Chapter Seventeen - Wu East Camp
Sun Ce was bored to death in the carriage. He'd spent the last three hours sitting in a hazy carriage between being awake and asleep, not moving at all or making any sound except for sighing every so often.
He'd tried to cheer himself up a bit but he knew it wouldn't be long until he longed to go back. He already did, but he figured that he might as well have a look at his new home before judging it. He'd heard many things about the Wu East Camp, most of them good. The facilities were supposed to be better than the West's camp and some of the best soldiers were at the East camp. He could make a fresh start where no-one judged him and no-one knew about his past as Sun Jian gave orders not to spread the news out of the main camp...but what good would that be without Gan Ning?
The whole journey seemed surreal and dream-like and he only remembered where he was again. The carriage stopped.
"Lord Sun Ce, we had arrived at the Wu East Camp. I am afraid I will have to let you get down from here. I have to go to the town now and get some food back before dark. I took your belongings and put them down over there. Have a nice day!"
"Have a nice day, my ass..." Sun Ce mumbled to himself as he stood up, his legs feeling numb from sitting still for so long, exiting the carriage.
He shook them, regaining some of the circulation then he walked over to where his baggage was and picked it up.
"Welcome Lord Sun Ce!" a beautiful lady stood there waiting for him, a fixed grin on her oh-so-happy face.
"Whatever.." he said bitterly.
Why was everyone so god damn happy?
'Too many hyperactive people in this camp' he thought, immediately seeing a similarity between the lady and a hyper active girl from where he'd left behind. He had a fleeting thought that if being in Wu's mission didn't work out for Xiao Qiao she could always ask the Wu's ushering ladies division for a job. That brought a small smirk to his face.
He was ushered to a huge garden. He stood there for a few minutes, scanning the garden.
"Lord Sun Ce?"
He turned to stand face-to-face with a man he recognised to be an officer under Zhou Yu. This is the first time he get to see Sun Ce so close.
"Yes, that's me."
"Please follow me, Lord Sun Ce." he said picking up Sun Ce's baggage and walking down the stone steps ahead of him.
Sun Ce followed, wondering what lay ahead of him.
******************************************
The journey was short and when they arrived Sun Ce stood at the entrance, staring up at the huge building that was to be his new home trying to decide if it was bigger than the main camp or not.
"I will take you to Zhou Yu now."
Sun Ce simply nodded and followed while he absorbed his new surroundings. He was led along several corridors and up several flights of stairs to a door that was guarded on either side. The officer handed him his baggage and walked off. The two guards pulled open the door and he walked in to find Zhou Yu busy reading some scrolls. When he noticed Sun Ce he quickly stood up and walked towards him.
"Lord Sun Ce," he greeted.
"Nice to see you again Zhou Yu," Sun Ce smiled. This place was very different indeed from the main camp.
"Have you been shown to your room? Oh no of course not, I have to show you around personally...hmm..." he continued, doing the talking for both of them.
Sun Ce's thoughts changed rapidly and he decided that he would take his opportunity to ask Zhou Yu something that had been on his mind while the man was quiet for a second.
"Zhou Yu?"
"Yes my Lord?" he asked.
"Did Sun Jian state his...reasons for moving me?"
"He did not" Zhou Yu replied with not a hint of concern in his voice "And I don't agree with the decision to move you at all, but that's..."
"...Wu's policy." Sun Ce finished for him, amazed that Zhou Yu didn't seem to question him at the least.
"Exactly. The reason for you to be here is because you have not been here and you are a great fighter." he said grinning.
Sun Ce couldn't help but smile a little at this comment. His childhood friend has always been very supportive of him.
Sun Ce has not seen Zhou Yu for quite a long time especially since he and Gan Ning were together. His shiny black hair was longer and his eyes were shielded under some strands of hair. He wore a long red and gold robe and was open to reveal a dark red waistcoat and a finely toned chest beneath it. Zhou Yu stood by the door with his sword tugged at the left side of his waist, his other hand resting on his hip. Sun Ce must've kept his gaze on him for a little too long because Zhou Yu's lips curled up into a little smile as he took a fleeting look at him before snapping back.
