The day was like no other. Father had gone out with Lei to buy some food for dinner while Mother stayed home and cleaned. Since Shu-to had to return to Kouka, I was left with no other choice but to stay at home. In order to pass time, I started to show Chonglin a new melody I had learned to play on my flute. Chonglin watched as a coil of water started to rise from a bowl in front of him. It started to spin to the tune of my flute. After ten seconds it fell back into the bowl.

When it comes to manipulating magic with the flute, one needs to know the tune and be able to concentrate. Even though I am good at learning melodies fast, concentrating and focusing did not come easy to me. Lei on the other hand was very good at concentrating his magic through his fans. Magic is what I like to call it but, it is actually spiritual energy that we are able to manipulate. And by being able to manipulate spiritual energy through our weapons, we can manipulate elements and other energies. According to Mother, some have even been able to heal others. In other words, MAGIC!

Suddenly Father barges through the front door pulling Lei by the hand. I move to welcome him back, but one look at his expression and I freeze in place. I had never seen father look so serious and angry. Mother stops what she is doing right away and hurries over to him.

"What is wrong? What happened?"

"Take the kids and hide downstairs. Hurry."

"What do you mean?"

"The village is under attack. Hurry."

Father moves towards a trunk by our fireplace and takes out two medium blades. Mother picks Chonglin up and motions Lei and me to follow her. Lei quickly grabs my hand and we follow her. As Mother leads us down to the basement, I take a quick look behind me and see Father's broad back as he heads outside. I wanted to call out to him. But my fear stopped me from voicing anything out. I was afraid and confused. And all I could think as Mother opened the hidden door in the basement and ushered us in, was for Father to come back and tell us it will all be ok. As Mother locked us in, I had a feeling I would be disappointed.

Many of the families had basements in their houses. Unfortunately, many of them did not have locks. Since we had our room full of passed down relics and family heirlooms, which was hidden behind a secret door in our basement, we were able to hide somewhere safe. Only someone with true brute force could possibly break the door down. If they could find it.

Mother ushered us into a corner. She held Chonglin in her arms as Lei and I sat on each side by her.

"Mama…" Chonglin's voice filled the silent room, "Is Papa going to be fine?"

Mother closed her eyes and kissed Chonglin's forehead. "It will be all ok. Father is strong. There is no need to worry.

I could hear the faint quiver in Mother's voice. Chonglin looked like he was about to start crying, and Lei looked like he was lost. But fear could be seen in his eyes. All of a sudden, I remembered that I had my flute in hand. I remembered that I had learned a soothing lullaby. It was also a very low sounding melody. Not too loud. It was supposed to calm someone down. Without a second thought I started to play my flute.

After a few hours, Mother stood up and told us to stay put as she left to check how things were going. I held Chonglin's and Lei's hands, trying to convey warmth and calm as we waited for mother to return. After a while Mother came back and gave the okay for us to head back up. We were ordered to stay at home as Mother left and started to check on everyone else.

Mother must have wanted us to stay behind so we wouldn't see the aftermath of the attack. But I could still hear the cries outside. And one quick look out the window was enough to confirm that what I was smelling was truly smoke. And there was still no sign of father.

A month had gone by before we even knew it. I spend most of my time at home taking care of my brothers as Mother went around helping rebuild houses that where burnt down or destroyed. Luckily not many where burnt down. Houses with broken down walls and damaged roofs where easier to fix then whole houses that where burnt.

Shu-to and his father returned mid-month. Shu-to ran straight to our house once he had seen the state of the village. When I opened the door, he threw himself on me and held me tight. Not saying anything. For once Lei did not protest as I allowed him inside. He had me sit as he went around taking care of us. He did not leave my side for the rest of the month.

After the village had managed to stabilize itself enough to keep everyone on their feet, we had a ceremony to pay our respects to all who had been killed. As we walked down to our village shrine, I could hear the people whisper. And I hated it. Most of the people managed to survive. Only ten people had been killed in the attack. According to the whispers, if it wasn't for Father, we would have lost much more.

