Green leaves fluttered down around Xuelei. He stayed still, posed in the ending stance of the Swordman's Dance. When the leaves had settled on the ground, he swept them up again with his saber. The nimble youth turned a full circle, his weapon glinting in the morning sun in a series of attacks, disturbing the air to bring the leaves back up around him.

Now, to turn it up a notch. He attacked the falling leaves, slicing each one as fast as he could. He turned circles, cutting and slashing, making sure he maintained the correct forms. Those uncut leaves which had almost reached the ground were forced up again, as Xuelei manipulated the air with his moves, gaining time. He flipped and ducked, backhand slash, kicked, turned and flicked his saber cutting the falling greenery around him.

The second time the leaves were allowed to settle on the ground, they were in little pieces. He had speeded up the sequence slightly to suit his usual fast paced rhythm. It worked well and felt more comfortable to him. The small changes made him feel it had become truly his. Xuelei allowed himself a rare smile, pleased with himself.

It was good to get out. He had been cooped up at home for too long. A change of scenery was just what he needed. He was almost as good as new.

Xuelei sheathed his weapon. It was time to check his snares. If he was lucky, he would have caught something to surprise MeiHua with. He missed her. He wondered if she thought of him at all. Did she miss him too?

The first one was empty and so was the second. Disappointed, he replaced them resetting them carefully, maybe he would catch something later.

Ahh! There was something in the third one. He opened it and took out a rabbit. It was the same one which got away from him the other day. It seemed so long ago, so much had happened since then.

"Hello Dinner!" He held it up by its ears. "Not so lucky today are you?"

The brown rabbit twitched it's nose and stared at him. It wiggled trying to get away but almost immediately gave up its struggles. Xuelei watched it in amusement.

It blinked, twitching it's nose.

"Aww, c'mon. Don't look at me like that. I can't eat you if you look so adorable."

It tried struggling again but to no avail. It looked pitifully at the assassin. Xuelei sighed.

"Okay, okay. I'll let you go ... but just this time. I can't promise not to eat you if you get caught again."

He let the rabbit go. It trembled in place for a second before hopping away as fast as it could to the safety of its burrow. It flicked it's tail as it disappeared down the hole.

"I know where you live!" Xuelei yelled after it and grinned.

The last snare had a wild pheasant in it. He was pleased, he would have something to give MeiHua after all. He had planned a surprise visit. Some fresh meat would be welcomed.

She had invited him to her home several times before and had introduced him to her grandfather. She clearly loved the old man. He had taken care of her when his son and daughter-in law had died of illness. It was the cause of MeiHua's obsession with herbs and medicines.

They had gotten along well. Her grandfather was even more knowledgeable than MeiHua and had fed Xuelei's hunger for learning. The old man had been delighted by the inquisitive young man. He had gained a new audience for his lectures and stories.

Quickly, Xuelei plucked and cleaned the bird. Then he wrapped it up in some large leaves and tied it up. MeiHua was a good cook, she added spices and herbs in an unconventional way to her cooking but amazingly it always turned out delicious. His pace quickened in anticipation.

He guided his horse around the mountain, taking the route she had shown him. He soon came upon a small cottage. He smiled. There were all kinds of edible plants, roots and herbs growing in the large neat vegetable garden at the side.

Suddenly, he heard shouting followed by a high pitched scream.

MeiHua! Was she in trouble? He spurred his mount, his heart thumping wildly in his chest. If anything happened to her ...

Xuelei crept to a window at the side of the cottage after hastily securing his horse to a tree. He wanted to assess the situation first. There were many horses tied out front. Another scream pierced the air. What he saw through the window made him furious.

MeiHua was on the floor, she was trying her best to protect her grandfather. He had fallen and was wheezing painfully, clutching his chest. Two burly men were laughing down at them. Another three of their rough unkempt friends were lounging about the room, carelessly checking for valuables and tossing things onto the floor. Some items broke as they smashed onto the hard ground.

"C'mon pretty girl, tell us where you keep your money. The stuff in your hovel is worthless. Hand over the money you got by selling all those plants you grow. We know it's here somewhere."

"You must have a lot. It's been months since we last came to these god forsaken parts."

There was a noise in front, Xuelei peeked. Okay, another three fellows were there, out in front. Eight. He debated with himself. He had fully recovered. Yeah, he was pretty sure he could handle eight ... he got his knives out, just in case and stepped out.

"Hi there," he greeted the three ruffians in front.

The three grinned at him. "Hi there, pretty boy. Where did you come from?"

"What do you want?"

"He has come to join in the fun!" another chimed in.

Xuelei cocked his head and smiled grimly at them. "I was just wondering if you could get your friends in there and leave. I am here to visit my friend."

They roared with laughter. The sudden gaiety lured those who were in the cottage. The other five trooped out. The leader had MeiHua and was dragging her roughly by her arm. She was clutching at her torn robes to keep herself covered. Her long hair was mussed. She looked frightened and ashamed.

Xuelei's smile froze on his face. That one was going to pay for hurting her, he promised himself.

