Moi-Moi: Hey guys. Just a heads up. In this chapter, there will be a major flashback that will be in a third-person-omniscient point of view. While it would make sense to focus more on the parts that the character having the flashback was ACTUALLY there for, it would make for a better story to just keep it omniscient. Just pretend that the character is all knowing. :)

~:~

At Chase's loud roar, Guan narrowed his gaze. Guan took a second to fully observe Chase. Specifically, the way he held himself. Chase looked to be protecting the girl- defending her from him. If Guan had noticed the resemblance, surely Chase had as well. If that was the case, Chase wasn't about to let the girl go without a fight to the death. Guan straightened himself out before speaking, "I believe it is best that we leave, young monks."

"What?" Omi exclaimed in shock. The other teens watched Guan questioningly. What could he be thinking?

Omi's wide eyes shot from Chase Young, to monk Guan, and back. Master monk Guan was quitting!? Omi glared harshly at Chase Young. "No! If we work together, we can defeat him!" Omi objected and leapt into the air. "Wudai Neptune, Water!"

"No, Omi!" Guan shouted too late. A thick stream of water shot towards Chase Young with Omi zooming through the air behind it. Chase pushed Hitomi out of the line of fire with his tail before quickly dodging the blast of water. He swung his tail around to strike Omi across the midsection and send him flying.

"We have to help him out!" Raimundo shouted and led his teammates into the fray. Guan attempted to stop them, but they quickly dodged him.

"Shoku Astro Wind!"

"Wudai Mars Fire!"

"Wudai Crater Earth!"

Chase widened his stance to steady himself during the Dragon of Earth's earthquaking. At the two different elements being shot at him, he jumped up into the air before flipping over the fire and wind blasts. Landing on the ground seamlessly, Chase took off on all fours towards the monks. With Omi at the head, the monks ran towards Chase head on. Guan shifted his stance, ready to jump in and defend the monks, but he was stopped by a large, male lion leaping at his neck.

Hitomi watched Chase knock the four teens around easily with wide eyes. She had never seen him act so...feral. He looked and sounded like a true beast- dangerous and primal. He had always acted so composed, but she knew that all that composure barely hid the real Chase. When Guan was suddenly knocked back into the wall behind her by a panther pouncing on him, Hitomi was effectively snapped out of her daze. This had to stop.

Taking a hit to the chest, Clay was knocked off his feet and sent flying into Raimundo. Kimiko sent a kick at Chase's head, but he easily gripped her leg with his claws and threw her at the boys. Omi watched his bruised friends groan in a pile before turning a fierce glare onto Chase. With an impressive amount of ferocity, Omi called up his water powers. "Wudai Neptune Ice!" he shouted and formed several shuriken-shaped icicles. With lightning fast movements, he threw each one with deadly precision.

Chase dodged some of the skuriken while crushing others with a punch of his fists. In the middle of leaning to the side to avoid getting hit, he didn't notice Omi's attack until the last second. With a surprised expression, Chase was kicked away roughly. Taking advantage of the situation, Omi proceeded to hound Chase relentlessly.

Chase Young had been a prick in his bottom for some time. To be perfectly honest, Omi's ferocious attack style was due to more than just defending the Xiaolin way or rescuing Hitomi. While those were worthy causes, Omi's main motivation was a bit more personal. Chase Young had been a most bothersome enemy- corrupting Omi slowly before stealing him away from everything he had known and manipulating him like a fool.

Ducking and dodging Chase's clawed swing at his head, Omi jutted both hands out at Chase's torso with enough force to send the beast flying towards the wall. If one didn't know better, they could have sworn than Omi was the Dragon of the Wind after that last attack. "Shimo staff!" Omi shouted while pulling out his Wudai weapon and charging at Chase.

Chase blinked twice to clear his vision before spotting Omi closing in on him. The level of fury that twisted the young monk's face was impressive. Chase growled threateningly his teeth bared. When Omi leapt into the air with his staff overhead, Chase had been fully prepared to block the attack. However, he was surprised to see Hitomi quickly slide in front of him with her Wǔqì Chopsticks in the form of a katana. With smooth movements, she blocked Omi's attack with ease.

In that second, everyone froze. It was as if they had all sucked all of the air out of the room in one, collective gasp. With a narrowed gaze, Hitomi withdrew her weapon before quickly spinning on one foot and firing a powerful kick at Omi's torso. With a pained cry, Omi was sent flying backwards before landing roughly onto the floors. Raimundo, Clay, and Kimiko were at his sides in an instant. The four of them stared at Hitomi in slack-jawed surprise.

