Morning came too quickly for any of them, and Sun Ce was fast asleep, halfway reading through the book he had pulled out to research. He would have stayed asleep, however, he woke when he heard the sound of another book falling upon the table with a thud. "Aieeee.... keep the noise down!"
"Sorry, sir..."
Lu Xun was sitting right across from him, and Sun Ce did a double take, just to make sure he saw him and not an illusion. "Lu Xun, you should be in bed! Did you sneak past the guards?"
"That doesn't matter; what DOES matter is finding the cure! Do not forget, sir, that the Lords of the other two kingdoms will be arriving sometimes today or tomorrow, and we have GOT to have news for them!"
Lu Xun sounded like a man possessed, and the attitude change was so obvious. Lu Xun never spoke through grit teeth like this, never! "Blast... surely it's here somewhere..."
"Calm down; being so agitated will not help us find it," Lu Meng spoke, attempting to soothe him.
Flipping through the pages, Lu Xun gave his reply through a growl, not once leaving his gaze from the book's words. "YOU try looking for this! I should have found something by now... DAMMIT!"
"Aw... that's so SWEET!"
They looked towards the pirate, seeing him upside down on top of the bookshelf, with a book in his hands. Lu Meng sighed, wishing to poke him down with his halberd. "Gan Ning, you do realize that you SHOULD be looking for a cure for this, and not reading such things."
"Hey, I'm not TOTALLY goofing off!" The pirate said in his own defense. "This is a romance novel written about a man who was cursed into becoming a werefox and how his true love saved him."
"Gee, I didn't know the idiot could read..." Lu Xun snarled, and Sun Ce could see the almost strained anger brighten his pale face. Zhou Yu wasn't like this at all... and he wondered, as Lu Xun asked, "And what use is it to us? It's a novel, something that is not true, nor will it EVER be!"
"And werefoxes are?"
Before Lu Xun could reply, Sun Ce asked, "So what's THAT book say?"
Gan Ning blinked, "How should I know? I haven't finished it yet, a real page-turner, ya know?"
He was nearly thrown off of the bookshelf when Lu Xun flew from his desk with amazing speed and climbed the ladder, prying it out of his hands. Gan Ning shouted as Lu Xun looked through it for himself. "I wasn't done yet!"
"You can ALWAYS skip to the end you... you... IMBECILE!"
"Hey, now that's getting personal..." Gan Ning said with a pout, not liking this sudden mood change in Lu Xun at all. He asked, not knowing if it was wise to do so in the first place. "What's with you? You're not like this, so grumpy and aggravated..."
"You would be aggravated too if you had to deal CONSTANTLY with such stupidity!"
As Lu Xun feverishly skipped towards the end, Lu Meng addressed Sun Ce, keeping his voice down. "This must be the effect of the curse... I've never seen him like this before."
"But Zhou Yu does not act in such a manner..."
Lu Xun snapped, nearly tearing the book apart. "Look, perhaps it has a DIFFERENT effect on others... but please shut up! I can hardly THINK with your loud traps going on and on like the things that would never end!"
Gan Ning's crimson eyes narrowed, and he leapt down, snatching the book away, "What is WRONG with you?! What has you so upset?!"
To his surprise, Lu Xun fought back, grabbing the book again and pushing the officer away with a growl. That was when Lu Meng grabbed Gan Ning, pulling him away from the angered, cursed man, speaking lowly, "It's the curse... for some reason it's made him quick tempered and completely opposite of his true nature."
"I don't care; I want my Lu Xun back!"
The book was thrown at him, and if you could hear the rage in Lu Xun's words, you would have instantly called for security. "Silence, imbecile! Can't you see I'm trying to work?!"
The hurt pirate took the poor book back into his hands, staring down at it, "It won't help?"
Something snapped inside of Lu Xun's head, as you could see his feral eyes flinch. Gan Ning barely caught the fist that was aimed for his jaw, and he used the book as shield for the next. That was when Sun Ce did call for the guards, as Lu Xun's words cut through the pirate's defenses like his silver blades. "Who cares about he cure now?! That's all I'm good for, is staying locked up in the library, looking for stuff for war-hungry imbeciles like you, like ALL of you!"
Gan Ning tried to stop the tears rising to his eyes, and he whispered, "No... you're worth more than that... to me. I love you..."
"Gan Ning, he's not sane..." Lu Meng grabbed the halberd that was resting along the wall, wondering if he had to use it.
"I DON'T CARE IF HE'S SANE! I STILL LOVE HIM!"
With a howl, Lu Xun drove his foot into Gan Ning's gut, all signs of sanity lost. "SHUT UP!"
"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Sun Ce shouted, rising from the table as the guards finally showed up, quickly pouncing the smaller man and pinning him to the ground, trying to stop his struggles. It was as if Lu Xun had already transformed, any sign of his humanity had long since overtaken by the animal instincts that hid inside of him. "Lu Xun, control yourself!"
"Yes, Lu Xun, you must control yourself..." All but Lu Xun turned to him, and Zhou Yu seemed hesitant to enter the room. He saw the looks on their faces... did they already know? "What seems to be the problem here?"
Now the young officer turned his face towards him, and his golden eyes glimmered with anger that hinted insanity, "YOU! YOU DID THIS TO ME!"
That was the truth, Zhou Yu sadly knew, but he did not say anything, in fear of the others knowing. Lu Meng answered Zhou Yu's question, "It's the curse... he's not quite himself at the moment."
"No... I guess not..." The elder strategist sighed, walking towards the officer. "I am sorry, Lu Xun, truly sorry this happened. And I know what you are feeling now..."
"Don't touch me, bitch!" Lu Xun hissed, his yellow eyes glinted with insanity. Seeing the blood drain from Zhou Yu's face, he sneered, "That's right; I heard you howling last night. You're nothing but his BITCH now!"
It was Sun Ce that asked, "What is he talking about? Lu Xun, silence yourself before I have to beheaded!"
"He doesn't know? HE DOESN'T KNOW!" The officer began to laugh, his small frame shaking terribly from the maniacal laughs leaving his throat, "Go ahead, Zhou Yu! Tell him!"
He was silenced by Lu Meng's golden tip of the end of the halberd, and even through unconsciousness his struggles did not cease, his face tensed. Lu Meng quickly apologized as the guards released him, mostly towards Gan Ning then anyone else. "Sorry..."
Gan Ning only opened the book he still held in his hands, and his voice was almost a sob, "Why didn't he look in here? I know the answer is here..."
"When did he start acting like that?" Zhou Yu asked, noticing Sun Ce's look. He asked quietly, "Is something bothering you, sir?"
"What did he mean, Zhou Yu?"
All could see how hesitant Zhou Yu had come, and he lowered his gaze, trying to avoid Sun Ce's own blue eyes. "Sir, he's not well, so I'm sure he knows nothing of what he speaks..."
His Lord's voice lowered, "I see. You would rather lie than tell me the truth..."
"Sir, I don't mean it like that... it's just..."
He froze when he saw the pain flash over Sun Ce's face, "No. That is it exactly. I thought we wouldn't keep secrets between us much longer, Zhou Yu. It seems I was wrong..."
The two looked at each other, and Lu Meng took a hint, grabbing Lu Xun and lifting him up, asking to break the silence, "What should I do with Lu Xun, sir? It might be dangerous not to restrain him..."
Sun Ce turned, trying, and failing to hide the pain in his voice, "I don't care anymore... do whatever you think is best. If anyone needs me for anything important, I'll be getting ready to meet with the other Lords..."
Before he could leave, Zhou Yu shouted, not wishing for him to leave, "Sun Ce, wait... I do have something to tell you..."
"Yes?" Sun Ce looked back at him, waiting for Lu Meng and the others to take the hint. With Gan Ning's help, they carried Lu Xun out of the library, going off to do something as Sun Ce repeated himself. "So you're finally going to fill me in?"
