Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a couple of weeks. I might have gotten sucked into watching The Untamed and the donghua, Mo Dao Zu Shi. *laughs* I could think of nothing else while watching through them (because they were that good). *sweatdrop* Anyways, here's another chapter! Enjoy!
-Chapter Ten-
"Hey San Lang?"
"Hm?"
"Do you have some red ribbon and a red bead of some sort?"
Golden eyes blinked as he looked at the lighter haired boy looking in the mirror. He'd just finished getting the hair extensions into his hair again after they'd dressed in the outfits they were going to go to the Ghost Festival for later that afternoon. They'd spent most of the day with San Lang showing him how to make another dish of food then enjoying a little television together.
"I think so. Why?"
"Oh nothing in particular."
Furrowing his brow, San Lang went over to his desk, opened a drawer, and rummaged inside for a moment before pulling out some red ribbon on a spool. He looked around again for a red bead and found one around the size of a large pearl.
"Will these work?"
"Perfect!" Xie Lian gave a smile as he came over and took both in hand. He threaded the ribbon through the bead, tied the end so it wouldn't fall off, then pulled enough off the spool. San Lang cut it where he showed him to. "Now go ahead and sit down facing me in your chair. And take out your hair tie."
"Okay." San Lang gave a curious blink before sitting down in his chair after pulling out his hair tie for his ponytail.
Reaching up, Xie Lian pulled a lock of hair forward on his right side that sat just behind his ear. He separated the lock into three sections after having the other boy hold the rest of his hair off to the side before braiding it with the red ribbon to the end. Taking the hair tie that had been used earlier, he secured the end so the bead hung down off it similar to how he'd seen Hua Cheng have it.
"There. That's better."
Blinking as he picked up the lock of braided hair, San Lang looked from it to Xie Lian. The younger teen gave a smile at him. Did he finally figure it out?
"I thought if I'm going as Taizi Dianxia and honouring your friend at the same time," he started to explain, "and you're going as my protector, that it would only be fitting if you went as Hua Cheng and honour him in the Ghost Festival." He gave a smile. "Besides, wouldn't it be the best costume combination? A crowned prince and a Ghost King?"
San Lang gave another surprised blink at the lighter haired boy. So he hadn't realised it yet? He gave a small smile regardless as he twisted the braid a little in his fingers.
"Yeah. I think that would be a good combination." He gave another smile as he stood up and dropped his hand away from the braid before coming forward, reached up, and adjusted Xie Lian's outer robe a little then touched the earring on his left ear.
Feeling his cheeks flush with warmth a little, Xie Lian gave a smile. The darker haired boy also smiled before turning and grabbed the golden mask off the desk with his own. Then grabbing a pouch bag from his closet, he slid both inside before tying it to his belt around his waist.
"Ready?" he asked the other boy. He decided he'd keep his hair down instead of in a ponytail like he originally was going to do.
"Yeah."
Heading downstairs after San Lang grabbed some money and stuck it in a small pouch then put it in a hidden pocket of his robes, they headed outside. They walked together towards the park that wasn't very far away. It sat near the edge of the woods farther down than Xie Lian's house.
"Oh wow! There's a lot of people here," Xie Lian pointed out as a large crowd of people walked about with the booths set up in a line of a few rows. Some people walked about in regular clothes and some dressed up in traditional Chinese attire both more modern and some with an impression of old fashioned like theirs.
Taking San Lang's hand in his, Xie Lian tugged him towards one of the booths. The darker haired boy gave a slight blush but smiled as he followed along. Checking out a few booths, they then headed over to the small stage set up for the costume contest to enter.
"Ah look!" Xie Lian pointed out as he spotted a couple of familiar faces at a booth near the stage. He grinned before calling out. "Nan Feng! Fu Yao!" Two sets of dark brown eyes turned their way as the lighter haired teen gave a wave.
"What the hell are you wearing?" Nan Feng asked as both he and Fu Yao came walking over. They gave him and San Lang confused looks at their outfits.
"You're entering the costume contest?" Fu Yao also asked, raising an eyebrow at them. The two of them were in plain, modern clothes.
"Y-yeah."