"That's more than enough. I believe that you have overstayed your welcome. Leave now," Hitomi spoke in a stern voice that left no room for arguments. Guan moved away from the crowd of jungle cats that had surrounded him before rejoining the young monks. Guan spared Hitomi a final look before nodding once to himself. As if to shield them, Guan wrapped his arms around the battered teens and ushered them out of the throne room.

Hitomi watched them leave before the sounds of shifting rubble caught her attention. Behind her, Chase had reverted back to his human form and was rising up from the ground. He dusted his armor off with a resigned expression on his face. "Are you alright?" Hitomi questioned.

Chase paused. He shot Hitomi a look out of the corner of his eyes. She was staring at him worriedly. She wasn't actually concerned for his well-being? Did she suddenly forget who he was? "I do not need your pity," he spat.

"It's not pity. It's sympathy," she corrected.

"I do not need that either," he told her as he started walking away. Hitomi sighed as she watched him go before she folded her arms angrily. What a jerk... Slowly, a small smile slid onto her face. Somehow, she wasn't too surprised. Hitomi followed Chase down the corridor he had taken, pinning her hair back up as she walked.

~:~

"Hmm. What an interesting turn of events," Wuya commented as she watched the last of the jungle cats follow after Hitomi. She had been watching the fight from a safe distance. She would have joined in- always ready to defeat some do-gooders- but had paused when she'd taken a good look at Chase.

Wuya had been surprised to see Chase acting so...ferociously. He had truly gone after the monks with such ruthlessness that she had caught herself swooning several times. But what could have brought out such a change in him?

And then she saw the girl defend Chase. If she weren't so stunned, Wuya would have been proud of her for turning against her friends so easily. What would make a young girl like that throw herself in front of a boy with such reckless abandon?

Wuya chuckled darkly. "How cute. I think our little house guest has a crush. She picked the wrong guy to crush on," Wuya said with a dark laugh.

"You've come to take her? I dare you."

The dark promise that had been in Chase's voice had been delicious. Wuya could feel her toes curling as she replayed his low, husky growls in her mind. But then she froze. Like a bucket of ice water had been dropped on her. Chase had fought so ferociously, like a wild animal fights over territory. Surely he didn't see the girl as his?

"That's nonsense. She's just a girl," Wuya dismissed. Was she? 'Come to think of it. Guan had been acting strangely as well...after he saw the girl.' Her suspicions were at an all-time high now. Chase was hiding something and Guan must know something about it. Everything kept coming back to Hitomi...

To be perfectly honest, Wuya didn't know much about Chase's or Guan's past other the times she had fought them 1500 years ago. She had spent most of that time trapped in a puzzle box. "But I know someone who might..." Wuya said with a sly grin.

~:~

When the Silver Manta Ray touched down onto the Xiaolin Temple courtyard, Master Fung was already waiting patiently for his students. He watched his students exit the ship with Master Monk Guan. Dojo coiled around his head while sniffling loudly. "Bey! They founb Omi!" Dojo exclaimed with a stuffy nose. He sniffed loudly through his red snout before rubbing his eye.

The four monks-in-training stopped before their teacher with their heads hung low. Master Fung took in their many bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Kimiko seemed to be favoring her left leg, the right one was covered in damp, red, tattered tights. Omi was clutching his mid-section tightly. Master Fung waited for them to explain.

However, it was Monk Guan who spoke up first. "I am sorry, children. I saw the danger that you were facing and failed to defend you from it. I should have gotten you away from Chase sooner," he said with his head hung.

"I know Chase Young's as powerful as he is evil, but he really handed out butts to us," Raimundo said while rubbing his strained neck.

"He was a lot more...aggressive this time," Kimiko said as she leaned a bit into Raimundo for support.

"Yes. I believe I know why," Guan said. At the questioning looks he was receiving, Guan explained, "I believe it has everything to do with the girl who is with him."

"I still don't get what a fella like Chase Young would want with Hitomi. It seems to me like he didn't even know who she was until a few weeks ago," Clay argued.

"I believe that this goes much farther back than a few weeks," Guan said.

It was a beautiful day today. Considering that only a short while ago all of humanity was being threatened by the Heylin with Wuya, it made the day even more favorable. It truly was a wonderful time to be alive. Peace was reigning and evil had been sent packing in the form of a puzzle box. The only trouble looming overhead was the increasingly slow progression of the the Xiaolin temple construction.

Guan spotted his best friend meditating in the courtyard and raised a brow. With a grin, Guan approached Chase slowly. "Your commitment to your training is nothing short of a marvel," Guan complimented.

