((SXH: *yawns loudly* Hello, everyone… I know it's been a long time since I last posted. Believe me. I was looking at the dates on which I wrote certain chapters and was shocked to find that I have not written a chapter in about a year… I am ashamed of that. But, I would like you to know that I am in college right now and we just finished our finals. That means, I get to type and write more of my beautiful story that has become my baby. I didn't write anything outside of break because ha ha ha… What's sleep? I don't know. Some kind of thing you do when you're not working! But I'm always working! Then sleep is non-existent for you… Dear god I'm typing to myself now. I'm just going to go ahead and type up the story so you don't have to witness me o completely insane. Hope you guys enjoy!))

Disclaimer: I do not own Dynasty Warriors or its characters. I only own this storyline, the twins, Grandmother, Grandfather and Little Ying and the story of Rosarium.

Warnings have been mentioned in the previous 40 chapters…

/

To Hell & Back Again

Chapter 41: The Beginning of Trouble

/

Restless was the only way to describe the way Zhou Yu was sleeping. He couldn't for the life of him get comfortable in his bed, and he couldn't close his eyes without terrible thoughts appearing in the front of his mind. After a while, he finally drifted off. Soon after he did, he opened his eyes again, much like how all his nightmares began. As his eyes peered open he expected to see his assassin above him again, like that terrible night. However, that was not the case this time. In front of him was his lord; it was Lu Bu, hovering above him. Yu was still infuriated by the sight of him. And yet, for some reason, he couldn't stay angry at the man.

The strategist felt a hand come up and gently touch his cheek, brushing away any stray hairs that resided there. It was so soft and gentle that Zhou Yu felt the warmth of the touch spread through his body

"Lord Lu Bu," Yu whispered, his eyes fluttering shut. He couldn't describe what he was feeling. It was so intense, yet calming. It was warm, yet it sent shivers through his body. It was like he could die, yet he never felt more alive .But it wasn't real. That fact made his heart ache. He looked up into those caramel swirls and sighed. "If only it were possible…" he murmurs. "If only you didn't love Diao; if only you could see her lies; if only you could see what was right in front of you… If only you knew how you make me feel…" By the end of it, Yu's words had turned into a small whisper. A single tear escaped him. It was the only one he would allow.

Zhou Yu closed his eyes, unable to bear the sight of the man who crushes his heart with each small look. He felt that hand travel gently down to his neck ad cup it. If Zhou Yu was stupid, he would have expected a kiss. But, seeing as all he had these days were nightmares, he could feel the hand begin to squeeze, followed by the other hand that had found purchase upon his neck. He began to fight against it with all his might. It was harder than normal to break free and kick the warrior off him. It was a dream after all. Naturally, people could do amazing things in their dreams, but so could their possible assailants.

Just as Zhou Yu kicked the warrior in the chest, effectively pushing him of the bed, he shuffled further away. He went for his sword that he kept close by. That was as far as he got. A halberd stopped it by knocking away the sword to the other side of the room and cutting Yu's hand in the process. Zhou Yu looked up in slight fear. He knew what was going to happen next. He could see another halberd in the Fake Lu Bu's hands. Zhou Yu began to hyperventilate as the warrior stalked closer. He wasn't afraid of being injured. He was afraid of the pain. Even in the dream, he could feel his had throbbing in protest from the fresh cut.

As soon as Lu Bu's halberd touched his skin, he was shaken awake. In a panic, he fought against the person that had awoken him. His eyes still unfocused and mind continuing his dream. Calloused hands grabbed him up as gently as one could when being beaten off the one they were trying to touch. Although the intruder was continuously being hit by Zhou Yu, he did not let go. He held Yu tightly to his chest and whispered soothing words the strategist couldn't hear in his terror filled mind. Zhou Yu kept up his fight for a long time through pure adrenaline.

After fighting for a while, Zhou Yu grew tired. His strength was leaving him rapidly, leaving him slumped against the broad chest, struggling only weakly now. His fear took longer to dissipate. He slowly became aware of his surroundings, as well as a sharp aching in his chest and hand. Yu looked up at the intruder and sighed in relief and exasperation. Of course it had been Liao. He always came when Yu had a nightmare.

A few minutes passed with Yu greatly appreciating the company. Slowly, he moved his hand to his chest, checking it for any injury. He felt silly about doing such a thing. He knew that he had nothing more than a dream, but something inside him told him to check anyways. Probably for reassurance purposes. Yu felt his lip quirk upward at the thought. However, any and all amusement left his body as he felt a familiar warm wetness on his chest and drip from his other hand.

