I tried to make this one good, a little informative, and not the rest of the story. I don't want to rush it, because none of the characters would rush. Hope it meets ya'lls standards.

Da came to in one of the most uncomfortable positions. She was tied to a rather large tree, her arms stretched back as far as they could, a rope tied to each wrist keeping her in the position. Her legs were in a similar state. It hadn't helped that as she remembered the happenings she tried to stand and almost wrenched her shoulder out of its socket. Groaning in pain, she flipped her hair out of her face and glanced around at her surroundings.

The woman that had kidnapped her was sitting across the way, leaning against a tree looking asleep. A fire burned between them, and from the looks two more people were with them. Trying to be quiet, Da started to twist her hands around to try and loosen the rope. All she was able to do, when the sounds of people coming their way, was rub her wrists raw. Biting her lip so she didn't make a sound, Da watched for the new comers.

The kidnapper looked up, taking a deep breath and stretching. "Howdy," she said to Da, grinning at the glare she received.

"Do try not to taunt our bargaining chip, Rong," an elderly man said as he walked into the clearing, falling into a crossed leg sitting position on a spread out blanket, making Da jump and whimper in pain. Rong gave a chuckle and leaned back against the tree. "Rong, he is nearing. Please, watch the girl."

"Whatever Ci." Rong stood, rising with grace Da didn't think the woman had, and walked to sit next to Da. "Think he's going to bring back up?"

"Is a wolf ever alone, my dear?" Rong fell silent then, glowering at the forest then. She scooted around, keeping her back against the tree. Da watched silently, not sure if she welcomed the closeness of the woman. All three grew tense when a tall, lean man dressed in purple robes stepped into the fire light.

- -

Xiao watched as Yu paced the room, his face in a permanent scowl. Every few laps he would stop, stare at the floor, and bring his hand to his chin and mumble. He then would continue again to walk the room. Xiao was tired just watching him, or maybe it was the emotional trauma. Biting her bottom lip, Xiao glanced out the window. The sky was a dark, imposing grey.

"Yu," Xiao said her voice barely above a whisper. He froze in spot, spinning to her in worry. "Yu, I'm scared. Da is in trouble and nobody can do anything. And things were finally going good for her, better then good." Yu crossed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug. Still holding her, he sat down with her in his lap.

"I know my love. I'm so sorry I can't…"

"And poor Ce. He can't do anything either, and with a storm coming I'm sure… Poor Ce." She mumbled into his chest, clutching to his shirt and wrinkling it. Yu gave an almost silent growl, sounding and feeling more like a purr in hopes to soothe her. Xiao snuggled closer to him, not sure if she wanted to cry or scream. Yu, as soon as he had gained a grasp on the situation had sent a messenger to the camp. With Wei attacking, nobody expected the army to come back for the single girl. Not even Ce, since he would be more help on the battlefield then rampaging through the settlement.

After that he sent trackers to try and locate Da and her kidnappers. They had yet to return. And, if they didn't find them soon then they wouldn't. The storm coming would make sure of that. Xiao gave a withering sigh, feeling like everything was against them finding her older sister. "I am so sorry, my love," Yu said into her hair, clinging to her tightly. "I am so sorry, for everything." Xiao shook her head, bumping his nose and sufficiently silencing him.

She looked up, watching him rub his now red nose, and smiled. "You saved me. If you hadn't of taken me, I would be with Da. And… I don't think that would be any good besides little moral support and there would be two less-then-decent fighters fighting then one. I just wish Da was safe. I know she'll be okay though. I believe she will. She's smart like that. Like Ce said, she has good survival instincts." Xiao smiled, remembering the beginning of the war. Ce was horrible at listening to rants, but if he did he usually had good advice.

"If Ce says so, then she does. He did stalk her for the couple of months…" Yu trailed off, remembering as well the time just before the start of the war. Xiao gave a sad giggle, laying her head on his chest again. Yu nuzzled her neck, purring again for her.

"Don't let me fall asleep… Never mind, you're going to make me fall asleep. Wake me when the messenger or the trackers come back?"

"I promise." She nodded, and closed her eyes, still not knowing if she wanted a good cry. Yu rubbed her back and stared out the window, and praying for Da.