"Thank you," Chase replied, barely keeping a grin from showing on his face. Guan nearly rolled his eyes. It didn't take much to inflate Chase's ego. "You shouldn't slack on your training just because there are no threats on the horizon. You can never be sure when evil will decide to rear its head."

"Of course, Chase," Guan replied with a small chuckle.

"Gonna have to put a hold on those plans," Dashi said as he suddenly materialized out of nowhere. Both Chase and Guan tried to keep their surprise that Dashi had managed to sneak up on them from showing. "It's lunch time, gentlemen."

"I'm not hungry," Chase replied before resuming his meditation.

"Well, what about you Guan? I can make us some stew or something," Dashi suggested.

"Sure, Dashi," Guan replied and tried not to grimace. Dashi may be a Grand Master and world savior, but the man was a terrible cook. Guan spotted Chase's shoulders shaking slightly in silent laughter behind Dashi's back. "Make sure to make extra for Chase. He'll be hungry when he finishes his meditation."

"Good idea, Guan," Dashi said and started whistling as he made his way inside the only completed room of the temple.

"That was cruel, Guan. How can you call yourself my friend?" Chase asked his "so called" friend with a harsh glare.

"I was only looking out for your health, Chase. You have to eat," Guan explained with a small smile. Chase rolled his eyes at Guan before rising. He was about to say something else to the taller monk, but thought better of it. Instead, Chase turned on his heal and started walking towards the temple. He was going to find somewhere else to meditate.

Suddenly, the sounds of a pot clattering and shattering could be heard just before Dashi shouted, "Wait!" from inside. Chase and Guan both raised curious brows at the sound. Just what was Dashi doing in the kitchen now? Before either of them could go inside to see what mess Dashi was making, someone suddenly ran out of the temple and right into Chase.

In a momentary lapse in focus (that he would later deny), Chase was bowled over by whoever it was that had just run out of the building. The two went down with a few thuds and light groans. Dashi appeared then with surprise written all over his face. Chase rubbed the back of his head that had slammed into the tiled floor before peering an eye open. The sun blurred his vision, preventing him from getting a good look at who had collided with him. Suddenly, the person crawled away from him with a feminine gasp. Sitting up slowly, Chase turned an accusing gaze at the clumsiest person he had ever-

Wide, frightened brown eyes stared back at him before they jumped frantically around. A slim face- far too slim to be considered healthy- with pale skin and dirt marring its beauty. Long, dark brown hair was pulled up into a loose, dirty bun atop her head. She was wearing a tattered robe and no shoes. She couldn't have been older than fourteen. With a frightened squeak, she pulled herself up off the ground and faced the three males with wide eyes.

Chase got up slowly, his eyes still on the girl. "I...I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me. I shouldn't have stolen from you. I was just so hungry. I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" she rushed out in a frantic voice.

"Woah! Woah! Take it easy there, kid. No one's angry with you," Dashi placated.

"What's going on here?" Guan questioned.

"I found her stealing some bread when I went to gather ingredients for dinner," Dashi explained.

"I'm sorry! I'll do anything to make up for it!" she said and bowed lowly.

"It's not that big of a deal. It's just some bread," Dashi said with a shrug.

"No. I shouldn't have stolen from you. I have no excuse. I should repay you for my crimes against you," the girl said and finished with a sniffle.

Dashi's eyes widened slightly before he glanced at Guan and Chase pleadingly. Guan decided to step in and take over for his teacher. "It's alright. No one is expecting you to."

"But, I must! I..I have no money, but I must repay you somehow," the girl said. Chase's eyes widened. Was she hinting at-? Chase's cheeks flushed.

"That won't be necessary. Tell you what. You're so hung up about repayment. Why don't you just work off your debt. You can clean the temple top to bottom," Dashi suggested.

Suddenly, the girl's head snapped up. "Yes! Thank you! I'll do a good job! I swear it!"

Dashi chuckled once while shaking his head. "What's your name, kid?"

"Mei. My name is Mei," she said.

"I've never heard of anyone name Mei who worked at the temple," Omi objected.

"I think Master Monk Guan is a better judge of who was in the temple fifteen hundred years ago," Raimundo pointed out dryly.

"What does some girl who stole bread from you have to do with Hitomi?" Kimono questioned.

"Mei remained at the temple with Dashi, Chase, and I. She worked in the temple performing menial tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. Even after she had worked off the debt, she remained with us. It wasn't long before we all became great friends. Things were slightly different for Chase, however," Guan replied.

Chase breathed deeply as he focused on clearing his mind, relaxing his muscles, and becoming one with his surroundings. He remained completely motionless for several seconds before he peeked an eye open. His amber eye watched Mei as she worked. She was hanging some sheets up to dry with a small smile on her face. With renewed vigor, Chase shut his eyes and returned to his meditation. It wasn't three minutes before his eye was peeking open again.

