It was an indescribable feeling. Jiayi felt a perfect blend of elation, fear, liberation, and shame as she bounded over the earth. The plan to slip past while they were distracted had failed. She had known that the chances of them not seeing her were slim. The chances of not being pursued were even slimmer. What she had not anticipated was that Jack had told the truth. Running behind her was what could only be described as a horrific, oversized reptile. She felt the swipe of claws over her tail every so often, urging her forward. Jiayi's paws left prints in the dirt around the temple grounds as she made her best attempt to run and hide.

She knew that Guan had seen her. It was humiliating. This form, this large cat body, was her biggest show of weakness. It was a form she only took when she was too afraid to deal with something or too angry to face it rationally. Once or twice, Jiayi's steps faltered and she nearly tumbled onto her face, but she always caught herself and managed to keep running. He's quick, she thought with a glance over her shoulder. I have a head-start though! And I think we might be evenly matched…maybe?

Her gaze lifted and was glad that they had moved away from the temple grounds. She had worried for the safety of the young monks. She was still worried about Guan. He was nowhere to be seen and she worried that he might put himself in harm's way to help her. Jiayi gritted her teeth, glancing back once more and meeting reptilian eyes. I have to lose him! I have to do something! I need to get back to Jack, but I can't do anything until I get away from this-! Jiayi's left side exploded with pain and her step faltered. Her body rolled through the grass, shifting back to its proper human shape, and crashed against a tree trunk with a loud thud.

The young woman's hand went to her aching side and came away red, sticky. Her amber eyes widened as she realized that he had raked his claws through her cat body's fur and flesh to weaken her into stopping. She clenched one hand into a fist, the other holding her wounded side. It would heal quickly. She would be fully recovered within two days. The problem now was the man staring down at her, one corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. "…well…what do you want?" she quietly demanded.

He watched a lock of her dark hair fall over her pale face, reveled in that spark of fear in her eyes. "Why did you run?"

Jiayi pushed herself to stand, leaning against the tree and feeling blood run down her side. "I…was just trying to leave. I have somewhere to be." She cringed when he was suddenly right in front of her, watching her cheeks turn pink.

"You're weak." Rage flared in her amber eyes and he leaned down so his face was inches from hers. He swiftly dodged a swipe aimed at his face, but was soon back in close proximity. "What are you?"

"…I'm nothing…so leave me alone," she snarled back. A hand clutched her throat and she wanted desperately to thrash out of his grip, but was unsure of what he was capable of. Guan must have had a reason for hiding me from this person. He always has a good reason for what he does…even if it doesn't seem like it at first. Going completely still, she forced her eyes to remain locked with his. "…Chase, was it…?"

"Now you're curious?" He saw her face growing pink again and leaned down to her ear. "I could end you right now if I wanted to."

"…I doubt that…" She felt the smirk growing on her lips, but knew that he was unable to see it. "You asked before. What am I? It's funny…I'm not exactly certain what I am. All I know…is that I never age…and I've lived 1,500 years. And…I won't let you be the end of me." Her lips spread wider and she leaned in close to the man's neck. Seconds before her teeth sank in, she caught the scent of something familiar. Something that made her stomach growl. Her teeth pierced his skin, blood filled her mouth, and moments later her body was flying through the air and smashing into another tree. She landed hard on the ground and quickly shifted into a crouched position, her hips subconsciously swaying back and forth like a cat's tail and her amber eyes narrowed upon him.

The man pressed a hand to his bleeding neck, staring down at her in amusement. "Do you think this will stop me?"

"Stop you from what? Just what did you plan to do once you caught me? You…don't know me. You know nothing about me."

"Why would he hide you? Why is he protecting you?"

"…I don't know why…and even if I knew, I have no obligation to tell you," she growled. Jiayi caught the scent once more, her stomach roaring at her. So Jack was telling the truth. Lao Mang Lone Soup. I knew it smelled familiar. Chase was moving toward her now. Her heart began to race and she watched him carefully. I don't know what he's capable of.

