Fan Fiction ❯ Curtain Of Vines ❯ Chapter 9

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 9

"Get some rest, then." Xianghua smiled as she went to the cupboard beside Mina's bed, and placed the incense in the drawer

"Thank you" Mina said to her. "Where's my man I'm with.." She began to ask

"Hmmm.. That cowardly fellow of yours.." Xianghua remarked looking away from Mina

"I'm sorry for insulting him.. A Man should not let a lady get into trouble like you as yourself.. He paid his damages, which costs him to get released from prison custody. " She added..

Mina didn't answer back somehow she felt embarrassed how this young lady took her in. "I'm just honest with my self , my lady.I apologize for insulting your friend" Xianghua said

"I thought he doesn't have money?" Mina asked

"He didn't have , He trade something for his release , the guards gave me this..which it made my interest agreed with his bargain, just an old map." Xianghua said

Mina gasps...*MAP!!!! DAMN"T THAT KILIK! THAT SCOUNDREL! THIEF! *

"... My Lady.. A visitor is here to see your guest madame" A chamber lady interrupted their conversation

"What!.. Is it a man?" She asked

"A Man my lady, He's very persistent too, He's at the gate trying to get in guard confronting the guards outside madame" the chamber lady nodded as she walk away and Xianghua followed her outside to the court yard

Mina curled within the sheets of the bed ,worrying about the map * What will I do.. She took me in to safety, When Hwang finds out, I'll regret this for sure siding with Kilik.. Damn't Why did I trusted that lunatic!. That map is very important. That must be Kilik outside! * she thought . Mina sat beside her bed, although she was still injured and weak she will go outside to see Kilik.

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"FOR THE LAST TIME! LET ME SEE HER! " Kilik yelled at the guards "Get Lost!!! Or we'll be force to throw you back behind bars!" A guard said pushing him away with his spear. Kilik's patience is wearing off inside him, clenching his hands and grinding his teeth as he walked away, not from a far he noticed a large tree bridging over the wall from the other side

"If I can't get in. I can get over it. " Kilik stealthily creep his way behind the shadow of the large tree which was overlooking to the other side of the east wing of the imperial fortress.

He climbed up and was able to land on the tower walkway of the structure Kilik hides himself behind the dark corners as he avoid passing guards before him,

"That must be Mina's chamber!" Kilik went towards Mina's chambers passing across a small garden and went behind the chambers window.

"Kilik!"

"SHHHHHHHHHHH" Kilik warned her to keep her voice down

"You left this.. Don't ever leave this behind again" Kilik handed her The scarlet thunder.

"Mina. I'm Glad you're alright! .. I was.." (SLAP!)

"YOU USED ME TO TAKE THE MAP AND YOU JUST EASILY GAVE IT AWAY..!" She yelled at him

"I'm so sorry.. It was the only thing I could think off , to get me out of that cell!" He began his explaination to mina, Mina folded her arms and looked away from Kilik pathetically making his own excuses.

"I'll get it back.I promise..!" He pleaded

"And How would you do that!" Mina shot back at him

"I'll do it my way." Kilik smirked at her "I'll use my charms over their master, I mean mistress, I heard she was a woman. whatever it takes!" He added

Not do they know xianghua overheard them behind the corner of the corridor.

* Really! What an annoying guy! * she thought.

After their conversation Mina went back to her room , Kilik turned away thinking how would he patch things back to normal.

"Leaving so soon?, looking for your friend?" a voice said

Kilik prompt himself arming his rod ,after all he was a trespasser there he looked behind him and behind the shadow of the dark corner, appeared a lady , a child like face , although having a short length hair the innocence of her beauty made kilik remained motionless entoxicated by her sight.

Xianghua pointed her sword beneath his chin "Intruder. Give me a reason, why shouldn't I pierce this blade into your throat!" She threatened him.

Kilik wasn't able to move, over the persistent girl before him, he just swallowed and held his hands above him

. "..please. I'm just here to see her.. I've paid my debt didn't I? Please don't point that thing on me.." He said, somehow Xianghua notice the purity of his soul beneath his eyes, his looks pierced into hers, She felt uncomfortable, noticing he has an attractive look, the way the moonlight reflected his eyes, and glimmered his manly broad shoulders and his messy hair , eventually Xianghua removed her sword away from Kilik. And took a step back to avoid noticing the captivating look of her trespasser.

Guards appeared and were alarmed to see Kilik was able to pass their security, and began dragging Kilik away from her sight

"No..It's not necessary, He got what he came for. Let him go. dismiss!' Xianghua ordered the guards and released Kilik and left.

