So sorry for the extra length between chapters! Weeks go by much faster than I think. I hope everyone enjoys this newest part and unfortunately there may be another month or so before the next. Only time will tell. A few notes before hand - Some people have been wondering about Shao. Go ahead and make a guess! I have done some more of my infamous historical research and you can take it from there. He will definitely show up more and have a larger part in the story. Also I have a lot planned and have written out a time line to keep myself straight. Expect a lot more and tons of mischief as the story continues! I'm also glad everyone liked the letters in my last chapter! I felt as if perhaps it was a bit of cheating, but they were fun to write Okay, before I chatter too much more please read and enjoy!
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Da tossed and turned in her bed. Asleep and yet strangely aware. Earlier that day she had forgotten to move the Weiqi stones to match Ce's letter and although she had told herself she could move them tomorow it was bothering her for some strange reason. It was just a game, she argued with herself. Something to occupy the long months. The board sat there in Ce's study. Half covered in black and white stones. Quite arguably the longest game to date. And it was only half finished.
Her body continued to move restlessly as her mind would not remain calm. She felt a fear tug at her and she tried to cry out. What was uttered was barely a whisper. Why was she so scared? A coldness suddenly gripped her. Tightened around her. She didn't think she could breath and she felt her heart racing.
You are my first and my last, Da. Wait for me...
Da sat up gasping for breath. Had that been Ce's voice? How could...?
"Lady Da?" Leiyu came rushing up to the bed. She had heard strange noises coming from the room and had gone in to see what was wrong. Seeing Da's face an ashen colour and hearing her ragged breathing had startled her. "Are you alright?"
"Ce..." She whispered.
"He has not returned, Lady Da." She gave a gentle smile as she pulled the blanket up around the shivering girl. "I do not doubt you are the first person he would wish to see."
"But..." Da blinked. The coldness had subsided, but an uneasiness remained. "I thought..."
"A nightmare perhaps, my lady?" Leiyu tried to think of what to say to reassure Da.
Da nodded. "I suppose. But it...was so real..."
"They usually feel that way. Maybe if you talk about it it will help?" She wasn't positive she wanted to hear what scared Da so, but she had to help...
"There...wasn't much to it...just an eerie coldness. And his voice..." She held the blanket tightly around herself as the coldness tried to grip her once again. "I just...don't know..."
Wait for me...
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"Happy New Year, Da!" Xiao jumped down from a nearby tree after hanging a lantern in a low branch.
"Happy New Year, my sister." Da returned the greeting, perhaps not as joyful. "What are you doing?"
"I hung a lantern for Zhou." She held up one for Da. "You can do the same for Ce."
Da accepted the lantern with a small smile. "Thank you, Xiao."
Xiao watched as her sister reached up to place the lantern upon a branch near her own lantern. Everything looked so lovely decorated! All the lanterns, streamers, good luck charms. She had attended many New Year festivals. Some much grander than others. But here she was happy and therefore it made it even better. She spun around, pleased with every thing. But she saw Da still staring at the lanterns. "You wish he was here, don't you?"
Da turned around to face her sister. "Of course. Don't you wish for Zhou to be here?"
"I think...it would have been nice to be together for the first new year here, but then I believe we will have many new years together so I am happy." She paused. "Is that dumb?"
"Not at all. Why ask?"
"Because I"m still trying to figure out this love stuff!!" She flung her arms wide. "It's too confusing."
"Quit thinking so hard, sister." Da shook her head. Half in amusement, half in complete confusion. Leave it to her sister to work out love in her head. "Love doesn't always make sense."
"Then how do you know when it's right?"
"You just know."
Xiao pouted in thought. That just didn't make sense! Why did Da always have such strange answers. "Can I ask you something, Da?"
"Of course you can." She walked away from the lanterns and taking her sister's hand they began to walk towards the gardens they often occupied. "I said you always could, didn't I?"
