Chapter 2
It was noon when Fou-lu woke up. He was feeling better and was able to stand up, ready to go to the Capital. As he was about to leave, Mami entered her house, covered a bit in sweat, bumping into Fou-lu.
Has he had her in his arms for a second time, his cheeks turned pink has he was standing still not moving. Mami was blushing as well, but shades of red. She finally got off his arms and spoke to him her head lowered, not wanting him to see her red face. "Ah see you recovered well and ah'm glad..." she said smiling. Her blushing gone, she lifted her head up to meet his gaze. Fou-lu smiled at her "Tis time for me to go to thy Capital... thank you for everything thou did for me." he said faintly. "Ya... must go?" Mami said as her eyes saddened.
The emperor looked at the girl and felt sadness as well. "I guess... I can stay for thy while being... Mami..." he said. The young woman's eyes were plentished with happiness once again. "Thank you.... Fou-lu... it means so much tha me!" The man nodded smiling a little. Fou-lu felt strange around her. He had a feeling that he didnt feel before:love. "How... can I love a mere mortal...? Tis... too strange..." he thought to himself. The dragon god snapped out of his thinking as Mami spoke again. "Ah forgot! Ah need yer help for sumthin'! Ah hope ya dun' mind at all!" Fou-lu shook his head gently and gazed at her. "I must repay thou for healing mine wounds." Mami smiled and took his hand gently in hers, dragging him to where she usually works.
After a few minutes of walking, they were on Mami's cultivating ground. The crops were in bad shape since the bad weeds have been growing on the cultivation, sucking the life energy out of them. "Ah have had a hard time pulling those weeds out of tha ground. Can you help me?" Fou-lu nodded and went to work without a complain, pulling off the bad weeds, one after another, with ease. Mami was doing her part but having trouble. After hours of working, she was pulling the last weed but was out of strenght. The dragon man chuckled slightly and gently slid his hands on hers, helping her pulling the last one out. "Phew.... thanks Fou-lu... ah couldnt have done it without yer aid!" she said, smiling since the work was done.
Fou-lu put a finger on her mouth, for Mami to stay silent. Foot steps was heard by both of them. Mami looked toward the sound and saw a group of men passing by. Mami smiled as she recognized her friend that was in the group: Xueyuan. Mami's old friend looked at her and greeted her, but when he saw Fou-lu, the man frowned. "Mami... ya do know tha' we village of Son dun' like strangers alot.... dun'tcha remember?!" Mami panicked a bit as Fou-lu stayed quiet, not saying a thing. Mami calmed down and found a way to stay out of trouble. "Mah! Xueyuan! He is not ah stranger... he's... he's mah cousin!!! His name's Riyong!" she told nervously.
Suddenly, a loud roar was heard. Everyone turned around and gazed at the forest, since that was where the noise came from. Everyone, except Fou-lu ran toward the forest entrance. He stayed silent and finally walked to where everyone headed. Arrived to destination, he walked to Mami and looked at her. "What is going on?" Before Mami could answer, the roar was heard again and Xueyuan spoke. "Tha beast his back!! We can't hunt anymore! We can't get rid of it... it's too damn strong." Fou-lu, silent as always, took at step closer to the forest entrance. Xueyuang and Mami looked at him with both a shocked face.
"Are ya nuts?! Ya want tha go fight tha monster on yer own!?" shouted Xueyuan as Fou-lu was almost inside the forest. "Fou--- I mean...Riyong!!! Be careful!" Mami yelled. Fou-lu turned around and nodded to her. Soon Fou-lu was not seen, he was already deep in the forest, looking for the monster.