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Chapter Text

Prizzy's POV

Chapter Text

Ye Hua's POV

Like a rabbit caught by the ears, her heart was racing rapidly. She smelled filthy of sweat and damp, dark earth, like a marshland of the demon realm. But there, nearly covered, a heated creamy bloom was at the base of her scent and swirled in my head.

She laid in my arms for a moment before slowly stirring. I glanced at Mo Yuan but his eyes were locked on the girl. I looked upon her as she opened her eyes and pools of pale honey and saffron looked back at me.

A demon....

No, she can't be. I sense nothing demonic about her. She is merely a weak mortal. Simply falling out of this tree has nearly incapacitated her. However, how did she get inside of it...

and why ... why then does she have such strange features...

Was she of the Ghostland?

The girl's expression was ghastly, terrified and angered as our eyes connected. She was frozen in place and no words left her lips. She crossed into Mt. Kunlun's void but gives no redress or honorifics once she saw me.

How dare she look at me so.

Movement under her cloak honed my senses.

Steel.. I sense only ordinary steel. Steel that has no aura of magic. We shall see now why she comes to the Dragon's Bone. We shall se what she brings to the God of War's mountain in disguise.

Her blue cloak lifted, and a dagger of no significance was shakingly sent at me.

Any moment now I will see her true self. She will reveal what she truly is as she attacks.

I welcomed her blade as it gnashed in my neck. The pain was nothing to me. I kept her eyes in mine, looking for any hidden traces of this assassin.

Nothing... Nothing is there.

I swallowed back blood as she let go of the blade, leaving it in my neck. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked over my face.

This lowly mortal...

She went limp in my arms as Mo Yuan took away her consciousness. I looked to him as he looked to her. He reached to the twine around her neck, where small intricate bells hung. He didn't seem to be vexed by her.

His only brother of two-hundred thousand years has been stabbed by this wretch, but he looks upon her with soft eyes.

"Ye Hua, I will take the girl into the far east-wing cave chambers. Retreat into seclusion for three moons to heal from your actions. I will summon you if there is need."

He lifted the girl from me and was gone. As I coughed up blood, I pulled the blade from my neck and sent energy to the wound with my other palm, holding the flesh closed. I faded into the wind, fast traveling, to my seclusion quarters to meditate and heal.

I lit incense and closed my eyes. All I could think about was the girl; her scent, and the fear that paced her heart so. I opened my eyes and looked down on the ground where I laid her blade. It was made of ordinary steel but had the intent of looking feminine. The points of the hilt were plume shaped like wisps of feathers. It looked as though it were made by a mortal hand.

I tasted no poisons and sensed no enchantments on it. As I turned the blade over, an unknown written language was on the hilt. The writing swirled and curled in its styling. Next to the writing was the small carving of a flower that adorned it.

As I sat still and ran my finger over the top of the flower, I couldn't help but smell the girl on my clothing where her head laid. A sweet, creamy, heady floral that sent chills over my skin. This only infuriated me further. I stood and removed my robe, tossing it to the corner of the cave. I coughed out more blood from my airway and quickly created a hand formation to calm my body and strengthen my chi. I felt my mind slowly slip into the heavy flow of all living matter, as the picture in my mind of the honey orbs of the fallen girl followed me closely behind.

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Mo Yuan's POV

Peach essence clung to her lips and fingers. Wherever she came from, she was involved with our great blossom tree... but how?

The girl has suffered immensely in the world that she came from. Placing her hand in mine, her palms were shredded and calloused. Her legs were badly bruised and cut. Her lips were split from lack of water and her clothes are ripped and sodden. Trails of dried tears and dirt stained her face, but even so, I could not look away.

I have never seen features as her's before.

Her hair was the color of rich hinoki wood with wisps of deep copper that swirled about. It was wild and curled in all directions. Her thick brows were wiry and full. Her eyes, under a heavy lash; large and round, were the color of pale amber gems.

Is this her magic?

I looked over her small satchel of peculiar items, but nothing tells where the girl is from or why she is here. Her clothes are strange but peasant-like and ordinary. She had no aura of wrongdoing when she attacked Ye Hua. Like a rabbit cornered, she seemed like she was afraid of him harming her first.

I am glad he did not kill her, for this strange feeling in my chest to be near her would have been replaced with sorrow.

I brushed a single finger over her cheek. She felt feverish. I placed a loc of her curls between my grasp but it sprung back, jumping from my palm like it were alive. Her hair was soft and smelled of night blooming flowers and damp moss. Her lips, heavy with peach dew, were heart shaped and mauve in color. She was the most beautiful creature I had seen in over two-hundred thousand years in this life.

Surely, Ye Hua will want to interrogate her, but I believe he will find nothing. The great blossom tree would not forsake us.

I shall advise him to keep the heavenly palace out of this quandary.

I truly believe this fallen girl is.... lost.

Chapter Text

Prizzy's POV

My curls blew about on a warm gentle breeze and tickled my face. When I opened my eyes, I was in a quaint room that was carved into the side of a mountain. Bright golden sunlight shined in on carved stairs that led through a large round opening of stone. My heavy eyes closed as I slipped back into the bliss of sleep.

Suddenly my heart began to race as flashes of my journey played out in my mind.  My eyes snapped open as I sat up hastily. Sweat began to pool on my brow and confusion shook my head back and forth as my breathing quickened.

Where am I... How did I....

The pain in my head forced my hand to caress it. As I tried to calm myself a lash of sapphire blue caught my eye. It was my patchwork cloak, and leather belt laying on a low table across from me. Next to the cloak was a wooden pitcher and set of tiny bowls. A dryness in my throat forced me to gulp and reach down instinctively to my neck. My body hurt something terrible, and my head spun. I needed water badly, but I couldn't help but feel apprehensive.

This was not a cell, and nor was I shackled.   I must not be in the hands of those that hunted me because.... I am still alive.

On shaking legs I walked over to the setting and lifted the pitcher to my nose. It smelled cleaner than any water I was used to, and no other scent was present. I poured some in a cup, took a deep breath, closed my eyes and swallowed it in one go. 

Oh...

The water tasted so pure and ever-so sweet. I poured another and another. I drank so fast that I had so catch my breath in between cups. I set the cup down, looking then to the mound of nearly unrecognizable fabric that laid on the table next to me. I ran my hand over my patchwork cloak and belt. It was completely cleaned of the layers upon layers of filth that covered it before. My hair ribbon had been washed as well and even my foraging belt was polished and mended. I reached to my chest, searching for the familiar curio from my Papa that I carried with me always.

No.... It. It is... It is gone!

I stood frantically and searched the bed thoroughly, lifting the pillows and shaking the quilt, but it was not there. I spun around and rushed over to a wooden vanity near the bed. It had delicate linens and a basin of water. Just above the vanity was a small wooden shelf that held a lit candle on an iron cast. Next to the candle, on a thin twine, laid the precious site of two carved bells. Relief washed over me as I quickly nabbed them and brought them to my lips then strung them around my neck.

I washed my face and neck in the cool water of the large basin then took a seat on the bed. I tried to remember how I ended up in this room and who led me to it.

I was in the fog...  I was in it forever, and then.... nothing.

I sat for a while in one attitude, shaking my foot and biting at my lip. I had no memory of leaving the fog at all. I stood up with a guff, tied my hair back, and slipped on my boots. I grabbed my cloak then foraging belt and laced it well.

If I have lost my memory, I'm going to go find it.

I walked up the steps and met the mouth of the cave that looked into an enormous, lush, cove that I also had no memory of. It was the most shades of green that I had ever seen. As I stepped about, I saw no other room dwellings carved into the mountain. It was desolate and only the whistling songs of birds and the flow of water made a sound. Looking around more a faint path snaked into the dense green earth. I found my feet and quickly followed it around the  mountain's contour.

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Pale-purple flower shrubs began to hug the trail as I neared a heavier sound of rushing water. The ground around the trail widened and the rolling mountain's view opened up. The smell of water on hot stones filled the air as the sun climbed higher and sweat began to cover my skin.  A peek of pale blue peered through trees in the distance as my feet hurried towards it.

Buzzing bugs and flocks of birds darted through the air around me. A breathless gasp escaped my lips and I stood awestruck of the sight. A pool of shimmering crystal rushed through the mountains' gorge as sparkles of sunlight speckled its surface.  I felt the corners of my cheeks pull a huge smile across my face and I pushed the foliage aside and made my way to the little river's bank.

 I undressed down to my underthings and hung my cloak, bodice, trousers, ribbon and belt on a branch. The bank was scattered with silver stones that speckled all the way down to the bed of the river. I stepped in up to my bottom as the cool water soothed where I ached. I held my breath and dove in. I twirled about under as bubbles fluttered to the surface above me. Taking a breath, I dove in again, reaching for a large stone resting at the bottom. I perched on a large boulder and scrubbed my legs and arms with the stone, ridding myself of all the dirt and dried blood. I plucked dozens of flower petals from around the waterhole and grinded them into paste to wash my hair and coat my underarms.

I dried on the riverbank for quite a while with my cloak shoved under my head and watched the billowing clouds roll on the wind. I grabbed a thick stick from the ground and brushed over the puffs like I were painting on my canvas back home.

Where I lived, the sky was always dark and hazed in grey. The shape of clouds never formed.  The world that Papa showed me in all his art books were full of color and beauty. The world from long before I was born, before the ordinary and poorest of folk were pushed towards the rubbish lands near the devouring fog.

I sighed.

One day, even the richest of folk will be consumed by it.

Oh, Papa, if only you were here with me.... If only you could be a part of this world of color.

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As the golden hour arrived cool breezes carried a smokey sweet scent that sent chills over my skin and made my mouth water. It was a heavy musk of floral but also a warmed-sweet smell like a freshly baked pie. My body shot upright into sitting as flashes of an enormous tree with star blushed petals flooded my mind.

"That smell... The velvet fruit... The t-tree...." I gasped. "I remember! ...And-"

The heavy musk on the wind grew stronger as a feeling of closeness made me shiver. I stood and spun on my heels as movement approached from the woodland. I raised my hand over my brow. The golden hour filled my eyes as I tried to see through its rays.

I froze in place as the outline of a man stopped along the bank's line. He was dressed in layered long robes. His hair was pulled taught into a high knot on his head, and it had a bit of iron struck through it.  He held one arm at his side and the other in a pleasant manner in front of him. His shoulders were wide, and his frame looked powerful and tall, but I could not see his face.

More flashes flooded my vision and wavered my footing. The scent memory shook my breath and opened the heavy veil to my consciousness. An action of striking my blade into a man's throat came rushing forward as realization showed on my face. I felt my throat swell with fear as I tried to swallow but couldn't. As he closed more space between us his features became clearer and the look on the man's face turned worrisome. He made a gesture towards me with both hands,

"I am not here to harm you."

I began to sidestep blindly into a shaded corner of the riverbank, backing away from him, stumbling barefooted into a rough, hard surface of what felt like a tree.

"S-Stay away from me," I croaked out.

The man stopped in place as he came into view fully. He stared at me intensely when I spoke, tracing my face with his eyes before an expression in his brow softened. The eyes that held mine were deep and dark with a touch of russet in their depths. His hands opened pleadingly, he began to speak again; his velvet voice was steady and courteous.

"Please, do not fear me Xiaojie. I only wish to know why you have come here- why you have come to Mt. Kunlun and how you have travelled through The Great Blossom Tree."

The tree...

Everything, all of it, all at once became clear.

I fell from the tree, from the same tree surrounded by the devouring fog. Was he not sent after me? If he was, then how am I in this land of full color and why does he not kill me now? Why does he have such features unlike anyone I had ever seen. And why.. why does he look at me this way....

I fell from the tree....

No.... I-I.. fell into the tree. Like it were a swinging barn door I leaned against. But... how is that possible....

His breath halted and everything went quiet all around us.

"I... I could never harm you... Look to me, to my eyes. You will find no falseness in them. Let me help you."

He took one slow step, then another, towards me before stopping. His towering frame slightly leaned over as he reached his hand outward to me. His eyes were endearing and patient as he watched me watch him. I took a slow step forward out of the shadows.

My arms and hands were cupped and curled together against my chest with unease.  Moving one hand forward my shivering fingers reached out and brushed against his fingertips apprehensively before finally resting the curve of my palm onto his. His hand was large, firm and sweltering hot. He waited a moment before he enclosed it over mine, moving nearer to me.

A strange vim washed over the core of my body and rippled over my skin as we touched. A warm sensation rushed through my veins and drummed my heart. The fear that hung heavy like shackles floated away and with bated breaths a half whisper left my lips.

"D-do you feel this, too?"

A light smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. His sharp, crescent eyes poured into mine with affection without end. I saw no wickedness in them. I only saw him in the light. The light of all lights at the end of the fog. The floral haven that saved me covered him in its essence.

I can trust him.

Chapter Text

A/N *** Xiao Jie (Shao Jay) = Miss, Young woman***

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Mo Yuan's POV

Hesitantly, she stepped out of the shadows, meeting my hand. Her chilled fingers were trembling as I closed mine over hers. I followed every part of her gaze as I passed my spirit's ardor to her, showing her, without words, the trueness in my intent. Her face was a whirlwind of emotion as she felt me flood her feelings. The thrum of her heart eased, and a calmness settled inside her altogether.

As she looked at me light cascaded through her eyes, illuminating the saffron burst at the center of them. Her windswept hair and beauty were striking. The tops of her cheeks were rosed over from the sun, and her eyes, wet with tears, were like pale gems from the depths of the mountain's grotto.

"D-Do you feel this too...?" she whispered.

I answered with a smile as I watched her.

How am I so taken by this mortal girl ...Just one glace at her, now that she has awakened, has ensnared me. I have lost my repose. I did not even look away after seeing her so indecent under the sunlight. The shape of her body is nearly fully exposed; the odd items she wears are less than what men wear into the hot spring waters.

I knelt down, grabbed her cloak, and draped it around her - quickly.

I must not forget myself. Even if I believe she is harmless, she still must be taken to the temple and questioned. As the God Of War, I must demand this of her. I sent Ye Hua away from the mountain on a mundane chase, after his seclusion, to give the girl a chance. When he returns, he will surely want answers from her, his way. I cannot stop him in this situation. I can only get them first. I will not let my feelings faulter my duty.

*gurgle-goik-gurgle*

Her eyes widened and her face flushed as one of her hands dropped to cover her stomach.

"You have been asleep for many moons; you must be very hungered. You will follow me to the top of the mountain to my dwellings. Dress yourself quickly"

The girl nodded, smiled softly and gathered her belongings quickly as I turned away from her.

"Do we have far to walk, Sir?" She chirped.

Sir?

"We will not be walking," I said as I turned back towards her. "Place your hand in mine and we shall travel on the wind."

"On...the wind?" her voice was uncertain.

I nodded and outstretched my hand to her once again as a quizzical twist in her wiry brow appeared. She placed her palm in mine and I brought her nearer.

"Close your eyes," I told her as she looked to me with wariness. "Trust me."

Her gentle eyes closed slowly as her hands cupped together over her chest like a child.

How can someone so innocent pierce a blade through a man's throat to the other side as she did...

Resting my hand on the small of her back, I brought her nearer. Hastily a nimbus swept around our forms as we vanished to the top of Mt. Kunlun.