"Who are you supposed to be going as?" Fu Yao asked.
"Taizi Dianxia of Xianle."
"Xianle?" Both of them blinked in confusion.
"It's an old kingdom from more than a thousand years ago," San Lang pointed out. "Taizi Dianxia was the last prince of the kingdom before it fell."
"Okay so how did you get your hair so long? A wig?" Nan Feng asked as he looked at Xie Lian.
"Eh heh. No, actually they're hair extensions," the lighter haired teen said as he played with the long lock of hair sitting in front of his ears on his right side. "San Lang ordered them."
"Seriously?" The two raised eyebrows at the darker haired teen.
"I wanted it to be as authentic as possible," San Lang replied with a shrug. "Honouring Taizi Dianxia at the Ghost Festival seems better when one actually looks more like him."
"So what are you supposed to be?" Fu Yao asked the golden hazel eyed boy.
"I was supposed to be Wu Ming, a protector of Taizi Dianxia," San Lang replied as he brought his hand up to play with the braided lock of hair.
"I told him instead he should go as Hua Cheng," Xie Lian added with a smile as the other two's eyes got wide.
"Hua Cheng?!" both stated in surprise as they stared at the boy in the black robes.
"Yeah. I even braided his hair like how Hua Cheng had it that night in the woods," Xie Lian smiled. "Though he didn't have anything that would have resembled Hua Cheng's outfit at the last minute. But this is good enough." He gave a pause. "Besides, going as a Ghost King for the Ghost Festival is like the best dedication ever."
Fu Yao gave a roll of his eyes as Nan Feng shook his head.
"You'd be happy if Hua Cheng himself came strolling out of the woods and showed up here I bet," Nan Feng commented.
Xie Lian felt his cheeks flush with warmth a little as he glanced towards San Lang. He brought his hand up to give a small scratch at the side of his neck in embarrassment while giving a little nervous laugh.
"Who knows? He might be among anyone here today," San Lang pointed out with a nonchalant shrug.
"What do you mean?" Fu Yao asked, confused.
"Well he is a Ghost King, remember? And the most powerful one." San Lang gave a smile. "He also has the ability to transform his appearance to blend in."
"What?!" Fu Yao and Nan Feng gave blinks before glancing around at the people nearby.
"So you mean any one of these people could be him?" Nan Feng asked in surprise.
"You've got to be kidding me," Fu Yao commented but also seemed surprised.
"It's a possibility," the darker haired teen shrugged.
"Would someone like him even like to come to events like this?" Nan Feng asked curiously. "I mean, he doesn't seem like he'd be one to come to festivals."
"Of course he would," Xie Lian spoke up, getting three sets of eyes turned to him. He gave a blink and slightly flustered look. "I mean, well….Ghost King or not, he's still got feelings. And well, I'm sure he enjoys some fun things." A soft blush turned his cheeks a slight pink as he glanced at San Lang.
"You really are strange," Nan Feng said with a small huff of a laugh at his flustered friend.
"But I suppose that's what makes you, you," Fu Yao added with a shrug and gave a small smile.
San Lang gave a blink at the two boys as Xie Lian gave an embarrassed laugh while rubbing the side of his neck a little for a moment. Despite the other boys' words, it seemed they weren't of malice since Xie Lian smiled then pointed towards a booth behind them.
"Hey let's go check out that one!" Xie Lian said before grabbing San Lang's hand and started heading for it. The other two boys followed.
"A fortune teller?" Fu Yao furrowed his brow at the sign on the top of the booth.
"Seriously?" Nan Feng shook his head in disbelief.
"I think it's neat," the brown eyed teen smiled as he looked at the black robed teen beside him. "Do you want to do a reading with me?"
"M-me?" Golden hazel eyes blinked in surprise. Those brown orbs looking at him left him defenceless. "Sure."
Stepping up to the booth, the grey haired woman on the other side smiled at them. "Come for a reading, young ones?"
"Yes please," Xie Lian smiled as he looked at San Lang. The black robed boy smiled before pulling out the small bag of money and paid the woman.
