Bai Jian paced around his office, trying to forget the incident that happened a few days ago.
Li Ai was reclining on her couch and smirked at him, "You seem like a lion caged up."
"I don't know what's wrong with me, I can't sleep, can't eat. It's like I've been poisoned."
Li Ai shrugged and looked down at her book, "Some would call it that."
He stopped and looked at his sister, "You know what it is then?" He asked frantically.
She chuckled, "Bai Jian, you're hopelessly in love."
He snorted, "Love? You've got to be kidding."
"I'm not, and I can tell that you are. I see it in your eyes…and I see it in hers too."
His firm stance softened, "You..do?"
Before Li Ai could answer, a soft knock came to the door.
"Enter." Bai Jian spouted.
Lianghu slowly opened the door, a letter clutched in her hand.
"Good evening."
Li Ai nodded, "Is something the matter?"
Lianghu bit her lip, "I've received word from my father…he's waiting at the border for me."
Bai Jian's heart sank, "I see…and you want to return to him I assume."
"Yes."
"Very well, I'll have a few guards escort you."
"Actually, I was hoping just you could come with me."
His eyes widened slightly, "…Of course, we can leave at sundown."
She bowed, "Thank you. And thank you, Li Ai," she turned to the princess sitting on the couch, "for all that you've done for me. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't help."
Li Ai nodded, "Of course…And, Lianghu," she walked over to the gypsy girl, taking her paw into her own, "You are welcomed here anytime. There will always be a home for you here."
Lianghu nodded, tears filling her eyes as she was embraced by her.
"Thank you…I will always remember everyone here. And I hope that one day our people will be friends, not enemies."
Da watched as his leader left the palace with Lianghu and vanished into the darkness. He didn't like the way things were turning out; there was something suspicious about Lianghu's request.
Li Ai stood beside him, "…They would've been great rulers together, you know. Bai Jian's strength and Lianghu's brains would have been a perfect pair."
Da smiled lightly, "You still haven't given up on them, have you?"
She shrugged, "They still have until they reach the border; anything could happen within that time."
"True…"
It was quiet; the still fog resting over the forest with a solemn aura. Everything was silent….a little too silent.
Bai Jian glanced over at Lianghu, who was looking ahead at the forest path.
His heart felt a small rip forming. She would be leaving, forever. He would never be able to see her again. If he did, it would be to kill her in battle.
Lianghu was quiet, in torment with herself. She knew what she felt was wrong, and that she needed to do what her father had asked. It was for her own good, for her people.
Bai Jian gently took hold of her wrist, causing the tigress to stop.
She looked at him, confusion in her eyes.
Bai Jian sighed, his hurting eyes searching hers.
"Lianghu," his voice was gentle as he spoke, "You don't have to do this. I..I know what he does to-"
She looked at him, "I know…" a sad smile appeared on her face, "Don't worry about me; I'll be fine. I'm a grown girl, remember?"
He glanced over her soft facial features. He couldn't let her go without telling her what she meant to him. She was his light, the joy in his life. For the past few months, he would wake up actually…happy, knowing that he was going to see her. Now, the only thing that could make him smile was going to be lost forever. Surely she knew what she meant to him. No one else had made him feel like this.
Lianghu felt a soft blush creep up on her face. Her heart started beating faster. She knew this was wrong, her father would never forgive her for this. He would-
"Lianghu…I…I love you."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Please…" His green eyes searched hers, "Stay with me."
Lianghu felt tears gather in her eyes. This is wrong, she thought, I can't do this. If only he knew how badly she wanted to say yes! She wanted so desperately to get away from her cruel father. This was the first taste of true freedom that she had experience in a long time. Perhaps it could work? She would return back to the palace and figure out a way to defeat her father. Yes, yes it could work! Anything could, with Bai Jian by her side. Hope flooded her soul, realizing that there might be a happy ending to this tragic tale.
"Bai Jian…" She quietly whispered, "I…" She stopped, seeing a familiar figure over his shoulder. Her hope was suddenly crushed by the heavy foot of reality.
"I'm…I'm so sorry."
Confusion flooded his eyes, "What do you-"
A dark chuckle interrupted him.
Bai Jian whirled around to find seven gypsy soldiers accompanying the Rom Bora. His eyes narrowed. "You know the law, you are forbidden to cross our borders."
The Rom Bora smirked, "Do you honestly think I care about your laws? We are gypsies, not peasants. Oh and, Lianghu,"
She trembled at the sound of her name.
"Nice work. Now come here."
She didn't respond.
The Rom Bora glared. "I said, COME HERE, NOW."
She lifted her eyes in defiance towards him, "And what if I say no?"
"Why you little-" He raised his arm to strike her, but a strong hand caught it.
Bai Jian stood in front of Lianghu, blocking her from her father.
"Do not touch her."
"She's my daughter, I'll do what I want."
"Are you deaf? You will not touch her."
The Rom Bora glared at him for a minute, studying Bai Jian. Then, for whatever odd reason, the gypsy king burst out laughing.
