Chapter 9: An Unexpected Gathering
The country lands of China, renowned for their large fields and expansive wilderness, massive plains of bright green grass stretched as far as an eye can perceive. Lands ripe for farming as humble men toil day after day to raise and grow crops of all species. And large forests teeming with untamed territory that serve as sanctuaries for mother earth's children or dens for thievery and cut throat characters. No matter for what purpose or intent, travelers knew that traversing the country's open land yielded unique virtues, such as the beauty that decorates the world, or the people you may encounter and converse with over the small light of a night's camp fire.
The summer's heat continued to pour down onto the tired backs of the lupine family. For the past day they've navigated the long roads in their journey back to their home village. Jiao and Renshu resided in the family rickshaw for most of the trip while their grown children and new relatives walked on foot. Gen, Gin and Ru became fatigued within a few hours, and though Gen kept his complaints to himself, his brothers however were always willing to express of sore feet or tired legs. Their sister Shu though, was more prepared then her siblings. After all it wasn't that long ago when she made the trip from her home to the Valley of Peace, a memory that sparked her nostalgia as she strolled down these roads once again. Ever since living in the Valley, dating a local hero and befriending China's greatest champions, the she-wolf found herself engaged in active adventures every now and then, keeping her physical body in good condition. As she walked down the path again, she found amusement in seeing her big, strong brothers acting like children while their little sister (by a few minutes) was braving the countryside with ease. Zhong fared even better, thanks to his strong and powerful physic. He remembered the long marches when serving Gongmen or leading Shen's army. Years of struggle built him strong and able. The journey seemed well for him, apart from having to walk on his hind legs for parts of the trip. With Jiao and Renshu riding in a rickshaw that the one eyed wolf and Gin took turns pulling, the pack never ran on all fours, not with Renshu's leg, which had seen better years when the man was young and much more able. As much as Zhong wanted so badly to run on all fours to his heart's content, he decided that getting as much on the good side of Shu's parents as he could was more important, especially since he's helping transport them back home. Erdan on the other had always stayed at the back of the group, to fulfill the request Mr. Ping gave him and hang posters of his and Jimbo's restaurants while on the road. Every twenty minutes he stopped to nail a sign to a nearby tree. The teen insisted that the family continue at their own pace, with him catching up every time, but soon he realized the task he was given was less like a favor and more like a tiresome chore. Mr. Ping made it very clear to not return until all the posters were placed somewhere, though one could see the absurd amount of advertisements as ridiculous. People who've met the noodle selling goose have known that he would be willing to disregard some common sense for business opportunity, sometimes to a fault. The intense heat only contributed to Erdan's struggle. Even when his parents gave him permission to forego his vest and ease himself a bit (while staying in back of the pack to not offend his new grandparents) the sun still heated the boy with his thick coat. His tongue dangled out and sweat streamed down his forehead. If the summer wasn't such murder on him, he could enjoy the sights and views of the country. Instead, he was stuck posting signs and sweating like… well… a dog.
After hours of travel the pack reached a small wooded area next to the road. Nearby was a series of small hills, bright and green with wind flowing across the grass and creating waves on the ground. Jiao yawned as her husband was deep within his nap. She then overheard her grown children bicker among each other.
"I can't take this anymore!" Ru complained as he sat on the ground and rubbed his aching feet.
"Yes we know, you've only been saying that for three hours!" Gin replied in an annoyed tone.
"Well I can't help it if I've always preferred the great indoors." Ru complied.
"You mean the indoors that you always sleep and lounge about in all day in?" Gen responded with sarcasm.
"I prefer to call it physical rejuvenation." Ru remarked.
Gen simply rolled his eyes as Gin sat with Ru. He could never understand how his two brothers could act like such children at times, just like in their puppy years. Leaving the slack-offs alone, he joined their parents side to check on their condition. Zhong stood in front of the now rested rickshaw as Jiao and Renshu stood up to stretch their limbs.
"Mother, father, are you doing well?" Gen asked.
"We're fine." Jiao answered with an exhausted expression. "But the travel has just… taken a lot out of me and your father."
Zhong joined in asking "How much further until we reach your village?"
"It's not that far, we've completed three-fourth of the journey already." Gen answered, glad to be around actual adults.
"Then how about we set up camp here and rest, then in the morning we'll arrive at your town?" Zhong suggested.
Renshu, wishing for nothing more than his soft pillow, intervened into their conversation. "Sounds fantastic, you think so dear?" He asked before turning to his wife.
"It seems fine to me."
"As long as it shuts those two up, I'm happy." Gen commented, taking a quick glance back at his complaining brothers.
"Now Gen, be nice to your siblings. Everybody has their own limits." Renshu advised.
"Yes father… I will." Gen replied.
Gen listened to his father's request, much to his dismay, and joined his siblings. Renshu eyed the rest of their pack. Shu, conversing with her brothers and Erdan still a ways back putting up those posters while still being visible from a distance. But what caught his attention was his daughter's boyfriend. Zhong stared towards the road by them, his gaze focused and his posture still.
"Are you alright Zhong?" Renshu asked as he walked to the large man's side.
Zhong continued to stare forwards, his state of attention unchanging.
"Someone's coming this way." The one eyed wolf answered.
Renshu looked towards Zhong's direction, seeing nothing by forests and plants as far as his sight could perceive. "Are you sure?" He asked.
"I can sense slight vibrations in the ground, a gut feeling has been nagging at me and a hint of a smell that's unlikely for these parts." Zhong sniffed the air, taking a second nasal check on his guess. "Forged steel"
Shu, noticing her mate's unusual attention, came to his side with a concerned look on her face.
"Zhong, is everything ok?" She asked.
The one eyed wolf remained silent for a moment before replying. "Shu, get my hammer from the rickshaw." He asked plainly.
His tone was solid serious, as if a world spanning crisis was upon him. The young she-wolf did as he told and grabbed Zhong's trusty war hammer from the rickshaw's storage back. She managed to carry it to her man, though not without some struggle on her arms. The one eyed wolf took his weapon and held it up with ease, like it was made of paper. Jiao couldn't help but bare a troubled face, not only for the unknown incoming strangers, but for Zhong's weapon itself as well. In her eyes, it was bad enough he looked like a thuggish ruffian, but he openly keeps a deadly weapon with him and around his family. The ex-general held his hammer, keeping alert and ready for any potential danger approaching, be it bandits or raiders.
Out of the wooded path, strangers arrived, two rhinos wearing armor and holding a sword and shield. Once they entered the small clearing they immediately noticed the pack of wolves in the middle of the forest, one of which was wielding a war hammer.
"Hold right there!" One of the rhinos shouted.
The two soldiers drew their weapons, swords with well crafted blades and hilts. Jiao clung to Renshu, Shu readied herself if needed, Zhong stayed calm and focused while the three brothers stayed their distance from the armed strangers.
"W-who are you people?" Jiao asked.
"That's none of your business. What is a pack of wolves doing out here?" One of the soldiers questioned.
