Rescue Me, My Love

Heading Off Trouble

     Mo Yuan took Taiyang and Zhenzhu by the scruff of their necks straight to their room.  He sat them on their bed and threw up a barrier.  He stood in front of them with his hands behind his back.  His hair was down, he stood ramrod straight and the scowl on his face brought instant fear.  "So would you boys care to tell me  exactly what you boys were doing up at this time of the night?  As if I should even ask, seeing as how I just spent the better part of an hour putting out a forest fire.  Not only that, but a forest fire set with dragon fire.  Now I know only four dragons who know how to breath fire and I know none of them were involved.  Who do you think it was, hmmm?  Would you like to explain it to me?"  Speaking in unison, they broke their silence.  "Fuqin, we can explain!"  "Taiyang!  You tell me what you were doing, if you please?"  "Fuqin, I.....you see.....I was learning......you see... to use fire!"  He fell down to the floor and his head hit hard.  "Zhenzhu?  Were you doing the same?"  He too hit the floor.  "So you were learning fire.  Even after I told you that you would not be taught at this time.  As you can see, the reason I didn't teach you is evident in the outcome that just occurred.  You will be locked in this room until morning.  Then I will deal with you."  He turned on his heal and placed a barrier over their door.  Still kneeling, they both looked at each other and cried.
     Mo Yuan marched to the hall to get tea and found Xue and JinDe still there.  He sat down in a huff.  "Thank you boys for helping put out that fire.  Now I'm going to make Taiyang and Zhenzhu replant and grow that whole valley by themselves.  How dare they go against my word!!  It's about time I remind somebody just who is Fuqin around here!!"  JinDe offered his Fuqin a drink of peach blossom wine.  "Would you care for a drink of wine, Fuqin?  I feel this is one time we need it."  "Yes please.  I too, feel the need."  Jinde poured the cup and they drank it in peaceful silence.  Mo Yuan rose and left to return to his room.  Bai Qian was waiting for him.  "Dearest!  What happened?  Do I smell fire?"  "If you must know, Taiyang and Zhenzhu decided to learn fire breathing on their own.  They promptly set the forest in the valley on fire.  Xue, JinDe and I were able to extinguish it.  Tomorrow I will set punishment for them.  Now I'm tired and I wish to get some rest.  Come cuddle with me.  I'm exhausted."  Bai Qian turned her back to him and snuggled in close.  He spooned himself behind her and wrapped her in his arms.  It wasn't long before they were both held in the embrace of the night and drifted back to sleep.
     The next morning Mo Yuan went to get Taiyang and Zhenzhu.  He took them to eat an early breakfast and marched them straight to the cliff above the burned valley.  "See what you have done?  You will clean up this valley and replant and grow the trees.  I will not be satisfied until I see no sign of fire anywhere.  I needn't remind the two of you that you are not to use fire again.  You are not to teach it to your cousins.  You use it and not only will I block your powers, I will give you a good spanking too!  Am I understood?"  They both hung their heads in shame and answered, "yes, Fuqin."  "Now get to work!"  He left them to figure it out on their own.  Taiyang looked at Zhenzhu and raised his brow just like his Fuqin.  "Fuqin said clean it up and replant it.  We can clean it and get Mi Shu to help us plant the right trees.  He didn't say we couldn't get help!"  "Didi, your a genius!  Let's clean it up!"  They didn't show up for lunch so Mo Yuan went to check on them.  They had nearly finished removing the burned trees.  He noticed that they had a very neat pile of logs over to the side.  He decided to question them about it.  When they saw him, they ran to him.  They bowed and pointed.  "Fuqin, since some trees were not totally destroyed, we saved as much wood as we could for building projects and the woodworking shop.  Is that ok?"  "Yes!  An excellent idea!  Good work so far.  Don't forget to come for dinner!"  They finished the cleaning, moved the logs and went for dinner.  The next day they ate their breakfast early and left to finish.  When they got to the valley, they decided that they could go get Mi Shu.  They left to go get her.  Jinzi and Mi Shu were finishing up in their garden when they arrived.  They ran over to them.  "What brings you boys to see me?  Nothing serious, I hope?"  "It's nothing like that, San ge.  We need Mi Shu to help us please."  "Mi Shu?  Whatever for?"  "Well, if you must know, we set the valley that Fuqin crashed into on fire last night.  Fuqin told us to clean it up and replant it.  We're not sure what kind of trees were there so we thought Mi Shu could help us.  Do you mind?"  "Taiyang, are you sure Fuqin won't mind?"  "Well he didn't say we couldn't ask for expert help.  He just said clean it up and replant and grow it."  "San ge, I don't know anything about growing spells!  Please let her help us?"  Jinzi raised his brow and laughed.  "Alright then!  I was coming to check on Mother anyway.  Let us get cleaned up and we will be there shortly."  They both grinned and jumped back to their task. 