The strategist abruptly pulled away from his companion and opened his shirt with no shame. Liao blushed at the sudden action but was brought back to reality at the sight of the cut on his friend's chest. Liao met his eyes, showing great concern. Standing up, Liao strode over to the desk and searched through its drawers. Finding a vial of salve and some gaze, he treated Zhou Yu's wounds quickly. They weren't very deep at all, just a couple of shallow cuts. As soon as he finished wrapping up Yu's hand, he put away the items and pulled back the covers to Yu's bed. Without needing to ask, he crawled in.

The strategist said nothing, allowing Liao to get comfortable. As soon as he was, Zhou Yu laid his head on the other's chest, snuggling up to the other. It was their normal routine by now. Liao would come in, clam him from his nightmares, and then lay in bed with him until he fell asleep again. But this time was different. He actually awoke injured tonight. On top of that, it was stranger that Liao had said nothing about it.

"You are not going to ask?" Yu wondered as he toyed with the edge of the blanket.

"What would be the point? I am sure you are not aware of how you have come to be injured as well," Liao answered simply. Yu merely hummed in acknowledgement and closed his eyes. Whether he knew it or not, he fell asleep.

/

The next time he awoke, it was to a heavy object launching itself into his chest. Zhou Yu let out a loud grunt of pain. He opened his eyes quickly but closed them soon after in pain. His eyes were terribly dry and hurt to open so suddenly. He slowly sat up, despite the weight on his chest. He rubbed his eyes while the weight quickly moved to the other occupant in the bed. He felt his lips twitch at the sound of a grunt similar to his own.

"Good morning, Ying," he greeted groggily, pulling the little girl into his arms.

"Good morning, Lord Zhou Yu," came the chirped reply.

"Whatever happened to 'Momma'?" groaned the tired man next to him. A small smile graced Yu's lips as he playfully elbowed his companion. "Ow. Sorry," the other grumbled, pulling himself away from Yu. He looked at Ying and grinned. "What? No 'good morning' for Uncle Liao?" Ying giggled and then pounced on the officer allowing Yu room to get up from the bed.

"Good morning, Uncle Liao!" she exclaimed, laughing the entire way.

"Good morning, Little One," he said and began to tickle the little girl. This began the wrestling war between the two while Yu took the opportunity to get out of bed. With a smile on his face, he went behind the screen and changed out of his bedclothes. After he changed, he strode over to his dresser that had an attached mirror.

He picked up his brush and began to run it through his thick hair. The small smile that had graced his lips before decided to linger as he heard the laughter behind him. It made him realize just how quiet the past few days had been. To be more accurate, it had been four days since he forbade Lu Bu from being in Ying's presence. For the most part he obeyed. You wouldn't admit it, but he respected the warrior for that. However, his resolve faltered at the looks Lu Bu gave them during dinner. Both Ying and he. It surprised him to say the least. It truly seemed as though Lu Bu was beginning to understand his mistake.

Still a bit lost in his thoughts, it took a minute for him to realize that the giggling had died down quite a bit. He focused his eyes in the mirror and found the others lying on their stomachs, staring at him. Ying was trying, and failing, to stifle her laughter while Liao just laid there, propping his head on his hand, smirking at him. Curiosity got the better on him.

"What on earth is so funny?" Yu asked. Ying couldn't answer as she just broke down into loud and hysterical laughter. My, that girl has quite the giggle box in her… Yu couldn't help but think. He turned his gaze to Liao with an expectant look.

"Oh nothing. We were just a little amused by all the faces you make when you think," Liao smiled, which was wiped off his face when a brush was thrown at it. He narrowed escaped it in time.

"Liao, you are a grown man now! You should know how rude it is to stare at someone!" Yu replied, a little more fluster than he should be. Seeing the strategist's flustered face made the officer burst into peals of laughter.

"Lighten up a little," Liao chuckled. "I was joking." Yu sent him a glare that was marred by the blush on his face.

"Then why were you staring?" Yu queried. Ying seemed to recover first. She gave him a big toothy smile, showing off a gap from where she recently lost a tooth.

"I was just wondering if you could teach me to fight today, Momma," Ying started. Despite the question, his lip twitched at the not so new endearment. He would never admit it, but he did miss the little nickname she a given him. Yu adored Little Ying and never hesitated to show it. He gave the girl anything she wanted, within reasonable limits, but that did not mean he didn't discipline her when needed.

"Alright," he began and waited for the little girl to start cheering. His smile faltered when he didn't hear her. That was another habit that he loved and hated about Ying. She was always patient, to a point. Every display of her remarkable patience never ceased to remind him of the Hell she must have face prior to his arrival. Pushing those thoughts aside, he continued. "But, I want you to watch and then practice the basics today." The little one nodded enthusiastically and jumped off the bed. She ran out the room happily and excited for the upcoming lesson.

Zhou Yu turned around and looked at Liao, then back to the door. Liao jumped up and went after her to make sure she didn't run into any trouble. Yu ran to his chest at the end of his bed and pulled out some training clothes and a hair band. He quickly changed and ran out the room, pulling up his hair as he did.