"Is there anything wrong my Lord?" he asked raising an eyebrow and ran his fingers through the strands of hair that fell over his cheek.
"It is nice to see you again my friend and don't be too formal with me again okay," he said.
"Very well... Sun Ce. Since you are not familiar with the environment here, I'd like to show you around and your room as well."
"Sure thing." Sun Ce replied.
"Come on, let's go." he said before gesturing for Sun Ce to follow him.
When outside Zhou Yu turned to Sun Ce.
"So, what do you want to see first? I can show you your room first or something...I know, let's drop off your bag then I'll show you around properly, sounds good?"
Sun Ce couldn't think straight and an answer eluded him.
"Sun Ce?" Zhou Yu asked, concerned with Sun Ce's lack of speech today.
"Of course." Sun Ce replied gruffly.
"Okay, just wondering. I'll show you to your room." Zhou Yu said unperturbed, leading Sun Ce along the corridor and down a flight of stairs to the officers rooms.
Zhou Yu opened the door to Sun Ce's room. Inside is a large room with a compact kitchen and a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. It was nice enough. Sun Ce stepped inside and walked through the kitchen into the bedroom murmuring "Not bad, not bad at all..."
Sun Ce watched as his friend placed his baggage on the bed.
"Hmm...You must be pretty hungry after your trip. You want to go get something to eat then I can show you around?"
Come to think of it he was pretty hungry.
"Sure." Sun Ce replied.
"Okay then, let's go to the lunch room."
********************************************
The lunch room wasn't too dissimilar to the main camp's and the two friends sat down, Zhou Yu placing his sword with great care on the table in front of him. Zhou Yu then proceeded to take a small bite out of a piece of chicken a maid served before turning his attention back to Sun Ce.
"So, how do you like this camp so far?" Zhou Yu said, his mouth moving rapidly and his chicken waving around frantically in his hand as he made gestures.
"It's good." Was Sun Ce's answer as he picked at his food.
"Right...umm...I heard you got yourself a new tonfa. What type is that?" Zhou Yu said trying to change the topic.
"Mine's called Overlord."
"That is the best of all tonfas, I'd like to see that later. Not that I could use it. I'm happy with what I've got." he said before taking another bite from his chicken.
"Hmm...how were your missions here so far?" Sun Ce asked to put a little input into the conversation.
"Missions were a success" Zhou Yu started proudly, swallowing his food, "I think I trained the soldiers well. Not that I'm big headed..." he added, smiling.
Sun Ce noticed that Zhou Yu's smile was dangerous and a little seductive and the way he looked at people was predatory, as if he were searching for a prey.
Zhou Yu finished off his food and watched as Sun Ce took a bite out of his piece of chicken. The silence was odd to Zhou Yu who thought that Sun Ce was pretty outgoing and he determined to communicate more with Sun Ce. From what he knew of Sun Ce he wasn't quiet at all. He figured it must be what has happened back at the main camp and he don't dare to ask Sun Ce what actually happened, not at this time anyway.
Two beautiful girls walked up to them.
"Zhou Yu! I've been looking all over for you!" said one of the girls, practically trying to perch herself on his lap.
"What is the matter?" he replied, looking at the petite girl.
Sun Ce noticed the change in Zhou Yu's voice. It was considerably softer and the sight of the girl giggling madly was making him feel ill. He watched as she leaned over to Zhou Yu and whispered something in his ear. This secret whisper evoked a dark blush on Zhou Yu's face.
"So, who's your friend?" the other girl asked, indicating to Sun Ce.
"This, ladies, is Lord Sun Ce." Zhou Yu said, gesturing to Sun Ce.
Sun Ce hated the unwanted attention he was getting but looked up at her and smiled faintly anyway. He couldn't see what guys saw in girls, they were nothing but a giggling mass of hormones from what he could see. The girls looked at each other and turned to Sun Ce.
"Forgive us for our rudeness Lord Sun Ce. Please excuse us!" the girls said before they bowed and walked off.
