Jian Ci smiled in a cruel way.

Zai Shu Xia really had no idea what the problem was. And what was wrong with her sister all of a sudden?

"Are you really our sister?" Jian Ci asked her. "It's just because if you thought of us as your sisters, you would understand immediately why what you have done, is an act of betrayal and treachery. You must know, our sole purpose is to look after our Mother. That is the beginning and the end of our lives; there is nothing else."

"What about my life? Don't I get a say?" Zai Shu Xia stood straighter, her voice full of confidence.

"Only if you add your voice to ours. It's really quite simple." She tutted, walking closer, like a hunter stalking her prey. "Renounce that creature, and we will think about forgiving you."

"And what if I don't?" She raised her chin in defiance. "Who are you to tell me how I can live my life? I've made my choice."

"I can see we're getting nowhere with this." Jian Ci motioned towards her sisters. "Perhaps a night alone in the Quiet Room, will change your mind. And while you are thinking about your life and your choices, we will meet, my sisters and I will discuss with the elders, what to do about you."

Four sisters came towards her and tied her wrists behind her back.

One elder came forth to protest at this but was frightened away by Jian Ci's ferocious glare, and meekly stepped back into her group.

They led her away.

"Let us talk about what happened tonight." Jian Ci was a firm believer in striking while the iron was hot. "What are we to do with our wayward sister?"

"I'm sure it's not as bad as you think." Another elder stated firmly. "As you have already passed the sentence without our input, why don't we give her until morning? Then we can ask her again. Zai Shu Xia is a good girl. She will listen to reason."

Jian Ci smiled at the poor unsuspecting elder.

"I'm sure you're right." She said in a tone that implied she thought anything but. "My question is this: what if she refuses? What if that stupid beast has put ideas into her head, and now she's dreaming of impossible things?" Jian Ci cleverly changed tactics. "Our sister is faithful and good. We just have to explain things to her."

There were murmurs of agreement.

"Why are you saying she can't leave?" Another elder plucked enough courage to ask.

"Has anyone actually left?" She gave them a cunning smirk. "Ever?"

"Well..." They looked around at each other, before answering. "Nobody has wanted to up till now."

"So you're really alright with it?" Jian Ci knew she had to shut down thus type of thought quickly. "And what if, say, I decide to leave? Or Fenzhi? Or Huaban?" She walked slowly around the elder that dared to voice a different opinion. "If she can leave, what's to stop the rest of us? How are you going to keep any of us here?"

The elders started whispering among themselves.

Jian Ci heard snatches of their conversation and smiled to herself. They just needed a nudge in the right direction, and with any luck, Zai Shu Xia would do that all by herself. She was a stubborn girl when she wanted to be, and Jian Ci had a feeling this could be one of those times.

She was just about to say something else, when a single leaf smacked her lips. She looked up but there was nothing. One step forward, and another hit her face. None too gently, either. Jian Ci wondered what was going on, but there were no more, so she assumed they were random.

"We will decide tomorrow morning." The first elder said, firmly.

"That's a good idea." Jian Ci agreed.

But when they all left to go to their quarters, to retire for the night, she crept away to their laboratory. A certain idea had occurred to her, and now she was anxious to complete the next phase of her impromptu plan.

After all, opportunities like this were rare and it would be remiss of her to waste it.

*******

The next morning, bright and early, the elders gathered under the widest branches of the Tree, their mother providing shelter against the sudden rain.

Zai Shu Xia was brought out of the Quiet Room.

Jian Ci watched her, internally pleased beyond measure. She looked tired, but defiant.

This was going to be...interesting.

"My dear, please tell us your thoughts. Are you ready to forsake that stranger, in favour of us, your family?" The same supportive elder spoke first.

"Elder, please tell me the truth. Is it so wrong that I have fallen in love?" She answered instead.

There were collective gasps from all around.

"My dear. We were discussing this last night...after you left. You realise, that no-one has ever left us before. What if it's the wrong choice for you? Or for us? Your leaving is not only affecting you, and this is not a light decision we make." She continued.

"I believe what elder is trying to say," Jian Ci spoke up, suddenly. "Is that your actions may have terrible repercussions. Are you still sure of your decision?"

