by lemjo61 (Marie Bisset)
Warning: This story is rated Mature (18+) for sexual content
Synopsis: Bai Qian's entire world comes crashing down around her in one night. After losing everything she holds dear, will Bai Qian find a way to pick up the pieces of her life and learn to really live again? _____ A Ten Miles of Peach Blossom alternate universe Bai Qian/Ye Hua fanfiction.
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Prologue
The ice-cold fingers of death tightened their firm grip on the Fox Den, slowly squeezing away all traces of life. The air within the Fox Den was suffocating due to the stench of blood. The walls of the main cavern were awash with splatters of deep red. Every harsh wet breath he struggled to inhale…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 1: A Quiet Rumor
Fifty thousand years later: Ye Hua walked with determined strides along the stone path that weaved through the divine lotus gardens of the Heavens. His formal black robes billowed around his legs with every step he took. The sides of his long, raven hair were pulled away from his face and into an intricate braided…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 2: A Forgotten Land
Forgotten. That was the word that entered Ye Hua’s mind as he gazed thoughtfully out over the deserted land of Qing Qiu for the first time. Qing Qiu was a place that had been forgotten by the world of the living. He didn’t know the last time his father had sent scouts to Qing Qiu…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 3: The Abandoned Fox Den
An oppressive and unnatural silence descended upon them as Ye Hua and Zhe Yan reached the dark entrance leading into the main cavern of the Fox Den. Ye Hua saw Zhe Yan hesitate to move forward out of the corner of his eye. He turned to face his friend, seeing unease and something akin to…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 4: A Forest of Peaches
The peach tree forest was a place of unique beauty. It may have only been a short walk away from the Fox Den and the border of Qing Qiu but Ye Hua felt like he was stepping into a completely different world when he followed Zhe Yan to the outskirts of the forest. The serene…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 5: A Fleeting Glimpse
Bai Qian squeezed between two trees before sneaking under a dense patch of underbrush, ignoring the small tug on one of her tails when it became caught on an exposed twig. Her deft movements were graceful and stealthy as she effortlessly traveled the forest floor, her fox focused intently on the scent trail left behind…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 6: The Dragon Begins to Prowl
Ye Hua approached the border of the peach tree forest with single-minded purpose early the next morning. He stopped only when he had reached the top of the hill he had been standing on with Zhe Yan the day before, the hill overlooking his friend’s land. He took a silent moment to admire the peaceful…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 7: Trying a New Approach
Ye Hua sat at the desk in his study, silently brooding over his lack of progress in the search for Bai Qian. It had been three weeks since the search began. Ye Hua had walked every part of the forest that was accessible to him and had found nothing other than a strange nagging feeling…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 8: A Renewal of Hope
Ye Hua scowled when he checked the last of his snares for the day. It was empty just like all the rest had been. They had all remained free of paw prints or tufts of white fur for the last couple of weeks, ever since he had placed them throughout the forest. He continued to…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 9: A Beautiful Fox
Ye Hua awoke feeling refreshed and energized early the next morning. He had stayed on Kunlun Mountain well into the night to help Mo Yuan finish off the wine but, to his surprise, he suffered no lingering aftereffects from the strong alcohol. He wasn’t sure if it was because King Zhao Hui had magically altered…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 10: Know Your Enemy
“Bai Qian.” The softly-spoken words lingered in the still air between the fox and the dragon as they faced each other for the first time. A multitude of thoughts raced through the fox’s mind and her heart sank as she realized what his words meant; the dragon knew who she was. Bai Qian had been…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 11: A Son’s Comfort
The familiar scent of lotus flowers greeted Ye Hua when he appeared in a quiet and secluded nook located in the middle of the Blessed Water Gardens. The spot had an area of soft grass with a raised bed of yellow flowers and was hidden from view when walking along any of the main pathways…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 12: Making Plans
Crouched behind a large log, Bai Qian waited patiently at the southern edge of peach trees. Her hiding spot provided her the best view of the quaint village located just on the outskirts of the forest. The warm and inviting glow of candlelight illuminating the windows of the different homes beckoned her to move closer…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 13: Ye Hua’s Perfect Plan
“Ye Hua, about this perfect plan of yours. Are you absolutely sure that’s the approach you want to use? Maybe you should think it over a little more.” “Why? You don’t think it’s a good plan?” “No, I think it’s a terrible plan.” “What’s wrong with it? You just said yourself that women like taking…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 14: The Good Intentions of a Friend
