Chapter 11
The Second Goodbye
They came up to a lake with a beautiful water fall in the forest outside the city. Sky was in the trees, taken off his outer robes, leaving only his inner robes that he wore to bed.
He walked out to see the same material as his shorts, only a little different on Wu.
A thick white strip of white cloth covered her chest, and white underwear. His breathing got ragged, and got nervous. What was going to happen?
Wu moved into the world towards the waterfall, she stopped, and just stood there. The water fall made little designs like flowers of the Lotus Blood.
Sky smiled sadly. Looking up at the sky, he felt how grateful he was for Zu. He pushed him harder for Wu, and now he saw how precious and delicate life could be. And how hers could unravel like his did. Unravel and Unhinged.
He walked out all his nerves gone, thinking that Zu would have probably wanted her to be safe, and happy.
He gave Zu and Wu a silent promise, he swore he'd make the world right. As a thank you for him, a gift for her.
The water was cold but it didn't touch him, his heart was burning to warm for his mind to register coolness.
He walked up to and his heart dropped into his stomach.
Her iris's blue, she was medicating her chi.
He felt something small and expressive touch his hand, he looked down as her fingers locked around his.
The world spun, he was suddenly in a burning village. People dead, others calling Wu's name from burning ashes. Without his say so he looked at Dawn Star, her face streaked with tears as she tried to help as many people as she could, all of them dying in her hands.
A women with many knots in her hair came down yelling to him and Dawn Star. 'I'll save as many as I can!' She reached for Sky's shoulder. 'Wu, get to the school! Save the students!'
This was Two Rivers, Sky thought with horror. He didn't want to see this, but Wu wanted him to understand, so he endured.
Assassins, Wu taking them all out easily as a beautiful but small school fell and burned to the ground in black hearted ashes.
A man, Dawn Star called him Jing Woo died, Sky felt bad instantly remembering the time he was offended by this boys crush on Wu. He was dead, died in Dawn Star. Not even Wu's. Sky prayed that he hadn't insulted Jing Woo's memory.
'No more.' He whispered, and her hand dropped he looked over to her, her perfect face twisted in pain.
'I see that every time I close my eyes. Now I had Zu to add to the list of deaths I've caused.' Wu closed her eyes and drifted into the clear pool. She smiled at him and on finger inclined him forward. 'Get the blood out of my hair will you Sky?'
He rolled his eyes. 'I'm not that stupidly male Wu.'
She pulled her hair tie out and her long hair clung to her back and them drifted out like little streams to flowers connected by on vital root. Laughing she teased. 'Aren't you?'
Sky thought about that for a second and laughed. 'I'm that stupidly male.'
She giggled as he waded his way to her laughing and tickling her, like what seemed so long ago in Tein's Landing. When he thought she had enough he kissed her on the cheek and began brushing clumps on blood out of her hair with his fingers, his lips on fire.
'Zu's sacrifice reminded me how dangerous our task really is,' Sky whispered as the night rolled in, her hair becoming soft and shining.
Wu shuddered at a thought, she did not speak on it so Sky figured that it need to be prompted. ' What's on your mind?'
Wu shook her head. ' It's stupid.' Sky rolled his eyes.
'To the stupid male, yeah it'll be stupidly women.'
Wu laughed and then sobered up. ' You realize you may not have a future if you say with me.'
This was the last thing he had expected. He froze and after a moment of not getting an answer Wu's wet glistening hair pulled glided across his fingers and she turned her head to him.
All he could think to do was lighten up the mood. ' Bah!' He hugged her close. 'We're to resourceful to just roll over and die! We're both the kind of people t fight till they die!'
Wu looked at Sky like that was exactly what she was afraid of.
He was worried about what was going to happen with the Emperor, but he refused to let her worry too.
He dragged her to the edge of the pool and he sat against the muddy side. 'Do you have any idea what your going to do after all this? I have some idea but I want to hear what you plan to do.'
Wu smirked, a if it was obvious. ' I have some idea.'
'What about your Master?' Sky asked curiously. ' What about him?'
Wu exactly rolled her eyes at him this time but the smiled and placed herself against his chest her back to him she leaned her head back on his shoulder. ' I think I want him to replace his brother as the Emperor.'
Sky moved his head so he could kiss her forehead. ' I could see no one better for the job.' Considering how perfect she turned out. 'What about you?'
