Hi,
This is my fanfic of what happens after the end of CP
this has been up in asianfanatic for sometime now but
uploadin it here now. Please enjoy!



artwork credit to : clement


ok copy and past from other forum
Sequel to Chinese Paladin

Characters

Li Xiao Yao



Ling'er



Xuan Ling (just an idea to what she looks like, kinda like Ling'er but older)



Lin Yue Ru



(annoynamous girl) well only for rite now



these are the main characters, most of the rest are the ones i've made up

NOTICE: YES XUAN LING AND LING'ER ARE TWO DIFFERENT CHARACTERS

Hi everyone, thank you for checkin out my fanfic and hopefully i can make you hook on it. LOL...the reason for writing this fanfic is becuz i didn't really get a closure for the love triangle. Xiao yao neva really got to choose or made it clear on who he wants in the end cuz they both died, so that kinda bugged me. Altho i do know who he loves.

i do really like both girls but wen it coms to who to be wif xiao yao i really like ling'er to be wif him becuz they were meant to be, according to the series. My fanfic is non-related to the game version, due to the fact i don't really know much about it but the bits and pieces that i've heard i didn't really like the sound of it. So warning to xiao yao and yue ru fans that there won't be much romance between them, but i'll try to be fair to her to some extense becuz love isn't really fair. but i do hope yue ru's fans will enjoy this fanfic also.
I'd really like everyone who check this out plz to leave comments, good or bad. I'm really doin this for the people who loves this series so i'd really like to see wat ppl think of my fanfic, if not a lot of ppl leave comments i will delete this story and not waste my time on it. So i will be updating each chapter base on the amount of comments i get.

I have made a lot of MVs for this series so plz check them out too ^_^: these are old ones. I'm working on a few rite now and will be posted soon
MVs of CP
MV #9
MV 10

NEW MV: XIAO YAO AND LING'ER

Our Love: Regaining My Heart

XY + L'ER - 35 min special

XYLER movie

plz comment as often as u can
thanx



PS: it is ok to double post in fanfic forums, due to the limit on letters!!! whaaa

Prelude

The end is only the beginning...of another chapter


Xiao Yao walked endless toward no where. Did it even matter now, where he ends up? He had lost everything and everyone... well almost everyone... He looked down at the little baby girl in his arm. The oval-shaped face, and the pink lips and her ivory skin only brought him more pain. When would the ache in his heart ease? If it wasn't for this child he would not have had the courage to survive all alone in this world, but now he can barely bring himself to look at little Yi Ru. Her name brings back the face of that 'Evil Woman', the one that had loved him, sacrificed for him, and always by his side. Yi Ru's face only hurted him more, because all he saw was that innocent girl he had met on the Divine Spirit Island... the one he loves, the one he protected, the one he cried for, the one he would die for, but she was the same one he had lost. Ling'er dying in his arm had felt no heavier than this little baby that he was carrying.

Step by step, where was he now? Step by step, why did everything seem so different? Step by step, no more familiar faces. Step by step, no more annoying girl following him. Step by step, no more proper and well-mannered disciple. Step by step, no more... tapping of the nose.... His eyes teared up and he could barely make out where he was going, for the tears were pouring freely now.

Then he saw a figure from a far. He walked on not really caring. But as his visions recovered the figure was too familiar to him.

"# 7..." he whispered then quickly ran over to him. He didn't even wonder why Jin Yuen was alive, he just wanted to see a familiar face. Closer and closer he got to the figure and there stood Jin Yuan smiling calmly and starying at Xiao Yao's running figure. Xiao Yao stopped right in from of Jin Yuan and stood there to take in this vision of his friend. A second later he wrapped his arms around his best friend and disciple but he felt nothing. He looked at Jin Yuan but somehow he can see through him. Jin Yuan smiled meekly at him.

"Xiao Yao shi fu, I really don't have much time, but it saddens me to see you so sad. Please don't be like that, everyone will not want to see you to become like this. Death will come sooner or later, we've just took this step a little earlier than you. But we will see you one day soon." Jin Yuan triesdto comfort Xiao Yao.

"Why couldn't I have died with everyone? Maybe that way I won't be so unhappy and the heart's ache will not be so painful." Xiao Yao said.

"Xiao Yao shi fu, you will not be alone." Xiao yao looked up at him with confused look. "All my life, the thing that I love the most, and most treasure is Yue Ru. I have used up all my energy to preserve her body." Xiao yao jerked up with life but before he could ask what Jin Yuan meant, his disciple continued. "Her body is in the Bat Cave behind this mountain. Go there and take her home."

"How can this be? We saw her crushed under those mouns of rocks. How can she still be alive?"

"Well, she's not really alive..."

"What?"

"But she's not dead either. Although I had used my energy to save her body, her essence was dispersed into many pieces out into the world. I caught most of them in time and put it back into her body but 10 have escaped. You have to find them, and when all 10 are put back to Yue Ru's body she will come to life again. But you must do this before her body will dissolve into thin air... like me." Xiao Yao's eyes widen as he noticed that Jin Yuan got lighter and lighter until he can barely see him anymore. And then his disciple dispersed into thin air with a last whisper to Xiao Yao. "Please take care of her, you're her only reason to live now..."


CHAPTER ONE

It have been six painful years, but it wasn't only Xiao Yao that thought it was unbearable. Little Yi Ru, although still at a young age, was finding her life to be painful from the beginning. Ever since she could remember things, there had always been a woman that was more important than she to her father. She couldn't understand it. How could a woman, who was practically dead can hog all her father's attention like that? Xiao Yao was rarely home since the day he brought Yi Ru and Yue Ru back to his aunt's inn. Mostly he went traveling to find Yue ru's essences and so far he had found 8. It had taken him six years for eight of the tiny essences that he had used his life to go find. So little Yi Ru had grown up seeing her father go and then come back from 6 months to a year later. He would walk into the inn, pat her on the head, then goes into the sleeping woman's room. Again and again she tried to get his attention. She was always good and get good grades and do chores and be respectful to elders...etc. But she got no more than a mere glance now and then. She grew jealous of that sleeping woman. It wasn't fair, nor did she understand why or where the sleeping woman came from. Sometime she had peered into her room and caught glances of her ghostly pale face but usually great auntie would shoo her away.

Xiao Yao didn't think much these days. He got up in the morning, he went out to find the essences, he went to sleep. He knew his aunt took great care for Yi Ru, so he didn't have to worry much about the little girl. Truth was, he couldn't bring himself to look at little Yi Ru. She looked exactly like Ling'er, the little girl that he had saved along with her Lao lao ten years before he met her on Divine Spirit Island. He focused his attention nowadays on finding Yue ru's essences, and when he was home, he sat in her room. Sitting there, holding her hand in his and talking to her. Talked to her about life, about the queer things he found when he went traveling, about how the world was so vast and wonderful that she needed to keep up and wait for him to bring back all her essences. Then he would take her traveling like he had promised her. He really wanted to fullfill his promise to always travel with her, he had owed her so much already, he can't wrong her anymore.

Little Yi Ru was sitting on the ground playing with a doll her great aunt had made for her when she saw her father walk in. He had been gone for 6 months now, and here he is again, her sorrowful father. She never really knew why her father seem to always be sad... but they weren't ever close enough for her to find out.

In he walked, barely stopping to pat her lightly on the head and walks straight into Yue Ru's room. Her great aunt walks out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron asked, "Was that your father?" Little Yi Ru nodded, so she went back into the kitchen.

Little Yi Ru walks quietly to Yue Ru's door and peers into the room. There her father sat next to the woman, putting her hand into his, his face full of sorrow, regret, caring, etc. She couldn't help but wonder about her mother. If her father cares so much for this sleeping woman, then what of her own mother? Had he loved her? Had he cared for her? Or is it little Yi Ru was a mistake with some girl he didn't even like, and all his thoughts, love, and care is just for this sleeping woman, that he can't even spare a little for his own daughter. Although Yi Ru is only six, she had a very mature mind and understood many things that kids her age wouldn't even bother to notice.

Yi Ru grew jealous of her father's attention to that lady so she threw down her doll and stormed out into the street. If being good won't get him to notice her than being bad might. She didn't care if getting in trouble is the way to get some attention from her father, just as long as he acknowledges her existence. More and more she became a wild kid. Unrestraint from stealing or made fun of others, mean to younger kids, etc. More and more villagers would come to the inn to complain about Xiao Yao's daughter, but he would act like nothing happened, which made little Yi Ru more angry and out of control. Her great aunt did not know what to do, the father didn't care and the daughter is so rude and bad nowadays even she, as the aunt, couldn't stand her. Sometime she would yell at Xiao Yao to care for his daughter a bit, it's his fault his daughter is like this now. But yelling at him was like yelling at some that's deaf.

When a neighbor came to complain about Yi Ru letting his chickens out, Xiao Yao just sat there eating his dinner like nothing had happened. Yi Ru stood there staring at her father, shaken with anger. Who is this heartless man that calls himself her father? She threw down her bowl of rice and stormed out of the inn.

"Yi Ru, child where are you going?" Her great aunt yell out to her, then to Xiao Yao, "Aren't you going to see how your daughter is?" Xiao yao kept on eating and didn't answer for a while.

"She'll be find. She just needs some fresh air." His aunt shook her head and gave up. She stood up, leaving her dinner and walks into her room.

Yi Ru ran and ran. She hated, hated him. How could he be so heartless to his own daughter. She passes houses, restaurants, etc. and ended up near a river. She kneeled down and tries to catch her breath. She did not know how long or far she had run, but nor did she care. She sat there looking out to the river and she thought how unfair it was and how she didn't like that sleeping woman so much. And soon her head drooped and she fell into a deep sleep, tired from her running.

The night grew deeper and deeper, and still Yi Ru did not come home. Her great aunt was now pacing the inn back and forth with Xiao Yao sitting there, though looking calm, but inside he was starting to get worry. His aunt turns to him yelling about how he could be so calm when his daughter was missing, and on and on she went on yelling at him, but stopped abruptly as he gets up and walks out of the inn, saying he's going to find her. Xiao Yao's heart was racing now, the longer he looked and with out finding Yi Ru the more he began to realize how important his daughter was to him. He can't lose her, he would kill himself if anything happens to her. His worry turns to panic when dawn began to seep through the sky and still no sign of his little Yi Ru.


Yi Ru holds herself in her sleep but began to wake up when she could not find warmth. She wonders why she is so cold and where is her blanket? and why does her body ache so much? Opening her eyes suddenly she realizes where she is, or at least that she is not at home. She remembers now, running away from her father and just running and running. But where is she now? Nothing seems familiar, which makes her start to panic. She runs around the forest searching for some familiar path, but it is like going in circles. Then she sees some woodcutters carrying their woods, so she follows them, hoping they would lead her to town. She is too scared to ask them for direction, so just follows them in secret. Luckily they did lead her to a town, but she does not recognize this place. She couldn't possibly have ran that far. Yi Ru walks around to find any familiar faces but this town is much more crowded than the one she lives in and everyone seem to be on the run, so she couldn't ask anyone. She grew tired and hungry and regretted running away. At a corner she sat with her arms wrap around her knees and cries. She did not know how long she sat there crying but no one seem to notice her which made her lonier and more lost; she cries harder.

Then there is this wonderful fragrance that makes her stop crying. She looks up to find a lady smiling down at her. All thoughts of being lost and lonely vanishes at the sight of this lady. Yi Ru could not believe someone could be so beautiful, or gives off such a fragrance. As she stares at the lady in awe, the lady bends down to her level.

"What's wrong?" The lady asks warmly as she wipes Yi Ru's tears with her sleeve. Yi Ru couldn't speak, she just stares at her. "Are you lost little girl?" Yi Ru nods. "Don't worry, your family will find you soon." Yi Ru nods again, her little mouth still gaping at the lady. The lady turns to her maid then turns back to Yi Ru giving her a big piece of candy.

"For you," She said, and Yi Ru whispers a light thank you and continues to stare at her. The lady pats her on the head, "You can thank me by promising me that you'll never cry, ok?" Yi Ru nods. "No matter what happens, remember not to cry." She smiles then gets up, but turns back to Yi Ru and whispers in her ears. "Oh yes, and remember don't tell anyone you have seen me ok? Or I'll be in big trouble." She gives her a wink and smiles, Yi Ru returns her smile.

