Spring Winds

"Ehmm," snuggling in my pillow, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of comfort as the cool softness of it brushed against my cheek.

This feels amazing! (*°∀°)=3

How is it possible that this pillow doesn't change in temperature even from staying in one spot for so long!

There must be some enchantment on it or something to make it feel this comfortable!

"Sigh, this is the best," snuggling into my pillow, I noticed something a bit strange about it.

Hmm, since when did my pillow become so slender? (・へ・)

Moving my hands in my sleep, I noticed that my pillow had a dip on the side before having a plush side once more.

Ahh, so this is where all the fluff went! （*＾＾*)

Kneading and squeezing my pillow, I tried to move up the fluff for some even distribution. Wow, it's so elastic!

Squeezing it a bit more, I lavished in the plush feeling. However, I noticed that my pillow seemed to have stiffened.

Weird.

Since when did pillows stiffen? And what kind of pillow has a heartbeat that's thumping loudly against my ear?

Snuggling a bit deeper, I could hear the pounding thumps increase.

Thump!

Ba-dump!

Thump!

Ba-dump!

So strange. ( ・◇・)?

Opening my eyes, I squinted them against the pale morning light that shined through the cracks of the tent door.

"Yawn," rubbing my eyes with one hand, as I slowly started to wake up.

Hmm, weird. I don't remember my pillow having another hump.

Grabbing hold of it, I squeezed it lightly.

Hehe, so squishy. (^///^)

"Are you awake yet?"

"No…"

Wait a second. (⊙_⊙)

Since when did pillows talk?

Cool sensations…

Squishy fluff…

A chilling voice…

Snapping open my eyes, I propped myself off my 'pillow' and came face to face with a very red 'pillow.'

What's this! How did I get here!? Σ（・□・;）

I remember my pillow being a white one. Looking behind me, I looked between my bed and where I currently laid.

Ah, sh*t. You've got to be kidding me!

Stiffly laying in place, Senior Sister's face flushed red as she stuttered out with indignation, "Y-You, you!"

Looking down, I could see Senior Sister's underclothes have become slightly disheveled from the movement that I could even see the valley between Senior Sister's chest.

And my hand still laid on one of those 'mountains,' which I unintentionally squeezed again.

"Y-you, you! Shameless!"

Haha, this can't be happening right now. This all must be some crazy dream. (lll ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

Unfortunately, the cold fist of reality is a brutal one. _(:_」∠)_

"I'm sorry, Senior Sister!"

Quickly, I tried to calm Senior Sister down; however, before I could realize what was happening, I flew out of our joint tent, followed by my clothes and boots.

"Oof!" Stumbling my way out, I regained my balance as I stood on the balls of my feet. "Aiyah! It was an accident, Senior Sister!"

This junior didn't mean to grope you! It was an accident, I swear! (;´ A｀)

But regardless of my calls, Senior Sister remained silent on the other side of the cloth door.

Trying to see if I could clear up the misunderstanding, a blue barrier barred me from entry.

Seriously, Senior Sister! (´Д` )

Are you not even going to let me get dressed inside?

Aiyah. _(:_」∠)_

Luckily, the camp was relatively quiet as it was a little past dawn. Therefore, no one was there to witness my predicament.

"Hah, what can this auntie do?"

Picking up my fallen clothes, I shrugged on my robes before tugging on my boots.

Well, considering that we have some time before we set off to leave for Yong Yuan He Mountain, it probably wouldn't hurt to do some training.

Unexpectedly, when I turned around to leave, my eyes crossed paths with another red looking face. "Good morning, Miss Shao!"

"Uh, I, this girl apologizes for peeking at Martial Aunt Jing Ran!" Bowing, Shao Xiu Lan, covered her face as she did so.

"Oh, it's fine." Tying on my belt, I walked over to her, which in turn made her scurry back.

Weird. ಠ_ಠ

"I'm not going to hurt you, you know."

What's up with everyone today? Maybe it's just too early in the morning.

"I-I, this girl," Shao Xiu Lan stuttered as I came closer to her, shuffling back as she did so.

Eh? Why does she keep running? （−＿−;）

Am I really that bad of a person?

I just want to talk, ah! ヽ(;▽;)ノ

"T-this this, girl is-"

Suddenly Shao Xiu Lan stumbled back and began to fall!

Instinctively wrapping my arm around her waist, I helped her regain her balance. "Are you alright?"

"I-I'm, f-fine," Shao Xiu Lan reassured as she pushed me away.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm-

Oww…"

Noticing that she started to hop on one foot, I picked her up to move her somewhere to sit.

"E-eh! Martial Aunt Jing Ran, you don't have to!"

"It's fine. You are injured anyways," shifting the weight in my arms, I brought Shao Xiu Lan over to a fallen log that served as a stool.

