《Little thief, NOT anymore》


 1 Caught!

    "STOP There! You!" The soldiers shouted angrily. And ran after the thief.


    The only thing they saw was a little shadow of a boy in beggars'' clothes that have taken some things under his shirt. The boy ran as fast as it could, but still, he was caught. Compared to him big and muscular soldiers, one was older, and the other was much younger than the first.


    "Garw, we need to take him to the commander!" Said the younger one. Then took the boy by his collar and dragged him with them. The boy opposed and struggled but it was in vain because they were stronger.


    After fifteen minutes they were before the commander''s study room. They looked anxiously at each other and called "Commander! We caught the thief from the main market!".


    "Come in!" answered a cold and terrifying voice. The guards come in and were scared because of the look the commander had. A cold and piercing look he looked at the boy and then an evil smile appeared. "Leave him and go out." The soldiers exited the room in a hurry.


    When there were only the two of them in the room left, the commander said with amusement smile "Do you intend to dress as a boy forever?"


    The boy was shocked by these words and took a good look at the man before him. He was handsome, very handsome. He had long hair, knitted in a semi bun. The eyes were green and cold like he didn''t have any emotions, the clothes could show his perfect muscles and the robes couldn''t hide them. He was just perfect in both body and face.


    The boy blushed a bit and answered, "I don''t know what you mean" and tried to act like he didn''t know what commander mean. The commander smirked and wig with an evil smile "If you are really a boy then strip".


    He looked serious, and the boy stiffened and after some time in silence he said, "I can''t".


    "So, you really are a girl then," said the evil man in front of a boy. There were a silence and awkwardness. Then the boy nodded his head slightly and admitted the truth. The commander was satisfied with an answer like that and asked, "Tell me how old you are and what is your name".


    The girl looked him into his green eyes and hesitated a bit, but answered, "I''m 13 and my name is Lou, a-and I don''t have a surname". The girl couldn''t look any more in his eyes and looked away in embracement. The commander said with an emotionless smile "Then if you don''t have anywhere to go, do you want to work for me?"

 2 Work With You

    The shock was all over her face when Lou heard these words. It was true she didn''t have anywhere to go but to just follow someone she didn''t trust was impossible. After a while of silence, she looked him in the eyes and asked, "And why should I work for you?".


    Commander didn''t expect that question and thought of an answer. His face was handsome even when he frowned.


    "You should because I think you are amusing, and I want to know what you are capable of." That was his answer to her question, still, that wasn''t everything he was thinking. He liked how she wasn''t scared to look him in the eyes and that Lou is different compared to everyone else. So, after that, he asked again "Do you want to work for me?"


    "And what would I do if I agree?" another question he wasn''t prepared for, but still he answered with seriousness "First you would need to show what you can, then I would give you training so that you would be as strong as possible. Is that answer satisficing?"


    The girl was deep in thoughts. That proposition is not bad, and it will help her improve her skills and that is what she wanted the most. Lou still siding know if she can trust him, but she could train so she wanted to do it, but she asked before agreeing "Where will I live and what will be my pay?"


    "Hmmm, you would get your own room and you would get your own room, you would have your meals with the other soldiers and you would get pocket money whenever you ask. Is that good?", he asked like, already knowing what her answer will be.


    "Okay, I agree to work with you." The main point to her was that she would have a place to train, sleep and she would have food every day. It was so much better than living on the street and she was satisfied with her decision.

 4 First Battle

    They come to a spacious arena where some soldiers were training. They stiffened when they saw their commander walk in. Lou thought it was a little hilarious how they feared their commander, but she saw that they respect him. ''Just who was he??'' She thought.


    When the little girl giggled everyone that was training saw her and was dumbstruck. ''What was a little boy doing here?!'' or ''What is a 13-year-old doing here?!'' that was everyone''s thoughts.


    "So, what is the weapon you like the most?" asked Xin Huo and looked at the wall. Lou followed his gaze and saw the wall with every weapon there is. She saw a sword, daggers and a bow. She was good at then she answered with seriousness, "I''m good with the sword and bow but best with daggers!"


    "Go take a pair for both of us" he ordered like she was a servant. Lou heard him and pouted ''I''m not some slave'' she thought, but still went to get them. On the wall were two sets of daggers, one was a little smaller than normal and in the color of black, ''perfect'' thought Lou, and the other one was a little bigger and was in crystal blue color. She took them and went back to brother Huo.


    "When can we start our sparring?" asked with excitement in her voice Lou. Xin Huo sneered when he saw a little girl holding draggers with enthusiasm and looked at him to give a reply. "We can start when you are ready" and a warm smile appeared on that devil-commander.


    ''He is going to end in the bad state.'' or ''He won''t end well'' was the thoughts of everyone that gathered because of these two. They didn''t expect much of that small boy. She still looks like a boy and only the commander was aware that she is a girl.


    Lou and Xin Huo took a fighting stance. He admitted in his head that she sure is capable. Her stance was like professionals and she didn''t give her killing intent out, but still, he could see that her eyes changed to cold and emotionless. He expected much.


    Lou not waiting for her opponent to react rushed forward and attacked first. Xia Huo blocked and counterattacked. That pattern took about eight rounds. Lou attacked from every side and focused at weak points of the human body. Xia Huo knew she was good with just that, and then he became serious. He attacked, and Lou blocked or dodged.


    Everyone''s mouths that saw that little boy fight turned in a big O. ''He wasn''t any ordinary child'' or ''Is he really 13?'' was the only thoughts that soldiers could think of.

 5 Just Who Was He?!

    The fight continued and after thirty minutes the winner was decided. It was hard to tell if it really was a win because of the difference in age and physique.


    The little boy didn''t have enough stamina and lost due to it, but still, she fought with their commander twenty minutes more than the vice-commander could. She was better than him and the commander was serious too.


    The soldiers were stunned. They only looked at these two that just finished fighting. Their mind was blown away by the boy.


    Xin Huo looked at the girl with satisfaction and offered a helping hand to help her get up. Lou smiled warmly at him and accepted his offer. She was all sweaty and sticky and so was he. They didn''t have time to take a deep breath so, they gasped fast.


    Soon they returned to the state before the fight. Still taking a break they slowly went back to his study room. Just when they were on their way back his right-hand man come to report actions in the northern part of the county. He was quite surprised that a little boy was with their commander.


    "Commander!" shouted the man and continued, "The reports are here!"


    Xin Huo looked at the man that shouted and nodded his head. The man followed them to the study room. When they were there Xin Huo looked at Lou and said, "You should go and change"


    Lou looked at him and answered, "Can I take a shower somewhere?" The without waiting for a reply she added "And, can I borrow some clothes? These are soaked in sweat and is uncomfortable now."


    Xin Huo looked at the little girl before him and responded, "There are some robes in the room behind you, and if you want a shower then the door at right is the bathroom". He wanted to see her reaction, but she just departed to where he said, leaving these two men alone.


    ''Just who was that boy, that the commander let in his private room?'' thought the man deep in his heart and then he woke up from his daze. "There is some trouble in the reports!"


    "Is it the Nau kingdom again?" asked Xin Huo with a tried, but still fierce expression. The troubles in North are always caused by Nau kingdom.


    Beside the Xin kingdom in the center and Nau kingdom in the north-east, there is still Ning kingdom in the sought-west. Compared to the Nau kingdom that likes troubles and wars, the Ning liked to live in harmony and peace.


    Just when the faces went seriously to discuss what to do the door opened with a great BANG!


    "Brother Huo!" whined Lou and continued, "Everything in there is too big for me!" Xin Huo couldn''t take it and busted in laughter. The man beside Xin Huo was amazed that the little boy could make their ice-cold commander laugh.


    When he saw that she started to pout he answered, "Want me to send someone to shop some robes in your size?"


    "No! Just give me a good knife and I will make one from what is there!" stated Lou as she held out a hand to her brother Huo. He gave up arguing before it started and gave her his hidden dragger.


    ''Just who was he'' thought the man that was totally ignored.

 6 Great plan!

    She took his dragger and turned back to go to that room again. The two men were alone yet again. Xin Huo was now interested what will she do, he completely failed to recall that it was his own clothes.


    The man that was ignored was now cleaning his throat so that his commander would come back to his senses.


    "So, Wu Bai, your answer to my question?" Xin Huo didn''t forget what they were talking about. He was just mesmerized at how cute Lou was when she whined and pouted. When thinking about it, the corners of his mouth made their way up without him noticing.


    "Yes" Wu Bai answered "With what is in the reports it seems that way. They are planning to attack our cities that which lies on the border."


    "What are the soldiers waiting for! Get more patrols and look up when the attack will be!" angered by the words Wu Bai reported, Xin Huo was in furry. ''How can they do nothing when they see what is going on''.


    When they planed about how to position the soldiers, just when they heard the door opening again. This time without a great Bang, but they were surprised at who comes out from that door.


    It wasn''t the sweaty and dirty boy, but a young miss that was pleasing to the eye. The sky-blue clothes although still big and without any grace, looked perfect on that small body of hers. Her black hair wasn''t in a bun, but hung on her shoulders, although still wet they had the grace of beautiful night.


    Her robes that were sky-blue were a perfect match with her black hair and ice-cold blue eyes.


    "What are you staring at? Brother Huo?" with a smirk on her face she tested, "Did you fall for me?"


