Dojo suddenly sprung out from his sweet dreaming. Stuttering, he hastily slithered around the temple. He could feel it in his mystical sensorial gut – a sense of pain, horror and disgrace. He passed through corridor to corridor, checked room after room, peeking into every nook and cranny. Nothing was in disorder, so what's the deal? Then, at the thought, he almost fainted – there was one, last, dreaded place left to check. He approached the room where the infamous dragon-slurping Chase Young snoozes. He inched his way, drawing ever closer to his fate. He saw before his imagination his scales being scraped, and his insides cleaned for cooking. Seasonings like pepper, salt, sugar and turmeric sprinkled before his eyes.

A hand seized him. He shrieked. The hand that grabbed him was joined by another that clamped his mouth shut. A deep voice hushed him and he was carried into a room. The small lizard was spun around, coming face to face with the reptile cannibal. His vocal chords attempted to scream "Murder!" but the clamp was impossible to break from. Beads of sweat crawled down his back. There is no way out! His thoughts racing as fast as his pounding heartbeat. This is the end! Goodbye world, food and dear Master Fung! Goodbye…

"In all my years, I never knew reptiles could sweat." His 'captor' grumbled, "And I am well learned. Silence please." Dojo nodded and Chase Young uncovered Dojo's mouth, peeved at the midget's paranoia.

"Chase!" The little dragon wheezed while clutching his heart, "Whew. You're not gonna eat me?"

"If the first time you don't succeed, give up." Chase replied monotonously.

"Funny… I thought the phrase was 'If the first time you don't succeed, try –"

Chase cut him short, "I simply wished to thank you for waking me in the middle of night. I appreciate the nuisance."

"Well, if you have a mystical sensor that –" Dojo stopped for caution's sake, "Why should I tell you?"

"I have a feeling it's to do with Master Monk Guan's special disappearing act yesterday." The wizard replied, his voice serious.

"Well," Dojo pondered with reason reasonably before, hesitantly, continuing, "I guess I can tell you, since you're on our side and all that. I have no idea if it has to do with Master Monk Guan, but I've got this inside thought something very bad is happening. There was a lot of fighting and I feel like we've lost, or something like that. I think people died. But we've not fought anybody lately so, what?"

Chase lowered the green, legless dragon on the old marble floor to slither away. He stood in his room, staring out the window. The few words he mentally highlighted wrote itself on his mind.

Very bad.

Is happening.

Fighting.

We lost.

'We' meaning the Xiaolin side. Which leads to saying the Heylin side won – past tense. Then what about the 'Is happening'? Present tense – something Heylin, a scheme of evil intentions is taking place. Evil in manner can be drawn to conclusion because of 'Very bad'. 'Fighting' comes by two enemies in battle, or already battled? The past tense fits.

He folded his bare arms as he stood thinking. A battle occurred and Xiaolins lost; Heylin won and evil is occurring. There was no fighting here in this temple. His eyes widened – there was fighting going on, if not here, at the other temple – Master Monk Guan's. That would explain the sudden disappearance. "Well, how about that?" He whispered to himself, "Not wanting to worry the other monks, he speeds off and, interestingly, loses the battle. It must've been planned and planned thoroughly. The most simple but effective approach is a surprise assault with a powerful team of fighters, or a large force. Better yet with the leader out of the way. Perhaps they planned the attack because Guan was gone. Then after striking out most of the Xiaolin monks, the leader would obviously arrive and be an single easy picking. One Xiaolin Temple down… one more to go, as the saying goes."

A classic evil scheme, he thought, but great leadership. Only two Heylins I know able to gather a massive army of anti-Xiaolin warriors. Myself and, he scowled at the fact, Hannibal. The latter is the obvious and there is evidence from that night.

Then it's settled. He is planning something and it's not over yet. He's bound to come here, by a different strategy doubtlessly, and possibly launch a mighty assault. Killing two birds with one stone; get rid of all Xiaolin and Chase Young, very impressive Hannibal Bean. Chase raised his hunched torso and looked to the distant hills. "I can just imagine the scene, Hannibal." He growled, "And your timing can't be more perfect. With me on the side of the losing and under their stiff command, I can do nothing to threaten your cause, can I? You use the most commonplace idea to bring my ruin knowing humiliation is part-and-parcel of my obsession of being the best, my one weakness. curse you"

A swishing sound caught his ears. "You're still here Dojo." He proclaimed, sending cold zings down the small creature's spine. He twiddled his thumbs anxiously before slithering onto the room. His answer was a positive and that he didn't believe the man's theory about Guan's defeat.

