A faint humming sound filled the richly furnished manor which laid in silence and shadow. Pretty and soft, it offered a complete contrast with the overwhelming sense of power brought about by dark marble halls. Footsteps would echo across the expanse here, allowing no one to move freely without others knowing. The silver accents continued in various windowpanes across the walls. The ominous hallways almost appeared to be never ending. The only light shone through ceiling lights leading a path to the next expanse. 

Her footsteps were light, though the sound of her bare feet still carried a muted sound throughout the hallway. They remained bare, because she refused anything else. She was too used to the feeling of having her feet free, being too poor once to afford shoes. And once when she had, they had been soon stolen from her. It didn’t matter though. All of that felt like a lifetime ago. And truly it was. 

Death doesn’t hurt. Or at least this is what she believed, for when she died it had not hurt her. It was almost freeing, not unlike the feeling of the cool marble underneath her slightly blue feet. 

Her colouration had changed; rosy cheeks were now a pale blue and a purple almost bruise-like blush spread across them. She was young and would remain so for the rest of her existence, looking as she did when she died. She did not yet know or have access to the power necessary to cultivate another form. 

Her robes were purple in colour. They contrasted with the soft doe like eyes and the dark black ribbon worn around her neck. It served as a reminder of how she’d died. The knife had cut ever so easily, as if slicing through the softest butter. And the resulting scar, due to her cultivation in this spectral form not being high enough yet, was still visible. She much preferred not to see it, and this was the easiest way to ensure it stayed hidden. 

Her want for a new appearance was one of the major reasons she was thankful to have been found and brought to this place, home to the shadows. Unsure if at this point she could trust the man who brought her there, she decided not to care, as he was stronger than anyone she’d met before. This meant he could be capable of teaching her how to grow, how to cultivate and become as strong as he was. This was something she desired very much and would work hard to accomplish. It meant everything to her and even the man thought her to be worthy of such a route. 

The soft humming produced from slightly purple lips came to a halt as she reached two large ebony doors. She moved tirelessly, small arms reaching out to push the doors open as she entered the space within. The once unfamiliar silver and gold, brought a blanket of comfort to her. She often moved freely throughout the manor. She had since the moment she had first come here. This had become somewhere she could call a home. This was a place where she knew noone would dare to harm her. 

Sat upon what could only be called a throne in the centre of the room was a man. Though, perhaps calling him a man was a discourtesy. He truly was something else entirely. He was beautiful; black hair falling over his shoulders in a thick mane. Pointed ears peeked through in an alabaster contrast against his dark locks. Grey irises and black scleras shone with mischief, and a smirk gave glimpse to a single pointed canine pressing against his lips. 

A harsh scar reached across the man’s forehead, down to the lower side of his left cheek. Red and black horns shone from the left side of his hair, three or four visible to those looking. He sat with one leg positioned on top of the other, casual and comfortable in what one would assume was his domain. He was terrifying, yet glorious to behold.

Slender alabaster hands beckoned the girl closer, a gesture that typically wouldn’t be given to anyone else. He shifted his stance just in time as the sound of feet moving rapidly against the floor ran closer, a small bundle of purple flinging themselves into his arms.

“It seems you still aren’t wearing the shoes I’ve gotten you, Caiji,” Zhi Yu murmured, a light teasing tone carrying through his gravelly voice. His hands come to hover near the girl, ensuring she doesn’t fall.

Caiji huffed. 

“You know I prefer not to…” she trailed, indignation in her voice as she kicked her legs slightly, wiggling her toes. 

“They’re uncomfortable,” she continued, her voice carrying an air of maturity one would not expect from a girl her age.

“I didn’t pick you off the streets and raise you for you to continue to treat yourself like a street rat,” Zhi Yu commented, gesturing to the robes she wore. “You might enjoy pampering yourself once in a while. I have plenty to offer you.”

Caiji tutted, standing none too gracefully as she slid off of the other's lap. “Are you going to keep commenting on my state of dress? Orrr… Are you going to train with me?”

“Yes, yes. Though I do hope you are more prepared this time,” he responded, with a stern look upon his face. 

Caiji blushed, recalling the previous training events. She remembered it often a point of contention in her mind. A reminder to always be humble. 

“Of course I am,” she responded, indignantly.

~~~

The training hall was simple, traditional and set up with benches and training mats back then. It was an open space, perfect for the kind of training that Zhi Yu wished to do with Caiji. 

“Firstly, you need to learn to focus on your energy,” the man had said, as he glanced over at the girl. 

“Spiritual energy comes in many forms and you must first learn how to hone your own.”

Caiji was riled up, she got perhaps too ahead of herself, a boastful rant bursting forth. 

“Well of course,” she huffed. 

“I know that much. Can’t you just… you know,” she gestured loosely. 

“Teach me the cool stuff?” Her eyes practically glowed with excitement.

“No,” he responded, simply.

“But why not? I’m not just some weak child, Zhi Zhi!” she exclaimed, crossing her arms across her chest as she shifted from foot to foot. She would not be perceived as weak again. Not now. Not here. Not ever again. 

“You cannot yet control your energy. Without correct control you could end up hurting yourself or those around you,” he explained calmly, not at all put off by the boisterous nature of the young girl, understanding perhaps more than most the drive that she had to succeed. He, afterall, was much the same once. 

“I am not weak! I could probably beat you!” she yelled, an angry scowl on her face, pulling her delicate features into something more harsh than usual as she ran towards him. 

Zhi Yu moved calmly, simply putting out his foot, timing it so that she tripped, falling to the padded floor in a heap of robes. 

“You are not ready, nor will I teach you if you continue to be so rash with your actions,” He spoke softly, glancing down at the tangle of purple robes on the floor.

She made a stifled sound as she hit the floor, twisting herself up in her robes as she rolled slightly. Uninjured due to the softness of the floor, but embarrassed and startled by the landing, she looked at the floor, unable to face Zhi Yu’s eyes.

“Alright…” The purple colour to her cheeks brightened as she plucked the courage to look at him once more.

“Teach me…” she spoke, calmly. “Please.” 

Her eyes showed a new determination, mixed with the embarrassment from the fall. 

“I shall endeavour to do my best,” he replied, moving to reach out a hand to help her up. Once she was standing, he placed a hand on her shoulder in comfort, before they again began to train. 

~~~

Caiji startled, broken out from the memory from before as a hand settled on her shoulder, a warm voice soon following. 

“Let’s go, shall we?” he spoke, softly encouraging the other to move, before waltzing past her to head toward the training room. His movements were graceful and controlled.

“I- yes,” she responded, nodding her head in agreement with her words as she followed after him quickly, hands feeling tingly and cold as she mentally prepared for the difficulties she knew today’s training would bring. 

But she chose to follow, and she chose to learn, because she knew it would help her become strong. Strong enough to exact revenge on those she detested, on those who beat her and left her laying by a tree for dead. She would become something more than them. She would get back at them.

She’d make sure of it.