A/N: Ok it's the last day of Jan. but I've been sooo busy with school work and the ass numbing weather isn't helping. There's gonna be some violence and fighting in this chapter, but no gore-galore and by the end someone's going to die.

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Chapter 4- Antipathy

The early sky had lightened only slightly, turning from dull metallic grey to a horizon of tarnished silver that held out hope of clearing. It was not as cold as it had been the day before, but there was an unpleasant dampness in the air. Kioshi stood in the makeshift stable watching Chen preparing his horse.

"The stallion is a striking shade of white," Kioshi remarked, running a hand across his side.

"I rescued Bai Yun from hunters who had murdered his herd," Chen started. "He's still wild so I let him roam free in the warmer seasons. After gaining his trust we shared an unbreakable bond. This saddle is quite special it was my father's he was in the emperor's army."

It was a tilting saddle, made high in the front and back. Plain dark wood with brown leather fittings, but the workmanship was beautiful, the materials the finest that could be had. Chen pressed a stud on the top rim, squarely at the centre, making a click noise. A section of wooden rim flipped up to reveal a small hollowed out compartment.

"This is where I hide things sometimes," Chen said, before closing the mini door.

"Quite handy, we're going into the forest for a while," Kioshi told him.

Mounting their horses they rode out of the village and trotted into the snow-covered woods. The environment was quite serene and peaceful, a few birds sang and there were small patches of sunlight beaming through. For the rest of the morning and half the afternoon they slowly wondered around almost aimlessly.

"What was the point of that outing?" Chen asked. "We didn't see the assailants at all."

"I was hoping to confront them who knows they might be long gone after all they are on the wanted list," Kioshi replied, before sighing.

"Maybe but we still have to be alert for anything. I have to go to training now you can come watch if you like."

"Sure."

When they got to the training centre they found Ming sitting down in a meditative position. She usually took a break after hard work to relax and gather her thoughts, hearing the two enter she jumped to her feet to greet them.

"Hello my name is Kioshi," he smiled, bowing slightly.

"Oh wow you speak Chinese," she said, also bowing. "Sorry my name is Ming I'm Chen's sister."

"Nice to meet you, there's no need for formalities every time we meet think of me as an equal or a friend," Kioshi said. "I studied Chinese for months before coming here still-"

Suddenly the doors slammed shut and from the square opening in the roof two unmasked people jumped down landing on their feet. The training masters were no where to be seen as possible whereabouts flooded into Chen and Ming's minds.

"It's you!" Kioshi shouted, pointing a finger toward them.

"Hmm I can sense that you poses spirits as well," the boy pulled showed them his amulet that hung from his neck.

Kioshi could not see all the features on the metal there was an image of a mystical beast engraved in the middle. Beams of light flashed everywhere, and then in amongst them the awesome sight of a huge powerful phoenix began to form. Chen and Kioshi's amulets began to glow and then two more appeared. Another phoenix emerged with stunning crimson feathers and a screeching roar. The second was a white tiger that bore strange green stripes and other markings on it's body.

"My black phoenix can easily destroy those weak creatures," the boy laughed. "Now attack them both at the same time!"

The dark phoenix swooped down it's razor sharp talons ready to rip to shreds whatever it touched. The phoenix flapped it's mighty wings discharging it's feathers which acted like darts, lodging in the white tiger's flesh. Roaring in pain the tiger tried to attack but was hurled into the ground by the black phoenix. The tiger looked at it's distressed master and retreated back to it's amulet in a fading green light. Kioshi saw the look in his enemy's eye and turned to see the black phoenix heading straight towards Chen. He ran to push him out the way and they tumbled to the ground.

"Now we're even," he gasped.

Just as Kioshi was about to get up with one flap of it's wing he was airborne until slamming into the wall knocking him unconscious. The red phoenix saw him lay still on the ground and looked at the black one and prepared for a fight. The two phoenixes seemingly leaned theirs heads back from each other, as if to gather energy for one final attack. They charged at each other with great speed, the colossal impact threw dazzling bright light everywhere, in the explosion of energy both creatures were banished back to their amulets.

"This isn't over yet," the boy drew out his sword the blade shining.

Ming knelt beside to check Kioshi's condition but sprang back up, pivoting she saw a girl armed with a sword. Grabbing a sword off the rack she held. But it did not feel comfortable in either hand and she could not swing it properly.