Zhou Yu turned his attention back to Sun Ce who was working his way through the last bits of his chicken.
"Hmm...Nice 'friends' you've got there" Sun Ce commented, his voice rich in sarcasm.
"That girl just told me she really likes me and wants to go out with me!" Zhou Yu exclaimed suddenly, "No wonder they won't leave me alone! I have to focus on missions and not girls..." he ended with a shrug.
Zhou Yu noticed that Sun Ce's food had somehow disappeared.
"Well, you want the rest of the tour?"
"Sure."
********************************************
"Well, if you need anything then I'm just next door, okay?"
"Sure. Thanks Zhou Yu."
"Anytime." Zhou Yu replied, "If you get lost then just blame me."
"You bet your ass I will." Sun Ce replied, smiling a little as Zhou Yu shot him a fake glare before walking out the room.
The slam of the door made Sun Ce suddenly realise that he was alone. He threw his robe onto a nearby chair and placed his battle gloves on his new desk before sitting down on the bed. It had been a long day and he was pretty tired as he pulled off his boots, placing them at the foot of the bed.
His pants soon joined robe on the chair, leaving him in a pair of black cloth underwear. He stood up and looked in the mirror at himself. He was busy taking off his ribbon that pulled his hair together when he noticed a purple mark on his neck. He sighed...he'd been so busy learning his way around the new camp that Gan Ning hadn't entered his mind much but now there was nothing to distract him and being alone in this new place made his stomach tighten into an uncomfortable knot.
He ran his finger across the love bite, remembering his lover's face that was etched on his mind. He took a bath and walked over to a window in the bedroom, looking out into the night sky and he sighed before leaning his head over the window frame. Everyone was so nice here but it was as if a part of him had been left behind, as if something was missing. Sun Ce knew what that something was.
He sighed again, looking up at the night sky. It was so perfect, like the time he'd confessed how he felt to Gan Ning and it made him wonder if his long distance lover was looking up at the heavens too. It took him a long time to fall asleep that night.
Sun Ce was bored to death in the carriage. He'd spent the last three hours sitting in a hazy carriage between being awake and asleep, not moving at all or making any sound except for sighing every so often.
He'd tried to cheer himself up a bit but he knew it wouldn't be long until he longed to go back. He already did, but he figured that he might as well have a look at his new home before judging it. He'd heard many things about the Wu East Camp, most of them good. The facilities were supposed to be better than the West's camp and some of the best soldiers were at the East camp. He could make a fresh start where no-one judged him and no-one knew about his past as Sun Jian gave orders not to spread the news out of the main camp...but what good would that be without Gan Ning?
The whole journey seemed surreal and dream-like and he only remembered where he was again. The carriage stopped.
"Lord Sun Ce, we had arrived at the Wu East Camp. I am afraid I will have to let you get down from here. I have to go to the town now and get some food back before dark. I took your belongings and put them down over there. Have a nice day!"
"Have a nice day, my ass..." Sun Ce mumbled to himself as he stood up, his legs feeling numb from sitting still for so long, exiting the carriage.
He shook them, regaining some of the circulation then he walked over to where his baggage was and picked it up.
"Welcome Lord Sun Ce!" a beautiful lady stood there waiting for him, a fixed grin on her oh-so-happy face.
"Whatever.." he said bitterly.
Why was everyone so god damn happy?
'Too many hyperactive people in this camp' he thought, immediately seeing a similarity between the lady and a hyper active girl from where he'd left behind. He had a fleeting thought that if being in Wu's mission didn't work out for Xiao Qiao she could always ask the Wu's ushering ladies division for a job. That brought a small smirk to his face.
He was ushered to a huge garden. He stood there for a few minutes, scanning the garden.
"Lord Sun Ce?"
He turned to stand face-to-face with a man he recognised to be an officer under Zhou Yu. This is the first time he get to see Sun Ce so close.
"Yes, that's me."
"Please follow me, Lord Sun Ce." he said picking up Sun Ce's baggage and walking down the stone steps ahead of him.
