Still weak Yinou continued to recuperate, wanting solace and to be unbothered she went out in the red woods. Branches almost hugging, and leaves falling like stars, there she found a swing by a gushing lake. As she sat the gentle rocking of the swing lulled Yinou into a comfortable daze. She watched the water rush by, a mesmerizing dance of ripples and reflections. The memory of that day, the day she almost drowned in a lake, flickered through her mind.
"I can't believe you sometimes! Is it too much to ask for my help? " Lin Jians voice, sharp with frustration, echoed in her ears.
"Pftt! I'd die first before I am asking for your help, she'd retorted, her pride stubbornly refusing to bend.
"That's the dumbest excuse I've heard," he'd countered, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
They'd stared at each other for a moment, the tension thick and heavy. Then, shed coughed, a sputter of water and snot escaping her nose. They'd both burst out laughing, the tension dissolving into lightheartedness.
"Okay, normally I'd continue laughing, but this is just getting ridiculous. Sit down before you pass out." the young Lin Jian said.
The memory ended with Lin Jian's laughter, the sound still echoing in her mind. Yinou chuckled, a soft sound that escaped her lips without her even realizing it. She had been so stubborn, so proud...and yet, in the end, she had finally asked for his help that day in the forest. She smiled, closing her eyes to savor the feeling of warmth and peace that washed over her.
Five hours had passed since shed settled on the swing to recuperate. The sun, now high in the sky, cast warm rays onto her face. In the corner she can feel someone's eyes, she knew it was Su Ning. He was watching her, his gaze steady and unblinking.
In another corner, Susu and Li Yang were whispering, their voices hushed but not completely silent.
"Wake up, dumbass, he's looking at you!" Susu urged, her voice barely a whisper.
"Shhh", Li Yang hissed, his cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink.
"No, you shh!' Susu retorted, turning to face Li Yang. Their foreheads bumped together, a soft, accidental collision. Li Yang blushed even deeper, while Susu covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.
Su Ning, with a flick of a finger let out a swarm of blue butterflies towards Yinou. They fluttered and danced, a graceful spectacle that caught everyones attention. The butterflies hugged Yinou, and let out a mesmerising blue glow.
"What's this?" The deep, resonant voice of Bai Lin echoed through the air, cutting through the fluttering of the butterflies.
Everyone turned their heads, their gaze drawn upwards to the towering red tree where Bai Lin perched. Su Ning, his brow furrowed with a slight annoyance, raised his eyebrows. As he looked around he saw them all, their faces turned towards him, and with a subtle gesture, he ushered them away.
Now, Yinou and Su Ning were alone. The gentle rocking of the swing continued, a rhythmic sound that seemed to blend with the soft murmur of the lake.
A rustle in the leaves drew her attention. Su Ning stood at the corner of the tree in front of her, his arms crossed, watching her with a curious expression.
"You're still here?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.
"Is there a rule against it?" Yinou countered, her voice raspy from disuse.
"No, but its getting late, he said, his gaze unwavering. You should get back to the camp."
Yinou shifted on the swing, the creaking of the rope a sync to the rustling of leaves. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the red forest. She knew he was right. She should go back, but the lake, the peace of the setting sun, held her captive.
"I'll be fine," she said, her voice a little too sharp.
Su Ning sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. "Alright, I'll wait for you."
He turned to leave, but then paused at her yelling, "Don't you dare just walk away right now!"
She stood up, ready to unleash a torrent of frustration, but before she could utter a word, he said, "I need to tell you something very important."
"You're going back to that dungeon." Su Ning predicted this. After fleeing from her brother, he knew he would use her as a weapon, a tool to kill as many here at Dongying as possible.
She was dumbfounded, her heart sinking. Back to that torture chamber? "Bastard..."she whispered, the word barely audible.
"Hear me. I know you're afraid," he said, his voice softer than the falling red leaves. "I predicted Zhang Li would use you against us, especially now that he knows you're one of us. And I've seen the dark power within you... it's a terrible thing. You can't control it. But fret not, it's going to be okay."
"Are you hearing yourself?" she retorted, her voice laced with bitterness. "Yinou and the word 'okay' don't go together. I won't ever be okay. Just do it as soon as possible. I've seen myself lose control."
He crushed his fingertips underneath his sleeves, unable to bear the sight of her pain. "I know," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "But I need to protect you, even if it means...." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
"But won't you hear what I want to say?" she pressed, her voice hardening.
He looked at her, his eyes filled with a pain that mirrored her own. "I'm listening," he said, his voice strained.
"Beat me first," she said, drawing her sword. The air crackled with tension as their swords clashed, a dance of fury and heartbreak. Red leaves swirled around them, a silent testament to their unspoken emotions.
As their blades met, she touched his head, catching him from a stumble. "...You touched my..." he stammered, flustered.
She smirked, enjoying his discomfort. He countered, his blow landing hard, sending her reeling. As she stumbled, he caught her arms, swinging her in the air. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, a flicker of something forbidden passing between them. But then he let her go, his face flushed, leaving her flying through the air. She landed with a soft thud, stuck in a tree branch.
He laughed, relief flooding his features. "You can tell me now,"
She laughed too, but then climbed down, her laughter fading as seriousness returned. Her voice, once laced with anger, softened as she confessed, her eyes pleading. "You should make me fall out of love with you," she said, the words a choked whisper in the suffocating silence. "Not try to make me love you again."
He stood there, rooted to the spot. The pain she'd endured, the pain he'd inflicted, echoed in the space between them. He wanted to reach out, to offer solace, but his hands remained clenched at his sides. He'd become a master of silence, of keeping his mouth shut when the words he longed to speak would only hurt her further.
She went on, her voice losing its restraint, "You shouldn't have kissed me that night. You shouldn't have."
He felt a flicker of anger, a defensive reflex. He finally spoke, his voice a low rumble. "Why not?" he retorted, pulling her closer and claiming her lips again. The taste of her, the feel of her in his arms, was like an electric jolt. He pulled back, his gaze intense, his voice husky. "It was worth the wait."
He cupped her face, his thumbs tracing the outline of her cheekbones. She stiffened, then pushed him away with a force that surprised him.
"Bastard! Fuck you!"
He chuckled, a low, dark sound. "Would you?"
She didn't answer. She simply turned and walked away, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the darkness. He watched her go, the emptiness of the room mirroring the emptiness he felt inside.
"We'll get through this, I promise," he whispered, his voice barely audible. His hand reached out, his fingers brushing the air where she had stood just moments ago. He gave a flick of his power, a gesture so subtle it was almost invisible, sending a ripple of energy toward her to ease the storm in her demonic core.