Like I said, I've been happy so i was able to spit this one out quick. Yu gets better, Yi... not so much.

"If he gets angry send him my way. I'll take the punishment." Ce glanced down at her then to Da who dropped Tongs arm and crossing her own across her chest for some smart remark Tong made. He fell back to the floor with a groan and an apology. Shang Xiang looked up at her brother, scrutinizing his expression before it all sunk in. She made a small 'o' with her mouth before smiling broadly. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad experience. At least she'd get to see what her possible sister in laws would be like.

Yu stared at the letters in his hand. But he didn't see the words. Frowning, he dropped his head to the desk and gave a withering sigh. He stayed that way until Ce walked into the room and leaned against the desk. Yu was sure Ce was staring at him, but he didn't yet feel ready to move. Instead he gave another sigh.

"Having fun?" Ce asked as he picked up the cup of tea and took a whiff of it. Face scrunching he put it back and looked back to Yu with a face that clearly stated Yu was out of his mind for drinking it.

"A splendid time Ce. Joyous fun that leaves me jolly and seeing sparkles," Yu gritted out.

"Might want to get that checked." Ce jabbed Yu in the head with his thumb, making Yu sit up with a jerk. Brows furrowed in pain, Yu rubbed his scalp and glared at Ce. Grinning, Ce grabbed the papers Yu had been laying his head on and skimmed them over.

"That hurt."

"Little pain does you good. Tells you your nerves still work."

"What do you want Ce?" Yu gave in with a sigh, falling back to the desk.

"To make sure you're okay. You seem to be taking your outbreak pretty bad. Everybody is worried." Yu said nothing back and instead concentrated on the wood of his desk. "C'mon man, talk to me. If I don't get anything out of you I'm sending in Shang Xaing. And if she can't get you to crack, I'm sending her in with Xiao. Between the three of us in a row, you'll either go crazy or spill. Both of which are better than whatever rut you've fallen in."

Yu sat back up to glare at Ce. "I'm having a delicate moment, my personal life could very well be on the verge of disappearing, and you're threatening me with your sister?"

"You're lucky Quan ain't here, or I'd have him give Shang Xaing ideas." Ce didn't look up from the papers. "Anyway, you going to talk or do I need to go get Shang Xaing?"

"I threatened both Tong and Da. Da, Ce!" Yu almost sounded like he was whining. "Xiao's older sister! Your girl. That's like asking to become a lonely old man!"

"Wait what?"

"How can I look Xiao in the eye, honestly court her and give her the happiness she deserves when I honestly considered ripping out her sister's throat?"

"My girl?"

"I was just so scared after seeing Xiao in all the blood, and unconscious. I blamed myself. But Tong was there, and I was so angry. Angry at myself, and the thugs. I didn't really know what I was doing. I don't remember everything I said even."

"No, wait, hold up. My girl?" Ce was trying to get Yu's attention, who was leaning his head on his hand, basically talking more to the desk than Ce.

"Does Da hold it against me? You don't seem to. For that I thank the gods. But she is important. Xiao'll look to her for… girl things. Aren't mates apart of that whole girl advice stuff?"

"What?"

"But… Da's been reasonable hasn't she? Lately? Do you think if I explained to her she'd forgive me? Tong too of course. I'll apologize to him." Yu sat back, forming a plan as Ce floundered. "I can at least give it a try. I'm not above begging." Yu turned to Ce with a smile.

"What?"

"As always Ce, you have pulled me through." He clasped him on the shoulder as he stood, giving Ce an honest smile before turning and walking out of the room. "Give those documents to Xun or Meng. Or both. They both would enjoy going over such tactical documents. They both have seemed highly interested in the more intellectual side of battle. Again, you have my thanks Ce!"

Ce stood next to the desk, holding the papers, jaw slack for moments. He honestly hoped Xiao and Yu never had to vent to one another. Both of them already knew the answer, once they got all their worries out. Although it would be interesting to watch them get over an argument together, at least until the making up part. Ce glanced back down at the papers.

