For some odd reason, chapter 7 has become a favorite. Must be because of how I portrayed Chase.

I apoligize for the time span between updates but I'm trying to make the few updates I have last as I'm struggling with a bunch of my fics. I have completely lost the train of thought I had with each and I'm really trying to get back in the groove so I can continue these fics. At the moment, only one fic is completely done which has been posted, and that is my lastest, Ace in the Wings. I also have a KH based fic which I might post soon which is also complete, so be on the lookout for Light Within The Dark soon. I hope those two will keep you entertained while I attempt to find my grove with the rest so I may continue as I would hate to just leave them as discontinued. I really want to finish them. So bear with me.

For those of you who have stuck faithfully by, thank you. Your support is appreciated.


Alternative Liberation

Kiara woke with an idea. She needed to talk to Wuya.

'Jackie?'

'I'm here luv. What's up?' He didn't know why he called her that. It just felt...right somehow. It would take some getting used to.

'Where's that fashion challenged hag of yours?'

'Wuya?'

'Where she at?'

'Around somewhere. Correction: She just came in the door. Why?'

'Tell her I need to talk to her about something. I think I may have a way out of this prophecy shit.'

'Will do. Talk to you later, luv. Hold on for a little longer.' She felt him relay the message and hand over the charm.

'Did you know Jack keeps your charm on a chain around his neck?' The witch inquired jokingly.

'No. It's good to know that he keeps it close.'

'Jack said you wanted to talk to me, what's up?'

'The Yin and Yang prophecy: what do you know about it?'

'A hell of a lot, why?'

'Is there anything else besides what the scroll says?'

'Yeah, there was an alternative way to bring balance to the elements.'

'What was it?'

'One of the dragons must take a consort from each side.'

'Then my idea will work then.'

'What are you planning?'

'Well, I have already laid a claim on one from the Xaiolin side. I just need to stake a claim on one from the Heylin.'

'Jack's your target?'

'How'd you know?'

'Since you've given him that charm, it's been nothing except you. He's working his ass off to save you, you know.'

'I know. I'm depending on him to find me and get me out of here.'

'I tried sensing for you and it was like you disappeared off the face of the earth.'

'I didn't think you would be able to find me with your Heylin magic. Chase has got powerful spells where he has hidden me away. I can't even use my own powers to escape. He's even banded my wings to prevent flight. I can only move them a little bit and that's it.'

'Jack told me what he was doing to you.'

'I don't know how much longer I can hold onto my will before it crumbles and I totally submit to him.'

'Just hold on a little longer he's almost finished. He'll come for you soon.'

'I'll try Wuya.' Kiara told her as the Heylin witch handed the charm back.

'You ready to get the hell out of there?'

'Fuck yes!'

'Good. The locator is finished and I'm getting a signal. We're coming to get you out of there.' She felt the rumble of his helipak.

'You got a hoverboard?'

'Yeah, why?'

'Bring it. Once I'm out of here, I won't be able to fly. A week without exercising my wings has weakened them.'

'Alright. Just hang tough a little longer, sweetheart, we're coming.'

'Just be careful and don't get yourself killed trying to get me out.'

'I will.' He promised.

Kiara was sitting under the window, her ears pealed for the sound of Jack's helipak when two cats entered her cell. She turned her attention to the large lion and leopard. Oddly, the lion had ruby eyes. She smiled, her rescuer had come!

'Jack?' Kiara called.

'We're here.' The lion responded, nudging her cheek. The leopard quickly cut through the chain that bound her ankle to the wall. 'Fang of the Beast.' Kiara took on the form of a panther. 'Let's go.' They raced out the cell door and made their way carefully through the cave back to the way they had come in. They released the magic of the Wu and resumed their natural forms. Jack handed her the hoverboard she had asked for.

Kiara smiled at him and breathed deep. 'My first breath of freedom in a week.' She hopped on the board and they left the place behind them. She fingered her earlobes, where her earrings had been. "I'm going to have to find another way to talk to the girls." She sighed.