"That day they left...you were dressed like Shang might have. And carried a weapon. Do you really know how to use it?" She had been thinking about this and it just didn't seem like her sister. Why would she have any thing like that?
Da paused trying to figure out an answer. How much of an explanation her sister would want. "Yes. I do know how to use it. I won't go around saying I'm any good at it - I doubt I could defeat Shao - but if the situation demands I will fight."
"But...how? And why? Shang says weapons are for others to use so we don't have to."
"And she's right. But...sometimes in life...there are situations that occur that although it may be very uncharacteristic for someone to do something they...do it. Learn a skill or gain a talent perhaps they wouldn't otherwise need or have. Do you understand?"
"Sounds to me like you're avoiding my question." Xiao accused. "I think it's very uncharacteristic of you and that's why I asked."
"Xiao." Da stopped their walk right at the entrance of the gardens and faced her sister. "I learned what I did to protect myself and you. Father took us to some very strange places. I thought it a wise thing to learn. But I prayed I would never have to use those skills and hoped you would have no need to learn them. Now does that answer your question?"
"Mostly." Xiao's mind had already come up with a hundred and more scenerios that would have convinced Da she needed to learn to use a weapon. But obviously she wasn't going to hear which would be correct.
"Has Zhou sent you anything new, my sister?" Da decided to change the subject. She rather not go into further detail about her weapon training - poor as it was. It was not something she cared to make overly public.
"No. So don't go and tease me!" She pointed an accusing finger at Da even as they continued their walk in the gardens.
"Well, I'm sure he sent something for New Years. Although apparently nothing can compete with that jade bracelet. You never take it off."
"I...I promised I wouldn't." Xiao felt a bit shy admitting this. She had told Zhou nothing could make her take it off. He had originally laughed, but she had kept her word. It was something special between them and she would forever wear it.
Da smiled gently. That was a very sweet sentiment. Zhou and Xiao had a very strong bond that could never be broken. "I wish you two the very best this coming year."
Xiao gave a grin. "I want you and Ce to have nothing but happiness."
"Thank you, Xiao. May we all have happiness this year."
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My dearest Zhou
Although we may spend the new year apart I do not believe it will affect the rest of the year. It is a superstition I believe maybe we can overlook? I hope where you are lanterns float upon a river.
Until you return...
Your Xiao
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"Oh-no you don't!" Shang blocked the way up a few stairs, keeping Da from getting by. "Of all things you are not going to miss the end of this festival. I know my brother hasn't written you in awhile. But you not attending is just...! I forbid you from locking yourself in your room!" The order could have come across very commanding and the tone of the one who often is obeyed. But at this moment it seemed more desperate than anything. And from a girl who was used to getting her own way.
"Has anyone told you how much of a brat you occassionally are?" Da thought blocking her way was a bit drastic.
"Several actually." She gave her crooked grin. "Surprised?"
"Not at all." She shook her head. "But you may be happy to note I was on my way to change clothes for the Lantern Festival."
"Psh..." Shang crossed her arms. "Like I believe that!"
"Believe whatever you want." She went to take a step only to have Shang quickly block her way with one quick motion. "Sun Shang Xiang..."
"Nuh - uh...no using that imperial tone on me."
"Contrary to your belief I have no intentions of locking myself up." Da continued, ignoring the interruption. "I will be attending the Lantern Festival as I have promised Shao and a few other of the children. But I will be retiring before the fireworks. I just...can't watch them alone."
"But you're not going to be alone. There's going to be...oh..." Shang suddenly realized Da meant alone as in without Ce. Up to this point Shang had been impressed with how her friend had been the past few months. After the initial depression of Ce being away she seemed to brighten. Not really seeming to notice how long it had been. She often smiled, laughed, and did all sorts of crazy things. But now..."He will be back."
"I know. But even knowing that...sometimes it still doesn't stop the pain." Da knew no matter the amount of effort she put into it she wouldn't be able to hold back the tears once the fireworks began. It was something from the beginning Ce and she had been together for. Being without him...
