Shorts are good to have when there is nothing else working out for you...Thank you for reading and please as always review! I like reviews =D

"So who is it?" Zhou was sorting papers when Shang had come into the room then just stood there in front of his desk.

"Don't you mean what is it? Isn't that what you would normally ask when someone comes in?" Shang put her hands on her hips, wondering why he said what he did.

"No. I am asking who for a reason." Zhou was patient. He had grown up with Shang and now with her reaching adulthood it was an interesting trip. She had matured a bit, but she was still young and there were certain things he recognized in her behaviour. She was thinking of a who not a what.

A scowl came to her face. She hadn't thought it was that easy to read. "I..." She clamped her mouth shut. She wasn't supposed to be admitting to these feelings. To herself or anyone else.

"It's not a good thing if it is causing you that much trouble." He looked up at her, sympathetic to her obvious plight of whatever feelings she was struggling with. It could easily be asked which of the several men had finally caught her eye, but he had a funny feeling if it was simply one of the men of a unit she wouldn't be standing there in front of his desk looking forlorn as she was.

"It's not!" She denied too fast.

"Indeed." He tried to keep the smile from lifting his lips. "So this person who isn't causing you any problems is...?" He didn't expect her to fill in the answer that quickly, but thought it might be worth the chance.

"Quan doesn't know, right? He doesn't think I like someone, does he?"

"Quan has been worried about that for a couple of years now. He glares and grumps at anyone he thinks even glances at you too long. He takes his big brother role a bit too seriously, I think." Quan was too serious compared to how Ce had been. If the eldest brother was still around he would probably offer a one on one duel to the man who Shang liked and then after showing him who was in charge laugh and shake his hand. But Quan...

"All the more reason not to feel anything." Shang took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy.

"You can't go around with your heart shuttered away, Shang." Zhou shook his head. "It's not about Quan. What he thinks or wants. It's about you. And of course the other person..."

"I already...kinda...talked about it...with the other person."

"Oh? And what did the two of you decide?" She had yet to give a name to this "other person".

"That we can be friends. It'll be okay that way."

"Will it be?"

"Will what be?"

"Will it be okay? Will it be alright for the two of you to see each other however many days in a month and deny your feelings? To accept that for whatever reason you are to remain separated from each other? To keep your feelings hidden from everyone including yourself?"

"You don't play fair." She huffed.

"I am asking logical questions."

She was silent for a moment, then finally took another deep breath. "Lu Xun." Her voice was hushed, barely audible.

It took a moment for Zhou to realize what exactly she had said and then why the name was connected to what they had been talking about. It made sense to him actually. Many years ago Lu Xun and Shang had formed a friendship. One that had many people questioning what kind of friendship. Both had denied it and at that point it only seemed fair to believe them. But apparently now that friendship had grown into something more and her questions about Quan made even more sense. Quan had never liked the closeness the two seemed to share, be it a simple friendship or beyond that.

"Now you see the problem." She nodded her head at his silence.

"No, I actually don't." Zhou admitted. "I have never seen the problem when two people love each other, no matter what hurdles need to be surpassed or who thinks what. Let Quan throw his mighty fits. He'll get over it."

"I don't know if I ever will."

"So you will allow Quan's behaviour to change your feelings? Then you do not know how you really feel."

"That's not true!" She snapped. "I like Xun a lot. The times we talk and the way he says my name..."

A hint of a smile came to his lips. "Then what do you intend to do?"

"I...don't know." It was unlike Shang to be hesitant on anything, but she was and she really didn't know what to do. "But don't you dare tell anyone!"

"When have I ever shared a secret you've entrusted me with?" He was amused by the request. As if it was a simple childhood dare of not telling everyone you ate a worm or something just as unappetizing. But he had kept bigger secrets. Years ago now he had caught her stealing her brother's sword to practice in a field far from their home at that point. She had made him swear not to tell a soul. He had agreed as long as she was cautious and didn't injure herself. It was months later he found out her brother already knew.

"Shang." He spoke in the silence that she let hang. "How long do you think this will really remain a secret?"

"For as long as I can."

"Even to yourself?"

"Why do you keep saying things like that?" She was frustrated. Not only with the answers Zhou had given, but with herself. Why had she thought he would readily agree to insist she tell Xun it couldn't be? That being with each other was against some law. Zhou had fought for Xiao and in the end won. Why would he think someone else couldn't do the same. Stupid romantic notions!

And then there was the twisted up emotions she was feeling. Why couldn't she just tell herself to stop? That she didn't have to search out Xun to talk to or go to advice when there were plenty of others that she could go to. Why was it so confusing to be in his presence? And why had he said he already had made his decision when she was still fighting with herself to find one?

"Why do you want to hide these feelings from yourself?"

"Because it's wrong!" She shouted the words, finally letting out the anger she felt over the situation. "I don't care what you say with all your fancy words about fighting for someone, or surpassing hurdles that may be in your way. You and Xiao were meant to be together that's why you could make it happen. Xun and I...can't happen. No matter what we do, no matter how hard we fight...in the end...there's nothing for us..."

"Keep thinking that way and there won't be anything."

2 notes -

1 - If it wasn't obvious at this point, yes, this story takes place after Ce's death.

2 - I kinda like ending it on random quotes. I like the reader to think "...but then..." until next time.

Also most of the story will just be Xun and Shang without extra characters, but it was suggested that I have each go to Zhou and Xiao to admit how they feel. Obviously not admitting very well haha But I liked the idea and added my own twist. There will be more of these!

And I am working on my other story...I promise...