Snow cave (IV)

Di Jun finally got into the cave house. Everything is in place as per his arrangement. He walks towards the man who is asleep. He squint his eyes and stare at the face. Messy beard, long messy hair. thick eyebrows. A deep set of eyes, Long straight nose. In human years, he should be in his twenty.

Di Jun look through the wounds that the young man have. They are not slashes from swords nor knives. It's animals claws that causes the deep wounds. He smell the wounds, it have a faint familiar smell that he had encounter, a burnt of flesh and combine with a scent of roses. Using his magic, he made some herbs appear on the desk. He turn around and look at Hu Li. He smile. "You did a good job. He is healing properly."

Her eyes light up to hear a praise from him. He walk near Hu Li and look at the stranger. "Those herbs boil it for him. He will heal faster. After that return him to where you found him. He needs to return where he belongs to. Wipe clean his memory if possible. Don't let him remember you." 

"Why do i have to do that?"

"We are different from mankind. It is best that they remain hidden under their nose. Remember when we are walking in the human world, those humans are afraid of us. We are stronger than them so many times. In the end, we hurt each other. What the celestial and mystical beasts have built so many years was a harmony between us and humans."

He look at Hu Li and notice her golden eyes. He look back to the stranger on the bed. Di Jun wonder why isn't he afraid of her. Those golden eyes are glowing with shine and sparkles. Yet that stranger is allowing her to heal him.

"When can i go back with you? Today?"

"No not yet. The council is still afraid Hei Shi Ren will go back up to look for you. He had once destroy the sky. It took thousand of years to rebuilt. So until we can find a way to hold him down, you have to stay here. At least he can't smell your scent nor see where you are." 

"For how long..." 

"Infinity. I will come here once in a while." He look around the cave house and find the stranger's garments. Using magic, he patch it up. 

"Let him wear it when he leaves. Remember to leave him where you found him."

"When?"

Di Jun look at the wolf siting at the corner. He point to it. "He will know when" The wolf stare at Di Jun with its blue set of eyes and lay down its head on its paws. 

"Di Jun, you said that you will leave me in a place where animals and humans won't appear but look! I have animals of all kinds and now a human... This place is not safe. I think it's best i go with you." 

"I already told you. No, not now. Meanwhile those books read them and learn some spells. Learn to disguise yourself. Learn everything, before you return to the sky." 

Disappointed she sits on a chair. He pour the tea into two cups and notice her bare feet. Her long black nails are beautiful grown like a human who had dye their nails. Again using magic, he a pair of long boots and socks appear on the floor.

"I asked the fairies to find a new boots for you. Come let me wear them for you."

He sit down on the floor and help himself on the socks. Lifting her leg, he gently slip it up to her knees. He looks up and see Hu Li staring at him. Next he pick up a black long boots with a crane embroidery design on the side. He slowly pull it up and cover over her bare legs. He did the same thing over the other legs. Hu Li jump out of the chair and walk around. She laugh and smile. When Di Jun gets up, she rush up to him and hug him tightly.

"I take it that you like it."

"Yes i do! it's my favourite boots now!"

"So don't go around bare foot again. You have to wear them."

She nod her head. They look at each other for awhile. He feel the sparkles entering his eye. An enchant spell he can't break free. 

Sheng Qin hears the ending part of their conversation. He is surprise to see another human being knowing that she is living here. He had a peek outside the cave house that there is no road nor path to show the way to the cave house. The sky and the snow on ground blend so well that can't tell where is the beginning and ending. He hear them talk about daily life chores. He noted the man seems to have an authority over his saviour. He smell the scent in the air, a mix of both of them. The arrival of this man, his masculine scent fills the cave house. Sheng Qin feels a strange feeling of uneasyness over him. As if danger is surrounding him. 

Di Jun notice the breath taken by the wounded man have change. He must be awaken and pretending to be asleep. He hold Hu Li's hand and lead her out of the cave. "Remember what i said. Be a good girl and wait for me. I have put in more books for you. I will come when the waxing moon is up." Di Jun pat her head and smooth down her hair. "Learn the magic spells by heart."

"I will. I will be a good girl." Hu Li's lip tremble as she say her good byes to Di Jun. She hug him tightly and hear that heart beat she grows to love. 

"Remember to return him where you found him. You cannot stay too long with him." She nod her head. DI Jun pat her gently. They continue to walk and holding each other's hand. Out in the open, the wind begins to howl and Di Jun smile to Hu Li. Eventually he blend with the wind into one. Hu Li watch him fly away with the wind. Her tears that drip upwards flow slowly into the sky to the cosmic milky. Joining those crystal that blink in the dark vast space.