Chapter 12: Under the Moon

Mei Hai needed a break. She needed a break from the Cao's, the city, from herself, from everything and anything. Running out of the city gates, she headed towards the lake near the outskirts of the city grounds. It was a little secluded area that she knew of growing up in this part of town, and was always a place of refuge. The lake always shone beautifully as it seemed to always be under the beautiful light of the moon, making it glimmer with the reflection of the sky. Arriving at her spot, she took a big seat and looked down into the water. She had been dealing with the baby issue and Lady Zhen's health complications all day that she had not realized how ugly she looked until she saw herself in the reflection of the pond. Her hair was strewn about and the layers of her dress had been ruffled from the constant running back and forth. Throwing both her hands in the water, she brought them back up and felt the cold water wash her face. Instantly it had awakened her as she blinked through the heavy droplets and took a deep breath. "It is quite late for a young lady to be out at this time of the day." Someone had suddenly said from behind her as she felt a slight chill in her spine. Mei Hai turned and noticed the unnaturally tall stature of Xiahou Dun.

"Master Xiahou." She got up and bowed, noticing that he was unarmed. If only she had some form of weapon she could finish him here and leave the city for good. But her beautiful plan came short when he stepped forward to her and she noticed how large he truly was. Just in height she had a sheer disadvantage as he was almost a full person taller than her. "I was just here to take a breather."

"I heard about the incident that happened," she smiled, his words seemed chilling to her. "We do not blame you." She did not know what to say but only returned another smile. Inside Mei Hai wished harder and harder that Wei would be what they were rumoured to be; ruthless and heartless. The nicer this family was to her, the harder she found it to want to kill them.

"I overacted myself," she explained to him, sensing that the silence was too long. "I should have been a little bit more sympathetic to the situation at hand. After all, Lady Zhen has been nothing but kind to me."

"We all know the dangers of having Ji have children at this age, but it was something she really wanted to do." What he said tugged at Mei Hai's heartstrings as she knew how wonderful Lady Zhen really was. "Hopefully the herb will aid her. I really worry for my nephews sometimes." Mei Hai looked up, finding it awkward that he would say such things to her. "They are good boys, both of them really are. I have grown to love them like my own sons, but sometimes they can be so irrational and insensitive to others feelings. A little bit like their father, don't you think?"

"I believe so too." She looked up at the sky and noticed the moon shining fully, "I should excuse myself Master Xiahou, it is getting quite late."

"Very well," he stepped aside, "Good night. It was nice seeing you again." He added as she rushed past him, her heart beating rapidly as his last phrase was said in such an awkward manner. What did he mean by seeing her again? As in for the second time this night? Or did he know who she was? With one more look behind her, she was satisfied to know he was not following and quickly returned to the mansion.

Later that night Mei Hai felt the familiar sweat pellets coming down as she tumbled left and right, trying to wake up from a horrible dream. When her eyes went open, she quickly ran to her table and poured herself a cup of water. "It's been so long." She told herself as she tried to close her eyes and calm down. In reality she knew why she was having these dreams again, as Xiahou Dun's words have provoked her mind into thinking astray again. She hated thinking about the past, because it always gave her pain, and it was no different now...

-Flashback-

Mei Hai had lived with the Tong's as her retainers for a few month, still not understanding the reasons why her father had left her here. Every day she would send letter after letter to her family, pleading to allow her to return home. "Please," she would plead with the Tong's, "Why can't I return home? What have I done?"

"Child, we cannot tell you but you will know when the time has come." There was a loud crash in the main dining room as the three headed down. Their hours were closed now, and most of the patrons would have fallen asleep. "Stay back," Tong told his wife and Mei Hai, grabbing a nearby sword. Mei Hai quickly ignored instructions and rushed ahead. "Mei Hai!" The first thing she saw coming down as a soldier on the ground, his wounds bleeding profusely on the ground.

"Get help!" Mei Hai screamed, recognizing the soldier as a guard from her home, "I know you!" she said, "Why are you here? You can't die on me!"

"My lady...your family." He began to cough out blood as Mei Hai shook her head,

"What about my family? You stay awake you hear me?" she screamed, holding onto the young man's hand.

"They have been wiped out." He managed to blurt out one last time before succumbing to his injuries. Mei Hai's eyes watered as the soldier's grip slowly loosened and she watched the light from his eyes fade to darkness.

"Oh my Lady, my Lord!" Madam Tong cried on the ground, "Oh my poor Lady and Lord!"

"Why are they killed? Who would kill them?" Mei Hai screamed, looking at her retainers, "Is this something to do with that marriage proposal? Did Xiahou Dun kill them?" the family kept quiet, "Who killed them?"

"We don't know anything right now, it's just..." Mei Hai picked up the sword lying beside the soldier and rushed out of the inn. She found herself running further and further down the path when the sound of a horse galloping chased after her. "Don't stop me!" she shouted behind her as Master Tong grabbed her by the collar of her shirt. She had forgotten that he was the head of the guards in her household and that he was a skilled fighter.

"You can't leave." His voice echoed at her, "You will get yourself killed!"

"My entire family has been murdered, I cannot just let this go!"

"There is a war going on right now Mei Hai, you cannot be so stubborn and head in. You have no chance against the Cao's!"

"They killed my family!" she cried, "What am I supposed to do? Sit here and just let them live with it for the rest of their lives?"

"Life always gives us opportunities Mei Hai, one day you will be able to avenge your family. Right now is not the time."

"Then..." she looked strictly into his eyes, "Teach me how to fight."

"Mei Hai..."

"You can never stop me from wanting to avenge my family. At least make sure I have a chance."

Mei Hai had not even noticed she was gripping onto the edge of the tablecloth as she remembered that horrible day. The nightmares had begun after that night, as she imagined Xiahou Dun killing her mother and father in cold blood. Just remembering those images again made her boil with anger. It angered here even more now as she was so close to him, yet she could not find the right opportunity to act. "Do not be so weak," she whispered to herself, "Your time has come."

The very next morning, Mei Hai decided to head to the kitchen to see how much of the herb had been used when she was surprised by Zi. "Young Master Cao," she greeted as she opened the door and saw him hovered against a few steamers. His eyes glowed the instant he saw her and greeted her also, "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I wanted to apologize by making and delivering you breakfast," he said, "I think I may have spooked you last night."

"No, you were very sweet." She had forgotten about his random proposal.

"Uncle Xiahou said he ran into you in the ponds last night, I know I spooked you."

"Oh, your Uncle spoke to you?"

"Yes, the two of us are very close." Zi smiled, opening the lid of the steamer and carefully picked out the buns. "I am not much use to my Brother or my Father, but my Uncle really stepped in to make sure I was okay."

"Your Uncle?" she raised an eyebrow, "Xiahou Dun? Man with the eye patch?"

"He may seem like a ruthless, barbaric man but he really isn't. He is very soulful, enjoys reading and writing poetry. He was the one that saw the potential in me and convinced my Father to pursue the literary arts instead."

"Oh?" she watched as Zi approached her with the buns in his hand. "What is this?"

"My peace offering to you." She gave Zi a good look over when a sudden idea struck her mind, with a smile she took it from his hand.

"I don't think that's the way you're supposed to propose to a lady though." She took a bite.


Oh no I wonder what her obvious plan will be! Thanks as usual :)