CH25

Wei Ying had walked around the Cloud Reccess for what seemed like days. Since he left Lan XiChen's office he had been unsure where to go. He could go to the cold pool but that was only really fun with Lan Zhan there to tease. He could go to the library but that was boring. He could go an see how the Wen survivors were doing in the back mountain but he couldn't fly his sword any more so he would have to ask someone. Lan XiCHen would have taken him but he was already working on his promise to get him in contact with his sister. His sister…...everywhere he had walked today had reminded him of the time they had spent together here as students, him, Jiang Cheng and his perfect older sister. A time when the biggest problem he had in his life was Master Lan throwing scrolls.

He sighed heavily looking up at the empty sky. His brother had disowned him but his sister was still looking, she had never stopped. Never stopped looking, never stopped believing. What had he ever done to deserve the belief of a sister like her? A pair of concerned eyes appeared in his field of vision, it took him a moment to recognise them as Lan Zhan's.

'Wei Ying!' The concern in his voice was not even being attempted to be hidden behind his normal calm exterior. 'Wei Ying wake up!'

Wei Ying glanced around and only then noticed that somehow he had wondered into the main area of the Cloud Reccess and had more than a few pairs of eyes staring at him with confusion and some with distain. Only Lan Zhan looked at him with concern. Pretending not to see anyone else he straightened his shoulders and purposefully brushed past Lan Zhan on his way towards the Jingshi. Lan Zhan followed, confusion and concern evident in every line of his body.

Wei Ying had hardly stepped into the JingShi when a firm grip took hold of his arms and spun him round to stare into that concerned face again. Lan Zhan seemed to be searching for words but could only look at him, and for once Wei Ying didn't have the words to say either.

'What did my brother say to you that has made you like this?' Lan Zhan asked. When he had waited a few minutes for the reply that didn't come he sighed and released his grip on Wei Ying, taking a step back. 'Fine I will go ask him' This time there was a little ice in his voice along with the concern. As he turned to leave Wei Ying reached out and grabbed his wrist. He wasn't as strong as Lan Zhan he knew that perfectly well, but he hoped the action would make him pause. Luckily it did, Lan Zhan looked down at his wrist and then back at Wei Ying.

'He showed me the letter from my sister that's all.' Wei Ying managed to say, finally fighting out of the daze he had been in since the meeting.

Lan Zhan visibly relaxed.

'I meant to tell you before but…' He began.

'I know…..' Wei Ying interrupted. 'between me being ill and then you there was never a chance. I don't blame you Lan Zhan. That letter was just sent over nearly two months ago now, what if she has given up on me, what if she believes I'm dead, what if believes those rumours about me?' Wei Ying's hand started shaking on Lan Zhan's wrist. 'Am I being selfish wanting to see her? Dragging her into all this?'

Lan Zhan wasn't sure if the questions being asked where actually aimed at him or not but he answered anyway.

'Wei Ying, she's your sister. If you have read that letter you will know that she will always believe in you, always trust you and never give up on you' silently Lan Zhan added in his heart neither will I.

Wei Ying smiled as if a weight had been lifted off his heart and looked at Lan Zhan as if seeing him properly for the first time since the morning.

'Don't you have work to do?'

Lan Zhan relaxed seeing Wei Ying back to normal and a small smile crept to the corners of his mouth as he spoke.

'I did have and then someone was walking around like he had been possessed so I was called away.'

Wei Ying laughed, a sound which greatly eased the tension still sounding Lan Zhan's heart.

'Well if you are now free for the rest of the day how about we go to the back mountain. I haven't been over to see the Wen survivors in a long time.

Lan Zhan nodded and the two went outside. Once both where balanced on Bichen with Wei Ying's armed wrapped round him for support. They rose into the sky on their way to the back mountain, although Lan Zhan was temped to take the long route just to keep this contact a little while longer.

As soon as the two landed all chaos seemed to brake loose. Everyone burst out of houses to come see them, some still holding cleaning cloths and washing implements. In the past weeks the huts originally placed here for them to used had been turned into proper homes and it was beginning to look like a village that had been around years instead of barely two months. Some of the women helped out the Lan Sect by weaving or staining clothes others like Wen Qing helped with more advanced skills. Everyone had something to do and felt they were once again being a productive member of society. The crowd around them parted slightly and both Wen Ning and Wen Qing appeared, the crowd still seemed a little uncertain of Wen Ning but not fearful.