"Alright. Let me see both of your hands," she spoke up as she held out both of her own somewhat wrinkled hands. Xie Lian put his left hand in her left one palm up as San Lang did the same with his own right hand palm up. "Ah. I see strength and courage is strong with you." She nodded towards Xie Lian. "It looks like your future is promising to be a fulfilled one." She looked at San Lang's palm. "And yours, young man..." A curious look came across her face. "I see persistence and perseverance. Through rough times you are still true to yourself. You are blessed with good luck as well." She gave a small furrow of her brow at both hands before it softened and a smile graced her lips. "And it seems both of your fates are interconnected."
"Interconnected?" Xie Lian gave a blink before glancing at the darker haired boy.
"Yes. It's very strong. As strong as a red ribbon."
Xie Lian gave a small blush as he glanced at the other teen again. There was a faint blush on his cheeks as well. The older woman gave a smile and chuckled as she brought both of their hands together between her hands.
"It's a very long lasting fate spread across many centuries and many lifetimes. I see there's been some sadness from the past. However, this time there seems to be blessed fortune to you both that will be everlasting."
Brown eyes met honey coloured ones as the older woman continued to hold their hands together for another moment then let go. Both teens felt their cheeks warm up as they pulled their hands away from the other.
"T-thank you," Xie Lian finally spoke up before giving a small smile and bowing to her.
"You're welcome child," she replied with a smile. The two started to turn away. "And you, young man…" San Lang turned back to her. "Take care of that one. I know you don't want to lose him again."
Blinking in surprise, San Lang gave a nod while the other three gave confused looks. After all, the last part she'd spoken to the darker haired teen had been in an older dialect used by very few. He was a little surprised she knew it and knew that he knew it. But what she'd spoken of with their fortunes and pasts...it hadn't been a lie. She was definitely genuine.
Turning, the darker haired boy started heading down the walkway of booths. Xie Lian, Fu Yao, and Nan Feng quickly caught up with confused looks on their faces.
"What did she say to you?" Nan Feng asked curiously.
"What even was that?" Fu Yao added. "I couldn't understand her."
"It's an ancient dialect that's used only by a small group of people," the black robed teen said as they stopped beside another booth several stalls down.
"And you understood her how?" Nan Feng asked.
"I studied some of the ancient dialects," he replied with a shrug and smile. Fu Yao raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm a history and language buff. What can I say?" He gave a grin.
"Oh so then you're saying you're a geek?" Nan Feng poked at him.
"No it would be more nerd than geek," Fu Yao pointed out.
"Geek. Nerd. Same difference," Nan Feng replied.
"Not really. Nerds are more intellectual while geeks are more collection oriented," Fu Yao argued.
"So you're saying you're also a nerd then?" Nan Feng jeered at his friend.
"Are you trying to start something with me?" the teen argued back.
"Hey, hey. It's both, okay?" Xie Lian interjected as he stepped between the two and put a hand on each of their shoulders. The two looked at him then sighed as Fu Yao rolled his eyes at Nan Feng. San Lang suppressed most of his amusement so only a small smirk played at his lips. "Let's enjoy the rest of the festival."
Heading down the row of booths, the four of them looked at the various things that were being sold, both as food and drinks or keepsake items. They stopped to eat some snacks, both Xie Lian and San Lang being careful not to get anything on their outfits.
Continuing walking along, Xie Lian noticed a booth selling some traditional umbrellas. One in a bright red sat open for display. He wandered to it, touching the top of it lightly.
"See something you like?"
Brown eyes turned to the black robed teen as he came up beside him. "Oh, well...it caught my eye," Xie Lian replied. "It's the same shade of red that you and Hua Cheng both wear."
"Did you know Hua Cheng has one similar to this one?" San Lang said as he picked it up and held it over the two of them.
"He does?"
"Mmhmm." He smiled softly before handing the umbrella's handle to Xie Lian. Then pulling out his pouch of money, went up to the booth owner and paid for it. "It's yours now."
"I-I...uh…" The lighter haired teen gave a small flush of his cheeks. "T-thank you."
"It'll also go great with your costume when we go on stage." The darker haired teen chuckled softly at the other boy's sheepish look. "Speaking of, we should probably head that way. They'll be starting the contest soon."
