Red Phantom

Chapter 3

Zhu's POV

I was walking around in this dark place. I couldn't see anything, but I could hear people talking about me. "Xichen it's been a month, you know if she doesn't wake up what has to be done." I heard a voice speak softly. "She'll wake up Wangji, I know she will." Another voice spoke quickly. What's going on? I'm only sleeping why are they so worried? I went to open my eyes, but nothing. I tried to open my eyes again but to no avail. I started focusing all my strength on my left hand, trying to get it to move. Finally, I can feel it moving while my chest is heaving. "Wangji did you see that? Zhu's hand is moving and her breathing....she's trying to wake up." I heard someone say excitedly. I kept moving my hand as much as I could until I felt warmth on it. Is someone holding my hand? "Zhu it's Xichen, Lan Xichen. Please if you can hear me wake up." Xichen spoke softly. So it really is Xichen, he must've take me back to his home in Gusu. At that moment I stopped moving my hand, focusing all my strength on my eyes. I have to open them I just have to, I can't stay like this. I kept trying over and over to open my eyes refusing to give up until finally rays of light blinded my barely open eyes. I closed them tightly letting a small groan slip from my mouth. "Zhu? Are you awake?" Xichen asked softly. I reopened my eyes starring at him, smiling faintly. "X-X-Xichen...." I croaked holding his hand tighter. "Zhu! You're awake!" He exclaimed happily, lightly squeezing my hand in return. "Water..." I croaked softly. "Wangji, can you go get some water please?" Xichen asked his brother who was on the other side of the room.  He simply nodded before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. "Where are we in Cloud Recess?" I asked as I tried looking around. "We're in my room, your room is next to mine. You can start staying there once you've recovered. Until then you stay here." Xichen said smiling warmly at me. I starred at him in awe, ever since the first time we met I've loved his smile. It was so warm and comforting, just like he was. I was brought out of my trance by Xichen slightly shaking me. "Zhu? Zhu are you okay?" Xichen asked with concerned filled eyes. "Huh? Oh yes I'm fine, I uhhhh was just thinking about something?" I spoke looking away. "Was that something about me?" Xichen chuckled while poking my cheek. I started blushing insanely, so I covered my face with the blanket. I could hear Xichen laughing at me, but I didn't dare show my face to see. "Zhu, come on uncover your face."Xichen spoke trying to take the cover off me. I gripped onto it tighter until finally it was ripped away. I looked at Xichen with a flushed face. "Don't hide from me, ever." Xichen spoke sternly. I quickly nodded while starring up at him. "Xichen?" I spoke staring at him. He hummed a response not breaking eye contact. "Who changed me?" I asked shyly. "I did." Xichen spoke as he leaned closer to me. I looked deep into his chocolate colored eyes, before glancing at his pink tinted lips. Before I knew it his face was only inches from mine. We looked deep into each other's eyes, before Xichen closed the distance between us. His soft lips landed lightly on mine, as my eyes fluttered closed, lost in the sweet moment we were having, not knowing Wangji had walked back in. Xichen separated from me slightly, before peaking my lips again. "I promise I'll protect you, no one will hurt you again, okay?" Xichen spoke softly to me. I nodded my head starring up at him lost in his eyes, before Wangji cleared his throat bringing us out of our trance. Xichen jumped up quickly, turning to face Wangji. "When did you get here Wangji." Xichen questioned with a slightly flushed face. "Just now." He spoke handing the water in his hands to Xichen. "Here." He spoke before going to sit across the room. Xichen brought the water over to me as I carefully sat up, wincing in pain. "Here let me help you." He softly spoke gently holding my head and the water to my mouth. I started drinking it quickly not being able to get enough. "Slowly, i dont want you choking." Xichen warned eyeing me. I slowed down my drinking before all the water was gone. He pulled the cup away and gently wiped my mouth. "Thank you." I spoke with flushed cheeks. "Of course." Xichen stated smiling warmly. "Errrm Xichen? Where's Wuxian? Is he here?" I asked curiously looking around hoping I'd maybe see him outside the door, but there was nothing. Xichen stared at me sadly before looking back at Wangji with the same expression. "He lives in the Burial Mounds, with the remaining members of the Wen family." Xichen whispered looking into my eyes. "Has anyone tried talking to him?" I asked quickly jolting fully upright. "Jiang Cheng went and talked to him, which ended in a fight. Then Wangji tried to stop him from even leaving, which didn't work since Wangji won't draw his sword upon Young Master Wei." Xichen spoke carefully looking at me. "Wangji when are you going to see him?" I questioned looking over at him. "I'm going to Yiling in a few days." He spoke simply. "I'm going with you, I'll get through to Wuxian." I chirped sternly looking down at my hands. "Xichen where are my weapons?" I asked looking over at his concerned face. "In your room don't worry they didn't hurt me." He said smiling