Whoa...how long has it been since the last update? I am sooooo terribly sorry to you lovely readers who has been waiting for this super super late update.*bows* You have every rights to be mad or even hate me, I won't even try to defend myself or ask for your forgiveness, seriously, I super hate myself as well for updating so late! *Slaps myself*
Ke-hem...*Regains compose and smile* Before I start my story, I would like to say a big thanks to my 2nd Reviewer sgtsushi, my 3rd Reviewer scarlet. and .blossoms(Who had also added me in Facebook^.^) and my 4th Reviewer Reincar!*bows* Thank you guys for following and favoring my story as well! And another big thanks to monkey19978 for Favoring my story and also to crazypaaanda for Following!*bows* I really appreciate it :D You guys are awesome!
Okay, now for the story~ I hope you lovely readers will enjoy this chapter, even just for a little bit :D And if you don't...I apologize for wasting your precious time with my boring chap...(;_;) I've tried my best, really! *teary puppy eyes*
✦Disclaimer: I do not own Dynasty Warriors. Koei does.
✦Apologies: Please forgive my poor grammar and any misspellings in the story.
✦Reminder: No bashing please. If you don't like my fic, please just kindly and quietly leave. Thank you~
✱Characters' Appearance: Every characters in this chapter are in their Dynasty Warriors 4's outfit and hairstyle.
✱Current Chapter's Season: Summer
THE THREE KINGDOMS: DYNASTY ROMANCE
|CHAPTER FOUR: THE BRACELET AND THE FLUTE|
Next Morning...
≥ ZhouYu's Tent ✱ Wu Camp ✦ XinDu ≤
ZhouYu's eyes fluttered open at the sound of running footsteps passing by outside his tent and HuangGai's loud voice booming across camp as he gave out commands to the soldiers for their morning exercise routine. Awaken, usually the strategist would immediately jump back into his paperwork that he was working on before dozing off but instead he shifted to a more comfortable position and closed his eyes to continue his interrupted sleep. He felt incredibly comfortable in bed, even though this was not the bed from back home still he found it cozy and he felt like he wasn't going to get out of it forever.
Came to think of it, he couldn't remember when was the last time he slept on a bed or actually had a real satisfy slumber. Usually he doze off during work and took naps on his desk between his paper works. Even though his mind is screaming for him to wake up and continue working, the strategist still couldn't resist and doze off into a deeper sleep. While later, however, his eyes immediately shot open when he heard footsteps entering his tent.
"Zhou-" The little conqueror halted in surprise to see an empty chair behind ZhouYu's desk, which is odd for that chair would never ever be empty unless ZhouYu was out in the battlefields or attending meetings with him and the other generals, and of course when he has to do his business. SunCe blinked a couple of times and scratched his temples before turning to leave but stopped when he caught a figure sitting up from the bed from the corner of his eyes. He quickly took out his dual tonfas as he jolted aside to face the figure and strike his fighting stance.
ZhouYu got up and sat on the beside, his right hand massaging the back of his neck as he looked over to the visitor. "What are you doing?" He raised an eyebrow as he saw SunCe in his fighting stance.
SunCe then relaxed and sighed in relief as he placed his weapons back. "I thought there's a spy or something." then blinked a couple of times before gazing back over to ZhouYu with a confuse and questioning look. "Uh... What are you doing in bed?" It was obviously a dumb question, for those who didn't know ZhouYu better that is... But SunCe did know his sworn brother better then anyone, didn't he?
"I just thought of resting my eyes for a while." ZhouYu pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice sounded groggy and lazy.
"In bed?" SunCe raised an eyebrow as if he couldn't believe it.
"Yea... Not a very good idea. I slept over the whole night instead." ZhouYu finally got up from bed and fixed his messy long hair and clothes. SunCe then realized the strategist was actually still in his uniform instead of sleeping robe.
"well, I think it's actually a good thing that you finally had a REAL sleep for once in your life." SunCe half joked.
"Ha. Ha." ZhouYu sarcastically laughed in monotone as he went to take his seat behind his desk. "So, did you find Lord QiaoXuan and his wife?" He asked while his eyes fixed on his unfinished paperwork from last night.
SunCe's usual energetic complexion dramatically dropped after the question as he let out a rather tired and frustrated sigh. "Not yet. It's kinda hard looking for them when you have to keep out from the enemy's sight at the same time."
"Why do you think I sent ZhouTai out in the first place?"
A bit offended, SunCe crossed his arms and competitively declares, "I can be as sneaky and quiet as him you know!"
"Of course you can." eyes still fixed on his work, ZhouYu gave a sarcastic smirk.
"Alright Mr. Sarcastic! I didn't come here early in the morning just to hear you mock me! I promised Da that I will find her parents and bring them back safely no matter what and yet I found nothing over the night!" SunCe grumbled rather loudly as he ruffled his hair in frustration.
