"What are you doing here? Haven't you done enough? This is all your fault!" Fox Queen Bai Qian said bitterly, almost yelling, unmindful that she was addressing Donghua Dijun, the Supreme God of the Universe as she confronted him on the steps leading to the entry into the Fox Cavern. The other people around her were trying to calm her down aghast at the disrespect that she was showing towards the most revered God in the Universe. However, as Bai Qian had just come from the chamber where Jiu'er was and found her niece hallucinating and delirious with pain from having cut off one of her tails, she was in no mood to be calm or diplomatic in her dealings with him. Bai Qian was not quite sure of the exact details of what had happened as she hadn't talked to Si Ming yet who was the one who brought the Princess home but she knew it had something to do with the old God.  Bai Qian had been shocked when she heard from Zhe Yan that Jiu'er had cut off one of her tails.  Her niece can be impulsive but she knew that Jiu'er would never do something as foolish as what she just did if it was not in some way connected to Donghua Dijun.  The fact that Donghua was here right now asking to see Jiu'er only confirmed her suspicion. She didn't care who he was, she was not going to let her in to see her beloved niece and further hurt her.

Donghua remained silent, his normal, placid face in place although his insides were a turmoil of emotions. He was worried about Jiu'er, the most precious person in his life.  Bai Qian was now  blocking his access to her and as much as he wanted to he could not even get angry at her. Because however much she was angry at him, it could not compare to how angry he was at himself for letting the yearnings of his heart override the dictates of his reason. He knew that he had no fate line with Jiu'er, that they were never going to be destined to end up together but he had not push her away. In fact, if he was honest with himself, he had in certain instances, even sought her out and drawn her to him. He didn't know if what he felt for her was love as he has never love anyone before in the millions of years that he has existed but he had never been so happy as when she was beside him and he could not resist the joy that rose in him whenever she was near.  When they were apart, he felt a visceral emptiness within him that could not explain and so, he let her stay in his life despite his mind warning himself again and again.  Now, it was too late, because of his weakness for her, his arrogance that he could keep everything under control, she had hurt herself, hurt herself for him, in a hopeless bid to remain at his side, believing that her love could move the Fates.   He would never forget the sorrow he felt when he saw her kneeling before the Rocks crying uncontrollably as she tried to change their fate.  His heart hurting just as much as hers did.

 "How is she?" he finally whispered, an uncharacteristic tinge of anxiety in his voice, as if he could not bear not knowing how she was.  The moment he got back to his villa after handing Jiu'er to Si Ming, he had started to second guess himself, regretting the decision to hand over her care to someone else.  He should have chosen differently, however foolish the alternative decision would have been and whatever consequence it might have resulted in, he should never have let Si Ming take her back to Qingqiu.  He should have taken care of her himself.       

"She's delirious. She's in pain but she's refusing to drink the medicine that I've prescribed for her." It was High God Zhe Yan, the God of Medicine, who answered him before Bai Qian could continue her diatribe.  He had just come out of the Fox Cavern wanting to discuss with Bai Qian the next step to take when he saw Donghua Dijun being confronted by her.  Bai Qian,  Zhe Yan and many others were all worried about Jiu'er but apparently not as worried as Dijun was based on the frantic widening of his normally calm eyes when he heard how Jiu'er was.   Zhe Yan who was one of the few Immortals who have known Donghua for a long time could clearly see the anguish that the latter was trying to hide, the tension in his body palpable.   He wasn't privy to the relationship between them but he knew seeing the state Dijun was in and hearing the cries of Jiu'er asking for him that it ran deep, much deeper than any of them could probably ever imagine.  He knew at this point, only Dijun would probably calm her down and as it was clear from Donghua's countenance that he was not leaving without seeing her, he knew they had no choice but to let him in despite Bai Qian's refusal.  

"Qian Qian, I'm going to let Donghua see her." When he saw Bai Qian about to protest, he lifted his hand forestalling her, "Qian Qian, she needs that medicine, you know she does, maybe he'll be able to make her drink it as none of us has been able to." Zhe Yan said calmly, giving Bai Qian a pointed look.  Bai Qian glared at Zhe Yan knowing that he was probably right, she heard Jiu'er crying for the old God, too, but she didn't have to like it or him.   This was his fault.  He should have stayed away from her.  Grudgingly,  she moved away from blocking the entrance but not before shooting Dijun a cold, poisonous glare.   Donghua hurried inside, now more worried than ever.  He knew that Bai Qian would never have allowed him to see her that easily if her condition was not dire.  

The keening sob he heard from Jiu'er as he entered the chamber where she was nearly undid him.  He could see her frail body thrashing on the bed trying to escape the pain that was threatening to drive her insane.  She was screaming his name as tears fell from her eyes unaware of her surroundings.  "Dijun!!! Dijun!!! Please let me stay with you." her cries reverberated around the small chamber making his heart ache.   He quickly took her into his arms as Migu and the other servant who was restraining her to prevent her from getting hurt let go in surprise at the sudden presence of the old God.  Everyone else in the room quickly kneeled down in greeting but Donghua paid them no mind, his entire focus solely directed at his Jiu'er.  