"O-oh yeah." Xie Lian gave a small nervous laugh. He followed San Lang through the crowd of people after putting the umbrella down.
Getting to the stage, they met up with Fu Yao and Nan Feng, who had wandered off on their own for a little while after they'd gotten done eating. San Lang pulled off the pouch bag with the masks and handed both to Xie Lian before tying it back to his belt. He then helped the lighter haired teen get his mask on and tied it before Xie Lian did the same for him.
"That is the creepiest mask I've ever seen," Fu Yao said as he looked at the white mask San Lang was wearing.
"You're telling me," Nan Feng agreed.
"It's supposed to be intimidating," San Lang replied, his voice a slight bit muffled from behind the mask. "Scaring off threats that would harm Taizi Dianxia is what it's meant for."
"You have a point. I wouldn't want to come anywhere near someone with that on," Nan Feng spoke up.
"Agreed," Fu Yao nodded as Xie Lian gave a small chuckle.
Waiting a little bit longer, the contest started as the other applicants came up to the stage one by one. When it was time for Xie Lian and San Lang to go up, the lighter haired boy was a bit nervous.
"Relax Gege," San Lang spoke softly through the mask as he took his hand in his. Brown orbs turned to look at him with a blink, the mask hiding the slight flush of pink on his cheeks.
"And this here is Taizi Dianxia of Xianle and his protector, Hua Cheng the Ghost King," the announcer spoke up as he read off the card for their entry they'd submitted earlier. The small crowd up at the stage gave murmurs and ooo's as the two walked towards the middle of the stage. Xie Lian had his umbrella with him like San Lang suggested and opened it as they stood there.
"Oh wow. That one boy really looks like a prince."
"The other's a Ghost King?"
"That mask definitely is creepy enough to be for a Ghost King."
"A prince and a Ghost King? That's amusing."
"I really like it. They put a lot of effort into their costumes."
"Right? It looks like they really stepped out of the past."
"Alright folks. Make sure you cast your vote for the best single and duo costumes," the announcer spoke up again after the two had stepped off the stage. "We'll be tallying them up in thirty minutes to decide on the winners."
"I was so nervous," Xie Lian said when he and the darker haired teen had met up with Fu Yao and Nan Feng after getting off the stage.
"You did fine, Gege." San Lang gave him a smile after pulling his mask up to reveal his face again.
"Yeah. No doubt you'll be the winners," Nan Feng commented.
"Did you hear the crowd? They really liked your outfits," Fu Yao pointed out.
Xie Lian gave an embarrassed laugh but smiled softly as he looked at the black robed teen beside him. His mask hid the slight blush on his cheeks again.
"While we're waiting, I'm going to go check out a few other booths real quick," Nan Feng said as he pointed towards a few.
"Okay," the lighter haired teen smiled.
"Oy, wait for me," Fu Yao said as the other teen headed off.
"I guess it's just us for a few then?" Xie Lian said as he fidgeted a little with his hands.
"I guess so, Gege." He gave a soft smile as they wandered to a booth near the stage again.
"Want me to go grab us a drink?" Xie Lian asked after a moment.
"I can get it," San Lang smiled. "I'll be right back."
Nodding, Xie Lian watched him disappear through the slight crowd to go find one of the stalls selling drinks. He looked back at the items in the booth he was at.
"Banyue! Banyue? Where are you?"
Looking over towards a woman walking through the crowd, Xie Lian gave a small furrow of his brow. The woman stopped someone and asked if they'd seen her daughter but the person gave a shake of his head. He turned and headed towards the woman.
"Is something wrong?" Xie Lian asked the woman. She gave a blink at him since was still wearing his mask but recognised him from the stage.
"My daughter. She's gone missing," the woman replied. "She's only four years old."
"I'll help you find her."
"Oh thank you so much!"
"Banyue?" they called together as they looked around.
"Sir, have you seen a little girl by herself running around here?" Xie Lian asked another passerby.
"No sorry."
"Ma'am? Have you seen a little girl around here?" She's about this tall." Xie Lian put his hand down about the size her mother showed him.
