Winter Blossom

Lost Blossom

By the Seventh day, Mo Yuan stumbled out of his Meditation cave in a far worse condition than when he entered it.  Only, the lack of Disciples and deathly quiet, soon had his brain scrambling to comprehend what on earth was happening, because at that time of day, his Disciples should have been on the training  grounds, and Chang Shan should have been in the kitchen preparing lunch.

Heading straight to the Main Hall, he was surprised to find it empty save Die Feng, who was pacing up and down the aisle lost in deep thought. 

He was deeply concerned.  Not only had Shifu raised a barrier to keep him out when he had tried to enquire into his health, but the woman in the infirmary had seemed to be getting worse.  Her writhing and panting had become terrifying for him that in the end, he did take matters into his own hands.  Only now, he wasn't sure if he would  catch whatever abominable disease she had brought with her.  His head hurt and his body ached from all the stress, and thinking that perhaps he was now sick, he began to fret over who would take care of his juniors in Shifus absence.

Only the moment Shifu broke into his line of vision, then the immense stress he had put himself under, was suddenly swept away.  Relief was immediate, and seeing as his Shifu looked to be well enough to walk, Die Feng hurried towards him before dropping to his knees to bow

"Shifu is well?" he asked immediately as his eyes raised to look him over.  He did seem to be well enough.  He had changed his garments and his earlier sickly appearance seemed have settled.

"I am fine.  Where are your brothers?" he asked looking about the Hall which was still obviously empty.

"They are in seclusion Shifu.  I'm afraid the woman you brought back had become very ill in your absence, so I secluded them quickly, before sending the older ones to search for High God Zhe Yan." he said looking up at him with a worried frown.

"She is?" he asked becoming just as concerned.  But the moment he moved towards the Infirmary, Die Feng quickly moved to place himself in front of him.

"Shifu.  I did try to inform you, but your barrier went up.  And because you were also looking very unwell, I became afraid for my juniors safety.  And without High God Zhe Yan here to assist, I ...." he trailed off at the look of sudden impatience on his face.  

Ignoring Die Fengs assumed assessment of himself and hiding the embarrassment of what his oldest Disciple must have thought, Mo Yuan leaned in over him.

"What did you do?" he asked glaring at him.

"Shifu.  The woman was infectious.  She looked so sickly.  And because you were also looking sickly,   I ...." he hesitated now becoming unsure of his decision, seeing as Shifu was looking very angry.

"You what?" Mo Yuan snapped at his bumbling and beginning to lose patience.

"I took her back to the Peach Tree Grove Shifu." he said before slamming his head into the floor at the sudden flare of anger that flew through his eyes.

"You took her back?" he asked incredulously.  

"Shifu, she was infectious, we were all in danger of catching ......"

"She just Ascended to High Goddess you foolish boy!" Mo Yuan seethed angrily.  "Her trial had left her injured, she was not sick, but in need of medical attention.  I left her in your care and this is how you treat a wounded defenceless woman?" he almost yelled before quickly drawing in a deep breath.

"Forgive me Shifu.  I didn't realize." Die Feng whispered now feeling extremely guilty at having not realized his mistake, one he should have double checked.  Only, because Shifu had looked so unwell after treating her, he had automatically assumed the worst and did not take the time to check her injuries, instead he had thrown her out.