"Maybe they're a pack of bandits?" The other rhino suggested.
Jiao, offended by the soldier's insulting judgment, stood out from behind her husband, yelling "H-how dare you! Calling us-"
"Stay back, fiend!" One of the guards shouted back as he pointed his sword towards her.
"You leave my wife alone!" Renshu yelled in defense.
One of the guards noticed the large, buff wolf with the hammer. And taking mental note of the scar over where his left eye used to be. "You, are you the leader of this gang?"
"Gang!?" Shu asked in shock, surprised by how quickly the men judged them.
Zhong stayed calm but intimidating as he answered, holding his hammer tightly in his paws. "We're just traveling and now making camp, that's all."
The rhino men kept their weapons in hand as the rest of their group caught up, a company of twelve more soldiers and four large and burly oxen holding up a big traveling box. The men stopped upon realizing the holdup in front of them.
"What's going on?" A voice from inside the box asked. "I want to see."
A rhino soldier with well decorated golden armor came close to the box's door and asked "My Lord, I heavily advise you to remain inside."
"I wish to see what's happening. Men, please set us down." The voice ordered politely.
The four half bare oxen set the traveling box down gently. Upon the door sliding open, out came a deer man dressed in royal robes. He stepped out and suddenly noticed the group of lupines in front of him, a group that featured two familiar faces.
(Fire Emblem Fates ost – "Implore the Dawn")
"Zhong? Shu?" the deer asked, recognizing their faces.
"L-Lord Shirong!?" Zhong replied in surprise.
The leader of the rhinos quickly whispered into his master's ear "My Lord, you know these wolves?!"
"Why yes I do, they-"
"What's going on out there?" A female voice sounded from the box. "Here… you hold her while I look out." After a moment another deer came out from the box, this one a woman in an elegant yellow robe. "Who are these people Shirong?" She asked.
"Two of them I've met before when at the Valley, and-" The deer Lord answered before being interrupted.
Immediate crying was heard from inside the travel box. The door slid open a third time and out came a third deer wearing an orange robe, a teenage girl holding a calf in infant's clothes within her arms. She walked out as both her and the baby were crying.
"I can't make her stop!" She cried pleas to her mother for help.
The very young baby sobbed loudly non-stop as the mother then took her infant from her daughter's arms. "Shh…shh… it's ok… it's alright… shh…shh…" The mother soothed her baby before the small deer became calm.
Her daughter, once again surprised by her parent's magic, expressed her appreciation like always. "Thanks mother, it's amazing how you do that."
Jiao butted in. "The trick is the cradle the head."
"Yes exactly… You were a mother too?" The deer woman asked.
"A mother of four" Jiao answered.
Gen, Gin and Ru were all confused, seeing these strangers suddenly mingling with their pack, though they are very well dressed strangers. Their robes were seemingly made of glamour and grace. Finally, the demand for answers reached their tipping point.
"I'm sorry, but can someone please tell us what the hell is happening?" Gin asked loudly followed by a slap on the head from Gen.
"Oh, right then." Shirong replied before starting the introductions. "I am Lord Shirong, brother of the Great Emperor and royal governor of the province that is The Valley of Peace." He placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. "This is my wife, Lady Yuan, and our daughters, Yingyu and Yuing."
"Okay… we now know who you are and-" Gen said before being pushed out of the way by a rushing Gin who knelt down on the ground at the Lord's feet.
"It's an honor you're royalness, your worshipness, your mostly highness." Gin replied in fear of the presence of royalty.
An awkward air overtook everyone as the deer family just watched as a random wolf bowed as if in the presence of gods.
"Um… you don't really need to do that." Shirong asked.
"Are you sure, your royalness?" Gen asked in fear.
"Y-yes… we don't really… um… like being treated that way." Shirong advised.
"Then, what way should I treat you?" Gin asked.
Yingyu simply walked over to the man who was groveling with an act so over the top you'd think it was comical. "Just, relax, ok?" She asked simply.
"OK…ok…ok." Gin answered as he got up and was pulled back by his brothers.
"So, now that I've introduced my family, may we get to know who I presume is yours?" Shirong asked turning to Zhong and Shu.
"Oh, yes." Shu replied. "This is my mother and father, and those are my brothers. We're traveling to our home village for a small vacation."
Zhong, deciding now was the right time to insert himself in their talk, asked "So why are you all out here?"
The head rhino guard stood between the one eyed wolf and the royal, answering for his master. "That's none of your business."
Shirong butted in, stating "Its fine captain, if these people are Shu's family, I'm sure they can be trusted to some degree, right?"
The captain looked at his master, who gave a stern face of command, then back off of the lupine family and allowed his Lord to answer for himself.
"I'm on my way to take care of some important matters with Shifu. I didn't want to leave my family again after returning from another trip so soon, so I decided to bring them so they can meet China's heroes."
Zhong nodded in response and became at ease with his hammer. "Well, it's good to see you again, Shirong."
"It's indeed well to see both you and Shu again." The deer Lord replied before trading friendly smiles with Shu.
Yingyu approached the she-wolf, her mind burning with a specific question. "Um, Shu… If I may ask; where is Erdan?"
Shu pointed down the road, answering "He's just a little ways down there. He's putting up posters for a friend's business as a favor."
Shirong, understanding of how much his girl wanted to see her lupine friend again, nudged her saying "Why don't you go see him?" She smiled and nodded before walking down the road with a rhino soldier accompanying her.
("Implore the Dawn" ends)
A little ways down the road, Erdan walked up to a big sturdy tree. He yawned as the exhaustion of the day long journey began to take its toll on the young wolf. He opened his backpack and pulled out another piece of paper, the advert for Ping's Noodle Shop as well as a small hammer and a nail. Placing the poster on the tree, and adjusting to find an appropriate height, Erdan took his metal nail and pierced it right through the top of the poster. He then hammered it into the tree as much as he could before repeating the process on the poster's bottom to ensure its security. Once it was finished, the sign hung and stood out against the natural greens and browns of the forest, they were painted to catch the eye, albeit with some poor wording for the buisness' slogans. Erdan sighed before he suddenly felt the tap of something on his right shoulder. Quickly he turned but saw nothing. Then the same tap was felt on his left shoulder. He turned around, finding a familiar face responsible for the surprising gesture.
"Hello Erdan." Yingyu greeted with a smile.
Erdan's face lit up with delight and quickly put down his tools and posters.
"Y-Yingyu!?" He replied with surprise.
Immediately Erdan hugged his friend, who returned his friendly gesture with a hug of her own. The two teens chuckled upon meeting each other once more as-
(Fire Emblem Fates ost – "What Can You Do?")
"MY LADY!" A low, gruff voice shouted urgently.
In the span of single second a large body collided with Erdan, a huge, rough skinned and armored attacker. The rhino guard pushed and pinned Erdan down to the ground. At the time Erdan could barely process what on earth was happening? Thinking fast, he retaliated, pushing back the guard's arms and entering a struggle.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Yingyu yelled as she watched her friend being attacked.