"I think I might have seen her," the woman nodded and pointed off to the side. "She went that way."
Looking up in the direction she was pointing, Xie Lian noticed the woods weren't too far away. The sun was going down and the woods were already getting a dark shadow through the trees.
"Promise me you won't go into the woods at night."
Remembering the warning the golden hazel eyed teen had given him, Xie Lian pulled his lips into a thin line. If the girl had wandered in there, she wouldn't be safe from all of the other ghosts that he'd been warned about.
'I'm sorry San Lang,' he thought to himself as he started heading towards the woods quickly with his umbrella in hand. Maybe at least he could use that against the other ghosts if need be.
Getting to the woods, he ran into the trees and looked around. "Banyue?" he called as he wandered further in. It was already starting to get hard to see. "Banyue?"
"Momma?"
The sound of a child crying came to his ears as he continued further in until he couldn't see the festival's lights anymore. It got darker until he could barely see in front of him.
"Banyue?" The sound of crying got closer until he nearly tripped over the young girl. He could barely see her in the dark as she sat huddled and crying.
"W-who are you?" she asked through sniffles.
"A friend who'll take you back to your mother," Xie Lian replied with a soft smile as she stood and clung to him while he knelt down in front of her.
Suddenly a soft growling sound resonated in the darkness not far from where they were. Xie Lian looked up to see two sets of glowing greenish yellow eyes blinking at him in the pitch black. Another set showed up as another growl resonated afterwards. They were lower down and it sounded like growls wolves or a dog would make. A fourth set also appeared.
'Crap. This is bad,' Xie Lian gulped silently to himself as he pulled the little girl into his arms. She gave a scared cry since she'd heard the growling as well. He turned, shielding the girl as he heard the sounds of movements towards him and more growls resonate from behind. Squeezing his eyes shut, he could only call out his friend's name mentally. 'San Lang!'
Suddenly, he heard the growls cut off and instead give small whines while the soft footsteps of theirs moved further away. Opening his eyes, he turned to look over his shoulder to see several silvery translucent butterflies fluttering around. There was a shadowy figure standing between him and the glowing eyes that were slowly retreating. A figure that was dressed in crimson as the butterflies fluttered near, illuminating the darkness with their soft glowing wings.
"H-Hua Cheng?" he whispered softly as the figure turned to look at him; his right red eye giving a slight glow while his black left one remained normal.
Taking a step away from him, Hua Cheng glanced back at the glowing eyes as they turned and disappeared into the darkness. He glanced back at Xie Lian still staring at him as he shielded the girl in his arms. A small smile graced his lips before he suddenly turned into a bunch of silvery butterflies. Xie Lian gave a gasp in surprise as they all disappeared but one that fluttered towards him.
"It's so pretty," the little girl said as it fluttered around them before heading off through the trees, pausing and fluttering in the air.
Realising the butterfly was going to show them the way out, Xie Lian had Banyue hold onto the umbrella before he picked her up in his arms. He started walking towards the butterfly as it started fluttering away again. It was a few minutes before he could hear voices in the dark as several beams of light cut through the darkness.
"Banyue?"
"Banyue, where are you?"
"Mommy?" the little girl spoke up hearing her mother's voice in the distance.
"Xie Lian?" He could hear Fu Yao's voice calling.
"Xie Lian?" That time it was Nan Feng.
"Gege?"
'San Lang?' Xie Lian gave a blink as he paused for a moment and glanced back in the direction they'd come. Wasn't San Lang really Hua Cheng? But if he was over there then how had he been right in front of him and those one ghosts?
Giving a mental shake of his head, he started heading towards the beams of light that were getting closer. The silvery butterfly above circled around them a couple of times before floating upwards towards the tops of the trees and disappeared.
"I'm over here!" he called out as he started for the nearest beam of light. The person came towards him quickly, a darkened shadow in the night. His eyes widened at the familiar face as they got closer.
"Gege!" The darker haired boy stopped in front of him as Xie Lian gave a soft sigh in relief. "Didn't I tell you not to go into the woods at night?"
"Eh heh. Well…" The lighter haired boy looked to the girl in his arms as she looked at San Lang. "I couldn't leave her alone."
