At twelve years old, Haining had grown rather distant from her ever-absent brother. He spent more and more time leaving for war and to defend the borders than he did at home with her. Her lonely spirit spent the days wandering in the streets, seemingly hopeless and forgotten. It was during this time that she ran into another boy of sixteen.
He had clear eyes and a cheerful smile. She heard him be called A'Xiang, since she never actually spoke to him once. Instead, she followed him out of the curiosity of the incredible sword he always held in his hand. The boy lived down a pretty and calm street, far from any bustling streets or loud people.
His home was a small courtyard, where him and an older man lived, though she didn't think he was his father. More like a mentor or family friend. Haining's inquisitive nature peaked when she heard the gentle clang of metal inside their yard, and found a hole in the yard to peek through. Her eyes widened as she witnessed an incredible display of swordsman ship by the two.
The older man seemed to be in his forties, clean shaven, and hair tightly pulled back into a greying top knot. He was tall and well built, his muscular frame every inch intimidating. The boy on the other hand was slight, his frame thin and his height shorter. Haining, having guessed him to be only sixteen figured he was still in his child's body. But despite his smaller size, his strength and agility were far greater than some full grown men she'd seen. Watching them practice was an intersting sight.
So fascinated was she that she spent every day spying the hole, enraptured by the speed, strength and skill of the two fighters. When she went home everyday, she'd imagine what she'd seen and practice it was a broken stick from her own yard. She was sloppy and found the art difficult to practice, but the loneliness she felt pushed her forward.
Madam Gu, the kind woman who had cared for her the last three years, always left a meal on the table and clean clothes for her wear. The children in the neighborhood attended school or skills training, so they were no longer around to play with. And of course, her beloved brother had been gone eight months now.
He told her things were going well, he'd been promoted twice now due to military contributions, and was even in charge of his own small group of soldiers. He was happy to tell her the good things but she knew he hid all of the dangerous and scary things he experienced. Behind his happy letters were sad stories, which only brought her more sadness.
...
The day was warm and the sun shone brightly, Haining leaned against the grey stone wall and watched through the hole like usual. It had been months now as she observed the two men swing their swords at each other, and dance around the small courtyard.
Like any other day, she wore her tan pants, brown outer robe, and worn shoes. Her messy hair was pulled back in a braid with hay sticking out from the woven strands and dirt smudged her face. Most passerbyers asumed she was homeless and a begger, but she had a home to return to at night... after she endlessly wandered the streets
Bang!
"Your shoulder's still not strong enough, and your feet aren't balanced like they should be. Have you been practicing like I've been telling you to?" The elderly man paused the lesson and stood tall before his student.
The younger man pursed his lips and shook his head. "You know I hate those exersizes, they're too tiring!" He shoved the point of his sword into the scabbard he'd retrieved from the side of the well.
The yard was small, and leaves scattered across the flat stones. A well was in the corner closest to the doors and a single room building was pressed up against the back wall. It wasn't much of a home, but the two settled with its cramped size. Haining didn't think much of the place herself, since her own home was only half the size.
Sighing, the man sheethed his own sword and shook his head. "If your father saw the way you are today, he'd disown you!" The words sounded harsh, but the man's eyes held a smile. "I guess that's why he ended up handing you over to me."
At this, the A'Xiang chuckled and sat on the edge of the well. "You're probably right, no man of his station would dare to have such a waste of son as me. It's best that he keep me out of his sight, so he doesn't kill me out of anger."
This had been the first time Haining had heard them ever speak of anything personal, and she was even more interested in who the two men were. She leaned closer hoping to catch more of the conversation.
"You know what your problem is? Why you can't seem to find a break through in your training?" The master asked.
"Hmm, lack of concentration?"
"No, you need a partner. Someone more on your level, who can experience everything with you, and grow with you. This person can also provide you with a healthier dose of competition. Don't you think?"
A'Xiang rolled his head around in a circle groaning all the while. "Ugh! Just what I need, more time practicing and now you want me to train a newbie too!"
His master chuckled. "If that's the way you want to see it, I suppose that's about correct."
Not going the way he'd hoped, the boy growled and clenched the sword tighter in his hand. He narrowed his eyes and head for the doors of the yard, pushing through them with force, while watching his master. The older man just watched, with humor and patience in his eyes.
"Alright then, I'll find a boy for you to practice with soon!" He shouted after the boy.
Meanwhile, Haining took a deep breath and held it as A'Xiang marched past her down the street, hoping not catch his attention. But now she couldn't get a new thought out of her head, a dangerous and life changing thought.
...
Over the next couple of days, Haining avoided returning to watch the practice, instead staying at home and thinking. Now was the time to consider the hardest for her and her brother's future.
What will become of me? She asked herself every moment. How can I change things, make my destiny greater? How can I protect Ge? Her thoughts were far more deep than the other children on the street, whose only concerns were eating well and playing all day. Her earlier years had shown her that life would certaintly get harder, and she needed to be prepared... for her sake, as well as her brother's.
Early the next morning of the fourth day at home, Haining rushed to the small home. Instead of pausing at the familiar hole in the wall, she headed straight for the doors. Swinging them open she met the sound of metal meeting, and nearly jumped backwards. The older man paused and turned towards her, brows lowered over his dark eyes. A'Xiang's eyes widened and he looked to his master.
"I'll do it!" Were the first words out of her mouth.
However, the two men just stared at her. She stepped forward, closer to them, till she was mere feet away. Haining repeated herself, but this time falling to her knees and bringing her hands up in a salute.
"I'll do it! I'll be his training partner!" She brought her forehead to the ground.
"What is the meaning of this?" The man asked.
The girl raised her head and looked him in the eyes. "I've watched you for months now," she paused and pointed towards the hole. "I've watched you and practiced everything I've seen! I can be A'Xiang's practice mate! Please!" She begged.
Looking towards the hole, the boy chuckled. "I knew we should've fixed that, there was always a feeling we were being watched."
His master ignored the comment and knelt besides the girl, his eyes still narrow. "And what have you learned?"
Feeling a touch of hope at his words, instead of immediate dismissal, Haining jumped to her feet and did her best to replicate several stances she practiced. She still wobled, and her hands shook, but she felt that she was close to how they'd done it. The master watched as she moved, his face expressionless.
"Wah, she must've observed for a while." The boy stepped closer to his master and joined in watching Haining, a smile still on his face.
When she finished her display, she stood at attention, waiting for judgment. Her breathing was heavy, though not due to the exercise. But the older man just stared at her, his fingers rubbing the hilt of his sword.
After a long moment, he nodded his head and patted A'Xiang's shoulder. "Welcome your new martial sister."
At this, the boy turned and took a step away from his master with wide eyes. "You're not saying you're really going to accept her?!" He didn't look down on the girl, but was just suprised at his master's unusual decision.
"Why not, she's progressed even further than you did at that age! She'll make the perfect partner!" Suddenly a smile broke out across his face and he turned back to face Haining, who still couldn't believe the words she'd just heard.
"What is you name child?"
"You mean, you'll allow me? I'll train along with him?" Happiness surfaced and unable to control the joy, clenched her fists and through them in the air, a cry of relief coming from her lips.
"Eh, eh. Not so loud you'll disturb the peace." A'Xiang spoke with begruntlement.
"Name?"
Her new master's voice brought her back to present and she again bowed her head to the ground, three times and saluted again. "I am Su Haining!"