A Crown for a Tail

The Coral Gardens

Turning the corner to the third garden, Ye Huas attention was suddenly drawn to the flash of lavender as she swiftly passed through the back entrance he didn't know was there.  Moving quickly he made his way through the exit, only to find himself in the next garden just as she turned the corner and into the next one.

Smiling softly to himself, he wondered if she knew he was tailing her or if she was just strolling completely unaware of him.  By the time he had reached the 9th garden, he was beginning to think that she wasn't aware of him having completely lost track of her.

Standing behind a thick invisibility barrier, Bai Qian watched as the man in black stopped to look around.  So you are following me she thought to herself smiling.  With his back to her, she wondered why he would find her of interest, she didn't know anyone who looked like him, even from the back, but as he slowly turned around, she let out a soft gasp.

Suddenly his eyes raised and his head went up.  Moving towards the entrance he looked around the corner before turning back to once more look around the garden she was hiding in positive he had heard something.  Was she hiding herself? he wondered, as his magically searched for her essence, an essence he might be able to feel if he got close enough.

Never had she seen anyone so beautiful in her life.  He was even prettier than Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen combined she thought as her keen eyes raked his body.  He was tall, probably taller than any other man here, she thought as her eyes moved to his shoulders.  Broad, and thick, very strong and even though the robe he was wearing was thick and heavy, he was muscular and his chest was very hard and well defined.  She didn't need to touch him to know, his under robe was barely fitting him, and every inch of his muscular form was finely displayed for her viewing.

Oh lets play, she thought mischievously as he once again moved towards the entrance which led to the 10th garden. Waiting until he had passed through the entrance and disappeared, she lowered her barrier, and slowly stalked him as he moved from garden to garden in search of her.

Ye Hua was so sure she hadn't slipped away, he would have seen her, but having lost sight of her at the 9th garden, he was beginning to wonder if perhaps she had doubled back.  Stopping to gather his thoughts, he tried to remember which garden this one was, and as he looked around, the sudden ripple of laughter began to fill the air, followed by the light movement of running feet.

So you do know I was following you he thought smiling as he gave chase.  Running back to the 8th garden Bai Qian waited quietly until she could hear his footsteps before exiting out the back entrance laughing and racing to the 12th garden where she could hear him also doubling back to give chase.

Streaking ahead to the 18th garden Bai Qian quickly raised another invisibility shield and as her giggling continued she almost didn't hear him, until he quickly raced in panting softly causing her to swallow her laughter back quickly.

Coming to a standstill, his eyes slowly grazed the garden for her energy knowing she was there hiding from him, and though he could not see her barrier, he could feel it.  "I know you're here.  Show yourself." he said softly. 

Gasping lightly at the sudden softness of his voice, a gentleness she was not expecting considering the thick black robe he was wearing which fully contradicted it, she slowly began to back away.

Ye Huas keen Dragon ears heard the gasp as clearly as if she had spoken.  "Please, show yourself to me." he asked bringing her to a standstill.

Keeping herself behind her barrier, she watched as he paced the garden searching for a hint of her energy.  "Why?  I don't know you." she asked just as softly, which brought an instant smile to his face.