The Gift

Chapter 4

The man in black had stopped the drunk driver from going any further, having persuaded him to visit the police office and leave his car where it was. He totally agreed and headed there straight away while Shen Wei summoned his power to transport himself back to the safety of his home. He was tired tonight and having to deal with someone who could easily have killed another by accident, had made him feel worse. At first he thought a good night's sleep would help improve how he felt but halfway through the night, he'd realised that it wasn't just tiredness, it was a virus, flu or something similar.

Shen Wei was shivering and his eyesight was worse that usual, only able to see blurred coloured shapes while he had a headache from hell which made the room move a second later than his head in whatever direction he was facing. He knew that he needed medical help and in the past there was only one person that he trusted with his health but he wasn't sure if Chu still practised in this lifetime and he sent for his guards. Wei kept small strips of thin paper in the top drawer of the bedside table, and taking one out, he tossed it into the air as he watched for it to ignite and disappear, with his hazy eyesight.

The bedroom chilled slightly as the clouds appeared quietly, forming a doorway which allowed six tall dark figures to step through and enter. They all dropped to their knees in a salute with five remaining in the same position while the lead guard came closer to Shen Wei who was slowly losing consciousness but managed one word, "Chu."

One word was enough for the six to understand what was meant and they left quietly looking for the person that Wei desperately needed.

It was the middle of the night and unless you worked the night shift, most people were sound asleep, like Chu who was having a good dream when the temperature in his room dropped and awakened him. He arose and checked the heating, but it was still working and then the thin layer of clouds started to form, and he knew that something was coming for him but not who or what. The six guards appeared and moved towards him as he was retreating away from them, trying to think of a way of escaping, but they were fast and didn't have time for explanations.

Chu felt the room spin slightly as they trapped him and transported him to Shen Wei's bedroom, releasing him as soon as their feet touched ground again. Chu managed to keep his balance and looked around the ordinary room, he wasn't sure of where he had expected to be taken, but it wasn't here. The lead guard pointed to the person in the bed and Chu walked closer to see who it was, but didn't recognise him and realising that he had been brought for medical reasons, he relaxed, thinking, 'a phone call would have been better.'

Shen Wei was shivering with a high temperature when Chu examined him and his main thought was to lower it as quickly as possible, so he gave orders to the guards.

"We need to cool him down, would one of you please run a bath for him, make it tepid, or if he has a shower, use that instead, now please."

The lead guard nodded and two of the others immediately obeyed, Chu could hear water running and asked them to bring Wei into the bathroom. Chu followed them after he had removed his own shoes and watch, plus the dressing gown that he was wearing when they kidnapped him, and saw that it was a shower he would be using, when he entered the bathroom. He took Shen Wei from the guards and held him up against himself, as he stood under the water allowing it to run down and soak Wei's PJ's, and waited as he watched for any reaction. Wei struggled a little but he wasn't strong enough to break the hold, and he buried his face in Chu's shoulder trying to avoid the shower drops in his eyes. They stayed there for about five minutes until Chu could feel him being more active and aware of his surroundings, and he turned the water off, bringing Shen Wei back to his bed with plenty of towels waiting for him. The guards had watched every move and helped Chu with the towels, as Wei began to speak to him.

"Thank you Chu, you probably don't remember me, come closer, let me see you."

Chu had no fear of this man and easily leaned nearer to allow Shen Wei to place his hand on the side of his face as he smiled at him. Chu felt the power rush with the images that flooded his mind... black cloaks swirling in the wind... Yunlan tossing the whip and fire... purple smoke hiding a walking shape... a black cat with bright green eyes... coloured strings... fights...Daqing... and Shen Wei smiling...crying... laughing... injured... and removing the mask.

He lost his balance and landed sitting on the carpet with a shocked expression and immediately changed his stance to kneel, "My Lord, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you Chu," but he coughed while he tried to smile and grimaced instead.

"No, you're not, it's just a flu that's going around people at the moment, but some are worse than others, it would be best if you stayed indoors for a while. The guards can help or would you prefer someone else?" Chu suggested.

"The guards are no accustomed to the niceties of this world. Plus they have more important work to take care of, try finding someone else Chu. Maybe Gelan or Daqing, not Yunlan, it's too soon for him to be here, it's not long since the death of his father."

Chu was sure that there could be another reason why Shen Wei didn't want Yunlan here but he obeyed Wei's suggestion.

"Rest in bed and I'll send Daqing over in the morning, are the guards leaving soon, because you need fluids, make sure you have plenty to drink, My Lord, and I need a lift home, they brought me in my PJ's" It was only now that Shen Wei noticed, and he laughed at Chu's condition.

"Very well, I'll see you tomorrow sometime, thank you Chu." Wei nodded to one of the guards to take Chu home while another brought some juice for him to drink plus a glass, leaving it on the bedside table.

Chu was glad to be home, he needed dry clothes and a warm drink. Why had Shen Wei blocked out the previous memories of his life with him? He hadn't caused him any harm but he wondered if Daqing would be the same. it wasn't important now, what was important was trying to get some sleep before work tomorrow, everything else could wait, and he relaxed into his warm comfortable bed.