ZhouYu finally looked up from his work and stared at his unusual gloomy sworn brother. "You will find them, SunCe." he reassured confidently. "No one I know is more stubborn and persistent then you are, I know you won't stop at anything until you find them."
"But what if I couldn't find them? What am I suppose to tell Da then? How am I going to face her? What if she got really upset and stop talking to me? What am going to do!?"
Watching his usually carefree sworn brother paced back and forth before him while worrying and panicking over his imaginative outcomes of the matter, Zhou Yu couldn't help but let out a few breathy chuckles which made SunCe paused and stared curiously at him.
"What's so funny?"
Zhou Yu gave a smirked as he folded both arms together in front of his chest. "You like her."
"What?" SunCe's eyes widen for a second before frowning in confusion. "Who?"
"Lady Da Qiao."
"What makes you think that?"
"By the way you look at her and the way how you treat her so differently then other women and the way how you seem to be extremely concern with anything that involves her. It's obvious, really." ZhouYu gave a shrugged.
"Well..." SunCe pondered for a moment before replying, "She and I are childhood friends after all."
"Ah, nothing is more romantic then feelings that were developed since childhood, especially when you didn't get to see her for five years." ZhouYu placed his right elbow onto the desk and rested his chin on his right hand as he continued to tease, "You must really missed her. All those feelings that were trapped inside finally get to have their breath of fresh air now that you get to see her again."
"You and your fancy speech." SunCe rolled his eyes at his sworn brother. "But..." He pondered for a moment before confessing, "I won't deny though, there is this warm and funny feeling inside me when I saw her again yesterday. And when I heard she's in trouble, my chest almost twists." He placed a hand on his chest as if it was hurting.
"That, my friend, is called fear of a man loosing something precious to him."
SunCe slightly frowned. "Da is not a thing."
"Yes, I apologize. But she is precious to you, is she not?" ZhouYu continued to stare at his sworn brother who seemed deeply bemused about something.
"I donno... I'm just really happy to see her again, and that she's safe now. But there's still this weird feeling inside my stomach... I never felt like this since my first time on the battlefield." SunCe begun rubbing his belly.
ZhouYu just silently chuckled and reached for the peaches in his desk. "You must be hungry, here, have a peach." He offered as he threw a peach to SunCe who was took off guard for a second but easily caught the fruit thanks to his martial arts reflexes.
The little conqueror was a bit surprised, this is the first time he saw ZhouYu took out food from his desk, anyone who knew the workaholic strategist would know that he doesn't like to keep foods in his working place. SunCe looked to the peach in his right hand unbelievably and then to ZhouYu who took another peach out from the desk for himself. "Since when do you keep food in your desk?" He asked.
"I don't. Lady XiaoQiao gave them to me as a gift of gratitude for helping her and Lady DaQiao." ZhouYu replied before taking a bite of the peach.
SunCe was even more surprised. "XiaoQiao gave you this?" He pointed to the peach in his hand, eyes widen. "You two have been spending time together?"
"We exchanged a few conversations last night, yes."
"What was she like that time?"
"Uh... Grateful? And kinda guilty for the way she treated me earlier yesterday." A smile unknowingly creep across ZhouYu's lips as he recalled the younger Qiao's weird yet funny behaviors from last night.
"Really?" SunCe continued to stares at his sworn brother with wide eyes as if he was a monster or something rare. "Didn't she seem like she's uncomfortable or intimidate or something?"
ZhouYu slightly frowned at SunCe's reaction. "Why ask such questions?"
"Well, Da talked to me about her yesterday, says XiaoQiao really dislikes any mans in her and her sister's presence. That's why I was kinda surprised when you said she actually personally gave you these peaches." The little conqueror took a bite of the peach before continuing, "Let alone talking. She almost attacked me when she saw me with Da yesterday." and couldn't help complimenting the juiciness of the fruit as well. " This it good!" and then took another bite.
"She just know a trusted gentleman when she sees one." ZhouYu proudly stated as he impliedly eyed his sworn brother.
SunCe opened his mouth to fight back but closed it when a thought came to his mind. He suddenly gave an almost evil smirk. "Or maybe~ your feminine looks made her forgets that you're actually a gentleman. That's why she's so comfortable around you."
ZhouYu's face immediately darken. "Seriously, Ce?"
"Well, she did say you looked like a girl, Lady ZhouYu." SunCe smiled childishly, much to ZhouYu's annoyance.
"Say another word and this fruit is going right to your face." ZhouYu threaten as he held up a peach, ready to throw it into SunCe's face at anytime.
"Ooooh~ Look out everyone!" SunCe purposely shouted out loud as he ran out the tent, "There's an angry LADY on the loose!"