"Thank You My lady.. "

"Leave, She must rest , she will see you tomorrow " Xianghua said.. Kilik approached her

" My lady what's your name?.. " Kilik asked

"I'm not to give my name to by passers.." she said

Kilik reached her hand, Xiangua was surprised as handed her a small cattleya flower on her palm

" I'm Kilik. And this is how I say thank you for being kind to Mina and setting me free" He said , Xianghua blushed He was very sincere to her and made her heart pound faster . Kilik walked away

"Xianghua. " She said, Kilik smiled

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." Kilik replied and continue through his way out of the palace court

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Mina woke up and saw her room was filled with the beam of golden light from the sunrise outside the window " I thought things weren't really happening. Everything was a blur" She said as she sat up, *I remember.. I was wounded.what a trouble I caused * she said to her self.

She noticed her leg bandaged, she removed the bandage and saw her wound was dry, recalling it was from the river incident and her encounter when Ivy almost caught her whole leg. Mina took the bandage in her hands.. it was Hwang's bandana, still stained with her own blood from the wound, and she remembered how hwang gave her first aid to avoid the bleeding

* I'm so stupid.! I'm the first one to blame, If I didn't followed him to the ship, took his own map, and even paired up with Kilik, I've should have listened to him, in the first place. I'm really in trouble, when he finds out.. he might think, I'm really no use, no good and nothing to prove whatever it takes for my father's honor * Mina fixed her bed , she was able to manage with less pain from her injury, she got dressed up and took her Zanbatao that leans over the corner wall

"Well It's no turning back!" Mina said to herself and went outside and saw some guard officials, including xianghua gathered in the center courtyard.

"Must be a drill" she said to herself * How could I get that map back. She's been kind to me and Kilik?. Well It's his problem.. Maybe Xianghua has its own purpose with it.. how come she knows about the importance of that map? * Mina wondered , as she was walking towards the empty corridor, she found herself near an empty shrine, in the middle of an empty garden.

" this is beautiful! ,I thin it's a nice spot to think more clearly" ,

She took a deep breathe, clearing her mind as she stretched out her arms, taking it as her warm up every morning, lounging her legs. Mina tied the bandana before her eyesas She stood up taking her scarlet thunder as she twirled faster and faster above her head, her eyes closed, blind folded with the bandana. concentrating, this is how she trains herself every morning

She toss her zanbatao way twirling above her as she took a double jump and caught it in mind air. Mina spinned it again in between her arms switching it to her other side from her back and to her other arm. As she continue to twirl her zanbatao , tossed it above her now this time she rolls back and instinctively caught again. Mina went back to her old position as she twisted it (Clang) Something blocked her rod. Mina wondered as she was taking off her blindfold "Who's there?"

"NO.. Don't remove your blindfold. That was really impressive.why don't you try it with me.." Kilik voice came from behind her

"Oh it's the Map thief" mina laughed "Let's exchange.. what I've learned.. it's only self taught" she added

"Okay." he said

" Don't tell me where you are.."

"Fine,.. let's make a deal, to every mistake you do,.. you know if you're off guard.. can I steal a kiss from you?"Kilik teased her

"You, pervert!.try that or I'll fracture your skull!"

"Let's see".. kilik's voice trailed off, Mina doesn't have any idea where he is.. Mina sensed He was just behind him then she swoops her scarlet thunder to her left side she felt a quick breeze, it was kilik who jumped above her

" Ah.. ah.. ah.. I'm not there anymore.nice guess!"

Mina quickly turns her scarlet thunder in front off her and hit his face "Awww!" it hits his nose

"hahaha, going to steal a kiss aye.. ?"

mina naturally was able to block his counter hit that clang between two rods. She felt Kilik was about to make his faking phoenix move , as he used his kali yuga that flips his bodyweight above her and was about to give a strong tap hit, mina quickly took a side step which his, fake move lead him to land where she knocked his legs off his balance.

"GOOD GIRL, THAT HURTS!" kilik regain back his balance and caustiously leaped away from her. Mina laughed "You're just goofing off! " she exclaimed. Kilik took his Rod back in his hand this time he was serious, Mina was really not to be taken lightly

"You're really remarkable ,girl..It was a mistake I took you for granted" He said. Kilik quickly rushed to his side step Mina, took the opposite direction of his move.. and their weapons clashed both blocks each others hit, "That's what I like about You.." He whispered Mina pushed him off.

"Don't toy with me!".

" I mean .. it.." Kilik's voice sounded so honest, mina ignored his sincerity and he was off guard , she took an upper thud that hit Kilik again, but Kilik countered her attack move and hit her right down to her knees.. mina fell off

"Mina.. I'm sorry." Kilik rushed to her side. "Damn't Kilik . Don't lower your defense!" Mina pushed him out off the way. "Hey don't push your self you're good, I know I can tell" Kilik removed his Kaliyuga in his hand and went to mina

"Okay. I'm not hoin to do anything stupid. promise"

"Trust me."

"Okay.."she answered. Kilik went behind her, he placed his hands over hesr holding her scarlet thunder, which took him very close.

Mina felt uneasy with his embrace "Loosen your grip a bit here.." Kilik shifted Mina's hand lower from her grasp, Mina could feel Kilik's breath over her ears.

"Are you aware too much mina, empty your mind, focus on one point.. it helps with concentrating".