- -

Jian sadly watched as Ce punched the tree again Already his sons knuckles were bloody, and the first layer of bark on the tree was smashed and falling off. Jian glanced down at the note, before tentatively walking around Ce. There, in eyes view, he waited for Ce to acknowledge him. Ce gave the tree another good punch before turning to Jian with a glare not meant for him.

"Do you feel better?"

"Guess."

Jian sighed. "I suppose, you already understand everything?"

"Those underhanded cads stole Da, and none of the rejects left at the settlement can find her."

"No, those left at the settlements don't have your pig headedness and aren't going to muck around through the forest until they, by chance, locate her and her kidnapper." Ce continued to glare at Jian. "You do also understand that you will do better here, correct?"

"…Pops…"

"If, no when they find something, I will give you full permission to leave and track her down. When we get word that they have found a trail, or received the ransom letter, or whatever it is that vampire wanted, I will not stop you from going." Ce said nothing, and Jian knew the war inside well. Whether to go to his mate to be, or to fight for Wu. It was a choice most soldiers had to make, in one form or another. Jian, though, already knew what Ce would pick. His son was, at a few points, very predictable.

"You agree to this, Ce?"

Ce looked back up to Jian, eyes still heated in anger. But he gave a jerky nod, seeing no other options. Jian nodded, clasping him on the shoulder for a moment and locking eyes. He then turned; ready to prepare the return letter. Ce watched him go, still as a statue until the door shut. He then spun around with lethal agility and slammed his fist into the tree again, making the branches at the top rustle. Breathing heavy he pulled his fist out of the tree and stared at the blood.

Jian sat at the desk long after he had sent the message, staring at the wood with a distant expression. He nearly fell out of his chair when Xun gave two rasp knocks and then barged into the room. Gripping the desk and chair like they were his life links, Jian stared at Xun with wide eyes, which Xun matched with his wide eyed look that resembled when deer were caught with nowhere else to run and the pack closing in. "What is it Xun?" Jian asked, putting emphasis on every word.

Xun mumbled an apology, running a hand through his hair. He had been on edge ever since he had been told he was going to be the strategist for the battle and after Da getting kidnap he felt better about being out here. Not that he didn't jump at every sound coming from the forest, but he had felt less guilty. Until he had seen Ce using a large tree as a punching bag, of which he then found a secluded little spot and watched Ce calm down and finally drop into a sitting position. Curious, he watched as Ce just seemed to calm, only able to come up with the conclusion that getting the brunt of his anger out of the way, Ce was ready to sensibly think about the situation.

Xun had left, not feeling right spying on Ce when Ce wasn't injuring himself. But, always a caring man, he had gone to check on the Ce in his given room when the storm had started, thunder clapping and lightning splitting the sky. He found Ce staring up at the sky, eyes bright gold and fangs bared instead of in his room. Unsure of what to do, Xun ran to find Jian.

Jian stared at Xun for a moment, obviously sorting out the story before nodding and standing. Xun followed him out, and nearly ran into him when Jian stopped on the porch. Ce was indeed challenging the storm, standing in a clearing. Jian spotted both Ci and Gai under another porch, watching his son with worried expressions. "I think, Xun, Ce will be okay this time."

"But my lord. There is battle most likely to happen tomorrow. Should he not be sleeping, or trying to not emotionally drain himself?"

"That, Xun, is the only way he will sleep. He will stand to the storm, and drain himself until he just collapses in bed. Until the happenings with Da are sorted out, my son has to… what's the words… not think. He needs to ignore instinct that demands he finds and protects that which is his. So, he will tire himself out emotionally tonight, and tomorrow after either a hard march or a harder battle, he will be physically drained. And thus, he will be able to be at his prime for battle, or as well as he could get."

"Would not his anger… help the battle?"

"Maybe if we didn't want strategies," Jian said with a small chuckle and continued to watch Ce. Most of the canine species didn't like storms, for they were loud but also because they made living off the environment difficult. Ce, however, had more then just the dislike for them. But it was understandable. His mother gave birth to a son on a stormy day. It hadn't been the worst storm of the year, but there was hail and gales of wind that pulled at the trees. Their home then had not been as large, and Ce could not miss the screams of labor. But more importantly, his mother had died in child birth and the son had been a still born. Ce, since then, had always associated storm with bad happenings, or death. Quan was similar, but had been too young to fully understand and only realized storms were bad. Jian only hoped Ce wouldn't have some other loss to associate storms with.