Mother stood in front of us holding Chonglin's hand. Her gaze never wavering. Li walked behind her along side Shu-to. I was worried about her. Since Mother had taken it upon herself to help the village rebuild, Li had taken care of all the house chores. Occasionally even taking care of the other kids in the village. The look in her eyes scared me. Even though I was her twin, I had no clue how to help. She looked lost. Like she wasn't here. When we received news of Father's death, I cried my eyes out. Even mother shed some tears as she held Chonglin's crying form. But not Li. After a while of just standing and looking out the window, she moved and started to make some calming tea for Mother. Never once did I see or hear her cry. When Shu-to came back from his home, he started sleeping at our place. He would cook and clean with my sister. He would talk to her and even joke with her. And even if she did not react, he continued with a smile.

Once the whole village was present, the priest stood in front a gave a long speech about helping each other out through the difficult times. The whole crown was mostly silent except for some faint cries. Then he mentioned Father. Father who had dragged me away when a bleeding villager ran towards the plaza screaming about an attack. Father who told us to hide as he left us to help others. Father who kept others from dying.

The whispers talked about how father had come from a known family of warriors and how it had shown when he went against the bandits who had attacked. Once he faced them, he never let any of them escape. He took them all down. But Father had also sustained grave injuries, and by the time others came to help it was too late. Father had passed away. A hero they called him. But where were they? Why did father have to protect us all on his own? I clenched my fists in anger. I could not forgive them. While father sacrificed his life for us, they hid like cowards.

I looked at Mother. And as the whispers continued, she kept her head held high. A facade. Right then and there, I vowed to protect the rest of my family. Just like Father did.

"And so our amazing General praised us for being amazing merchants! He was right in front of me! I couldn't help but shake in excitement! He is so amazing and great! I'm So proud to be part of his tribe!"

I sat outside in my backyard listening to Shu-to talk about his celebrity crush back home. His General apparently. Ever since he came back, he has not left me alone. Even when Lei wants to hang out alone with me, he somehow always knows where we are and appears before us. Usually by now Lei would have attacked him. But my brother seems to be holding himself back. Ever since the attack though, I feel like a wall has been placed between Lei and me. And I don't know what to do about it. Its been a month and a half since the attack. Since Father's death.

Everyone has managed to settle down and move on. Almost like nothing happened. But I still see Mother's worn out form move through the house. And I still see the empty chair at out table at dinner time every day. Moving on?…I don't even think I know what that means.

"Li? Are you listening?"

I blink up at Shu-to. "What?"

He stares at me for a long time without saying anything. And then sighs. "Listen…I can't stay the night anymore. Father wants to spend more time together. I'm sorry."

I can't help but widen my eyes at his dejected face. Shu-to wasn't meant for such sad expressions. He was always so happy. But he too has been affected. And it's with a sad realization that I realize that I am the cause of it. He has been looking after me this whole time. He must have been afraid of me breaking. The one and only true friend I have was suffering because of me. And that was unacceptable.

-Do not show weakness. Hold your head up high. Fake it even if it kills you. As long they are happy, it will all be ok.-

"Its ok!" I smile at him. "There is no need to worry. I'll make sure to take care of everything. Now hurry on home. It is best not to keep your Father waiting."

Shu-to stared at me for a long time once more. And with one last head shake and sigh, he left. I stayed sitting down outside. Alone. Listening to life move on around me. My smile dropped. The blood of a powerful ancestor ran through my veins. One of her relics even passed down to me. And yet I was useless.

-The sweet melody can heal small wounds and can slightly heal bigger wounds. Not completely but enough until one can get professional help.-

I knew what I had to do.

A/N

Sorry for not updating in forever. I promise to get into a better habit of updating faster. Sorry if these past chapters have been a little all over. I am trying my best to get as many important character backgrounds and detail info established before moving towards the actual sort of plot of the story. Hopefully you enjoy this story so far. See ya next time! Thank you for giving this story a try!

Supix