    Xin Huo chuckled and answered the question, "No, but I think you look beautiful. Much better than before."


    "So. You are saying I was ugly before?" Lou pouted, and her face becomes even sweeter in the eyes of Xin Huo. "No, but you look better in these clothes than the beggars you had on before."


    Lou sat on the sofa still pouting a little. She heard everything in the other room. When she was thinking seriously what to do. She wanted to help, but how?


    The two men were still staring at her when she sat on the sofa. She was charming even in the way she thought seriously, but they had only one thought ''What was she thinking about SO seriously?!''


    Then she broke the silence "I maybe know what you could do"


    They looked at her amazed. So, this is what she was thinking. She wanted to come up with a plan to help. Xin Huo thought that even that was cute and asked, "What do you suggest?"


    "Then how about you yourself go and check the situation in the north. Of course, no one will know you are there and when you know what is happening we will take action" Lou suggested with a proud expression.


    "Hmm, so it wasn''t only me that was thinking about that" an evil smile appeared on his face and Lou''s proud expression disappeared. Actually, Xin Huo thought it was impressive that a thirteen-year-old could come up with that too.


    "Great plan!" excited that a girl was on the same intellectual level as their commander. Even he himself couldn''t come up with something their commander thought. It was like she could read commander''s mind.

 7 Hunger and shopping

    It was already quite late when they finished discussing the strategies and Lou has fallen asleep on the sofa. When Xin Huo saw that, he dismissed Wu Bai and starred at Lou. She was cute like a small animal when asleep. He looked at her with a warm look and, lifted and went to his room.


    He placed Lou on his bed, and when he wanted to leave he found out that she was grabbing his robes. He didn''t have an option as to sit on the bed and wait until she will let go. He took a book to fill some time.


    Without realizing he too had fallen asleep with his book in his hands.


    At dawn ¡­.


    Lou woke up. Still half asleep she felt that she wasn''t alone. She fast sat up to see that it was her brother Huo. When was the last time she put her guard down? Almost never and now here she was sleeping with someone in the same room.


    Lou felt embarrassed, after all, she was still a girl. She fast jumped out of bed and taking a deep breath to calm down.


    When Lou jumped of bed Xin Huo woke up. When he saw her panic, he tried his best not to start laughing. He slowly sat up when she finally calmed down.


    "Good morning" a simple greeting come from her mouth and then fast avoided his eyes. She still couldn''t look him in the eye.


    "Morning" he greeted back and made his way with new robes to the bathroom. Lou thought that he was still half asleep. So, she exited the room as smoothly she could.


    She sat on the sofa that was in the study. Thinking what happened the day before and today. She got herself a job and a master. A place to live and meals every day. Just the thought if that made her smile.


    Just when she was dazed in thinking Xin Huo come in the study. He didn''t disturb her as he sat with the table that was pulled up with books and reports. He started working and two hours passed.


    ¡­


    A rumbling sound was heard, and it was really loud. The surprise was that it comes from that little girl sitting in the corner. He giggled "Shall we go to breakfast?" after saying that he got up.


    The little girl nodded and followed him.


    Ten minutes walk and they were in the canteen. The smell of soup was all over the place. Just with that a still appeared on Lou''s mouth. Xin Huo took two portions and took them to a nearby table.


    Lou was like an animal when she started eating. Her meal was finished in less than a minute. Xin Huo giggled and went to bring her more. When he placed the bowl before her he sarcastically said, "Eat slowly. No one is going to take it away."


    Hearing that she felt embarrassed and ate slowly this time. Now when she ate slowly she could tell how amazing and delicious the food was. She almost cried from happiness.


    When they finished Xin Huo asked with serious voice "Do you know how to ride?"


    "If you mean a horse then no, I can''t"


    He could tell it was the truth and continued," We will go to the market and buy you some clothes first and you will choose a horse"


    She thought about it and nodded, she understood why the clothes but didn''t really know why the horse too so, she asked, "Why should I chose a horse?"


    "You need a companion that will take you anywhere you want and recognize you as it''s master" he simply answered that and then they made their way to buy her things.


    It as starts choosing her clothes, almost every was a male robe, but she did choose two sets of woman''s robes. Every male robe was in the dark colors while women were bright and cheerful.

 8 Her horse

    She changed to one of the male set robes. She looked like a young master, stoic and beautiful. They made their way to the horse market. They entered the biggest one and as Xin Huo was with her, they welcomed them warmly.


    Trade were many stalls with horses. Purebloods, half-bloods and mix types of blood. There were even some wild horses, there were only three in the history that could take them. One of them was late emperor and after him was no one.


    That race was very majestic and proud. They chose their masters and not the other way around.


    That was the race Lou liked the most. No one could control their lives and that was what did make Lou respect them. She thought that they weren''t only stupid animals that follows everything and were intelligent like people.


    Xin Huo was looking for a pure-bread for her and chose one that he liked. Lou saw that it was him that chooses and pouted. ''Mph, first he says I chose and then he does it himself''.


    She couldn''t take it and walked away. As she made her way out she again saw the wild horses. She paused to look at them and was automatically lost in thoughts.


    After a while ¡­


    Xin Huo realized Lou wasn''t there and started looking for his little girl. After some minutes he found her, but to his surprise, she wasn''t alone. Many people gathered to look at what was happening, and it was that a small girl was dazing out before wild horses.


    She wasn''t noticing anything or anyone, and a horse was tugging her sleeve for attention.


    "Lou!" angry voice woke her up from a daze and was it was her brother Huo. He finally remembered of her existence. When she remembered she looked away and pouted, at the same time realizing her sleeve was tired by a horse.


    "Hello there, boy" she greeted the horse and started patting his head. Everyone was stunned, even Xin Huo. Who would have thought that she could take a wild horse?


    The horse was grey with black mane and tail. Its eyes were black and deep like the deepest part of the sea. Lou liked it and wanted to take him with her.


    Xin Huo woke up from the daze and approached Lou. "Sorry, I forgot that it is you that was going to chose and not me."


    She could hear that he was sorry. "It''s okay now, and I want him!" she pointed at the horse before her.


    "Okay" was a simple one-word reply.


    ¡­


    On the way back to camp with many clothes and a horse he asked Lou, "Do you know how to name him?"


    "Ash" almost an immediate reply from her. She already knew what to name him the first time she saw him.


    "It''s a good name for your horse"


    ''Her horse'' these words made her incredibly happy and she had a big smile on her face.

 9 Falling off

    Lou woke up early in the morning. Fast changed into black set of male robes and come out of her own room. The room she got was small, but spacious with a single bed, table and a bookshelf full of bocks.


    Actually, she couldn''t wait to go and see Ash so, she actually sprang to the stable. When Lou was there and saw him, a smile popped up on her face. She was happy, it wasn''t a dream and he was actually here.


    Ash that was in the stable wasn''t really happy. That type of horse hated being closed and was on rampage just when he saw Lou, only then he calmed down. She come and patted him.


    "So, you too hate being closed" she smiled and giggled a little.


    "It just that type of race. They don''t like being locked" from nowhere come Xin Huo''s voice. He was there before him, she just didn''t notice him.


    He saw a wild horse on rage one second and an obedient bunny next second. It surprised him that in that small amount of time they actually created such big bound to each other.


    "Brother! What are you doing here?" in a little confusion asked Lou.


    "You need someone to help you learn how to ride, right?"


    "Well, yeah."


    He took the saddle and come near the horse, but Ash didn''t like that and started to riot again. Lou calmed him down fast and took the saddle from him and approached Ash. This time he didn''t react much.


    After everything was in place Lou took Ash out from the stable and come to a big training ground. There were soldiers training archery with horses and when they come in they were frozen. After a minute they started to chatter.


    "What is a wild horse doing here?"


    "Can even someone ride on it?"


    "W-Wait is that a little boy?"


    "Commander is there too!"


    Excitement was now on everyone''s faces. Not only a wild horse appeared, but their commander too. What was the meaning behind it? That was what everyone wanted to ask.


    "What do we start with?" Lou asked not wanting to wait.


    "First you should know how to sit and not fall of your own horse!" Xin Huo was awe-struck, that she didn''t know even that.


    "Okay!" Lou wanted to hop on the horse, but there was something in the way and that was her height. She was too short and couldn''t do it by herself. Xin Huo seeing that wanted to laugh so much, he almost started to cry.


    Ash seeing his owner had difficulties, decided to lay on the grass. Lou felt warm seeing that and hopped on, only then Ash got up again.


    Xin Huo was amazed that a horse can be this intelligent without any training or command. He wanted to see more of what Ash could do and what can they do together.


    Soon he become aware that they weren''t that amazing he thought. Lou slipped of Ash all the time. It was so hilarious that everyone there busted into a big laugh. Lou didn''t care, but her brother Huo did.


    "Silence! I''m trying to learn my brother here!" He shouted, and it became dead silent. Many of soldiers went back and some stayed to look more.


    The sunset come, and Lou only then stopped to practice riding. She was in bruises and cuts from falling off. She was satisfied with today. Before she didn''t even dream to ride and now she managed to at last ride at walking speed.


    Only that her body was aching now.

 10 Medicine

    Next morning ¡­


    Lou''s body was still painful, so she decided to go buy some medicine. Only one problem and it was money! She had only one option, go and ask for it her big brother.


