Trust, regret and understanding

Me and Jiā lì stand on the side, whilst I know this is just a small spar, Syaoran isn't aware of Míng xiá's strengths or weaknesses...but he does. I look over at Míng xiá's smug and confident face and frown. Nasty red panda, despite the fact he has an advantage he shouldn't underestimate Syaoran. He is far from stupid, I'm sure he knows that he's got a slight disadvantage when it comes to knowledge of the opponent but that doesn't weaken his strength and smarts. He'll win.

"Hey Mr mysterious. You really think you can win against me? I've seen your moves when you practice with the shrimp. My win has been confirmed already."

Míng xiá says with a huge grin. My eye twitches and I clench my fist. Shrimp? SHRIMP? Just cause I'm slightly smaller than him doesn't mean that I'm tiny! How dare that brat! Jiā lì sees my annoyance and pats my shoulder gently with an awkward smile.

"Words are meaningless if you don't prove your statement. So then, show me that you can actually win instead of trying to use pitiful words to put a dent in my confidence."

Syaoran says with a serious expression. I nod really fast and glare at Míng xiá. Jiā lì signals them to begin and Míng xiá strikes with no hesitation, that stupid smirk never leaving his face. Blocked swiftly though, as Syaoran stays completely calm. Hit after hit, each blocked just as swiftly, it's so fast you can barely catch sight of with the naked eye. He's fast, incredibly fast for a red panda. I have strong faith in Syaoran, he's blocked so perfectly up till now. Thinking about him losing to Míng xiá and having to do anything he wants makes my blood boil. I should have time to rent out that rage later.

"What's wrong!? You've only blocked until now, I know that's not the only thing you can do so stop hiding behind that wooden sword of yours!"

 He tries to change and hit Syaoran's legs but is blocked once again.

"Who's hiding? Because it's not me."

With a swift turn Syaoran hits him in the stomach with the tip of his wooden sword.

"If this was a real sword you'd be dead."

Me and Jiā lì's eyes widen and she hurries over to Míng xiá who is holding his stomach in pain on the floor. I knew he would hit him eventually but I didn't realise it would be in such a sensitive area. He's right, if that were a real sword he would've definitely been stabbed and died. He got too cocky and assumed that his hits were too fast and strong for Syaoran to keep up.

"This is clearly over, the winner being Syaoran. As such, you must follow through with what you promised if you'd lost Míng xiá."

I say softly as I walk over to stand beside Syaoran. Míng xiá grits his teeth, looking down at him, Syaoran sighs and then speaks calmly once again.

"Listen, fragility is a luxury warrior's lose. If you rely only on strength you will surely die in battle. Use the intelligent mind you were gifted with as your trump card. Letting others outsmart you is not an option. Do you want your dear sister to mourn her heart out because you died as a fool?"

Míng xiá stays silent for a moment, considering those words as Jiā lì' looks at him with concern in her gentle eyes.

"whatever, I'm not stupid I already know."

I sigh, thankful he isn't going to say something childish again. I take the swords and put them away.

"Xuě háizi"

I glance behind me, Syaoran stands there looking down at the floor with a worried expression? Sad maybe? I can't tell.

"Did you hurt yourself during that spar? What's the matter?"

He shakes his head.

"No I wasn't, I'm just fine. The red panda too..."

I nod.

"that's good"

There is a long silence, I'm concerned and also feeling awkward.

"You-"

"You aren't wary of me are you?"

I pause in surprise, wary? Of him? Why would I be?

"You aren't... worried you can't trust me? Or think I'm... using you do you?"

I shake my head really fast.

"No! What-? Why would you think I would think that? Is it something I did or said that made you think that?"

I pause as realization hits me, he means about the ring I saw earlier.

"oh...I must admit it was odd to see something so... precious but I'm sure it means something to you but I thought It could belong to someone close to you that you lost when taken away...or something you found and plan on using in the future to have money to survive?...I swear I'm not wary of you, nor do I judge you for a small trinket-"

He smiles at me and I stop.

"Of course you'd think something like that, yes. It's something I was given by a loved one."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"I see..."

He shakes his head.

"Then, could you do me a favour and forget about it. Please"

I nod

"Of course"

He pats my head and I smile slightly but we get interrupted by Míng xiá.

"you two love birds done having your little moment?"

I flinch.

"Hey! We are not love birds! How dare you be so rude!"

He smirks.

"Yeah, you're right that would be an insult to him"

I freeze and my expression darkens.

"excuse me."

"Well if someone as strong and smart as him were to be wasted on someone as weak and plain as you it would be such a shame."

I glare at him.

"sorry? Was it not you who was beaten a second ago?"

"At least I didn't get a nose bleed when I was hit."

Just before I can snap at him, he is whacked in the head by Jiā lì'.

"you still haven't learnt your lesson? How dare you insult Xuě háizi. She has such an adorable face look at her properly! You seriously don't know when to quit."

He rubs his head.

"I AM looking, all I see is a shrimp"

I clench my fists.

"Y-you! You haven't even apologized to me and Jiā lì' like you said!"

He crosses his arms.

"I did, to her. Not you."

"ak-!"

My blood boils.

"You seriously have no respect! How come I'm the only one you dislike! What did I ever do to you!?"

"you're just weak and boring."

I feel like I've been hit by a carriage.

"y-you-!"

Syaoran pats my head.

"don't listen to the panda. You're perfectly cute Xuě háizi."

I sulk and look away.

"whatever. I give up"

Syaoran glares daggers at Míng xiá but he just smirks.

"sorry, he's such a pain"

Jiā lì' says trying to comfort me.

"you can have his share of food today"

"what! Who says-!"

Jiā lì' flicks his forehead.

"I said so deal with it! How could you insult her to her face like that! Have you no shame!"

They argue and Syaoran places his hands on my shoulders.

"Want to practice with me, you need to let out some of that anger you have stored right now. Some training would be the best way to let it out, Hm?"

I met his gaze and nod.

"Alright, I suppose I was thinking about that myself."

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