Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

Warning: This chapter contains explicit dialogue and gruesome gory details

Chapter 10: The Fangs of Hatred

The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness-Joseph Conrad

Xiao had lost track of how many days she spent in the tiny room she was placed in. She was rarely let out but through her small window she could see the landscape. Even in the dead of winter, it looked magnificent. All she could see for miles were the tops of dark forest green trees, covering the landscape. It reminded her of the beauty she saw at Zhou Shang's cottage. She liked that place and she wanted to go back. It was certainly better than this place.

And yet, not everyday was easy to deal with.

Zhou Yu practically begged her not to come to dinner. He also was about to ditch dinner. It was only his father, how hard could it be? Xiao had foolishly assumed that all parents were like hers; caring, loving and always looking for what's the best for them. She had high expectations for her evening with Zhou Yu's family. She already found Zhou Shang to be an incredibly charming man that frequently brought a smile to her face. The man's younger brother shouldn't be that different. At least, that was what she assumed.

Zhou Yi entered the dining hall with his older brother and Xiao turned from her task of helping the maids make tea to see her father-in-law. Her heart could've skipped a beat.

Zhou Yi was incredibly handsome, even more so than Zhou Shang. Hell, he could even be compared to her own young husband. The man had a devastatingly distinguished look about him and carried himself with confidence. Zhou Yi, physically, almost looked exactly like Zhou Yu. His skin was tanner and his facial features more chiseled to match his slightly older age. He had a rugged close-trimmed full beard plastered onto his face.

Mostly what got to her was his eyes. They were gorgeous, possibly more so than her husband's. They were a bright gold and solid, penetrating everything he glanced at. And they had no tired lines under them like Zhou Yu's.

Zhou Shang waved to her before leading Zhou Yi to his place for dinner. Xiao Qiao took her eyes away from Zhou Yu's father and glanced at the door hoping her husband would appear.

He did, looking like he spent the whole day pacing and on edge. Upon entering, the older Zhous stood.

Zhou Yi cocked his head at his son, "Zhou Yu…"

She noticed that Zhou Yu's eye twitched and the muscle in his jaw bulged. Still, he bowed stiffly, "Father…"

"There's no need to address me as such. Lord Zhou Yi is just fine," there was tightness in Zhou Yi's tone, but the man had this odd grin on his face. Zhou Yu did not rise from his position.

Xiao placed a hand over her beating heart, somehow feeling her husband's pain. Zhou Yi's statement may not have been clear on its hidden meaning, but Xiao understood it. Zhou Yu's father no longer recognized him as his son.

"Yi, try to be civil," Shang scolded, glaring at Zhou Yi. Placing a gentle hand on Zhou Yu's shoulder, Zhou Shang softly told his nephew, "Go ahead and sit down next to Xiao Qiao over there."

Zhou Yu did as he was told and sat next to her, running his sweaty hands on his thighs.

Dinner was quiet on their side, while Zhou Shang and Zhou Yi were discussing politics. From the sparse snippets she heard, apparently Zhou Yi was on business and passing through, that was why he was here.

Zhou Yu hadn't touched his food. He was frozen, hands shaking terribly. It would be impolite to reach over and touch him, to distract him. If she thought he was distracted, her mind must have been in ten different directions. She was evaluating the whole situation, with Zhou Yi's eyes directly on her. No, he was evaluating her with heavy lidded eyes, as if he was deriving some sort of sick amusement by watching her and her husband. Obviously, the intense staring contest did not sit well with Zhou Yu. This, she could tell, if it wasn't obvious enough.

Abruptly, Zhou Yu excused himself and she, foolishly, chose to remain. Xiao continued to silently be under Zhou Yi's scrutiny for the rest of dinner.

Dinner wouldn't end fast enough, but when it did, Xiao excused herself to the kitchens with the maids. Zhou Yu hadn't eaten so she made a few beef dumplings to hold him over for the night and the maids graciously made tea. Xiao set everything on a tray and headed into the west wing, turning a corner to go down the hall where Zhou Yu's bedroom was.

"Lord Zhou Yu?" she said in mild surprise when she nearly turned right in a figure. Xiao stepped back a little and quickly realized that it wasn't Zhou Yu, but Zhou Yi.

The older gentleman somehow seemed less menacing when caught by surprise. His features were softened considerably from before, when he was evaluating every move she made.

"Excuse me…" his voice purred.

"I'm sorry, sir," Xiao apologized, tearing her eyes away from his.

Zhou Yi cocked his head glancing down at the dumplings and tea, "Were you not hungry this evening?"

