The Return Of Two

"Aiguo?"

The melodious voice rang in the boy's ears. His body froze from where he stood, and slowly, he turned around. There was a smile on his face, eyes glinting.

Rin blinked and carefully observed the boy before her. His hair, which had always been short and spikey, was now rich, falling over his shoulders in waves. His skin was raw from wind and sun, but it glowed with health. Clad in neat black robes, Aiguo approached her and slowly bowed his head with a smile.

"I've come to assist you in your battle, Young Master."

Speechless by his form of greeting, Rin swept her eyes to her grandfather and uncle, frowning. "What is he doing here?"

Aiguo paused. A slow grin spread across his face. "I came to help you fight against the An Clan!" His voice was thrilling and filled with pride.

"Uncle?" Rin continued to stare at General Guo.

"He's not. He's coming back with us." General Guo responded dryly.

Aiguo's skin had gone gray as raw lead. "What? But I came all this way to help—"

"Without proper authority." General Guo's voice slipped between his words as easy as water.

"It wasn't without permission!" He refuted fixed in his outrage, bright and defiant. He paused for a moment. "Not completely. Well, not—I had no choice! Besides, you need my help here. You're leaving soon, which means I can stay and protect Bai Lan!"

The corners of Rin's lips twitched. "I don't need protection from a subordinate still in training."

Clenching his fists, Aiguo's attention shifted to General Guo and Bai Han. He calmly faced them, nothing in his eyes hinting at his emotional state.

"You always say you learn from experience, right? This is my chance to put all my training into work! Let me show you that I can protect myself!" The more he spoke, a fierce fire flashed in his eyes.

The two men glanced at one another then shifted to Rin. She stiffened under their stares. When her eyes went to Aiguo, she saw his gaze was fixed passionately on her.

"Aiguo," She said. Her voice sharpened in an instant. "Listen to me. This is not a game. You will see men die. If you confront an enemy, they will not wait for you to recover. They will kill you." Each word was dark as an axe-head, heavy and unrelenting.

Aiguo's gaze hardened. He nodded. "I know."

Her emerald eyes pierced his. "You must stay by my side no matter what. Do not go off on your own or provoke anyone. If you encounter an enemy, you will run. Do not fight. Understood?"

He nodded his head again, eyes burned, bright as a comet in the night's sky. Seeing the look on his face, Rin was silent for a long moment. Sighing heavily, she turned and inclined her head to Emperor.

"Your Majesty, I hope you do not mind if I take in one of my subordinates."

The Emperor's eyes darted between the two. He saw the boy's eyes staring at him anxiously, almost pleadingly. He cleared his throat decidedly.

"Considering he is one of your men, he may stay."

"Yes!" Aiguo beamed with joy but froze upon receiving everyone's stares. Flushed, he composed himself. "Thank you, your Majesty."

The Emperor made a faint sound from his throat. "Bai Lan, if you wish, you may take him to his room."

"Yes, thank you." Rin sighed a breath of relief before dragging the boy behind her.

…

That afternoon, in the palace's private training grounds.

An Sun's sword, as he began the first pass, moved faster than the eye could follow. His feet moved swiftly against the floor, movements precise. He stopped suddenly, his breaths only a little louder than usual in the still afternoon air.

He pushed the hair back from his brow and looked up to the sky. He squinted. The sun sat differently on the horizon now that it was winter, seeming to slant into his eyes from every angle. The calm sound of the soft wind caressing the autumn leaves enveloped his ears.

At that moment, An Sun's eyes narrowed. He turned, sword twisting behind him to point at the approaching figure. Just as he did so, a girl's scream stung his ears.

His face stiffened. He seemed frozen, fixed to his spot. Staring back at him was a girl, her chin trembling, with tears that spilled from her big, doe eyes. He regarded her a moment, in silence—seemingly in disbelief.

"Yun Suyin?"

Yun Suyin choked, tried to speak, but could not. Something in the way he spoke drained the last of her tolerance. With her face blanched white, her eyes rolled in the back of her head and she collapsed. Stunned, An Sun quickly caught her to avoid injury. He stared down at her face and finally confirmed he saw correctly.

It was Yun Suyin.

Hurried footsteps and men's voices drew close to the training grounds.

"I told you, I heard a girl scream." A man's voice said as they entered the area.

As the group arrived, they raised their eyes and froze in shock.

"An Sun?" A clear voice from the group spoke up.

As An Sun raised his head, he met a pair of emerald eyes. Rin stared at him, stunned by the scene before her. She was silent. Everyone there was silent, including Manchu who stood beside her. Only the sound of breathing resounded throughout the world.

Realizing the situation he was in, An Sun quickly let go of Yun Suyin. Before he could speak, Rin frowned and rushed over to catch the girl before her body hit the ground.

"Quick, help me take her somewhere to lay down." She turned to the men behind her.

They snapped out of their daze and nodded their heads. While one lifted Yun Suyin carefully as if not to break her, the others followed behind. Rin stood to follow but was held back by a firm grip. She looked up. His face was in shadow, the hair falling around his eyes.

"I can explain." His voice sounded strained.

Rin half-smiled and patted his hand to release her. "It's all right. There's nothing to explain."

An Sun fell silent, staring at her face as if to read its depths. When he let go of her wrist, she turned away without a second glance and followed the men. He watched them walk away and suddenly felt something in his heart sting.

"Pfftt--" Manchu stiffled a laugh.

An Sun scowled and punched him the shoulder.

"Ow! Okay, I'm sorry!" He laughed.

Snorting, An Sun passed him and left the training grounds. Manchu watched him and shook his head with a chuckle.