Unexpected Ally

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"Are you the Xiao Huli from the Ten Evil Lotus Land?" Ji Heng asked as she and Feng Jiu walked back to Zhe Yan's peach orchard.

Feng Jiu stiffened. She knew when she told Ji Heng their connection back in the mortal world that she was taking a huge risk, but now Feng Jiu felt like banging her head against a rock for her stupidity.

"Yes." Feng Jiu finally said with a resigned sigh.

Seeing her tense demeanor Ji Heng quickly continued. "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, I have just been reflecting on everything that has happened to me; including you story in the mortal world. I am just curious about it." Ji Heng explained.

Feng Jiu let out another sigh. "Its... It is ok. I just...Back then I had really embarrassed myself and by extent Qing Qiu. I am fortunate that only those closest to me are aware of how badly I had disgraced myself. Telling you about it was quite a risk." Feng Jiu explained.

"I can understand that. I too have, as your Aunt oh so delicately put it; 'brought great disgrace' upon myself and by extention the Red Demon Clan. You have certainly shown far more dedication to your people than I have. I was just so tired of always being controlled. I just wanted to be able to love Min Su, but my brother..." Ji Heng trailed off tears stinging her eyes.

Feng Jiu stopped walking and turned to give Ji Heng a hug. Ji Heng was suprised at first but quickly clung to the Fox Princess. Letting her grief out in loud sobs as Feng Jiu held her like her Uncle Zhen Zhen, Zhe Yan, and Cheng Yu had done for her many times.

"Its ok, I understand. Just let it out. Its ok." Feng Jiu murmured softly while rubbing circles on Ji Heng's back.

Ji Heng once again found herself feeling warm and protected in a way she had never been growing up.

1st with the old Phoenix and now the Fox Queen to be, Ji Heng felt secure enough to be vulnerable.

Growing up in the demon lands, being vulnerable was a sign of weakness that the other demons would exploit.

Ji Heng had to learn very early in life to always keep a lock on her emotions. To appear delicate but strong.

"What did you do to her!?" A gruff voice demanded.

Breaking apart and turning to the voice. Feng Jiu and Ji Heng were met with Yan Chiwu storming out of the entrance of the peach orchard, which they had stopped just outside of.

"What did you do to Ji Heng to make her cry!?" Yan Chiwu spat a Feng Jiu angerly.

"Yan Chiwu stop!" Ji Heng said stepping in front of Feng Jiu. Yan Chiwu obeyed immediately. His face softened as he turned towards Ji Heng.

"Don't worry whatever reason she made you cry, I will make sure she suffers for it." Yan Chiwu said pointing to Feng Jiu.

Ji Heng shook her head. "Xiao Jiu wasn't the reason I was crying. She was just comforting me through an unhappy memory." Ji Heng explained.

"Oh... Well I can do that for you." Yan Chiwu said and tried to hug Ji Heng.

Ji Heng held up her hands and backed away, shaking her head. "No, Yan Chiwu. Please let go of your infatuation with me. I have always seen you like a little brother and will never be able to love you that way." Ji Heng said.

Yan Chiwu was undeterred. "Its fine that you don't love me now, but you will in the future. I know I can get you to love me." Yan Chiwu declared.

Ji Heng sighed in exasperation while Feng Jiu frowned deeply.

"Yan Chiwu please, I don't think you understand." Ji Heng pleaded.

"I do understand. You don't love me like I love you because you still like Ice Face. Don't worry I intend to challenge him again, and this time I intend to win. When I do I will prove my worth to you so you will love me." Yan Chiwu declared and left before either Ji Heng or Feng Jiu could say something.