"This? No, Lord Zhou Yu hadn't eaten so I thought to make him something."

Zhou Yi's mouth quirked a little.

"'Lord' Zhou Yu," he said with bemusement. "They have given him a title now? Do the warlords of Wu also give their horses Duke standing?"

Xiao Qiao flinched, "Lord Zhou Yu is no animal-"

"Isn't he? I already have an older son who will inherit my name, the other is supposed to be my part of the war effort. I admire Sun Jian and would give anything to have him alive again, but having a girl such as yourself be married to what was supposed to be a useful tool had to be the stupidest thing that man has done. It's like locking a duckling in a cage with a tiger."

"Lord Zhou Yu's not a heartless weapon!" she shouted. Her face was flushed with anger. No one should treat her lord this way. Not when he had given so much for the sake of the kingdom.

"Heartless?" Zhou Yi said softly and gently. "That is what I am. That is what he is. That is what animals are. Beasts eat when they have to eat, they sleep when they have to sleep, they fuck when they have to fuck. It's only when a good trainer and owner comes along that make them worthwhile. And Zhou Yu, my dear, is a very disciplined and trained animal."

Zhou Yi's brow rose in mild astonishment, "Don't tell me you think he has feelings for you."

"N-I don't know," she responded sadly, her heart breaking at Zhou Yi's mocking tone.

"You have slept with him haven't you? Can you honestly tell me that he is tender and caring to your needs as well?"

No she couldn't, but that really wasn't his business. What did Zhou Yi care if his son fucked her like a raging bull? It wasn't his problem.

"I thought so, though I could not say for sure, because I don't know what goes on in that boy's head," when Zhou Yi's brow furrowed and Xiao Qiao could've gasped. Zhou Yi was her husband in a sort of way. Worried, concerned at times, but this man had more confidence and shrewdness than Zhou Yu, but that furrowed brow was the distinction.

Zhou Yi sighed, "I apologize. I have had a rough ride. I should not be insulting a daughter of Qiao Xuan…or her husband."

Xiao paused, "Wait, you knew my father?"

"I have met him on occasion. He was a generous man, but I'm not sure he took to me too well."

Xiao Qiao sniffed back tears, remembering her late father. Her hands were trembling though causing the teapots on the tray to rattle.

"Now, don't cry," Zhou Yi said softly, looking nervous and guilty for making a maiden cry, "I'm sorry I brought him up…"

"I loved my papa. Nevermind…"

"Nevermind?" the older man scratched his prickly dark beard.

"Xiao Qiao!"

Xiao jerked, nearly dropping the tray of tea. Zhou Yu was standing down the hallway, near his room. He looked mortified and, well, scared.

"You get away from her!" he yelled, but Zhou Yi stood still, gaze still on Zhou Yu. The younger man quickly motioned for her to come to him. Xiao could only bow to Zhou Yi and kept her head down as she entered her husband's room.

Upon entering, she was struck with the strong scent of lavender. It was a little too strong and it seemed to be coming from one place in particular.

She flinched when she heard her husband slam the door close, fear running through her veins. How angry would he be?

"What a creep!" still she complained, a little relieved to be out of Zhou Yi's presence.

"I know," Zhou Yu grumbled. "You are not to go near him again. Do you understand?"

Xiao nodded and placed the tea tray on the nearby desk.

"I made you some dumplings in case you got hungry. Why do I smell lavender?"

Zhou Yu ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in dismay, shoulders tense.

"I…" he began, a little breathless, "I got sick earlier, so I had to clean it up."

She gasped, "Oh my god! Are you okay? Do you need anything?"

"I need a drink," he said with bitterness and began pacing.

It must be hard, she thought. To cut drinking cold turkey and to be placed in an intense situation like this was just begging for a weak moment. That was probably why he was pacing.

Xiao poured some tea, hoping that Zhou Yu would take his mind off his lack of alcohol and drink some of her honey-laced tea.

"Here, hopefully this will calm you," she said handing him the cup.

She waited patiently for his approval and he let out a sigh after sipping his drink. Xiao smiled to herself. She may have been considered a klutz but she definitely wasn't totally useless.

Zhou Yu nodded his head, pleased. Finally, he sat on the edge of his bed, resting the tea on the floor.

"Feeling better now?"

"A little," he answered. "I needed something though."

Xiao Qiao held her breath and cautiously moved closer to the bed. His body remained tense and the sad thing was that he had been this way since arriving at the cottage.

"You should lay on your stomach. I know something that will make you feel good."