    A man that was focused in reports and other things heard a knocking sound.


    Knock! Knock!


    "It''s me! Lou!"


    "Come in!" a warm voice was heard behind the door and Lou walked in.


    "Brother! I need some money." Asked a girl in a low voice. She didn''t want to admit she needed to rely on someone else.


    "On what and how much?" Xin Huo asked. He actually already decided that he will accompany her even if she declined his offer.


    "On medicine, but I don''t know how much it cost." She was a little disappointed in hers lack in knowledge. Then she asked with slightly bright cheeks and in a really low voice "C-Could you come with me?"


    Xin Huo''s eyes widened. Who would have thought that she would ask first? He was overjoyed and fast got up. "I know of a good pharmacy so follow me"


    Lou giggled and followed behind him. She was happy he agreed, and she can spend more time with him!


    Wait! Why is she Happy about it?!


    Uggh! Whatever!


    Soon they were before the Golden Medic Pavilion. It was big and looked very luxurious, and not in the latest cheap. Inside It had golden pillars, so golden is not only in name.


    There was a big line to the reception. And again, everyone was dumbstruck on seeing commander Xin Huo. He rarely come to by something in person and rumors say that the day before he come shopping with someone at that.


    Everyone looked around and saw a little girl next to him, they were curious about who she was.


    This time Lou had a bright yellow woman robe and her black hair were in a semi bun, leaving half of her hair swaying on her shoulders. She looked like a young miss from rich family.


    "So, what medicine did you want to buy?" Xin Huo was curious, he didn''t ask before.


    "Some painkiller and something for bruises. Of course, herbs are good too. I know some first aid on that" She wasn''t the best, but she could do the basic medicine for bruises.


    "I didn''t know you had some knowledge on medicine" Xin Huo was once again stunned by her.


    "I know only some basic so it''s not that amazing!"


    "Okay, okay" snickering a little he answered Lou.


    Some time in silence passed and it was eventually their turn. The receptionist was familiar with Xin Huo, but not his little companion, so he too was curious about her.


    "Customers! What can I help you with?" he asked with a big smile and polite voice.


    "Some medicine for bruises and painkillers" Lou and Xin Huo answered at the same time. They both laughed at that and once again everyone was stunned because the ice cold and emotionless commander laughed.


    They finished shopping and Lou said she is going to practice horse riding. Xin Huo didn''t have a choice and come back to his reports sighting.


    That day ended with that Lou gained more bruises and cuts on her body.

 11 Journey 1

    Taking medicine was helpful. Every cut and bruise was almost gone and she used it only once. She thought that that medicine was expensive, but she didn''t know how much he paid for it.


    Lou made her way to the stable and her mood improved more on the sight of Ash. She talked to everyone that worked as caretakers for the horses and they agreed to let him be lose and not closed all the time.


    The first thing she did was give him a fresh carrot she found in the cafeteria. Of course, Lou didn''t ask permission to take it, she just used the skills she gained when she still was a thief. Ash liked the carrot and it disappeared in a few seconds.


    Lou prepared Ash and took him to practice. After five hours she managed to gallop and jump. She was so exited that the first thing she did after leaving Ash in the stable was dashing to Xin Huo.


    She entered the room without even one knock on the door and shouted with a very red face from running "Brother! Brother! I can gallop and jump now!"


    Xin Huo that had a meeting about going to the north with Wu Bai was shocked at the rapid presence of Lou. He was happy though that she managed to do it so fast. Now their plans didn''t have to wait for too long.


    "Good!" With a smile answered Xin Huo at her shout.


    "SOOO, when are we going to depart?" Lou wanted to go now or at last the fastest they could and added, "I can ride well now"


    "That is right. We only need to choose guards" he said and got up showing that she shall follow.


    They entered a small room and there were about ten to fifteen soldiers. Both men and women. Tall and short. Thin and fat. Skinny and muscular.


    "Everyone here is extremely trained in combat and are ones of the best." Xin Huo said like it was only oblivious and continued now facing Lou, "You can choose who will be going with us"


    The people were stunned by hearing that a little boy will choose. They didn''t know who he was, but they knew one thing ''Commander things highly of him''.


    "Umm, Can I really choose?" with anxiety in voice asked doubtfully Lou. Was he only testing her or was he serious? She never knew with one it is.


    "We will be going, and it need be someone both of us is comfortable with, right?"


    "Well, yeah" she answered and looked at the people that were in a daze and scanned them. From top to toe and decided of five people. Two women and three men.


    The women were both tall, not skinny or too muscular. One had long brown hair and green eyes and the other had short blond hair and brown eyes. Both were beautiful.


    The three men were tall and two of them were twins. Both twins were identical but just one of them had mole under right eye and the other had nothing. The third mad was one forehead bigger that the twins. He wasn''t only bigger but older too.


    Lou described them and got to know what their names were. Brown haired woman was named Lilian and the blond-haired woman was Bell. One of the twins was Xinge and the one with mole was Xinjiu. The old man was Owen.


    When she decided Xin Huo decided and said "We will depart the day after tomorrow! Go now and rest everyone!"


    He looked at Lou with eyes meaning ''You too Lou''


    Lou and everyone else without any decays went to their elected rooms. The last one to depart was Xin Huo and Wu Bai. They discussed what will be necessary on their journey.

 12 Journey 2

    The day to depart come. It was very early that everyone gathered. Xin Huo said that they should rest, but no one did that. Of course, he supposed it would be like that.


    The one that trained the most was Lou. She gained more brushes that when she would train in a whole week.


    She focused most on horse riding with weapon like sword, spear, bow and arrow. She thought that archery was good with horse riding, so she practiced mods with bow.


    At first, she couldn''t catch balance but after many failures she and Ash come to understand what was wrong and that was Lou''s stance on the horse. Ash too understood it was his fault and helped Lou to catch balance.


    They were so happy that Lou made an appearance at Xin Huo''s study. Of course, he scolded her for not taking a break and training unending, but still he was happy she is not lazy. After scolding he gave her a prize. That was a horse bag, so she could have her things there.


    The time they should depart arrived and the last one to make appearance was Xin Huo. Just when he come the five guards saluted and waited for his orders.


    "Brother! Can we go now?" Lou wanted to depart as fast as she could. It will be her first time traveling somewhere and she was very excited. Seeing that Xin Huo giggled a little.


    "If everyone has everything that necessary then we can start departing now."


    Everyone nodded their heads, suggesting that they are ready. And just like that they departed.


    ¡­


    Four hours passed. Lou and the other women started to be hungry, but they didn''t say a word. Xin Huo saw Lou''s expression and guessed she was hungry, so they took a break.


    "What you can catch is ours lunch today" Xin Huo said with a mocking voice to Lou. He thought that she would get angry, but it had the opposite effect.


    "Okay!" she thought he wanted to test her archery, so she was excited to show what she can do.


    Lou soon saw big and fat birds. They were quite the distance away, but she still took stance to shot. Everyone that saw her didn''t believe she could catch it.


    After two minutes she already caught five birds. Three more minutes and there were two rabbits too. Everyone that didn''t believe had a big O made of their mouth.


    When everyone was still in shock, she gathered firewood and started the fire. She took Xin Huo''s dragger, he didn''t care much and observed what she will do. She split up meat from fur. Arranged it in two different piles.


    The meat from rabbit was cut in symmetrical parts, she took out some of the herbs she had got last time and wrapped the meat in them. After that she just stuck them on stick she prepared wit Xin Huo''s dragger.


    The other part of the stick she stuck into the ground. Making it to be roasted without holding. When rabbits were grilling she took the opportunity to prepare birds. She did the same pattern on birds she did with rabbits.


    Xin Huo was amused on the sight that everyone followed his little girl with awestruck stare. He wanted to laugh but didn''t want to break Lou''s concentration.


    "It''s ready!!" Lou shouted happily and woke up the overwhelmed guards. She gave their portions out and the first one to eat was the commander. When he started then everyone else too.


    They bit the meat that was soft inside and crispy on the outside.


    "It''s truly delicious! How did you make it?" The twins said together and took another bite.


    "It''s made better than my wife does. Don''t tell her that!" the old man said, and everyone started to laugh. Xin Hou too thought that it was delicious and that she will make a good wife.


    After a few minutes there was nothing left. They cleaned the place and departed again.

 13 First Big Town 1

    Just like that two days passed, and they were in the first bigger town. On the way they passed many small villages and forests. Sometimes they were lucky and stayed at the ins but mostly they were camping outside.


    The city was called Shenzhen. And was the most famous for its slavery market. Lou hated these markets the most. She was almost a slave herself, so she hated that it was allowed by the law. It''s allowed to buy people like they were animals and that was disgusting in Lou''s eyes.


    Just because they were poor, it didn''t mean they weren''t people!


    When they entered the city Xin Huo and the two women guards saw that glimpse of hatred in Lou''s eyes. It was only for a few seconds, but still they could see it. That disgust and hatred.


    Bell and Lilian couldn''t themselves look at all these slaves. They were treating even worse than animals. Just because they were ill, the slaves were beaten up or worse, KILLED.


    To be a slave was crueler than Hell.


    Xin Huo saw disgust, but to him it was everyday life. He wouldn''t understand the hardship of the poor or at last he couldn''t relate to it. They had some slaves in the palace, so he heard some stories but still he didn''t think it was cruel.