Humming a jaunty drinking song he had heard during his most recent visit to the Mortal Realm, Zhe Yan picked a ripe peach from a tree he chose at random, waving his hand over the fruit to remove the water droplets still clinging to its fuzzy skin from the recent rain shower. He bit into…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 15: A Promise Made
Wearing a solemn expression and a slate-grey robe to match his serious thoughts, Ye Hua approached the small shrine outside the Fox Den with quiet footsteps. He noticed the oppressive heaviness in the air Zhe Yan had pointed out to him this time when he had not felt it previously. It weighed him down. The…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 16: A Gift Given
Bai Qian was bored. And so was her fox. Sitting on a hard and uncomfortable marble bench in the corner of the courtyard, she swung her legs back and forth to count the minutes the way Si Ge had taught her. If she moved her arms or legs (or tails) in just the right rhythm,…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 17: A Changing Heart
With conflicted thoughts and her emotions a maelstrom of confusion, Bai Qian couldn’t say how long she spent sitting in the middle of the dirt path, the tips of her tails twitching as she studied the characters of her name written on the paper scroll before her. She wasn’t sure whether she should open it…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 18: A Reflection of the Soul
Ye Hua couldn’t concentrate. Upon his return to the Heavens, Ye Hua had hurried to the palace, eager to speak with his parents, only to find they were both occupied elsewhere for the evening. Knowing his plan was not urgent enough to interrupt them, Ye Hua debated whether he wanted to stay there and wait…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 19: A Recipe to Follow
There was an unmistakable mood of excitement in the air during breakfast on Kunlun Mountain that morning. Mo Yuan had asked Master Yingjie, his and Ye Hua’s favorite sword instructor when they were young, to pay a visit to his disciples and share some of his knowledge. The ancient god was almost as old as…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 20: A Meal for Two
For the first time in several months, Bai Qian’s slumber had been quiet and peaceful. There had been no violent nightmares invading her sleep and none of the bittersweet dreams of days past that left a lonely ache in her heart upon waking; there had been nothing but blissful silence. She woke later than normal…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 21: Night Watch
Wanting to use the cover of darkness to help conceal his presence, Weisheng waited until after sunset to step foot in Qing Qiu. And even then, he kept a barrier wrapped around him and didn’t stray far from the outskirts of the deserted Fox Lands, keeping to the depths of the deepest shadows. He knew…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 22: A Wonderful Dream
“Is everything okay, Qian Qian?” Wondering if Bai Qian had sensed the same intrusion into the forest his dragon had, Ye Hua broke eye contact with her to gaze into the peach trees, searching the dark once again for anything that might pose a threat to her. Had she sought him out because she feared…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 23: Gentle Understanding
Her fox’s excited joy at having a name to call her own was contagious. It lessened some of the dismayed embarrassment Bai Qian felt upon learning of the events of the previous night. It had taken some coaxing but Bai Qian had managed to get most of the story out of her mischievous animal spirit…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 24: The Breath of the Forest
Warm rays from the late morning sun reached down through the tree branches, casting a dappled pattern of light and shades of gray upon the forest floor. The air was still and peaceful without a single cloud in the vivid blue sky. The sweet fragrance of peach blossoms permeated everything. And, most importantly, Bai Qian…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 25: The Love of a Dragon
Once she was well away from the ancient heart of the peach grove, Bai Qian’s pace slowed from a run to a trot before she stopped at the edge of her meadow. She looked out over the familiar stretch of grass before looking behind at the trail she had just traveled. Conflicted over her decision…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 26: One Step at a Time
A gust of dragon magic and wind caressed her skin and hair as it brushed by her, a smiling Bai Qian breathed in the comforting scent of thunderstorms now infusing the warm summer air. She could hear his footsteps approaching from behind and happiness welled up inside her as he moved closer. The fluffy white…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 27: Flowers of Wisdom
Unable to concentrate, Bai Qian sighed, setting aside the scroll she had been trying to read aloud. She enjoyed the simple children’s tale written on the worn paper but many of the words were fading with age. Her limited magic could only preserve the ink for so long and it was particularly difficult for her…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 28: In Silence
Ye Hua missed Bai Qian already. Leaving her today was more difficult than he had expected. He had agreed to meet Zhe Yan in the clouds above the peach tree forest and as he stood waiting for his friend to join him, his eyes constantly wandered back to the land beneath him. He stepped to…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 29: Back Home