- -

Da shrunk away from the man in purple, Sima Yi they had called him. She didn't like the look in his eye, it reminding her far too much of her fathers when he had too much liquor. He only gave her a smile as she was untied and yanked into a similarly uncomfortable position. She was then thrown over one mans shoulder and they silently walked through the forest. She had been, apparently, traded for some man.

The man Yi had brought had been extremely pale, his skin bluish. He had been covered in grime and blood, his clothes in tatters and wrists probably scarred forever from the looks of them. His wrists had been somewhat red, but more so covering in a pale green and black puss. She wondered how he kept his hands with that kind of infection in his blood. Da realized again how much she didn't know about the world, remembering that Meng had called the woman, Rong, a vampire. It was very likely the poor man had been a vampire and something in his blood fighting the horrendous infection.

Grunting when the man carrying her stumbled a little, his arm guard proving more uncomfortable then the tree, Da silently seethed. She had at least gone numb tied to the tree. She wasn't sure how long they traveled, but it started to rain. The droplets were large, proving very solid when the hurt on contact. The cold rain didn't slow the men down any, Yi quietly cursing the weather. Her clothes became drenched and heavy, the cold rain chilling Da to the bone. She was going to catch a cold.

Teeth chattering she watched the ground path beneath them, scrutinizing the man's footsteps. She had to think about something besides the cold. She was shocked into silence when she was dropped to the ground, landing in some mud that only worsened her attire. Trying to sit up while tied, Da glared up at Yi with all her might. His cool regard of her only angered her further, until she realized he had very brown eyes. His eyes didn't have a speck of gold or red ember in them, like most of the wolves Da had seen.

"We are traveling over The Wall, girl, and you will act your part. As a noblewoman, I'm sure you were taught how to at least decently act. Humans enjoy hiding behind masks."

"You're one to talk," Da mumbled, rolling onto her back. "Why should I help you? And why are you taking me back over The Wall?"

"Your father's bounty on your head, that is why. Now, when we arrive you shall remain silent. Not a word from you, understood. As far as your father and others need to know I am a bounty hunter and I saved you worthless hide from the 'horrendous monsters that tortured you so'. Your sister did not make it out alive. You feel obliged to me for saving you. That is your part, understood girl?"

"And why, again, should I help you?"

"Because the settlement is not as well guarded as Wu likes to pretend and I can have it reduced to rubble before the sun peaks over the horizon. And I would so hate for me to have to be truthful about your dearest sister. The ruthless monsters attacked, mauling her once lovely face and enjoying a fine, beautiful meal that left them satisfied in many ways." Da gasped, jaw trembling. When he asked again if they were clear, she nodded mutely. He gave her a smile that made a chill run up her spine and cut the binds on her wrists and ankles.

"Now," he said as they neared The Wall, the other wolf having disappeared, "remember. I can give the signal and destroy the settlement long before you're out of my sight. No heroics or desperate antics." She again nodded mutely. He wrapped his arm around her waist, Da feeling disgusting, and with a graceful leap was over The Wall. The soldiers marching didn't see anything, still complaining about the down pour. Yi straightened, releasing her, and flipped his soaked hair out of his face. Da merely took a step away from him, distancing herself from the cad.

Smirking at her he spun with a flurry of his robes, sending water flying, and made his way towards her old home. Da rubbed her arms and followed meekly behind, having enough hope to glare at his back with the image of him randomly combusting to nurture her stinging heart and pride. She made as much noise as possible, making sure she splashed in the puddles in another effort to either annoy the man or to draw attention to them. Yi paid her no mind, confident in her cooperation.

The fence gave a shrill squeak as it opened, Yi scowling at the iron. Da slammed it shut, letting the squeal and the clang say all she wanted to the man. He scowled at her. Turning again, sweeping his robe so mud was flicked at Da, he quickly walked to the door and gave three rasp knocks. Da rubbed the mud off her face, not caring about the rest and stood a few steps behind him. "Remember girl, meek, tortured, scared, and happy to be home. Have to make them believe." Da glared, but as the door opened she switched the expression to frightened and timid.