Zhou Yu sighed, "How could I tell you before, my lord?"
His friend gave a shrug, closing the doors and hoping that no one heard them. "Maybe if you would have told us earlier about your curse, then we could have prevented a LOT of this. It's not like you to hide such things from me, Zhou Yu."
"Forgive me..." Zhou Yu bowed his head, trying to stop his tears though it seemed impossible. He felt horrible, so horrible, almost to where he regretted ever coming back. "I'm a werefox, Sun Ce? How? How could I just simply tell you such things?"
"You're SUPPOSED to be able to tell me anything!" Sun Ce almost-shouted, turning away so that the tears in his own eyes would not be seen. "I'm your superior officer and your best friend! And..."
Zhou Yu dared not look up, trembling uncontrollably, berating himself for acting like this. Should he tell him he was raped? He asked, "If you were in my position... would you have told me?"
His lord's response was soft, "Yes. I already trust you with my heart; why would I not trust you with such a silly thing?"
The look Zhou Yu gave him was almost priceless, and he was speechless, as Sun Ce knelt down, resting a warm, welcoming hand on his shoulder. "I guess I should just spit it out, but... Zhou Yu, I love you more than just a friend..."
He was struck speechless, and Sun Ce reddened, breaking away, "I-I'm sorry. I know you probably don't feel the same way, but... I can't hide it anymore. God, you probably hate me now!"
"No... anything but that... I love you too..." Zhou Yu whispered, rising to embrace the other man. He rested his chin on his hair, kissing his forehead lightly, "I've been wanting to tell you for so... so long..."
He could almost hear Sun Ce's sobs wanting to break free, and he sighed, "Please don't cry... I never wished to hurt you, but I was afraid... I didn't want you to see me as that DEMON..."
"I wouldn't have cared; I still don't!" Sun Ce said quickly, quickly ridding himself of the tears and regaining his usual perkyness, one that Zhou Yu was more then thrilled to see. "Come on, cheer up! I mean, nothing we can do about it now but correct the mistakes, right?"
"Right. So, what do you want to know first?"
Sun Ce smiled, helping his friend back to his feet, not realizing how much pain it caused Zhou Yu to even stand right now. "Well, finding a cure would be nice, and I think Gan Ning might have found it."
His strategist smiled, "Nothing else you're curious about? Nothing at all?"
"Does it matter? All I'm concerned about is curing you, Zhou Yu! What else IS there?"
Zhou Yu's smile deepened, kissing his lord's nose, "Nothing of any importance."
A soldier had interrupted them, though he had not seen anything. "Sir! Lord Cao Cao has arrived!"
Sun Ce nodded, turning to Zhou Yu, "Shall we go to greet him?"
"It would be the most polite thing to do..."
"Alright then! To the meeting we go!"
~*~*~*~
"Gan Ning, you're a genius, a GENIUS I say!"
The pirate chuckled, "That's right! You should compliment me more!"
It was the weirdest place to find a cure, Lu Meng had to admit, but as he reread the page again and again, it was the only thing logical! This HAD to be the cure! And to think, it came from a romance novel and it was Gan Ning who had found it!
"The only thing is, it just CAN'T be this easy. There has to be a catch somewhere..."
Lu Meng said with a sigh, looking at the pirate with a slight look of concern. "But it's the only chance we have..."
Gan Ning pointed to the now bound Lu Xun, "Should I try it now?"
Looking at the poor kid, Lu Meng shook his head, "No... I think he has to be transformed for it to work... and that could be dangerous."
"I don't care how dangerous it is..." Gan Ning proclaimed, hating the fact that they had to bound Lu Xun in shackles in the dungeon, in fear of him losing control again. His words hurt so much, and Gan Ning sighed. "I just don't want him acting like this again, that's all..."
"You know he does not mean what he said..."
He knew that, but it still hurt. They looked to Lu Xun when they heard his soft voice, "What... where am I?"
Lu Meng answered, "In the dungeon, chained up. I'm sorry Lu Xun, but we had to do it before you hurt someone..."
The young man slowly looked up, his yellow eyes slowly showing awareness as he took in his surroundings, showing no resistance to the shackles that held his hands above his head. He couldn't explain the look he was given, as he sighed, "I guess I did lose control...
"Yes..." That was all that Gan Ning could say, as he could hardly look at him.
Lu Xun spoke softly, "Gan Ning... I am so sorry..."
The pirate smiled, wishing to release him but he knew better. "Nah, don't worry about it..."
"I-I wouldn't blame you if you hated me now..." Lu Xun lowered his gaze, wishing to avoid the red eyes of the pirate now. Even as he showed remorse, his hands were searching for a way to escape from the bonds.
Lu Meng sighed, "We should go, Gan Ning..."
"What do you mean? We can't just leave Lu Xun here..."
"We have to go to the meeting..." Lu Meng replied, looking at Lu Xun's fidgeting hands, not liking that at all. "I'm sure Lu Xun will be fine... it will spare him from hurting anyone else."
"Please... don't leave me... alone..." They stopped to look at him, wondering if it was actually him or the werefox within him that gave the plea. Gan Ning looked to actually release him, but Lu Meng's hand stopped him as Lu Xun gave a low snarl, "Look, I wont hurt anyone, okay?!"
"You'll be safer here..." Gan Ning assured him. "This way we all know you can't hurt anyone or yourself."
But simple words weren't enough, and the poor boy threw a fit! He was like a child, screaming, spurting out insults, kicking away, trying to free himself from the bonds. The two men were surprised to see him do such a thing, backing away to a safe distance, uncertain of what to do. A soldier entered the room, was silent for a few seconds, then found his nerve to speak, "Lord Lu Meng, Lord Gan Ning, they are waiting for your arrival in the meeting hall."
That was when Gan Ning made a decision, "Lu Meng, tell Sun Ce some excuse for me not being there. I'll stay here and watch over Lu Xun."
"Just be careful..." Lu Meng said, looking at the thrashing man before nodding, and leaving up the stairs.
Lu Xun snarled, "You should have gone with him..."
When they were alone, Gan Ning turned to him again, and as if he had lost all of his strength, Lu Xun's struggles stopped, leaving Gan Ning to wonder what he was scheming. He spoke softly, not wishing to arose that fury again. "Tell me... is that the curse that's making you do that, or the thought that we have to bind you that makes you so angry?"
"I don't like being chained here like... some animal!" Lu Xun whispered, turning his head to look away from the pirate, "And I don't want to transform..."
Now for that, Gan Ning could not blame him, and he sighed deeply, wishing there was a way to stop this. "Don't take this personally, Lu Xun, but you could seriously hurt someone like this."
The smaller man answered, "I-I know. I don't want to, but I'm just so frustrated and... scared..."
"Scared?" Gan Ning asked, sitting down with his back to the opposite wall, in order to face him, "What are you scared of? I mean, Zhou Yu can help you get adjusted, and we'll be able to cure you soon..."
That was when he noticed the tears forming in Lu Xun's amber eyes, and he spoke softly, though his voice strained, as if to fight the next urge for a fit. "You... don't... understand!"
"You're right," the pirate admitted, running a hand through his short hair. "I may just be stupid and missing something TOTALLY obvious, but I DON'T understand! Could you explain it to me?"
He saw the hands clutch the chains again, but Lu Xun showed no signs of the fit rising again. "I know... what will happen to me... if I transform... I know from hearing Zhou Yu's cries last night... COULDN'T YOU HEAR THEM?!"
"I heard some howling, but that was all..."
"So you did not hear what was IN the howling, or why he was howling..." A slow smile crept upon his face, bringing Gan Ning to worry some more now. "I will be howling as well... but I don't want that! DAMMIT!"
Gan Ning could no longer resist, rising and embracing the chained man, "Are you afraid that I won't love you just as much after? Listen to me, no matter WHAT happens out there, or whatever it is you're talking about, I will STILL be here and still care for you just as much as before."
