21 Encounter

Liu Xue found that the rabbit tasted a bit like chicken, though with a slightly stronger, meatier, earthier flavor.

That was the best he could to describe it; he was no foodie or food critic. The overall flavor was a few notches worse because of the cook of the meat. Though the A-grade grill gave it a terrific sear, his temperatures were off. He made a mental note to rotate both sides of the meat more evenly: some chunks he bit into were overdone and much too dry; others a tad too pink and chewy.

The latter he tossed to the little fox, who gobbled it all up with glee. It finished its portion of the thigh before he could blink. Liu Meng was slowly chewing her second or third chunk while it sat by the grill-top, drool continuously dripping, desire not shy from its eyes. He had to give it a stern warning.

"That's not for you, Xiao Bai. You had your share already," Liu Xue said, voice cold and almost robotic. "Why don't you patrol our surroundings and make sure no beasts or dangers appear? I'll give you all the raw bits and pieces, so make sure they don't come and try to steal them."

"Mi! Mi!" the little fox cried out, craning its head, ruffling its fur. The gourmet hungry look in its eyes turned into a fierce glare of determination.

He watched it jump off the barbeque and stomp circles around the area, shooting its gaze towards the sea then back towards the jungle with legs and chin strutting high. He shook his head, a little amused, a little hopeless, and turned his attention to Mengmeng.

The afternoon sun blared down like a spotlight to her pale face, almost illuminating it brighter. The sight made his heart wince: the lack of contrast served nothing but a reminder of her fragility. While his own health should not be a standard for comparison, she was so malnourished her skin could not tan darker. His did. It sickened his heart and poured gallons of guilt into his gut, forcing his knees to buckle at the weight.

"The bunny rabbit tastes good, right?" Liu Xue asked, voice softening. "Then eat more. You need to eat lots."

"It's really very good," Liu Meng answered, mumbling because of the food in her mouth. Her soft and round cheeks balloon ever so often before she swallowed delicately. She opened her mouth wide and pointed at it with her teensy left pointer finger before her right hand moved to rub her stomach. "Mengmeng is done … Mengmeng is full. Thank you, Papa … thank you for the bunny rabbit."

He steeled his heart. The little girl was certainly used to eating so little. How could that be filling? He must change that, starting today. "Uh huh … but how about another bunny rabbit, one more. It will make Papa happy."

The little girl tilted her head to the side, eyes still shut, before clapping her hands. "Okay! Mengmeng will eat … one more bunny rabbit! It make Papa … happy!"

Liu Xue found his heart boiling with tears. He quickly cut another chunk and brought it too her mouth. "Open wide."

The little girl took a moment to finish chewing before smiling at him. He raised the fork once more and brought it to her lips.

"Just one more, Mengmeng?" he asked.

Liu Meng did not think for long this time. She nodded so quickly and sweetly, he saw flowers bloom and birds chirp inside his heart.

"Papa … be more happy!"

"One more."

He seemed to have pushed it. Her hands froze and her cheeks dropped. He sighed, giving her a kiss on the forehead, then wiping her mouth with the hem of his shirt.

"That's okay. You ate lots today," Liu Xue carefully consoled. "Papa is very happy. Really very happy."

The tension in his heart eased slowly as his touches and caresses around her face sent her giggling again. He picked her up carefully into his arms and began making the way back inside the wooden house as scampering followed by loud thumping footsteps sounded in the air.

He was about to coax the little girl back to her nap when Xiao Bai frantically dashed in front of himself, worry and fright apparent in its eyes.

"Mi! Mi! Mi!" it cried, but Liu Xue did not need to know more. He set the little girl down in the rocking chair and slowly turned his back to the source of the danger.

'That's a not a f*cking bear,' he wanted to curse, but all that slipped out of his mouth was one word: "Bear."

The little fox gave a low whine of affirmation. Its fur pricked upwards defensively. It quietly unsheathed its claws.

His mind worked like a computer on overdrive. Pictures, words, and memories flickered by, landing on one from his childhood. He beckoned the behind himself and dug his feet into the sand. The hands he forcibly made stiff reached into the toolbelt, sweeping inside.

"Xiao Bai," Liu Xaid said. "Illusions. Now. Make sure Mengmeng does not hear, smell, notice anything. Especially if or when we fight."

"Mi! Mi!" the little fox chirped out in protest.

The cries seemed to agitate the bear. It gave a low roar.

"Noi, it's good that you can't use illusions and fight at the same time," Liu Xue said, he too lowering and deepening his voice. "Sheath your claws. You are playing a supportive role. Do you understand?"

The little fox gritted its teeth, but reluctantly slink itself backwards and closer to the shore.

He exhaled a deep breath seeing it comply. "Can you talk to it, Xiao Bai? Does it understand me?"

The bear and he made eye contact. He wanted to drop it, but was too late to lower his head. He could see the sand in front of himself slowly cave in as heavy footsteps slowly thundered atop it.

"I guess not."

He stood on his toes and puffed up his chest, but the bear did not back down, continuing its aggressive pace forwards.

"Motherf*cker," Liu Xue cursed under his breath, unable to control himself.

The bear's ears flicked. Its deep growling paused.

He held his breath. He knew he screwed up.

The bear exploded, roaring, standing on its hind legs, throwing his claws like a black missile at his neck.