"It'll be our little secret." Then the lady taps Yi Ru's nose lightly and leaves. Yi Ru smiles and looks at the lady walking away but then she notices her father from a far and quickly hides the candy in her pocket. Xiao Yao runs up to her and grabs her into his arms.

"I'm sorry, Yi Ru. I'm sorry for everything. I've been a bad father..." He pulls her out to look at her then grabs her into a big hug again. Yi Ru was stunned, she has never seen her father like this, especially not to her. It seems like today have brought her many surprises; that beautiful lady then this side of her father that she never knew existed.

"Never... I will never wrong you again. I promise..." He looks at her, "Can you forgive me?" They stare at each other, Yi Ru is too shock to say anything so she wraps her little arms around his neck and gives him a tight hug. Xiao Yao closes his eyes and smiles lightly in happiness. He is just relieve to have found her safe and sound. But then he remembers something...

"Little Yi Ru, who was that you're talking to?" Xiao Yao asks in eager. He could've sworn seeing a girl talking to Yi Ru, but did he really see that girl tapping his daughter's nose? Yi Ru quickly replies she wasn't talking to anyone, that he must've mistaken someone else since this town was so crowded with people everywhere. Xiao Yao knows he couldn't have mistaken what he saw, but he did not want to push her, he was just glad that he have found her. Everything else... let's just say was a trick of his mind...


CHAPTER 2


Yi Ru couldn't believe how quickly her father and she could get along. After that incident of running out on him, he have turned around and be a good father. They would do most things together now; Xiao Yao even allowed her to come into Yue Ru's room with him. She would sit near him and he would tell her stories of her mother, his advantures with this sleeping lady, and stories of his other friends. She begins to understand his pain and regretted having thrown tantrums and humiliated him in front of the villagers. She apologized to him but he said it's his fault for not knowing how to be a father, and that everything was in the past now; they have a new start.

At times when little Yi Ru was alone, she would sit in her room and look at the candy that that lady had given her. She didn't dare eat it, because she thought if she did then there was no proof that she had met this lady; that it might have all been a dream. Even if it was a dream, she didn't want to wake up from it. To her, this lady was like an angel sent from heaven to come down and comfort her when she was so lonely and lost. She often imagined in her mind that this lady was her mother, and that the candy was a gift from her mother. She murmured to herself over and over, "Thank you mommy..." when she thought everyone was asleep, and that she was the only one awake in the night.

But one time Xiao Yao was walking by her room and heard her murmuring so he came up to her door. He was about to see why she was still up but stopped when he heard what she was saying. It pained him that Yi Ru could not grow up to know her mother, but hearing his child murmured these words only make it more painful. He opened the door and saw Yi Ru quickly put something behind her back.

"What are you hiding, little one?" He asked softly. Yi Ru shook her head to say nothing, but Xiao Yao gave her a knowing look and she slowly pulled out the candy from behind, and guiltily looked down. Xiao Yao eyed the candy then bent down to her. "Where'd you get that?" She glanced up at him then looked back down, biting her lower lip. She was struggling about to tell him or not; she did not want their relationship to turn bad again because of this.

"I... a lady gave it to me..." she said slowly, then looked up at him. She was relieved when he did not seemed angry, but just questioning.

"Who's the lady?" Xiao Yao asked. This made her look down again. This time she will make him mad for sure.

"The one that... I lied to you about." Xiao Yao's eyes grew slightly bigger; he thought he knew who she was talking about. He grabbed her arms, but not too hard that it would hurt her.

"The one that talked to you before I found you at that corner?" he asked urgently. Yi Ru, thinking he is getting mad, nodded quickly but her freightened look made him let go. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to scare you. But do you know who she is?" Yi Ru shook her head.

"She only told me not to tell anyone that I saw her, or she would get into trouble... or something like that. I'm sorry father, I didn't mean to lie to you..."

"Shh... it's ok. Do you remember what she looked like?"

"Yea... like... like... an angel!!!" Yi Ru smiled happily as she pictured that lady in her head. But Xiao Yao grew a bit impatient yet excited at the same time.

"Yi Ru, you need to try and describe her to me." Xiao Yao urged her as Yi Ru scratched her head. She definitely remembered how the lady look but didn't know how to describe her. No words seemed to be able to fit the lady's description. The questionable look on her face told Xiao Yao that she couldn't tell him what the lady looked like. This made him disappointed, so his body slumped over and he sat flat on the ground. He stared endlessly at the ground, while deep in thought, and didn't even noticed that a tear had slipped down his face. Yi Ru did not want to see her father like this but what could she do? She quickly racked her brain for something to do, when she remebered that lady's words.

"Father, don't cry," she said as she wiped his tears. "No matter what happens, remember, don't cry." Xiao yao's eyes lit up at those words and stared at her speachless. Yi Ru thought of what she could do next, so she smiled then tapped his nose. Xiao Yao's eyes grew bigger at this gesture and he grabbed her arms again.

"Who taught you to say that?" he asked her a bit roughly. "And show you... you... this...?" He tapped his own nose to idicate what he meant. Yi Ru, a little frightened at his outburst, stuttered a reply.

"It was... was... the same lady that... that... gave me this candy..."

"Really!?!?" Yi Ru quickly nodded. "Do you know what's her name? Where she lives? Does she know who you are?" On and on he asked her questions of this lady but Yi Ru just shook her head no. Running out of questions, and no answer, Xiao yao got discouraged and sighed. He turned to Yi Ru and gave her a slight smile. He told her to go to sleep, then tucked her in and sat there watching her fall asleep. When she was sound asleep Xiao yao crept out of her room then walked out of the inn. He walked slowly as he looked up at the night sky with it's full moon.

"Ling'er..." he whispered to the moon, "could it be that you're still alive?.... but.... how is that possible...........?"


The following days, Xiao yao spent many hours out in the streets to try and find Ling'er. He looked in this town and the surrounding towns too but he could not find his wife. Often he asked around if anyone had seen a really pretty girl with small eyes and a round oval-shaped face. He usually got a sarcastic answer like: "Wake up from your dream! Only angels can look that pretty!" or "Sorry, haven't had the honor to meet an angel."

Day after day, Xiao Yao walked home late in the night, disappointed, tired, dreary. His health was not helping him either, as he would often have coughing fits. Yi Ru was scared for her father; he sounded like he was dying each time he had a coughing fit. She didn't want him to be sick then die and leave her. He was her only blood-relative and the closest person to her. She urged him to go see the doctor but he kept saying that he was fine; that his throat was only itching. She didn't know what she could do for him, so she often went out to the bay and prayed.

"Oh Mighty Heaven, please make my father better," She was down on her knees in the sand, with closed eyes, praying to the gods. "Please do not give up on his life. Please don't take him away..." She went on asking them not to take Xiao Yao away and promised them many things in return until she felt a light tap on her shoulder. Yi Ru looked up into the beautiful lady's face and jumped up onto her feet; her face lit up into a big smile.

"It's you, Angel jie jie!" Yi Ru cried out to her as the lady bent down to her eye-level.

"Mei mei, you're looking better than the last time I saw you." The lady smiled back at her and tapped her on the nose. "Now were you praying that I was dead? Is that why I've turned into Angel jie jie now?" The lady teased her. Yi Ru did not get it so she was frantically trying to explain that she only thought the lady was as pretty as an angel would be. The lady laughed a little and said she was only teasing.

"Now, what were you doing though?" She asked as she walked over to a big rock and sat on it. Yi Ru followed her.

"I was praying for the gods not to take my father away."

"Why? What's wrong with him?" The lady asked her gently. Yi Ru looked down at the sand sadly.

"He always said he was fine but his coughing is getting worse each day. Sometimes I even hear him coughed through the whole night." She looked up at the lady, her eyes teared up. "I don't want him to die...." The lady looked at her for a second then pulled her into her arms.

"Oh honey, you will not lose him. Trust me..." Yi Ru sniffed as tears were spilling down her cheeks. "Now what did you promised me? Not to cry, remember?" The lady wiped Yi Ru's tears with her fingers. Then with Yi Ru's face in her hands she slowly lifted it up to her face, as they looked at each other. "Your father will be fine..." the lady said softly. Yi Ru did not know what it was, but just that look in the lady's eyes made her believed and trusted this person.

"He will always be there for you. Watch you grow up... watch you get married... He will die, and old... old man... with many grandchildren beside his bed surrounding him with love..." Yi Ru nodded to say she understood, and slowly smiled a little, as the lady wiped the last of her tears.

"Now... if you find wishing to the gods is not enough..." the lady continued while she bent down and snatched something off the sand. "Then wishing on this might do the trick." She opened Yi Ru's hand and placed a little pebble stone in her palm. Yi Ru eyed the stone a little confused. "Wish on this seed and when it sprout, then your wish will come true."

"But... it's a stone. How will it sprout?" The lady laughed a little and closed Yi Ru's hand around the stone, then enclosed her own hands around Yi Ru's little hand.

"If you believe in it, it will sprout. So wish real hard and believe in the powers that this little seed can do." Yi Ru nodded then smiled. "I would never lie to you, now would I?" Yi Ru shook her head then held up her pinky to the lady.

"A woman's word..." The lady smiled then linked her own pinky to Yi Ru's.

"A woman's word." They laughed together, and Yi Ru put the stone safely in her pocket. She suddenly remembered something.

"Angel jie jie..."

"Now, if we're going to be friends then you must call me by my name. Call me Xuan Ling. What's your name?"

"Yi Ru."

"That's a pretty name, little Yi Ru." Xuan Ling tapped Yi Ru's nose again.

"Xuan Ling jie jie, will you come home with me? My father have been trying to find you." Xuan Ling grew silent as she thought about it. "I'm sorry Xuan Ling jie jie, I know I promised you not to tell anyone I saw you, but father had saw you walked away so..."

"No, it's ok. You don't have to be sorry. But I don't get why he's trying to find me if we don't know each other?"

"He said that... you might be... mother..." Xuan Ling laughed lightly at this.

"That's not possible little Yi Ru. I've never even held a guy's hand before so how could I have gotten married and had this cute litte girl here." Yi Ru stood up insisting that her father would not lie to her.

"Father said mother and him had always tapped each other's nose. And you're doing the same thing to me..."

"Oh honey, this tapping thing is just a habit I've had for as long as I can remember. Maybe your mother and I are just a little bit alike.... where is she though?" Yi Ru looked down.

"She's... dead..."

"Oh... I'm so sorry little Yi Ru."

"It's ok... she died when I was little. I never got to meet her."

"But if she's gone... then for sure I can't be the person your father is looking for." Yi Ru pouted and stomped her foot on the sand.

"Father wouldn't lie to me!" Xuan Ling looked at her, not knowing what to say or do. How could she be someone else and not know it; could Yi Ru's mother be so much like herself? "But I want you to be my mother..." Yi Ru whispered. Xuan Ling took the girl into her arms and comforted her.

"I promise you little Yi Ru, that we'll be the best of friends. And I will care for you like you're my own daughter. Ok?" Yi Ru hugged her back and whispered into her ear.

"Xie xie..."

CHAPTER 3


"Father! Father!" Yi Ru yelled out as she ran into Yue Ru's room where she found Xiao Yao next to the sleeping woman. She ran up to him and collapsed a little, tired from running, so her father caught her and held her. "Father..." she paused to catch her breathe and Xiao Yao patted her back to help her. "Father... I saw her, I saw her!"

"Who?" He was half-listening to her because he was thinking of Yue Ru's condition before Yi Ru came in. He was getting worried that the 9th essence would not show up and Yu Ru will dissolved into thin air.

"Moth... the lady that gave me the candy, the one you've been looking for!" Xiao Yao stood up, snapping out of his own thoughts.

"Where? Where is she now?"

"I don't know.... I met her down at the bay where I was praying..." Xiao Yao started out the door.

"Ling'er..." he whispered, but Yi Ru tugged at his arm to stop him.

"She's not there anymore. I had asked her to come, really I did! But she wouldn't, she said she had to leave..."

"Did... did she say where she lives?"

