Heart racing in his chest, Xieren rushed to catch up with the man. He was taller so his long strides created more distance and his back quickly became hard to catch. He failed to hear Xinyi call out the him.

The only thing on his mind was catching up with the mysterious man. He had many questions to ask him.

Who was he?

Why had he saved him?

Why did he smell so nice?

That last question brought him to a halt, his brows furrowed in confusion. His scent? While it was definitely pleasant, to ask such a thing would be...

"Ah, I finally caught up with you!" Xinyi called out, panting as she reached his side. "Why did you run off like that? You got me worried that we were caught."

While disciples were technically allowed to leave the sect, it was only under certain circumstances. While being sent on a errand or task by ones master was one of those circumstances, Xinyi and Xieren hadn't been asked to do this. As such, they had to hide from plain view. It was because of this that they both wore regular robes rather than their sects robes.

"Sorry." He sighed, looking around. He couldn't see the man anymore and the crowd was too dense to catch a scent. "I thought I spotted someone I knew." He grumbled.

"A friend?" She guessed, now curious. Xieren, as far as she knew, wasn't acquainted with anyone other than her and a few elder's that resided in the sect. To hear he had other friends made her both happy and a bit sad. "Perhaps we can-"

"What nonsense are you speaking of?" He interrupted, cocking a brow. "I don't have any friends." He stated, shaking his head. His thoughts had drifted toward other things, like how he could spot the man again.

As he pondered this, Xinyi stared at him, her face pale. With shaking hands pressed to her chest, she called out to him.

"B-brother Xieren?" She stammered, staring down at the ground. "You... you have no one you consider a friend?"

"Of course not." He replied without hesitation. He had no clue why she had asked but Xieren chose not to lie. He was a wary young man, almost to the point of paranoia. Such thoughts helped him a lot growing up.

Being orphaned and alone in the world did not allow for one to consider the notion of friendship. He'd seen too many 'friends' and 'brothers' stab each other in the back to even consider letting someone get close.

It was because of this that his sudden fixation on this mystery man bothered him so much. He still had no clue why he wanted to see him. Was is curiosity? Did he just want to repay a debt? The man had saved him and took him back to the sect. While many would have left him there, this man, Tankian, hadn't.

"We should head back." Xinyi said, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up only to see her back turned and walking away. Xieren frowned, sensing something off about the usually jovial girl. She seemed a bit withdrawn.

"What about Elder Fang's herbs?" He asked, looking to see Xinyi was empty handed. She must have dropped everything to catch up with him. He couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for causing trouble for her. What if she got scolded? "Shouldn't we-"

"It's fine!"

Silence fell between the two, neither wanting to speak another word. After a moment, Xinyi briskly walked forward, her chin held high and dignified like a noble Lady of the house. Xieren followed after her, not sure why the air between them felt so tense now.

Surely it will pass. He thought.

***

It did not.

Two days later, Xinyi still was withdrawn. She still ate with him, sharing her food with him like normal but she didn't talk nearly as much and her smiles were weaker. There were times she would meet his gaze and look away, sadness flooding those beautiful blue eyes admired by many.

Xieren found himself missing her usual self.

Most times, her talkative nature was annoying, since he'd prefer to just relax in a quiet place but seeing her talk so little made the world feel... kind of empty. Like something that once filled the air had been sucked out, leaving only a vacuum.

His head in the clouds, he failed to notice the young men who quickly cornered and herded him out of sight. He was slammed into the wall of one of the buildings, his skull ringing from the impact.

"What do you-"

What did you do to Ah-Yi, you bastard?!" The apparent leader roared, pinning him by his collar to the wall.

"Ah-yi? You mean Xinyi?" He asked, confused. Looking them over, he could tell they were older. Were they also enamored by her? Xieren scowled, frustrated beyond belief. He did not have time to deal with this kind of stupidity. "Good sir, Shixiong, as much as this shidi feels honored by your attention, I must ask that you release me. Xinyi probably dislikes such forceful men an-"

His words were interrupted by a fist slamming into the wall behind him. The structure remained sturdy but Xieren could feel the force used as it rippled through the building. Had that fist hit him, he would probably (definitely) have died. Fear of that scenario stilled his tongue as the young man went on.

"I don't know why Ah-Yi bothers with trash like you but I know you've done something to her." He accused, rage punctuation his every word. "She hasn't truly smiled in days and it must have something to do with you."

"N-not everything that happens to her involves me." He retorted, looking away. He too had noticed her change but was unsure how to solve the problem. He really didn't need to be told this by others.

"Yet you dare cause trouble for her?" He accused, raising his fist to strike again. Xieren could tell that the strike was meant to hit him but the young man was pinned and didn't have the time or strength to overpower him.

"Quite the sight for this old man to catch, eh?" A voice sighed, surprising all who were present.

Xieren, noting the calmness of the man's voice, opened his eyes to find that he was staring at someone's back. For just a second, he thought it might have been that mysterious man from before but he quickly found out he was wrong. Much to his disappointment.

"E-Elder Fang?" The Shixiong stammered, looking as if he wanted to run but was pinned to the ground. While Master Zhihao was not a warrior, he was a respected Cultivator nonetheless. His brotherly relationship with sect leader Zi Shuren made him someone most wouldn't dare to anger. "What are you..."

"Do not waste your breath." He interrupted, raising a hand. "If you wish to make excuses for attempting to harm a fellow disciple, you can save it for someone who will listen. I, on the other hand, have more important things to do." He stated, coldly staring down at the young men. While he was generally a laid back and polite man, Zhihao could not stand those who bully others.

