Chapter Seven
Ying Fa sighed as she once again slipped the hair pin into her hair and closed the door behind her. She really did need to talk to Li about getting a key cut. She threw her bag onto the table and walked over to the fridge to get a drink. She drank from the bottle and shrugged when she knew Li would kill her for it later.
Dessie curled around her feet, almost tripping her over, and she laughed as she picked up the cat and hugged her as she walked towards her bedrooom. A red light flickering caught her attention and she walked over to the answering machine frowning. Aunty Yelan must have called while she was out or either it was Mika. Li never left messages unless it was at night when he was going to be late.
She listened as the beep sounded and then her blood froze as she heard her name - her real name mentioned for the first time in months.
" . . if you could get Miss Avalon to contact us, we'd be most grateful. Thank you for your time. . . . "
She listened as whoever it was rattled off a number for her to contact. Did they think she was stupid? A deep, terrifying, fear that burnt, settled in her stomach and cut off the flow of air to her lungs. She hadn't realised she still clutched Dessie until she heard her hiss and struggle to get free.
She rewound the tape trying to keep calm as she listened to the voice once again ask after her. Dear God they knew she was here. They had found her. But she knew that voice. She didn't know it well and she might be mistaken, but she swore that she had heard that voice from one of her father's associates.
" Damn it Tori, " she whispered under her breath as she started to panic. " where the hell are you? "
She knew she had to act and act fast. Dialling Tomoyo on her cell as she raced into her room, she started packing her things. She had no idea what she was going to do, but hopefully Tomoyo would be able to help her.
" Ohayou? " came the delicate voice of the person she loved as a sister.
" Tomoyo? " she asked, not succeeding in hiding the quiver in her voice.
" Oh Kami, they've found you haven't they? " Tomoyo's voice pitched slightly higher in fear.
Sakura took a deep breath and tried to clear her head.
" Yes. "
She heard Tomoyo whimper on the other end.
" Listen I don't know how long I have here. I have to run Tomoyo. I need help. "
" Ask anything Ying Fa, you know I will give it to you. "
Tears sprang to her eyes at the kindness of her friends voice.
" Oh Tomoyo. " she let a tear fall. " You know you've done so much for me and I can't ask anything more of you - "
" If you need money Ying Fa, just say so. I have more than what I know what to do with. " came her reply.
" Iie. " Sakura protested. " I will not take any more of your money Tomoyo. I cannot repay you as it is. "
" Ying Fa! "
" Tomoyo - " her voice was soft, pleading. " tell me what I should do. I need to find Tori. He is the only one I know who can keep me safe. I have to run, but . . " she paused letting her desperation come through. " to where? "
" Ying Fa I don't know. " she could here the tears in Tomoyo's voice. " I'm not there with you. I don't know where it is safe. Can't you go back to Li's parents? "
" Iie. " Ying Fa replied as she zipped up her travel bag and looked over her shoulder into the rest of the house.
" I have a feeling they would be expecting that. "
" Then I have no idea where you can go. Some friend I am! "
" Tomoyo, " she soothed as she went out and erased the message. She did not want Li stumbling across that little tidbit of knowledge. " just talking to you has calmed me. I think I know where I can go. I know this line is scrambled, but I don't think I should contact you for a while. "
" But - "
" Tomoyo tell me - is my tou-san ok? "
" I've kept a close eye on him as close as I dare. He is worried and missing you both, but I think he is handling it well. "
" Good. Remember to keep the fact that I am in contact with you from him, everyone. It's better that way. "
" I know. It pains me to see him so sad, knowing that I hold the key to his happiness, but I know I have to keep you safe first and formost. "
" Arigato Tomoyo. I guess this is goodbye. "
" For now. " came her reply before she disconnected the line.
Ying Fa looked around the small apartment that had been her home for the last couple of months. A sob escaped her and she tried to fight back the tears. She was about to write a brief note to Li, but she jumped when she heard a knock on the door and someone call out her name. It wasn't a voice that she knew. Panicking she whipped around and jumped out her bedroom window and slid to the ground via the drain pipe. She wouldn't be coming back here if she had anything to do with it.
