AN- My first attempt a DW, and I'm attempting something so different from my usual style… But I've had the plot in my head forever, and I've been dying to write something about Xiao Qiao (she's kinda my favorite character, followed by Sun Shang Xiang, and then Ling Tong). See, it seems all people write about her is about her and Zhou Yu. And, while I've got nothing against it (it's even in this story, though one-sided), it's just that the two are a little too opposite, in my opinion. He's so serious, she'd never have any fun, and she's such a child, it would annoy him endlessly. Instead, I whore her around in crack pairings, like the one in this fic, and I put him with Sun Ce, and only him. Now I could ramble on forever here, but I think I'll let you get to the actual story now. Enjoy~!

Disclaimer: If I own DW, people would be paired way differently, so clearly I own nothing.

Pairings: Shang Xiang/Xiao Qiao (main); Zhou Yu/Sun Ce (side); Gan Ning/Ling Tong (side); one-sided Zhou Yu/Xiao Qiao, on her part

A Beginning of Sorts

"Xiao Qiao! Are you done packing yet?" The voice came from a petite girl with dark hair done in braids, and chocolate eyes gleaming inquisitively. Well, I figured they were, anyway. I couldn't really tell, cause I wasn't looking. I was kinda busy. Still, I could easily imagine the impatient glint in her eyes, despite her gentle nature. Of course Da Qiao is on my case; my sister packed quickly and efficiently for our annual ski trip, while I'm still in my giant closet trying to figure out what I should bring to impress him.

Him being Zhou Yu, the most intelligent, serious, and downright hot guy to ever walk the earth. He graduated from college just last year, crushing my dream of going to school with him, but not my will to win him over. I hadn't worked extra hard and skipped a grade just to be disappointed, no way! So, I went and talked with Sun Quan, the brother of Zhou Yu's best friend. Winter break was approaching, and it was the perfect chance! I invited the Sun siblings and Zhou Yu, and they all accepted!

Sigh… I still can't believe it. I'm actually going to be spending time with the guy of my dreams all through winter break! Now if only I could find a way to get the two of us alone…

I smiled dreamily. That'd be like heaven…

"Xiao Qiao!" Leave it to my big sister to rain on my parade.

I sighed and glanced over my shoulder at her while holding a formfitting dress to my body, wondering if Zhou Yu would like it. Da Qiao was standing in the doorway looking appalled at how little I had in my suitcase. I gave her a nervous smile. "Yeah, Sis?"

My sister did not look happy. "Honestly, Xiao, I finished packing in ten minutes! You know, you have less than half an hour to finish packing, and then we have to hurry and pick up the others you invited!" She sighed tiredly. "You know how upset Father gets when we're late, considering this is the only time we ever really see him."

Father is a successful businessman. He has ski resorts and spas and similar attractions all over the world. But, since he's so successful, he's always busy, and we never get to see him. We pretty much grew up under the family servants, and only see him once a year, when we go to the first ski resort he ever opened. It's always that one we meet at, because to him, it's got sentimental value. It's the place that "started it all," so to speak.

Considering he's so busy and we almost never see each other, I can't say I care all that much about him. My sister thinks it's horrible of me to think that way of my own father, but at the same time, I can see that deep down she sort of resents him for it as well. After all, he pretty much left us for his work. Not that I don't appreciate being filthy rich now, it's just that I'm not all that fond of the guy who caused it.

Our mother has been ill her whole life, and she died not long after giving birth to me. As such, I know almost nothing about her, and Da Qiao only has the vaguest memories, herself.

It's hard to love parents you never had.

I rolled my eyes at my sister, still standing in the doorway, trying to act stern. "Well, he can get over it. It takes time to get the right outfit combinations, and I've gotta look great."

In response, she sighed and walked over to join me. "This is about Zhou Yu, then?"

I discarded the tight dress, figuring it inappropriate for the weather, and grabbed a forest green cashmere sweater coupled with skinny jeans and modeled them in front of my full-length mirror before nodding. "Duh! I mean, aren't you gonna try and look good for your guy?"

She blushed. "Sun Ce isn't my guy! I like him, is all…"

My sister, while being older, was so sweet and innocent, it made me feel like some sort of hooker on the street. "I meant that, silly. Don't you want to look good so he'll notice you?"

The mood changed so suddenly, I didn't know what happened. Da Qiao looked at her feet and twiddled her thumbs nervously. "A-about that…" she started, "…I've actually been thinking that it's time to move on."

Blank. Stare.

She blushed even harder under my scrutiny. "I mean, I've liked him for years now, and still nothing's happened, so maybe it's time to give up and move on…? You know, find someone new?"

I gawked. "You sure? I mean, really? Why would you just give up like that?!"

My elder sister finally met my gaze, her eyes shining determinedly. "Because I feel it's time to, that's why. I refuse to sit around waiting for something that just isn't going to happen any longer. I want to have fun over winter break, and I won't be able to do that if I'm hung up over Sun Ce."

I stared at her a little long, uncomprehending to her logic. "Well… if that's what you want…"

She nodded. "It is."

I bit my lip. "…Okay, then…" I'm beginning to think my sister is a little bit crazy.

Da Qiao smiled then. "Well, I'll leave you to your packing then. Please do hurry along." She started out, but stopped outside the door to turn and give me another message. "And Xiao, I think it'd do you good to do the same as me and move on, just so you know…"

I snorted in a very unladylike manner. Now I know my sister is crazy. Me, give up on Zhou Yu, a drool-worthy God in human form?

Not a chance.

AN- This was just like a prologue of sorts, so you know what's coming and how the characters are kind of going to be (or at least how Xiao is gonna be). Please review, and I promise future chapters will be longer!