Mina followed Kilik's command as he guided her twirling her zanbatao backwards slowly

." Focus mina okay. don't out your mind in your weapon, let your weapon follow your will. You'll see it's effective. Makes you move faster."

Then she felt her Scarlet moves faster dancing in her grip, she felt a strong aura between her hand and her scarlet thunder, Kilik guided his grasp on her hand as he shifted her arms, side ways and he slid his hand removing her other grip for mina's one hand grip.

"Toss it." He commanded, Mina threw it above her, then kilik took her arm and led it to her rght side to catch the twirling zanbatao.

Kilik rolled away from her , to avoid the twirling rod, "Mina lower your body and transfer your rod across your legs" Mina followed as she lowered her stance , while twisting the rod, and it twirled playing across her legs, mina controls it with her feet , Mina took back again the twirling zanbatao from the floor and threw it acroos above her, she used her foot as she kicked it bouncing again in mid air, Mina followed her senses and she rolled back to her side gaining back her stance she took back flip as she took out her hand and caught back her zanbatao.

"Whoah. See.that was brilliant.now attack me again." Kilik gave her an applause and took his rod again , as he adavance his move to her back mina sense it and flung her scarlet thunder, as their weapons clashed. Kilik stopped "Mina, How was that guy? " He asked

"An Old friend.. his name was Hwang.. He was sworn to take me back home." She said

"I Think that's not all.. Are you sure.. that's all.There's seemed to be a relationship between you two" He said as they continued training.

".. Not really.. He's a childhood friend , one of my father's students"

"So.. I see.. I can still have my chance..." Kilik whispered in her ear as mina pushed him away.

"Look Kilik, I'm not interested in any of these."

"You sure, But what makes you furious I just mentioned his name?" Kilik teased her. Mina randomly flinging her rod trying to catch kilik's presence

"See,.. You're not even attentive in training"

"STOP IT OKAY!. What makes you think you're perfect.. I saw you last night, the way you looked at her. hmph.. You like her do you?" Mina laughed

Kilik realized she was pertaining to xianghua, that instant her image clouded his thoughts

"Gotcha!" Mina was able to his him right above the shoulder

"Now look, who gets distracted!" Mina laughed at him

At the corner of his eyes he noticed someone was watching them by the doorway, When Kilik looked ovee that direction, he saw Xianghua peeking behing the wall, it alarmed her she quickly left, Kilik followed xianghua

"wait!" He called

"Huh.? Kilik you still there?" Mina felt he was gone, when she heard footsteps.

"Oh I see I thought you quit already" Mina tied back the know of her blindfold as she prepared an attentive position to attack him.

"Attack me.. what's the matter cat got your tongue?!" She said ,but he remained silent, Mina felt there was a change in Kilik's maneuver when Mina can't read where he is.. He shifted phases; side-to-side quick and stealthily, mina can't sense his quick actions

"That's A new one, you didn't showed me before.." Mina felt a sharp presence to her side so she quickly bolted her zanbatao and took a leap on her left she swipes her weapon in mid range, but she was too slow or he was fast enough to evade it.

"You're good kilik.....Com'n Talk. what's wrong" Mina sense something was different , still He didn't answered

"Don't scare me kilik like that.!" Mina then was able the sprung out her scarlet thunder and (Clang!) both of their weapons clashed

* A CLANG???.. It sound like a blade not a rod?!* Mina gasped, completely forgotten to keep her defense back, he quicly pulled her closely, with a strong grasp on her arms, stealing a kiss as he brushed his lips along her jawline . It scares out of her. She was able to pull back that caused only a smack of both of their lips.

Mina slapped him that hit his cheek "Kilik You Pervert!" Quickly Mina pulled away and removing her blindfold. But she saw no one was there..

"That pervert! He even took off! So fast " Furiously Mina marched her way out of the shrine and head back to the cabin quarters.

She saw Kilik on the walkway,, he was talking with Xianghua. Mina notice how Kilik was having a conversation with her, she could see Xianghua giggle as Kilik was telling her his ridiculous jokes, or whatever it is, noticing the way Xianghua looks at him, he's already flirting with her.

*What a womanizer!..* she thought "Mina!" Xianghua as she went to them,

"Can I have a word with you?!" Mina raised an eyebrow at Kilik. Xianghua looked at him suspiciously "What is it something wrong?" He looked at Mina Questioningly

* That's odd?... Kilik has a scar on his right cheek? * Mina was surprised, but when she slapped him , she didn't felt any contour mark of his scar, she can't figure it out because she was blindfolded.

"What?" He asked her again,

"Madame. Someone is here to see you.." A servant said , "I'll be back." She said t the two, But just before she was about to leave.

"Chai, Xianghua,. I've spoken to the emperor." Her visitor said. It was.

"Hwang?!" Mina was very surprised to see him as she went to Hwang and embraced him. Hwang embrace her back he notice the fiery look on Kilik when Mina hugged him, Hwang Narrowed his eyes and look back at him as Kilik left the scene.

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To be concluded..