    The first in they saw was the biggest in, but not the richest of all. It was actually quite cheap. The inside of the in was parted to three different areas. The dining area, bedrum area and stable area. There was a big garden too, so the guests could relax.


    They decided to stay there, and it was only because he saw the look Lou had in her eyes. Joy, excitement, happiness and when she saw the garden she was in the clouds.


    As she lived in the slums and didn''t have such beautiful sights and she was overjoyed with it.


    Lou talked with the ins owners and they agreed that ash could stay outside when he wanted. They too knew it was a wild horse and they respected the little boy. Just because he could tame a wild horse, not to mention he had six guards with him.


    When they asked about the rooms, Xin Huo asked for two and every should have three to four beds and they had perfectly two that described perfect what they wanted. They had two rooms beside each other and in every was four beds.


    "I will take this one with Bell and Lilian!" Lou shouted and snatched a room key. She picked the bigger one even thought they were only three! Lou actually just wanted the room with better views.


    "Alright" answered Xin Huo with no objections. After all he knew that Lou was a girl so her sharing a room with other women was normal.


    The other people that were standing there were in quite a big chock. Why should he be with the pretty girls? Just because he was still a child?


    When Lou saw the look on the five guards faces she finally realized. They have misunderstood the situation! She didn''t really care about what they think of her, but if she wanted to travel with them she needs to resolve it as soon as possible.


    "Oh, right! I didn''t mention it. Lou is not a boy but a girl. I picked her up the other day from slums" Before Lou could resolve it Xin Huo stated the facts like it was nothing. After all he didn''t want misunderstandings about ''his'' little girl.


    Hearing that everyone''s jaws dropped as low as they could. That fine young master was actually a girl and not even a noble''s daughter?! But someone from the streets?!


    The twins could understand why she was wearing males'' clothes. It was easier to steal and women living in slums was extremely dangerous. Mostly for kidnapping and selling as slaves.


    Bell and Lilian fast woke up from the shock they were given and understood everything, they even empathized with how hard it must have been for her in the years.


    Lou yawned and then everyone started to laugh. It sure was already quite late and they still stood before theirs rooms. Lou grabbed Bell and Lilian and dragged them to their room before Xin Huo could say anything.


    "We will see each other tomorrow at breakfast!" Lou shouted and giggled.


    Just like that the men too entered their rooms and they fell asleep as soon as they laid themselves on the beds.

 14 First Big Town 2

    Next morning ¡­


    As Lou said they meet at breakfast. This time early in the morning the men got a shock. Old man and the twins even spilled their tea. Now they fully believed that Lou was a girl.


    BUT, was she really from the slums?


    That question they had when glancing at each other. The wins even had thoughts that if someone introduced her as a princess of another country they would believe, of course they exaggerated because she wasn''t a goodness.


    What they saw was a young girl, wearing a light green robe and her hair was styled in a half bun followed with small braids that were connected with the semi bun. There were light pink flowers ornaments in her hair.


    Maybe she wasn''t a goodness nor a princess, but she still looked pretty.


    Not only these three were dazed in her beauty but every man in the dining area was staring at her. Some women weren''t only looking they starred with envious eyes and some even with hatred.


    Xin Huo was the first one to speak, that woke the three men from daze. "Sit and order your breakfast!"


    "Haha, Okay brother!" Lou happily answered seeing Xin Huo''s smile that was warm and in his eyes, she could see that he too thought she was pretty. It was only for a brief moment, but he thought so!


    SO, she was calling him brother. The twins nodded. She truly could be the second prince younger sister, but she would look better in the future for sure.


    Maybe she will be his wife?! The twins looked at each other with their delusional eyes and a big ''Pang'' was heard.


    Old man Owen slammed the twins backs to wake them up from their dreamland.


    The women seeing this started to giggle. Only now the four men saw that the other two women had beautiful clothes and hairstyles that matched Lou''s. Both had semi buns and clothes were light blue colored.


    Everyone sat down and choose their breakfast. Soon it come and as fast it come it was gone. The breakfast was delicious, and the drinks that was recommended with them matched perfectly.


    Just as they wanted to get up Lou asked Xin Huo with a pleading voice.


    "Brother Huo! Actually, I wanted today to go sightseeing with Bell and Lill. Can I?" she did her best puppy eyes she could pull out.


    Xin Huo is weak to her requests at it is and with the puppy eyes he lost even before the war started.


    "Only you three?" his eyebrow got up and asked with agreement in his voice.


    "No, In the morning I wanted to go with you! And then go with them so you can attend your political matters" Lou wasn''t dumb and she knew they stayed for the day just because of this.


    "Good" he smiled warmly at her and added, "I had a place I wanted to show you, and it''s good you have these clothes on you today"


    "What is it?" Lou now was exited and didn''t hide it. She had no need to do so.


    Xin Huo didn''t say anything after seeing her excitement and leaved it, so he could surprise her. The other five looked as they talked and asked each other with eyes.


    Aren''t they flirting?


    Just like that with silence they exited the in and wandered, finally stopping before a big hall.


    It wasn''t any ordinary hall. It was the crafting hall that had the best quality weapons in the country. They had many workshops in the biggest cities in the Xia kingdom.


    Lou looked at Xin Huo with questioning eyes. Xin Huo nodded, and she understood that they were there to by her a weapon.


    Something she relied much in her life.


    They got inside, just the two of them. The others didn''t want anything from there and stayed outside, thinking that commander alone was more than enough to protect Lou.


    ¡­


    They exited the workshop after two hours. Lou had a very big smile across her face and Xin Huo had a doting brother expression. She had a black bow in her hand, Xin Huo had her sword and a pair of black draggers.


    That made the five of them almost laugh, but remembering it was the commander, they didn''t dare.


    ¡­


    The afternoon come, and just as planed Lou, Bell and Lilian started their sightseeing round. As the twins didn''t have anything to do they asked if they could come too. The women looked at each other and giggling agreed.


    Owen didn''t want to go as he got himself a day off. He stayed in their room lying on the bed and snoring.


    The girls and twins walked around, going in and out of various shops. Stopping at every stall with food that looked delicious, just like that it became almost dark. They decided that they should go back to the in, so no one would worry about them.


    Just as they got up the twins saw a beautiful hair ornament. They thought it was perfect as it was a set of three and they wanted to gift it to the three beautiful women they got to spend a day with.


    They were grateful, it was fun and thy tested a lot of good food. Xinge and Xinjiu wanted to repay them with these ornaments.


    When the women were left waiting, two tall men come and started to bug them. Lou wanted to drove them away, but it was meaningless. Just as it wanted to be bad the twins come flying at them.


    These big men that were aloof not to long ago was now lying on the ground.


    They still didn''t know it will give consequences they will regret truthfully.

 15 Be Careful

    The two men come back to their base. It wasn''t any ordinary home. It was one of the famous gangs in Shenzhen. One of these men was highly in ranks and couldn''t bear such humiliation.


    When one of the bosses saw him, they didn''t know if they should laugh or cry. Simple question comes from their mouth. "What happened?"


    "Just these bitches!" gritting his teeth answered angrily that tall man. ''


    "Couldn''t pick up a girl and she beat you up?" with mocking voice asked again the boss.


    "I want revenge!" that man shouted. "I won''t let it slide""


    ¡­


    At the same time ¡­


    Lou and company come back to the inn. Laughing and still chatting, most laugh come from remembering these pathetic men the meet.


    Xin Huo and Owen were sitting in the big garden when they saw their happy faces. He was curious and asked:


    "Did something funny happen?"


    "You know what, brother? We meet these pathetic men that wanted to pick us up and" Lou paused waiting for his reaction.


    With more curiosity in his eyes he added, "And?"


    "Xinge and Xinjiu beat them up into a plump" Lou started to laugh and continued, "They didn''t even fight back, and they talked so almighty and all. hahah"


    Xin Huo and Owen that was too curious imagined what happened and they too started to laugh.


    Lou, Bell and Lilian sat down on the mats that were I the garden. Looking at the flowers and small lake when the sun went down. It was truly beautiful in their eyes.


    The four men that looked at the three beautiful women in front of them made the scenery even more beautiful. Xin Huo couldn''t take his eyes of Lou and mumbled to himself, "Why can''t you wear these clothes every day?"


    He thought no one heard him, but he thought wrong. Lou heard his mumbling and it made her smile. Bell and Lill didn''t know why she smiled, but they were pleased that she is happy.


    Lou got slowly up and come near Xin Huo. She was very close and playfully whispered into his ear "Brother. I can wear them every time we stay in inns."


    Xin Huo was a little choked. Her actions didn''t show she was thirteen at all!


    Her actions made him blush a little and made him smile. He fast took the advantage and whispered back to her. "Then do it for me" and smiled playfully in return.


    That made her blush too.


    Pleas stop flirting in front of us! The guards screamed silent screams.


    Go to somewhere private!


    Lou and Xin Huo didn''t think of their actions as flirting and thought it was normal that siblings played tricks on each other. When Lou saw everyone''s faces were bright red, she looked at them with questioning eyes and asked "What?"


    "No. Nothing" everyone answered and turned their eyes away.


