Choices

33 - Extra: Now and Hereafter

The things that are, and will be.

----------------------------------

Steam rose from the warm waters of the underground hot spring pool, blanketing the air in a pleasant mist. Water lapped against dark, volcanic stones, the sound soothing and gentle, a balm for a tired soul.

On the edge of the pool paradise, in a secluded, dim corner flanked by fauna, sat a silver-haired god. With eyes closed and broad back leaning against the warm stones, he was calmness personified, sitting there without a care for his nakedness, or the fact that he was not alone.

"How long do you intend to hide?"

His voice, sonorous and clear, rang through the spacious cavern. When no answer was forthcoming, a slight chuckle rippled from behind thin, ice-cold lips, followed by a mocking voice.

"Drowning is not an issue, but surely, staying underwater for such a long time is uncomfortable. Or is it that you are enjoying the view down there?"

There was a gurgling gasp, then choking sounds as the person beneath the water struggled between anger and pride. Finally, there was an almighty splash as a dark haired, ivory-skinned beauty emerged from the pool with a vengeance, her exquisite face flushed with a mix of embarrassment at being found out, and indignation at the one who did.

"Gungun, you cold-faced bastard!" Came the sputtered yell, from mouth as delicate as the petals of a hibiscus yet as sharp as a sword's edge. "You knew all along that I am here, yet you still went on ahead and entered the water without letting me go out first. And now you have the gall to insinuate that I was peeping on you? You really are shameless!"

An elegant eyebrow lifted up, even as dark eyes swept across the furious girl's trembling form with deliberate indifference. A sigh, then a robe tumbled out of nowhere, covering her from the head to where her body stuck out from the water from the waist up.

She wasn't naked, but she might as well be, with the way her thin, white robes stuck to her curves like second skin.

"Don't you have your own hot spring at home?" Came the lazy response, even as amusement oozed from the way the silver-haired young man tilted his head to the right. "What would Uncle Yan and Aunt Hua Lou say, if they find that their well-raised daughter sneaked into a man's bath chambers like this?"

There were muffled curses from beneath the robe, then murder as a pair of expressive eyes glared at Gungun from beneath the barrier of silk. "I didn't sneak in! I am here by Elder Sister Meimei*'s invitation. She specifically told me to wait for her in Grandpa Dijun's hot springs."

"Did she, now?" The voice was cool as always, although a fleeting frown crossed the perpetually expressionless, handsome face. "You know as well as I do that my sister isn't fond of hot pools. Why would she ask to meet here, of all places?"

A pair of expressive eyes blinked as the dripping beauty came to a realization, followed by a fierce blush that suffused her face as she tried to cover her mistake the way her own father always did -- by anger. "How would I know? I escaped my lessons and rushed in here because Jiejie's missive said she was sad and needed someone to talk with. How was I supposed to -- hey, stop laughing!"