AN: Vixen = female fox
60,000 years ago
"Si Ge, wait for me!"
Bai Zhen halts in his tracks the second he hears her voice, pretending to be considering the route he'd take to Zhe Yan's orchards. If he left without her, she'd no doubt run to their father in tears or sneak off on her own and get herself into more trouble... after the last time, he didn't want to get yelled at by his parents and older brothers again.
Catching up to him, Bai Qian wraps her arms around his shoulders before climbing onto his back and using the cutest possible voice she can muster, "Si Ge~! Don't leave for Zhe Yan's without me."
"Aren't you supposed to be with Xuan Nu and the other girls for your birthday? Why do you have to follow me as if you're my shadow?"
Sensing irritation in his voice, Bai Qian's smile turns into a pitiful pout almost immediately, "I don't want to play with them! Is all they do is talk about boys and dresses all day."
"Alright, alright~" Bai Zhen sighs dramatically before smiling over his shoulder at her, "How could I not let my favorite sister follow me to the ten miles of peach blossom woods?"
Bai Qian giggles when he moves to pick up her legs from behind, carrying her as he makes his way out of the safest area in Qing Qiu, "Silly. I'm your only sister!"
o~O~o~O~o
"Si Ge..." Bai Qian stops when they're halfway home, tugging on her brother's sleeve, "Do you feel that?"
Bai Zhen nods reluctantly.
He's been able to feel the unsettling energy coming from their fox den from the moment they left Zhe Yan's home.
"What should we do?" Bai Qian's voice is small as she unconsciously huddles into him, "Papa knows that I went with you to see Zhe Yan. Do you think Mother's upset because I didn't stay with the other girls?"
"That's not Mother." He hesitates as he reaches down, grabbing her smaller hand in an attempt to give her comfort without revealing how absolutely terrified he is.
Celestials are in their home but Bai Qian is still too young to be able to differentiate others' cultivations beyond her fathers. She is most definitely his favorite, and it shows.
"Should we go back to the Orchard for a while?"
He never thought his sister could say something so sensible.
"Why don't you head back, Qian Qian? I'll go see what's going on and come back for you when I'm sure it's safe."
"It's not safe? Si Ge! I'm not going to leave you if it's not safe!"
Bai Zhen lets out an uncivilized, annoyed groan, "Fine. But you need to stay hidden. No 'buts'!"
Bai Qian nods eagerly before holding her pinky out to him, "I promise. I won't let anyone see me."
If he knew what was bound to happen, he would have dragged the both of them back to Zhe Yan's and sent him in their place. Without question.
He could only hope his too-brave-for-her-own-good sister would stall on any potential heroics.
o~O~o~O~o
The screams and wails started almost as soon as he reached the lake.
It was their mother, grieving for her firstborn son.
As he reached the opening to the fox den, Bai Qian (who did her best at remaining hidden) noticed three warning signs.
YOU ARE READING
In Darkness
Fiksi PenggemarA blind seven tailed fox being looked after by her niece. A royal family (and their kingdom) wrongfully accused and exposed to the worst torments the Nine Heavens could conjure. A grieving brother mourning the loss of his twin. Bai Qian had always g...