    Xin Huo looked at the three women in front of him and thought that they need to be careful if something unexpected happens. He thought some more and said


    "Better if you don''t wander alone tomorrow"


    "Why?" Lou asked and looked at her brother that only had seriousness in his eyes. After that she didn''t ask further. She understood what he means.


    "Just be careful."


    Only the five guards looked at each other in confusion.


    What conversation did they make just now?


    It turned so serious that it''s scary!


    That were another silent cries the five guards had.


    ...


    After some more admiring everyone departed to their respective rooms. The men went to bed and had fallen asleep quite fast, but not the women. They stayed some more and chatted.


    "It was so fun today!" Bell said happily.


    "I agree. I agree" Lilian nodded her head rapidly.


    "Well, it was my first-time sightseeing and" Lou paused and then continued with a big grin on her face "It was really fun!"


    Bell and Lill hearing that, they fast took Lou in theirs arms, hugging her tightly. Soon they started to laugh.


    The laugh stopped Lou''s serious question.


    "You think that these guys from today will plan something?"


    "I don''t think so!" Bell fast answered.


    "Don''t worry." Lilian''s gentle voice echoed in the room and soon after that Lou was sound asleep in theirs arms.


    When seeing that Lou had fallen asleep they to fell asleep not letting Lou go.

 16 Last Sightseeing Tour

    Morning come, and the sunlight slowly woke Lou up.


    Lou sitting up realized she fella asleep in these two arms. They were hugging her all night and that made her feel safe. She needs to thank them later.


    She clothed in male robe and made her way out of the room as quietly as she could, not waking up Bell or Lill. It was still really early, and she decided to train little martial arts in the garden.


    After all it was beautiful there and it motivated her to work even harder.


    Not long after she started training some basic techniques, Xin Huo was in the garden looking at her.


    It took her some time to notice him.


    "Brother Huo!" she shouted happily and bowed.


    Xin Huo nodded in greeting and sat down at nearby chair. Seeing he sat down Lou started to train not even bothering that he was starring at her every move.


    Half an hour later the five sleepy heads come to the garden too. Only to witness a harmonious view of two brothers.


    One was training, and another was just sitting and watching.


    "Morning!" Bell and Lill screamed and fast embraced Lou as greeting.


    The four men looked at them strangely.


    ''When did they become so close?


    Is it because they were women?


    I''m sure they chatted and become something like sisters!''


    Give up! We will never understand women!


    That was the looks that they had at each other, of course without Xin Huo as he didn''t care as long it wasn''t a man hugging her.


    He thought it was good she had someone ¨C a woman ¨C she could rely on. After all he didn''t understand women at all.


    ¡­


    In the base the scheming moved forward and become a big plan. The men discussed with vicked smiles on their faces.


    "We will take them and torture!"


    "I just want revenge! Whatever we do, doesn''t meter!"


    "But¡­"


    "What now?"


    "We still don''t know where they stay! What if they are already gone?"


    "They are not! They are staying at the biggest inn at the town entrance!"


    "Then we can procced today!"


    Every one of them laughed wicked.


    ¡­


    The evening come at the inn and Xin Huo did leave again today for some meetings. As it was the last day remaining in the town Lou begged and begged, at last they agreed to the last time sightseeing tour.


    Lou dressed as a girl before leaving the inn and Bell and Lilian did the same. Every of them did wear matching clothes accompanying with the ornaments they got from the twins.


    Like last time the twins accompanied them, and this time Owen followed too!


    This time they started with some shopping. Lou did buy some accessories for Bell and Lill. She liked them very much and chose earrings for Lill and some necklace for Bell.


    The earrings were simple silver with a small white stone in the center. They were simple but cared a glimpse of elegance.


    The necklace was gold with three small stones in it. It was elegant, but not showy.


    After all she knew that Bell didn''t like too shinny things.


    When facing shopping, Owen asked the three of them to give him some advice. He wanted to give his wife a present when he comes back.


    But! He knew nothing about accessories and didn''t know what his wife would like to have.


    After helping him chose some earrings for his wife, they stayed at a restaurant to eat some delicious food. They ate their fill and walked last round simply looking at things.


    It become dark outside ¡­


    They didn''t notice that they were followed at all. Actually, they were followed from the inn and didn''t notice. None of them.


    At the corner of the inn Bell''s shoe had damaged her foot so she said to go ahead.


    And that was a wrong decision!


    From nowhere someone grabbed her. She struggled, but in extravagant woman''s robe it was difficult.


    Soon it become dark before her eyes and didn''t se anything.


    ¡­


    Lou and Lill started to worry as Bell didn''t come for a long time. They parted not long from the inn. Lou was more worried than any of them and started to walk forward and backward.


    Xin Huo couldn''t look at her anymore, got up and forced her to sit down. Everyone else were worried too, they just didn''t show it much as they wanted to calculate the situation.


    Eventually Lou couldn''t take much of that silence and suggested "Can we go out and check what happened?"


    It was actually a very good idea! Thought everyone.


    They come to the alley that they parted with Bell and saw only a pair of earrings and a necklace.


    "It''s the necklace I gave Bell as a present today!"


    "T-Then does it mean someone captured her?!" Shuttering a little asked Lilian and cowered her mouth.


    "That is why I told you not to wander alone!" Xin Huo screamed picturing it could happen to Lou.

 17 No One’s Faul

    After Xin Huo screamed Lou jolted up. She had a sorry facial expression. Tears wanted to come out of her blue eyes, but she held them as to not wanting to show weakness.


    Xin Huo couldn''t see her crying, so he looked at her with gentle eyes and said as calmly as he could, "Sorry, it wasn''t your fault Lou. I didn''t want to scare you"


    Lou shook her head.


    "No, it was my fault I didn''t think of staying with her" the tears feel down her cheeks.


    Lilian didn''t want to see that. Lou crying face made her heart tighten and she flew like an arrow in her direction just to start hugging her. With that Lou calmed down a little, at last stopped crying.


    The twins looked only at the floor, not wanting to see either. It was their fault too! But! She took the blame on herself!


    "Okay, okay now. It was no one''s fault." Owen stated the fact that it was actually no one''s fault but at the same time everyone shared the responsibility of what had happened.


    The twins nodded but didn''t agree fully to it.


    "So, what are we going to do now?" Lilian asked as she still hugged Lou.


    A big silence ¡­ Then Lou saw a little boy making glances at her behind the corner. She freed herself from Lill''s embrace and come to him slowlyyyy.


    The little boy flinched at first but saw that she come very slowly so she didn''t have any harmful meaning and come out from hiding.


    "What are you doing here?" Lou asked with a slight red eyes.


    "Um, well, I-I-I saw a g-g-girl here b-b-before you come" stuttering answered that boy.


    "And what happened?" Lilian asked standing behind Lou in a warm voice, so she wouldn''t scare him.


    "T-t-two big men t-t-took her"


    "Do you know where?" now Lou aske with the hopeful and warm smile.


    "Um, I can g-guess w-where"


    "And how do you know that" Xin Huo said arrogantly from behind the women.


    That scared the boy as he hid behind the corner. They could only see his head and his trembling hands.


    "Brother! You scared him!" Lou barked at Xin Huo and he jumped up a little. That made the little boy giggle a little.


    "Okay, okay. I''m sorry. Can you come out again and tell us what happened?" Xin Huo said and come near Lou just so that the boy could see that he didn''t want to do anything to him.


    He come out and started speaking, "Well. It''s n-not hard for u-us that live here to r-r-recognize them. The two men are f-famous here. Um, they often kidnap and sell women to slavery."


    Hearing that Lou''s expression become blank. Soon after dark and then scary. She was boiling from hatred. That made the others shiver but soon she calmed down and asked.


    "Can you lead us there?"


    The boy nodded his head and the six of them followed him. It was only a ten minutes run and they were before a big mansion. It was big but seemed empty.


    "Thank you! What is your name?" Xinge asked as he wanted to find him later to thank him.


    "Um, I-I''m Yaone" he said and averted his gaze from him.


    "Okay! We will find you later to give you a reward!" Xinge winked at him and then added, "Actually, you can just wait for us at our inn." Then waved when they entered the mansion.


    The boy nodded again and soon was nowhere to be seen. As they entered Lou had a worried expression. After all she didn''t know if Bell was really there!


    As expected from outside, the mansion was really empty. They wandered for five minutes to fin light in one window. They entered from back door just to find that it was one corridor that leaded down.


    Step after step. Some noise was heard.


    Step after step. The noise was now loud and clear.


    Xin Huo was first and got his hand up gesturing to stop. Then they heard the conversation that at last fifteen people had.


    "So, what are we going to do with this b*tch?"


    "Can''t we torture her a little and then sell?" one of the men asked.


    "No, it will be too easy for her to being just sold"


    "Can we play with her a little"


    A big laughter followed that question. Like it was oblivious that they are going to do that.


    Lou''s eyes become like spears wanting to kill these bastards. What does they think they are! She wanted to kill them there and now!


    Lilian and the twins reacted the same as Lou. Only hatred and no mercy.


    Then Xin Huo seeing Bell is in cage. A small cage that was in the center of that small room and there was actually twenty men surrounding it. Laughing and having wicked smiles at each other.


    Xin Huo couldn''t take it and took his weapon up. Pointed at the room so everyone would prepare and then they attacked.


    Everyone waited for that and the men didn''t expect an ambush, so they weren''t prepared for that. Just like that in mere seconds half of them were dead.