"SunCe!" ZhouYu's deadly thunderous yell was heard from behind.
The furious ZhouYu began to chase the continue-taunting SunCe around camp, ignoring the presence of other soldiers and generals who doesn't seemed to be alert upon the scene, after all this wasn't the first time they witnessed the young strategist chasing their young lord around in rage, especially HuangGai who had experienced this since the day these two became friends and then sworn brothers.
HuangGai let out a sigh as he rubbed his forehead, "Not again..."
While everyone's attention were on the sworn brothers, no one noticed the brief smirk on the ever emotionless ZhouTai's lips a second ago. He always enjoyed watching his lords as they fooled around, it's just too hilarious and entertaining! though he'll never admit it. Besides, it's not everyday you get to see the usually calm and serious ZhouYu yelling and chasing someone off, which would always be none other then SunCe.
"Is that the fastest you can run, LADY ZhouYu?" SunCe continued to taunt out loud.
"YOU ARE SO DEAD!" To prove his point, ZhouYu didn't hesitate to pull out his sword.
The Two Qiaos heard the commotion and came out from their tent to investigate. They were both surprised at first but then couldn't help giggling to each other. SunCe, who wasn't paying much attention to the directions he was randomly running at suddenly stopped dead at his tracks, causing ZhouYu to almost bump into him. The strategist was puzzled at his sworn brother's sudden halt but soon figured out when he heard a few giggles reached his ears. Realizing the Qiao sisters' presence just a couple of steps before them, ZhouYu let out an embarrassed cough as he placed his sword back it's case and fixed himself back to his calm and serious self.
Unlike ZhouYu, SunCe didn't care less that the Two Qiaos had witnessed their silly antics as he greeted them with his usual bright grin and energetic voice, "Good morning ladies! Did you had a good night sleep?"
"Good morning, SunCe, Lord ZhouYu." DaQiao let out a few giggles before continuing, "Yes, I had a well sleep last night thanks for asking. But as for my sister..." She looked to XiaoQiao beside her and then back to the sworn brothers. "she usually had troubles sleeping for the first couple of nights in an unfamiliar environment."
"Really?" SunCe looked over to the younger Qiao.
XiaoQiao just shrugged and gave her usual cheery smile. "I usually get used to it after a couple of nights, no worries." She reassured.
Just then, a soldier came running and knelt before SunCe as he reports, "Milord, I bring news."
"Yes, what is it?" demanded SunCe.
"A messenger came in address to you, milord. He claimed that he was sent by Master QiaoXuan and Lady Qiao."
"Our parents?" the Two Qiaos blurted at the same time while SunCe and ZhouYu instinctively looked at each other.
≥ Main Tent ≤
The messenger left to report back to his masters as soon as the letter was handed to the person it was addressed to. SunCe had asked the Qiaos sisters if they would like to read the letter first, but as anxious as they were, DaQiao insisted that he should read first since it was addressed to him from the start. With XiaoQiao standing next to her, DaQiao watched from her seat as SunCe began reading the letter attentively together with ZhouYu beside him. The sworn brother's stern expression lightened as they came to the end of the letter and gave each other a brief glance before handing the letter to the Two Qiaos, XiaoQiao was the one who took over and began reading it with DaQiao watching anxiously from her seat.
"What it is?" DaQiao demanded as she saw her sister's expression suddenly stiffed. "What's wrong?"
Hesitated from her anxious sister's worried stare, XiaoQiao began, "Father is...He's injured..."
"What?" DaQiao instantly shot up from her seat, ignoring the rush of pain from her injured knee and took over the letter.
"Mother also tell us not to worry and that they are both safe." XiaoQiao continued as DaQiao read the letter. "But they can't reunite with us before father gets better."
"Oh Father...Mother..." DaQiao held the letter close to her chest, praying hard, "Please be okay... Please..."
"Sis..." Having the same feelings, XiaoQiao wrapped her arms around her sister's shoulders in comfort.
The sworn brothers watched in sympathize, completely understood how the Qiao sisters felt right now for SunCe had experienced the pain of loosing his mother just couple years ago while ZhouYu was forced to witnessed the brutal death of his family in a very young age. SunCe looked to his sworn brother who slightly nodded his chin towards the Two Qiaos, he got the message and went over. The younger Qiao unwrapped her arms from her sister's shoulder as SunCe approached them and placed a comforting hand on DaQiao's shoulder. The older Qiao looked up to meet with his tender eyes.
"Don't worry, Da, XiaoQiao," SunCe looked to XiaoQiao and then back to DaQiao again, "I'm sure Master QiaoXuan will recover in no time. And as Lady Qiao requested, you and your sister will come to Wu and stay with the Sun family before your parents could reunite with you."
