Under the Starry Sky

At night, In the Courtyard of Xiao City Lord's Manor.

Two 10 year old kids were seating comfortably in an open cottage within courtyard.

The Starry Sky as their Roof, and the Moon as their Light.

Sounds of delightful laughter and giggling rang out from time to time.

Since accepting their diplomas, the duo went to the courtyard to relax.

---

"Shie? Remember that time, when we sparred near Scholar Li's Garden Table Set? Hahaha his face that time was so funny!"

"Hahahaha! Yeah, it really was funny!" remembering such times, the mischievous duo laughed.

After reminiscence series of events within the past two months, the two remained silent.

Ye Shie looked up at the beautiful starry sky, and after seeing such moving scenery, he removed his control over his Face Altering Technique showing his original handsome face.

Xiao Rou who was sitting beside him, looked at him in daze, she asked him curiously "Shie? Why?".

Ye Shie smiled, and said "There are only two of us here, I'm sure no one will pester me about my looks." then he looked at Xiao Rou's eyes saying, "and besides, you've already seen my face right?"

Xiao Rou, blushed a little bit, being stared by Ye Shie's black magnetizing eyes.

If one looked closer into his eyes, they would notice a tinge of Golden color around his irises.

Xiao Rou nodded somewhat meekly, and shyly.

After a moment of silence again, Ye Shie lied down on the Cottage, with his forearm covering his eyes.

The silence was broken by Xiao Rou who timidly said "Shie?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry"

"Huh? For what?"

"For always beating you up..." she looked up at the sky and continued "I don't know, I somehow can't control my temper when I'm with you." she sighed then continue "and besides, after seeing you recover so quickly and calmly. I tend to forget that I'm hurting you." she looked down and meekly said "I'm sorry."

Upon hearing Xiao Rou's apology Ye Shie giggled, "Look at you~ so cute~" he sat up and laughed "Hahahaha" he looked at her for a moment, then he smiled "I think I should be thanking you instead."

"Thanking? Are you a masochist?" Xiao Rou shockingly asked.

Looking at her so shocked, Ye Shie laughed "hahahahah" "A masochist!? Of course NOT!"

Then he looked up at the starry sky and said "I think that without You, your beatings, your playfulness, and our bickering. I think, I'd still probably be sulking about my village right now. "he closed his eyes and said "I'd probably hating the world for its unfairness."then he sighed and looked into her beautiful flushed face again saying "So thank you my Xiao Rou."

Hearing and seeing him act like that, Xiao Rou's heart fluttered. 'M-m-my Xiao Rou' she hurriedly looked down, and clench her teeth, trying to suppress her exploding heart.

Ye Shie continued "But really though, stop beating me up. Cause it really hurts. Sometimes I even wonder if you're just a mean bully. Hahahaha-"

Xiao Rou woke up from her passionate feelings, hearing Ye Shie's words was like pouring a cold bucket of water above her.

She glared at the laughing Ye Shie.

"Hup!" Ye Shie backed away thinking 'W-what did I do again?'

Seeing Ye Shie so scared, Xiao Rou's displeasure vanished and was replace with delight. She laughed "Hahahaha! looked at you, so scared!"

Ye Shie composed himself properly, pouting he said "I'm only afraid because it's you!" Xiao Rou blushed for a bit

"Hmph! I wouldn't be afraid of any other woman besides you, you evil demone--"Feeling her glare Ye Shie apologized "I'm sorry!"

A melodious laughter rang out, and after laughing and wiping the tear in her eyes Xiao Rou looked at the sulking Ye Shie and said "Alright~ Alright~ I won't beat you up again."

Hearing Xiao Rou's suggestion, Ye Shie's eyes brightened he looked at her excitedly and said "Promise!?"

Xiao Rou nodded, and seeing her nod, Ye Shie stood up and raised his arms up in the air saying "WOO HOOO!! I'M FINALLY SAFE!!"

Seeing him stand up and celebrated, Xiao Rou said with displeasure and mockery "Pathetic!"

Hearing Xiao Rou's words, Ye Shie looked at her and said, "Yup! Yes I Am!" then he laughed victoriously "Mwhahahahah!"

---

After celebrating for a bit, Ye Shie calmed down, and sat again.

Xiao Rou seeing him sat down, she asked "Shie? Since Uncle Li's lesson is now over, what do we do now?"

Ye Shie contemplated for a bit, then with sparkling eyes he went closer to Xiao Rou and held her soft hands and said "I know! Will you tour the City with me tomorrow?"

Feeling her hands being held and seeing Ye Shie coming closer, Xiao Rou's heart fluttered again. She blushed, looked down again and meekly replied "Y-yes"

In Ye Shie's mind, an idea already began to bud.

Upon finishing Scholar Li's lessons, his previous dream of cultivating while asleep, is now nearing closer.

'I'll visit those guild, and I'll try to learn Formations, Blacksmithing, and Alchemy. With that! Hehe' Ye Shie was absorbed in his own thoughts.

Xiao Rou looked up, and seeing Ye Shie's handsome face looking at her in daze, she misunderstood.

Her heart exploding rapidly, Xiao Rou went closer to Ye Shie until their faces are 6 inches apart.

Xiao Rou, then closed her eyes, expecting something.

That's when Ye Shie woke up from his thoughts.

Seeing Xiao Rou's beautiful face so near, under the moonlit starry sky. The feelings he was suppressing in his heart started to emerge. His right hand involuntarily touched her right cheek.

Xiao Rou's body jolted a bit, feeling Ye Shie's hand touching her cheeks, her heart fluttered strongly.

Ye Shie inhaled a deep breath, trying to forcefully suppress his raging emotion and desire to kiss her.

Panicking, Ye Shie who's face was blushing while panting roughly hurriedly pulled Xiao Rou into his embrace, sighing through his nose to slowly calm the raging emotions and desire within him.

Xiao Rou, who thought something else, gasped at being pulled by Ye Shie.

Opening her eyes, and with her hopes and expectations crushed, Xiao Rou's eye rims reddened.

Her disappointment, shame, and crushed feelings turned into rage.

She forcefully leave Ye Shie's embrace, and upon seeing his flushed handsome face made her anger lessen. But remembering earlier's event.

She slapped Ye Shie hard on the cheeks, *SLAP*

Then she stood up and walked away, while furiously saying "YOU STUPID YE SHIE! GO TOUR WITH YOURSELF TOMORROW! STUPID IDIOT!!"

Feeling the stinging pain in his right cheek, and after Xiao Rou left, Ye Shie lied down on the cottage again. He covered his forehead with his forearm then he "Tsk!"

Then he murmured "Very Stupid Shie... Very Stupid."

Under the Starry Sky, where the Moon shines brightly.

A 10 year old boy, laying in a cottage, in the City Lords Courtyard, who was feeling ashamed and regretful of himself.

---

In a mountain range, 1000 kilometers, south of Xiao City.

Inside the mountain cave, a hunched black robed elderly can be seen.

The elderly stood up, and seeing the Bright Moon and the beautiful Starry Sky he sighed.

"Hua, I'm sorry, I failed" He looked at his body, feeling it's injuries and said in dismay "Elder Brother doesn't have much time left." then he looked at the direction of Xiao City, and began walking towards it, "I needed someone to return and inherit our Clan's techniques."