Wu Chen opened his eyes to the crashing of waves on a shore. He was seated on an island of white sand surrounded by a choppy sea. A universe of stars and planets twinkled in a mysterious rhythm and stretched above his head to the endless horizon. He recognized this place. It was his Sea of Consciousness.

He glanced at the water, which was usually calm, like a mirror. It surged and rolled, smashing itself against the island as though it would consume it. He guessed that it must be due to the storm of emotions he had recently experienced. He needed to calm himself down.

He sat on the sand and began to meditate. He found it hard to get into the state he needed as agitated as he was, but eventually he was able to achieve a state of calm. Once he did, the waters began to settle. They still weren't the mirror they normally were, but more like a sea on a windy day.

A whisper on the wind reached his ears. 'Master...'

He opened his eyes, searching for the voice. It seemed familiar. It sounded like a man, deep, calming, strong. But he should be alone here. Alone and safe.

'Master...I am here.' The voice compelled him to search for it. He circled the island but found nothing. Finally, after his third circuit, he noticed a small glowing object the size of a dustmote bobbing up and down near the center of the island. He approached it cautiously.

'What are you?' he asked curiously.

'I am Shandian.' it said as Wu Chen drew closer. 'I have waited long.'

He was excited! Shandian...the sword from his dreams. He knew it had a spirit, the legends told of this. 'How are you here? This is my Sea of Consciousness.'

Once Wu Chen focused on the object, it became more substantial. It took the form of a tiny warrior in steel armor. The armor was covered in ancient symbols and seemed to be what caused the glow. It had a small mustache and goatee and wore a silver ring on its right third finger.

The tiny figure bowed deeply to Wu Chen and answered, 'We are one. Why would I not be here?'

Wu Chen thought this would be a good opportunity to get some answers. 'Is it true? Am I really the Wu Chen that sacrificed himself for Lu Yong?'

'Yes.' answered the sword spirit simply.

Wu Chen hadn't wanted it to be true, but it appeared that it was. He couldn't change it, so all he could do was focus on the spirit. 'Why are you here now? Why haven't I seen you before today?' 

'I have always been here. I sent dreams, messages. You weren't ready to listen.' It answered calmly.

'Are you the reason I have those nightmares?' He had to know this answer.

'No. I only called to you so we could reunite. It is good that you can see me now.' It replied.

Wu Chen had hoped that this would mean the nightmares weren't memories as Lu Yong had speculated. Those hopes were now dashed. He was going to have to come to terms with these new circumstances. Otherwise, he risked a qi deviation. From the looks of the sea when he'd first entered, he had been close.

'I am on a Clan Quest to retrieve you, but it will take time.' He told the spirit. 'I have to go to a temple first to see The Old One.'

The tiny figure bowed, 'I will wait. You should go to the temple. Your soul is injured.'

Wu Chen's eyebrows rose. It knew about the soul injury, maybe it knew how to cure it. 'Do you know how to cure the injury to my soul?'

'No. Go to the temple. We cannot reunite with your injury. It makes it difficult for me to communicate with you. Your soul must be whole again.' It said, seeming a little sad.

'Will you always be here now?' Wu Chen asked, feeling much better about the whole situation. The waters around the island slowly smoothed out. There were still ripples that marred its perfect mirror occasionally, but he had learned to accept, and his Sea had calmed.

'I have never not been here. I will wait for the Master.' It said smiling.

Wu Chen once again sat on the sand and closed his eyes in meditation. It was time to return. He had his answers for now. It was the best he could do until his injury was healed.

*********************************************

Wu Chen opened his eyes to see a wood and thatched roof above him. He was lying on a blanket in a simple lean-to. He could hear soft rain falling on the branches above. He started to sit up, and a warm hand slid behind him to help.

Wu Chen glanced over and looked at Lu Yong. He had deep circles under his eyes, but he was smiling.

'You're finally up! How are you feeling?' he asked cautiously. It was obvious that he was worried but was trying to stay cheerful for Wu Chen. Wu Chen thought it was rather sweet.

'I'm still a little lightheaded, but I think I'm alright now.' Wu Chen rubbed a thumb over the circles under Lu Yong's eyes. 'Are you okay? You look like you haven't slept in weeks. How long was I out?'

Lu Yong reached up and grabbed his hand, kissing the inside of his palm lightly and keeping his hand near his chest. He shook his head with a small smile. '3 days. You were out for 3 days. I'm glad you're okay.'

Lu Yong helped him get into a comfortable position, and then grabbed a bowl that had been sitting nearby. 'I made you some soup. I've kept some fresh on the fire for when you finally woke up. You should eat something light after being unconscious for so long.'

