Aftershock

All Things New

Ye Hua admired  Bai Qians sleeping form they had been in their little hut for three weeks  now; 21 mortal years. However last night was the first night he dared to  join her in bed. Hesitantly he had said let's go to bed now after a strange day feeling like strangers who just met and sharing laughter over miss steps and a trip to the village to see a play. In the previous weeks  they'd been in an awkward place where they couldn't relive their past relationship and didn't know how to restart their relationship. Somehow at the beginning of the day before he woke up on his make shift bed  feeling like something was going to happen and the electricity in the air was like moths to a flame,he could only be drawn further to it. He rose from his bed and absently walked towards the pull of  electricity until he stood  in front of a blocked corner. Bai Qian stood  in the corner  bathing her smooth soft shoulder with peach scented water she seemed to  also be  reciting a poem about peach blossoms. Unable to look way ye Hua stood there imagining he was her arm he could feel  her soft touch  gently  stroking him her warm breath  dancing on his  surface as  she spoke softly to herself.  This woman had proved to be the stronger more  independent SuSu every day since they returned.  She didn't need him and didn't seem to want him around yet every now and then she would smile and say something enduring. He was lost in his sensation and thoughts he didn't realize that Bai Qian had come out from around the blockage and was watching him. Smiling she used magic to jolt him out of it.  Ye Hua fell back against a Ill placed shelf. "Serves you right!spying on me. " with that she  left the hut.

Bai Qian still had chills from the  electricity in the hut and  the warmth of  Ye Hua presence. She had gotten up  early in hopes he would sleep late. The special blended water mixture of peach blossoms and a special elixir made for  her fox clan was necessary after so much time in the mortal world.  The blossoms keep their skin and fur soft and bright as well as enriched the color, while the  special elixir fed vital vitamins and antioxidants, healthy nails and strong  teeth. It was sort of booster shot absorbed through their skin pores. By doing this she would be able to stay another  month the mortal world.  Bia Qian wondered if another month be enough for the tentative tention to be removed and they can have it all out and sorted.  I should have stayed , Bia Qian mumbled, Ye Hua  was just watching how much could he have seen...   Bai Qian  thought back to the  morning her hair was thinning and her fragal skin peeling  from  atmosphere.   She didn't  want Ye Hau to see it. So she  snuck  in a bath while  he slept.  Feeling renewed  and she turned around to return home; following her steps she concentrated  on  the scenery. Nothing was familiar and nothing seemed strange.  Why did I go so  far?  Bai Qian frowed at a bird chirping  on  a  small branch.  " So annoying!", She scolded  the bird, "shoo!"  The bird  shook  and chirped again.  Bai Qian walked passed the bird then made a wrong turn  left. She was lost  and the was only  one thing to do she sat and waited.

He came right on time  carrying  a small weapon and water. "I am here".  He seemed  to happy so she responded defensively, "well you sure took your  time.  Fine let's  go. " Bai Qian stood up and looked around. "Which  way?"
" this way" he Hua smiled at her " Qian Qian "  you're only a few feet  away  from our home. " feeling foolish  she rounded the thick cloved path to the clearing that was their home. "Every time I see this hut it take my breath that this is our home. It also makes me miss how SuSu and Ye Hau was. "  " She had a dream of five children running around the yard playing." "I have hope  of a future too." She turned to smile at  him, "what do you think? Five  little  dragons or foxes? "
Ye Huas heart took flight and  he grinned back, "Sounds about  right."
Nodding Qian Qian went into the hut. Later that day they went into town for dinner at a play house. The play was funny and the Hero save the girl dispite his clumsy attempt at  wooing her. Qian Qian had  watched the  play completely engaged in the plotline, ye Hua watched her; seeing the play  play out through her eyes and expressions. He was more in love with her with  every  laugh or wide eye  surprise.
The play ended and back home  Qian Qian  nervously stood by the door unable to meet his eyes. Ye Hua  with no  second thoughts reach for her hand kissed them and said  let's go to bed. Without  protest Bai Qian  followed reading herself and  climbing in first. They slept side by side with no space between them.
                      Present/next morning

Ye Hua stretched and  got out of bed carefully not to wake Qian Qian up he lit a fire and made breakfast.  Qian Qian  rolled over as the aroma of  food hit her nose.  Hungry but unwilling to leave the bed yet she lay looking at the ceiling. She wondered what Ye Hua made. Smiling she turned over on her side thoughts of  Ali swarmed her mind. It has been two weeks since his last visit was he much bigger? Did he still sleep lightly? As if he read her mind ye Hua came into the room with Ali in one arm and  a tray of food in the other.
"We have a breakfast guest" He smiled at her as she  sat up excited. The short distance from the door to the bed  felt long as Bai Qian eyed  Ali. Gently sitting Ali into  her arms Ye Hua watched Qian Qian  smile and coo at him.  Ali smiled and turned into a tiny fox. Showing off for his mom. Making a little fox noise he  climbed up his mom and sat on her shoulder.  Laughing Bai Qian pulled him down and nuzzled his neck.
"Ali, " she rubbed his head then turned Into her true fox form. Her nine tails fanned  out and swishes behind her. Ali joyfully danced around his mother's legs. She playfully poked him with her nose.  Smiling when  he welps.

Ye Hua looked at his family a beautiful little white nine  tails fox and a tiny version of her Ali.  This was how he imagined SuSu would be  with their son. This is what he wanted.  Feeling overwhelmed with love Ye Hua pulled his wife into his arms holding her loosely.  "Qian Qian  you are the love of my life, noone will  ever have my heart as you do."
Bai Qian  shifted back into human form  took hold of his upper arms  "Ye  Hua pain from the  past life's not easily forgotten." "My heart was broken back then, all I wanted was this quiet life with Ali."
"I wanted that for us too, I was a fool to think I could have this without repercussions. In the end all I was useful for was bringing you unmeasured pain." Tears fell from his eyes, " I can never be  sorry  enough." Ye Hua lowered his head to lean it against hers. " please forgive me Qian Qian. I want to start over with you and this time do it right."  
Bai Qian sniffed back tears of her own; gave thought to what he said. In  the big picture he made perfect sense they could start over maybe in the peach forest. Ali would love it and they could be happy like  they were here. But can she really find forgiving peace with this man?  She had to try it was her heart's wish. Turning in Ye Hua arms, Bai Qian looked into  his eyes; taking a leap of faith  Qian Qian  held her hand against his  cheek "okay." She smiled. "Okay. " Ali took that moment to leap into his mother's arms and try to play. Laughing delighted Qian Qian ruffled his tiny head. " we have a naughty kit Ye Hua. " she looked at him to confirm  he agreed  with her. Suddenly sumber Qian Qian rubbed Alis soft furry neck, "we have to return don't we?"  Ye Hua held her tighter. He didn't want to leave anymore than she did. "We can take another week." "Heaven Lord  summoned me a few days ago." "I will  have to go back for some official business. " Ye Hua  kept mention of Su Jin out. One of his "official " business was to inform  his Grandfather that he wouldn't be  marrying Su Jin no Matter what he promised. Qian Qian was of the  Fox clan and the Queen  of Qui qio highly respected High Goddess she deserved more. " Hungry ? let's  eat."