After what Yu said, Ce didn't have the attention span to read them. He had been avoiding Da as of late, making a point not to be as friendly as he would have otherwise liked to. How did they come up with her being his girl? Sure he protected her, but she was a 'guest' still. His honor rested on her protection. It sounded weak, even to him. But Ce was not going to admit to being weak. Sun Ce wasn't weak. Suns weren't weak. Scowling now, he stomped out of the room to find Xun. He also had an apology he needed to make.

- -

Da sat behind Xiao, giving a rather large sneeze. Xiao jumped and shrieked. Da still held her hair and the lunging motion had her falling over and some hair being pulled out. Across from them, Shang Xaing laughed. Xiao grabbed Da's extended hand with a groan. "That hurt."

"I'm sorry Xaio. Is your arm okay?" Da, after Xiao stood, looked to the arm. The gash was still lightly oozing, but being so deep it was expected. Xaio nodded the numbing herbs still in effect. She had woken up to being half drugged. After some interaction with the doctor and Yu that she didn't remember at all, she had declared that she couldn't take the blood any longer. Lao had let her out on the condition that she bathes under the supervision of Da and Shang Xaing.

All three of the girls were happy for the bath. Shang Xaing had been thrilled since she didn't really get one marching home with the men. She had happily led the way to the river. Shang Xaing, shaking her head at Xiao's whining, waded through the river to the soap she had made, and Xiao turned back around to let Da finish washing her hair. She couldn't really use her injured arm, with all the numbing in it.

"So how has Yu been courting you?" Shang Xaing asked, sitting on some of the smooth rocks.

"Good? From what I know." Xiao shrugged. Da patted her head and she went under the water, letting the current wash out most of the soap. When she came up Da had moved into the deeper water and was washing her own hair.

"That poor man has been worrying himself sick trying to honestly court you now. Da's really got him in a scare."

"I really don't think I'm that intimidating, being the other Qiao or not." Da glanced over. "I can't deny him, not with Xiao wanting him. I hadn't expected either of us to find love, or to be together. So, he could be considered a blessing."

"Why wouldn't you find love and all?" Shang Xaing raised an eyebrow, nose scrunching in her confusion. "I've never been over The Wall. And there aren't too many other humans in these parts for a long ways. You guys don't get love?"

"More often then not, no. Xiao and I, as nobility in the small town, would have most likely have been married off to a wealthy merchant If we were lucky we would see each other during travels, maybe if our husbands lived in the same town, and maybe we'd be allowed to visit. It all depends on how nice our husbands would be."

"It was depressing." Xiao butted in with a frown, running her fingers through her hair.

"So you guys don't get to choose over there?"

"Most don't. Our father would have chosen for us."

"I can't imagine who my Father would pick for me." Shang Xaing fell silent for a moment, thinking about it before sticking her tongue out and scrunching up her face. "Family can say no to a courting over here, like because Yu was asking for the permission you could have said no. Could have been the other way around, but it usually isn't. After that, he'd move on or try to have you change your mind."

"I can't imagine a girl asking," Da said, Xiao nodding.

"Like I said, usually doesn't happen. Parents can try to lead kids in one direction, but it all comes out to who the kids chooses." She gave a shrug. "Then the whole courting thing takes place."

"Yu's been offal sweet. Well, actually, he's always been sweet." Xiao pressed her index finger to her lips as she thought about it. "Hasn't he Da? I've been telling Da all about it. She's a worry wart."

"Xiao!" Da blushed with a glare and splashed at Xiao who squealed.

"Yu did explain it to you, right? You aren't going in blind are you?" Shang Xaing suddenly got very serious.

"I think so." Xiao lost her smile. "First is the gifts, and then the bonding, and then the actual mating. The whole thing could take anything from a few weeks to years."

"That all he said?" Both her eyebrows rose into her hair line. "I've known Yu too long to not give him a piece of my mind if that's all he told you."

"No, he went into detail. Like the gifts mean things, and are important. And the bonding is the super duper important part. The gifts are more to show family what would be provided and all. The mating he was a little vague on."

"Leave it to him to get all shy when talking about sex." She dropped her face into her hand before looking back up at Xiao. "You did know there would be sex right?"

"Yes. It's like the wedding, without the foofy dress and family present and long vows, and… the wedding."

"… I have no idea what a wedding is." All three of them stared at each other before Shang Xaing continued. "Anyway, yeah. I won't go into that part. I'll leave that to Yu for you. If Da wants to know I'll tell her though. Yu needs some balls if he wants to mate you. No pun intended."