"It's as you say, Elder Fang but he has been causing trouble with -"

"Oh I heard you, no need to repeat yourself." He interrupted, not hiding his disinterest at all. "But explain to me how this fact means you are justified in harassing this young man?"

"Elder, we meant no really harm." He assured, smiling good naturedly. Usually this worked against most but apparently not Zhihao. Elder Fang cocked a brow, briefly pointing at the cracked wall beside Xieren's head.

"And that?"

"That... That is..." The older boy tried to think of an excuse. He knew of Xieren. Everyone did. He was known to be unfavored by his master so most were free to vent their frustrations on him without fear of reprisal. Even when noticed, few bothered to intervene since it was too troublesome. Yet...

"Three laps."

"Eh?

"Did you not hear me? Three laps around the sect grounds." He ordered, coldly staring down at the young men. He had heard about Liang Fei's punishment of some disciples and thought to use it too. It was just cruel enough to be a legitimate punishment but not so cruel as to be impossible. In his heart, Zhihao gained a little respect for the usually unlikable man. "If you are unsatisfied, please inform me. I'll raise it to six."

Without another word, the young men ran off, glaring dagger at Xieren, who just stared at the ground. Frustration filled him, making him feel sick. Yet again, he had been saved because he'd been too weak to defend himself. Clenching his fist, he yet again cursed his Shizun for not training him as he should have.

As Shizun's disciple, it would be rude for him to ask anyone else to train him since it'd imply he didn't have confidence in his own master. Which meant that since Shizun refused to make time and train him, Xieren was stuck observing others and mimicking them. As one could imagine, it wasn't the best (or even a decent) way of learning anything but what else could he do?

"Oi, kid, are you planning on just standing there, glaring at the ground?" Zhihao complained, drawing Xieren from his bitter thoughts. "Cause if so, I could just leave and decide not to assist next time you nearly get your head smashed in."

"Ah! I-I'm sorry, Elder Fang." He cried, bowing with sincerity. "This disciple is very grateful for your help. Please forgive this disciples rudeness and allow me to repay your kindness." Elder Gang had showed him kindness but he was still a bit suspicious. As such, his words came out a bit hollow.

He really wasn't used to other people helping him when he was in trouble. Most just acted like they couldn't see or hear him, even after being taken in by Shizun. Even Xinyi, as kind as she was only found him after the fact. He didn't resent her for this but he still longed for someone to lean on... just once.

Incident, his mind brought up the image of Shizun from days before. The sight of his back facing him as he defended him from those annoying bastards. Something about that back felt familiar but he couldn't place it.

Zhihao had been watching him, noting how out of it he seemed. He briefly contemplated whether to just leave him to his thoughts but shook his head. He had things to resolve with the youth.

"I see." He said, snickering as Xieren looked up at him with surprise. Had he assumed he was alone? "How about this? You come with me and I'll consider us even. You and I need to talk anyway."

***

Xieren followed Zhihao to his office, for the first thin noticing a few things. For one, it was surprisingly small despite how much was within. Books of various subjects were scattered about and smell of herbs were strong and gave him a headache.

Waiting for permission to sit, Xieren's eyes darted about the room. He heard Xinyi was Elder Fangs assistant yet she hadn't cleaned up? Perhaps she hadn't arrived yet?

"If you're looking for the little lady, she isn't here today." He stated, clearing up a spot by his desk. "She has a few lessons to complete and won't be back today."

"I see." He muttered, disappointed. He hadn't seen her since the day before and had been worried. He'd grown used to seeing at least once a day. Even if she had lessons, she'd drop by to at least say hi but today, nothing. As he moped about, Zhihao stared at him, trying to understand the young man before him.

"So tell me, what was that about?" He asked, offering a seat to Xieren.

"I'm not sure."

"No clue at all." Zhihao cocked a brow. He was sure this must be a frequent occurrence considering how freely other disciples harassed this child. He briefly wondered if his master knew anything about it.

"They mentioned Xinyi so they must be admirer's of her." Xieren replied, his tone a mite bit annoyed. In response, Zhihao laughed.

"Oh, yeah, she is quite the popular girl, despite being as she is." He noted, chuckling to himself. Xieren was still suspicious of him but relaxed somewhat, noting how genuine the man's affection seemed. He might not be an ally to him but he wasn't terrible to Xinyi so perhaps he was fine. For now.

"Yeah but she has her charms." He replied, thinking of the energetic girl and her... assets. He was sure that was part of the reason she was so adored.

"Ah, has she charmed you as well?" Zhihao asked, curious to know more about the boy who befriended his beloved assistant. Xieren was all she spoke about when she wasn't talking recipes and medicine. "Is that why are guys are so close?"

"Please don't say that." The young man replied, looking a bit troubled. "I don't see her that way." This was true. While he acknowledged that she was beautiful and kind, his affection for her didn't go that far.

In another world, he felt he might have felt such a way, placing in her gentle hands the one thing he valued most. If given, she might be trustworthy enough to see the value it held. But now, she was just...

"Truly? Then how do you see her?" The older man asked, trying to read the boy before him. His discerning eye could spot a lot about him. His lack of eye contact, his wariness of others and his veiled words made him wonder.

"She is a good person." He replied, letting that be the last word. He didn't wish to explore his feelings on Xinyi, especially on someone he wasn't sure he could trust. Most of the Elders in the sect ignored him while the disciples harassed him endlessly. He knew better than to be too open with them.

"Young man, what's your name?" He suddenly asked, looking him up and down. The messy blue-black hair, the single golden eye peeking from beneath his bangs and the ragged state of his robe made Zhihao curious. The look felt familiar but surely...