"No..." Xiao Yao sat back down on the bench. "But... she said you must've mistaken her as mother..." Xiao Yao looked at little Yi Ru. "She said she's Xuan Ling, and that she had never been married..."

"Really?..." Xiao Yao whispered, but more to himself than to his daughter. Yi Ru nodded, then pulled out her little stone. She held the stone right in front of Xiao Yao.

"Look father... Xuan Ling jie jie gave me this." Xiao Yao eyed the stone and his eyes lit up, recognizing the symbol of the stone. "She said that if I wished really hard on this seed, then when it sprouts my wish will come true." She turned to him smiling. "Do you think it will sprout?" Xiao Yao, with shaken hand, took the little stone and looked at it. His eyes started to water as Yi Ru looked at him confused. She looked back at the stone then back to her father wondering what was going on.

"Father?..." She stugged his sleeve. Xiao Yao snaped out of his trance and looked at her.

"Yes?"

"Do you think it will sprout?" Xiao Yao looked back at the stone, turning it around in his fingers.

"Yes it will..." He said to her then went back to his trance-like look, and whispered to himself. "It will sprout... Xiao Yao ge ge will never lie to you..."



Chapter 3 - PART II

It was near the end of the year and everyone was busy with decorations and buying goods for the holiday. Yi Ru's great-auntie had bought many things and decorated the inn. Xiao Yao would help here and there with the heavy things but he mainly had to take care of Yue Ru. These days, she have been looking paler and paler which made Xiao Yao very worried. He have been waiting on news of the 9th essence from his friends who were getting a lead to where it might be.

On the night of New Year's Eve Xiao Yao took Yi Ru out to see the festivities. While eating at a crowded restaurant, they saw many people going toward the town center. Yi Ru wanted to see what the excitement was about so they quickly paid for their food and followed the crowd. They heard from others that this groups of girls called "Pearls" are putting up a free show for tonight only. Xiao Yao and Yi Ru quickly found seats then leaving Yi Ru there, Xiao Yao went to buy some candy for them both. As he paid the candy-man Xuan Ling walked pass him, frantically calling to her maid.

"Yu Yan, have you seen my instrument?" Xuan Ling asked, as they both disappeared in the crowd. Xiao Yao stopped in his track as he heard her voice. The candy dropped from his hand has he ran around trying to find her. He kept calling out 'Ling'er' but he could not find her anywhere.



"Xuan Ling! Hurry up child, you're up next!" Mama called out to her as Yu Yan put the last touch up on Xuan Ling's costume. Xuan Ling took a deep breath and went on stage to perform.

Yi Ru gasped when she saw Xuan Ling, then clapped loudly along with others around her as Xuan Ling begun to sing.

Xiao Yoa was still trying to find Ling'er but the crowd was thinning out because everyone wanted to see the show now. Xuan Ling had made quite a name for herself, but she would only perform on holidays or special occasions. So many were curious to see this beauty peform on such a rare opportunity. Xiao Yao gave up after a while and went back to Yi Ru. Yi Ru tugged at his sleeve as he sat down and pointed at Xuan Ling on the stage.

"Father! Father! That's her! That's Xuan Ling jie jie!" Xiao Yao's eyes quickly averted to the stage and onto the beautiful face of Xuan Ling. His lips were partially parted from being stunned at the site of his wife. Time seemed to slow down as he stood up gazing up at Xuan Ling. He couldn't see nor hear anything beside her and her singing. Many people in the back of him were yelling for him to sit down, but he was deaf to all but her. He grabbed Yi Ru's hand and pulled her along as he started for the stage. He was stopped by the guards when he tried to go straight up on stage. He couldn't understand why these people were keeping him from seeing his wife. He needed to see her, talk to her, touch her....

"What do you think you're doing?" One of the guards asked him as he pushed Xiao Yao away.

"I need to see Ling'er... I NEED to see my wife!!!" Xiao Yao tried again to get past them, but more guards came to stop him.

"Go home you crazy lunatic! There's no Ling'er here for you to find." Another guard said.

"She's my wife!!! Let me see her!" The guards and the people who were near, over hearing the situation, laughed at this.

"You're really are crazy!" One guard said, laughing in Xiao Yao's face.

"If she's your wife, then I'm... I'll marry a man!" Another guard said as others roared into more laughter. Xiao Yao was trying his hardest to control his temper but he just wanted to punch these guards in the face. He clenched his hands tightly as he held it all in. Yi Ru looked sadly at her father... she didn't understand why these people were so cruel to him. Xiao Yao tried again to get pass them but this time some guards picked him up and threw him far away.

"Father!!!" Yi Ru cried out as she ran over to him. Xiao Yao scrambled to his feet but his side hurted too much so he ended up crawling on the ground. Yi Ru tried to stop him but he kept on crawling.

"Ling'er... need to see... her...." His coughing started up again, which made Yi Ru more worried. An old man approached them and helped Yi Ru pulled Xiao Yao up onto his feet.

"Young Xia, don't try again. You are too weak to fight these brutes. Listen to this old man... you can try to find that person later at the Ying House. These girls are staying there for the time being." Xiao Yao coughed on and on but he had heard the man. He decided to go find later, and would go home now so Yi Ru wouldn't be more scared for him.

"Xie xie." Xiao Yao said to the man when he could stop coughing for a second then Yi Ru half-carried her father on their way home. They had to stop many time as Xiao Yao's coughing got worse and worse. At one point Xiao Yao fell on his knees, putting a hand over his mouth as he coughed up blood. Yi Ru kept calling out to him and asking if he was ok, but she began to cry when she saw the blood dripped from his hand to the ground. She wrapped her arms around him tightly begging him not to die and leave her. Xiao Yoa wanted to reassured her that he wouldn't die... COULDN'T die and leave her but he began to cough harder. His eyes were blurring now because of the tears created from his coughing. He tried his hardest to not blur out his vision of Yi Ru. But as he tried harder to see her his vision got darker and darker, then suddenly he was out. Yi Ru tried to hold onto him as his body fell limply to the ground...



Chapter 3 - PART III

It was a bright morning when Xiao Yao woke up and found himself in his room. He looked around wondering how he ended up there when he saw Yi Ru. She was asleep beside his bed. He picked up the little girl and put her into bed. He went out to the inn and found his aunt sitting at a table; deep in thought. As he sat down across from her, she snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look at him.

"How did I get back here?" Xiao Yao asked.

"Yi Ru ran home and told me. I came as quickly as I could..." She paused and looked out the door. "You coughed up so much blood... the doctor..."

"A doctor looked at me?" She nodded then continued.

"He said... there's no reason for you to be sick. He felt nothing wrong from your pulse... so he does not understand why you're so sick and coughing up blood..." Xiao Yao was silent. He didn't know why either about his illness. He did fight many people while he travelled to find Yue Ru's essences, but he never had more than bruises and small scratches. Nothing that would bring upon this sudden illness.

"We need to find you a better doctor," his aunt said, her voice full of concern, but Xiao Yao shook his head.

"There's no need. If this doctor said there's nothing wrong then I should be fine. Don't worry..." He patted her hand, and cut her off when she wanted to say something. "I'll be off again tomorrow. There have been news of the 9th essence." He stood up. "I will come back soon this time, and I know you'll take great care for Yi Ru..." His aunt nodded sadly as he walked into Yue Ru's room. He sat beside her sleeping body and told her that he would be leaving again but will be back soon with the essence. Then he talked to her about the past days, especially what had happened yesterday... that he had found Ling'er...



The next day he went to the Ying House to find Ling'er before he had to go off again. The Ying House was full of people, mainly men, enjoying the food, wine, and the girls. Xiao Yao looked around for her, and girls came up to him asking him to drink with them or come and talk to them.

"Have you seen Ling'er?" He asked each time a girl came up to him, but they shook their head and tried to flirt with him. Xiao Yao just ignored them and kept on finding Ling'er. Mama started to notice that a man was wandering around and not enjoying himself so she came up to him.

"Young sir, shouldn't you sit down and enjoy some expensive wine. I will call the prettiest girls over and service you. Now, now sit here..." Mama pulled Xiao Yao to a table while waving at some girls to come over.

"No, I'm not here to drink flower wine. Please tell me where Ling'er is... I need to see her. Please..."

"Ling'er? There is no Ling'er here. Now these girls..." Xiao Yao backed up as the girls approached him.

"No! I only want to see Ling'er... Please help me find her, she has small eyes..." He went on describing her but Mama was getting impatient. She did not have time for non-paying customers. Then one of the girl whispered to her.

"Isn't he talking about Xuan Ling?" She whispered in Mama's ear. Xiao Yao has overheard the girl whispering to Mama and recognized the name Xuan Ling.

"Yes! That's Ling'er! I need to talk to her!" Mama sneered at him. By now she was disliking him more and more and was looking at him up and down.

"You...? Wanna see Xuan Ling?" She started to laugh which made the other girls giggled along. "I'm sorry but she doesn't serve low-class men like you. Go now... unless these girls can assist you, otherwise there's no Ling'er nor Xuan Ling for you to find." Mama turned to leave and the girls glanced and pointed at him as they, too, left. Xiao Yao walked slowly out of the Ying House with head down in disappointment.

In the upper level of the Ying House, through a window Xuan Ling had witnessed the whole scene. She was curious why this man was trying to look for her... or wait... was he looking for her or this Ling'er? She remembered that Ling'er was Yi Ru's mother's name and figured out that this must be the little girl's father. Xuan Ling looked at his retreating back and wondered if she really was like the woman he was trying to find.

Xuan Ling was always in her room for most of her life. Mama always treated as the treasure; in a way the title 'Pearls' only referred to her among the other girls, because she was the most precious of them all. But Xuan Ling, being naive and innocent never understood that idea and thought of herself as any normal girl. She was very simple-minded and did things that Mama told her too and usually without questions. Mama never let her served men, though they had requested her presence all the time. Xuan Ling was only allowed to perform once in a while, usually on holidays or rare occasions. She was not allowed out to the outer rooms of the Ying House, where the customers came and went, and she was especially not allowed out of the Ying House at all. The 'Pearls' girls travelled around with Mama a lot, to different towns and cities to perform for many people. Xuan Ling was usually stuck in the carriage or at their present home at the time. She never really got to see the outside world nor interacted with different people, especially men. But she had a childish and playful behaviors, so she often snuck outside with her maid, but only to see what it was like outside and enjoy the different surroundings. Her maid never really let he talk to others.

Xuan Ling never had to worry about anything. She had the best food presented to her, her clothes always cleaned and ready at anytime she wanted to where them. All her luxory made her simple-minded because she never had to think about those things that are nessesscity of life... they just all come too easily. It was her maid that did everything for her and took good care of her, and looked out for her.

CHAPTER 4


Now that her father had left again, Yi Ru was found sitting next to the window looking out to the streets below. In her lap would be a flower pot that she had planted the seed in it. Yi Ru took great care for that seed and wished on it everyday. Days went by slowly for little Yi Ru, then the weather started to change and it rained for several days, but Yi Ru still sat next to the window looking out.

"Yi Ru!" Her great-auntie yelled out as she went upstairs to find the little girl. She knew where to find her, so walked straight into the little girl's room and found her at that exact spot, next to the window. "Aiya, silly girl! Get away from that window, it's pouring outside," she went over to her when the little girl didn't budge. "Have you been sitting here all day again?" She touched Yi Ru but the girl still didn't move. She turned her around and found her stiff cold. Yi Ru's body was shaken from the cold and all she could do was hugged herself; she could barely open her eyes to look up at her great-auntie.

"Oh Heavens! You're so cold!" She picked up Yi Ru and placed her into bed and wrapped her up with the thick blankets. She went over to closed the window then went downstairs to make some soup for Yi Ru. After the little girl finished what she could of the food her great-auntie had brought up, she fell asleep instantly. Her great-auntie left to go do some errands then, now that Yi Ru was fine and resting.

It was a couple of hours later that Yi Ru woke up to an empty and quiet inn. She got up and looked around but had to stop becuse her head started to pound if she moved too quickly. Slowly she got out of bed and walked downstairs. She just wanted to get some water but her body was too weak and kept her from going faster. In the middle of the stairs she felt dizzy and had to sat down right there for a while until her head stopped spinning. Using the wall to support herself, she got up and went downstairs. Beads of sweat were dripping from her face when she reached the table. She collapsed onto the chair and used her strengths to pour herself a cup of tea, but there was none left in the pot. Grown so tired and dehydrated she fell unconscious right on the table.

