Alrighty then. Here's Chapter One. I wanna thank everyone who has reviewed, especially RJZ-01, since I goaded her into doing it. hehehehehe. Okay, all the characters i claimed ownership to in the disclaimer last chapter appear here. I don't know if anyone else will catch it, but this takes place years after the prologue. the prologue happened lmost right after Sun li's death. It's just a friend had some confusion. So, enjoy!

Chapter One

The Imperial Palace was known as the home of the Imperial Family, their closest subjects, advisors, and servants. It was thought to have a well respected, renowned air. Rather than believing that those who dwelt here were only mortal beings, the citizens of the Jade Empire practically believed that those who lived here were gods.

How wrong they were.

"Huo! Meilin! Get back here!" a young woman, dressed in dull blue robes that allowed for free movement and long, lush black hair that flowed behind her, hollered chasing two four-year-old children through the Palace's corridors. And running through the hallway during the servants' most busy hours did not make the task any easier. She did her best ducking and dodging the hurrying servants, whom, in turn, did their best to stay out of her way. Of course they were all used to this daily reoccurrence and their task in the routine was far easier to perform than the one chasing the children.

And after around ten minutes of running through the corridors, the children had passed the crowds of servants and it didn't take long before the woman finally caught up to them and had a hand on each child, leading them back to their playroom within the Palace. As they entered a warm laughter sounded, mixed with greetings and teasing.

"To think that the savior of the Jade Empire has been reduced to a nursery maid's duties."

With a quick glare, Wu the Lotus Blossom made it known to her best friend that her tease had annoyed her just as intended. Sitting next to Dawn Star, wearing far more modest robes than what she used to, but in the same dark rose color and her shoulder-length hair held up by a simple bun and holding a sleeping one-year-old boy, Wu regarded her coolly and spoke in a cool tone, "And look at the daughter of the Glorious Strategist? Besides, it's not like we have a choice.'

"You don't sound like you're not enjoying your new duties," Dawn Star prodded, her smile slightly fading.

"You try chasing those two five times a day and just try to find some enjoyment in it," Wu pointed out. But she sighed and leaned back, running her fingers through her hair. "Oh well, I should have known being a mother isn't exactly easy."

"Especially knowing that that's your daughter over there. Any child of yours means trouble."

Turning back to Dawn Star, Wu's forehead furrowed. "Then how did your son turn out to be such a horse demon?"

"I'm guessing it's your influence."

Sneering at the ridicule, Wu blandly responded, "It's always my fault," before looking back to the children, watching as they played with another, a girl that was more than three times their age, Wild Flower, her hair longer, but still in the same ponytails and her robes of the same yellow and orange that she had wore at Tien's Landing when they first met. Huo's head was shaved, as was customary for the young boys of the Jade Empire, and his reddish robes were of a simple design, perfect for a playful boy. Meilin's hair was done up in two high ponytails that bobbed as she moved her head and her robes and pants were of a pale blue. Looking at them, Wu could not help but dwell once again on the direction her life had taken.

It had been five years after Sun Li's death now. After the escapade and Cha Kai's return to Heaven, Wu had taken Wild Flower in and she became as Wu's daughter. And while Wu, Dawn Star, and Wild Flower had visited Pheonix Gate of the Prosperous East, both women had discovered they were both pregnant, though Wu still had not learned of young Sun Huo's father. Unlike the boy, Meilin's father was no mystery.

But as life had gone, it might as well should be. At least that's how Wu thought.

Growing disconcerted by her thoughts, Wu stood, stretching her arms and calling out to the three eldest children in the room. "All right you three. Come on, it's time to get some training in."

"Thinking about him again, weren't you?" Dawn Star said, with a smile on her face and voice.

After sending a silent glare to her friend, Wu turned and walked to the excited children. If there was anything Meilin and Huo enjoyed more than being chased around the Palace by Wu, it was their training sessions. And Wild Flower was always thrilled to hone her abilities in magic. Though, admitted, Wu herself was far better at weapon and martial style, as well as transformations, she still had more than enough training in magic to teach the children at their level.

But no sooner than they had started were the four interrupted. Just as Wu was reminding the spells of Ice Shard to Meilin, the door came noiselessly open.

