A red panda

He didn't come for a while after that. I wondered if he stole it and was worried I'd tell someone. He knows I would never do that though...so why...? I look around and sigh.

"I don't have a partner..."

I mumble under my breath, I suddenly feel something tug on my sleeve. I turn around.

" Syaoran? Where did you-?....oh..."

A girl with brown hair and bright green eyes looks at me, her hand gripping my sleeve and another boy with light peach hair and the same eyes next to her. She smiles at me and lets go of my sleeve.

"Sorry, am I bothering you?"

I shake my head, studying them.

"No you're fine, did you need something?"

She nods and looks over at the boy.

"This here is Míng xiá, my brother and my name is Jiā lì. I was the girl that saw you hitting yourself the other night?"

I blink in surprise and bow my head in apologies.

"Sorry, I was being a fool, I must have frightened you."

She shakes her head and smiles, Míng xiá staying silent though he has some strange almost angry expression.

"Not at all, I'm sure you have your reasons. I thought about it and soon we will be training with real weapons...I just... thought it would be good to have more friends we can rely on. I watched you for a while and I thought you might agree to be friends"

I pause, friends?...I suppose it would be good, more connections more people on your side. However, it could very well be a disadvantage as well.

"Friends... perhaps that wouldn't be a bad idea, I think-"

"You're frail and you're always slapping yourself. Being friends with a girl like you would slow us down."

Me and Jiā lì stare at Míng xiá as he rudely interrupted me. I just stand there feeling insulted and on the verge of hitting him but as respect for his sister I don't do anything and smile darkly at him my eyebrow twitching in annoyance at this brat.

"Míng xiá! What did I say about being nice you idiotic child?"

"Sister she's completely useless to us not to mention a weirdo. She's always smacking herself and ending up injured and then she asked that strong, mysterious guy to be her partner in training."

I try my best to stay silent and calm.

"That is no reason to go out and say it to her face. Please forgive him he's a foolish boy that always looks at others'flaws before their assets."

I shake my head despite completely agreeing with her.

"It's alright"

I want to hit him hard.

"I didn't take it to heart so you're all good."

Míng xiá just huffs and avoids eye contact with me. I take a deep breath and then focus on Jiā lì.

"I am willing to accept your offer however I'd like to talk with my companion first. He's a lot smarter than me when it comes to decision making"

She smiles widely and takes my hand.

"Thank you so much! I'm really happy to hear that."

I smile slightly back.

"I didn't exactly get your name by the way"

"Ah-! Oh forgive my rudeness, my name is Xuě háizi."

She shakes her head.

"It's no problem, you have a lovely name."

"So we introduced ourselves and she can't even remember to do the same, she has no manners"

My smile drops immediately and I think about hitting him again only this time I want to use my wooden sword. Jiā lì hit's the back of his head and I look at her in surprise.

"I told you to stop being disrespectful didn't I?"

He rubs his head and scowls, I try my best not to smile in satisfaction.

"You didn't have to hit me for stating a fact."

She ignores him. I sigh and then feel a hand on my shoulder.

"Xuě háizi."

I recognise the voice immediately and turn to the side.

"Syaoran, it took you long enough, i was wondering if you'd gotten lost."

His eyes are hidden by his hair and I tilt my head.

"What's wrong?"

"Did that red panda insult you?"

Red- red panda? I notice him glaring daggers at Míng xiá and I hold in a laugh picturing him as an angry red panda.

"O-oh him? No it's-"

"You don't have to lie to be nice, I heard him speak I'll of you from the tent entrance"

Me and Jiā lì freeze and look at each other. She is sweating buckets whilst Míng xiá doesn't seem fazed. That little brat I can't and don't want to defend him but Jiā lì...

"Forgive him please, he's an idiot that needs to be truly disciplined."

Jiā lì says apologetically I look at her with sympathy, she doesn't deserve such a troublesome brother.

"Why are you apologising to this person sis, he can't tell me what to do. Let's not get associated with them and leave already."

He's crossing the line now.

"You-!"

"Red panda. How about we have a little game."

Jiā lì and I look over at Syaoran in surprise as he looks at Míng xiá.

"Oh yeah? In what exactly."

"A simple sword match. Three rounds, if I win you apologize to your sister and Xuě háizi sincerely for your disrespect. If you win, I'll do whatever you want."

"Oh yeah?"

My jaw almost droppes to the floor and I stared at him. Me and Jiā lì simultaneously speak.

"You really don't have to!"

"Syaoran you don't have to!"

He looks over at me.

"Trust me on this, a punk like that couldn't beat me in martial arts. Not with his attitude."

I sigh, he's made up his mind. He then turns to Jiā lì.

"Are you okay with this?"

She looks hesitant.

"I won't harm your brother"

She sighs and nods to him.

"Alright then, he does need to be taught a lesson"

"Challenge accepted Mr mysterious. I'll crush you"

I look away unamused, that kids bought to get his ass beat. I won't act worried anymore if he gets hurt.

"Trust me"

I look over at him and smile with crossed arms.

"I do"

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