Chapter One Hundred And Twenty Seven - She seeks more than friendship

"Excuse me," Merylin said, softly, no longer wishing to stand there like an extraneous flower, "I hope I am not intruding on anything important..."

"Of course not," Pike allowed, amicably.  "Just a little sparring between friends."  Although this young woman was not here for him, she was still an apprentice alchemist studying within the inner school.  It never hurt to make connections. However as she blushed demurely and glanced through her long, black lashes towards Jin Li, despite his back facing her, it was clear she was not interested in his pleasantries.  It was as if his words came from Jin Li's mouth!   Inwardly he sighed.  It was clear that this girl only had eyes for one.  Poor Leon, he thought ruefully.

"Oh, then please, continue, I don't wish to interrupt." There was a sparkle in though gem like eyes that could not be hidden by shuttered lashes.

"We're done here," Jin Li announced.  Deep down he admitted just one thing to himself; he could not keep his thoughts upon the battle.  That was a dangerous thing.  Even though they were not out for each other's blood, even bloodshed could occur in a simple sparring if ones concentration faltered.  He blamed Leon.  Who told him to have such large, expressive eyes in to which his reflection could drown should he allow it?

"I see," said the girl also with expressive eyes that were now set downcast.  They seemed to have a million facets to them, though which revealed the truth, not all of those watching her could say.  These men were somewhat experienced with the whims and wiles of certain women, they were not foolish boys.  Watching her made them somewhat uncomfortable, despite her very lovely face.  "What a pity," she continued, not realising her act had been seen through, though she would likely not care as those men were not the ones she sought to impress.  "A rare opportunity for me to witness your skills and I missed it! I'm sure it was a glorious battle! I was fortunate enough to observe your fight against the barbarian during the Standings."

Her flattering words might have swayed others, but the one she liked was not really listening.  His thoughts had slipped into memory as he began recalling the battle of which she spoke of.  He remembered that Leon had come rushing towards him after the battle ended to see if he was hurt or injured in anyway.  Jin Li's mood further blackened for a moment.  As if he could have been hurt in such a meaningless fight!  Still, he had been a little touched at that moment...

His stomach growled and he announced his intention to go and eat.  His three companions glanced at each other, inwardly amused.  Jin Li really wasn't giving the girl any face!  "Would you mind terribly if I accompanied you?" Merylin blushed, this time her cheeks not reddening due to her own will.  Who knew a man's stomach could make such terrible sounds!  Like the roaring of a dominant beast warding others from his territory!  "I haven't been able to share my gift with you."

Jin Li finally turned to stare at this woman hounding him.  She didn't seem to want anything from him, unlike the others who had wished him to give them pointers to hone their techniques or his company when hunting wild animals in the mountains.  Leon never asked much of him either and right now he wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not!  It wouldn't have hurt Leon to rely on him a little more... "Do as you wish," he replied and headed towards the arena's exit.

The girl smiled triumphantly and began to hurry after him.  The first year watched all of this with much mixed feeling, was Jin Li really not interested in this lovely, talented and clearly noble young woman?  He was lifted from his daze by a heavy hand upon his shoulder.  "We know how you feel," Bowyer advised him, though he was clearly very aware exactly why Jin Li had no interest in the girl, or any girl for that matter, even if Jin Li was not aware of it himself.

"It's a good thing Jin Li is not interested," Sun mused aloud as he and the seniors followed Jin Li's path. 

Bowyer and Pike glanced at each other.  Was Sun aware of Jin Li's ambiguous feelings toward's the small alchemist?  "Oh, why do you say that?" Bowyer asked him.

"That girl is no good," he said, slightly indignant.  "She clearly has eyes for marriage and sees Jin Li as her groom."

Pike laughed and placed his arm about Sun's shoulders.  Was this a case of eyes wide open, eyes closed shut? "Marriage is not a bad thing, little brother," he joked with the boy, who shuddered at the thought of being tied down to a demanding woman.  Better a sweet, gently soul who looked at him as if he were her hero rather than one who looked at him as if he was the finest delicacy upon a dinner plate.

"Don't worry," Bowyer said with a wicked grin.  "She has too much of one thing and not enough of another.  Jin Li would never be interested in her." Pike reached around and smacked him about the head.

"You crass bastard," he cursed him, but smirked as he had been thinking much the same.

Sun looked up at the two men, roughly bickering with very innocent eyes.  "What does is that supposed to mean?"  Bowyer and Pike remained wisely quiet, choosing not to taint their little brother with the truth this day.