Sorry for taking so long on this update...had some drama to deal with and didn't have the time to type it up. Yes, I write it long hand first and then type it...crazy, huh? But here it is! I also updated my bio with some info that might be useful for this story, but IDK. You'll have to see for yourself :) I think I need to add more to it now...So anyway here you are. ENJOY!
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"Lady Da?" Leiyu knocked insistantly on the bedroom door. "Lady Da...please..." She wished she knew what had happened (although there were rumours that there had been shouting on the terrace), but right now her main concern was the fact that Da had locked herself away. She knocked again. "Lady Da?"
"Won't she come out?" Xiao joined her, concerned. Her sister normally didn't act like this.
"No. And she hasn't eaten for days!" Leiyu wrung her hands. "I've left food for her, but..." She kept knocking. "Lady Da?"
"The door is locked?"
"Yes."
"Have you tried the windows?"
"They're locked as well and she's pulled the curtains shut."
Xiao pouted in thought before knocking herself. "Da?" When she received no answer she pouted some more. What had happened now? "You're positive she's in there?"
Leiyu nodded. "She came in crying just the other day. But before I could do anything she had locked the door."
"Crying?" Now she frowned. Was her sister still upset about their father disowning them? Had she even talked to Sun Ce about it? Was she upset about all that "armies attacking because of me" stuff she had talked about? Either way Xiao did not like the fact she had locked herself away. She walked away from the door going to another room.
Leiyu, curious as to why she had suddenly left, had followed her. "What are you doing?"
Xiao was rummaging through some desk drawers "Is there something thin? Preferably pointed I could use?"
"What for?"
"To pick the lock of course! I'm not going to let her stay in there until I find out what's going on!" Xiao continued her search.
"Pick the lock?" Leiyu was surprised by first the fact Xiao would even think of such a thing and second that she knew how to. "That seems so...drastic."
"No less drastic than her staying locked up." She held up a small piece of metal that seemed to be broken off of something, but shrugged. "Good enough."
She walked back to the door sticking the metal piece into the lock. She leaned closely trying to hear if it clicked and heard her sister sobbing in the room. Something clearly had upset her and it bothered her listening to it. This caused her to take longer than she would have liked and then she became frustrated.
"Any thing?" Leiyu asked.
That didn't help either. "I'm trying..." A few more seconds and she finally heard it unlock. Standing up she gave the piece to Leiyu. "Now, stay out here." She ordered before entering the room.
It was dark in the room with only a few candles that were burning low and she only knew Da was on her bed by the sound of her sobs. Xiao normally was never nervous about entering any situation, but took pause. If she found out who had hurt her sister like this...She crept to the bed, carefully climbing on to it. "Da?" She reached out to stroke her sister's hair. "Sister...What's wrong?" Her answer was continued sobs. "Remember when you said I could tell you anything? You know you can do the same to me."
"I...can't." Da had her face buried in the pillow and her words were muffled as she spoke.
"Why not? You can't keep yourself locked away. Leiyu says you haven't eaten."
"I'm not hungry." Da's crying continued.
"What happened?" Xiao tried asking another question. She really hated seeing Da like this and there seemed to be no end to her tears. And no answers to the question. Xiao tried to think what to say and remembered the last time Da had cried. "Is it love?" She asked even though Zhou had explained to her that it wasn't love that caused tears. Her sister suddenly sobbed harder and Xiao began to worry if she could catch her breath. But that meant with that reaction it did concern Sun Ce...didn't it?
And why didn't Da talk to her? She could still remember nights when they would crawl into bed and talk for hours, giggling over the newest gossip, and just share stories. Then suddenly her older sister had grown quieter and seemed to be hesitant to enjoy such fun. She remembered at the last few banquets seeing Da sit so still she seemed little more than a statue. Something wasn't right.
Xiao crawled over her sister's prone form and laying down next to her moved the pillow a little so she would get more air. She then wiped the hair tendrils away from her tear stained face. "You look awful." She teased, but didn't even see a hint of a smile cross Da's face. She just laid there looking as if any minute the tears would start falling again. This was worse than last time. There had to be more than what Zhou talked about. "Da...did Sun Ce hit you?" Xiao tried to think of something that would make her cry. Being hit hurt enough to bring tears.