There it goes again. DaQiao couldn't figured out why or how, either just one reassuring word from him or simply just a tender smile from him, all of her worries and troubles she was having at the moment would just suddenly disappear, just like that. It's always been like this, from the first time they met, till this very day, and in the future as well, DaQiao was sure of it.
"Thank you, for everything."
"There's no need to thank me, I could never leave you at times like this. I promise, Da, I will take good care of you, and XiaoQiao too of course." SunCe looked over and smiled at the younger Qiao at the last part, reassuring her that she wasn't forgotten.
XiaoQiao gave her usual cheery smile. To be honest she doesn't really mind at all if SunCe doesn't take care of her. After all, he was suppose to take care of her sister, they are meant for each other! "Thanks, but you don't really have to though. Just focus on taking care of my sister. It's even better if you could take care of her forever!" She straight forwardly blurted.
"X-Xiao!" DaQiao quickly covered her sister's blunt mouth with her hand.
SunCe was a bit taken aback but couldn't help smiling and scratched his head awkwardly as he looked over to ZhouYu who's silently chuckling behind his knuckles.
"What?" XiaoQiao frowned innocently as soon as DaQiao withdrawn her hand from her mouth. The older Qiao remained silent, refused to meet with SunCe's gaze while XiaoQiao stared at her in confuse, thinking of what she had said wrong. 'Doesn't she like SunCe?'
Awkwardness filled the air, DaQiao felt like she was going to suffocate from it soon. "Xiao, we should take our leave." She told her sister.
"Eh? Why?"
"We must not disturb SunCe and Lord ZhouYu with their works. Let's go back to our tent and have breakfast."
SunCe, who heard the conversation, quickly took a step ahead before the Two Qiaos could take their leaves. "Uh... W-Would you like to join me- I mean US! for breakfast?" He glanced over to ZhouYu, signaling him to back him up.
"Ah, yes." ZhouYu followed his sworn brother's lead. "It will be an honor to have Lady DaQiao and Lady Xiao to join us for breakfast."
Taken aback by the sudden invitation, DaQiao couldn't react in time as she stammered, "I-I-I-I-I-I-"
Understood what ZhouYu was trying to do, XiaoQiao instantly answers for her sister, "My sister would love to!" but then corrected, "I mean, we would love to join you for breakfast, right?" She looked over to DaQiao as she held onto her arm. "Sis?"
DaQiao looked over to XiaoQiao with wide eyes, only to receive repeated nods from her. "Umm... Umm..." She slowly shifted her gaze to an anticipating SunCe who was waiting for her answer. "...R-Right." She finally nodded which made SunCe almost jumped with joy.
"I will tell the maids to set up the table." said ZhouYu as he headed out the tent.
"I'll go with you!" XiaoQiao quickly caught up with ZhouYu, giving her sister some alone time with SunCe.
As the two left, the tent immediately went into a dead silence, DaQiao swore she could hear crickets chirping at the back of her mind. She began twisting her fingers together as she slowly looked over to SunCe, who smiled in respond. DaQiao felt herself relaxed from his smile and returned a smile of her own. After escorting and helping DaQiao to her seat at the dinning table, SunCe took his seat next to hers before pouring her a cup of tea and then another for himself. DaQiao couldn't help but smiled as the bracelet tied around SunCe's left wrist came to sight. It's been five years, and he's been taking well care of it, despite the minor dirt, the braids were well maintained.
"So Da," SunCe began, breaking the silence and pulling DaQiao out of her trance. "you still remember ShangXiang, right?"
"Of course, I will never forget her." DaQiao smiled at the thoughts of the upbeat princess. "I've been looking forward to see her again ever since I got here, but it seems that she's not in camp."
"Yea, we kinda too off in a rush. But you'll be able to see her real soon."
"I can't wait. How is she?"
"Upbeat and hardheaded, as usual." SunCe stated naturally and slightly frowned at the 'hardheaded' part.
DaQiao let out a few giggles, "Well, she is your sister."
"Can't argue with that."
"And Lord SunQuan?"
"Never change either."
"It's good to know things haven't change much over the five years. To be honest I'm really happy and glad that you're still the same SunCe I remembered." DaQiao honestly stated. "Except for the goatee though, I didn't expect that."
"It doesn't look good on me?" SunCe asked while stroking his goatee, a hint of worry in his tone.
"No, I like it. It looks good on you, fits your title of 'The Little Conqueror'." DaQiao always thought that men with facial hairs would seemed old, but in her opinion SunCe pulled the goatee off rather well. He was good looking without the goatee when she had met him for the first time, and now with it, he looks even more handsome and intrepid.
"You really think so?" SunCe chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. He has heard a lot of compliments about how good he looks with the goatee from others, but coming from DaQiao actually made him felt a bit bashful for the first time, and very happy as well. "Is that why you couldn't recognized me at first yesterday?"
