After three more bouts of energy transfer, Wei Ying felt strong enough to sit up, albeit leaning against the wall.

Hui Gai was his first thought.

The demon appeared, somewhat subdued.

"Come here." Wei Ying held his arms open but was surprised when Hui Gai remained hesitant. "I'd get up but Lan Zhan's has practically banned me for now. So get over here."

Hui Gai smiled shyly and hugged him carefully. Wei Ying held on, needing his friend.

"I know you'll say it's not necessary, but thank you, my friend. I don't think I can pay you back in this lifetime, for all the things you've done for me, for my family. You are my family too." Wei Ying couldn't swallow past the heavy lump in his throat.

"No need." Hui Gai whispered, but he sounded pleased anyway.

"It means a lot to me, to both of us, that we can count on you to protect our daughter. I don't want to think of what could have happened."

"Then don't." Hui Gai grinned at him, with all his teeth. "How are you feeling now?"

"Much better." Wei Ying answered truthfully, just as the door opened.

Hui Gai winked at him and disappeared.

Hongse arrived with a sullen looking Yezi. Lan Zhan followed behind them, an irritated look on his face. Wei Ying beamed at him and was rewarded with a soft smile.

"She wants to go back." Hongse announced, planting herself far to close to Wei Ying for Lan Zhan's liking.

He none too subtly put Bichen down hard in front of him. Wei Ying took his hand and intertwined their fingers in his lap.

"What's it like down there?" He asked.

"They're waiting for us. It's not like we can stay here forever, is it?"

"How is everyone? Casualties?"

"A few. We have cremated and rested their souls. The others? Maybe one more day, and they'll be able to walk at least." She was still staring at him.

"What?" Wei Ying asked her, becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

"Well, I just want to bring something to your attention."

"While we were all fighting, I couldn't help noticing that their attacks were concentrating on two groups, Yezi and her sister, and the both of you. They," she stared at the woman sitting next to her, "are an obvious target, but you two?"

"We've met them before, a few times." Wei Ying closed his eyes, suddenly exhausted.

"I don't think that's all. Even when they fought you both, they were after you in particular." She added.

Wei Ying felt his hand being squeezed.

"We need to get her back." He whispered. "How long has it been?"

"Third night tonight." Lan Zhan told him.

"Third?" Wei Ying opened his eyes.

He couldn't help thinking about Zhitiao. What was happening to her now? There was no way she could claim innocence now - her sisters knew too well that she was against them.

I could go, Hui Gai said softly in his mind. In and out.

I couldn't ask you to, Wei Ying told him.

That's ridiculous. Why not?

Because...because...Wei Ying floundered.

See? And honestly, it's no trouble. My skin is blade proof.

How do you know? Wei Ying asked, suspiciously, now sitting up.

Lan Zhan looked at him curiously.

Hui Gai, he mouthed to him, letting him know.

It's not my first time in a battle. I know. And that's all you need to know about that. In fact, I don't even know why I'm asking you. I could just go by myself. You wouldn't even have time to blink...

Hui Gai remained silent for so long, Wei Ying was scared he'd already gone.

"Hui Gai!" He called out, worried.

The demon appeared right next to him, looking unrepentant.

"I will do it for my usual payment. Or not," he added, his smile vanishing when he glanced at Lan Zhan.

Three people were looking at them, puzzled.

"He can get Zhitiao back for us." Wei Ying told them. "But he wants a hug." That bit, he directed at his husband.

Lan Zhan frowned, but stood up and bowed.

"Hui Gai, once again, you have saved our daughter. I will let you."

"I'll hug him too!" Yezi got up, but Hui Gai stared at her, kind of repulsed.

"Not you. Nobody else."

"Why not?" Yezi demanded, hands on hips. "She's my sister."

"So what? Don't touch me. Like, ever." The demon turned back to Wei Ying. "You don't have to stand."

"I want to." Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan. "Please, help me up? I should walk around."

"Mn." Strong arms, mindful of his wounds, lifted him up easily.

"I love you." Wei Ying took the chance to whisper it into his ear when he was close. The ears were pink, and he could tell Lan Zhan was happy.

Ever so gently, Hui Gai wrapped his arms around him.

"Tell Li XiWang before you go." Wei Ying patted his scaly back.

"I'll be back before she knows." Hui Gai responded in surprise. "Do I have to?"

"When Zhitiao is here, she will want to know how. Better come clean while you can." Wei Ying tried to squeeze him, but ended up gasping again.

Hui Gai let him go before Lan Zhan made him.

"Thank you. Not just for doing this."

Lan Zhan helped him sit down again.

"Pengyou, if you say that one more time, I'll bite you." Hui Gai vanished.