A young maid stood in the doorway, glancing over the drenched couple with obvious distaste. "Can I help you?"

"I would like to speak with Sir Qiao, if you would. I have brought back his daughter, as requested," Yi said in a very charming manner. Da was slightly shocked he could be gentleman. The maid glanced past him, finally realizing the muddy drenched rat behind him was either Da or Xiao. Nodding her head, the maid stepped to the side and fully opened the door to let them in.

"I shall inform the master of your arrival." She glanced outside when they both stepped in, obviously looking for the second Qiao.

"She… didn't make it," Yi said slowly and quietly, pretending remorse. The maid gasped, but slowly nodded. She then turned on her heel and disappeared through a door. Yi glanced around the room, obviously not impressed by the decorations. Da herself picked at her shirt, nervous as seeing her father again.

- -

Dun glared as he stomped through camp. Sima Yi had disappeared from the camp back in Wei. Just upped and disappeared with no explanation or anything. Dun snarled, trying to come up with a plan. He couldn't just let Yi disappear, but just disappearing himself would be similarly suspicious, even though news of the incident had yet to reach Cao's or Pi's ears. Not that Pi was good enough to shine Dun's shoes in his opinion, but Pi had some pull with his father and would most likely inform his father.

Dun turned to see the bird swoop down and land on his sill. Running a hand through his hair he walked to the bird and took the message from the leg. Unrolling the letter he skimmed it. His informant, and well off soldier back home, was the one filling Dun in, and was usually very on top of such things. He had yet to get anything useful. Petting the birds head, Dun gave a long sigh. The soldier would send a letter again when he got something. Until then, Dun just needed to not let on that he knew. As it started to drizzle, thunder making Dun's ears ring, the bird gave a squawk. Giving another terrible sigh, Dun let the bird on his arm and looked for the cage he had stashed somewhere. The dang poultry would have to stay until the rain let up.

- -

Da couldn't stop herself, she screamed. Her eyes clenched shut, her whole body starting to curl in a way to protect herself. The two men still standing glanced her way, one mumbling, "At least she's got a good set of lungs," while he rubbed his ears. He and Yi stood over her slaughtered father, who lay in a pool of his own blood. Yi flicked some blood of his sword. A useless weapon, but it had been needed for the ploy to work.

"Set everything up and be gone with you." Yi said, waving at his scout. The other man shrugged, glancing one more time at Da, who was curled up, knees pulled to her chest and head resting on them as she tried to again remember how to breathe. He then set the dead wolf they had brought, one they had killed while Yi brought Da to the human, down in a position that looked like it had been killed in combat. Straightening his clothes, the scout waved to Yi and hopped out the window to give the signal for the other wolves to disappear.

Yi sighed, hearing the booming steps as somebody ran towards the room. He walked over to Da, prepared to act his way out as planned. He only hoped the girl remembered. The maid burst open the door as Da flinched away from him. "Oh my-" the maid said, unable to finish her statement.

"My lady, please calm yourself," Yi said, ignoring the maid who was starting to mildy hyperventilate. "It is alright. They won't get you like they did your sister. You need not fear," Yi said, pointedly reminding Da of the others when she didn't respond to him. Da's eyes flashed, and with a glare at Yi she pretended to faint. Yi desperately wanted to scowl and shake the girl, but instead gently caught her and picked her up. The maid glanced from him to the monster and the dead man.

"What happened?" she asked, stuttering. "They appeared in the kitchen and the rooms as well. Thankfully it seems that nobody was fatally hurt… but…"

"It appears they were not happy that I was able to get Lady Da out of their grasp. They apparently hoped to get her back and disappear. I assume that they are all gone? Then it would seem that when the leader of the task force was killed they retreated." Yi gave a small shrug, looking down at the maid. "Where may I put Lady Da to rest?"

"Is she… is she safe?"

Yi wanted to roll his eyes. He wanted to throw the insufferable maid at the wall for not only her disrespect but for her cowardly ways of stuttering. Instead, he gave her a small smile. "I doubt the freaks would change her, giving her what I am sure they think is a privilege to be one of them. Not when it seems she was going to be a meal of sorts. I have spent a long time studying these monsters, miss. Trust me."

"… Your not one of the two that came before."

