Quick chapter where Lan Fan wakes up and is actually talking.

The smell of vanilla, smoke and wood reach my nose. I am dressed formal for once in my life. Dressed in a simple flowing black dress, with a red strap to tie the dress. I'm wearing the colors of death. My vision is blurred by tears that I will not shed and smoke. I feel as if someone has ripped out my heart and stomped on it.

He was the last of family. I have no one else. I'm all alone.

I didn't realize I said these words aloud. I felt a hand on my shoulder and a voice came up behind me, in a hush tone of a whisper.

"I am slightly offended that you said that. With me, you could never be alone, and you know that."

I do not bother turning around, for I know that voice. That voice will always soothe me when needed. He turns me around so I face him. But I cannot bear to look him in the eyes. If I do I know I will start to cry. He cups my face, so I am forced to look at him.

"My dear Lan Fan, won't you cry? I know you are devastated. I see it in your eyes."

I look away. If my Grandfather taught me one thing before he left this Earth, just one thing. It was to never let my emotions cloud my mind. But before this thought can settle in my mind. He pulls me in for a tight embrace.

"My Lord. This is hardly proper." I said with a shaky voice. Although it wasn't, I didn't want to leave his embrace. I felt at home since my Grandfather's death.

"Oh Lan Fan. Just for today, please. Drop the formalities. It doesn't matter anyways. Considering we are the one of the only ones here."

But I knew if there were a thousand people here, Ling would comfort me in any way he could.

I had finally broke.

"Ling it's not fair! He was the last of my family. They are all gone." I bury my head in his chest and start to weep.

"I know. And it's my fault. It's my fault he is gone. I hope one day you can-"

"No! It isn't your fault. We protect you with our lives. It was his decision." My tone was stern and strong. With that line the conversation ended.

We fell to the ground and continued cry on Ling's shoulder as burned my Grandfather.

Lan Fan woke up with a gasp and sat immediately. She soon wishes she hadn't as she felt a sharp pain throughout her body. She let out a small, quiet cry of pain. Finally Lan Fan had addressed her surrounding and notice a hand intertwined with hers. Looking the opposite way, she had notice the time. 2:00 am the clock had read. She glanced to her right. She saw the Emperor sitting at her bedside staring down at her hand.

"My Lord. It's the middle of the night what are you doing here?"

"I've been here only an hour now."

"Only? You have…" Her voice began to trail off as Ling began to speak.

"I-I thought you were dead. You didn't give me any warning. You were barely breathing. And when you screamed!" He choked when he spoke. As if he was reliving a nightmare.
"Why? Why did you do it?"

Lan Fan was surprised. Not only was it her job, her affection for Ling were not spoken, but clearly they were never a secret.

She sighed. "What do you mean why? It's my lifelong promise to protect you with my life. And since I did not die this time, I would protect you with my life again, without hesitation."

"When you were sleeping, you were having a nightmare what was it about?"

She shifted uneasily. Changing the subject so easily, I see. "It wasn't a nightmare. More of a painful memory."

"The cremation?"

She had a small fake smile spread across her lips. You remember all of our conversation, don't you? She thought. "Yes it was the cremation." A short silence had settled between them before Lan Fan spoke again "My Lord, get some sleep. I'll be here tomorrow I promise."

He was about to argue but he saw in her eyes that she was serious. Although she had been unconscious she still need real rest. And Ling himself had a long day of tending to the country. With that Ling stood up with his back facing Lan Fan.

"Sleep well, Lan Fan." Then he disappeared through the double doors of her hospital room.

Lan Fan laid back. She knew whoever attacked Ling would be back. She needed to heal soon. She would not just lay here. She was the emperor personal bodyguard. And she wasn't by his side.

Ling had finally reached his chambers. He laid on his bed and sighed. Whoever did this to Lan Fan was coming back. But he didn't know why. The throne, the stone, money, power, or maybe just to watch him suffer. The most powerful man in the East was now dancing around the traps.

He reached over to his side table and grab the shuriken. Kira it had said in the middle. Why did he not know this word.

It has to been in ancient Xingese. He concluded.
He then reached for the note. He studied the note extensively and carefully. The stationery was expensive. It was thick and charcoal black. The letters were written in bright white ink. The handwriting was flawless. It didn't have a girly touch yet so perfect. And there was a seal of fire on the top right corner. Matching the look of the shuriken. He put both back on his nightstand. He needed sleep.

But sleep would not come easy to him.

He lied back wanting to fall into dreamless sleep. Just wanting rest. To have an escape. But with his mind running that was impossible. When he slept he had nightmares. Nightmares of Lan Fan.

Some where the arrow had killed her on spot. Other where she died in Amestris. Protecting him.
And when he was awake his mind tried to solve the puzzle about who was after him.

He drifted in and out of an uncomfortable sleep. Just as he had given up trying to sleep, sunlight peered through his ceiling high windows. Letting out a deep sigh, he got up.

Just another day. He thought.