Jin Rulan's eyes lost their dazed look and he blinked at the thing he held in his mouth. Sandalwood? Sizhui!

"Sizhui!" He quickly let go. "I'm so sorry! I..."

"It's fine," Sizhui shook his head, rubbing his wrist.

"I'm really sorry..."

"It doesn't pain, really. Wolf instincts?" Sizhui smiled encouragingly.

"Er... I guess so," he nodded and suddenly realised that his ears and tail were showing. He looked around him to find himself wrapped up in a coat, underneath which his tail slipped out. He undid the coat and folded it up, placing it on the table with a thankful nod. Crimsoning fast, he tapped the bracelet: immediately both ears and tail treated into him. "Still... show your wrist."

Sizhui held it up.

"Tsk, see? It's wounded," Jin Rulan bit his lip anxiously and pulled out water, a paste of something, and a hand towel. Without a word, he shoved the scrolls and papers away, grabbed Sizhui's hand, placed it on the table, and dabbed the bite mark with the wet towel and applied the ointment.

"Will I turn into a wolf now, too?" Sizhui laughed.

"Not the greatest time to crack a joke, Sizhui," Rulan grumbled and finished up the treatment, quickly letting go of his hand. "What brings you here?" He asked, putting away what he had brought out.

Sizhui didn't miss the fact that Rulan had avoided looking him in the eye all this time. Sighing, he decided to plunge in. "I came to ask you."

"Ask me what?"

"Why you're doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Distancing yourself from me. Is there something I did wrong? Or something bothering you? Or something anyone said?"

"You never did anything wrong. And I'm not someone who cares for what other people have to say."

"Then what?"

"Sizhui, I really don't want to talk about this."

"But I want to."

"Ah?" Jin Ling looked up, shocked by the fire blazing in Sizhui's dark orbs. Flames of determination.

"I want to. I don't care of you want to talk or not. I want to talk about it."

"Huh? Since when are you... this..."

"Selfish? Since now. This moment on. I'll only stop if I realise you really really hate me, or simply don't want me. If it's just you being insecure, then I apologise for being perhaps the most selfish person alive. I really can't help it," Sizhui's fists curled up and gripped his robes.

"I... What bloody insecure... And who said I hate you?"

"Then is it that you're done with me? Moved on or something?"

"No..." Jin Ling blushed and looked away. "Hmph, moved on? I wish I could," he smirked bitterly.

Sizhui smiled for a moment. So he can't move on. Hmph, I'll force it out of you, you dumbhead. "Then? What's the matter? What are you worrying about?"

"Sizhui..."

"You and I weren't mere friends to separate and make up like it's absolutely nothing. Like your fights with Jingyi. It's not the same. If Jingyi had stayed away from me I'd have assumed it was his arrogance and waited till we could talk again. But I can't do that with you. I can't wait. We aren't just normal friends to be splitting up over something trivial, so I'm guessing there's something on your mind."

"Normal friends?"

"Don't tell me now we were never anything more than friends, A-Ling," Sizhui raised a brow.

Wow, he's strict today... Jin Ling gulped. Hold on, 'A-Ling'? He... No, no, Jin Rulan, hold it. You can't give in. You'll kill him if you do. Hold it back, no tears, no surrendering, he bit his cheek harshly to bring himself out of the daze Sizhui's gentle 'A-Ling' sent him spiralling into. "Fine then. If I admit it?"

"Then tell me what made you want us to... turn into... whatever this is..." Sizhui waved his hand between themselves. "Barely friends. Mere fellow Sect Leaders, courteous and distant? I'm closer to the minor clan leaders than I am to you right now."

Jin Ling sighed and rose from his seat, walked to the window, opened it and leant against the pane, looking out into his garden. "Look, I'm sorry. It's for your own safety."

"The sake of my safety?" Sizhui asked, remaining in his seat, delightfully savouring the sight of the winter breeze in Jin Ling's hair. "How would me being close to you affect my safety? It's tearing me apart, I really think it's doing the opposite of what you think it's doing. Not protecting me. Breaking me."

