The Art of Courtship

Chapter Seven

By Bellaluna

Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown or its characters. Please do not copy or steal this fanfiction.

Author’s Note: Long time to write. As usual. Many apologies for that. I really appreciate everyone who has stuck around. I understand that it’s a pain when updates are so spread apart, but it’s really hard to find time to write down a whole chapter. So again, thank you so much for waiting around. I really do appreciate each and every one of your and all of your reviews. Thank you! And now on to the chapter…

Chapter Seven

“Jack?”

Only silence from the other side of the tall bamboo wall. Kimiko called out Jack’s name again, but there was still no response. She stood up and stepped out of the hot, steaming water. The air instantly cooled her skin, causing her to grab a nearby towel and wrap it tightly around her body. As she did so she heard a heavy splash from the men’s side of the bath.

“Oh he better not have!” Kimiko gasped and hurried out of the bath. She slipped on her kimono and rushed over to the men’s side. She didn’t want to go in, but she was panicking; panicking over Jack Spicer of all people. Silence and a splash. He had either fallen from trying to peep or he’d been stupid enough to pass out from the heat. He had better have been stupid or she was going to kill him.

She stopped at the cloth hanging over the doorway into the bath. “Jack? Are you still in there? Anybody?” she shouted inside. All she could hear inside was the bubbling of the water. Letting out a heavy sigh Kimiko closed her eyes tight and felt for the cloth. She pushed it aside and stepped into the men’s baths. There were no initial shouts our cat calls. That was a good sign. Cautiously she pried one eye open and sure enough Jack was there, his head barely peeking out of the water. His eyes were shut and he was breathing heavily. Even his pale face was turning red from being overheated. Of course silently Kimiko thanked the heavens above that Jack had decided to wait a pair of swimming trunks into the bath. She sighed again and waded into the water, kimono and all, towards Jack. When she reached him she wrapped her arms around his waist, under his arms and dragged him out of the water. Surprisingly he was heavy than she remembered, though it certainly wasn’t because of fat. As she pulled Jack out of the water, Kimiko couldn’t help but notice all the muscles he had developed. He certainly wasn’t a bodybuilder but he was well toned, just as well as Rai, if not better. She blushed, suddenly realizing what she was doing. She was checking out Jack Spicer. She shook her head and continued dragging Jack out of the bath.

Of course the thought was still lodged in her brain by the time she’d brought him back to his room. She laid him down on one of the bed mats and quickly tossed one of the sheets over him. With Jack’s body properly covered Kimiko hurried to the kitchen and poured come ice into a plastic bag. A few of the staff members gave her an odd look as she hurried around, and she realized she was still dressed in only her soaked kimono. After returning to Jack and placing the bag of ice on his forehead she hurried back to her room and changed into her normal clothes. At that point she would have rather left Jack alone, but her conscience got the best of her and the returned to look after him.

He was still asleep underneath the sheet, but the ice back and rolled off his forehead. Kimiko sighed again and plopped down next to him on the floor. She grabbed the bag and placed it back on his head. When she did he made a small groaning noise, but then went back to breathing normally. His face was still pink, but it was much better than when she had first found him in the water.

As she sat next to him Kimiko found herself staring at Jack, though not thinking about his physical appearance anymore. Now she was thinking back to what she had overheard in the bath and what he had said to her.

“And what if I did care about you?”

She just didn’t understand Jack. They were supposed to be enemies. Well, not really enemies anymore since the fight over the Shen Gong Wu had ended years ago, but they certainly didn’t like each other. He was annoying, bothersome and had some really screwed up priorities. Though when Kimiko thought about it, Jack had been pretty helpful since the announcement of their engagement. And he hadn’t made one mention of world domination or how good it was to be evil. Maybe he really had given it all up. But even if he had, why would he care about her. Even if he didn’t care about taking over the world anymore, she, along with the guys had ruined his plans countless times. How many times had she heard him call them the Xiaolin Losers? He must have been kidding. Or maybe the heat had messed with his head. It was impossible that he would care about her at all. Nothing could change the fact that they complete opposites in every way who would never be able to get along.

After some time musing over the past couple of days and the years that had preceded them, Jack’s eyes opened and he let out a weak groan. Kimiko blushed and tore her eyes away, trying to look at anything else but him. Fortunately it seemed he hadn’t noticed her stare.

“You’re awake,” she said, trying to sound uninterested.

“What happened?” Jack asked as he reached for the bag of ice on his forehead. He pulled it off and slowly sat up, causing the sheet to slip down to his waist. Kimiko averted her eyes even more as this happened.

“You passed out. Too much heat from the bath,” she explained.

“Oh.”

Jack was quiet for a few minutes as he groggily looked around the room and rubbed his head. He turned and Kimiko could feel his gaze on her. “How’d I get out here?”

Kimiko paused, hesitant to answer.

“I brought you out.”