"Hush, hush, Jiu'er.  Calm down.  I'm here, my love." he crooned softly as he pulled her closer to him, pushing a healing spell on her.  Those who heard him were shocked at the appellation he had just called the fox princess, however, it was apparent that he had said it unconsciously as he was rocking her back and forth in his arms trying to sooth her.  Smelling the familiar sandalwood scent of him, Feng Jiu whimpered but settled down a little leaning against his chest feeling the slight lessening of the pain, comforted by the the arms around her.

"She needs to drink this Donghua.  If she doesn't, she wouldn't be able to grow back that tail and she wouldn't be able to gain back the cultivation she lost." Zhe Yan said handing a cup of medicine to him.   Donghua took it awkwardly with one of his hands as his other arm was still curled up around her waist supporting her against him.  He was about to bring the cup to her lips when he suddenly stopped and placed the medicine on the tray by the side of the bed instead.  

"Leave us!" he said imperiously motioning for everyone in the room to withdraw, wanting to take care of her himself with no prying eyes around.  He placed Jiu'er back on the bed, his thumb gently wiping the tears from her eyes.  She was calmer now feeling the effect of the healing spell that Donghua had been slowly pushing into her.  Bai Qian was about to say that she would not be leaving when she caught sight of Dijun's face.  Even she, who was rarely intimidated, knew better than to contradict him when he was in full God mode, his jaw clenched, his face brooking no opposition.  The servants were the first to leave as they scampered out quickly intent on obeying Dijun's order as expeditiously as possible. Bai Qian, who was still reluctant to leave her niece, and Zhe Yan, who was giving Donghua last minute instructions on the medicine, were the last to leave.  Before they exited the chamber, Bai Qian took one last glance back and was shocked to see what Dijun was doing.  He had magically cut into one of the palm of his hands and was now dropping his golden blood into the bowl of medicine.  Zhe Yan who heard the soft gasp had now turned around also, and even he was surprised.  Donghua Dijun's golden blood was so potent that stories have been told about how a single drop of it was equivalent to thousands of years of cultivation for an Immortal.  Of course, no one knew how true it was because Donghua Dijun has never, ever allowed anyone access to his blood knowing that it was powerful even beyond what the legends told.  His blood, if absorbed by another Immortal, will give that person a touch of his almost limitless power.  However,  he was now casually dropping this precious blood into the medicine bowl as if it was just another ingredient for the medicine.  Both of them didn't know what to think.  They knew Jiu'er was in love with the old God but was Donghua Dijun in love with her also? For why else was he freely giving her his blood that other Immortals would kill for, would give anything to acquire?  Noting that Bai Qian was about to say something, Zhe Yan quickly ushered her out knowing that this was not the time to test Dijun's patience.

Donghua used his magic to heal the wound on his hands absentmindedly while trying to determine if he had put too much blood in the medicine as this was the first time he has ever done this.  He knew its strength and was afraid that Jiu'er may be overwhelmed but he knew that this was the only thing that could make her body heal faster.  He'll just let her drink slowly so he can see the effect.  He lifted her up again anchoring her to his chest.  "Drink Jiu'er." he said as he place the cup against her lips.  She drank a little of the medicine but as soon as she tasted its metallic bitterness, she grimaced and turned her head away, her head still pounding with pain.  "Jiu'er, you have to drink the medicine.  It will make you feel better.  Please Jiu'er.  I'm going to be unhappy if you continue to refuse.  Do you want me to be unhappy?"  Donghua said gently coaxing her to take more of the medicine.  Jiu'er who never wants Donghua to feel anything but happy took another sip and then another as she began feeling a great deal better.  She could feel the pain in her head and body decreasing.  She could also see Donghua more clearly now, he was looking at her so tenderly that she could feel her heart hammering in her chest.  Suddenly feeling shy, she avoided his eyes and looked around.  She realized that she was in her room at the Fox Cavern.  Was she in Qingqiu?  She looked at him again, confused now.  If she was in Qingqiu, then how was he here?  She lifted her hand to touch his face wondering if he was merely a figment of her imagination.  Surely she was dreaming?  But she could feel the softness of his skin under her fingers, it felt so real.  Suddenly, she remembered cutting off her tail, remembered seeing her name linked with someone else at the Rocks, remembered trying desperately to do something, anything so that she could be with him.  But she knew he hadn't followed her to the Rocks.  She had seen his face when she had cut off her tail, he had been angry at her but she knew that he was resolute in his conviction that they were not fated to be together.  It would have been different if he had loved her, then maybe, he would have fought for their love.  But he didn't love her, theirs was always a one sided love.  Therefore, it was just not possible that he was actually here with her and looking at her so tenderly.