"How sure are you?" Dojo would not, could not, believe him.

"As sure as I could've planned it myself." He kept his eyes on the line of light on the horizon, "Does it all not fit precisely? There's no gap for doubt, only opinion."

"It's still impossible!"

"Nothing's impossible in a world of magic and mystical objects. Only improbable."

Dojo's mouth opened and closed like a fish, in lack of further objection. Turning his heel he left the wizened man to his theorizing. Yet he turned to glance one more time. Somehow, as much as he hated it, there was an air of truth in those words.

Chase continued with his thoughts. With Master Fung's pet pondering over his words, perhaps a door would open to talk to the Head of this place. Now, that would fit perfectly into countering Bean's plans. Better still, if he's given charge, surely there will be no deaths and losses by his account. But these schemes will have to wait, there is still one thing to do before a new day starts.

Sunshine's first rays lighted her room when she woke up. Kimiko had slept early the night before, having no romantic hours with him. What he had said frightened her. She glanced around, saw he was nowhere in sight within her room. Then a shadow casted itself upon her floor from behind her. She looked up and a man in a sky blue kung-fu suit leaning over her window sill. She merely looked back, her expression blank. His smile remained and his mouth moved to speak, "May I come in?"

She shrugged her shoulders in reply. He leaped in with an expect flair and knelt on one knee, but kept his hands to himself. "I'm sorry I scared you yesterday. I didn't think you would be as bothered as so if I spoke my mind." He paused to slip his hand under hers. "Forgive me, dear Kimiko?"

Her lips curled in a slow smile. She looked into his apologetic eyes and threw her arms around his neck, whispering the words that made his heart leap, "Ok! But I think I kinda' overreacted yesterday anyway. So, like yeah, my bad!"

She pulled back beaming, in his arms. With her arms still around his neck, the couple closed their eyes and leaned in. Her soft lips touched his smoothness as their heads began tilting to the sides. He licked her teeth, begging entrance into forbidden territory. She opened up and he went in, wrapping his arms around her small waist. She held his head in her hand and pulled him closer while meeting his tongue with hers. They twirled and curled around one another, dancing against the walls of their mouths. Their bodies pressed so close she let her groin lean on his. He was aroused by her sitting on his lap. He stretched out his legs and leaned back, making her lean on him in turn. His pull on her gravitated as he lay on his back. She lay atop him and gripping his head to hers. With her legs positioned across his waist, he let a hand slide into her top. His warm touch crawled up her skin and he felt along her curves. Retracting her lips she interested her tongue on more delicious areas, and his neck was her first victim. Immediately his hands gripped her, energy surging in him from her seductive licks.

"Where'd you learn this…" He could not open his mouth without moaning.

Hanging her lips over his yearning mouth, she whispered hotly, "You taught me." She wet his collar bone, enjoying the taste of his body. Still tonguing him, she worked his buttons off to reveal a muscular chest. She trailed her tongue over the lean flesh as she knelt over him. His moans grew louder. She ran a hand over his nipple, and taking her time to plant her lips upon it. His moans became hisses, breathings between clenched teeth. When his nipple hardened, she sweetly sucked at the other. The hisses quickened as did her enthusiasm in her job. She kissed her way down his hard abs, each with tender care. Then she, much to his disappointment, stopped just above his erected manhood. "Why stop?" he groaned. Her head was mere inches away. How he yearned for her hands to snatch off his pants and do what every instinct in him wanted her to do. He raised his head from the pillow to catch a glimpse of her teasing smile. She ran her tongue over her lips.

"I'm tired," she whimpered with dependant eyes, "I want a rest. Don't mind?" Without needing a reply she laid her head on his most sensitive area. The muscles in his bulge tightened, and became tighter still when she nuzzled against it. He gave a sharp exhale, the force pushing him back down on the pillow. She nuzzled harder and stroked it to get herself 'comfortable'. Her delicate fingering set him on fire. And as her finale, her fingers gripped the rim of his pants and she hauled herself up. With her face to his, and his pants slightly slipped, she breathed onto him, "Yeah, I totally forgive you Chase Young." Her hot voice drawled at his name.

