Choices

28 - Reawakening

Fluff and a happy ending, as the title suggests.

A/N: In case I haven't said it yet -- thank you, dear readers, for sticking with me in this journey. For all your votes, warm comments, questions, and encouragement -- I am truly happy that you found joy in this humble fic.

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A silver, nine-tailed fox raced through the halls of Taichen Palace, unmindful of the respectful bows and greetings from courtiers that met him on the way. Sunlight glimmered against silvery fur as the little fox went past the main hall, crossed the inner courtyard to Yangshi Tower, and took on his human form as soon as he reached the doors of the main hall.

"Brother Zhonglin," the silver-haired boy, who at two hundred years old resembled a human toddler in age and gait, called to Taichen Palace's steward, tugging on the latter's sleeves to get his attention. "I am here."

Zhonglin took a moment to balance the tray in his hands (how could a child this young be so quiet in his movements?) then turned to offer the young prince a bow. "Your Highness. I was waiting for you."

With a happy nod, the only young master of Taichen Palace swept inside the tower, navigating the twisting pathways and numerous corridors with the ease of someone who had done it for nearly as long as he was alive. His steps became faster and his gait livelier the sooner they reached the door to the innermost chamber, the barriers of which went down as soon as the child's tiny hands made contact with its edges.

Zhonglin followed as Bai Gungun strolled inside and headed straight for the bed where his father-lord lay asleep. "Good morning, Father," Gungun greeted, taking the tray that the steward handed over with care. On it was a jade basin half-full with warm, scented medicinal water, two towels, and a bejewelled brush. "May I wash your hands and comb your hair again today?"

As Zhonglin puttered around -- replacing the curtains that surrounded the bed, refilling the incense burners, removing the tiniest bit of dust on the furniture - Gungun delved into the task of untangling his father's silky tresses and relating to him the latest happenings in his young life. "Father, I am two hundred years old today. Mother said it is a cause for celebration, so she is preparing a feast for tonight."

He thought about revealing the guest list, composed of their family from Qingqiu and their closest friends from Jiuchongtian (plus Uncle Yan from the demon realm), but remembered mother saying that his father did not like crowds. Not wishing to offend his father, he thought his words over and said, "it will be a small gathering, with family and friends only."

He finished brushing the hair that spilled over his father's left shoulder and proceeded to the other side, not noticing Zhonglin, who left the room after shooting a warm smile at the heart-tugging scene between father and son. "It's not every year that we do this. Usually its just me and Jiujiu, she takes me to Bihai Cangling or to Qingqiu to play, or to the mortal realm to sample the food there. This year, she said that after the feast, we will go to a mountaintop in the mortal realm to watch a lightning storm and listen to the thunderclaps."

His father hardly moved during his sleep, so his hair was never tangled, unlike his mother's in the mornings which required a lot of work to comb and braid. Jiujiu was a very messy sleeper, unlike his father.