Sorry for the lateness...I just haven't had the time to type things up recently. My chapters will probably come once a month unless I have time to type more. I apologize for that, but we'll see how things go, okay? As always thank you for reading and reviewing my story!

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"Are you going to be all moody too?" Xiao, rather moody herself, was sitting at a table eating some fruit when Zhou had entered uncharacteristically stomping rather than walking. Since Da and Ce's arguement the entire manor seemed to be in a bad mood and anyone who wasn't was walking on glass fearful of breaking it. She hadn't seen much of Sun Ce recently and she wondered what he was doing. Da didn't always hide in her room, but she didn't exactly make herself handy either.

"He's forced me to attend to his business in Court!" Zhou waved an arm in the air. "He's just not showing up. And Quan doesn't want to get stuck in the middle. Bah! Everyone's stuck right now."

"You need to eat something." She concluded. No one was eating right. Half the time not showing up at meals. She had skipped breakfast herself not really wanting to face the dreariness that occupied the table.

"I'm fine." He waved her off, continuing his reckless walk around the room.

Xiao had had enough. She stood up. "Sit down!" She ordered.

He stoppped, startled by the tone of her voice. "Alright." He nodded slowly before taking a seat at the table.

She pushed her bowl of fruit towards him. "I think we need to step in." She was calm again, retaking her seat.

"What?" He asked.

"Eat." She pointed and waited until he gave in, eating a bit. "Now. Da and Ce. We agreed to step in if all else fails and I don't know about you, but I think things are failing."

He paused, a piece of food halfway to his mouth. How long had this been going on he wondered. He had been caught up in so many extra duties he didn't know. The sisters had remained into the next season with no more talk of returning home - and he was almost positive Xiao was keeping something from him - but she was right. The brightness of the manor seemed to have dimmed. And why? Because two lovers had a fight? Normally he would let it be. If the arguement had been that bad perhaps it was better for them to be apart. But...he knew that wasn't true. If Ce and Da weren't meant to be together then no one was. "You're right, Xiao. And I'm sorry for not realizing it sooner."

She sighed. "It's alright. I just want things to get back to normal."

"Hmmm..." Zhou was thoughtful, taking another bite of food. "And we've left them to their own devices with no conclusion."

"They're really good at avoiding each other." She commented while reaching over to take a piece of fruit from the bowl he had.

"They do have that down, don't they?"

"So are we stepping in?"

"I think perhpas we should step out." An idea was forming.

"What?"

"Would you care to join me in a week long tour of our country side?" He said with a grin. Not only did he think leaving the two alone with minimum distractions would be good, but getting away would be quite a stress release. He needed some time away and could only imagine Xiao would appreciate some time out compared to being stuck in here.

"Really?" She stood up excited, "Are you serious?"

"Is that a yes?"

She jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him. "I would love to get out of here for awhile!" She backed away. "Can we leave tomorrow? Is that too soon?" She felt giddy and was actually smiling again. She worried a little leaving Da, but she was safe here if nothing else and if Zhou thought leaving for a short bit was a good idea then it must be.

"Tomorrow is fine if that's what you want." He felt like smiling himself seeing her close to giggling with excitement. It was a beautiful sight to him.

"That'll be lovely! I'll have to tell Da though or she'll worry too much and then nothing will be resolved between her and Sun Ce!"

"Alright." He nodded. "I'll talk to Ce as well."

She clapped her hands. "Things are already looking brighter."

"Begging is not appealing, children." Lu Xun had found himself in charge of a small group of some random children that resided at the manor and on a walk of the grounds they had found Da sitting on one of the many benches. She didn't seem very occupied with much but her own thoughts so some of the children had decided to sit next to her and one little on had crawled onto her lap. Luckily to his relief she didn't seem to mind.

They had begun by telling her about their day and lessons they had studied and she gave them the individual attention and praise they craved. The conversation led to them asking her what kind of studies she had and what she liked to do. Next thing he knew they were asking her to perform a dance and when she at first refused they started to repeat their request trying to get her to agree. That's when he tried to intervene even as he was ignored.

