HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! I wish everyone a great 2009! Yes, I know I am more than three months late with that greeting, but hey, better late than never, right? lol. So, as usual, I'm first of all obliged to thank each and every one of you lovely people for my reviews- THANK YOU! THANK YOU! You guys are the cat's meow (that's a 1920s slang for 'something splendid, the best or greatest, wonderful':P)! And secondly, I'm back with another new chapter! OOOH, and JUST so you know:

THIS FANFIC IS OFFICIALLY THREE YEARS OLD! OMG! YOU GUYS, CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW MUCH TIME'S GONE BY SINCE I FIRST STARTED WRITING THIS STORY? WOW, I THINK I NEED A PINCH, I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS IS REAL...

lol, Anyway, I'd just like to deeply thank each and every person who's read and reviewed and like this story, it means so very very much to be appreciated for SO LONG! And I can't think of any other way to thank you than by giving you a brand new chapter to this tale:P

So, to all you well-wishers thinking of wishing me and my fanfic a very happy third anniversary (and to you other ones, too) here's Chapter 25 of my three-old story! lol.

Enjoy.

Zhou Yu struggled to keep his eyes from closing. It was simply too difficult to keep awake when the atmosphere was so subtle, the mood so peaceful, and the night so serene. And the fact that he'd been up for the past twenty hours wasn't helping. He yawned, stretching up straight in his seat and wincing in displeasure when his back emitted several echoing cracks. The expansive table before him, over which he'd been bent for hours, was piled with sheets of maps and different sorts of battle strategies, none of which were legible to him on account of his hazy vision.

Yu sighed. He'd practically been living at the top of the North Tower of Jian Ye Palace for weeks now. He knew what he'd been doing when he signed up to train to be the Grand Strategist of Wu five years ago- it was the perfect path for him, one he knew he was destined to take, besides becoming a warrior alongside his sworn brother. And becoming the Junior Strategist of Wu hadn't been a bother at all- he'd actually enjoyed that process. It was only since the last couple of months when things began to toughen up for him. He hadn't underestimated the amount of work that would be involved- but now he was wondering whether he had overestimated his ability to cope with it. For the road to becoming a Grand Strategist was grueling and ruthless. Scores of hopefuls had been heard to have backed out of their duties. But Yu was not one of them. And thankfully for him, his training process was nearly over- he was eighteen, and a man, if not yet an adult. All he had left to complete was his final challenge: design a perfect, fail-safe, foolproof tactical battle plan. And another- tutor the Junior Strategist of Wu in-the-making- the young Lu Xun. Though he hardly considered that a challenge- the boy learned quickly, with a fresh, youthful eagerness for gaining knowledge. And he was as dedicated as he was talented- Xun had faced almost as many sleepless nights as his tutor, whom he had to accompany for his lessons at all times. But, impressively, he would not yield to his weariness. Yu had to hand it to him. He was also very fond of his pupil, as the boy reminded him of himself on rare occasions. He also came from a background that was as heartbreaking as his own... however... no, he had not the time to dwell on his past. He must focus on his task at hand.

Just when Yu was about to turn his attention towards his charts, a nearby voice interrupted him.

"Master?"

Yu shut his eyes in resignation. This was not one of his better nights when it came to concentrating.

"Yes?" he answered irritably

"I brought you water."

His eyes flew open. Tearing his eyes from his work he so loathed, he saw Xun standing before him, dark circles around his eyes, fatigue on his face, and a large mug between his hands.

"Oh," said Yu, slightly embarrassed, and regretting his momentary resentment. "Right. Thank you, A Xun. Leave it by the lamp, please."

"Yes, Master."

Having done so, Xun came up behind his teacher and silently sat by him, cross-legged.

Yu prepared to continue with his work, but for some reason, he couldn't bring his mind back to it. He felt he wanted to interact some more with his student- after all, the child was doing more than he was required to do- and showing Yu a whole lot of respect along with it.

"How old are you, Lu Xun?" he asked.

"Thirteen, sir."

"Thirteen years old..." Yu mused. Hmm. Around the same age Yu had been when he first took on the challenge of becoming the Strategist of Wu.

"And do you like it here at the palace?"

For the first time that day, Xun smiled.

"I like it very much here, Master."

"Really? What do you like the most?"

Xun seemed to contemplate his answer before giving it.