He lifted Jiayi by the front of her shirt and slammed her back against the tree trunk. She glowered up at him, baring her bloody teeth. "What makes you so special? More importantly, why are you with him?" The girl offered no explanation, instead letting his blood run from the corner of her mouth in satisfaction. "Do you think it was wise to attack me? Do you think you can act without repercussions?"

Jiayi's eyes clenched tightly shut as his face moved closer to hers. Something wet touched her jaw and traced along the line of blood to the corner of her lips. Her body began to shake violently as she felt something warm and wet press against her mouth, leaving the lingering taste of blood and a sticky sensation when he pulled away. What did he just do?! Did he seriously just-? The feeling returned and was accompanied by his armored body pressing close against hers. What is he doing?!

"Put her down." The voice came from behind Chase and made him slowly look over his shoulder. Jiayi was able to see the newcomer and her face burned red with shame. "I said to put her down. Now. Gently."

She was dropped roughly onto the ground, her back scraping on the rough tree bark. The second that he had turned away, Jiayi shifted forms and rushed off into the forest to escape. As she ran, she was confident that Guan would keep him from pursuing her. Though I hate that he feels the need to protect me, she thought as she felt the wind rushing through her fur. I hate that he's taking responsibility for me. That he had to see me that way. Why does he care? He's always cared…ever since I was defeated all those centuries ago. He's always made sure that I had everything I needed.

Jiayi found Jack's door closed when she arrived back at his home and grimaced. It was a little after noon and she questioned whether he was sleeping or doing something else. Something she should not see and she no desire to know about. She wandered down to the laboratory and settled in a chair with a book. Jack would find her when he was ready. Her mind wandered to the smell of Lao Mang Lone Soup and it made her stomach growl again. I haven't had it in a while. Guan usually reminds me to consume it and brings it to me.

"So this is where you've been."

She winced at the sound of the witch's voice and fought the instinct to hide. "…Wuya…to what do I owe this…pleasant visit?" Her chair was turned so she was forced to face the woman and she scowled.

"I saw you today. Did you think I wouldn't know? You finally met him. Your 'soul mate'. Your 'destined prince'. Do you think I'll let you have him that easily?!"

"You know…as much as 'crazy' suits you…it's very unbecoming." Jiayi saw Wuya's eye twitch and it gave her a small sense of satisfaction. "I honestly don't know what you're talking about. Have you finally gone senile?"

Absolute fury ignited in the woman's green eyes and she gripped the arms of Jiayi's chair until they cracked. "I saw you with Chase Young today! Don't pretend like you weren't all over him, Jiayi! I'm not a fool! I'm not going senile! We both know that you've been waiting for this day so that you can-!"

"If you want him, you can have him. I have no interest in that fool." Jiayi's tone was cold, harsh. She pushed Wuya away and stood with the intention to go upstairs and check on Jack. The other woman grabbed her arm with a scowl firmly in place on her face. "What?"

The witch narrowed her eyes on Jiayi's mouth. "If you have no interest in him, why were you so close to him? Why was your mouth on his neck?"

"Wuya…I will tear you apart if you don't let go of my arm." The redhead conceded and Jiayi smirked. "If you want Chase, you can have him. I don't know what that nonsense was…about my 'soul mate' or 'destined prince'…but I know it's not him." She started up the stairs, hands shoved into her pockets.

"Is it Guan then?"

Jiayi snickered. "He's…more like an older brother…"

"Jack?" Wuya cackled when Jiayi tripped on the top step. "I knew it. I knew he was lying when he said he was unable to find you."

The girl was glad when Wuya left, but now she was puzzled. Calling him my 'soul mate' is a bit much. We just work well together. She started to make lunch and was soon joined by her male companion. "…morning…"

"Afternoon," he muttered, slouching at the table.

"You slept a lot." She plated some food for him. "…have any good dreams…?"

His face turned red and he quietly began to eat. He could never tell her about the dream he had, as great as it had been. "Where were you today?" He was worried that she might have gotten into trouble, he was a little more worried about her meeting up with her old friend. Meeting up with him and then possibly leaving Jack's side.