He could feel the tears streaming down his chest, and Lu Xun practically wept, his entire form just trembling within his hold. That only made the pirate's hold stronger, as if he wanted to squeeze the misery out of him. But it wouldn't be that easy...
~*~*~*~
Sun Ce had to admit that it was rather strange to sit at a table with the two men he had fought for so very long. To gather with Lord Cao Cao of Wei and Lord Liu Bei of Shu in order to discuss a mutual problem made him nervous, though he tried not to let it show, and the fact that many of their officers had accompanied them did not help much.
Sitting to his lord's left was Sima Yi, who glared at the sight of his arch nemesis, Zhuge Liang, sitting across from him. Cao Cao was receiving a heated gaze as well, as Ma Chao's gaze NEVER left the Wei Lord.
Zhou Yu found it rather funny that, of all the werefoxes, he seemed to be the only one present. Perhaps the others simply had not arrived yet?
Or the fact that they were missing as well. He waited for the meeting to start, as Sun Ce rose, clearing his throat so that all gazes could turn to him. "Gentlemen, we have come here today to discuss an issue, not stare at each other, unless you don't MIND admiring the other's good looks, of course."
Zhou Yu could feel himself embarrassed FOR his lord and love, and he hoped his blush was not TOO obvious. However, he saw soon that he had nothing to fear, as Ma Chao seemed to shrink further back into his helmet and Sima Yi hid behind his fan. Did he even detect a faint shade of color on the cheeks of the cold-hearted Zhuge Liang?!
Seeing as it eased some of the tension, Sun Ce clapped his hands together, smiling, "Good! Now, where shall we start, eh?"
It was Zhuge Liang that spoke, his quiet and controlled voice filling the air, "As you well now, Lord Sun Ce, we have gathered in order to receive aid in locating our missing officers."
"I have two officers missing, my cousin and one of my greatest generals, whom I know would never abandon me." Lord Cao Cao interrupted, his voice hinting anger. He looked towards Sun Ce, as if it was addressed towards him. "I fail to see how you can keep a good mood in all of this? It leads to suspicions..."
"Not to mention that, while many of your lower level officers have disappeared, none of your generals have," Liu Bei added, his eyes narrowing. "As Lord Cao Cao, I also have two generals missing, and yet you have none, Lord Sun Ce?"
That was a sudden change, and with the fingers pointed at him, Sun Ce chuckled, "I can assure you, this is NOT my doing! Zhou Yu can explain a little better, buttttt I don't think you'd believe him. I hardly believe it myself!"
"You'd be surprised, at what we might believe," Ma Chao said quietly, surprising them all by speaking at all.
With all the work being dumped upon him now, Zhou Yu sighed, rising and sending an almost evil glare towards his friend, wishing to wipe that smile off his face. However, he just sighed, and decided to tell the truth now, despite how odd it was. "Gentlemen, I believe our problem is with a myth that has somehow been proven true... what we have on our hands are werefoxes..."
While the looks on both Cao Cao and Liu Bei's faces immediately turned to disbelief, none of the other men did such a thing. Sima Yi only nodded, speaking from behind his large, black fan, "I must agree with your conclusion, Zhou Yu. I have suspected such a thing for quite some time, and I apologize my lord Cao Cao from keeping it from you, for I thought you might doubt my sanity."
"A werefox?" Liu Bei looked to Zhou Yu, then to his own strategist. "Surely it's just a myth!"
Zhuge Liang chose his words with care, "While under normal circumstances I would agree, my lord, I cannot do so. These are NOT normal circumstances; these are quite strange circumstances. I must confess that I too, have thought of this conclusion, as it fits the facts we have before us."
"Are you all mad?" Cao Cao laughed at the thought still, shaking his head at this foolishness.
Zhou Yu only nodded, "I understand your disbelief, sir. If I myself were not affected by this curse, I would be in disbelief too. I have seen all of your officers, whom you have not named other than Xiahou Dun, whom we know to be your cousin. Shall I prove it now? Aside from Xiahou Dun, the missing officers are Zhao Yun, Jiang Wei, and Zhang He. How could I have come to know such a thing without seeing them?"
A slight uproar occurred, but it stopped when Sima Yi growled, "Then how is it that YOU have seen them then?"
"Did I not make myself clear? If not, I apologize. Perhaps, instead of saying I was AFFECTED by the curse, I should have said that I am INFECTED with the curse. Does that answer your question, Sima Yi?"
The look Sima Yi gave was almost frightening, as he withdrew the dagger from his sleeves, rising and pointing it directly at Zhou Yu's neck. "Then you are one... demon!"
Sun Ce's words were quick, and frosty, "If you don't remove that dagger from my strategist's neck this instant I will kill you where you stand, Sima Yi."
And who was there to protect his own strategist? Sun Ce found the long silver blade of Cao Cao's sword directed at his own neck, and the man's words were NOT to be taken lightly. "You might want to rethink that, boy..."
None of the Shu officers deemed it appropriate to interfere, and Zhou Yu's words were low, "I am as much of a demon as your own beloved Zhang He, Sima Yi. You gain nothing by killing me."
That was enough to lower the dagger blade, and Sima Yi sneered, "And here I was hoping that he was captured... damn."
The removal of the dagger was all it took for all of the tensions to be relieved, and Zhou Yu sighed, "I am sorry to have ruined it for you then, but it is the truth."
"In that case, it appears that researching a cure was not in vain..." Zhuge Liang spoke aloud, making Liu Bei eye him weirdly. It was obvious that the man did this all behind his back, and as the others retook their seats, the Shu strategist asked, directing his question to Zhou Yu. "Are you the only Wu officer infected?"
"I was for a time, but am not any longer. Unfortunately, Lu Xun has been infected as well."
It was as if on queue, as Lu Meng finally arrived, and he froze at the sight of the other officers staring at him. He held the romance novel in his hands, and he sighed, "Sorry I'm late, my lord... and Gan Ning can't make it. Have I missed anything?"
Sun Ce chuckled, "Oh no! Besides the fact that we know who the other werefoxes are, and Sima Yi nearly set in a motion a long line of deaths, nothing at all!"
"I see..." Lu Meng took a seat, just as Zhuge Liang noticed the book. The perceptive strategist asked, "And what might that be?"
Seeing all eyes upon him again, Lu Meng looked to his lord, as if waiting to be given permission. He rose after he received a nod, and he spoke, trying to ignore the staring eyes. "I believe Gan Ning found a possible cure while reading this book... so far it's the only thing we've been able to find."
Sima Yi scowled, again hiding behind his fan, "It has to be better than my research; absolutely NOTHING did I find!"
"A pirate researched and found a cure?" Zuge Liang smiled, almost laughing. "I'm amazed... what does it say?"
Lu Meng gave an embarrassed look, "Must I read it?"
"I don't see any harm in it!" Sun Ce laughed, sitting back in his chair. "Closest thing we've got so far..."
Zhou Yu did not understand the man's hesitation, though once Lu Meng spoke, he did, "Well, it says that the only way to cure a werefox is for his or her true love to embrace the infected person and say their name three times..."
He had skipped a few minor details, due to the pressing time, and Lu Meng looked up as he received odd looks from the group, wondering if he had to repeat himself. Well, he noticed many of their blushes, and it was Ma Chao that asked, more annoyed then anything. "Are you SURE that's what's suppose to be done?"
"Well, yes. Perfectly sure..."
"How embarrassing..."
Sun Ce smirked, "I don't see what's so embarrassing. Would anyone care to explain it to me?"
All eyes turned upon him now, and Cao Cao laughed, giving the young lord a rather humorous look. "You see, you noticed how it was ALL guys who were infected... and I did not bring Sima Yi along JUST to add his input..."
The poor strategist's voice rose to almost a shriek, "LORD CAO CAO!"