"You did it! I can't believe you actually did it!"
Remorse immediately filled Lianghu.
Bai Jian glanced at Lianghu, confused. She looked away, shame written on her face.
The Rom Bora continued laughing. "I didn't think my daughter had it in her, but she actually did it!"
"Uh, she did what?"
"She actually got you to fall in love with her! Unbelievable!"
Lianghu took a small step back, knowing what was about to happen next. A guard quickly caught her, putting a knife to her neck.
"Not so fast little missy."
Bai Jian glared, grabbing the guard and sending a kick to his head, causing him to fall unconscious.
The Rom Bora ignored what happened. "Well done Lianghu, you've caught him."
His eyes looked up at her, wondering what was going on. She looked sorrowful, as if she knew what was going on.
"I'm so sorry, Bai Jian," She whispered.
Confusion filled his face.
The Rom Bora smirked, "Oh and, sweet dreams tiggy."
WHAM!
Bai Jian's world went black.
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS!"
The Rom Bora sighed, rolling his eyes in annoyance at his daughter.
"My dear, you know what we agreed on."
Her blue eyes sent daggers of steel towards him.
It had been a few hours since they arrived back at the gypsy camp, and Bai Jian was still unconscious.
The Rom Bora leaned back in his chair, listening to his daughter's protests.
"Father, please!" She begged, "You can't do this now. The leopard king is gathering an army farther up north. We will be slaughtered if we do not make allies! You've sentenced us all to die!"
"Then so be it! I am the leader of this clan, not you! That pitiful leader will be executed at dawn. Dismissed."
Her eyes filled with rage, "Surely you can't-"
"I said, DISMISSED!"
Lianghu growled, throwing a spare blade from her boot straight to his head. The dagger missed him with an inch to spare and flew into the back of his chair.
The Rom Bora remained still, glaring at her.
She locked eyes with him. "…I missed, this time." The gypsy girl turned to the door, determination set in her eyes.
Her father spoke before she could leave.
"…I'm only doing this for your future, Lianghu."
"MY future?!" She shrieked, whirling back around, "Since when has MY future ever mattered to you? You're too concerned about pirating and picking fights with innocent people to even worry about me!" Her voice cracked, tears threatening to fall as she spoke, "Do not even dare tell me that YOU of all people care about me! The only one who ever cared in this forsaken clan was Mother, and YOU KILLED HER!"
The Rom Bora's eyes were wide from his daughter's words. He looked up at her, seeing a pair of blue eyes that looked oh so familiar. She even had her gentle smile and fiery temper.
He was speechless, "I…."
Lianghu stopped him, "Don't. I do not want to hear anything else that you have to say."
She quickly the tent and walked out of the camp. She needed air to clear her head.
The Rom Bora frowned as he stood up his seat and walked to the side of the tent. Lianghu reminded him so much of her…He could still see her beautiful blue eyes, her love for life, the way her face lit up every time he would come home from the fields. If only he could turn back the clock of time, he would stop her from…His heart caught in his throat as the gypsy leader thought of her. She was gone, forever lost to him. No one could ever replace her… He stooped down, pulling out a small box from a nearby chest. On top of it were the words "*Duì wǒ de tàiyáng," painted in gold. Intricate flowers and leaves were painted on the sides, making the box seem delicate so delicate in his rough paws. He shakily opened the top, revealing a flood of memories to him. Soft music began to play from it as a small dancer twirled in the middle of it. He looked at her face, watching her smile and slowly spin in front of him.
The Roma Bora's heart began to ache as her face flashed through his mind.
"*Yuèliàng…" He quietly whispered, "How I wish you were here."
It was quiet, the only sound being the gentle music swirling around him from the box. The words to their song softly echoed in his mind, yet he could not bring himself to sing them. Not without her…Not without his Yuèliàng.
"Qīn'ài de, wǒ
yǒngyuǎn shì
nǐ kěyǐ yùnxíng dào
zài nǐ shēnbiān, wǒ yǒngyuǎn bù huì líkāi
rúguǒ bùshì xiànzài, nàme yǒu yītiān hěn kuài
nǐ shì wǒ de tàiyáng, wǒ shì nǐ de yuèliàng."
English: "Darling, I
Will always be
The one you can run to
By your side, I'll never leave
If not now, then someday soon
For you are my sun, and I am your moon."
He quickly shut the lid, hiding away the small dancer. He couldn't do this, not now. It was time to get ready for a victorious execution. One he would not miss.
Lianghu stumbled out of the gypsy camp, relieved to find fresh air, peace, and quiet. The night air bit at her nose, but she didn't mind. As long as she didn't have to deal with the cramped campfires and noisy people, she was fine.
Shouting in the distance caused her to look up, seeing a slumped figure tied to a pole.
Bai Jian.
Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted lately:\ School has kept me super busy. Leave a comment and let me know what you think! What do you think will happen next? :D
Love you guys!
-Kung-Fu-Tigress