Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 19: His Missed Chance To Kill

[Shi Han Jun]

Han Jun stayed alert. The cold made his bones chilly. He hugged his knees against his chest. He stared at Li Qing, who sat across from him. Although he had told everyone that he would stay awake and keep watch, nonetheless, Li Qing had only partially relaxed. Li Qing had closed one eye but kept the other open, as if guarding himself against him. Han Jun sighed. It's fine. Afterall, we had just met. Li Qing, even though you keep me at arm's length right now, nǐ zhè ge péng yǒu wǒ yào dìng le.

They sat there for a while as they waited out the rain. Han Jun heard the rain drops fall more slowly as time passed. Finally, all he heard was an occasional tap here and there. "The rain stopped," Han Jun said.

At this Li Qing got up and walked to the mouth of the cave. He brushed aside the branches of the tree. Light streamed into the dark cave. He gave Han Jun a side ways glance. "Stay here." Then he was gone.

Han Jun rushed to the mouth of the cave, but when he arrived, Li Qing was already gone. Han Jun sulked back to his spot. "Li Qing, if you're going to leave, at least tell me you're coming back or where you're going! What kind of protection is this? Leaving me without an explanation. Humph!" Han Jun crossed his arms as he sat down on the ground.

"No, don't go!" Han Jun's eyes snapped in Xiao Zhao's direction. He was clutching the edge of his clothing.

Han Jun rushed to his side. He felt for Xiao Zhao's head. It was burning. Han Jun grabbed a piece of his clothing and ripped it. He glanced around. The dripping of water emitted from further in the cave. The light was not strong enough to show him the way. Han Jun crouched and started to make his way inward. He stepped on a rock that rolled away, causing him to stumble. He caught himself. This time he squatted down.He stretched his hands out to make sure he wouldn't run into anything. One step at a time, he slowly made his way deeper. But soon, his hands touched a wet, hard rough surface. It was slightly wet. Han Jun moved his hands to the ground. His finger touched a cold pool of water. He grabbed the rag and gently dipped it into the pool. He stood up then and marched his way toward the light. When he was finally able to see Xiao Zhao's form, he knelt to his knees and put the cool cloth on his forehead.

He turned to leave when something clutched his sleeve. Han Jun glanced down. Xiao Zhao grabbed his sleeve. "Stay," he murmured. Han Jun's lips went up. "Alright, I'll stay." He sat down beside Xiao Zhao and watched over him. Xiao Zhao, I don't know if you really are Yue Yang's son, but even if you're not, I will protect you and treat you well because you deserve to be happy.

[Luo Xiao Zhao]

Xiao Zhao awoke to find Han Jun by his side, watching over him. "You're awake!" Han Jun cried happily.

"Were you just staring at me the whole time? What is this?" he asked as he reached up for the rag on his forehead. When he saw it, he sat up. "I was sick?"

"Yeah, and you talked nonsense!"

"What...what did I say?" Xiao Zhao asked, a quiver in his voice.

"Nothing embarrasing. Just that you wanted me as your friend and that you hope we could be friends forever."
"I," he pointed to himself. "Said that?"

"Yeah. I didn't think you'd miss me that much but hey."

"Impossible! I never had friends and anyway, I don't feel like we're close. So I would never say something like that." Xiao Zhao crossed his arms as he turned his face away from Han Jun.

"Ahh, it's your first time having friends huh? See, our brotherhood is so deep that you don't even recognize it!"

"What do you mean?" Xiao Zhao turned to Han Jun, curious.