Zhang He knew he didn't want to open his eyes. He had awoken from the pains of transformation, and he soon realized that trying to escape would be useless. He could feel the rock he was tied to press cruelly against his back, and although he did not know just what it was that bound him, he found that he could not break it. Yes... better to pretend to be asleep... and maybe he'd be left alone...
He could hear voices speaking softly in the distance, and he assumed that Xiahou Dun and his poor misguided mate were nearby, discussing what to do with him. He sighed. This was betrayal...
He could not believe that Xu Huang was being so foolish. Then, sighing, he could not help the smile that crossed his face, "The things we do for love..."
Knowing he could not combat against that, he continued to play dead, still listening in to their conversation and beginning to fear for himself and others as well.
He flicked an ear, trying to hear them more clearly, because everything sounded like a mumble. All he could make out was that they were arguing over something... and he winced to hear the all too familiar sound of hand slapping a face. And that could only mean one thing; somehow, he had gotten Xu Huang in trouble with his lover...
"Xu Huang..." Zhang He spoke softly, stopping and hearing his own silken voice. This couldn't be his voice... it simply could not... could it?
It almost frightened him, how sly, how seductive it was. It sounded, even to his own ears, as soft and coaxing as velvet, and he whispered, "What... what's happened?"
He could see his hand and sharp claws, but he was surprised that he found no thick coated fur. Perhaps the rock was blocking the moon's light and he was only half transformed?
He had no time to consider this, as he heard footsteps approaching him... from the direction where there had once been arguing. He recognized those footsteps, their heaviness as they grew closer, and he quickly closed his violet eyes, again feigning sleep. He had no desire to face his enemy now...
"You're only half transformed... how is this?" Xiahou Dun asked, as the man looked at him. "Open your eyes... I know you're awake."
"Please... just go away..." Zhang He practically begged, making no attempt to hide his vocal change. He obeyed, as his instincts prodded him to, and his eyes shone slightly in the darkness. "Won't you just leave me alone?"
Giving him a heated look, Xiahou Dun sneered, "Because I've come this close to losing him, and I won't let you or anyone else ruin it..."
Lowering his voice, he almost winced to hear the seductive tone in it, "Why did you strike him?"
"Why do you think, and why are you only half transformed?"
"I am unable to answer either of your questions," Zhang He confessed. "I know not why my transformation has changed..."
Looking upwards, Xiahou Dun questioned this, seeing the full moon. "Perhaps lady moon in the sky has a lot to do with it... and I suppose that Lu Xun has gone under the same transformation if he's not already cured."
Sighing, the werefox lowered his eyes, "I pray he has been cured. He should never have had to endure any of this; it wasn't fair to him."
He gave a yelp, as he was struck hard between the temples. When he looked away, he was struck again, and Xiahou Dun's voice was harsh, "I need to make sure... call to him, see if he answers!"
"No... I won't do such a thing..."
Again, he was struck, but this time, it was much, much harder than before. "Call to him, or I'll send a message myself... and whether he or ANYONE there comes out alive afterwards will not be my concern. Now call to him!"
Zhang He asked, his voice soft, "What will you do if I won't?"
"I'll do nothing..." Xiahou Dun sneered, lowering his voice when Xu Huang finally had the nerves to join them. "I only wish to know if he's been cured or not..."
"It shouldn't matter to you now..." He cut off when he noticed the bruise beginning to form on Xu Huang's face, and knowing he was the cause made him sigh. "But I will call him..."
Not looking at the man behind him, the one eyed general nodded, "Thank you..."
He said nothing more to them, gently reaching out to brush Lu Xun's mind. All he saw was darkness, and he broke the link, speaking in that sultry voice of his, "He's either asleep or unconscious... I cannot tell which..."
"But since you can contact him, he's still affected, right?" Xu Huang asked.
The werefox nodded, "I would assume so."
"Good... so perhaps we can lure him and the others here... perfect!" Xiahou Dun almost laughed, then turned to Xu Huang, as if he had never struck him. "You want to test your strength, correct, Xu Huang? This may be your chance... as werefoxes are extremely powerful creatures."
Zhang He hissed, though it sounded more like a purr, "What are you talking about?"
Xu Huang only nodded, gripping his axe now and turning away. His question seemed to have been gone unanswered, as Xiahou Dun gave, yet, another order. "Now, if you wish for your Sima Yi to remain alive long enough to cure you, I suggest you find a way to wake him up... howl to him, anything, but bring him and as many Wu officers as you can here."