But just a moment later the bodyguard found himself being pushed back a bit. The wolf who he assaulted was fighting back. Erdan pushed up with all his might and was able to get back onto his feet as the rhino continued his attempt to restrain him. Yingyu watched, but was almost captivated by this sight. Erdan struggled against his attacker, the muscles of his naked upper body and arms gave him all the strength they could muster. The sight of mightiness sparked something in Yingyu. She didn't really understand it, but something about it was intriguing in a way unknown to her before.
"ARE YOU GOING TO HELP ME!?" Erdan yelled as he was being pinned down again, slower this time due to his resisting.
Yingyu snapped out of her almost trance like state, realizing the situation and what was needed of her.
"STOP THIS AT ONCE!" She ordered loudly.
The Rhino looked back to the young noble, confused.
"I said; let him go!" Yingyu ordered.
The bodyguard obeyed her command and released the wolf. Erdan stood up and breathed in and out heavily. The sudden ambush he suffered depleted his energy. He walked over to Yingyu, wanting answers as to what just happened to him.
"Your highness, I saw this wolf bandit attacking you and-"
"He's not a bandit, he's my friend!" Yingyu replied with anger.
"B-b-But he was-"
"Hugging me and I was hugging him. We haven't seen each other in some time!" Yingyu corrected.
The rhino looked with slight embarrassment before replying "Oh" in a simple tone.
"OH!?" Yingyu replied, still angry over the misunderstanding. "You attack one of my friends and all you have to say is 'OH'!?"
The rhino looked to the young lady and then to the wolf before turning to Yingyu again.
"Apologize to my friend, THAT'S AN ORDER!" Yingyu scorned.
"Um, my lady, I'm really sworn to my captain, and-"
"NOW!" Yingyu shouted.
The rhino took a moment to decide on what to do before approaching Erdan and sheaving his sword.
"I…I apologize…" The guard remarked.
Erdan, who was still processing on the last five minutes, replied "Um… alright?"
Being a kung fu master in training, it wasn't uncommon for Erdan to find himself in dangerous fights and perilous missions with the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five. He's fought croc bandits, oxen warriors and river pirates. But he's never won a fight with a stranger who was demanded to say he's sorry.
"Now just… wait over there." Yingyu ordered, pointing towards an opposite direction.
The rhino obeyed and went to stand by a nearby tree, giving the two teens some rightly deserved space. Yingyu took a few minutes to calm down her nerves as Erdan caught his breath.
"So… a bodyguard?" Erdan started.
"Yeah." Yingyu replied, this time in a more at ease tone. "Ever since we foiled that assassination attempt on my dad, my uncle-"
"The Emperor" Erdan commented.
"Yes, has been worried about his brother and our family's safety. So he sent some of his best men to protect us." Yingyu explained.
"What are you doing out here anyway?" Erdan asked, now crossing his arms over his chest.
"My family is traveling to the Valley, something you're doing as well."
"Oh, then you've met my Mom's parents and brothers?" Erdan asked.
"Yeah, one of them bowed on the ground at our feet and-" Yingyu then imitated Gin's voice and attitude. "Was all like; 'Your worshipfulness'' or 'Your highnesses'."
Erdan chuckled under his breath, and then replied in a joking voice "Well he was just basking in the awe of royalty your most royal royalness."
A smile tugged on Yingyu's lips as she replied "Oh no… he's corrupted you."
A silent moment came before the two friends laughed together, sharing in the absurd humor of their little joke. Once the joke ran its course, Erdan noticed Yingyu was wearing fine quilted robes, with dazzling colors and elegant trims.
"I see your doing well." Erdan complimented.
"And I see you've been taking care of yourself." Yingyu happily replied.
Erdan let his arms down from their crossed position, allowing Yingyu to see his torso in its fullest. She couldn't help but notice that her lupine friend has been keeping healthy and strong. His chest and arms now had some size with their muscles. A moment later she realized her staring and suddenly small blushing was visible on both teen's faces. Erdan quickly grabbed his vest from his backpack and put the torso attire on as Yingyu was brought out of her trance.
"Oh, um, I'm sorry… uhh." Yingyu apologized awkwardly.
Erdan, now fully dressed, answered "Its, um… ok… its ok."
"I'm sorry I… wasn't thinking… uh." Yingyu replied with awkward pauses.
"How about we just forget it… alright?" Erdan suggested.
Yingyu simply nodded and refrained from staring at Erdan's figure. Once the young wolf's torso was covered, and a few minutes passed, the atmosphere returned to normal between the two.
"So, why are you behind your family group?" Yingyu asked.
"Because of these" Erdan answered as he pulled out a poster from his backpack.
Yingyu noticed the advert was the same as on the tree nearby and she was able to place the pieces together in her head.
"You've been putting these up along the road?"
"Yeah, and these too." Erdan said as he handed Jimbo's signs to his deer friend. "They asked me to put them up as we're traveling, to help their restaurants.
Yingyu scanned the advert for the Dumpling Hut; Bright and colorful, with some… interesting… word choices.
"Dumptactular?" Yinngyu asked.
Erdan chuckled under his breath and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah… I know. I don't think it's anything I'd use for a business."
"Not if it's a place that uses 'Dumptactular' as a sales pitch." Yingyu remarked.
"Unless you were renting restrooms." Erdan joked.
Both teens instantly laughed together, the awkward air had seemingly dissipated away. The rhino guard approached the two again.
"My Lady, shouldn't we return to the rest of the group?" He asked.
"Oh alright. Erdan, you ready?" Yingyu asked.
"Yeah, let's go." Erdan answered.
("What Can You Do?" ends)
The two young friends, now finished with their re-introductions and jokes, walked back to the large group of royals and wolves. Shirong engaged in light conversation with Shu's family while his wife tended to their baby. Zhong did his best to remain at ease and relaxed. But doing so was difficult, with the royal soldiers giving suspicious glares as they kept their paws rested on the hilts of their swords.
"So Shu, how on earth did you find yourself meeting with royalty?" Jiao asked asan eager curiosity was burning within her for the nobles nearby.
Shirong answered first. "Ah, it wasn't that long ago, just last year almost. I was visiting the Jade Palace with Yingyu when-"
"AH, Shirong may I have a word with you, in private, right now!" Shu quickly interrupted.
The captain of the guards diverted his attention to the young she-wolf as everybody became confused by her sudden change in demeanor.
"Um… yes, that would be fine, Shu." Shirong answered.
The deer lord and lupine woman began to walk behind the traveling box he and his family stayed in while on the road. Before they were visually separated from the group, the rhino captain quickly came to his lord's side. He stood in front of Shu, intimidating and strong as he prepared to draw his weapon.
"If you even think about an attempt on Lord Shirong, you'll pay the price with your head!" He threatened menacingly.
Shu backed away a few steps before Shirong objected his guardian's actions.
"Enough of this captain!" He scolded.
"Sir, these wolves are known to be a vile race. Did you not forget what happened at Gongmen City just two years ago?"
