Lina's note : Gomen for the super long wait in the update. I'm stuck in a place where the opportunity to use the computer is hard to come by. Yes, I'm stuck in a college in some freaking rural area. Anyway, about the story. It's shounen-ai. Zhao Yun does not get end up with Diao Chan (gomen to you all out there) You'll see who he ends up later. It's an unpopular pairing from what I've seen. So, anyway, enjoy the 'a-little-longer-chapter' I've written^.^ Again, gomen ne!

Disclaimer : all DW3 charas don't belong to me. They belong to Koei and of course, themselves who died ages ago.

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Chapter 2 : Arrival in Fan Castle

The sun was already high above their heads when the envoy finally entered the gates of Fan Castle. Zhao Yun ran his eyes anxiously around the courtyard, half hoping to find a certain beauty sauntering down the colonnade. No, the beauty that caught his heart several moons ago was not there. Only a handful of servants running their errands in the hot afternoon.

Disappointed, he turned his head in front and saw another group of people who came out to welcome them. There was Zhuge Jin, the brother of Zhuge Liang and one of the highly trusted people by Sun Ce. Then there was Sun Quan, the brother of Sun Ce, Lu Xun the future strategist of Wu and Taishi Chi, a new general in the army of Wu. Protocol requires them to show their respect to the Shu emperor as he was currently their ally. If any of them had anything against it, they were careful not to show.

"Brother!" a hint of delight touched Zhuge Jin's voice as he hugged his elder sibling after they had all dismounted. "It is good to see you again."

"The pleasure is mine too, Zhuge Liang."

Zhao Yun watched as the two brothers hugged each other for a moment longer. Lord Liu Bei doesn't seem to mind it. He probably knows how it feels to finally see your own brother again after so long, especially during the time of war like now. After all, Lord Liu Bei had two sworn brothers of his own who marches down the battlefield.

Two siblings, each swore an allegiance to two different kingdoms, two different emperors. Both were loyal subjects and both contributed to the current smooth relationship the two kingdoms shared right now. Zhao Yun really envied and admired the two Zhuge brothers for being able to keep such a relationship. It couldn't stop him from thinking about his beauty again. Only. his beauty never realised anything. And he could never have his feelings out in the open the way these two brothers could.

The welcoming committee soon escorted Lord Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and Jian Yong to where Sun Ce was waiting. Jiang Wei stood a moment longer next to Zhao Yun, a disappointed frown shadowing his jovial façade.

"Why can't I follow them too?" the already expected half-whine jumped from Jiang Wei's mouth.

"Because it's none of your business."

"Mou, but anything to do with Master Zhuge Liang is my business! I am to be his successor, remember?"

"Maybe he changed his mind," Zhao Yun joked, enjoying the over- reacting look on the other man's face.

"You're horrid!!"

Zhao Yun laughed as he handed his reins to the stable boy and turned towards the rest of their envoy -the company of 40 soldiers who had been marching behind them all the way. They were all Lord Liu Bei, Jian Yong, Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wei and his bodyguards. Those were the only people they could bring with them in order not to intimidate their host. It was part of the agreement made by Wu and Shu to preserve the delicate trust both kingdom shared. After all, they had been at war with each other before.

"Alright men. Remember why we are all here," he said in a clear and commanding voice. "There is to be no brawling or commotions of any sort. Anyone who is caught causing trouble with anyone from Wu shall be harshly punished. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!!"

"Further more, stay alert incase of any emergency. Do not let your guards down. You are allowed to roam about but do not wander off too far out."

"Finally, everyone stand on one feet and hop about," a manly voice said, followed by the tinkering sound of bells.

"Gan Ning!" Zhao Yun turned around, surprised to meet the tattooed- man.

"Gan-gan!!" Jiang Wei waved above his head to get Gan Ning's attention.

The muscled man returned Jiang Wei's childish gesture. "It's good to see you too, Jiang Wei! Need any help? Zhou Yu sent me to take you all to the lodging house."

"Zhou Yu?" Zhao Yun's ear perked up with interest. "Is he here?"

"Nah, that boy's too busy with the new strategy book he picked up somewhere." Gan Ning made a face. "When is he going to realise that those books don't really teach you anything?"

"Hey! I have Master Zhuge Liang's books and they teach me a lot!" Jiang Wei cried out and pouted.

"That's because you're not Zhou Yu," Gan Ning teased back.

"Well, I'll show you that I'll be much much better than Zhao Yun!"

".you mean Zhou Yu," Zhao Yun corrected with a cold stare.

"Uh. yeah. Whatever," Jiang Wei shrugged. "Gaah!!! I'm sorry!!"

"Just for that, you'll take care of the men yourself!" Zhao Yun knocked the pink-wearing man's head again, causing another laugh from Gan Ning.

"You Shu people are even more ridiculous than the generals here!" Gan Ning said in the middle of his laughter. "You make complete fools out of yourselves in front of your own bodyguards!"

Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei paused. They both turned around slowly and saw the 40 armour clad men obviously avoiding looking at them while trying too hard look disciplined and not laugh.

Zhao Yun. ".I forgot they are still here."

"Ah, sou! Zhao Yun just caused a little commotion when he was beating Jiang Wei up! Therefore he has to be harshly punished, right?" Gan Ning joked.

"Oh!! Sou! Sou da!! Let's make him hop around like a bunny!!" Jiang Wei agreed, hopping about a little.

"Nani?!" Zhao Yun tried to open his mouth to protest when he heard some of the bodyguards chuckling already. His face became red as he turned to face the bodyguards instead. "ATTENTION! Everyone is to go to the lodging house IMMEDIATELY! Go NOW!!"

".Zhao Yun?"

The blue-clad man paused in his tracks and annoyedly turned to look at Gan Ning. "What?"

"The lodging house is that way."

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Zhao Yun : .You're making fun of me again.

Lina : I know. Wasn't it fun?

Zhao Yun : . I hate you.