A small smile just like the one Hua Cheng had given tugged his lips upwards as honey coloured eyes looked beyond into the darkness for a moment.
"Xie Lian!"
"Banyue!"
"Over here!" San Lang called as the others headed in his direction while he turned the beam upwards to indicate where he was. It only took a few minutes for the others to get to him.
"Mommy!" the girl said as she reached a hand out towards her mother. San Lang took the umbrella as Xie Lian held her out to her mother.
"Oh Banyue! Don't run off like that, you hear me?" the mother spoke but also gave a few tears of happiness that she'd been reunited with her daughter in one piece. She hugged her daughter before looking at Xie Lian. "Thank you so much, young man. I don't know how I could ever repay you for finding her out here."
"I-it was nothing," Xie Lian replied with a small smile. He turned to the darker haired teen as he handed back his umbrella.
"We should probably get back to the festival," San Lang said, glancing to the darkness beyond as the wind shifted ever so slightly.
"Yeah these woods are creepy at night," Fu Yao pointed out as he gave a small shiver.
"I'm right with you," Nan Feng agreed.
"Stick together as we go back," one of the festival security that had helped search with them said. Everyone nodded in agreement as they turned and headed back the way they'd come.
Reaching out his hand, Xie Lian grabbed onto San Lang's hand. He noticed that his hand felt colder to the touch instead of the usual warmth it held. The darker haired teen turned his head to look at him with a blink. Xie Lian didn't say anything but instead squeezed his hand gently before lacing his fingers with the other boy's. The darkness concealed the faint blush that crept across the black robed boy's cheeks before he gave Xie Lian's a soft squeeze in return.
Emerging from the woods after several more minutes of walking, there were some cheers from a small crowd near the edge of the stage that was facing them. Xie Lian gave a blink and small blush as he looked at San Lang then Fu Yao and Nan Feng in confusion.
"Some of the others heard you had run into the woods to go find the little girl," Nan Feng pointed out.
"You're a hero," Fu Yao added.
"Why don't you come up to the stage young man," the announcer spoke as he beckoned Xie Lian over.
"Come on," San Lang smiled softly before tugging his hand a little and led the lighter haired teen over to the stage. The mother and daughter made their way over as well.
"Let's hear it for this young man who went to find this little girl in the woods," the announcer said as he motioned towards the teen on the stage standing next to the black robed boy. Another small cheer went through the crowd.
Feeling his cheeks flush with warmth at the attention he was getting, Xie Lian was glad his mask was still on his face to hide how red his cheeks had to be. He felt San Lang give his hand a small squeeze before they stood back off to the side. The announcer then brought up a piece of paper that contained the results of the contest while the others came up to the stage. He announced the winner of the singular costume contest as the contestant came forward and bowed before getting a little medallion to commemorate their win.
"And the winner of the couples costume contest is…" He looked at the paper. "Taizi Dianxia and his protector, Hua Cheng."
Blinking, brown eyes looked towards golden hazel ones before the black robed teen took his hand again and pulled him forward so they could receive their medallions. Both gave bows and nodded after being handed the medals.
"Let's thank all our contestants for participating today," the announcer spoke, waving his hand towards the contestants on the stage as cheers came from the crowd. All the others came forward and gave bows before exiting the stage.
"I have to say, you have guts man," Nan Feng said as the two came back over to their waiting friends. "Going into those woods to save that girl."
"See any ghosts in there?" Fu Yao prodded with a raised eyebrow.
"Actually I did," Xie Lian replied with a nod as he finally slid his mask up to sit on top of his head. The two gave disbelieving looks. "I found the girl and then there were four sets of glowing green eyes that showed up. And growling like wolves or something."
"There shouldn't be wolves this close to town though," Nan Feng commented.
"Ghost wolves maybe," San Lang pointed out as the other two glanced at him.
"I guess I got a little scared since it wasn't like I could outrun them in the dark carrying Banyue," Xie Lian continued after golden hazel eyes looked back at him. "So I just sort of covered her and tried to protect her." He gave a small pause. "But then I heard them give whines like being commanded back away from me. When I looked up, there was a shadowy figure there with silver, translucent butterflies that glowed flying around." He gave a small smile. "It was Hua Cheng. He came to save us both."