How on earth does he say those things with that goddamned straight face? "I'd rather have you alive and safe, rather than dead and killed by my own hands."

"Killed by... A-Ling... You're not talking about your wolf thing, are you?"

"What else do you think?"

"A-Ling... Stop talking nonsense. I wouldn't mind dying, if it's in your hands."

"See? This is exactly why I didn't talk to you about this."

"Okay, forget what I said. You can't kill me, A-Ling, you're just overthinking."

"Then what was it that happened just now? Didn't you see? A savage wolf can't be contained, Sizhui. I bit you just now. I actually bit you. This time, wrist. What if the next time, it's the neck? What am I to do? I just... just don't want to lose you... anyone else and I'd kill them instantly but it's me..."

Sizhui ogled at him when he heard light sniffs intermittent with the words. "A-Ling!" He rushed over to the window, placed his hands on his shoulder and turned him round to face himself. "A-Ling, please. Aish, listen to me, will you?"

"What?" Jin Ling snivelled. "Do you have a solution? Something to prevent the beast in me?"

"You just have to let yourself out more often. Transform more frequently, that way your rage can be controlled. Just like Daddy does."

"What with all this work, it's not that easy, Sizhui. And forget work. My real problem is her," Rulan nodded to the cot. "I can't leave her here every night, it's dangerous. I trust nobody, you know that."

"Better than anyone," Sizhui sourly relied.

"I... I never said I don't trust you..."

"Then trust me. Trust me to take care of you. Trust me to be by your side, not to stay away from you. Trust me to help you with controlling your beast's side and with caring for Mingxia." Sizhui tapped his chin. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen your beast form. Jingyi's seen you on Xiyi's last night hunt in Lanling. I'd like to see your other side, A-Ling. Trust me, I won't be frightened."

Jin Ling nodded. Perhaps opening up... maybe... either he'll understand... or we can mend things... all I need to do is open up... Nodding slowly, he stepped back and leapt out the window into the backyard.

Lan Sizhui looked around the darkness of the unlit garden. "A-Ling?"

"Grr."

Sizhui beamed when he saw bright red eyes flashing in the darkness. The tall and fluffy majestic wolf walked to the window and laid its head on the pane, a signal of who it was. "Oh, A-Ling, you look... beautiful," Sizhui breathed softly, stroking Jin Ling's black ears and rubbing his hand along the thick fur. "You're furrier than Father's rabbits!"

"Grr!"

"Fine, fine, apologies. What's a rabbit compared to the might you, eh?" Sizhui laughed. "A-Ling, you're just as beautiful as you are when in human form."

The wolf looked away from him.

Tsk, blushing is invisible due to the fur, Sizhui smirked. "Really, A-Ling. And you thought you'd frighten me. You would, you'd terrify anyone else. But not me." Suddenly feeling an irresistible urge, Sizhui bent down and quickly pecked the wolf on his head.

Instantly the wolf scurried back, far away from the boy at the window and pounced, leaping into the room, landing right before Sizhui as Jin Ling once again. The instant he did, he slammed his palm over Jin Ling's eyes. "Wait a second."

"Mn," Lan Sizhui smiled and shut his eyes.

Redder than ever, Jin Ling walked to the table and wore the nearest cloth he could find: Sizhui's winter cloak. Wrapping it tight around his body, he tapped Sizhui on the shoulder. "Thanks."

"Not even the translucent cloth that Daddy ends up with post-transformation?"

"Not a thread of wool. So? Happy now?"

"I've never been happier."

Jin Ling looked away from the smiling face, ears red-hot. "Look, you must have seen me as beautiful or whatever but I can be fatal. Not so beautiful when I've got blood all over me."

"A-Ling..." he cupped the flushing face. "Entrust both your lives to me. I swear I will protect the two of you. Trust me, like you say you do."