"Am I dreaming?  I am, aren't I?" she finally said to him deciding that it was the scenario that made the most sense.  He didn't say anything but his eyes reflected a brokenness that was a mirror of her own.  "Don't be sad Dijun.  We're in my dream.  You're not allowed to be sad here."  she said quietly.  Dijun looked at her slightly startled but finally gave her a small smile.  She reached up to caress his face tracing the lines of his nose and his lips.  "You're so handsome Dijun, always so handsome." She dropped her hand but she intertwined her fingers with his silver white hair, combing through them.  She's always wanted to touch his beautiful hair and now that they were sifting through her fingers, she could feel the softness of them, just like how she's always imagined they would be.  She hoped that when she woke up, she would still remember the way they felt on her fingers.  She snuggled closer to him, glad that even in her dreams, he still had the sandalwood smell around him that she loves so much.  Suddenly, she felt him tighten his hold on her, holding her the way she's always wanted to be held by him but instead of feeling happy, she suddenly felt inexplicably sad. She knew now for certain that he was not really here, for if he was, he would never hold her the way he was doing now, as if she was the most important person in the world for him.

"Jiu'er..." Donghua murmured not knowing what to say.  Should he tell her that she was not dreaming and that he was really here with her?  Would continuing to let her think she was dreaming a kindness to her or a disservice to her?  Does it really matter?  Because for Donghua, there was nowhere else he would rather be than be with her be it in real life or in a dream.

"Donghua...I can call you that in my dream, right?"  she asked interrupting his thoughts.  He nodded his head loving the way his name sounded on her lips.  This was the first time that she's ever called him by his given name, if only she would call him that all the time as it sounded so sweet to him.  "Can you give me a kiss?  Just a small one?" she asked shyly, a little impish smile on her lips.  Jiu'er decided that since she had Donghua in her dreams, she might as well take advantage of it.  Who knew when her dreams of him would be like this again?  In the past, whenever she dreamt of him, he was always a little bit more blurry than everything around him.  But in this dream, his was the sharpest image she could see and everything else was blurry.  

As Jiu'er stared at him, she could see the indecision in his eyes and it made her wonder how it was that even in her dreams he couldn't, or maybe wouldn't, indulge her. Did he not care for her even a little bit?  Instantly feeling bereft, she started to turn away from him embarrassed now for asking him for something that she had no right to ask from him when she suddenly felt his lips kissing her gently on her forehead.  She could count the number of the beats of her heart as his lips lingered on her, for a heartbeat, a second heartbeat, a third heartbeat.  After he lifted his lips from her, she felt his nose nuzzle hers as if wanting to breath her in. Then, suddenly without warning, he was crushing her lips with his.  He wasn't gentle anymore as he plundered her mouth as if sating his thirst, hungry for a taste of her.  His tongue was in her mouth now twining with hers, tangling with hers.  She sucked on his tongue loving the taste of him.  She could hear him moaning in tandem with the muffled sound she was making.  This went on for a while as they could not get enough of each other.  He withdrew his tongue after what felt like a few hours but continued to nibble on her lips as if unwilling to let go of her yet.  Finally, he forced himself to let go of her lips, panting slightly, as he gave her a tight hug, pressing her face into his chest.  Jiu'er was in shock, she didn't know that a dream kiss could feel like this, could feel so real.  She could still taste him in her mouth and she wished with all her heart that his taste will linger with her forever.  

"I love you Donghua.  I know we're not meant to be but I just want you to know that I love you.  Wherever you go in the future, even if I'm not physically with you, know that you'll always have my heart with you." she said.  She knew she was saying it to dream Donghua but for some reason she knew she had to say it while she had the chance.  She closed her eyes and gave him a small kiss on the lips, happy that even if just in her dreams, he would know how much she loves him, how much he means to her.  

"Open your eyes Jiu'er."  Donghua suddenly commanded moved by her confession to him.  When she opened her eyes, he was looking at her fiercely, his eyes blazing with all his love for her that he had been suppressing for so long.  "This is not a dream.  I'm here.  I'm real and I love you, Jiu'er.  I love only you, forever you. I will not allow Fate to weave the threads of our lives anymore.  I will weave it myself.  I will weave it together with you."  he said, his words as fierce as the look in his eyes, the words bursting forth, freeing something inside of him.  Jiu'er could only look back at him with wonder, speechless.  For at that moment, Donghua had finally let go of any trepidation he felt about loving her, about giving his heart away.  The truth was, she already had his heart and would forever have it in the palm of her hands.  What does his life signify if he could not spend the rest of it with her?  Fate or no fate, he would always be with her.  He has given everything he could for the Universe, millions and millions of years of sacrifice and self restraint without asking for anything in return.  The Heavens owe him and this time, he was ready to collect for there was nothing in this Universe that Donghua Dijun, the Supreme God of the Universe, wanted more than his little fox, his Jiu'er.  Fate, should she feel a desire to interfere, would just have to move out of the way.