Though he was not the only one blushing, Zhuge Liang spoke up again, hiding behind his own white fan. "It's practically releasing personal information... however, if we do not act, then we are forsaking our officers to this fate..."
Lie Bei could not contain his own laughter, "And we certainly do not want that, no matter what price we may pay, hm?"
"It appears that way..." Cao Cao snickered, looking to Zhou Yu. "Who do YOU fancy?"
Zhou Yu stiffened, "I BEG your pardon?!"
Quick to take up for his love's defense, Sun Ce sneered, crossing his arms, "Yeah, I have a feeling this will be getting a bit personal... so if we DO wish to save our officers, we should try to keep it private. Capture them, put them in separate cages or something, and cure them..."
Liu Bei looked to Cao Cao, his smirk deepening, "His lord? I suppose there IS no accounting for taste, eh?"
As the Wei officer laughed, Sun Ce's blush was ever so obvious, and Zhuge Liang actually spoke for his defense. "But it appears to be the only way, personal or not... Sun Ce, you state that Zhou Yu and Lu Xun are infected... may I ask where Lu Xun is?"
"You may ask, but that does not mean we have to tell you," Lu Meng answered.
That wasn't the answer Zhuge Liang was looking for, and Zhou Yu added in, "He just recently got infected, and he is taking it much differently then I had. He... hasn't transformed yet."
"Is he irritated or angry? Seems to be aggravated at anything and everything?"
Surprised to hear that, Sun Ce answered, "That's exactly how he is... he nearly blew up in the library this morning."
Zhuge Liang nodded, speaking softly, "That's how Jiang Wei was acting before he disappeared..."
"As well as Zhao Yun..." Liu Bei stated, looking at Ma Chao for reassurance. "How did you take it, Zhou Yu?"
Zhou Yu blinked, "Well, I had a fever for a day or two, but other than that, I didn't change at all before the transformation..."
He was surprised that many of them did not ask, but he knew why he had taken it so differently. By the look on Sima Yi's face, it was obvious that Zhang He grew the violent nature as well... that thought brought him back towards what Zhang He had said earlier...
He was going to ask him if perhaps he knew what the man was planning, but Cao Cao asked before he had a chance, "But what of Xiahou Dun? He underwent no change and simply disappeared. What news have you of my cousin, Zhou Yu?"
"He's the Alpha, and he was the one that infected them all..." Zhou Yu lowered his gaze. "I've infected Lu Xun, but all others were infected by him. He did this as blackmail, to insure that a cure would be found."
The Lord of the Wei stiffened, turning to gaze at Sima Yi, "Is this true?"
Sima Yi looked to him, and he replied, "That's why he took Zhang He, sir..."
Liu Bei in turn questioned his own officers, "Ma Chao? Zhuge Liang?"
Their silent nods was enough, and Zhou Yu nodded, "I was captured by accident; he was aiming for Sun Ce, so that I would search for the cure as well. I don't really know what happened to make him become one, but Xiahou Dun only wishes to be cured as well..."
Cao Cao only nodded, "I apologize to you all for my cousin's behavior, though I had no knowledge of it. And, as much as I wish him cured, I do not know how to have it done. I do not know if he loves anyone, or if anyone loves him in return."
"What a shame then... to do all of this and to not be cured..."
Sima Yi coughed, "There may yet be hope for him, if you wish to save him, my lord..."
As Cao Cao looked at him, Zhou Yu looked towards the window, seeing the midday sun reach its peak. He sighed... they only had a few more hours to discuss this, and he wondered how Lu Xun could handle those few hours. He sighed... this wasn't good at all.
"The only problem is, we have to isolate each member so that they can be cured..." Liu Bei stated the obvious. "We already have two in the castle now, but catching the others might be a challenge..."
A musical voice floated to the air, one that had not been there before, "What you need is a distraction..."
They froze, all turning their eyes to the new generals leaning against the frame of the opened door. Sima Yi rose to his feet, unable to contain the pure joy from leaping from his words. "Zhang He?!"
Indeed it was, and the Wei general smiled, "Hello, Yi-chan. Have you missed me?"
Zhang He stood at the doorway, wearing nothing but a robe that he was given upon his arrival to Jian Ye. He wore a slight smile, and it took all the strength that Sima Yi had not to rush to him. He only nodded, keeping professional as Cao Cao welcomed him. "It's good to see you again, general."
"It is good to see you as well, sir, and it appears I have arrived just in time to be of service." Zhang He gave a polite and graceful bow, and he took the seat next to the Wei strategist, who still held back. Now they had business to attend to, and he could wait. "I regret to say that Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei could not make it... I did not wish for Al... I mean, Xiahou Dun would have been suspicious."
Liu Bei nodded, "Wise of you. Just assure me my officers are well, and I will take your word for it."
"As long as they're together, they are safe..."
Zhuge Liang cocked an eyebrow, but did not ask about it, instead questioning the subject at hand, "You said we needed a distraction. What did you have in mind, if I may ask?"
If anyone could see the grin rise upon his face, they knew it would have meant trouble. Sima Yi knew it well, as his face flushed when Zhang He explained, "That's between Xiahou Dun and myself... I am Beta of the pack, so I am given more privileges then the others. I know how to deal with the situation..."
Sima Yi clenched his hands into fists, and seeing his distress, the Wei general asked, "Is something wrong?"
"I know what you're planning... and you smile about it?" Sima Yi seethed, a side of him that he tried hard to conceal now ever so obvious.
Zhang He turned his luminous amethyst eyes to him before resting his head on the other man's arm, "I must do this, Yi-chan; I can think of nothing else. And since I must do it, why should I not at least pretend that I am okay with it? As I told sweet little Zhao Yun, it is nothing I have not done before. It won't change anything..."
It seemed the only one who didn't get it was Sun Ce, and he asked, "What are you gonna do, Zhang he?"
"Well, if my bodyguards are here, I am going to gather them and prepare that distraction," the general replied. He petted Sima Yi's arm, his voice a purr, "Do you want to come with me?"
To avoid the other's glance, he nodded, "Yes... just to make sure that you're not to be harmed."
Zhou Yu just stared, unable to help himself. How could these two be so... OPEN?!
It could not be helped, he supposed, and he looked to the others, to continue the meeting. "It will be another few hours until we transform, and I will ask that I be alone with Lu Xun when he changes. This will be his first time and I wish to help him cope with it."
Lu Meng nodded, "That would probably be for the best."
"And how do we capture a werefox? As Xiahou Dun is distracted, what then?" Liu Bei questioned. "I don't wish for my officers to be harmed... I trust that you can understand that request."
Zhang He stretched, "Even in werefox form we know who you are, and we can control our actions up to a certain point."
Even as he said that, Zhou Yu's facial expression did not help, as he remembered how easily he lost control around Lu Xun... he wondered if it would have been as bad for Lu Xun, but he felt better, knowing that Lu Xun would not be one for long if the cure were to work.
Ma Chao asked, his voice gruff, "But can it be controlled to where we can cure them? Or is it necessary to chain them up or what?"
"We chained Lu Xun up because he were afraid he was going to hurt himself, or others... how he will be after he transform is beyond our question." Lu Meng stated, figuring telling them that information wouldn't do any harm. "Zhou Yu, how did Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei act?"
Zhou Yu hesitated, "It... is not for me to say."
"All we wish to know is that if they will be violent towards us when we approach them." Zhuge Liang reassured him. "We don't wish to cause any harm by locking them up if it's not truly necessary."
"I think they're gentle enough, but I've never seen them around people..."
Sun Ce nodded, "Sounds dangerous, but I assure you, we'll contain them with no harm upon them. It must bite to be captured by the people you trust, though..."
Zhang He shrugged, "They'll probably walk right into the cage if you ask them too. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go and prepare."
With no further objections, Zhang He and Sima Yi made their leave, as the others began the plan to capture the other three were foxes. Hours passed, and Zhou Yu only prayed that he was given enough time to go to the dungeons, to help Lu Xun. The sooner they were lifted from the curse, the better...