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Prizzy's POV

I felt wooden floorboards beneath my feet and my eyes slowly opened; I saw sparks like floating lights in my eyes, and my head spun. I gripped the fabric that I was pressed against so I wouldn't fall, till my vision cleared.

Slowly, I saw a decked timbered room. The entrance was an entire open wall overlooking a wild, sensuous forest garden. Golden hour was nearly over yet and as the breeze blew in, a honeyed musk aroma with touches of moss filled the room.

How in the spirits did we get here from the river?

I heard a throaty sound, and I rolled my head up in the direction of the man's eyes who I clung to. I quickly let go of my iron grip I had on his clothing and stepped back.

"Please, sit," he gestured to the deck where cushions circled the little woodland table that had an iron basin built into the center where coals heated. Just above the coals was a cast iron hanging kettle on a hook. I quickly lowered to a cushion on my knees and removed my cloak setting it beside me. My hair felt full of air, in fluffy, windswept locks all around my face. The man across never took his eyes off me. 

"W-Where are we now? How did we travel here" I half whispered.

"We are at The Osmanthus Apothecary Hall of Kunlun Mountain. This is where you will be staying for now. We travelled here on a wind-wisp of magic."

"Magic...such a thing truly exists? I've never seen a true wizard before. Only in plays at the fairs"

For a split second a movement in the corner of the man's cheek appeared but vanished just as fast.

Just then, someone walked in from a wide doorway carrying a large tray and a rounded, wooden, tower-like box that was on a strap over his shoulder. He was a small boy with a pixie-like cute face with big almond shaped eyes. His hair was also pulled to the top of his head in a knot with a white sash tied around it. He wore a white robe, pulled tight around his waist with white boots. He set the tray and wooden box on the floor and bowed to the man across from me.

"Shifu," he said. While still bowing.

His cute face turned over toward me from under his arm and a large toothy smile pulled across his face. He sat up fast and spun on his knees with eagerness.

"Xiao Jie, I'm glad you are well now. How did you get inside that tree? Is your belt to your liking? I mended it with a thread from demon's hair and dipped it in oil from glowing moonflowers. I think it will last five-thousand years at least. What is your name? Are you friends with the great blossom tree? How did you get it to bear fruit? Did you really try to kill Shifu!?"

"Seventeenth," The man said, as my eyes flickered to him.

"Yes, Shifu," the boy hurriedly huffed.

The boy quickly set plates, purple flowers, sticks, steamed items from round drawers in the wooden box he carried and drinking bowls all over the table and dramatically bowed to the man again.

"Many sorries, Shifu, many indeed...I was just.. er...excited to see this Xiao Jie awake at last," he chirped.

"That is alright, Seventeenth, just be mindful of how many questions you ask at once."

So, he is the one who tended to my belt and cloak. I can tell he is a purehearted and sweet boy and really is dedicated to this man. He is probably younger than me and with quite a serious job. I wonder what he meant about being friends with the tree,"

My eyes wandered to the man again.

The dagger.... this boy knows what I did... The man does not seem to have wrappings on his neck even though I remember striking him with all my courage. Maybe, somehow, he has fully healed, or maybe my aim was lower beneath his collar. I guess.... I won't speak of it until he does. He may have a change of heart and kill me here tonight.

"Th-Thank you, young one, for your masterful workings on my things. I am very much grateful to you."

I reached out and touched the boy's arm and his cheeks flushed as he nodded. He quicky stood, backed away, bowed once again to the man, and disappeared into the room behind the doorway.

"What was that boy's name, Sir? I heard you called him Seventeenth?"

"He is called Si Yin, the seventeenth disciple of Kunlun Mountain's temple."

A disciple...

"Hm," I nodded. "Oh, what a post for someone so young."

The man began to pour tea into our small drinking bowls. The tea smelled of the same flower aroma that surrounded us and was golden in color.

"Thank you," I whispered as my shaking hands brought the small bowl to my lips.

"What is your given name?" he asked.

"I am Prizzy, Sir. Prizzy Bellwyle."

I could see in his brow that my names were odd to his ears.

"Hm," he nodded. "Prizzy, please drink and eat your fill as we speak. This Osmanthus tea will help heal your body"

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The food was delicious and filling. There were some things I knew, like mushrooms, and rice, but with new flavors, textures and preparations. There were many items that I did not recognize that were intricately folded, shaped, and served with smooth wooden sticks to bring to the mouth. One that was most delightful was a soft, cloud-like, round puff of dough that twirled at the top and held savory sweet meat inside.

I glanced at the man who was drinking tea and looking to me as I gobbled.

"Sir, is your name, Shifu?"

"That is how my student disciples address me. My given name is Mo Yuan. You may call me High God, Mo Yuan,"

High God... Mo Yuan

"Y-Y-You..are god?" I huffed out.

He looked me right in the eye and nodded.

Mo Yuan....A god....

My eyes widened then in realization.

That is how we travelled on the wind!

"That feeling....when I touched your hand down by the river--what I felt inside...that was....your god power?"

His eyes trailed ever-so slightly away from me before he spoke.

"It was spirit magic.. not of the gods," he spoke low "It was of my own feelings, within. When I touched you...I let you feel what I feel," he looked at me directly again. "I did not want you to think I would hurt you. I wanted you to know my..."he stilled for a moment. "My devotion... to help you."

That is what he felt, inside....he is devoted.. to me? His touch, it was like my body had been caressed with pure starlight that brushed over every part of my body and heated my senses. He felt like that, for me?

My heart thundered. I know we only met but for some reason unknown, I believe him. I believe he wants to protect me.

I nodded shyly and slow and plopped another flower shaped item in my mouth as I felt my cheeks flame and my eyes wander about the room as my heart thrum raced more.

"Y-you...felt....your devotion felt... warm...." I whispered as sudden silence covered the room and not even the wind made a sound. I could not look up. What was this fluttering in my belly? What was this pulse between my legs that was consuming me every breath?

"Prizzy,"

My eyes snapped forward to him. His dark eyes were like sunlight on deep water.

"Why do you come here... Why did you come to the realm of immortals?"

My throat gulped down the sudden knot.

Yes, he would be an immortal. I am in a different realm, and for reasons I do not understand it seems that I am not allowed to be, even if I did not run him through with my blade.

The coals of the table's basin seemed to crackle louder suddenly. His eyes, they demanded an answer. Would he believe me? Would he believe that even though I am happy that I am here, that I did not mean to be? That I, did not mean to do harm?

I looked to his eyes, unwavering. Papa said you could tell if someone is false by their eyes, and I did not want to be labeled as such. I have never been much, but I did not want to be anything less than what I am now.

"I was fleeing death...." I breathed out sorrowfully. " I journeyed through devouring, bewitching fog, for longer than I know. I found the tree that guided me out of torment."

I felt the prickling water fill my eyes as I tried to keep them on him.

"The tree freed me in every way a person could be freed. The tree you smell of, High God... When I climbed it to eat its fruit, it opened up, casting me through it. I-I did not mean to trespass... I did not wish to do harm, High God. I swear this."

I raised to my knees and bowed to him as the boy Si Yin did before.

"Please, please... Do not send me back to the fog! Please, if you could only spare a thread of time to show that I am true. Or if you would lead me away from here, I would go and never return. Just please..please do not send me back."

Tears dropped from my eyes onto the tops of my hands where I bowed, and my body trembled like a leaf. I felt a warm sensation on my arms that pulled me upright against the smooth brocade of fabric. The back of Mo Yuan's fingers brushed over the cheek where the tears fell and the palm of his other gently held me under the curve of my elbow, closely. The tenderness in his eyes poured into mine like down by the crystal waters, once more. His voice, steady and velvet, spoke,

"Some of my wisest disciples say that you are a wild pollen nymph, friend of The Great Blossom Tree, in a mortal guise. That you sprouted out from it after thousands of years to help its fruit finally grow."

The pad of his thumb traced my jaw catching another teardrop before releasing me altogether and turning away slightly.

"My brother who is away from Kunlun, a fellow God here, and other wise disciples, think that you could be a puppet of a foe. A great enough foe to trick the great tree and send someone or something so unlikely, so feeble in our eyes, to pervade here. To try to break the dragon's bone of the mountain... As my devoted disciples, I cannot turn their thoughts to the wind."

"N-No... No, I swear to you, I am not what they think I am! I-I am not a nymph... I am no sleuth!"

I felt my fists tighten at my sides as I tried to breathe through the twinge in my chest.

He turned back to me, closing the distance between us. He slowly reached out, touching the bells around my neck, looking to them.

"I felt inside my heart, from the moment I saw you, that you are good, Prizzy. That you were only a lost, fallen girl with hopes of sanctuary in your eyes"

His hand reached out again to touch me, but he hesitated, curling his fingers back into a palm and placed it behind his back. His eyes were different from before. Like he was trying to close off showing me what he felt.

He is trying to hide from me now.

He stepped to the large opening, overlooking the garden and inhaled long and slow.

"I will not attempt to send you back to where you came from. You...are... free to go..."

His gaze was side faced, but I could see a pang of forlornness at this distance.

"Though, you must understand that the vast lands of the immortal realm are home to beasts and demons, and darkness alike. Even through the void, to the mortal world, they will not welcome the unknown steadily. You must attain knowledge and pursue familiarity. I will allow you to remain here to procure these... if you wish it."

His head turned ever-so-much in my direction for an answer. Even though he did his best to hide it, I could tell that he wanted me to stay. To stay here on Mt. Kunlun, safe, with him.

I nodded in agreeance.

"Thank you for sparing my life.... for believing me...for keeping me.

"He turned his face more towards me after I said that, and his brows lifted in the center in a sweet way and his throat swallowed hard.

"I will do as you say, High God Mo Yuan," I lowered to my knees, and bowed with my brow to the ground.

"Very well. You may rise" he said as he nodded. "The Apothecary Hall will be your dwellings; it is detached from the temple just down the stone path from it. There are sufficient items inside for your use. Follow the hall past the herb drying room and you will find your sleeping quarters. You must go to the temple every morning to be tasked and learned, but you must only ever sleep here. Si Yin will advise you further."

He stepped down the wide planked stairs and walked down the garden's path, disappearing into the twilight.

A misted night breeze blew in and cooled my brow. I was not to be killed this night. I was not to be jailed until fully investigated either. I would become a student under him and learn the ways of a new life, one step at a time, on Kunlun Mountain....

Chapter Text

Prizzy's POV

Lovebirds sang-in the morning as the heavy smell of drying herbs and sweet osmanthus filled the air of the room I was given inside of the apothecary. I stretched long, flung the heavy quilt to the side and quickly made my way to the window where sherbet skies shined through and painted the walls. A heavy blissful sigh left my lips. I knew today would be a beautiful one; I knew I would get to see him again.

An ivory heap of fabric laid next to pale leather boots on a wooden stool. I picked it up and held it near my frame. The fabric was a heavy woven cotton with a linen-brushed finish. The robe reached clear down to my ankles with slits up the sides. Also on the stool, pull-on loose trousers sat and a sash to cinch it well.

This must be the disciple attire that Si Yin wore.

I set it down and went about the dwelling finding all I needed to freshen up for the day. I brushed my fluffed hair and tied a bit back with a ribbon. I then finished dressing and set out to the entry room where the apothecary was messily filled. The entirety of all the bright open front rooms were filled with dried hanging herbs, flowers and other botanical collections. The aromas were both familiar and exotic to me. I took some time to arrange some of the spilling herbs and items that had fallen off shelves before heading out to the morning.

I slid open the entryway to the outside deck and saw a parchment laying on the woodland dining table I sat at last evening. A sketch of a winding line and other markers were drawn. they began from a drawing of a flower that must be where I am now. The line went all the way to a large building with a funny doodle of a filled bowl. An airy snort escaped as I looked at the adorable map that was left for me. I folded the paper carefully and placed it in my pocket.

I stopped for a moment after I reached the foot of the garden near the steps to watch the morning sun over the garden. Just beside me the familiar dew scent of the osmanthus tea I drank last night grew in heaps of flowers beside the path. The starburst flower was a lustrous powder amber with thick veined leaves. I leaned nearer towards the rich saccharine perfume that watered my mouth and plucked a few off placing them in the bust of my robe before heading down the path.

I arrived at the stone steps of the Kunlun Temple and crossed through the archway, entering the temple, as my nose picked up the smell of steam and the sound of chatter. Down the hall I entered a large doorless stone room with a high mountain ceiling. Ivory robes filled the seats of many wooden ground tables as well over a dozen sets of eyes that looked my way. The room went silent as a graveyard then. My hands and neck began to dampen and a slight ringing in my ears appeared. I took a deep breath and found enough air to whisper out a greeting.

"H-Hello..."

Light steps trotted my way as a familiar smile greeted me.

"Good morning! Come this way, I have a bowl beside mine that is waiting for you."

Si Yin took my hand and pulled me to his pale wooden table beside a tall window and planted me with both hands onto a cushion like a seed to soil. There was an empty green bowl in front of me and a small pot in the middle of the table. Si Yin had already filled his cheeks before I looked up at him. He gestured his spoon towards the little cauldron and gave me a short grunt.

I opened the lid and filled my bowl with a meaty porridge that had bits of herbs and green onion in it. It smelled divine and savory and looked very filling. It was rare that I had meat for breakfast; It was definitely hard to come by where I was from.

"This is a rice porridge called cognee," Si Yin pointed his spoon at the pot. "The maker added pork today and it is my most favorite. I have had three bowls since dawn."

I smiled and picked up my spoon but couldn't help but look around the room. Some bright eyes looked back at me which was nice but soon followed the sneers of many. I quickly turned back to my meal and thanked Si Yin for his kindness in leaving me the map that led me here and began to eat my fill.

"May I call you, Eighteenth? Or would you prefer Prizzy? You can call me either of my names that you like" Si Yin chirped from behind his raised bowl.

"Eigh-Eighteenth?....I stammered through a mouth of food. "Um, well, er..."

"Well, you aren't officially a disciple, you have not kowtowed your oaths to our Shifu's yet, but if Shifu says you're to be learned here, and if you are friends with the Great Blossom Tree, that seems to me like you are, hm?" Si Yin gave me a big toothy smile in agreeance to his own question.

"Well, I suppose you are right..but, maybe, maybe, I should ask High God Mo Yuan, firstly?" I half whispered.

"Yes, yes, okay, we will see Shifu later this day," he stretched and yawned as he continued to talk. "Thanks to you, Eighteenth, I do not have my classes today. Shifu said I will be showing you around. Afterwards, I will be acquainting you with keeping the apothecary in order, including the charts, herbs and plant care that are needed most often in rotation. 

Si Yin gulped the rest of his bowl and expelled a gust of breath.

"I will be working there?" I felt my eyes grow big.

 " Yes, Shifu said that you carried strange herbs with you and that you may be somewhat familiar with the process of botany for medicine making. Studying the labels, books, getting to know what different herbs do, how to tend and process them for filling orders will become easy in time. Once you are learned here in proper writing and language of the immortal realm's customs and plant species, it will be your main task. Well, aside from general upkeep of the temple ground, receiving orders from older disciples, and taking care of our Shifu's." 

