A Crown for a Tail

Trials

"Ye Hua?" Mo Yuan said suddenly rising to move towards them both before picking  up the scroll and scanning it quickly.

Looking at his brother and Bai Qian, Mo Yuan sighed heavily.  The tears were raining down her face, and the look on his brothers face, was one he had never seen before.  

Turning to the Fox Clan, Mo Yuan handed the scroll to Bai Zhi, before turning back to Ye Hua.  "We should talk between ourselves, let them talk between themselves, then we will return to talk together." he said, as his voice of reason overruled the sudden gasp coming from the Bai Family as they too read the scroll.

Gently disengaging Bai Qians hands from his brother, he led her back to her family before taking Ye Huas arm to lead him away for a private talk.

"Da Ge, I can't believe she would go that far." his voice quivered in anger as his head suck low.

Sighing Mo Yuan nodded.  "Yes it is extreme, but as a spectator watching from the outside and having seen what you put her through, you honestly didn't see this coming?" he asked as his voice gently probed his thoughts and where they were headed.

Snapping his head up at him, Ye Huas eyes flared out angrily.  "You're saying you did?  Why didn't you say something?" he demanded to know as he brought them both to a halt.

Placing his hand lightly on his shoulder Mo Yuans eyes softened as he took in his brothers strong angry demeanor and he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. 

"The same reason why Bai Zhi, Zhe Yan and Di Jun said nothing.  We knew there would be consequences as you should also have known.  You should also know that this is a trial Ye Hua.  You must get through it." he said forcing his brother to look at him.

"Overcome it how!" his voice began to raise as his anger grew.  "How Da Ge, she has literally destroyed us." he said pushing Mo Yuan off him.

Ignoring his anger, Mo Yuan refused to give in until the boy saw sense.  "Of course what she has done will have long reaching affects that will no doubt harm your relationship to Bai Qian, but fight it Ye Hua.  Righteously and peacefully, it is the only way you will get through it." he said a little harder.  "I cannot be any clearer than that." he added, placing his hand back on Ye Huas shoulder and squeezing gently.

Mo Yuan could see Ye Hua was near tears, an emotion he had never seen him display since he was a child, but he needed him to keep a rational head, which he knew he was capable of doing when under pressure, and this was one such time.  

"Help me Da Ge, I can't do it alone." he asked, his eyes pleading back at him with every ounce of his being.

"I will do what I can Ye Hua, you know that, but this is one time, I must step back.  Though I will always be there should you have questions or just need assurance with the choices you will now have to make.  Choices you must make alone." he said softly which only increased his brothers emotional turmoil, but at least he was listening.

"We will head back to see what the Fox Clan have come up with." he added as he gently guided his brother towards what was sounding like an argument.

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"Father, what are we going to do?" Bai Qian cried tearfully.  "It's over for us already.  There's no out from this." she sobbed falling into her mothers arms, who held her tightly as they all looked at each other in shock.

"There is always a way out Xiao Wu." Bai Zhi said thoughtfully, though he too was raking his brain to find one.

"Whatever happens from here on, your family are with you all the way." her mother whispered down at her daughter.  "This is just a trial for you to work your way through to a peaceful resolution." She added as Zhe Yan rose to stand beside them.