Zhou Yu smirked and eyed her cautiously. Xiao rolled her eyes and patted the bed.

"On your stomach."

Zhou Yu groaned as he lay on his stomach as if resting his body was just too good to handle.

Oh, boy. Oh boy, her mind continued to chant as she settled herself on his back, straddling his hips. She leaned over and grabbed his shoulders, kneading the hard muscle and tissue and knots that had developed. He gave a long drawn out moan causing his whole body to quake right under her.

"Urrggh, that feels good," he mumbled deeply.

"You have a lot of knots in your back," Xiao was no massage expert, but she knew backrubs always made her feel good. Him going about day to day with this much tightness in his muscles must've been horrible.

"Maybe I should call a doctor to come over and look at you. Make sure you are well."

He gave a grunt that really didn't serve as either an agreement or a dispute.

It was obvious that Zhou Yu derived pleasure and relief from having his back rubbed, but Xiao couldn't ignore the twinge of pleasure from feeling the hard sinews of his body only for her there was no relief. The straddling position didn't help, but she was so tiny compared to him that there was no other alternative. Yet, her body flushed at the idea that if he decided to roll on his back she would be sitting right on top of…

She gripped his sides a little too hard and he bucked underneath her.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," she replied a little too quickly but resumed her ministrations, secretly loosening the collar of her robe. She was beginning to feel slightly over-heated. Aside from that, there was something else that was bothering her and she had the distinct feeling that he would be less responsive to this.

"Can I ask you a question?" Xiao asked. "It's rather personal."

She felt him sigh underneath her, almost like he knew what she was going to ask.

"Since I am feeling really good right now, I do not see why not."

"Why did your father send you…over there in the first place? Did he hate you that much?"

It took Zhou Yu a short while to speak, as if he was thinking of the proper response. It was quite possible he didn't have one. For a man as smart as he, there have been some things kept from him. That was obvious when he came here and met his immediate family for the first time in who knows how many years. Xiao didn't want to pity him. He would hate that, but it was just sad when she was so close to her family.

"I assume that was the reason, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt that it was more complicated than that," he replied before moaning when she worked a particularly strong knot in the small of his back.

"The truth is my family apparently have been practicing things like that for years. Fathers would send their sons to study and apprentice under warlords, government officials, etc. for a few years to gain knowledge to become productive loyal citizens themselves, hence why so many in my family have high positions. Zhou Yi took it to the extreme I suppose. He may have wanted foreign ideas in China or he wanted to sculpt me into the perfect tool to prove his loyalty. I remember Shang mentioning that he wasn't really trusted in court despite his success at being a Prefect so it would make sense. That is all I can say. It is all based on assumptions really. I really don't know and don't care. If I'm dead to him then the feeling is mutual. I only need one thing..."

Her heart must've skipped a beat. She prayed he was talking about her, even if it was unlikely. She dared to dream, right?

Xiao pressed him, "Need what?"

"For you to keep working my shoulders, they have been tight for nearly six months."

Of course. Her shoulders slumped and she pinched him, frustrated.

"Ow! What!"

"Sorry, sorry," she apologized, but smirking. "You could try to use acupuncture."

Zhou Yu's body rumbled with laughter, "I have been stabbed enough in my lifetime, thank you very much."

"I know," her voice unwittingly dropped to a low whisper and she began working his shoulders until he fell asleep.

Xiao Qiao couldn't believe how much she missed him. She had felt heartache before but never since the death of her father had it felt like a hole was in her heart. It had been nearing two weeks since she was dragged into this place and she wasn't so much in fear for her life. Despite her hostage status, the Wei were hospitable. Cao Ren would make sure she was well fed. Apparently, he was the greatest defense general in the entire kingdom and he knew the castle structure inside and out, so if she decided to escape, she would probably not get past him. Another man, Xiahou Yuan, visited her probably because he just wanted to see her "famed" beauty. He probably was disappointed because she was as sick as a dog. Her body was always sweating and shifted from being hot and cold. She had an idea where her nausea and other flu-like symptoms were coming from, but she desperately needed some sort of remedy. A servant had told her that Cao Cao had sent for a doctor and medicine woman to look at her but it had been two weeks now. Maybe it was the weather.

The doctor would not cure her heartache though. Maybe it was the memories of Zhou Yi's words in her head that caused it to feel especially painful. Xiao Qiao wanted Zhou Yu but what if that man was right? What if all he needed from her was a tight cunt to put his rod in as Zhou Yi implied? If that were the case, he would probably in some other woman's arms right about now, or searching for another bride. Lian Shi was technically available.