"I just…had to run an errand." Jiayi winced as all of the pain of her wound seemed to hit her at once. Well the adrenaline lasted longer than I thought. That's good at least. But now what? What if Chase comes here? I need to protect Jack now. I bit that creep on the neck and took out a small chunk of skin. He isn't likely to forget that.

All at once, Jack's face grew pale. "Wh-what happened to you?! You're bleeding!"

She pressed a hand against her wounded side, feeling that her shirt was damp and sticky. "…I had an accident…don't worry about it…." Jiayi sat across from Jack, trying not to meet his gaze. Don't think about the pain. Don't think about the pain.

He leaned over, his eyes going wide. "Jiayi, those look like claw marks."

"It's nothing! Didn't I say not to worry about it?! Why can't you just leave it alone?" she demanded. The girl stood and grimaced at the pain.

"There's a medical kit downstairs. Come on." He grabbed her hand and pulled her along to the laboratory, pushing the kit into her hands and turning his back. "I can't look or I'll puke, but clean those and wrap them up."

"I can do it," she stated. "I just…wish I had my medicines with me." Jiayi's face turned pink as she pulled off the bloody shirt and set about cleaning the wound. The gouges were deep and the blood that flowed from them was dark. They would heal quickly enough, but seemed to be taking their time. It's been a while since I had the soup, she remembered. I'll have to find Guan later and ask if he can get some for me. It's probably the reason for this slow healing. She wrapped a thick bandage around her abdomen, covering the claw marks effectively, and blushed red when she realized that Jack had turned to look at her. "…what…? I thought you couldn't look without vomiting."

He was embarrassed that what had started off as just curiously glancing had turned into staring. She was thinner beneath her clothes, paler, but she had feminine curves that made him blush. With the bandage wrapped around her abdomen, her dark hair wild and tangled, she looked sort of feral. "So what happened?" he forced himself to ask.

She frowned and wiped her mouth on the back of her hand, instantly recalling the morning's events. "Your idol…lacks more than manners."

"What?! Chase Young did this?" Jack frowned back at her. "Wait. Why were you around Chase Young today? Did you go looking for-?"

"No! I…I would never look for someone like him…" Jiayi leaned back against the counter, her arms crossed. "I went back to the temple…and he was there. Basically. I don't know why he was there, but he was." She studied his expression and saw surprise, anger, and fear. He doesn't need to know everything that happened. I don't want anyone else to know.

"What did you do to make him attack you?!"

"Nothing! I'm telling you…I didn't antagonize him!" They were silent for a moment, neither of them wanting to risk saying something wrong. "Jack…can I borrow a shirt?" She watched him go and finally let her body slide down to the floor, curling up in a ball. I need to get Lao Mang Lone Soup…or my wounds won't heal. I know that now. It hurts so much, but I know I need to get to it no matter what. I need to find Guan.

Jack found her lying on the floor when he returned and helped her put on the clean shirt he had located. She was shivering and seemed reluctant to move. He had some idea of what was happening. Her body was getting weaker. Her immortality seemed to be running thin. He feared what might happen if she failed to get the soup in time and he knew for certain where he could get some. The only problem was that it would mean facing Chase Young. He also knew he could try to make it himself. That could be very difficult.

"…don't worry about me…I can handle this," she said, offering a weak smile.

"No way! We're going to get some Lao Mang Lone Soup for you! That's what you need, right? We'll get some for you. Can you stand up?" He helped her outside, his mind racing. They would need to get to the other villain's lair first. If he left Jiayi behind, it would take longer for her to ingest the soup. Every second counted.

She leaned against his side for support, the pain fading away into numbness. "…it's been too long…I thought I would be okay…I didn't think…"

"Don't talk, okay? You're wasting energy! Just…here. Get in." He maneuvered her into the passenger seat of a vehicle and hurried into the driver's seat. "We'll get the soup and you'll be better in no time! Just don't fall asleep!"

Jiayi was slouched in the seat, her strength draining out of her quickly. She watched the forest seem to fly past the vehicle, a small feeling of dread starting to form in her stomach. Where is he planning to get it? I haven't seen a dragon in quite a while. Unless he's planning to find Guan…Terror grew in her heart and she began to tremble with fear.