I felt myself absentmindedly fill my cheeks with the cognee and I took in all Seventeenth said. I suddenly felt a strong sense of worthwhile fill me with its vigor. I gulped hard, looked him right in the eye and did a direct nod in agreeance.

A place for me

"Seventeenth. I will learn whatever is assigned to me and I will do my best at it! I will work hard and show your Shifu that I am worthy to be here."

I lifted my bowl and dumped the rest of my meal into my mouth and stood up fast as Si Yin mirrored me.

"Let's do our best!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Seventeenth walked me through the full range of the temple's grounds. There were about two dozen different buildings and open caves where tasks were being done, heavy meditation was being practiced, items like paper were being crafted, or a class was being taught.

Some guests arrived at a stone clearing that had tall stone statues with what looked like dragons carved into them. The visitors lit incense and gave bows towards the temple of the God of War. Every visitor was dressed in colorful flowing garments. The women had sculpted hair styles that sat at the top of their head and the men had long sleek black hair that trailed down their backs with the front of it knotted into a metal cuff like Mo Yuan's.

Many disciples were busy like bees to where I almost never saw them standing still. We were done at the Osmanthus Hall and Seventeenth began skipping and chatting on more about it as we walked the path.

"Eighteenth, this mountain has a furnace that runs off of Shifu's cultivation as well as that of my brother disciple's that work in that hall. Many immortals come to receive our precious cultivation pellets, so these herbs are very important to Kunlun."

"Hm, wow," I listened carefully, "Si Yin, you must know a lot of this work."

"Uh, er... well...No, You... will have another teacher, High Master, Su Moye," he began to fiddle with the sash ties shyly. "I am... not allowed to work the apothecary anymore... I got...in trouble...too many times." I looked at him with a quizzical brow as his cheeks grew red as cherries. "Well, ya see.... I may have pranked my brothers too many times with certain.... concoctions....which also... caused a lot of mishaps with other immortals receiving the pranks instead of medicine... Shifu banned me indefinitely."

I held my palm over my mouth to cover my chuckles. This boy was not only sweet but a trixie as well. I adored him immensely already and could tell we would become quick friends.

Seventeenth laughed out in reply:

"Eighteenth, do not laugh! I was beaten by Shifu Ye Hua, for three days because of that prank."

"?...Shifu Ye -"

While I was mid thought, Seventeenth smiled big and gave me a little playful bump with his shoulder to mine. Somehow, it sent me flying sideways, off the path, rolling like a runaway egg. Seventeenth, in some impossible way, was able to appear downhill in front of me and stop me completely, gathering me into his small arms.

"Ughuugg..." I was a little dizzied and had to wait a moment before I could speak. Si Yin set me down upright and began to shower me with apologies.

"Eighteenth, Eighteenth! I-I-I'm so sorry, Eighteenth! I am so much older and stronger than you, I should have known better than to play so roughly. I-I did not mean to hurt you and send you flying like rubbish. C-Can you forgive me!!?"

I stared at him, wide eyed for a moment, with bits of leaves, grass and twigs stuck all over me before my lips cracked open and howled out uncontrollable laughter.

"Ppffssshhhhh!! Hahahah haaaa Haa!!!! Si Yin!! Bloody hell, that was hilarious!!!" I laughed harder until my cheeks ached. Then I remembered what he said a moment a go.

"Si Yin, what do you mean you are so much older than me? I am twenty-four years old." 

"Uh, well... Eighteenth, I am nearly fifty-thousand-years old. My birthday soon comes"

I looked to Si Yin in utter disbelief for a moment.

Fifty-thousand years....I... I had no idea... I knew they were immortal, but.. to this extent?

"Y-you... Fifty-th-thous.. wha?..."

Si Yin loftily stood and folded his arms and lifted his chin overly high.

"Eighteenth, If you think that's amazing, my Shifu's are over two-hundred-and thirty-thousand-years old." Seventeenth looked really proud to tell his master's age. He was quite smug even, and it made him even cuter. "Come on eighteenth, the sun says we are far after time for lunch, but I know just where to take you for something to fill us up!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We walked to the west grounds where everything became wilder, greener, and full of a deliciously sweet, intoxicating scent. The heavy hanging foliage and whimsical blue grass was waist high beside the path. Huge fronds canopied the trail as we walked the bend. As the trail opened up, a burst of contrast amongst the emerald forest appeared. The mighty great blossomed tree that brought me here rested beside a large waterfall-pond. It was just as before, just as I remembered it from the first moment I laid eyes on it from the other side.

The dusted salmon star-petals basked in the sunlight of the spring day and swayed on the breeze. The rich, sweet, heady floral aroma whisked towards me, and made me feel slightly potted and fuzzy inside. I felt my heart quicken and fill with joy, and before I knew it, I grabbed Seventeenth's hand, and my feet began to run towards it as fast as they could carry me.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter Text

The light hiss of waterfalls and the sweet bloom that carried on the wind only made a sound.  Its smokey wood was adorned with draping ropes, bells and tassels that matched the flowers in color. Many other decorations were strung all around seating areas as they swayed in the breeze. I placed my hand on its trunk and greeted the tree as I had when we first met: As a friend.  

Like it was nothing at all, Seventeenth jumped up impossibly high and plucked a few fruits from the branches and landed with a light thud on the ground. 

I have to remember, Seventeenth and everyone here, they are all immortals. The power of Mo Yoan, Seventeenth's speed and strength; it is nothing at all to them. I guess I will get used to seeing it one day.

Si Yin opened his hands, and four large blushing fruits were gathered in his palms. One of the fruits had a flower bud that clung to its stem still. Si Yin set the fruit down and gently placed the baby blossom between his fingers. 

"Oh, forgive me little flower, you were not ready to leave from the tree..."

Si Yin plucked the plump flower bud and smelled it with a smile for a moment before looking my way.

"Here, Prizzy, let us not let this blossom be wasted." 

He reached over to me and placed it in my hair above my ear. He handed me a fruit and we sat down to enjoy them. I bit into the familiar sweet velvet flesh as nectar filled my mouth while I looked around the sacred grounds. 

I heard Si Yin make a breathless gasp. 

"P-P-Priz-zy ... Y-You really are friends with the great tree... The bud.. The bud in your hair is..is... is blooming!!  

I felt a tickle by my ear and placed my fingertips over it as my eyes widened. Instead of the once plump bud; there was a fully bloomed blossom in its place.  A smile gleamed across my face and my eyes raised to the great tree with adoration. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Si Yin's innocence warmed my heart. His sweet, toothy smile turned up his cheeks as he talked to his food.

"Sixteenth brother will be making pies out of you soon. Soon we will enjoy candies as well!" He looked to me then. " Before you came, Prizzy, we had only tea from the petals and leaves. Now that you have pleased the tree so, we will get to enjoy so much more from these peaches."

Peaches...

"These are called peaches?" I chirped.

"Yes, pink peaches actually, the best kind. The flesh on the inside of these are especially colored. That is one reason why their taste is so rich," His brow raised, and he looked at me quizzically then. "Have you really never had a peach before?"

"I..have not... Where I am from, nearly no fruit grows.  I have only ever been able to find small bushes of razzleberries and some bluzzlelberries here or there. Never a fruit such as this that I need two hands to hold."

Just then from the corner of my eye, a puff of ivory stood out amongst the wood. Just around the trunks bend, two, then four, six then eight long ears peeked over from a bounding root of the tree.  

"Oh!" I squeaked. "Greetings little ones." 

Slowly and adorably, many hares of all sizes hopped over to us all in a line. They stared at us and waited patiently as their pink noses twitched in the direction of what we held. Me and Si Yin smiled at each other and pulled our share apart, laying some in front of the bunch. They all let down their ears and munched quickly. We held a few and cuddled them a while before they hopped away, making their way towards the temple. 

"You will see these rabbits running in and out of the temple grounds all the time. They set up home here at the tree, the safest place on Kunlun Mountain for a white hare most absolutely. Also, they like some fast-growing weed that grows on the hill near your quarters which is why they are always busy going back and forth. They are not afraid of any of us and nearly get stepped on daily" 

"Maybe they think all you disciples are tall rabbits since your attire is white from head to toe, so they follow you around." 

Si Yin looked at me with big eyes as his cheeks filled with air and turned hot pink. His resolve began to crumble with mine.  I couldn't help but feel my own mouth crook and chest fill with pressure as my cheeks grew hotter than a kettle. An explosion of laughter erupted between us and we tipped right over. After a time of getting covered in grass and petals we sat up and wiped the laughing tears from our eyes. Si Yin caught his breath and began eating again before he wiggled onto his feet.

"You know what we need? Something salty to go with these peaches. I am going to head to the meal hall and grab us and arm's full of meat. You stay here, and I will be back fast, kay'?

"Okay, Si Yin," I smiled and waved as he disappeared into the trees. 

xxxxxxxxxxx

I closed my eyes for a while and leaned against the tree for a rest. Through the sweet bloom of the blossom tree I could smell the small waterfall nearby and the hot stones it splashed against. The faint hiss was soothing and nearly put me to sleep until I heard footsteps nearing. 

That must be Si Yin back already.

The footsteps turned to many as the sound came from the opposite direction from where I was expecting Si Yin's arrival. I opened my eyes and saw many familiar white robes passing over the nearby bridge, then starting on the dirt path, heading my way. I stood quickly and dusted off the grass and petals from my robe and readied myself to greet them. 

I raised my sweaty hand and waved quickly to and fro. I counted seven disciples. I was a little nervous, but I sucked in a deep breath and spoke with an uncontrollable shake in my voice. 

"Good afternoon, everyone... *gulp* H-Have you come for some, um, peaches?"

A guff came from the group's left front. A man that was so tall that he slumped over slightly, like he was too tall to manage his height, cut his teeth at me. He reminded me of a droopy bean stalk.

"We are all high immortals here, yet you do not bow or speak any honorifics to us." His voiced raised then. "This is from the same thing who tried to kill our Shifu, yet you wear our robes, and roam this holy land freely. Shameful.... It is but a scandal that you remain here!" he spat.

My heart jumped into my throat.

"I-I.." 

I didn't have the words. I had been with Si Yin all day and I thought I had done everything right...

 "F-Forgive me," I swallowed heaps of air as I tried to speak but couldn't. I hurried to my shaking knees and laid my palms on the dirt as I lowered my head. "I-I didn't know... I am sorry," I whispered out.

Murmurs among the disciples hummed.  I stayed still in the dirt as they all threw questions and accusations at me. With hatred in their tone, they criminalized me before I could answer a single thing.

"What are you anyway, heh, besides a sleuthhound?" spat a stout disciple from the right.

"Why do your eyes favor a devil's?" hissed another.

One more disciple with a deep scar across is chin spoke next.

"Why haven't you gone from Mt. Kunlun?  Our Shifu keeps you here without chains, why? Have you bewitched him?"

I felt tears drip from the tip of my nose into the dirt. I was so tired of crying. I was so tired of feeling afraid. I felt my legs straighten and I lifted myself upright to my knees. 

"This place...this holy mountain... Is it not the home of your God? Is a home not a place of refuge and safety!" I huffed out. "I am no nymph or sleuth. I am no devil! I am only seeking sanctuary from the rotting world I come from."

I tried to breathe through my fury and calm myself before speaking once more.

"What I did... It, it was an accident. I-I was scared. Have not any of you been scared before?" The prickle in my eyes once more taunted me. "I just want to feel at ease for once in my life. I just want to feel safe, and-and learn... Then I will leave this place, I swear it."

A few faces in the crowd fell pitifully as the ones in the front sneered more. One rounded face boy with soft eyes, who had not spoken, stepped forward and gestured towards the tree. 

"Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, let us grab some fruit and head to the formation training grounds. We should not speak on this decision. Shifu is wise, he would know what is best here."

Another disciple with a wary look on his face began to speak.  

"Yes brothers, we must go. First and Second brother are expecting us on time."

"Brothers," the bean stalk spoke again. "Do not be fooled by...it. She tried to kill our Shifu, unprovoked! She's broken into Kunlun and is trying to deceive Shifu Mo Yuan!" his fists balled, and his knuckles whitened. "I will not forgive her for that.... I-I will throw her into Shifu Ye Hua's seclusion cave, and-and seal her in! When he returns, he will help Shifu Mo Yuan see past her farse with dispelling her magic," his eyes rolled towards mine and his shaky voice shook out his final words, "b-by removing her.. head."

He took a step toward me, and my heart jumped into my ears.

Remove... my... head 0_0

 I stepped away and stumbled backward, falling onto my bottom. The round-faced disciple grabbed at his arm but was shaken off. Bean Stalk's face was furious as his brow glistened with sweat, but something more than fury panged through his eyes. 

Pain.

Bean Stalk halted abruptly in his tracks as a frightful snapping and wailing sound filled the grounds. Whickering creaks and rumbles echoed around us. I spun around towards the tree, watching the enormous wood sway and rasp as flocks of birds of all colors fled with haste. The cry from the tree was something more startling and far worse than the bray of ten donkeys before sunrise. 

I felt a familiar tickle from the petal above my ear as my eyes were drawn to a flitter beneath me. On the soil, the fallen blossoms and loose petals began to quiver like broken wings of a moth.  

My head and eyes slowly looked to Bean Stalk. His anguished face beaded with sweat and twisted with throe.  

The tree... the tree was trying to stop him.

"DISCIPLE'S OF KUNLUN!!" a commanding, hossy voice bellowed out from the direction of the forest line. A blur of sweeping ivories and swift footing whirled in sync as the disciples gathered and kneeled. Without looking up, with hands cupped and outstretched, they bowed and greeted the arrival.

"Shifu" they spoke in perfect militant unison. 

My slower mortal eyes were likely the last to see High God Mo Yuan in the clearing. His face was sharp, yet nearly blank, with a subtle trace of disappointment casted over his eyes. 

A small Si Yin, with a cheek filled of food and two arms even fuller of dried meats, stood alongside him, staring at his brother disciples with scorn in his eyes. 

Si Yin is here. I felt such relief in that.  I don't want to get in any more trouble, especially over his disciples, so I will do my best to greet God Mo Yuan, properly, and stay quiet.

I quickly bowed my respects, and God Mo Yuan spoke.

"Disciples, make your way to the formation grounds, forthwith." his voice was stern and measured. 

"Yes, Shifu," they responded altogether. Their steps grew faint to the south, and they were gone. 

Light footing trotted over to me then stopped. I peeked up from my bow and was greeted with a big smile of a friend. 

"Eight-er... Prizzy. Prizzy, you can stand up now. Look-look! I have brought you salted spring sausage. It is Shifu's most favorite." He offered his hand and we stood together. I couldn't help but feel nervous, but I fixed my face, dusted off my robe and followed Si Yin over to his master.

God Mo Yuan watched me as I approached. His arm was held across the front of a textured robe of ash brown. Beneath it were layers of deep sage and leather fastenings. His hair was held by a tarnished brass cuff that was shaped like a plume of scales. His dark sharp eyes had softened now beneath a heavy black lash. He greeted me with a careful nod.

"Seventeenth, please take Prizzy back to my study. I will arrive there shortly." 

"Yes, Shifu! Right away, Shifu!" Si Yin grabbed my hand and we were off.

.