She hit the ground and started running, her travel bag bumping into her side as she ran. She stuck to the dark alley ways and made sure she wasn't be followed. A plan started forming in her head. One she didn't like, but she had no choice. She needed to get out of the country undetected. . .
Tomoeda, Japan
Tomoyo sat back in the red, high-back, padded chair with a sigh. Her violet eyes revealed her worry and she forced her pent up tears to stay behind her eyes. She would not cry. Her friend was not doomed yet.
Her eyes roamed the huge room of her mansion; the colourful carpets, tapestries, framed pictures she had taken herself and developed, the expensive furniture, the bright colours she had painted on the walls and she knew she couldn't match its cheerfulness. Uncrossing her slender legs from the ankles, she stood gracefully, smoothing down her charcoal, grey business suit and walked towards the private room that branched off from her study.
Her heels clicked on the wooden flooring as she entered the room and looked down at the laptop screen. In the middle of the screen was a small picture of Tori and the words 'Searching . . .' below it. In the background it showed a signal being sent up to a satelite and scanning around the world.
The young woman clasped her hands in front of her in worry and concern and she sighed sending a prayer up to the One himself.
" Onegai Kami, for Sakura's sake, onegai let me find him. "
All that answered her was the silence of the small room and the hum of the computer as it continued to search . .
Later that same day . . .
Li tightened his grip on his suspect as he pushed him out of the elevator and towards the cells that Ying Fa herself had been installed in that night. He ignored the man's cursing and pushed him to the warden and stood back as the man was read his rights once again. He had been on this one's case for months and he had finally got enough evidence against the bastard to put him behind bars.
The man was a fraud. He had been planning scheme's since he was old enough to be taken seriously. Now with a finish of paperwork, Li would be able to put this one behind him. He thanked the warden and took the elevator back up to where Mika should be waiting for him.
He arrived shortly afterward and Mika got up from the corner of his desk and smiled.
" Jiang said he'd think about giving us those raises since we showed him once again who is the best. " Mika rubbed his knuckles and blew on them making Li smile.
" All in a days work. " Li replied and flopped down in his chair. He felt good and put his feet up on the desk.
" Hey, why don't you call Ying Fa and ask her to come down for a victory dinner? " Mika asked.
Li shrugged. Why not? She was afterall family. Wasn't that always what his mother was always telling him?
" She's not doing anything tonight is she? " Mika asked handing the phone to Li.
" Not that I know of. She's been good lately. She's been staying home after dark. "
" Finally some sense in her young, thick, skull. You must have gotten through to her. " Mika smirked.
" Here's hoping. " he muttered under his breath as he held the phone with his shoulder as he dialled his home number.
It rang and rang and rang and he frowned. Shouldn't the answering machine be answering by now? It rang out and he hit redial. He got the same response. He hung up and met Mika's curious gaze.
" She's not answering and the answering machine isn't picking up. She's disconnected it. " Mika frowned.
" Why would she do that? She knows that you leave messages in case of an emergency. "
Something didn't feel right and Li usually depended on that feeling to guide his actions and keep him safe in dangerous situations.
" Come on. " he said getting up and grabbing hs jacket.
Mika jumped up and followed after him.
Li knew something had happened when he fitted the keys in the lock and heard Dessie meowing loudly after her dinner. She had been neglected and she wasn't happy about it. He pushed open the door and they walked inside. It was dark. There were no lights on.
" She's not here is she?" Mika asked flicking on the light switch.
They both gasped. The place was trashed. Chairs were over thrown, light stands were toppled and broken. Closets and wardrobes were thrown open and searched. Li shot Mika a look and withdrew his gun.
" Ying Fa? " Li called and walked towards the bathroom and then stopped at her doorway.
Clothes were scattered all over the bed and hanging out of the drawers. Her slippers for inside were left abandoned in the middle of the floor and the curtains gently swayed back and forth in the wind. Li sighed and ran a hand over his face and walked into the room and bent looking under the bed for the travel bag he knew she stashed there.
It was gone.
He looked around the room again. It was abrupt, and yet, he could pick up on the finality of it. She wasn't coming back. She had run again. But from what? The people that had trashed his place?
" She's run. " he stood up and spoke to Mika who was standing in the doorway.
