Wu Chen felt a little more like himself after a nice breakfast and a quick face wash. He attempted to clothe himself in his battle robes, but Yang Hao was having none of it. In little more time than it would take to pour a cup of tea, he had expertly fixed the sloppy robes, and stood behind a squirming Wu Chen as he attempted to create a neat ponytail for the days festivities.

'Are you almost done, Yang Hao?' Wu Chen asked yet again. He didn't want to miss any of the duels. He waited all year for this day.

'I would be, if a certain second young master would sit as still as he does when circulating his qi.' Quipped the stalwart manservant. He chuckled to himself softly. His normally reserved young master always got impatient during the festival.

'Wu Chen,' Spoke a deep voice from the window, 'stop torturing the poor man, and sit still.'

Wu Chen felt his heart stop for a beat. What was Lu Yong doing standing at his window? He glanced over and was shocked to see that he wasn't just standing outside it. He was resting casually on the sill, his arms pillowing his chin as he watched Yang Hao finish his hair. He couldn't help the flush that quickly reddened his ears. Could Lu Yong's face be any thicker?

'There!' Yang Hao patted his back affectionately, 'All done! Now, who might this handsome one be, second young master?' His inquisitive eyes sparkled as he glanced between the two men.

'Yang Hao, this is my Guardian, Lu Yong.' Wu Chen replied through clenched teeth. Lu Yong happily waved from the window at the smiling servant, then turned his back as Wu Chen angrily strapped on his swords. He hoped his day got better because it certainly couldn't get much worse.

Wu Chen practically stomped out of the little house, his eyes blazing. He'd promised to meet up with Wu Ying near the makeshift battle arenas early so they could get signed up and still get good seats for the top listed contestants. He was already fairly late, and between the nightmare and his Guardian, he was feeling rather flustered.

Thankfully, Lu Yong seemed to notice his disagreeable mood, and he was left to his own devices. His eyes soon spotted his older brother, and he waved as he quickly made his way to the sign up tables. In the mood he was in, he needed a few fights just to get the bad blood out of his system.

************************************************

Lu Yong watched Wu Chen stomp away, his eyebrow arched at his unusual behavior. What had gotten into him? It was more than his quick teasing at the window, that was for sure. A quiet humming emerged through the window he had recently vacated, and Lu Yong smiled as he walked casually to the door of the little house.

In no time at all, he was seated at a cleared table with a nice cup of tea. The kindly Yang Hao was chewing his lip and glancing occasionally at the striking man across from him. Lu Yong waited patiently as he sipped the fragrant brew.

'Lu xiansheng, I think you are right. If you are both traveling together, and this should happen, you'll need to know what you're dealing with.' Yang Hao glanced nervously up at the imposing man.

Lu Yong nodded encouragingly at the fidgety servant. He was honestly impressed. Normally, servants were eager to talk about their masters or mistresses behind their backs. This Yang Hao, however, was a tough nut to crack. His only thought was the safety of his young charge. Lu Yong liked him immediately.

Yang Hao took a full gulp of tea and stared up at the one who would be in charge of his second young master's life soon. Finally deciding to trust him, his old head drooped sadly toward the table, and he mumbled, 'He has nightmares.' He glanced up again and was encouraged by Lu Yong's nod.

'They started when he was young. But if you ask me, these aren't normal nightmares. You can't wake him, for one. I know, I've tried everything. You're just forced to watch and listen without being able to do anything to stop it. That's not normal!' Yang Hao banged his fist on the table to emphasize his words, his eyes burning with years of frustration. He steadied himself and took a deep, calming breath.

His shaking hands encircled his cup, and he looked vacantly into the distance. His voice softened, quivering with emotion as he continued, 'When he's trapped in the dream, sometimes he screams and cries like a demon is ripping his soul out. Other times, he curls into a ball and shakes and groans like he's enduring something terrible. Thankfully, those nightmares don't happen as often. Usually, he just trembles and whimpers like he's terribly afraid of something or someone.'

The normally taciturn servant glanced up at Lu Yong with tears in his eyes, 'It's torture. That's what it is. The only good thing is that he can only remember bits and pieces after.' The old servant's shoulders slumped, and his misty eyes dropped down to the teacup on the table. He suddenly seemed very tired and much, much older.

'I wish I could do more to help my little master.' He mumbled, and with those last heartfelt words, his voice dropped off into pained silence. The old servant's tears slipped unheeded down his weathered cheek.

There was no sound in the little house but his soft sniffling for some time.

Lu Yong had gone very pale. Yang Hao was right. These terrifying dreams didn't sound like the average nightmares experienced by the general populace. As his mind struggled with the implications of the old man's story, his heart began to race, and his brow furrowed with questions he desperately needed answers to.

Were these nightmares some kind of residual effect of Wu Chen's rebirth, or were they actual memories of his previous life? It was a terrifying thought. If any of his suspicions were true, then that led to the question most in need of an answer. Why send him back with any memories at all? Even if they were buried deep down in his soul where he couldn't consciously find them, it still seemed unnecessarily cruel.

Lu Yong was riddled with guilt, and his head dropped down in self-disgust and frustration. It wasn't worth it. His life wasn't worth... this. It hadn't been then, and it was even less so now. He should have known that three centuries of servitude wouldn't simply be wiped clean with Wu Chen's rebirth. It had really been too much to hope for. He owed that man so much. He would never be able to repay what he'd gone through even if he had ten lifetimes to do it.

The sensitive servant noticed the pain and sadness now etched on the face of his master's Guardian, and he quickly grabbed his handkerchief and wiped his eyes.

'Aiyo!' he began with a watery smile as he patted the man's hand in understanding, 'It's not always like this. Don't be too worried about the young master, hmm? He hasn't had these nightmares for many years. I don't know why he suddenly had one last night. Let's just hope it was a one-time thing, and he'll be back to his elegant self in no time!'

Yang Hao quietly poured them each another cup of tea and pushed one towards his upset guest. He watched the man struggle for a moment, then he quietly admonished, 'Lu xiansheng, drink your tea.'

************************************************

The line had grown noticeably shorter by the time the young man sauntered over. More than one head turned as he casually joined the cultivators waiting to sign up for the festival, his hands tucked neatly within the folds of his sleeves. He carried himself like a noble, his brows arched over burning dark eyes, his lips wearing a relaxed smile.

He looked to be only 22. His rich red robes easily stood out amongst their understated clan colors, though no one could deny that they complimented his pale jade skin very nicely. His long, dark hair flowed down his back like a nighttime stream that lapped gently against the belt where a long sword hung in an intricate leather scabbard. It wasn't all loose, however. In a show of prudence, he had pulled it back from his face in a half-topknot adorned with a simple red ribbon that fluttered behind him as he walked.

Not only was he a new face, he was a handsome new face.

It took a bit, but he finally reached the very bored clanswoman in charge of signing everyone up for the competition.

'Name?' The young woman asked without even raising her eyes.

'Chu Haoyu' He stated proudly. He watched as she filled it in to be sure she got it right.

'Uh-huh. Clan or Sect?' She leaned over and quickly filled her brush, then waited for his answer to add to the scroll in front of her.

'Um, I'm a rogue. Is that acceptable here?' He queried, pretending to be nervous.

'Sure,' She replied. 'Just let me know your qi element.'

Chu Haoyu placed his fingers lightly on the table separating them and leaned in close to the young woman, who suddenly seemed to be a lot less bored. She gulped as she found herself ensnared by a dark set of smoldering eyes.

'My element?' He raised an elegant brow and leaned in even closer to whisper into the poor girl's ear, making her blush as his breath gently caressed her skin, 'My element is fire!'