NOW he gave a snarl, and his amethyst eyes flashed, "What have you done with him? If you've harmed him, I SWEAR I will kill you myself and eat your black heart!"
"Good luck with that... you'll have to go through Xu Huang in order to do that, and even a bloodthirsty maniac like you wouldn't dare harm him more then you and I already have."
Trembling now, he cursed the tears in his eyes, and his voice was so beautiful, though full of sorrow, "I hate you..."
Giving an evil smile, Xiahou Dun merely patted him on the cheeks, careful of those fangs. "I know... now call him before the night is over with."
"Why did you do this to me? I mean everything, from the beginning," Zhang He almost whimpered, trying so hard to control his tears. "I never did anything to you..."
"Now, or it's Sima Yi's life..."
"ANWSER ME!" The werefox pressed against his bonds, even though he knew it was useless, "I DESERVE TO KNOW!"
He was struck brutally, and he gave a loud half cry, half howl, as the fists came down mercilessly upon him. Xiahou Dun spoke through clenched teeth, hissing, "Tell me, then! Why do you have to catch my attention? Why must you make me so jealous? Why do you deem Sima Yi so worthy and not I?!"
Zhang He cried out, his voice breaking, "I... I don't understand! You love Xu Huang; what do I matter?!"
"Why must you make me turn away from him so? How can one be so beautiful and not be mine?" Xiahou Dun hissed, withdrawing from his attack. "Seeing you and Sima Yi makes me sick, you know... to see what I cannot get, not matter how hard I try."
His long, black hair was gripped, and Zhang He whimpered, as he was forced to look into the man's one eye, "I... never encouraged you, gave you any hope! I didn't even know... you had any thoughts about me. My heart... has always belonged to Sima Yi... and nothing will change that!"
"Good... then call Lu Xun... let's not waste another night." Xiahou Dun sneered, pushing him back against the rock. "And stop with the false voice; pouring on the charm will get you nowhere tonight..."
Almost weeping, Zhang He begged to be released, and he sighed, waiting for the man to release him before even trying to reach Lu Xun again. He was too afraid for Sima Yi to care what this was all about, and he gave a long howl, though even that seemed too charming to be true.
After a few cries, the werefox stopped, trembling, "He's awake now... and he'll come..."
"Good..." Xiahou Dun said with a nod, and he soon lurked away, leaving Zhang He by himself now. Or he tried to, but he suddenly felt hands grasping the hem of his cape, and the werefox pleaded, his voice too sweet to resist, "Please... take me to Sima Yi..."
By the look on his face, the man almost considered this, but he declined, using as much strength as he had to walk away. "You will see him soon enough, Zhang He... but first we must wait for Lu Xun and the others to come. Then you'll have your 'Yi-chan'."
"How dare you?! No ONE calls him Yi-chan but me!" Zhang He's voice hinted rage, but it fled his voice as he hit his knees, desperation taking over, "Please... I'll do anything to see him..."
That made Xiahou Dun smile, "Anything, you say?"
There was only a moment's pause, but the answer was as firm as it was soft, "Yes... anything..."
"Then wait here for a second... and I'll think about it."
Zhang He clenched his clawed hands into fists, "What do I have to do to convince you?! I'm begging you, on my knees... please... name anything and it will be done!"
That smile on Xiahou Dun's face was all too revealing, and Zhang He did not regret it for an instant. All he wanted was Sima Yi, to make sure he was alright. He cared for nothing else... just him... and he was going to see him!
~*~*~*~
Zhou Yu HATED not being able to fight. It was perhaps the worst part about his injury, though the fact that he was being treated as a child with a baby sitter was equally bad... However, at least he was not alone, and he forced his way out of the hospital, going to where the annoying loud howling was. He ignored everything Lu Meng had said... he didn't care anymore.
He walked gently through the door, staring at Lu Xun's new form. Blinking, he did not even question it, instead asking, "Are you okay? Why do you howl?"
Gan Ning spoke, cuffing his ears, "He's been going at it for a few minutes now... dammit... it's not like we're HURTING him, and he refuses to talk to us! He's a little brat, I swear!"
Lu Xun merely whimpered, beginning the howl again, and Zhou Yu crept closer, kneeling to look into his bright, golden eyes, and he asked, so softly, "Lu Xun? What is it?"