"I see that we've interrupted the training session once again," a haughty, regal voice observed as the newcomers walked in. Turning around, Wu saw who she expected it was. Empress Sun Lian, the current ruler of the Empire, along with her husband, Emperor Hai Chang, and his brother, Hai Kun. Lian's hair and outfit were almost the same as when she was a princess, but now her midriff was no longer exposed and her head was adorned with an ornate crown. Chang wore the a headdress and robes that were fairly similar to what Sun Hai had worn, only colored orange with deep red trim. Kun's outfit was the same colors and extravagance, but provided the trained warrior easy maneuverability in case he needed it. His hair was done up in a small bun, with the lower half falling loosely, much as Gao the Lesser had styled his hair. Thankfully, Kun was nothing like Gao.

"You always seem to know when we start," Wu stated, crossing her arms as she faced the troupe. "Do you do it just to annoy me?"

"My, isn't that quite an accusation," Lian smiled, walking over to where Dawn Star now stood and took the boy from her cousins arms. "Hello my little warrior. How is my little Heng?"

Even though Wu and Dawn Star had more than a year to get used to this sort of thing, they still found it a little funny. If there was anyone that the Empress was actually kind to, it was her son, Hai Heng. Not even her husband received that sort of kindness - or affection. And the thought of Lian as a mother, the two couldn't fathom it.

As Wu hid her laugh at the display of care, she grew aware that someone had moved to her side. Looking over, she saw Kun now standing by her side.

"Good morning Wu," he greeted pleasantly, bowing his head slightly. "How are you doing?"

"As well as anyone can do after chasing those two three times around the palace at this hour," Wu scoffed, waving a hand at Meilin and Huo.

"At least they keep you ready for anything," he smiled.

"If only I had that optimism," Wu said in a cynical tone. "So how was the proceedings?"

Leaning closer and covering his mouth as if he was about to cough, Kun lowered his voice as he spoke. "With Empress Lian? I'm certain you know the answer."

"Ah yes," Wu smiled in turn. "Lots of arguing until it ended up just as she desired." The two shared a quiet laugh before turning to the other adults, all of whose eyes were on them, and Lian's gaze held that knowing look. "What?" Wu asked as innocently as possible.

Lian was the one to answer. "Perhaps this union will work out after all."

Wu sent a silent glare again, this time to Lian for her adamant gestures to remind Wu. Yes, a union. A union between Wu the Lotus Blossom, savior of the Jade Empire, and Hai Kun, brother of the Emperor. A union Wu had agreed to, despite a past promise.

But what use was there in keeping the promise? For five years, Wu waited. She had hoped that she would have received some message. Some sign. But not so much as a whisper was heard of the one she waited for. Nothing. She couldn't wait forever. Meilin needed a father and she herself needed someone at her side. And Wu had decided the wait was over.

She was no longer waiting for Sky to return.

If there was one thing the Wu liked about the children running around so much, it was that it meant a quiet night for her. Tonight, both Wild Flower and Meilin slept at her side as Wu rested on their bed, reading what scrolls she had gathered about the Spirit Monks as well as anything on the Celestial Bureaucracy. Though she knew enough about the Order, especially with the Waterdragon being able to speak with her, that she didn't need to worry, Wu took to studying what she could of what should have been her life, just to pass time.

"Mistress," a voice called out softly from the door.

Looking up, Wu saw the servant she thought she would see. "Yes?"

"Hai Kun is here to see you," she bowed, waiting for Wu's response.

Rolling the parchments up and setting them aside, Wu stood, turning back to the servant. "Let him in."

The servant quickly did as she was told, allowing Wu's fiancé into the room before closing the doors behind him.

"I hope it's not too late for me to disturb you," Kun smiled walking in.

"Oh, it is. By five seconds," Wu teased, moving to the seats set around a low table. "So what kept you?"

Kun took a seat next to Wu, finally able to drop the stately attitude that he had when around most others. "Chang was insisting that I stick around court before actually letting me leave. I've told him before that I don't really have the mind for those sort of things."

"You're not the only one. Feeling tense?"

Kun tested his shoulders before replying. "Yeah, I guess I am."

"Well then, turn that way," Wu instructed, turning to face Kun's back and massaging his shoulders.

"You're getting better at this."

"I try."

Kun slightly turned is head, flashing a smile to Wu, before looking to the bed. "Asleep already? I thought that girl had limitless energy."

Wu smirked as she looked to where Meilin rested. "If that was true, I think I'd be dead by now. She's tougher to deal with than an Elephant Demon."