His master protested in a frustrated voice and an angry tone. "Shu would never do such a thing. She and her family aren't the kind of villainous rogues you assume. Not all wolves are the same. I trust her."
He then stood front to front with the captain. "Now just wait over there. And if you commit any more threatening actions without proper justification, I'll see to it that any more decisions like such are met with consequences. Am I understood!?"
The captain put his large, rough paw away from the grip of his sword. "Yes… master."
The captain then walked back, though still keeping his lord in perfect view. Now with nobody within ear range, Shu and Shirong could commence with their private chat.
"Wow, you really went all out on him." Shu pondered out loud.
"I know he means well. But sometimes I wonder…"
"But he's protecting you right? I mean, he's just doing his job." Shu commented.
"There's always a very real possibility of when a person takes too much investment into their occupation, so much that it drives them to self destructive acts, even when they don't realize it."
Shirong's words of wisdom caused Shu to think and sit on them for moment before he spoke again.
"So, what did you want to talk with me about, Shu?" Shirong asked, his mind now eased a bit after his small meltdown.
Shu, now brought out of her period of thought, replied in a focused manor.
(Fire Emblem Echoes ost – "Fate")
"Oh, right" She began to explain her situation with her mother. The various letters that left out details of her new life, as well as the standard Jiao expects for her daughter. Shu verbally laid out the struggle to gain her mother's approval, and requested Shirong that he"d do the same, to keep Jiao from learning of the numerous potentially upsetting aspects of her life in the Valley.
"So, yeah… if you could not tell her about all the stuff about your last visit or Erdan and Zhong, I'd appreciate that." Shu requested.
"Hmm…" Shirong muttered as his eyes were closed in mental debate.
"… Lord… Shirong…?" Shu asked.
"Is this truly a wise course of action?" He asked, finally speaking up after a full minutes of silent thinking.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Shu asked.
"From what you've explained; you've been maintaining a façade about your life and have kept your mother in the dark. Does this decision truly give you any benefits?" He questioned, keeping a calm yet serious tone.
"If my mother learns about the life I've made for myself; Settling in a Valley often in danger, having a relationship and living with an ex-war criminal, adopting a boy who trains to be a warrior and knows how to use weapons, and not to mention the few times I've helped the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five fight to save the Valley's people." She explained. "If she learns about all that she'll instantly regret letting me go out into the world on my own, and I'll be like a disgrace in her eyes."
"And you think keeping her from the truth isn't worse!?" Shirong questioned, now with a fully serious voice, almost scolding.
Shu slightly gasped at his raised tone.
"If you think that by keeping your family from the real life you've made will keep them together, then you're dead wrong. And I can tell from the look on your face that deep down you fully understand that, and you've had from the start of your façade." Shirong lectured.
Shu stayed still, holding her head down quietly and in shame. Shirong gave a long and heavy sigh before continuing.
"Shu, because you're a friend, and because your son saved not only my life but my daughter's as well… I will do as you request." Shirong finished.
Shu's head tilted upwards. "Y-you will!?"
"Yes, I will… omit… specific details about my last visit, and will ask my family and men to do the same."
A breath of relief escaped Shu's mouth before hearing Shirong again.
"But you need to seriously think about your decision to hide your truth. One way or another, your family, especially your mother, will learn about your real life. And when that happens, I imagine it'd be much worse for you, rather than just telling them yourself." Shirong advised
Suddenly a voice sounded from the end of the travel box. "Shirong, are you alright?" Lady Yuan asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, coming right over." Shirong answered as he started to walk back to his wife.
"…Thank you, Shirong…" Shu said quietly.
"Yeah… that's what confidants are for… right?" He replied in an almost regretfully voice.
Shu slowly made her way back to the group. Her mind was running rampant with the undeniable facts she was given. Shirong paced his way out from behind the travel box and rejoined his family. But out of the corner of his eye he spotted his daughter, accompanied by a guard and a familiar wolf teen. Wiping the concerned look on his face, the deer lord sported a welcoming demeanor as he went to greet another good friend.
("Fate" ends)
Erdan and Yingyu arrived at the camp when just as they took a few steps they were greeted by the girl's royal father.
"Hello Yingyu." Shirong greeted.
"Hello father." She replied happily.
"I see you've been reunited with your friend." He said, turning his attention to the wolf boy next to her.
Erdan gave a warm grin as he replied. "Hello Lord Shirong."
"Oh Erdan, I've told you; there's no need for formalities with my family." He corrected.
"Then it's very good to see you again." Erdan replied, happy to see that the kind noble hasn't changed one bit.
"Very good indeed, I hope my guards haven't caused you any trouble?" Shirong returned gladly.
"Oh… no trouble at all" Erdan answered.
Yingyu, taking a second to play along, commented "Yeah… no trouble whatsoever."
"Hmm… that's good." Shirong replied, suspecting the opposite, but decided to keep the kids' business to themselves.
"Erdan?" Yingyu asked, drawing her friend's attention. "Would you like to meet the rest of my family?"
"Sure, I'd love too." Erdan answered with an eager smile.
The lord and two teens joined the rest of their companies. As they walked by, Erdan noticed the activities of the rest of his pack. Zhong was sitting with Shu, probably talking about the trip, or the kind of topics couples have with each other. Renshu and Jiao were standing near them, letting their legs get some stretching room. Sitting in that rickshaw for hours surely brought the infamous pins and needles agony to their limbs. Gen, Gin and Ru were all huddled near each other, likely resting while taking in the scenario of royalty that came into their day. Soon enough Erdan, Yingyu and her father came to a deer woman, holding and caring for a very young calf resting in her arms. She looked up at her husband and daughter coming to join her, along with a wolf boy. Immediately she deduced who this young canine must be.
"How are holding up honey?" Shirong ask before kissing his wife.
"I'm fine dear." She replied.
"Mother" Her daughter spoke. "I want you to meet somebody, a good friend of mine."
Erdan presented himself as first introductions began, keeping good posture and upmost manors.
"Mother, this is my friend, Erdan." Yingyu explained. "Erdan, meet my mother, Yuan, and my little sister, Yuing, but you can just call her blossom."
Lady Yuan beamed a smile as she chose to break the social ice first. "Um, Yingyu, where is your friend?"
Erdan raised an eyebrow and the dear daughter sported a face of confusion, all while her father smiled, understanding the little tricks his wife became known for.
"Mother, what are you talking about, Erdan's right here!?"
"Really?" Yuan replied. "Is he behind the strapping young man in front of me?"
"S-strapping?" Erdan muttered.
"Mother!" Yingyu replied, realizing she was yet again duped into a joke.
Yuan chuckled before elaborating. "Oh I know Yingy, I'm just teasing."
"Mother, please don't use that name!" Yingyu muttered loudly.
"Ok…ok… I'm sorry Yingyu." She apologized before focusing on Erdan. "It's good to finally meet you, Erdan. I've heard quite a bit about you."
"It's nice to meet you too, ma'am." Erdan said back with a respectful tone in his voice.
