A Love Beyond Time

Where the Heart Breaks Without Sound

Love too deep does not endure unscathed;

wisdom too sharp must wound its bearer.

One moment of devotion—

remembered across ten thousand lifetimes.

[情深不壽，慧極必傷

一念執著，萬劫難忘]

The Valley—Central Region, current times

"Do I have non-platonic feelings for Yu-Hu?" Saito scoffed and shook his head. "You come to my lair at this hour just to ask this?" He raised his left hand to his chest and grasped the cuff of his sleeve. "Are you foxed, Sir Shion?"

Shion took a step closer. And another, still holding that carving. "I would greatly appreciate an answer, Gao Rui. A 'yes' or a 'no' will suffice."

"And why," Gao Rui replied lowly, his right eye twitching sporadically. "Should I answer an accusation. Because that is exactly what that question is." The Byakko narrowed his eyes. "Not only an accusation, but a vile insult."

"Then allow me to rephrase—is this a carving of Yu-Hu?" Shion lifted his chin, brows deeply furrowed. On the table, the candle flickered unsteadily, throwing dancing shadows upon his and Saito's faces, their bodies, and the inkstone that still shone wet with residual ink.

Saito scoffed again. "You think this is Yu-Hu just because it is a nine-tailed fox? For Heaven's sake, Shion." He sighed. "I know your entire universe revolves around Yu-Hu, but news flash: he is not the only nine-tailed fox in the realms. And he is definitely not the only nine-tailed fox in this Valley."

"I see. Thanks for enlightening me. So, pray tell, Gao Rui. Who might this mysterious fox be? Who could possess such immense allure, such irresistible charm to beguile the stoic and cold General Gao Rui? To such an extent that you actually devoted so much time and energy and effort to do this carving?

With each word, Shion moved closer to the table, closer to Saito. The Byakko shuffled back, still grasping his sleeve. "Tell me, Gao Rui. So that I can know their name. Better yet, introduce Yu-Hu and me to them so that we can give you both our blessings."

Saito's throat convulsed. He tried to swallow, but something was stuck. The twitching in his right eye intensified, and he turned his face away from the flame that was too close, too bright. "Just leave, Shion. I'm tired. I want to rest."

"Answer my damn question!" The demand was fierce, a crack of thunder that nearly made Saito jump. "Answer me, and I will leave you alone."

"I already did!" Saito nearly hollered back. He inhaled, forcing air through parted lips, but his lungs and heart continued to labour as though they were constricted.

Just go, Shion. Go back to Yu-Hu. He needs you. He needs you more than he will ever need me.

"You shouldn't leave Yu-Hu alone. He's the only nine-tailed fox you should care—"

There was a crushing presence upon him, a vice grip on his left wrist. His eyes widened in panic, and he struggled to wrench free. But Shion was terrifyingly strong, and he could not get away. In the short grapple, something slipped out of the sleeve and dropped on the ground. Saito cursed and dove for it, but Shion was faster.

"What is this?" The silver-haired male held the object up. "What the hell is this?!"

It was a plum blossom origami, perfectly folded from a sheet of white rice paper streaked with black brushstrokes.

"Give that back." Terror and helplessness had Saito's heart in a cruel clutch. His earlier bravado crumpled into dust, and his voice shook. "Give it back, Shion. Please."