/

It was a beautiful day. That was Lu Bu's first thought when he stepped outside early that morning. The sun was out, giving off as soft glow, not at all offending to the eye. The air was cool and crisp, signaling the oncoming rain. Spring… he thought. The sign of new beginnings.

As he thought this, he noticed a small figure run out onto the training field. It was a little girl, Little Ying to be more precise. The warrior felt a small smile find its way onto his lips. It truly made him happy to see her. She was running in the direction of the training field and was being closely followed by Liao. Minutes later, Zhou Yu joined them, in full training attire. He looked to be pulling up his hair on the way as well. It had been so long since the last time he had seen it up, it felt strange to see it that way now.

Curious, he stayed put. He kept his eyes on them as they talked for a few minutes. Lu Bu couldn't actually hear what they were saying, but he could see a small bit of disappointment flit across Ying's expression. Zhou Yu apparently saw it too and gave here some reassuring words, with the help of Liao. Together, they were able to bring the happy smile back to the child's face. The brightness of that smile warmed and pained his heart.

"I should be the one to do that for her," Lu Bu murmured, feeling jealously rise in him. His eyes lingered on Liao for a moment, giving a small, almost unnoticeable glare. He averted his gaze rom his friend to his… 'His' what? What was Zhou Yu to him now? He was no longer his companion nor was the strategist any type of lesser being. He was an equal. Was he the warrior's friend? Not likely after what had happened.

This train of thought forced Lu Bu to sit down. He observed the trio as they ran the length of the training field. All the while, he was contemplating his relationships with two different strategists.

/

Diao Chan silently crept out of Lu Bu's room. Although, she didn't need to. There could be a war raging outside of the bedroom and he would remain in the depths of sleep. Why? Diao had decided to slip a sleeping powder into what little dinner he had that evening. She had things to do tonight.

As she was closing the door, she hesitated. She looked into Lu Bu's peaceful sleeping face and felt herself waver. The dancer had noticed something was wrong with him earlier in the day. He had been rather quiet and more reserved than was usual for him. He also had no appetite. All he wanted to do was stare out the window and think. It had made her hesitate to drug his meal earlier that evening. If he did notice that she had slipped out, he probably would have been too lost in his own mind to think anything of it. Yet, she did drug him. Better safe than sorry. She told herself.

Diao closed the door softly and swiftly ran to her room. Once there she recovered a bottle of wine from under the bed, along with a box on the floor. She set the wine on her table and opened the box on the floor. Inside it were several vials of liquids, varying in color. She chose ne that was milky white in color and tasteless to the tongue. Diao uncorked the wine bottle and the vial. Pouring only a single drop of the mysterious liquid into the win, she put it away and hid the box under her bed again.

Diao put the cork back in and waited a few moments. The White Kiss of Haiden must not be shaken. Rushing the process will ruin the effects of the serum. It must slowly make its way through. It must caress every droplet like a lover would his partner. It must join itself with its counterpart, become one with it. It feels just as people do. For this to work, my serum must be completely infused, like two joined lovers in a night of passion. She reminded herself with a small smile.

After waiting the necessary amount of time, she put on her cloak. Then she took out a basket. She placed into it two cups, the wine and some bread and fruit. With a smirk plastered firmly on her face, she left the room.

It didn't take long to find Gou Si. She had asked him what nights he stood watch or went on patrol. Today, he was guarding the stables. It was perfect. She strode over to the stables and knocked twice on the door. Moments later it opened to reveal Gou Si.

Upon seeing the dancer, Gou Si's eyes widened. "Milady, what brings you here so late in the night?" he asked. Diao didn't answer immediately. She pushed him back inside, hurrying in after him. She glanced out the door, making sure she was not seen. Closing it, she turned to him.

"I apologize for being so secretive, my love," she whispered, knowing that the stable boy would be sleeping nearby. It wouldn't do to wake him and witness the night. "I was hoping that we may spend some time together tonight," she went on, showing Gou Si the basket. Gou Si's eyes widened further.

"Milady, I cannot! I am on guard duty tonight. I cannot leave my post," he protested. Diao giggled.

"Si, what could possibly happen? I highly doubt someone is going to steal one of the horses tonight," she replied.

"But, Diao, someone may notice your absence and wake Lu Bu," he reasoned. Diao strode forward, pressing a finger to his lips to silence him.