DaQiao placed an index finger against her bottom lip as if she was thinking. "Well... Yes. I don't think I would be able to figure out if it wasn't for the bracelet. I was a bit surprise that you still keep it, but over all, I'm really happy you did." She shyly looked down to her hands, her fingers twisting together on her lap after her honest confession.
SunCe couldn't help but smiled at the sight, she's always cute when she's shy. And now, it was SunCe's turn to confess, "You stayed up whole night braiding it, no one has ever done that for me before. And besides, it has given me a lot of strength and support I need over the past years. Whenever I see this bracelet all the stress and troubles I was having at the moment immediately disappears, just like how I saw you smile for the first time. It reminds me of it."
DaQiao instantly looked up to meet with his tender gaze and signature smile, she couldn't help blushing. SunCe reluctantly tore his gaze away from her as he reached into his pocket to take something out. "I made one as well after you left. I thought I would give it to you if we ever meet again." He held out a handmade bracelet similar to the one DaQiao gave him.
"You made this? For me?" DaQiao was completely surprised, she never thought someone like SunCe would took the time to braid a bracelet for anyone.
"Yea..." SunCe scratched his head, a bit embarrassed as he mumbles, "It's not as pretty as yours but I tried my best."
DaQiao shook her head before taking over the bracelet and held it closed to her chest as if it was her most precious possession in the whole world. "It's beautiful, I love it. Thank you, SunCe." She smiled at him, touched, happy and grateful feelings all mixed together.
"Really? I'm glad you like it." Her bright and beautiful smile at the moment is one that SunCe would remember for the rest of his life. "Do you...umm...w-want me to help you to put it on?" He asked while rubbing at the back of his head awkwardly.
"Thant would be nice, thank you."
DaQiao handed the bracelet to SunCe before pulling up the hem of her long sleeves from her left wrist for him to tie the bracelet around it. After several failures, since this was his first time doing such things, SunCe finally succeeded in tying the bracelet around DaQiao's petite wrist with a touch of an ungraceful knot, though DaQiao doesn't mind at all. Everything SunCe does were always beautiful and perfect in her eyes. The pair looked over to each other at the same time and shared a loving smile.
Meanwhile...
XiaoQiao hummed cheerily on her journey back to the main tent with ZhouYu. The strategist couldn't help but smiled at the energetic little figure beside him. "You seem to be in a very good mood, despite you didn't really sleep well last night." He commented.
"Well, I no longer have to worry about my parents' safety after the letter. Even though father's injured right now but at least I know they are out of danger. And~" XiaoQiao left her words hanging as she giggled.
ZhouYu couldn't help but smiled further at her sudden giggling. "And?"
"Hmm..." The younger Qiao pondered for a brief moment before smiling up to him. "I think I will tell you some other time, when it really happens." then giggled again at the last part. ZhouYu let out a few breathy chuckles as he continued to listens to her cheery humming.
After Breakfast...
≥ Guest Tent ≤
The older Qiao was sitting on the side of her bed admiring the bracelet around her petite wrist when suddenly out of nowhere, her playful little sister jumped up in front of her and shouts, "Boo!"
"Oh my!" DaQiao jolted in her seat and gasped in surprise, "Xiao, you startled me!" She scolded the chuckling XiaoQiao.
"You wouldn't be if you haven't been day dreaming about someone." The younger Qiao sat beside her sister and playfully nudged her arm with hers.
"W-Who says I was dreaming about anyone? I was only thinking about something." DaQiao began to blush and looked down to her hands, her fingers twisting together on her lap, the younger Qiao's grin grew at the sight.
"Did I ever tell you that whenever you lie or get nervous your will always twist your fingers together?"
DaQiao's fingers immediately stopped twisting after the statement and awkwardly rested on her lap as she looked over to her little sister and denies, "I don't do that." which sounded more like she was trying to convince herself instead.
"Yes you do." The younger Qiao grinned cheekily as she gave another nudge to her sister again.
DaQiao gave her little sister a short glare before turning away but then swiftly looked back when a thought came to her mind. "What about you and Lord ZhouYu?" She asked, starring at XiaoQiao attentively, not wanting to miss any sign of her reactions.
The younger sister blinked a couple of times at her sister's question and titled her head as she frowned. "What about us?"
"Well, you have been talking to him alone, you gave him peaches, you offered to accompany him out before breakfast, and you are willing to ride on the same horse with him yesterday." DaQiao listed everything out as she continued to watch her younger sister carefully. "Xiao, ever since that incident last time you never let any men come near you, and yet you became friends with Lord ZhouYu after just meeting him for the first time."