"Thank you," Da said with a small bow. Xiao just made a pouting face.

"So, I'm not supposed to know, but what'd he get you? The whole gift giving on his part is almost up right?" Shang Xaing leaned forward.

"How come you aren't supposed to know? Yu didn't tell me that I couldn't tell people…"

"Its more so people don't start comparing gifts. I got a jewel this big; I got a deer this big. It's because some people start to get petty about it."

"Oh, so finding a boars head is normal? I told you Da!"

"He got you a boar?"

"Why would you give somebody a boar?" Da gagged, remembering that less than pleasant morning. She had woken up, stretched, and glanced around the room to see the dead eyes of a boar staring back at her. She had screamed enough that her face had gone slightly blue and Xiao had literally fallen out of bed. Yu had apologized all day for that.

"It's to show his toughness. How tough the guy is, is a large part of choosing. It two men want the same girl and she won't choose they'll fight it out. Like wolves. Depends on their preference if in wolf shape or not. Usually ends up in that shape by the end." Shang Xaing shrugged. "Fierceness, strength is always first. Next are usually ancestors. Showing his 'true wolves' blood' and all. This is more for old time's sake, but respected none the less."

"He gave me a skinned wolf, and a very pretty scroll. He read it too me, but I don't remember a lot of it."

"Probably the skin of one of his ancestors. Do not use it as a floor rug."

"Didn't even think about that…"

"A lot of people sleep with it draped over as a type of blanket until it's too warm to do so. It's like his ancestor watching over you. Their power guarding you from danger, enemies. Most family is saved, if they die in their wolf shape and can be saved, and put in the cave."

"The cave?" Da asked.

"Nobodies told you about that? I guess they really wouldn't have reason to, huh? Usually when a wolf comes to age, his or her parents will give them their share of heirlooms. Some family skins for protection, jewels, gold, tablets, and scrolls. You'd be surprised how rich werewolves actually are. Most of us would help out people for little to nothing. Money ain't much to us. If you offer to do some work or something they'll usually sell you what you need. Or just be willing to drop the price if you got money to give. Probably since gold and stuff had more sentimental value to us. But when they come of age the parents and the now adult kid would go looking for a suitable cave and they stash it all there."

"Yep! And Yu said the mating takes place in the males' cave. And usually the female's stuff is sorted into the males after its all said and done!"

"Usually. Unless she or he is stingy."

"So all of this is more guidelines to courting then set rules?" Da raised an eyebrow.

"A lot of people still follow most of it. Like, parents' probably deny a suitor if they don't send the gifts to their kid. And it's like you only want the other for sex if you don't go through a couple of weeks of bonding period at least." She gave another shrug and a small smile. "Very strict guidelines, I guess you'd call them."

"So what comes after proving their heritages worth?" Da was surprised how interested she was. Xiao and Xun had given her the basics, and what she could see from Yu courting Xiao it was a little odd.

"Usually he proves his wealth. He'd give her something with great value. An expensive gem, some metals like gold or silver. Proves he can provide 'humanly' along with 'wolfish' I guess you'd say."

"Yu gave me necklace. It's so pretty! He said it's like pure gold chain, and big and small diamonds hang from it. It's heavy though, and doesn't match any of my dresses." Xiao said bubbly, swaying from one foot to the other.

"The rest of the time he'd be giving her things that prove he knows her. Can give her what she wants. It lets the family know that he cares about her. Like if she likes furs he'd bring her a bunch of different furs or shapes and colors. Or flowers. Or jewelry to her liking. Depends on the couple."

"I've gotten some very pretty flowers, and he's taken me to a bunch of secret places. Oh, and he gave me a bracelet! I usually wear it, but am glad I wasn't today. Da was going to help me clean it. It probably would have gotten caught when that bad man cut me."

Shang Xaing nodded. "So, any idea what you're going to give him?"

"I don't know. I mean, I know what he likes, but I just don't know. And since I'm not exactly hording away family skins and heirlooms I'm not expected to give that. The girls list is so weird!"

