Moi-Moi: Quarantine has been good for something. I've been revisiting old shows and interests, regaining motivation, and enjoying all the free time in the world to write! So, I know that it's been a while, but how bout an update? Also, I want to say the biggest "THANK YOU" ever to everyone who's clicked on this story and gave it a read! I'm going into shock!

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There was a way.

It took a bit of searching for a way to change Yanagi into the warrior who would forever fight at his side. And amongst records of old Heylin magic, Chase had found it. It was simple really. It was just a matter of transferring some of his years to her. It took quite a bit of power, but a skilled enough master could summon up enough Heylin magic to share years of life. As if they were currency! It was almost humorous. Being over 1500 years old was proving to be quite beneficial...

"Yanagi," Chase called out with a devilish grin. He approached Yanagi, his reptilian eyes trained on where she was sitting on a blanket with a rattle in her tiny hands. She shook the black and dark green rattle a few times before looking up at him with wide, amber eyes. Chase took a knee before her before resting his hands on her head. "You are destined for great things, young one. It is time that you begin to realize your true potential."

Chase watched Yanagi giggle happily while enthusiastically shaking her rattle. He ran his hand down her short hair before placing the pads of his index and middle fingers on her forehead. Closing his eyes in concentration, Chase took a deep breath while encasing Yanagi in Heylin magic.

~:~

Hitomi stretched her arms above her head with a yawn. The bright smile on her face seemed to be lighting up the citadel more than the sun's rays ever could. She just couldn't stop thinking about how perfect her life was right now. She'd never expected that this was how her life would turn out, but she was more than happy to embrace her life and family.

Family. She had a family of her own. Granted, they weren't the conventional family. Unconventional, but happy and loving.

With a slight skip in her step, Hitomi picked up her pace. Chase was watching Yanagi today (he took his father-daughter time very seriously), but he wouldn't mind if she popped in for a little visit. He usually spent his time with their daughter silently watching over her progress and growth. He was the picture of pride whenever Yanagi used her far too large strength to tackle or playfully romp with the jungle cats. The warriors never went all out against the infant, but every day they had to adjust how fast they ran from her when she chased them or how quickly they reacted when she tackled or struck them. Apparently, her tiny fists could pack a punch when she went for the eyes.

Hitomi was sure that Chase was just biding his time until he could personally take over Yanagi's training. Hitomi wasn't sure how she felt about Yanagi learning to fight so soon, but it was bound to happen. Yanagi seemed to have a warrior's instinct. Her movements were still clumsy and resembled a brawler's style more so than the refined movements of a master (or even an apprentice). But she spent more time brawling with the jungle cats or lashing out than sitting still for a story or playing with toys.

Yanagi was a strange mix of happy and energetic while still being quite vicious and wild. Hitomi couldn't help but frown. She'd wanted to hold on to hope that her baby wasn't inherently evil, but whenever Yanagi bit one of the jungle cats or threw a tantrum wild enough to destroy furniture...

When she pushed the doors to the bedroom open, she immediately froze at the chill that ran up her spine. She'd been exposed to plenty of Heylin magic so she could identify the feel of it easily enough. For a second, she panicked at the thought that Wuya or Hannibal Bean had somehow gotten into their home. But she couldn't spot either in the room. There was only Chase kneeling in front of-

"Chase!? What are you doing!?"

Hitomi was quick to move Chase away from Yanagi. She could tell that he had willingly let her push him, but her biggest concern was the fact that her daughter was now the size of a young child. Her hands hesitated in the air around Yanagi and her mouth opened and closed in shock. "What... what did you do?"

"What was necessary. While she may be stronger than we expected, she is hardly able to defend herself as an infant," Chase answered.

"Defend herself? Chase, she's not even a year old!" Hitomi exclaimed.

"Do you think our enemies would wait until she's older before coming after her? Do you think Wuya would hesitate to use the magic she has at her disposal? Or-"

"No! But I don't see how robbing our child of her childhood is helping her," Hitomi objected.

Chase narrowed his eyes, but didn't respond. He didn't see what the issue was. Yanagi would live forever once she had pledged loyalty to him. What was a few years? Besides, she was his heir. She would never have a normal childhood.

Before either of them could say anything else to each other, Yanagi slowly pushed herself up onto her feet. She wobbled for a few seconds and Hitomi preemptively moved to catch her, but Yanagi righted herself and stood firm. After a few more seconds, she smiled brightly and took a step. Hitomi and Chase watched the small child shakily take a few steps before she gained her footing and confidence. Hitomi stared helplessly as Yanagi went from wobbling to walking to lightly jogging to full out running around the room with a pealing laugh. When she looked to Chase, she could see the pride and approval in his eyes.

