As they ate, Kirin asked quietly, "Where did you come from?"
Pondering his response for a time, he stood up and gazed down at her then stared off into the distance. "My home that I grew up in is very far from here. Tell me, have you always lived in this forest?" He returned his gaze upon Kirin, honestly curious about her. She is the only other one like him he had ever met. He hoped there would be more.
"Hmm, yes I was born here however… I was not raised by my parents, my father was murdered and my mother died during childbirth. Honestly speaking, I never much thought of what I was, I only recently discovered I could transform. The old woman who found me in a cave, raised me until the day she died. Since then I have been alone." Sadness clouded her eyes as she turned her gaze to the sky, the tears threatening to fall screamed in her eyes. Flashes of bittersweet memories appeared in her mind, at the same time a warm mist appeared around her body, waves of calm poured into every inch of her being.
"Hold onto them, but never let them rule you. When it begins to cloud your mind, it will eventually cloud your judgement. If you will allow me, I will always be by your side." He knelt down and gently stroked the side of her face, a feeling of profound fondness began to surface inside him. He couldn't explain it, but somehow he felt he had to protect her, guide her, and counsel her. "You won't be alone anymore. Let us find a place to sleep? I have a feeling we need to move away from this forest soon."
Nodding to Jun affirming his thoughts, they began to look for a safe place to sleep for the night. The swirling emotions this man brought her puzzled her. She knew she could trust him, she felt safe near his side, yet something about him pulled to her. Kirin could not possibly put her finger on it yet, but she resolved to herself to be sure to find out!
They had walked quite a ways until they found a cave nestled within a hidden spring. As the fairies danced about lighting the area, she created a mild heat wave within the cave in order to keep them warm. Glancing at Kirin, he was quite impressed with her knowledge and foresight.
Settling down near the entrance of the cave in order to keep watch, he couldn't unsettle his heart. Something was coming, if they didn't get far away, he feared for their safety. Soon they slept soundly as the night moved on. Day had not yet broke when they both awoke.
"We will move faster if we use our other form Jun."
Nodding to her they both changed shape and headed away from this mini paradise. Galloping at full speed they didn't stop until the sun reached high into the sky. Settling down in an outcrop near a mountainside, they had already left the forest far behind, after gathering more food they rested and ate their fill determined to march on.
Two days passed by like this, neither resting for too long, when they finally started seeing signs of civilization. Reverting back to their human forms, they walked into the village they spotted just hours before.
The simple village looked so lively and rich, that anyone coming here would have a nostalgic and home type of feeling. They entered the village and scoured the small market type of street for local food. Once they settled on what to eat, they then walked around and asked the locals for lodging.
Turning a corner Kirin accidentally bumped into a small child. The young boy fell down and she quickly helped him up. Instead of crying he stared at her in awe. "Um.. are you ok? Is there anything I can do to help you?" Kirin asked as she scanned him from head to toe to be sure he was ok.
The boy snapped out of his trance and shook his head quickly, he then pointed to a house in the distance. "You want us to follow you? Hmm… alright please lead the way." She smiled at him and followed the boy. Once they arrived, they were just about to turn and leave when the small boy clutched onto Kirin's sleeve. Tilting her head at the sudden action she pondered at why the boy didn't want her to leave. Just then, the mother came out and greeted them. "I hope my little Bai Ze did not cause you trouble. Please come in and rest for a while." Mother Bai smiled and led the way inside.
The next morning, they decided to set off and leave this village to continue their journey. As they packed, the clear black eyes of the little boy watched their every move for a time before he scuttled off to his mother. After explaining the dreams he had been having to her, he bade her farewell. Though of course the pair knew nothing of this.
Taking the northern route out of the village, Jun had the nagging feeling of being followed, he kept looking around to see if he could spot the disturbance. When nothing came into view, he shrugged his shoulders and continued.
Along the way a great beast suddenly sprung out from the tree line. It's long body coiled and stretched as it blocked their path. It rose it's giant head bearing two long sharp fangs, its forked tongue whipped in and out of its mouth. Just before it could strike, little Bai Ze sprinted forward, casting a paralyzing spell on the beast, he quickly snatched Kirin's slender hand and dashed away, pulling her along with him.
They ran a ways to hide their scent before he stopped. "Bai Ze! What are you doing here! That was dangerous, home!" Jun quickly snapped at the boy, fearing for his safety.
Bai Ze shook his little head, resembling a cute little bobble head doll with his actions. He reached out his hand and grabbed Kirin's. 'Mistress, that was a Bashe, a giant serpent who will attack anything it finds as food. It is weak against fire, but the meat it holds, once cooked, can sustain an army for weeks.' He mentally communicated with her while staring at her intently.
She was still stunned hearing the tiny voice in her mind for a time before she snapped out of it. Looking between Jun and Ze she told Jun what he said to her. "He speaks through mental communication via touch. I think… I think he's meant to help us. Can he please tag along?"
*Sigh* "If my lady wishes" turning to little Ze he sternly said. "Stay by her side and never leave it, otherwise I can not guarantee your safety. Understood?"
Shaking his head he gripped Kirin's sleeve even tighter. And pointed back to the road where the paralyzed Bashe still sat frozen. "He wants us to kill it for food reserves Jun. Shall we?"
He gave a quick nod and they headed back.