Hi... I'm back. Really sorry for the delay it's been a bit hectic. I had writers block for a while and then somehow manged to get the flu in the middle of the summer. Well I finally got the next chapter in. I cant really say for sure when the next update will be. Thank you for your patience. Your lovely reviews really helped fuel my writing. Its very encouraging.

Well without further ado, I give you chapter three.

Enjoy!

Kimiko stared at Chase's hand clasped softly around hers as he led her to the dance floor. Maybe it was because they were supposed to be sworn enemies or the fact that she was eight years old that last time she held his hand like this but Kimiko felt decidedly awkward. Chase stopped suddenly as they reached the center of the floor. He turned, giving Kimiko and expectant look, his hand still attached to hers. Kimiko sighed but relented to his silent request, placing her free hand on his shoulder as he placed his own on her lower back, keeping a respectable distance.

"This is weird." She said after they had gotten in step with the music. She looked up at his face and fought the urge to blush at the nearness of it. She had nearly forgotten how handsome he was given that all she saw him wearing these days were heavy armor and a menacing sneer. A small smirk spread on his face as he regarded her observation.

"Just what is so odd about our nearness?" He inquired after a moment with more amusement than genuine curiosity. Kimiko gave him a look.

"Yeah because a Heylin and a Xiaolin dancing together with no bloodshed is just an everyday occurrence." Kimiko replied with biting sarcasm.

"I've been your friend longer than I've been your enemy." He remarked casually. "In fact," he continued, mirth filling his eyes, "I do believe we were engaged at some point."

"For the five minutes it took for you to turn my father down!" Kimiko sputtered, her face turning red as Chase began to laugh.

"You were always so easily flustered as a child and I see you haven't broken the habit."

Kimiko glared as he spun her out, her face maintain its color.

"You shouldn't say such things so casually!" she snapped, "People might get the wrong idea."

"It was for a couple of minutes at most, before I informed your father that I had no intention of marrying in the coming decades. Although," his look became a bit playful and Kimiko saw the slightest gleam of mischief in his eyes, "I occasionally find myself regretting my decision seeing the beauty you have become."

With that, the music slowly came to an end and Kimiko didn't know whether to be flattered at the compliment or completely mortified that Chase Young of all people was flirting with her. Chase, for his part, appeared to be utterly amused at her reaction to his teasing.

"You're being awfully nice today," Kimiko remarked as her and Chase made their way out of the crowd, "seeing as the last time we met you drop kicked me into a mountain."

Choosing to ignore the rather amusing fact that she wouldn't acknowledge his earlier comment, he pulled out Kimiko's chair as they reached her table. She sat with a frown, staring at him with slight suspicion.

"I'm in a rather amiable mood today and if you must know," he added, "You're father was beaming with pride when I told him you survived one of my blows."

Kimiko glared.

"That must have been after the terrified phone call I got from him."

"Well he did have a little fuss at first."

"You cracked my rib."

"You shouldn't have charged me then."

"You shouldn't be plotting to destroy the world."

Chase sighed in mock exasperation and pulled out the chair next to hers before seating himself. Leaning back with his legs crossed, he rested his elbow on the back of the chair, taking a perfectly relaxed posture. It was silent for a few moments as Chase regarded Kimiko with her crossed arms and stiff posture. He inwardly chuckled at the thought of her stomping her foot like a petulant child. Memories of her toddler self doing just that passed through his thoughts causing him to huff in amusement, gaining Kimiko's attention.

"What's so funny?"

"You."

Kimiko scoffed and turned her head away angrily, red teasing her cheeks. She decided to ignore him, hoping he would get bored once she stopped fueling his entertainment. After ten minutes passed, it was so quiet that she though he had left. Her hopes were dashed as she turned her head and found him still sitting there, sipping some water with a neutral expression. He spotted her looking at him and gave a little wave.

"Yes, I'm still here." He said, placing his drink back on to the table silently. Kimiko narrowed her eyes at him, giving him a stony glare. If she couldn't bore him away then maybe her ill will would repel him. Chase, for his part, seemed completely unaffected if not amused.

"Unfortunately I won't be going anywhere for quite a bit." He stated calmly.