"Ha you can't handle a sword, well neither can I," she laughed humourlessly and dropped the sword. "I am Pei Pei the best martial arts warrior of the land."

Doing the same Ming looked her opponent squarely in the eyes. "I like hand to hand combat as well now we'll see who triumphs."

Ming drew back her fist, still running, a battle cry escaping her lips, turning into a yell, as they dashed, smashing onto each other with a force, which threw them either side of the floor. Ming blocked the first assault with her forearm, slamming Pei Pei in the stomach. Pei Pei grunted and, pushed back Ming against the wall with a thud. Ming could feel sweat drip down her face and Pei Pei's fingers clawed at her. She was able to wedge her arm back; turning she then rocked her hard against the wall. Pei Pei replied, getting her right hand free and landing a punch to Ming's cheek, cutting it, so that blood immediately started to trickle down, mingling with sweat. Quickly Ming rebounded and was charging for a second bout, she smashed into Pei Pei, aiming for her legs this time.

While the girls were fighting blades could be heard clanging together at a furious rate. The two swordsmen kept on exchanging blows and blocks, which made things, look even. This gave a little time for Chen to study him, he was the prettiest boy he'd ever seen. He looked about the same age, only a few centimetres taller with mid-length ebony hair secured in a ponytail. Again, again; narrow misses swiping past the stranger making him back off, not giving him room to swing his sword.

"What's your name?" Chen asked, knowing that he may not get a reply.

"If you must know it's Niu," he answered firmly.

At every thrust of Chen, Niu would block and parry, parry and block again. He seemed to have no thought of going onto the attack. Minutes later Niu found himself at the mercy of his opponent with one move it could all be over.

The two tangled together, falling backward, locked in a fierce tussle. Pei Pei rolled sideways against the force of the assault, fighting back. She was a cold, highly trained, and experienced fighter and knew instantly what the stakes were. She absorbed the blows from Ming's fists raining down on her. She kicked back with both legs, landing one shot to Ming's midsection hearing a sharp exhale of breath. An elbow caught Ming in the forehead, and she was almost stunned. In dizzy fury and complete rage, Ming kicked out, striking Pei Pei in the shin with a nasty crack.

At the very same second, out the corner of her eye, Ming caught the sensation of something moving her way, and she ducked down, just as the point of the dagger whizzed past her ear. Ming was able to swing round, smashing upward with her right hand knocking the dagger out of her grip, which fell to the ground. She turned, letting her back slide into the curve of Pei Pei's arm as she gripped her with both hands and drew her over her right hip. Ming faltered then steadied, and swept Pei Pei feet from under her. She released her arm, then tucked and rolled as she hit the ground, seeing the dagger she quickly grabbed it. Surging back up she aimed for Ming as she readied for the next attack.

"You disappoint me I expected far more from you," Chen said, breathlessly.

"You assume too much," Niu sneered, hate making him ugly.

The tip of Chen's sword pricking directly at his throat one move could have meant the end. He looked into the ruby eyes, which were wide with uncertainty, but behind them Chen could see the rage and hatred that clouded him. Chen turned his head to see Ming and the other locked in a fierce fight, he slowly lowered his sword. Niu made no attempt to hit him or grab for a weapon instead watching the girls intently.

Both her hands clutched tightly onto the hilt trying to force it down towards Ming, she pushed back her arms with all her might while just below the tip of the dagger. They stood there in a life or death struggle until Ming clutched onto her wrists with an iron grip directing her arms towards herself. The blade found a target deep within Pei Pei's gut looking down she saw the hilt and blood running down. Pei Pei stretched out an arm reaching for Sheng who just stood still and stared. She swung her attention to Ming who looked back in horror. Seizing the opportunity Sheng made his escape through the roof opening while the attention was till on Pei Pei. The dying girl looked at Ming and held on to her before collapsing, there was a roaring in her ears, darkness closed her eyes, and she knew no more.

Ming fainted as the doors burst open with Cong and Fu rushing to their unconscious friend. Turning round Chen saw that his opponent had fled but swung a glance at Kioshi who got up groggily then back to his sibling. The training masters' also ran in to find a tragic site the atmosphere stifling.

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Don't expect any more chapters soon not until the work loads eased or maybe until I finish my exams. XD

(I'm a procrastinator but I will complete this fic one day.)