"Sorry, sir..."
Lu Xun was sitting right across from him, and Sun Ce did a double take, just to make sure he saw him and not an illusion. "Lu Xun, you should be in bed! Did you sneak past the guards?"
"That doesn't matter; what DOES matter is finding the cure! Do not forget, sir, that the Lords of the other two kingdoms will be arriving sometimes today or tomorrow, and we have GOT to have news for them!"
Lu Xun sounded like a man possessed, and the attitude change was so obvious. Lu Xun never spoke through grit teeth like this, never! "Blast... surely it's here somewhere..."
"Calm down; being so agitated will not help us find it," Lu Meng spoke, attempting to soothe him.
Flipping through the pages, Lu Xun gave his reply through a growl, not once leaving his gaze from the book's words. "YOU try looking for this! I should have found something by now... DAMMIT!"
"Aw... that's so SWEET!"
They looked towards the pirate, seeing him upside down on top of the bookshelf, with a book in his hands. Lu Meng sighed, wishing to poke him down with his halberd. "Gan Ning, you do realize that you SHOULD be looking for a cure for this, and not reading such things."
"Hey, I'm not TOTALLY goofing off!" The pirate said in his own defense. "This is a romance novel written about a man who was cursed into becoming a werefox and how his true love saved him."
"Gee, I didn't know the idiot could read..." Lu Xun snarled, and Sun Ce could see the almost strained anger brighten his pale face. Zhou Yu wasn't like this at all... and he wondered, as Lu Xun asked, "And what use is it to us? It's a novel, something that is not true, nor will it EVER be!"
"And werefoxes are?"
Before Lu Xun could reply, Sun Ce asked, "So what's THAT book say?"
Gan Ning blinked, "How should I know? I haven't finished it yet, a real page-turner, ya know?"
He was nearly thrown off of the bookshelf when Lu Xun flew from his desk with amazing speed and climbed the ladder, prying it out of his hands. Gan Ning shouted as Lu Xun looked through it for himself. "I wasn't done yet!"
"You can ALWAYS skip to the end you... you... IMBECILE!"
"Hey, now that's getting personal..." Gan Ning said with a pout, not liking this sudden mood change in Lu Xun at all. He asked, not knowing if it was wise to do so in the first place. "What's with you? You're not like this, so grumpy and aggravated..."
"You would be aggravated too if you had to deal CONSTANTLY with such stupidity!"
As Lu Xun feverishly skipped towards the end, Lu Meng addressed Sun Ce, keeping his voice down. "This must be the effect of the curse... I've never seen him like this before."
"But Zhou Yu does not act in such a manner..."
Lu Xun snapped, nearly tearing the book apart. "Look, perhaps it has a DIFFERENT effect on others... but please shut up! I can hardly THINK with your loud traps going on and on like the things that would never end!"
Gan Ning's crimson eyes narrowed, and he leapt down, snatching the book away, "What is WRONG with you?! What has you so upset?!"
To his surprise, Lu Xun fought back, grabbing the book again and pushing the officer away with a growl. That was when Lu Meng grabbed Gan Ning, pulling him away from the angered, cursed man, speaking lowly, "It's the curse... for some reason it's made him quick tempered and completely opposite of his true nature."
"I don't care; I want my Lu Xun back!"
The book was thrown at him, and if you could hear the rage in Lu Xun's words, you would have instantly called for security. "Silence, imbecile! Can't you see I'm trying to work?!"
The hurt pirate took the poor book back into his hands, staring down at it, "It won't help?"
Something snapped inside of Lu Xun's head, as you could see his feral eyes flinch. Gan Ning barely caught the fist that was aimed for his jaw, and he used the book as shield for the next. That was when Sun Ce did call for the guards, as Lu Xun's words cut through the pirate's defenses like his silver blades. "Who cares about he cure now?! That's all I'm good for, is staying locked up in the library, looking for stuff for war-hungry imbeciles like you, like ALL of you!"
Gan Ning tried to stop the tears rising to his eyes, and he whispered, "No... you're worth more than that... to me. I love you..."
"Gan Ning, he's not sane..." Lu Meng grabbed the halberd that was resting along the wall, wondering if he had to use it.
"I DON'T CARE IF HE'S SANE! I STILL LOVE HIM!"
With a howl, Lu Xun drove his foot into Gan Ning's gut, all signs of sanity lost. "SHUT UP!"
"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Sun Ce shouted, rising from the table as the guards finally showed up, quickly pouncing the smaller man and pinning him to the ground, trying to stop his struggles. It was as if Lu Xun had already transformed, any sign of his humanity had long since overtaken by the animal instincts that hid inside of him. "Lu Xun, control yourself!"
"Yes, Lu Xun, you must control yourself..." All but Lu Xun turned to him, and Zhou Yu seemed hesitant to enter the room. He saw the looks on their faces... did they already know? "What seems to be the problem here?"
Now the young officer turned his face towards him, and his golden eyes glimmered with anger that hinted insanity, "YOU! YOU DID THIS TO ME!"
That was the truth, Zhou Yu sadly knew, but he did not say anything, in fear of the others knowing. Lu Meng answered Zhou Yu's question, "It's the curse... he's not quite himself at the moment."
"No... I guess not..." The elder strategist sighed, walking towards the officer. "I am sorry, Lu Xun, truly sorry this happened. And I know what you are feeling now..."
"Don't touch me, bitch!" Lu Xun hissed, his yellow eyes glinted with insanity. Seeing the blood drain from Zhou Yu's face, he sneered, "That's right; I heard you howling last night. You're nothing but his BITCH now!"
It was Sun Ce that asked, "What is he talking about? Lu Xun, silence yourself before I have to beheaded!"
"He doesn't know? HE DOESN'T KNOW!" The officer began to laugh, his small frame shaking terribly from the maniacal laughs leaving his throat, "Go ahead, Zhou Yu! Tell him!"
He was silenced by Lu Meng's golden tip of the end of the halberd, and even through unconsciousness his struggles did not cease, his face tensed. Lu Meng quickly apologized as the guards released him, mostly towards Gan Ning then anyone else. "Sorry..."
Gan Ning only opened the book he still held in his hands, and his voice was almost a sob, "Why didn't he look in here? I know the answer is here..."
"When did he start acting like that?" Zhou Yu asked, noticing Sun Ce's look. He asked quietly, "Is something bothering you, sir?"
"What did he mean, Zhou Yu?"
All could see how hesitant Zhou Yu had come, and he lowered his gaze, trying to avoid Sun Ce's own blue eyes. "Sir, he's not well, so I'm sure he knows nothing of what he speaks..."
His Lord's voice lowered, "I see. You would rather lie than tell me the truth..."
"Sir, I don't mean it like that... it's just..."
He froze when he saw the pain flash over Sun Ce's face, "No. That is it exactly. I thought we wouldn't keep secrets between us much longer, Zhou Yu. It seems I was wrong..."
The two looked at each other, and Lu Meng took a hint, grabbing Lu Xun and lifting him up, asking to break the silence, "What should I do with Lu Xun, sir? It might be dangerous not to restrain him..."
Sun Ce turned, trying, and failing to hide the pain in his voice, "I don't care anymore... do whatever you think is best. If anyone needs me for anything important, I'll be getting ready to meet with the other Lords..."
Before he could leave, Zhou Yu shouted, not wishing for him to leave, "Sun Ce, wait... I do have something to tell you..."
"Yes?" Sun Ce looked back at him, waiting for Lu Meng and the others to take the hint. With Gan Ning's help, they carried Lu Xun out of the library, going off to do something as Sun Ce repeated himself. "So you're finally going to fill me in?"
Zhou Yu sighed, "How could I tell you before, my lord?"
