Caihong's Regrets

Caihong struggled to comprehend why her Mistress was suddenly angry with the Fox King. She knew her Mistress's temper could be a tad bit complicated. Yet this was the first time Caihong had seen her Mistress this vexed in eight lifetimes.

When Caihong had dared inquire, her Mistress had flown off, forbidding her from following. Now Caihong stood outside the throne room awaiting an audience with the King.

As Caihong paced back and forth, Tae, the King's Commander, finally informed her the King would not see her. Tate stated it was best not to get involved.

Caihong, of course, was never one to listen. There were instances when she disobeyed her Mistress, which cost her greatly. After several hours of waiting, Caihong finally decided she would leave the palace in search of her Mistress.

The moment Caihong left, Tae set out. The King wanted Lady Xiao found; if anyone knew where she was, it would be the little bird.

Who knew the little bird could fly so swiftly? Tae lost track of her as they got to the outskirts of town. The little bird hovered around a fruit stall before moving on. Tae watched with curiosity as the little bird flew past a flower stall and crashed into a candy vendor.

Caihong changed back into her human form; the bird dusted herself off and continued on her way.

Where was the bird going? Had she not come in search of Lady Xiao. The little bird plopped herself atop the river wall. Perhaps she, too, could not find a trace of Lady Xiao.

"When will you stop following me?" Caihong's eyes landed where Tae was hiding.

The wolf was about to speak when a golden dragonfly landed next to the bird.

Tae tried to make out what they were saying; unfortunately, Tae could not understand the foreign language they spoke.

"Did you think I wouldn't be able to find you?" Zarin's golden eyes shined with rage. Caihong had taken off without a word; what was Zarin to think.

"There are things I must do," Caihong's response was far from pleasant, "I never told you to wait for me."

Zarin figured Caihong had found her Master and thus chose to abandon her, but why did she have to be so cruel. When they first met, Caihong had made Zarin believe she loved her. The truth was Zarin was the guardian of the last time shard, and Caihong had just used her.

It wasn't that Caihong didn't love Zarin; she simply had a task that needed to be done. Until her Mistress got her revenge, Caihong did not believe she deserved happiness. Caihong had failed Xiao in their first life, and no matter how often her Mistress told her she did not blame her, Caihong could not be at ease.

Tae was growing impatient; what could they possibly be talking about? When would the little bird lead him to Lady Xiao?

"The time shard broke after I used it," Caihong could sense someone was watching her; thus, she hopped off the stone wall and started walking in the direction of the dark presence, "I wonder how you got here?"

Caihong smiled as she stood before Tae. The Commander was caught off guard, which worked perfectly in her favor. Caihong pulled the Commander towards her and, standing on her tippy toes, kissed him.

Tae was baffled by the little bird's sudden actions, but Zarin was furious.

The dragonfly started yelling in that language Tae could not understand, but the little bird just shrugged it off. Tae had the feeling he had just been used, and he did not like it.

Before Tae could protest, Caihong took him by the hand and dragged him away. The kiss should be enough to discourage Zarin. Heavens, Caihong wished the kiss was enough.

Caihong leads Tae further from the town. Why is the wolf here? She wonders as they neared the abandoned hut she'd occupied while waiting for her Mistress to awaken.

Whirling around, Caihong drops Tae's hand, "What do you want?"

Tae seemed to no longer be confused; no, he looked amused. It seemed the wolf was aware she'd used him.

"Who was she?" Tae asked, even though he had a pretty good guess. Watching the little bird squirm under his amused gaze was a welcome distraction.

Caihong jabs her finger at Tae's chest, "You didn't answer my question," she protests.

Tae laughs. What was the point in following the little bird? The King would have to forgive him, but Tae's patience quickly faded. Tae had grown so used to not being questioned that he no longer found Caihong amusing.

"Where is your Master?" the wolf's shift in energy threw Caihong aback. Perhaps the kiss had been a bad idea, but how else could she get Zarin to move on.

Caihong shifted into her bird form to distract Tae and brushed her wings against his face before taking off. Caihong had forgotten she left the place to search for her Mistress, but now that the wolf was looking for her, Caihong knew she had no choice but to return to the palace.

Tae chased after the little bird across the creek and up the stream. It was evident she was leading him astray, but Tae did not feel like dealing with the King for the time being. There was a time when Tae had considered the King to be like a brother. Unfortunately, his actions throughout the past years had made Tae question whether or not he did the right thing in following him to Silver Night Palace.

Caihong took delight in stringing the wolf along something about the Commander that felt familiar to her. Perhaps they had come across each other in another life. After all, Caihong had lived many, and much like her Mistress, she didn't always use the same form.

Once long ago, Caihong had a friend who wanted to be King. While waiting for her Mistress to awaken, she helped her old friend achieve his dream. To his misfortune, the King's people, including his bride, betrayed him. From the moment Caihong lay her eyes upon the Commander, she felt like there was a hint of recognition, but how to be sure.

Had Jung-hoon not been assassinated, his people would have lived prosperous lives. Alas, it was not meant to be; with Jung-hoon's death came a more significant war that ended his entire Kingdom. Caihong had tried to gather the essence of his soul, but by the time she got to him, it was too late. Thus, taking a page from her Mistress's playbook, Caihong exterminated all parties involved.

Caihong had two regrets in life, one having betrayed her Mistress. Two having left Jung-hoon's side when she promised to protect him until the end.