"We'll figure something out." Jack replied, watching her. He enjoyed seeing her pull loops and flips on the board, enjoying herself. She needed some fun after what she went through. She looked happier now that she was free. He had a feeling Chase would come after her once he discovered she was gone. He had to find a way to protect her from him. Maybe they could retreat to his parents' home in the states. He hardly ever used it. He doubted Chase knew about it and Wuya could place her own spells on it to protect her from him if he ever did figure out where she hid.

"How did you get in?"

"Wuya used her own magic to combat the spells and make them think we weren't there. Then we used the Fang of the Beast to disguise ourselves and sneak in."

"Invisibility spell, sweet. So what are we going to do now?"

"First, we're going back to my place to get a few things and get that band off, then we're heading to a place I have in the states. Hopefully, with us hiding out there, he'll leave you alone."

"You think he'll really leave me alone?" Kiara asked, her face to the wind. She was enjoying the feel of the wind in her face again. If only she could enjoy it further by actually flying. The band around her wings prevented that.

"My spells will protect the place from him. If he goes there it will seem as if you're not there. Once you've 'disappeared' long enough, he'll decide to leave you alone." Wuya replied from her other side. Behind them, a roar of fury was heard. Kiara and Jack looked at each other in fear.

"I didn't want to do this until later, but I have no choice now." Wuya muttered a Heylin spell and the band fell from around Kiara's wings. She stretched them out then leapt into the air. Surprising, her wings were strong enough to keep her aloft. Jack plucked the board out of the air and placed it back in his bag. "Both of you come here." They drifted closer to the witch. She placed a hand on their shoulders and muttered another spell. In the blink of an eye they were standing outside a large home inside a secluded wood.

"Where are we?" Kiara asked, looking around.

"My place in the states." Jack replied.

"Both of you, inside now. I'll do the spells then join you." Wuya urged them inside. She could feel Chase raging over Kiara's disappearance. It was only a matter of time until he began his search for her. Kiara sensed her urgency and raced inside with Jack on her heels. He led the way down to the basement where he locked the double safety door. He turned to see Kiara huddled in a corner with her wings around her trembling. This was the most scared he'd seen her. In a week, she had gone from a tough ass bitch to a timid mouse. Laying his helipak and bag on the table, he went to her and crouched beside her.

"Its okay, Kiara. Chase won't find you here. At least not for a while." He told her. She still trembled with fear. "Come here." He put a hand on her shoulder and she fell against him. She buried her face in his shoulder. 'It's alright. I won't let him hurt you anymore.' He crooned softly. Talking to her through their link seemed to calm her down and her wings folded to her back. She still trembled so he softly sang a song he knew. Her trembling slowly stopped. She eventually went to sleep, nuzzled into his neck.

"Jack, the spells are done. You two can come out now." Wuya called, tapping on the door. Jack gently laid Kiara on the floor and went to unlock the door. She walked in and peered at Kiara. "Is she alright?"

"She was as scared as I've ever seen her. She wouldn't stop shaking. I finally got her to go to sleep. How long will those spells hold?"

"As long as we need them to." Wuya replied. "Take her upstairs, I'll head over to the temple and explain why Kiara can't go back there quite yet."

Jack picked up Kiara. Her arms went around his neck and she nuzzled into his shoulder. "You mind going back to the lab and getting a few things?"

"I'll stop there on my way back." She told him, grabbing the Golden Tiger Claws. "I'll see if I can get a few of Kiara's things while I'm at the temple." She added, watching Jack head out of the room and upstairs. The two would make a cute couple. She hoped the time they spent here away from Chase would prove results. She knew Jack held some affection for the woman. Hopefully with the two of them spending time together, Kiara would develop affection for Jack, strengthening the bond the two of them had already.

When Jack went to place Kiara on the bed, her grip tightened around his neck.

"Please, Jackie, don't leave me." She whimpered. Her wings trembled slightly. He sat on the bed and pulled her into his lap.

"I'll never leave you, I promise." He said softly.

She kissed his ear and nuzzled into his neck, "Thank you Jackie."

"I'll never leave you." He promised, smoothing her feathers.