Waiting for Action I

-What exactly happened here...?- as I was taking a basket of clothes to wash them by the well, I hear the voice of my Master and turn around

-Welcome Master.

Uhm That... My brother came to visit the other day and... Family things I suppose-

-Was that intentional?-

-No- I sigh approaching -I was just a bit angry, but it wasn't planned nor entirely controlled...-

-I suppose there hasn't been any improvements regarding this matter then...-

-I'm sorry Master, I'll try harder...-

Our training begins aw always... And end as always.

-My conclusion is that whenever you get angry, or determined to do something, the earth around you reacts...

Now it's all about learning to control that- he states with closed eyes as always

-If you were able to make those feelings a part of you and have proper control over those... You would probably find the key to controlling your powers-

-But even if I did... I can never achieve much, not to talk about how useless this is...

Once I reach one certain point, I can't go over that while cultivating and the few times more happens it's never something good-

-She lacks determination...- says XianLen swinging his arms down the handrail of the terrace, with only his chin to keep him from falling off

-When did he come...?- asks the Master confused

-I believe the silence he lacks in the mouth went all to his feets- I shrug my shoulders

-One more time- he orders

...

-Before you go, Master... I have one more thing to ask- I stop him in his track

-Go ahead- he nods, crossing his arms behind his figure

-The other day... As always I heard those sounds while cultivating, but there was more to it. I heard people talking this time-

-And what did they said?-

-Something like... "We are fewer than them" or "We are loosing ground" and so...

It was indeed military talking and it felt so real at first... As if those peoples, whoever they are, were talking to me or with me.

But after I started loosing my focus I heard just a few mumbled words in the distance...-

-It feels as if the battlefield is calling for you...-

-Could it be real?-

-I'm not sure if that is the truth or just my imagination... But this indeed has a meaning. We should be able find out more if you hear it again in the next days...- he caress his beard turning around

-Oh one more thing...!-

-Yes?-

-I heard a voice at night... It shocked my entire being.

But the truth is that I have no idea who's voice that was... Nor where it came from-

-This is interesting...-

-What could be meaning Master?-

-Many things my dear... Many things... But with a one-time-only event, we cannot determinate it... I will be back in 5 days... Try to remember anything that happens-

-I will for sure, thank you so much- I bend down seeing him off

-Any news from your brother?- ask XianLen, now behind me, munching on a stick of dry squid

-It's yet too soon... We shall give him more time... it's not like he can get assigned to his quarters everyday-

-Days... Will it really be just a few days that we need to wait?- he asks looking at the closed doors

-Most probably... He's as good as me in sneaking into places, don't worry... We will have positive news soon-

The plan for the moment is not too articulated... It may have to change if more factors comes up but basically we need my brother, who works inside the Palace, to memorize the guards routes inside the Crown Prince residence and map them out for us with a some kind of guide line of the house...

We don't have much to base our theory on, but all that matters now is to find any letter or paper with evidence,

Along the one with the location of their new meeting point and sneak the Emperor into that place in some kind of way.

It is surely a plan full of holes, based on speculations and no real proof... But something about that man is not right, so anything involving him needs investigation...

...

As the night falls I get ready to sneak out... It's been a while since I went to meet my friend Youya and tonight it looks like a good day to.

I pass over XianLen room and It happens to be slightly open... He's seating by the window, petting his fox who yelp sadly tryin to cuddle him, he's crying...

Big teardrops falls onto his cheek as he hugs the fox close

-I'm sorry... I'm so sorry Wan... I know... It's been many years now but... Whenever a moonless night happens, I... I can't bring myself to forget... I'm so sorry...-

It is quite an heartbreaking sight

A Prince crying alone with only a fox to share with him whatever pains he's holding in...

Has it been like that ever since? No friends, nor family beside him... It must hurt.

He keeps getting shaken by hiccups as he dig his fingers in the soft fur...

-Will this pain ever disappear...?!- the fox lowers his ears, before snuggling his little head over the owner's neck

The Prince's rosy lips parted as he search for air...

It's too sad to watch

I leave the house in the darkness walking down the empty streets to reach the brothel, the lights are all turned off already

-Maybe I was too late...- I sigh turning around as a figure dressed in Jade colours comes in front of me

-So you haven't forgot a friend uh?-

-Youya?-

-Indeed! Oh girl I so missed you...- she comes to hug me tight... Very tight! She's surely been hiding quite a lot of strength since I cannot free myself as she take my head on her shoulder

-Youya is everything alright? It's been just a couple of weeks...-

-Mmhn...- she nods with closed eyes still not letting me go -I just love having a friend all for myself... Sorry if I'm overreacting.

Just a few more seconds, I need a hug after these tiring days...-

-Uhm... Sure...-

...

-How have you been doing?- she ask happily

-Ah... It's been weird in the last few days- I sigh

-What about that dance you told me? You barely came here since you got casted-

-Oh yeah... It did tire me out but I had a good partner, Uhm... Teacher...

He took good care of me, even if I pushed myself a bit too much and fainted a few days before the performance- I chuckle

-Was he hot?- she giggles

-Uhm yeah, he was really beautiful-

-Oh...!- she covers her mouth -You said that for real? I never heard such a thing from you... Not even about that old friend of yours- then she relaxes

-Well except for your Nemesis... You seem to have noticed his appearance a bit more than usual... So who's better now uh?-

-What?-

-Dong dude or this dancer- and her happy face is back

-As for personality, definitely the dancer-

-Come on... Tell me what I want to hear!-

-Ah fine... The dancer, he has a name tho... It's Linghe-

-Anything relevant happened?- she elbows me winking

-If I wasn't sure of that, it almost looks like you were there due to the insistence uh...-

-Voices reach us too, you know, It caused quite the scandal between the Nobles... A kiss in front of everyone uh? So I suppose he was more than just beautiful-

-That one was just a fake kiss, he came up with it on the spot-

-Wait... There was more?!-

-Ehm... Well...- I look away

-You little! I leave you alone two weeks and you already got a man falling at your feet!

Well how to blame him tho...- she pouts caressing a lock of my hair

-But... He had to go away for work-

-Oh that's unfortunate my child... Will he be back?- I shake my head

-So...?-

-So nothing... It's not like I'm depressed or anything don't worry.

I did enjoy talking with him and could consider him a dear friend but so is life, you cannot afford to lose time or focus over peoples who are walking their own paths-

-Is this really how you feel?- she asks worried, placing and hand over mine -You should be more honest...-

-What do you mean?-

-Wouldn't you be sad if your friend Hua was to leave you? Or your brother? Even your parents, if something unfortunate was to happen...

Would you really not feel sadness or remorse?-

-I don't mean that I don't feel nothing... It will pass, with time...-

-Then what about Chao?-

-He... Him-

-No don't say it's for a promise- she waves her hand, pushing away my words -It was your first real friend you said... That's the reason, you cared for him and that's a fact-