She gasped and rolled on her side, weeping.

Little did she know that Cao Ren had heard her crying. She cried for several nights and he knew why. He was a romantic by heart. Poetry, songs, you name it; he enjoyed the finer things in life. He stopped in front of her door but didn't go inside. A maiden weeping for her husband was a private thing, but fearing that she wouldn't last much longer,he was resolved to personally go out into the country and rendezvous with the doctor, hoping to expedite the trip. Cao Cao would probably not approve, but he was confident he could get his cousin's permission anyway.

The small army of Liu Bei stationed themselves outside the town infested by bandits and the troops under Yue Jin. Zhao Yun and Ma Chao were to stay behind until Guan Yu and Zhang Fei cut through the defenses of the town. Afterwards, they were to go find the house Yue Jin was stationed and to either capture or dispose of him. Liu Bei stressed capture, that way they could get information on Cao Cao, but in all reality, accidents happen in the heat of battle.

Zhou Yu's role was unclear, but he was to fight under Guan Yu. If anyone could keep track of that man it was Guan Yu.

At nightfall, they led the small force to the edge of town and almost immediately the bandits scattered after them. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei let out roars and their men yelled after them, charging against the bandit defense. Zhou Yu brought his sword again, using to slice quick and deep the familiar tearing of flesh an interesting sensation as it ran up his sword and into his hands. The blood started obscuring the red designs in the sword and he gave the blade a sharp flick, the blood shaking onto the ground.

The bandit defense was gone and in front of them was a wall of trained soldiers with tower shields.

Zhang Fei smirked and brought his weapon back, preparing for a full onslaught, but more bandits appeared in front of the defensive soldiers.

"Dammit!" Zhang Fei cursed, waving his pike around wildly, knocking bandits away like flies. Suddenly, the wild man felt a pressure on his back and before he knew it, Zhou Yu had used his body as a vault to fly into the air over the soldiers with the tower shields.

Guan Yu's stomach plummeted. He otherwise would have been impressed, if he hadn't realized that Zhou Yu was out of his sight. The wall started collapsing, as it was apparent that Zhou Yu had caused confusion and devastation amongst the ranks. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's forces took the opportunity to break through completely and begin working on fighting soldiers inside the town.

On the back lines, Zhao Yun and Ma Chao followed the forces inside the town, ready to find Yue Jin. Inside the town, he could hear Zhang Fei having fun chasing soldiers and bandits, and he spotted Guan Yu rubbing his brow.

"Guan Yu, do you have any information regarding where the officers are hiding?"

"No," Guan Yu grunted. "I have my own problems to deal with."

"Where's Zhou Yu."

"He…escaped," Guan Yu sounded sad and guilty. Zhao Yun was surprised. Escape Guan Yu? Unheard of.

"He broke the defenses and then I lost sight of him," the large man explained hanging his head.

Zhao Yun just laughed and hit Guan Yu in the arm, "So what? It's not like he's killing our soldiers. Don't look so glum."

"Generals!" Ma Chao called, dragging a bloodied bandit with him, "He has something to say."

Ma Chao forced the bandit to his knees, "Now speak! Where is Yue Jin holing himself?"

The bandit coughed, "In…He's in the East House, at the edge of the forest…"

Zhao Yun shouldered his spear as Ma Chao threw the bandit to the ground and kicked him.

"So we know where he is now," Zhao Yun said.

"You two go on ahead," Guan Yu jerked his head forward, "We'll cover you."

The house in question was hard to find. There were no defining buildings in this town, but they pursued every house that lay at the edge of the forest, kicking in and breaking in, but to no avail.

They finally came a across a small house with the Wei banner planted near the door. Zhao Yun instructed Ma Chao to remain quiet. Using his shoulder, Zhao Yun bashed the door in and readying his spear, preparing for soldiers that would attack him. Instead he was greeted with eerie silence, and a sharp copper smell. The house was dark and Zhao Yun inched forward glancing on the walls.

"What the hell?" Ma Chao whispered seeing the large amounts of blood spatter running along the walls and ceiling.

Zhao Yun passed two bodies of soldiers, guards by the looks of it; one had his head twisted all the way around. The meeting room was a complete disaster. And it looked like a nightmare. A soldier was slumped over the war table, blood pooling from his head. Another was on the floor, his cold hands covering a deep slash, as if he were trying to keep his innards in his body. A soldier was suspended on the wall, pinned by a broad sword through the chest.