He raised his head to kiss her but a sharp ringing interrupted their moment of 'forgiveness'.

A split later: "MAIL CALL!" Omi's squeal just burst out of nowhere.

"These interruptions are beginning to annoy me." He turned his eyes back on Kimiko. "You're so beautiful, my dear." He stroked her face.

"You too." She murmured, laying her head on his bare chest.

The pair lingered in their moment, unwilling to leave this private pause in time. He twirled her shining hair around his fingers. She enjoyed the feel of his body against hers. Yet somehow they ended up standing on their own two feet, with Chase exiting from her doorway. Kimiko pulled on a simple, casual outfit and combed her hair, the moments spent with him slowly seeping out of her mind. Her thoughts were drawn to more current matters. It had been a long time since the last 'MAIL CALL', she thought, who's it gonna be?

As soon as she stepped out, Raimondo greeted her. "Hey Kimiko!" he grinned, an expression of his that freaked her. "Check out all the good news!"

Her appearance showed little enthusiasm but the boys insisted on showing her their sources of happiness. All three had received letters from friends and family. Clay's father had just caught jackpot by the pants last week and his family was coming together for a feast, including his runaway sister Jessie. Raimondo's eldest cousin has brought about quadruplets and made it a must for all family members to attend the babies' First Month birthday party. As for Omi, the teenage monks' black American friend Germaine has been chosen into becoming New York's Junior Basketball team and his first match is up the following week, so he sent four front row seat tickets to his best friends over the other side of globe.

"My friend Germaine must be highly honored!" Omi exclaimed, "I shall go back to New York and proclaim his name!"

"Daddy must've gotten the real bull this time." Clay smiled broadly, "And mah' lil' sister's comin' home? I'm-a definitely goin' back to the family ranch!"

"Djavan's made four at one go?!" Raimondo's eyes boggled at the thought, "Heck! He's one horny dude!"

As they jabbered on to themselves, the patient postman waited for Kimiko to take her over-decorated parcel. On it was a smiling sticker with the words 'To: Kimiko Tohomiko. Handle with care.' scribbled by the most distinctive hand. Her father had sent this rectangular, black ribbon encased gift? That's so… she had nothing to say at the time about.

The boys soon noticed her walking past them with a pink, streaked black box. They crowded around her as she delicately undid the wrappings and pulled out – she screamed – a sleek, shiny white laptop with a grey apple printed on its top surface.

"Oh! Oh! OH MY – AH!" Kimiko shrieked, overjoyed. "An Apple MacBook Air! Daddy sent me an APPLE MACBOOK AIR!" She hopped around her teammates in girlish glee. Her strangling grip on the technology pulsed excitement through her veins as she held it to her heart, as close as she could. When her personal celebration subsided, she opened the laptop. Her screaming picked up again as she gawked over the 13-inch screen and built-in mini webcam. She dug out everything from the box, hurrying to charge up that baby. Then a note slipped out. The letter had slick background printings that fitted her style, and was covered from top to bottom with hasty scribbles. It was probably written while her father was in a fit of happiness. She gave one last glance at the charger then decided to read what her dad has to say.

The news of a 150 million dollar investment deal being sealed without ado has taken place in Mr. Tohomiko's business. The new sponsor is reliable and has no dealings in Shen Gong Wu or Heylin matters, but was extremely eager to make alliance. To cut the heavily expressive message short, he bought her the most expensive and latest computer available as a home-coming gift. And as tradition requires, all family members, relatives and available friends are to come together that Sunday for a celebration.

"Wow." She sighed in technology-obsessed ecstasy, "Daddy really knows what to do to get me home. Oh man, this is the coolest thing ever!" The boys asked if they could touch her new toy, only to have their itchy hands smacked. Kimiko Tohomiko was not about to let anybody make contact with her white sweetie. She took all her new stuff and ran to her room.

