Willows Story

By: AnnaScarlett M. Bishop

Exhaustion swept the room. As Wu lay on the bed in one of the main bedrooms in the palace covered in sweat and completely drained. She couldn't sit up, she was too exhausted. Her body ached, similar to the ache after she was wakened after her time in the afterlife Dirge.

Wu could hear Sky down the hall screaming for Silk Fox to let him through. She didn't blame him, he was always worried about her. In all fairness, he had lost his wife before her.

Wu closed her eyes. And she let her mind drift off, ignoring the distance screams of Four Rivers burning. Her mind flowed past the memories and into the future.

The Prosperous East would soon be defeated, the corrupt Prince would soon be dethroned and all would be well. Wu would make sure of it.

"Breathe" She said to herself. Reminding her to not get too caught up in strategy; She was starting to remind herself of her former master. The now spirited Glorious Strategist.

Wu rolled onto her side unable to keep a topic in her mind. She was exhausted, she wanted to sleep but she was waiting, waiting for what seemed like an eternity.

So she thought of Zu. What would he think of all this? Would he be proud that she accomplished a real life or would he be disappointed she settled down.

She thought she knew the answer.

She rolled again, taking a breath then standing up. Her head seemed to spin as she saw the bloody sheets.

She shook her head and walked, very carefully, down the hall. When she came into view by the rest of the original remaining team she heard a gasp and they all sped her way.

Sky got there first, and grabbed her and crushed her to his chest.

"Careful, love." Wu said gasping. Sky let her go looking apologetically. Dawn Star stepped forward touching Wu's forehead gently with her fingers. "How are you feeling?"

Wu shrugged leaning again Sky closing her eyes in exhaustion. She heard Sky's heartbeat; His second life. Wu smiled gently just listening to his heartbeat and his breathing.

Sky of the Green Plains:

Sky watched Wu slowing fall asleep. Slowly he picked her up and walked with the rest of his family. They all went to the Emperors Room and laid Wu down on the gigantic golden ornate bed. They all sat there in silence for a long time. In a way they all seemed stunned. Like this was a dream after a nightmare.

"Where are all the women with the bloody thing and the wine?! This is the Palace for the Dragons Sake!"

Silk Fox broke in "These things take time you inadequate fool. Try to stretch your tiny brain to have some patience."

The room was silent again. Sky laid down on the bed beside Wu, stroking her hair.

Her eyes fluttered open sitting up slowly then smiled at him sleepily.

In the same moment a palace maid came in, with something wrapped in gold. They laid it in Wu's arms and left the room as Wu looked down at it.

Sky anxiously moved his hand towards the blanket. Slowly pulling the blanket slowly down at the top to reveal what was inside.

A child, a newborn laid in the blanket with black tuffs of hair on its head. Long eyelashes and thick lips it looked so much like Wu. But so much… like him.

Dawn Star smiled, "What are they Wu?"

Wu smiled and stroked her child's face saying in a soft voice Sky could never imagine coming from Wu "It's a little girl."

Sky smiled silently at her offering his arm to take the little girl. Wu nodded handing over his daughter looking down at her.

"Willow."