.

.

.

.

.

We arrived at the far-side of the temple at a grand redwood door. The rich russet color had deep set carvings of snake-like dragons I had never seen in any book before. I ran one finger over the scaled body of one of the beasts, and then traced the swirled cloud shapes that surrounded it.

Si Yin grabbed the massive ironclad handles and pushed them open.  The smell of peachy smoke, leather and tea leaves filled the room and my senses with it. It was his scent, the same scent he carried to the river's edge just last evening.

"Come along, Prizzy, let's make tea."

We walked through a brightly lit, spacious room that was lined on every wall with enormous wooden bookshelves. Scrolls, chests, and iron bric-a-bracs were laid-about throughout. The stone ceiling had trailing cracks that allowed green overgrowth to creep in from the outside. Half of the room was carved into the shadowy mountain, like the temple. The other half was a long expanse of paper-like windows encased in wooden lattice, that reached from floor to ceiling. This side shined in the golden hour and covered a dignified floor setting just beside it in warm light.

We prepared tea from dried peaches and blossoms. While it steeped, Si Yin cut up the spring meats he brought and jabbered on about how his brothers were fools, and he would teach them a lesson later after he returns from an errand from his Shifu - so I should not worry further. He also said they were all good people- that they all regard their master as another father, and in so, were very protective of them and Kunlun.

I knew all too well in that matter. I understood how precious one's father could be. A sigh escaped my lips as I tried not to show the sorrow that filled my heart.

xxxxxx

The clank of metal and creaking hinges came from the entrance of the study. Mo Yuan walked through the redwood, and we stood to greet him with a short bow once more. He handed Si Yin a sealed rolled letter and nodded to him. Si Yin bid farewell to me and said he would see me the day after tomorrow to continue teachings. He bowed once more to his master and with a sweet smile stretched across his cheeks, he disappeared behind the door. 

"Please have a seat with me," he said.

 I nestled back into my seat like an egg. A nervousness tinged my stomach knowing that I was now alone with Mo Yuan. He had danced in and out of my mind all day, and now that I was beside him, I was shaking like a leaf.

Si Yin told me that amongst every role here, we are to take care of Shifu and show respect. 

"T-The tea is ready, may I pour you some?" I chirped.  He nodded and with an unsteady hand, I filled our bowls with the heady aroma of peach blossom. I sipped lightly and tried not to fidget, or stare, but Mo Yuan's sharp eyes were mired to mine. The last bit of golden sun peered through the lattice and dazzled on his tawny skin, bursting against the iron struck through his hair.  

"Prizzy," his low velvet voice began. "I want to ask for forgiveness for my fourth disciple, Tilan, who trespassed against you, and for the others who spoke aggrieved. Tilan's actions were not of Kunlun's way, and he will not do so again." Mo Yuan's eyes drifted to the last light of the west, "I do not believe any of my disciples would question the bearing of The Great Blossom Tree's presence of this day," he looked back to me then, "and it's attachment to you."

"Yes, but why did the tree... Why would it look after... me?" I blurted out. Mo Yuan took my question into himself a moment before he replied. 

"The tree has been with Kunlun for eighty-thousand years, but it was a very old sapling before that. It would stay a sapling for over two hundred thousand more, before coming to this holy ground." Mo Yuan stood then, and took a few steps over to the lattice windows, sliding them apart. 

"I have never seen it before, a mortal create such a bond with a spirit. However, I am certain of it now - The Great Tree has, in its own way, chosen to protect you. And I would have to say, Prizzy Bellwyle, that in my own way, I have chosen to do the same."

The russet haze covered him and under the last seconds of a sleepy sun he outstretched his hand to me. As twilight covered us both, I was afraid that if I held his hand again, I may never want to let go. 

Chapter Text

"Carry this, these, and those."

"Grind it-- again."

"Are you blind? This herb is wormtail, not fairy's hair."

"Now you are getting it! About two hundred more to go."

"No, no, no... Do it over."

I spent the next five days with various disciples, hauling, delivering, grinding, hanging, peeling, stripping, washing, churning, stacking, mixing, chopping, and most of all-- running. I ran non-stop to keep up with those that led me while Si Yin was away. Everything was done by foot and hand. No magic was used or the fast travelling that Mo Yuan had shown me. Everyone here worked as I did-- like a mortal.

My mind wandered as I jogged to my next workshop to be tasked.

Si Yin... where are you... You said two days but its been five...

A pop-up workshop that I fancied the most was beside a narrow rushing creek, where heavy floral aromatics, oils and sweet creams were steaming in iron troughs. I was so curious to get closer and stick my nose right over the troughs, but I was quickly assigned elsewhere every time I spoke to the one working there. He was the first disciple of Kunlun, head of all in white robes-- Die Feng.

Die Feng was a polished, lucid man, with a long-suffering look in his eye every time I approached him. I must have reported back to him four-dozen times in the last five days, but with every crash, do-well, or falter I made, he stayed patient despite the twitch in his brow. He was very fair-skinned and handsome with a very tall, pointed nose-bridge and squared jaw. Though he showed no anger toward my being here, there was caution cloaked in his reposed face and he never once made full eye-contact with me. So, I decided I'd make it more comfortable for him and just stare at his feet for the rest of my life.

At the day's last light in winded rain, I met up with him once more at the creek-side. I peered around with my nose but found nothing left. All troughs had been emptied, and no finished product of what he had made was around anywhere. I was instructed to carry a long bundle of tools that were wrapped in a leather sleeve. A light sigh escaped my lips as I followed him to his study where he sat and began ink affairs.

"Tomorrow is a day of rest for us all. Use that time wisely," he said blithely.

"Yes, First Disciple."

I kept my hands cupped behind me and made sure to not fidget or dally as my eyes stayed low. I gave him only solid responses and tried not to let my weary reserve show, or even a bead of sweat drop. I felt I was only two toad-leaps away from death; this was my fifth day of work here, and my feet were barely there and nearly numb. My robe was sopping wet, and my body was shivering from running about in the rain and wind. Even so, I needed to show I was not too weak to be here. As I kept my eyes down, my side vision picked up the tiniest movement of Die Feng's chin turning up to look at my face. I instinctively looked back at him, but he quickly looked away to his parchment.

"Today, you were...adequate. You are dismissed." Die Feng continued his writings and said nothing more.

I was speechless. A long second went by in silence as he continued to write.

He complimented me...

Heat flushed my face, and I felt a fluttery feeling pull at my cheeks.

I collected myself quickly, cupped my hands out in front of me and bowed to him.

"Good dreams to you... and many thanks," I said a bit too loudly. I turned quickly and left through the side of the temple.

xxxxxxx

I dragged my feet back to my quarters; too  tired to eat now and too cold to walk to the meal hall on the opposite side of the temple. I had a few peaches that would suffice until breakfast, and some leftover bread from on-the-go lunches. I was desperately in need of a wash-up and that would take some time to prepare. As I got closer to the apothecary, I noticed that the yellow osmanthus lanterns on the deck had already been lit as well as a few candles inside. Sliding open the door, a creamy flora aromatic wafted heavily. On one of the herb tables nearest the door laid three straw-tied stacks of color. A silent gasp held my footing still as I stared at the little treasures that were left for me.

Soap bars...

I quickly scooped one stack up and ran my fingers over the beautiful warm hues of speckled cream and brought it to my nose, inhaling the ambrosial fragrance. They were mouthwatering.

Were these really all left here just for me?

There was no mistaking the aroma; these soaps must be what First Disciple was making at the workshop all day by the creek.

I brought them to my nose once more and picked out the milky burgundy hue that smelled of dark flora and creamy honeysuckle. I put the others away in my room and prepared everything in the drain room for a wash-up.

I sighed at my four pitiful heated pots of water that sat at my feet.

Oh, how I would love to be able to soak in a heated tub. The disciples said that I could use the wash hall, but I wouldn't want to have to run them all off at this hour just to bathe. Tomorrow is rest day, so I will go out and find something better than this for sure.

xxxxxxx

I dried my locks beside the little furnace on top of a thick pad I had found in the bedding storage. My feet felt better, but that ended with them. Though I was sweating, I could not expel the coldness my body felt, the ache in my head, or this longing in my heart. Si Yin was still away, and Mo Yuan had not said a passing word to me since the night in his study.

Oh, Prizz, in his eyes you may be no different than the white hares that dwell here.

I huffed a sigh out.

"I will not think of Mo Yuan again tonight."

I fluffed my hair to rid it of any hidden droplets. The new soap left my curls, skin, and bruised feet petal-soft and delightful. I tied my thin sleeping tunic on and draped my sapphire cloak over my lap. I prepared some hot tea and gazed at the entrancing glow of embers as my eyes grew heavy.

I think you would be proud of my hard work, Papa. I have found a little spot for myself. This life is wild and beautiful. I am sure it is everything my heart says it will be. I will ...be okay now...

I gathered myself up and blew out all but one stout candle. I headed for my quarters but halted as I heard a light rap at the door.

Who could that b-- Oh! It-It must be Si Yin!!

I rushed over to the door on happy feet. Fumbling, I tried to get my cloak around my figure and knocked over several drying rods and a broom, clambering them to the floorboards. I was finally at the door. I could not wait to tell Si Yin all I had done in the near week since I've seen him. With a welcoming smile and a crooked cloak, I slid the entryway open to the rich osmanthus night air. Howbeit, it was not little Seventeenth who stood under the yellow lanterns this night.

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Mo Yuan's POV

It had been nearly ten days since she fell from the tree and into the realm of immortals. Since then, not a moment has passed that I did not think of her. The girl has rooted inside of me, consuming my every waking hour and flooding my dreams till dawn. This forbidden pull towards her swelled in my chest and I could barely fight it off.

I had always felt I was looking for something-- an unfulfilled piece of myself. --

The God of War, an older brother, a Shifu... This is all I have ever been. Nothing more, nothing less.

Could this fallen mortal girl be it... Could she ever fit into my world?

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Through the rain, I found myself underneath the glowing paper lanterns of the osmanthus hall, just strides away from her door. I knew it was somewhere I should not be, but I felt the pull of her so strongly tonight. Seeing her from afar these last days had been enough to bind my torment, but she did not attend this evening's meal and sit in her familiar spot near the warm hearth.

She must be hungry. I hope she will accept what I have brought her. I believe she is fond of this meal. I would have done so for any other here...

My heart raced; it was suffocating even. My hand stilled over her door. I bared down and held my breath unknowingly while deciding to stay or go. A heavy sigh blew over my lips and I knocked. I heard the patter of her bare feet tapping against wood, then a rustling, and lastly a crash.

She slid the door open with a smile in her eyes. Her long brown tresses fell from her shoulder and shorter locks wisped around her cheeks and across her brow. Her cheeks, nose and saccharine lips were rosed over. The blue cloak was draped crookedly around her, exposing her bare neck. She smelled of a balmy sweet cream and burgundy jasmine.

She is breathtaking.

Her smile began to fall altogether and a pang in my chest appeared.

Did she not want me here?

"H--High God Mo Yuan" she gasped as she began to lower to a bow. I stopped her, bringing her up mid-way.

"Please rise. You are in your bed attire, and I have come unannounced at this hour. There is no need for formalities."

"B-but, uh, um, okay... What brings you here tonight, High God? Did you need something from the hall-- an herb?" she said warmly as she brushed the back of her hand across her feverish brow..

"I have come to see how you have fared these days. You did not attend the meal hall tonight. I hope my disciples have not pushed you too hard to where you are ailed."

"N-Not at all...er, I was just trying to catch up on a few things here, and I-," a heavy wind blew past me into the entryway and her hand grabbed at her cloak pulling it around her. "I was just a bit... cold..."

So, she is unwell; I can see it in her eyes.

"Receive these and get yourself back inside," I handed her a warm cloth bundle and two small pots of peach wine from Zhe Yan's forest."

"T-Thank you, High God, but-," her hands balled apprehensively inward to her chest.

"It would please me if you accepted it, Prizzy.... The wine will warm you." She waited a moment, did several quick neck-bows, then cradled the bundle in the crook of her arm.

I would have to leave her now and bind further this need to be beside her. I turned away to the night, heading down the deck stairs when the bell in her voice called to me.

"Shif-... High God," she lifted up the items in her arms. "Would you like to... join me inside for a while?"

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She ate the meat buns very quickly while preparing the peach wine. We sat side-faced to the fire on a wide wool futon she had placed near the hearth. The fire danced on her skin, illuminating the paleness of her amber eyes and glistened against the hidden rustic hues in her hair.

"High God....I have been toiling over this for the week. Though I am not a disciple, I am still a student here, and you are the master of this place," she fidgeted with the tassels on her tunic. "May I call you my Shifu, as others do?"

I thought for a moment over her words.

The girl is not sworn to aid me and serve Kunlun in perpetuity like the others. I know once Ye Hua returns he won't like it or permit her to call him so... Still, she is a student of Kunlun all the same. What harm cold it do?

"You may," I nodded in agreement to her.

Her smile gleamed as she rocked a little, hugging at her knees and sipping the blossom wine.

Such a trivial thing could make her so happy...

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She shyly spoke of all she had done and whom she had worked with during the last stretch of days. I could see the tattering of her nails, the bruising and cuts on her arms and hands, the touch of sun to her skin, and the reddening to her feet. She worked hard but seemed cheerful in her own way; no more fear seemed to live in her eyes.

"Your given name--Prizzy. I have never heard of it before. Does it have a meaning?"

"I was named after the Prizzy flower of the fall moon. My father said when he was younger, his family grew them next to vegetables and it would turn the harvest sweet, and when he fed them to barn animals it turned their milk the same. All the Prizzy flowers were gone by the time I was born but my Pa said they were... dazzling and beautiful."

She grew quiet for a moment as pain twisted in her brow.

Whatever happened to her on the other side of the tree seems to haunt her still. I must not pry into her past, but I should show her that I am here as her benefactor all the same.

A wetness pooled into her lash as droplets fell. A sadness had appeared, drifting her eyes away. My palm found the curve of her chilled cheek. I brushed away the fallen water with the pad of my thumb, bringing her gaze back to mine. She lifted her hand and placed it on the back of mine.

She looked at me with half-lidded eyes as she nestled into my palm.

"Shifu...you feel so...warm," she half whispered.

Hearing her call me Shifu pleased me, uncontrollably. I felt my breath shake inward, as a heavy thrumming filled my ears.

Was it her heart or mine..

"Would you please...make me feel how you feel, Shifu. Like you did down by the riverside with your power. Could you... make me feel warm, too?"

My resolve was gone then.

I brought my arm around her waist, pulling her up onto her knees with me. The blue cloak fell, pooling at the ground. As I held her, I sent my ardor racing through her core once more. Her eyes grew big, and her brow softened. I could feel the small of her back dampen against my palm. She was pressed against my body, flooding from the inside out with my yearning for her. She had no resistance at all to this spirit magic. To intertwine with her was as easy as breathing.

Breath escaped from her shyly, and she trembled in my arms. I pressed my lips against her brow, hoping she would not push me away.

"Th-This... *pant* This feeling, I... like it" her sweet breath shook. "Shifu... Please, do not s-stop."