"Would you like to meet Yuing?" Yuan asked.
"Is… are you sure?" Erdan asked.
"Oh it's fine, come see her." She answered warmly.
Erdan then got close and officially met with the newest royal member. The baby dear was wearing simple clothes, but still small and almost a year old. She was cute and adorable, her eyes looking everywhere, a curiosity to find and discover all that life offered. She looked straight at Erdan, with his snout, dark red eyes and dark grey fur. The infant reached out with her arms and grabbed Erdan's snout. Upon touch Erdan lightly giggled. But a second later Yuing let out a loud cry which almost startled Erdan. He backed off as the infant lightly yelled for her mother's comfort.
"D-did I do anything wrong?" He asked in worry.
"Oh she's fine" Yuan answered with reassurance. "She's just hungry and tired."
As the mother tended to her baby, humming and holding to calm her down, the captain of the guards approached Shirong. "Master, it's nearly the end of the day and we'll need to make camp."
Yingyu, with a spark lighting in her mind, spoke up with a new idea. "Hey, why don't we all camp together?"
"Sir, I don't think that-" The captain suggested before being interrupted.
"Oh I think that'd be wonderful." Yuan commented.
"I would be nice to have some fresh company for once." Shirong replied.
"That actually sounds nice." Erdan said, giving her opinion.
The captain, frustrated, spoke up loudly. "Master, is this really a wise idea!?"
"Surely captain a little socializing with good friends wouldn't be of much danger. And besides, you and your men will be here the whole time."
The captain sighed. "Yes master. But at least allow us to prepare the food for you and your family?"
"Very well, we'll abide by your advice, captian." Shirong answered.
With the discussion done with, Shirong went to ask Shu and her family about their idea. Yuan went to feed her baby in the privacy of the traveling box, and the royal guards began to set up the camp and cook the royals their evening meals.
"You're mother is really nice." Erdan complimented Yingyu.
"Yeah, she is great… even if she drives me crazy with her jesting sometimes." Yingyu replied, in a slightly annoyed tone, though still loving.
"Wanna go sit and chat for a while?" Erdan asked.
"Sure." She answered simply.
"Alright then… Yingy." Erdan said back with a sheepish grin.
Yingyu, with an annoyed voice, replied "Please don't say that name again."
The sheepish grin on Erdan's face quickly disappeared when his royal friend returned his tease with a rather mildly vengeful expression. Rather than endure the grave consequences for his joke, Erdan quickly urged for him and her to joining the rest of their groups. Shirong and his wife tended to their young calf while the captain and his men set up the royal tents and cooked their dinner in pots over campfires. Jiao and Renhsu rested as their sons laid on the grassy ground. Erdan and Yingyu approached Zhong and Shu, who were both resting on a fallen log.
Seeing her foster son join in with his friend, Shu said "Well Erdan, I see you've found Yingyu."
"Yeah, but she kinda found me." Erdan replied with slight chuckle.
Before anymore words could come out of their vocals, a rumble roared from nearby. Erdan looked down and placed his paw on his stomach, realizing that his own tummy urged for nourishment.
"Sorry… heh." Erdan said with a cheepish grin.
"I think it's time for some dinner, right everybody?" Shu asked the rest of the pack.
Jiao nodded in reply before turning to her sons. "Boys, could you get the cooking supplies out of the rickshaw please?"
Gen, acknowledging his mother request, looked to his Gin and Ru, saying "Alright, let's get to work."
Ru, giving a groan of frustration, replied "We just walked like a hundred miles… and now we have set the camp up too?"
Gen sighed at his brother's complaint "Come on… let's get it over with."
The three of them unloaded the rickshaw's storage for the proper supplies. Meanwhile Shirong and Yuan took a rest in the now propped up royal tent, and Jiao decided to meet this Yingyu girl officially. She waited as Erdan finished a current conversation with his foster parents.
"So, would you like me to help cook dinner?" Erdan asked Shu.
Zhong intervened, stating "Us adults will take care of it. This is a vacation for you too, son."
"Why don't you spend some time with Yingyu while you can." Shu advised.
Erdan smiled and got ready to take a seat on the grassy ground with his royal friend, when Jiao approached them with a curious expression.
"So… you're Yingyu?" Jiao began.
"Um, yeah… it's nice to meet you." Yingyu replied nicely.
"It's nice to meet you as well." Jiao said back respectfully.
The middle aged woman then took Erdan away for a moment and spoke quietly at her new grandson. "How long have you been friends with her?"
"Oh, not that long, we met a few months before the last winter feast." Erdan answered.
Jiao gave a curious look back at the deer girl, who was staring at the camp coming together.
"Do you have any… romantic… feelings with her?" Jiao asked quietly.
Erdan immediately returned her question with a confused expression as he replied "No… n-not anything like that. We're just friends."
"Good, you can do better." Jiao answered plainly.
Erdan's eyebrow was raised with bafflement and confusion. He then joined his friend and sat with her on the grass.
"What was that about?" Yingyu asked.
Erdan paused for a moment, before answering and keeping his embarrassment under control as best he could. "I-It was nothing… just a… a… she just wanted to check if I was alright."
Yingyu suspected something else and asked "And are you?"
"Oh, yeah… just fine and all" Erdan answered.
Despite his wording, the tone of the young wolf's voice spoke a different story. Understanding the awkwardness in his tone, Yingyu chose to leave the matter alone and start a new conversation, one with a more relaxing topic.
"Have you been keeping up with your archery skills?" Yingyu asked.
"Yeah, been getting better with my aim, just last evening I managed to split an arrow in half with another." Erdan answered in a more at ease tone.
"Really?" Yingyu replied with a raised eyebrow and a skeptical voice.
"It's true, it really happened." Erdan defended.
"Well, how about you show me after dinner?" She suggested.
"Alright" Erdan agreed. "And how are you doing with archery lately?"
"Oh pretty well, I'm training myself for my first competition." Yingyu explained.
"You're finally competing soon?"
"Well… there's no competition for some time… but when the time comes, I'll be ready." Yingyu spoke with a strong determination in her voice.
As the two teens conversed about their shared hobby, their talk took a sudden change when a voice cried out in pain. "HEY, LET ME GO!"
Nearly all in the camp turned to the direction the voice came from. Shu's three brothers joined the camp, now lit with fires in the dusk evening. Gin came to the group, holding a grey and furry little boy in his paw and grasping him by the ears.
"LET ME GO ALREDY!" The boy yelled.
Erdan realized who yelled, before himself shouted "FANG!?"
Zhong, Shu, Shirong and Yingyu all joined Erdan, baffled by the sudden appearance of the mischievous rabbit boy. After being bickered at for being held like a bucket, Gin set Fang down on the ground. And in mere seconds the young bunny was bombarded by his former best friend.
"How are you here!?" Erdan asked in shock.
"Uh, I rode in your rickshaw." Fang answered.
Gen, surprised by this sudden fact, asked "So you've been a stowaway during this whole day?"
"Well, that's one way to put it." Fang replied.