"I think I understand." With a slight hesitation Shang moved to unblock the path. "Alright. You can change. But if you don't show up I won't hesitate to drag you out kicking and screaming."
"I don't doubt that one bit..."
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It was almost nightfall. That hazy, blue-purple shade of the sky and the orange-red light of the last rays of the sun. This was the time everyone was waiting for. The time when they could light their lanterns and send them on their way down the river. New Year Festival had been a very joyous event and although there was sadness it was coming to an end there was eager anticipation for the firework display.
As Da joined the crowd milling about the river she was suddenly tackled by a group of children led by Shao. "Lady Da!"
Da laughed, trying to hug them all. "Good evening to all of you."
"Lady Xiao said you may not show up!" "She said you're sad." "Are you sad, Lady Da?" The questions kept coming even as she barely had time to catch her breath.
"I'm alright." She assured them all, seeing Xiao come up behind them. "I can't be any thing but happy being with all of you. I just miss Sun Ce, that's all."
"We miss Lord Sun as well." Shao announced as the others nodded. "So we understand."
Da gave a gentle smile. "Thank you."
"But he did still remember to leave us our special presents!" Song said happily.
"Presents?"
"Every New Year Lord Sun gives each of us a gift." Shao furthered the explaination. "Although he's not here right now Lady Xiang handed them out saying he left them for us."
"That was very kind of him." Da was touched by the effort Ce had made to have gifts in ready for all the orphans. They each took turns to show her the small jade charms in the shape of their zodiac animals. Each different and beautiful and the children obviously wore them with pride.
"Did he give you one, Lady Da?" Song asked.
"I'm...afraid not."
"I'm sure he left something for you!" Shao decided.
"I'm sure he did." Da rested a hand on the top of his head. "So don't worry yourself, Shao. Now...why don't we get your lanterns ready?"
With a cheer they scattered, off to find their lanterns. Xiao was finally able to reach her sister. She gave an exasperated sigh. "How do you get them to behave? They've been driving me crazy waiting for you!"
"All you have to do is listen to them, talk to them. It makes them happy."
"Hmph! I think I'm glad they don't like me."
"They don't dislike you, Xiao! What put that thought in your head?"
"They don't act like they do around you. You'll make a better mother than I ever will."
"Xiao!" Da could feel her cheeks burning at the comment. She didn't know why it embarrased her so. She remembered wondering what kind of father Ce would be...
"Lantern?" Shang was suddenly there handing them both a lantern. Before anything could be said she gestured to Xiao. "Have you seen the pretty bauble Zhou sent this time?" She asked Da.
"No. What now...?"
Xiao pouted over their obvious teasing. "It's a hair clip...nothing more."
"Nothing more." Shang imitated with a laugh. She put an arm around Xiao, pulling her close so she could point at the clip nestled in the soft brown hair. It was an amazing shade of green with white swirled in it, carved into a shape of a butterfly. A few jewels decorated the wings, the last remaining light glistening off of them. "Pure jade." She informed Da. "Do you know how long that took to carve?"
Xiao pouted more. "I gave him my jeweled one! He said this was to replace it."
"It's beautiful, Xiao." Da was happy her sister had received the gift she had been waiting for. "No need to defend yourself."
Xiao slipped from Shang's hold. "But she keeps making a big deal out of it."
"It's how Shang does every thing, my sister."
"Hey!" Shang protested this time.
Da gave a giggle. "Did you receive anything, Shang?"
"No - "
"Yes." Xiao quickly corrected.
Shang turned towards her. "No."
"Yes." Xiao told her. "From Xun."
"Oh, that. It's a good luck charm. He says the beginning of the year may not be so good to me so this should help."
"I thought you didn't believe in superstitions."
"I don't! Normally...But it doesn't hurt to try."
