl said not a word, lips clamped tightly. Pyras was suddenly dangerous, her spines sharp, her charcoal coloured flames rippling over squeezing muscles, anger rippling through her taut body.

"Tell me about Kimiko Tohomiko, the first one, from that war so long ago." She asked quietly, sensing the time to change the topic of conversation. The dragon was still bristled, but the volatile temper diminished, her chest heaving as she sighed.

"You would not have liked her child. She was vile in some ways."

"Vile? Did you not like her?" Her chuckle was almost unfamiliar, a grating in the back of her throat.

"I loved her as of course I must. But she loved me in only the obscurest sense of the word." Kimiko waited for her to continue. "She came to China after being disgraced in Japan. Her pride and lust for power was never satisfied. She sought to control Raimundo, the strongest, the leader, to steal him away. Clay never forgave her for what she did." Kimiko stayed quiet before whispering, quoting what she remembered.

"Unable to have him, out of jealousy she lied to the Earth, and made him believe she loved him, when she did not." Pyras nodded.

"She took poor Clay into Raimundo's room and bedded him, waiting for their leader. When he arrived, Kimiko showed him that she could do something Kaida could not. She could satisfy him in ways he would never have even dared to think of."

"That's horrible." Kimiko stated bluntly, shocked.

"Indeed. She broke all of their hearts. Even Omi, the strong willed, felt a stab of jealousy." There was a small silence.

"What about Rin?" Her voice was hushed, a tinge of pink in her cheeks.

"Rin was so cold he barely felt the blow. His heart just encased itself in another layer of ice. After that Kimiko had no hope of melting it."

"Things were complicated." The girl said simply, eyes wide, fingers caressing the dragon's head absentmindedly.

"Yes. Very." Her voice was hollow, a sudden stab of pain in her metaphorical heart catching her off guard. Pyras turned to Kimiko, suddenly afraid, Charcoal eyes glazing over. "There are secrets in the past Kimiko. Things were kept from me, our history is not whole." Her tail thrashed and when the girl tried to calm her, her head shot up, level with Kimiko's eyes, fire burning in shame. "You need to understand my child, this story is old and dangerous and far from over." Kimiko nodded, a lump in her throat. Feeling small, she tried to excuse herself, but the dragon's teeth nipped at her outfit, pulling her back.

"You would be a fool to believe that everything passed down is true child." Gulping, the just-turned eighteen year old's hands shook.

"What are you trying to say?" Pyras shook her head, letting the girl go, climbing back up the tree almost sadly.

"I don't know child. Forgive me. Thinking back hurts." Kimiko left quietly, feeling somber, the Fire's words twisting her stomach, echoing slightly in her head. She couldn't forget the chilling feel, tingling down her spine, a pain suddenly starting in the small of her back.

Kimiko did not like secrets. She did not like people going behind her back, she did not like people doing things without her knowing and she wasn't particularly forgiving to those who lied to her. This whole thing was ridiculous. Chasing after a mortal to become a princess? Ancient demons controlling one of her closest friends? An old friend returned just to be killed and raped, old secrets, ancient spirits, weapons, wars, half-demons, magic, monsters; what the Hell was going on?

Had she just accepted all this? On her first day had she just shrugged at the possibility of Shen Gong Wu, not bothering to care that they were four teenagers asked to travel the world on a shape-shifting gecko to retrieve ancient magical objects as they awakened? And now she was supposed to just be ok with her old best friend reappearing to say that she was a Xiaolin dragon too, and that a maniacal half-demon wanted her for his own? How was torturing her, waging war and turning Raimundo into a monster going to make Kaida love Chase? Did the half-and-half really believe that would work? Or was there really a demon called Athanasius there to twist him, like a puppet, was there some horrible conspiracy hanging over their heads, were they all just a game to him?

Her fists crashed into the walls, fire spreading, burning, dazzlingly bright, sparking and crackling as Kimiko punched and punched, wild. A fierce hatred of everything that had happened surged through her, hating that Kaida had returned, hating Chase, hating the war, hating Jack, hating Pyras, hating everything and everyone, even hating fate itself for keeping this all a secret from her.

If someone had told her on her first day, early May, year 2000, that all of this was going to happen, Kimiko was certain she would've walked away. A large, angry, hurt part of her wished she had.

Chase scowled. Athanasius' hands were dangerously close to the gem, something Chase knew he should be afraid of.

"I am in a foul mood, what is it?" Chase could see that, it was obvious in the way the silhouette had stormed out of the fireplace, barely shaking off the soot before demanding refreshment. Things must not be going so well in Hell. Chase rallied his courage and stood tall.

"I think it's time you release Raimundo from your grasp. He has done enough damage. Torture my Princess no more." His voice was low. The Demon King stepped towards him, suddenly amused.

"He's doing such a marvelous job, I think I'll keep him on my leash for a short while longer." Unexpectedly, Chase's palms slammed onto the table.

"No. You will release him immediately." His amber eyes sparkled in the light and Athanasius laughed at him.

"Idiot half-and-half, do you think I can stop it now? Once my influence takes over his heart there is no going back, Raimundo will be mine forever." Athanasius, finished, laughed a little more and walked away, a hand pulling him back fiercely.

"When can I go and fight for her?" Chase asked suddenly, eyes determined, stance strong. The demon faltered.

"What?"

"When can I go back and fight for her!" His voice raised a little, impatient and demanding.

"April. A year after this little game began." Chase nodded and let him walk away. Three months. Hopefully Raimundo had not been completely taken over by then, hopefully there would still be some of Raimundo's soul left to save.

It suddenly struck him that Kaida's wellbeing was becoming more and more important, while owning her was shrinking back into his mind. He didn't know what to thank for this, but he felt immensely grateful.

In the darkness Arachne smiled. She knew that one day Chase would break free of the Demon King and after that she would just have to wait. She and her Sisters Chained in Darkness would end it all and Arachne could finally taste the cool kiss of death, of freedom.

A/N: Xiaolin Showdown, as always, does not belong to me =]

So what do we know about the Angels and Demons in this story so far? Chase is a bit of a Headcase and doesn't really know who he is, Athanasius is a nasty guy and has an evil plan, Arachne is ambiguous had also has a plan, while Akakios is just kinda sitting there doing nothing. Sorted. (In case you're confused)

Things shall be getting interesting next chapter so stay tuned for some action, and expect a Chapter 1 rewrite soon too ^_^

If you read and/or review I humbly thank you, let me know what you think!