I hope this chapter is up to your expectations readers!  I couldn't stop writing once I started and I finished this one in a day so there may be mistakes and may go back and re-edit later.  Please vote or comment your feelings at the end.  Thank you so much for your continued support!  As usual, nothing is mine except the story line.  

Song List:

Sinking In by Katelyn Tarver & Jake Scott

Happiest Year by Jaymes Young

Hurts Like Hell by Fleurie

The next morning Wei Ying woke up and there was no Lan Zhan to yell at him for sleeping late. He tried to convince his heart that everything would be ok and Lan Zhan would be home before he knew it. But Wei Ying had no desire to face the world without Lan Zhan by his side. He didn't even want to get out of bed but he knew he had duties.

He rolled out of his bed, got dressed, and suddenly realized he was missing his red hair ribbon. He looked all over for it, thinking it was just misplaced after their night of passion, but there was no sign of it. So instead he used one of his black leather ties from his robes, hoping the ribbon would eventually be found.

The first few weeks Wei Ying was just as Lan Zhan had said, busy with classes. His entire day was taken up with teaching the younger generation how to fight, protect themselves, and protect others. The juniors were so happy that Wei Ying was their new teacher and always gathered around him to learn what he was showing them that day. But, even though he also found it enjoyable, he longed for his Lan Zhan. As the months dragged on, the days became almost unbearable for him. His appetite was diminished, he mood was sullen, and his heart was aching. Everyone could see the changes and the pain he was suffering but, no matter what they tried, his worry grew with each passing sunset. Even the juniors were unable to raise his spirits.

By the sixth month, no one had heard any news from Lan Zhan in 3 months. Lan Xichen was also becoming visibly concerned for his brother's safety and, even though he tried to hide it from Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian knew something was wrong. Very wrong.

"I need to go find him!" Wei Ying yelled.

"I'm sorry, Wei-gongzi, but I can't let you leave Cloud Recesses." Lan Xichen said apologetically.

"Why? You know something has happened to him! What aren't you telling me? Why haven't you sent someone out to look for him? Am I a prisoner here?" Wei Wuxian's voice grew louder with each word, his frustration building. He paced around the jingshi like a mad man.

"Of course not. But Wangji asked me to keep you here so you would be safe and protected. So that he would not worry about you on his mission."

"How could he? So, it's fine if he doesn't have to worry about me but it's perfectly fine for me to worry about him? Lan Zhan, you......!" Wei Ying raised a fist to the sky as if trying to reach Lan Zhan through the heavens.

Wei Ying looked at Lan Xichen and sighed. He completely understood why Lan Zhan did what he did and why his brother was bound to keep his promise. But that was not going to stop him.

"You are just as worried as I am about him, aren't you?" he asked calmly.

Lan Xichen's eyes dropped to the floor. "Yes."

"Then it's settled. I'm going after him."

Wei Ying headed south to the village Lan Zhan was originally sent to investigate. He walked day and night, only resting when his body couldn't move any more, only eating when he had no more energy. He cursed his weak body for not being able to go faster and farther. In just over a month though, he finally reached his destination. It seemed quiet enough, nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. It only took him a half a day to search the entire area but there was no sign of Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian asked some of the villagers if they had seen him and they all nodded and said yes. But none of them could tell Wei Ying where he had gone, only that he had been there for 2 days before disappearing. This worried Wei Ying even more. No one had seen or heard from Lan Zhan in over 7 months! Wei Ying's heart pounded in his chest and it seemed like his whole world was crumbling around him. This couldn't be happening! Not now! Not when they were so happy and together once again!

"I will find you, Lan Zhan." Wei Ying promised to himself. "I won't let you go so easily."

Leaving the village, Wei Wuxian continued his search for Lan Zhan for the next 5 months. He never stopped. If Lan Zhan could search and wait for him for 13 years, Wei Ying was determined to do the same. He just prayed that he didn't have to wait that long.

