[Guo Jia]

I had awoke from my sleep, seeing the stone walls of my room. In the distance a owl's 'hoo' echoed and I sat up. A quick yawn was enough for the side pain to restart and I groan in detest.

I need some fresh air.

I lean over and unhatch the window's locks. Using a bit of my strength to lift it open. Instantly the wind greets me and I relax

A sigh as I summon an orb and lean against its smooth surface. Enjoying the cool wind brushed against my barely covered body. It's supremely comforting.

I let out a smooth, comfortable breath-

[Xu Shu]

SPLASH!

Ragged coughing and breathing was all the sound I could muster. I felt my body being pulled and dragged out of the rolling waves. As the waters continue to hit me and whoever helped me, he stumbled and I coughed more. Spitting out the salty liquid harshly.

"Damnit, Zhānxīng shī!" I recognized the voice and nickname instantly.

"Jia X-"

"I'm here doing my damndest to keep us alive and you're going to drown? That's a rich imagination you got."

I hear the crunch of ground and he falls and my limp body rolls onto the sand. I heaved and wheezed, regaining the use of my lungs. I hear Jia Xu cough and spit beside me as he scoots over to me.

"Is..everyone okay?" My voice was hoarse and quiet but I mustered it up enough to be hear.

He nods. "Lord Cao Cao, is on his way to retreat, and Nanny Dun is barging his way throw men."

I cough, "Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He, Cao Ren….Yue Jin and Li Dian...what about them?"

He looks out to the water. "Last I've seen Yuan riding with Dun. Zhang He seemed to be aiding the ships. And Li Dian and Yue Jin should be with Lord Cao Cao."

I inhale and exhale rapidly, regaining my strength but as I try to move my limbs ached. Through sheer force, I sit up and my every move felt agonizing.

I look to see Jia Xu hold my weapon out to me. Turning to him, he held a smile on his face.

"We still have a battle to win."

I nod and take my sword and hook, standing up even if it's wobbly. Jia Xu stands and takes out his chain and sickle.

"What do we do now?" I ask.

"The plan is to find Lord Cao Cao and retreat along with him. That's all we can do."

I nod and shake my legs a little, getting them used to movement. And we set off through the battlefield once more. Jia Xu ran ahead but I kept up, despite the pain.

We managed to avoid enemy eyes, sneaking by and aiming for the forest away from the docks. Though that didn't last long.

I looked down and noticed a silver wire, quickly grabbing Jia Xu and pulling him away from it. Slight flashes went through my head of the past.

"What the hell Xu Shu!?" Jia Xu whispers in an angry tone.

I point down to the wire and he recognized the technique. I looked around and saw a turret in the distance. If we were to trip this wire, it would surely fire. I carefully step over it and Jia Xu follows, continuing onwards.

We kept our guards up, in case of pincer attacks or more traps. Not only are in Wu territory but even Shu is here, putting us at a tragic disadvantage. I kept my eyes looking around as we slowly moved through the bushes. Quietly and then-

"HYA!"

I sharply turned and blocked the surprise attack, The attacker flipped back and landed. Jia Xu threw his sickle and the attacker swiped it away. They ran back at us and I jumped back, making me go through a bush. I skid as I land, and a quick adjustment of my feet. I look up to see-

"M..Mei?"

I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it.

She looked up as the moonlight shone on her. Her black hair, tied into a complicated braid style, that makes it look like 2 buns. She wore a green headband with bows on either side and a fitting green patterned summer loose pants with drak green boots similar to the grass. She held two small circle blades and she looked like she was only a preteen.

I stared at her, and when she realized her eyes had widened.

"ShuShu…?"

Jia Xu stood behind her, roughly grabbing her and wrapping the sickle blade and barely having it touch her neck. I step forward roughly as she dropped her blades and struggled against his grip.

"JIA XU! STOP!"

I yelled at him, he looked at me in shock.

"Xu Shu, do you know this girl?"

I take a deep breath and nod, "Please her go..she is but a child."

Mei had continued to struggle against his grip and flailed her feet. She yelled at Jia Xu but he didn't listen.

I hear footsteps behind me and it immediately clicked.

If Mei is here then…

The second my face turn, I flew back a little from a punch. I caught my balance and rubbed my face, bleeding from the nose from the blow.

Lu Shan didn't look different at all, as he roughly walked up to me. His eyes were livid and his sword was sharp. He smirked, showing off his large and sharp teeth.

"Welcome, fairy. Did you miss us?"

[Guo Jia]

It truly is a beautiful night.

[A/N]...yep! Lu Shan and Mei are here and…..yep! I know timeline wise it's weird to have Mei so old. But, I did say in the story that it's been years ever since Xu Shu left Mei before Xinye and It's been a lot of months before this battle. If you're wondering Mei is like 11 or 12. So….yeah. Poor Xu Shu but give it some time! ^^ Anyway I hoped you enjoyed this short but dramatic chapter! See you in the next one!