Part VIII (Revised)

Wufei was sitting straight, looking in front of him. Li-han Ron. Lili. Meilan's sister. The girl who had raise him. She was there. It explained a lot. It explained why Wu Feng knew about the Dragon clan. It explained Sally's niece's blue eyes. It explained Sally's niece's name. Shikashi… It meant that Li-han had seen him act with Sally. She had seen him being unfaithful to Meilan's memory. She had seen him dishonouring his wife. He was so ashamed. If only he knew, he would have behaved… If only he knew, what was he saying? He should have been faithful to Meilan since the day of her death. What he had done was unforgivable. Deep down inside, he felt like hiding himself to never come out again. He had to admit it to himself, he only felt like breaking down and cry. But he was a man. His honour was dirty enough; he would not add to it the shame of crying. Wufei took his face in his hand, pressing his palms against his eyes, pulling his wet hair with his fingers. He remained this way a moment till he heard Sally scream. He opened his eyes and turned to her. She was sitting straight in the bed, her eyes wide opened. She was mumbling incomprehensible things, panicking. Without any hesitation, Wufei jumped on the bed to sit in front of Sally. Gently, but firmly, he took Sally's head between his hands.

Sally was afraid. Why was there so much blood on her? Why was her mother laying on the floor in a sea of blood? And Wufei… Wufei was crucified to a tree, but still he was conversing with Yuen, laughing. Blood was flowing from his opened wounds but he did not seem to realise it. Suddenly, two snakes took her hands and tied her to a tree. Mother came walking and took her face in her hands…

"Sally!" She said. "I will kill you. Just like I killed your mother and father…"

Sally shook her head, tears beginning to roll on her cheeks.

"Sally!" She said again. "Wake up Sally!" Her voice had change, it was manlier. "You are dreaming! Wake up, Sally!" Slowly, Mother's face faded away to show Wufei. The weird atmosphere also faded to reveal her room. Sally was breathing heavily, looking at Wufei with large eyes. Was this reality or just another silly dream? She looked around quickly without moving her head. This looked like reality. She returned to Wufei. He was looking at her with perplex eyes. He looked beautiful, his hair in disorder and his lips… They were so tempting. His hands were warm on her cheeks. Slowly, she put her owns hands on his. They were so soft… She wanted to kiss him. This was the only thing she could think of right now. Gently, she got closer to him. He closed his eyes, waiting. Sally's heart was beating fast… This was feeling so good. She was about to touch his lips when she swallowed. Sally grimaced.

"AHHH! What IS that awful taste in my mouth? This is so gross!" She exclaimed.

Wufei quickly released Sally from his hands and jumped off the bed. He did not seem to be alright. He had reacted just as if he had been hit by a lightning. He stood there, turning his back to her. Was he shaking, or was it just her imagination?

"Wufei? Are you all right?" She asked, still grimacing.

"Hn." He answered without turning around.

Sally walked on her knees to get to the corner of the bed where the man was standing. Gently, she put her hand on his shoulder. Fast, he freed himself to go sit on the chair. Sally followed on the mattress. Wufei was filling a cup with tea. When he was done, he gave it to Sally, without looking at her. Then, he took the other cup and served himself.

"You threw up because you were coughing." He explained in a voice Sally did not know him.

"Oh…" Sally blushed, remembering the way she had punched her step-sister. Now she was in trouble. Mother would kill her. Would she let her attempt to her father's burial? She hoped so. But that was not the most urgent thing she had in mind. The thing she was really worried about was how she got in her bed, and why was her hair humid? "Wufei?"

Wufei did not answer; he was eating some vegetables silently. He did not look well. He was pale. His hands were shaking. He was looking down.

"Wufei?" He remained silent. Sally stretched her arm to touch his shoulder. As soon as he felt her touch, he jumped on his feet, dropping his bowl and making his chair fall down.

"Don't touch me, Woman!" He shouted, standing against the wall.

Sally was stunned. What was happening? Was she dreaming or was Wufei looking at her with watery eyes? He really was not going well.

"I'm sorry; I was just trying to have your attention…" She apologised, stretching her arm again, but now to reach a bowl of rice and some chopsticks. Wufei looked down. Then, he kneeled down to pick up the vegetables off the floor. He seemed relieved to have something to do. Sally cleared her throat.

"Hum, I was wondering… I mean, how did I get here?"

"I carried you." Answered Wufei with a strange voice, still busy with the vegetables.

"Oh… And why is my hair humid?"

"You were trying to kill your sister. I carried you outside to calm you down. Then you threw up. After that, we got back inside and Li-han put you to bed." While explaining, Wufei took the chair and sat. He began to eat rice.

"Hum… Did I… I mean, I… Did I say things? You know…"

"No..." Lied Wufei.

They ate in silence, both filled with their thoughts. Soon, it was time to get to sleep. Sally proposed to help Wufei with his futon and covers but he refused, as if he was trying to stay as far as possible from her. When all things were settle, Sally closed the light. The silence took over the room. They could still hear the voices of the guests downstairs. It did not take long for Sally to start coughing again. Annoyed, she sat in her bed, unable to stop.

"I will wake Wufei up, if I go on like this…" She thought.

With a lot of care to make no sounds, Sally took her pillow and a sheet in her arms and decided to go sleep in the library. There was a little couch there. That way, she would not disturb Wufei. She had not make three steps that Wufei got on his elbows to see what was going on.

"Where are you going, Woman?" He asked, perfectly awaked.

"I'm going to sleep in the library, that way I won't disturb your sleep."

Wufei got on his feet and walked to Sally.

"Who said your were disturbing?"

Sally sighed.

"I'm not stupid, Wufei. I know that listening to someone cough all night isn't the best thing to get you to sleep!"

Wufei took the pillow and sheet from Sally's arms and walked toward to do the bed. When he was done, he came back to Sally, took her by the wrist and guided her back into her bed. Sally climbed in without a word. Wufei put her under the cover, than looked at her in the dark. She was looking at him with interrogative eyes. She was lovely, her loose hair on her white pillow. In the shadows of night, he felt less guilt to look at her. With one trembling hand, he reached her forehead. He caressed its softness and her cheeks with the tip of his fingers.

"If you disturb me, I'll be the one going to sleep on that couch." He whispered, getting closer to her face.

Sally was looking at him, stunned. Few moments before, Wufei was standing silent and trembling and now he was whispering sweet things to her ears. Truly, she did not understand him at all. She must have given him a fever. As he was getting closer, she closed her eyes. They were about to kiss. Sally's heart was beating fast. At last, it would happen. Their lips were almost kissing when the door opened, noisily. Wufei jumped back against the wall to see the little Meilan, looking at him with big eyes. His own eyes widened as he thought.

"Oh God! What was I about to do?"