Shu, expressing concern spoke up. "Are your parents even aware of this?"
"Yeah sure, I left a note for them." The rabbit answered.
"A note?" Zhong pondered out loud.
"Yeah, I wrote a letter saying that I'm spending the week with Erdan, and that you guys would take care of me. That way my parents don't have to worry." Fang explained.
"They probably are worried!" Zhong scolded.
Fang's attitude quickly changed, the cockiness of his usual tone was replaced by realized doubt with a hint of regret.
"Why did you do this, I told you too-" Erdan yelled in anger before being interrupted.
"Because I didn't want to lose you, Erdan!" Fang shouted back.
A moment of pause came accompanied by confusion.
"What do you mean?" Erdan asked.
Fang, now in a just as angry voice, explained his motives for his recent actions. "What you said before… about; having enough of me and getting a new best friend, I… I, I didn't know what to do?" Fang's voice was quick and emotion fueled, but as he continued, his tone slowly changed from anger to distressed. "I thought that if I-"
"YOU DON'T THINK, FANG!" Erdan loudly scolded. "You don't take a moment to consider how your decisions effect other people and your own family! You start fights with other kids, you get yourself into danger all the time, and you always cause trouble for me and your parents! So why, WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING ALL THIS!?"
"Because… because… I… I don't… I don't know anymore. I, I'm so confused now." Fang cried almost on the brink of breaking down. "Everybody thinks that I'm nothing but a… but a… little monster. They all look down on me, and they all think I'm nothing but some, some… no good kid." Fang looked up at Erdan with tears escaping his eyes. "You, you were the first person to… to tolerate me… you were my first real friend. All the other kids don't want to be with me. You made my life exciting, Erdan."
"Because you could have adventures with me?" Erdan replied, his tone now calming down.
"Because you were the first person besides my parents… to actually want… to be around me. You became my best friend, and stayed my friend even after all the stuff I caused. So when you yelled me this morning, I… I was afraid…" Fang began to break down in tears. "I was afraid you'd… you'd"
Before the rabbit completely lost himself to his own unbalanced emotions, he felt a pair of arms hold and place him by a warm body. Fang looked up and saw Erdan, bearing a compassionate expression.
"It's alright Fang… It's ok… I'm not leaving you… I'm not." Erdan said assuringly.
"A-are you… sure?" Fang asked in a sorrow filled voice.
"Yeah, I am. You may be pain in the butt… but you're my pain in the butt friend." Erdan answered.
Fang dug his face into Erdan's vest as the young lupine gave comfort. Any anger or frustrations harboring within the wolf's mind had all but washed away, replaced by thoughts of regret and a drive to put his little friend at ease. After a few minutes the bunny returned to a balanced state, and Fang was able to break apart from his friend. He just looked up at Erdan, both of them reading each other's faces, no longer finding any grim emotions to hold them back from making up.
"I… I'm sorry…" Fang muttered.
Erdan placed his paw on Fang's shoulder, his whole paw nearly swallowing the rabbit's entire shoulder. "I'm sorry too." Erdan apologized.
A moment of silence passed before the next few words came out of their vocals.
"So, are we… ok?" Fang asked.
"Yeah, we're ok." Erdan answered.
A sense of relief settled in Fang, a gladness that his worst fear didn't come to fruition.
"It's nice that you two have made up, but Fang, we need to get you back to your parents." Shu added.
"Yes" Zhong added. "You still left home without permission, so-"
Suddenly Shirong intervened, butting into the conversation. "Zhong, Shu, Erdan, may I have a word with you all?" The royal man had a serious yet optimistic tone. The three wolves decided to give the noble a chance to speak his mind away from the boy in question. As they took some steps away, Fang sat with Yingyu while his current whereabouts are in discussion.
Yingyu, seeing the rabbit boy trying to calm himself more, sitting on the grass and easing himself the best he could, to take his mind off of the current moment, at least for a minute.
"So, it's good to see you again, Fang." She started with a calm, friendly attitude.
"You're… that princess Erdan is friends with, right?" Fang asked in response.
"Um… well, not exactly a princess… but yeah." She answered.
As she tried to put her new friend in a better mood, Shirong explained his opinion on the matter.
"Let me get this straight." Zhong commented. "You think that letting Fang come with us on this vacation could be of benefit to him, and his family?"
Renshu, overhearing their talk, butted in with an appalled opinion. "You're going to reward that little troublemaker, after all he's done?"
Shirong answered in focus and modesty "I'm saying; that a young person who grows up confused and isolated can develop serious problems in his later years. I don't know much about this Fang boy. But I can tell when a person is speaking from their heart. Allowing him a chance to get out and find new experiences may have a positive impact on his mental growth."
Shu gave her take on this new notion. "He is kind of cooped up in the village all day nearly every day. And his mother has told me before that Fang has always been a… difficult child at times."
Renshu, baffled, pleaded "Really Shu? You agree with his ludicrous idea? Zhong, surely you disagree, right?"
"Actually" the one eyed wolf responded, earning him a disbelieving expression from Renshu. "I've seen firsthand what happens when a child grows up feeling neglected and misunderstood. Believe me, that kind of stuff can only cause more pain as the years go on, even in adulthood."
Shirong, looking forwards at the youngest at the meeting asked "Well Erdan, you know Fang better than any of us, what do you think?"
Erdan paused for a moment before expressing his view on the proposal. "I was with Fang yesterday, and I have an idea of what he's going through. I'm not sure exactly how to resolve his problem, but I can say that trying to force a solution on him won't help. Right now, I think the best thing for him is some friends."
"Then it's decided." Shirong concluded.
The group returned to the bunny boy, who was in the middle of small talk with Yingyu. Fang looked up at the family of wolves, plus one noble, who gave their final resolve.
"Fang, we've decided… to allow you to accompany us for the next week." Shu explained.
His ears perked up and his face light with almost disbelief. "Wait, really?"
"Yes, you can stay with us for awhile." Erdan answered.
"Wow… thanks." Fang exclaimed with new found excitement.
"Don't thank us, thank Shirong." Erdan corrected.
Fang looked at the nobleman, who simply smiled and nodded. Fang gave a small grin of his own in gratitude. That is until Zhong sternly spoke "But, you must be on best behavior the whole week, understand?"
Fang nodded repeatedly in acknowledgment.
"Alright everyone, dinner's ready." Jiao shouted as the pot over the campfire boiled.
"Master, my ladies, your meal is ready." The captain of the guard announced.
Zhong, ready to stuff his face, clapped his paws together and said "Well, let's all dig in."
Yaun, shouted from her seat "Ah, 'dig in' good one!"
Zhong, Shu and Erdan simply stared in confusion. The air became silent before Yuan corrected herself. "Um, 'dig in'… because… you're… canines…"
Shirong noticed the almost slightly offended response from the lupine family, despite Yuan having the best of intentions. "Um, honey, why don't you start your meal, I'll be right over." He shouted.
"Um… ok." Yuan shouted back.
"She didn't mean anything like that… she's just… humorous." Shirong corrected.