Sun Ce followed, wondering what lay ahead of him.
******************************************
The journey was short and when they arrived Sun Ce stood at the entrance, staring up at the huge building that was to be his new home trying to decide if it was bigger than the main camp or not.
"I will take you to Zhou Yu now."
Sun Ce simply nodded and followed while he absorbed his new surroundings. He was led along several corridors and up several flights of stairs to a door that was guarded on either side. The officer handed him his baggage and walked off. The two guards pulled open the door and he walked in to find Zhou Yu busy reading some scrolls. When he noticed Sun Ce he quickly stood up and walked towards him.
"Lord Sun Ce," he greeted.
"Nice to see you again Zhou Yu," Sun Ce smiled. This place was very different indeed from the main camp.
"Have you been shown to your room? Oh no of course not, I have to show you around personally...hmm..." he continued, doing the talking for both of them.
Sun Ce's thoughts changed rapidly and he decided that he would take his opportunity to ask Zhou Yu something that had been on his mind while the man was quiet for a second.
"Zhou Yu?"
"Yes my Lord?" he asked.
"Did Sun Jian state his...reasons for moving me?"
"He did not" Zhou Yu replied with not a hint of concern in his voice "And I don't agree with the decision to move you at all, but that's..."
"...Wu's policy." Sun Ce finished for him, amazed that Zhou Yu didn't seem to question him at the least.
"Exactly. The reason for you to be here is because you have not been here and you are a great fighter." he said grinning.
Sun Ce couldn't help but smile a little at this comment. His childhood friend has always been very supportive of him.
Sun Ce has not seen Zhou Yu for quite a long time especially since he and Gan Ning were together. His shiny black hair was longer and his eyes were shielded under some strands of hair. He wore a long red and gold robe and was open to reveal a dark red waistcoat and a finely toned chest beneath it. Zhou Yu stood by the door with his sword tugged at the left side of his waist, his other hand resting on his hip. Sun Ce must've kept his gaze on him for a little too long because Zhou Yu's lips curled up into a little smile as he took a fleeting look at him before snapping back.
"Is there anything wrong my Lord?" he asked raising an eyebrow and ran his fingers through the strands of hair that fell over his cheek.
"It is nice to see you again my friend and don't be too formal with me again okay," he said.
"Very well... Sun Ce. Since you are not familiar with the environment here, I'd like to show you around and your room as well."
"Sure thing." Sun Ce replied.
"Come on, let's go." he said before gesturing for Sun Ce to follow him.
When outside Zhou Yu turned to Sun Ce.
"So, what do you want to see first? I can show you your room first or something...I know, let's drop off your bag then I'll show you around properly, sounds good?"
Sun Ce couldn't think straight and an answer eluded him.
"Sun Ce?" Zhou Yu asked, concerned with Sun Ce's lack of speech today.
"Of course." Sun Ce replied gruffly.
"Okay, just wondering. I'll show you to your room." Zhou Yu said unperturbed, leading Sun Ce along the corridor and down a flight of stairs to the officers rooms.
Zhou Yu opened the door to Sun Ce's room. Inside is a large room with a compact kitchen and a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. It was nice enough. Sun Ce stepped inside and walked through the kitchen into the bedroom murmuring "Not bad, not bad at all..."
Sun Ce watched as his friend placed his baggage on the bed.
"Hmm...You must be pretty hungry after your trip. You want to go get something to eat then I can show you around?"
Come to think of it he was pretty hungry.
"Sure." Sun Ce replied.
"Okay then, let's go to the lunch room."
********************************************
The lunch room wasn't too dissimilar to the main camp's and the two friends sat down, Zhou Yu placing his sword with great care on the table in front of him. Zhou Yu then proceeded to take a small bite out of a piece of chicken a maid served before turning his attention back to Sun Ce.
"So, how do you like this camp so far?" Zhou Yu said, his mouth moving rapidly and his chicken waving around frantically in his hand as he made gestures.
"It's good." Was Sun Ce's answer as he picked at his food.