" You sure? " Mika looked startled.
" Her bag is gone with as many clothes as she could take. She jumped out the window, down that damn drain pipe and through the back alleys. She's long gone. " he slammed his fist into the drawer and glarred angrily.
" I'm going to cut that bloody thing down. " he spat in fury.
" But Li, it could have been the thing that saved her. " Mika replied.
" No. " Li replied looking around. " She left before that happened. " he indicated the rest of the house.
" Then why are you angry? " Mika demanded.
" Because this happened hours ago and she didn't call us! " he glarred. " Something happened, she was in danger; still could be, and she hasn't come to us. She knows my number, she knows where the station is. God damn it, she's smarter than most sixteen year olds. I know if she was being followed she would have lost them. "
" Li you need to calm down and think about this. She was probably scared for reason's we don't know. That couldn't have happened while she was here, so we can rule that out. " he indicated the mess.
" There is no sign of struggle, but going by the mess out there, I'd say someone was pissed. But the question is, what were they looking for whoever 'they' were. " Li said.
" Look, we better call this in. See what they can find. " Mika stated and reached for his phone.
Li nodded and went to his room and looked around. Drawers had been opened but hadn't been properly searched. It was Ying Fa's room that had the most damage. It was like they had been trying to find out something. But what? He lost his train of thought when Mika came back in and said that the cops were on their way. He sighed and waited for the endless questions and statements that he knew where about to be fired his way.
Mika clapped him on the back when they arrived and told him he would go for a drive and see if he could find Ying Fa any where. Li thanked him and then set about given the statement.
Two Days Later . . .
Li heard the door bell and his head snapped up and he flew to the door and wrenched it open and his mouth fell open, mentally hearing the gates of hell close behind him as he gazed up into his mother's dark eyes and hearing the chatter that could only mean she had brought his sisters.
He invited them in and suffered his sisters fawning over him and messing his hair up even more. Yelan looked around the apartment and nodded in satisfaction missing her son's blush as he remembered what it had looked like before they had come home to find it clean and before he had cleaned it up after the break in.
" Where's Ying Fa? " his sisters cried wanting to play. " She's so cute! We want to see her again. "
Yelan turned around and met his gaze.
" Yes, where is she? Is she out exploring again? " Li gulped and squared his shoulders getting ready for the part he had always hated. Yelan stiffened recognising that stance in an instant. Something had gone wrong.
" Xiao Lang? " she whispered not wanting to hear what her heart was telling her was true.
" Mother, " his eyes were solumn and sad. " there is something I have to show you. " he walked towards her bedroom.
The four sisters were quiet as Yelan walked towards Li as he opened her bedroom showing the scattered mess.
Her dark, mysterious eyes flickered back and forth in horror as she scanned the room, her breath hitched and she fought for composure.
" I'm sorry. " Li bowed low. " Ying Fa is gone. I don't know where she is. " his amber eyes were truthful and she staggered back.
Li looked shocked at her show of emotion. Not once had he seen her react this way. Yelan looked at the room again her brain working away furiously. Could it be? Could they have found her?
" How long? " she asked in an attempt to regain some dignity.
" Two days. I thought she would have come back by now. "
Yelan closed her eyes sadly.
" I think you better tell me everything. " she said and walked back out into the dinning room where her daughters sat demure and saddened.
They reached for her in comfort and Yelan sat amongst them and let them hug her. She patted Fanren's knee and ran her hand along Fuutie's hair. Li watched them and he swollowed the lump in his throat. He felt left out and he wanted so badly to be a part of that display, but he knew that he could never be because they expected more from him. He was the only son and he had to be strong.
But he knew he still wished to be a part of it. .
For two days she had stayed hidden. Two days she had gone with little to eat or drink and for two days she had watched him and listened in whenever she could. That's how she knew that he was heading to America and taking cargo with him. She knew when and where and all she had to do was get there in time and without notice.
She knew she should send Li some kind of closure - a letter, a note, something to let him know that she wasn't coming back and that it wasn't his fault. But everytime she went to do it, she couldn't do it. It looked lousy on her part, she knew, but she wanted herself out of his life forever. It had been a stupid idea right from the start.