"No." Da gave a sob hiccup. "He wouldn't do that."
Well, atleast she had talked...Xiao thought harder, trying to come up with something. One other idea came to mind, but she really didn't want to say it cuz it just made her feel sick. Maybe if she sort of hinted at it...She hoped it made sense. "Did...he touch you?"
"I don't think he'll ever touch me again." The tears started falling and she went to hide her face in the pillow once more, but Xiao stopped her. "I'm so stupid!" She suddenly blurted out.
"Huh? What?" Now Xiao was confused. "What did you do?"
"I'm never going to write another letter again!" Da cried. "I swear it!"
"This is all about the letter you wrote Father?" That added to the confusion. She had thought Da was past that. So what had happened? Obviously something that involved Da, the letter, and Sun Ce. She grimaced. Not good...
But Da wasn't answering as she hid her face in her arms, continuing to cry. This wasn't going to be easy...
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Zhou sat at the table with Sun Ce as they worked. He had known something was wrong for awhile now. It was evident in every movement, glance, and even the few words he had spoken. There was no friendly conversation and barely any discussion. His jaw was clenched tightly as it always was when he got upset over something. Now the question was what since Ce obviously wasn't offering any hints.
Suddenly the doors banged open and Xiao came storming into the room and marched up to Sun Ce pointing a finger at him. "What did you do to her?" She demanded. If Da wouldnt tell her she was going to get her answer from him.
Sun Ce stood up, not pleased by the interruption nor the accusing words and stare he was receiving. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't give me that!" She snapped. "She's locked herself in her room crying and the only reason she cries is because of you!"
Sun Ce clenched his hand into a fist and walked away from the table. Ever since that day he had been going over in his mind the words they had spoken. He could never forgive himself for what he had said to her and doubted he would receive forgiveness from her. Why had he been so stupid? And now...The only reason she cries is because of you...He hated himself. Was disgusted by the man he was that had hurt her so much. Why had he spoke such hateful words to her? "Damn!" He shouted and swung his arm, hitting a vase off its pedestal.
As it came smashing to the floor shattering into tiny pieces Xiao jumped, never having expected that reaction. It had frightened her more than she realized until Zhou came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. She gasped at first still watching Sun Ce as he stood there amongst the destroyed china. "Leave, Xiao." Zhou whispered to her. She nodded silently and he watched her pause at the doorway, glancing back once before disappearing from sight. Atleast now he knew that Da was the cause of his friend's mood change. Unfortunately it was a lot more serious than he thought.
Although there were rumours of Ce having a hot temper it rarely surfaced and Zhou himself had only seen it once or twice. And compared to others Ce's anger normally focused on himself not on another. He was not mad at either of the girls, but at an event that had happened and how he had handled it. And Zhou very much doubted he would find out what really happened quite yet.
He glanced over at his oath brother feeling sorry for him and the state of mind he was in. He wasn't sure what he could do to help the tormented man. "Ce." He called to him and although he didn't acknowledge him Zhou saw him take a deep breath. "When you're ready to talk..." He offered before taking his leave of the room, cringing as he heard something else shatter.
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"DId he tell you anything?" Xiao popped out of an alcove a little bit down the hallway as she saw Zhou.
Zhou stopped suddenly, not having expected that. "Xiao..."
"Sorry." She apologized before walking next to him, keeping pace as they continued down the hallway. "So...?"
"No. And right now I think that is for the best." Zhou had debated about that, but ended up concluding that releasing some of the anger might help Sun Ce think clearer. Normally within a day they would be back to talking with one another. He could only hope that would be the same this time.
"He was really angry." Xiao spoke softly, still unnerved by the shattered vase.
"It's alright, Xiao." He tried to reassure her. "The anger is focused at himself. Something...took place...and he must fight the demons created."
"So he breaks vases and Da locks herself in her room to fight those demons? I don't know..." She took his hand in hers. "I think talking would work better."
"People have to do things their own way. We have to let them try."
"And if they fail?"
"We step in." He answered with a grin.
She giggled. "That's what I thought."
