Shen led the way. Jin was right. There was only one person who could help calm Xuelei down and possibly help him think up of a cure without damaging his brother's mind. MeiHua, she was the only other person who Xuelei trusted and who knew as much about herbs and remedies as he did.

Shen did not notice the shadow following him. He was too intent on getting Xuelei to MeiHua.

The journey was hell. Xuelei kept muttering to himself and struggling against his bonds. He looked angry, miserable and distraught all at the same time. Shen was forced to keep his brother tied-up, for his own safety, he was not himself.

Shen had cleaned Xuelei's wounded arm as best as he could. He was astounded that Xuelei had actually managed cut himself to spare the Mistress. The sheer will power it took to deflect the final strike was amazing.

Who could have done this to him? Who would use him like this? The target was obviously the Mistress.

Shen looked over at his sleeping brother. Xuelei was murmuring restlessly in his induced slumber. Shen had put sleeping powder in his water earlier.

It was the mysterious man who had saved Xuelei, he decided. He was sure of it but why? Who was he?

-----------------------------

Shen and Jin had known about MeiHua's existence for a few months. They had accidentally discovered Xuelei and MeiHua together.

The brothers had been on the way back from a mission one day when they had happened upon Xuelei. He was by a river alone, apparently fishing.

Before they could approach him, a young beautiful girl came round the mountain carrying a basket of herbs and ran to him. Xuelei had gotten up and greeted her. Their laughter echoed in the valley. It was obvious that he knew her well.

Shen and Jin had stared in shock. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. Xuelei with a girl! They had hunkered down out of sight and watched their youngest brother. They had to ascertain if she posed a danger to them, to the Sect. Was she an agent or spy?

After the initial shock had worn off, Jin grinned mischievously.

"Who knew Xuelei had it in him? I thought I was the popular one with girls."

"She seems harmless. I don't think she is connected to anything or any mission. She is just a random factor."

Jin smiled, his dimples showing, "A pretty random factor."

They watched in amusement as she threw pebbles into the stream scaring away the fish. Xuelei said something to her and she threw back her head and laughed merrily, poking him with a slim finger. Xuelei was smiling.

Shen raised his eyebrows in surprise. If Xuelei did not even bother drawing a knife, when she assaulted him physically (poked him), she was definitely not a threat. He seemed relaxed and had let his guard down. They looked cute together.

"I think I like her," Jin said. "She must really be something if she can make our uptight little brother smile like that."

"Yeah, me too," Shen looked meaningfully at Jin. "Maybe we should keep this to ourselves. She is harmless and ... he seems happy. No need to bother the Mistress with this trivial matter, right?"

Jin chortled mischievously. "Right!"

They kept surveillance until the young couple parted ways that evening. They had held hands and hugged each other goodbye, making Shen and Jin grin. Xuelei mounted his horse and headed out the valley. The girl had waved to him until he was out of sight then picked up her basket, making her way slowly back round the mountain.

The two brothers trailed her until she reached a small cosy cottage on the other side of the mountain. An old man greeted her when she went inside.

"MeiHua, is that you?"

"Yes, grandpa. I'm back. I got the herbs and WuMing helped with digging up some roots."

Their conversation muffled as she closed the door.

"Her name is MeiHua."

Jin was having trouble keeping a straight face,"... and poor seventh brother has no name." He couldn't help it, he sniggered.

"Good for him. He hasn't given her any background, not even his name." Shen approved.

"... and she still trusts him? Amazing." Jin shook his head in disbelief, "I'll never figure girls out, they are just too weird."

"Maybe you could learn a thing or two from him, eh?" Shen teased Jin. "Check the area for anyone else besides her and the old man."

They did a thorough check of the surrounding area. The cottage was home to only the girl and her grandfather. They eavesdropped for a while. The two in the cottage talked of normal things, how her day went, the type of herbs she had found on this trip and her friend WuMing. She made a simple dinner and they ate.

Everything was normal. They were harmless.

Since, the assassins confirmed that they were no threat. No action would be taken for now. They did however keep the cottage under surveillance, just in case.

By tacit agreement, the knowledge of the girl was kept between the two brothers. No need to worry the Mistress with harmless details. No need to get their little brother into meaningless trouble.

------------------------------------

"MeiHua? Are you here? MeiHua?" Shen called as he reached the mouth of Xuelei's cave. There was no response. She would come, it was just a matter of time. Meanwhile, he would get them comfortable. If she did not appear by evening, he would go fetch her from the cottage.

Shen got a fire going and boiled some water. He felt a great sense of relief when he saw a figure approaching. He waved at her. MeiHua was carrying a basket. She was probably out gathering herbs and saw the smoke from their fire.

"MeiHua! Over here!"

"Who are you? How do you know my name?" she asked cautiously. "I warn you, I know martial arts!"