Xiao rolled her eyes as Da giggled a bit more. So many people seemed to be bothering Shang about her friendship with the young advisor. She could only imagine it was getting old.
"Now don't go around getting ideas...!" Shang pointed a finger, but was interrupted by a gong and the children running up with their lanterns.
"It's time! It's time!"
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Xiao was laying on her back upon a nice, grassy area as she watched the fireworks explode into their designs. She sighed. Da had retired to her room after the lanterns had floated down the river. Even now you could still see a few of the lights bobbing on their way. The children had run off, intending to play before being told to go to bed. So she had been left alone. She enjoyed the fireworks. Usually loved them. But there was a slight problem tonight...
"I wish you were here, Zhou..." She whispered, hoping perhaps the wind would carry her words to him. She wondered if he was watching fireworks. And if he was thinking of her...
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Da had dressed for bed and closed the curtains tight to block the view of the fireworks. Although she could still hear the rythmic boom they gave off she could atleast partially ignore that. As she approached her bed she noticed a partially open fan resting on her pillow. She paused seeing handwriting upon it. Handwriting she was positive was Ce's. "Leiyu!"
The maid came running in startled by the sudden call. "Yes, Lady Da?"
"Where...did that come from?" She pointed at the fan, almost afraid to touch it.
"That is from Lord Sun Ce." Leiyu had thought Da would be happy with it, but she looked almost frightened. "Before he left he gave me the fan and said if he had yet to return by New Years I was to place it upon your pillow for you to find. I only did as instructed!"
"No...no...it's alright." Da drew closer to the pillow carefully picking it up. "I just...didn't expect..." She gingerly opened the fan, glancing at the words he had written.
When the mountains fail to peak
When the rivers flow no more
When time stops running
When all existence vanishes
I still can't be apart from you...
The tears she had held back all evening finally fell and she dropped onto the bed, her head bowed as he held the fan against her.
"Lady Da?"
"I...haven't heard from him in weeks...and then find this...I'm sorry!" She wiped at her eyes.
"Don't apologize!" Leiyu came to sit next to her. "There's no reason to."
"Leiyu? Have you ever been in love?" Da had talked often with her maid. About many things. But there was still many things she did not know. Leiyu seemed barely older than herself so maybe not...?
Leiyu had clasped her hands on her lap when the question was uttered. Her knuckles began to turn white with the pressure of the tight grip it had caused. It took her a minute to realize what she was doing and quickly unlaced her fingers. "Why ask such a thing, Lady Da? I am merely a maid."
"Everyone is entitled to some happiness."
"Happiness..." Leiyu gave a wistful sigh. "Love is the most wonderful - and yet most painful - feeling ever. Yes, Lady Da...I have been in love."
"And?"
"And what?"
"What made you say what you did about love?"
"Because it's true. Surely you understand."
"Leiyu..." It didn't matter if the words were true or not. What had made her say so?
"You shouldn't concern yourself about me, Lady Da." It was not Da's duty to worry about her maid! Leiyu wished she would just let the matter alone. It brought forth too many memories, but she couldn't leave...couldn't tell her simply to stop asking.
"Did he hurt you somehow?"
"Him? Hurt me?" She gave a small laugh. "Never. I've never known a man so gentle. He was something wonderful." A faraway look was in her eyes. "But we say things like that when in love, don't we? The first time I saw him I didn't think a man could be prouder than a peacock. But...he was nothing like that." Her voice grew softer as she remembered being at her old master's house as the new guard units had arrived. And a certain young man who stood so straight. She thought it had been arrogance and pride. It was nerves and being scared stiff of his new master. Who could blame him?
"Where is he now?" Da asked innocently, not realizing how horrible her question would be.
"He...he is...no longer on this plane of existance." Leiyu was finally able to get the words out. A pain ripped through her with that statement. An old pain that had consumed her years ago and had been far worse than the beating she had received after her lover's death. Tears burned her eyes and stung her face. But she couldn't let the old master get away with what he had. Slaughtering innocents to keep his cheating a secret. She had spoken her mind in a crazed frenzy after finding out the man she loved had been killed for discovering the truth. After the beating she had been thrown out and left for dead...