“Oh really,” he said, sounding far too pleased. “Did you like the show.”

“Oh please,” Kimiko snorted and punched Jack in the arm. “You mean the show of you passed out like some feeble coma patient?”

“Then why aren’t you looking at me?”

“Shut up!” she snapped and jerked back to finally look at him. He was looking at her, with one of his usual, triumphant grins on his face; that grin she was supposed to hate, but at that moment all she could really think of was that it looked really good there. And with that grin, the mischievous look in his eyes, and his bare chest he looked, well, hot.

But of course she’d die before admitting something crazy like that. Maybe that was it. She was going crazy. Because thinking Jack Spicer was hot was something that would get anyone locked up in a padded jail cell with a nice tight jacket.

“I’m looking,” she said, trying to match his grin. “But I don’t see much.”

“Ouch,” Jack feigned a pained look and placed his hand on his chest. “That hurt.”

“Good,” she replied, proud of her recovery. She was not about to let Jack get the best of her. The rules may have changed over the years, but they were still playing the same game; always trying to show up the other. There were no more Shen Gong Wu to fight over, but the fight still went on. “In any case you seem to be feeling better. Right?”

“I guess. Pretty uncool of me huh?” Jack said with a sheepish chuckle.

“Yeah. Pretty uncool…”

Just outside the door Kimiko heard footsteps grow louder as they came down the outside hallway. They stopped just outside the room and the door slid open with a snap, revealing Omi. He looked concerned, and slightly out of breath. He had obviously run all the way from the main dining room.

“Ah! Kimiko, Jack, there you are! Dinner is growing cold!” he exclaimed, looking very relieved. “Are you not coming?”

“I am,” Kimiko replied as she stood up. She was more than glad for Omi’s interruption. “Jack will be staying here. He isn’t feeling well.”

“Oh, I see,” Omi nodded giving Jack a concerned look. “Are you ill?”

“No. I’m fine and I’m-,” Jack said, obviously protesting. He slowly moved to get up.

“Stay,” Kimiko said firmly. “I’ll make sure someone brings you food. You should rest.”

“But…”

“Look you won’t be any help to me tomorrow if you’re passing out all over the place. Just take it easy okay? I’m sure Omi will be more than happy to bring you back something to eat. Right Omi?”

“Certainly!” Omi agreed with a smile.

“Great,” Jack grumbled.

Kimiko wasn’t sure what was compelling her to bring up Jack’s help, which she really didn’t want. Hadn’t she been protesting it just an hour ago? Maybe the heat from the baths had made her light headed too.

She gave Jack one more time. He didn’t look entirely pleased, but not really angry either. She shook her head, in hopes of clearing it. It didn’t really help but she moved to the door and joined Omi who seemed to be curiously watching the exchange.

“Come on Omi, let’s go. Rai’s probably foaming at the mouth, stressing over where I am by now.

“Clay did have to hold him down to keep him from coming down here himself,” Omi informed her.

Kimiko laughed at the thought as she closed the door behind her. Tomorrow was going to be a long, busy day and she had, in that moment, decided that she would enjoy the rest of the evening with her friends and not think about Jack Spicer at all.

---

After going to bed with a full stomach and having a peaceful night’s sleep, Kimiko awoke the next morning. She’d had a great night with the others and hadn’t worried about Jack or the work ahead of her for an instant. Now she was feeling much more confident about running the baths. She was ready to face the day.

She was relieved to enjoy a quiet, stress-free breakfast by herself after changing into her formal, hostess attire. Silently she hoped Jack had given up on his idea of helping her. That would make things a million times easier for her. Having him around was growing continuously bothersome, because when he was, he was all she could seem to think about. He genuinely was confusing her with every word and every action. He was still the same the same Jack Spicer…and yet wasn’t.

However after breakfast, as she finished preparing the first guest room Jack arrived in his borrowed, formal attire. He was leaning against the frame of the door, looking like his usual, cocky self, smirking as he looked back at her.

“What?” Kimiko said impatiently.

“You look cute,” he replied.

“Shut up,” she growled and stomped passed him, out into the hallway. She hated herself for it, but she knew that she was blushing. Pushing Jack out of a ten story building was suddenly an extremely tempting thought for her at the moment.

“Something wrong?” Jack asked from behind her.

“No,” she quickly replied. “You remember how the rooms should be prepared right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well get to work on the room to the left.”

“Yes ma’am,” he said teasingly before slipping into the indicated room.

Kimiko kept moving and went to the room across the hall to prepare that one as well. As she folded the bed rolls into the room’s closet space, she heard the main door slide open.

“Jack, get out of here!” she snapped, not even bothering to look back.

“It’s me, but nice try.”

Kimiko spun around and saw it was actually Keiko at the door. She had an amused grin on her face as she looked at her from across the room.

“Oh,” Kimiko said and went back to folding.

“Got someone on your mind?”

“No!”

