Chapter 3

Hitomi didn't know whether to feel confused, relieved, or disappointed. For the past week, she had lived in Chase Young's lair with him, the Heylin witch Wuya, and his many jungle cats. Her mother had recognized her instantly, a large and slim lioness with a golden brown coat. The large cat had pulled off looking disheartened at the sight of seeing her daughter in this palace alongside her. Hitomi had cried at the sight of her mother before embracing the cat wholeheartedly. She'd apologized until her throat had gone dry before she felt the lioness purr comfortingly. Despite not being able to speak, those large, brown feline eyes had displayed enough love and understanding to sooth Hitomi's pain.

Now, Hitomi always roamed the palace with her mother at her side. Surprisingly, no other jungle cats ever followed her. Hitomi was sure that Chase would have commanded his feline army to keep an eye on her daily like they did with Wuya. The cats always seemed to stalk Wuya suspiciously while growly lowly in the back of their throats. It wasn't hard to tell that the cats held just as much distrust in Wuya as Chase did. But why wasn't she given the same treatment?

Chase had left her to her own devices, going about his daily routine as if she didn't exist. He meditated, trained, ate, and slept like a normal person. It was a bit disappointing. For as long as she could remember, Hitomi had always believed the tales of the Prince of Darkness to be true. Master martial artist with unlimited Heylin powers at his disposal. And yet, the only evil thing Chase had done lately was threaten Wuya's well-being. Even then, he never really did anything to her.

Chase focused on his chi as he meditated in his throne room with a glowing aura about him. It had been a week since the girl, Hitomi, had joined him. He had spent the week observing her from a distance. It was amazing how like Mei she was when he wasn't around. The girl she showed him was a near opposite to the girl she was whenever she was alone. Despite being ever graceful and precise in battle, she was quite clumsy and even a tad bit hopeless. She'd gotten lost in his lair more than once until he had found her and indirectly showed her the way. Even now, he could sense her approaching him slowly, as if not sure. He nearly raised a brow. This was a first. She had always made a point to avoid him. He patiently waited for her to speak up.

Hitomi bit down on her bottom lip before opening her mouth to speak. She could tell that Chase had a short temper, despite his self-proclaimed, amazing control. "Chase? I had a question," she started.

"Speak," he told her without halting in his meditation.

Hitomi blinked once owlishly. She hadn't expected him to actually listen to her. "I was wondering why you did not turn me into a jungle cat as well," she spoke, trying not to show how nervous she felt.

"If you wish to roam as a feline, it could always be arranged," Chase said with a smirk that she couldn't see.

"I'm not saying that," she objected in a louder voice. "I was just curious is all," she finished quietly. What was wrong with him? This was not what she expected of the great Chase Young. She almost didn't want to believe that she had lost to him, but then the sight of his lizard form staring down at her hungrily flashed in her mind.

"What is it now?" Chase asked with feigned annoyance in his voice. He would be lying if he said that her presence annoyed him.

"I don't know. I suppose I was just expecting more," she mused while shrugging. Moving around some tigers and a panther, Hitomi stopped at Chase's throne before running a hand over the chair. Risking a glance at the immortal boy, she slid down onto his seat quietly.

"More?" Chase repeated in question.

"Yeah. I've heard all the legends and stories about the "Prince of Darkness, Chase Young"," Hitomi said with air quotes even though Chase couldn't see them. "But you don't seem all that bad. At least, not when you're like this," she added the last part quietly.

Chase nearly flinched. He'd heard what she had said, but didn't comment. He didn't think about what he would have done to her had he not changed back to his human form when he had. The fear in those eyes was not something he'd wanted to remember. "Not all that bad. Perhaps I am losing my touch?" Chase finally answered and decided to humor her.

"Maybe you are. I've seen Wuya do more evil while I've been here," Hitomi commented as she stretched on the throne lazily.

"Really?" Chase inquired, a brow raised. 'What have you been up to, Wuya?'

"Yeah. I saw her sneaking out a few times. She always came back an hour or two later though. She always looked upset and was mumbling about Shen Gong Wu," Hitomi commented easily as she reached down to pet a tiger on the head. The large cat purred pleasantly before relaxing.

Chase finally opened his eyes as he ceased his meditation. Hitomi looked up to see him rise up and stand before facing her. She stilled when his eyes landed on her completely sprawled out on his throne. Chase spared her a glance before speaking, "If you'll excuse me, Hitomi. There is something I must take care of."

Hitomi watched him go with wide eyes. She was sure that he would have said something about her sitting on his throne. And yet, nothing. Chase walked away with a couple of his cats trailing behind him. Hitomi blinked confusedly before reclining sideways on the throne once again. "I don't think Chase Young is as bad as the stories say. They're probably rumors anyways. I bet he probably made some of them up just to scare people," Hitomi laughed a little while petting the tiger.

~:~

Wuya paced near the pool with a storm weighing on her mind. She cursed once before plopping down onto the fountain pool with a defeated exhale. It was harder than she'd admit to procure any Shen Gong Wu as of late. With the monks and even Jack doing better than ever, she barely had a chance. By the time she was able to sneak away to retrieve some Wu, the battle would have already started. "At least Chase is in a better mood. I'm not sure how much more of his tantrums I could take," she mused to herself as she dipped her dainty feet into the cool waters.

"Tantrums, I see," Wuya heard Chase's voice speak up behind her. She froze before glancing over her shoulder at the young man. Chase was smirking at her with a glint in his reptilian eyes. Three of his jungle cats were poised at his sides.

"Oh, no. I didn't mean you Chase. It was… another Chase?" Wuya finished lamely. Her silver tongue was failing her today.