Outside the rain had ceased and Xuan Ling thought it was the perfect opportunity to sneak out, otherwise when it starts to pour again, it would be a long time till she can go outside again. It had taken her some hours to convince her maid to let her out, so when outside she ran around sniffing the fresh air and spread her arms out wide to take in the sun that have been hidden for many days by the dark clouds. Yu Yan had to run to be able to catch up with her lady as Xuan Ling ran around to look at things. She moved from shop to shop and a fast pace and kept yelling out to Yu Yan to hurry and catch up. Xuan Ling stopped when she saw Yi Ru's inn. She had remembered its name when the little girl had told her. Her smile grew bigger as she decided to pay a visit to her little friend.

"Yu Yan, I'm going to visit a friend. I'll meet you back at the Ying House!" She ran off to the inn while her maid looked at her a bit confused. 'Friend..?' Yu Yan thought as she turned around to walk back to the Ying House. 'I didn't know Lady had any friends...'



Xuan Ling went into the inn but found it dark and empty. She looked around the place but did not notice Yi Ru until she heard a slight moaning. She spotted the little girl, half-laid on the table, and ran over to her. She called out to Yi Ru but the girl didn't answer. Xuan Ling felt her forehead and quickly pulled it back, because Yi Ru's head was burning up. She picked up her friend and carried her into a bedroom. Xuan Ling accidently brought Yi Ru into Yue Ru's room. Thinking that she had entered into one of the guest's room at the inn she quickly apologized and bowed her head. But looked up confused when the lady did not stir from her bed. Curious, Xuan Ling walked slowly, with Yi Ru in her arms, toward the sleeping Yue Ru. 'Wow... this woman sleeps like she's dead...' Xuan Ling wondered to herself as she peered at Yue Ru. 'She's so beautiful... but... she looks... a bit too pale...' Xuan Ling reached out and touched Yue Ru, wanting to making sure that she's alright. She pulled her hand back quickly like when she touched Yi Ru's forehead, but this time it wasn't because of the heat but because this lady's body was so cold it was like touching ice. Yi Ru started to moan again, so Xuan Ling closed the door of the sleeping lady's room and went to find the little girl's room. After putting her into bed she got a went towel and placed it over Yi Ru's head to cool down her temperature. But after a while, Yi Ru did not cool down and Xuan Ling started to panic. She did not know what to do. She had never taken care of another person before nor had she ever been sick. Not that she can remember. She paced the girl's room trying to think of what to do. It was always her maid that knew what to do, especially in situations like this.

"Ah! Medicine! Need to go get medicine." Xuan Ling ran out of the inn and quickly went to the herbs shop. There, she described Yi Ru's condition and paid for the packet of herbs that the man gave her. At half-way back to the inn she stopped and ran back to the herbs shop.

"Sorry Elder, I... I don't know how to prepare this medicine." Xuan Ling listened intently as the man went over the procedure to cook the herbs but somewhere along the line she got confused but still tried to catch on. Back at the inn, Xuan Ling was making a mess in the kitchen, trying to prepare the medicine. It had taken her several times to light a spark for the fire, but when she finally did, she had let the fire grown too big and the rising smoke clouded the whole kitchen. She evacutated herself from the kitchen until the smoke cleared and she had to restart everything. Now she was confused of putting which herbs to cut and how to prepare it before putting them in the pot. Wiping the sweat off her face she smeared the black dust, from the burnt wood, on her face. And her clothes were getting dark stains as she unconsciously wipes her hands on it. She went from looking like a high class lady to a kitchen maid, but she never noticed it nor cared for no one was there.

Xiao Yao walked into the inn; finally home from his exhausting journey. He was quite happy though for he had found Yue Ru's 9th essence. Gripping the box, that held the essence, tightly, he walked straight into Yue Ru's room and sat beside her on the bed.

"Yue Ru..." he whispered. "I've found it..." He laid down the box that held her essence beside her hand and opened it. "It won't be long now..." He looked at the essence as it glowed and rised. "There is only one more..." The essence had sensed its owner and flew back into Yue Ru's body. Her body began to glow for a few seconds then went back to normal. Her body began to heat up as the blood rushed back through the veins, and her complexion began to pink up. Xiao Yao smiled, relieved that she was going back to normal and that she won't disperse into thin air. But he must be quick now, he does not have much time to find the last essence. He caressed her cheek, smoothed out her hair then taking her hand in his, brought it up to his face. He held the back of her hand to his cheek as he felt the warmth coming back and smiled to himself.

"Yue Ru..." 'BAM!!!' Xiao Yao looked toward the sound and placed Yue Ru's hand down. He got up and went to the kitchen where he had heard the noise. He thought it was his aunt dropping something so was coming over to help her, but little did he know that it was Xuan Ling, who had accidently dropped a bowl of medicine.



"Hey old hag! What did you dr..." Xiao Yao stopped in midsentence and stood there rigid, as Xuan Ling had turned around at the sound of his voice. She was cleaning up the broken pieces of the bowl but he had scared her and she accidently cut her finger, but she did not notice it. She was embarressed at the mess she had made in someone else's kitchen, and was more embarressed at being caught. Xiao Yao stood there speechless with a look of longing at Xuan Ling.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." Xuan Ling tried to explain for the mess and why she was there. "I didn't mean to make such a mess... it's just..." Xiao Yao walked over and took the bloody finger that she had not noticed. She was surprised to see that she had cut herself and did not even feel the pain. Xiao Yao cleaned her wound and wrapped it up without even saying a word to her. Now that he was close to her, Xuan Ling recognized him to be the man that was trying to find her at the Ying House. This made her a bit uncomfortable, and especially how he was so caring toward her when they didn't even know each other. When he was done with her wound she pulled her hand back and whispered a 'thank you.' Xiao Yao just stood there and stared at her. He did not understand why she acted so distant and he felt so distant to her. Isn't she Ling'er? She.. must be...

"You... You must be Yi Ru's father..." Xuan Ling said, trying to make conversation. Although she was quite used to men staring at her when she is performing or at a banquet, but there was something in the way that he looked at her that gave her this feeling of familiarity, and something else that she couldn't quite grasped. She didn't know what these feelings were but somehow it did scare her but also didn't scare her at the same time... it was hard to explain. Trying to break the tension she turned to him and smiled.

"I'm a friend of Yi R..."

"Ling'er..." Xiao Yao cutted her off. Xuan Ling creased her eyebrows. For an instant there, she thought she felt a slight pain in her head. But it was too quick so she thought it was just her imagination.

"I'm sorry, you must've mistaken. I'm not Lin... Ling..." Xuan Ling was confused. She couldn't say that name, but why? Why can't she say it? It just wouldn't come out of her mouth. Xiao Yao shook his head slightly. She was wrong, no matter how much she denied it, she had to be Ling'er.

"Ling'er." He approached her but she took a step back. This time, she felt the pain. No doubt there was a quick pound in her head. Although it came and went quickly, it left her a bit shaken and scared and confused. What was wrong with her? Is she becoming ill?

"Ling'er, you're... you're alive!" He grabbed her into his arms, but Xuan Ling could not budge. That pain in her head was taking up her ability to think or move. She just wanted it to stop hurting. It seemed like if she closed her eyes and concentrated on not hearing Xiao Yao the pain eased, so she let Xiao Yao rambled on while her eyes were closed in concentration.

"How is it possible?" He pulled her out to look at her. Seeing that she had her eyes closed, he thought she was too happy for words, so he pulled her into his arms again. "It doesn't matter now. Nothing matters now. As long as you're here... as long as you don't leave me again... Ling'er..." Sweats were starting to drop down her face. She noticed now that her pain was somehow connected to that name. Everytime he said it, there would be a sear pain that pulsed through her head, and each time it was more painful than before. She couldn't take it anymore, she wanted the pain to stop, so she pulled away from him.

"I'm not Lin... that person.... I'm sorry for making this mess..." She begun to back up toward the doorway. "But I only came to see..."

"Father?" Xiao Yao and Xuan Ling looked toward the doorway to see Yi Ru, sleepily looking at them. She looked drowsy and was supporting herself with the wall, but she began to smile when she saw Xuan Ling. "Xuan Ling jie jie!"

"Mei mei, you should be in bed. You have a fever," she went over to the little girl, but Xiao Yao got there first and picked up his child. He carried Yi Ru upstairs, feeling her forehead, and placed her in bed. Xuan Ling came in a few minutes later with a new bowl of medicine, and without exchange of words she and Xiao Yao concentrated on feeding the medicine to Yi Ru and taking good care of the little girl. They were insnyc with one another. Xiao Yao would blow and spoon the medicine then gave it to Xuan Ling, who tenderly fed it to Yi Ru. Then after the medicine was done Xuan Ling was tucking Yi Ru in and Xiao Yao went and got a wet towel for the little girl's forehead. They did not notice how well they worked together but little Yi Ru did, and although she was weak from her illness she smiled to herself as happiness filled her heart. She wanted so much to hang onto this image of Xiao Yao and Xuan Ling together, caring for her. She thought of how great it would be if Xuan Ling was really her mother, but right now that did not matter.

When Yi Ru had fallen asleep, Xuan Ling was still beside her, looking at the little girl. Xiao Yao was also beside his little girl but staring at Xuan Ling. She begun to feel his eyes on her, and glanced at him. This made her uncomfortable so she decided it was time to leave.

"I think I should..."

"Stinky Punk! Are you ba... (gasp)" Xiao Yao's aunt had just gotten back and noticed his swords on the table downstair. She was looking and calling for him when she walked into Yi Ru's room and her eyes came upon Xuan Ling. She stood there in shock, but quickly recovered. "Good Heavens! Child?!" She came over to Xuan Ling and looked at her, and touching her to make sure she's real. "You're... you're ALIVE!!!??? How? oh my heavens... Ling'er!" Xuan Ling closed her eyes in pain again. The aunt turned over to Xiao Yao. "How? how is this possible? Didn't you bury her yourself???" Xiao Yao didn't have time to answer her when she turned back to Xuan Ling.

"OH LING'ER!!!" she held Xuan Ling's face in both of her hands and examined her as happy tears slid down her cheeks. Xuan Ling pulled away quickly which surprised the aunt and Xiao Yao.

"Ling'er..?" Xiao Yao called out, confused why she was being so distant. Xuan Ling had had enough of that pain. Why don't they understand that she's not who they think she is.

"Stop! Stop saying that name!" She put her hands to her ears as the other two called out that name again. "I'm not her! Don't you understand? I'm not her!!! I can't be her! Like you said, she died! I can't be her!" The other two were getting worried at her outburst, and didn't understand why she was denying her identity. So they kept calling 'Ling'er' which made Xuan Ling's head hurt more and more. "Stop HURTING ME!!! Stop saying that name!" She begun to shake her head, to say that she wasn't Ling'er. Tears were pouring down her face now, for the pain was getting worse and worse, and it did not help that those two did not get it and kept on calling her 'Ling'er'. "Stop!!!" She couldn't stand it anymore and rushed pass those two and ran out of the inn. She ran and ran, with her hands still covering her ears, and kept mumbling to herself.

"I'm not her... I'm not her.... I'm Xuan Ling... Dont' say that name!!!"

She ran through the dark streets and into the Ying House, but did not stop until she got to her room. She slammed the door shut and put her back to it. She was so tired, from the pain, the running, everything... She slid down onto the floor and put her head down on her knees and wrapped her arms around it. She just wanted the pain to stop... 'I'm not Lin... HER... I'm Xuan Ling... I'm... '



Xiao Yao stared at her retreating form as a single slid down his cheek. He didn't understand it. Isn't she Ling'er? She had to be, but then why is she denying it and running away from him? Doesn't she want to be his... his Ling'er? And what about their child...? Doesn't she want her either? He gripped his hand so tightly that the knuckles turned white, but he did not notice. All this thoughts were only on one person...



