"You're lying."

"You all felt it," his low chuckle emitted across the room. "When a Dragon dies, the others sense it. You lost her."

"No..." Raimundo looked across at his teammates, tears filling his eyes. "You said she'd be fine!"

Clay forced himself onto his feet. The first of the three to stand again. "We didn't know for certain, Kimiko wanted to try anyway, it was her choice,"

"He could be lying," Omi pointed out, ignoring Chase's stare. "That could've been the cure working,"

"Do you forget that I have been around for fifteen-hundred years? I've seen Xiaolin Dragons die. Many of them at my hands. I know what the death of one looks like on the others."

Raimundo forced his eyes shut. Praying the tears wouldn't escape his eyes. He couldn't cry, not now. He'd deal with the emotions later.

Pushing himself off of the floor, he stood tall. Glaring at the enemy before them. Raimundo could leave; he could walk out with his team and return to Kimiko. But he couldn't, he had to fight for what he lost. What he took from him.

"You don't think you can win this fight, do you?"

"Shoku Star, Wind!"

Throwing his arms forward, Raimundo watched the force of his power hit Chase Young in the chest. Smirking as the man struggled against it.

Growls rose around the room. The cats appeared at the walls, glaring at their enemies. Waiting for the signal.

Jumping forward, Raimundo used both his strength and element to throw a wind punch. Aiming for his face.

Stepping aside, Chase grabbed his wrist. Throwing him to the floor.

Growling as he hit the ground, Raimundo pushed himself up. "You knew she was going to die, didn't you?" his words ended in a shout. He didn't care now. If he took him down, they win. If Chase killed him, he'd be with Kimiko.

"I'm surprised I kept her alive as long as I did." The jungle cats stalked the monks as Chase watched Raimundo. "She was never coming out of this alive."

"I'll kill you."

"You can try,"

Taking a wooden staff from the side, Chase spun the weapon in his hand before walking forward. Jumping high in the air, he watched the monk brace himself for impact.

"Sword of The Storm, Eye of Dashi!"

The sound of Chase's body colliding with the stone walls caused the fighting to stop. The use of Shen Gong Wu taking everyone by surprise.

"How are you..."

Instead of an answer, she took the Eye of Dashi from the sword. Placing it around her neck before moving her arm back, holding the hilt of the sword upwards for her leader to take. Without questioning the situation, he took the Wu from her hand.

Clay and Omi stood. Waiting for the Third Arm Sash around her waist to hand itself and the Orb of Tornami over.

Looking down at her right hand, Raimundo saw the Golden Tiger Claws still attached. She'd arrived at the perfect moment.

"Kimi,"

Clay noted she hadn't changed clothing since they last saw her. Her face looked pale — tired, even. Although she stood tall, Clay could tell she was trying to get her breath back.

Chase landed on the ground, his mind processing what had happened. Looking up, he glared at the girl before him.

"You should be dead."

"I was."

Chase snarled at her tone. "We'll fix that."

"No, you don't," Clay growled, walking forward. "Third Arm Sash, Earth!"

Taking Kimiko by her waist, Raimundo pulled her away from the fight. Ignoring her startled complaint, he held her pressed against his torso. Ensuring the fight stayed away from them.

"They need our help," she hissed. Watching Omi use his preferred Wu to send a stream of ice at their foe. "Why aren't we helping?"

"They can handle him," he could feel her body tremble against him. "Kimiko you're shaking,"

"You try going through a painful cure and then waking up after dying,"

Hearing a snarl from the right, Raimundo threw his fist out, sending the tiger into the nearest pillar. "You actually died, didn't you?"

"Four minutes."

If Kimiko had turned to face him, she would've seen the tears filling their leaders' eyes.

"I only came because Master Fung said you'd all need to know I was safe. I'm ready to sleep for a week,"

The pair covered their eyes as dust and debris flew in their direction. Coughing slightly, Kimiko leaned into Raimundo.

"We need to get you back to the temple,"

"I'm not leaving without the three of you,"

"Very well," he sighed. "But I don't see a way to defeat Chase. Not right now, at least,"

"Then we fall back. So I can get some damn sleep,"

Raimundo watched the surroundings, noting their teammates' positions. "Use the claws while I get their attention."

With a nod, Kimiko once again called upon the power of the Golden Tiger Claws, opening a rift in front of her. Looking to her left, she watched as Raimundo swung the Sword of The Storm at Chase. Hitting his target. The surprised faces of Omi and Clay turned their attention to him.

"We're leaving, fall back!" seeing them approach, he turned his attention to Kimiko, "Go now,"

"But—"

"I'll be right behind you, go!"

Kimiko gave a small nod before turning and jumping through to the other side. Raimundo made certain Clay and Omi travelled through first. Not wanting to leave anyone behind.

Once Omi jumped through the portal, Raimundo looked at Chase. Smirking at the man before jumping into the temple's vault.

Raimundo couldn't help the smile on his face as he looked up to see Kimiko wrapped in Clays' arms. The cowboy telling her how relieved he was to see her again.