"I've been worried about it too, for when I find my man." She noticed Das confused look and smiled. "We've got to go through the 'true blood' thing too. It's our first. Then we show we are willing to continue his line, that we are willing to be good mothers. If we don't, well, I guess you discuss with him about it. After that, we show our willingness to please him. Then we go through the whole thee days of just giving him gifts."

"Those would be sort of hard to show in simple gifts." Da dunked under the water after some silence, letting off all the soap.

"Yu said because I'm not wolf I don't do the whole blood thingy one. So I kind of wanted to get him an extra gift."

"That'd be sweet. I don't really know about how the courting would go if one wasn't a-" Shang Xaing stilled, causing both of the other two to tense. Snarling she lunged to the bank and retrieved the dagger she often carried with her. Ignoring the way her ankle throbbed she pulled the fairly large dagger out of its sheath and stared into the woods. Da grabbed Xiao, pushing her towards the band and Shang Xaing.

"I think," Shang Xaing said slowly as she lowered the dagger, "its time to start your two's self defense training."

- -

Yi checked again to make sure nobody was around. He really couldn't be seen. But he had to associate with the low lives. Face as impassive as ever he walked into the clearing. He could already smell the foul beasts. His purple robes flickered in the wind, giving him a far more graceful look than one would associate with a werewolf. Brushing his hair out of his face, he looked over the messenger.

He was a fairly fair sized man, nose stuck in the air. Long pale hair was styled for elegance, the mustache groomed with such care it was sickening. His bloody cinnamon eyes were the average color for his species, although they were accustomed to looking down at others. His armor was more for looks than for use, the flowy robes beneath it showing that he wasn't much on the battlefield. He stood in the shade of some trees, watching Yi walk out with a haughty expression.

"I am so glad you decided to come." Yi started, again checking the area for more of them.

"What is it you want wolf? And where is Cao Cao? I only came because Cao Cao called." The man glanced around.

"Cao Cao is busy. As I am sure you know, we are in the middle of a civil war."

"Such violence. Hopefully you will all kill each other," he murmured with a glare. "What did Cao Cao want?"

"There is a bounty out on some troublesome creatures that are proving in the way. You and yours are to speak to he who sent the bounty and… take care of them."

"For you wolves? Do it yourself."

"But there is such a prize in it for your clan. You really should reconsider."

He didn't miss the shining glint in Yi's eyes that proved dangerous. He didn't need to know this wolf to know that he was treacherous, unpredictable. Tightening his grip on his sword, the visitor swallowed before answering. "What would a wolf have that we would want?"

"Such a pathetic, stupid question. Family, of course." The visitor's eyes turned black in their fright as the shadows dropped from trees around him. Of course, he berated himself silently, a wolf is never alone. Baring his own fangs, smaller than the wolves, he pulled his sword from its sheath. He was a nobleman; he would not be taken without a fight.

- -

Ce sat against the wall of the armory, watching as Shang Xaing instructed Da and Xiao. It was easy to see that Shang Xaing hadn't taught too many people before, and not on something as delicate as pressure points. She had come to him, barely dressed much to Da's and Xiao's dismay, yelling about something smelling funny at the river and rushing away when she caught its scent.

She then fully agreed to training the two and set about making a schedule with Lao. He was honestly surprised she had thought of pressure points, but it made sense. The girls were never going to have the strength to be truly damaging without weapons, and pressure points didn't have to kill. Ce didn't know too many of them, only the basics, but as far as he had used them they worked.

Resting his arm on his knee he couldn't help but laugh as the sister's faces fell as Shang Xaing went though her and now probably their morning exercise. She was definitely going to be a brutal teacher. She was probably going to teach them in a similar manner Pops had taught them. Or Gai, he was a good teacher too if you liked the floor. Hopefully Shang Xaing would know, like they did, when it was time for the harsh teacher and when it wasn't.

Ce let his head fall back against the wall, his eyes drooping. It was going to be, he decided, a very long war.

I hope that at least slightly clears up a few things on the mating ways of the wolves. Yi is less psycho in this chapter, and I apologize to people who like him. I see him as psychotic. Anybody who actually laughs maniacally while alone is at least a little cracked/obsessed/something. I blame Zhuge Liang personally. He screwed over both Yi and Yu. Thats my rant/excuse. Toodles.