Xuan Ling woke up at the sound of some rattling noises. She lifted her head and looked around the dark room then realized she had fallen asleep sitting with her back to the door. She got up and massaged the placed that ached from sitting in one position for so long. Then noticing that the rattling noise came from her window she went over and opened it. Outside strong winds were picking up and gushing pass her window. She looked out and up the sky that was begining to cloud up again. Floods of memories of what happened earlier that day filled her mind as she blankly stared out her window. The wind was hitting her in the face and making her hair fly around wildly but she did not take notice.

'Could there be someone that's so much like me...?' she wondered. The howling of the wind got louder and it was making her windows bang against the wall. 'Or could I be... someone else...?' A loud rumble from the sky awoke her from her dazed look and she looked out toward the sky but acutally seeing it this time. Another low rumble then a flash as a lightning striked down from afar. That jolt of light lit up the night sky and reflect on Xuan Ling's face as she looked to it thinking how much it resembled her pain. The pain in her head that she had was just like a lightning bolt. A quick jolt of sear pain that came a went all too quickly, yet leaving a terrible echo was it depart.



At the inn, Xiao Yao was also looking to the sky and had seen the same lightning bolt as Xuan Ling. He was confused, hurt, but also happy. Happy that Yue Ru was ok now, at least for the time being. But hurt because of how Ling'er acted, and confused of why she was like that. 'Is she really Ling'er?... or is she really someone else....? Maybe she is Ling'er... and yet she is not Ling'er...????' His thoughts went on all through the night but could not come up with a satisfying asnwer.


CHAPTER 5


"Young xia, you can't come in here!" the maid cried out trying to stop Xiao Yao from entering the inner chambers of the Ying House, but he just walked right past her.

"Ling'er! Ling'er!" Xiao Yao cried out and looked around for her. "Come out, Ling'er!" The maid was terrified now, and frantically tried to stop him from yelling so much. If Mama found out about this she would be severly punished for sure.

"Please, you're not suppose to be here. Stop!... st...stop yelling please..." She was begging him now but Xiao Yao took no notice of her tagging along and nagging him. Then noticing her existence he turned quickly to the maid.

"Where's Ling'er?" She didn't asnwer him and looked confused and scared at the same time. Xiao Yao grabbed her arms and shook her slightly to wake her up. "Where is she?" The maid broke out of his grip, really terrified by now.

"I...I...I don't know. Who's Ling'er?" Xiao Yao ignored her and resumed his search. The maid wanted to cry and began to tear up as she kept following him, trying to stop him going further in. She was a new maid Mama had hired, but she was not clever at all. She gets intimidated easily, so she was always inferior to the other maids as they ordered her around to do their chores and made fun of her. She did not know how to deal with Xiao Yao, and he was not helping by ignoring her pleas to leave, and this made her timid and want to find a hiding place to cry. "Ple...Please leave... if anyone finds out you're here..." ...(goes one rambling to the un-hearing Xiao Yao)....



Xuan Ling and her maid was walking in the garden, admiring the flowers and feeding the fish in the pond. She started to get a slight headache, like the terribly pain she had that night but it did not hurt nearly as much, just a slight dizziness and ache. Xuan Ling started to sway, barely able to stand on her own feet. Yu Yan supported her before she fell to the ground.

"Lady, are you ok?" Yu Yan asked, worried. Xuan Ling put a hand to her chest, feeling a bit of pressure there. She shook her head and signaled to Yu Yan with her eyes that she wanted to go back to her room. Yu Yan nodded and helped her lady walk back. They were in the hall way when Xuan Ling cried out and held her head. At the same time Xiao Yao was nearing them and still calling out 'Ling'er'. Xuan Ling and Yu Yan looked up at the sound of his voice and he saw them and ran over. 'No wonder my head hurts so much...' Xuan Ling thought to herself. Xiao Yao was about to take hold of Xuan Ling but Yu Yan stood in front of her.

"What are you doing here? You're not suppose to be here." The maid came running as she finally caught up to Xiao Yao, but her eyes widened in horror when she saw Xuan Ling. No one, NO ONE, was suppose to disturb the 'Great Pearls' and Xuan Ling was one of them. Maybe even the most important one because Mama treasured her so much. Yu Yan rounded up on the maid, a little annoyed that she let someone, especially that somone is a man, into the inner chambers.

"You let a man in?! Why? ... are you stupid? Do you know the rules here?!" The maid did not know what to say, more because she was too scared to say anything. Yu Yan often was really nice to everyone, but she does not take stupidity lightly.

"I... I... I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I tried to stop him... I..." The maid stuttered, trying to find words to explain but she was so scared of Yu Yan, and even more scared fo Xuan Ling even though she had never seen Xuan Ling get mad with anyone.

"I came here myself!" Xiao Yao cutted in and they all turned to him. "She should not be blamed. No one could've stopped me from coming here to see..."

"Don't!" Xuan Ling cried out before he could say that name. "Don't say that name!"

"..." Xiao Yao was confused and about to ask her why but she cutted him off again.

"Please... just don't say that name." Xuan Ling said almost in a whisper.

"I need to talk to you..." Xiao Yao told her which made her silent, thinking of what she should do. Yu Yan looked from Xiao Yao to Xuan Ling. She did not know who this man was but did not like what she saw.

"I'm sorry. But you have to leave now," she said to him, giving him a little push but he stood his ground. She looked at the maid, signaling her to take this man out. "Lead him out now." The maid bowed to Xuan Ling and tried to lead Xiao Yao away, but he wouldn't budge. Standing there like a wall and staring at Xuan Ling who was still thinking. Yu Yan sighed in frustration, she was getting very annoyed with him. "WEI! Young xia are you like deaf?! I told you..." Xuan Ling putted her hand out to stop Yu Yan, and her maid looked at her with a questioning look.

"It's ok Yu Yan. I think this talk between us is much needed. There are a few things this xia and I need to clear up..."

"But... but... what if Mama finds out?" Xuan Ling pulled her aside to speak with her in private. Xiao Yao followed her with his eyes, not daring to look away because she might disappear on him again.

"Don't you think it would be worse if Mama finds him here?" Xuan Ling whispered to her maid, which made Yu Yan think about it. Yu Yan nodded slowly, agreeing. "If I go talk with him, no one will know. That maid over there looks too innocent to do anything..."

"Fine..." Yu Yan sighed. She can never out talk her lady. "But don't go too long..." Xuan Ling nodded then they went back to Xiao Yao. Xuan Ling looked at him, he continued to stare at her, and thought 'What am I getting myself into?...' She nodded to him to say that she's ready to leave and lead him out toward the back door.


Out the back door, Xiao Yao lead the way to a little noodle shop where Yi Ru was waiting for them. Yi Ru ran over and hugged Xuan Ling when she saw them coming. Xiao Yao was paying for Yi Ru's noodles as he peered at his daughter and Xuan Ling smiling and laughing with each other. He was happy to see them get along so well, but it was sad because this was not how he pictured the three of them would be. Yi Ru pulled Xuan Ling along the streets as she ran from shop to shop, pointing at this and that. Xiao Yao just followed behind watching them closely. They spent the rest of the day wandering around town and by evening ended up in front of the inn. Yi Ru knew that her father wanted to speak with Xuan Ling jie jie so she said goodbye to her and went inside. Xuan Ling smiled, looking after the girl but then felt Xiao Yao's eyes on her. She knew he had been staring at her all day and tried to ignore it, but now that they were alone she had to face him.

"You..." She turned around to face him, but didn't really know what to say. "You... needed to speak to me?" She wanted him to respond so the awkward silence would cease, but he just kept staring at her and to avoid his eyes she looked to the ground. Xiao Yao walked over to her slowly then took her hand.

"Come..." He said almost in a whisper, then with her hand in his he lead her along. Xuan Ling did not question where they were going. She was too preoccupied at the fact that he was holding her hand. She had never been this close to a man before and could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. Luckily it was getting dark and he walked in front of her, so he did not noticed her blushing. Xuan Ling felt a little tickling sensation at the tip of her fingers as it rose up her arm. She didn't know why but she felt this familiarity towards him, and somehow her hand seemed to fit his like an exact puzzle piece. Like their hands were only half pieces before and now that they're held together the half pieces have become one. They walked like this, hand in hand, one in front of the other until they reached a stream and went onto the bridge. What could be seen of the sun by now was only a pink glow in the descending night sky.

Xiao Yao looked out to the horizon, still holding her hand in his. Xuan Ling did not know if she should say something or tap him to say that she was still there. But she pulled her hand away instead, because it was starting to sweat from the nervousness that she was feeling.

"The... sunset is really pretty..." Xuan Ling said, trying to break the silence. Xiao Yao turned to face her and his eyes caught hers. She quickly looked away, averting her eyes to the ground again. There was this weird feeling that was making her a bit uneasy and nauseated, yet it gave her a good sensation. Xiao Yao touchd her chin and lifted her face up to look into his.

"Do you... really don't remember anything?..." He whispered.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about... Remember what?" She had a confused look and a bit scare. She wasn't sure if she was scared of the way he looked at her or scared to know what he was talking about. Somehow she wanted to take a leap and understand all this confusion that he had brought her, but she also just wants to take a step back and run away from it all. Xiao Yao saw the confusion in her eyes with sadness.

"But... how can you be so much like Ling'er?!" Xuan Ling closed her eyes as the sear pain throbbed her head. She touched her temple and massaged to try and ease the pain. For some reason, this time the pain was much worse than the other times.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Yao asked.

"Don't... don't say that name... it... it... hurts me." Xiao Yao was confused at how a name could hurt her.

"Why..? How...?"

"I don't know... but everytime someone say that name, I get a sear pain in my head. And now it seems like each time the pain is deeper than before."

"I don't understand..." He turned away from her in frustration. 'If the name 'Ling'er' hurts her then she has to be connected to Ling'er somehow... But why does she keep denying to be Ling'er? Did she lose her memories? ... But isn't Ling'er suppose to be dead...?'

Xuan Ling opened her eyes when the pain eased and looked over at the confused Xiao Yao, who was thinking rapidly to find an answer. She wanted to go home in the safety of her room. She isn't even suppose to be here; his past and confusions have nothing to do with her and she have nothing to do with that Lin... person... Whatever those feelings that she had or the pain meant, they were scaring her. She just wanted things to be simple and carefree again.

"I'm not her..." Xiao Yao turned his head a little, looking at her from the corner of his eye. "There's no way your wife and I can be the same person. Even though I've never met her and don't know how much we are alike... but I know I'm not her. I know I've never met you before that day in the inn and I now I've always lived with the 'Pearls' and Mama. I know..."

"Where did you grow up?" Xiao Yao cut in. "Who are your parents? Where's your relatives? Family?" Xiao Yao turned to face her and Xuan Ling had a blank expression. The truth was she did not know any of the things he asked her. She actually had never thought of these things because she was very simple-minded and lived a luxorious life. Family? - the 'Pearls'. Parents? - 'Mama'. Home? She did not have any home. The 'Pearls' had always traveled from city to city and never settled at one place for more than a year. She did not know her hometown or where she grew up, but why did she neve think of these things before? She just doesn't know... these things never occured in her mind. She grew up in the inner chambers of where ever they were staying at, at the time. She performed on holidays and make friends with the flowers and butterflies in the gardens. She had never questioned Mama about herself nor her real parents.

"I don't know..." Xuan Ling whispered after a long silence. Xiao Yao approached her but she backed away from him. "But that doesn't mean I'm HER... (pause) I'm... sorry that she's gone, and you must be in deep pain... but using me as a replacement will not help to ease the pain. It will only hurt you more and me and not to mention Yi Ru..." They stared at each other for a long while. "I think we shouldn't see each other again. I would only bring back painful memories for you..." Xuan Ling turned to walk away.

"I won't go looking for you from now on!" Xiao Yao said and made Xuan Ling stopped in her track. "I promise you that, but... we will meet again." Xuan Ling turned back to him quickly a little frustrated at his stubborness.

"Don't be so stubborn. Our fate have ended... we have nothing to do with each other..." She walked off.

"We will meet again... because that is our FATE......" Xiao Yao whispered and stared at her retreating back.

