Punishment

-So this is what happened...- whisper the General

My fists twists at my sides -For once, I am extremely regretful of actin on my own. Last time the men got sent out of the camp none survived... But this time... I...!-

He places an hand on my shoulder -I see your good intentions soldier, I'm thankful for you willingly reporting yourself to me... But you will still be punished for disobeying- He seats down on some rock and sighs a couple of times, while his eyes scroll over the destroyed camp -I'm afraid to admit it but, if you weren't there we would have all died. Listening to our meeting by some kind of inhuman power... Giant sliders with human face... Calling water from the underground... And that creature...- He chuckles sarcastically -Never would I have believed such things if it didn't happen under my eyes...-

He stands up -Our men know now Miss Ying... Everyone saw you fighting like a beast, saw you fainting after using up your energy after stopping the fire... Saw you save me right after coming back to your senses. I look forward to your cooperation in maintaining calmness, or sanity I should say, between the men-

-Yessir-

-Also...- he stops midway looking behind me -... You seems to have visitors, I'll spare you for now soldier- and goes away letting me to turn around.

I find a group of foxes yelping happy

-Uh? You really think I'm your new owner don't you?- I bend to caress a couple of those, before they part making a passageway that leads out of the camp

I rise an eyebrow -No dirty tricks-

A fox lower its ears and run away of a few meters before turning to look at me

-You want me to follow you? Well then... Let's go-

...

After some time I get taken by some stones forming a cave... It's not big or anything, but enough for a person or two to spend the night away from the wind and snow if needed... I light up a knife and proceed inside

-Mmhnn...- Murmurs a voice, a familiar one

I drop down my cautiousness and rush at the end where I find Zhou, seated against the cold rocks and half asleep

-Lai... Er?-

-Zhou'Ge!- I Let the knife fall and kneel to hug him tight -I knew you wouldn't have died that easily-

-Agh... It hurts- he scrunches his nose

-S sorry- I step away from him -Is anything broken or wounded?-

He shakes his head -You're just too fierce Lai'Er. Those foxes... They really saved my life. I passed out under that heavy tend with Rang yelling my name and woke up here half naked with those little ones treating my old wounds- He laughs holding the bandages on his body since the movement pains him -I feel so useless, staying here to sleep haha... How is the camp?-

-Broken down... But safe now-

-That's good- he rest his head on the wall and pat the ground beside him with one hand -You looks exhausted, let's rest a bit before going back... I'm sure you killed any possible enemy anyway- he says smiling

...

-We couldn't find any suitable punishment unfortunately...-

-So...?-

-So you will have to do something unpleasant instead-

I gulp down looking at their smirks -Like... What?-

They just stare at eachother happily

...

Never would I have expected to be massaging an old man's feet, kneeled down like an animal... Stripped of all my pride.

-Won't you get those sleeves wet like this little Flower?- laughs the Colonel

-It's fine-

-I think you should take that off... You would be serving me much better that way-

-Sleeves do not obstacle me, Sir- I ignore the implications

-Oh come on! Let me help you roll them up... Just a little bit- He licks his lips and bends foward, reaching for the shirt's knot over my chest, I move back without interrupting my job

-What a fierce Lady we have-

-I can be much more fierce if you try me- I growl back, he gulps down blushing as a hint of a boner pops up in between his spread legs -Disgusting...!- I stand up and throw a towel on the ground angrily

-What... What wait! You cannot stop now! I will report you for not fulfilling your punishment-

-My punishment is just to relieve the stress of the Commanders, not to please them in any other way- I yell back leaving the tend

-Oh Miss Ying... How is your job going?- asks one of the Generals outside with a smirk

-Get out of my way- the stare I throw him makes his smile disappear as quickly as it came

-Uh... What a temper...- comments him with a shiver

...

-Sir, I'm very sorry to disturb you now but this thing can't keep on going- I kneel down entering the Head General tend

The man puts down his parchment and stares at me sighing -What happened now Miss Ying? I already had to change your punishment twice since you couldn't make it till the end of none...-

-I... 'M sorry, but no matter what the task is, your men seem to enjoy way too much having me at their service... I've lost count of how many times someone's hand slipped too far under my clothes this time!-

He leans back on the chair with and hand under his chin -I apologise for that... But I really have no more ideas? Unless you want us to torture you, but I'm afraid that would be useless too-

-If you touch me, could burn you all honesty...-

-What?!-

-...Unintentionally, of course-

-Mhn... Burning... Oh well there might be something left you can do-

-And that is?-

-With your abilities, I'm sure you can find some succulent pray up the mountains and cook it for our hungry men... It's been several months since we had decent meet, or meat in general-

-Mhn, I'll see what I can do-

...

I mix the boiling soup once more and pour a few bowls for some men who happily hop away eating

-These were the last one for tonight, thank you so much Miss Ying- smiles the man in charge of the cooking behind me -Take some for yourself and go eat-

-Thanks- I put down the big spoon before cleaning my forehead from the sweat.

-Oh you're done finally! Welcome back, our hero! Our saviour!- yells Rang

-Lower your voice...!- warn him Zhou rolling his eyes

-And why so? It's just the truth everyone knows it- he seat back down -Anyway, what's in this soup? I never had something like this- Rang laughs taking a full spoon in his mouth -It's delicious!-

-Do you remember that spider I told you about...?-

He spits it out disgusted, making me and Zhou burst out laughing -I'm kidding haha, it's wolf meat-

-No wonder it tastes so different... I never had such a thing- comments Zhou licking the tip of his spoon

-Well glad you like it... At least this punishment was successful- I face palm

-What do you mean?-

-It's the third punishment they gave me... I couldn't go through the other ones-

-Why not?- asks Rang

-Take a guess... What's better: a married man faking a hug just to squeeze my ass, an old man popping a boner after I yell at him, a boy trying to undress me... Or a fine meal who please everyone? I would bet on the second one of I were you- I say sarcastically as he just stares disgusted before getting back at his soup

-Being a woman in the Army really is no joke...- sighs Zhou -To think they all own you their lives and still take advantage of you- adds Xu Lei, finally showing his face

-I guess horrible humans can't change- my reply comes out harsh, which only makes him smile more

-Indeed-