"Can you please make sure Li XiWang is alright after he leaves?" Wei Ying asked Lan Zhan. "I promise I won't move. In fact, I think a nap is called for."

"Mn." Lan Zhan made him lie down so he was comfortable.

Hongse followed him out, but Yezi stayed.

Wei Ying could almost hear her thoughts, she was fidgeting too much. He sighed, knowing the nap would have to wait a bit.

"What is it, Yezi?" He kept his eyes closed though.

"I...I misjudged you. I want to apologise." Her voice was quiet and thoughtful.

"No need."

"You're mistaken. There is a need. My sister...she's a lot softer than me. She might look tough, but she's not." She sniffed.

Wei Ying patted her hand.

"Even when we were kids, she cared with her whole heart. My other sisters won't be kind to her, and I'm afraid. I'm afraid they'll already have hurt her."

"What would that achieve?" Wei Ying asked, his voice soft as sleep stretched its fingers over his consciousness.

"It would stop others from defecting."

"We can't do anything about your sisters yet," his words slurred, but he tried to hold on. "Quit worrying, because that won't help. Hui Gai is the most efficient person I know." He yawned and fell asleep finally.

Yezi stared at this amazing man in wonder. Whatever the fates gad in store for her or her sister, she was supremely glad they had made his acquaintance. As she left the room, she vowed she would pay him back for his trust.

*****

Li XiWang stared at Hui Gai.

"What is it?"

"I've got to go but I'll be back real soon. Like minutes, for sure."

"Where are you going?"

"To get Zhitiao back."

She beamed at him.

"You better be careful. Don't get hurt." She crossed over to him and hugged him.

"I'll be careful." He promised and hugged her back.

She held onto his tail for just a little longer.

"I'll keep practising jacks. I want my partner back."

Hui Gai kissed the top of her head.

"I'll be back before you know it. Trust me."

"Okay." She said simply.

He vanished.

Only then did she let herself cry. She was wrapped up in a warm embrace before her next breath.

"I didn't want to cry in front of him, father."

"Mn." Lan Zhan held her closer. "It's okay to cry, little rabbit. You can."

Li XiWang felt better already.

"Can I stay with you and father for a while."

"Mn. He will be asleep now."

"I won't make a noise."

Lan Zhan picked her up and took her to Wei Ying.

*******

Much later, Wei Ying finally woke up.

Lan Zhan was waiting with rice for all three of them, and when they were done, Wei Ying didn't need help to stand up, but asked Lan Zhan to accompany him for a walk.

Lan Zhan didn't care and held him close anyway. Wei Ying blushed as they passed by the ladies, who smiled because the couple looked so cute together.

Wei Ying was guided to the temple's main room where the statue of the goddess stood.

"Let's pay our respects, Lan Zhan." Wei Ying lit incense for both of them.

Bowing was a slight problem but he hoped the goddess would not take it personally.

"Whoever made her must have loved her very much." He remarked. "See the way they carved her eyes, her lips, and that expression? It can't have been easy."

"Mn."

Wei Ying looked up at the hole in the roof.

"What's that?"

"Not sure. Skylight?"

"Maybe." Wei Ying wandered to the sides of the room. "Look, Lan Zhan! They even took the trouble to make these."

On the walls, someone had painstakingly carved scenes from a story, it looked like. There was one of a person lighting incense to a statue that bore too much resemblance to the one in this room to be a coincidence. In the next one, the full moon was shown, Chang'e in all her glory. In the third one, there were three moons, very slightly different in small ways.

Wei Ying touched them, his fingers grazing the round shapes reverently. There was a cold energy here, not necessarily bad either. He could feel it embedded into the stone, reaching out to him.

The fourth scene showed a devotee kneeling in front of a beautiful woman, who was evidently a celestial being because of the halo around her head.

Wei Ying went back to the first picture, and saw something.

"Lan Zhan?"

"Mn?"

Lan Zhan had been admiring Wei Ying of course, noting his beautiful hair, longer than he'd ever seen it. Wei Ying was beautiful all over, and realising this again and again made joyous little bubbles explode in his chest. So he could be forgiven for not paying attention just then.

"So I'm wondering why, in the first picture, there's no halo. So it's obviously this statue, right?" Wei Ying said, shuffling back to the fourth picture. "But here," he tapped the space behind the goddess's head,"there is a halo."

He tapped his nose, thinking hard.

"What's the significance? Why would the artist do that on purpose? I can't believe they forgot, because of the details everywhere. I mean, from the separate strands of hair, to the individual fingers...this takes more than just mediocre skill."

"Mn."

"So what does it mean? Lan Zhan, I can't help thinking we're missing something really important here..." Wei Ying suddenly clapped his hands. "I got it!"

******

A/N

What do you think? I didn't say on purpose because I love reading your comments.

*evil laughter....