Okay, I know it's been a while, but my best friend, Minami Akurei hasn't read the last chapter yet, and I always make it a point to not update until she's read it….
Thank god she finally read it, eh:D
Ling stands, paralyzed with fear.
Lee looks at him, nervously, then back up to the guard.
Lee: But you can't kill me, can you?
Guard 2: What! Don't be stupid little girl.
He holds the sword closer to her throat.
Guard 2: I can slit your throat anytime I want.
Lee: (Straining to breathe) What about Snake?
The guard loosens his grip a bit.
Guard 2: (Pauses) What do you know about Snake?
Lee: I know he's your leader. I know he ordered you to capture me. I know if you kill me, he'll do the same to you.
There is a long pause.
Guard 2: (Grins evilly) But that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun with you.
He grabs her arm, and begins to drag her away.
Ling: Hey! Leave her alone!
Ling pulls out his sword.
The guard, surprised by Ling's interjection, looks back.
He looks at the sword, and smiles.
Guard 2: You think you can defeat me with that hunk of junk?
Lee: Please, he could defeat you with a mere twig!
Guard 2: That runt?
Lee: That 'runt' is the great Shun Fei swordsman, Qi Zhao.
Guard 2 looks as Ling with intrigue.
Guard 2: Nice try, but you can't fool me that easily. Come on!
He begins to pull her away.
Ling: Wait!
The guard turns back.
Ling pulls his Shun Fei scarf out from underneath his shirt.
The guard stares at it, in shock.
Guard 2: You….you are Qi Zhao.
Ling looks sternly at the guard.
Ling: That's right. Now let her go.
The guard looks around, indecisively, then lets go of Lee's arm.
Lee runs to Ling, and looks back at the guard.
Lee: Go to Ko Zhu. Find the princess. Tell her 'Mini-Mei' sent you.
The guard looks at her, confused.
Lee: You'll be free from Snake's tyranny.
The guard nods, sheathes his sword, and then bows to Lee and Ling.
He runs off.
Lee pauses, then picks up her bag.
Lee: Come on, we got a long walk ahead of us.
Ling tucks his scarf back in.
Ling: Right, but can I ask you something?
Lee: What?
Ling: How do you know Qi Zhao?
Lee: He was legendary. A great swordsman, a true hero.
Ling: He was my father.
Lee looks back and smiles.
Lee: I know.
Ling: How…?
Lee: (Grins) It's just too bad you didn't inherit anything from him.
Ling: Oh yeah? Who's the person that just saved your neck? Which, by the way, you could've thanked me for!
Lee: I thought the gratitude was implied. Now stop whining, and hurry up!
She walks down the path, and Ling quickly follows.
Ling: Yeah, but how'd you know he was my father?
Lee: Let's just say I knew him on a more personal level.
Ling: What do you mean?
Lee: (Mumbling) Oh, you'll find out soon enough.
Ling: What was that?
Lee: I said, I knew him because he was tough.
Ling: Huh?
Lee: I know all of the great Shun Fei warriors: Qi Zhao, Hong Liang…
Ling: Bin Tao.
Lee freezes.
Lee: What did you say?
Ling: Bin Tao, she was one of the greatest warriors I've ever…
Lee: I know who she was.
Lee continues to walk, a bit faster than before.
Ling: Lee?
He jogs after her.
Ling: Lee? What's the matter? Did, did I say something?
Lee: It's nothing. It's just like you said: Bin Tao was a great warrior, and like most warriors, that ended pretty quickly.
Ling: What are you talking about? Bin Tao was a fighter till the day she died.
Lee: That's it exactly! She died! All the great warriors end up dead!
Ling: I know, my father was no exception.
Lee freezes.
Lee: Ling, I'm sorry, I didn't…
Ling: It's okay. He died a long time ago, anyway.
Lee looks away, embarrassed.
Ling: What I don't get is, why are you so upset over Bin Tao's death?
Lee: I just am!
She storms off.
Ling: (Frustrated) Lee! Wait!
Yeah, I know, the story's been kind of one-sided lately, but it'll change soon, I promise. Okay, now you review…..Pweeze:D