"I heard Zhang He..." Lu Xun spat, his voice normal and full of fear. Then, without further explanation, he began howling again, cutting it off to pace around even more before trying again.
The elder strategist felt his heart beat increase, and he whispered, "And now... you cannot reach him... oh Gods..."
Lu Meng asked, knowing that something was definitely wrong here, and he tried to speak over Lu Xun's frantic howling. "What's going on?"
Zhou Yu answered, "Something's wrong with Zhang He..."
And Sun Ce, who was raving mad to see Zhou Yu out of bed, banged a tonfa against the bars that contained Lu Xun, trying to quiet him down to where they did not need to scream to hear one another. Lu Xun stopped, now cowering in a corner but instead sitting down, giving Sun Ce such a look as the man asked, "Where's Zhang He? Is he in need of help?"
"He may very well be, my lord..." Lu Xun tilted his head slightly, still feeling the effects of the tonfa against his neck. He gave a hiss, showing his teeth, then turned all sweet and coy, as he turned to Gan Ning, licking his fangs. "Let me out... he's in danger, and Xiahou Dun is there as well..."
"What did he tell you?"
Looking at Zhou Yu, Lu Xun tried to interpret, once again rising and pacing within the cage. "Hard to say. Something about Xiahou Dun and Sima Yi. Something... dunno."
"Sounds like a trap to me..." Gan Ning stated the obvious, and he asked, trying to calm Lu Xun down. "Where was he calling from?"
The voice was so tempting, and not JUST to the pirate, "Let me out, and I'll show you..."
It was Cao Cao that protested, as he practically stormed down the stairs after listening to the entire conversation. Liu Bei was right behind him, as he had just returned for checking on his generals. "You refer to him as if he's some sort of animal still... and what has he done with my three officers, Lu Xun?"
Fixing his golden eyes upon him, Lu Xun answered truthfully, "I do not know, sir. However, I DO know that he is quite upset. Apparently, your cousin is holding your strategist hostage, and dangling him over Zhang He's head. As for Xu Huang, I do not know. He cut off rather abruptly..."
"If they are in danger, then we should go help them..." Sun Ce stated, crossing his arms and giving Lu Xun a look, still wondering about is odd transformation. "But... it COULD be a trap, but for what? What could he possibly want?"
Zhou Yu whispered, "What he's always wanted; power..."
Lu Xun gave a bark, leaning against the wall. "Let me out and I can go see for myself... isn't their safety top priority here? Please... let me out..."
Lu Meng sighed, "You know we can't do that..."
"Pleassssssssseeeeeee..." Lu Xun pleaded, his voice so compelling. "I want to be free... and I want to help the only member of my pack that's left!"
It was hard not to want to let him out, and Sun Ce stopped Gan Ning from opening the door, speaking softly though he knew Lu Xun could hear them well. "Are you sure we should trust him? It could be a trap and he could very well be harmed..."
It was, surprisingly enough, Liu Bei who answered, "If he wishes to take the risk, then you should let him... if I were in his position, I know I would do the same..."
"If it was Zhou Yu, you'd let him out." Gan Ning responded, beginning to open the door, "You know you would..."
Now Sun Ce silenced himself, wanting to disagree, but knowing it was true. So he did nothing when the pirate opened the doors, and Lu Xun wagged his shabby tail, pure joy writen on his half transformed face. Like an obedient puppy to its master, he crawl to Gan Ning's feet, smiling, "Thank you..."
"Don't make me regret it..."
"Of course not!" Lu Xun gave a sigh. "Why would I make you regret it?"
And, neglecting the others in the room, Gan Ning lifted the boy up, kissing him quickly before he could strike back, "Because I love you too much to see you hurt..."
As the puppy gave a happy bark, Cao Cao growled, "How can we be sure that he won't try to kill him?"
Zhou Yu met the challenge with one of his own, "Is my word not good enough for you?"
Giving another bark, Lu Xun jumped out of Gan Ning arms, running up the stairs before anyone else could say anything. Not arguing, the first two to actually follow him were the pirate and Lu Meng, and Cao Cao answered Zhou Yu's question. "I know you are true to your words... but is he?"
"I swear to you that I will not allow your cousin to be killed... though I make no guarantees that he will not be injured..."
