Saving the last phoenix from extinction [BL]

Yuki handed Qi a cup of water and sat beside him, his hand on Qi's thigh. Qi sighed and looked at him.

"What? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Yuki opened his palm and a white rose sprouted from specks of light.

He handed the rose to Qi a wide smile on his lips," For you."

"For me? Why are you giving me a flower?"

"Whenever my mother feels sad or unhappy, I give mother a flower and she smiles."

Qi took the offered flower and twirled it with his fingers.

"What makes you think am either sad or unhappy?"

Yuki smiled," Easy. Here."

He pointed to his forehead before responding," Your brows are close together. You look exactly like my father when he is angry."

Qi chuckled and leaned against the chair, this child was indeed observant.

After a long while, Yuki lightly pat Qi's thigh and he turned to him with a raised brow.

"Mr. Qi, I have a question."

"Is it about what happened earlier?"

Yuki nodded and Qi smiled," What are you curious about kid, I'll answer all the questions you have."

"Those guys from before... who are they? Are they creatures like us?"

Qi shook his head," They are nothing like us."

"But... they look exactly like us..."

"Hey kid, listen to what I say carefully, they are not like us, they are beings called humans."

"Humans? What is that?"

"Hunters. The humans hunt our kind for their own selfish desires. Take for example the three guys from earlier. You noticed the clothes they had on right?"

Yuki nodded and Qi continued," Their armour was made from dragon scales. They hunted down and killed the dragons to obtain the scales."

Yuki shivered and Qi placed his hand on his shoulder.

"They... kill us?"

"Of course they do. We are valuable to them. We are the best ingredients for their research. In the future if you ever come across the humans, you had better turn around and leave. Understand?"

"But... not all humans are as you say right? Mom said that there is both good and evil in every living being."

Qi closed his eyes, pinching his nose. Just what were this kid's parents teaching him? Goodness in every living creature? What a joke. It was no wonder he was asked to look after him, with his way of thinking, he was bound to get himself into deep trouble one day.

"I think for some peace of mind, you and I will head somewhere," he said, standing up from the seat.

"Really? Where are we going?"

"Am taking you someplace you'd be safe from those hunters. They might have been defeated but who's to say they won't try and attack again?"

"Mr. Qi? What about my parents? They told me to wait for them at home."

"Your life is in danger and you're worried about your parents?"

"If those hunters do come again, Mr. Qi can just save me like he did today right?"

Qi flicked his forehead and Yuki rubbed his forehead a pout on his lips.

"Kid, you need to learn that not every stranger would pop out and help you whenever you're in trouble. You need to protect yourself without depending on an outsider's help."

"But..."

"Enough. We need to leave now if we want to make it by late afternoon tomorrow."

Yuki nodded," Then, I'll go pack my belongings and we'll be off."

He dashed to his room before Qi could speak up.

After a few hours, Yuki walked down the stairs, dragging a huge suitcase behind him. Qi studied him before turning to the huge bag behind him.

"What's all that?" He asked pointing to the bag.

"Oh, it's everything I have. Why? Is it too little?"

"Too little? Do you think that's too little?"

Yuki lowered his gaze," It's too much huh?"

Qi nodded his head, if they were to make it on time, they'd best travel light but looking at the expression on Yuki's face, if he so much as told him to lessen his belongings, the little one would definitely cry.

Qi rubbed his brows and walked towards the door.

"Let's get going."

Yuki hurriedly pulled the bag rushing after him.

They walked down the stony path in silence. The sun's light slowly disappeared into the horizon wrapping them in darkness.

A strong breeze blew and Yuki sneezed. Qi slightly turned his head looking at the boy behind him. His shoulders were visibly trembling yet he said nothing about the cold.

He noticed Qi's stare and smiled brightly.

"Are you cold?" Qi asked and Yuki shook his head.

"Am not cold."

Qi huffed, not cold? You're trembling so much and yet claim you aren't cold?

"Mr. Qi, where are we going? You haven't clearly told me."

"Am taking you to the human world."

"Huh? Human world? You said... achoo! Not too long ago... humans are... really dangerous... achoo!"

Yuki wiped his nose and Qi closed his eyes. He stopped and Yuki bumped into him.

He turned around and draped his coat over his trembling figure.

"Mr. Qi? I..."

"You'll catch a cold at this rate. Wear my coat for a while."

Yuki's fingers dug into the coat and he nodded.

"Thank you Mr. Qi."

Qi cleared his throat and turned his head away.

"Yes. I said humans are dangerous but there's a certain place in the human world that's safe."

"Really? I thought there wouldn't be a safe place among humans."

"Come on, we should hurry up if we want to make it to the entrance."

"Okay Mr. Qi," Yuki said.

They walked on in silence and after a long while, Yuki's feet began to ache. When Qi wasn't looking back, he slowed down carefully rubbing his sore feet.

"Let's set up camp here," Qi called out from a tall mahogany tree.

"Yes?"

Yuki heaved a sigh and rushed towards the tree. Qi was already settled in on a branch and Yuki looked at him from below the tree.

Qi noticed his stare and looked down," What is it?"

Yuki rubbed the back of his neck," I.. I've never really climbed a tree before so..."

Qi rested his head on his palm and looked at him,"... so you need my help getting up here?"

Yuki nodded and Qi shook his head," Am not helping you up. Do you remember what I said? You need to do things on your own, don't just sit around hoping for people to do things for you."

"Yes Mr. Qi," Yuki mumbled and walked to the tree bark.

His eyes scanned the tree from where he stood to where Qi was seated and he gulped.

Qi was seated on a branch at least five feet above the ground. The bark was smooth with nothing to grab on apart from some vines criss crossing here and there.

He grabbed the vines and pulled at them checking their strength.

Qi watched him struggling and sighed, this kid really was hopeless. He had to get him trained soon.

With a leap, he jumped from the branch he was seated on and landed behind Yuki.

"Am sorry Mr. Qi, I can't seem to get up," he admitted and Qi smiled.

"I know, that's why I came down here. If I don't help you up, you will be at it for the entire night."

Qi stretched his hand towards him," Come, hold my hand."

Yuki blinked and returned a warm smile. He slipped his hand into Qi's warm hand which easily wrapped around his entire hand, transmitting warmth through his entire body.

"Then Mr. Qi, thank you for the aid."