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"Da?" Shang paused at the doorway. Leiyu had said it was okay to enter, but it was far from inviting. Taking a deep breath she stepped into the darkened room. Once her eyes adjusted to the dimness she saw an unhappy sight. The room had been left unattended. The bed was a mess with the sheets all knotted and pillows everywhere. And Da herself didn't look too good with dishelved clothes, her hair in tangles, and a tear stained face. Obviously the stories Shang had heard were not far from the truth. She came to the edge of the bed. "Da...I've seen you look a lot better." As with Xiao the attempt at light humour failed miserably.
She frowned before pushing her way onto the bed, sitting with her back against the headboard. "Alright. Spill it. What happened?" Da didn't even look at her as she laid there staring at the ceiling. "I'm not leaving until you tell me. And just to warn you I'm not as easy to get rid of as Xiao. So you might as well save yourself the trouble and tell me."
Da rolled over on her side away from Shang. Why were people insistant on bothering her? She just wanted to ignore every thing. She had had passing drastic thoughts such as throwing herself into the nearest pond or jumping from the roof, but thought perhaps that was brattish of her. As if this is any better? She scolded herself.
"Suit yourself. But this bed is really comfortable." Shang stretched. She would sit here all day if she had to. Someone had to get Da out of this room! And if Da wanted to play a waiting game she could do that.
Da twisted around not sure whether to cry some more, hit her friend, or what. "Sun Ce and I...had an arguement. Alright?" She turned back around so she wouldn't see her reaction. "Happy?"
"Well...no." Shang was a little startled by the ouburst, but nodded at the news. It made sense to her. "And obviously neither are you." She heard Da begin to cry and shook her head. "It was an arguement. People get over these things."
"I'm not so sure..." Da mumbled. She honestly had no idea how to handle this any more and the more advice she received the more she was sure to get confused.
"I am. Maybe it just needs some time." Shang wasn't positive she should be handing out relationship advice. She herself often got confused, but then again it seemed to work out most of the time.
"I love him so much..." Da whispered.
"He was pretty mean, huh?"
"I wasn't very...polite towards him." She confessed.
Interesting..."Da, can I ask you a question?" Not receiving an answer she shrugged and decided to ask anyway. "Why did you and your sister come here? I mean it just seems odd to me that two ladies who have never met the Lords of Wu suddenly become their guests? Now, maybe it could happen, but...it just...and I know all about Zhou and Xiao writing each other, but..."
"Are you familiar with the Kingdom of Wei?" Da was still quiet in her speech.
"Partly." Shang tilted her head as Da returned to laying on her back. "I am familiar with the kingdoms, even the small ones, and a handful of the lords and generals that reside there."
"Lord CaoCao?"
"Ah, yes...him."
"My father has known him for a very long time. And...well...Xiao doesn't even really know this, but he had an agreement with the Wei lord. I heard them talking one night. You see we...he...We were to be Lord CaoCao's. He fancied us and father just...I guess he didn't see any thing wrong in the arrangement." Da covered her face with her hands briefly, taking a deep breath. Of course there were rumours of CaoCao's liking towards them...and that was all Xiao thought it was - that there was a very good possibility they would be his possession...But Da had kept to herself what she had heard almost a year ago. No one was to have them but CaoCao.
"Well, I see something wrong in that!" Shang protested.
Da gave a small, sad smile. "We didn't have much of a choice."
"Did my brothers kidnap you?" Shang often referred to Zhou as her brother, especially when she grew excited and this story Da was telling was very interesting.
"Perhaps it should be said Zhou Yu and Xiao kidnapped us."
"Huh?"
"Xiao found the northern lord...how did she say...creepy."
"And what did Da think of this man?"
"Da had accepted her fate."
Now Shang could see some events better. She had spent an afternoon once listening to Xiao talk about how it didn't make sense that one day her sister just wasn't herself. How she had grown overly quiet and didn't seem to know what fun was any more. Hearing Da talk she could understand what happened. Not that she agreed with it. "I don't think I could do that."
"Sometimes there is no other choice to take."
"Hmph...Obviously Xiao found one."
"That's Xiao."
