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Xiulong hated that woman, she knew that he was up late with Po Zei training his body and honing his skills, she knew it and she was more then happy to wake him up insanely early to send him off on an errand. He was a moment away from telling the grinning woman to do it herself when she had said the magic words, had said that it was 'for Master Di' which made him want to fulfill the request instantly. It made sense, those particular herbs which could be obtained from the pharmacist were good for the body, when added to a hot bath it helped ward off illness or so Po Zei had told him. The white haired doctor was willing to do anything and everything needed and then some if it would protect Qiang Di's health and help him to maintain his invincible stature. Xiulong wanted that as well, he wanted to be successor yes but that didn't mean that he wanted to take over straight away.

So here he was, bundled up and heading for town when he would much rather be allowed to sleep in. He knew that the moment he got back and if Master Di was awake he would likely end up with a list of tasks to do assigned to him by his Master. He didn't mind so much doing what was requested of him but he knew that running on little sleep was never good... but then again his Master did that often, didn't he? If he wanted to be as powerful as that man it meant that he was going to have to push himself hard to be able to do what Qiang Di did, which was everything. To be able to do that would be difficult but he was working toward his goal and even now he felt stronger since he had the backing of at least three of the men in the gang as well as Tian Mi in a twisted sort of manner.

He was deep in thought, so much so that he didn't noticed as first that he was so near to the one that he care for. The moment he saw the long, dark hair from the corner of his eye though his full attention seemed to waver from the task at hand and was given over fully to Qiu Shui. Xiulong's blue eyes went quite wide and he gave a gasping sound, one he cut off quickly but covering his mouth with his hand. Best not to give his presence away in case Qiu Shui was around some of the people from his work, especially the one with the shrill voice that he'd heard when he dropped him off. The bluenette sank back into a shadowy alleyway so that he could watched his favorite person for a long while, heart thudding in his chest.

It seemed that he was alone he thought to himself before he pushed forward, out of his hiding spot and moved to shadow along after Qiu Di, growing a bit excited as he followed along after him, wondering if the other boy would notice his presence before he was able to get close enough to touch him. Likely the only thing that would give him away was the distinct scent that seemed to cling to Xiulong, one that was present most often when he was either really content or really excited.

Xiulong knew that he hadn't been spotted yet but Qiu Shui at least knew that he was being watched, that was something he thought to himself. Sure it wasn't him knowing where the bluenette was or that it was him that was shadowing him but at least he was aware he was being tailed. If he went on completely oblivious he would end up rather worried about the safety of the boy with the pretty eyes.

He moved to follow after his companion once more when suddenly Qiu Shui seemed to slip, going tumbling on forward and into the front of a shop, "He is... not graceful." Xiulong muttered to himself, giving a slight shake of his head before quickly follow along after him, a look of worry on his face. He really did hope that he was alright... as he got closer he could see the manner in which he was rubbing himself on the forehead, something that made the dragon wince a little bit.

When the old man with the fat belly appeared from the shop, looking quite displeased with the noise that Qiui Shui had been making, he hurried forward to Qiu Shui's side, reaching out to him to rest a hand on the back of his companion's neck to push him to bow and followed suit, "Please forgive my friend, he has about the same amount of natural grace as a three legged horse." He said to the man, it was a lie as he had seen him at his most graceful and most beautiful, he was just hoping that if they were to apologize and bow in such a manner that they would be able to get Qiu Shui out of trouble. Not that Xiulong would let this fat old man touch what was his... in fact he had to keep his eyes downcast for a moment to get his anger under control. He had many things to learn to control like his temperament and his possessive nature among others.

This wasn't really how he wanted to greet Qiu Shui today but at least he was able to be close to him he thought to himself.

Xiulong lifted his gaze to stare hard at the man that suddenly picked up Qiu Shui, not only touching what was his but taking it from him, scolding him as though he weren't taking good care of him and was going to make him ill... he felt his anger rising despite himself, wanting to snap at the fat one when suddenly Qiu Shui spoke... not to him though, to the one that was standing there in front of him. He blinked his blue eyes a couple times, then gave a sound in his throat of displeasure.

If his mood was already one that was quite low it became more so when the man offered Qiu Shui a fresh set of clothing to keep him from getting in trouble with the madame then headed inside... and it would seem as though Qiu Shui were following along after him without so much as a word to Xiulong. He stood there a bit dumbfounded as the boy left him there without so much as a word, something that had him starring dumbly. He wasn't even going to say a word to him? There was a voice in the back of his mind that told him of course Qiu Shui wanted nothing to do with him, after all he hadn't given him any coin this time around had he?

The angry thought, one that was targeted at Qiu Shui, was shoved aside as he didn't want to think that. Surely that wasn't right... Qiu Shui was his, he wouldn't require gold of him just to give him a greeting, right? He couldn't be sure... he wanted to believe desperately that he was wrong, that at least this part of his life wasn't an illusion as he'd found out his position in the gang had been. The men of the gang didn't like them, they pretended because of Qiang Di's influence... surely it wasn't the same with Qiu Shui? He wasn't just pretending to like him because of the coin? That was his job wasn't it? In a rather miserable mood now the bluenette moved to tried to follow after the dark hair boy, forcing all of his feelings down so that his face was looking neutral now as he tried to get closer to what he still saw as his.

Xiulong gave a little shrug of one shoulder when the man mentioned that it was cold, it was ab obvious thing since there was snow on the ground outside but he wasn't about to admit to being cold or that he'd gotten snow in his shoes which was uncomfortable, people like him didn't complain about such foolish things. This man didn't seem to be so worried about pride though when it came to such things since he claimed that he was cold... odd, one would think a man that age would have a lot of pride. Then again he also said he cooked... A cook didn't strike him as being on the same level as someone like Qiang Di though that could be his biased talking.