Looking to Raimundo, Kimiko gave a small smile in return before gently pulling out of the embrace. She tried to turn to Raimundo but instead caught the overly excited Omi in her arms. They all chuckled as he enjoyed his 'girl hug'.

"You are well!" Omi whispered.

"I am," she whispered back, resting her head atop of the monks.

Clay walked into the kitchen, seeing the two other males sat at the table. "Kim still asleep?"

"Yup,"

Once they'd all put their Wu away, Kimiko quickly made her way to her bed. Master Fung kindly informed them of the process she went through. And how her body would need to regain its strength.

"How long has the girl been out for?"

"About twenty-three hours," Raimundo mused, "I checked on her both this morning and an hour ago, she was out cold."

"Master Fung was indeed right when he said Kimiko would need her rest," Omi added, before sipping his drink. "Once I have finished this, I shall patrol the area again."

"Still no sign of Chase then?" Clay questioned.

"I'm hoping he realised he lost this time around. Kimiko being alive seemed to throw him off," Raimundo thought aloud, as Clay took his usual seat. "But I refuse to let my guard down for at least a few more days,"

Clay hummed in agreement.

A shuffle in the hall caused the monks to turn their heads to the doorway. Raimundo couldn't help but smirk at the site in the doorway.

"Well good morning sleepy head," he chirped.

Kimiko stood, her head resting against the wooden frame as her eyes tried to stay open. She wore her leggings from the previous day and a vest top which had replaced the sports bra. A blanket rested on her shoulders as she held it around her.

"I need food," she mumbled.

Clay smiled as he rose from his seat. "I'll make you something, little lady,"

Kimiko grunted in response. Her eyes lazily closing again.

"Come here, you," Raimundo walked over, placing his hands on her waist as he pulled her forward. Smiling as she landed against his chest. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"Food," was her muffled reply.

"Let's get you to the chair,"

Cautiously moving her forward, Raimundo safely directed the exhausted girl to her seat. Smiling as she rested her head on her arms.

"Is she asleep again?" Omi questioned, watching his friends face.

"Yep,"

Brushing a few loose strands of hair from her face, Raimundo did his best to suppress his laughter at Kimiko's face scrunching up from the movement. Tracing his fingers across her cheek, she startled him by grabbing his hand, resting it under her face.

Clay walked back to the table, chuckling at their trapped leader. Resting the plate of sandwiches on the table, he returned to his own seat.

"Should probably get her back to bed, partner,"

"Are you sure? Because a sleep-deprived Kimiko is a hilarious Kimiko,"

It had been a week since they rescued Raimundo and cured Kimiko. The Dragon of Fire's strength had returned just like Master Fung promised. Although she was up and moving, Raimundo had requested she sit out of training for a few days before getting back into it.

Walking through the training grounds, Kimiko looked out at the sky. The early evening sky wore orange and pink hues as only a few clouds sat across it.

Taking a staff from the rack, she spun the training weapon in her fingers. Enjoying the smooth movement.

"I thought I asked you to take it easy?"

She smirked at the voice, "And I'm bored of just sitting around,"

"Alright then," Raimundo walked over to her, taking another staff from the rack. "Bring it, fire girl,"

"This isn't how we usually spar," she smirked.

Grasping the staff in both hands, she flung the right side forward, aiming for his shoulder. Raimundo easily blocked it, before swiping the staff behind her legs. Knocking her to the floor.

"Okay, I'm not ready yet," Kimiko breathed, still sitting on the ground.

"You're getting there, though," Raimundo smiled. Placing the two wooden poles in their resting spot. "You'll be kicking my ass before you know it,"

He watched her give a small chuckle, although her eyes showed her mind was elsewhere. Offering his hand, he held hers in his before helping her to her feet.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I never did thank you for what you did,"

"What I did?" Raimundo asked, confused.

"You going to Chase. It was to protect me and to keep me alive,"

"You don't have to thank me for that, Kimi,"

"I know, you would've done it for any of us, but still—"

"No,"

"Huh?" she looked up, surprised by his sudden answer.

"No, I wouldn't have done it for just anyone,"

Her breath caught in her throat, "What are you getting at, Raimundo?"

Closing the small gap between the two, Raimundo wrapped his arms around Kimiko. Noticing her hands resting against his chest.

"You know what I mean,"

Her eyes met his, her gaze unmoving. Asking him to continue.

"I'd do it for you, because," looking into her eyes, he could feel all his fears about her death wash away. "Because I am in love with you, Kimiko Tohomiko,"

Blinking away the tears, she dropped her head. Looking back up again with a huge smile on her face. "I love you too, Rai," she finally caved, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. "You don't know how long I've wanted to hear you say that,"

"I'm saying it, and I mean it, Kimi. I love you," He pressed his lips against hers for a short, but sweet kiss, "I love you,"

"So what do we do now, then?" she asked, resting her head against his chest.

"Whatever we want,"

Resting his finger under her chin, he lifted her face up to meet his. Leaning down he closed the gap between their lips, enjoying the feeling of her lips against his.

It was all worth it.

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