slightly. I quickly pulled the blanket off of me, going to get up. "Zhu you need to rest." Xichen said with a hand on my shoulder. "No I need to see Wuxian. I have to talk to him." I spoke sternly staring at Xichen. "Please, lay down for now. We can discuss it later." Xichen said gently pushing me back into the bed. Before I could say more a knock was heard on the door. "ZeWu-jun Grand Master has summoned you and HanGuang Jun." A shy voice of a disciple spoke through the door. "Okay, you can stay outside the door I need you to watch over Zhu for me." Xichen spoke to the young disciple. "Okay ZeWu-jun." The shy boy spoke standing by his post. Wangji slowly got up before leaving the room along with Xichen, who hadn't said anymore to me. As soon as I knew they were gone I got up as quickly as I could. I carefully scanned the room, finding my clothes and going to put the rest of them on then my shoes. I walked to the door and went to leave before the disciple stopped me. "ZeWu-jun said I was to guard you so please go back inside." He spoke softly. I looked at him with a gentle smile before pushing past him. "I'm simply going over to my room no need to stop me from that." I spoke entering my room and closing the door. I went over to my weapons, putting them on my back tying my secret weapon to my waist. I quickly found paper and wrote a short letter to Xichen, before taking out a Transportation Talisman. I glanced at the door mentally saying sorry and thank you, before transporting to the entrance of Burial Mounds. I looked behind me letting a tear fall as I silently thought of Xichen. "I know this is wrong, but I have to do this." I whispered to myself as I start up the mountain. I knew he'd be mad at me for leaving, especially like this but I can't just lay there and do nothing. I have to talk to Wuxian he listens to me not only that we have something in common. As I walk up slowly, without paying attention I tripped landing on a rock with a crack. I let out a blood curdling scream as wounds reopened and my ribs broke. I bit my lip as I tried pushing myself up, only falling on the ground holding my side. I knew after that scream either someone would come, or I'd just be left laying here. As I laid there I remembered the medicine i had on me. I slowly reached for it before realizing it was gone. Xichen must've used it on me already. A thought then crossed my mind, my secret weapon could help heal me, but only if I gave into the pain of it first. I quickly opened my pouch on my waist taking out my Xīshēng Amulet slicing my hand with it, before it came to life. The dark matter surrounded me, going into my wounds with a burning fire sensation. I clenched my teeth making two fist before I screamed in pain. After a few minutes I was covered in sweat, with a heaving chest, and heavy eyes. My wounds had been healed so Xīshēng went back into its pouch that I tied slowly onto my waist. I laid there trying to regain my strength before getting up to go see Wuxian. As I rolled over I saw the feet of a person standing in front of me. I glanced up and saw a little boy, I guess he's the only one that came down from the mountain. Why is he alone though? I smiled at him as I pushed myself up only to fall back down. The boy came to my side trying help me up. I smiled over at him and he shyly smiled back. "Do you live here?" I asked softly. He simply nodded his head before looking away. I chuckled at how cute he was being, a little boy like him should live somewhere better than here. This place is wicked Wuxian shouldn't have him here. I stare at the boy silently as he stands there playing with his hands. "Does Wei Wuxian live here?" I question softly. At the mention of Wuxian the boy lite up nodding his head. "Could you do me a favor?" The little boy nodded quickly. "Can you give this to Wei Wuxian for me?He'll know what to do with it." I spoke handing him one of my talisman that Wuxian and I used while we lived here together. The boy gently took it from me before running back up the mountain. I chuckled at how cute he was while I just laid there. Once the boy was gone from my view I tried to prop myself up. With the strength I had, I managed to prop myself up against the rock I landed on. I just sat there waiting for Wuxian, getting lost in my thoughts. I lived here for, four months. One month alone, three months with Wuxian. He was so broken when he first got here. He literally fell from the sky after Wen Chao pushes him down here. He was injured for weeks because of that, so I took care of him even though he hated it. He honestly didn't like anyone but his sister or Wangji helping him. Honestly, that's who he always talked about. Instead of talking about what happened or how he got here, he smiled and laughed about the times he had with those two. Then crying most nights worrying about them, and what would happen if Wen Chao caught them. Those nights are the nights I vowed to help protect Wuxian, even from the shadows I'd protect him. Not only him but those he cared about and that were close with him. I vowed to be an unseen hero helping all that needed it. That's why I wondered the land, to help those in need and bring justice to those that deserved it. I smiled and let silent tears drop from my eyes at the memories, as I drifted off into a painful sleep.