"I think it's being taught so much while being taken care of at the same time. I'm hardly earning my keep, but I still get all I want from everyone. I like that I'm accepted just the way I am."

Yu was astounded.

"What makes you think you need to earn your keep, Lu Xun?"

The boy looked puzzled.

"Don't we all, Master?"

It was a genuine question, one asked out of confusion and curiosity.

Yu, however, decided against answering it for the present, and reached for his mug of water instead.

"Did you have to earn your keep before you arrived here?" he asked after several long sips.

Xun bowed his head, looking a little uncomfortable. All he did was mumble something that sounded like: "After Mother and Father... didn't have a place like home anymore... wasn't any other choice..."

Yu bit his lip. Of course. How stupid of him to forget, and force Xun to remember those dark days. He decided to answer him.

"There are those who must earn their keep, A Xun. But only those who live off someone to whom they don't belong- someone who owes them nothing, yet shows them generosity. Only those who are capable of doing so."

Xun's head perked up.

"Am I not capable, Master?" he asked wistfully.

Yu finally laughed. It was nice to be able to experience innocence again.

"Of course you are. But this is a place where you do belong. And, if I dare say it, a place where the residents owe you greatly."

That gave Xun something to think about. It was true, after all. Yu gulped down more water as he watched him.

Xun looked up at his teacher again, his eyes wide and his face eager. He looked as though he had another question for him, but didn't know how to phrase it. He opened and closed his mouth several times, before finally bursting out, "May I help you with anything, Master?"

Yu, who had been waiting patiently for Xun's question, laughed again. Really, he was probably the luckiest tutor he knew.

"Of course, A Xun. Let's see what you remember of your lessons."

Xun couldn't have been gladder to reveal what he'd learned. It gave Yu a certain sort of pride to watch how Xun's store of knowledge had grown on his influence. He knew he would never regret Wu taking the boy under their wing. Of course, it had been their sole duty to do so, but he was still grateful for how things had turned out. Yu would never stop hurting for Xun, as he understood perfectly just what he was going through, but he was certain the boy would get over it soon enough, just as he had managed to eventually.

At length, Lu Xun seemed to tire, and Yu excused him for the night. For over a month, Xun had been sleeping in a good-sized cot near Yu's bed in the North Tower. It was obligatory for the mentor and mentee to bond for as long as possible, as Xun was expected to observe and learn from Yu's experiences and behavior. After all, he was to endure the entire process himself in a number of years.

However, Xun lingered by Yu for a bit before retiring.

"Yes?" said Yu without turning around.

"Master," said Xun slowly, "I was wondering... I mean, I wanted to know..." he trailed off.

With a groan, Yu turned in his wretched seat.

"What is it, Xun?" he asked wearily.

"Well... meaning no disrespect, sir, but... do you... do you ever think of- of Ladies Da and Xiao Qiao?"

The last few words came out in a sort of rush, and Xun looked as though he feared Yu's answer- would his tutor flare up at him the way he's seen Lord Sun Ce do to others? The reason Xun had waited to ask Yu was because there was nobody he admired more, and although he'd grown very fond of everyone he'd met in Wu, the Junior Strategist was the one he was closest to. He was the last person whom Xun thought would rebuff the question.

To his utter surprise, Yu smiled gently, and with more patience than Xun had hoped for.

"Yes, Xun. Not a day goes by when I don't remember them. I've thought and worried about how they are and where they may be many, many times. I care about both of them very much. But Lady Xiao Qiao's always had my heart, and I'm sure you've guessed this as well."

Lu Xun's eyes were as wide as marbles. He had never imagined that his calm and reserved master's emotions ran so deep.

His throat dry, he blurted out,

"So you and Lady Xiao Qiao were in love? Master?" he added hastily, afraid of offending his mentor.

Yu looked away, staring into space. A sad, far-away shadow crossed his eyes.

"I still am," he said finally.

"And... and... Lord Sun Ce-"

"Feels the same way about Lady Da Qiao."

"But then, Master," said Xun, more lost than ever, "Why doesn't he talk about it? Or admit it, the way you have just now? I liked both Lady Qiaos very much, but I'm always afraid to mention them because of what Lord Sun Ce ordered. I keep hoping they'll come back someday, but I can never ask, because I feel I'd be punished if I did."

