Fresh Embers of Love

Chapter 14

Yanyou, the Snake Zodiac Spirit, looked up from the paper-bound book that he was viewing. He could have sworn he heard a crashing noise in the distance. He paused, head cocked to the side, listening intently. Soon there was another sound of impact.

Yanyou jumped up from his couch, stashing the book underneath the cushion. The pictures in this particular book were not appropriate for some readers, and he didn't want his children to stumble upon it by accident.

As he exited his study, he was surprised to see his twin boys sitting peacefully in the garden. Kama was reading from a book made of wooden segments, while Itachi was whittling a reed into a flute. For once they were not at each other's throats. Yanyou had been convinced that the crashing noises had originated with them.

"Uh... did you boys hear a loud noise?" he asked them in confusion.

"Our Moms are fighting" replied Kama unconcernedly, not looking up from his book.

Yanyou's eyes widened in alarm. "Hey, listen, how about you boys get out of the house for awhile" he proposed optimistically. "Nuwa could probably use some company, why don't you go and visit her?"

Another loud crashing noise emanated from behind the closed door of his Second Wife's room, causing him to wince. He thought he might have heard the sound of breaking glass.

Itachi sighed with irritation, but got up from his seat, tucking the reed into his belt, and sheathing his knife.

"Come on, Kama!" he said resignedly. "That book isn't going anywhere."

Kama glared up at him over the top of his book. Itachi returned his glare with an eye roll.

"Nuwa has probably already read that book. You'll have something to talk about with her" said Itachi sarcastically.

Kama scoffed. "I don't understand why I can't just read my book!" Kama complained. "I'm not bothering anybody. I just want to sit here and read!"

Itachi reached down and snatched the book from his brother's hands, trying to look at it.

"Give it back!" Kama yelled, lunging out of his seat.

"What is so fascinating about this book?" Itachi asked, holding the book out in front of him, and keeping Kama back at arms reach. Kama tried dodging around Itachi's arm, but Itachi kept pivoting to keep his brother at bay.

"Who is Wei Wuxian?" asked Itachi laughingly. "Why does he go on and on about Lan Wangji*?"

*{this is a reference to a BL novel called "Mo Dao Zu Shi" (The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.}

Kama's expression turned ferocious. He balled his hand into a fist, and dealt his brother a vicious blow to the kidney. Itachi doubled over in pain, flinging the book to the ground.

"You are so dead!" Itachi threatened, holding his side and glaring with a menacing stare.

"Boys" Yanyou interjected tiredly. "Stop fighting. Please?"

Itachi looked at his twin brother with something like hatred. "Not until I pay him back!" he exclaimed, launching himself at Kama. The twins landed heavily on the floor, and started tussling, each one trying to gain the upper hand.

Yanyou felt his patience eroding. Just then another loud crashing sound emanated from his wife's room. This one sounded louder than the others had, imbuing Yanyou with a sense of urgency.

"BOYS!" he yelled, grabbing the top one by the collar and hauling him backwards. "Just GET OUT!" he ordered both of them.

The twins scrambled up onto their feet and ran for the door. The knew their dad could be dangerous when riled up. They had made that mistake before.