"Yes." Zai Shu Xia replied firmly, stronger than ever.

This was not going to plan.

"Perhaps another night in solitude would work." Another elder said.

Jian Ci made a note of this reluctant supporter.

She waited until they went back and forth some more, and finally, Zai Shu Xia was taken away again. When she was sure she could not be overheard, she spoke to all present.

"I have a backup plan, if you're willing to listen." She said, hesitantly.

Uncertainty was in the air, and the elders appeared glad for some direction, someone who knew what the next steps could be.

"If my good sister refuses in the end, there might be a way to force her hand." She said quietly, her voice deadly in the cold morning.

"What do you suggest?" The elder that had supported her, spoke first.

"Well, if we eliminate the reason she wants to leave, surely that would solve the problem from the root." She let that hang for a while, until she sensed their approval.

"How will you do this?"

"It seems clear that they meet regularly in that field. What if one of these days, the beast is met by one of us instead? One or two darts should be enough, what do you think?" Her voice grew bolder as she finished.

"When do you propose to do this?"

"As soon as possible. With your consent, tomorrow?"

"Very well. But use discretion."

The moment those words were spoken, a flurry of leaves fell upon them, harsh and aiming to hurt. This had never happened before, and they ran for cover. These were the leaves they used for communication, green as emeralds with golden veins spreading from the stalk. Hardier and stronger than the other leaves, these razor sharp edges could cause major damage.

But the elders remained silent.

*******

The next afternoon, Jian Ci made sure to intercept  the Dragon King.

She waited, hidden among the branches of the same tree she had hidden behind the first time she saw the lovers.

One dart was all it took.

The magnificent beast hit the ground like a boulder, unmoving and deathly silent.

Jian Ci left quickly and reported a successful mission to her elders. Her only regret was that she had not been present when they had told Zai Shu Xia the news that the one dearest to her heart was forever dead now.

On the third day, she was brought before them all, once again.

She looked tired, and dried tear tracks were visible on her too pale face.

Jian Ci felt...satisfaction.

They asked her again.

"I still want to leave. I don't think I can be part of one such community that kills without reason, without fault." She made her voice stronger than she felt.

Her answer surprised them all.

They locked her up again, of course. They would wait until whatever fever that gripped her mind, left her fragile state.

A week later, they all saw that something was wrong with their mother.

The leaves turned from luscious green to a pale, sickly yellow, gradually falling off with speed. In the two weeks of Zai Shu Xia's confinement, it seemed as if the Mother Tree was upset.

"It is because our sister switched her loyalty." Jian Ci made sure to spread this around, often and to too willing ears.

Soon, that's what they all began to believe this.
What no one was prepared for, was that the Dragon King would return.

One night, when the moon was but a babe in the single solitary night sky, that's when he chose to attack.

Jian Ci truly thought he was dead. So when she saw the snake like shape in the dark, swooping to attack them, she hesitated, barely believing it herself.

The fight that ensued was legendary. Fire and smoke poured out of the vengeful creature, anxiously searching for his mate.

Even as Jian Ci fought him back, she saw the single supporter of Zai Shu Xia lead her out of the Quiet Room. Her sisters rained the darts down upon him, but it was no use.

Orange flames lit up the sky, casting an eery glow around their mother tree. And a single seed fell from the branches onto the ground. Jian Ci tried to pick it up but Zai Shu Xia was faster, jumping in and taking it away from her.

Jian Ci reacted quickly and threw her dagger, with a precise target, but it was intercepted by the dragon, even as he flew away into the night sky.

This time, Jian Ci was sure, he would die. And they would have peace.

********

Many things happened after that.

They lost their mother and endured months of grief.

Bai Hua went into hiding, and they had to get creative. Finally, one day, they were successful.

Bai Hua was dead, and their sister was missing, while the Dragon King was...dealt with.

*******

A/N

I came home and started writing immediately! I hope you like it, dear readers. I think we are nearing the end of this one...maybe?

Good night and sweet dreams if like me, it's time to rest. If you're just starting your day, I hope you enjoy it fully.

Remember, there's no wrong time for chocolate...