CHAPTER 6




In a dark, shadowy room with the only light source was from the moonlight coming in from the open ceiling. A young man sitting in his throne-like seat and looked up into the opening of the ceiling, out to the night, starry sky. He was intensely concentrating on a dim star that seem to be getting brighter more and more, yet still on a very slow rate. It took him a while to recognize the star but when he did he was very puzzled. He stared at it and thought and thought but he could not find a good explanation. 'Could the past be re-written?' He thought in his puzzlement.

"This star should've died out it's light 6 years ago... I watched it disapparate myself... so how could this be?..." He whispered to himself and closed his eyes in concentration. His hands waved around while his lips mumbled some enchantments then he hands started to glow. A vortex appeared in front of him and sucked in his body as he traveled back in time. He landed near a lake at a battle scene that had happened six years ago.

The princess of Nan Zhao and a young xia was fighting the headpriest of Nan Zhao. The man stood back and watched the scene that was already imprinted in his mind long ago. The battle went on... both side were getting hurt but in the end the headpriest died. The man turned and followed the young xia and the princess. He watched as they went from happy to heartbroke... He followed them to witness the blood rushing out of the princess's body and staining the ground with it's brilliant red color. Witnessing the limp body of the princess being carried by the despairing xia who looked like it was the end of his life... Witnessing the happy smile of the princess to able to die in the arms of her lover... Witnessing her last breath... Witnessing the xia zombie-like look as he stood there rigid with the princess's body in his arms, holding on to her so that she could not leave...

The man turned away from them and went back to the lakeside where he saw a younger version of himself running toward where the headpriest had died.

"No! No! Godfather!!!!" The man saw himself dropped to his knees and crying out for his godfather, and bawling. "NOOOOOO!!!!" A single tear slid down his face as he saw himself in so much agony, then turned away and went back to the portal.

Back in the dark room, he sat staring up into the night sky again, then closed his eyes. The tear finally dropped from his face and descended onto the floor.

*****

Keeping his promise, Xiao Yao did not go looking for Xuan Ling from that day on. He was leaving it all to fate now, but at the same time he knew they would meet again. He was busy these days preparing for a new trip, and this time he would bring Yue Ru along. Even though Ling'er will always be in the back of his mind he needed to concentrate on Yue Ru's condition more these days. A good friend of his had stopped by a few days earlier and told him some great news. The Great Xia Competition was being held and all the famous xias would be there. Some to enter the competition and some there for the enjoyment of the tournament. He was going because one person was confirmed to be there by his friend. It was an old xia who specializes in medicines and have a rare collections of pills and herbs. Xiao Yao was to go and find a way to seek him out to ask for his help with Yue Ru's condition, for she has been getting paler and he still had no news of the last essence. He believed that this old xia would be able to help, at least to preserve Yue Ru's body longer so he would have more time to go find her essence. The old xia was called Sir Dong by everyone, and it was rare to find a person that doesn't know of his reputations. Xiao Yao's only problem was that he did not have an invitation to enter this Xia Meeting. Only the xias who have made a name for themselves and were known widely among the people were invited. It would be impossible for him to try and enter that area, but he told himself that he would linger around that city until he can find Sir Dong. If he can't enter then it will wait for the old xia to come out. He was going to take Yue Ru, so that if he did find Sir Dong, the man can help her right away.

Xiao Yao spent the next few days preparing all the needed thing for the journey. Mostly they were all for Yue Ru, as for him he can just pick up and go. This time the journey would be a long one because of Yue Ru's condition and because he was not coming back until he can find Sir Dong. Yi Ru did not want to part from her father for that long so she begged and begged him to let her come with. He was hestitant at first but looking at her anxcious face he gave in. Although his aunt did not object him taking Yi Ru along but she was starting to fuss about everything now. She kept on packing and unpacking; putting in and taking out the things they needed and don't need. She was worried that Xiao Yao had too much on his hand. Not only did he have Yi Ru to take care of he also had a half-dead person to protect.

*******

Xuan Ling and Yu Yan had snucked out again and were eating at a small noodle shop. They were eating and talking of random things when Xuan Ling spotted Xiao Yao walking in the front door. She quickly ducked her head to avoid him seeing her and Yu Yan looked at her confused. Xiao Yao was there to pick up the food packages for the journey but he did see Yu Yan and thought he saw Xuan Ling but wasn't sure.

"Lady, what are you doing under the table?" Yu Yan asked Xuan Ling, but Xuan Ling put a finger to her lips to hush her.

"Remember that guy?" Xuan Ling whispered and pointed at Xiao Yao. Yu Yan peered at him and recognized him right away. "He thinks... I'm his wife... who's dead!" Yu Yan raised her eyesbrows to show her disbelief, yet she felt a bit amused. After speaking to the owner, Xiao Yao walked over to Yu Yan's table as she straightened up and acted like everything was normal. Xuan Ling had seen him coming too and took a chance and crawled for it and hid behind a door.

"Hi miss... out with your lady?" Xiao Yao asked Yu Yan. She tried to act normal but it was very unconvincing.

"Lady? My lady is not here... Can't a maid have a few minutes to herself and enjoy her lunch?" Xiao Yao eyed the other pair of chopsticks and bowl that were used by Xuan Ling. Yu Yan noticed that and quickly covered it up. "With a friend..." Xiao Yao sighed and nodded but then his eyes caught sight of a piece of Xuan Ling's dress that was not hidden behind the door.

"I'm sorry to bother you then... but please tell your lady when you see her..." Xiao Yao spoke loudly so that Xuan Ling can hear him, but it also made many of the customers stare at him. "That she can't hide from our fate. We will meet again..." He turned to leave and picked up his packages before he walked out. Xuan Ling let out her breath that she unconsciously held, and went back to their table.

"That man is... completely crazy..." Yu Yan said still in disbelief and shook her head slowly, then continued to eat like nothing happened. Xuan Ling stared at the direction he had left and was silent.

*******

"Now girls, I have an important news for all of you." Mama called out to the girls as they gathered around her. "There is great news! The Great Xia Competition is coming up and they have commissioned us to perform at all their banquets." There was an excited murmur from the girls except for Xuan Ling who was silent. Usually she would be very excited for a chance to perform and get out of her room but she was deep in thoughts and barely heard what Mama was saying. Mama raised her hands up to hush the girls then continued. "Now now, before all of you get excited, only four girls will go as main performers and I will only take 10 as dancers, because I already have another group there waiting for us so no need for all of you to go." The girls went silent; they knew that the main performers would the four great 'Pearls' which include Xuan Ling. "Of course you should already know who those four would be and as for the ten dancers I will have a drawing later." The great 'Pearls' were the prettiest and most talented of all the girls and can lure men very easily to spend money on them. The three great 'Pearls' were all excited and happy they were going to the Xia Competition. They were hoping to meet someone there to be their husband for they were all in the marrying age. Xuan Ling still had a dazed look that made Mama and the other girls stare at her. Yu Yan nudged her to wake her up and Xuan Ling snapped out of it.

"Huh? What?" Xuan Ling asked then saw they were all looking at her.

"Lady, you're going to the Great Xia Competition to perform along with the other three Great 'Pearls'." Yu Yan whispered to her.

"Oh! Yes! I can't wait to go!" She flashed Mama a smile so to seem that she was fine. Mama returned her smile then turned around and shooed the girls back to work. Xuan Ling and Yu Yan went back to her room while she went back to her thoughts. 'Maybe this trip will keep me from seeing Xiao Yao again...' she nodded to herself. 'Yes... we can't possibly meet again if we're thousand of miles apart... not even fate can bring us to meet again...'


***

Xiao Yao and Yi Ru waved goodbye to their aunt as their boat floated out to the sea. Yi Ru was so excited for this trip, because this was the first time she set foot out of her little town, first time on a boat, first time travelling with her father. She sat at the tip of the boat and looked down to look at the fishes and enjoyed the boat ride. After a couple of days stuck on such a small boat and the waves were getting rougher, little Yi Ru wanted to get off as soon as possible. Xiao Yao let her sat in his laps and hugged her when she felt sea sick. He sat there, holding his daughter, and looked out to the endless ocean and sky. He did not know how long this trip would take and when he would be able to see Ling'er again, but he knew they will meet again. They MUST meet again...

*******

After a week of traveling and being stuck in a carriage or the four walls of a room Xuan Ling was bored out of her mind. Then at a small city Mama had to depart them to take care of some business and would meet them at the competition, she found this was the chance to sneak out a bit to get some freedom. The city they were in may be small but it was full of activities. Xuan Ling and Yu Yan spent all days wandering around and eating the delicacies until it was night fall did they go back to the inn. In the main room of the inn they sat down to rest and had some tea. The owner looked surprise to see them and went over.

"Young ladies, what are you doing here?" He asked them.

"Old man, are you going senile?" Yu Yan answered him a bit annoyed. "We rented rooms here, remember?"

"Yes, I know that, but your friends left a while ago." The two of them stopped rigid and looked at each other.

"What do you mean they left? When?" Yu Yan cried out, standing up and grabbed the old man's shirt.

"Around five hours ago I think." She let go of him slowly, taking in the situation. They were left stranded and she wondered if the other 'Pearls' had taken their money and belongings too. She grabbed Xuan Ling and pulled her to their room. Luckily their things and money were still there, but Xuan Ling was still worried about not being able to get to the competition.

"Yu Yan, what are we going to do now? We don't know the way!" Xuan Ling was panicing which was not helping Yu Yan at all.

"Lady, calm down. Don't worry, I'll find a way. I'll... I'll ask for directions. Don't worry..." Xuan Ling down on her bed and breathed deeply to calm herself. Yu Yan kicked the table in anger. "It must be those three 'Pearls' doing this on purpose. They had always been jealous of you. So taking advantage of Mama not being here, they deserted us like this." She stood there fuming and Xuan Ling just sighed and watched her ramble on.

*****

A month have past already but Xiao Yao, Yi Ru, and sleeping Yue Ru had only gotten one third of the way. They had to make many stops to let Yue Ru rest even though she really didn't have to do anything, but Xiao Yao was just trying to prevent any damage to her body. In the thick forest they finally saw some clear sky and came out to a side of the cliff. Xiao Yao chose that area to take a rest. Carefully to not disturb the sleeping Yi Ru, Xiao Yao carried Yue Ru out of the carriage. He sat her down near the cliff side then sat down and let her leaned on him. He sighed deeply, looking out to the vast landscape and began to talk to her in his mind.

'What if we had never met?...' Xiao Yao hugged her closer to him, so her body won't get cold. 'You would still be Lady Lin, living your luxurious life with no worries... Not like now... not like this... not dead... not alive...' He looked out to the horizon. 'Why did you fall in love with me?.... I'm not worth it... not at all... this would be so much easier if you hadn't love me... hadn't sacrificed so much... or if I had loved you... or if I hadn't met Ling'er at all... What if you both didn't die?... Who was I suppose to choose?... Why couldn't Heaven had taken me instead... I would trade my life for both of yours any day... any time...' He breathed in her scent. 'Even now I'm not quite clear of my feelings for you... Did I fall in love with you too?... Or am I just a selfish womanizer that used you?... I never thought I would ever fall for two girls, because I had always thought when I find that person she will be the one and only... I never thought someone else could be in love with me too and did so much for me... how am I suppose to repay that person?... Tell me... do I love you? Even if it was just for a little while?... a tiny bit?... or was it just my guilt?.... I'm so confused... so tired....' He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He turned to Yue Ru and carressed the side of her face and his fingers came upon her dried lips. He carried her over to a big tree stump and let her leaned on it.

"I will be right back, I going to find some water for you..." As Xiao Yao left a single tear slid down Yue Ru's cheek.

******

Xuan Ling was wandering in the woods because she had to wait for her maid who went to ask directions. She had never seen such exotic flowers and trees before and kept going from one spot to another and before long she did not know where she was. On her way to find the place where she was suppose to wait for Yu Yan, she spotted someone near a tree stump and walked over cautiously. Then she saw it was someone sleeping and came closer. 'Have I seen her before?... but where...?' she thought as she got closer to Yue Ru. Seeing how pale the sleeping woman was Xuan Ling thought maybe the lady was ill. Then it clicked in her mind, 'Ah ha! It's that sleeping lady that I saw in the inn. She's the one that... but what is she doing in the middle of the woods and by herself, sleeping?' Xuan Ling reached out a finger to stir her to see if the woman was ok, but before she can touch Yue Ru a cry stop her from behind.

