Helping a Mate

-I lost count of the days we spent here already...- says Hua pulling my arms lazily as we stretch together

-Could it be more than two months?-

-It's been 43 days- I sigh -So much time... And still they don't send us on the battlefield...-

-All I want now is to have daily dates with Pei uh...- he let go of me passing on to the next exercise -... We still didn't had any private time all for us uff...-

-Didn't you two went out for the Qixi?- I ask passing on my other leg

-Yes, but it's not the same thing... He's got work and we are always stucked here.

I mean domestic life... Eating together, going to the market together, bathing, traveling, sleeping... Like uhm... Husband and wife- he blushes

-Wait what...? Weren't you a man eater?! What happened to your boldness-

-Ahh shhh! I... Just want to take it easy... Mmh... I do think about "things" but I don't want him to misunderstand...-

-Let me be honest... It's really awkward since we are talking about my brother but... I mean, he would be more than happy to fully show you his love-

-It's just that it means a lot so... I'm scared... If we could be having a normal relationship outside military camps it would be different-

-Don't ask me... I'm not the one with expirince here-

He looks away all red

-Don't tell me you... Mmmh!- he cover my mouth with his hands -Shhh shh!-

-Are you for real?!- I whisper -What about all those jokes and comments?! You really are a little brat!-

-I Uhm... Hehe... I wanted to look cool in front of you, I suppose... You're just so full of confidence and I'm envious-

-Well you should really be talking with Pei'Ge about this... He would be happy to know you're his first lover-

-He's my ONLY lover! I do not want anyone else ever again if not Pei'Ge!-

I flick his forehead -Idioooot... Just tell him instead of crying about how much you want a more stable relationship without working for it!

And please let's drop the topic-

...

On our weapon training we got assigned horse for today... My favorite!

For this class we can have a more private training, being that we are taken out from the camp and divided in 3 groups of 4 with the other room.

-Ying ChangLai, Feng Hua, Zhang Shun and Ming HuaLi with me!- says one instructor galloping away...

-Very well guys, today we will make a bit of an upgrade.

Instead of just working on your positions or how you handle a weapon we will be having a more realistic approach...

We prepared a track in the wood in which you will need to shoot at determined targets and manage to take care of your horse in a different ground from the one you are used to... To not get lost you just need to follow the small flags placed on some trees

Take these arrows, these are marked in different colours to distinguish each of you and your improvements-

...

-Feng, 8 hit out of 10... Not centre but it's still very good...- he rise his chin, full of pride

-Zhang, 7 out of 10, you got 2 in the central circle, impressive...- Shun winks to Hua who pout as an answer

-Ming, 2 out of 10, we'll have to work on that...- HuaLi, from the room, just sighs looking at his feet so Shun comes by his side patting his shoulder

-Ying... 10 out of 10... All perfect hit...- he lowers his parchment staring at me -How did you even managed to? It's quite shocking being this the first time...-

-Actually... I used to train on a similar tracks back in my region... With a bit of extras tho-

-For example?-

-I can show you- I take out an handkchief to tie it on my eyes, mounting my horse... -May I?- I ask for the arrows and head to the wood.

...

-How is this even possible?!- yell Shun with his eyes completely open

-She literally memorized the track after just one try...-

-This is absolutely amazing Miss Ying... I'll have it reported to our General... Not only you have an incredible memory and skills... But your Qi flow... It's really strong! Only the best cultivators or soldiers now days would be able to do such a thing...

I suppose we will have to study a new training for you... What a potential...-

...

-Climbing this mountain... has become easier and easier lately! Don't you think so?- asked Hua hopping from one fallen branch to another

-Mmhn yeah-

-It's tiring but after a warm bath I feel good as new... To think how dead we were the first weeks haha!-

-Yeah but still we can't compete with her- says one of the guys pointing to me, as i rush on top of a rock to hear if anything is coming toward us...

-Clear-

-It's not like we are on the actual battlefield Lai'Er, you know?-

-I do know that, but I would like to see in advance a falling tree or any hungry wolf-

-You say that as if it's something normal... Brr, gives me goosebumps-

-Animals are unpredictable lately... You must be always ready-

-What do you expect us to do anyway... We can only run- they walk past my rock carrying their water buckets so I jump off, joining them

-We can fight If anyone's life is in danger.-

-Are you kidding?-

-No...?-

-Are you saying you would fight a wolf with your bare hands too?-

-The first time it happened they were 4... But I had a sword actually, I wouldn't stand a chance bare handed-

-First time... Really? You are crazy- Hua replies with a blank face

-Then I met a bear... We actually sparred a few times before I managed to kill him, one day he almost ate the arm of a merchant... Then there was that other wolf...

Then... Uhm... Oh yeah that too and...- I get lost in thoughts

-Are you done?-

-... A tiger-

-A tiger?! You could have died and why the hell was there even a tiger in your village?!!-

-The Earth's elements are no more on equilibrium... Even animals feels that and it's driving them crazy... It is sad having to kill them when it's not their fault for hurting others-

-They are still hurting others-

-But in other circumstances they wouldn't... The same is happening to us humans, we are all getting more and more mentally tired and with a general sense of unwellness...-

We hear a scream.

-It's coming from down there!- turns around Wei to warm me as I am alrready dashing past him...

I keep running until reaching the source of the noise, as expected... A wild beast, a young bear.

When still running I take out the bow hidden under my outer robe, I jump over a broken tree shooting midair

-Stand back!- I come to shield the man from the beast

-L Lai'Er?!-

-Xiao...?-

-Ah watch out!-

The young bear throw his anterior paw toward us... I take out another arrow before jumping on his shoulders, being it standing on two legs, and aim inside his cranium

-I'm... Sorry!- and I shoot, the arrow penetrate his brain and peeks out under his jaw. He falls to the ground as I land down...

I reach out my hand to Xiao

-Are you all right?-

He looks at my hand and then at the other guys running toward us

-Of course!- he slaps my hand before running away...

-That was soooo cool! Have you all seen that?! Please teach me!-

-Me too!-

-It's not something fun to do guys...- I comment taking back my arrow from the bear's hear, cleaning it with a cloth

-Was that Xiao?- ask Shun

-Mmh... It was him-