ONCE Luo Yan opened his eyes, they were already back at the demon fox village.  Then, feeling the warmth in his hand, he realized that he and Shen Ji Yun was still holding hands.  The other seemed to just realize it because he suddenly let go of his hand as if burned.

"I- I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to hold your hand for that long," Shen Ji Yun said, clearly flustered.

Luo Yan looked at Shen Ji Yun and smiled.  "I don't mind.  I like holding Brother Ji Yun's hand."

The other's blush only intensified.  Seriously, this guy.  One moment, he was confident, the next, he was blushing.  He found this gap really adorable.  But sometimes, it could also be a bit frustrating. 

It's like no matter how much he hinted that he liked the other, it would just all go over Shen Ji Yun's head.  Because for some weird reason, this guy probably never thought that it was possible for something like that to happen.  He would probably only believe it once Luo Yan told it to him straight to his face.  But even then, there might still be a possibility that he would not.

He had been lamenting over that from time to time.  And although it was really frustrating at times, it didn't mean that he was losing patience.  If it's for Shen Ji Yun, then he had all the patience in the world.  Besides, it's not as if they lacked time.  Reaching the point where holding hands would be natural for them, it would definitely happen.  Even if not now or the next day, it would surely happen in the future.

So, what he had to do was to work hard to ensure that such future existed.

Luo Yan no longer worry about that and just telepathically contacted Eclipse.  [Eclipse, we're back here in the village.  Are you still in your aunt's house?]

It didn't take long for him to receive the other's reply.  [No, Eclipse is playing with the other kids.  Is Mashter at the entrance?  Eclipse will go there to meet you!]

Luo Yan raised one brow.  If the other was already playing, it meant that he was already emotionally stable and he was no longer affected by what happened with the Dark Saint.  But more importantly, based on his tone of voice, it seemed that the other didn't meet Dusk yet. 

Dusk might be on his way here.  After all, he flew and didn't teleport like them.  Or he went to a different place.  Whatever the case, they were sure that he would come back here.  Because Eclipse was here – the child that his friend entrusted to him.

[No, let's just meet at your aunt's house.] – he said to Eclipse.

Since Shirayuki's place was quite isolated from the other houses in the village, it's the good location, away from the prying eyes of the other kitsunes. 

"Brother Ji Yun, let's go to Shirayuki's place," he said, glancing at Shen Ji Yun beside him.  The other had already calmed down and was now back to his usual expressionless face.  "Eclipse will meet us there."

"Okay."

As they walked, the kitsunes they met along the way nodded to them politely.  Totally far from how they were treated the first time they went here.  It's probably mainly because of Eclipse. 

When that little guy was introduced to the tribe, everyone welcomed him with open arms.  After all, he was Kagetsuki's child.  The only thing left by their former leader.  But it was not all because of that.  It was because of Eclipse's personality that he managed to win over the hearts of everyone.  Now, the little guy was simply a celebrity here.

They soon arrived at Shirayuki's place.  Eclipse was sitting on a branch of a tree near the house.  He quickly jumped down and called;

"Mashter!  Captain!"  Eclipse effortlessly landed in front of the two.  Then, he looked behind them as if expecting to see another person.  "Where's Uncle?"

Luo Yan gently ruffled the little boy's hair.  "He'll come later."

"Is he okay?  Are all his memories back?" Eclipse asked tentatively. 

Luo Yan was a bit surprised that Eclipse knew about it.  Then, as if noticing his expression, Shen Ji Yun said;

"Dusk mentioned it to him before we left and teleported to the Forest of Darkness."

Luo Yan nodded before turning back to Eclipse and answering his question.  "Yes, his memories are all back."

Eclipse began to fidget, pinching the hem of his shirt as if he was worried about something.  "Would- would Uncle be different now that his memories are back?  Would he not like Eclipse anymore?"

Luo Yan almost said, 'when did Dusk ever show affection?'.  But he stopped himself in time.  That would be too much of a hard hit.  Although the black dragon wasn't really one to show that kind of emotion outwardly, he was sure that the other truly cared for Eclipse.

He was about to comfort the kid when a tall figure suddenly landed near them.  He had long black hair and a pair of dragon wings on his back.  Those wings disappeared the moment he landed.

"Uncle!" Eclipse called while running towards Dusk as if planning to hug the other.

But Dusk easily stopped him on his tracks by pressing on his forehead.  "What got you so excited?" 

Eclipse immediately pouted.  "Eclipse is just happy to see Uncle.  But it seems like that's not the case for Uncle at all."

Dusk ruffled Eclipse's hair.  But unlike Luo Yan's gentle way, he completely turned the other's hair into a bird's nest.

Luo Yan observed the black dragon.  The corners of his eyes were a bit red, the only evidence left that he cried.  Other than that, he seemed to have stabilized his emotions.  But if one look closely, there was still an air of gloom surrounding him.  Indicating that he was still not completely alright. But that was already to be expected.  After all, it had only been, what, half an hour since he got his memories back?

"Uncle, stop messing with Eclipse's hair," the little boy complained.

Instead of acquiescing, Dusk said instead, "Where's your aunt?  I need to speak to her."

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