Specks slithered out of Liuxang's sleeve, flicking his tongue as he gazed at the unwelcomed visitors, he hissed at them. Liuxang smiled and stroked his head but Specks still stared at them. It unsettled them to have a snake watching them with unblinking eyes and a tongue that flicked out every now and then. Liuxang wanted to take a picture of them, it was so damn funny just to see them all staring at one harmless snake, at least harmless toward him.

"I'm beginning my medication, do you want to see it?" Liuxang asked as he removed his bandage until his shoulder was exposed. Even more dark black circles were seen.

"What are those?" Shi Long asked.

"It's his sickness, something like Karposi's sarcoma but treatable," Fiona answered as she entered the room.

"What do you mean treatable?"

"Why, you're looking at the cure right now."

Shi Long glanced at Specks, the snake was now fixated on his master's shoulder.

Liuxang closed his eyes. "Fiona, the stick please."

Fiona drew forward and handed him what he requested, he bit the stick.

"Mich vergiften."

And Specks did it, he bit Liuxang, exposing his razor sharp teeth and let the poison in his teeth seep into Liuxang's bloodstream.

The pain was unbearable, Liuxang bit the stick until it snapped. He shut his eyes trying not to concentrate on the pain but it was no use, the pain was there. His movements usually as graceful as a dancer became spastic and convulsive. Oh God, make it stop, he thought. His vision blurred and he thrashed as if in death roes though it felt it was better off to die than suffering this kind of pain. Then a flashing thought of him smiling at his dead body, his work unfinished, taunting him, laughing at him that brought Liuxang from fainting. No, he will survive the pain, he will endure it, and he will live to fight another day. His gaze fell on the moon, it reminded him of a certain wolf, yes, he will live so that that wolf would live. He focused on it. He will not die just yet.

"Liuxang! Liuxang!"

Liuxang focused on that voice as a stab of pain entered his heart, he did not know that he still longed for people to call him his real name. He never allowed Fiona to call him that, neither Luna nor Ralos ever called him that.

He was back in the room staring at all the disturbed faces and then his eyes looked away at something that even he could not see.

"We were worried about you," Kay said.

"Of course, if you died we would not be able to extract information from you," Franziska said gruffly.

Liuxang looked into Franziska's eyes as if seeing her soul, there was genuine worry and it touched him.

"I see." Liuxang looked the bite on his shoulder, it was still bleeding.

"Fiona, the cotton bud if you please," Liuxang requested.

Fiona gave him a questioning look as she handed him the bud. Liuxang took it and dabbed it on his wound, collecting the blood that poured out. He took a Ziploc bag from his pocket and put the cotton bud inside. A tapping sound was heard and he saw Huang Gan pecking at the window.

"Ralos, you're nearest to the window, open it please."

Ralos did what he was told and Huang Gan homed in on the very shoulder that Specks bit. Liuxang's eyes flashed bright with pain but he did not scream, he gave a weak smile to everyone.

"Huang Gan, please give this to that large canid man over there."

Huang Gan picked the bag with her beak and flew to Shi Long as he extended his hand. She dropped it on his hand and flew back to Liuxang's shoulder, causing Liuxang much more discomfort as her talons dug deep into his flesh.

"I am tired," Liuxang said. He tried to rise but couldn't and Fiona put a pillow behind him. She pushed Liuxang to his back for him to lie down. Liuxang smiled his thanks and looked at Shi Long waiting for questions.

"Do you really think I can find you in the system?" Shi Long asked.

Liuxang shook his head. "No, I am quite sure I don't exist anymore."

"Then?" Franziska asked. "What's the point of handing us your dna?"

Liuxang shrugged. "Just go read something."

Franziska narrowed her eyes sharply but Liuxang was already asleep.

"You do now that Liuxang is as defenceless as anyone right now," Fiona stated," this is the side-effect for taking the medication in its purest form."

Fiona folded Liuxang's sleeve and saw all the spots fading. She smiled and put a blanket over him.

"I used to date Huoniao, did you know that?" Fiona asked them.

"How long has it been?" Franziska asked.

Fiona's smile became sad. "It's been six years but I still can't get over it, he was Mr. Perfect."

"Then why did Liuxang take him hostage and why are you helping him?" Franziska asked.

"Liuxang didn't mean to take him as a bargaining chip, Liuxang wants to find a cure for brain-dead conditions."

"Right." That sarcastic edge in Qilin's voice was unbecoming but no one said anything. She glared at Shi Long. "Why can't you arrest him?"

"He's sick, Qilin." That look in Qilin was scaring Franziska.

"Sick? Of course he's sick, in the mind." Without a second thought, Qilin rammed the gun at Liuxang's head.

"Qilin!" Shi Long shouted," I'll have to arrest you if you kill him."

Qilin was craving to pull the trigger but she obeyed.

"C'mon Qilin, patience, Langzi said: A impatient wolf brings a squirrel, a patient wolf brings a deer."

Qilin shot a glare at him and skulked off.

Franziska left with Miles but Shi Long stayed.

"Shi Long," Fiona called.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Tell Liuxang, who I know is still awake, to put that gun back in the holster. I know Qilin saw the outline off the gun which is why Qilin didn't kill you, yet."

Liuxang grinned but his eyes were closed.

"I'll make chicken soup," Kay said.

"I'll help," Ralos offered.

"I'll play with Likui," Luna chirped.

Dearest Franziska,

Happy Birthday! How's my four year old daughter? Qilin updated me about you, she told me how you tried to hit her with a riding crop but she took it from you and broke it with her knee. Franziska, it's not nice hitting people, but because it's your birthday I will not berate you so much, but honestly, how did your father react? Your grandparents wished to visit you but you know you're father, if I so much step into that mausoleum, I'd be guilty of trespassing. Franziska, please don't be like your father. Your sister Annette is asking about you and your father, how I wish we were living together again.

Dearest Franziska,

Happy Birthday Franziska! How's my most five year old treasure? Annette hope's you like the gift she got you, I hope Qilin hid it well. She always goes to the post office just to collect my letters to you. I worry for her because she's so young but she reassures me she learned self-defense to protect herself. Franziska, I know how much you want to be like your father but remember this, a good prosecutor does not aim to win but aims to make the world a better, safer place for the innocent. So tell me, how is the verbal sparring with Miles going? Qilin tells me you enjoy competing with him.

Franziska stopped reading the letters and took a deep breath, balm had settled on something old and festered in Franziska's heart. She was not abandoned, but as she continued reading she wondered why Qilin never informed her that she was corresponding with Mama. She was truly appalled by her father, she knew now that her Papa had flaws just like any other human but much larger and well hidden. She thought of getting herself a glass of water.

The large cat was in the hallway skulking around again, perhaps she could solve the mystery of the green eyed cat, Franziska followed the shining eyes. It saw her and quickened it's pace, it slide down the stairs by the railings. Franziska ran after it only to find it disappear but the kitchen light was opened. Curiosity got the better of her and she peered in but it was apparent that no one was there but she felt someone's presence. She blocked the feeling out and went in.

That was her mistake, Liuxang's knife was barely touching her throat.

What is Liuxang doing with a knife? Is it madness caused by the medicine? Is he showing his true colours? Find out next time.