I'd fallen asleep against Lee, however when we finally stopped I found myself in an oasis town and Lee helped me to dismount, one arm around me and my hand placed on his to help support my weight until I was steady. "Wait here." He told me and I glanced at him then looked away with a blush, making Mushi chuckle but he did not comment.

The portly old man placed his hand on my shoulder and as I shifted on my feet, placing all my weight on my good leg, I leaned against him for support until Lee returned, carrying a long stick with him which he held out to me. "Here. Use this to support yourself when you walk." He said and I gingerly took it from him.

"Thanks." I said slowly, looking my new staff up and down before trying it out. I took a step and sure enough found it easier to walk, so I nodded my head. Mushi led us both towards what looked to be a tavern, where Mushi was certain that we would find help.

Inside were several scary looking men similar to the ones we had met on the road and I instantly shrank back behind Lee, making him look at me in surprise but did not comment, only held out his hand and gripped my arm to pull me along. The three of us sat down at a table where Lee looked around him in disdain. "No one here's going to help us. They all look like they're filthy wanderers." He said and I couldn't help but giggle.

"Now I can believe that you're the son of some rich nobleman. You sound just like one." Mushi boomed with laughter, wiping his teary eyes as he smiled broadly.

"Yes nephew, but remember, so do we." After scanning the room, he finally pointed. "Ah, I think I've found our friend." I turned to look and saw a man sitting alone at a Pai Sho table, completely at ease and relaxed despite the rather unsavoury atmosphere.

"You brought us here to gamble on Pai Sho?!" Lee demanded as we walked over.

"I don't think this is a gamble." His uncle answered as he approached the man sitting alone. "May I have this game?" He questioned politely and the gentleman gestured for Mushi to take a seat.

"The guest has the first move." Mushi sat down calmly and I watched curiously as he placed the lotus tile out first. "I see you favour the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways." The man said cryptically and I glanced between the two of them.

"Those who do can always find a friend." Mushi answered with a simple smile.

"Then let us play." He invited and the two men began to place tiles down in swift succession, hardly even looking at the board and I watched in awe as the shape of a lotus suddenly blossomed into being, with the original lotus tile at its heart. "Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who knows her secrets." The old player said and I frowned in confusion as Mushi smiled and bowed his head in greeting.

"What are you old gasbags talking about?" Lee wanted to know but I elbowed him sharply in the gut, surprising even myself as Mushi blinked.

"Lee, have more respect." I scolded him in what felt a familiar tone. "Humility forgoes arrogance, and begets kindness." My face wore an expression of shock as all three men looked at me and I blushed a deep crimson and looked away. "Sorry…I don't know where that came from."

"In that case, I'll remember that one." Mushi laughed. "I often use such proverbs on my nephew. Anyway Lee, I always tried to tell you that Pai Sho is more than just a game." He said just as two oddly matched characters approached us all, the one with long greasy hair pointing straight at Lee and Mushi.

"It's over! You fugitives are coming with us!" I squeaked and instantly hid behind Lee who held out an arm to shield me with a glare towards the two men facing us down.

"Uh…Mushi? Are these more friends of yours?" I questioned but he shook his head with a baffled expression.

"Nope. Not mine."

"I knew it! You two are wanted criminals with a giant bounty on your heads!" The old player suddenly yelled, pointing to my two companions and Lee instantly glared.

"I thought you said he would help!" He flung at his uncle who smirked and lifted a hand to calm his nephew as I gripped onto his sleeve tightly.

"He is. Just watch." Mushi said and we all turned to watch as the player then started to raise his voice, drawing the attention of everyone in the bar.

"You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?" That instantly caught everyone's undivided attention.

"Gold?" Slowly everyone stood up, turning on the two men who had approached us, cracking their knuckles and as the fighting suddenly started, we slipped out the door and escaped into a nearby flower shop, the pai sho player glancing out the door to make sure they hadn't been followed before closing it securely, whereby he turned then bowed towards Mushi.

"It is an honour to welcome such a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Being a Grand Master, you must know so many secrets." But Lee, it seemed, was getting increasingly impatient as I went about the flowers, limping slightly despite my staff and I reached out to smell some of them, taking in their fragrant scents with a soft smile.

"Now that you played Pai Sho, are you going to do some flower arranging, or is this club going to offer some real help?" Lee demanded to know, folding his arms as his uncle gave a chuckle.

"You must forgive my nephew. He is not an initiate and has little appreciation for the cryptic arts." He excused as the two older men walked towards the door at the back of the shop. The pai sho player knocked and a spy hole slid open to reveal stern eyes glaring out.

"Who knocks at the guarded gate?" The gruff voice demanded to know and Mushi answered.

"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries." The door was opened and both men entered, however when Lee tried to follow it was slammed shut in his face, forcing him to stop. "I'm afraid it's members only. Wait out here." He said then glanced towards me though I hid my face behind my hair so that they did not know I was looking toward them. "Make sure you stay out of trouble." With that he was gone. Lee gave an indignant huff then folded his arms then sat down, glaring slightly so I settled down, finding a chair to sit down in as I leaned back and began to hum a song to myself, closing my eyes.

Somehow it felt familiar and the tune came easily to me, so I sang it again and again. "You have a nice voice." Lee suddenly said and I stopped short, looking up at him then blushed with embarrassment.

"Oh. Thank you." I answered then went quiet again. The silence stretched before he spoke again.

"That song, where'd you learn it? It doesn't sound like one of my uncle's."

"No, I think it may have been something I learned before the accident." I said with a distant smile on my face, running my hands slowly through my long rippled hair. "It feels natural, something I've heard many times before. Maybe my mother sang it to me." Giving a soft sigh I looked down at the ground. "I feel like I miss her. I think something may have happened." Lee shifted slightly and looked away but I didn't pay any attention. "Do you have a mother?"

"Of course I do!" He snapped back so I quickly averted my eyes, realising I had touched on a tentative spot. "I'm sorry Saki, I didn't mean to get angry." He told me in a calm voice once more. "It's just I haven't seen my mother in a long time. She disappeared many years ago."

"Oh…I'm sorry." I apologised, realising that I had caused Lee a lot of internal pain which he was struggling to hide so he turned his head away. Standing up I limped over to him, leaning dependently on my staff before sliding to the ground next to him, allowing a fair gap between the two of us so that he didn't feel uncomfortable. "Listen…I know that I'm probably more of a burden than anything, but I want you to know I'm grateful you pulled me from that building. I would have died if it weren't for you and your uncle. You saved my life." Lee continued to keep his head turned away from me, so I allowed him his space to think alone.

Shifting down further I rested on the floor and closed my eyes to rest, once again feeling overly tired and I let myself slide into a relaxing sleep.