Sometimes I do not understand females, Chase groaned in his head. One small hint of their favourite object and they scream in mindless hysteria. Her voice could be heard from the kitchen as if she was standing right next to him. I'll really need a word with Master Fung…

"Hey Chase!" came a voice from the window in front of him, "Guess what I got in the mail!" Chase looked up from washing his hands. Kimiko wore a face of complete cheer and upheld herself on the windowsill, leaning on her forearms.

He could not help but smile before saying, "Your father has sent you thirteen inch screen Apple MacBook that comes with a mini webcam, or iSmile, as a homecoming gift. The reason for the homecoming? He has a new investor that will put a hundred and fifty million dollars into his pockets. So the whole Tohomiko kin and friends is gathering together for a celebration back in Tokyo. In other words," He paused to look deeply into her eyes. The news he just recited from memory prodded painfully at him, but his smile still refused to waver. She will leave in twenty-four meager hours and Hannibal may strike. One moment, how can he think of beans at a time like this? He chucked the latter out of his mind. "Meanwhile, I'll be unhappily stuck in the middle of China with only old monks for company, not to mention Master Mop here." He gestured to the floor cleaning tools by his side, still smiling.

"You're smiling a lot today." She quipped, a tinge of hurt mixed in her voice. "And was I really that loud that you can hear from here?"

"That was a queer sentence structure." He bent to pick up the bucket, "But my answer is yes, you were very, very loud." To demonstrate, he stuck a finger into his ear and rotated it in the hole, closing one eye as he did so.

"Ha ha." She said tonelessly before letting pity sink in, "You really gonna be that lonely? I can always ask Master Fung to let you come with me."

"My bet is on a negative response, Kimiko. Best to place hope in doubt when doubt is placed in hope."

She gave him an annoyed look, "Are those words of wisdom? Or did you just made it up 'cause you don't think I can do it?"

"Neither. I'm just sure he'll never let two people of the opposite gender go on a trip alone. Especially since the male is a Heylin warrior." Then he cupped her face in his hand. She put hers atop his. For awhile a loving silence reined the atmosphere.

"When are you leaving?" he asked.

"This Friday." She made a pause, caused by a lump risen in her throat. Tomorrow."

He pulled himself closer to her, so their noses were touching.

"But I'll be back by Tuesday, latest I think."

"Take your time." His reply surprised her. "I'll always be around here, there's no other alternative anyhow." He grinned at his wit.

She giggled. "No alternative alright! But you'll really be alright while I'm gone?"

"Everyone but the old folks will be gone. No trouble at all, my dear. With the condition you'll stay out of it."

"What kind of things you think I'll do Chase?" Her expression showed one of recall, "Just meeting some people I know and more that I don't, since my dad's so rich everybody who knows our name will be hovering around." Then to herself she muttered, "Urgh, that'll mean Wakaki will be there… he's such a horny idiot."

At that word, Chase's ears pricked up – Kimiko could've sworn they twitched angrily too. "No!" she huffed, also surprised his hearing was so acute, "I meant he likes behaving like a pervert. But he's just a fourteen-year-old star basketball player in his school. He thinks he's hot."

"Like Raimondo." He mumbled.

"What?"

"Like Raimondo." He shamelessly repeated, louder. "Please continue."

After some eye-rolling, she talked about her family's inner circle, which consisted mostly of her father. But still, she had plenty to say. He is the greatest dad…He is so cool…Joker…We always laugh…He makes family time so fun! Chase felt rather embarrassed as she 'continued'. When she was done all he said was, "You seem to have a lot to speak of your father."

"I've lots more!"

He figured and dreaded it. "Maybe another time, Kimiko." Pulling himself up to her face, which the outside light shaped a silhouette giving her a stunning darkened beauty. He kissed her lightly on the mouth but two soft yet strong arms clung onto him so their lips crashed together. She locked her lips on his, her arms wrapped and not intending to let go. He loosened up and let her have the pleasure of dominance. Her tongue took up to curl around his. He tilted his head sideways, giving her working space. She enjoyed his submission. The feeling of control soon drove her to kiss around his neck.

His throat rumbled; he had growled.

She stopped. A questioning look from her met his humored gaze.

"Afterwards, my dear." he sighed. He picked up an overflowing bucket and lightly walked out of the kitchen with a mop in hand. Breakfast was ready, as she could see, but why did he leave?