His friend gave a shrug, closing the doors and hoping that no one heard them. "Maybe if you would have told us earlier about your curse, then we could have prevented a LOT of this. It's not like you to hide such things from me, Zhou Yu."
"Forgive me..." Zhou Yu bowed his head, trying to stop his tears though it seemed impossible. He felt horrible, so horrible, almost to where he regretted ever coming back. "I'm a werefox, Sun Ce? How? How could I just simply tell you such things?"
"You're SUPPOSED to be able to tell me anything!" Sun Ce almost-shouted, turning away so that the tears in his own eyes would not be seen. "I'm your superior officer and your best friend! And..."
Zhou Yu dared not look up, trembling uncontrollably, berating himself for acting like this. Should he tell him he was raped? He asked, "If you were in my position... would you have told me?"
His lord's response was soft, "Yes. I already trust you with my heart; why would I not trust you with such a silly thing?"
The look Zhou Yu gave him was almost priceless, and he was speechless, as Sun Ce knelt down, resting a warm, welcoming hand on his shoulder. "I guess I should just spit it out, but... Zhou Yu, I love you more than just a friend..."
He was struck speechless, and Sun Ce reddened, breaking away, "I-I'm sorry. I know you probably don't feel the same way, but... I can't hide it anymore. God, you probably hate me now!"
"No... anything but that... I love you too..." Zhou Yu whispered, rising to embrace the other man. He rested his chin on his hair, kissing his forehead lightly, "I've been wanting to tell you for so... so long..."
He could almost hear Sun Ce's sobs wanting to break free, and he sighed, "Please don't cry... I never wished to hurt you, but I was afraid... I didn't want you to see me as that DEMON..."
"I wouldn't have cared; I still don't!" Sun Ce said quickly, quickly ridding himself of the tears and regaining his usual perkyness, one that Zhou Yu was more then thrilled to see. "Come on, cheer up! I mean, nothing we can do about it now but correct the mistakes, right?"
"Right. So, what do you want to know first?"
Sun Ce smiled, helping his friend back to his feet, not realizing how much pain it caused Zhou Yu to even stand right now. "Well, finding a cure would be nice, and I think Gan Ning might have found it."
His strategist smiled, "Nothing else you're curious about? Nothing at all?"
"Does it matter? All I'm concerned about is curing you, Zhou Yu! What else IS there?"
Zhou Yu's smile deepened, kissing his lord's nose, "Nothing of any importance."
A soldier had interrupted them, though he had not seen anything. "Sir! Lord Cao Cao has arrived!"
Sun Ce nodded, turning to Zhou Yu, "Shall we go to greet him?"
"It would be the most polite thing to do..."
"Alright then! To the meeting we go!"
~*~*~*~
"Gan Ning, you're a genius, a GENIUS I say!"
The pirate chuckled, "That's right! You should compliment me more!"
It was the weirdest place to find a cure, Lu Meng had to admit, but as he reread the page again and again, it was the only thing logical! This HAD to be the cure! And to think, it came from a romance novel and it was Gan Ning who had found it!
"The only thing is, it just CAN'T be this easy. There has to be a catch somewhere..."
Lu Meng said with a sigh, looking at the pirate with a slight look of concern. "But it's the only chance we have..."
Gan Ning pointed to the now bound Lu Xun, "Should I try it now?"
Looking at the poor kid, Lu Meng shook his head, "No... I think he has to be transformed for it to work... and that could be dangerous."
"I don't care how dangerous it is..." Gan Ning proclaimed, hating the fact that they had to bound Lu Xun in shackles in the dungeon, in fear of him losing control again. His words hurt so much, and Gan Ning sighed. "I just don't want him acting like this again, that's all..."
"You know he does not mean what he said..."
He knew that, but it still hurt. They looked to Lu Xun when they heard his soft voice, "What... where am I?"
Lu Meng answered, "In the dungeon, chained up. I'm sorry Lu Xun, but we had to do it before you hurt someone..."
The young man slowly looked up, his yellow eyes slowly showing awareness as he took in his surroundings, showing no resistance to the shackles that held his hands above his head. He couldn't explain the look he was given, as he sighed, "I guess I did lose control...
"Yes..." That was all that Gan Ning could say, as he could hardly look at him.
Lu Xun spoke softly, "Gan Ning... I am so sorry..."
The pirate smiled, wishing to release him but he knew better. "Nah, don't worry about it..."
"I-I wouldn't blame you if you hated me now..." Lu Xun lowered his gaze, wishing to avoid the red eyes of the pirate now. Even as he showed remorse, his hands were searching for a way to escape from the bonds.
Lu Meng sighed, "We should go, Gan Ning..."
"What do you mean? We can't just leave Lu Xun here..."
"We have to go to the meeting..." Lu Meng replied, looking at Lu Xun's fidgeting hands, not liking that at all. "I'm sure Lu Xun will be fine... it will spare him from hurting anyone else."
"Please... don't leave me... alone..." They stopped to look at him, wondering if it was actually him or the werefox within him that gave the plea. Gan Ning looked to actually release him, but Lu Meng's hand stopped him as Lu Xun gave a low snarl, "Look, I wont hurt anyone, okay?!"
"You'll be safer here..." Gan Ning assured him. "This way we all know you can't hurt anyone or yourself."
But simple words weren't enough, and the poor boy threw a fit! He was like a child, screaming, spurting out insults, kicking away, trying to free himself from the bonds. The two men were surprised to see him do such a thing, backing away to a safe distance, uncertain of what to do. A soldier entered the room, was silent for a few seconds, then found his nerve to speak, "Lord Lu Meng, Lord Gan Ning, they are waiting for your arrival in the meeting hall."
That was when Gan Ning made a decision, "Lu Meng, tell Sun Ce some excuse for me not being there. I'll stay here and watch over Lu Xun."
"Just be careful..." Lu Meng said, looking at the thrashing man before nodding, and leaving up the stairs.
Lu Xun snarled, "You should have gone with him..."
When they were alone, Gan Ning turned to him again, and as if he had lost all of his strength, Lu Xun's struggles stopped, leaving Gan Ning to wonder what he was scheming. He spoke softly, not wishing to arose that fury again. "Tell me... is that the curse that's making you do that, or the thought that we have to bind you that makes you so angry?"
"I don't like being chained here like... some animal!" Lu Xun whispered, turning his head to look away from the pirate, "And I don't want to transform..."
Now for that, Gan Ning could not blame him, and he sighed deeply, wishing there was a way to stop this. "Don't take this personally, Lu Xun, but you could seriously hurt someone like this."
The smaller man answered, "I-I know. I don't want to, but I'm just so frustrated and... scared..."
"Scared?" Gan Ning asked, sitting down with his back to the opposite wall, in order to face him, "What are you scared of? I mean, Zhou Yu can help you get adjusted, and we'll be able to cure you soon..."
That was when he noticed the tears forming in Lu Xun's amber eyes, and he spoke softly, though his voice strained, as if to fight the next urge for a fit. "You... don't... understand!"
"You're right," the pirate admitted, running a hand through his short hair. "I may just be stupid and missing something TOTALLY obvious, but I DON'T understand! Could you explain it to me?"
He saw the hands clutch the chains again, but Lu Xun showed no signs of the fit rising again. "I know... what will happen to me... if I transform... I know from hearing Zhou Yu's cries last night... COULDN'T YOU HEAR THEM?!"
"I heard some howling, but that was all..."
"So you did not hear what was IN the howling, or why he was howling..." A slow smile crept upon his face, bringing Gan Ning to worry some more now. "I will be howling as well... but I don't want that! DAMMIT!"
Gan Ning could no longer resist, rising and embracing the chained man, "Are you afraid that I won't love you just as much after? Listen to me, no matter WHAT happens out there, or whatever it is you're talking about, I will STILL be here and still care for you just as much as before."
