Chapter Two
Wen and Gao stood facing one another. Wen dropped into a fighting stance, but held back, appraising Gao. Gao cocked his head to one side, and smirked.
"What's the matter, boy? Frightened? You should be. Your own mother won't be able to recognize you once I'm through with you."
"This is bad," Dawn Star whispered. "Maybe we should-"
Before she had a chance to finish her thought, Wen launched himself at Gao. Gao easily side-stepped the other student, and spinning quickly kicked his left leg out, connecting with Wen right at his ribcage. Jen Zi gasped as she heard a couple of ribs crack, and without thinking sprung forward, only to be held back by Jing Woo.
"Don't," he said, his eyes resting on her for a few seconds before flicking back to the fight.
"But-" Jen Zi started to argue.
"I know," Jing Woo said, eyes never leaving the ring. "But he needs to do this himself."
The fight was not going in Wen's favor. In addition to the cracked ribs, Jen Zi could now see a bruise forming over his right eye. He managed to stay on his feet though, although now it was mostly a matter of him keeping out of Gao's way.
Gao sprang forward, his right fist flying through the air. Wen managed to duck beneath it, and fists flying, landed several blows to Gao's stomach. Gao released a loud puff of air, and bent over coughing, taking a few steps back. Wen used the opportunity to his advantage, and quickly moved in, his fists flying rapidly. The first few blows met their mark, sending Gao crashing to the ground. But as he fell, he reached out and grabbed Wen's arm, dragging the smaller student to the dirt with him.
Gao quickly jumped to his feet, and landed a few well-placed kicks to Wen's already injured ribs before he managed to roll out of the way, gasping for breath. Wen pushed himself to his feet, and staggered unstably to his feet.
"Lucky shot," Gao sniffed dismissively. "But one that you'll pay for."
Jen Zi had never seen Gao move so quickly. It was all over in seconds, but seemed to take an eternity. Gao landed a sharp punch to the side of Wen's face, causing his head to whip to one side. Gao followed it by an upward blow to the bottom of his chin, and then kicked Wen with all his force to the center of the stomach.
Wen literally seemed to fly backward, before landing on the ground in an awkward angle. For a moment, nothing could be heard except Gao's labored breathing and Wen's coughing. Then, Gao spoke.
"That will teach you to challenge your betters, boy. You should feel privileged, not everyone gets to learn that lesson from one such as I."
Wen growled, and tried to push himself up. He got a couple of inches off the ground before he collapsed again. Gao started to laugh,
"Are you still trying to win? Peasants should know when they're beaten." To punctuate his proclamation, Gao delivered another swift kick to Wen's side.
Dawn Star gasped, and Jing Woo let out a strangled cry of rage. Jen Zi vaulted into the ring, and shoved Gao back from Wen. Jing Woo and Dawn Star were quickly at her side.
"The fight's over, Gao," Jen Zi said through clenched teeth. Gao glared angrily at Jen Zi, and leapt forward as if to attack her.
"ENOUGH!" bellowed a familiar voice. Gao stopped in his tracks, and turned grudgingly to the only man at the school who held any sort of power over the belligerent student. Master Li glanced briefly at Wen, then back at Gao.
"It would appear," he said in a low, but somehow menacing voice, "That you have done enough for the day, Gao. This fight is over."
"Master," Gao said with a twinge of sarcasm in his voice, bowing only slightly. He shot one last cocky grin at Jen Zi, before leaving the ring and heading towards the dorms.
Jen Zi knelt beside Wen. With Jing Woo's and Dawn Star's help, she gently propped Wen up into a sitting position. Wen sat with his head bent, blood dripping from his nose, as he wheezed and struggled to breathe properly.
"Dawn Star, kindly go and inform Smiling Mountain of this unfortunate incident. He shall take care of this student," Master Li said quietly, before turning and going back inside his house. Dawn Star blinked, and shot a look of confusion at Jen Zi. But she quickly got to her feet and went off to find their teacher.
"Jing Woo, I need a piece of cloth to stop the bleeding," Jen Zi said, gently tilting Wen's head back. Jing Woo untied the sash from around his waist, and attempting to keep the mood light, joked,
"If you didn't insist on wearing such an...insubstantial uniform, perhaps you wouldn't have to ask."
Neither Jen Zi nor Wen laughed. In fact, Wen had remained strangely silent throughout the entire incident. Jen Zi held the cloth to Wen's nose, and applied slight pressure. She started to push back some of Wen's errant hair strands, but he quickly swatted her hand away.
"I can do it myself," he snapped, taking the cloth from her as well. Jen Zi's eyebrows arched in surprise, and she sat back, not knowing what to make of Wen's sudden outburst.
She didn't have much time to think about it either, because at that moment Dawn Star returned with Smiling Mountain, and the teacher shooed the other students away so he could better take care of Wen.
Jen Zi, Jing Woo, and Dawn Star walked quietly away. As they reached the outer side of the ring of buildings, they were approached by Lin. Her eyes were gleaming excitedly, and Jing Woo whispered,
"Uh-oh. Here we go," into Jen Zi's ear as the other student approached.
"I heard what happened!" Lin said excitedly.
"News sure travels fast," Jing Woo remarked.
"It always does, when Gao's involved." Lin retorted.
"What has he said?" Jen Zi asked sharply.
Lin snorted. "Oh you know Gao. But I was able to pick out the facts from what he said. How's Wen?"
"Smiling Mountain is with him now," Dawn Star said.
"I don't understand," Jen Zi said suddenly.
"Don't understand what?" Jing Woo asked.
"Why Wen did that. It doesn't make sense-" before she got further, Jing Woo started to laugh. Lin joined him, in her own high-pitched giggle. Even Dawn Star had to suppress a small smile.
"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Lin finally said. "I wasn't even there, but...well. Let's just put it this way. His feelings for you go beyond just simple admiration."
"You mean...?" Jen Zi said, coloring slightly.
"Honestly," Jing Woo said, rolling his eyes. "For being senior student, you're not too bright, are you?"
And for once, Jen Zi had nothing to say in retort.
A.N: I'd like to apologize for the long delay. School was out of this world crazy this semester, and it totally killed my creativity. I just got done with my two toughest exams, and (finally!) felt the urge to write again. I know it's a little short, but hopefully it's not that terrible. And I pray that inspiration will continue to come to me over Christmas break and the future!