"Uh, shouldn't we get going before we're left in the dust?" Sun Ce asked, pushing Zhou Yu along.
Once they had gone, Cao Cao went to follow, but he stopped when he heard Liu Bei speak softly, "Thank you..."
"Why do you say that?" Cao Cao asked, resting against the cage. "I've done nothing but forsaken my cousin and three of my best officers..."
"No... you have not forsaken them. Your cousin, perhaps, but it seems he is trying to betray you. Sima Yi, Zhang He, and Xu Huang are still yours..." Liu Bei answered, his grey eyes showing that he firmly believed it.
Giving a sneer, Cao Cao wanted to believe this, but he did not. He did nothing, just walking up the stairs and showing no rush to find his officers, nor caring whether Liu Bei followed or not. "At least you do not have a reputation against you on this... however, that is the last of our concerns. You tagging along for the ride? You have all your officers... why don't you leave?"
Biting his lip, the Lord of Shu answered, "Don't you know?"
"Know what?" Stopping halfway up, Cao Cao looked down at him, seeing his slight concern.
"I...If I leave now, with my officers, and something were to happen that would hurt you... I-I would feel..."
Cao Cao cut him off quickly, in fear of someone hearing them. "I thought we were over this. It wouldn't work... and how can we stage a war when neither of us keep these feelings aside?"
Liu Bei did not answer immediately, but when he did, his voice was ice, and his grey eyes were twin chips of stone, but there was obvious pain there, "Of course. My apologies. I was trying to overcome my cowardice; I see that my initial rejection has lost you forever. I shall trouble you no more with my feelings, as they disgust you..."
Now that was not what Cao Cao was looking for, and he quickly turned away, scaling the stairs to avoid his gaze. He was hoping more for Liu Bei to beg, to plea, but this... this was completely unexpected. His ego was shattered, but nothing compared to his shattered heart. Perhaps it truly WASN'T meant to be... he now cursed himself, but said nothing more to Liu Bei.
After a pause, Liu Bei spoke, "You expected me to beg for you to take me back, didn't you?"
Cao Cao did not even stop, as he practically fled from him, his pace quickening. He shouted back to the dungeons, tempted to lock him away for him to stay there for the remainder of his life for all he cared. "We have a werefox to follow!"
He was shocked when the Lord of Shu grabbed his shoulders, and even more so when he was shoved against the wall. He was entranced by those burning grey eyes, and Liu Bei's voice was harsh, "I know. Why do you treat me like an inferior? Why did you expect me to beg? I am as strong as you, as determined as you. I am not a weakling; do not expect it of me..."
"Unhand me... or we can settle it right here if you wish." Cao Cao withdrew his blade quickly, setting it down on the shorter man's side, but not piercing his skin. Cao Cao wanted nothing to do with him now; he knew how much he was defeated this night, and he cared nothing more then to grab his men and leave, to return to his plans of conquest.
The smouldering fires in the man's eyes died, and the crystal pricks of tears could be seen, "Then you do not love me now... and I am a fool..."
Once again, Cao Cao was silenced, and he couldn't find himself to speak, even now. He lowered his sword, eventually drawing it back into its sheath as he turned away, unable to stand those eyes. Finally, he spoke, "Then that should make the two of us."
"Is this your revenge on me?" Liu Bei looked away, in a failed attempt to stop his rising tears. "For what I said earlier?"
Anger flashed through Cao Cao; how could he ever THINK such a thing?! Then, his voice dripping acid, "Of course. Now you see what it is like to have your love shatter your heart into a thousand tiny pieces, to take all of the love you feel for them and treat it like it is garbage..."
That did not help, and the fact that this was not true did not help either, as Liu Bei took all the strength he had NOT to withdraw his own blade. He cursed, "Damn you then... I will fight you until the end of the world if I must... taking my land and people is one thing... but this is war of Gods here!"
"Oh Gods, Liu Bei, I..." Cao Cao sighed, his voice dropping, "It isn't easy for me to express my feelings. At all. And when I did... you hurt me, so much..."
He was pushed away, and Liu Bei hissed, "I don't care... you are the same, and you'll never change. How do I even KNOW any of this is true? For all I know, this could be a ploy, a clever little ploy constructed by your own sick mind and Sima Yi's lust for power!"
Cao Cao did nothing to defend himself, "Do you think I could do such a thing?"
