Xun rushed into his tent having avoided all and every nosy conversation his comrades attempted to start, usually questions on where he went or why he was so recklessly dressed this morning? Occasionally giving a one-worded reply if it was a superior that he did not know well, but not once did he slow down, not even for a second until he reached the safety of his tent. Out of sight from prying eyes, he pulled the fabric close behind him taking deep breaths to calm his pounding heart. When he felt the worst of the rush fading, he tied, with trembling hands the knots on the flaps. At least now no one could get in.

He staggered over to the simple bed, Xun's legs were jelly beneath him and fell back heavily on it, slid over the edge instead and landing on the hard makeshift floor. Xun sighed as he collected himself.

No matter how hard he tried, Lu Xun could not process it, the image of the Shu warrior whom he had fought before striding towards him, eyes glinting with desire. He did not even know him, only the name that he was famous by, Ma Chao the Splendid, Spear of Justice. A name merely thrown around in the presence of his superiors and comrades during meetings, he was, in fact, scarcely mentioned unless he posed a real threat.

It had little to do with Xun then but what was the mighty warrior to him now?

The strategist, out of ideas, plopped back onto his bed hugging the sheets close around him, his face flushed in memory of those electrifying sensations Ma Chao had made him experience. He could not deny that they were…irresistible, he had wanted more only to escape letting the other warrior continue by a fragment of will alone. And now, Xun wanted to go back, admiting just how much he wanted to willingly let himself be found, these dirty little thoughts kept coming.

"What am I thinking of, of course not!" he grumbled to himself, but one could never hide their desires and curiosities from themselves.

"Lu Xun? Are you alright?"

Xun froze, feeling as if he'd been caught in the act but quickly collected himself, what was there to be afraid of. Nothing Ling Tong needed or ever come to know.

"I-I'm fine," he lied shakily, cursing his pounding heart.

"From the speed you were taking to your tent and how you just ignored everyone it doesn't seem like you're 'fine'," Tong insisted, he was a little annoyed to find himself forced to stand at the door, Lord Sun Quan had requested him to find out whatever the matter was with Lu Xun, while he had other things he himself had to sort out. But better him than damned Ning, the pirate would be stupid enough to attempt whatever his ability allowed, most likely to end in a much worse situation. Tong didn't care that much but to heck with it.

"Really, I'm alright, but I'm kind of exhausted right now," Xun replied, lifting his head slightly to listen for anymore protests. Silence for a while.

"Alright, whatever you say, get some rest," Ling Tong finally said. Xun listened as footsteps padded away until they were gone. Sleepiness kicking in, he let his head fall on the pillow and was soon fast asleep, hoping in the back of his mind he would not be plagued by awkward dreams.

"So what's up with the kid?" Ning asked Ling Tong casually as well as rudely, he walked up along just as Tong moved away from the tent. The other man muttered in irritation, he was definitely not happy seeing the damned pirate, "Ning don't even try to break your way in," he warned noting how he stared at the tent door as if he was scheming something.

Quickly Gan Ning broke his gaze.

"Huh? What?"

Tong rolled his eyes to the sky and stalked off, leaving Ning, ignorant of any appropriateness stunned for a while before finding himself and running after his irritated comrade.

"Hey, hey, what? What did I say?"

ÀÀÀÀÀ

Ma Chao didn't feel like himself anymore, he had changed so much he couldn't recall who he was weeks ago. He ws shocked. Just in a matter of weeks, that boy had that much influence on him!

But one thing didn't change, he was still straightforward and already the view of being with the Wu warrior didn't seem so unbelievable and impossible. But more than likely, his comrades would think otherwise, and their reactions, though, though amusing would prove bothersome, so Chao kept quiet about the whole affair.

"Chao?" a familiar voice called, penetrating through his train of thought. His eyes opened and spotted in the distance, Xing Cai gradually making her way towards him. Her hand was over her eyes to protect them from the sun. As usual she was dressed in armor. Trotting on light feet, she greeted him with a warm smile, her arms were held behind her back.

"Are you ok? When I saw you there, you looked spaced out," she said. Chao shook his head, "Really?"

Cai nodded.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize. Don't worry I am alright," Chao assured. Xing Cai watched him alittle longer, suspicious and worried about his drastic change of behavior. He looked more dazed now, like something weighed heavily on his mind, and it showed no signs of stopping. It was affecting the way other people regarded him and he didn't seem to notice at all.

"You've been like that for some time, you have something to talk about," she said, it was no question and Ma Chao was beginning to panic at the girl's incredible insight. He hoped that at least she wouldn't notice him sweat a little.

"I'm sorry, I was just worried about our lord, and what we should do if he isn't here anymore," Chao lied as best he could.

"He has appointed a new leader for us, don't you know?" Chao stared back in surprise.

"He did?" His reaction made the girl frown and he realized it didn't help cover his situation any better. She took a step closer and looked deeper into his brown eyes, searching for a hint.

"Yes, he did. Weren't you listening before?" Chao quickly shifted his gaze from side to side, he was beginning to run out of ideas in his panic.

"Uh, yeah, of course I did, I was, I'm just a little slow today." He glanced at her to see her reaction, it was not favorable and she didn't seem to be buying it. He had a gut feeling it was time to go.

"I, have to go. There are some things I need to tend to," he said quickly before striding away, taking long steps and occasionally turning his head a little to check from the corner of his eye if the Cai was following or trying to stop him. Fortunately, she had not moved from her original spot.

He continued on until he was sure he was out of sight.

Xing Cai glared suspiciously at Chao's back as he gradually disappeared along the path she came.

He was becoming extremely suspicious. At first his change in personality was acceptable and she found was quite happy when he began to warm up to people, but now he was also dreaming too much and not noticing things around him. His gaze often looked as though he was longing for something. Cai was always a very curious girl and never the type to leave people to their own business if something was up and Chao would not be an exception.

As Chao completely vanished from her line of sight she decided, she would get to the bottom of this.

Other officers often told her she was sometimes far to nosy, but she'd say, nothing would change that, that's who she is.

Chao was bent over panting, he found that he did not stop even though his mind screamed at him that Cai had lost him and he ended up walking from one end of the area to the next which was quite a distance. Though now he could be assured, he was far out of anybody's sight.

Chao landed heavily on the ground and he stared up into the sky, watching silently as clouds drifted lazily above.

He chuckled a little, how stupid he felt right now, all because of one incident leading into a bigger problem and he lacked the ability to just forget about it. Now he had no way of turning back, eventually something inconvenient was going to happen.

He lay back on the grass and absentmindedly began to trace the image of the Wu strategist's face and figure as they formed before him in his mind. He sighed, would he ever get the boy again, just what was he putting at risk?

Perhaps, he must let things happen in order as decided by the Gods, fate, he knew would determine both their paths.

Though he could not deny that his mind will never stop wandering back to him, it was like sticking his head up trying to look for the warrior in a crowd. He had to, for now, concentrate on not arousing suspicion.

But Chao had a nagging feeling, there was someone who he can no longer shake off.