Enemy Within: Sever the Ties
What would you do if they told you that you couldn't be with the one you loved?

Note: I do not own Power Rangers Jungle Fury or its characters. I do own Kiran though and Jarrod's Mother for the time being.
Prompt: First Big Decision (bigthingsinlife)
Genre: Romance/Drama/Angst
Rating: T (Minor language)

"What do you mean you want me to be separated from Kiran?" I demand as Swoop brings us back to the Academy.

Kiran looks cross; her look alone could bore holes into flesh…too bad he can't see it. He doesn't look at us, yet again; he rarely looks at anyone though he's the least unsighted blind man I know. I feel my rage build inside me, it isn't just my own, it's the Lion. He's angry at the mere thought of being taken away from the girl he's marked. I feel her rage build but it's easily contained. She's lucky she can do that; she's been concentrating on controlling her emotions since we left. I don't have that same fortune, my rage comes strong and it's hard for me to contain.

"I don't want you to. The Elders will. They didn't want her to be mated to anyone."

"But isn't that my choice?"

"You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?"

"Stop being a snarky asshole Swoop!"

"Kiran, I'm telling you this for your own good."

Kiran went very still and very silent at my side, and I could see an epiphany flash before her eyes. I didn't know what, I'm not a mind reader but something big just dawned over her.

"…you let this happen? Didn't you? You knew where I was the entire time…you knew we would Mate, which is why you've not informed the Elders about how close we were getting before we left." She said this very slowly and a small smirk appeared on his face.

"I did nothing of the sort. Get that silly thought out of your head." He said with a straight face but I could hear the humor tightly reigned.

"Swoop! Is that why you were being such an asshole the other day?" she asked in awe.

"I'd be more thankful if you'd stop calling me an asshole…and don't call me a Bastard either. The Elders will not take kindly to your foul nicknames for me."

"Damn."

"Respect thy Master. It's a rule." He said grinning again, Kiran rolled her eyes and took my hand.

"So, oh wise Master, what should we do? Is there anything we can do?"

"Fight. Fight for your mate."

I looked to Kiran, she looks to me, our hands entwined tightly, there's no way I'm giving her up without a fight. I'd rather die. From the look in Kiran's eyes, I know she feels the same way.

When we arrive at the Academy, we head directly to our dorm. Once inside we go to my room and I throw down my bag and to my surprise she throws hers down too. When I tilt my head at her she smirks softly.

"What? You're stuck with me pal. I'm not staying even a few rooms away from yours! Sides RJ will figure it out so why not cut to the chase." She tells me, then takes my hand as we hear loud crashing downstairs. "Ahhh the boys are home…" she muses.

We wait in my doorway as they come crashing up the stairs, half brawling, half attempting to actually carry their things with them. They are not surprised to have us standing there, staring at them like they are insane…which they are. Especially when they are together. They look at us, we stare at them and this lasts for a few minutes.

"Mama's home boys! Where are my hugs?" she demands playfully, they look to me first.

"What?"

"I'm not touching her without her Mate's permission." Dominic said carefully, but respectfully. His eyes remained on me, awaiting my decision.

"Oh?" I didn't realize that something like who interfere with how they act with Kiran. She's surprised too, we both know that those two act like she's their flesh and blood Sister. I certainly didn't think that Mating could come between that.

"Mating's a tricky thing," RJ begins; he thrusts his hands in the air, beginning to make exaggerated arm movements to help him explain as he usually does. "It's not hitting you now but it will soon enough. You're going to want to rip any man's arm off that touches her…not that you haven't wanted to since were we…like…what? 12?" I feel heat rise in my face, I should have known RJ would say that, Kiran coos at my side and wraps her arm around my waist and gives me a side hug. "But now it's going to come full force, even around us. Watch." He stated simply, he seized Kiran's arm and pulled her from my side and hugged her tight. I have to give him credit; I want to rip off his arms and beat him with them…more than normal. "Stop growling at me." RJ tells me and I sighed, I did realize I was growling.

"Sorry." I tell him and I mean it, he knows and nods. Then Dom squees and throws his arms around Kiran in a big hug. He, of course, knows I will not hurt him; he's been too kind for me to want to hurt him.

"Hey!" RJ said, as he realized I wasn't growling at Dom. "That's just mean, Dude! I'm not a threat."

"I know that. The Lion prefers that the dog doesn't play with the cats." I said, damn my Spirit as his power ices my voice.

"Oh! So that's what you are? Another kitty cat?" RJ asked, Kiran shook her head.

"You two wish. But close…ish…"

"How vague." Dom commented. Kiran laughed and hugged him tight.

"Doesn't matter. Your guys aren't going to see it. I don't want to have my ability to fight hinge on the animal I possess. I've studied and fought so hard this far without it and I'm not going to let it control me." She said. I look to my girl, and the determination in her face and it struck me on how proud I am of her. She's no longer that frightened child that's so helpless but a furious fighter. She looks to me then comes back to my arms, snuggled at my side.

"Ok, be mysterious chickadee, we gotta unpack and Dad said all of us are to head to the main temple."

"Yipee!" she cried sarcastically and heads into our room and we all stare at her. I shrugged and followed her in as we both began to shrug out of our coats and began to dig out our uniforms. As I watch her change and see how the light in her eyes glows brighter when she sees me. I love her. I love her so much. "What?" she asks with a smile.

"I love you," I tell her, her face lights up the room.

"I love you too," she says sincerely and I feel happy, I know that it won't last as we know we have to worry about the Elders, who we've yet to face.