"Yes... you have done worse, after all..." Liu Bei responded. "Can you assure me that you are NOT behind this? That you are NOT responsible for the pain my officers have felt? Are you just stringing me along, for kicks, to see how you can reduce your worse enemy by pulling my heartstrings?"
"If I knew a way... even if it was to kill myself, I'd do it..."
Liu Bei sighed, "And can you trust me? There can be no love... without trust..."
This was indeed a question, and Cao Cao felt weak now, uncertain of how to answer this question at all. He wanted to be truthful, but h knew it would be submission, and he wasn't sure if he was willing to do that. He said nothing, nothing at all, and he felt completely defeated. In one night, he was to lose his cousin and his heart.
"You need to dominate me... don't you?"
How could Cao Cao answer? He sighed, quite thankful now that no one else, especially his own generals, were not here to see this. "I don't like not getting what I want... but perhaps... being dominant is what is preventing me of that goal..."
Liu Bei spoke in a hushed whisper, "I will not let you control me... but I want you... to love me..."
"Then... tell me how..." Hating to sound weak, but not daring to do anything to scare this man away from him again, Cao Cao whispered as well, "I want to love you... and for you to love me, but I don't know how..."
Seeing his smile was one of the most relieving things for him and Liu Bei spoke softly, "Then perhaps we can learn how..."
"It will be hard... for me. I'm used to having things my way; you'll have to have patience with me..."
Was Cao Cao actually bending? No, Liu Bei knew he was, but he wasn't the one to gloat. The Lord of Shu smiled, moving closer, "And you with me..."
~*~*~*~
It was almost too easy, and Zhang He still laid on the ground, though now, resting near him was his Sima Yi, a small amount of blood still caked upon his beautiful but dirty face. Not too far away now was Zhuge Liang, as it was he who led the Wei strategist here, only to be giving the same treatment as the one he brought.
Licking his love's wounds, Zhang He asked, softly, "Why doesn't he stir? Surely you did not harm him too much?"
Preparing his arrows (which were gladly supplied to him by the Shu strategist), Xiahou Dun gave his answer, testing its string and looking into the opening. "Hopefully I've hit him hard enough to forget most of this... thought you knew that much."
"How would I know anything? You've told me nothing, not even the price of this favor," the cursed man said, running his palm down Sima Yi's face, careful not to scratch him with his claws.
"You'll know soon enough... is Lu Xun coming or not?"
"He said he would as soon as he was able," Zhang He murmured, his voice silk. "Have patience..."
Now Xu Huang asked, gripping his axe again, this time he looked ready for a real fight. "Are you sure about this, Dun?"
"Perfectly..." He took aim for a nearby tree, catching the limb perfectly. The one eyed general nodded, reloading the bow and this time, preparing to aim it at something else. A moving target. "If Sima Yi's studies were correct... then this should work."
Once more that all too charming voice filled the air, "If I may; what should work?"
They heard the sounds of something leaping onto the grass behind them, and Xiahou Dun turned as fast as he could, though it was already too late. The oddly transformed Lu Xun was already there, his bright, golden eyes shining oh the more with the beautiful full moon. Xu Huang instantly stood between the two, his weapon at the ready, and Zhang He eyed the situation from a safe distance.
Lu Xun spoke, apparently unconcerned about the man before him, "Are you alright, Zhang He?"
"Never better..." Zhang He lied, not daring to rise, in fear of anything happening to his love while he was away.
"Good..." The boy's eyes narrowed, and his ears flattened as he hissed, staring directly at Xiahou Dun, "Gods... I wish I could kill you..."
As he set the bow again, he took aim directly behind Xu Huang's back, preparing to strike the werefox, regardless of the barrier. He just had to get him to move in enough time, at least to spill his blood. "Then why don't you? After all, I did shatter your pride, did I not? How did the pirate take it?"
Hearing a growl, he froze as the point of a sword pressed against his back, "Let's just say... 'the pirate' wasn't too happy... not at all..."
'Well... that's not good...' Xiahou Dun thought, for once taken completely off guard. He did not move, instead, he replied, "I figured as much..."
Gan Ning could barely restrain himself from plunging the blade into the man's back, but it was Zhou Yu's voice that caught the most attention, "I don't think you figured enough. A strategist, you are not. Why don't you just give up now?"