    "Who are you people!" shouted one of the men and soon after his throat was neatly sliced by Lou, not giving him a chance to even look at her she bounced to another man.


    Owen and Lilian that was the last saw only their commander and Lou slaughtering everyone in the room. From twenty people Xin Huo killed seven of them and Lou nine, as she had more agility than him and was a little faster.


    The twins killed the remaining ones and like that Owen and Lilian did nothing and was speechless. Not because they didn''t do anything but because Lou killed more than their commander did.


    Lou seeing there were no more opponents looked at the cage. In there was Bell, unconscious. She sighted with relief and fainted on the spot.

 18 She Really Liked Tha

    Lou woke up in her bed. Startled with that sight she was sat up. She then looked around and saw Lilian sleeping on the edge of her bed. In front, she saw Xin Huo that was looking outside the window.


    "Brother," she said in a silent voice.


    He jumped up and fast-changing the direction he was looking before at to her. The worry he had in his eyes did not disappear as he come close to her. He placed his hand at her forehead and after making sure she doesn''t have a fever he gently asked, "Are you okay?"


    "Mm, I''m feeling good. How long was I out?"


    "About two hours, so it wasn''t that long." Xin Huo was less worried now after she woke up. "You collapsed just like that! What happened?"


    "I focused too much, and it took all my strength. It happens only when I overrun my limits" Lou said seriously with a sorry face so that brother Huo won''t be angry again.


    "Hm, it''s good it wasn''t anything serious." he said and then patter her fluffy hair, that was messed up after her fight.


    "Um, where is Bell?" Lou asked very worried and looked Xin Huo in the eyes.


    He nodded his head signalizing that she was over there. In the bed that was closest to the window and then added, "She is fine, she was only out from an impact she got earlier."


    She sighed in relief, she felt that a big weight come off her shoulders. After all, she still blamed herself for what happened earlier.


    With the movements on the bed, Lilian woke up too. Realizing Lou woke up one of her worries disappeared. She pounced and started hugging Lou.


    Lou, as she was resting didn''t expect Lill to pounce on her, but she was happy with the embrace. She pated slowly Lill on her back signalizing that she is alright. After ten minutes Lill was ready to let go.


    "I will tell the others that you woke up" Xin Huo exclaimed and exited the room leaving the women alone.


    "Are you alright? But really, all right?" Lill was still extremally worried.


    "Yes, I''m! Can''t you see?" She tried to calm Lill''s worries.


    Just as Lou calmed down Lilian, there were movements on the bed closest to the window.


    Bell woke up. Sitting up she recalled that she was attacked but what actually happened? She was still confused. Grabbing her head, she asked in a low voice "What happened?"


    The movements didn''t shock Lou and Bell, but when she sat up and asked tears of happiness come out of both eyes. Like arrows, they ran to her side.


    Then the door opened, and the twins come in. Seeing everyone that was asleep had awoken they felt extremely happy. Xinge looked at Xinjiu gesturing for him to go and tell the others, but he did the same.


    Under the pressure, it was Xinge''s loss. Not even entering the room and he already had to go back.


    Xinjiu entered the room and said, "Yaone is waiting with the others. He wanted to know what happened to you after seeing you unconscious and was worried about you Lou"


    "Right! I want to thank him! Without him, we wouldn''t find Bell that fast!" Lou released Bell as she said that wanting to go meet Yaone.


    "They will come soon here. There is no need to rush." Xinjiu stopped her to give her more break.


    Lou nodded in agreement and come back to being embraced by Bell and Lill. She really liked that. And they loved to hug the small and fluffy haired girl.


    Just when Xinjiu was about to say something the door opened and a small boy in the front come in. Shyly but firm with a worried expression, he come close to the women and asked, "Are you b-both alright?"


    Saying that made him blush a little and that made him extremally cute. It was not only Lou that thought that as Bell and Lill looked like they thought the same.


    Then Lilian grabbed the little guy to give him a hug. Bell and Lou followed her, and the three women were embracing the boy.


    Yaone still thought that Lou is a boy so that made him redder and shyer.


    "We are alight! Thank you!" Both Lou and Bell answered together and started laughing.


    "So why were you there when that happened?" Lill couldn''t stop but be curious about that.


    "Um, I was there b-because I was on an e-errand" said Yaone trying to free himself from the embrace.


    "But, why on an errand so late?" Now it was Bell''s turn being curious.


    "I work at d-d-different places to make living and it just h-happened to be so" his head had swung down, not wanting to remember his circumstances.


    "Do you live by yourself?" Lou could feel that she and he is similar but didn''t know why.


    The boy nodded his head and was surprised.


    How did she know that? They only meet twice!


    She realized both have the same background and not to mention that he looks like he is only seven years old! It must have been hard for him. Of course, she understood the hardships of being so young and being alone al the time too.


    "Um, hey, want to go with us?" Lou made an option for the boy.


    At that moment Xin Huo was stunned, but not only him, but the other guys were also stunned. Actually, only Bell and Lill wasn''t surprised, they wanted that Yaone would come with them too.


    Xin Huo was stunned but didn''t disapprove of that idea. When waiting the boy didn''t even glance at them, only looking at the floor, not saying a word even when the twins tried everything just to make him look at them.


    Only when he heard that Lou and Bell woke up, with a hopeful look he got his head up and that made Xin Huo like Yaone.


    The boy nodded like there was no tomorrow. He was really happy that someone even gave him that possibility. And he didn''t think a day like that would ever happen in his life.

 19 Sleeping On The Floor

    It was already late, so they suggested for Yaone to stay and sleep with them. Now comes the problem there was only one bed free and it was in the women''s room. Yaone didn''t see any faults as both he and Lou are guys.


    Xin Huo didn''t like the idea of Yaone sleeping with them, but he himself couldn''t either. It would be more wrong then.


    He agreed on it unwillingly.


    Next morning¡­


    The first one to wake up was Yaone. The thought what happened yesterday was only a dream and didn''t believe it. Then he saw he was on the big, fluffy bed. Sleeping in the same room he was in his dream and pinched himself. Auch! It wasn''t a dream.


    Soon after Yaone, Lou woke up too.


    Seeing disbelief on his face she faked that she was still asleep. Only when he calmed down a little, she decided to get up.


    "Morning" said Lou in a whispering voice, so she won''t wake up Bell or Lill.


    "G-Good morning" hearing Lou whispering he whispered too.


    She gestured that they leave the room, and after they were out Lou walked to the garden. She knows she should rest because they are leaving tomorrow, but she started her warmup anyway.


    Yaone followed her from the room to the garden, but he didn''t know what he should do so he only was there starring at Lou.


    Lou turned her head at him.


    "Do you want to join me?" Lou asked at the boy who was looking at her.


    "Can I?" with disbelief he asked. He wanted to try but didn''t know if he will do it right.


    "Of course, you can, dummy" she said and patted him on the head. So, it was like that to have a younger sibling! How satisficing!


    Seeing her hand up he closed his eyes tight. He thought he would get hit, but then a warm hand started patting him. "Um, but, I d-don''t know what I should do"


    "No worries, I will show you" she smiled and dragged him to the place she was standing before.


    Then she started to slowly move, he looked at her every movie and remembered them. When she started to do again the same moves, Yaone started with her.


    Xin Huo that woke up not long after Lou, already knew that she will be in the garden, but to his surprise Yaone was with her and he was training with her.


    He watched their every move and realized that Yaone didn''t make mistakes, not even one. That stirred up his interest in him because didn''t Yaone didn''t make mistakes and everything perfect like Lou showed him before.


    The others woke up and come to the garden only to see that their commander is starring at both Lou and Yaone. Not looking away even once. So, they waited.


    It was breakfast time at the inn, Lou stopped and turned around. Yaone that was still coping her every movie turned around too.


    The group that was looking at them started to laugh. At that time Lou noticed that everyone was staring at them from the beginning. Yaone was embarrassed and turned red, even his ears turned red.


    "Well, should we go and eat?" Bell asked distracting the laughing group and reminding them of their own hunger.


    Then a big growling sound was heard, and it comes from the twins. They become embarrassed and said together, "We should go. Fast!" while going forward.


    Now it was Lou''s and Yaone''s turn to laugh. Well, everyone followed to eat and after they started to prepare. They are leaving tomorrow morning, but Yaone still needs to resign from all his jobs.


    Lou and the twins followed Yaone while he resigns. The others were buying the stuff they will need on their journey because they are planning to not stay again in any town on their way anymore.


    While following Yaone some of the people shouted, insulted and tried to hit him in the process, but Lou didn''t allow it and stopped them. Not that she said anything or did anything special. The look in her eyes told them everything. And they were scared of that look in a 13-year-old boy.


    ''Just try doing anything and it won''t end well'' with that look many didn''t dare to hit or insult Yaone, but they still shouted.


    After visiting eight workplaces they come back to the inn. Everyone was tried after all that shouting and threatening.


    They didn''t meet up with the others at dinner and after dinner, everyone come to their respective rooms. Yaone was so tired and happy that he fell asleep immediately after sitting on the bed.


    Lou couldn''t help but giggle when seeing him sleep in that posture, and then bang! Yaone fell from the bed, but he didn''t wake up and continued sleeping on the floor. Then Bell and Lill come back to their room.