XiaoQiao blinked again as she absorbed every words of her sister's. "I talked to him because I wanted to apologize for my rude attitude when we first met," She began to explain, "and I gave him those peaches as a gift of gratitude for rescuing us, and I did not ride on the same horse with him because I wanted to, you were there, you saw how I was picked up without my will. And lastly, I became friends with him because he's a nice person, just like SunCe. "
"You tried to attack SunCe last night." DaQiao reminded.
"I wasn't trying to attack him, I was protecting you." Xiao Qiao clarified. "I thought he was taking advantage of you. And I did apologize at the end, didn't I?"
"I know, Xiao." DaQiao held onto her younger sister's hands. "I'm not blaming you or trying to lecture you or anything. I'm just curious that you weren't afraid of Lord ZhouYu like how you were to almost every men."
"Why would I be? He's a good person, he would never hurt anyone."
"I know. It's just that... Ever since that incident happened, you-" DaQiao suddenly paused and let out a sighed. "Never mind. I'm sorry, Xiao." She apologized as she looked down to her hands guiltily. "I didn't mean to remind you about those unhappy incidents..."
XiaoQiao shook her head as she gave a smile. "I know you're just concern about me, sis. But I want you to know that I'm okay and that you don't have to worry about me."
"Xiao..." DaQiao looked up to meet her little sister's usual cheery smile.
"Those incidents were in the past, and what matters are now and the future. Right?" The younger Qiao smiled further.
DaQiao finally gave a soft smile and nodded. "That's right. Though I'm glad that you're able to move on from the past, but I don't want you to push yourself too hard, okay?" She caressed the side of her sister's head gently and lovingly. "No matter what happens I will always be there for you, you can always tell me anything."
XiaoQiao gave a couple of enthusiasm nods before replying, "Kay kay." The younger Qiao then got up from her seat and gave her sister her usual cheery smile. "The peaches yesterday were really good huh, sis? I think I will go pick some more, see ya later!"
Without waiting for her sister's reply, XiaoQiao swiftly ran out the tent. The older Qiao let out a guilty sigh as her little sister disappeared from sight. 'I never should've mentioned about the past...' She thought to herself. Even though XiaoQiao said she was alright, DaQiao knew she wasn't, no matter how convincing and reassuring her cheery smile may be, DaQiao knew whenever her sister was faking a smile, they grew up together after all, and she was sure the smile XiaoQiao gave her before running off is definitely a fake one.
Worried about her precious little sister, DaQiao wanted go look for her and console her but gave up as she knew no matter how much she tries to, XiaoQiao would insists that she is alright and tell her not to worry. DaQiao knew how dearly XiaoQiao cared for her, and she knew XiaoQiao would always keep things to herself so that she wouldn't worry the people around her, but the more XiaoQiao keeps things to herself the more it worries her.
≥ The Orchard Next To Camp ≤
Not bothering where her feet were taking her, XiaoQiao walked into the orchard until she came across a stream and finally stopped dead at her tracks. She squatted near the stream and freshen up herself by splashing some fresh cold stream water onto her face. Feeling a bit freshen up, XiaoQiao wipe the water drops off her face with her sleeve before looking into the waters at her reflection, her eyes grew wide in shock when she saw her reflection suddenly turned into DongZhuo's, smiling disgustingly at her. The frighten XiaoQiao quickly turned around to look behind her, but no one was there.
She let out a relief sigh as she placed her trembling right hand on her chest, trying to calm her pounding heartbeat. She perked up the courage to look into the waters again but stumbled back as her reflection was replaced by CaoCao's, smirking at her. Her body began to shake as those horrible incidents from the past came flashing by and overtook her thoughts. She closed her eyes and violently shook her head to get rid of those flash backs. After her mind was finally cleared, she glance back into the water again, frustrated to see Cao Cao's reflection was still there
"No! Leave me alone! Leave me alone! GO AWAY!" XiaoQiao yelled angrily as she began hitting the reflection with her fists, causing the waters to splashed onto her sleeves, but XiaoQiao didn't care, she continued hitting the waters with all her strength and anger, until finally she'd had enough.
After on last satisfied hit, XiaoQiao closed her eyes, panting slightly. Finally feeling a bit calmed, she slowly opened her eyes and looked into the waters again. This time, it was a reflection of a dazzling beauty, staring back at her with a loving smile that XiaoQiao knew too well.
She gasped in surprise, "Zheny..?" Her eyes sparkling with joy and sadness at the same time.
XiaoQiao quickly turned around, but see no one in sight, then turned back to look at the reflection again, but it was gone, replaced by her own reflection staring back at her. XiaoQiao frowned, 'was that all just illusions?' She asked herself in thoughts. Just then, a faint music drifted into her ears, a melody played by an instrument that she recognized right away. XiaoQiao quickly jolted to her feet and looked around, her eyes scanning through the area for the person she hoped would be playing the flute. But instead she spotted a figure which she recognized to be ZhouYu, playing the flute in a distance down the stream.