Da started to laugh as the little voices started to overlap and the embarressed look that started to cross Lu Xun's face as she was unable to control the small group. "I am sorry, but how can I dance when there is no music?" She tried to convince the children.

"Lu Xun can sing!" One of the children immediately responded.

"Now wait..." He put up his hands. "I don't think..."

"But you sing so well." A little girl commented. Several others nodded and agreed.

"Then I think it's only fair that if I am to dance he should sing as well, don't you think?" Da gave a smile. She wasn't going to get stuck in this alone. The children readily agreed to this and became increasingly excited over the upcoming performance. She looked over at Lu Xun. "Agreed?"

He nodded his agreement, increasingly becoming aware of what he was being asked to do and for this he was slightly embarressed. His agreement basically came from the fact he would also like to see the Lady Da dance. It was a rather known fact that half the manor was smitten by Lady Da while the other half felt the same about Lady Xiao. Of course there were several who couldn't decide. He was fascinated by their grace and beauty that seemed to be the stuff from stories. What better way to see this than through a dance? He was careful how he acted and talked around her though. It was also a known fact that Sun Ce had claimed her and he wasn't going to tread into such dangerous waters.

"Alright then." Da stood up, placing the child that had been on her lap down where she had sat. The others took seats around various places. "Whenever you are ready." She told Lu Xun.

Sun Ce was about to walk past a section of the courtyard when a familiar song caught his attention. He paused, staying in the shadows to see what was going on. Before him was a group of children obviously enthralled by whatever they were watching. Their guardian was Lu Xun who was the singer of the tune that had stopped him. And then he saw her...She danced like a dream he wished he had. The grace of a soaring bird she had in her daily movements were doubled as she seemed to float through the dance. He was captivated. The sight filled his thoughts and he couldn't reprimand himself enough over how he had treated her. But how do you regain a dream you have lost?

"You are a lucky man, brother." His thoughts were interrupted by Quan's voice.

He turned slightly, still trying to keep Da in his line of sight. How he missed seeing her every day! "Why do you say that?" His tone was harsh. He didn't feel lucky.

"You have gained what others can only dream of." He angled his head to indicate that he awas talking about Da.

"That dream has been lost." He tightened his jaw.

Quan was silent for a few. "Then you are a fool."

"No truer words have been spoken." Silence reigned between them as the song and dance continued, filling the void.

"Dare to dream again, Ce." His brother advised. He much preferred his brother attempting to regain the Lady Da over spending the rest of his life suffering because he had lost her. And the next scene that played out told him Ce did not have far to go to realize the reality he obviously still wanted.

Lu Xun had finished singing and with a bow Da announced the end of the dance both receiving befitting applause. A number of the children jumped up, running to hug her. Ce watched as a smile formed on her face and she returned the hugs. A small smile flittered across his features at the sight. He had never really thought of her as the mother type, but seeing the warmth and attention she gave each child and the eagerness they had to be with her his view was changing. He shook himself wondering why he was worried about such matters when he found her looking straight at him. He couldn't move, mezmorized.

And then suddenly she ran away. From him. From the courtyard. The children gave chase calling her name as Lu Xun followed, trying to keep them organized and telling them - or trying - that this wasn't very proper.

Sun Ce closed his eyes seeing her dancing once more and heard Quan's words. Dare to dream again...

"What?" Da jumped at her sister's announcement on her forthcoming trip.

"It's going to be lovely!" Xiao was oblivious to the reaction. "A week out in the country side...much better than being stuck in here all day!"

"Let me come with you." Da offered. What was she to do without Xiao for that length of time? Here. By herself. After every thing that had happened.

"But you have to stay here!" Xiao accidently blurted, fearful for a second Zhou and her plan wouldn't work. She then caught herself. "Besides Zhou invited me not you."

Da sighed, sitting back down. Inside she felt it was going to be a very long week. She wanted to cry, but she had cried herself out recently. She might as well once again accept her fate. Atleast her sister would be happy. And Xiao deserved that. Then what her sister had said finally hit her. She blinked. "Alone? For a week? With Zhou Yu?"

"Mhm." Xiao was going around collecting a few items, not realizing her sister's concerns.

