A Gentle Torment

Altering Forms (Guan Yin)

AN: *Gasp!* But where could Guan Yin be??? ((Her issue is going to be explained by herself next chapt -- promise))

... fingers crossed YZ can keep herself in check over the time it takes her to get to Kunlun Mountain. 

Bai Qian smiles, unable to hold back the inevitable joy and tears that follow when Hua Ye opens his eyes, "You're awake, my little black snake..."

Hua Ye smiles lovingly up at her, reaching forward to cup her cheek, "Qian Qian, you've become thin and you feel cold. You can't stop taking care of yourself, too."

"I know." Bai Qian smiles sweetly, leaning forward to kiss his forehead before she peers over at the beaded screen leading to the main room of their small home, "Little Riceball, come say hello to your father."

"Really? He's awake!?" From inside the other room, the child's excited voice leaves Hua Ye unable to help but smile as Bai Qian helps him sit up.

"Mmn," Is the only response she gives, but it seems to be all the encouragement his little black fox needs.

Pushing back the screen, their son comes bounding in as little more than a green blur as he pounces onto the bed, eagerly throwing his arms around his father's shoulders, "I've missed you, father!"

"A-li, be careful..."

Her words might as well be whisked away with the wind as the little boy excitedly wriggles in his spot, pulling out the crude clay sculpture he had made during his classes that day.

"Look, Father, look! I made one of Yan Zhi's pretty blackbirds' babies today!"

"Oh?" Hua Ye smiles, but Bai Qian can't help but worry over the airy breathlessness in his voice, "You did a pretty good job for a little fox your age."

She almost wants to smack her own forehead for him! That's not how you talk to a-

"Thank you, father! ... Oh, yes! Yes! And the chieftess said that you can come out in your human form today since they're paying tribute to the sun!"

"Oh?" Just being around the little blur of energy has him quickly growing exhausted. But, at the idea of being able to stretch his legs outside...

"Oh! And Mother is going to dance with the chieftess for everyone to help pull away the clouds as the only High Goddess in the city!" A-li wriggles excitedly in his place on his father's lap.

"A-li," Bai Qian fights a small laugh as he almost falls off of the bed, stopped by Hua Ye when he winds his arm around the little boy's waist, "Slow down. You are going to give your father whiplash. Why don't you go visit Dong Mei and pick out a snack? Your father and I will catch up with you once I help him get dressed."

Having the decency to look the slightest bit apologetic, A-li nods as he climbs off of the bed, holding his hand out for the tiny luminous pearl that Bai Qian will inevitably give him to pay for whatever he chooses today.

Relenting early, Bai Qian hands him the pearl. He barely says his goodbyes to both of them before he's out the door, running down the street to visit Dong Mei and his friends. Turning back to Hua Ye, she fights a small smile before walking over to a small table and picking up a comb.

"I see he's still 'easily excitable'," Hua Ye murmurs as Bai Qian returns to his side, taking her time to comb out his hair and put it up into a topknot.

"He gets that from my side of the family," Bai Qian replies back softly without thinking twice, "He's well behaved most of the time, though. He rarely gets into any mischief."

Finishing her work, she turns around to face him before smiling.

"What?"

"I missed seeing those eyes of yours." Leaning forward, Bai Qian pecks his cheek before helping him up and walking over to the small stand where clothing had already been set out and waiting for him.