The First Journey

When Fang awoke, it was to the muffled sounds of the night. Where the  crackling of a fire nearly blocked out the crickets that chirped  outside. But when her bleary eyes finally managed to open, she saw no  stars, only the aged and wooden construct of a ceiling.

Shuffling  caught the corner of her vision, and she managed to turn her head,  seeing a shadow. She tried to move, but her body felt...well, she didn't  feel anything. A brief panic overtook her, enough to garner the  attention of the shadow. It wasn't until they came closer could she make  out her friend.

"Jun..."

Her voice was so weak, raspy, it was enough to bring a cough from her.

A  muffled hum greeted her, before his cold hand pressed against her  forehead, and for a brief moment a sliver of relief fell upon her  throbbing head. Until he took his hand away, and a small whine left her.  It was only when he began to nudge some pillows behind her did she  realize he was trying to sit her up. Finally when he had her in a decent  position he brought a small cup of water up to her, and nudged for her  to drink. Something she gladly did, almost choking herself in the  process.

"Ugh...whahappun..." Fang grumbled, never having felt so  awful before. Her head was pounding, her body numb, she wouldn't of  considered herself alive if Jun wasn't beside her.

"Bad fight..." He whispered, assuming she wouldn't have it in her to try understanding sign language right now.

"A bad fight huh...I'll say..." Fang coughed, grimacing as the drumming in her ears grew loud, "How long was I out...?"

Jun pulled the cup back and took the time to wipe her face, both of the spit and sweat. "Week..."

Dam...a  whole week??? Sure she'd been out a week before but, usually she was  fine by now. A lil sore and practically starving sure, but she was  always like that. Jumping right back up after a fight...

Not this time.

........................

When the sun rose, so did she again. Not that she felt any better, but at least the worst of her headache was gone. Jun was still there, hiding away in a corner as the windows remained shut. Poor guy...he'd spent the whole night, no, the whole week tending to her. He'd caught her up on what happened.

The fight had looked pretty even from where he was. But when he saw the enemy fall along with his head, he thought that had been the end of it. And for a brief moment celebrated alongside the villagers as he tried to wave her down.

It wasn't until he saw a spark leave the slain demon did he freeze and look back between it and his friend. Watching as a loud crack of lightning whipped across her, the sound nearly deafening, and the sight practically blinding. Only when he turned back did he see her falling.

She'd won, but at the near cost of her life.

The wounds had been something terrible, the worst he'd ever seen next to his own. Much of her fur was burnt, and plenty of her skin was charred. Her back to the brunt of the hit though, and even the villagers thought she was dead when they finally found her body on the edge of the cliffs. Somehow though, through careful treatment and tedious upkeep, they'd managed to stabilize her. Jun said many of the villagers even prayed to the Goddess Guanyin, in hopes that she would send aid from the Heaven's. She never did come...but perhaps maybe she did send a blessing...

"Your sacrifice has given our village the very change we've been hoping for." One of the elders said upon greeting her when they awoke. "We will do all we can to provide aid for your recovery. Anything you ask will be given, within reason of course."

Fang looked to Jun, who was dozing in the corner. She rubbed at her face, her lack of a disguise had no doubt been acknowledged. "I only have one request, a promise that this village must make to me..."

"Speak not of who you see me ask. If anyone comes here and ask who freed your village, simply speak my name and nothing more..."

The elder nodded faintly, "I understand. I will make sure everyone keeps your identity to themselves. Your legacy will forever be remembered, it is the least we can do."

"Thank you, elder Yuan..."

Weeks would pass before Fang would find herself even capable of standing again. And by then she had begun to remember the faces and names of those who came by to visit. It was leaving her restless.

"I think it's time for us to move on Jun...we've been here long enough for me to recover..."

Jun looked up from the book he had been writing in, creasing their brow slightly.

"Don't look at me like that...You know I don't like to linger in places where I've fought. It's only a matter of time before someone comes up here asking what's going on. Whether it be friend or foe, I'm in no shape to deal with it." Fang waved her hand.

A deep sigh was her given response, but Jun knew better than to try and stop her from pushing herself. So after a brief moment of figuring out where they should go next, they began to pack up.

"We hope to have you return here one day. Though the memories I'm sure may keep you away, please know that you are always welcome here Fang."

Leaning against the cane she'd been provided, Fang offered a small bow to Elder Yuan and the rest of their town. "Thank you elder. And thank the rest of you for your hospitality. I owe you my life."

"Safe travels, Fang of the Wind."