Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 43: Last Moments

[Shi Han Jun]

They had looked all afternoon but there was no trance of Xiao Zhao. "Where could he have gone?" Han Jun asked. They were standing in a circle now, trying to decide what to do next.

Cao Xin shook his head. Li Qing stood there cross-armed, not responding.

"I hope nothing bad happened to him."

"M-me t-too," Cao Xin agreed.

"This city is big, it is easy to get lost in," Han Jun said. "Should I contact the Jing Wu Wei? They are in charge of cases like these. Maybe with more people, we can find him sooner."

"Not necessary," Li Qing said.

"What? What do you mean not necessary? It's absolutely necessary! What if Xiao Zhao's poison is activated? What if something bad happened to him? We can't just not do anything! What do you mean—"

Li Qing grabbed Han Jun's sleeve and whirrled him around. There, in the distance, was a figure. It was a bit shorter than Han Jun but even as dusk was falling, Han Jun knew it to be Xiao Zhao's form. When he was recovering from his injuries, Xiao Zhao looked after him even as dusk came. Xiao Zhao's form would forever be ingrained in his mind. He wanted to rush up to him, to say that he's been looking for him, but he couldn't. Not after that.

Han Jun's arms hung by his side. As Xiao Zhao approached, Han Jun glanced in a different direction, pretending not to see him. Even as Xiao Zhao stopped in front of the small group, Han Jun avoided his gaze.

"Well, we found Xiao Zhao. I guesss it's time to head back," Han Jun said.

"X-xiao Z-zhao, a-are y-you a-alright?" Cao Xin asked.

"Yeah I'm fine. Let's just go home," Xiao Zhao said. He was hunched this time. It was as if a there was a heavy weight on his back. He brushed past Han Jun but didn't acknowledge him. Han Jun's chest tightened.

Han Jun watched Xiao Zhao as he strode away. Xiao Zhao, I thought that when I finally found you, I would be able to put you in your rightful place: as a prince, like I am. But now that you are here, I realize, I can't face you. Sorry, Xiao Zhao. I'm the reason your mother died. Maybe it's heaven's will that we end like this. Maybe this is for the best.

"What are you thinking?"

Han Jun jumped. It was Li Qing. Han Jun shook his head. "Oh, nothing." He flashed a grin.

Li Qing nodded and walked past him. Han Jun sighed as he too, followed them.

When they had arrived in front of the Guo Zi Jian, Han Jun saw a man wearing full armor made of silver with a pattern like fish scales standing at the doorway. A sword hung by his hip. When he saw Han Jun, he clutched his hands in front of him and bowed his head. "First Prince invites you to his mansion."

Han Jun hesiated. Well, I don't think anyone will miss me anyway. At least not Xiao Zhao. Or Li Qing, for that matter.

Han Jun nodded. But a hand stopped him. He turned. "Li Qing? What's wrong?"

For the first time, Han Jun saw something akin to warmth in Li Qing's eyes. But they quickly vanished, as if it never happened. Li Qing merely shook his head and released his arm.

"Don't worry about me, I will be back after a couple hours," Han Jun flashed him a grin. Li Qing nodded and backed away.

Turning to the guard, he straightened. "I'm ready."

"This way please," the guard said as he directed Han Jun to a carriage. Han Jun climbed the carriage and sat down. He heard the slapping of the reigns and the carriage started to move.