"Alone?" She repeated. She really shouldn't be as concerned as she felt. Zhou Yu was quite a man of honour and she doubted he would force Xiao to do any thing she didn't want to. And it wasn't as if they were in that type of relationship. But...

"I've said yes already." She rolled her eyes. She hadn't expected Da to be like this. Well, things would be fine as soon as every thing was in place! That's what she believed and she was planning to keep that belief firm.

"Take Leiyu with you." Da insisted.

"Qing is already coming. What do I need two maids for?"

"Please?"

"And what will you do without her?"

"I'll be fine."

"Hmmm...Will it make you happy if I take her?"

"Yes." Da nodded, taking a deep breath. She really wasn't sure what she was more nervous about - letting her sister go on this trip or being left alone.

"Fine. I'll take her."

"Thank you."

"You can be so weird sometimes..."

"She insisted I take Leiyu." Xiao was telling Zhou, pacing the room. "I have no idea why, but she was this close to coming." She held up a hand, her thumb and forefinger centimeters apart. "I had to do something!"

"But Qing is already coming, isn't she?" Zhou asked.

"I told her that, but she's acting really weird." She came up to face him. "I'm beginning to wonder if she knows what we're up to."

"How could she? And why would sending Yu along mean she knows what we are doing?" He asked, trying himself to figure out Da's insistance on sending along her maid. "What did you say to her?"

"Not much." She shrugged. "Just that you had invited me to go on a country side trip for a week. She seemed to be really worried about the fact that she thought we were going to be alone. I don't call it alone with a whole entourage coming with us."

"Alone." Zhou nodded, understanding. It appeared the entire manor had this thought that he and Xiao were either intimate or trying to get away to be such. Apparently even her sister had such "concerns". He was conscious of his feelings towards her and the fact they had grown from caring for her as a good friend to wishing for his affections to be returned. But he also was acutely aware that she was not in love with him. His gifts of poetry, random letters, and flowers were not ignored - he had been told - and quite often received with much excitement. That made him happy enough for now even though she didn't seem to realize they were from him.

"Why does everyone seem to have an obsession with that term?" She asked, puzzled.

"It's all right. Qing and Leiyu can both come." For as intelligent and knowledgable as she was she was still innocent. Or perhpas it was simply she had chosen to ignore or not worry about such concerns. If the time came he had no doubt she would think every thing through.

She sighed. "Okay. Anyone else we're bringing along?" She had a touch of sarcasm in her voice. Why was such a simple trip being turned into a huge production? It would be much more enjoyable if they just went. Like when the four of them had snuck out of the manor that one afternoon. No over amount of questions. No concerns. Just fun. One way or another that's what she still intended to have!

"Who will take care of you?" Leiyu asked as she poured water over Da's head to rinse the soap from her hair. She wasn't sure if this was some kind of punishment. She didn't think she had done any thing wrong.

"Contrary to what people may think I do know how to take care of myself." Da hugged her legs close to herself as the water poured down her body. "I just feel better knowing that someone is watching Xiao."

"Qing is going." Leiyu carefully lifted the wet hair to wring the water from it before wrapping a soft towel around the dark lengths.

"But I know you better than Qing."

"You two haven't been away from each other much, have you?" Another towel was wrapped around Da as she stepped from the bath. The words were not a torment. They were a compassionate observation.

"Not really." Da shook her head. "A few hours. A day perhaps. But we have always been there for each other. I can't stop myself from worrying about her."

"She seems very capable of handling many situations."

"But she doesn't know she's in love. I'm not even sure why."

"Is she?"

"What?"

"In love. Poor Lord Zhou Yu is smitten with her and is nothing but the perfect suitor to her, but she seems to act little more than a girl who is amazed someone would give such attention to her." She helped Da fix her underdress before starting to dry her hair. "I do not see that as love."

"Oh!" Da covered her mouth, never having thought her sister wasn't in love. But Leiyu did have a point. Xiao had even laughed at the idea that Zhou would write her a love letter. No wonder she didn't know Zhou loved her. "Poor Zhou Yu..."