When the time came, she hid herself and waited. When she was safely loaded and she felt the plane take off, she fell asleep and hoped she wouldn't get busted until much later when she couldn't hide any longer. By then, she hoped that he would take pity on her and not send her back. Afterall, she didn't have a passport on her. . .
Takashii Renaulds shouted out orders as his new horses were put in their new stables and waited for his other things to be brought in from the trucks outside. He hadn't expected it to be such a big load, but he'd run out of a few things and since living on his ranch in the middle of Colorado, where is was mainly sand and rock and nothing else, he thought he'd better stock up well.
Some of his men where bringing in one of the big crates he'd stock with grain and other stuff.
" Careful with that Seth. " Takashii called and leapt over a crate to help the younger boy and another to keep hold of it as they tried to put in the back of the storeroom.
AN: Ok, insight. Seth Rogers is blonde haired, and green eyed. He's seventeen and works for Takashii. Tall and strong.
" What the heck have you got in here Takashii? " Seth demanded as he tried to keep his hold on the crate. " It's no where near as heavy as those others. You kill somebody and stash the body in here? "
" Watch you mouth Seth. " Takashii bit out as he too realised this one was heavier.
Men bustled around them and they had to move around them or else drop it and lose its contents.
" It's slipping! " Seth tried to get his knee up to get his hands under again, but the sweat from trying to carry it in the heat, made the crate slide straight through his grasp and it hit the floor with a thudd.
" Owe! "
They all stopped dead.
Seth's startled gaze flew from the crate to look at Takashii and then back again.
" I was kidding when I said that there was a body in there. " he gulped. " I didn't think to mean it. "
Takashii glarred at him and they looked at the crate when they heard a little moan as if someone was in pain.
Takashii grabbed the crowbar and pried the lid off and threw back the covering and his jaw hit the ground when he saw her cringing and rubbing her head, looking like a complete innocent angel.
" What in God's name -! Ying Fa! "
" What? " Seth murmured looking at the most beautiful girl he had ever seen and then back at his boss who seemed to know her.
She held her head and smiled innocently.
" Umm . . . hi? "
" Good God Ying Fa, " Takashii leant down and pulled her out of the crate and dusted her down. " don't tell me you've been in there since we took off from Japan. " She blushed and looked away only to look up and met Seth's green eyes. They were lighter than her own and she blinked and looked away from his open curiousity.
All the others who had been working, had stopped now too and watched in in open interest. She blushed redder and knew she should have planned this better. Tori would have killed her at her lack of discretion.
" Umm . . . " she bit her lip.
Seth straightened and started barking out orders to the others.
" Alright get a move on. These horses are hungry and they won't feed 'emselves. Get those crates in the store room and only open the ones that Takashii has marked. Come on, move it! " Seth shot her a cocky grin and winked as he walked off to help them.
" Who is that? " Ying Fa asked curious.
" Seth Rogers. One of my youngest. Got a straight head and intelligent to boot. He's one of the ones I allow in charge around here. He's got a gentle hand. Good with horses"
" You must admire him by the way you talk about him. He sounds like a good friend. "
Takashii smiled and then looked her up and down at her dishivelled appearance. His gaze was worried and concerned.
" Ying Fa why are you here? Why aren't you with Xiao Lang? " She looked away concious of the curiousity swirling around the stables. Even the horses seemed to pick up on it.
" Come with me. It seems that we need to talk. " She nodded and grabbed her bag and walked off after him, not missing Seth's gaze as he watched her leave.
" Ying Fa what is going on? Why are you here? And in one of my crates? "
" I - " she changed tactics and and began again. " You said that if I ever needed to get away that I could always come to you. "
He nodded and waited for her to go on.
" Well, I needed to get away and well, here I am. " she looked up and met his gaze.
" What happened Ying Fa? Why aren't you with Xiao Lang? "
" Look, " she placed her bag at her feet and looked around the room. " I needed a change of scenery and here I am. You did say I could come to you anytime. Why are you going back on your word? "
" I didn't say that you couldn't stay, I just want to know why you didn't warn me first? "
Usually if it had been Li, she would have snapped back, but this was Takeshii.