The Wu strategist had decided to leave his desk and came to this very stream to play his flute while thinking of a strategy for their next battle of recapturing LuJiang. Despite the Sun family, no one in Wu actually knew that some of the strategies he came up with were actually inspirations he found from his passion for music. The beautiful melody became louder and clearer as XiaoQiao approached ZhouYu, who was so focused in playing his flute that he didn't noticed someone was standing just a few steps away from him, listening to his melody.
As the melody had finally came to an end, there is when ZhouYu finally noticed the presence of a familiar little figure. "Lady Xiao?"
"Hi." XiaoQiao waved a little with a smile before apologizing, "Umm...Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you."
ZhouYu gave a soft smile as he reassures her, "It's alright, I just didn't expect to see you here."
"Well... I was taking a stroll around, then I heard a flute playing so I came to have a look. "
The strategist's gaze was swiftly caught by the dampness of her sleeves, he raised an eyebrow at her. "Did you...played with water?"
"Huh?" XiaoQiao blinked a couple of times before looking over to herself, her wet sleeves reminded her of the unhappy incident earlier. But she just went along with ZhouYu's guess. "Yea...I did."
"I'm not surprised." ZhouYu commented with a tone of sarcasm.
XiaoQiao frowned as she placed both her hands on her hips. "What is that suppose to mean?" She demanded, but only received a smirk from ZhouYu. Big mistake mister!
"Lady Xiao!?" ZhouYu gasped in shock when XiaoQiao suddenly splashed him with the stream water.
"That's what you get for being sarcastic!" XiaoQiao smirked and attempted to splash some more water to the strategist, but ZhouYu quickly ran away before she land her attack. The younger Qiao laughed at her victim as he made his escape, then looked down to her reflection in the stream and smiled to herself. "I'm not breaking our promise, Zheny. I will continue to live on well like you told me to." She muttered. "I would not break down that easily, I will be strong just like you."
XiaoQiao looked over to ZhouYu as he began to play his flute again. She went over and sat down on the spot next to him, hugging her legs to her chest she rested her chin on her knees, enjoying the scenery. Her eyes slowly shut closed as her mind surrendered to the shooting melody. It was certainly relaxing.
As the melody came to an end, XiaoQiao opened her eyes to look when she felt someone sat down next to her. She smiled at ZhouYu who had also looked over to her at the same time. "That was utterly lovely." She complimented.
ZhouYu returned a smile. "Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"You know... Listening to you play the flute reminds of a friend." XiaoQiao slightly shifted her gaze from ZhouYu and stared out into a distance as she continues, "I often listens to her play, she's a very nice and beautiful lady, but she doesn't have a very nice past though... However, she has a very nice husband by her side now, who doesn't mind about her horrible past and loves her for who she is." Her smile grew a little as she looked over to ZhouYu again. "Fate may have not given her a nice past, but it did gave her a very loving relationship. So I guess life is fair after all."
ZhouYu looked at her for a brief moment before gazing up to the sky. "I believe it is."
"You do?"
"My childhood wasn't pleasant, I lost my family in a very young age..."
XiaoQiao's eyes widen for a second before frowning in sympathize, "I'm so sorry..."
The strategist shook his head before turning to her with a soft smile, "It's alright. I never really told anyone before, I don't what came over me to simply blurt it out to you."
"Do you maybe want to talk some more?" XiaoQiao asked softly with a gentle smile, "I could be your listener this time, and I promise I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to."
"That would be nice, thank you."
XiaoQiao listened attentively as ZhouYu began to tell her about his past. From when their village was attacked by soldiers, to how his father and elder brothers were brutally killed while trying to defend their village, and how he was forced to witness his mother being violated and killed while trying to protect him, and how he was almost killed if Lord SunJian hadn't came and rescued him in time. Although his village was saved by Wu forces, he was the only survivor of his family, and there is when Lord SunJian and Lady Wu kindly took him in and raised him as their own child.
Traumatized by the lost and brutal deaths of his family, ZhouYu never once smiled or spoke a word since the attack of their village, which considerably worried Lady Wu, and there is when Lord SunJian thought that he might needed SunCe's influence, and he was right. SunCe's energetic and fun loving nature has let ZhouYu opened his heart to him little by little, he was the first person to make him smile, the person he had first spoken to, he was his first and best friend. Their bonds was so strong that they eventually became sworn brothers.
"I may have lost my family and home, but they've given me a place to call home, and they are like a family to me, and I've made many nice friends as well." ZhouYu gave a smile as his story came to an end, the brightest smile that XiaoQiao has ever seen on him yet.
"And you made a new one too yesterday." XiaoQiao clapped her hands together under her chin and titled her head to aside with a broad smile.