"If I go with Lady Xiao what will you do?" Leiyu asked worried. She knew even after Shang's efforts and the time Da did spend about the manor it was done half heartedly. She had become a wandering lost soul. "You will be by yourself. And I know this place saddens you now. I am so sorry!" She came around, kneeling in front of her and taking one of her hands. "You should know how wonderful it is to be here, Lady Da. I do not know how you can...It must be dreadful!"

"It's alright." She tilted her head. She had spent some time thinking and coming to the conclusions she now faced. "I have to realize I must accept my fate - whatever and wherever it may be. It is something I am apparently meant to understand. Although I may have moments of happiness my life is not to remain such. But I am content knowing that here is better than where I might have been. And also Xiao is happy. She deserves that. How can I be sad knowing that?" She smiled gently. Every thing Xiao had dared and accomplished for both of them deserved to be rewarded. It was more than could be expected from any one person.

"Oh, Lady Da..." Leiyu spoke quietly.

"I have lived with my heart closed off once." Da whispered. "If I must I will do it again."

"Wait a minute." Ce stopped Zhou as he had gone on talking about a trip he apparently was taking with Xiao. When had this been decided? "Don't you have duties you need to attend to?"

"Actually? No. You have duties you need to attend to." Zhou gave a smug smile. He had liked saying that a little too much. "I left a few papers you need to go over before tomorrow's court since Xiao and I will be gone right after sun rise."

"You and Xiao are going alone?" Ce was not in a good mood. Hadn't been. And this was not helping.

Zhou could already hear it. "Don't start with me." He pointed a finger. "We are not going alone. We have several manservants coming along as well as Qing and Leiyu. But if you have something to say you might as well."

"Take Shang with you."

"What?" Zhou was actually puzzled by this.

"She knows the land and..."

"I know the land! Why does everyone think Xiao and I need some sort of chaperone? It's a short trip through the country side." He was beginning to understand how Xiao was feeling about this entire idea.

"Tell me you feel nothing for her." Ce dared. A trip - week long at that - through the country side did not have the innocent tone to it for Ce as apparently it did for Zhou.

Zhou paused, faced with the fact once more. Knowing Xiao was a great moment in life for him and he was not going to ruin their friendship over his feelings for her. Instead of answering he turned the tables on his friend. "Tell me you no longer love Da." He watched as Ce tried to stare him down for several seconds before turning away. He felt bad for his oath brother, but could offer little help without knowing what happened. And neither Ce nor Da were talking. "Ce..." He could only think of one thing to say. "Apologize quickly..."

"I'm not going with you!" Shang couldn't believe Zhou had even approached her with the idea. "I don't want to travel alone with you and Xiao through the country side."

"We're not going alone...there's a few servants coming along and..." He tried to explain before she came up with any ideas he knew she was capable of.

"Then take a few more! I don't intend on going on any trips I haven't planned. Who came up with this idea any way?"

"Sun Ce..."

"Why didn't I guess it?" Shang was not letting him finish any of his sentences. "I'll sleep late. You'll leave early. No problem. But I'm not going."

"Fine." He threw up his hands in defeat although he was quite pleased that she would be staying. And he was almost positive that was so she didn't miss any thing here. He took a deep breath. Atleast he would have someone to go to if he wanted to know what happened in the week he was gone. If she was willing to tell him.

Sun Ce found himself walking the grounds of the manor late that night. The moon was high in the sky shining a blue light down that left an eerie glow. That along with the silence made the place seem almost unpleasant to be at. No wonder Zhou and Xiao want to get away. He thought, but couldn't stop placing the blame on himself for the way it had become. But he didn't know what to do! Apologize quickly. Zhou had said. If he knew how he would! But how could he even face her after what he had accused her of? Blaming her for being with another man. For wanting CaoCao. Stupid!

His feet kept moving with no thought or destination behind them until he entered a small courtyard and saw a tree that was all too familiar. He froze. Why couldn't he convince himself to climb that tree? To tap on that window and see her. His eyes looked up to the windows, waiting to see the moon's light reflected off of them, but instead he saw Da standing there motionless. As soon as he blinked she was gone. Was his mind playing tricks on him?

Your dreams must not be very pleasant. Her words whispered in the air. He shook his head, forcing his feet to continue the walk. Not when they were haunted by a dark haired beauty he couldn't reach no matter how hard he tried...