A/N: Thanks for the reviews (I know you're probably getting tired of hearing that)! MEleeSmasher: Don't worry, Jack and Arcee's relationship won't be destroyed. His "relationship with Chikara is a set up for a big fall (sorry if that's a possible spoiler). Foxbear: Your comment on Chikara's animal spirit was funny :D. Ghost0fOnyx: I wouldn't say Arcee will be pissed when she finds out. Negima Uzumaki: Jack won't become a harem unless I make a humor story in the near future, but my plate currently full with this and another story (not Pheromone). I'm Yu: I intend to develop the relationship with Miko and Bulkhead. I'm still deciding on how long Jack will be away from the 'Bots once his training is complete. I don't want it to be too long as I intend to have him play a role when Nemesis Prime comes around.

Chapter 22

Jack slid his arms around Chikara's back and he closed the distance between their lips. He pulled her against his, making their kiss as deep as possible. They separated only to meet again. Jack laid Chikara on the floor and continued kissing her, his thoughts swirling. He couldn't believe this was happening and yet he didn't want it to end.

Yes, Chikara was his instructor in the ninjustu technique of Strength and she was hundreds of years old (Jack was starting to wonder why he had a thing for "older" woman). There were numerous reasons why he should stop what he was doing, but his body didn't respond. He kept kissing her, willing himself not to let it go any further than that. Her lips tasted so sweet, almost like a fruit. Her skin felt so soft and her fingers were so tender.

He could feel Chikara's hands grasp his hair and pull him closer, savoring his touch. It had been centuries since anyone had touched her like that. Even before her days with the Tribunal, Chikara never let herself become enamored with anyone in particular. When she became part of the Tribunal, she put such thoughts behind her. And yet here she was, in the arms of Jack Darby, a boy who hadn't even lived a fraction of her life yet.

She had only known this boy two days and yet she found herself intrigued by him. She couldn't explain why she was so offended when she thought he was uncomfortable around her, but his compliment about her being beautiful was rather touching. She could sense a sadness in him that rivaled her own emptiness. She knew it would only be a matter of time before… Her thoughts were stopped when she felt her lungs burn for air.

She and Jack pulled apart, him still on top of her, panting heavily. Both their cheeks were flushed red with slight embarrassment at the position they were, but they became lost in each other's eyes. Both of them seemed to convey a different sadness; different, yet all consuming.

"I apologize," she said, trying to break his gaze. "I must be going." She tried to push him off her, but he didn't budge. She could easily force him off, but she didn't want to hurt him. He placed his lips on her again, gently biting her bottom lip. "Stop," she murmured, trying not to enjoy his touch.

"Don't leave," he said, voice slightly cracking. She looked up at him to see the sadness in his eyes had grown. He knew this was wrong, but he needed something to alleviate the pain he'd been feeling for the past three months. The guilt he held over Arcee's death, the unbearable sadness that he'd never see her again, even if he died. He knew this and Chikara seemed to know this too.

Her gaze seemed hurt as the thought that was using her as a substitute because he couldn't have someone else. Jack simply kissed her again, trying to convey that he wasn't using her and she could easily stop him if she wanted. She tensed against him, trying to stop the feelings surging in her heart. Slowly, her body relaxed and melted into his, wrapping her arms around him again. She didn't care if he didn't have those feelings for her; something told her that in time, he might.

ShadowStrike Rising

In the Prime Minister's office in Japan, Oroku Saki was hard at work trying to get a neighborhood watch committee off his back. There had apparently been a string of burglaries throughout the neighborhood. He could easily just have them thrown from the building (both figuratively and literally), but decided to gain voter support. He listened to their problems until they were done and he stood, "Citizens, I have heard your concerns and will do everything in my power to see this person brought to justice. Stockman, send a squad of our finest "policeman" to accompany these people home and watch over them. I am certain that whoever is responsible for these crimes will be dealt with soon enough."

"Of course," Stockman gestured to a squad of Foot Ninja dressed as special duty officers. They led the neighborhood watch out of the building. "I honestly don't know how you deal with people like that."

"I've dealt with worse," he replied, sitting back in his chair. "Has there been any progress in locating the boy?"

"None," the scientist replied. "We have the most sophisticated technological scanning systems on the planet aside from the Autobots. And even they can't locate him. It's like he disappeared off the face of the earth."

"Are you certain that he is not on this plain of existence," Saki inquired.

"If he is, then he's doing a hell of job hiding himself."

"I know where he is. I just wanted to make sure he was not in our plain of existence before making a move."

"Where is he then?"

"With the Ninja Tribunal," Saki growled. "It will take some time for us to reach their monastery. During that time, the boy will no doubt become stronger."

ShadowStrike Rising

(A few weeks later)

In the weeks Jack had stayed with the Tribunal, he excelled in their training. Their calm, cool approach to everything seemed to provide the boy with good environment. He managed to learn basic and exceptional Ninpo while learning to channel his animal spirit. He'd become more versatile in weaponry, particularly finding the Falcon's Talons useful in hand-to-hand combat situations. He'd learned to hide in the shadows and disorient his opponent through fear.

He'd excelled in Spirit, Weapons, and Stealth easily, but found that Strength still evaded him. The Tribunal agreed that he'd learned enough from the three basic Ninja Arts and decided to allow him to focus more on mastering Strength under Chikara's watchful eyes. He'd only managed to leave severe cracks in the rocks, but never managed to shatter it completely. Neither of them could figure out the problem and they'd been trying to (both during training and "afterward"). Jack began to feel frustrated as Strength continued to elude him, not knowing why.

He'd managed to let go of his anger and ignore the Liege Maximo, especially since said Prime was no longer in his head. He only just managed to get over Arcee's death (he still had the occasional nightmare and panic attack) to commit more to his "relationship" with Chikara. He was certain that the others were aware, but never said anything about it. He and Chikara sat in his small home, trying to figure out many things.

"Are you sure the problem isn't me?" Jack asked.

"You have managed to bury your emotions," she said, nuzzling him slightly. "I cannot imagine what is keeping you from mastering Strength."

"And I thought the Tribunal was supposed to be all-knowing," he kissed her neck, gently biting. She gave a small gasp and pushed him away, trying to concentrate on the matter at hand. He went back to her neck, telling her the issue could wait until for now.

"We can figure it out later," she smiled, letting him continue to bite down on her neck.

ShadowStrike Rising

A/N: Not particularly proud of this chapter, but I hoped you enjoyed all the same. Next time: The Shredder arrives at the Tribunal Monastery. Will he and ShadowStrike face down? Sorry if you think I'm moving a little fast with this whole thing, but I want to get the lone-wolf chapters up sooner rather than later and hopefully the next chapter will be longer.