4 Travelers Cave: Home (1/2)

They had walked a long, long time up the mountain. Mei Hua had no idea where Ye was taking her, but she really fervently wished they were there already. Her ratty shoes provided little in the way of foot protection.

They walked past a big bolder and she blinked. That bolder looked very familiar…

”…did we pass this bolder already?” She finally asked Ye.

”Hm? Did we?” He asked her back, tilting his head.

”Wouldn't you know? I thought fairies know every inch of the mountain.”

Ye nodded silently for a moment before saying, ”Is that so?”

She stopped walking. Gently putting her little hands around Ye, who'd been sitting on her shoulder, she brought him to eye height.

”We aren't…” Mei Hua squinted her eyes suspiciously at him. ”…lost are we?”

The fairy suddenly did not look her in the eyes.

”WE ARE?! But… but… Mother said fairies can't get lost! She said so!”

”Parents have been known to be wrong, from time to time.” Ye replied, still not looking her in the face.

”Oh no!” Mei Hua cried out, despairing. ”What are we to do? I was depending on you to know the way! If you don't know then what will happen to me?”

”AH!” Ye suddenly pointed excitedly behind her. ”Look there! A path!”

The little girl turned to where he was pointing and her eyes widened. Sure enough, there was a path. Where had that come from? It hadn't been there when she'd passed by originally.

”Let's see where the path leads!” The fairy suggested happily, bouncing in her grip.

Mei Hua hesitated for a moment, then sighed, and started down the path. There was something fishy about the path showing up when it did. But, well, things were known for being odd in this place. Even the animals were said to be almost as clever as people.

That's what her Mother had said. But considering she'd said fairies don't get lost…

She'd barely walked 5 minutes when the path opened up into a cleared area of the forest. The forest floor was covered in flowers, with dozens of butterflies hovering over them, and rays of light shining through the nearby trees. It was very beautiful and for a moment Mei Hua was so moved by it that she ignored everything else.

”Look there.” Ye said, poking her face to get her attention.

Mei Hua blinked, realizing that just beyond the flowers was a steep, vertical rock wall. In the unnaturally smooth rock wall was a cave. Or, more precisely, a door shaped cave.

The little girl walked forward curiously. When they were right next to the cave entrance, she saw that is led deeper in. On the right and left of this rock hallway was moss that glowed. It gave just enough light so that a person wouldn't stumble.

”Should we go in?” Mei Hua asked, slightly anxious.

”I believe it's safe.”

Nodding, Mei Hua walked farther in. It was only a few steps and a turn and she found a real door before her. It was made of a solid piece of wood, with a wood ring for a handle.

The little girl, having been raised properly, knocked on the door and called out ”Excuse me!” After a moment no one answered and so she knocked again, but louder. There was still no response.

”I don't think anyone's home.” Said Ye with some amusement. ”Let's just go inside.”