'Oh so you are still alive then' Wen Qing said with a have serious half sassy tone. 'It was nice for you to tell us!'

'I missed you to!' Wei Ying replied dryly.

'Who misses you! We have got lots of things done around here without you getting in the way!'

'Sister!' Wen Ning spoke up 'Master Wei saved us shouldn't we….….'

Wen Ning never got to finish that sentence because at that moment too many things happened. Firstly Wen Qing stared at her brother as if daring him to finish his sentence, almost at the same time Lan Zhan came to the realisation that something was going on behind them. His senses told him something was wrong but Wei Ying didn't seem to be noticing it and these were the people that he had risked his own life to save. Still there was movement and murmurs coming from behind him, someone was going out of their way to keep whatever was happening a secret. Just as he was about to turn around and face the unknown danger head on he heard a shout from behind him just as something barrelled into his legs.

Wei Ying burst out laughing as Lan Zhan stood their stunned. Wen Yuan stood their holding Lan Zhan's leg, rocking backwards and forwards, clinging on like a monkey with no intentions of letting go. The elder obviously in charge of looking after the child stepped out of the crowd and bowed but Wei Ying just waved her away with a grin on his face.

'Tall Gege' Wen Yuan spoke looking up at Lan Zhan, who had a hard enough time speaking to adults let alone children. 'Tall Gege you bought Xian Gege home'

The rest of the group seemed to be too stunned to do anything or looking at the floor and pretending it wasn't happening, and Wei Ying….Wei Ying seemed to be having problems breathing he was laughing so hard…..that was hardly a help either. Eventually though Wei Ying seemed to take pity on him and after a few deep breaths knelt down so he was level with the child.

'A-Yuan' Wei Ying began in that playful tone that got the child's attention immediately. 'Let go of Tall Gege's leg he has been busy and is tired' he leant forwards as if to whisper conspiratorially to the child. 'and if you don't let go soon he wont bring me home to see you any more.'

Almost immediately Wen Yuan had let go of Lan Zhan's leg and flung himself into Wei Ying's arms, almost knocking his over. Wei Ying just laughed and ruffled the child's unkempt hair with his fingers as Wen Yuan snuggled deeper into his embrace.

'I will be good Xian Gege, I will be good, just come home more please.' Came the sound half muffled by Wei Ying's chest.

Lan Zhan had been watching the scene in silence and it suddenly occurred to him how foolish he was, why hadn't he seen it last time he and Wei Ying where with the Wen Survivors. Wei Ying was born to be a parent! He had such a natural way with children and his face just lit up when he held then in his arms. Lan Zhan was being selfish wanting a future with Wei Ying, as much as he would love the other man until the day he no longer walked the earth, he would be asking him to give up something that was obviously so special to him.

Wei Ying had already lifted Wen Yuan onto his hip, the boy was giggling and wriggling but he didn't seem to mind. Wei Ying spoke to Wen Qing about showing him around the village and everything that had happened since they had left YiLing. He of course had been kept up to date on what was there but had never seen it with his own eyes was very interested. Both Wen Qing and Wen Ning were only to happy to give both Wei Ying and Lan Zhan the royal tour of their new home, explaining who owned each house, what each public building was for, and even small stories behind different things.

The next few hours were spent companionably sharing stories about the last few weeks and making sure everyone had what they needed. However no one noticed Lan Zhan only spoke unless asked a direct question, and even then only as little as possible. Everyone was used to Lan Zhan being silent so no one thought today was any different, however in Lan Zhan's mind he could just see Wei Ying who had never let Wen Yuan out of his sight since they arrived. He had played with the boy, fed him, sat him on his knee and even at this moment the small child was sleeping resting in Wei Ying's arms as if he belonged there. Lan Zhan's head and heart where in turmoil.

Eventually it was time for the two to leave. The group gathered together once again to see them off and Wei Ying promised to return soon. This time though on the quiet flight back to the JingShi, Wei Ying's arms wrapped around him felt more of a tease than a comfort to Lan Zhan.