He came across many towns on his journey, some of which also had stories of missing people or people who mysteriously appeared with no memory of their past. In one village, it was a young bride who disappeared. In another, a well-known thief. And, in yet another, a holy man. There was a wealthy business man in one village who vanished leaving all his money behind. But the saddest of all was a missing child of 8 years old who never returned after being sent into town for food for his family.

Wei Ying could find no common factor in any of the disappearances that might provide a clue as to what happened to Lan Zhan. Even finding and talking to people whose memories had been erased made him heavyhearted. They all had a sense of missing something or someone in their lives but could not remember what or who they were missing.  On top of that, they were all haunted by dreams of a woman whose face they couldn't see but were overwhelmed with fear upon seeing her nonetheless. 

Finally, on a late summer morning, Wei Ying felt completely defeated and decided to head back to Cloud Recesses. His heart was shattered and his body was weak. He walked slowly, his steps reluctant to return him Gusu. He hadn't felt sadness like this since he held his dead shijie in his arms. During the day, he fought back the burning tears that filled his eyes, but at night, they poured out of him, uncontrollable, violent sobs wracking his weary body until exhaustion claimed him. But even sleep gave him no rest. Now his nightmares were of Lan Zhan.

One day, he came across a village he had not seen before. Without much hope, he wandered into town looking for some wine to drown his sorrow. At the shop, he heard a woman talking about a handsome stranger that made her blush. At this, Wei Ying's ears perked up and he listened more intently.

"I saw him the other day." She giggled

"You're so lucky!" one of her friends said.

"Is he still as handsome as ever?" a third asked.

"Ohh, yes! His skin is so pale and smooth I just want to touch it once!"

All the women sighed and their eyes fluttered. Wei Ying's heart became somewhat lighter at their words. He rushed over to inquire about this good-looking stranger.

"Hello, ladies! I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm looking for my friend. He disappeared a while back and his family hasn't heard news from him in so long they sent me to look for him." Wei Wuxian gave them his most flirtatious bunny smile and could almost hear Lan Zhan in his head saying Shameless.

"What does he look like?" one of them asked, giving Wei Ying a coy smile.

"Well, he has the most perfect skin and regal look to him. He's a little taller than me but walks so elegantly. He's a bit shy and doesn't talk much at all."

"Hmmm, I don't think we've seen anyone like that around here."

Wei Ying's hopeful flame was slowly dying, his smile fading with it.

"OH! I know!" he exclaimed. "He has beautiful golden eyes that look right into your soul and you can't look away no matter how hard you try. It's like you're the most important thing in the world to him." His eyes glazed over remembering how Lan Zhan used to look at him.

"Are you sure he's just a 'friend'?" the first woman asked, smirking and poking Wei Ying with her elbow.

"Uh......yes." Wei Ying said shyly. But he couldn't hide the blushing of his cheeks.

"It does sort of sound like a gentleman who lives up the mountain from here. I've never seen anyone with eyes like his before. You're right, too, their almost hypnotic. But I wouldn't say he's quiet."

"Oh! Thank you so much! Which direction should I go?" Wei Wuxian's excitement was almost tangible in the air and he bounced on the balls of his feet.

"To the west, up the tallest mountain. He has a house there but it is somewhat of a difficult walk. Be careful!"

"I will! Thank you again! You just saved my life!"

His life?  The ladies looked at each other questioningly.

Wei Ying's feet never felt lighter, his energy increased with each step until he felt like he could fly up the mountain. It HAD to be him! It had been too long of a separation. But the closer Wei Wuxian got to the house, the more his mind was confused.

If this was his Lan Zhan, why didn't he come home? Why did he choose to stay here? Did he not want to come home? Did he not want to come back to him? Did Lan Zhan not feel the same way about Wei Ying as Wei did about him?

All these questions swirled in Wei Ying's mind as he approached a clearing and spied a small, simple house beyond the trees. But what his eyes saw made his jaw drop and his heart stop.

What do you think Wei Ying saw?  Is it his Lan Zhan?  I can't wait to write the next chapter and for you to read it.  But I have a life outside this ( I wish I didn't LOL!) so it may be a few days for an update.  Always remember....

"It's never to late to be what you might have been."  (This is one of my favorite quotes)