"What's the matter, Wuya? Silver tongue turned to lead?" Chase mocked. Wuya bristled at once, but held her tongue. "You've been going after the Shen Gong Wu."

"Me? How could I Chase when I've been here the whole time?" Wuya reasoned. At Chase's dry stare, she knew there was no point. "Who told you?" she finished and folded her arms grumpily.

"Hitomi is far more observant than I gave her credit for. If she could catch you, I'm a little ashamed to know that I didn't," Chase smirked.

"Well what can I say, Chase? Old habits are hard to break," Wuya went on while rising from the fountain. She sashayed towards him, a predatory glint in her dark eyes. She placed a delicate hand to his cheek before smirking coyly at him. Despite her seductive tactics, Wuya felt her blood boiling. The girl had ratted her out.

"Well I suggest you try harder," Chase hissed and snatched her hand as if it offended him. With a harsh glare, he turned his back to her and left.

As Wuya watched him leave, a frown marred her face. So, the girl had ratted her out? Well, she would just have to make sure it didn't happen again. Wuya would have a little girl talk with Hitomi. As long as the two saw eye to eye, there would be no more problems.

~:~

Hitomi stretched her arms above her head as she walked to her room later that evening. The passageway to her room was poorly lit. She'd have to do something about it one of these days. She'd spent the day with the jungle cats. Apparently, word had gotten out amongst them that her nimble finger were great at giving belly and ear scratches. The jungle cats were good company. And although she'd never thought that she'd say it, so was Chase Young.

She had been in the middle of her dinner when he'd strode in purposefully. She'd halted in her feast, ready to leave in an instant. However, he simply made himself a plate of completely balanced meal portions and dug in. She'd watched him eat for several minutes, the way he'd cut his meat before placing the smaller pieces in his mouth and chewed neatly. After some time, he'd spoken up. "It's rude to stare at someone," he'd admonished her without any sort of irritation. A blush had risen up to her cheeks at once before she had gone back to her meal.

She hadn't known what she had been expecting. Maybe he would have eaten like the beast in that Disney movie? He would have changed into his beastly form before devouring a bloody steak whole?

Hitomi shook her head as she walked to dispel the thoughts. It took several seconds before she felt the presence of another following her. Just as she turned to face her stalker, a thin hand grabbed her face, covering her mouth in the process. The hand raised her off the ground before shoving her forcefully into the wall. Hitomi blinked down in confusion.

"I think it's time we had a little chat. Girl to girl," Wuya hissed. Hitomi's eyes widened before she began to struggle. She kicked at Wuya while trying to pry the woman's hand away from her angrily. With a precise strike to her gut, Wuya was able to knock the air and fight out of the girl with one blow. "Your little mouth got me in trouble with Chase. So, I don't think it would be unfair of me to rip out your tongue as repayment."

Hitomi's eyes widened fearfully. Her stomach was killing her. Wuya didn't look like much of a fighter, but the witch sure could pack a punch. Hitomi was about to struggle once again, but the sound of low growling stopped her. Her blood ran cold. Wide, fear-filled eyes searched for the beast that she knew was hiding in the shadows.

"Wuya, release her," Chase's darker, reptilian voice hissed. At once, Wuya dropped Hitomi onto her rear and stepped away. Hitomi still hadn't seen him, but she could see a tall figure with blazing, yellow eyes stalking towards them. Her heart rate skyrocketed as she back away slowly.

"Chase, I didn't hear you arrive," Wuya started with a coy grin. Before she could continue, Chase let out a loud roar at the witch. Both females covered their ears at the sound of Chase's, foundation-rocking roar. Hitomi curled in on herself while Wuya's eyes widened in pure shock and terror. With a slight squeak, she quickly teleported away from the monster, Hitomi be damned. She wasn't about to have Chase rip her to shreds.

When Chase had stopped roaring, Hitomi peeked around her with an eye open. Wuya had vanished and left her to fend for herself. Hitomi mentally cursed the cowardly witch before turning to face Chase. Her heart hadn't slowed in its race and neither had her fear quelled. She had been wrong. Chase Young was a monster- a dangerous monster who would surely claw her to death without a second-

"Are you alright?" Chase's now human voice called out to her.

"W-what?" Hitomi breathed as Chase stepped towards her. She wanted to back away, but froze. Chase had changed back. He stood above her in his armor, his hands hanging loosely at his sides. She was even more surprised when he offered her his hand. "What?" she parroted.

Mentally rolling his eyes at her, Chase reached down to heave the girl onto her feet. He helped her steady herself before stepping back. He watched her stare at him with wide, astonished eyes, but said nothing. There were questions swimming in those brown eyes of hers. Rather than answer any of them, he moved around her to leave. "Get some sleep," he ordered her as he left.

'What the hell?' Hitomi thought as she stared after the young man. After several moments, she numbly walked towards her room. What had just happened? Chase had saved her from Wuya? "What?" Hitomi asked herself again once she was alone.

~:~

Chase made it back to his room without transforming again. The urge was simmering just below the surface. The beast was demanding to be released, to find Wuya, to spill her blood. Chase breathed deeply with his eyes closed.

The witch had crossed the line when she threatened Hitomi. Hitomi wasn't Mei, but that didn't mean that he didn't care for the girl. As miniscule as the feelings were, they were there. He was already getting soft around her. She'd done things he would have set his jungle cats on her for were she anyone else. But she wasn't. She was Hitomi, the reincarnation of Mei, the girl he'd lov-

Chase growled. At this point, Chase had had enough. He moved towards his bathroom, ready to prepare himself for sleep. He didn't succumb to petty, human emotions nor pleasures of the flesh. But he was no fool. There was something there. The last thing he needed was to get involved with the girl. He couldn't lose another one…