None were alive. Ma Chao had to cover his mouth to keep himself from spilling his guts all over the floor.

"What happened? A mutiny?"

"No," Zhao Yun shook his head, not tearing his eyes away from the scene. "This happened too recently. Within the hour maybe."

"Where's Yue Jin? These are all just captains."

They looked all around for clues. It could be possible that Yue Jin killed his fellow officers in an attempt to escape.

Zhao Yun caught a smeared blood trail on the floor. He followed it, knowing that there would be a body at the end. He found half a body. Legs. Then the trail continued, the blood heavier. Near the war chest at the corner of the room was the upper half of Yue Jin's body, entrails hanging out

Somebody cut him in half and he survived long enough to crawl towards the weapons chest in order to defend himself but he died before he could even raise a sword.

"Oh holy gods…What…sick person did this?"

Zhao Yun had a sickening idea of who might be responsible. Desperate to get away from the scene, he found the back door and opened it, wanting badly to get some fresh air before he could vomit.

Sitting on the steps of the back door was Zhou Yu. His back was towards him and his dark hair and clothing were matted with blood. He was holding a broken necklace with the Sun symbol in his had.

"Zhou Yu?"

There was no answer. Zhao Yun touched the man's shoulder and he twitched, "Zhou Yu?"

"Hmmm?" the man replied distantly.

"Are you alright?"

"I-I think so," Zhou Yu replied, but it was still obvious that his mind was not completely in his head. He spoke low and slowly.

"What happened in there?"

"I don't know," Zhou Yu mumbled.

"You don't know? How could you not-!" Ma Chao was silenced when Zhao Yun frustratingly waved his hand to silence him.

"I…must've blacked out. The next thing I remember is tasting…"

Zhou Yu began hyperventilating before leaning over and coughing, bile spewing from his mouth onto the ground. Zhao Yun immediately bent down next to him, grabbing his shoulders to keep him up.

"Hey! Get a hold of yourself."

Zhou Yu's hands were shaking and he placed a hand over his brow, running it down his face. He was still hyperventilating.

"They wouldn't tell me where she was!" he suddenly roared in a burst of rage. Zhou Yu dropped his head in his hands, "I don't remember much after that."

The disturbed man reached inside his uniform and slowly pulled out a folded, bloodstained parchment and handed it to Zhao Yun.

Curious, the spear warrior unfolded the parchment and nearly jumped at what it was. It was a map of the border area and on it were specific spots on the Wei side where Cao Cao's forces were presumably stationed. A giant X in the hill area was a clear reference to where Cao Cao was. It was like finding the long lost treasure trove of the Qing Dynasty.

"Do you realize what this is?"

Zhou Yu didn't respond. He didn't seem to care, and Zhao Yun's high declined a little, realizing why Zhou Yu didn't much care that he just handed Shu a defining tool in their quarrel with Wei.

"Come on," he said softly gently lifting Zhou Yu by the arm. "We have to go back."

Where he was stationed, Liu Bei began pacing, waiting for the return of Zhao Yun and Ma Chao. The bandits had fled and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and most of their soldiers returned safely. Guan Yu spent what seemed to be a whole ten minutes on his knees begging for forgiveness for losing Zhou Yu. Liu Bei tried to interject saying that it was going to be alright.

There was a rustling in the woods and he turned, his guards readying their weapons in case it was an enemy. Zhao Yun and Ma Chao came into view staying close to a distant and gore stained Zhou Yu.

"Why is it that every time he appears he's covered in blood?" Zhang Fei groaned hiding his concern.

"I'd like to know as well," Liu Bei told his two generals. "And where is Yue Jin?"

Zhao Yun glanced back at Zhou Yu, silent. Liu Bei was unsettled, his eyes wide in an intense mixture of awe, horror, and anger. Zhao Yun approached his lord and handed him the map, "He found this with one of the bodies."

Liu Bei unfolded the paper that Zhao Yun gave him. Upon seeing what was on it, his eyes widened as he looked up, eyes on Zhou Yu. Lie Bei may have felt gratitude, if Zhou Yu wasn't so disturbing. The blood all over his gaunt features made him seem like a death god…or on the brink of death himself.

"I don't know how you did it but…thanks."

A/N: Sorry for the late update. I really want to get this done, because in a few weeks I'm being shipped to either Afghanistan or Pakistan and I don't think internet access would be readily available. Hopefully I won't be gone long. On the bright side is that they may not ship me at all and I just have to report and then I can type all I want. Wish me luck.

I really would like some reviews, especially on how you felt about Zhou Yi. It was fun writing him.