He could feel the tears streaming down his chest, and Lu Xun practically wept, his entire form just trembling within his hold. That only made the pirate's hold stronger, as if he wanted to squeeze the misery out of him. But it wouldn't be that easy...
~*~*~*~
Sun Ce had to admit that it was rather strange to sit at a table with the two men he had fought for so very long. To gather with Lord Cao Cao of Wei and Lord Liu Bei of Shu in order to discuss a mutual problem made him nervous, though he tried not to let it show, and the fact that many of their officers had accompanied them did not help much.
Sitting to his lord's left was Sima Yi, who glared at the sight of his arch nemesis, Zhuge Liang, sitting across from him. Cao Cao was receiving a heated gaze as well, as Ma Chao's gaze NEVER left the Wei Lord.
Zhou Yu found it rather funny that, of all the werefoxes, he seemed to be the only one present. Perhaps the others simply had not arrived yet?
Or the fact that they were missing as well. He waited for the meeting to start, as Sun Ce rose, clearing his throat so that all gazes could turn to him. "Gentlemen, we have come here today to discuss an issue, not stare at each other, unless you don't MIND admiring the other's good looks, of course."
Zhou Yu could feel himself embarrassed FOR his lord and love, and he hoped his blush was not TOO obvious. However, he saw soon that he had nothing to fear, as Ma Chao seemed to shrink further back into his helmet and Sima Yi hid behind his fan. Did he even detect a faint shade of color on the cheeks of the cold-hearted Zhuge Liang?!
Seeing as it eased some of the tension, Sun Ce clapped his hands together, smiling, "Good! Now, where shall we start, eh?"
It was Zhuge Liang that spoke, his quiet and controlled voice filling the air, "As you well now, Lord Sun Ce, we have gathered in order to receive aid in locating our missing officers."
"I have two officers missing, my cousin and one of my greatest generals, whom I know would never abandon me." Lord Cao Cao interrupted, his voice hinting anger. He looked towards Sun Ce, as if it was addressed towards him. "I fail to see how you can keep a good mood in all of this? It leads to suspicions..."
"Not to mention that, while many of your lower level officers have disappeared, none of your generals have," Liu Bei added, his eyes narrowing. "As Lord Cao Cao, I also have two generals missing, and yet you have none, Lord Sun Ce?"
That was a sudden change, and with the fingers pointed at him, Sun Ce chuckled, "I can assure you, this is NOT my doing! Zhou Yu can explain a little better, buttttt I don't think you'd believe him. I hardly believe it myself!"
"You'd be surprised, at what we might believe," Ma Chao said quietly, surprising them all by speaking at all.
With all the work being dumped upon him now, Zhou Yu sighed, rising and sending an almost evil glare towards his friend, wishing to wipe that smile off his face. However, he just sighed, and decided to tell the truth now, despite how odd it was. "Gentlemen, I believe our problem is with a myth that has somehow been proven true... what we have on our hands are werefoxes..."
While the looks on both Cao Cao and Liu Bei's faces immediately turned to disbelief, none of the other men did such a thing. Sima Yi only nodded, speaking from behind his large, black fan, "I must agree with your conclusion, Zhou Yu. I have suspected such a thing for quite some time, and I apologize my lord Cao Cao from keeping it from you, for I thought you might doubt my sanity."
"A werefox?" Liu Bei looked to Zhou Yu, then to his own strategist. "Surely it's just a myth!"
Zhuge Liang chose his words with care, "While under normal circumstances I would agree, my lord, I cannot do so. These are NOT normal circumstances; these are quite strange circumstances. I must confess that I too, have thought of this conclusion, as it fits the facts we have before us."
"Are you all mad?" Cao Cao laughed at the thought still, shaking his head at this foolishness.
Zhou Yu only nodded, "I understand your disbelief, sir. If I myself were not affected by this curse, I would be in disbelief too. I have seen all of your officers, whom you have not named other than Xiahou Dun, whom we know to be your cousin. Shall I prove it now? Aside from Xiahou Dun, the missing officers are Zhao Yun, Jiang Wei, and Zhang He. How could I have come to know such a thing without seeing them?"
A slight uproar occurred, but it stopped when Sima Yi growled, "Then how is it that YOU have seen them then?"
"Did I not make myself clear? If not, I apologize. Perhaps, instead of saying I was AFFECTED by the curse, I should have said that I am INFECTED with the curse. Does that answer your question, Sima Yi?"
The look Sima Yi gave was almost frightening, as he withdrew the dagger from his sleeves, rising and pointing it directly at Zhou Yu's neck. "Then you are one... demon!"
Sun Ce's words were quick, and frosty, "If you don't remove that dagger from my strategist's neck this instant I will kill you where you stand, Sima Yi."
And who was there to protect his own strategist? Sun Ce found the long silver blade of Cao Cao's sword directed at his own neck, and the man's words were NOT to be taken lightly. "You might want to rethink that, boy..."
None of the Shu officers deemed it appropriate to interfere, and Zhou Yu's words were low, "I am as much of a demon as your own beloved Zhang He, Sima Yi. You gain nothing by killing me."
That was enough to lower the dagger blade, and Sima Yi sneered, "And here I was hoping that he was captured... damn."
The removal of the dagger was all it took for all of the tensions to be relieved, and Zhou Yu sighed, "I am sorry to have ruined it for you then, but it is the truth."
"In that case, it appears that researching a cure was not in vain..." Zhuge Liang spoke aloud, making Liu Bei eye him weirdly. It was obvious that the man did this all behind his back, and as the others retook their seats, the Shu strategist asked, directing his question to Zhou Yu. "Are you the only Wu officer infected?"
"I was for a time, but am not any longer. Unfortunately, Lu Xun has been infected as well."
It was as if on queue, as Lu Meng finally arrived, and he froze at the sight of the other officers staring at him. He held the romance novel in his hands, and he sighed, "Sorry I'm late, my lord... and Gan Ning can't make it. Have I missed anything?"
Sun Ce chuckled, "Oh no! Besides the fact that we know who the other werefoxes are, and Sima Yi nearly set in a motion a long line of deaths, nothing at all!"
"I see..." Lu Meng took a seat, just as Zhuge Liang noticed the book. The perceptive strategist asked, "And what might that be?"
Seeing all eyes upon him again, Lu Meng looked to his lord, as if waiting to be given permission. He rose after he received a nod, and he spoke, trying to ignore the staring eyes. "I believe Gan Ning found a possible cure while reading this book... so far it's the only thing we've been able to find."
Sima Yi scowled, again hiding behind his fan, "It has to be better than my research; absolutely NOTHING did I find!"
"A pirate researched and found a cure?" Zuge Liang smiled, almost laughing. "I'm amazed... what does it say?"
Lu Meng gave an embarrassed look, "Must I read it?"
"I don't see any harm in it!" Sun Ce laughed, sitting back in his chair. "Closest thing we've got so far..."
Zhou Yu did not understand the man's hesitation, though once Lu Meng spoke, he did, "Well, it says that the only way to cure a werefox is for his or her true love to embrace the infected person and say their name three times..."
He had skipped a few minor details, due to the pressing time, and Lu Meng looked up as he received odd looks from the group, wondering if he had to repeat himself. Well, he noticed many of their blushes, and it was Ma Chao that asked, more annoyed then anything. "Are you SURE that's what's suppose to be done?"
"Well, yes. Perfectly sure..."
"How embarrassing..."
Sun Ce smirked, "I don't see what's so embarrassing. Would anyone care to explain it to me?"
All eyes turned upon him now, and Cao Cao laughed, giving the young lord a rather humorous look. "You see, you noticed how it was ALL guys who were infected... and I did not bring Sima Yi along JUST to add his input..."
The poor strategist's voice rose to almost a shriek, "LORD CAO CAO!"
Though he was not the only one blushing, Zhuge Liang spoke up again, hiding behind his own white fan. "It's practically releasing personal information... however, if we do not act, then we are forsaking our officers to this fate..."