"You are brave, boy, but you should learn some manners. First come first served, I am not done with the girl and the old man."

"Yeah, you will have to wait your turn," another laughed raucously showing broken yellowed teeth. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and jerked his head at MeiHua.

"WuMing!" she cried when she saw him. "Run away or they will get you too! Save yourself, WuMing!" She was trembling in fear and started sobbing.

Xuelei's smile faded. He couldn't bear to see her like that. A deadly calm settled over him as he prepared to fight.

"Take your hands off her, you filthy dog, and maybe I will let you keep your life," he said in a flat voice. His intense dark brown eyes bored into the leader. He was alert and ready. Adrenalin thrummed through his veins. Senses focused on the task ahead. He was in his element.

This was what he was trained for, this was what he was. He was going to kill all of them.

"Brave words indeed boy but there are eight of us and only one of you."

"WuMing! What is happening? What are you doing?" Her voice trembled with fear as she noticed the drastic change in him.

He had transformed from her amiable shy handsome friend into a cold-blooded killer intent on a fight right in front of her eyes. She could see it, the way his stance changed subtly, the way his grip tightened on his weapon, the light fading from his eyes turning them into dark frightening orbs. She could tell, he wanted to fight and kill. The change only took a few seconds but she could not recognise him anymore.

"Stay calm, MeiHua. They were just leaving." She did not recognise his cold dead voice either. She shuddered involuntarily.

The leader laughed and pulled MeiHua roughly making her cry out in pain.

Xuelei narrowed his eyes, tilted his head and flicked his wrist. Blades flew at the unsuspecting ruffians. Blood sprouted from two throats as they fell heavily. They hardly had time to cry out before they died.

"I think that is six against one," Xuelei corrected the leader calmly and advanced drawing his saber. "Last chance, leave this place and never come back or die."

"Attack! He is only a boy."

Five attacked as ordered while the leader hung back. Xuelei leapt at them, saber flashing confidently. His heart raced with excitement as he attacked and blocked. His saber danced in the waning evening sun as more blood was spilled. The clash of steel was accompanied by the cries of the dying. He was too fast for them.

Finally only the leader was left.

He looked stunned and held MeiHua even tighter pulling her closer. He used her as a shield as Xuelei stalked him. She winced but her eyes were wide and followed Xuelei's every move.

"Come any closer and she dies," the large man threatened holding a knife to her heart.

Xuelei took a step closer. "Do you really think you could stab her before I kill you?" he asked almost conversationally.

"I think not."

The assassin answered his own question as he jumped. He landed behind the bandit, turned and cut him down in one swift motion. The ruffian's knife clattered to the ground from nerveless hands. The man's lifeless body fell with a thud at MeiHua's feet, no longer a threat. She screamed in fright.

Xuelei wiped his saber carefully before sheathing his weapon. Then he turned to MeiHua. She was pale and shivering in reaction to her ordeal. He stepped towards her. He wanted to hold and comfort her.

"MeiHua."

"Don't!!" She screamed backing away from him, her eyes wide, her hands held up like she was fending herself from him. "Don't come any closer!"

"What?" Xuelei asked in confusion, stopping dead in his tracks.

"You killed those men. I can't believe it. You killed them just like that!" Her trembling hands went to her mouth in horror. "How could you?"

He frowned. What did he do wrong? "They were hurting you and your grandfather. I couldn't just stand by and watch as they robbed and killed you. I had to stop them before they ... did something worse," he finished lamely, aware that a tattered piece of clothing had slipped off her shoulder.

"I want to protect you."

She couldn't believe her ears. She wanted to laugh hysterically. A killer wanted to protect her! It was an unfathomable notion! Truly ridicules! Did he take her for a fool? Her life could be forfeit at any time. Even worse, her grandfather's life would be in danger if she continued to see him. She had witnessed first-hand what he could do when he was angry.

"You could have let them go."

He stared at her uncomprehendingly. "Let them go?"

She turned from him and went to her grandfather who was at the door.

"J-just go away, WuMing."

"But ..."

"I'm sorry WuMing. Please, just go, okay ... And don't come back. Ever."

"Please, MeiHua ... what did I do?"

She turned back to him tears dripping down her cheeks, "You killed those men in cold blood, WuMing, that's what you did. Don't you understand? You are a cold blooded killer!"

She was sobbing uncontrollably now. "I try to heal people and save lives. You kill them! You can kill me and grandfather anytime!"

He stared at her helplessly, she was terrified of him. She didn't even dare look at him as she spoke but kept her eyes downcast. She hurried indoors, pulling her grandfather behind her. The old man was shaking his head but did not say anything. Did she think he was going to hurt her?

"I ..."

"Just go away. Leave me alone," she said as she closed the door on him.

The whole world suddenly turned grey. Everything became dull and meaningless. Reality shifted and he was left in a murky surreal world. A lifeless world that weighed down his heart.

His shoulders slumped as he stared numbly at the closed door in defeat. He could hear her crying softly on the other side.

"But ... but that's who I am ..." he whispered brokenly to no one.