She sat down and rested her hands on her knees and looked up at him helplessly.
" I know, I'm sorry. " she said looking down at the floor. " I just needed to get away. "
Takeshii sighed and leant against his desk looking at her.
" Does Li even know that you are here? " Her eyes flashed with regret and Takeshii groaned and ran his hand through his hair.
" Ying Fa! " he wailed. " They'll kill me! "
She jumped up and faced him.
" I had no where else to go! What do you expect me to do? I couldn't go to Aunty Yelan's. You said I could come! "
" I meant in China. " Takeshii said. " Not here in Colorado. There's nothing out here for a young woman to do. "
" I can work. " Ying Fa stated. " I'll earn my keep and places like this always need an extra set of hands. "
" Ying Fa, " Takeshii took her hand and looked down into her desperate eyes. " do you have any intention of telling them that you are here? "
She looked away, unable to promise anything.
Takeshii sighed and let go of her hand.
" Ying Fa, tell me what happened? "
" I can't. " she said and swallowed hard. " I can't. "
" Was it Li? " Her startled eyes flew to his.
" No! It has nothing to do with him. I didn't want to leave. I didn't! We were getting along and everything and
then - " she bit her tongue and forced the words back into her throat.
" And then? " he prompted.
She shook her head and he sighed.
" If it is something that you have done, then I'm sure we can work it out. " he stopped when he saw the bitter resentment in her eyes.
" I have done nothing! " she snapped. " I was forced from my home and then I was forced to live with Xiao Lang and I was forced to come here! I have done nothing! "
" What do you mean forced? " Takeshii asked wondering what on earth was going on.
" How can you expect me to explain it all? " she choked back as tears suddenly clogged her throat.
" Hey. " he caught her up in a hug and soothed her as tears started to fall.
" I hate it all! " she cried. " I was stuck in the crate for two days! I hate the dark and it was all around me! "
Takeshii stroked her back and wondered at the suffering this young woman had been through.
She suddenly pulled away and brushed her tears away angrily.
" I hate crying. " she muttered. " Look, I know I did something I shouldn't have. But what could I do? I have no money, and I knew you wouldn't let me come here if you knew. "
" Ying Fa. " Takeshii stated shocked. " I would have let you come if you had asked. I just thought you would have prefered to be in China where there would be things for you to do. "
She sniffed and wiped at her eyes again.
" Takeshii please. Let me stay. I will work to pay my way and I swear it will only be for a little while. "
There was a knock on the door and they both looked up as Seth came in and picked up Ying Fa's bag.
" I'll take this up to the spare room next to mine ok boss? " Ying Fa gasped and looked at Takeshii hopefully.
" Thanks Seth. After dinner, you can show Ying Fa around. " he replied giving in.
She squealed and lept up to cling onto Takeshii's neck.
" Thank you! Arigato! Thank you so much! "
From the doorway Seth smirked and took the bag upstairs.
Afterwards. . .
" . . and those over there are the sleeping quarters of the ranchers and the other people that work for Takeshii. "
" It's like a huge barn. " Ying Fa replied giggling.
" Yeah but I warn you. Out here us men kind of get lonely when we've been working for weeks on end, stay away from those quaters Ying Fa. By doing so, you'll stay safe. "
" Oh it's all right. " she said putting her hands on her hips. " I can take care of myself you know. "
" Don't take the risk. " Seth said firmly and she humphed.
" Like I said, " she shot him a haughty look. " I can take care of myself. "
" Takeshii will send you back if you disobey his orders. " She paused and then stuck her nose up in the air.
" Baka. " she muttered and walked off towards the house.
Seth shook his head and knew he was going to have to keep an eye on her.
And so, over the next few weeks, Ying Fa began working on the ranch. She was hopeless the first week, but under the strict teachings of both Seth and Takeshii, she started to get the hang on it. Takeshii forbade her to try and tame the newly bought horses, but he did allow her to ride the calmer horses that were much to her liking.
She helped Mrs Calloway, (Maggie: an elderly woman who cooks for all of them. Her husband works for Takeshii) in the kitchen and in the gardens whenever she coudn't help anywhere else. She proved to be usual with new recipes and instructed Maggie how to make them.