Lie Bei could not contain his own laughter, "And we certainly do not want that, no matter what price we may pay, hm?"
"It appears that way..." Cao Cao snickered, looking to Zhou Yu. "Who do YOU fancy?"
Zhou Yu stiffened, "I BEG your pardon?!"
Quick to take up for his love's defense, Sun Ce sneered, crossing his arms, "Yeah, I have a feeling this will be getting a bit personal... so if we DO wish to save our officers, we should try to keep it private. Capture them, put them in separate cages or something, and cure them..."
Liu Bei looked to Cao Cao, his smirk deepening, "His lord? I suppose there IS no accounting for taste, eh?"
As the Wei officer laughed, Sun Ce's blush was ever so obvious, and Zhuge Liang actually spoke for his defense. "But it appears to be the only way, personal or not... Sun Ce, you state that Zhou Yu and Lu Xun are infected... may I ask where Lu Xun is?"
"You may ask, but that does not mean we have to tell you," Lu Meng answered.
That wasn't the answer Zhuge Liang was looking for, and Zhou Yu added in, "He just recently got infected, and he is taking it much differently then I had. He... hasn't transformed yet."
"Is he irritated or angry? Seems to be aggravated at anything and everything?"
Surprised to hear that, Sun Ce answered, "That's exactly how he is... he nearly blew up in the library this morning."
Zhuge Liang nodded, speaking softly, "That's how Jiang Wei was acting before he disappeared..."
"As well as Zhao Yun..." Liu Bei stated, looking at Ma Chao for reassurance. "How did you take it, Zhou Yu?"
Zhou Yu blinked, "Well, I had a fever for a day or two, but other than that, I didn't change at all before the transformation..."
He was surprised that many of them did not ask, but he knew why he had taken it so differently. By the look on Sima Yi's face, it was obvious that Zhang He grew the violent nature as well... that thought brought him back towards what Zhang He had said earlier...
He was going to ask him if perhaps he knew what the man was planning, but Cao Cao asked before he had a chance, "But what of Xiahou Dun? He underwent no change and simply disappeared. What news have you of my cousin, Zhou Yu?"
"He's the Alpha, and he was the one that infected them all..." Zhou Yu lowered his gaze. "I've infected Lu Xun, but all others were infected by him. He did this as blackmail, to insure that a cure would be found."
The Lord of the Wei stiffened, turning to gaze at Sima Yi, "Is this true?"
Sima Yi looked to him, and he replied, "That's why he took Zhang He, sir..."
Liu Bei in turn questioned his own officers, "Ma Chao? Zhuge Liang?"
Their silent nods was enough, and Zhou Yu nodded, "I was captured by accident; he was aiming for Sun Ce, so that I would search for the cure as well. I don't really know what happened to make him become one, but Xiahou Dun only wishes to be cured as well..."
Cao Cao only nodded, "I apologize to you all for my cousin's behavior, though I had no knowledge of it. And, as much as I wish him cured, I do not know how to have it done. I do not know if he loves anyone, or if anyone loves him in return."
"What a shame then... to do all of this and to not be cured..."
Sima Yi coughed, "There may yet be hope for him, if you wish to save him, my lord..."
As Cao Cao looked at him, Zhou Yu looked towards the window, seeing the midday sun reach its peak. He sighed... they only had a few more hours to discuss this, and he wondered how Lu Xun could handle those few hours. He sighed... this wasn't good at all.
"The only problem is, we have to isolate each member so that they can be cured..." Liu Bei stated the obvious. "We already have two in the castle now, but catching the others might be a challenge..."
A musical voice floated to the air, one that had not been there before, "What you need is a distraction..."
They froze, all turning their eyes to the new generals leaning against the frame of the opened door. Sima Yi rose to his feet, unable to contain the pure joy from leaping from his words. "Zhang He?!"
Indeed it was, and the Wei general smiled, "Hello, Yi-chan. Have you missed me?"
Zhang He stood at the doorway, wearing nothing but a robe that he was given upon his arrival to Jian Ye. He wore a slight smile, and it took all the strength that Sima Yi had not to rush to him. He only nodded, keeping professional as Cao Cao welcomed him. "It's good to see you again, general."
"It is good to see you as well, sir, and it appears I have arrived just in time to be of service." Zhang He gave a polite and graceful bow, and he took the seat next to the Wei strategist, who still held back. Now they had business to attend to, and he could wait. "I regret to say that Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei could not make it... I did not wish for Al... I mean, Xiahou Dun would have been suspicious."
Liu Bei nodded, "Wise of you. Just assure me my officers are well, and I will take your word for it."
"As long as they're together, they are safe..."
Zhuge Liang cocked an eyebrow, but did not ask about it, instead questioning the subject at hand, "You said we needed a distraction. What did you have in mind, if I may ask?"
If anyone could see the grin rise upon his face, they knew it would have meant trouble. Sima Yi knew it well, as his face flushed when Zhang He explained, "That's between Xiahou Dun and myself... I am Beta of the pack, so I am given more privileges then the others. I know how to deal with the situation..."
Sima Yi clenched his hands into fists, and seeing his distress, the Wei general asked, "Is something wrong?"
"I know what you're planning... and you smile about it?" Sima Yi seethed, a side of him that he tried hard to conceal now ever so obvious.
Zhang He turned his luminous amethyst eyes to him before resting his head on the other man's arm, "I must do this, Yi-chan; I can think of nothing else. And since I must do it, why should I not at least pretend that I am okay with it? As I told sweet little Zhao Yun, it is nothing I have not done before. It won't change anything..."
It seemed the only one who didn't get it was Sun Ce, and he asked, "What are you gonna do, Zhang he?"
"Well, if my bodyguards are here, I am going to gather them and prepare that distraction," the general replied. He petted Sima Yi's arm, his voice a purr, "Do you want to come with me?"
To avoid the other's glance, he nodded, "Yes... just to make sure that you're not to be harmed."
Zhou Yu just stared, unable to help himself. How could these two be so... OPEN?!
It could not be helped, he supposed, and he looked to the others, to continue the meeting. "It will be another few hours until we transform, and I will ask that I be alone with Lu Xun when he changes. This will be his first time and I wish to help him cope with it."
Lu Meng nodded, "That would probably be for the best."
"And how do we capture a werefox? As Xiahou Dun is distracted, what then?" Liu Bei questioned. "I don't wish for my officers to be harmed... I trust that you can understand that request."
Zhang He stretched, "Even in werefox form we know who you are, and we can control our actions up to a certain point."
Even as he said that, Zhou Yu's facial expression did not help, as he remembered how easily he lost control around Lu Xun... he wondered if it would have been as bad for Lu Xun, but he felt better, knowing that Lu Xun would not be one for long if the cure were to work.
Ma Chao asked, his voice gruff, "But can it be controlled to where we can cure them? Or is it necessary to chain them up or what?"
"We chained Lu Xun up because he were afraid he was going to hurt himself, or others... how he will be after he transform is beyond our question." Lu Meng stated, figuring telling them that information wouldn't do any harm. "Zhou Yu, how did Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei act?"
Zhou Yu hesitated, "It... is not for me to say."
"All we wish to know is that if they will be violent towards us when we approach them." Zhuge Liang reassured him. "We don't wish to cause any harm by locking them up if it's not truly necessary."
"I think they're gentle enough, but I've never seen them around people..."
Sun Ce nodded, "Sounds dangerous, but I assure you, we'll contain them with no harm upon them. It must bite to be captured by the people you trust, though..."
Zhang He shrugged, "They'll probably walk right into the cage if you ask them too. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go and prepare."
With no further objections, Zhang He and Sima Yi made their leave, as the others began the plan to capture the other three were foxes. Hours passed, and Zhou Yu only prayed that he was given enough time to go to the dungeons, to help Lu Xun. The sooner they were lifted from the curse, the better...