"Right...umm...I heard you got yourself a new tonfa. What type is that?" Zhou Yu said trying to change the topic.
"Mine's called Overlord."
"That is the best of all tonfas, I'd like to see that later. Not that I could use it. I'm happy with what I've got." he said before taking another bite from his chicken.
"Hmm...how were your missions here so far?" Sun Ce asked to put a little input into the conversation.
"Missions were a success" Zhou Yu started proudly, swallowing his food, "I think I trained the soldiers well. Not that I'm big headed..." he added, smiling.
Sun Ce noticed that Zhou Yu's smile was dangerous and a little seductive and the way he looked at people was predatory, as if he were searching for a prey.
Zhou Yu finished off his food and watched as Sun Ce took a bite out of his piece of chicken. The silence was odd to Zhou Yu who thought that Sun Ce was pretty outgoing and he determined to communicate more with Sun Ce. From what he knew of Sun Ce he wasn't quiet at all. He figured it must be what has happened back at the main camp and he don't dare to ask Sun Ce what actually happened, not at this time anyway.
Two beautiful girls walked up to them.
"Zhou Yu! I've been looking all over for you!" said one of the girls, practically trying to perch herself on his lap.
"What is the matter?" he replied, looking at the petite girl.
Sun Ce noticed the change in Zhou Yu's voice. It was considerably softer and the sight of the girl giggling madly was making him feel ill. He watched as she leaned over to Zhou Yu and whispered something in his ear. This secret whisper evoked a dark blush on Zhou Yu's face.
"So, who's your friend?" the other girl asked, indicating to Sun Ce.
"This, ladies, is Lord Sun Ce." Zhou Yu said, gesturing to Sun Ce.
Sun Ce hated the unwanted attention he was getting but looked up at her and smiled faintly anyway. He couldn't see what guys saw in girls, they were nothing but a giggling mass of hormones from what he could see. The girls looked at each other and turned to Sun Ce.
"Forgive us for our rudeness Lord Sun Ce. Please excuse us!" the girls said before they bowed and walked off.
Zhou Yu turned his attention back to Sun Ce who was working his way through the last bits of his chicken.
"Hmm...Nice 'friends' you've got there" Sun Ce commented, his voice rich in sarcasm.
"That girl just told me she really likes me and wants to go out with me!" Zhou Yu exclaimed suddenly, "No wonder they won't leave me alone! I have to focus on missions and not girls..." he ended with a shrug.
Zhou Yu noticed that Sun Ce's food had somehow disappeared.
"Well, you want the rest of the tour?"
"Sure."
********************************************
"Well, if you need anything then I'm just next door, okay?"
"Sure. Thanks Zhou Yu."
"Anytime." Zhou Yu replied, "If you get lost then just blame me."
"You bet your ass I will." Sun Ce replied, smiling a little as Zhou Yu shot him a fake glare before walking out the room.
The slam of the door made Sun Ce suddenly realise that he was alone. He threw his robe onto a nearby chair and placed his battle gloves on his new desk before sitting down on the bed. It had been a long day and he was pretty tired as he pulled off his boots, placing them at the foot of the bed.
His pants soon joined robe on the chair, leaving him in a pair of black cloth underwear. He stood up and looked in the mirror at himself. He was busy taking off his ribbon that pulled his hair together when he noticed a purple mark on his neck. He sighed...he'd been so busy learning his way around the new camp that Gan Ning hadn't entered his mind much but now there was nothing to distract him and being alone in this new place made his stomach tighten into an uncomfortable knot.
He ran his finger across the love bite, remembering his lover's face that was etched on his mind. He took a bath and walked over to a window in the bedroom, looking out into the night sky and he sighed before leaning his head over the window frame. Everyone was so nice here but it was as if a part of him had been left behind, as if something was missing. Sun Ce knew what that something was.
He sighed again, looking up at the night sky. It was so perfect, like the time he'd confessed how he felt to Gan Ning and it made him wonder if his long distance lover was looking up at the heavens too. It took him a long time to fall asleep that night.