She got along with the majority of the ranchers and often would stop and talk to them when she could. The weather was hot and she had been sunburnt more than once and she noticed that as the weeks passed, her tan slowly got darker and darker. Her hair she noticed grudgingly had turned from a deep blood red, to a soft almost reddy pink. She would have to do something about that.
She loved all the animals and would sit for hours if she could get away with it and talk to them and pat them. She was discovered one day in the stables and Takeshii and Seth had to hold but laughter as they noticed that all of their horses had had their manes and tails braided and wore ribbons of different colours. The ranches had laughed and congratulated her on her work; afterall, it wasn't everyday that they could smile and have some fun.
Her work hours were long and hard but she refused to let it get to her. She needed this and she was determined to succeed. She was let off easy on weekends and Ying Fa was so greatful because rising every morning before dawn did have it's downside. So they let her sleep and she would go help in the kitchen when she woke and help prepare the lunches. That way she didn't feel like she was getting special treatment.
Before she knew it, a month had passed.
She watched Seth and the others as they roped the stray cattle and watched as they brought them in by the end of the day. It woud seem that she had made another friend whom she could rely on. They worked comfortably beside each other with only a few clashes every now and then. They had come to live with each other reasonably well too. Instead of fighting over who got the shower first thing of a morning, Ying Fa now got it every day of the week deciding that Seth could have Saturdays since she liked to sleep in.
The dust was already in the air when Ying Fa came down after a quick breakfast. She grabbed her hat and tucked her hair up underneath it and grabbed the rope from the porch where she had dumped it and headed for the corral where Takeshii and a few others were training a new horse.
The horse screamed and she jumped up on the rail to watched as it pranced and bucked. Seth managed to dodge the hooves everytime as he danced around the animal trying to tie the rope around its neck. The others stood like Ying Fa, all along the railing of the corral, watching. Finally Seth got the rope on the animal's neck and managed to pull it to a stand still. Ying Fa smiled and watched as they lead the animal around the enclosure.
Seth looked up and met her gaze and she dipped her hat in acknowledgement. He shot her a smile in return and continued on past her.
He found her later on and leant back against the railing to watch as she tried to get the rope into a lasso. She cussed and muttered when it wouldn't go the way she wanted. He chuckled and she whipped around and pinned him with a glare. Although she had only been there for over a month, they had become good enough friends to understand each other and he knew she was terrible annoyed and that he wasn't helping.
" Having fun? " he taunted as he walked towards her.
" Just fine. " she threw over her shoulder as she tried again.
" If you hold it - "
" I know what I am doing thank you. " she snapped. " I've watched you do it a million times. I can get this. "
" But - " She turned and looked at him.
" Don't you have some cows to rake in or something? " her eyebrow twitched angrily.
Seth smiled and she sighed and turned her back on him.
" You know if you go away and leave me be, I'll get this. "
" Eventually. " he muttered under his breath.
He stood back and watched her a little longer before she cussed again. Some of the other ranchers came outside to watch. Some wore smiles and others just watched curiously. Finally Seth took the rope from her hands, ignored her outburst, and told her to watch. He demonstrated how she should do it and some of the men nodded following along. Her cheeks were blushing red and she took the rope from him and started practicing again. She managed to get it up in the air and she exclaimed with triumph before she lost it and it fell back to the dirt at her feet.
Seth had grabbed another rope and showed her how to do it again. She glarred at him angrily and bent to pick up her rope ready to go somewhere else to practice, but she jumped when Seth's rope landed around her and she found herself pulled towards him. The other ranchers cheered and smirked and Ying Fa blushed redder as Seth tipped his hat higher to look down into her startled face.
" Well lookie here. " he drawled. " I think this is the weirdest looking cow I've ever caught before. "
Ying Fa's eyes widened in shock as the others laughed.
" Why you littel snake! " Ying Fa's eyes had darkened angrily as she pulled against the rope. " I can't believe you! Let me go! " Seth smiled.
" I think I've upset you. Well there's only one cure for that. " She looked at him warily.
" What's that? "
" Well whenever one of my heffers is in a bad mood. There's only one cure for it. " he kissed her quickly on the nose and smirked at the cheers around them.