The same girl that hassles my thoughts through and through, the girl I have been trying to stay away from, was now in my arms nearly cooing --tempting me. Was this truly what she wants or was it the single tea-bowl of blossom wine speaking for her?

The dragon inside me could barely be tamed. I had to taste her even so. I could not let her go.

I held her golden eyes in mine and crushed my lips to hers. She tasted of sweet spring. Her heart shaped lips were delicately soft and welcomed mine so innocently.

I let down my palm from her cheek, cupped the softness of her thigh and pulled her leg around my waist, lifting her off of the ground onto the wooden counter. I brushed the backside row of my other fingers down her stomach. I felt her now against me. I felt the warmth she alone created between her legs. It enticed me.

I need to have her.

She wore nothing underneath. I could smell the sultry femininity between her legs. I released her lips for moment. Her face was flushed and bashful.

I want to see this expression further. I want to see the pleasure in her eyes when I touch her for the first time.

The backside of my fingers brushed further down the curve between her legs, on top of her thin sleeping dress. Keeping my eyes on her, I pressed heavier until her breath escaped shakingly. It sent chills over my skin and an uncontrollable rumble formed in my chest. I found her mouth again, parting her lips with my tongue. The dragon gnashed inside of me sensing her arousal, wanting to take her.

My fist balled tightly against the countertop as my breath caught. I needed to control myself more. She was too precious to me to ravage.

I wrapped both my arms around her waist, kissing her deeper and bringing our chests together. I released her lips. As she caught her breath, she gripped the fabric of my robe. I leaned my brow against hers, placing my hand on her neck below her ear.

"Prizzy... Prizzy, I should not be here. I am now your Shifu, I should not be touching you. Please, *pant* Please tell me to stop. Tell me you do not want this."

Her breaths calmed but the grip she had on my robe loosened as her yellow eyes became steady. She pulled away from me and my hand dropped. Her eyes drifted to the cracking coals of the furnace, as she ruminated over her next words.

The atmosphere in the garden change suddenly. A clank of metal trotted through the pathway too faint for the girl's ears to pick up.

she looked to me then and began to speak:

"Shifu, I-"

I silenced her words, quickly muffling her lips. I could sense that it was Si-Yin that approached, carrying something large from the meal hall.

If I left now, without a word, the boy would not be able to feel me here.  He must have just returned from Ye Hua's battalion, still clad in armor, and wanted to see the girl.

I pressed her hand meaningfully against my chest for a moment, then gestured a finger over my lips. Before backing away I held her cheek once more. The corner of her mouth turned up tenderly as she watched me.

 I closed my eyes and formed with air, fading into the night, leaving my heart in her hand.

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Chapter Text

Ye   Hua's   POV

Seventeenth stayed kneeled and apprehensive after handing off a message from Mo Yuan. As I read it, it became more and more an irritant to me.

"So, Mo Yuan has chosen to let the girl stay on Kunlun..."  I scoffed and tightened my grip around the scroll.

"Yes, Shifu," the trickster of Kunlun, Seventeenth replied with a pleased grin that he tried to hide from me. "I-I like her very much, Shifu, she's... nice."

"Do not be blinded by the certain -kinship- that only she can show you, Seventeenth." Si Yin's eyes looked up with sudden nervousness at the hidden meaning my words.

"Uh, y-yes, Sh-Shifu... Of course not..." 

They are all foolish...

"You have given yourself colony duty, Seventeenth. Do not return to Kunlun till you eradicate every giant hive. Join your brother disciples in the barrens immediately."

"Yes, Shifu. You can count on me, Shifu," Seventeenth bowed once more and skipped away on happy feet like he was happy to be given such a monotonous task. He stopped just before the entrance.

"We have all missed you, Shifu, truly..." Seventeenth stretched a smile across his pixie face just before trotting away.

I felt the twisting grief I held in my brow fall apart all together. I missed my disciples deeply and I did not want to be away from Kunlun much longer.

A gust of breath blew out the tension in my core and an unruly smile pulled at my lips.

Little Seventeenth, all my disciples, I will return soon..

6   days   later

I travelled on the wind, bound for Kunlun Mountain. Nearly all my spiritual power had been drained from the demon realm's aura, slowing my travel and lowering my aerial to the treetops.

I could not even fast travel halfway here...

I felt a heavy dampening at my brow and neck. An uncontrollable shudder I had throughout was my body trying to purify itself.

After I share a first meal with all my disciples, I shall rest for the next several days and replenish my power.

I'd finally reached the western forest, several miles out from Kunlun's temple when a familiar, heady, sweet aroma flooded my mouth with water.

The scent of her lives only in my memories, yet even now I can smell her as if she is right beside me, irritating me further.

I gritted my teeth at this weakness.

If she wants to be learned on the mountain, if she wants to work, I'll have her worked to the bone... In time, who she is and who sent her will be drawn out, even if I have to hold her own blade to her throat in the end, as she did to mine.

The memory of the little flower on her blood-stained dagger flashed before my eyes. The feelings I've had since then have drowned me in bitterness and anguish. Being sent out of Kunlun on a mundane chase, had me loathe the girl further.

I cannot let it go.... I cannot let her go... A single moment with the girl has aggrieved me day after day.

A chime of bells and another bouquet of sultry sweet cream hit me, stopping me mid-air. This smell was not of my mind's making—it was real.

This is many hours for a mortal, from Kunlun's temple, in the most wild and dense part of the forest. Why would I smell the girl here--alone?

I honed my senses around the sultry scent that carried on the breeze. The dark green essence of the earth and the hot spring jade pools of the western rock bed surrounded a familiar scent, her scent. I lowered to the ground, closing in on the heat that pulled me closer.

Soft light streaked through the darkened dense forest, sparkling hidden dew through the wildwood and set ablaze the red flora that hung heavily all around me.

A figure stood in front of me, draped in billowing ivory. Her long fawn-colored tresses twirled in all directions and her bare feet and legs were speckled with the forest floor. She picked herbs and flora, bumbling about, unaware of what came for her.

I stepped closer then, as she turned towards the sound that my steps created.  That is when I truly saw her...

The girl...

Everything went silent. Nothing else existed but her.

This girl, in a word? Orphic.

Her eyes were like golden fireflies under the low-lit umbra of the woodland. Her cheeks, lips, and nose were softly rosed over and ever-so round. Her striking beauty was wondrous and strange to me.

"What star did you come from ..."  I unconsciously muttered too low for the girl's ears.

I blinked hard and shook my senses about. I sent my qi throughout my body, trying to rid myself of any illusion, but there was none. She was really here, alone. Among her sweet, sultry scent, the smell of the jade hot springs wafted off of her body heat.

The sudden fear and surprise in her face as she gasped fueled the anguish she rooted in me all these days. It burned hotter inside me; the fire flooded my body and swelled in my chest. The sound of her shaking breath, the way she clutched at the fabric on her chest, pulled at the bindings which bound the black dragon in me. The beast that wanted to entrap her, to make her surrender to me. I could feel the tension in my jaw strain as I glared at her.

Her brow changed then, turning up at the center in a more tender, pleading way. She took a step forward, the belle in her voice rang out. The sound of it was like music, music played only for me.

"High God..." Her breath shook out. "Shifu..." she said as more rose flushed her face and she lowered to a half bow, holding her robe together. "I-I'm sorry... I was a fool before." Her damp feet took another step towards me.

Her calling me her Shifu sent waves of pleasure through my flesh beyond ordinary understanding.

All alone out here, of course she would do so to try and flatter me. I could end her life now and no one is here to stop me--she would know this... However, she does not know me at all.  I only kill my enemies... She is safe... for now.

"I wanted to speak with you, b-but the seniors said you were in a place I could not go."  She nervously bit at her lip.

She had bewitched me, body and soul. I could not take my eyes off of hers.

Control it... This mortal girl has thrown me into such a reverie where I can barely convey myself.

I steadied my breath to speak,

"Yes," I nodded.

I could feel the anguish twist further in me, but something more powerful bounded towards the surface.

Lust.

Realization hit me then.

That is it...
what has been suffocating me since the moment I first saw her, even after tasting the iron of her blade, has been this constant yearning.
I want her... I've always wanted her...

A strange sensation ripped through my chest like lightening. It rippled from my neck, down my back, through my groin, twitching at the tips of my fingers and dampening to the palms of my hands.

She took another step, and another. My footing swayed and my jaw tightened. I tried to breathe through the blinding yearning I felt for the girl, but it was too powerful to bind. I weakly gestured my hand to halt her steps, but in the shadows of mind I wanted her to return to me...

This would be her only chance. My only warning.

"If you take another step...you will be mine"

She slowly took in a heap of air, and without hesitation, ran straight to me.

My legs moved on their own and I closed our distance. Our bodies collided as I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifting her up into my embrace. Time seemed to have slowed then as I held her above me. I watched the air catch her hair. Her tresses slowly fell, brushing against the armor of my shoulder. A streak of light lit the side of her face and gleamed against the radiant sunset, coloring in the core of her eyes, entrapping me in them.

Her shaky hand moved from my shoulder, up my neck, to the ridge of my jaw. I shuddered at her soft, cool touch. I could feel the unbearable heat rumble in my chest to have her. I pulled her in closer hastily, crushing her lips to mine. She let out a sultry sound that made my grip on her tighten.

I lowered her to her feet and released her lips as she caught her breath. Her heart shaped face and half lidded eyes now looked up to me. I traced the curve of her cheek with the backside row of my fingers. Her skin was petal-soft and chilled.

Her scent was so natural and delicate. Seeing her this way, not in a silk layered gown or hair trinkets, but shapeless fabric clinging to her, and the wild way her hair strangely twirled about on her shoulders.

It filled me with desire.

The black dragon gnashed at my senses, burning to take her—to dominate her—to make her mine. She was so small in my arms—fragile even

I grabbed her chin with my fingers and thumb, holding it taught in place. I could feel them trembling like leaves against her skin.

"Tell me you want me," I said brusquely.

Her cheeks blushed a darker shade of red and her heavy lash lowered bashfully as she replied.

"I... Shifu... I want you..." she whispered.

"Then remember this pleasure I give you...and this pain."

I found the nape of her neck and filled my fist tightly with her hair and crushed our lips together once more...

Prizzy's   POV

I filled a large pack with some light linens, a kettle, flint, and food that Si Yin had brought me last night. I tied my hair up, dressed light, kissed my belle necklace-- tucking it into my breast, and headed out to meet Seventeenth.

As I walked to the front of the hall past the little furnace where I sat last night, a pang in my chest halted me as my hand instinctually covered the ache.

Shifu...

I left my pack on the deck and ran over to the temple. Shifu's study was empty and not even the coals were warm. I searched the temple rooms, the meal hall and the outer grounds, but to no avail.

I need to see him today; I have to tell him how I feel. I was so foolish and scared to cross the line here. To anger anyone further---How crossing a forbidden boundary could affect my living here...

I let out a huff of air.

I can no longer live that way--as I did in the past. Always hoping for, but never ceasing life. I want every single delight of this new world and I will not wait around for it again.

----

I grabbed my pack and went to meet Seventeenth at the far southern grounds of the temple, down a ways from my hall. There he was, as cute as ever, brushing a blade of grass across something fluffy in a small stone pond.

The moment Si Yin saw me he quickly grabbed my wrist and dashed us to the western grounds of the forest line. As we rushed away, I could not help but look back over my shoulder at the little pond, and what shimmering treasure it held at its surface.

"Prizzy, move your feet! If you do not leave NOW for the jade springs, after you soak, you'll will be running back in the shadow of dusk!"

"Si Yin, *pant* are you sure, a-are you sure you will not come along with me?"

"I-I have a lot to catch up on since I was gone more days than planned," Si Yin sighed. "Today, I will be cultivating with Shifu and several other seniors. They all will be waiting for me. I have to grab my armor from repairs and head to the formation tr--....umm.. er.." he cut himself short suddenly and his eyes began to trail off like he was thinking of a way to change the subject.

"Si Yin, I need to talk to Shifu, about... something. Could I come along with you before I leave?"

"Um... well... the place I am going, you... cannot be in... It is for our Shifu's, and the disciples only..." a worry twisted in his brow then.

"I AM SORRY, PRIZZY! I REALLY AM! First Brother told me to make sure you are not to see our formation training. I-I....."

He looked full of sorrow and really pitiful. I understood what he was trying to say. The secrets of Kunlun, the secrets of the God of War, cannot be shown to outsiders. Especially an outsider such as me. I would never want him to feel pulled apart between his duty and our friendship.

"Haha.. D-Do not worry, Seventeenth. That all sounds really dull anyway! I doubt Shifu would have any spare time to chat while doing something like that. I-I will just see him another time... Worry not."

I swallowed down the dryness in my throat, made sure my smile was beamish, and gave him a playful pat on the arm. His brow lifted up and he pulled a smile back to his cheeks.

"Oh, and Prizzy, First Senior also told me that starting tomorrow, aside from studying your hall, you will be in charge of both our Shifu's robes, armor and wares. Shifu Ye Hua returns today. Make sure you are on time for the last meal. Shifu Ye Hua is far stricter than Shifu Mo Yuan. Arriving on time, keeping to your duties in all the studies in order with supplies as well as anything that may be replenished or acquired, even down to tea, must be done without fail."

I had almost forgotten that there was another master of Kunlun. Few have only whispered about him while around me, or they hush-up altogether  about him the moment I walk in the room. Mo Yuan mentioned once at our first sitting together that the other master of Kunlun, his own brother, was among the many that did not want me here. The other short moments I have had with Shifu have been so far apart that I have not even thought to ask about him further.

Now he returns today. I had better get going to return on time to greet him. I must admit, once again, I am a little afraid.

Si Yin continued chatting.

"First Brother said you have learned the basics of upkeep for the temple, and you should fare well at this duty. However, Eighteenth, please come to me if you need help with anything--okay?"

  I nodded and half bowed to Si Yin.

"I will work hard."

I bid farewell to Seventeenth and began my two and a half hours walk to the hot springs. Si Yin said the western trail would lead me all the way there. I felt better than last night, still a little unwell, but a soak in hot water was worth the journey.

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I arrived to the milky veridian waters by mid-day. The damp rich scent was heavy. The salty, herbal, bitter vapors filled up my chest with a pleasant feeling. I had never known such a place could exist. I disrobed and lowered myself into the sweltering pool. The silken water steeped out the soreness I felt all throughout my body and soothed the ache in my feet.

Another two hours had passed. I had rested long, explored the cove, and paddled about in the effervescent waters. I sat still for a while as flashes of the previous night with Mo Yuan flooded my mind.

His sweet, smokey scent, his gentle touch that traced my body, the tickle of his lips against mine. The power he sent racing through my body sent pounding heat between my legs that I can still feel. I had never been touched like that before.

I filled my lungs and blew out a heap of frustration. I turned around, laid my forearms on the rocky pool's edge, and rested on my cheek for a while.

Though I have not known him for long, he is... precious to me. I wonder if he feels the same...

I could feel the heaviness of my eyes daring to close. I knew I would have to leave soon to make it back before sundown, but I was so jaded from the herbal waters that I knew I would drag my feet for ages if I did not muster some energy..

I dried off and draped a loose linen robe over myself and retrieved my pack. I pulled a sachet of strong tea leaves, water, and a kettle out-- setting them aside. I searched the forest line for twigs for kindling but everything I found was too green and supple from the high humidity of the spring.