"Um… sure." Zhong answred.
As the various camp residents gathered for the evening meal, Fang told Yingyu "You're dad is really nice."
"He is, isn't he." She replied with a smile.
"Your mom is kind weird though." Fang comented.
Yingyu raised an eyebrow as she protested "All families are weird." followed by simple silence from the rabbit boy.
As the evening sun disappeared behind the horizon, the following night was filled with laughter and fellowship. Shu and her family sat in a circle on the ground as they ate meaty fish stew while conversing around the campfire. While almost every lupine enjoyed the soup fine, Erdan however soldiered through dinner. Not liking meat in general, he struggled, but prevailed to keep up a good attitude for Shu and her parents. Jiao and Renshu mostly reminisced on the past with their grown children, memories of past family days both happy and sad. Like hundreds of meals before, Gin always found a way, whether intentional or not, to annoy his sister. The she-wolf ate her supper and did her best to suppress her frustration driven by her arrogant sibling. Zhong mostly remained quiet during the meal, choosing to just take in the mood and relax after a long afternoon of shared labor. Erdan and Fang ate and talk together, bickering over simple topics. Erdan figured that now wasn't the right time to start anything that could potentially make Fang upset again. Yingyu, Shirong, Yuan and Yuing all ate in their own tent, which was propped up high and strong. Guards stood nearby, eating their own meals while keeping vigilance like always. The royals' dinner was a leafy noodle supper, topped with spices and accompanied with fine plates.
Once the meals were consumed and stomachs were satisfied, Erdan and Yingyu spent any remaining time practicing archery together. In his attempt to impress his friend, Erdan tried to split an arrow again like the previous night. His every attempt however was met with failure. One after another he couldn't perform the same trick. Yingyu brushed the failures off, giving her friend an easy time, unlike Fang, who disbelieved Erdan's trick from the second he heard it. Shu, Jiao and Yuan mingled together, engaging in small talk about daily life, clothing preferences and the opinions they shared on current events. Gen, Gin and Ru turned in early, Gen too be well rested for the next day, but he knew his two brothers simply wanted to lounge as early as possible. Zhong, Renshu and Shirong all stood and watched their families all enjoying the evening, conversing with each other as the night stayed young.
"They really get along well, don't they Zhong?" Shirong commented while watching his daughter practice her hobby with Erdan.
"They really do… and she's having a nice time with Fang as well." Zhong replied.
Renshu gave a distrusting eye towards Fang. "I can't understand why you let that little brat have what he wants."
"Sometimes a soft towel can clean more than a rough rag." Shirong replied.
"Who said that?" Zhong asked.
"I did, it's actually something I made up right now." The deer man stated.
"Well… I still think he's nothing but trouble." Renshu replied before rubbing his crotch.
Zhong noticed his possible father in law, wondering for his reason to resent Fang. "What's wrong?"
"That little rascal kicked me between the legs without hesitation."
"Why did he do that?" Shirong asked.
"He thought I was robbing my daughter' store, of all the stupid excuses." The middle age wolf answered, no longer checking his private area.
"That's not the first time he's done that." Zhong answered.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, he's done the same to Erdan once." Zhong answered.
"Wait what!? Then why would your son spend time with him?" Renshu asked.
Zhong sighed before answering. "I think Erdan wants to be a good role model for Fang. If that rabbit is gonna get into all sorts of trouble, the least is he should have a friend who'd have some common sense."
"The least that little brat can do is mind other people's business." Renshu stated.
"I'm sure he has potential. Some kids just need a… little nudge in the right direction." Shirong exclaimed.
Zhong silently nodded, but Renshu wasn't as agreeable.
"Of course that's what we do; we raise them, teach them, and when the time comes, we watch them live on their own. We just have to show them how." Shirong said as he looked happily at his daughter enjoying herself with friends.
"Well… your right about that." Renshu replied, thinking of the new plans his sons have, and the new life his grown girl has made for herself.
Zhong however stayed silent, his mind elsewhere and his face staring into blankness. As if he was mentally in another existence.
"Zhong, are you ok?" Shirong asked.
"Hmm?" The one eyed wolf muttered as he was brought back to the current reality. "Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking to myself."
Suddenly, an idea popped in Shirong's mind. He quickly went into the travel box and fetched a special bottle he had been keeping. He returned to the two wolf men, with a bottle and cups in his arms.
"What's that there?" Renshu asked.
"This is some special wine I've been saving." Shirong answered.
"Oh yeah, you're a wine enjoyer." Zhong replied.
"Yes, but this night I won't have to drink alone." The noble man said as gave Zhong and Renshu each a cup. "Would you two care to have some?"
"Why not, I've never had any fancy drink before." Renshu answered before his cup was filled.
Shirong poured some into Zhong's cup as well before filling his own glass. Then, he asked them to raise their glasses for a toast. "To fatherhood" Shirong said before they clinked their glasses together and each took a gulp of the well brewed beverage. The taste smooth yet thick, with flavors gifted from the vine and concocted by a master.
"Wow, been a long time since I've last had a drink." Zhong said before savoring another sip.
"You've drank before?" Renshu asked.
After gulping down another mouthful Zhong answered "Years ago… but it's something I kind of phased out of recently."
"Well, no matter what age of adulthood, there's always a reason to appreciate a well brewed bottle." Shirong proclaimed.
"Shirong, we're gonna settle for the night honey!" Yuan shouted before fetching their daughter.
"Ok, I'll be right there." Shirong shouted back before turning to his fellow men. "Well, it was nice, but… the evening must end sometime, good night fellows." Afterwards he went to join his wife and children and prepared for slumber.
"I'm going to settle in too, Jiao probably wants me soon too." Renshu replied before yawning.
"Ok" Zhong simply replied as he finished his drink.
As Renshu begun to walk to his tent, Shu came by, looking to join her mate.
"Did you have a nice time, Shu?" Renshu asked.
"Yeah, but I'd like to spend a bit with Zhong." She answered.
"Privately?" Renshu suggested followed by a nod from his daughter. "Just don't stay up late, alright?"
"Don't worry dad." Shu replied as she joined Zhong.
The one eyed wolf smiled and shared a loving kiss with his woman. They hugged each other as their kiss ended.
"You want to be alone for bit?" Zhong asked before Shu nodded.
(Fire Emblem Fates ost – "Reminiscence")
The two lupines then found a spot in a field nearby. Nothing but open plains around them and the stars above their heads. Little noise could be heard besides the light chirping of crickets in the grass. Shu stared up, looking at all the small bright dots that lit the dark void and accompanied by the moon, in all of its full rounded majesty.
"Breathtaking, isn't it." Shu remarked.
"Yeah… it really is." Zhong agreed.
The she-wolf noticed the distracted tone in her boyfriend's voice, as if he was lost in another realm of mental thought. He remained still, staring into the emptiness of the night.
"Zhong, are you alright?" Shu asked with concern.
Zhong remained quiet, as if the sound of his lady's voice passed over his ears.
