#baicheng

“Masters are always the hardest on their best and brightest students. Perhaps you should take her prodding as a compliment, in a roundabout sort of manner.” Asuna chuckled softly, leaning her head forward onto her arms, her wraps serving as extra cushioning. Her own master had recommended she come see Akari for some relief from the tightness in her shoulders after a few days of relentless training, but only her mentee had been in when Asuna arrived. BaiCheng’s services were just as appreciated as Akari’s would have been, nevertheless. 

Hisoki’s shoulders stiffened slightly, the faintest pull in his chest echoing through the quiet space. He kept his hands at his sides, flexing his fingers in place of gestures that would normally convey tone — subtle movements to match the words he could no longer rely on vision alone to convey.

“I understand,” he said softly, voice measured, steady, carrying acknowledgment rather than argument. “You have every right to say no. After everything… I would not blame you for it.”

A careful pause followed. His chest rose and fell slowly as he let the words settle, letting the quiet fill in what his eyes could no longer convey. His lips pressed into a thin line, a shadow of restraint holding back the weight of everything unsaid.

“And yet,” the warrior mumbled, voice low, deliberate, “to think I could simply disappear… to pretend that what I left behind matters so little… that, I cannot accept. I will not.”

Hisoki shifted just enough so his presence could be felt, letting BaiCheng sense the careful balance between respect and closeness, between apology and loyalty. “I do not ask for forgiveness,” he continued, softer still, “nor do I presume it. But know this — whatever has been lost, I have not forgotten, and neither have I walked away from it.”

It was uncommon but not unheard of for Asuna to be ambushed by other warriors from groups that quarreled with the Shirai Ryu - enough people knew of her status, her relationship to the clan’s leader, that the woman had a sizeable target on her back most places she went. This appeared to be one of those instances - though she didn’t recognize her assailants nor who they were with, they certainly seemed to know who she was - attacking from her blind spot, already knowing to steer clear of her fire. It was quickly becoming overwhelming. Yet, when she was beginning to wonder if this was going to be a hostage situation, someone moved between her and the people bearing down on her.

And it was BaiCheng??

KIZIL Buddha caves and Kumarajiva.

Journey to Xinjiang in 2019, Kumarajiva’s home, KUQA.