"These will not do..."

I grabbed a handful of dried peach and meats from my pack and wandered into the woodland.

Heaps of zesty herbs, fluffy mushrooms, and scarlet floras kept pulling my attention deeper into the thicket. The bells around my neck hung loose under my robe and chimed throughout the trees with every bend and step I took.  I wanted to collect a little bit of everything to bring back home with me.

I began to fill the rest of my grip with kindling when a sudden snapping sound of the forest floor behind me caused me to drop what I held. I was frozen in place as my eyes focused on who approached...

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Shifu..

Streaks of yellow rays cast through the trees, piercing against the cast iron in his hair and the ebony armor he wore. The sable continued beneath, to his layered robes. It was a darkness to his attire I had not seen before.

His eyes were tender as he mouthed something to me, but the blood pounding in my ears deafened me to his words. The uncontrollable shake in my breath began to ease.

Is he really here... Is he really standing just strides in front of me?

My chest swelled, and my palms went wet as I clutched at my robe.

From his attire, he must have come straight over from the training grounds.

I took a step forward to him but the softness in his eyes changed suddenly to something like a scowl. The pang in my chest from earlier returned and the words I wanted to say stuck in my throat.

Speak, Prizz, say something to him...

My heart felt like it had bottled thunder. He had been in every thought since dawn, but still my mouth wouldn't open.

The look in his eye is different now...he frightens me.

"...High God," I bowed. "Shifu... I-I'm sorry... I was a fool before..." I barely croaked out.

I absentmindedly made another step towards him. His scowl went away just as quickly as it had arrived. Under his deep-set eyes a reddish hue flushed.

"I wanted to find you--to speak with you, b-but the seniors told me you were in a place I could not go."

I do not want to complain to him about the rules of Kunlun, but he must know how I really feel, how I have thought only of him since last night.

His onyx eyes poured long into mine, almost feral-like.

"Yes..." he nodded once. His reply was bleak as I tried to read him. His damp brow furrowed as if it were painful for him to speak.

This was a different side of himself that he had not shown me. He was not immaculate and refined like before. Instead, he seemed restless, and unsteady. Stoic, yet wild. I could not help but be drawn to it. To be drawn to an imperfect him.

  Like a moth to a flame, I was pulled closer. His breathing heavied; the look in his eyes waivered as his jaw tightened. His hand raised slowly from under his long black sleeve.

"If you take another step...you will be mine," he said breathlessly.

I halted in place. I could tell he was not going to hold back this time if I went to him. He already had done so much by letting me stay on Kunlun Mountain. He was willing to cross the line further for me. I saw it in his eyes last night when he laid my hand on his chest and I see it now. I was ready to be by his side, even if it was just for a while-- I would cherish it.

I took a deep breath in and ran for him.

His dark robe caught the air behind him as he took strides toward me. I crashed into his warm embrace as he lifted me off the ground and crushed our lips together. His scent was different somehow, yet the same. A spiced sweet chrism tea, followed by a leathery musk, clung to him. He set me down and released my lips.

His kiss...his kiss is hurried and reckless. Different.

"Tell me you want me," he said as a haughty sound in his chest rasped.

I felt potted and warm again. The familiar warmth I craved. He brushed his finger down my jaw, finding my chin.

"I... Shifu, I... I want you," I replied sheepishly.

His hand tightened around the nape of my neck as he pulled me in.

"Then remember this pleasure I give you, and this pain."

His lips crushed into mine once more. His kiss was heavy and lustful--feverish even. A fluttering in my belly was both thrill and fear, but at this moment, I wanted to be with him more than anything. I wanted him to consume me whole.

-----

He laid me down against the damp bosky forest floor and kneeled to his knees above me. He pulled the drapes of my robe, opening me to him fully. My arms instinctually moved to cover my bare breasts. In one swift motion he stopped me and pinned both my wrists above my head, entrapping them. His eyes were sharp then as he tightened his grip in a punishing way.

"Do not hide yourself from me,"

He ran his tongue down my chest until he found my breast, taking it into his mouth. A frantic moan escaped my lips at the hot, wet sensation he created. The sound of his lapping tongue and lips against my flesh sent shudders down my neck and spine.

His touch brushed further down my stomach, meeting the valley between my legs. His long black hair that hung apart from his iron wares fell over his shoulder, tickling down my thigh.

His fingers cupped the mound of my womanhood. The pads of his touch slowly parted me and kneaded at the supple flesh there. His eyes stayed on mine as I tried to bottle the filling in my chest. Waves of prickling heat flushed outward from my damp neck and atop the skin on my arms. My toes scraped at the soil with every heavy rebound he made. A coo of pleasure escaped from me and could not be caught.

He reacted to my unbottled voice with a haughty, hurried breath. He took his fingers away from my body and with half lidded eyes on me, lewdly placed them in his mouth.

I could feel an icy mixture of embarrassment and desire flood my face and neck.

I never knew men did such things.

He released my wrists as he lifted himself upright, flinging his hair behind him. He never took his eyes off of mine as he unhinged his armor, letting it fall with a heavy thud. His black robes were hurriedly untied until I saw all of him before me. His tawny frame was lean and strong. Shadows formed in the ridges of his muscles, accentuating them. The sharp line of his figure swerved narrowly down to his waist.

He was beautiful.

My eyes trailed to the smooth inky black hair of his abdomen, down to where his form stiffened. He watched me watch him as my legs began to close on their own. He saw this flicker of movement, so he pressed his torso between my knees, opening me back up to him. He leaned down to entrap my lips again as his heated bare flesh and mine touched for the first time. I felt his silken heat take the place of where his fingers once were, atop my parted folds.

Breathless moans left my lips as he rubbed our slick flesh together. His palm reached for the backside of one of my thighs, pinning it high near my chest. As he spread me open to him, his pelvis grinded against me in an anxious manner. His eyes flickered to every part of my wriggling body, always landing back on my own eyes.

"You will keep your legs spread for me as I claim you," his voice was commanding as his eyes loomed over me.

My eyes went wide, low in my belly were pangs of pleasure as my core pulsed. With short, slow nods I agreed. Holding my knees wide apart, I felt my wet petals open and bloom for his eyes.

With parted lips, and a tightly pulled together brow, his body shuddered as he watched me more.  I felt him at my opening now, as he began to push inside me. A searing pain of my maidenhead, stretching to fit him, crept forward as I huffed out a whimper of air. He hurried to kiss me deeply as he bobbled little by little in and out of me.

He released my lips and a slow hiss escaped him. He gripped his other palm at the nape of my neck, pulling our brows together. In a swift movement, he let out a moan, and he took all of me in one thrust. My arms clung to the sides of his torso as pain ripped at my entrance and my insides clenched at him hard.

His hand grabbed my taught wrist clinging to his side and entwined our fingers together, pressing them into the leaves and soil. His pace was slow but so deep with every thrust. It took a while but the pain I felt lessened with every breath I took. The carnal sound in Shifu's groans showed his craving for me. His face burrowed in my neck while his teeth delved my flesh. Jolts of pain and pleasure flushed my body from his teeth. The rougher his body collided with mine, the softer his lips kissed my skin. This new sensation that pulsed throughout my body would never be forgotten. I wanted more. I wanted this taste of him to stay.

Without losing his pace, Shifu sat up onto his knees and held both my thighs to my chest even higher as he looked down at where our flesh connected. His body began to lash at me harder. His sweltering grip held my thighs firmly as every muscle in his body ticked. My voice and breaths were thrashed out of me as my core kept melting for him. He languidly traced the skin on my stomach with his nails, until he found my swelled petals. He took me again and again while his fingers kneaded at the same time, eliciting gasps from my breath, making my body close to something I could not name.  I looked down to where out our bodies collided with slick dew and the viewing of it quaked my insides and I began to clench around him. Lightening heated my core and flooded over my skin until my sight was partly taken over and I saw sparks.

The growl in his chest was tameless as his consuming kiss crushed my lips once more. He pressed himself deep inside of my core, holding himself there.

"Hn.. *pant* Shifu.." my eager breath egged at him.

His brow lifted in the center and a submissive sound escaped his lips only for a moment. The wet, colliding sounds of our bodies hurried. The scent of his immortal embrace and the thrumming of our hearts cascaded across our centers, ending where the other began.

I did not want to leave his caress, but after this, if he ordered it, I would. I would go back to my hall and continue to learn and serve on Kunlun. I knew that our time together could not be forever. I was a mortal, and he —a god.

But... no matter what happens, not matter the wait, from the bottom of my heart, Shifu, please return to me.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter Text

Ye Hua's POV

I brushed the girl's flushed dampened cheek as she slept in the hollow of my arm. My touch traced down her neck, the bow of her shoulder, to the hills of her body. She was covered in leaves, bits of soil and markings from our mating. My cock twitched looking at what I left upon her delicate skin, thinking of the last hours with her. How she opened to me like a flower to the sun. The way I took her over and over, filling her with my seed. Even when her eyes would begin to flutter closed from exhaustion, I would entrap her gaze and take her again. 

I placed her wrist into my hand, looking over the plum-colored scuffing from the gripping I had done. I ran my thumb over it softly.

Maybe I was too rough with her...

I eyed her sleeping face then and a warm pang seeped through my chest. 

 Could I ever fully trust Mo Yuan's words? Could I ever accept her?

 I felt a low scoff escape my throat and tighten my jaw.

I dropped her wrist to the ground like a stone and stood to dress. As I began to wrap my robe, I could see faint streaks of blood on my groin and abdomen. A wave of pleasure from being the one to take her maidenhead hit me and shortened my breath. 

I suppose she considered this her payment to me. Why else would she run to my arms so pleadingly and beg for forgiveness as she did? I assume since knowing no one was around to protect her from me, this was what she had to offer, and I took it like nothing I had ever taken before.

This was nothing more than that... A deal. A convent I accepted bitterly, yet eagerly. 

A loathsome grunt huffed out of my throat, and I turned my back on her. I pulled on my armor. I could feel a tightly knotted grimace in my brow as I finished dressing. I tied the last of my armor in place and my hands fell slack at my sides. I felt my lungs fill with air that calmed the tension in me. With a heavy exhale my head slowly turned, and my eyes trailed to the girl. The beautiful fallen star of the forest. The weakness to my resolve. The pang returned to my chest again as my eyes fell on all of her.

 Her: A mortal girl. Nothing more, nothing less. 

But.. if she is.. nothing to me, then why...

As if my insides leapt to answer my unfinished question, another warm pang appeared in my chest and staggered my footing. My slow breath blew out over my lips in a shake. The weakness I have for the girl must not become my undoing. 

I moved towards her, hovering over her like a phantom, when something white beside her in the grass caught my eye. As I picked it up, intricately carved ivory swung from the tips of my fingers from a twine and a light familiar chime sang from it. They were her bells. I could smell her scent so strongly from them. I held them to my nose and inhaled the jasmine-like creamy floral that was her. It flooded me from within and my cock twitched again. 

I bent down and ripped a strip of fabric from her linen robe and folded the necklace within it. I placed it behind my chest plate to keep for myself for reasons I could not explain. I looked over to the girl once more, knelt down and laced my finger through her hair at the nape of her neck. 

One last kiss and we are even.

My lips brushed against hers softly and released. I looked over her beauty and took in her warm scent as my thumb followed the line of her jaw to her rosed cheek. With no will at all, I kissed her again. I stood and looked to the sky. It was nearing evening now, and we needed to go. 

If I wake her, I would have to speak with her--something I do not want to do. I cannot be seen carrying her to the grounds either.  But, if I left her here, she may not find the trail back when she wakes in the night. And if she went the wrong direction, she could end up in the dangerous part of the wild that is not a part of the temple's secured forest. I should not care about this at all... but she needs to be beneath our watch still, until her words are proven true.

I looked to her small frame again.

 She is so weak and defenseless. Easy prey, just like the white hares that take refuge with us at the temple. 

My mind started working then.

The hares..

 I closed my eyes and concentrated my weakened power, letting all around me go silent and fade away as I pictured in my mind's eye what I wanted to bring into fruition. My body still ached from being drained of spiritual essence, but this magic should still ignite within me with ease.

With a wave of a hand sign, and a trick of cloaking magic, the girl's form began to change. The timber coloring of her hair began to cover every part of her skin as she grew ever-so small in the grass and twigs. Two long flopped ears appeared, following two large oblong haired feet.

A pull from the corner of my mouth appeared. Doing this to the girl pleased me in a wicked way and for a moment I felt like a youth again. However, it would be all the better if she knew what was happening. 

Now I can carry her across the temple grounds, and no one would know a thing. Often, we pick up the rabbits tangling at our feet and move them about. It would not be strange at all for me to be carrying one. I would release the cloak once I leave the girl in her quarters.  Mo Yuan mentioned in his letter that he put her in the Osmanthus Hall to keep her away from the disciples at night while still keeping her close to the temple. 

I picked up her soft, small body, cradled her into the crook of my arm, and took to the air. 

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Prizzy's POV

I awoke in my bed completely naked and a bit confused. The room was nearly black. My eyes pulled towards the window my bed sat under, but no morning sherbet skies were rising--instead it was getting darker. I sat up too quickly. Every part of me ached something terrible and triggered my recollection as I gasped. 

"I-It is night!" I yelped.

I shot up from my bed, but my legs did not work so I crashed down to the wooden floor like a sack of grain being tossed about. I blinked hard and reached down between my legs where a horrible flame licked at my flesh. I gasped again.

"Oh.."  Memories flooded in until it was all clear. 

"Mo Yuan..." I breathed his name as if the breath was taken from my lungs.

What we did in the forest, our touch.. It slammed into my chest and sent gooseflesh over my body. A whimpering moan escaped from my lips as I remembered everything. I could still feel him there, inside me. My hand cupped the quivering between my thighs while my breath shook at the spasm. I was dripping in his seed still. My hand trailed to my tender breasts while another spasm twisted in my core recalling how he lapped and gnawed at me. How he gnawed everywhere like he was feral. How he.. devoured me... 

"Oh! THE MEAL HALL! Oh no, I will be late to greet the other Master of Kunlun!"  ^-^

I scrambled to my feet as the delicious bruising aches in my hips and legs made me wobble like a big leaf on a small stem. I went to the water closet and splashed my face and used the porcelain pot. I dashed back to my room and tried my best to rake through my hair to place it into a top knot like I had been, as the disciples wear it, but I could not find my leather hair binding or ribbon.

"M-My things!!" 

I looked around but my pack and all that was within it was not here. It was still at the hot springs--of course. But I had no time to think about that now, so I combed my hair down and let it hang to my waist. I quickly thrashed through my closet, threw on some fresh disciple attire, yanked on my boots and ran for the temple.

My hair flew behind me and my curly fringe bounced around my brow. I made it to the hall and nearly slid into First Disciple, Die Feng, who waited at the archway entering the room. I bowed and greeted him, and he nodded silently at me--still averting my eyes. I huffed air in and out as I passed him, entering the room. I shot my eyes to the platform seating where Shifu sat. He was there, but alone.

YES! The floor setting next to Shifu was still empty. Master... Hua-something had not arrived yet. I am saved! Finally, something was not ruined by my horrid luck. 