    "Um, what happened?" seeing Yaone on the floor made Lilian curious.


    "Haha, Yaone feel asleep in sitting position on the bed" Lou started while giggling and continued, "and, and then he fell from it, haha, I can''t haha". Lou couldn''t stop laughing.


    Bell that was listening looked at Yaone that didn''t care he fell off the bed and snickered, while picturing how the situation looked then.


    "Okay, but we need to place him on the bed. What if he catches a cold?" Lilian was worried and Lou seeing that prepared his bed. Then both Bell and Lill located him on the bed, only then Lill could stop worrying about him.


    "How did it go with your shopping?"


    "It was tiring, but we have everything." Bell stated the facts.


    "How was it with Yaone''s workplaces?" Lill asked wanting to know.


    "Some shouted and tried to hit or insult him, anything other than that it was good" Lou said while yawning.


    "We should go to sleep. After all, we are leaving early" Bell suggested seeing that big yawn.


    Lou nodded and made her way to her bed. She did feel asleep almost immediately. Not too late after the both Bell and Lill were asleep too.

 20 White tiger

    Early morning¡­


    Everyone woke up in time to depart, although everyone was still too tried. Lou was like still half asleep and the twins, well, they were sleeping standing. They woke up truly only when they heard commanders voice.


    "We will depart soon! Do last cheek that you have everything" Xin Huo exclaimed and made his way to check his own baggage too.


    Lou only now realized that she forgot something. It was still in her room. The thing that she did buy, a present she wanted to give her big brother as gratitude for everything that happened to now.


    She didn''t want to delay the journey, just because she went to go get it, so a big sight come out. A disappointment was on her face for a second, but she soon collected herself. Like nothing ever happened.


    Actually, Bell and Lill saw her disappointed face, even if she showed it only for a second, and everyone that was nearby her heard the sight that she gave out. Yaone was worried so he come over to her side.


    "Did something happen?" He asked Lou, he didn''t know what happened, but he would help if it was something, he was capable of.


    Lou shook her head and smiled at him. She was happy that he worried about her, but she didn''t want to bother others about something that small.


    Just like that, they were about to depart, and a lady from the inn come running to them. Looked at everyone and when spotted Lou she shouted, "Miss, you forgot this!"


    When she saw what the lady had in her hand, her lips made a slight smile. She nodded and thanked the lady for coming all the way here.


    Now she could give her present to her big brother later. And just that made her happy.


    After the lady left, the journey started again. Lou was in the front, just because Ash didn''t want to be between other horses and right after these two come Xin Huo, and the rest of the company. Yaone rode the horse with one of the twins, Xinge.


    On the way to the forest, Ash started acting strange, he suddenly stopped and didn''t want to come near the forest. Lou hoped that it was nothing serious, and her hope was shattered.


    A big, white tiger, with a big ''fluffy'' tail, slowly come the middle of the road, as if it was his home and bed, it lazily laid down and slept. He didn''t really attack the people that were not even 100 feet from him.


    As the ''monster'' seemed quite strong, they decided to take another road to continue riding. The afternoon come quick and the sound of hungry people could be heard. So, they stopped, and everyone looked at Lou with expecting eyes, only Yaone didn''t know what was happening now.


    Lou didn''t believe that they again depended on her for preparing dinner. She got annoyed and shouted, "If YOU are hungry then go HUNT something, only then will I cook for you". After shouting she come of Ash and sat down on the nearby rock. Looked away from them and pouted.


    Xin Huo did sit down too and looked at the people that disappeared in a mere few seconds, and only Yaone stayed, still not knowing what is happening after Lou shouted.


    "I think they see you more as a leader than they see me as a commander" Xin Huo snickered and waved to Yaone to come closer. "Can you go around to pick some firewood?"Yaone nodded his head and started going around picking nearby branches that were on the ground.


    Lou after hearing brothers Huo''s comment looked at him and said with a little sarcasm or self-mockery in her voice "If it weren''t for my cooking skill then they wouldn''t be so eager to go hunting"


    "Well, your cooking is delicious after all" He praised honestly.


    "If it is delicious, then why won''t you eat?"


    "Huh?"


    "I told everyone! That if you want to eat then go hunt, that is excepting Yaone"


    "Huh? Wait! Was that directed at me too? Why?"


    "What why? You were having the puppy eyes too, so why shouldn''t you work a little too? Just because you are a commander then it means that you can do nothing?"


    "Well, they already started hunting dinner, there is no need for me to do that too"


    "Then you can go gather-" Lou sentence was stopped by the shocking view. She froze with big eyes and a slightly open mouth.


    And it wasn''t the hunted dinner, but something even more unexpected happened. The white tiger from earlier was lurking at them, not attacking or anything, just staring at them. Or to be precise at the picking up firewood Yaone.


    "Hmm? What''s wrong?" Xin Huo didn''t know what is happening only because he was in front of Lou, and the interesting event is happening behind him.

 21 I already knew

    While Xin Huo was asking Lou what is happening, and Lou without moving or talking was watching the scene behind him. With no answer and him being ignored he looked back. What he didn''t think was seeing that white tiger again. He looked at Lou and then at the tiger again and again. Then he just pointed at the tiger and wanted to ask Lou what was happening, but he got only an ''I don''t know either'' for his answer.


    Yaone who was picking up branches, still without a care in the word started walking back, branches that were in his arms blocked his view and he still didn''t notice the white tiger. Only when he placed the branches on the ground and looked at the two who were looking at him with a dazed look.


    Only then he realized that something is wrong and looked around him. The white tiger was behind him. ''W-w-whoaaaaa'' he stepped back a few steps ''What is it doing here, and why was it behind me T_T?!'' was what Yaone thought while seeing the tiger.


    Then he ran over to Lou while shaking and holding his tears in. Lou looked at the scared Yaone then at her brother Huo and then at the white tiger. ''Hmm?'' She pated Yaone on the head, it calmed down the shaking, but the tears fell down. Then she looked at the tiger, it didn''t move a single step.


    Lou looked at brother Huo and he only struggled his shoulders in response. No one knew what was happening and what should they do.


    ¡­


    The five people that disappeared right after Lou shouted, had now five big rabbits and eight birds. To their surprise, there was no sign of any other animals and as this forest didn''t have any monsters or bigger beasts it was impossible that they were scared of one.


    As they had one big pile of meat, that was hunted by the guys, the girls picked not a small number of herbs and edible wild vegetables like mushrooms. Then with it they can now come back and wait for dinner, can''t they?


    It took less than 10 minutes for them to spot Lou, in her arms crying Yaone and the commander looking at Lou and then the other way many times. The first ones to spot them were Lillian and Bell, then the two of them looked at each other and their eyes asked the same thing each other and that was ''What is happening?''


    They both shook their shoulders and looked behind them only to realize that the three guys had the same question and didn''t know what is happening. The two women could only sigh¡­


    ¡­


    Lou realized that someone is looking at them annnd it wasn''t the tiger. She looked to the side only to see five people caring a bunch of stuff with troubled faces as they were looking at them. Then she waved at them and said, "Come here but be careful, we have unusual company here!" with a loud voice, but she didn''t shout as she didn''t want to startle the white tiger.


    The five people nodded their heads and started moving forward, then just like they were struck by lightning, they stopped. Everything they were carrying just fell on the ground as they froze. Thought they recovered instantly from the shock of seeing a lying tiger, they grabbed their weapons and were ready to attack, and then a loud "STOP" shouted by Yaone stopped them from attacking it.


    The white tiger, awoken by Yaone''s shout got up, seeing the new people and hearing him scream made the tiger move forward. It stopped right before Lou and Yaone, sensing that there was no movement whatsoever it just yawned as if it was just a small animal.


    "Well, that is something new!" now Lou was truly surprised that is listened to Yaone, "Hmm? Yaone, do you know why it is reacting like that?"


    Yaone that was startled by the question didn''t answer and looked down. As Lou question was said everyone looked at the boy and only Xin Huo understood what Lou meant by asking him.


    "It''s okay, no need to feel wronged" Lou comforted. "I already knew when I asked you to come with us, you know? It''s okay to be yourself and not hide the truth anymore" then she gave him a warm and understanding smile.


    Xin Huo only pated the small one and said it''s okay and that he knew too from the beginning. The five people didn''t know what they were talking about ant only observed blankly what is happening before them. And the Yaone that wasn''t willing to answer opened his mouth:


    "That white tiger will not do us any harm" As he said that he once again looked down and continued, "It will not do anything to us so don''t worry." Yaone panicked there a bit "I can converse with it, it was actually following us from the time we first saw it on the road"


    There was silence, as no one wanted to but in because Yaone was still not done talking.


    "I''m one of the beast-men or righter I''m Half human and Half beast-man and that is why I don''t have ears or a tail."

 22 Would be a help

    "I''m one of the beast-men or righter I''m Half human and Half beast-man and that is why I don''t have ears or a tail."


    Well, that surprised most of them, mostly the old man and twins. Bell and Lily had some suspicions but didn''t know if it was intuition or they thought too much about it. Simply put they thought they were mistrustful and didn''t tell about their suspicion.


    The beast folk. It''s not that they were hated by humans or something, but discrimination still existed in the big cities and that is because they were quite rare in their country and to bot it Yaone was demi-beast and demi-human. Beast folk were discriminated only in the big cities, but demi-humans were treated like demons, like something that shouldn''t exist, that is why many don''t even know of the existing or hide away so no one will know that they are demi-humans.