"I eat just fine, I have just been training day and night of late to try to catch up with my Master." He said, hackles rising a little when the fat man said he was skinny and he was surprised he could move around outside without dying. As though he were so weak! His arms crossed over his chest and he gave the man a long look, "A little cold is nothing in comparison to what Tian Mi puts me through on a daily basis." He said simply, keeping his temper in check since it seemed that Qiu Shui had business with this person that he didn't want to interfere with.

He looked toward the man was holding, what he referred to as his 'pride and joy' and he found himself more then a little curious as to how someone's pride could be contained within something that they were able to hold instead of being inside of himself. Strange...

His attention was drawn away from the item that was Liang Shueng's pride and joy and over to Qiu Shui. He starred at him for a long while as he appeared, dressed differently. He watched in silence as he came over and was suddenly pressed to his side, clinging to him and hugging him. His eyes went a little wide as the dark haired boy begged him for forgiveness saying he was more tired then he'd thought he was, "I see..." He murmured, lifting one hand up to rest it on his head, ruffling his hair gently, "I suppose I can forgive you, your my most favorite person after all." Other then his Master of course but the difference between the two were vast as was the part each played in his life. One day it would different, when he was older it would be Qiu Shui that was more important to him then Master Di.

Xiulong gave a hissing sound, giving Lian Shueng a rather dark look when he laid a hand on Qiu Shui, feeling that same overwhelming urge to stab the man that he got when anyone looked at, touched, or got to close to Qiu Shui. He shook off the feeling and then followed after the dark haired boy, out of the shop and away from the man that seemed to be far to hands on for his own good, "Bah... I hate how it seems everyone is always wanting to get so hands on with you." He muttered when they were outside, glancing over at the other boy when he gave a yawn and spoke about going home.

"You have to go already?" He asked, then looked at what he was holding in his hands, "I suppose I understand... you are busy." After all he was off on an errand just as Xiulong was only unlike him Qiu Shui had gotten a lot farther along with his own errand then Xiulong had himself. He needed to get moving if he was ever going to Pharmacist. Still he didn't like it at all, that he had just found him again after so long and they wouldn't even be able to spend a pleasant moment together. Instead he would have to see him off so quickly...

Giving a sigh the bluenette leaned in closer to press a kiss to Qiu Shui's temple, "Come on, I will walk back with you then." He said, giving him a smile. He would spend as much time as possible with the other boy before having to give him back to his real life... or at least his real life for the time being that was, it would change one day. Or so Xiulong hoped.

Xiulong's mind was wandering a bit, worry filling him. Perhaps his earlier worries were right? What if Qiu Shui really had no interest in him when he wasn't giving him the gold that his Madame required? As he said in his business he had to be noticed, had to allow others to be hands on with him... and likely he was just another of those men. He said he needed to get home, wanted to rest because he'd had a long night... gritting his teeth Xiulong put on a neutral expression as they continued along toward the destination.

"Best we get you back then, I need to run my own errands for Master Di before I am able to rest." And who knew how long he'd be able to rest before he was back up and training to become successor... his goal to become that was because he wanted to be powerful enough to claim Qiu Shui... but what if it didn't matter he found himself thinking, he was sure that the other boy had plenty of suitors, likely those who were stronger, those who weren't currently being pushed around and treated like dirt... he seemed to miss a lot of what Qiu Shui was saying about loving being at his side, that nothing made him happier, a slightly bitter part of him wondering if it were true or just a line. As such he didn't respond, just look on on ahead, seeming more and more on edge as they got closer to their destination, feeling his hackles rising that much more when he saw the place.

Turning to look over at Qiu Shui for a long moment he gave a sigh, "We made it back." He didn't like that they were so close, didn't like that Qiu Shui was carrying something important or else he wouldn't let him go so easily... but he was sure if whatever that stuff was got ruined it would be taken out on the pretty eyed boy. The worst part of him, a part that he didn't even acknowledge, felt the overwhelming urge to knock the bowl out of his hands... not even worth considering since he didn't want Qiu Shui hurt. Even if he were nothing to the other boy but someone to give him gold and fill his time on occasion Xiulong like him, needed him. Without him he was sure his goals would end up skewed if not just disappear all together... though he was sure there were many in the gang that would love to see that happen.

Xiulong blinked a couple times as Qiu Shui moved away from him for a moment thinking that he was planning on leaving, going to head inside where it was bound to be much warmer... but instead he merely put down the bowl he was holding and came back, wrapping himself around the bluenette who merely starred down at him for a long moment before he returned the gesture, resting his head against that of his fellow lotus child, eyes sinking shut as he enjoy a moment of silence and warmth.

"This are... getting harder at home... I learned what they really think of me, when Master Di isn't around they kick me, spit on me, and otherwise try to break me." He muttered, sounding more annoyed then he did disheartened, as though he were thinking on how the fools should be acting. They should look at him as the successor to Qiang Di's gang, they should give him the respect he deserved because one day he would be in charge! Those that doubted him would learn that he was going to be as strong if not stronger then his Master, he would show them all.

He drew back a little so he could look down at Qiu Shui for a long moment, taking in his pale features, his dark hair, those amazingly colored eyes of his, "Tell me... tell me its not the same with you, Qiu Shui... even if its a lie tell me that everything we have talked about is true, that its not just lies you tell me because I pay you to be nice." He murmured, his voice barely a whisper, almost sounding... afraid? As if scared that Qiu Shui would tell him that it was all an act brought about by the gold given to his Madame, gold that paid for his time and his affections. The bluenette didn't think he'd be able to take that...