5 Chapter 5: The Crying Child

Kanna walked the dirty path alone. The sun was slowly rising behind the mountains. Kanna was thankful Kira woke her up early, if not, she would have to walk a long distance under the stinging sun.

There weren't much people on the road, just common travellers like her. While walking, she would scan the area, carefully looking out for danger. Though someone behind her back tailing her is probably already doing that. Her teacher agreed, but Kanna expected the stubborn side she had. She wouldn't survive this long if it weren't for her stubbornness anyways.

"Waaaahh.." A crying small girl caught the attention of Kanna. Even if the child was covered in dust, the material she was wearing was no doubt only rich people could afford. She looked around and there were no people around her anymore. She had no choice but to approach her.

"Little girl," her voice was gentle, not the usual tone she would use to command her people, "Why are you crying?"

The girl cried louder and hugged her instead of answering. With each question that Kanna asked, the small child's cry seemed louder and louder. Unable to contain it, she finally gave up and waited for him to calm down.

The sun was already out when the child stopped crying. Kanna frowned, her schedule was ruined.

"Big sister," the child spoke, "I want my big brother…"

Instead of a normal reaction one would had, Kanna was rather confused. Normally, a child would ask for her mother. Realizing how Kanna herself never asked for her mom, she pushed the confusion away.

"What's your name? Did you lose your brother?"

"I want my big brother…" The child sniffed, signaling another burst of tears. Before she could cry endlessly again, Kanna pulled her into her arms. "Okay. Okay. We'll find your big brother. Okay? Just don't cry, please?" Kanna had never begged anybody. Until now, anyways.

The girl nodded. Kanna sighed with relief as the girl wiped out her tears.

"My name is Xiaoni." The girl answered, still sniffing. Her eyes swelling from crying too much.

"Xiaoni," Kanna mouthed, she always find it hard to pronounce Lin names. They are always somewhat complicated.

She stared at the child. She knew the way to the temple and no one was really expecting her there. She had a lot of time for this lost child. "stay low" Lady Leisha had warned her countless times when she departed. But she wasn't going to neglect a lost child.

"Okay, Xiaoni. Let's find your brother."

She started for the road, but Xiaoni pulled her down. 'Wait… big sis.."

She clutched her stomach and a grumbling sound was heard by the two.

Seeing how the girl looked away in embarrassment, Kanna held her laughter. "Looks like we will have to visit a place to eat first, right?"

**

The girl had porcelain skin. Her hair was disheveled but it was obvious the shine it has were works of maid. When she reached for her food, her delicate fingers showed a girl who was protected and pampered. Even her way of speaking was mannered and dignified. This girl is, without a doubt, a noble's daughter. A noble daughter who isn't from the borders, she had noticed.

When Kanna brought her to this restaurant, no one seemed to recognize the child. Even though she had washed herself, no one seemed to know her. Not to mention, this place was a restaurant for the nobles, if she was one, they would have recognized her.

Was she an abandoned noble daughter?

Kanna asked herself. A minute later, she threw the guess away. An abandoned daughter wouldn't wear a luxurious silk dress. Besides, her ears had holes in it implying she must have worn jewelries.

"So… how did you get separated from your brother?" Kanna asked after the girl gulped down a big bowl of noodles. Unsatisfied, she still went for the dish of meat on the table. "Someone told me my brother wants to see me. When I was in the carriage, I heard the driver and a man talking about something." The girl chewed the meat. Even though everything about her spoke 'noble', her way of eating was the only exception. How funny.

"So, what were they talking about?" Th question made the girl pause.

Xiaoni stopped her chopstick midway, her eyes sparkled with water. Her hands trembled as she laid down her chopstick with the meat. Kanna scolded herself. She could have asked at the perfect timing. It was terrible that she ruined the girl's appetite.

"The..They.. They were going to take me as a hostage and was talking about how they would.. they would.." She looked down, fear crossed her eyes, "they would chop me to .. to teach my brother a lesson."

Who is her brother that people would have such deep grudge at him, even his family? Kanna asked in her mind.

"How did you escape?" Kanna held the girl's trembling hands. The girl swallowed, as if the scene in her mind could kill her.

"I jumped off the carriage when we were in a rocky road. My brother taught me some tricks to do that." The girl was clearly afraid and on the verge of crying. But as if someone was watching her, she held it in.

Looking at her, Kanna was reminded of the same girl that did the same. Herself, of course.

The girl must have thought it was her death when she had seen her on the road, that's why she cried it all out. But now that she found hope, she must have gathered her strength to be brave, or at least look brave.

But Kanna knew. That inside, all she needed was a warm hug and a word of confirmation. Kanna stood and sat beside her. Xiano seemed confused when she hugged her, but she hugged her back anyways. "Big sissss…." She started, and the whole restaurant annoyingly stared at the weeping child.

"Kanna..," The elder among the two spoke.

The girl looked at her, "Kanna?"

"Yeah, that's my name." Kanna heard the warning of Lady Leisha again, she regretted saying her name. But she already said it. Besides, she'll only be a girl she met and saved. After eating, she planned on leaving the girl to the government officials across the street. It would be bad if she gets involved with her family if she was truly a noble.

This encounter with this crying brave child would only be a quick passing, she hoped.

or not.

"MOVE!!" a sudden shout startled the whole restaurant. A group of armored soldiers came in and lined on the entrance and around the whole restaurant. Not long after, a man who looked like he could destroy the world entered the building.

His face were pulled down so much that his whole angry presence could kill anyone who would stare. Though he was obviously a noble, his masculine build and skin color differ from the noble men inside the restaurant. For sure, this was a man from the military, a leader at that.

"Big brother!!!!" the girl in Kanna's arms stood and waved down. In a flash, a group of armed men surrounded Kanna. A sharp blade flashed Kanna's eyes. When she opened her eyes, it's blade were already on her neck.

Blood streamed out of her skin.

So much for a savior, Kanna thought as she looked at the girl beside her, still waving and smiling down at her most beloved brother.