Wu Chen watched him for a moment, and then reached out and grabbed his face with both hands. He smiled at Lu Yong's surprised look, and then Wu Chen gave him a gentle kiss.

Lu Yong was only shocked for a moment, then he set the bowl down carefully and turned towards him. He wrapped his arms around Wu Chen, pulling him into a tight embrace. Lu Yong buried his face in Wu Chen's shoulder and sobbed quietly. 'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.' he whispered over and over, stroking his soft hair.

Wu Chen held him, rubbing his back until he finally settled down. He pulled back from Lu Yong and reached up to wipe the tears from his face. 'Enough tears. I thought you promised me a new life.' Wu Chen tilted his head and smiled shyly at Lu Yong.

Lu Yong nodded, his eyes sparkling and his smile wide, 'Anything. You can have anything you want.'

Wu Chen chuckled softly and leaned against Lu Yong's strong chest. He spoke quietly, but firmly. 'I was in my Sea of Consciousness these past few days. The sword spirit of Shandian was there. It confirmed everything, and it said I do have a soul injury. It wants me to go to the temple as well.' He didn't tell Lu Yong how close he'd been to a qi deviation. He didn't want to worry him any more than he already was.

Lu Yong wrapped his arms around Wu Chen keeping him close and kissed the top of his head. 'We'll be there soon. The Old One should know what we can do.' Wu Chen nodded, feeling safe within his Guardian's strong arms.

Lu Yong suddenly sat up straight, 'I almost forgot! I found something in that bear den the other day, but things were a little hectic, so I didn't go back. Do you want to go take a look with me tomorrow? Will you be up for it?'

Wu Chen laughed lightly, 'I'll be fine to do some exploring tomorrow. What did you find?' He sat back and smiled up at Lu Yong, his curiosity making his eyes glitter.

'I'll tell you while you eat.' Lu Yong smiled, as he handed the bowl over to Wu Chen. Wu Chen rolled his eyes, but the soup really had been thoughtful. He wouldn't turn it down. As he began to eat, Lu Yong started to explain.

'When I scouted the den, I noticed a strange wave of power coming from inside. There might be something deeper in that cave.'

Wu Chen took a small sip of the soup and asked, 'Are you sure it wasn't from the bear?'

Lu Yong shook his head positive he was right. 'No. It was...different from the bear's aura. We'll know more once we get there.'

Wu Chen finished up the soup and started to get up to wash the bowl. Lu Yong put a hand on his shoulder shaking his head and took the bowl from him. 'I'll get this. You rest.'

'I've been resting for 3 days. I need to move a little. I feel stiff.' Wu Chen protested reaching for the bowl.

Lu Yong ignored his outstretched hand. He got up and headed for the stream to wash the bowl. Wu Chen watched him go with a smile and shook his head. He glanced out of the lean-to and realized that the rain had stopped. Good. He needed to move a little. He stood and strapped on his swords, then threw his long hair into a loose bun with a wooden pin and headed out.

He walked towards the hide stretcher he'd set up earlier and stretched. There was a decent space here which he'd cleared before. It was a good place to practice.

Wu Chen began running through the basics of the Wu Clan's sword techniques, his body going through the motions with a fluid grace. As he practiced, he began to relax, his muscles appreciating the attention. Wu Ying had always teased him about how his practice looked like dancing rather than sword play, and he wasn't wrong. Wu Chen lost himself in his swords, enjoying the feel of them in his hands.

Lu Yong had returned and noticed him practicing not far away. He set down the bowl, and crept quietly closer so he could watch as Wu Chen leapt and spun with his swords. He stood with his arms crossed and admired each move. Wu Chen was confident and elegant when wielding swords, but he could also be deadly. His swordplay wasn't just for show. The bear had learned that the hard way.

The longer he watched, the more his heart pounded. This was his lover. This graceful swordsman was his Ah Chen. He didn't know how he could've gotten so lucky as to find him again, but he wouldn't let him go now that he had.

He smiled to himself as he watched. It seemed he had been forgiven. He hadn't messed up so badly that he had lost him after all. Wu Chen had always been slow to anger, and quick to forgive, but this had been different. This was serious. Lu Yong thanked the gods for releasing Wu Chen and for whatever blessings they had given that allowed him another chance. He would build that new life for Wu Chen. He deserved it.

He watched him practice until the sky began to darken. Then he reminded Wu Chen that they had a cave to explore in the morning. It was time to get some rest.

Wu Chen nodded, barely winded by the long practice, and headed off to clean up in the stream. When he returned, he ordered Lu Yong to get some rest while he took first watch. Lu Yong tried to protest, but Wu Chen was really bothered by those dark circles. He was having none of it. Lu Yong laid down and watched Wu Chen cleaning his swords until his eyes finally shut in a peaceful sleep.