She held out a knife at him. Shen maintained a serious façade but was trying hard not to laugh, her stance was all wrong and he recognised the knife, it was one of Xuelei's favourites. He could easily disarm her in a second. Instead, he held up empty hands, palms facing outwards to her indicating he was weaponless and that he was no threat. He made no sudden moves.

MeiHua looked at his empty hands and scowled. "You know, just because you hold no weapons, doesn't mean you are defenceless."

Shen smiled. This girl was smart. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything. I just wanted to put you at ease."

He sobered. "I need your help."

"What do you want?" she asked warily waving her knife.

"It's Xue ... err, WuMing, he is hurt."

"WuMing? Hurt? You're kidding. He can't be! He is so capable." A shadow crossed her face. She lowered her voice warningly, "Be careful of him. He is ... dangerous."

Shen gave her an odd look. "He is my brother, he would never hurt you. He needs you now."

"You're his brother? You look different." She paused. "He needs me?" She paled and looked around. This guy was serious, her WuMing was hurt. "Where is he? How bad?"

"In there," he pointed to the cave. "I got him tied up ... careful, he is not quite himself. I was hoping you could help bring him to his senses."

Shen quickly filled her in as to what had happened, a censored version. She needed to know about the mindblock in order to help him figure how to remove it without damaging Xuelei. It was not his fault, dammit.

Xuelei was tied securely, sitting motionless with his back against the rocky wall. He stared into space, a lost blank look on his face.

"Xue?" Shen knelt down next to his brother. He motioned for MeiHua to come closer but not to make any sudden movements. "Xue, do you recognise her? It's MeiHua."

Xuelei blinked, a pained expression crossing his face briefly before he continued staring blankly at nothing.

"What's wrong with him?" She was shocked. He seemed so distant, so ... empty. It was like she was looking at an empty shell. Her WuMing was not present.

MeiHua cupped Xuelei's face gently, making him flinch, and raised his head so that he was looking directly at her.

"WuMing," she smiled tremulously at him.

"WuMing, it's me, MeiHua. I am here."

He blinked, vacant eyes staring dully right through her. There was no recognition in his beautiful brown eyes. Her heart was breaking.

"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have shut you out like that. Grandfather explained to me that we are who we are. No one can change that. We all have many facets to our selves, and all our selves make us who we are. WuMing?"

He tilted his head, listening, brows knitted together. The voice was familiar. He remembered he loved listening to that gentle melodic voice. It was so soothing. Who?

"I know you now that you will never hurt me. Please forgive me."

She turned worriedly to Shen. "Why doesn't he respond? How long has he been like this?"

"He went wild after attacking the Mistress. He kept cursing and struggling, then he suddenly shut down. He has been like this for two days."

"I think he is in shock. He must be unconsciously trying to block out something." She turned back to Xuelei. "WuMing? Can you hear me? Do you know you I am?"

She stroked his face gently, tracing his cheek bones to his chin. There was no reaction. She sighed and hugged him.

"Oh, WuMing. I'm so sorry. If only you can understand me now."

Shen and MeiHua made Xuelei comfortable and let him rest. They made some soup and fed him before settling down to discuss the problem. That evening, they tried again. First Shen then MeiHua. They took turns talking to him, coaxing him but he just stared uncomprehendingly at them.

Finally MeiHua couldn't stand it anymore and broke down. She wept uncontrollably, she couldn't bear to see WuMing like this. He was so still, dissolute and withdrawn. Where was her inquisitive, shy and adorable WuMing? She missed him terribly. The person in front of her was just an empty shell.

Her continued sobbing roused Xuelei. He slowly lifted his head to the crying girl. Her whole body was quivering miserably. She noticed him moving and immediately went to him. She held her breath and whispered his name over and over.

Shen heard her and went nearer.

It took a few more moments before Xuelei finally actually saw her. He closed his eyes in despair when the memories came rushing back. Horror filled his face and he started shaking. Something broke in him and tears started streaming down his cheeks.

"I'm going to untie you, okay? She is here to help us figure this out," Shen said. "Do you understand? I'm going to untie you."

"I ... I tried to kill her. I'm a monster!" Xuelei whispered.

He stared at his hands. In his mind, he could still see the Mistress's blood smeared on them.

"No you're not. You were not yourself. It's not your fault." MeiHua took his hands in hers and held them tight. "Your brother told me everything."

"She is right Xue, it's not your fault. Who did this, was it him? That man who helped you?"

Xuelei shook his head confused. "No, he couldn't have, could he?" He covered his face with his hands ashamed at what he had tried to do.

"I don't know."

Xuelei looked desperately at Shen and MeiHua.

"Don't hate me?"

"Of course not!" MeiHua hugged him. "Don't be silly, WuMing. I could never hate you, not really." He relaxed in her embrace, a huge weight lifting from his chest. She had forgiven him.

"We are going to help you."