1 My Eyes Never Left You

Quadel, Empire of Myanis

The Sun stood high in the sky as it shone its light down on the infinite plains of the village. The farmlands gave the surface of the land colorfulness that further had its features glisten with the golden light of the sun. Many little farmhouses could be seen spread out across these lands.

Men could be seen working in the fields, tending to the many miles of agriculture that adorned the small village. Birds flew throughout the infinite sky seemingly searching for a chance to savor the many fruit and herbs growing on the field that it deemed food.

*Clack!*

A man threw his shovel into the dirt. Using his hand, he wiped the many beads of sweat trickling down his head. Look further down the field to his friend, he shouted.

"You've done plenty of work today! Go tend to your wife, I'm sure she's exhausted taking care of your child all day. Go on ahead, not much work left to do anyways."

The friend of the man he was talking to glanced up at him.

"It's alright. I wouldn't want to bother my wife's 'women' time anyway. It was a coincidence that my wife and her friend had their child at the same time, and now all they want to do is make sure my son and her daughter spend every second together. I guess they want them to grow up to be just like their mothers."

The man laughed.

"Hahaha! Feng, at least you won't have to worry about your son finding a way to continue the bloodline!"

The man continued to laughed out loud. The wrinkles on his face showed his old age. He had white hair and beard, and even at his old age, he still stood tall.

Feng shook his head at his grandfathers antics as he smiled at the old man.

***

The Moon loomed over Quadel. Even without the sun present, the fields didn't lose its luster. The white light of the moon gave the village a mythical atmosphere. The many farmhouses had smoke rising out of their chimneys.

Inside a specific farmhouse, two women held their baby's in their arms.

"Mei, when do you plan to teach your son how to farm?"

Mei, the mother of the boy in her arms looked over to her childhood friend, Huiying.

"Why? You already want to put my son to work?" Mei said as she rocked back and forth slowly in her chair.

Huiying laughed, waving her hand in the air.

"Of course not"

She cupped her arms around the baby girl in her arms as she lifted her up to face the boy.

"I would love to have Jia start learning at the same time~"

Jia, the baby girl in her hands, laid her eyes upon the sleeping boy in his mothers arms. That boy was Jilun.

"Ah, they aren't even a year old yet! No need to be in such a hurry. I'm sure they'll have plenty of time in the future to do everything together."

The mothers smiled at each other. Though Jia's eyes never left Jilun.

***

8 years had passed.

Jilun and Jia celebrated many birthdays together. Though they consisted of only the families of the two, it was all they needed to create the many wonderful memories. Jilun and Jia had grown older now. They learned to talk after the countless hours the pair of mothers spent after their 3rd birthdays, being able to speak full sentences, making the pair of mothers proud.

On his 8th birthday, Jilun decided he wanted to help his dad with the farm, Jia innocently followed along with his idea, wanting to be anywhere he was like the sun and moon.

"Jilunnnnn I don't want to do this no moreeeee"

Jia pulled on Jiluns sleeve as she threw her shovel on the floor.

"Jia no, we have to help father. You promised to help me." Jilun said annoyingly.

Tears started to well up in Jia's eyes. She grabbed his sleeve tighter.

"No! I don't want to do this!" She said as she raised her leg, kicking her shovel further away from her.

Jilun saw the shovel fly into a patch of herb plants as it smashed them, damaging and disorienting the garden.

Anger flooded his face.

He knew his father had finally allowed him to help in the fields after long consideration, and seeing Jia recklessly smash herb plants he was supposed to take care off, he knew that if his father saw this, he may never let him help again.

In his fit of anger, Jilun pushed Jia off him, causing her to fall onto her butt. Jia remained still in shock as tears flowed down her cheeks. Jilun had never put his hands on her before like this.

"You go leave if you don't want to help!"

Tears fell further down her cheeks as she got back on her feet and ran back towards the farmhouse.

Jilun felt bad as he saw the crying Jia, but pretended to pay no attention to her behavior as he walked to the herb garden to pick up the shovel. He began rearranging the mess the shovel caused.

***

The Sun started to set. It was now nearing night, and Jilun was still hard at work. He suddenly heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw his father.

"Dad!"

He ran up to him and hugged him.

"I finished the Garden you told me to do!"

As Jilun was hugging his father, he felt two taps on his back. Jilun looked up confusingly at his fathers face.

"Your mother wants to talk to you."

Jilun tilted his head.

"Mom? Why?"

Feng grabbed Jiluns hand as he walked toward the farmhouse.

"Your mother will explain."

After entering the farmhouse, Feng led Jilun to his room where he, his father and his mother slept. Upon entering the room, he saw Jia and his mother sitting on his bed.

Jilun approached his mother.

"Yes mom?"

Mei looked at her son before turning to look at Jia.

"Jia has something to say to you."

Jias head was lowered as she remained quiet even after a couple seconds, so Mei tapped on her shoulder, prompting her to speak.

"I'm sorry for kicking the shovel."

Jilun looked confused at his mom before seen her nod.

"Now what do you say, Jilun?"

Jilun turned to face Jia, her head still lowered.

"It's okay."

After acknowledging Jias apology, Jilun turned back to face his mother, seeing her face still sporting a frown, it confused him. His mother always wore a smile whenever he saw her, this made him feel uncomfortable.

"Do you have anything you should apologize for, Jilun?"

Jilun shook his head. Mei sighed as she continued.

"What Jia did was wrong, but what you did was worse. You should never get physical. You guys have grown up together, there isn't anything you can't talk out."

She reached out her hand as she caressed Jiluns head.

"So, what do you say?"

Jilun finally understood what his mother wanted from him.

"I'm sorry for pushing you Jia."

Jia finally raised her head as she made a pouting face and turned away.

"I do not accept."

Jilun made an annoyed face as he turned around to looked at his father. His father in returned shrugged.

"Your mothers talking with you, not me."

Jilun again turned around to face Jia. Letting out a deep breath, Jilun finally spoke.

"What can I do to make it up to you?"

Jia face revealed a smiled, a complete contrast from her usual demeanor. Even so, with her head still facing away from him, she replied in a teary voice.

"I want you to play with me for a week."

Jiluns eyebrows dropped. A whole week? Today was his first day helping his father, but now he can't for a week!?

Seeing his mothers face remain unchanging, he could tell she already knew of this beforehand. Seeing no other option, he gave in.

"Fine."

Jia smiled disappeared as she regained her normal demeanor. She turned around to face him as she jumped at him. Wrapping her arms around him, she hugged him tightly.

"I accept your apology." She said in a shy tone.

Mei let the two hug for a while before walking up to them.

"Jilun, Jia still needs to get ready for bed. I'll walk her over to Huiying while you go take a bath."

Separating Jia from Jilun, she gently cupped her hand with hers as she led her out of the room. The whole time, Jias eyes never left Jilun. Though Jilun wouldn't know this as he was still facing forward, seemingly in shock at what he just agreed too. Feng saw his sons mood drop as he walked up to him and patted his back.

"Haha Jilun, in the future you will thank your mother!"

Feng laughed as Jiluns mouth formed a frown.

***

Outside the farmhouse, Jia still was looking at Jiluns room as she was being led by Mei. Mei noticed this as she giggled.

"You'll have plenty of time to play with him tomorrow. You got a week, remember?"

Jia finally took her eyes off the farmhouse.

"Yes hehehe"

Jia's eyes shone a mysterious red.