"Yanagi, come here," Chase called out. Immediately, she stopped in her run to turn to face her father. Without a second of hesitation, she cried out happily and ran over to him. Instead of stopping before him, she ran right into his shins while simultaneously latching onto his pants with a giggle. Crouching before her, Chase held up his hand, palm forward. He pointed to his palm and said, "I want you to strike me here as hard as you can. Do you understand?"

Hitomi silently watched, not sure what to say or do. She saw how Yanagi looked from Chase's face to his hand and back with a questioning look in her eyes. "Chase-" Hitomi started but stopped when he held up his other hand to stop her. Hitomi watched him form a fist with Yanagi's smaller hand and push her fist into his hand. This was a bit much. Yanagi had always treated the brawling as a game before. All the chasing, tackling, kicking, punching was just a game... Right? Before Hitomi could say anything, Yanagi made a noise of understanding before striking Chase's palm just as he had shown her to do.

The strike lacked finesse or proper form, but it had been a harder hit than he was expecting. Removing his glove from his hand, Chase observed the small, red, fist-shaped mark on his palm. It would heal momentarily, but this was a decent start.

"You seriously used your magic on her without talking to me first?"

Chase nearly sighed as he stood. "Would you have refused?"

"Obviously!"

"That's exactly why I didn't tell you."

"Chase, we're supposed to be her parents. We're supposed to share the responsibility. How can we do that when you go behind my back and make your plans?" Hitomi asked and folded her arms. "Do you want to be her father or her mentor?"

"What difference does it make?" Chase replied. He could see that Hitomi was already prepared to get into a shouting match, but he cut her off. "When I picture my future, it involves Yanagi by my side as my second."

"She's your daughter, not your apprentice."

"She can't be both?" Chase questioned in an even tone. Chase didn't know his father and he remembered very little of his mother anymore. When he tried to picture an authority figure of his past, the closest match was Dashi. Dashi was far from a caretaker, but he'd been the one to teach Chase discipline and worth ethic through martial arts. "I will protect her as a father does. But I will also teach her to defend herself. I would fail as a parent if I didn't prepare her for the world."

Hitomi frowned. In a sense, Chase's logic made sense. But it was so backwards and twisted at the same time! Yanagi was a child!

"Do not forget that she had inherited my enemies even before her birth," Chase said and rested a hand on Yanagi's head. Yanagi had been quietly watching her parents, her eyes wide and observing. "She will have all the time in the world to grow into herself after our enemies are defeated."

"And you want to use her for that? It's true isn't it? You want to use her to rule," Hitomi accused with a frown. When Chase didn't respond, Hitomi shook her head. "I had a feeling that this was your plan. I thought about leaving. I didn't want you to use me or our child for your own goals. We're not your pawns for you to use and then cast aside when you've gotten what you wanted."

Chase would be lying if he didn't feel disappointed to hear the she had considered leaving. Was she really so opposed to him claiming his destiny? "I never led you to believe that my goals didn't lead to domination and darkness. They still do. But I had no plans to cast you aside," Chase said. When Hitomi didn't look convinced, Chase sighed. "Believe it or not, I do want to keep you around. Your idea of family may not be my short term goal, but it's not disagreeable for a long-term goal," he said and offered her his hand.

Hitomi had always considered herself in the middle- not good or evil. She knew the difference between right and wrong. But life had always felt like it was dictated by the circumstances. Stealing was wrong. But if you were starving and you knew how to be sneaky enough not to get caught? Helping the Xiaolin monks was the right thing to do. But if they were coming after her or, even worse, Yanagi?

Hitomi frowned deeply before slipping her hand into Chase's. "No more going behind my back. If it concerns Yanagi, I want to be in the know."

"Fair enough. You are her mother after all."

Hitomi glared at Chase and squeezed his hand. The light bruise on his palm twinged. "And you're her father first and foremost," Hitomi stressed.

Chase nodded once in acceptance. It was a small request for Hitomi to make of him. One he could easily fulfill. His duty as a father would come before those as a mentor.

"Fa...ther?"

With surprise in their eyes, Chase and Hitomi looked down at where Yanagi was still observing them with wide eyes. Hitomi was absolutely stunned yet again, but Chase was quick to shake off the surprise. With a smirk, he crouched before Yanagi again. "Yes, little one. I am your father. You are my daughter and heir. You will accomplish many things," Chase said and stroked the dark locks on her head. Chase doubted that she fully understood in implication of his words, but Yanagi giggled happily anyways.

"I've been trying to get her to say "mama" for weeks," Hitomi lamented softly.

Chase smirked up at her. "Maybe you can have her second word if you're lucky," Chase taunted and moved his head out of reach when Hitomi had tried to strike him. Yanagi just laughed again.

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Moi-Moi: Let's be honest. I feel like being on the Heylin side gives you a grab bag of powers and there's no limits to what you can do. Those Xiaolin monks really be fighting some OP characters.