"The castle is silent, not a peep can be heard. Lord Lu Bu will not come. For you see, he is sleeping like the dead tonight," she informed. The officer's face paled. Diao immediately sensed that he assumed the worst. She dropped the basket in order to cover his mouth with both hands. "I assure you, my love, Lord Lu Bu is very much alive. I just slipped him a bit of sleeping powder from the hospital wing into his food, to ensure our night was not disturbed," she murmured, moving closer to him. At his end of her explanation, she removed her hands from his mouth and let them rest on his shoulders. "Now let us not waste precious minutes…"

With this, she grasped both sides of head, pulling him into a heated kiss. He returned it with true and utter passion, which Diao knew she could never match within her heart. As they continued with their kisses, Diao thoughts wandered to who this man was. Gou Si was her most loyal officer. He had always stood by her with devotion unmatched by any other. He had been a faithful servant to her for many years. Somewhere along the way his admiration for her turned to lust. A dangerous occurrence… This combined with his explosive nature, it could only end it disaster after what she had allowed him to do.

Pulling away, Diao and Gou Si took a few moments to regain their breaths. "Perhaps we should take this somewhere more private?" she asked, her eyes wondering to the upper floor where the stable boy was probably still sleeping. "I do not think it wise to continue and risk and audience." The dancer blushed, adding to her sincerity. "I know of a clearing nearby in the woods." Gou Si smiled.

"You think of everything, my love," he said. She gave him a small smile before picking up the basket again and leading him to the back of the stables. From there, they slipped out and into the cover of the trees. Diao decided to put on a show, while she led him away. She swayed her hips as she quickened her pace. The strategist moved gracefully around the trees and the underbrush.

Gou Si gazed intently at her dance, entranced by her beauty in the moonlight. He followed her blindly into the woods. Love and lust filled his eyes and filed away all thought other than her as she led him away with seductive moves and the occasional touch if he got close enough. Suddenly, she stopped and set down the basket. She kneeled down and opened t. Diao Chan produced a bottle of wine ad two glasses. She filled both cups and stood again. The dancer stepped forward, handing him a glass. However, he did not pay it much attention. His mind was filled with the Beauty in front of him. They stood there for what felt like an hour, just staring into each other's eyes. Diao's mind again reminded her of what this man meant to her. He was a loyal servant and could probably make a great husband. However, he was weak. He had been weak to temptation on more than one occasion. Gou Si had been exposed to her sinful beauty and fell in love with it. That was all she could see in them now. She pitied him. He had fallen in love with the one person he shouldn't have.

"To our life," she began, raising her glass.

"To our love," he went on, following her lead.

"May our futures prosper," she continued.

"In sickness and in health," he raised his glass to his lips.

"Until death do we part," she finished, leaving her glass untouched as she watched him drink. The result was instantaneous. The skin of his lips began to turn blue, foam began to come out of his mouth. The veins in his body began to turn black. He gave Diao a look of horror, surprise and one that made a cold chill run up her spine. She shivered. It was a look of betrayal. She couldn't explain why, but it unsettled her. The looks didn't last because his eyes turned black and he fell to the ground. Black blood began to seep out his eyes, ears, nose and mouth. There was no denying it now. Gou Si was dead.

"Pitiful boy," she said. "You should have known better then to fall in love with the likes of me on you own free will."

SXH: Cut! That's it people! Good job!

Diao: Thank god. Somebody heat up some water, I have to boil my lips from that awful taste.

Gou Si: Hey! I don't taste that bad! Besides I could say the same thing about you, little miss snake!

Diao: The dead don't talk, Gou Si. *walks away*

Gou Si: *growls and whispers* I can't wait until the scene where you-

SXH: *covers his mouth* NO SPOILERS! The readers are still reading this, idiot.

Gou Si: *removed her hands* Sorry about that. I'm gonna go clean myself up.

SXH: Yeah you do that. Afterward, I'm gonna have the make the makeup crew get you again with something worse.

Gou Si: What? Why?!

SXH: I can't tell you that. The readers are still reading this!

Zhou Yu: I'll give you a copy of the next script in a little bit.

Gou Si: Thanks. Down I'm gonna go wash my mouth out. That shit was nasty. *leaves*

SXH: Where is Lu Bu? We need to get ready for the next chapter.

Zhang Liao: I think he's still at the bedroom set.

SXH: What's he doing? Don't tell me he's actually sleeping.

Zhang Liao: I don't know but he's been there ever since lunch.

SXH: *jaw drops* Was he actually asleep when he shot that scene?

Zhou Yu: Yes. He was out like a light.

Diao: *comes back with a cup of hot coffee* You all talking about Lu Bu?

SXH: Yes and we're wondering why he's asleep!

Diao: Oh, he's drugged, remember?

SXH: What?

Diao: He's drugged. I actually drugged his lunch.

SXH: Why?

Diao: The script said he was drugged with sleeping powder. I got some out of my dressing room and drugged him meal.

SXH: He wasn't actually supposed to be drugged! The powder you were supposed to use was donut power!

Diao: Oops. At least it was authentic.

SXH: *groans in frustration* Somebody, anybody, go try to wake him please. We have to have him for the next chapter. While you do that, I'm going to sign off. We hope that you enjoyed this chapter and its twist. We really like to hear what you think about it. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Bye~!