Jin Ling gulped. Stammering, Adam's apple dancing up and down his throat, he stared back into the sincere eyes begging him to accept him. His heart ached to say 'yes' so he opened his mouth slightly. Blushing harder, he turned his face away and into the hands cupping his face.

And then he saw the turmeric ointment smeared on the wrist. Blood red and an angry purple sinking into the snow-white skin in a blue arc. I did that to him... Who knows what else I'll do? No, I swore, I won't hurt him. 

Eyes welling up, he slammed his mouth shut and shook his head, shoving the hands away from his head and returning to his seat. "I'm sorry. I can't."

Lan Sizhui's hands fell to his sides. What the... hell? Never had he sworn. Not even in his mind. But just this once... Just what the bloody hell?

"Fine. Doesn't matter." Sizhui nodded and walked back to the table. He didn't bother to sit. "Me staying here might be a bother to you. I'll take your leave."

"Sizhui."

"Mn?"

Jin Ling pulled out a drawer and took out a bag. "Happened to get some."

Lan Yuan looked between him and the bag and took the bag, peeping in. His eyes lit up despite the situation. "Choco bunnies!"

Jin Ling's heart fluttered at the bright smile on Sizhui's face. I would love to make you smile every day like that, Sizhui... I really would.

"Thanks, A-Ling."

Rulan flinched. "You... mind calling me Jin Ling?"

"I don't mind, but I won't," Sizhui stoically replied, slipping the handle of the bag of chocolates through his finger, swinging it in his hand. "I didn't say I'm giving you up, did I?"

"Sizhui..."

"A-Ling, I don't care how long it takes, I know you'll come to your senses someday. I'll wait till then."

"If I never do?"

"Who cares? Father waited for thirteen years! I'll wait forever!" Sizhui tossed his hair obstinately and gave a glance to a sleeping Mingxia. "Oh, about XiaXia. Every night that you transform, come to Cloud Recesses. Leave her in my hands, go to the forests. Our forests are safer too, less likely for anyone to come across you. That way, I'll also know sooner should anything happen to you. And then you can easily pick Mingxia up and come home. Sounds good?"

"Thank you," Jin Ling nodded. "I'll trouble you with her then."

"I do not mind in the least," he smiled and walked to the door.

"Ah, Sizhui!"

"What now?" Sizhui laughed. "A-Ling, if you keep stopping me like that, you're going to raise my hopes too high for me to take."

"Sorry," Jin Rulan pursed his lips and pulled something out from his robes. "This... Er... A little something for you. Just to let you know... Even if I do keep my distance from you, Koi Tower's always open to you, should you need me," he held up the object. The delicate silk handkerchief that wrapped it fell to the sides and revealed a brilliant and intricately decorated comb.

"This...?"

Jin Ling didn't say a word, just thrust the comb towards Sizhui's chest.

"Well, you see..." Sizhui bit back a grin. "My hands are full..."

Jin Ling looked down to find the bag of huge bunny-shaped chocolates in one hand and the Lan sword in the other. Sighing, he nodded. Sizhui jumped and turned around, humming to himself while Jin Ling, sulking, slipped the hair comb into Lan Sizhui's hair. 

"Thank you, A-Ling! Anything else?"

Jin Ling shook his head.

"Bye, then!" Without waiting for a reply, Sizhui took off.

Jin Ling shut the door and slumped onto the floor, burying his face in his hands, hugging his knees. "Sizhui..." he mumbled. "Won't let me say goodbye, won't take back your coat. Made me visit you almost every night to drop A-Xia. You really aren't giving me an option, are you?" He smirked. "Possessive Lan. Here I am trying to move away from you, and there you are, smiling, playing the fool with me." He rubbed his forehead, thinking of the audacious kiss Lan Yuan had planted while he was still in wolf form. "Seducing me over and over. Dammit, I'm falling for you all over again," he sighed.

