Lying To Help You

Chapter 2

"Syaoran look out!"

Li Xiaolang smiled softly without turning his back. It was her.

She was standing on the sideline, watching the fight with a worried expression on her face. Her long auburn hair flew in the wind; a pair of clear emeralds shone unheard anxiety as they continued watching, unable to help. She lifted both her hands up and directed behind him frantically, trying to hint something.

Xiaolang smiled at her concern. Suddenly, he swung a fist over his left shoulder, which immediately knocked out the man creeping behind him (this was what the girl was signalling at); but more was coming. His smile soon turned into a frown when he regarded the number of people still waiting to fight him. As much as he hated Lugaria; he did not want to kill innocent people who weren't necessarily evil simply because the rivalry between Tupal and Lugaria. He had wished that these men would back down as soon as he had knocked out five of them, but no such luck, the leader of the troop – a Lugarian soldier – was ordering more people to fight still. He hasn't got a choice now.

Xiaolang withdrew his sword from its guard. The slim, silver blade along with its smooth, sharp edge glinted dangerously in the sun; it was frightening enough to unnerve any man.

"If you go now, I will not stop you." Xiaolang announced, facing the barricade of men standing before him, "However, this will be your only chance, I won't ask again." He sliced his sword through the air, making it whistle; emphasising his point.

Silence greeted his words. The men cowered and ragged pants left their mouths. They didn't volunteer to do this, but they couldn't leave either. They turned reproachfully towards their commander, waiting for instructions.

"What are you looking at, cowards? Attack him!" The Lugarian leader ordered from his noble steed; fiery as he may sound, he didn't take one single step towards the lone warrior himself.

At once, the men charged towards the still youth. War cries startled the forest; birds scattered, animals fled. A battle ensued… a bloody battle in which no side was winning. Bodies littered the floor as fresh blood called out to hungry carnivores of the woods. The glistening, silver sword Xiaolang had once held was now unrecognisable. Blood upon blood, layers upon layers, again and again… yet it didn't stop…

The Lugarian soldier watched the battle uneasily, the man was simply too good. He had to do something before it was too late… His eyes scanned the area and landed on the girl who had warned this youth before. She was pretty… very pretty. The boy sure won't want anything to happen to her… Smirking evilly. The soldier reached into his pocket…

"ARGH!" A agonizing scream tore through the clearing, halting the battle.

It was a girl… Xiaolang thought absent-mindedly, heart pounding furiously for unknown reasons. But that didn't make sense, there was no girl here… no girl… no-… E-except her! He quickly turned to where he last saw his flower. His blood ran cold when he realised she had fallen; her right arm clutched her left shoulder where a poisonous dart was buried. Blood was oozing out steadily; she gave a feeble whimper before collapsing onto the ground, where she laid motionless.

Shock soon ebbed away and anger boiled within him. Xiaolang let out a furious yell and began to push through the thick mob with more aggression. It took mere seconds before he reached the Lugarian soldier, whose eyes widened in fear when Xiaolang lifted him by the collar and threw him onto the ground. Keeping his sword pointing at the soldier's neck, he whispered dangerously, "What did you do to her?"

"N-nothing! I-"the swords moved dangerously close to his adam's apple. "Ok ok!! The dart is p-poisoned with H-Hun Si Chong. You c-can save her! it won't k-kill her immediately, b-but sh-"

"Shut up. I know what it does."

Hun Si Chong… Hun Si Chong… no problem… it was ok… it was ok… he could heal her, he could… it may take a while but it won't kill her… it won't… But only if he acted fast enough... trouble is: Would she let him?! Oh, DAMMIIT!

"Get up you piece of filth." Xiaolang spat. "I want you to take your men and go home. And if I ever see you again. I will kill you. Understand?" The soldier nodded so furiously that his hat dropped off.

With a swish of his cloak, Xiaolang strode away from him and towards the girl. He gently scooped her into his arms and began pacing away. Suddenly he stopped. With lightening speed, he turned and grabbed the arrow speeding towards him and threw it back the direction it came from. The Lugarian soldier only had the time to open his mouth before the arrow seared through his chest, and pierced through his heart.

Giving a threatening glare towards the crowd of men, he turned his feet and walked away. The girl within his arms was breathing shallowly; he had to do something to keep her going, and fast. Breaking into a run, he searched the woods for a shelter. Fortunately, a cave was spotted just as rain started to pelt heavily from the sky. Xiaolang rushed in. Not wasting any time, he quickly yet softly laid the girl onto the flattest bit of land he could find, and draped his travelling cloak around her unconscious body. He searched around the big cave and, luckily, was able to find some hay and dry sticks. Slowly, he managed to build up a small fire.

Warming his hands in front of the fire, he turned his eyes to the sleeping angel beside him. Her pale skin seemed translucent as the flames danced, the pair of cherry red lips let small puffs of air escape. He needed to act fast.

Xiaolang stood up and walked over to where she was. He pulled away his dark cloak from her small frame, and placed it beside the fire. Carefully, he lifted the girl's body up so that she was in a sitting position with him sitting cross-legged behind her. Blushing furiously, he began to undo her gown (A/N remember this is the Chinese version of medieval times, and then they had to wear gowns and dresses etc. Watch a proper Chinese martial arts movie and you'll understand what I mean).

He unknotted the strap around her slim waist with trembling hands, and placed it beside him. Muttering embarrassed curses underneath his breaths as his hands reached up to her shoulders, he told himself that he was only doing this for her benefit. His tomato face deepened as the gown slipped off her shoulder-blades, revealing smooth, creamy skin.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and focused.

A/N how was that? Even though I watched so many Chinese Martial Arts series, I haven't got a clue how to describe them in English. By the way, if you're a big fanatic like me on it, I seriously suggest the new version of Tian Long Ba Bu, it's seriously brilliant!!! Hope you liked it!