"That's exactly how the rest of us feel, Lu Xun. He might be the only one who as any aversion to even mentioning them. Ever since The Two Qiaos left Jian Ye, things haven't been the same. Everyone was changed in some sort of way. But no one was more altered than Lord Sun Ce. And that's simply because he's started suppressing his emotions whenever they surge inside him, or threaten to spill out. He tries to pretend that everything that happened with him never really took place. He's afraid of being thought weak because of all the memories which haunt him. And he's been battling his conscience for a whole year. If he only opens himself to what his heart's been trying to convey to him, he might stop suffering as much. But Ce's never been one to give in to anything- maybe not even to himself."

Xun stared in wonder.

"People are very complex indeed," was his final verdict.

For the third time that night- or possibly day, Yu laughed heartily.

Sun Ce could see her as he made his way out onto the Imperial Gardens of Wei. She sat at a small yet elaborate table by a tree. Although there were dozens of these identical to hers scattered all over the first few sets of Gardens, he couldn't help but feel that she had the loveliest of them all. A pot filled with green tea stood on the table before her, and a cup of it was steaming in her hand. A book lay open in front of her, and she was bent over it, apparently absorbed. And then Ce realized that there was something in the way she was seated while reading her book which reminded him of someone. Who could it be? He knew he knew the answer...

Oh, yeah. Yu.

For Da Qiao's position very closely resembled that of his sworn brother's at the moment. Her posture and how she carried herself clearly displayed class and dignity without overdoing it. She always had shared alot in common with him. They got along extremely well, as she also enjoyed books as much as Yu did, if not a little less, and couldn't resist being drawn into intellectual discourses with people. Their relationship had been a very sweet one, one composed of brotherly love and mutual understandings of many matters. She had the utmost respect for him. Or at least she had a year ago. Ce didn't know what to think about her feelings now. He just couldn't bring himself to trust who she'd become.

At that moment, Xiao Qiao's words echoed in his memory.

Please don't be so hard on her. Please, please, go along with it, like me. Okay?

"Okay," Ce murmured as he made his way towards Da. She didn't look up yet. He didn't believe she could see him from where he'd been standing. It was only when he reached her table and cast it into the shadow with his massive frame that she raised her face to his.

Again, the change in her struck him. How could it have happened? She looked the same, but still different... So much could happen in a year!

"Lord Sun Ce?"

Da's voice revealed her surprise at seeing him there. Ce caught sight of some of the emotion his eyes had been searching for pass her face, but almost immediately, that closed-off, blank look took hold of her features once more. Ce mentally cursed it. He slightly inclined his head towards her in greeting.

"Good morning to you," she said softly.

Ce took a deep breath.

"You too, Lady Da Qiao."

"This is a surprise, Lord Sun Ce. What brings you here so early? I hope you slept well?"

"Very well, thanks. I just wanted to explore these gardens. They're very beautiful."

She smiled. The same smile she'd given him yesterday. The one that wasn't hers.

"I am glad you appreciate them. Please, do have a seat. Would you like some tea?"

Ce blinked. What? He hadn't been expecting this. Why was she being so friendly? As if she could? Confused as he was, he still wasn't going to let a chance like this slip by.

"Sure."

He took the seat opposite her so that he was facing her.

Da neatly poured some of the clear, pale-green liquid from the pot into one of the empty cups and held it out to him. He accepted it, but instead of drinking any, he merely held the cup while she sipped from her own.

"Have you had breakfast, Lord Sun Ce? I think they began serving it not so long ago."

"Yeah. Have you?" Ce asked, even though he knew the answer.

Da lowered her eyes.

"I found that I did not have much of an appetite this morning. After all, dinner at the Gathering Ceremony last evening was so very rich, was it not?"

"I didn't know you had dinner last night."

Da didn't answer. But a faint blush crept across her face, and she bent her head down to sip her tea again. Regretting his jibe, Ce drank some of his own so that she could have a few moments of silence. The tea was very warm and soothing. Perfect for nerves and stress, he thought, as he watched Da contentedly pouring herself some more. Could her behavior mean anything?

"Are you enjoying your stay here, Lord Sun Ce?"

"Yes."

He found that it was getting easier to lie to her. Probably because he hardly saw her as she used to be before. It was as if he'd never met her before.

"I do hope you are looking forward to Lord Cao Pi's coming of age celebration."

"Sure I am. Can't wait."

She smiled the not-her-smile again.

"I am glad to hear it."

"What's Lord Cao Cao like? Lady Da Qiao?" asked Ce, hoping she would reveal her feelings for the Emperor of Wei.