"I'll take your word for it. Personally I'm glad I haven't had to deal with those sort of things. Even if it makes my skills inferior to yours."

"I think I would have given almost anything to keep from having to fight all the things that I did. I'm just glad I can settle down now."

"Ow! You're getting a little rough there," Kun winced, jerking his shoulders a little.

"Sorry," Wu said suddenly, pulling her hands from him.

"It's okay." Kun turned to face her, leaning back on his hands. "I'm already feeling better. You don't know how lucky you are not having to be present at Court. Countless squabbling ministers, judges, and delegates taking forever to agree on something."

"I've got the kids to deal with, you know," Wu pointed out.

"I'd prefer the kids. At least they have a right to squabble. All those officials are grown men. I wish they would act like it."

"I'm sure you'll be glad when we move to Dirge," Wu suggested hopefully.

But at the mention of 'we,' Wu saw a plainly visible flinch. Realizing that he had done so, Kun spoke. "Sorry, I don't mean to imply anything, it's just, are you sure about this? Don't get me wrong. You're a wonderful woman and I'd be happy to be with you for the rest of our days, but are you sure you are?"

That startled Wu. True, she had never really spoke of them in the way she just had, but still . . . "Me? What do you mean?"

"What about Meilin? What about her father? Are you sure that you settled things with him?"

That was one subject that Wu had wanted to avoid completely. "What makes you think things need to be settled?"

"Mostly the fact that it's been . . . what? Four years?"

"Five."

"Right, five years and you've only recently actually agreed to a marriage. It seems to me that you have been waiting for him, or something."

Her gaze turning cool as she lifted her eyebrow, looking at Kun, who merely stared right back. Sighing, Wu knew that it was futile to have thought that the subject could be avoided. "I highly doubt anything needs to be settled. Five years, Kun. Five. No message. No signs. Nothing. Either he's forgotten me or he's dead."

"I don't think anyone could forget you. But it is your choice. I just hope this is what you want."

"And what about you? What do you want?"

"You to be happy, among other things."

Wu raised her eyebrow, inquiring silently.

"I'm not saying."

"You've piqued my interest. What 'things?'"

Kun just smirked.

"Aren't you quite the pervert," Wu teased.

"I suppose I am, but it's late now and Chang's going to want me at the Court tomorrow, again."

"Then I guess it is time you get going," Wu agreed, standing as Kun did. "Good night, Kun."

"Good night, Wu," he smiled, taking Wu's hand and kissed her fingers before turning and leaving. Watching as he left, Wu was grateful for a man like him. He was reluctant because he cared and that meant a lot to her. But hopefully he cared more than Sky had.

As she got ready for bed, Wu thought on Kun's reply to what he wanted, for her to be happy. With Kun, she was certain she could be happy. Resting next to Meilin, hugging and kissing her daughter one last time before closing her eyes, Wu thought once more of Sky.

No, she did not need the father of her daughter in order to be happy.

Though many slept at this hour, two women in the palace were not so ready. Sitting in the privacy of the Empress's sleeping chambers, were Lian and Dawn Star. Though Dawn Star had left her sleeping son in their room, Lian held her son in her arms. For Dawn Star it was amazing to think that her haughty cousin could care so much for someone, but here she sat, watching Lian gently sing a lullaby to Heng. But while the residents of the Palace knew that Lian cared so much for her son, it was also known that she was indifferent towards her husband. For Dawn Star, she felt that was a very sad life to lead and would never want to take part in.

Once young Heng was asleep, Lian's haughty nature once again emerged. "So what is Wu doing tonight? I've noticed that she doesn't leave her room at night anymore, especially after we can finally dismiss the Court. I can hardly imagine that she sits in her room reading those scrolls all night."

"Well, she told me that Kun comes around at night to visit her," Dawn Star informed, convinced there was nothing wrong with admitting that small fact of information.

"Really now?" Lian's eyebrow raised in intrigue. "From what I've seen, I would never have guess that they were so . . . close."

"Wu won't speak of it, but I know she is growing fond of him."

"Fairly quick to drop her interest in Sky, especially given that she has his daughter."

"It's been five years, Lian. And if I'm not mistaken, you are the one to have arranged this marriage in the first place. I would have thought that you of all people would find this at least . . . amusing."