"Well why the hell not!" Kimiko said her voice rising with agitation.

"Well," he replied, holding up a place card with his name on it, "This is my seat for one." He finished nonchalantly as Kimiko's ire only rose.

"Just because it's your seat doesn't mean you have to stay on it." She gestured to the other guests, most of which had left their seats to dance or socialize. Kimiko herself would be among this group if people would actually talk to her. Unlike Chase, who seemed to be popular despite his questionable occupation, she actually had an excuse to be a wallflower. Though in his defense, not many knew the extent of what he did.

"That's not really the reason why I'm here." Chase's now serious tone caught Kimiko's attention. His face had lost all trace of amusement, with a slight frown gracing his features. Kimiko was beginning to feel worried.

"Why are you here Chase, if not to bother me?"

Chase was silent for a moment, debating whether he should tell her or not. His reluctance only served to increase her worry. After about a minute of tense silence Chase spoke.

"Toshiro asked me."

Kimiko raised her eyebrows, wondering why a request from her father would be so serious. The fact that Chase was eyeing her warily only served to stoke the fire of her suspicions.

"Why did my father ask you to stay with me?"

His silence only proved to her that she would not be happy with what he had to say.

"I'm only telling you this because it's your right to know but before I say anything you must promise not to cause a scene." Chase said, staring at her intently.

It wasn't his intention to tell Kimiko of Toshiro's plans but he couldn't help himself. Bitter memories of a young girl fifteen hundred years ago in a similar position had passed though his mind along with a promise made to prevent anyone else he met to be as ignorant as she had been.

"I'll be fine." Kimiko said, eager to find out what her father was hiding form her.

Chase sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Bracing himself for the freak out that he knew was going to occur despite her promise to the contrary, he spoke,

"You're father asked me to be a liaison between you and any potential suitors tonight as well as drive away the unfit ones."

"What?"

The ice-cold venom in her tone was unmistakable along with the heating aura that was beginning to surround her. Chase sat up in his chair as the tablecloth she was clutching on to began to singe. He tensed his muscles, ready to restrain her if necessary. He eyed the heat that was beginning to burn through the fabric.

"You need to calm down before you start a fire." Chase said calmly but firmly. Kimiko stared at him in indignation.

"Calm down? CALM DOWN!" She nearly screeched. Chase counted his luck that the music was too loud for the other guests to hear her out burst.

"After everything I've done for him he wants to have me quit the Xiaolin and marry me off to some rich, advantageous SON OF A BITCH!" The section of cloth in her hand burst into a tiny flame. Before she could continue Chase leaned over and slammed his hand over the table, both extinguishing the flame and crushing her hand. Kimiko gasped at the pain but ended her tirade.

"You're being irresponsible." Chases said. Feeling the heat that was beginning to scorch his skin die down, he released his hold on Kimiko's hand. She was quiet, however he could still feel the waves of fury radiating form her even after she regained control of her element. They were lucky that one of the guests hadn't seen her little outburst lest the whole party be horrified. They sat in silence for a few moments before Kimiko spoke.

"Why?" She said in quiet fury.

"You know why."

Kimiko put her head in her hands. She knew why but she didn't want to acknowledge it, hadn't acknowledged it since that fateful day when she was fourteen. In the back of her mind she always knew this would happen some day.

"With Kenji gone, he felt this was the most logical choice for him to make." Chase said, trying to at least defend his good friend's mentality.

"I know that!" Kimiko snapped. She said nothing more for a good twenty minutes. They sat there, Kimiko refusing to take her face from her hands while Chase stared at her with an unreadable expression.

"I wont get married. I won't let him." She said looking up at Chase with determination.

He appeared to be debating with himself and Kimiko realized that this was not the only secret she didn't know about. Suddenly Chase looked her straight in the eye, making Kimiko fell a bit intimidated.

"Since we are on the topic of marriage I feel that there is something else I should warn you of." He said. Kimiko could see a trace of uncertainty in his eyes and she began to sense that the situation was about to get much worse.

"What is it?" She asked hesitantly, afraid of what he was about to say.

"If your father doesn't marry you off than the Xiaolin will."