Lovely Blossoms

The smell of soup hung in the air, it was no longer appealing, it was the same meal every day for the last four weeks. Fen Hua turned to Gui Ren. He was laying helplessly on the mound of earth that Mei Xiu was beneath. He didn't cry or talk, or move. He just lay there with a look so empty it was hard to fathom. But Fen Hua understood. She had lived her entire life feeling the pain of emptiness, not only as Fen Hua, but also as Li Shen. Her life had been nothing but a constant journey to survive.

Staring at him, though the heartache was surly different, the emptiness was the same. There was nothing to look forward to, not hope for the future, no light at the end of the tunnel. Just mindless days blurred together to create something that resembled a life. She used to watch other girls her age while she worked. Sometimes they would come in bunches and giggle and laugh filing the whole place with noise. Other times they would come in with a boy, and their eyes would be so bright as they talked with them. She longed to have been one of those girls. But she had always turned away and forced herself back into reality. That life wasn't in the books for her.

She stood up and grabbed Gui Ren's bowl, carrying it to him at the grave. Her chains had reached as far as they would go so she had to sit down with her legs pointing towards the fire. Gui Ren didn't even look at her when she sat down. His eyes stayed unfocused and lonely. She didn't know what she should do, but she knew what she had wanted someone to do for her whenever she felt she couldn't take it anymore.

She scooted closer to him and hugged him. She squeezed him tightly, as tightly as she could. She wanted him to feel the connection. The understanding that she felt for him. She wanted him to know he wasn't alone. It didn't matter that they had only known each other for a little over a month, she wanted him to know. She didn't say these words, she only squeezed tighter.

He remained frozen for at least a minute, but Fen Hua didn't let go. She began to worry that she was making a huge mistake, when suddenly his big arms wrapped around her. He sank his head into her shoulder and began to cry letting out the emotions that he'd stuffed back inside.

Fei Ling felt a feeling of frustration watching Fen Hua, a feeling that was less jealousy and more concern. Why was she being so stupid? What kind of woman would put herself in that type of situation? How was this going to look to everyone else. He turned away, then back again. There was also jealousy. A jealousy that felt like a stinging feeling in his heart, and a fire in his stomach.

Fen Hua pushed herself up allowing Gui Ren to lay on her l.a.p. She ran her fingers through his hair soothing him until he fell asleep. They had been camped here for three days already. The slavers were beyond frustrated, but were also unwilling to kill Gui Ren just yet. Seeing him sleep was the first sign of hope that they would continue their journey soon.

Fen Hua gently set his head on to the ground and went to the fire where a threadbare blanket was set. She grabbed it, along with her own and headed back to Gui Ren.

"That one is mine," a strong commanding voice said. Fen Hua stopped in her tracks. She turned around in surprise. Fei Ling stood up and walked to her yanking the thread b.a.r.e blanket from her hands and tossing her a different one. "Don't touch my stuff," he warned. His sharp sword voice sent shivers across her spine.

He sat back down leaving Fen Hua staring at him with her mouth agape. He was a very attractive man, probably in his early twenties. He had a strong jaw and a straight nose. There was a small scar on the right side of his face, a line that had grown thick and tan with age. He was muscular and lean. An overall very attractive man. But there was something else about him she couldn't put her finger on. Something she felt anytime she found herself looking in his direction, something that felt dark and heavy. She did her best to avoid him because to be honest, she was afraid of him.

She turned away, her mind trying to figure out how the blankets had gotten switched. He was on the other side of the fire as usual, how would his blanket be on her side? She pushed these worries away. That didn't matter right now. She would do her best not to upset him for now on, but there was nothing she could do about what had already happened.

She sat down next to Gui Ren and covered him up. She used the other blanket as a pillow for his head. Once she had him set up comfortably, she went back to the fire to keep herself warm.

Fei Ling bristled with anger. His eyes darted to Gui Ren who was using his much thicker blanket as a pillow. He had wanted her to use it for herself. Looking back at this idea he realized how stupid it was. Even if she had noticed the one he gave her was better then the other, she wouldn't have kept it for herself. He watched her from the corner of his eyes as she warmed herself by the fire. He balled the blanket he had claimed as his won and flung it at her.

"This one isn't mine either," he grumbled.

Fen Hua gaped at him. What did he expect her to do? Go and yank it away from Gui Ren who had only just now been able to fall asleep? A little spunk stirred inside of her.

"Well I don't know what to tell you," she said raising her chin. "I'm not going to take it from him, and I won't let you take it from him either." She forced herself to glare at him, surprisingly not feeling afraid at all. There was no doubt that if she was standing up for herself instead of someone else the story wold be much different.

Fei Ling watched her with a feeling of amus.e.m.e.nt bubbling inside of him. He crooked his lip up in a lopsided smile.

"And how would you stop me?" He asked with interest.

"I don't know, but I would." She continued to glare at him, and he continued to look on with amus.e.m.e.nt.

"I don't want it now, it's filled with his and your stench." He turned towards the smaller slaver. His narrowed and aggressive. "I need a new blanket."

The two slavers looked at one another, both feeling discomfort from a demand made by a slave, and oddly unsettled by his strange aura that seemed to penetrate them right into their very bones. The smaller slaver elbowed the bigger one.

"Go get him a blanket. " He stood up after he said this and forced himself to appear bold. "I'll let you to talk to me like that this one time, but next time I'll cut out your tongue." After he spoke he quickly looked away, every ounce of bravado slinking away at the glare coming from Fei Ling. There was just something about him...

Fen Hua had watched the scene in discomfort. She wasn't sure how to feel about any of this, but she did know that she could not mess around with Fei Ling. This man was dangerous.

Fei Ling laid his head down. He watched from the side of his eyes as Fen Hua cuddled into her blanket. All this work just to make sure she was warm. He let out a sigh.

'Is there any hope for me at all' he thought tiredly.