After LiYun told AiLin about the story, AiLin got up and walked slowly down the path. He just couldn't wrap his head around the tale. Was it possible that the story in fact was true? If so, then why would the Jade Emperor do such a thing? As he walked, he could tell that LiYun was walking behind him slowly.
''So, this is why you have been trying to find me'' AiLin asked without turning around ''You want to take me back to a place that I have no memories of with other Gods that I don't know and an Emperor that casted me away without memories.''
LiYun didn't know how to answer at first. He just stood there quite looking at AiLin's back. He slowly walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder. AiLin pulled away, turning around looking at him.
''I'm not going back'' AiLin said with anger.
''You don't have to'' LiYun said, reaching out for AiLin again.
Once again, AiLin pulled away only to shift into his fox form and ran up the path into the cave. There AiLin was able to find a small hole to hide in where LiYun couldn't reach him. LiYun slowly followed behind. The moment he entered the cave he was taken back by how lovely the inside was. Huge statues that were left behind when the temple was once used.
From the outside it looked abandoned, but the inside looked as if it was still being used. Was AiLin keeping it clean? LiYun looked around trying to find AiLin. He spotted the small hole that AiLin had ran into. LiYun sat down next to it and leaned against the wall.
Hours went by as LiYun sat there. He started to wonder how AiLin spent his time here alone. His eyes started to drift close. Once he was fast asleep, AiLin slowly crawled out of the hole shifting back to human form and looked at the large sleeping LiYun. If this man was going to sleep here, AiLin couldn't let him get cold or wake up hungry. AiLin walked over and grabbed a hold of a blanket then dragged it over Liyun's lap. Just before he set out to find food, AiLin stopped in the doorway and looked back at LiYun.
LiYun woke up from a nightmare only to find a blanket over his lap. He looked around for AiLin and even looked in the hole. Just then he heard footsteps coming from outside. LiYun sat up and looked. Was it a human? LiYun stood up tossing the blanket aside.
''You can chill, Li'' a small voice said from outside.
AiLin walked in and smiled a bit. His arms were full of fruits and a dead rabbit. AiLin sat the stuff on the small table to the right.
''Figured you would be hungry when you woke up'' he said.
LiYun walked over and hugged AiLin from behind. AiLin was taken back by LiYun's action. AiLin tried to wiggle from his arms only to have LiYun tighten his arms around him. AiLin didn't know what to do or why LiYun was doing this. LiYun finally let go and walked out of the cave without saying a word. AiLin stood still and didn't follow him out.
LiYun stood outside turning his head up to the sky and closed his eyes. Why did he just hug AiLin? It's not as if he had feelings for him. Maybe it was because of what his mother said about the white fox visiting him and blessing him when he was born, if the story was true. Sadly, the only other person who would know, doesn't ever remember anything about living in the God world. LiYun looked back at the cave. Would it be better to leave him here, take him back to the human world with him, or take him back to the God world?
AiLin poked his head out and looked at LiYun ''Food will be ready soon so don't think about leaving'' he smiled then headed back in.
This fox kept on surprising LiYun. He walked back in and looked at him as he cooked. He stood near the doorway as he leaned against the wall. For the longest time neither of them talked to each other. Then LiYun spoke up.
''Ai, wouldn't it be better to live among others like yourself'' he asked.
''Yes, I'm sure it would be, but I haven't even really thought about it'' AiLin answered as he kept cooking.
''Would you rather stay here alone'' he asked again.
''It's not as bad as you think. Sure, it can be lonely at times, but I have some of the other animals to keep me company'' AiLin said once again.
LiYun watched as AiLin didn't seem bothered by his questions. He once again spoke up ''What about coming back with me then?''
AiLin stopped this time but didn't turn around ''With you'' he said softly.
''Yes, you can come back with me to Ciqikou and help out in the White Dragon. I'm not sure what you can do, but I am sure we can find you something'' LiYun moved off the wall.
AiLin didn't know what to do. One, if the story was indeed true and about him then he didn't want to go back to the God world just yet. Two, he was fine living in the forest alone but it was too lonely at times. Three, LiYun was offering him to go back to the human world with him. The only thing about that last one was his fear that humans would hurt him again.
LiYun could tell that AiLin was shocked and deep in thought. He slowly walked over to him and once again hugged him from behind. AiLin didn't move at all this time.
''Ai'' he said softly.
AiLin snapped out of it and moved away from LiYun ''I should finish cooking or it's going to burn'' he said and turned his attention back to the food.
''AI'' LiYun shouted at him to get his attention.
AiLin turned and looked at him shocked. LiYun stood there shook his head and sighed ''Forget it, I'll be outside just come get me when you're done'' LiYun turned and left the cave again.
AiLin watched him. He could feel his heart about to beat out of his chest. LiYun was annoyed now. He knew AiLin was going to do what he wanted and there was nothing he could do about that. LiYun walked down the path and looked out at the forest in front of him.
AiLin finished the cooking then went out to look for LiYun. He walked down the path a bit to find LiYun leaning on the railing smoking a cigarette. AiLin stood there watching him. From behind he could tell just how big his shoulders were. His black hair that was half way up was messy. The black tank top he had on hugged him just right that he could see every curve of his muscles. The dark jeans also fit him well.
AiLin shook his head and smacked his cheeks. What in the world was he thinking about? Now wasn't the time or place for this kind of thing.
''Li, food is done, come back in and eat'' he said only to turn and walk back inside.
LiYun looked out the corner of his eye and sighed again. There were too many thoughts going on in his head. LiYun put his cigarette out and went back in as well. He sat at the table watching as AiLin placed the food down. He watched AiLin's every movement till he sat down as well.
They both sat in silence as they ate. Neither of them looked at each other. Finally, LiYun looked up at AiLin only to see that he was standing taking his plate away. AiLin placed his plate in a tube of water he had. Just as AiLin turned around LiYun was standing there behind him with his plate.
''I'll take that'' AiLin said softly.
LiYun gave it to him and walked back and sat in the chair. He looked out and saw it was almost dark out.
''I should get going, Ai'' he said looking back at him.
AiLin gripped the plate he was washing tightly ''I'll walk with you. The forest is kind of tricky at night'' he told him placing the plate back down.
LiYun nodded and got up walking out with AiLin following slowly behind him. Once again, walking down the path neither of them talked. LiYun took another cigarette out and lit it. That smell bothered AiLin. He walked up to him and took the cigarette from his mouth tossing it on the ground and stomped on it. LiYun turned and growled at him. AiLin stood his ground as he looked him dead in the eyes.
''What do you think you are doing'' LiYun hissed.
''I could ask you the same thing'' AiLin snapped back. ''If you want me around then you have to stop because I hate the smell of it.''
LiYun wanted to say something back but was stunned by what AiLin said ''What?''
AiLin sighed and walked past him heading towards the Rainbow Falls pool. LiYun ran to catch up with him grabbing his arm and spinning him around.
''What did you just say'' he asked
AiLin looked at him ''If you want me around then you will have to stop smoking'' he said again.
''Meaning what'' LiYun wanted to know.
AiLin pulled away and crossed his arms ''Meaning, I'll go back with you and give it a try in the human world. If it doesn't work then I'm coming back here'' AiLin said.
LiYun smiled and ran up behind AiLin hugging him tightly. Hearing this made him happy. LiYun then grabbed his hand and left the forest pulling AiLin along behind him. AiLin stared at LiYun from behind and started to blush. The only reason he agreed was the fact that he felt that he couldn't stand not being around LiYun. AiLin smiled and followed LiYun back to Ciqikou.