The Unbroken (The Untamed Fanfic)

::Chapter 8::

((Ep. 12))
{Wen Mei}

After eating, both Qing and Ning left to go somewhere. 

It hadn't passed 10 minutes since they left, and I was already in a bind debating whether or not I should stay or check on everyone in Cloud Recesses, just to make sure they were alright.

"We were attacked and they burned Cloud Recesses..."

Lan Zhan's statement resonated in my head. However, I remembered what my sister had told me. Stay while she's gone. Ning hadn't come back from whatever he was doing.

"They're safe. A lot of injured disciples, but they're safe."

I let the better half get the best of me and started packing the necessities.

For the past few days after visiting Lan Zhan, I brewed some medicine. That meant I had enough for whoever needed it. The only downside was that I had never traveled alone.

Thinking about what happened to me and Xiao made me second guess whether or not I should follow through with leaving.

'Maybe I shouldn't... What if someone finds out I'm gone? Ning and Qing would get in trouble because of me.'

I placed down my bag.

I won't leave until I know for sure I won't get my siblings in trouble.

Thankfully, my choice to stay was the right one because I heard a knock on the door.

"Yes?" I cautiously opened the door.

I felt my body tense up towards the person standing before me.

It was Xue Yang.

"It's been a while." He smirked.

"Oh, Xue Yang. How may I help you?" I couldn't help but feel on edge.

'What is he doing here?'

"As you can see, I have a few cuts and I would like to keep my face the way it is, without scars."

"I see. Let me fetch you some medicine. I'll be right back."

I was about to close the door when he grabbed onto it.

"You're not going to let me in?" He raised an eyebrow, a smirk still in place.

He opened the door and let himself in.

My eyes snapped to the bag that was lying on the floor.

"Sorry for the mess, earlier I was out painting."

To make it appear as though I was cleaning, I grabbed my bag and a few books that were on the table.

"You still do that? Show me what you've painted." He sat down.

Making sure he wouldn't see the jars of ointment, I quickly pulled out my book and gave it to him.

As he flipped through the pages, I went to get the ointment. 

When I returned, he was pouting. 

"Why haven't you painted me? You've painted everyone but me."

"U-uh, I just haven't gotten to you yet."

I sat down and placed everything on the table. 

"Do a painting of me after you're done." He demanded.

I held his face and began cleaning the cuts.

"No." 

"Did you just say no?" He furrowed his eyebrows. He wore a smirk, but this time it looked more angry than amused.

"Y-yes." I hesitantly applied the ointment.

"Why?" 

"I don't want to paint you with cuts all over your face." I finished.

I got up and grabbed a small container of ointment since he didn't need that much to apply to his cuts.

"Here." I handed him the container.

Before I had a chance to move, he grasped my hand.

"Do you want to know something weird?" He chuckled as he got up.

I tried to pry my hand out of his grasp, but he tightened his grip. He brought my hand closer to his face.

"Ah, you see right there?"

I trembled as he moved my hand toward me. Using his other hand he grabbed my fingers and smirked.

"Do you see anything?" 

"N-no?" I felt my voice break.

"Exactly, there's nothing there. Didn't you say you painted earlier? Red is a hard color to wash off. That last painting of yours had a lot of red." He laughed.

"What were you doing earlier?" He asked, still keeping a hold on my wrist.

"I was brewing some medicine." 

"Why did you lie?" 

"Because..."

"Because?" He replied in a playful tone.

"Because you're scary!" 

He let go of my wrist and held his stomach as he laughed.

"I didn't think that was going to be your answer." He shook his head as he wiped a tear.

"Okay, I'm scary~. Next time I see you, you better have painted my face in that book!" 

He took the ointment, letting out one last chuckle before leaving the house.

I sank to my knees and hugged my hand.

"It's okay. I'm okay." I mumbled as I tried to stop myself from shaking. 

There's a reason my sister always told me to steer clear of him, and that's because he wants everything his way.

I had run into him a couple of times, but it was in the presence of at least one of my siblings.

I stayed seated for a few minutes. 

I reached over to the table to grab my book and slipped it into my bag.

I slowly got up and slung the bag over my shoulder. I was about to walk out when I realized I was about to leave my bow.

Grabbing the rest of my belongings, I took one last glance at the house before leaving.