"Oh, Leiyu! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to...!" A coldness gripped at Da.
"It's alright, Lady Da." Leiyu stopped her apologies. "You simply asked."
"But it was a horrible, horrible thing for me to do!" Da felt like crying herself after forcing someone to remember such things.
"We learn lessons in life, Lady Da. And I have learned a good deal from the time I fell in love to losing him to now. But the most important was to live and love to the fullest for they soon may be gone..."
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"Who's crazy idea was this?" Quan asked, paint brush in hand.
"Mine!" Shang called down from the roof of the school.
"Why am I not surprised?" He muttered. Earlier in the day Xun had said he needed some help at the school. He thought nothing of it until he arrived and was greeted by a grinning Shang who promptly handed him the brush and a pail of paint. And he wasn't the only one. Da, Xiao, Xun of course, and a few of the school children were all there helping to paint.
"It was looking a bit shabby." Xiao commented, eyeing her own paint work.
"I think it's a wonderful idea. The children learn the importance of keeping things in good condition. And..." Da looked at the others pointedly. "The adults set a good example."
"Agreed." Xun nodded.
"So this is work?" Shao looked skeptical.
"Work can be fun, Shao." Da told him.
"If you say so, Lady Da..."
"You guys are such stiffs." Shang wagged a finger. "Just think how fast this work would go if everyone did their job and stopped whining!"
"Why you..." Quan growled.
"Watch your language around the children!" Da snapped as the children giggled.
"Sheesh." Shang flung an arm forgetting it held the damp paintbrush.
Xiao felt something hit her and reached up a hand to touch her arm. It was thick and damp and when she pulled her hand away to look at it she realized it was paint. "Hey!" She turned around. "Who did that?"
"Uh...oops..." Shang stuck the brush back into the pail.
"If you weren't all the way up there I would..."
"I dare you."
"What?" Xiao was confused.
"Try and hit me."
Xiao didn't need any more prompting and sent a glop of paint flying to the roof. Unfortunately it missed Shang and after settling on the edge a large drop fell back down onto Xun's hat causing the children to laugh again.
"Missed." Shang teased.
"Ha!" With a laugh Xiao jumped up to begin her climb to the roof.
"Xiao! Be careful!" Da shouted.
"Now hold on." Xun called to them. "This in't setting a good example."
"Nope." Shang had to agree. "Nor is it proper or appropriate." She gave a large grin even as she backed up from the area Xiao would climb onto. Paying so much attention to the approaching girl she didn't watch where she was going and kicked the paint pail off the roof.
"Look out, Lord...Quan..." Shao wasn't fast enough as the paint not only glopped on Quan's head and down his shoulders, but as the pail clattered to the ground it spread the paint across the walkway and on the bottom of the school walls.
The children began to giggle once again and even Da hid her laughter behind her hand. Shang's eyes widened. "Uh...oh..."
"Alright. Have it your way." Quan suddenly lifted his pail and swinging it widely sent paint flying towards Shang, splattering Xiao along the way.
The children couldn't stop their laughter at seeing the adults coloured in paint. "Oh...you think that's funny, do you?" Shang, dripping in paint, swung down from the roof and began chasing the children as they screamed and ran from her.
"It's no use controlling them now." Da told Xun who had removed his hat and was inspecting the paint blop.
"I intended them to use some of their pent up energy, but not quite like this." He replied, although he had grown used to the wild games Shang played with the children.
"Look at me!" Xiao had dropped down from the roof and did a spin in front of her sister to show off her paint splattered clothes.
"Xiao..." Da shook her head. Normally she would have been in better spirits, but the coldness from the nightmare the other night still clung to her. As did Leiyu's words...for they soon may be gone...