She laughed and rolled off to right her body and look at him. 'Maybe I'll settle down with some Dashing Rouge.'
Sky's heart soared and he laughed gratefully. 'That Rouge would have to be very strong and very good with knots to keep you settled down.'
She laughed and nodded, and Sky decided to tell her his real thoughts. ' Wu, I don't think we'll all survive. Not against these odds,' But she'd survive. She would just have to survive. Or he wouldn't either. 'But the ones who do will go back to some sort of normal life.' What that is for her well… was still for her to know. ' But that leaves the question of us doesn't it?' His heart went into his throat. ' That's the tricky one. But I don't know if we should go forward with this until you've dealt with the Emperor. I don't want to distract you.'
Then Wu did something exciting and terrifying.
She pressed herself against him, her forehead pressing against his she closed her eyes as if contemplating something. 'What if I want a little distracting?'
He totally forgot how to speak only that her lips begged for his, they leaned together and right when he felt her warm intoxicating breath almost to his lips…
'CANNONBALL!' Whirlwind bellowed his naked body slamming into the pool. Hou was right behind him and jumped into naked too. Apparently not realizing Wu was here.
Hou stood up first and he saw Wu's shocked face first and cringed in embarrassment deeper into the water. Whirlwind did no such thing.
'Exactly what I needed after all this wine that taste like goat piss.' He stood up still not noticing Wu's presence he stood up showing everything, for all to see.
Sky cringed in a bit of shame and so did Hou. But Wu didn't either it was because she was shocked or she didn't have the parts the other three did and she didn't have to feel the shame.
'Whirlwind. Wu…' Hou was a crimson so he pointed to Wu, Whirlwind smirked and moved spun giving Sky and Wu another angle they seriously didn't need.
'Bah! It's good for the girls to see a real man! And Sky to see what he's lacking!'
Sky turned as red as Hou and Wu gagged. Pulling her out of the pool he dragged the flabbergasted Wu along with him. Whirlwind shouted right before they got to the trees. 'Be careful Wu! Don't get as aggressive like you do in fighting! He doesn't have much to work with to begin with!'
Wu suddenly smirked. Sky grabbed he shoulder. ' Don't hurt him, it's just our pride.'
Wu's smirk turned into a whole smile. ' That's why I'm going to hurt his, by restoring yours.' She spun and said coolly to Whirlwind. ' Lacking? Comparing you and Sky!' She laughed manically 'You're the one who's lacking.'
Hou's jaw dropped as Sky's face bloomed scarlet, and Whirlwind's face turned ghost white with a scowl.
Wu dragged him away and whipped on the rest of her armour in a flash. As they walked back to the camp in silence Wu shuddered. ' I hope I'll never have to see another man's naked body again! Blek!'
Sky sighed, and cursed Whirlwind in his mind.
!
Wu tugged at Wild Flowers safety belt before she got into hers as they lifted off. Wild Flower giggled as Wu kissed her forehead and then shouted to Kang.
'What's the weather report Kang? Or should I say Lao!'
Kang laughed and shouted. 'Fine weather! The Heavens must be happy we're here! They will smile upon you as you kick the Emperor down a flight of well aimed kicks!'
Silk Fox hissed covering her black eye, which indecently was caused by Wu when she made on too many little comments about Zu. Sky smirked privately at this, looks like Wu wasn't going to be Empress after all.
Sky wondered what would happen when they arrived to the Palace.
'Dawn Star what's wrong?'
Sky looked over to find Wu leaning towards Dawn Star with a concerned look.
Dawn Star snapped out and said ' Nothing, there's just a lot to listen to when you get close in the Palace.'
When they got off all seemed quiet and peaceful, Wu looked at him and smiled. Maybe, just maybe their worrying yesterday was just that. Worrying. They would all live.
He could be with Wu.
A smiled etched across his face back, though more victorious then hopeful. But not everyone was just has happy.
'No! No. NO!' Wild Flower screamed and she screamed and withered on the ground. Sky's and Wu's faces pale at the same time to the same degree of white.
'Wild Flower are you okay?' They both rushed to her, hands trying to find someway to comfort the screaming girl.
'What's the little demon host doing now!' Silk Fox yelled. Wu stood up slowly, and the turned even more slowly. Balled her hand in a fist and then pulled it back fast stepping toward Fox fast. She cringed and screamed 'Okay Okay! I get it!'