She seemed genuinely surprised.

"Why, what do you mean? Have you not already met him?"

"Why d'you keep talking like that?" Ce finally exploded. That had been the last straw. Why? Why had she adopted the grand, high-and-mighty, noblewoman's tone? She didn't even sound like herself anymore! Ce's patience was never one that could be tested much to begin with, and Da's new way of speaking had been tugging at it for too long. Even though it had only been for a matter of hours. It drove him crazy.

At once, Da's blank face was completely erased to be replaced with one he could recognize even in his sleep. Her big, green eyes grew wide, her lips trembled, and she looked hurt and afraid- and reminded Ce so much like her old self. Her face, although endearing and memorable, also seemed like the sign of hope he'd been hoping for.

But Ce regretted his outburst immediately. He hadn't meant to upset Da that way, and felt disgusted with himself.

"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "I shouldn't've... I mean, I didn't mean to- I mean, it was an accident, Da-"

He clamped his mouth shut at once, inwardly cursing himself. What had he done? Letting her name slip out like that... She may have forgiven him for yelling like that, but he wasn't sure how she would react to being addressed thus familiarly.

Surprisingly, Da smiled warmly. And even though it wasn't her smile, Ce exhaled in relief.

"Do not apologize, Lord Sun Ce. How could you have meant it? I know it was not your intent."

"You mean you forgive me?" Ce blurted out.

"There is nothing to forgive."

Ce said nothing. He watched her as she lifted her cup once more. She continued sipping her tea peacefully without noticing his eyes on her. So many memories of her swam through his mind. Everything about her used to entrance him. Now he was simply lost by her. What should he think? She looked so perfect and lovely, sitting before him in all her innocence. But there was nothing about her now that warmed his heart. If only things had gone the way he'd wanted... No, there was no use in thinking about that now. But who did he have to blame for how everything had turned out, anyway?

"Yeah," he said finally. "Yeah, there is."

The confusion filling her eyes now was all Ce needed to be sure that she was no longer who she used to be.

Then Da blinked, and the confusion was gone. Damn it, how'd she do that?

"I think you asked me something before-"

"Before I blew up at you?" Ce finished for her, nonchalant as to how she would take this. Da blushed, and it seemed more out embarrassment than irritation. Would wonders ever cease with this girl?

"Yes, I suppose you may say that," she answered.

"Well, what about it?"

"You wanted to know about my Lord Cao Cao."

'My' Lord. Humph.

"Yeah, I did."

"What would you like to know, Lord Sun Ce?"

Ce hesitated. Should he ask her? If he was honest with himself, he still didn't trust her enough to divulge any of the real reasons behind his question. But his need to know outweighed his need to keep all of his motives completely discreet.

"Is he good to you?"

The softness in his voice took even him aback.

Da studied him for a moment before answering. Her eyes traced his form a few times, before blinking, and appearing closed once more.

She nodded.

"And are you happy?"

She lowered her eyes again. When she looked back up, she was smiling that smile again. That smile.

"You asked me this yesterday."

"Did I?"

"Yes, if I remember right."

"Well, what did you say?"

"I said I was."

"And... what did I say?"

Da raised her face to the sun, trying to remember.

"You changed the subject," she said slowly, as though being careful with what she let slip.

"Oh... I did?"

The corners of Da's mouth twitched.

"Your memory is not one I envy, Lord Sun Ce."

Could Ce have heard a hint of her old mischief in her voice?

For the first time that day, he smiled.

"Yours is one I do envy, Lady Da Qiao."

"I am sure then, that you will believe me when I tell you I have heard others say the same."

"I sure do," Ce agreed, his smile lingering.

"You know what, Lady Da Qiao?" he asked, feeling more confident already.

"What exactly, Lord Sun Ce?"

"You're alright."

"Lunch is ready, my lady."

"Thank you, Hui."

Xiao Qiao was flat on her back, lying across her bed and staring at the ceiling. She'd been pondering over all the events that had passed the day before. Whom she'd seen. What he'd said. How they'd talked and talked about things. She was glad it had happened, but she'd never been more confused in her life. What was she to do now? There was no doubt that there was absolutely no possible way she could help her friend win back her sister- for that was what she wanted. But she had to do something! If only she could leave her wretched house for a day- just one day. Only one day was enough for her to make everything better. Maybe even less. All she needed was the person she'd been in love with for over a year. Oh, if ahe could only see him again! She missed him. She would miss him every single day, and had missed him ever since the two of them were parted. She'd been so lonely for so long. After her sister had left her, her life had been nothing but miserable. It simply couldn't get any worse. But at least she saw one of her closest friends yesterday. And at least he'd let her hear some words of comfort about his sworn brother.

