"An important thing to remember," Huo Linghun instructed as he led Xiao Xin through a series of simple sword moves, "is to stay calm. A fight involves a lot more than just hitting and slashing; it requires you to keep your wits about you."

Xiao Xin was focused on his every move and every word, silently trying to mimic his slow swings while listening.

"If you lose yourself to rage, you also lose your head," Huo Linghun continued. "And more often than not that leads to you losing the fight. Or worse."

This was something Huo Linghun was still trying to learn. It was very easy to lose one's temper in a fight, giving the enemy the upper hand. When it got to that point simply losing the fight was not too bad an outcome, considering that losing one's life was also a possibility.

"Remember that, Xiao Xin," he said. "Fight with mind and body, not just body."

"I'll remember," Xiao Xin replied.

"Good," Huo Linghun said, putting his sword away. "That's enough for tonight."

The next morning they were rudely awakened by someone barging into their bamboo clearing. Huo Linghun jumped to his feet, hand on his sword, ready for anything. Xiao Xin struggled to untangle himself from the blankets for a while before also staggering to his feet with a blanket still dangling from his horn.

The newcomer looked rich, large, and angry, and as he lifted his sword to point it at Huo Linghun he said, "Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we? You and I both know we're not here for small talk."

"I'm not here to talk to you at all," Huo Lingwun replied, subtly directing Xiao Xin to move farther away. "Who are you?"

"I'm the great Shou," the newcomer replied. "We never met personally, but I have been looking for you."

"Why?" Huo Linghun asked.

But the great Shou didn't answer. He lunged forward with his sword, but Huo Linghun was ready. His own sword flashed and clanged as it met Shou's and he easily deflected the attack.

"I don't wish to fight with you," Huo Linghun said, making no move of his own. But Shou clearly didn't care about his wishes as he attacked again and again. Huo Linghun was confused but calm and Shou's sword struck only metal each time, not skin.

Seeing that he wasn't making any progress Shou's attacks slowed a bit. "You need to give back what you took from me," he said.

"You're mistaken, I've never taken anything from anyone," Huo Linghun explained.

"You did, and sales haven't been as good lately because of you," Shou said.

"Sales? I..." Huo Linghun began, still very confused, until he saw Shou glance behind him, toward Xiao Xin.

The fur traders.

The single thought brought flames licking at the edge of his vision. The illegal fur traders from whom he rescued Xiao Xin. Shou must be their leader. The fact that he referred to Xiao XIn as something that was his, something that had been taken from him, only fanned the fire that threatened to consume Huo Linghun.

He leaped into his first attack with a furious shout of, "YOU!" He was so angry he couldn't say any more than that, his voice escaping him in wordless yells instead. He swung and slashed and stabbed with no strategy in mind, and Shou easily evaded and deflected him. He was so blinded by his anger, by the fire that burned in his head, that he didn't see Shou's sword in time to dodge.

The sword connected with his shoulder with enough force to send him flying backward into the edge of the bamboo. But he wanted to make Shou pay so much that he didn't even care, didn't feel the bleeding cut on his arm. He leaped back to his feet and was about to charge back into the fight when a gentle hand landed lightly on his arm. It was as light as a bamboo leaf yet it halted him as if it held the weight of an ox.

"L-Linghun," Xiao Xin's soft voice came from behind him. "Don't... don't lose yourself to rage."

Huo Linghun turned his head to meet Xiao Xin's worried gaze- much like that first day he met him. And just like that day, the roaring fire within him was washed away. He was still very angry, but he knew if he wanted to keep Xiao Xin safe he had to stay calm. He knew he couldn't let himself lose this fight, lose his life, and leave Xiao Xin all alone.

When he rushed back out into the fight their swords clashed again and again. Whenever he felt the fire of rage growing within him he looked to Xiao Xin, his Xiao Xin, and a still fiery yet calm determination replaced his anger.

Eventually he was able to break past Shou's defenses and injure him a few times. It was enough to send him running back out of the bamboo forest, shouting threats and promises of return. Huo Linghun couldn't stand the sight of him escaping without proper punishment; he took a few running steps after him. But then a body collided with his, trembling and clinging to him and bringing his mind back from where it had been teetering on the edge of a blazing abyss.

"I thought I was losing you," Xiao Xin whispered through his tears.

Huo Linghun dropped his sword and wrapped his arms tightly around Xiao Xin. "I'm sorry, Xiao Xin," he said softly. "I'm sorry. Thank you for... bringing me back."

As they held each other in the clearing Huo Linghun silently promised that he'd do everything he could to never give in to rage again.