"Did he fight off those ghost wolves then?" Fu Yao asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Like with that weapon he has? What was it again?" Nan Feng added.
"Scimitar," San Lang said.
"Yeah that," Nan Feng nodded.
"No. He just looked at them and they backed away," Xie Lian replied with a small shake of his head.
"Where's the fun in that?" Fu Yao asked with a small roll of his eyes.
"Because they knew who's king," San Lang pointed out as three sets of eyes looked at him. He gave a nonchalant shrug. "Just saying what I know."
"So then what happened?" Nan Feng asked.
"He gave me a small smile before turning into a bunch of those silver butterflies that disappeared except one," the lighter haired teen continued. "That one helped show the way to get towards the edge of the woods until I saw you guys with the flashlights. Then it disappeared and I ran into San Lang first," He looked towards the black robed teen before giving a small smile.
"I still say it sounds weird that a Ghost King would help a human out," Fu Yao huffed slightly.
"Weird but lucky I guess," Nan Feng shrugged before giving a small yawn. "Geez. It's already getting late." He glanced at his watch and groaned. "And I told Mom I'd be home as soon as the costume contest was over since she knew I wanted to see the winners."
"Yeah. It might be a good idea before it gets any later," Fu Yao nodded in agreement. "We still have a little bit of a walk back home." He glanced towards the woods and gave a shiver.
"I'm sure Hua Cheng will keep an eye on you two as you walk home," Xie Lian smiled. The two raised eyebrows at him as chocolate coloured eyes looked to the darker haired teen next to him. "Right San Lang?"
Blinking at the younger teen, San Lang gave a small smile. "Of course he should." He gave a small pause. "I mean, he does protect those he finds worth protecting."
"If you see any of those silver butterflies on your way home, it's probably him watching over you," Xie Lian smiled.
"Okay...a bit creepy." Nan Feng gave a shrug. "But, eh...I suppose I'll take it more than some other creepy ghost." He turned to Fu Yao. "Ready to go then?"
"Yeah I guess." The other teen sighed slightly then looked at the other two. "I know you don't have far to go to your house, Xie Lian." He paused glancing at the darker haired boy. "Though I don't know how far you have to go."
"Actually my house isn't far from Gege's," the black robed teen smiled. "It's only a few blocks away."
"Geez. Lucky." Nan Feng huffed slightly. "Well still, stay safe walking home."
"Same to you two," Xie Lian nodded, watching the two of them turn to head off through the crowd that was beginning to get smaller as others started to head home.
"Are you ready to go back, Gege?"
"Yeah I guess so," Xie Lian replied with a small yawn.
Heading through the crowd after taking their masks and putting them back in the pouch bag San Lang had, the two made their way out onto the darkened street away from the festivities. Xie Lian reached out and took the black robed boy's hand, who gave a blink in surprise, but smiled softly before lacing his fingers with the other's. It didn't take too long before they got back to San Lang's house and he opened the door to let them inside.
"Crap. I'm sure my mom will be expecting me home after the festival," Xie Lian groaned before giving a yawn as he slid off his shoes. "But I'm too tired to walk home now, even though it's not that far."
"Don't worry. You go upstairs to change and I'll give her a call, okay Gege?"
"S-sure." He gave a small nod and started for the stairs. "I hope she won't be hard on you for calling instead of me."
"I'm sure I can talk some sense into her reasonably." He gave a smile before making a shooing motion with his hands.
Watching the other boy go to the stairs, clearly tired, San Lang headed for the kitchen where the phone was at. He picked it up as he listened for a moment, hearing the soft steps of Xie Lian upstairs in his room. With a hand held up in front of him, a silvery butterfly fluttered over to land on his finger. It flapped its wings a couple of times as he dialled the number to Xie Lian's house.
"Hello?" his mother answered after a couple of rings.
"Mrs. Xie?" a woman's voice spoke coming from the butterfly as San Lang held the phone near it. "It's San Lang's mother. I wanted to let you know both of them returned from the festival alright. Though it seems they're pretty tired from a long day. I don't mind having Xie Lian spend the night again since it's also gotten pretty late out.