     When Mo Yuan saw Jinzi and Mi Shu he raised a brow but let it go.  "Ho, my Xiao Jin Huli!  What brings you here today!"  "I just came to check on Mother.  How is she feeling today?"  "Well she sleeps a lot, but I've known she always sleeps a lot when she's pregnant.  She is eating well though.  Those two little girls are very active.  They have a lot of cultivation.  When I walk in the room, they seek me out quickly.  Do you wish to see her now?"  "Yes, I will.  I just want mother to be ok.  Mi Shu, are you going to check the gardens here?"  "Yes, my love!  I'll be here shortly."  Jinzi went with his Fuqin while Mi Shu went to the valley to see what she could do.  Many trees had been burned and removed.  She looked over the valley and produced seeds for Taiyang and Zhenzhu to plant.  "Plant these here and there over the valley.  Leave a little meadow in the middle.  Let's leave that little path there.  I'll grow the wild flowers while you plant those."  They planted their seeds and hurried back.  "Now plant these.  After you plant these, we will grow them."  In no time they had those seeds planted.  They raced back to her side.  Now let's fly up here and grow them!"  They watched her closely as she worked her magic.  The forest was quickly growing in one area.  "Can you boys work the spell I just did?"  Grinning from ear to ear, they went from one area to another growing the trees to mature plants.  Mi Shu grew grass in the little meadow and ground cover flowers.  She helped them here and there until the little valley was lush with new growth and trees.  They were in the meadow on a blanket having tea when Mo Yuan and Jinzi joined them.  Mo Yuan sat down and raised his brow.  "So you got Mi Shu to help you!  I should make you work more, but I see you both used your heads instead.  Very good work.  It even looks better."  "Fuqin, we didn't know what trees to plant.  We knew Mi Shu would so we asked her to help us.  Do you mind?"  Mo Yuan surveyed the evergreen trees of cedar and fir mixed in with hardwoods such as oak.  He had to admit it was well done.  "It is well done.  Did you boys throw all the work on Mi Shu?"  "Fuqin, we planted the seeds.  She helped by teaching us the growing spell.  Perhaps you could bring a little rain?"  "You boys are dragons.  Call a gentle rain to come."  They looked at him in embarrassment.  Zhenzhu spoke first.  "Fuqin, I can only call big storms.  It would destroy everything."  Taiyang nodded his agreement.  "I can see that I, your Fuqin, have been remiss in my duty to teach you.  Jinzi, throw a shield while I call a rain."  He stood up and worked his hands.  He released his spell.  Gentle clouds blew in and a gentle rain started falling.  "Did you see how I did that?  It's not hard!"  "Fuqin, you're the best!  Now this valley will be fresh and clean!!"  "As soon as your mother has these girls, we are going to Mount Junji for a vacation.  I will teach you there.  Now let's go get some tea."
     Bai Qian was miserable.  She was big and it was hard for her to get around.  She couldn't decide if she wanted to kill Mo Yuan or kiss his beautiful handsome face.  She came waddling into the hall when a strong kick hit her and she had a very sharp intake of breath.  Mo Yuan jumped up and grabbed her.  "Dearest, are you ok?  Here let me help you!"  He picked her up and sat her at her spot at the table.  "Are the girls active?  Do you need me to talk to them?"  "They are very active!  Could you talk to them please?"  He nodded and asked them what they were doing.  "Fuqin, jiemei keeps pushing me!!  She's pushing me!!"  "Calm down you two!  Be nice to each other.  Hold each other.  My brother was smaller than me and I held him.  He told me so.  Now behave.  It won't be long now before you can come out.  Sleep now!"  When they settled down, Bai Qian released a sigh.  "Finally!  Dearest, they are so active!  I'm afraid they are going to be a hand full of trouble."  "Well we will just have to wait and see."  He conjured a red rose and handed it to her.  He kissed her hand and looked into her eyes.  "Qian'er, you are so beautiful!  Do you forgive me for mating you again?"  "Yes, I forgive you.  Mating is just so much fun!  I can't live without you!!"  He leaned over and kissed her soft lips.  Her sigh brought contentment to his heart.  He was about to kiss her again when Baohu came running in like with one of his tails smoldering.  "Fuqin!  Gaoxing just shot fire at me!!  When did he learn?"  "Oh no!!  Dearest, I'll be back!"  Mo Yuan and Baohu jumped to the arena.  As he landed, the arena was in pandemonium and JinDe was trying to catch Gaoxing who was happily burning up every target.  Xingfu was trying to bring forth his fire.  "ENOUGH!!  GAOXING COME HERE THIS INSTANT!!"  Seeing his Fuqin with his face full of anger, he took off for the skies.  Mo Yuan transformed and took off after him.  