"Stop!!! What are you doing over there?" Xiao Yao yelled at her, and came running over, but stop when Xuan Ling turned around. Seeing Xiao Yao, Xuan Ling eyes' got big in bewilderment. She could not believe it was possible to see him here... in the middle of practically no where. He stood there staring at her. His expressions went from shock to longing. Xuan Ling begun to feel uncomfortable under his intensive stare and thought, 'Oh no... not again... probably imagining that I'm his wife again... and now that we meet again... he's never going to let that fate thing go...'

"Um... I just wanted to see if she was ok..." Xuan Ling started to back up. "So... I'll be going now..." Xiao Yao snapped out of his trance and looked at Yue Ru and quickly went over to her, which made Xuan Ling back up more cause she thought he was going over to her. Xiao Yao began to feed Yue Ru the water carefully and Xuan Ling was surprised to see his tenderness towards this lady. 'Wait... could she be his dead wife...? But if she is then why does he think I'm like her?... We don't look alike at all...'

"Lady!" Yu Yan called out and ran over to Xuan Ling. Xuan Ling grabbed her hand and they quickly turned around to leave, as Yu Yan saw who the guy was.

"Stop!" Xiao Yao called out without looking at them, still feeding the water to Yue Ru, but the girls did stop. Xuan Ling peered back at him, and see him picking up Yue Ru and putting her back in the carriage. After that he started to pack up everything as he spoke to them. "You can't deny our fate anymore... Even if you're Lin..." He remembered how that name hurted her so he stopped. "HER or not... Our fate is still connected... even if you run away again... we are still connected..."

"What a lunaticcc.....ahhh..." Yu Yan said but was quickly pulled by Xuan Ling who started to run.


CHAPTER 7


When Xuan Ling and Yu Yan finally arrived to town, night had falled but the city was brightly lit by many lanterns, and many people crowding around.

"Aiya! I totally forgot today is the lantern holiday!" Yu Yan cried out. Xuan Ling jumped up with excitement and they ran around to look at the beautiful lanterns. It was so hard to get around because the streets were so packed with people, and street performers.

"Yu Yan let's go buy some moon cakes!" Xuan Ling said and they went to find the moon cake cart. While Xuan Ling was busy choosing from the wonderful varieties of moon cakes there was a rush from the crowd and Yu Yan was pushed along with them. She cried out to her lady but the crowd was making such a racket and the fireworks started lighting up the night sky that Xuan Ling wasn't able to hear her.

"Yu Yan look at all these cute moon cakes I bought..." She stopped when she couldn't find Yu Yan behind her. "Yu Yan?" She called out and peered around but did not see her maid. She stood there rigid as realization that they had lost each other came to her and the box containing the moon cakes slid from her hand and hit the ground. Xuan Ling ran around the crowds and yelled for Yu Yan but could not see her maid, and she began to panic more and more. 'Please Heaven, let me find her!' The thought went over and over in her mind but still she did not see a familiar face, and wanted to cry.

"Yu Yan!" She kept calling for the maid and ran from places to places, and two guys started to notice her. The first guy eyed the other one and they walked toward Xuan Ling.

"Miss, are you looking for your friend?" The second guy asked.

"Yes, have you seen her?"

"Yea, we told her to wait over there, while we help look for you." Xuan Ling was too happy to even think logically and followed them. The guys grinned slyly to one another, and thought what an easy bait she turned out to be. Even though Xuan Ling did feel a bit uneasy around these guys but she is so lost and scared that she just wanted to find Yu Yan as soon as possible. But the sinking feeling she had did a double turn when the guy lead her into a dark alley.

*****

Xiao Yao and Yi Ru was carrying their belongings into the inn that they were staying at for the night when he noticed two brutes were leading a young girl somewhere. He squinted to get a better view and realized that girl was Lin... Xuan Ling.

"Yi Ru..." He handed her the last bundle, "take this inside and stay in the room, ok?" Yi Ru nodded. "I'll be right back." Then he ran in the direction the guys and Xuan Ling had went.

****

A little way into the dark alley Xuan Ling stopped following the guys and timidly looked around in the darkness. She started to back up and the guys turned around when they sensed she wasn't following them.

"What's wrong pretty lady?" The first one asked.

"Actually... I think I know where Yu Yan might be..." The guys looked at each other then went over and grabbed her and Xuan Ling cried out. She struggled to get free and began to scream but the guy that carried her covered her mouth too.

"Don't worry little lady, we won't hurt you...." The other one said, "We just want to show you...." BAM! BAM!

Both guys got kicked in the face by a great force that made them fell over. The guy carrying Xuan Ling let her go and she went flying up into the air but was caught. Feeling strong arms around her Xuan Ling opened her eyes to stare into Xiao Yao's eyes as they slowly descend to the ground. The guys took their chance and ran for it.

As their eyes caught each others time slowed down for them. Xiao Yao saw the fear and panic in hers and Xuan Ling saw protection and caring in his. She felt so safe in his arms that a new emotion rushed over her. Xiao Yao landed on his feet with Xuan Ling in his arms and hanging onto him. He let her down and just stood there which made her feel awkward. She felt embarressed for having running away from him earlier that day and now he had saved her from those guys. She didn't know what to say.

"Why did you follow those brutes?... Do you know how stupid that was?! Do you know what could've happened?" Xiao Yao asked her roughly and it made her wince. She didn't look at him and felt so stupid and embaressed. Xiao Yao did not want to yell at her but he was so scared that if he hadn't come in time some thing really would've happened to her.

"I'm sor... sorry..." Xuan Ling tried to speak but his angry face intimidated her. She stood there figiding with her hands trying to find the right words when she heard his body hit the wall with a thud. She turned to see him supporting himself with the wall and looking like he's nauseated. She came over, concerned for his health.

"What's wrong?" She supported him to straighten up and helped him stand on his feet but he was still looking dazed and could not look straight at her. Giving her directions to the inn, Xiao Yao hung onto her as they walked slowly back to the inn.

*****
Opening the door, Yi Ru was surprised to see Xuan Ling jie jie and her father together.

"Quick little Yi Ru, help me bring your father over to the bed." Yi Ru did as she's told. "Yi Ru, can you get a wet towel please?" Xuan Ling took off Xiao Yao's boots and tucked him under the blanket. Xiao Yao was fighting for consciousness because he didn't want this moment to end up as only a dream. Ling'er was here and taking care of him. He was so happy that he didn't even know that he had started to mumble Ling'er's name which made Xuan Ling's head started to hurt. She looked at Xiao Yao, 'Even when he's sick all he thinks about his her...' She got up and was about to go out so she could avoid hearing that name and the pain, but Xiao Yao had grabbed her hand to stop her. He had broke out of his daze when he saw her getting up and quickly caught her, afraid that she would disappear. Xuan Ling stopped and looked back at him and they stared into each other's eyes again.

"I'm sorry... Xuan Ling..." Xuan Ling glanced away and sat back down on the bed, blushing a bit. It was the first time he called her by her real name, and something in the way he said it gave her a warm feeling. Xiao Yao took her hand in intertwined their fingers together and Xuan Ling could do nothing but look at him. Then he closed his eyes and held their hands together like that and Xuan Ling was confused. Then feeling a lumping feeling on his palm she slowly pulled her hand out of his grip and looked at his palm. There was a scar-like character in the middle of his palm.

"Ling...?" She whispered, "Why does he have a scar of the word Ling?" She traced the character with her finger. "It looks like it was burnt to his hand..." Then she glanced up at him and saw he was staring at her, and she realized she was speaking outloud and what she had just did. She quickly let go of his hand and turned away, embarressed for the third time today in front of him. Luckily Yi Ru walked in then with a wet towel. The little girl wiped her father's sweaty face gently and Xiao Yao smiled up at her. Xuan Ling remembered about Yu Yan and began to get worried again.

"Um... I have to go find..."

"Yu Yan?" Xiao Yao finished for her. Xuan Ling was silent, she wanted to cry because she felt so helpless and lost. Seeing her like this made his heart ache and he struggled to get up, but his coughed started again. Xuan Ling came over and patted his back.

"Don't worry... just an old illness." (cough, cough) he said. Xuan Ling looked worriedly at him, his cough sounded like he was dying. "Stay here...(cough) ... stay here with us for now...(cough)..." Xuan Ling looked at Yi Ru who was nodding her head rapidly for her to stay, and it made her smile at the girl's silliness. "I'll...(cough)... help you find her when I feel better...(cough)..."

"Are you really ok? Your coughing is getting worse!"

"Xuan Ling jie jie, father is always like this but he won't go see the doctor!" Xuan Ling sighed and turned to Xiao Yao.

"Even if you don't think for yourself, at least think of Yi Ru. You can't be sick, you need to look after your daughter. I'll go get the doctor." Xiao Yao stopped her.

"No don't..."

"But..." He put a finger to her lips to hush her. "It's too late for doctors to be awake, and plus... (cough)... you're my best medicine..." Xiao Yao said weakly then fell back onto the bed as sleep took over him. "Ling'er..." was his last whisper...

Xuan Ling was happy when he said she was his best medicine, but hearing that name made her happiness disapparate, and her head seared with the pain... She sighed and kept staring at him until she heard a light yawn and noticed Yi Ru was still there. She carried the little girl into the other room and placed her into the empty bed. Then she peered over to the other bed and saw the sleeping Yue Ru, and began to wonder who this woman was again. 'If Xiao Yao had a wife... then who is she...?' Xuan Ling walked back to Xiao Yao's room. 'And what about me...? How do I come into the picture...?' She replaced another wet towel on Xiao Yao's head. 'That is... if I'm in the picture at all....' She sat down beside his bed and placed her head onto the bed and stared up at his sleeping face. 'Am I just a misguided fate?... Why am I even thinking these stuff...? Have I fallen for this man...? If to say I have, but somehow it doesn't seem right... but to say I havn't fallen... that also doesn't seem right... somehow it's like I loved him even before I've met him... Loved him for a long long time... But that can't be right...' And she slowly fell asleep as her thoughts went on thinking...

CHAPTER 8


Xiao Yao opened his eyes and squinted as the sun's rays hit his eyes. It took a few minutes for him to adjust to the lighting then he looked around in the room. And he sat up as his eyes hit the sleeping figure next to his bed. He gently traced the side of her face and floods of memories rushed back and made him a bit nauseated, like the time that he recovered his memories of Ling'er and their marriage on Divine Spirit Island.

~Flashback~

"Ling'er will wait for you here!" Xiao Yao turned and looked back at the little Ling'er waving goodbye to him, and sadly departed.

~~~

A cute, innocent, and childish Ling'er reaching out to touch his adam's apple.

"How weird," touching her own throat. "How come Ling'er doesn't have one?" Xiao Yao looked at her in shock and swallowed his dried throat.

"You...You...You... Do you know what a tease does?" Ling'er pointed at his throat.

"That's called a tease?"

"No, you're teasing me." Ling'er looked confused and tapped his throat again.

"That's called teasing? So what?" She touched her own throat again, trying to find the lump that a woman wouldn't have.

"I'm warning you," Xiao Yao had a sly look. "If you do that again, I'll do something bad." Ling'er looked at him innocently, not knowing what he meant, and not able to contained himself Xiao Yao leaned over and gave her a kissed on the cheek. Ling'er touched her cheek in confusement.

"That's a bad thing?" Xiao Yao looked at her shock. Ling'er thought about it for a second.

"I can do it too." And she leaned over to the stunned Xiao Yao and returned his kiss.

~~~~

Xiao Yao was sitting across from Ling'er, who was dressed in men's clothings, at a brothel. They were eyeing each other and having an open debate on their relationship. The girls were looking at them confused of why two men were debating their love for each other. Then at one point Xiao Yao stood up in anger.

"From the beginning to end you've always been in control. You're the one who wanted to get together, you're the one who left, and you're also the one who said to break up. All this time, I never had a chance to say 'No'. Is that fair to me?" Ling'er looked at him with no expressions. "In your eyes, I'm just someone to play with. Just somemone to order around, am I right?" He walked over. "What are you doing here tonight? Can you not forget me? You're jealous, right?" Ling'er gets up in anger.

