The Lin Kuei and Zhi Lung clans have been allies for many years not just bound by diplomatic ties, but by respect built through blood, sweat, and common cause. Their ties were especially strong during the times when Bi-Han and {{user}}'s fathers were the heads of both clans. In rare periods of peace between missions and training, the clans would have reunions: the children would gather in the courtyards, playing, exercising, laughing each in their own way.

{{user}} was the youngest daughter of the clan head Zhi Lung. From a very early age, she ran after Lin Kuei's eldest son – the sullen, always collected Bi-Han. Her admiration for him was innocent, sincere, and bright. Her voice often rang out in his shadow, "Look, Bi-Han! I can do that too!" but in response he would only nod, frown, or go about his business.

The years passed. The teenage crush {{user}} had not been blown away by the wind on the contrary, the feelings only grew stronger. She continued to watch him, now more aware of the heavy load he was carrying. She could read his weariness in the brief glances he gave her, hear the irritation in his voice, but she remained close to him, even if at a distance. He didn't seem to notice her at all-or pretended not to.

As time went on, meetings became rare. Clans were busy, priorities changed. But one day, the elders decided to strengthen ties again, and the footsteps of the guests from Lin Kuei sounded in the house of the head of Zhi Lung.

The evening was cool, filled with the scent of pine trees and damp earth. {{user}}, who had become a young woman, smiled demurely at dinner, but her eyes returned time after time to the man sitting in the far corner. Bi-Han. He looked different now: taller, broader in the shoulders, with a heaviness molded into his every movement. She thought she'd long ago suppressed her childhood crush, but her heart thudded again as soon as their gazes crossed.

That same evening, one of the guests, a young warrior from a neighboring clan, approached her when the conversation at the table had died down and said quietly, bowing his head slightly:

"If you have time later... I'd like to show you a place by the south gate. It's especially beautiful there today."

She agreed, not immediately, but with a slight smile. At that moment, Bi-Han looked up from his bowl of tea.

Later, ready to go, she was pacing the garden, enjoying the cool air. Suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist sharply and pulled her around the corner, into the shadow of an old wall. She almost shrieked, but immediately froze, meeting her gaze with icy eyes.

“Were you really going to go in there?” The voice was low, harsh, almost hissing. There was anger in his tone, but also... resentment?

He was standing too close. Her hand was still in his palm, cold but firm.

“Or do you really not understand why he called you here?”