“Those red cheeks of yours would indicate otherwise Kimi.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Keiko,” Kimiko said, pulling her best stubborn act ever. She really did not want to talk about this with Keiko at the moment, especially with Jack just one room down.

“Uh-huh, well I just wanted to let you know that we’ll be going out for the day. I’m taking everyone out for some sight-seeing,” Keiko explained.

“Everyone?” Kimiko asked hopefully.

“Not Jack.”

“Rats.”

“It won’t be that bad. And we’ll be back just after lunch.”

“Alright, have a good time.”

“Will do. Try to take it easy okay?”

“Easier said than done, but I’ll try.”

“That’s the spirit,” Keiko smiled and gave Kimiko a quick hug before leaving the room. “Bye!”

Kimiko said goodbye to the already empty room. Then with a sigh she went back to work. Within an hour all of the needed rooms had been prepared and notice had come that the first guests were on their way.

Jack and Kimiko silently made their way to the guest entrance hall with Kimiko leading. Several times Jack quickened his pace to catch up with her but she would just speed up again until they were both practically running to the entrance. When they got there they were gasping for air.

“So…” Jack said, taking a deep breath and breaking the silence. “Who are our first guests?”

“A family. The Cartwrights,” Kimiko replied as she double checked the guest list.

“…Cartwrights?”

“Yeah. They should be here any second now.”

The guests were due any minute so Kimiko kneeled down into a greeting position.

“Um, Kimiko…”

“Would you shut up and get down here?” Kimiko hissed in annoyance.

“Right,” Jack nodded and kneeled down next to her. “But I think that you-,”

“Shhh!” she seethed just before the outside door slid open. Kimiko bowed her head and took a deep breath in order to collect herself and be the most graceful hostess she could be. “Hello, welcome to our humble hot springs,” she said gently.

“Oh my God! Is that you Jackie!?” a female voice shrilled.

Kimiko’s head snapped up so she could survey the guests. Before her stood a typical rich-looking couple with a familiar young woman standing between them. She had a blond bob of hair and a mischievous smile on her face.

“Katnappe!?” Kimiko explained and immediately regretted it. That was not the was not the way a hostess should behave.

“No way! A Xiaolin warrior? Kim right?”

“…Kimiko.”

“Right! What are you two doing here? Together?” Katnappe asked suggestively.

“We are not together,” Kimiko replied stiffly.

“Our parents arranged it,” Jack replied, standing up.

“Jack!” Kimiko gasped. They still hadn’t properly greeted the guests, even if it was Katnappe. Jack stepped over to the blond and she leapt at him, giving him a tight hug. He laughed a bit and hugged her back.

“Long time, no see Ashley,” he said as he stepped back.

“I know right? Not since Megan’s last birthday. How’s she doing by the way?”

“You can ask her yourself. She’ll be back around lunch time.”

“She’s here? No way!”

“Yes, she is,” Kimiko replied, standing up as well. Her greeting was already ruined anyway. “Now why don’t I show you to your rooms?”

Ashley’s parents seemed uninterested, but Ashley giggled and clung to Jack’s arm. “Sure thing. Lead the way Jackie!”

“Yes Jackie,” Kimiko sneered. “Lead the way.”

Jack chuckled nervously but led the group down the hallway to the guest rooms. Kimiko took up the rear, behind Ashley’s parents, silently glowering away. Her positive attitude was suddenly gone. Though maybe, she thought, with Ashley there Jack would stop trying to help. Let him spend time with that flirty blond. They deserved each other.

When they reached the rooms Kimiko showed Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright to their room and Jack showed Ashley hers which was right next door.

“But where’s the bed?” she heard Ashley whine through the wall.

“In the closet. You bring it out when you go to sleep,” Jack replied.

“Oh. I see. Maybe you could help me with that.”

Kimiko rolled her eyes and wished she had a free moment to gag. Instead she showed the Cartwrights their own bedrolls and blocked out the rest of Ashley and Jack’s conversation. The Cartwrights seemed to have been doing this since they had first arrived. Kimiko didn’t blame them in the least.

After she had finished helping Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright and giving them a tour of the inn, Kimiko returned to the greeting hall. They were due to have three more guests that morning. While she checked the guest list again, Jack entered the hall, surprisingly without Ashley attached to his arm.

“Lost your girlfriend?” Kimiko asked, not looking up from the list.

“Huh? Oh Ashley,” Jack replied. “Sorry about that. She’s a bit…enthusiastic.”

“Uh-huh. Great.”

“Not jealous are you Kimicup?”

“As if,” Kimiko snorted. “Dream on. And stop calling me that!”

“What? Kimicup?”

“Spicer, I swear I’m gonna-,”

Just then another guest entered the hall. Instantly Kimiko slapped a smile on her face and knelt down in the greeting position. “Hello and welcome to the Tohomiko springs.”

Jack and his stupid girlfriend were not going to throw her off. Not anymore.