Wu spun on the balls of her feet and her knees looked almost like they gave out she was down so fast. 'Wild Flower.' She said calmly stroking the little girls face motherly. 'What can I do to help?'
Her eyes went blue and her screams were cut short by the agonized voice of Chai Ka. ' Ya Zhen! He's to strong!'
For the first time ever he saw Wild Flowers eyes flash red.
'Ha! It's time to choose mortal! Choose the weak Chai Ka or strong Ya Zhen!'
Wu's face screwed up in anger. 'I will aid you Chai Ka.'
There was a light irrupting from Wild Flower's mouth. In that second Sky gripped Wu's arm, terrified of what was to happen next.
The light flashed out suddenly, fast and thick. And suddenly Sky wasn't in the Palace anymore.
He was in-between dimensions. Somehow.
Chai Ka and a giant toad were wrestling. Wu looked over to him. 'What's your choice?'
He knew she meant fight with her and Chai Ka. OR fight against her with the toad.
He smirked ' I never liked toads.'
Wu smiled and her blade rung in the nonexistent space, she danced forward, blade slicing off the toads arm.
Something shimmered around Chai Ka, or maybe it was just him. But this had to be how Wu saw her enemies.
Because suddenly all he could see was the Toad. Sky smiled, wanting to test this new ability.
He dashed over to the toad, but he was more graceful and deadly.
Wu popped into existence, and she smiled at him and they took down the toad with Chai Ka quickly, as the Toad screamed it's last Chai Ka got up, injured and bleeding green, but the victor.
'Thank you for what you have done. Both of you. Ya Zhen is not gone, but he is wounded. He will never be able to form in your world again, thank you.'
The light came again and Sky and Wu hit the ground hard.
Dawn Star rushed over to them. 'Are you okay?'
Wu and Sky both nodded. ' Demons fought in Wild Flowers body.' Sky explained to Dawn Star.
'We had to help,' Wu finished. 'What did we miss?'
The Princess looked pissed, Sky assumed that Wu wondered why.
The Princess glared at her. 'One of my servants here tried to prohibit me from entering my own home! Apparently my father doesn't want you here.'
Wu jumped up brushed herself off, and then helped Sky up. 'That may because he thinks we're guilty, or he is.'
Sky shrugged at Wu. 'Either way, it's time to explain everything taking place in the Empire right now.'
Wu and Sky walked towards the heavy looking door that blocked them from their enemies, while Whirlwind called. 'If you see any half naked serving girls, send them our way!'
Wu and Sky's lips flickered up as they drew their weapons and froze in the stance as Silk Fox opened there door waiting for the attack…
Nothing. The First room was empty.
There was a scattered laughed behind them as the other followers watched them. Shaking her head Wu walked forward with her weapon still in her hand by her side she opened the second door.
A maid chuckled to one of the hundred men placed in their way to the exit.
The women and the soldier ran before the fight began.
Wu danced towards her foe, but Sky's vision took a moment to work.
Suddenly only his enemies existed.
He suddenly found flow to the battle, almost a dance. Like Wu's, but he was the counterpart, they were in a duet, twirling in the loops of each others arms.
It was like a waltz, but as their blades fell again and again. The Soldiers, fighting nowhere near as beautiful and skilled dropped at his and her feet.
Soon they were alone, alone with the dead.
Except for the one Sky saw.
The last man, one that had cowered in the corner ran out as Wu moved towards the elevator. Sky walked over, blades out to kill.
The man dropped to his knees in front of Sky, tears clear and fast his hands pressing together, as if to pray. His words stuttered and he moaned every times he glanced at Sky's blades.
'Please! My wife! My children! They need me! I only joined because it paid well! I don't want to die! My daughters only a baby…'
Sky hesitated. Was he so different stealing to feed Pinmei? He knew the answer to that.
No.
'Go, leave, get a innocent job, because you may not get so lucky next time.'
The man looked in shock at Sky as Sky pulled him up. The man whispered. 'What is your name?'
Sky smirked. ' They call me Sky.'
The man nodded and gripped Sky's shoulder. ' I have no silver Sky, but I promise you, my next son will have you name.'
The man ran away, but Sky shouted out to the man, when the man looked at him and asked what was wrong Sky simply replied. ' Wu is a beautiful name for a daughter.'