    Lou only pated Yaone on his head as the rest was silent, he started to worry and grabbed Lou by her sleeve with teary eyes, but it wasn''t necessary, and he soon knew that. Bell and Lilly fast pounced on him, they hugged him and started comforting.


    "It''s okay, It''s okay. No need to worry", Bell comforted.


    "That is right, You are still You!", Lily butted in.


    "We won''t treat you differently just because you are demi-human!"


    "We are not like the rest!"


    When the girls comforted Yaone the guys come to and were first confused, as to what to do the first one to act was one of the twins, Xinjiu.


    He come forward and pated Yaone who was still hugged by Bell and Lilian on the head and said with a warm look in his eyes and a slight smile on the face "It''s okay, just be yourself, no need to hide anything anymore"


    When Xinjiu said that the others nodded. With that Yaone could stop worrying about being abandoned. But now what?


    "Ehem, I know it''s a touching moment now but what will we do about the tiger?" Xin Huo couldn''t stop but worrying about the beast that was still there watching them.


    *Gasp*


    Everyone forgot about it! And only Xin Huo didn''t. What are they going to do with one big white tiger beast?


    Everyone was silent and Yaone wanted to say something but couldn''t and the fault of it was Lill and Bell, their embrace covered his mouth. He struggled more and more then they realized and a little bit embarrassed, they let go.


    "Um, can''t we keep it as it looks like it doesn''t want to part with us?" Yaone said in a whisper because he didn''t want to be laughed at.


    "How can we keep one big tiger that is bigger than our horses?" Lou asked kind of curious why Yaone suggested keeping it.


    "Why should we even keep it?" Xin Huo didn''t like the idea of walking with a beast that they knew only a while. How could he know if it doesn''t attack them later on?


    "If it''s about size then beasts can change their size but only to a smaller version, they can''t be bigger than they actually are" he answered her question and continued "And wouldn''t having a beast on our side be a big help?"


    "Centrally it would be a help, but what if it attacks us?" Xin Huo continued to ask.


    "What about making a contract with it? I heard that this is possible!" Bell cut in.


    "That is possible, but the beast needs to make it, humans can''t as to not imprison them with contract humans can''t make it on their own" Yaone explained.


    "Does that mean that the beast chooses its contractor?"


    Yaone nodded at Lilian''s question. With the flow of questions and answers, everyone come to one conclusion. They looked at each other and in their eves was both answer and question.


    The white tiger wants to make a contract with someone of their group but who?


    Then everyone looked at either Yaone or Lou. But why? Because they thought it''s the only options the tiger would want to make a master of. But was that really the only ones that the white tiger would want as a master?

 23 Its Master Was No One Other Than ...

    But was that really the only ones that the white tiger would want as a master?


    No knew what the beast was thinking but so what? Everyone already speculated that it would be either of these two.


    Given the situation, it would be either one of them, only these two didn''t react when seeing it and didn''t want to kill it as soon as possible. Still, no one knew what will happen.


    "So what will we do? Will we make a contract with it and take it with us?" Lou was curious about what the white tiger will do. Does it even want to make a contract? But wait! Why would it stick to them if it didn''t?


    Lou started thinking and spaced out for a second. In that time everyone was thinking about what to do.


    "Can''t we just line up in big distances and let the beast decide who it wants as it''s master?" Lou asked.


    ''Hmm. That is a good solution. We can try it.'' Nodding Xin Huo distanced himself and sat down.


    Everyone did the same and when everyone was at last ten steps apart Yaone nodded at the white tiger and it moved.


    It started coming closer and closer to one of them. The white tiger was standing before three of them. Xinge, Bell, and Lou.


    Everyone was wondering who it wants to form a bond, but seeing that one of the candidates is Lou everyone assumed it would be her.


    And guess what?! The one that it chose was ...


    .


    .


    .


    Standing right before her. Placing it head down and waiting for a response to make a contract it looked at her with anticipation and something like a puppy? eyes. It waited for her to place a hand on its head.


    No response.


    Some time passed and still no response.


    Xinjiu that was wondering what happened asked "Bell? Are you okay?"


    Yes! The one that the white tiger wanted as it''s master was no one other than Bell. One of the female guards and one of Lou''s big sisters as well as one of the best female soldiers in the Capital.


    Woken up from her daze she hastily answered "Y-yesh" biting her tongue and looking at the mesmerizing tiger.


    "If you woke up then make the contract! it''s waiting!" Lill giggling encouraged Bell to make the contract as soon as possible.


    Bell shyly placed her hand at the tiger''s head and waited. A small light in white and light blue color formed a circle around them and then ... something like sparkles Or mini stars come from the fading ring.


    Everyone looked at the ring disappearing with a ''waah'' sound coming from their mouth and only Lou''s eyes sparkled like the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.


    Then...


    It was silent and only after a second or two, both Lou and Lilian come running towards Bell shouting "Congratulations!!"


    They hugged her and she whispered while being still in surprise to what actually just happened. The only thing heard was "Umm... You know.. "


    "Hm? What did you just say?" Lou asked. Bell said it so quietly that even she didn''t hear the whole thing.


    "You know... I don''t know why but... I can somewhat understand it... how should I explain?... Its voice is in my head and it''s talking to me."


    "W-wait?! You serious?" Lilian couldn''t believe her ears. Was what she just said true? I want one too now?! she thought, being a little jealous of Bell but still happy for her.


    Bell nodded her head in agreement and then the three of them looked at Yaone with a questioning look in their eyes. Well actually not only them but the others looked at him in the same way.

 24 That Is Usually Truly Rare

    Bell nodded her head in agreement and then the three of them looked at Yaone with a questioning look in their eyes. Well actually, not only them but the others looked at him in the same way.


    "It''s telepathy between a master and their contracted ones. Even I can''t communicate with a beast that is contracted and doesn''t want to let others know. I know it can feel a little weird to hear a voice in your head but you can do the same thing. You can send orders or messages to your tiger with your thoughts only."


    "You said it in plural form. Does that mean one can have more than one beast? and communicating only with thoughts is possible too?" Lou asked as she shuddered at the thought of one using the powers to do terror.


    "Yes, and that is why only beasts can make the contract, and that is usually truly rare" Yaone answered the question with an odd expression like there is something more to it, but they will know later what it was as it is a surprise.


    Growl! and everyone went silent.


    A mere second later another ''growl'' but from different directions. Then everyone stared at each other, looked a the ingredients and gulped.


    "Okay, that is it! The rest of the questions is after dinner!" Lou clapped her hands, rolled up her sleeves and started cooking. She prepared the rabbits first, then the birds and lastly the herbs.


    She made the animal''s meat shine golden and the aroma was just delish. When eating the upper layer was crispy while the inside was saucy. That was the best dinner they had while being away and in the middle of nowhere.


    Just like that the food was inhaled faster than it was prepared and when everyone was done the questions come.


    "What does it take to make a contract?" the old man Owen asked.


    "Can anyone make a contract?" with excitement asked Lilian.


    "Can I have my own beast too?" Xinge asked with a childish voice, imitating a baby that wanted a lollipop.


    "If you all ask at the same time it will be hard to answer, thought your questions were not that different from each other." Lou giggled and looked at Yaone who was just looking at the situation that was happening before him.


    "Um, if it''s about that, then yes... anyone can make a contract as long as the beast acknowledges them as their master. But that itself is truly hard." Yaone''s words made their eyes sparkle when they got to know anyone can make a contract and diminish when he told it was hard.


    "What can be the use of a beast?" This time it was Xin Huo who asked. To now almost no one had a contracted beast and actually, there are only rumors saying that one can have a beast. So what use could they have when they already have one that is contracted to one of his people.


    "T-That I don''t know, I only know what my parents told me before they passed away" His eyes saddened at the mention of his parents. Lou that didn''t understand the love of a parent come to him and hugged him. She doesn''t understand what it is to have a family but she does understand the pain of losing someone important.


    "Okay, that is it with the questions to Yaone, Bell can you ask something your beast for me? And you need to give it a name! Calling it a beast all the time is too much of a problem." Lou asked while looking at Bell. She nodded in approval.


    "I actually already thought of a name and as it is white I thought about Shiro or Yukki. But after I asked which one it wants and it said anything that sounds feminine, as it is female."


    "Yukki is a fine name, and it is both feminine and cute" Lill said as she sat down at Lou''s side.


    "Can you ask it why it followed us?" Bell nodded.


    "It said that we had a pure aura or something like that, I don''t quite understand what it means with pure aura. And it followed to check if it can trust us" Bell answered a little confused.


    "The aura thing that you mentioned is our soul or righter the beast can see if we are criminals or not, the beast folk have something similar but it is much weaker than that." Yaone answered and the confusion disappeared.


    "Can you ask Yukki to change it to a smaller version when we will be near a town?" Lou asked. then another question comes right after hers and Bell didn''t have time to answer the first one.


    "And can you ask if it can inform us when other beasts will be near us?" Xin Huo asked. After all, like that he can have some use of ''Yukki''.


    "It said that it can change its size but not in the upcoming three days. It doesn''t want to tell me the reason why. And commander it will inform us if it just that."