He was upon the little dragon in a second and grabbed him carefully in his talon.  Gaoxing tried to escape but his Fuqin had a firm grip on him.  He returned to the arena and changed himself and Gaoxing back to their human forms.  "Gaoxing!  Just where did you learn to use fire?  Didn't I tell you no fire?  Didn't I?  Why is it my children think they can do what they want?"  He sat down, put Gaoxing over his knee and spanked him good.  He sat him down and called Xingfu to him.  "Xingfu!  Were you using fire, too?"  "Me not know how, Fuqin!  Me tried though."  "Tell Fuqin why you were going to disobey me?  Don't you think that there would be consequences?  Well?"  "Fuqin you too old to catch us!  We run fast and get away!  Fuqin is old dragon now.  We more powerful!!"  "Well if I'm so old, why was I able to catch Gaoxing, hmmm?  If I'm so old, why am I more powerful than you, puny Xiao long?  Hmmm?  JinDe!  Come here!"  JinDe dropped what he was doing and ran straight to his Fuqin.  "You need me, Fuqin?"  "Tell Gaoxing and Xingfu who the most powerful dragon in the world is!"  "That would be you, Fuqin."  "Well Gaoxing and Xingfu seem to think that I'm old and they are more powerful than me.  I think it's time some little too smart for their pants boys get a demonstration.  What do you think?"  "Let me clear the field first."  JinDe called his students aside to the pavilion.  He walked out to his Fuqin.  "Do you want me to hold them here?"  "Yes please."  JinDe cast his spell to hold them.  When Mo Yuan transformed, he swung his head right down to them and growled.  He hit the ground hard with his tail and threw up dirt with his talons without ever breaking eye contact.  He roared right in their faces so hard that they fell over from the wind of his breath.  He stomped his front talons and shook the ground.  They stood holding each other in absolute terror.  He blew smoke over them.  He spoke into their minds.  "So my Xiao longs, who is old and weak?  Who is the most powerful?  Hmmm?  Care to fight me to prove yourselves or have you had enough?  You may call me old on the day I'm on my death bed and the bell of Kunlun rings it's last toll!"  He transformed in front of them and crossed his arms over his chest and stared.  "Had enough?  Disobey me again!  JinDe!!"  JinDe popped right in front of his Fuqin and bowed.  "Yes, Fuqin!"  "Take these disobedient children to their room.  Put up a barrier and block their powers."  JinDe bowed again.  He gathered Gaoxing and Xingfu into his arms without another word. 
     When JinDe sat them on the closest bed, he knelt down in front of them.  "So my errant Xiao Didis, what did you just learn?  Anything?"  Gaoxing looked at JinDe with terror still in his eyes.  "Was big dragon really Fuqin?"  "Yes, Gaoxing.  Ask Si ge about fighting Jinlong.  He was nearly killed.  Why did you do it?  You are no match for him!  I'm no match for him!  I don't think any of us are!  I can tell you this, don't ever cross Fuqin!  You best do what he tells you to do!  Mother won't help you either if you're disobedient.  None of us will help you.  We all know what it means to cross Fuqin.  Now I suggest you sit down and practice your writing and read your books."  He stepped back and sealed their powers.  "Er ge, will Fuqin kill us now?"  "No, but he will make you wish you were dead when he gets through with you.  Now behave!"  He got up and walked out the door and threw up a barrier.  They both sighed and went to their desks.  Mo Yuan was still in the arena.  Baohu was sitting under the pavilion looking at the burned hair on one of his tails.  Gaoxing came real close to burning him good.  That little scamp!!  He knew his Fuqin was very angry.  When he told you not to do something, you best not do it!  Even he was still afraid of Jinlong!  Mo Yuan walked to the pavilion and sat down.  Baohu looked him over closely before he poured his Fuqin a cup of tea.  "Baohu, Gaoxing didn't burn you, did he?"  "No, Fuqin, he just singed the hair good.  See?"  He held up his burned tail to show him.  JinDe came in and sat down by Baohu.  "Fuqin, just where do Gaoxing and Xingfu get the idea that you might kill them?  Just who has been telling tall tales to them?  It disturbs me that they feel this way.  Who have they been around the most?"  "They spend a lot of time with their mother and Taiyang and Zhenzhu.  I will question them.  Now I must punish Gaoxing.  He could have hurt you severely.  Crimson hellfire leaves a permanent scar that can never be healed."  He got up to go finish his tea.  Baohu looked at JinDe and sighed.  "Er ge, I have a bad feeling that Fuqin is about to have his hands very full with two very jealous Xiao longs and two Fuqin's baby girls.  What do you think?"  "I think you're right.  Let's go to the hall so you can talk to those girls!  I'm right behind you!"