Ying Fa blinked and he smiled.
" Learn the rope sweetheart. Then you won't be in such a bad mood and I won't have to go about trying to settle you down. " he took the rope off and she starred at him completly at a loss for words.
The upon seeing the knowing smiles around her she glarred at him and pushed her hat firmly on her head.
" Go eat cud! " she stuck her nose in the air and stormed off ignoring the laughing around her.
" He's almost as bad as Li! " she fumed as she stormed into the barn and threw the rope on the straw angrily.
She leant on the pen rail and looked down at the foal stabled in it. He whinnied and she clenched her teeth.
" Learn the rope hah! " her angry gaze looked to the side and she straightened as she saw something leaning on the wall and she smirked when she realised what it was.
The Next Day . . . .
Seth and the other men were sitting up on the rail wacthing as the rogue horse bucked and continued to wear itself out. Suddenly there was a crack and they all watched as Seth's hat went flying into the pen where the horse trampled it. Ying Fa cracked the whip catching their attention and she shot Seth a satisfied smirk at his surprised look.
" I think I'll give the rope the slip boss. " she tipped her hat haughtily and cracked it again. " This is more to my liking. " she winked and walked off swaying her hips deliberately.
" Damn female. " Seth muttered as he watched her disappear before looking at his ruined hat. The other ranches sharred looks and smiled.
The sun was hot and the sky was clear and blue. A eagle cried out in the distance as it glided around the canyons. Dust billowed out around them as cattle cried out in protest as they were lead back towards the ranch. Men called out and dogs barked as cattle strayed.
Ying Fa galloped up the hill swinging the whip easily from where it was coiled at her waist and cracked it, driving the straying animals back into the herd. She was coated in dust and dirt but she didn't care. She swung out and caught sight of the straying cows further up ahead and galloped past Takeshi and Seth as they were about to take off after them. They watched as she easily brought them back and marched back to her place behind them shooting them a smile.
Ying Fa settled back into her place and wiped the sweat away from her face. She swallowed and all she could taste was dirt. She pulled her canteen out of her saddlebag and took a swig of fresh water. She pulled her scarf up over her nose and mouth and kicked her horse back into the line. She heard rather than felt the vibrations and looked up when a whole herd of wild horses stampeded passed. Her eyes widened and Seth fell back in line and smiled.
" You ever seen it before? " he called over the noise. She shook her head in wonder.
Wondering what it would be like to be that free, her eyes sparkled. Suddenly she kicked her horse into a gallop and took off after them. She heard Takeshi and the others call her back, but she was too far ahead to take any notice. She leant low over the saddle and let her horse have rein. They came out behind the wild horses and they galloped harder to get away from the stranger and the tame one of their kind. Ying Fa didn't let it deter her and she pushed her horse faster. She could feel the wind rushing past her and the earth moving beneath her as they continued to fly. It was such a wild and free feeling!
They came up to the front near the leader and she sat up and let the wind take her hat and tumble her curls down her back, to fly like a banner behind her. She let go of the reins and threw her arms out to the side, tipping her head to the sun and the amazing blue of the sky above her. She was free and she could fly. The others horses passed her and she could feel her mount tiring beneath her. She slowly lowered her arms as if in a dream, and took the reins and slowed her horse down and let the remaining horses bypass her.
Her mount was heaving and foaming at the mouth from the strenuous ride, but she knew that he had felt it too. The freedom that came from running along side them - long manes and tails streaming in the wind, necks arching gracefully as they galloped. She walked her mount to the step rise and looked down as they disappeared in the distance on the flat plain, the moutnains on either side of them.
Her hair trailed out behind her as the wind from the plain played with the tresses. Her heart was still racing and she didn't think she would ever lose the feeling she was experiencing now. She hoped in her heart that in years to come, she would remember this. Her horse neighed loud and clear and she felt him tug on the reins. She smiled ironically.
" It's tempting isn't it. " she whispered and patted him on the neck. " To be free. . . . "
She heard the eagle call again and she sighed turning her horse around and heading for the dust cloud in the distance. She hadn't galloped that far away, she could still make out their figures, but to her, she had galloped for a million years in that second.
