Special thanks to my beta reader xx3darkangel3xx!

Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown.

In Between

Inside Chase Young, his emotions were deeply repressed. This portion of him contained both his humanity and his inner animal. His calculating mind had found that these feelings proved to be unworthy for an all-powerful evil ruler, so he had thrown them into the depths. Over time, this withdrawn aspect of his personality strengthened into an imaginary being within his mind.

As he meditated in the moonlight, a frail man strode into the darkness. Opening his eyes, Chase realized that man was himself, only less built and with a smile on his face. He was also wearing his old blue monk outfit; his hair devoid of spikes.

"You love her Chase. Do not let her leave, as she is willing to be your partner, one who stands by your side."

The real immortal gasped, realizing he inhabited his own mind. This weaker Chase was the solid portrayal of his humanity; proven by the image's golden eyes as they lacked the slits that signaled the use of Lao Mang Long soup.

The human Chase began to seize, screaming as he morphed into a gigantic reptile. Unlike the real warlord's reptilian form, this beast was less threatening; lacking the spikes and glare of hatred. The beast seemed in total control, not affected by the wild emotions that usually took over because of the change. This was his animal side.

"She is strong and fertile. Mate with the girl; your offspring will be powerful."

"NO!" The original roared back. This abomination knew nothing. Love was a weakness; it only corrupted the fools that gave in to it. He was neither a human nor an animal; he did not need to sire children to pass on his power as he was immortal, a god. He would not succumb to this treacherous idea of mating with Kimiko. He was Chase Young; destined to be alone for all eternity.

LINE

Kimiko rubbed her baggy eyes. She had just had the weirdest dream- she had kissed Chase- and was actually quite smug. In this vision, he had totally kissed her back. And then it had turned into a full make-out session. Then the hallucination had ended, and the teenager had woken up in her candle-lit room and taken a shower. The heated water began to bring back memories of her night by the hearth. She ran her fingers through her own silky black hair. With a surprised hiccup, she touched her bruised lips, realizing the 'dream' was actually reality, though it had ended at a lower note.

Skipping and whistling down the halls, she excitedly wove through the maze that was Chase's lair, heading off to breakfast. She wished to apologize for running away and hoped to draw up the courage to tell him of her true feelings. Turning the final corner, she was abruptly stopped by a face plant into metal armor.

"Chase! What the? You could have broken my nose!" The beauty screamed, rubbing her face in pain. The warlord was being quite unlike himself- to her confusion- acting bitter and looking at her with a scowl.

"My apologies, Kimiko. We shall not train together today, or anymore for that matter. You are no longer welcome at my palace. After breakfast, my jungle cats will pack up your stuff." The immortal grumbled. He would no longer stand to have this girl invading his house; she was a threat to his evil plans.

Tears began to form in Kimiko's eyes of ice. Her lip turned into a pout, and she stared her protector right in the eyes. "But, why? I have nowhere else to go!"

"You seem to have misread my kindness. I only gave oath to protect you from the threat of Jack Spicer. He is now gone. As are all the other Heylin. I cannot have a Xiaolin- especially a girl- ruining my domination over earth!" Chase Young retorted with eyes heated with fury. "You are wealthy, are you not? Finding a home in your beloved Tokyo will prove to be no difficult feat."

"I should have never forgotten that you were a stupid Heylin, not some caring warrior who wished to protect me. I thought this was fairytale, with you being the white knight that saved me. I was wrong; you're the evil monster who hurts people for amusement. I hate you Chase!" Fire consumed her fists, her anger causing the monk to lose control of her powers. Slowly, the flames died, but her broken heart ceased its burning.

Bawling, she promptly exited the citadel, leaving Chase Young to watch her departing figure.

LINE

Her father's death had left her owner of a multi-billion dollar corporation, but it was more of a burden than a gift. The blooming teen had been forced to balance running a company and hunting Shen Gong Wu. She had decided to remain owner, but gave up her position of running the business.

Tokyo, her home, now held memories of grief. Her father's and sister's deaths had left her with no family and nothing to live for in Japan. Dragging her feet, Kimiko was driven in a limo to her emergency penthouse. She was greeted by her best friend, Saki, who doubled as her maid. At her master's request, she had been trained in all forms of martial arts and could cook better than any chef in Japan. Saki was the only person neither Xiaolin nor Heylin that knew of her abilities.

"Master Kimiko!" Saki bowed. "It is a pleasure for you to return! It is just in time, there will be a costume party for the company tomorrow evening. I have even gotten you the most fitting dress!" Squealing with delight, the maid hugged her friend. Rather than being greeted by eyes of joy, Kimiko's cerulean eyes held sorrow. "Oh, Kimiko. What has happened?"

The heiress told her friend everything, from Jack Spicer to Chase Young. Nods and comments were scattered throughout the tale, the maid understanding every bit of Kimiko's struggle.

"As you did with the death of your friends, you must accept your feelings for Chase. And I do not care how bummed you are, you are going to the ball!"

With a sigh, Kimiko was led into her room. It was spotlessly clean, decorated in the finest furniture. On the bedside table, a frame held a picture of the four Xiaolin monks. Brushing away a tear, she laughed at their youthful looks and how silly they all were then. Glancing down onto her four-poster bed, she gaped at the beautiful dress that was laid neatly in front of her.

"Well Saki, I think I'm going to have to go to that ball!"