Star Crossed In Time

When I feel someone touching my ankle, I pull my leg back and kick. "Ah!" Hundun yells and falls back holding his nose. I blink in confusion and quickly sit up to find all three of the siblings staring at me with large eyes. 

I look to the little sister and sigh with relief. I stretch a little and quickly climb off the bed saying "Okay, we had an agreement and now that your little sister is back and fine, remove the blood and the binding chain." 

They all still look at me with large eyes making me slightly confused. Was it because I fell asleep?? I awkwardly scratch my chin and say "I'm sorry I fell asleep earlier. I was extremely tired." Hundun is the first to move. 

He climbs to his feet while still holding his nose asking "Are... are you feeling okay? Are you sick or anything?" I frown at him and shake my head saying "I'm completely fine, why?" Hundun goes to speak but Mogui smacks him in the ċhėst as he says "My blood was never poisonous... we just said that to get you to help us and the chain has been removed a long time ago..."

I frown a little and ask "When did you remove it? If I remember correctly, I still couldn't use my powers in the cave." I lift my hand and watch as the air in the room starts to move so I quickly release it. Mogui clears his throat and says "When you got back... right after you returned my sister's soul."

I nod but then frown asking "Then why say 'a long time ago'? I just laid down for a nap! It's not like I slept for a whole day." I was still tired. The pretty woman quickly steps forward and bows saying "It's so wonderful to finally meet you. My name is Ai, it means Love. I want to thank you for saving my life and my brother's. He said that because... you've been sleeping for a while."

My heart sinks as my eyes grow large. I look to all three of them before asking "Was I out for a whole day!?" Ai flinches and says "You've been asleep for a month..." A what!!?? I stumble back and look back to the bed with horror. What kind of bed was this!??

When my head suddenly snaps back to them, the two brothers jump as I say "Is there anything else I need to worry about or can I leave?" Mogui has a worried and grave look on his face as Hundun quickly steps forward saying "There isn't anything else... well except that Bai Lei as been looking for you like crazy... we didn't tell him you were here in fear of him killing us all..."  

Without a second thought, I kick out and nail him straight between the legs. I lift my left arm and a solid piece of the ground shoots up and hits Mogui right between the legs as well. The two brothers collapse to the grown with little groans as I say "That was for lying to me and tricking me. I still owe you two for not telling Bai lei I was here this whole time." 

I turn around to leave but when I feel a delicate hand on my arm, I turn to find Ai looking at me with bȧrėly contained laughter. She controls her face and says "Please let me come with you. I want to repay you for your kindness."

I look at her with confusion before saying "That's not necessary. You've probably heard everything already so you should know that I was forced to save you. Think nothing of it." I try to step away again but she holds on tight and says "Please! It would mean the world to me... please. I won't get in your way and I'll help you in any way that I can." 

I look at her with a perplexed look before turning to Hundun and Mogui. They were finally getting up but you could still see the pain in their red faces. Mogui waves his hand and says "Sh... She has really taken a liking to you and has bonded with you while you slept. She took care of you while you slept. Plus, we know she'll be safe with you. She's never liked it here."

I turn back to Ai to find her giving me a hopeful look. "Uh... I guess you can visit with me or something..." I say with uncertainty. Ai squeals and jumps at me, instantly wrapping me in a large hug while saying "I promise not to get in your way! Thank you!" 

I awkwardly smile and pat her back before suddenly remembering Eli. "Ah! What about Eli's contract with Swiwang?" Hundun holds his junk as he says "We'll summon Swiwang as soon as you two leave. Our brother has always been a little..."

"Messed up? Psycho? Mentally demented?" Ai says with a sneer. Hundun nods along with Mogui making my eyebrow arch with amusement. I want to know the story behind this but my main concern right now is Bai lei. 

I nod and turn away, disappearing mid-step. Only a few seconds after I reappear, Ai appears behind me with a large smile. She begins looking around while silently following me into the palace but only after taking a few steps into the palace, Bai Lei appears before me with a heartbreaking look. 

I pick up my pace and run straight into his open arms. He wraps his arms around me and tucks his head into the crook of my neck, taking a deep breath. "I'm so so sorry," I say as I struggle to breathe in his tight grip. 

He pulls me back and starts running his hands all over me asking "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" I shake my head no and smile when he pulls me back into another tight hug. I take a deep breath and begin relaxing in his embrace when I hear a small cry. 

When I open my eyes, my mother comes running at me. I step back and open my arms. She hits me so hard, I would have tumbled back if Bai Lei hadn't put his hand on my lower back. "Where have you been!? Are you okay?? Are you hungry?" 

I laugh at her questions and say "It's a long story but yes, I'm okay. I'm not hungry, just tired." She quickly steps back and looks at me in concern as she grabs both sides of my face. "Tired? Are you feeling sick or anything?" 

I shake my head no and say "I'm healthy, I promise." My mother pats my cheeks before letting go and wiping her tears. She sniffs a little and tries to collect herself when she suddenly notices Ai. She does a double-take and asks "Who's this?" 

"Ah, that's right. Let me introduce you two. This is Ai, she was someone I helped save and she wanted to follow me and... well, she's just wanting to visit with me." My mom's eyes grow large before walking over to Ai with a large smile. 

"Hello, dear. It's nice to meet another friend of Nova's." My mom says making Ai beam. Ai quickly gives her a large smile and hugs her while saying "It's a pŀėȧsurė to meet Nova's mother! I came because I want to repay Nova for saving my life but she won't let me."  

My mother chuckles and says "Well, let's give these two some alone time. I need to tell the others that Nova's back. Why don't you come with me and meet the others?" Ai looks to Bai Lei before looking to me with a small smile. 

She turns back to my mother and says "I would love that!" My mother chuckles again and starts to lead Ai away as I reach out to stop them but my mother turns to give me a knowing smile, nodding her head before walking away. 

Does she know I don't fully trust Ai? When I look back to Bai Lei, I see his intense stare on Ai's retreating figure. I lift my hand to his face but he quickly grabs my hand and looks down at me with a warm smile. 

"Is she connected to your disappearance?" he asks with that same gentle smile but there's a cold light in his dark red eyes. I tilt my head to the side and say "In a way, yes but she isn't really the reason. To be honest, it's a little embarrassing."

Bai Lei pulls me close and runs his hands through my hair as he says "And why's that?" I lower my head and press it against his solid ċhėst as I mumble "I fell asleep... for a whole month." His hands freeze in my hair before quickly pulling them out and lifting my face to his. 

His dark red eyes look me over with concern and confusion as he asks "You fell asleep for a whole month? Are you sure you aren't sick or hurt?" I shake my head no and say "I just feel really tired. I really don't feel like I just slept for a month... If anything, it feels like I slept for an hour."