**********

Up in the sky, drifting across on his gleaming sword, Sizhui smiled to himself. He stroked the comb in his hair, relishing and reliving the short-lived moment at the doorstep. A-Ling, maybe you don't know but this is exactly what your Jiujiu did. Thank goodness Wen Shushu told me before, or I'd never know. Don't worry, I'm never returning this. Never giving it to anyone.

He popped a chocolate into his mouth, grinning wide. Who'd have thought one could fall in love again and again? A dozen times over? Never thought it possible. Should ask Daddy, he chuckled. 

**********

"A-Xian, shouldn't you be going home today?"

"I should."

"Then what are you doing here?"

Wei Wuxian sighed and looked around the Sect Leader's Hall in Lotus Pier. "Two things. One's something abut Meilien, the other... about these beasts. First off, I'll quickly state the thing about Meilien. Gege, I need your help with her."

"Sure, what is it?" Xichen asked.

"And A-Zhan too."

"Mn?"

"The two of you. I've always known you to be calm and generous. And gege's exceptionally kind to all. So if you guys can, I beg you," he kowtowed. "I beg you to change this devil of a girl."

"Huh?" They chorused.

Wei Wuxian sat up. "I've watched her the days I got to stay here. She's too much like Jiang Cheng. You guys need to bring out the Jiang Yanli in her, please."

The Jades knew what he meant was to bring out the true Yanli's soul. Indeed, Jiang Yanli was reborn, but into a girl too fierce for their liking. A bit too much like her father.

"Fine, will do," Lan Xichen nodded.

"Mn," Lan Wangji agreed.

"Thank you," Wei Wuxian sighed with relief, putting out his tongue when Jiang Cheng harrumphed. "And now to talk about the serious thing. About these wild beasts. There's something wrong."

"The lion? Too powerful," Lan Wangji nodded.

"Exactly. The only really tough fight I had had in a long time was with the Kun Peng. But this? And also that Sawtooth Blood Wolf that turned Jin Ling into a werewolf. The Kun Peng was a legendary beast only a step away from joining the Four Evils. It's understandable that it could leave its mark on me and turn me into itself. Spread its evil into me. But a wolf? Just because it's an alpha demonic wolf? I feel like it might have been strengthened. Its powers doubled by something, demonic energy reinforced. Same for the lion we met last week. That thing was just too minimal for me to accept actually being injured by it, hmph," Wei Ying tossed his hair. "Random lion can't harm me, damn it."

"Mn," Lan Zhan nodded.

"Anything unusual you may have spotted in the lion?"

Both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji answered together. "Green eyes."

"Oh wow. And I thought Jin Ling was talking nonsense," Jiang Cheng rubbed his chin.

"What is it?"

"He boasted to me about killing the wolf, and somewhere along the story told me about green eyes flashing. Didn't make sense so I kept shut then..."

"Green eyes. There's something in that..."

"Hypnosis?" Lan Xichen asked.

"Manipulation," Lan Wangji proposed.

"Precisely," Wei Ying snapped his fingers. "Hypnosis leading to manipulation. The strongest of the demonic beasts are under control. By who? For what purpose? How many? Where? Who's the next victim?" He sighed. "We've got to talk to Nie-xiong."

"Mn, warn A-Sang to inform his scouts."

"Ey, A-Xian, how come the bite by the lion didn't affect Meilien?"

"Haha, we'll have a family of were-beasts," Wei Wuxian laughed. "No, it's because of the necklace. Golden Feather of Evil. Protected her against any of its energy entering her meridians or fusing with her core. So she's safe."

"Good," Jiang Cheng nodded.

"Green eyes... green..." Lan Wangji mumbled. "A-Ying, green!"

"Huh?"

"Green! The beautiful pattern of green in Meilien's dream!"

"Green! RIGHT!" Wei Wuxian pinched his forehead. "Something tells me the Qiong Qi that Xie Lian spoke of has some connection with green. The pieces of the puzzle are almost all there, but one thing is missing..."

Lan Xichen nodded, frowning. "Exactly who is behind this?"