Sitting her down, she bowed her head as I crouched down and reached for her injured leg.

"May I?"

"Eh," she nodded meekly as I took hold of her ankle and started to feel for any breakage. Shao Xiu Lan occasionally winced in discomfort, however, remained silent.

"It looks like it's just sprained," standing up, I brushed my hand on the front of my clothes. "Give it some time to heal. No doubt with your cultivation, it should be fine in a few hours."

"Thank you, Martial Aunt," Shao Xiu Lan bowed before looking down at the ground.

"Em, it's no issue," I shrugged. I took out some food, offering some to the young girl.

Taking hold of a piece of dried meat, Shao Xiu Lan started to nibble on it as we awkwardly sat in silence around the dying hearth.

Damn, I better say something because this is really awkward. (_ _ lll)

"So, how have been, Miss Shao?"

"I-I um, have been doing well…"

"Really?"

"Yes," she nodded as she chewed on the dried morsel. "It's been a bit hard at the beginning, but since the Martial Aunts arrived, it's been better."

"Hmm." I suppose it would've been hard on Shao Xiu Lan after what happened back at Xiong Xian Pass.

If Senior Sister and I didn't arrive on time, I don't even want to know what could've happened.

The other day…

"Martial Aunt!"

Standing tall with her hand on the hilt of her blade, Senior Sister blocked the blow of the oncoming attack.

The Yun Cai Peak disciple cried out in shock as he fell onto his back from the impact, his sword clattering to the ground. "M-martial Aunt!

Forgive this junior!"

Remaining silent, Senior Sister merely sheathed her sword while glancing at the young girl behind her.

"M-martial Aunt Jing Hua…" Not daring to meet her eyes, Shao Xiu Lan bowed her head as Senior Sister's sharp gaze scanned the two groups of disciples.

Instinctively, they bowed their heads in shame as their knees started to buckle as I felt Senior Sister's release an immense pressure down on the juniors.

No doubt, even when weakened, this juniors are no match for Senior Sister!

Ah, Senior Sister looks so cool! ~(≧▽≦)/~

Look at her silencing all of these kids with just one look!

Thankfully I'm not the one who's the target of Senior Sister's anger!

"Martial Aunt Jing Hua," a Yun Cai Peak disciple gasped out. "Forgive our impudence!"

Wow, Senior Sister is seriously going hard on them today. (⊙v⊙)

From where I stood, I could see a sheen of sweat appear on their brows, while those with weaker cultivation started to turn a bit pale.

"How long are you going to stay in the bushes?"

Eh? (._.)

Suddenly all eyes were on me as I crouched behind the shrubbery.

"Ahem, ahaha," standing up, I plastered on a sheepish smile as I stepped out from the foliage as I wiped down my clothes from the sticks and leaves that clung to my robes. "Hey, everyone."

As I did so, Senior Sister dropped the pressure, much to the disciples' relief. "Thank you, Martial Aunt, for your benevolence!"

Senior Sister ignored them as she held out a hand to me. "Junior Sister, come here."

"Okay!"

"Martial Aunts, how did you come out of that alive?" One of the disciples asked before they were promptly elbowed in the side by their friend.

"Stupid, do you think that they would be our martial aunts if they didn't know how to get out of that situation?"

At that, the pitiful disciple shut his mouth, face flushed with embarrassment.

Aiyah, that poor guy. (･_･;

"Junior Sister, come here," Senior Sister beckoned as she held out her hand.

"Okay!" Grabbing hold of her hand, Senior Sister squeezed it as she brought me closer to her.

"Tsk, you got a twig in your hair again."

Eh? Did I? !? (･_･;?

I was sure that I got rid of everything.

As Senior Sister picked that invisible twig from my hair, I noticed the stare from another. Looking off the side, my eyes crossed paths with Shao Xiu Lan before she promptly turned away. Her face flushed in shame or the heat, perhaps both.

Hmm, I'll have to be sure to ask her why she did what she did. After all, I still have questions! (＜_＜)

"There," holding a small twig in hand, Senior Sister flicked it to the side.

Bringing my attention back to Senior Sister, I smiled at her. "Thanks, Senior Sister!"

"Em," Senior Sister nodded before returning her attention to the rest. "What has happened in our absence?

Any casualties?"

"No, Martial Aunt," Bu Xiu He spoke up as he remained on his knees. "Everyone has been accounted for, and only a few had serious injuries."

"Have they been treated already?"

"Yes, Martial Aunt Jing Hua. We're just letting them rest for a few more days until we continue to Yong Yuan He Mountain."

"Em, very well.

We'll wait until then," Senior Sister nodded before her eyes set themselves onto Shao Xiu Lan's meek figure.

"However, for Miss Shao, you have some explaining to do."