After breakfast, Master Fung and Dojo informed the dragons that they would be working on their hand-to-hand combat skills.
"You will be paired up, and your objective is to defeat your opponent," said Master Fung.
"Yeah, and the pairs will be: Kimiko and..." started Dojo. Please don't pair me with Omi! thought Kimiko, I'm always paired with him.
"Kimiko and Raimundo and Omi and Clay." Dojo finished. YEEESSS!!!! thought Kimiko I'm not with Omi!!! Kimiko was too busy celebrating to notice that Rai was grinning.
"Super," smirked Rai.
"At last! I do not have to go easy on my opponent! Clay, you are most formidable!" cried Omi.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" screamed Kimiko. "I CAN BEAT YOU WITH MY EYES CLOSED!"
"I am very sorry to disagree, Kimiko, but you are a girl and I am a boy, therefore, I am superior at fighting." answered Omi smugly.
"WHA-AAAT?!?!?!" Kimiko leapt towards Omi, but Rai caught her and stopped her from teaching Omi a lesson or two.
"A word of advice Omi," said Rai, "never underestimate an enemy just because you think they are weaker than you. You'll end up getting hurt."
"Ah, those words of advice are very wise, Raimundo, thank you." Omi looked a little sheepish. "I am sorry Kimiko."
"You will be if you ever say anything like that again!" she snapped as Raimundo set her gently down. He had been holding her this whole time, making sure she wouldn't beat up Omi.
"A-hem!" coughed Dojo, "shall we be getting started now?" The Xiaolin Dragons all nodded, immediately getting serious. "Ready? GO!" shouted Dojo. The Dragons sprang into action, flipping through the air, and landing in fighting poses. Kimiko was already planning out her attack. Rai's element is wind, so he'll be stronger in the air. Which means I should attack from the ground!
"Shroud of Shadows!" cried Kimiko. Kimiko disappeared. Looking around, Rai cried,
"What? No fair!"
"Sorry, Rai," came Kimiko's disembodied voice, "I guess this isn't your lucky day." Kimiko's leg appeared right next to Rai's. In a side-winding kick, Kimiko swept Rai's feet out from under him.
"Whoa!" yelped Rai, collapsing on the ground. "Hey!" I've got him now! thought Kimiko, pulling off the Shroud of Shadows. But then Rai grinned and pulled out the Golden Tiger Claws. Oh no! thought Kimiko, he'll get away!
"Golden Tiger Claws!" shouted Rai.
"Shroud of Shadows!" Kimiko cried. Kimiko looked around, searching for the place Rai would appear.
"Kyaaah!!!" came a voice from right above her.
"Huh?" said Kimiko, and looked up. Rai was hurtling down out of the sky, right towards her! "Aaahhh!!!" screamed Kimiko, as Rai landed right on top of her, knocking the wind out of her.
"Heh," laughed Rai, pulling the shroud of shadows off of her. "Gotcha!"
Damn it, I knew he was stronger in the air! thought Kimiko. She struggled underneath him, but he was too heavy. She couldn't move an inch.