Chapter Nine - Butterflies begin to circle Jin Li

Looking at the slumped shoulders before him and so not used to seeing him so, Leon couldn't help but grasp Jin Li's sleeve in worry.  At school, Sun had always been an abundance of energy, often to the point of being exasperating, but it had almost always been a positive sort.  And now, that same quickly moving youth seemed drained, an air of gloom about his person.  Jin Li sighed as he saw the worry etched upon his lover's face and was of half a mind to kick Sun out of his funk and so he did.

"Ow!" Sun complained, rubbing his derrière and sending a glare behind him, though Jin Li's face of indifference made him question what he had just experienced.  In the rambling gardens in between palace courtyards, he didn't feel like he could be as uncouth as to ask Jin Li if he'd really just kicked him!  Mond paused beside his younger brother, a frown upon his face as he wondered what had happened.

Still, Jin Li's face revealed nothing and he even questioned Sun's reaction; "Well?"  Sun pouted, but said nothing, however before he could turn away, the other suddenly continued to speak.  "Just to remind you, you owe this one a sparring session."

"What?" It was Sun's turn to frown.  Since when did it become his roommate who pushed for such?  Their usual trips to the arena were all instigated by himself!

"Was it not yourself that invited this one to travel a distance from one's humble abode, all that you could attempt to impress me with the size and architecture your family home?" Jin Li questioned offhandedly and Leon attempted to hide a smile behind his sleeve.  Mond saw this and found himself somewhat enlightened and he too began to relax.  Sun took another moment, before shedding the grey clouds about him like a cloak and replying;

"Wait until you see the training grounds, Jin Li!" He grinned, cheerfully.  "Much better and well equipped than even the ones in the inner school!"

"We shall see," Jin Li replied, the corners of his lips curling upwards a tad.

Just as his name suggested, the wintery gardens suddenly felt warm as a more familiar Sun reappeared before them.  "Big brother, did I tell you that I made it into the inner school?" He asked, giddily of his brother.

"Indeed," Mond smiled, before glancing back at Jin Li and nodding his thanks.  Sun continued to babble on about some nonsensical things that had happened at the institute recently, while Leon sighed with relief. 

"You are too soft hearted," Jin Li murmured close to his ear, which proceeded to turn red as the warmth of his breath brushed against the sensitive lobes.

They entered a slightly more subdued garden with leafless cherry trees scattered here and there and the path leading in several directions.  This section of the palace could be said to belong to the Second family's courtyard properties in its midst.  Mond indicated that his and his brothers homes were nearby, if one took the paths down past the two largest trees, while their father's rooms were just up ahead.  Further still, they would come to a wall where the women, their mother and father's lone concubine of the inner palace resided and where their sister's formally resided.  He need not tell them that they were not welcome there.

Mond was about to bid them good partings, when a voice called out to them; "Well, well, if it isn't sixth brother Sun.  Hime had heard from Second Aunt that big brother Sun was due back soon.  Didn't think it would be today!"

"Oh that would have explained the prepared coach this morning," another female voice of a higher tone said softly, though clearly with intent to make trouble.

"That coach?  The one we used to make a trip into town?" The first girl questioned, before turning to Sun with a faux embarrassed expression.  "Is that so, Elara.  Oh, big brother Sun, do forgive us!  We were in a rush and didn't question it!"

Leon shuddered, as first impressions went, there really wasn't anything to say.  There were three girls in front of them and that was if a person didn't count their entourage.  All three girls had varying shades of brown hair, partially pinned into elaborate styles.  Powder decorated their faces and the sweet scent of perfume drifted into the air from their bodies, which were wrapped in bright silks and finished with gold jewellery.  The first girl had a round face and large brown eyes, the second was taller with high cheekbones and plush lips and the last girl, who had not spoken so far, was most abundant in feminine blossoms and her sultry eyes held a hint of dark intent that made Leon's blood run cold.

Mond frowned, he had wondered why Sun had appeared in a plain, travellers coach rather than one of their own.  His countenance turned cold and unforgiving. 

There were many little misses in their family and only a couple of Mond could consider virtuous and obedient, both happened to be shu born girls.  And there was Dia, but that girl was a law on to herself; running away and joining the army.  She had always been more interested in Martial Arts than make up and Grandfather had indulged her so...  these girl-cousins before him, Mond had no time for at all.

"What are you girls doing here," he said, coldly.  These unmarried girls all resided in other parts of the palace and in inner residences.  There was no reason for them to be walking through the Second Family's gardens.

The girl who called herself Hime piped up; "Ah, we had just met with Second Aunty."

"That's right," the second girl, Elara, confirmed, "Fifth sister came to visit."  Fifth sister happened to be one of Sun's older sisters of which there were three, one di and two shu.  Fifth Sister, Lunisa, had been married out two years ago to a man, who was a cousin to one of the Eastern Kings.  Despite his family being of a distant branch, Lunisa was surrounded by a wealth of things and often brought jewellery and valuables back with her when she came to visit.  So really it was no surprise that the girls rushed over once they had heard she was in residence.

"Then you should quickly return," Mond insisted and indicated to Sun that they should also move on.

It was then the silent girl chose to speak.  "Are you not going to introduce us?" Her voice was like liquid velvet, seductive and warm, but her eyes were like arrows focused upon their target, unwavering and filled with interest.  Without waiting for Sun's answer she stepped forward and introduced herself; "My name is Carmen and you are?"

The tall, striking man before her glanced down, his dark eyes were like two jet black gems frozen in ice and she shivered involuntarily, but if anything, it reinforced her resolve.  The man sneered and looked towards Sun.  "This place is so noisy," he complained.

Sun grinned and replied; "Yes, it can be at times.  Let's go to my courtyard, it'll be quieter there."  He did not hide the obvious smirk upon his face as he gauged his cousin's reactions. 

"Lead the way," Jin Li demanded and gave Leon no time to hesitate, pushing him that he should follow Sun.  He knew that his lover was likely already worrying over their rude actions towards Sun's kin.

Mond also gave his cousins no face.  His family was not one to hide their daughters from the world nor suppress their ability to learn and think, but there were still rules of etiquette to be followed and he felt that these girls had broken one too many too many times.  He walked in the direction of his own courtyard and decided to have a servant inform his grandmother about their behaviour later, less ill rumours begin to stir and do his little brother and his friends harm.