The Awakening of the Awakener

Sister Arguing

"Why do you let them bully you so much?" Su Tang asked, more like demanded. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her eyes were large as she stared him down. Lu Ping shook his head at her. 

They had been at the Wind Taker's Institute for almost two years now. Lu Ping had decided that it was best if he pretended he had no cultivation ability. That way, not only would nobody be able to link the Awakener to him, but the Mountain and Sea Gang, when they came looking for him (as he knew that they would) would not be likely to be able to find someone who fit the description that they knew him by.

This had some side effect to that of course. Lu Ping could deal with them, and the bullying from the other Wind Takers was just one of them. The other was that Lu Ping had to deal with the Senior Disciple on his case. He got the feeling that the other was not entirely convinced by his actions, despite how convincing they were, and it bothered him sometimes, but then again, the Senior Disciple had been there when he woke up, so it would not really surprise him if he guessed that Lu Ping was more than he seemed. Not everyone showed up with a very obviously tortured body. Not everyone was able to live through that type of extensive torture either, so it made sense that the Senior Disciple was suspicious of him. It was near impossible if he did not have some type of marital ability.

The two were arguing, as usual. It was a continuous argument that they had. Su Tang hated how easily Lu Ping let the others bully him. She hated even more that the others saw no problem with it. Especially considering out of everyone, Lu Ping was probably the one person who could easily throw them all to the floor in a breath. So deep in their argument, they did not notice the Senior Disciple, Yan XiFan, headed towards them to inform them of dinner. They had been late, and Lu Ping had not shown up for the last day to the feast dinner, so it was voted that he go and drag them out from their corner. He paused as he heard them arguing, though. 

"Su Tang," Lu Ping chided gently. "You know, it does not..."

"If they knew.." Su Tang cut him off, staring at him imploringly. "If they knew they would not even dare to..." This time Lu Ping cut her off, staring at her in a bit of exasperation. He knew that she cared. Which was why he put up with her being annoying in her worry.

"If they knew I would need to leave," Lu Ping reminded her sternly. "I am sure you understand that." He said softly, softening the tone of his reprimand a little after seeing how she looked upset. He knew that she wanted what was best for him, she had been there during the torture which he was put through by the Mountain and Sea gang, and so he understood it was hard for her to watch him be bullied.

"I know! " She said, still somewhat annoyed. "But if you at least..." She paused at that, and Lu Ping tilted his head slightly, watching her, waiting silently for her to continue. She huffed and glared at him. "I dunno, showed yourself, or something. I am sure that they would stop tormenting you so badly." 

"You know I can't risk that." Lu Ping said sternly, turning his body slightly away, but keeping his head in place to look at his younger sister. "You know that, and you know why." 

"Ge," The girl groaned. "I hate seeing them bully you. Especially over something so stupid. How could they believe you don't have..."

"Enough," Lu Ping stated softly. "Su Tang, I know that you are worried. Trust me, whatever pitiful things they state, do you think I cannot handle them?" Su Tang's eyes widened at her brother's words. 

"No! I know Ge is much more than capable. I just don't like seeing them pick on you, especially when you are so much stronger than any of them." Lu Ping smiled softly at the younger girl. 

"Good, Than we do not talk about this again?" Su Tang sighed heavily. She unfolded her arms to look up at him, worry filling her brown eyes.

"I know Ge wants to hide," She began softly, "and I understand it too. But surely just using..." Lu Ping shook his head quickly at what Su Tang was going to say, having figured it out. She continued quickly before he could interrupt her. "Surely using a little martial force will keep them from bullying you so badly." She stated softly. Lu Ping closed his eyes, sighing deeply. 

"I know that, but you know why I decided to do this. You agreed to this as well, do not forget." Lu Ping said, looking at her with big stern eyes. 

"I know," She said defensively. "But that was before I realized that they would torment you mercilessly." Lu Ping laughed gently.

"Su Tang, they are pitiful. If I truly was harmed by their words and light actions I would have never survived this long." He said with a light pat of her head. "Look, Whatever sort of torment you think they are dishing out towards me, they are not. I can assure you, I think nothing of their actions. They are nothing." Su tang sighed, resigned to the fact that she would not convince him.

"What are you going to do about Senior Brother?" She asked, wide eyes staring up at him carefully. XiFan tensed as he heard his title from the girl's lips. They did not realize he was eavesdropping surely? Perhaps it was a bit immoral, but the entire conversation was rather interesting. Lu Ping truly did have some martial ability, clearly. Just as he had believed.

"He suspects something," Lu Ping said softly. "Not just anyone could survive such torture and live to tell it. I would have had to have some type of innate martial ability for that. He knows this, and that is why he so intent on making me reveal myself, so to speak." 

"So why do you not talk to him. I am sure that he would understand and even be willing to help you." Su Tang said, hopeful that Lu Ping would agree.

"No," She rolled her eyes at the ever increasing answer of no. "Look, Su Tang, I am lucky, you are lucky, we both got really lucky. You could have died if the man in black had not made sure to drive them away from us, and I...I would not have had the luxury of death." XiFan peered over the column he was hiding behind, somewhat surprised to see the tears stinging the young male's eyes. It was not common that one saw him so emotional. "But we both managed to escape. I cannot possibly bring my fate to anyone else. They will come after me, if they are not already searching, and so I must be as low key as possible, and you know that." Lu Ping said, gently chiding her again, pushing her forehead slightly. "Let the Senior Disciple continue wondering about me. He will not figure it out anyways." 

XiFan felt himself get somewhat angry at that. How could Lu Ping be so confident in that? XiFan was left with tons more questions than answers. Lu Ping had marital ability, that was about the only question which had been answered. Then came the questions. Why was he hiding it? Why was he allowing himself to be bullied by the others because of their belief that he lacks any martial power? Who was he hiding from? What kind of people were searching for him? What fate was he talking about? Who exactly was he?

XiFan knew that these questions were not easily answered, and he also knew that he would likely not get the answers anytime soon. He had been keeping a close eye on the two for the past two years, since he saw Master coming in with two unconscious bodies, one tortured to such a horrible extent. Now, Now he knew that someone was after them, but the question was who could possibly be after them that was so horribly cruel?