My eyes scanned over the room to where Si Yin and I sat, next to the hearth. There he was, looking very fidgety and frustrated. I looked back to Shifu then. He had a light smile on with gentle eyes. His expression was tender on me. He wore a wooden cuff and matching hairstick  today, with a rich teal robe and lighter hues of teal for the tunics that shown at his neck. 

I raised my hand ever-so and slightly fluttered my fingers, before I quickly pulled it back, corrected myself, and bent a short bow. Shifu made a slow nod to me and brought a small tea bowl to his mouth. I tucked my hands behind my back and coolly strolled over to my seat quickly.

"Hi Eighteenth!" Si Yin sang. "You must have really been tired from your day because I could not get you to wake up when I knocked on your door--AND your window. I was afraid you would miss bowing to Shifu Ye Hua's return and be branded a bad-seeded disciple. Also, you look really beautiful tonight. I like your hair down like that and how it twirls around your forehead and cheeks. You look like the forest nymph that you were called when you arrived." 

Si Yin started randomly humming cheerfully and fire flooded my cheeks and I snorted at his long-winded quirkiness. 

"Oh my.. T-Thank you kindly, Si Yin" *snort* "I was really tired, but I had such a wonderful day out. Thank you for sending me there. I feel...really good now. But, Seventeenth, you are the only one who thinks of me as a disciple."

"Well, me and probably Shifu. But that will all change, I know it will."

He bobbed his head in a nod, very matter-of-factly, then poured me a bit of wine. 

"Here, Eighteenth, have some fermented honey and plum wine. Shifu Ye Hua is late, which is very unlike him, so we are all starving and about to eat each other waiting for him. So, let us drink our hunger pains away, yes? Hmm?"

I nodded with a beamish smile, lifted my cup and tapped it to his, chugging it down. I was so parched. The wine felt divine rolling down my throat. Si Yin poured me another and I drank again, feeling the heat of it very quickly in my empty belly. 

"Oh! Prizzy, I have word that your master will be upon Kunlun in four days," Si Yin said as he poured another short cup of wine. 

"Oh, yes. What was his name again?" I asked.

"Master Su Moye. He is a well learned immortal, and a prince of the West Sea. He is long friends of our Shifu's, and many other gods. He usually visits yearly and stays in your hall. He brings Kunlun precious salts from his sea wells. Salt is one thing that we cannot make ourselves here, so it is an honor that we receive such a bounty. He is a true friend and most handsome. You will learn quickly with him."

"I am excited to be able to read and write in your characters. It will make working on Kunlun so much easier." 

Si Yin then made quick raps on my shoulder with elation.

"Yea, yea, Eighteenth, and then one day you will get to travel with us and handle all the script and supplies that are needed to and from your hall. It will open up our world to you, beyond this mountain," he squeaked. 

Just then both of our stomachs gargled, and we stared at each other in silence before we broke out in laughter, trying to cover our mouths with tipsy hands.

I glanced over to Shifu who had his eyes on me. His smile pulled at my heart just so. I knew he could not show me too much affection in public, but I cherished it all the same. He seemed so different from earlier. So serene and stoic now. I now craved both natures of him. Both the tender way he held me in his eyes now and the painful yearnful eyes that consumed me whole in the forest.  

Between my thighs began to melt again at the thought so I pressed them together to try and put out the heat. Just then, at the entrance of the meal hall, Die Feng's voice bellowed, commanding the room's attention.

"Disciples of Kunlun, rise and bow thrice. Welcome Shifu Ye Hua back to the mountain."

I was a bit nervous. This was it. This was who had wanted me off the mountain from the start. This was the man who, at the Great Blossom Tree, Flute Leaf said would be okay with me being thrown into a seclusion cave like a dungeon cell or have my head removed to dispel my magic. This is who I have caught many whisperings about while they stare at me when I am along for a task. 

I looked to Si Yin, and he gave me a reassuring smile. 

"Do not worry, Prizzy, Shifu Ye Hua knows you are staying. I delivered the message to him myself. All will be well--and now we get to eat!"

We all bowed, once then twice, but I must admit, curiosity ate at me with every one of his footsteps down the walkway. Because I am naughty, I peeked up before the third bow. 

Familiar billowing sable robes caught in his air behind him like black clouds. Half of his long tresses fluttered down his back and the other half in a black iron cuff, knotted at the top of his head. His tawny skin glistened off the candlelight of the room in a feverish way. His face turned ever-so slightly at me when he walked past me. His familiar eyes were cut in a menacing way, like a mixture of hate and boredom.  A tremor travelled deep down in my gut, squeezed me, and swayed the room. 

I must be seeing things. I must be wrong...

My breath caught as I slowly returned to my seat many seconds before all the others. My jaw clamped shut like an iron latch as I drew shaking air in through my nose. I watched his back as he ascended up the platform to his seat beside Shifu. He spun around and drew his robe behind him sharply, snapping the fabric like a whip. 

I gazed at his face for long, then to Mo Yuan beside him, back to his again. 

No... 

A hum of voices, laughter and friendly chatter started again and sounds of dishes and pitchers clattered about throughout the great room.

"Prizzy... What is wrong ?" Si Yin whispered beside me.

I shook my head slowly. 

They...are twins...

"I... I..." I gulped down a knot in my throat. "I am not well..." 

He placed his hand on my forearm and gently rubbed it. 

"Maybe this wine is too strong for a mortal's stomach. I tried to pick a mild for you, but maybe still it is too potent. I am sorry, Prizzy.... Would you like me to walk you back to your hall?"

My head shook weakly. 

"P-Please stay... I-I...I will go alone." I stood then without looking in Si Yin's direction. "Pleasant dreams, my friend..." 

I stood and walked away. I could feel my breath begin to quicken as the urge to run began to swallow me whole. I could feel the prickling starting in the well of my eyes as my feet hurried to be away from the crowd. I held my breath and finally reached the archway when Die Feng stopped me with a tug on my sleeve. For the first time since arriving, he looked me directly in my eyes. He looked concerned and thoughtful. 

"Prizzy Bellwyle, why do you flee?" he said in a low strum.

"I have to go. I-I have... left something...in the woods..." I stuttered out.

He looked at me for a long moment with soft eyes, before he gulped hard and released my sleeve. 

"You must fetch it another time. You are being summoned by Shifu Ye Hua. I have been asked to bring you over."

He turned side faced, as if to have me pass him. I looked around the room, but no eyes laid on me. Everyone was too hungry and busy with their neighbors to pay any attention to this unlucky woman who walks through their hall. My eyes looked to the ground as I made it down the aisle to the master's platform. My mouth went dry as my fingers pulled at the fabric on the side of my robe.

"Thank you, First Disciple. Please join your brothers at the feast," A deep velvet voice said. 

My eyes trailed up slowly and landed on pools of obsidian that were beneath low lids that were Ye Hua's eyes. It was him, no mistaking it. He was who I joined with in the umbra of the forest. He was who curled up inside of me and claimed me. 

They looked so impossibly alike. They were perfect duplicates of each other. Nothing about their features varied. Only cloth, trinket and something unseeable in their air stood them apart. Differences I took for granted in the passion of the wood. 

My wide eyes flickered to Mo Yuan. His face was nearly blank as he took me in. His lips were slightly parted, and his fist gripped tight at the peach-colored wooden armrest beside him.

He knows... Somehow, he knows.

My heart galloped in my chest as my eyes stayed on Mo Yuan's. His jaw tightened fiercely as his eyes began to look down and away from me. 

Ye Hua spoke then, snapping my attention back to him.

"Here girl, I return this to you. We are even now," he scoffed, then set a small oblong object down on the furs that lined their setting. The parcel was wrapped in a black cloth and tied closed with a cord of leather. 

"Take it" he commanded in a quiet hiss.

I leaned forward to pick it up and noticed movement from the side of my eye. Mo Yuan had turned and leaned slightly towards me, his eyes stilled on the area around my collar. I grabbed the item and pulled the cord, opening just the top of the folds. 

There it was. The plumed hilt of my dagger, polished even, was back in my hands. Realization hit me and a hitch caught in my airway. It was not Mo Yuan that I stabbed through the neck when I had fallen from the great tree. 

It was him... My undoing.

"Welcome to Kunlun Mountain," Ye Hua said smoothly.  

.

.

Mo Yuan's POV

The girl was petrified in place as she gazed at her dagger. My very bones shook within me as I took in the sorrowful play before my eyes. As my disciples go blissfully unaware to everything, it was as clear as the crystal grottos below this mountain as to what has happened. Ye Hua told her they were even now. She had...made up for her wrongdoings towards him.

I have lost her... 

Both the familiar aroma of her arousal, and her beautiful floral scent cling to my brother, powerfully. He did not try to wash her away in the slightest. It is clear that he has taken her body in more than just a kiss or caress. The small amount of skin showing at her neck bear heavy signs of lustful markings. I could see it in her eyes when he walked in, and I see it now. 

She mistook Ye Hua for me....

My fist gripped the arm rest so hard I could hear the splitting of the peachwood.  My mind was a whirlwind of what I could have done to prevent this, but I had no notion that Ye Hua would ever lay with her. Kill her, perhaps-- but never take her body. Looking at her now; I was a fool... She was stunning. Captivating. She enchanted without knowing or trying, which made her all the more alluring and arousing. She pulled me into her the moment I saw her, to where I would give her all my troth for but a touch of her hand in mine and a gaze into her eyes of firelight. I was a fool to think Ye Hua could not feel something for her as well, for he and I are the dragon gods of a mountain without love.

Still... knowing that he touched her, buried himself within her welcoming embrace, shattered me. I could feel the air fighting to enter my tight throat. I could feel the burn of the dragon within me thrash to and froe, wanting to take to the clouds and leave this place. But what ripped at my chest most of all was the bitterness that sprouted in me towards the girl. I could not help it. I both loved her... and despised her...

Without a word, she turned and fled. Her long wavy tresses bounded with her run, down her back, darker in hue under the room's candlelight. 

I should let her go. I should let all my feelings for her fly away from here.... 

But... I cannot...

I looked to Ye Hua. His skin was bathed in sweat. He looked drained of energy from his time away. His expression was tranquil but rigid, and from the neck down he was wooden as he watched her run from us. 

Right there. I see it... She was more than just sex to resurface his pride and mock my decision. There is more. She was.... affecting him, even now. 

Could it be that... Could he have thought she went to him willingly as himself?  

A tremor thrashed me again forcing me to my feet. I stood without facing him. I could not risk him reading my true feelings as I have his.

"You look unwell brother," I said with an untamed shake in my voice. 

Without another word, I faded out of the room on a wisp of magic, to the cooling air of the osmanthus garden.  The girl's footsteps stopped just stones away from me as she stared into my eyes. Her heavy lashes were wet, and her cheeks were bit with the color of a river salmon. 

She squeezed at my suffering heart. I swallowed hard. Even with this disdain, I could still feel her there--a part of me. My weakness. My undoing. 

Anguish burned in my throat like bile, until I could not keep it down.

"Are we so very alike," I hissed. "Could you see no difference between us!? Did the heat between your legs blind you to all else that makes a person?"

"Shifu... I-I-..." She stuttered. Her feet moved, then she was against my stomach with her arms wrapped around me.

"Forgive me, Mo Yuan," she cried. "With all of my heart, please forgive me," she panted. "From the moment I first looked into your eyes down by the riverside, my heart was yours... You wanted me in the Osmanthus Hall, I wanted you, too, but I did not answer you for fear of what it may cause. B-but I truly want you, need you, Mo Yuan, more than anything. When I thought it was you in the forest, I was... swept away..."

My breath blew heavy in and out from her touch, and an airy moan escaped me. I wanted to wrap my arms around her. I wanted to feel her lips on mine and fill my senses with only her. To take her as my own. But I could not... Even now, she smelled of Ye Hua. His flesh, sweat and seed covered her sweetness and repulsed me. I grabbed hold from the back of her upper arms tightly and held her off of me. I looked into her eyes. Her eyes of amber firelight, the light of all lights...

"I can never..." I gulped hard. "I will never touch you again, Prizzy... I cannot." My voice shook out bitterly.

It went still for a moment and her eyes went wide and her knees began to lower to the ground. I let go of her like she was fire licking at my palms and turned my back on her. 

"You and I... It will be as if it never was..." My voice was weak. "Do your duties... learn, and obey. When the time comes...when the immortal world is not so foreign... I will find a place for you, and you will leave the mountain."

A hitch in her voice, a slow weep of air and then silence fell between us. A light pat to the dirt was her palm looking for support.

"Y-Yes, Shifu.... I understand..." Her voice was small, almost like a coo. 

"Very well..."  

I fought the urge to turn to her. To kiss away her tears and fill myself up with her again. I could not stomach knowing my brother had her. I could not let this mortal girl cut him and I apart, and all that we have built. But I also could not throw her out to fend for herself. I must still protect her. I must make sure she has a foothold in the realm of immortals. The mortal world below would be even more dangerous to her. They would not accept someone so different from them. They would likely burn her at the stake than look into her pale eyes of gold. 

I will not forsake her...

"Go now, Prizzy... Go inside and clean yourself up. Tell no one here... of this. Attend to your duties as normal at morning's light. First Disciple and Si Yin will lead you," my throat tightened again. "Tell no one..."

My eyes pressed shut and with a heavy heart, a wisp of magic took me from her.

. 

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Chapter Text

Ye Hua's POV

How was everything she said to me in the forest... meant for Mo Yuan?...

I awoke ahead of the coral skies at sunrise. Though my eyes stared blankly at the curled vines around paperless window lattice, my mind was far from this room. My eyes flickered to the stolen ivory bells dangling from my fingers. Her bells. I sighed and tightened them into my palm. Deep in my chest stung.  My efflorescent dreams flooded my mind all night with the girl and how she looked into my eyes with horror when I crossed the hall past her. 

It was not I who she wanted... My jaw bared down and tightened.

 Last night in the meal hall, the blushing girl who I took on the forest floor had vanished. Her irises like the pale desert, traveled from Mo Yuan to me, over and over. I knew then, as I stared at her shaking before us, what had happened. I tried my best to recover my pride beside Mo Yuan but her yellow eyes of firelight had set me aflame and burned me whole. 

Humiliate her, thumped my heart. So I did then. Tossing her dagger and chastising her.

My gut panged with something, causing me to wince. I had never felt the bite of jealousy before that night but here I am, swallowing it at daybreak.

I heaved upward heavily. My body groaned at the slight movement. I was weaker today than yesterday. My weary chest twisted, and a heavy sigh blew from my lips trying not to chase the memory of her. She was intoxicating to me. Enchanting. But it was torment now that stung like venom at my pride, knowing...that it was not me she wanted. Not me that she desired, but instead my gentle brother.

I could not help the bitterness that soured my pride further.

Even so, it was I who she melted for, who she cried out in pleasure to. It was I who licked her sweet tears and feasted on her body until her wet womanhood clamped down hard over and over again around my cock. 

I would always be her first...

I could feel myself swell thinking about it. How I pushed so deeply inside her, completely sheathed to the hilt, flush against the softness between her legs. My mouth watered and I leaned back on one palm and slid my hand down my bare abdomen. I reached under my resting slacks and took myself into my hand. I could still smell her on me. Her sweet jasmine scent and mine still wrapped together. 