Did he really think of her as much as she thought of him? Did he really still remember her? She hoped so. She hoped he still did. If that was true, and if she ever found out that he wanted her back, she would go through anything to be back by his side. She would face anyone, no matter who they were, as long as they didn't mean well. All she needed was a day...

"My lady?"

Xiao sighed.

"Yes, Hui."

Xiao swung her legs out of bed and followed her handmaid down the staircase. Honestly speaking, she didn't really care about lunch. Or dinner, or breakfast. She simply couldn't eat at a time like this. There was too much on her mind, too much she missed and was worried about. How was she to concentrate about something as trivial as dinner? She wanted out of here. Now. So that she could look for her sister. Or the one she loved. Or maybe she would stay here for a little longer and wait for her friend to come back. If he didn't, then she would go. She was sure she could persuade her maid to let her. Hui was a good woman. She would never betray her to anyone- not even to her own master, who happened to be Xiao's father. And all the other servants were surely on her side, too. They'd all known her since she'd been born. They loved her. They would cover for her for as long as necessary, and then when she came back with what she'd left for, she would take them all to live with her. They would all live happily ever after, and she need never fear her father or her sister's- and possibly her horrifying fiance. She would be happy for the rest of her days. All she needed for that was one day. Just one day...

"My Lady?"

Xiao sighed again.

"I'm sorry, Hui," she said, picking up her chopsticks. She tried to make it seem as though she had an appetite as she began to eat.

"My lady, you don't have to eat if you don't want to," said Hui softly, her young, pretty face sympathetic. "I can take care of it..."

"No, it's fine. I probably should anyway."

She reached for her glass of milk and drank from it. She smiled as she thought of how her servants would still feed her milk. They would always see her as a baby, although she was nearing sixteen years of age, and hadn't craved milk in years. She still liked it, though. And if it made her servants- or rather, friends- happy to continue to nurture her, then she would let them. After all, she was the only one they had left to pamper. When she was finally married off to that womanizer, what would become of them? She worried about that.

"What are you hoping for, my lady?" asked Hui curiously.

Xiao smiled.

"Alot of things."

Hui smiled herself.

"Are you waiting for your friend?"

"How did you know?" Xiao asked, startled. "Were you listening to us?"

Hui blushed.

"I couldn't help it, my lady. I did so like looking at him."

Xiao giggled, more out of surprise than anything.

"Hui, you can't! He belongs to Sis, and no one else. He's all hers." Her giggles took control of her then.

Hui started laughing a little herself.

"I'm glad of that," she said truthfully. "I can't think of anyone else who could befit our darling Lady Da Qiao."

Xiao nodded vigorously.

"Me neither. I just hope he's doing the right things to make her understand that," she said anxiously looking out the window. "What's taking him so long?" she said in annoyance, more to herself than to Hui.

"Don't worry, my lady. He'll come for sure. If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then the day after. But he will definitely show up."

"How do you know?" asked Xiao, tearing her eyes away from the door with difficulty.

"Because," said Hui, smiling slightly again, "he isn't one to break promises."

There you go! I hope you liked this chapter. I know I still haven't built up to any fluff yet, but don't you worry, I'll make up for it! It'll all be coming up before you know it. I'm gonna make it good, too! Please do do do review.

And I'd like to add a few notes: I decided to add that scene between Yu and Xun because I find that they have quite a bit in common, and that it would fit to have Yu as Xun's mentor. And after watching one of Yu's cutscenes in DW6 which featured Lu Xun, I couldn't resist depicting their friendship more deeply! Let me know if you liked it! Another thing I'd like you to notice is how I've got all the main characters drinking something in every scene (hence the title 'Drinks and Discussions':P). No reason at all- I just wanted to have a connection between all the scenes. Yu drinks some water, Ce and Da drink tea, and Xiao drinks milk. Yeah, I know, totally random.

Anyways, PLEASE DROP YOUR BIRTHDAY WISHES AND COMMENTS ON YOUR WAY OUT! I really hope you keep reading/reviewing, because they make me really really happy!

lol. Thanks. Please review.