I'm glad there are people that are hanging on for this crazy ride! Things get a little warmer in this chapter!
After the first week in the camp Lei was unable to endure for any longer. He was reluctant to bathe in the stream that was nearby, not for the condition of the water alone but also for his modesty to be bathing with other men. He did not wish to trouble them for he knew that if he were to bathe they would do their best to avoid coming across him. Finally it became late enough in the evening that he thought that there was no chance of being discovered and went to the stream to bathe.
Coming down to the water Lei looked down at it with trepidation. He put his foot in and shivered from the cold. He steadied himself; it would be indecent for him to continue on without cleaning himself. He would merely have to accept the situation with dignity. The other men in the camp had done this all their lives; he could certainly do it for his stay here. He slowly stripped off his robes and carefully laid them on a rock before loosening his hair and stepping out into the water.
Shang gave a sound of disgust as he pushed aside his papers. The troops were doing no better than they had before. Worse, actually. They were losing moral and their attempts were becoming more and more half hearted. It was so frustrating when he knew they only needed one thing to break through and it would change everything. It was especially hard to endure after the Prince had so valiantly defended him in front of Chi Fu and was now personally overseeing the reports that went to the Emperor and his Father. Yet no matter how gently worded the reports were there was no hiding the fact that there was an appalling lack of improvement. He rubbed his temples and decided that it was time for him to take a break.
It had been a few days since he had cleaned himself. He rubbed his neck and frowned at the grim he found there. It was time for him to clean up. He feared what the Prince thought of him. He was probably revolted by the uncleanliness the camp provided. He decided to put it off for now and go to the stream to clean himself. It should be late enough that none of the soldiers would be there and he would have it to himself.
He made his way down to the bank and carefully put aside his clothing. He made sure that his sword was easy enough to reach but would not get into the water. He sighed and was about to reach up and let his hear out of its knot when he heard a splash. He tensed; all of the soldiers should be asleep at this time. He carefully bent and picked up his sword as he cautiously turned round the bend and parted the grasses to see who was in the stream.
His dark eyes scanned in the shadows for a moment before the alighted on a lighter shade against the darkness. He narrowed his gaze for a moment to see more clearly when a long inky shadow of hair tracing along that pale skin told him clearly who he was looking at. The Prince was bathing.
Taking a quick step back Shang turned his gaze away. He should have realized the Prince would have a troubling time finding a way to bathe in privacy. He closed his eyes as he realized he needed to leave quickly. The image of the long dark hair against that slender back came to him and he was ashamed of the heat that flooded his body at the thought.
His movement caused a twig to snap and he frowned at his own clumsiness. He sighed and looked quickly to see if the Prince had noticed. Of course he did. Shang watched with guilt as the Prince turned around sharply, shielding his slender body with his arms as his hair fanned out in the water around him. His dark eyes were wide as he glanced about and Shang realized how alone the Prince must feel with none of the personal guards he was used to ensuring his safety. He rubbed his face and wondered at what he should do. Go to the Prince and guard him while he bathed? That would be easier to do if he had not already bared himself to bathe as well. He looked over to his clothes, it was a miracle that the Prince's back had been turned or he would have seen him coming the first time even through the grasses.
Hearing a noise in the brush Lei was suddenly and painfully aware of the fact that no one knew he was bathing and there was no one guarding him. Not that he thought the soldiers would do anything to him. But they were at War and one could never be too careful. Finally the silence was starting to frighten him greatly and he called out softly "H-hello?"
Hearing that faint call Shang sighed and knew that he would not be able to ignore it. He stepped out of the bush and covered himself as much as he could. "Forgive me my Prince, I had come to bathe and did not realize that you were here. I heard you and inspected, I did not mean to spy on you."
Of all the possibilities he was glad that it was Shang who had been in the bush. He blushed and turned away, shy to have another see him. Though he realized he should have asked the Captain to guard him while he bathed and thus would have been spared this situation in the first place. "Forgive me…I should have informed you."
Shang wanted to reach out and console the Prince but that would be unforgivable at this time given their states of undress. He averted his eyes again when he found them tracing the Prince's graceful outline. He clenched his fist and turned away. Perhaps he should have hidden until the Prince had left.
There was tension building between them and Shang realized the Prince was probably trying to be polite and not let him know how uncomfortable he was. "Please finish bathing; I'll come back another time. I'm sorry I disturbed you."
Before he could stop himself Lei reached out and touched Shang's muscular shoulder "I do not mind bathing with you. I understand that I am privileged and traditionally soldiers must endure far worse living situations. Please continue with your bathing."
With such a regal and sincere invitation Shang nodded and turned to resume his bathing. Though he did not find the peace that he had thought he would encounter here. Instead his mind tormented him with visions of long inky hair and pale skin bathed in moonlight. He took a deep breath and was glad that the water cooled his passion enough to keep it from showing.
Unknown to him Lei was in a very similar situation. He had of course seen other men bare…but never in such a context. He washed his face with water to diminish the heat he felt raising there. Shang had very…impressive muscles and a handsome form. Lei felt himself feeling ashamed that his own form was so weak in comparison. He wondered what the Captain had thought when he saw him naked, did he find his form unmanly? He must appear very effeminate with his long hair and lack of defined muscles. He decided he had bathed enough for one night and went to the shore to retrieve his towel and clothing. "Have a good night Captain." He bid before hurrying off to his tent.
Shang had given a similar farewell but his mind was elsewhere as he waited for the Prince's footsteps to disappear before he shamefully reached down and took his manhood in hand. He tried to console himself that men needed release of tension in order to perform as better soldiers. It was a natural course of nature that he had to…provide that release. He tried not to focus too much on the fact that he was using the Royal Personage to attain that release. His thoughts were shameful but he would be the only one to ever know it.
Shan Yu looked down at the message in his grasp. He smiled darkly as he read the characters. So the little prince had ventured out of his nest had he? Well…How could he resist such a morsel? Though he was not a good man he had no tolerance for betrayers. This Chi Fu had helped him greatly; however he knew that betrayers could never be trusted. He would do the Emperor the favor of killing the turncoat. Now…to catch the nightingale.
I know a bit of a shorty but a lot of action coming in the next one! Thank you for reading!