"I did, didn't I? Thank you for listening, XiaoQiao." ZhouYu smiled further, though a bit surprised at himself for saying her name without formalities so naturally.
"I'm just returning a favor. What are you doing after this?"
"Paperwork."
XiaoQiao pouted with a frown in disappointment, "Aww...do you have to?"
"What's the matter?" ZhouYu asked curiously.
"I was thinking of collecting some more peaches and I thought maybe we could go together. You know, maybe it could help lighten your mood up a bit." XiaoQiao jolted up to her feet before smiling down at ZhouYu with her hands laced behind her back, "Oh well, maybe next time then."
To her surprised, ZhouYu swiftly got up and replies, "I'm going with you."
"You are?" XiaoQiao blinked a couple of times.
"Like I said yesterday," ZhouYu reminded while fixing his clothes, "I couldn't let you climb trees with those injuries."
"But I want to! Climbing trees is fun!" XiaoQiao jumps while clapping her hands enthusiastically.
"Not when I'm here to make sure you won't." said ZhouYu, XiaoQiao instantly stopped her jumping and clapping.
"But...but..." She gave a sad pout, but eventually gave in to ZhouYu's stern stare. "Fine." She crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks. "You'll have to pick them for me then."
ZhouYu's gaze soften as he gave a small smile. "That is what I am planning to do."
"Really? Hehehehh, thanks Lord ZhouYu!" XiaoQiao jumps and clapped her hands happily before asking, "While you're at it, could you teach me your flying trick?"
ZhouYu slightly frowned at her request, "That takes a lot of time to master."
"I have all the time! Would you teach me? Huh? Huh?" XiaoQiao folded her hands together in pleading as she gazed up to ZhouYu with her big anticipated round eyes.
"I'll think about it." ZhouYu replied, but XiaoQiao continued to plead.
"Please Lord ZhouYu, pweassss~ Pretty pretty pweassssssss~"
ZhouYu let out a sigh. "Fine, I'll teach you, but you have to promise to never climb trees again."
XiaoQiao shot up straight with her wide eyes. "Never again?"
"Never again." ZhouYu repeated the words sternly.
"But...but...but..." XiaoQiao pouted sadly and looked down to her hands, tapping the tip of her index fingers.
ZhouYu's heart immediately melted upon the scene, he let out a sigh in defeat. "Okay! But only when all of your injuries are fully recovered and not as usual."
XiaoQiao immediately gazed up with a bright grin. "Kay kay! Only once a day, got it!"
"XiaoQiao!"
"Hehehehh, just kidding~ Once in a while, got it!"
ZhouYu continued to stare at her sternly.
"Once in a very long while?" XiaoQiao smiled innocently with her puppy eyes.
ZhouYu tried to resist those eyes, but eventually sighed in defeat again. "Make sure you'd be more careful and don't fall again next time."
"Kay kay, I will!" XiaoQiao gave two enthusiastic nods before running off into the orchard while calling out and waving to ZhouYu. "C'mon, we have peaches to collect!"
The strategist couldn't help but smirked and shook his head disapprovingly at himself, for the very first time he'd lost a debate.
"Have I gone soft?" pondered ZhouYu. "Nah, impossible." He shook of those thoughts and went to catch up with XiaoQiao, completely forgotten that he was suppose to be working on a strategy for their next battle.
Oh well, the day is still young.
CHAPTER FOUR_END
Thank you lovely readers for reading my story, I hope you enjoyed it~ Hopefully this chapter isn't too disappointing...if you think it is then I apologize (T_T) Didn't mean to waste your precious time with my boring update on purpose...
Hmm...I really didn't expect this chap to be this long... Anyways, I presume most of you already knew who XiaoQiao was referring to without me revealing it, and for some of you who don't, you'll have to find it out yourself in the future chapies then..:P (Or maybe even in the reviews~)
As for the next chapie, to be honest I have no idea of when I will be able to update since I'm gonna be SUPER busy with Chinese New Year and stuff(Yes, I'm half Chinese, part of the reason why my description & grammar sucks =.= Even though I always get 'A's in my English subject since kindergarten... And I'm not afraid to admit that I failed in Chinese subject throughout my high school years -.-... Just an info, I'm Christian~) I'm really sorry guys.. :( I won't promise anything but I will promise those who are loyal to my story that I will never ever abandon this fic, EVER! No matter how long it takes I will keep on writing, you have my word! *Pinky swears* (And even if I died before I could complete this story, I will still continue to write and update with my ghost form... Well, if I'm able to~)
Well, that's about it... TTFN! See you next chapie my awesome & lovely readers! ^.^/ Feel free to review and tell me what would you like to see in the future chapies about your favorite couples and characters, and I will try to make it so~