The answer came with the bickering of three boys shoving their way through the door frame, where seconds ago Chase had just passed through. His hearing is seriously sharp, she thought, I wonder if it has anything to do with those pointy ears.

"She will be leaving very soon, yet I'm spending her last moments here with you, as if your face I'll miss!" He glared at the soaked end of the mop. The shine from the floor glared back, to-be spotless-in-no-time-flat if he continued at this strength, this raving. Raving? He thought crossly, I never rave about anything; anger is a waste of energy and an insult to self control. He breathed deeply and searched himself for a reason to this madness. The answer rose in near instant – the theory of Hannibal's possible attack on all things good. Then again, why would he care about the good of the world? He slowly opened his eyes. He could feel it, a sense of responsibility over the Xiaolin girl was beginning to grow in him. Suddenly he felt split in two – a part called it burdensome, another saw beauty in caring for a person after so many years of solitude. She was so delicate and petite for a young lady of her age. Then he remembered – these features were only skin deep. This lady is a fighter; powerful in her element, independent, fast, flexible and capable of absolute ideas. She had proved it all in every single one of their past encounters. He loves a woman who has a fighter's soul yet as a swan.

He quietly laughed at himself. So far in this relationship sexual experiences are the glue keeping them together. Their only argument was over Guan's survival. How can he judge her to be the One when they have barely scratched the surface of love? What proof is there that he truly loves her and is not lusting over her body?

He stood up from his mopping and stretched his kneeling legs. Done with the main hall, he carried the bucket across the lawn to the sleeping quarters.

Hannibal Bean tapped his forehead, impatiently waiting for the nitwit to return from the post office. Just a few simple letters to deliver and he was already so incompetent! There was no wonder Chase Young refused to let the boy work alongside him. Perhaps I should use the Zing Zom Bone again; Jack would be much more useful. On second thoughts, he needed the boy conscious for a certain part of the plan…the part where his old friend comes for a visit.

Kimiko was having a good time that afternoon. Every one of the Wudai warriors were excitedly exchanging plans throughout lunchtime, timely oblivious to their upcoming separation. Right after that they had one last spar together, of which Omi took the advantage to boast and waggle his baby-sized butt in egoistic triumph.

After hours in the sun, the sweaty youngsters started to get bothered by the hot weather. Raimondo announced a Parting Pool Party; Clay dug out a huge hole in the earth, Omi filled the one meter deep bowl and Kimiko brought out the tanning oil. Raimondo wanted to surf but resented after Kimiko tugged his ear, hard. The four posed side by side – Clay, Omi Kimiko then Raimondo – held hands and dived. The big splash sent most of the water out but nothing could distract them. Omi dog-paddled in his float and armbands above the surface, just to be pulled down underwater by Raimondo as revenge for butt-shaking. Clay cannonball-ed his teammates. Raimondo pulled Clay's hat over his eyes and dunked him. From that moment on, war was set between Earth, Wind and Water. Kimiko sat aside to work her tan.

"C'mon Kim!" Raimondo grinned in her direction, "Join us – blurgh!" Clay body-slammed him under the surface. Kimiko watched as his arms paddled the water frantically for a breath of air.

"Er…No." Kimiko was put off by the childishness. She flipped over to let the sun massage her back, resting her head upon the back of her palms. She sighed. It's so comfy just lying here. I know this swimming fiesta has been done before but, it's so much more – oh what's the word? – rejuvenating? Nah, that's lame. Relaxing? Maybe, but still not that suiting. Exciting? That sounds so flirty…

Rustles sounded on the dried leaves. She lazily turned her head. Chase was sweeping leaves, again. He did not look on her, but on the inside, he wished he could hold her in his arms until her departure. Then e swept the ground with a strength so sudden the leaves flew in uncontrolled directions. She should not leave! His mind growled. His instincts burned to even consider letting her go alone. There is evil lurking here. If it is not of my own darkness, I do not appreciate its presence.

That night, nobody could get as much as a wink of sleep, not with the excited chattering of the teenagers. But Chase could not doze off on his own accord. The suspicions were thick in his mind, tiring him mentally, and their endless blathering was not helping in the least…

"And here we go…!"

In the darkness, an army of voices roared to their victory.