"How's the meditation coming, Chase?" Chase heard Dashi's voice suddenly question him. Chase jumped slightly, but quickly straightened his back and offered Dashi a noncommittal grunt. Dashi raised a brow at Chase with a smirk on his face before shaking his head slowly. The kid was falling and hard. But being the devout monk that Chase was, Dashi was sure that the young man would never make a move. How unfortunate. The pair did look sort of cute together. "I'll leave you to it then. May I suggest picking some place with less... distractions next time you meditate," Dashi finished with a whisper before strolling away with a chuckle. Chase's face flamed.

"Chase?"

If it were possible, Chase's cheeks reddened even further. "Yes, Mei?" he replied without opening his eyes.

"I'm going to make dinner. Is there anything special you wanted? It's your night to choose," Mei informed him with a smile that he could not see.

"It does not matter to me. I will eat whatever you prepare," Chase responded honestly.

"Alright," Mei said with a small giggle. Chase cleared his throat nervously in response as she shifted in his place. He nearly breathed a sigh of relief when she started walking back inside the temple. "If you want, I can return once I am finished so that you can spy on me while you pretend to meditate," she offered over her shoulder before giggling loudly. Chase groaned loudly in embarrassment.

"Chase Young was in love!?" Kimono exclaimed in shock. Her teammates all had slack-jawed expressions of pure shock. It just wasn't connecting in their minds. Chase Young- the Chase Young- was capable of loving someone (other than himself)?

"Yes, Kimiko. The feelings were very much mutual. Before either one could act on those feelings, however, Hannibal Bean interfered and turned Chase Young to the Heylin side," Guan informed them.

"And then that Mei girl dumped him. Right?" Raimundo guessed.

"Not quite. Once Chase turned his back on the Xiaolin way and left the temple, Mei left with him. It was a... voluntary action," Guan answered and hung his head. Everyone's eyes widened. Even Master Fung was surprised by this new knowledge.

"So... What happened next?" Clay questioned.

"Even I am not entirely sure. I had only heard of Mei's death in my travels. I had assumed that it had been Chase who had lost control and harmed her. But when I confronted him, I learned that he was not to blame. To this day, I am not sure who is responsible," Guan finished.

"Chase Young has many enemies both on the Xiaolin and Heylin sides. It is not hard to guess that some evildoer used Mei to get revenge on Chase. This is most troubling. This would mean that Hitomi is even more danger than before!" Omi exclaimed.

"I don't know if you noticed, Omi. But she's not exactly begging for our help," Raimundo said in a low drawl and a fold of his arms.

"I reckon that's true. She defended Chase, attacked Omi, and then kicked us out into the cold," Clay informed Master Fung.

"It is obvious that Chase will not separate himself from Hitomi and she appears to want to remain at his side. It would not be wise to challenge Chase Young again, despite having good intentions," Guan said, mostly to Omi. Omi glared down at the tiled ground silently.

~:~

Wuya walked through a forest, her eyes darting to her left and right warily. To be perfectly honest, she'd been trekking through this forest for several hours now in the hopes that Hannibal Bean would appear. The bean had always made an appearance whenever she was away from Chase and needed to see him. It was as if he kept tabs on her and was always ready to drop in. Wuya wouldn't be surprised if Hannibal had his Ying-Ying bird doing some reconnaissance right now...

"Wuya, Wuya, Wuya... What brings you to this neck of the woods?"

Wuya smirked up at a tree branch where Hannibal was perched next to Ying-Ying. The bird's round, black eyes gazed down at her shrewdly. "Hannibal, I need a little help," Wuya started.

"Let me guess. You've had enough of Chase and want a little helping hand in emancipating yourself from him," Hannibal guessed with a wide, crooked grin.

"Not quite," Wuya answered. Hannibal raised a brow at that. Even Ying-Ying seemed intrigued. "I need to know more about what happened to Chase while I was locked away."

"And why, might I ask, would you need to know that?"

"Chase has taken in some girl. The way he treats her is...peculiar. At least, it is for Chase. If I didn't know any better, I would say that he has feelings for the girl," Wuya explained.

"Chase Young? With a woman? If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you're lying," Hannibal said in his Southern drawl.

"But, you do know better. Don't you Hannibal?" Wuya questioned with a sly grin. She had been right to come to Hannibal. It had been a long shot, but it had been so worth it.

"What you need to understand is that it was a long time ago. Chase was still on the Xiaolin side. He was young. And you know how them young boys operate. They just can't resist a pretty face," Hannibal said, his stringy arms shaking in a dark laugh.