"They were the negotiators. I do the work. Normally I wouldn't stay this long, for it is unusual for the monsters to come over The Wall. But Lady Da is… special." Da twitched in Yi's arms, obviously not liking where the conversation was going. "Is there a room for her? She is not heavy, but I am sure a bed would be far more comfortable." The maid slowly nodded, looking at the dirty girl in his hands before turning.

Yi was led to Da's old room, the maid holding the door for him. "I will wash the sheets when she gets up. I'm sure when she is up and awake she will be wanting a wash up. She sorely needs one at any rate." Yi, since his back was to the maid, rolled her eyes and gave a very slight growl. He laid Da on the bed, making sure it looked like he cared about her.

"Thank you," Yi said, turning to the maid with a charming smile. "I hate to impose, but would you mind if I stayed the night? I would like to make sure Lady Da is alright, and the rain makes travel so hard. And, of course, the payment, and all," he said the last part with regret.

"Of course! Please stay! Anybody good with a weapon is undoubtedly welcome after what just happened. Old Mai will come check on Da. Come, I'll show you to a clean room with a bath." The maid turned, and Yi followed with a smirk. When the door shut, Da sat up in the bed and started to cry. She held her knees to her chest and rested her head. Her shoulders shook as she cried for Ce and Xiao.

- -

Yu shook Xiao gently, she mumbling as she woke up and rubbed her eyes. She glanced up at him, blinking. He pointed to the corner of his mouth, and Xiao looked at him like he was stupid. He then pointed to the wet spot on his shirt. Xiao blushed three shades of red as she wiped the drool off of her cheek, quickly crawling off him and apologizing. Yu stood up, straightening his shirt with a chuckle. "The scouts are returning, love."

"Right…" Xiao mumbled, still rubbing her cheek and staring sadly at the floor. "Scouts." Turning back to him she grabbed his hand and gave him the happiest smile she could. Yu squeezed her hand lightly before leading the way out. The scouts stood in the rain, a few sitting on their haunches until Yu stood before them. The leader nodded to Yu and Xiao, mumbling a greeting.

"Did you find anything?"

"Sir, there was not much. We found a campsite. We don't think it was too old, and it was well destroyed. We were lucky to find it. There were some footprints walking out, or we could make out a few. The rain ruined plenty. We lost the tracks though, and what scent there was." The scout bowed to Xiao. "Please forgive us for our failure." Xiao shook her head, not trusting her voice and she clung to Yu's hand. Yu turned her around, telling her he'd be inside in a bit, and then turned to finish up with the scouts. Xiao hugged herself, and instead of going inside slowly walked to the room she had shared with Da.

She almost was going to stay in the rain, because it was terribly hard for somebody to realize she was crying, but decided that wasn't going to do her any good except let her catch a cold. Opening the door, not caring that she was wet, she made her way to the room and inside. It was still a mess. The dresser was destroyed, what clothes they had in a pile with all the splinters and wood. The sheets were a mess, and some blood was at the foot of the bed.

Not caring, Xiao crawled atop the bed. Getting comfortable, she grabbed Da's pillow and hugged it to her as she sobbed. She soon fell asleep again, Yu finding her clutching to the pillow, everything now soaked from her dripping wet. Running a hand through his hair, not knowing if he wanted to wake her, Yu glanced around. It was the first time he had ever been in the room, and it looked nothing like he expected a room owned by Xiao would look like, ignoring the blood and dresser.

Xiao mumbled in her sleep, drooling again as she curled to fight the cold. Yu sighed, not having the heart to move her after hearing the name of her sister in her mumblings. Although nothing else was understandable, Da couldn't be mistaken for much else sound wise. Slowly he worked her under the covers, desperately hoping not to wake her, even after she turned and hit him with the pillow she still clung to. After she was all tucked in, he gently crawled in on the other side hand held her similarly to the way she clung to the pillow.

101 pages total. So, I know I need to explain Sima Yi's motives. I know, but it just doesn't seem right yet. I will though. I won't leave you guys thinking hes just some sadist who was dropped on his head a few times after running into walls multiple times with the bonus of an extra high fever burning brain cells. Although those kinds of villains are also kind of fun. Hope to hear from ya'll, please review, and all that jazz.