But, it ended there... There out in the wildwood. 

 The sting in my chest appeared again with another twisting pang. My breath huffed out and I withdrew like my palm touched fire. There was more than just my own anguish that crowded my chest, but also the knowing that Mo Yuan was tied to it as well.

He clearly has some collection of feelings for the girl. He hurried after her when she fled, but how deep did it go?  Did he turn her away enough times to where, when she thought I was him, she flung herself at me the moment I beckoned? Or were they more than that in these weeks I was away?  Did they become...close? When she was in the wood she did not seem like they were lovers yet, but definitely connected. Could he have tried to defend her all this time so he could have her?  

Would the mighty God Mo Yuan have broken his celibacy for this woman he cannot fully have? 

I sighed heavily again as my shoulders slumped dramatically and hair fell over my shoulder to my lap. I would not think on such trivial things anymore today. My head was not clear, and my body and spiritual essence were too weary to let such meaningless strife affect me. I stood on shaking legs and reached for my tea-robe, when the stone walls of my room were filled with two heavy raps at the door.

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Prizzy's POV

I awoke earlier than the morning birdsong; I started the fires to heat water to wash. My stomach was in knots. There was no way I could eat the first meal this morning like everyone else. I had no appetite. What was worse was the ache that tore at my heart. 

I must not think of him...  He said: It will be as if it never was. 

I will do that for him. With all my might, I will let him go. 

 I stared dazed into the vapors that wafted from the water's surface and began to sweat a bit from the fire's heat. The dominate, spiced, chrism musk of Ye Hua's scent clung powerfully to me, especially his potent seed's aroma between my legs. I disrobed and began to wash. As I ran a linen washcloth over myself, the ache was still there. He was still there... I squeezed my eyes shut as if it could shut out the memories. I took a deep breath and continued.

 Hot water fell from my large wooden dipper, over and over as I rinsed the rich floral suds away. My cleaned hair fell heavy down my back, much longer now when the curls were wet.  It brushed just over the top of my rump. I would have to go find some leather bindings to tie it up before I start work. I hurried my washing. I needed to finish fast to give myself enough time to do a few things before I entered the mountain's temple.

My body betrayed me though. I could feel the lightning-like strikes deep within my core every time my hand would wash over the tenderness of my flesh. My mind kept sweeping to and froe, trying not to land on any memory of the forest, of any memory of his dark eyes and how they held mine so possessively. How he buried himself inside me and held me so long. How his moans fluttered my belly and made me melt again and again.

Stop it... He's not Mo Yuan.

 A heavy sigh blew from my lips as I gave up and headed for my room to dry. 

I dressed quickly and bundled up my bedding with cloth ties. I looked around the hall for any bindings for my hair, but I only found twine for herbs, which would not do with the amount of hair I have. I made a loose, fluffy braid down my back, which did not hold back any of my fringe or the curls that wisped around my cheeks. I grabbed the bedding, soiled clothing, threw it over my shoulder, and headed out to the deck to slip on my boots. 

I dropped off my linens at the cauldrons hall that was a very tall ceilinged, open cave near the stream. I retrieved some fresh bedding from the shelves and walked back to my hall, where First Disciple stood poised at the deck steps. 

"Good Morning, Die Feng," I said, and he nodded in return. 

"And to you, Prizzy Bellwyle." 

He was looking me in my eyes again today. I wondered to myself: what had changed to bring that on?

"Prizzy Bellwyle, as Seventeenth had told you yesterday morning, you will be in charge of many tasks in the temple that need tending."

I nodded and he continued.

"You have done well in your training in the basics, and the rest that you have not been shown, regarding our Shifu's wares, are easy enough to pick up yourself."

I pursed my lips to the side, shyly. "What will those be?" I asked.

Die Feng's familiar long-suffering look curled in his brow as his eyes slowly spanned the garden. 

"Steaming our Shifu's robes, setting them out, collecting them, polishing hair cuffs, readying them for the day and doing anything else they may need, aside from the normal tasks that I hope you have not forgotten."

His eyes returned to mine in a quizzical way as if he knew for a fact that I had forgotten something. I gulped hard at the thought that I may have.

"Tell me, Prizzy Bellwyle, what is the first thing you must do when you arrive at our Shifu's rooms and study?"

Ah-ha! I thought to myself. You think you can trick me, ey, Die Feng?

I took in a heap of air, lowered my eyelids in a smugly way and smiled. 

"I knock," I said with a 'Hmph'. 

His face was cool and unchanged, but a long moment later, a small smiled pulled from one side of his lips. 

"Very good," he said smoothly. "Our Shifu's private spaces must be respected," he nodded once to himself. "Next?" 

"I-I bow then start to prepare the teapot fires." 

"Correct," he nodded once more. "You will do this in their rooms first, then you will acquire their robes and wares.  When you leave them to dress, go to their shared study. You will prepare the tea fire in there as well and fill any low supplies. After this is done, you will make sure their armor is mended and ready at all times. If the weather is low, you must tend a fire. Make sure they have no further need of your duties before you leave. Then you will eat and attend to your own hall. Whether that be: Filling and delivering submitted orders. Studying, cleaning, or tending your stock and garden." 

When he paused for a moment, a shaky breath escaped my lips and I realized I had been holding it. 

I would be that close with them. Both of them, every day... 

My heart began to gallop, and Die Feng continued.

"When Master Su Moye arrives in three days, you will learn even more about your hall's workings. So, until then, the disciples of the Cultivation Furnace Hall will come to you for most of what they need while you are there, so they can show you what they ask for and you can ready and deliver it."   

 He leaned in ever-so and gave me a serious eye.

"I am throughout the temple all day, and I will be making sure everything is precise," he said, clipped. "You know where my study is. If I am there, it means I am engaged. Come to me only if the need is great." 

"Y-yes, First Disciple. Understood. If I have a trivial problem, I will seek Seventeenth instead."

"No," he said very clipped again as his eyes looked over the garden. "Seventeenth will be cultivating in the seclusion cave for a week for letting you go to the west forest alone." 

"Oh, no... D-Die Feng, It-it was not Si Yin who told me to go. I went for my own needs. H-he wanted to go but was in training and I was stubborn and did not wait. Please do not punish him!" I pleaded.

"It was not I who sent Seventeenth into seclusion. It was Shifu's orders, and they must not be questioned," he said sternly.

I had caused yet another person to be miserable...  I could feel my face fall and my stomach twist more. Die Feng shuffled in place and falsely cleared his throat.

"This position you have taken on will be a great help to the mountain, Prizzy Bellwyle. You will bring honor to yourself if you work hard in it... All will see--" his voice was softer then. "All will see who you truly are, within..." He waited for me to look up at him. He was trying to cheer me up a little and though I was a sorry sack, I could not help but feel a little joy in his action. 

"Do not worry about Si Yin. He needs this more than you know. He is terrible with his cultivation and is very naughty. This will help improve his spiritual potency and concentration. After a few days, he will no longer feel time go by... He will not be miserable."

"Okay." I half whispered. 

"Very well," he continued. "In the evening, after dinner, you, and at times, Seventeenth, will repeat our Shifu's tasks in reverse, and then retire. Your schedule will slightly shift when your master arrives, but he will let you know when and where you will gather, and you will work around it--okay?" 

I felt my legs stand straighter and my back stood taller. I needed to do better in every way going forward. I nodded one sure shake of my head. "I will work hard" I said, probably too loudly.

"Good, now, take this," he handed me a small pouch. I opened it and saw that it was filled with beautiful lilac-hued  pellets. 

"What are these?" I asked as I smelled them. They smelled ...not as they looked. They smelled bitter and stung my nose. "Ew..."

"These are three days' worth of medicinal pellets for Shifu Ye Hua's spiritual rebuilding. They were made from his own cultivation. They are one of the creations from Kunlun Mountain's great furnace that your hall aides in. They will need to be put in his tea twice a day. Make sure you add honey. Shifu does not like bitter medicine. It must be taken slowly in a tea, not swallowed whole. Do all that you can to make him comfortable."

Hmph... I felt my teeth clamp together at the thought of serving him. He seemed absolutely fine yesterday.

 "You may not be able to tell since you have no power whatsoever, but Shifu is very unwell and will not be leaving his quarters for many days. You will need to bring his first meal until he is well enough to attend the meal hall."

"Yes, I understand," I said as I tried to hide the bitterness in my voice. Not only did I have to be close to Ye Hua, but I had to tend to his ailments too... 

"Yes, I am off then. Many thanks, and good day to you, Die Feng." 

I bowed quickly, turned on my heels and jogged away.

.

.

I stood at Ye Hua's door now. I was half queasy and half bloody scared, but I had a job to do and I was right on time--if not early. Maybe that was why Mo Yuan had not answered my knock and call just before coming to this door.

Or maybe because he hates my stinking guts...

I boned my back, sucked in a heap of air, and smacked his dark wooden door with the side of my fist two hard times. I figured it was a good way to start his morning... It was silent for a moment, but then - 

"You may enter," a low velvet voice said in return. 

I pulled the heavy door a few times. It took two hands for me to get it good and open. Once it got going, it rolled well enough on its own. I looked to the base at its design. It seemed to be on some sort of iron rail that rolled it away into a slot carved into the rock wall. 

My gazed returned forward. There, in a rather large room, Ye Hua stood with his back to me holding a bit of fabric. I entered the room and closed the door behind me. I stood there as stiff as a stick for a moment. My eyes were captured by the inky-black hair in front of me. It was so long, like a black curtain of silk. The light from the nearly wall-sized window cast in beams of sunlight that made his hair look almost liquid. His head turned slightly, only enough to show his profile. 

"Come to me," he said weakly. 

A tremor traveled deep within my belly as my slow feet made their way over to his front. I kept my eyes down and made a short bow to him and cupped my hands in front of me. 

"I...," my mouth opened then closed as I swallowed the knot in my throat and tried again. "I have medicine f-for you, High God "my voice shook like a leaf as I focused on the floor.

I felt something soft touch my hands. It was a silken sable robe, held in Ye Hua's shaky grip.

"Help me with this," he said weakly. 

My eyes lifted some and I realized he was completely topless. Familiar dark wisps of hair feathered his abdomen. My cheeks felt like they were lit on fire. My eyes trailed higher and higher, till I met his strong chin and jaw. They flexed when I landed on them. 

Higher my sight climbed until I met his eyes. Eyes so black they rivaled the night. I could not hold the desperate gasp over my lips. His took on another shape all together. Instead of a low lidded sneer, his expression was dazed and weak. Unintentionally I looked all over his face. He was sweaty. Wet hair clung to the sides of his neck, temples and jaw. Through his tawny skin he was pale. A sickly kind of pale that showed under his eyes in shades of plum.

He truly is unwell.

I took the robe from him, quickly, and moved around his towering size, opening it to each of his arms. 

"May I touch y-your hair...to move it?" I said in a whisper. He nodded once. I gathered his tresses as the essence of him wafted over my face. His sweet, smokey chrism scent was still there. Nothing had changed, yet everything had.  This very hair that I gathered in my palms was the black waterfall I ran my fingers through in the forest. 

My first time ...was with a stranger.  I inhaled deeply to try and settle my stomach. A stranger that I wanted... 

My heart throbbed and jumped into my gut with shame. I had to try and put it behind me, and I had to do it now. 

"I-I am to prepare a decoction for you as instructed by First Disciple," I said,and I took a step away from him. He lazily waved me approval.

 I looked around the room till I found the floor setting under the huge cave window. It looked to have everything I needed. I got to work quickly and drew my feeling and attention far away from him.  I made two pots of water, dropped a pellet into one pot with some fuchsia tea leaves and fanned the fires well. 

The tea was readied in silence as Ye Hua lowered himself down to the setting. He wiped his fevered brow on his robe, and his breathing was shallow and fast. I looked up fully to him and set a tea bowl just next to his hand. His arm was rested weakly on the low table. He had long vicious looking nails that I had not noticed before that chimed off of the porcelain tea bowl he held. 

He was looking back at me with something unreadable in his eyes as he set the tea bowl down. 

"Oh!" I gasped. I had forgotten something already. I turned and fumbled through his collection of lidded bowls and cannisters, as my movements clinked and clanked too loudly. I came across a glass jar of glaze that was tied with leather. I held it to the sunlight of the window to make sure of the color before I opened it. Success. The amber reflection was what I was looking for. 

"It is like your eyes," I think he muttered, thoughtlessly to himself. 

I carried on, though the heat stung in my cheeks at knowing he was perceiving parts of me. I spooned a dollop of honey into his tea and stirred it well.  I pointed a finger towards the drink and grunted once.  A small smirk pulled quickly at his cheek and then vanished. His hand shook like a little fern. 

He is weak like a kitten, but how? How had he been so sick and not show a single sign of this in the forest?  

A twisting memory returned in crashing waves of at the center of my chest. 

Moments barely go by before I let him in again. Dammit...

 I was brought back to the very place we laid not one day ago as gooseflesh covered my arms. I could feel the lump in my throat squeeze at me, daring me to take a breath.  

Please, not here. Just breathe, Prizzy. Do not look at him. Do not think of him. Just breathe...

Pinholes of airways opened, and I shot to my feet in front of the speculating god in front of me. 

"I have heated a large pot of herbal water to steam the room. I shall return shortly to refill it." My voice was nearly gone. I did not wait to be released, I turned on my heels and ran from the room like the coward I was. 

Suns and moons had passed in a slow daze as I aided the sickly god in silence. I could not find Shifu Mo Yuan among any of the halls on the mountain. He had vanished like a flame blown out by a cold wind and all that was left were faint traces of him all around me...

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

After visiting the great blossom tree at noon-day, I brought back some peaches for lunch. I dragged my feet to my hall to have a rest and to see if I had any order slips from the furnace hall. I pulled my hair from the top knot I wear while working and let my tresses tumble over my shoulders. I kicked stones and lollygagged on the path back to the apothecary.

 I wish I had one distraction that could take my mind off of all this tragedy, but Si Yin is still gone in his cultivation punishment, so I am alone with these thoughts without end...

.

.

.

As I entered the garden, the figure of an elegantly dressed man stood amongst the flowers. He was fair and beautiful. His skin was a flawless pale sand, and his eyes were gentle and round. His hair, in an elaborate silver cuff, cascaded from a high-tied tail down his back in dark brown shining tresses. His robes were slate blue and meticulously crafted with embroidery of the finest quality. His grandeur was something higher than other immortals that I had seen on a daily basis visiting the mountain. He stood there waiting for something, or someone...

Our eyes met and a tender smile raised his cheeks, and with that, a curious tilt of his head appeared.  As I approached, he bowed to me sincerely. I bowed in return and nervously pressed my teeth onto my bottom lip before I spoke.

"Many greetings to you, High Immortal. Is there something from the apothecary that I need' gather for you?"

 I could tell instantly that this man had a goodness about him. His tender eyes fixed on mine as he took me in. A look of completion and wonder filled them as he spoke with a sweetness to his smile.

"I am Su Moye of the West Sea. I have arrived here by request of High God, Mo Yuan. Would you happen to be Prizzy Bellwyle?"