"You're talking nonsense!" Xiao Yao roughly grabbed Ling'er's hand.

"You still care for me, don't you?"

~~~~~

The were in the Red Demon's lair and Ling'er was being captured by the demon. Xiao Yao had just saved Yue Ru and was now trying to explain to Ling'er what he just did.

"I cannot owe this Evil Woman anything. But I am willing to die for you... no matter where you go I will follow you." Ling'er looked at him, touched at his words.

~~~~

Xiao Yao had just found Ling'er at the medicine house; in the village that was being invaded by the zombies. He walked over to the sleeping Ling'er and sat down on the bed next to her. He gently tapped her nose and she slowly opened her eyes. Ling'er sat up quickly, hardly believeing her eyes that Xiao Yao ge ge was there in front of her.

"Xiao Yao ge ge!" They pulled into a tight hug and Xiao Yao smiled happily.

"I will never let you leave me again! We will never part again!"

~End of Flashbacks~



Xiao Yao gently tapped Xuan Ling's nose and she slowly opened her eyes; just like that last flashback. She straightened up when she realized where she was and what Xiao Yao had just done, then looked at him not knowing what to say. A few minutes later a little voice interupted them.

"Father, Xuan Ling jie jie, I'm hungry." They turned to see little Yi Ru at the doorway, sleepily rubbing her eyes with her tiny hands.

"I'll go make something for breakfast then." Xuan Ling stood up and went to the kitchen. Yi Ru went over to Xiao Yao and crawled up onto the bed with him. Xiao Yao patted her head as she snuggled into his lap and closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.

"Yi Ru..." Xiao Yao whispered and looked into the identical face of her mother when Ling'er was the same age.

****

It took Xuan Ling over two hours to conjoured up a pot of what looked to be congee. Xiao Yao and Yi Ru stared at the pot of whatever it was that Xuan Ling set on the table; not wanting to touch it at all.

"Some congee for breakfast..." Xuan Ling said proudly because this was the first time that she actually cooked. She had seen Yu Yan make many dishes for her but congee was the easiest to remember so she tried to make it. And even though it looked nothing like the ones Yu Yan had made, Xuan Ling thought it didn't taste half bad. Yi Ru and Xiao Yao looked at each other and urged each other with their eyes to try it first. Xuan Ling looked from one to the other, wondering what they were doing. Xuan Ling's hair was all ruffled and she had blacked smears all over her face and it made Yi Ru started to laugh. Xiao Yao also started to laugh at the way she turned out and it made Xuan Ling even more confused.

"What?" She asked them but they just kept laughing. "Ok, I know it may not looked very edible but it's my first time cooking," She scooped up some really gooie congee and dropped it into Xiao Yao's bowl. "So tell me what you think." Xiao Yao eyed his bowl hesitantly then slowly picked up his spoon, scooped some congee, and took a tiny sip. His eyes lit up in shock.

"It's really good!" Xiao Yao cried out and began to eat rapidly. Yi Ru looked at him, not really believing but tried some to make Xuan Ling jie jie happy.

"It is good!" She said, and Xuan Ling was surprised that they liked it that much. Through their meal, Xuan Ling stole glances at Xiao Yao when he didn't notice and smiled to herself. She was beginning to see a different side to him. The side that was laid back and not sad or acts weird around her. And he doesn't see her as someone else, just her, just Xuan Ling.

*****

A few days later, when Xiao Yao had gotten better, Xuan Ling and him set out and searched around for Yu Yan in the city. But there was no luck in finding her maid and it made Xuan Ling more and more worried. Ever since she can remember things she had never parted with Yu Yan; they were like sisters and she never saw Yu Yan as a maid but as a best friend that took great care of her.

"What am I going to do now? I don't know how to get there..." Xuan Ling was pacing the room and mumbling to herself. Xiao Yao was next to Yue Ru on the bed, and wiping her face with a wet towel. "It's in two months, and I'm so lost... how am I going to get there? and where is Yu Yan... I hope she's ok..."

"What's in two months?" Xiao Yao asked as he finished wiping Yue Ru's face. Xuan Ling sighed and sat down on a chair.

"There's a Xia Competition and we were commissioned to perform at all their banquets." Xiao Yao turned to her when he heard 'Xia Competition'.

"Wait!" Xiao Yao said, standing up and went over to her. "The Xia Competition at Ping City?" (A.N.: haha i made upm some random city)

"Yes..."

"That's where we're heading too."

"Really?!"

"Yes! Since you can't find Yu Yan, why not go with us then?" Xuan Ling was happy that she wasn't going to have to find her way alone to Ping City but on second thought it made her stop smiling. "What's wrong?"

"What about Yu Yan...? I don't know how she is or where..."

"I think she's fine. She probably went on ahead to Ping City because she knows you will end up there too." Xuan Ling thought about it then smiled.

"You're right, she probably went ahead already."

***

Early the next morning they set out on their journey. Sitting in the carriage Xuan Ling had nothing to do but stared at Yue Ru who was across from her. Yi Ru was asleep on Xuan Ling's lap so she didn't have anyone to talk to either. 'Is it me? Or is she getting paler?' Xuan Ling wondered as she inspected Yue Ru closely. That night they camped out in the middle of the forest because it was dangerous to travel in it at night. After dinner Yi Ru had gone straight to bed in the carriage and that left Xuan Ling and Xiao Yao alone next to the bonfire. Xiao Yao was poking the fire with a stick and putting more twigs in. Xuan Ling just stared silently at the fire, deep in her thoughts.

"I've been meaning to ask you..." Xuan Ling started slowly. Xiao Yao looked up at her. "... about that scar on your hand..." Averting her eyes she looked up right into his eyes. Xuan Yao looked down at his palm and saw the word 'Ling' imprinted there. It took awhile for him to find the words to answer her, because he wasn't sure on how to tell her, their story... MAYBE it was their story....

"It's... is the sign of my love for Ling..." He paused, remembering how that name hurt Xuan Ling. "... for my wife..." Xuan Ling looked at him while he stared at his hand, and there was silence for the longest time.

"You... must've really loved her... and you two must've had an extraordinary story... I... in a way... I envy her..." Xiao Yao looked at her and she turned away, blushing at her last sentence, that was not suppose to be said aloud.

"Extraordinary..." Xiao Yao whispered that word, thinking about the past. "Our story cannot be described by any mere word... We had gone through so much together and in the end.... there was no way to change what fate have set for us..." Xiao Yao went on to tell her the story of Ling'er and him. Xuan Ling listened intently and some parts brought tears to her eyes; it was so heart wreching. Especially when Xiao Yao described how Ling'er had died in his arms. But she also felt sad for Yue Ru's fate, yet it was very admirable of her faithful love to Xiao Yao, even though it was not reciprocated. Even though both girls had a very sad ending, Xuan Ling had to envy them, because they each held a place in Xiao Yao's heart. No matter if it was a big place or small, love or friendship, they still had a piece of his heart and had gone through so much with him. As for her... she was only a look-alike... a replacement... Xuan Ling wiped her tears as Xiao Yao finished his story.

"Xiao Yao ge ge..." Xuan Ling said and it made Xiao Yao turned to her quickly, in recognition of these words. It had been so long sicne he heard a little gently voice call him that. But coming from Xuan Ling just brings back so much painful yet happy memories. "Your old life... It must've been hard..." Xiao Yao's expressions became emtional... Xuan Ling was saying the same exact words that Ling'er had said to him on the night of their wedding chamber. "Xuan Ling promise to give you happiness in any way I can..." Xiao Yao's expressions turned to longing as he stared at Xuan Ling yet seeing only Ling'er...

~Flashback~

Ling'er and Xiao Yao were holding their hands together as their hands glowed. Then pulling their hands apart they leaned in to see the word 'Ling' appearing on Xiao Yao's hand. Ling'er smiled happily and Xiao Yao looked surprised at the word.

"Only if you really love me, will the word 'Ling' appear on your hand."

"Then... what if I don't love you anymore? Then it'll be gone?" Ling'er nodded sadly.

"If you don't love me anymore, it'll disappear."

"You're quite the tricky one. Got lots of good ideas." Ling'er reached over and took his hand, looking at his palm.

"Xiao Yao ge ge, your old life... It must've been hard." Xiao Yao looked a bit shy.

"Not really..." Ling'er smiled at him.

"Ling'er swears to take good care of Xiao Yao ge ge. I won't let you go through anymore hard times."

"Hey..." Xiao Yao said and tapped her nose. "You said it backward, silly girl."

~End of Flashback~

"Xiao Yao ge ge?" Xuan Ling was tapping him. Xiao Yao snapped out of his memories. "Xiao Yao ge ge your... your hand... the one with the scar... it was glowing a moment ago..." Xiao Yao looked down at it and nodded.

"It does that some time when I...."

"When you think of her..." Xuan Ling finished his sentence. She felt a bit sad but tried to smile through it... "It's late." She got up and started to walk toward the carriage. "I should go get some sleep now... You should too..." She went into the carriage and laid down next to Yi Ru. After a few minutes of sleeplessness, she turned and looked at Yue Ru. 'I guess this was how you felt when you're with Xiao Yao and her... I can understand now how much pain you must have gone through while at his side but yet... it was impossible to leave him...' and slowly she drifted off to sleep.

*****

The days that they traveled together brought Xiao Yao and Xuan Ling very close together. There was a development of mutual affections and understanding between them. Xuan Ling have come to understand that Xiao Yao, even though he called her Xuan Ling, will always see her as Ling'er or at least be reminded of her. As for Xiao Yao, he is taking in the fact that Xuan Ling may not be Ling'er after all. But there was always a tiny hope that it could turn out to be true; that somehow Xuan Ling is Ling'er or somehow is connected to her and would bring him back to his wife. He does not let that idea turn more than just a mere hopeful wish, because it was unfair to Xuan Ling; taking her as a replacement or pushing her to be someone else.

Xuan Ling had grown to like Xiao Yao very much... and cannot deny it anymore of her feelings for him. Through their journey, she taught him how to smile and laugh again. But through his smiles and laughs, Xiao Yao was having mixed feelings for this girl... he knows that he have grown to care for her a lot but... is it love? Could it be that he's just using her as a replacement for Ling'er so that his heart could be mended? Xiao Yao knew that he could never be able to forget Ling'er and will never be with another girl, that is until Evil Woman wakes up and they fullfill their promise to travel together; but Xuan Ling could be Ling'er...

Getting to know her better now, Xiao Yao noticed that it wasn't only their physical looks that were alike, but there were some little details about both girls that were exactly alike too. Of course, they had their differences; Xuan Ling was more vibrant and childish, but Ling'er had once been like that too. That was until the Lunar Sect made her life a living hell. Ling'er had so much weight on her back... so much... there was no way that her innocent would not perish with all that weight pushing it down on her...

"Xiao Yao ge ge! Come! Come look!" Xuan Ling yelled for him to come as she stood by the cliff's side and looked out into the vast land. Yi Ru gave her father a little push toward Xuan Ling jie jie, so Xiao Yao tapped her nose then went to Xuan Ling. "Xiao Yao ge ge, it's beatiful!!!" They took in the scenery in front of them: the misty clouds, the running stream, the high mountains... Xiao Yao nodded in agreement and Xuan Ling turned to him.

"I wish I could travel the world and fly away like the birds!" She brought her arms out and spun around like she was a bird flying. Xiao Yao stood their smiling and watched her fly and heard her laugh.

"Then why don't you?" Xuan Ling stopped and pouted.

"Mama would never let me... and I don't know anything... There's no way for me to go alone... but then who would go with me?" She smiled at him. "Silly!" She tapped his nose unexpectedly then continued to look out to the vast land and took in deep breaths of fresh air. She did not know what effect her little action there did to Xiao Yao; his eyes grew big and he stood there rigid for a moment. He slowly brought his hand up and touched his nose.

"Xuan Ling, don't do that to me anymore, ok?" he said and Xuan Ling turned to him looking confused.

"Do what?" she said but then realized what she did. "Oh! This?" and tapped his nose again and laughed.

"Yes that, and don't do it again," Xuan Ling gave him a questioning look.

"Why not?"

"Because... only people that like me can do that..." Xuan Ling thought