There was a small silence on the other end. "I guess if it's fine with you, he can stay."
"Alright. I'll make sure he gets sent home tomorrow."
"Can I talk to him for a moment?"
"Sure. One moment." The butterfly flitted its wings a couple more times before Xie Lian's voice resonated from it. "Yeah Mom?"
"You're not being a bother to them are you?"
"No I'm not. It's been fun actually. And you'll never believe it, but San Lang and I won the contest for best costume duo tonight. It was great. Fu Yao and Nan Feng were also there. We had an awesome time together."
"I see. Well, I suppose that's good. But don't overstay your welcome. You better come home tomorrow. Even if you have the week off from school, you don't need to be out all the time. You should still keep up on your studies."
"Yes Mother. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Hearing the click of the phone as his mother hung up, San Lang clicked it off and set it back down. He gave a nod to the butterfly before it fluttered up into the air, flew a little bit away before disappearing. Then turning, he headed for the stairs and up to his room. Xie Lian was on the bed, flopped over on his pillow. He'd managed to get on the pyjamas he'd borrowed the night before but he still had the extensions in his hair.
"Gege?" He came over to the other boy who had his eyes closed.
"Hmmm?" Brown eyes barely opened to look at the black robed boy. "Did my mom say I could?"
"Yeah she said it was alright since we were both tired from the long day." He gave a small chuckle. "Why don't we get those extensions out of your hair." Though he really liked how natural they had looked throughout the festival.
"Okay." Xie Lian sat up with a little help from San Lang before the black robed teen quickly but carefully unclipped all of them from his hair and pulled the hair tie out that gave him the small bun at the back of his head.
Taking the hair pieces, hair tie, and the earring that Xie Lian took off over to the desk, San Lang gave a small laugh as the other boy flopped back over on his pillow. His eyes remained closed as the darker haired boy took the pouch bag off his belt and set it on his desk then the small bag with money in it. He went over to hang up the outfit Xie Lian had worn that he'd draped over the desk chair. Lastly, he glanced at the other boy that appeared sound asleep before disrobing his own outfit and hung it up.
Changing into his own pyjamas, San Lang reached up to the braided lock of hair before twisting it slightly in his fingers while walking back over to the bed.
"Gege?" The only answer was a soft sigh, signalling that the other boy was already sound asleep.
Smiling softly while a small blush crept across his cheeks, he pulled back the blankets gently from underneath the sleeping teen and scooted him over some so he could get in too. He looked up as another silvery butterfly fluttered in through the window and circled around him. A small smile tugged his lips up knowing that Fu Yao and Nan Feng had gotten home and inside safely. After all, they were friends. And Xie Lian also cared for them. It would make the younger teen sad if something had happened to either one of them. He knew that from watching their interactions.
Watching the butterfly flutter a few more times in the air before disappearing, San Lang turned off the light before coming over and slid in under the blankets beside Xie Lian. He brushed a little hair back that had fallen somewhat into his face.
"Goodnight Gege. I'm glad you're safe." After all, he'd had to use his magic tonight to quickly appear as his normal self and make sure those ghost wolves knew their place before going back to himself as he was now.
Brushing his hand lightly across the sleeping boy's cheek, he gave another smile before pulling his hand back to him. Then with a soft sigh, he closed his eyes. Xie Lian's warmth lulled him to sleep quickly.
Well, that's the chapter. Xie Lian and San Lang had quite the fun day with the festival. *grins* And with Xie Lian being selfless trying to find the missing Banyue in the woods. Of course, San Lang would come to the rescue. Can't let his beloved get hurt. *grins more*
Plus, I couldn't resist having the Ghost Festival be turned into an actual festival over the years compared to in the olden days when so many avoided going out at night (like more in the donghua).
Also, the language that the fortune teller spoke to San Lang I figured would be the same language his mother spoke to him as a child. Played on what MXTX mentioned about Hua Cheng's mother's origins. *smiles*
Anyways, thanks again for reading and I'll update again soon! *runs off to go finish re-watching The Untamed again*