(Some changes have been made to this chapter due to a side storyline we decided not to pursue in this story, sorry for the inconvenience)
Chapter 36 (prepare for a major twist and this chap is kinda dark but theres an explaination for everything, promise)
Xun was sitting on his bed with his back to the headboard. His shoulder throbbed and he ached everywhere but most of all, his heart hurt. Even after all of these year, Xun was still too weak. He had not trained enough and he had foolishly let his feelings for the place and the people here detain him when he should have left.
Xun heard footsteps approaching the door. A chilling fear settled in Xun's stomach as the door was opened. Xun's worry was uneeded, as it was Lu Meng had been the one approaching.
"Xun?" Meng asked softly.
The room was dark. Meng must not have been able to see Xun.
"Present, sir." Xum mumbled.
"Mind if I join you?" Meng inquired.
"Not at all." Xun replied.
Meng moved to sit on the foot of Xun's bed facing him. Xun shifted so as to remove pressure from his shoulder.
"You feeling ok?" Meng asked kindly.
"Yes, sir."
"I can tell that your lying." Meng commented.
Xun cringed.
"You're holding your shoulder at an odd angle." Meng pointed out. "Care to explain?"
"I believe it is dislocated, sir." Xum murmured.
"And you didn't think to mention it to the doctor?" Meng arched an eyebrow questioningly.
Xun kept his eyes down, staring shamefully down at his mutilated hands.
"Lay face down." Meng sighed.
"Y-You do not have to help me." Xun squeaked softly.
"Just do it."
Xun did as told. Meng put a hand firmly between Xun's shoulder blades.
"Take a deep breath." Meng ordered.
Meng's other hand took a hold of Xun's arm just above the elbow. Xun sucked in a deep breath. There was a sharp tug, causing Xun to gasp. As soon as the pain came, it was gone, and the joint no longer felt pinched. Xun burrowed his face into the soft pillow.
"Xun...?" Meng asked worriedly.
"Fine, fine." Xun said through clenched teeth. Too lazy to move, Xun rolled his head to the side to somewhat see the upperclassman. "Is.... anyone else hurt?"
"No."
A relieved smile graced Xun's weary features. A few minutes passed in silence.
"You were sent to interrogate me, correct?" Xun asked softly.
"Partly, yes," Meng laughed, "But only when you're ready to answer."
Xun took a deep breath as though bracing himself.
"Would you prefer to talk to someone else?" Meng offered helpfully.
"No, you are the easiest to talk to." Xun admitted.
Xun didn't notice the pleasantly surprised smile on Meng's face.
"Alright, I will come completely clean. Ask anything and I will answer." Xun's voice was weak.
"Who are you?" Meng decided to start with an easy question.
"Lu Yi of Wujun. Son of Lu Mei and Lu Jun." Xun mumbled.
"And the man that you were fighting yesterday...?" Meng trailed off.
"He was my," Xun paused, unable to get the word out, "Father."
"But why?"
"He can be impulsive, especially when he is drunk."
"But why were you fighting?"
Xun sighed, "Might as well summarize the whole thing... I ran away from home on May 5th two years ago. Since then I have been doing odd jobs until I had enough money to take the entrance exam. I changed my name and falsified documents to hide."
"Why would you go that far?" Meng was appalled.
"I was scared." Xun's voice was barely audible, making Meng have to lean closer to hear.
"What of?"
Xun reached his good arm back. Tugging at the bottom of his tucked-in shirt, he pulled it up to reveal his back from his mid-ribs down. Amidst the swelling bruises, white scars criss crossed his back. They had healed but the waxy pale skin remained marred from the damage done.
"'H-he' was a military general. He always believed in strict rules and... and stricter punishment." Xun's voice quivered.
"He hit you?!" Meng demanded.
Xun nodded once, pulling his shirt back down. He had buried his face deep into the pillow to avoid having to see the Upperclassman's expression.
"So," Meng tried to clarify, to end this discussion as quickly as possible, "You're afraid of your father because he hurt you?"
"No."
Meng was confused at Xun's sharp tone. Xun turned, propping himself up on his elbow to stare Meng eye-to-eye. There was an unhealthy gleam in Xun's eyes that sparkled with unshed tears.
"I HATE his black heart," Xun's voice was filled with hatred, but held no untruth, "Because he murdered my mother."