"My my, little Dawn Star, how conceited do you believe me to be?" But the smile spoke enough - she was indeed finding this information amusing. But at the same time, Dawn Star could tell that her cousin did have another view on the matter. "Perhaps I did suggest that the two marry, but of course I did it out of concern of Wu and Meilin's well-being. The girl is already four years old and she has no recollection of her father, and I'm certain that you agree with me that she needs a fatherly figure in her life."

"Yes." But that admittance seemed to drive a thorn through her heart. The man who was her father and had been like a father towards her as she grew, despite the fact that neither realized the relationship between them, was not a man she would ever call Father. Not after seeing the truth of his actions. Then there was the matter of Huo's father . . .

Whether or not Lian noticed the unsettling emotion that coursed through Dawn Star, she continued with her little speech. "And Wu has been waiting around for five years now. It's just not healthy for her." But a hesitation came and Lian frowned. "But I do feel I've made a mistake."

That jerked Dawn Star out of her lingering sense of sorrow. "A mistake? Why?" She had wanted to make a mocking comment towards the Empress, but with Lian so serious, she decided it was best not to.

"I've noticed that since Sky's disappearance, slavery has been in a quick decline and the Guild has been one to see to slavery's disappearance."

"So you think Sky has had some dealings in this?"

Lian sneered at Dawn Star's guess. "I know he has. I am quite aware that the man despises slavery. Anyhow, only now have I seen practically no trace of slavery remaining in the Empire. Every source I have, says so."

"Source?" Dawn Star questioned with accusing inquisitiveness. "And what exactly might that be?"

With a scoff, Lian quickly cleared Dawn Star's indictment. "If you believe that Silk Fox has been making any sort of appearance as of late, I must disappoint you. As Empress, I simply do not have that luxury. And my sources aren't as . . . devious as you might want to believe. I have all the Ministries at my call. I can easily learn of the situations throughout the Empire."

"That is very unlike you, Silk Fox," Dawn Star stressed, by the use of Lian's one time nick name and later alter ego. She still did not believe that was Lian's only method.

"Perhaps I have other sources, but they are not to be discussed, and this talk is driving me away from my point."

"Then what is your point?"

"The slave operations coming to a close means what Sky set out to do is over . . ."

Then it clicked. "And that means he'll be returning," Dawn Star breathed with realization. Wu had not mentioned any of this to her, only that she had spent the last five years waiting for him and it had been long enough. But another thought came to mind and it did not concern Wu. "But why are you telling me this?"

Sliding her fingers down her son's face, Lian smiled at the woman sitting across from her. "Why? I'm not certain myself. But I suppose you have grown on me, my little cousin."

For once, Dawn Star had no desire to refute the demeaning nicknames that Lian would use, because for once, it wasn't demeaning at all. This time it was out of warmth.

"I suppose we have all changed in these last years," Dawn Star smiled.

"Perhaps. But you can still be as evasive as ever." Though Dawn Star thought Lian would urge the subject on, to Dawn Star's surprise she stood. "But now, if you don't mind, I feel it's time to retire. Dealing with the Ministries and the Court can be so draining for one's body."

"I can imagine," Dawn Star agreed, following her cousin's suite. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes. Good night then."

"Good night, Highness," Dawn Star bid before leaving the Empress's chambers and making her way to her room. It was a long walk, but with her mind so concentrated on the thought that Lian had left her with, she did not notice the walk. She knew the matter than Lian had spoke of, the source her evasiveness. Perhaps she should tell her friends the mystery that she tried so hard to hide. She knew one day the truth would come out, whether she whished it or not. She was only grateful that her friends did not press the matter.

Walking into her room, Dawn Star made her way to her bed and looked at her sleeping son. She regretted the fact that the boy could never meet his father. But had she known that his father would die, would that have changed anything? Would she have wanted it to change?

She already knew the answer and though she felt a great sense of regret, she also felt the happiness that had carried through her life since the birth of Huo, the fire that was a new spark to her life. This was her path in life and she would forever be grateful for it.

Alrighty, it's the end of chap1. I hope you're liking what's happening. And any Lian/Silk Fox fans out there, sorry, but Lian won't be in the fic for much longer. Maybe I'll see about getting her in here and there, we'll have to see. And kang and Black Whirlwind fans, don't worry, they'll be coming in soon. Henpecked Hou fans . . . sorry, he won't be in at all.

Anyhow, if you liked it, I'd appreciate the reviews. I have up to chap3 done and am working on chap4, but I want to know people are reading my fanfic before I post more chapters.