The sound of voices greeted Ye Hua as he drew nearer to the cabin. One was the unmistakable cadence of his mother’s gentle voice; the other was softer and a bit hesitant when speaking certain words. That second voice was enchanting music to Ye Hua’s ears and it tugged on his soul, beckoning him closer…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 30: The Heart of the Story
Bai Qian felt safe and cozy leaning up against Ye Hua, her tails wrapped around her as she listened to him read the strange new story. His deep voice with its soothing cadences blended well with the background of steady rain and distant thunder outside and Bai Qian would slip into blissful contentment as he…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 31: A Smile for a Dragon
Ye Hua grinned when Bai Qian tugged his hand to guide him around a large log in the middle of their path, happy to follow wherever she led him. She knew the obstacles placed on her trails well and navigated them as effortlessly in her human form as she did when she was a fox……
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 32: Choices
“Captain Jinjing! Captain Jinjing!” The door behind him slammed open and Jinjing turned with a furious frown. “What is it?” he barked at the panicked soldier who came running into the room, stumbling clumsily in his haste. With his natural talents for stealth and secrecy and his uncanny ability to uncover carefully concealed truths, Jinjing…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 33: The Ties of Friendship
Feeling adventurous that morning, Bai Qian pressed a playful kiss to Ye Hua’s lips while he slept before settling her cheek back on his shoulder. Every morning brought a growing temptation to remain in bed with him like this until he awoke; Bai Qian was waiting a little longer every day before leaving the cabin.…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 34: A Visit to the Heavens
Frowning from his place at his desk, Weisheng considered Jinjing’s latest news before responding to the general. Jinjing had arrived outside the Demon Palace only minutes ago, demanding to speak with Weisheng about something urgent. Unplanned visits annoyed the Demon King but he had not denied Jinjing entrance into his study, not when the general…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 35: What Lies Hidden
“Are you certain you don’t want to wait in Xiwu Palace?” Ye Hua asked Bai Qian for what must have been the fifteenth time. “Yes,” Bai Qian answered patiently, nodding her head with what she hoped was a confident smile to ease Ye Hua’s obvious worry. Now that she was here in the Blessed Water…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 36: Forging a New Path
Hugging her knees tight to her chest, Bai Qian huddled in a defensive position in the middle of a meadow. The air was unnaturally still and stagnant; not a single blade of grass stirred. The sky was a blank, uniform grey with no breaks in the cloud cover. Ye Hua’s customary spot next to her…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 37: The Shadows of Yesterday
Ye Hua waited outside the cabin where Bai Qian was changing her dress for their walk to Qing Qiu. He had changed out of his formal robes and into a pair of black pants and tunic. Then he had sent a message to his parents to let them know Bai Qian was safe and unharmed…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 38: The Light of Tomorrow
Mo Yuan is hunting me. The thought had been crashing its way through Jinjing’s mind all day, making it difficult for him to concentrate on anything else. The War God had made no formal announcement but word was spreading fast– Mo Yuan was hunting the traitor who had betrayed his brother. And Jinjing feared it…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 39: Kunlun Mountain
Formidable and awe-inspiring. Those were the words Bai Qian thought of when she first saw Kunlun Temple as she and Ye Hua approached the impressive structure. Kunlun Mountain itself was breathtaking. Bai Qian had never stood on the summit of so tall a mountain before. The panoramic view of the surrounding lands was magnificent. She…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 40: A Heartfelt Request
The black dragon grumbled for the hundredth time. Ye Hua sighed, looking up from the paper spread out on a wooden board before him and glanced at the wall separating his room from Bai Qian’s. It had been over two hours since he had said goodnight to her at the door of her room. Does…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 41: After a Kiss
Her knees remained on a plush mattress and yet warm night air now caressed the bare skin of her arms. The trilling of crickets calling into the darkness surrounded her. Leaves rustled softly overhead. Bai Qian knew where she was without even looking… the heart of the peach tree forest. Ye Hua had brought them…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 42: The Darkest of Spells
It was in the dead of night that Jinjing decided to make his move. He had long since ripped up his angry letter to Weisheng and burned it into ashes. Forget the letter. Jinjing needed to confront the Demon King in person. And he could take the opportunity to remedy another problem after he had…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 43: In the Quiet of Morning
Leaves rustled in soft murmurs above Ye Hua and a gentle peach blossom-scented breeze stirred his hair, waking him from a dreamless sleep. He tightened his protective embrace around the warm body sleeping next to him, smiling as images of the night before danced through his mind. Making love to Bai Qian had been perfect;…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 44: A Mindful Breath