"Help us, Lady Da!!" The children came screaming, some of them with streaks of paint here and there.
"You can't escape that easily!" Shang came after them as they ran around the small group.
"Alright. Let's calm down." Xun stepped forward, promptly colliding with Shang.
"OW!" Shang staggered backwards, placing a hand on her forehead. That had hurt!
"Lady Xiang!" The children cried. Then upon seeing a slightly dazed teacher - "Master Lu Xun!"
"It's...alright." Xun assured them.
"Speak for yourself." Shang complained. "That hurt." She was still holding her head as Da and Xiao came to either side of her.
"Perhaps you should sit down." Da advised.
"Are you alright?" Quan asked Xun who had the children surrounding him.
"I'll be fine." Xun once again assured them. "Just an initial shock." Although he did have to admit to himself it did still sting. "Perhaps now calming down would be well advised."
"No complaints here." Shang sat on the ground wondering when the ringing in her head would stop. She looked over at Xun. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Let us say I do not look forward to doing that again." He smiled. "And you?"
"Been better. But no complaints." She leand back enjoying the weather that came with early spring. Was it that time of year already? Had the Qiao sisters been here for nearly a year? That seemed almost unreal. All the craziness and adventure that had happened so far. Shang wasn't positive if she looked forward to what was next or not. She gave a laugh.
"What?" Xiao was sitting next to her and had been a bit startled by the sudden noise.
"Nothing. Everything. She laughed again. "My head hurts."
"What did you expect?"
"Nothing I guess."
As the two talked the children crept towards them carrying the buckets of whatever paint was left. Da raised an eyebrow, but the pleading looks they gave her made her hold her tongue. Not Lu Xun though. "Children..." But it was too late. Dumping the contents of the buckets onto Xiao and Shang they went running with a shriek.
"Hey!" Xiao shouted as Shang sprang to her feet.
"That does it!" It came out as a growl, but Shang was just playing. What did she care about being splattered in paint?
"Be careful." Xun warned, doubting either would pay attention.
"I told you they hate me." Xiao whined at Da.
"They're just playing." Da shook her head at her sister dripping in fresh paint. "You would do the same."
"Ya, but..."
A guard slipped into the schoolyard and approached Quan, speaking lowly to him. Quan had stood up as soon as he knew the guard had come to report something to him. But the words were not what he expected. "What?" His voice was louder than intended and the surprise it held stopped even Shang and the children. He glanced at Da quickly before turning back to the guard.
Da had not missed the look. "What?" She asked, the coldness she feared gripping at her. "What?" She demanded when she wasn't answered.
"The campaign unit is back!" A shout went throughout the manor.
"What?" Xiao was surprised by this announcement. Zhou hadn't said anything about them returning yet.
"Go. NOW!" Quan ordered the guard, but he knew it was already too late as he heard the rumbling of voices within the manor.
"The lord of the manor is injured!" The words reached the schoolyard. "Lord Sun Ce is injured!!!"
Da felt everyone turn their gaze to her, but didn't acknowledge the stares. If the injury was minor - something that could be taken care of on field - there would be no need to return suddenly. To have people shouting what was wrong. Lord Sun Ce is injured! The coldness completely enveloped her and she couldn't remember how to breath. There was a buzzing in her head right before the blackness that fell around her.
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I love cliff hangers, don't you? LOL So sorry! Considering what will happen in the next chapter it was the best place to stop. I assure you it will be worth the wait. Quick note about the poem on the fan. It's translated into English from a Chinese one and in my opinion sounds much prettier in it's original language, but used the English form for my readers. Sorry if it sounds once again like Ce's infamous bad poetry. It definitely is not! I don't think I have much else to say. Please if you enjoyed it leave me a review. If you have thoughts leave me a review. If you just want to also you can leave me a review haha If you want you can even send me an email. I don't mind receiving them when it's about my story. Thank you for reading and reviewing as always! Until the next chapter...