     JinDe turned training over to Die Feng and followed Baohu to the hall.  His Fuqin was entertaining Bai Xue.  "Ho!  Da ge!  How's the spy business!"  "Very boring!  The realms seem to be at peace and the dark realms are silent.  I have news that a certain king dotes on his wife very much and together they have made their kingdom prosper!"  "It's good that Hei and Lei are doing so well.  Fuqin sent her a message to come learn fire, didn't you, Fuqin?"  "Yes, I did.  I expect them soon!  It's a good thing you got those rooms finished for them.  By the way, Xue, I need you to investigate a slight problem for me, if you will?"  "Anything for you, Fuqin!  What is it?"  "I guess you are aware that I decided not to teach fire to the younger dragons."  "Yes and I think it to be a very good idea not to seeing as how young dragons nearly burned down Kunlun Mountain last night."  "It has come to my attention that Gaoxing and Xingfu think I'm going to kill them.  I want to know where and from whom they got such a notion."  "In that case let me make my first interrogation.  Baohu, if you please?  Talk to our jiemei for me."  Baohu nodded and talked to his jiemei.  "Hello!!  Are you awake?"  Silence.  A sharp kick to the side brought his mother a gasp of pain.  "You know you shouldn't cause Mother pain like that.  Why do you think Fuqin will kill Gaoxing and Xingfu?  He loves them very much.  Just like he loves you!"  Silence.   "So you are the guilty ones!  When you are born, you will meet all of us.  We can't wait to see you!"  "Si ge, we want Fuqin all to ourselves!  We no want anybody else!!"  "Hmmm, I see.  Very well.  If Fuqin kills all of us, he will have to come out of retirement.  He won't have as much time for you then, but at least you could have him all to yourself.  I guess he needs to kill Mother too.  She takes up a lot of his time.  I'll just tell him now so he can get started killing us.  Da ge and Er ge are here with me."  "Fuqin, it seems our jiemei want you to kill all of us including Mother because they want you all to themselves.  They seem to be the guilty ones.  They are trying to scare everyone."  "What?!?  Let me talk to them right now!!"  He took a deep breath and the look on his face said he was anything but pleased.  "So you want me to kill all of your siblings.  You want me all to yourself!  How foolish!  I would never do such a thing!  If you keep this up, Fuqin will not be happy at all!  Now go to sleep!"  "Why would they even get the notion to have me all to themselves?  Enough!  Qian'er, I'm going to ignore them for a few days.  Hopefully they won't torment you!  You boys come with me to see Taiyang and Zhenzhu.  I'm thinking they are feeling pretty remorseful after last night's episode!"
     Taiyang and Zhenzhu were walking to the arena when their Fuqin came up behind them.  "You boys going for your training lesson?"  "Fuqin!  You scared us!"  "So what were your devious little minds thinking?"  "We're very sorry we disobeyed you, but since we know fire, can you help us use it better?"  "No, I will not help you at this time.  As I already told you, you are too young to know it.  I will however help you work on your sword skills.  So will your Er ge.  JinDe, help them please!"  "But Fuqin!"  "No buts!  I have made my decision!  Only after you complete your high god trial.  Now go practice your sword skills."  "Fuqin, I have something to show you."  "Proceed then."  Taiyang walked into the arena and bowed to his Fuqin.  He called two swords into his hands.  He took his stance and began the fox sword dance using two blades.  His moves were flawless and his execution was perfect.  When he spun into the air, the blades were like cutting edges.  He touched down on one toe, spun with the blades over his head and knelt with both blades into the ground.  Mo Yuan was mesmerized by the display.  He, JinDe, Xue and Baohu all stood.  They jumped into the arena.  "Taiyang!  That was truly a most beautiful thing to see!  My son you were magnificent!  Who taught you?"  Mother taught me the dance, Si ge taught me how to use two blades, I taught myself after that.  Did you really like it, Fuqin?"  "Taiyang, it was wonderful!  Fuqin is very proud of you!"  Taiyang blushed and shrugged his shoulders.  "Fuqin, I wish to show you now, please?"  Zhenzhu asked politely.  "Alright then!  Boys to the pavilion."  Zhenzhu began his dance with no weapon.  He spun into the air and a whip appeared.  Every move he made was precision and the whip snapped and coiled like a well controlled ribbon of destruction.  At the end of his dance, the whip coiled around his waist and disappeared.  Mo Yuan was in awe.  His sons, who had been so damaged by Jinlong, were coming out of their shells.  They had always kept to themselves.  They were quiet and never caused much mayhem after the demon had been removed from Zhenzhu.  He jumped into the arena and hugged Zhenzhu tightly.  "My son, that was absolutely the most graceful, powerful dance I've ever seen.  I know someone who could really teach you a lot about whip usage.  Are you interested?"  "Yes!  I want to learn more!"  "Very well.  I will send a message tomorrow.  Now come drink some tea."