"Zhong? Zhong?" Shu repeated.
Taken out of his trance, the gruff wolf shook his head slightly before finally addressing his companion. "Oh, sorry Shu… I was just thinking."
"Are you alright now?" Shu asked.
"I'm ok, I was just thinking of my… my wife and kids from years ago." He explained with a slightly sad tone.
"What made you think of them all of a sudden?"
Zhong paused a moment before answering. "Seeing Shirong with his wife and daughters, it reminded me of how I was back then, before… everything happened." His right paw was placed on the left side of his face, reminding him of the eye he lost, along with his guiltless life.
Shu wrapped his arms around Zhong as the two wolves laid their backs on the soft grassy plain. "You now have me and Erdan, you know, we're here with you." Shu comforted. Zhong smiled and gave his girlfriend a loving kiss that lingered for a minute before their mouths separated. They both huddled together, their bodies warming each other in the cool night air. The two lupines remained silent, taking in the breathtaking view of the cloudless, massive sky of celestial beauty. Soon, Shu heard something mutter from Zhong's thought. He began to hum to himself as he looked out at the stars. A second later, she realized that his humming wasn't random tones, but rather a little melody all of its own.
"What are you humming?" Shu asked, her head resting on Zhong's shoulder.
"Hmm… oh, it's a song that I wrote a long time ago… even after all these years, I still remember it perfectly." Zhong answered in a peaceful, soft voice.
"I'd like to hear it, if I can?" His mate requested.
"Really?" He asked followed by a eager nod from Shu.
After a moment of thinking, Zhong decided to grant her wish, and after clearing his throat, began to sing to her.
"Long ago when our lives used to shine, and I was yours and you were mine.
Once I told you why the sun sets red, I know that you'll never forget.
Now you're gone, but the sun still sets in the sky.
So at dusk, I will always think of you."
Zhong's voice was soft and pleasant to listen to, completely unlike what his appearance would say. The song he sang carried a peaceful, yet somber feeling in its lyrics. Shu continued to listen as her mate sang his melody some more.
"Do you think we could ever turn back time some day?
You and me, will we ever be the same?"
Shu's mind was pondering on the meaning of the song, wondering for what or who it was written for. She made her own theory on who it paid tribute for, but chose to allow Zhong the finish singing.
"Once upon a time in my dreams, I reached for you and you reached for me.
Waking up is the hardest thing to do, because in my dreams I have you.
Since you're gone and the sun still sets in the sky, at dusk I will always think of you."
The song finished, bringing a small glimmer of sorrow along with it. Shu looked at Zhong, diverting her attention away from the stars.
"Zhong, that song you wrote… is it about, Helen, your first wife?" Shu pondered out loud.
The large wolf sighed, deciding to give her the details she craved, even if it'd open some old wounds again. "No… It's about me."
"You?" Shu questioned with raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity.
"Me and Helen wrote that song soon after our first child was born, Julie. I was still a royal guardsman at the time, so it wasn't uncommon for me to be on duty for whole days. Sometimes I'd be assigned for a mission and leave for week or two. That song was written… in case I never returned home while on duty."
"So, it's meant to help them cope, incase if you…" Shu commented.
"In case I died, yeah. Little did I know it'd actually help me cope… before I'd die." He said with a small frown on the edge of his lips.
"Before you died? Oh, you mean before the battle of Gongmen?" Shu asked, putting the pieces together in her brain.
Zhong lightly nodded in response. "during the last few hours I had before Shen would begin his conquest, I was able to spend them with Erdan."
"Back when you two lived together in your old home." Shu added.
"Yes" Zhong continued. "We enjoyed the time we had, but a storm settled above us and we returned inside. I sat in a chair by the fireplace as the storm thundered, and I held Erdan on my lap and in my arms. " His face slowly turned more sorrowful as he remembered that dark day. "I truly believed I wouldn't live to see the next day, so as I held my boy, I sung that song to ease myself."
Shu, confused, questioned "Wait, I thought Erdan didn't know you could sing back then?"
"He was asleep so I sang softly and quietly. I'm sure he had no idea as I tucked him back into bed, for what I thought was the last time." Zhong finished.
Shu noticed her mate's face and mood had now taken a down turn with grief. Now that she understood the history of his melody, Shu decided to try to bring their little date to a happier mood.
"Look at the moon, Zhong." She asked.
The male and female lupines stared up at the earth's nightly neighbor, fully shining with pure white light, beaming out into the dark sky.
"It is beautiful." Zhong commented.
"Do you remember what we'd do on some of our first dates?" Shu reminded.
Zhong smiled again, as if he'd read his girlfriend's mind. The two of them stood up and looked up to the stars. Their snouts were raised, their vocals ready, and the two wolves howled together at the moon. He gave a low and gruff tone, while her voice was lighter, but together they sang a wonderful song of love that echoed throughout the country. Over and over again they gave their howls to the moon and to each other's hearts. Once they finished, Zhong and Shu looked into each other's eyes and gave a long and loving kiss that was illuminated by the light of the moon. They wanted the moment to last for eternity and even m-
"SHUT UP!" A gruff voice yelled at the two lupines.
Zhong and Shu quickly broke up their kiss to see the captain of the Shirong's guards a distance away, holding a paper lantern and shouted with all his frustrations.
"SHUT UP! PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP OVER HERE!" He yelled with anger.
"S-sorry… won't happen again!" Zhong yelled back.
"IT BETTER NOT!" The captain shouted before walking back to the camp, grumbling to himself while walking back to his post.
Realizing how late the hour must be, Shu turned back to her mate. "We should get some rest too."
"Yeah" Zhong agreed before giving a long yawn.
Together they walked back to camp, when an idea came to Shu. "Zhong, you were supposed to sleep in one of the guys tents tonight, right?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" He replied with his own query.
"Well… Erdan and Fang are staying in their own tent and my parents have their own. My tent has room besides me… so-"
"Are you, asking me to stay with you again?" Zhong asked.
"It's just… you've been having a lot of stress lately. And too be honest… I actually really enjoyed your company the previous night." Shu explained.
"You know, I'm still not sure if yet I'm ready for anything… " Zhong answred with a hint of uncertainty.
"I'm not asking for sex, I told you I want to wait until you feel comfortable for that stuff. I just… like having you with me… that's all." She corrected herself.
A moment of thinking came and went, before Zhong smiled and placed his strong arm around Shu. "Well… I guess it'll be ok. Besides, I liked having you with me just as much, but what about your parents?"
"Oh we'll be up before them, don't worry." Shu implied.
"Well then, let's enjoy the rest of the night." Zhong agreed.
With happy hearts and minds soothed with love, the lupine couple entered Shu's tent. Once ready, they cuddled together, keeping themselves warm in the cool night. The peaceful sounds of crickets and light winds was all that could be heard as the camp went quiet for the night as all its resident's restfully retired after an eventful evening.
("Reminiscence" ends)
'At dusk I will think of you'
Original music by Square Enix.
Lyrics by Lizz Robunett