A young boy wearing the ivory disciple’s robes of Kunlun bounded down the stairs of the temple, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste, when Bai Qian and Ye Hua arrived on Kunlun Mountain. Ye Hua tensed, prepared to catch him should he stumble and fall. He hid a smile when the boy…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 45: Sweet Confessions
Weisheng stared out over the mountainous terrain of his land from a private balcony of the Demon Palace, his cold green eyes filled with a calculating light as he reveled in the biting chill filling the air. This would always be his home but he wanted more than this frozen landscape and mountain fortress. He…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 46: A Sparring Match
Two months passed by in a blur as Bai Qian fell into a busy routine. Her days were devoted to training. Mo Yuan spent at least a couple of hours most mornings working with her on meditation. She had learned to channel her magic to her heart center and focus it there while meditating in…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 47: An Unexpected Proposal
“Can I get anything else for you, Lady Meixiu? Lady Bai Qian?” Die Feng asked at the end of the evening meal. The tables had been cleared and the murmur of boisterous voices had died down as Mo Yuan’s disciples prepared to complete their evening chores. “No. Thank you, Die Feng,” Bai Qian answered after…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 48: A Step Back
Despite having stayed up late, Bai Qian woke very early the next morning, staring up at the shadowed ceiling as she listened to Ye Hua’s steady breathing while he slept next to her. The euphoric mood from the night before had waned overnight and become muted like the soft rain that remained after a raging…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 49: A Transformation
The paper slipped from Jinjing’s suddenly weak fingers. The wax seal was broken but the note remained unread. He couldn’t make himself read the words written in the War God’s bold, precise handwriting. Not yet. What should I do? Jinjing hadn’t felt cornered to this extent in a long time. His instincts screamed at him…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 50: The Light of the Pearls
Bai Qian clasped Ye Hua’s hand tightly as she watched Heavenly Father and Mother kneel before her family’s memorial. They had left Kunlun Mountain to come to Qing Qiu shortly after the meeting that had revealed the possible identity of the traitor. The late morning sun was shining brightly in a clear, blue sky. The…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
CH 51: One Step Ahead
Bai Qian moved closer to Ye Hua when she saw a woman drop to the ground before him in a formal bow. The woman stood when Ye Hua spoke to put her at ease. Bai Qian stepped to his side, his mother and Meixiu remaining a few paces behind them. A name hovered on the…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 52: Out of Time
Bai Qian cleared away the last bits of debris from what remained of the potter’s workshop, moving a charred bench to the side with her magic. She was using her magic a lot more now compared to when she had first started cleaning up Baihu Village several weeks ago. Her magic was growing more powerful…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 53: Hidden
Ye Hua raised his arms to stretch out the kinks in his neck and shoulders. He’d been sorting through piles of debris with Zhe Yan for several hours now. The black dragon growled with unease and Ye Hua dropped his arms, tensing. He could no longer sense Bai Qian in the village. Where was she?…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 54: A Stalemate
The scents of pine and ice filled his snout as he searched the Demon Realm with growing desperation. Snow covered mountains sped by, the atmosphere frigid and unwelcoming against his black scales. The claps of thunder of his storm followed in his wake. Ye Hua and his dragon couldn’t find Bai Qian. Her power must…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 55: An Unbreakable Bond
Time slowed to a crawl. A strained, volatile silence settled over the snow-covered valley. Tiny details stood out to Bai Qian as she studied Jinjing, her eyes never straying from his for long. Some of his weight was shifted off of his right leg. His right arm hung at his side in an awkward position.…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 56: A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Night cradled the peach tree forest and its secluded cabin in a peaceful embrace. Bai Qian, still wrapped in the blanket Meixiu had given her, sat on a chair next to the bed, keeping silent watch over the small black dragon curled up on the mattress. He had not stirred since she carried him away…
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 57: Never to Leave
Where is Qian Qian? Where am I? A dull landscape blanketed in grey mist met Ye Hua’s gaze everywhere he looked. His surroundings were hazy, nondescript. He heard no sounds, detected no scents. He had no idea where he was or how he had gotten here. I have to find Qian Qian! She needs me. …
A Haven of Peach Blossoms
Ch 58: Epilogue
A chorus of excited laughter rang out from the children gathered around her as Bai Qian finished telling the adventurous tale. Sharing her father’s stories with the children of Qing Qiu was always one of the highlights of her week. The children, their numbers growing all the time to Bai Qian’s delight, would meet her…