Chapter 1

Chenosh was faced with a hard choice. Before retiring to her own home Connor, her male alter ego had received a report that Johnny was in danger. It had set a conflict within her. As a Ki changing to a female and a male were possible, that was why she had hidden her secret so well. Any who knew were few and controllable, but it also meant that Chenosh had to be twice as careful. Thus far the government hadn't come down on Connor. If he started a gang war to save one man the police would become involved, but she couldn't let Johnny die either. Every night for the past week she had dreamed of the choice she had made back then to stay. After a year of holding in her love for him she couldn't anymore. On one hand she wanted what she had, but on the other she wanted him. Both could not coexist as things were.

'Perhaps what I did with Sebbun could provide the answer, at least temporarily. Johnny must survive, and only I can find him in time.' Chenosh said. The decision made she closed her eyes and focused. Bringing forth the image of Connor, her male half, she tried split her energy between them. Keeping enough to maintain one form, she felt the other come into being. Drowsily she opened her eyes, and saw Connor turn towards her.

"It seems we succeeded." He said.

"But now we must separate." Chenosh replied laying there beside him.

"Yes we must, for more reasons than one." Connor said.

"Our powers are growing. We did not want to admit it." Chenosh said thinking over what had happened since splitting off from Sebbun, her twin. They too had shared one body, and this time things had been easier. Already Chenosh and Connor were regaining there strength. Both got up and began to pack as they talked. They shared one mind, so it was a lot like having interior monologue that was now being voiced aloud.

"Is this wise? Sebbun knew that our powers would increase. Often we have to contain our power, so no one knows." Connor asked.

"We are still connected, if not physically. I imagine we can share any stress that comes up." Chenosh said.

"Perhaps, but we should be careful. A cover story showed be made just in case we need introduce it." Connor said.

"Twins?" Chenosh suggested.

"That would suffice. Caution has always been our strength, even we act arrogant." Connor said.

"We will continue to use it." Chenosh agreed with herself.

Using one of her hidden accounts Chenosh arranged what was needed and took a plain to Liberty Arizona, a small town where Johnny was hiding. The Triads were due to arrive the following day. Connor had made a point to keep track of his rival's hitters. Information like that could obviously prove useful as a crime boss. While Connor could take a bullet easily enough without harm, having to explain why exactly he wasn't dead or injured was a different story. Things like that made headlines and certain members of his family would not take kindly to the bad press her grandfather Diun being at the top of the list. While he was kind and gentle to his family and friends, he was a Harreden, and Connor knew deep down that if Diun decided to make an example of him, Connor for all his growing power wouldn't stand a chance.

The older Harreden was holding back more than anybody, and all who truly knew him were aware of it. As the former champion of his people he was a forced to be reckoned with, Connor didn't want to cross him. Now Chenosh could move about more freely, and even if something did happen, she wasn't a public figure, so that meant less consequences in both the short and long run. These were the things going through her mind as she stepped off the plane at the airport. It was the middle of the night, so she took a taxi instead of a rental car. Even they pulled up to Johnny's small home in a suburban neighborhood she could feel him already asleep. Paying the driver she headed to the front door.

Taking a deep breath she reached out with her mind and let it feel out the lock. The tiny mechanisms inside began to move and shift, until Chenosh heard a small click, that no human ear would have been able to pick up. Smiling in satisfaction she entered as if she had used a key comfortable and seemingly at home.

Once inside she had a look around. Carpet covered most of the house, with the exception of the kitchen and two bathrooms. Chenosh could hear Johnny snoring in the bedroom down the hall. Moving about the house she made sure she got the layout of the place. While she did this she looked for any evidence of patterns Johnny might follow. Probing his mind might prove to be a problem. If he were sensitive to her, then he might wake up, and Chenosh couldn't deal with that. She needed not to be distracted right now with the hitters coming.

'I just need to do this and get out of town before I risk letting my guard down, and he finds out I'm here." Chenosh thought. Heading out the door she locked it again, and started walking down the street alone. Walking helped her go over her plan. Inside she had seen that Johnny had gotten a job as a mechanic at a shop barely a mile from his house. The pay check stub she recognized, as well as the written directions on the back of an envelope, so he wouldn't get lost.

'Judging by the date he got it yesterday. Probably how the Triads found him. Either they have a contact there, or some one saw him and reported back to their bosses. I'll pick up my stuff and start my surveillance tomorrow. If they are in a hurry they'll make their move right away, if not then I'll have time to do some digging, maybe even put some listening devices and sensors in Johnny's house to keep him safe. Anyone makes a move I'll have plenty of warning.' Chenosh thought.

First thing was first she would need a car or truck. After walking down a few streets she found a white pickup truck that would suit her purposes. The door was locked but the keys were inside.

"Well that's convenient I guess. The lock is easy enough, and apparently the owner forgot his keys in the ignition." She said aloud. Unlocking the doors she got in and drove off.