Though it seemed horribly against him, Xiahou Dun had only begun, pulling back on the string for all to hear. "Because... God loves a tryer, does he not? Giving in is for the weak, and we are not weak, are we, Xu Huang?"
Gripping his axe handle, the man shook his head, "No..."
Lu Xun spat, giving the tip of his tail a playful yet deadly wag, as insanity seemed to brim his words. "Why don't you just move... so I can chew his head off?"
Sun Ce sneered, "Remember Lu Xun; you can't kill him. Not yet, anyway..."
However, Lu Xun did not seem too thrilled about that answer at all, as he gave a long growl, crouching lower and he teeth bared. Gan Ning spoke, more to stop Lu Xun then to threaten either of the two. "Drop your weapons already... we don't need any casualties here, and I will not stop him from slaying you, one-eyed bastard!"
Xiahou Dun chuckled, "No... no I suppose not." He actually looked as if he was going to lower the weapon, however, Lu Xun gave a howl, lunging himself at both Xu Huang and Xiahou Dun. He did not care anymore; screw Cao Cao! He wanted his blood! He bypassed the axe and went directly for the one-eyed general, neglecting the weapon and going straight for his neck.
The twang of the bow was heard, and although Lu Xun dodged it, he hissed as he realized he had been knicked by the axe blade. But what did it matter? He would have his revenge!
The moment for his chance was gone, as Xiahou Dun allowed him to land on him, taking him over as he thrusted a blade into his side flank. The young werefox gave a yelp before being kicked off, and all hell broke loose.
It was amazing how quickly Gan Ning and Xiahou Dun matched swords, and Sun Ce went after Xu Huang. Lu Xun, though wounded, was defiantly trying to help his love, and Zhou Yu was about to join his lord when he noticed Zhang He just staring at the battle. Confused, he almost yelled, "ZHANG HE?! WHY AREN'T YOU HELPING?!"
Zhang He just looked at them, saying absolutely nothing. This was not his place... he only called to Lu Xun telepathically, trying to persuade him to leave the fight.
Lu Xun's response was swift, 'I won't leave Gan Ning..."
'You must... or I will force you.' Zhang He almost begged, 'Don't make me fight you...'
Now THAT stopped Lu Xun, and the young werefox looked to him, his golden eyes shining all the more. 'Would you?'
'Only if you force me... I have no desire to hurt you...' Zhang He said, now rising and leaving his love's side, preparing himself for the fight. He would have hoped that, when he saw that he was serious, that Lu Xun would have backed down. Instead, that only edged him on, and he sneered. 'I hope you understand... I must do this for Yi-chan...'
'I understand...'
Then, to add to the chaos, the two still infected men clashed under the light of the full moon... and the night was slowly but surely slipping away. Just as Xiahou Dun was hoping for...
He could hear voices speaking softly in the distance, and he assumed that Xiahou Dun and his poor misguided mate were nearby, discussing what to do with him. He sighed. This was betrayal...
He could not believe that Xu Huang was being so foolish. Then, sighing, he could not help the smile that crossed his face, "The things we do for love..."
Knowing he could not combat against that, he continued to play dead, still listening in to their conversation and beginning to fear for himself and others as well.
He flicked an ear, trying to hear them more clearly, because everything sounded like a mumble. All he could make out was that they were arguing over something... and he winced to hear the all too familiar sound of hand slapping a face. And that could only mean one thing; somehow, he had gotten Xu Huang in trouble with his lover...
"Xu Huang..." Zhang He spoke softly, stopping and hearing his own silken voice. This couldn't be his voice... it simply could not... could it?
It almost frightened him, how sly, how seductive it was. It sounded, even to his own ears, as soft and coaxing as velvet, and he whispered, "What... what's happened?"
He could see his hand and sharp claws, but he was surprised that he found no thick coated fur. Perhaps the rock was blocking the moon's light and he was only half transformed?
He had no time to consider this, as he heard footsteps approaching him... from the direction where there had once been arguing. He recognized those footsteps, their heaviness as they grew closer, and he quickly closed his violet eyes, again feigning sleep. He had no desire to face his enemy now...
"You're only half transformed... how is this?" Xiahou Dun asked, as the man looked at him. "Open your eyes... I know you're awake."
"Please... just go away..." Zhang He practically begged, making no attempt to hide his vocal change. He obeyed, as his instincts prodded him to, and his eyes shone slightly in the darkness. "Won't you just leave me alone?"