"So come on...tell me more. What did Xiao and Zhou do?"
Da was silent for a moment, remembering the events that started every thing and the first impressions that went with it as well as the hindsight she now had. "Apparently they had planned every thing. The meeting at the banquet. The tour of the ship. Leaving dock early. There was so much involved."
"Wait a minute. All that and you didn't notice? That's hard to swallow."
"I guess I...wasn't paying attention." She didn't really want to admit at the time she was rather distracted by Sun Ce.
But Shang snickered any way, knowing full well what she meant. "Alright then...so what's up with this leaving at the season's end thing?"
Da frowned, feeling the tears form again. "That would be my fault..."
"Your fault?"
"I...didn't know what was going on and I...I just..." The tears came again which made her upset even more. She wished she could take back so much she had said. "I made him promise to take us back...when the winds changed. I was so...I don't know any more!" She rolled over on her side, covering her face to hide from Shang the tears that continued to stream down her cheeks.
Shang bit her tongue from the outburst she had forming as she watched her friend crumple in sorrow. This was a very serious situation and a lot more was involved than she had thought. She felt privilaged to be told what she had. She place a hand on Da's shoulder. "Da...you don't really want to leave, do you?" The other girl shook her head silently. "Does Sun Ce know?" She heard a sob escape from Da and shook her gently. "Did you tell him?"
"I tried, but it all came out wrong! I messed everything up." Her words were mixed with her sobs.
Shang twisted her mouth in thought. She really didn't know what to say or do, but she knew one thing and that was the fact that she had to get her friend out of her depression. She had seen it in others and knew it wasn't healthy. She didn't want Da going down that road. "Alright. So you messed up. My brother was an idiot. It happens. It's time to move on. Or continue on. Or whatever." She moved onto her knees and grabbed Da's arm, pulling slightly. "So come on. Get out of this bed!"
"Leave me alone, Shang."
"Ya...like that will happen." She rolled her eyes and released the arm, falling back onto the bed. "But I'm not leaving until you do. And I've had worse jobs than staying on a nice comfy bed all day." She stretched, then bounced a little to reposition herself an idea forming in her head. She bounced a little harder, glancing over at Da. "You've got a really comfy bed." She tried not to laugh as she bounced a few more times. She had to admit Da could ignore a great deal when she wanted. She stood up, jumping a few times. This was actually a lot of fun. She would have to remember to annoy Da more often.
"Stop that!" Da snapped, twisting around, half sitting up. The bed's harsh movements were not only annoying, but making her feel ill.
"I'm an awful bedmate, aren't I?" Shang stopped and stood there with her hands on her hips and a crooked smile on her face. "I'm sure you would prefer Sun Ce."
"Sun Shang!" Da's eyes widened, shocked and taken off guard by her comment.
Shang took the advantage and grabbing Da's arm began pulling her across the bed, dragging sheets, covers, and pillows along the way. "You're getting up!" She insisted.
"Stop it!" Da ordered, unfortunately loosing the battle as Shang was stronger than she was. "I said stop it!"
"LEIYU!" Shang shouted, deciding she was going to get her way. "Get the bath ready. Lady Da has grown tired of her bed!" She had jumped down onto the floor and almost had the other girl with her, but Da was putting up a good fight. Perhpas this was the wrong way to go about it, but it was what she remembered her father calling "tough love". Sometimes you had to forget the sympathy and force the person to continue. It was them - not you - that could make the changes.
Da was close to furious at Shang's actions. What right did she have making such decisions? She didn't know how Da felt. Or what was going to happen. And all Da knew is if she left the room she would cross his path and she wasn't ready for that. She wasn't sure when she would be. "I'm going to get you back for this!" She threatened as she came sliding off the bed with the covers, landing in a heap on the floor.
"I'll look forward to that." Shang preferred this over the way Da had been acting. It was closer to how she was. A bit bratty, a touch fiesty, and a biting tongue. And if Xiao said there was more of that still hiding underneath she was curious to see it. Boy, did her brother have his hands full!
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Leave it to Shang, hm? Maybe it's bad of me, but I love writing that spunky Sun girl lol But let's see how things progress from this point, shall we?