rattlerofthestars:

A string of profanities left the boy’s mouth as he kicked a gear halfway across the rock ledge he sat on. It flew across the area and hit a rock before ricocheting off in a different direction. He wasn’t even going to bother with going after it. At least, not right now. He was too angry. The blasted watch lead him straight into a mountainside. Not only that, but the hot sun was baring down on him and he was without water. So with a huff, he removed his jacket and tried to stay within the shade to keep cool. A parade of sweat cascaded down his brow. He needed to fix his solar surfer or get out of the heat.

This was an important year for China. As the history books said, there was a war happening on this date. The Huns invaded their country and attempted to take control of the Emperor and all of China. However, a soldier from the Fa family defeated the Hun leader and saved them all. The fun little detail was the soldier was a woman. She disguised herself as a man to join the army and bring honor to his family. It was an interesting fact but he had no intention of meeting this warrior. He was only there to witness the war taking place and take notes. Jim hadn’t the slightest clue whether this war had any impact on the future, but he wouldn’t take the chance of missing it. With the little bit of details left behind from his father, he didn’t know where to begin. Now was a better time than ever to-

The sound of feet against the rough terrain stirred him from his thoughts. He jolted when a person appeared just a few yards away from him. “Who-” He tried to scoot away quickly and ended up hitting his head against the mountain behind him. He hissed through his teeth and his hand rose to the tender spot. His vision was vignetting into darkness but he struggled to remain conscious. It would be stupid to black out with a stranger so close by. 

Forgotten the sun, beating down on Ping as relentlessly as Captain Li.  Forgotten his fatigue, dry lips and throbbing head.  As the boy on the rocky ground bashed his head against the mountain with an audible thud, Ping dropped to his knees next to the stranger.  ”Āiyā,” he gasped, drawing out the word as his eyes went over the (other) boy.  Ping raised his hands in hesitant concern, ready to help but hesitant to intrude.  If there was one thing the recruit had distinguished himself in during training, it was helping with the sick and injured.

In everything else, he was abysmal.

“My name is Ping,” he told the stranger.  "Where did you come from?“  Ping sat up straighter and craned his neck, as if he’d find the answer just by looking around.