" Hiah! " they sprang into a gallop, though not as fast as before, and headed back towards the ranch instead of returning to the others. Her horse was tired and so was she. She wasn't any use to anybody.
Shanghai
Dessie curled around his feet as he opened the beer and drank from it thirstily. He felt the cool breeze blow in from the open sliding door and he sighed. He reached down and patted the cat and reached for the pile of mail on the coffee table in front of him.
Not recognising the address or the logo, he opened it, and saw the tax invoice for a four digit figure. His eyes widened in shock when he realised it was the cleaning bill Ying Fa had surposedly paid for. Groaning, he rested his head on the back of the lounge and closed his eyes.
" Ying Fa where are you? "
Tomoeda, Japan
In a quiet street, in a yellow, two-storey house, a middle aged man stood cleaning away the dishes from his late dinner. After clearing the dishes away, he turned and met the smiling faces of his children. It had been taken a few years ago before they had gone to a festival.
Aiden picked up the picture and sighed. How he missed them. Forced to flee because of something he had uncovered. The phone shrilled and he walked out to get it.
" Hello? Avalon san speaking. "
" Ahh, Avalon san, " drawled a voice he recognised imediately as Yoishi Morimoto, the head of the Archaeology Department of the University. " Good Evening. Are you well? "
" Hai Morimoto san. " Aiden replied. " And you? "
" Fine, fine. How is the project coming along? " came the familar drawl.
" Working suffiently sir. No problems yet. " Aiden looked longingly at another picture of his children.
" Good, good. . . " their was a pause.
" And your children Avalon san? Are they well? I believe you have a son and a daughter? "
" Hai sir. They are well, arigato. "
" Hmmm. " came over the phone. " I'm thinking of having a little get together with my co-workers. You of course Avalon san are invited. Bring your childen. I'd like to meet them. "
" Arigato sir, but I'm afraid my children are not here at present. "
" Oh? " Yoishi sounded amused.
" Iie. They're travelling - "
" Travelling, how wonderful. I bet they're seeing China. It's one of my favourites. Especially Shanghai. "
" Anything is possible sir. " Aiden replied uncomfortably.
He really was going to have to have a chat with Miss Daidoji. If anyone knew where his children where, he knew she would.
" Hmm. " not sounding pleased, Yoishi continued with the call before hanging up. Aiden placed the reciever down and hoped that Tori was looking after Sakura. She was bound to hit trouble. Especially after he was the one to cause everything.
Feeling older than his years, Aiden went to the wardrobe where it had been hidden and hidden well; or so he had thought. Now an empty space greeted him. He sighed feeling the weight of the consequences of his actions falling down around him. The question he so desperately wanted to know was:
Who had it? Tori or Sakura?
The phone shifted so the caller could hear better.
" So you searched the place? "
" Yes sir. There was no sign. I think that . . well . . . perhaps we had . . the . . wrong . . place. . . "
" I see. " he growled in annoyance.
" Well we went over the place and all we found were kids clothes. I'm sorry sir. We'll try harder. "
" That won't be necessary. Goodbye. "
" But sir - " click. He slammed the phone down.
He turned to the figure in the corner.
" Orders? " he asked smirking.
Cigar smoke blew up into the air.
" Scratch them . "
BW2 Hmmm, that's an interesting chapter isn't it? I wonder what is going on? Unfortunately I'm not inclined to tell you. Otherwise there wouldn't be a plot now would there?
Poor Li, I think he is missing hellfire Ying Fa wouldn't you agree? Believe me, if I recieved a four digit bill for something I hadn't ordered myself, I wouldn't be pining for the one person that caused the damage. No sir-ree. The person responsible would probably find themselves pinned up by the ears if I ever got my hands on them. Lol.
And what about Aiden? What is it that he has or correction, had, that has caused Tori and Sakura to run? I think this is interesting. Not only because you guys have no idea where this is going, but because neither do I! Isn't it great!
Everyone falls over Anime style
Well then, I better be off. I have some brain storming to do. Make sure you review! This is not a free show you know! Seriously though, please review. It's makes it all that much better when I know I have someone reading my story.
