Chapter 41 - Lovers Gourds

"That ... should be impossible let me check your body."ShiiShii held her wrist and checked her body for signs of fire damage.

"Uhm is that really necessary? Why are you so surprised, tell me ...what do you know about my gourds?" Shinah pets the little gourd affectionately before placing it back in the black pouch and putting it away in her sleeve.

ShiiShii's mouth twitches noticing her reaction. -Sigh- "They are called the Lovers Gourds... before everything in existence was made, there was light and darkness. Each side fighting to destroy the other. Till two children from opposing sides accidentally fell in love, so much so that they tried to unite both sides.

Elders from each side were against the union and agreed to capturing their young and bounding their powers to the gourds to restrain them from leaving their territories. However both sides got greedy and instead of keeping their own they lured the opposing side instead. Since stripped of their powers they could no longer roam around freely but had to remain within the distance in the light or darkness to remain alive.

But they both longed for one another and eventually stole each other's gourds from their family. And set out to reunite, the female had her lovers gourd and was able to enter the darkness while the male had his lovers gourd and was able to enter the light.

Something happened in between and a war broke out. Nobody knows how it happened but somehow a God was offended and that God killed both lovers and took the gourds. Some say that God had a odd sense of humor and for its own amusement created worlds and universes for the conflicting powers; melding them in a way they were always on separating ends but always together. Never one without the other, but never able to truly be together.

The name doesn't really matter, but those gourds were a gift to Master XiaoLong. So however you may have gotten them, they still belong to Master."

"Wow that's some story! I truly pity those lovers.. they both ran to each other, only to miss each other in the middle! How tragic! But I won't give them away, they were gifted to me for accepting a hidden task.. so I refuse." I wonder if these items have anything to do with my past, if so I wonder how the person who gifted the gourds to XiaoLong fits into my past ... there's not much I know about XiaoLong either I wonder if he'd even tell me.

"You... well I refuse your refusal! Give them back, they belong to Master XiaoLong." Little ShiiShii sits on the bed reaching for the gourds in Shinah's sleeve.

"You sound like...Oh that's it...isn't it you fell in love with your master... Awh how scandalous! I see why you can't hide this from him. Tch I see your the type to chose your lover over friendship!"

"Ehh..whatt ...he's a man? Your talking nonsense!! I prefer women..no wait I don't have romantic feelings for anyone but if I did .. I'd definitely choose a woman!"

"Hehe you sound a ...little too defensive..." Shinah laughs and jumps off the bed attempting to avoiding Little ShiiShii's attempt to grab back the gourd pouch.

He fails to grab the pouch but grabs ahold of her waist, her sudden jump accidentally caused him to bump into her, making them fall to the floor.

Shinah closed her eyes waiting to feel contact with the floor.

Shinah heard a muffled grunt and opened her eyes. Her eyelashes brushed against Little ShiiShii's pale neck, she was so close she noticed the little beauty mark hidden underneath his Adam's apple.

Little ShiiShii mouth curled into a frown and he pulled away slightly to face her. "Can't you be more cautious, you've just recovered."

Shinah stared up at his perfect lips ripe for the kissing. His strong hands, slightly rough from working protected her head to avoid her from knocking onto the floor.

His smile etched its way back into his face noticing her admiring gaze. His voice was deep, with an serious tone. "Mm Kitten, do you still question my sexual preferences." His lips brushed her ear as he spoke. His body was warm and toned as he hugged Shinah in a pampering embrace.

"Whatt ..Youu... did you plan this? You pervert let me go!" Shinahs face flushed bright red as she struggled to free herself from his hold.

"I didn't plan anything, your the one who jumped into my arms." Little ShiiShii chuckles and helps her up.

"I did not! I jumped off the bed ...Your the one who wrapped himself around me." Shinah turns away embarrassed.

"Mmm your right, to bad you pulled away so soon." His heart warms, finding it extremely enjoyable to tease her.

Shinahs ears redden as she stomps out of the little house. Shinah escapes out her Mindscape in a hurry, ignoring Little ShiiShii's last comment.

The brightness from the sunlight entering the room, causes Shinah to close and cover her dry eyes. She blinks relaxing the taughtness of her eyelids.

What the hell did I have my eyes open this whole time? Sheesh... it's been a month and two weeks in my Mindscape so it's been about a day and a half since I last relaxed my body.

She hops off her bed folding the blanket before going to wash up.

Shinah washes up and changes into another set of male robes, that were two sizes too big for her. She changes her appearance using her Chameleon Charm. She brushes her emerald green hair back into a ponytail, letting her bangs fall at the side of her face..upon the last brush the emerald color darkens from the roots to the ends into a ink black. She closes her eyes, and her features lose her femininity; her delicate expression becomes gentlemanly and charming, her eyelashes flutter open and her golden irises adjust to the light. Lastly she touches her torso adjusting her height to fill in her robes.

Shinah walks out her room and notices Emel guarding the doorway.

"Good Afternoon Emel. Is Mother back? I thought Shen was keeping watch over Little Kumo and I?"

"Princess your awake, how are you feeling?! Young Master Shen was watching over you until yesterday evening then Master Kiyoshi took over, However he was summoned by King Shin this morning."

"I'm feeling a lot better, why did my First Brother leave?"

"Enough questions, you should rest some more I'll send for the New Physician."

"Emel first answer my question; where's my First Brother."

"Well... That answer has to do with why, The King summoned the Young Master Kiyoshi this morning..."

"And.."

"Young Master Shen hasn't returned home... The King sent both of your brothers to ...escort him home."

"He's refusing to return? Where is he exactly?"

"..."

"Carson Yudai Emel...do not make me ask twice."

Emel's eyes widen in surprise. "He.. he's at the prime minister's son's ...establishment. He's not refusing to leave just nobody's strong enough to persuade him to stop... quenching his -cough-thirst."

"I see... well my brothers will bring him back. Where's mother and Little Kumo?"

"Queen Akira is having tea with, your ..Aunt. And The Fourth Prince is with Ya Ling in the next room over."

"Mm call Ya Ling, have her bring over my Fourth brother. I'll be testing Ya Ling so stand at the door and don't intervene until called for. Also have Nae send word to my mother that the New Physician urgently needs her consent on a new treatment." Mother would appreciate any excuse to get away from that woman.

"Yes Princess."