The man blinked and then smiled and nodded, walking off into the sun light, there was something spiritual about Sky at that moment. He couldn't put his finger on it…
'Sky?' Wu shrieked.
Sky caught himself in the mirror before he saw her, A blue light shined from him, he laughed making it a joke. 'Guess Spirit Monk is contagious!'
The Lotus Blossom smirked, but said no reply…
'This is it. The throne room. I doubt my father will take your presence lightly. ' Silk Fox muttered under two voices arguing in the next room. This was Sky's last chance, he had to say something.
'I told you I wouldn't be a distraction,' That's a good way to start! Totally admit to breaking a vow! Sky thought sarcastically. ' I just wanted to say that… before you go… I' He couldn't say it. Not now, not if she didn't love him back.
'I want you to be careful.'
Wu's shoulders slumped a little. And Dawn Star behind him sighed. But Wu's lips curled up. ' That's quite a set up to something Whirlwind would have said. Are you sure nothing's on your mind?'
Sky had an internal battle. His reasoning one. ' Look you go! You win! We'll talk about this after. Don't mind me. I'm just a tongue tied fool today.'
Wu nodded. ' Be ready after this is over Sky.' And without another word she stepped out into the throne room.
He followed, to his most likely possible death.
The Emperor laughed at all reason, and Sky could see in Silk Fox's eyes that she saw her father exactly how he truly was.
She voiced it. But her father laughed again.
Something built in Sky's throat, something was wrong. The Emperor confirmed that.
'Kill the rest. Their unimportant.'
A Lotus Assassin came at Sky by the side which he sliced through easily from what he learned from Wu.
'I won't let you corrupt the Empire!'
'ENOUGH!'
There was a blast of power and Sky was knocked back, feeling his skull crack against the stone floor. Everything fuzzed out and went black.
Sky came around minutes later, He saw her standing at the base of three platforms showing her Master the Jade Heart and completed Dragon Amulet. Sky's heart lifted, as she placed the Jade Heart in her masters hand. He could not hear their worlds
They had one, she was his.
That's when her masters face changed into a wicked smile throwing the Heart in the air.
'Even the flaws!'
Connecting sharp blows into Wu's neck chest and throat.
No…
Wu stumbled backwards and for a slit she caught Sky's eyes.
Her black eyes wet cold with shock, but wet with tears.
Wu fell backwards landing with a cold thud, eyes staring out into the distance. Seeing nothing.
'NO!' Screamed Sky scooping her up as the others did battle, Dawn Star covered him as they ran towards the Magnificent Dragonfly. When they shut the door, silence drew long as all followers stared at Wu's dead cold face As Dawn Star cried into her top.
Kang flew until the tears that fell became to thick to see under his goggles. They had an emergency landing in the forest outside Tein's Landing were Kang sobbed along with the rest of them.
That night Wu's body had been put in a separate tent fro the rest of them. It would be burned tomorrow.
Sky looked out into the lake, tears adding in to the volume of it.
He was so stupid, thinking out of his own selfishness and his own embarrassment.
A different hand then the one he was used to touched his shoulder.
Dawn Star tear streaked whispered in a broken voice, in a way that a friend. And they had somehow become friends said to someone who lost a spouse. ' I asked Wu once, how she felt about you.'
Sky could only nod, tears streaming down faster.
Dawn Star's face seemed full together. Like she wanted to say this without pain in her voice. 'She told me the truth. She always had.'
Sky took a deep breath, 'And what… Dawn Star, please… What did she say.'
He looked at Dawn Stars face again, it was twisted up in pain.
'She told me that she was in love with you Sky.'
So it was true… And he never told her that the feeling were mutual.
'Sky are you okay?' Dawn Star could see it was coming, the breaking point. The shattering, strong as when his wife died, only he had Pinmei to remember her. Now Wu was dead, and he never got to tell her he loved her.
Suddenly he smashed to pieces completely shattered he dropped to his knees and screamed a sob to the moon, the Gods. For taking his Wu. His Lotus Blossom.
Dawn Star wrapped her arms around his shoulders as if trying to keep her last friend from loosing all of the pieces he that were shattering as she sobbed just as loudly as him.
Suddenly they weren't the only one. Even Whirlwind sobbed a drunken sob around the camp fire. The Princess sobbing into Wildflowers ruffled hair. And Sky corrected himself, for he wasn't the only one who loved Wu. In a different way of course, but they all did.
They lost Their Lotus Blossom.