Giving him a heated look, Xiahou Dun sneered, "Because I've come this close to losing him, and I won't let you or anyone else ruin it..."
Lowering his voice, he almost winced to hear the seductive tone in it, "Why did you strike him?"
"Why do you think, and why are you only half transformed?"
"I am unable to answer either of your questions," Zhang He confessed. "I know not why my transformation has changed..."
Looking upwards, Xiahou Dun questioned this, seeing the full moon. "Perhaps lady moon in the sky has a lot to do with it... and I suppose that Lu Xun has gone under the same transformation if he's not already cured."
Sighing, the werefox lowered his eyes, "I pray he has been cured. He should never have had to endure any of this; it wasn't fair to him."
He gave a yelp, as he was struck hard between the temples. When he looked away, he was struck again, and Xiahou Dun's voice was harsh, "I need to make sure... call to him, see if he answers!"
"No... I won't do such a thing..."
Again, he was struck, but this time, it was much, much harder than before. "Call to him, or I'll send a message myself... and whether he or ANYONE there comes out alive afterwards will not be my concern. Now call to him!"
Zhang He asked, his voice soft, "What will you do if I won't?"
"I'll do nothing..." Xiahou Dun sneered, lowering his voice when Xu Huang finally had the nerves to join them. "I only wish to know if he's been cured or not..."
"It shouldn't matter to you now..." He cut off when he noticed the bruise beginning to form on Xu Huang's face, and knowing he was the cause made him sigh. "But I will call him..."
Not looking at the man behind him, the one eyed general nodded, "Thank you..."
He said nothing more to them, gently reaching out to brush Lu Xun's mind. All he saw was darkness, and he broke the link, speaking in that sultry voice of his, "He's either asleep or unconscious... I cannot tell which..."
"But since you can contact him, he's still affected, right?" Xu Huang asked.
The werefox nodded, "I would assume so."
"Good... so perhaps we can lure him and the others here... perfect!" Xiahou Dun almost laughed, then turned to Xu Huang, as if he had never struck him. "You want to test your strength, correct, Xu Huang? This may be your chance... as werefoxes are extremely powerful creatures."
Zhang He hissed, though it sounded more like a purr, "What are you talking about?"
Xu Huang only nodded, gripping his axe now and turning away. His question seemed to have been gone unanswered, as Xiahou Dun gave, yet, another order. "Now, if you wish for your Sima Yi to remain alive long enough to cure you, I suggest you find a way to wake him up... howl to him, anything, but bring him and as many Wu officers as you can here."
NOW he gave a snarl, and his amethyst eyes flashed, "What have you done with him? If you've harmed him, I SWEAR I will kill you myself and eat your black heart!"
"Good luck with that... you'll have to go through Xu Huang in order to do that, and even a bloodthirsty maniac like you wouldn't dare harm him more then you and I already have."
Trembling now, he cursed the tears in his eyes, and his voice was so beautiful, though full of sorrow, "I hate you..."
Giving an evil smile, Xiahou Dun merely patted him on the cheeks, careful of those fangs. "I know... now call him before the night is over with."
"Why did you do this to me? I mean everything, from the beginning," Zhang He almost whimpered, trying so hard to control his tears. "I never did anything to you..."
"Now, or it's Sima Yi's life..."
"ANWSER ME!" The werefox pressed against his bonds, even though he knew it was useless, "I DESERVE TO KNOW!"
He was struck brutally, and he gave a loud half cry, half howl, as the fists came down mercilessly upon him. Xiahou Dun spoke through clenched teeth, hissing, "Tell me, then! Why do you have to catch my attention? Why must you make me so jealous? Why do you deem Sima Yi so worthy and not I?!"
Zhang He cried out, his voice breaking, "I... I don't understand! You love Xu Huang; what do I matter?!"
"Why must you make me turn away from him so? How can one be so beautiful and not be mine?" Xiahou Dun hissed, withdrawing from his attack. "Seeing you and Sima Yi makes me sick, you know... to see what I cannot get, not matter how hard I try."
His long, black hair was gripped, and Zhang He whimpered, as he was forced to look into the man's one eye, "I... never encouraged you, gave you any hope! I didn't even know... you had any thoughts about me. My heart... has always belonged to Sima Yi... and nothing will change that!"
"Good... then call Lu Xun... let's not waste another night." Xiahou Dun sneered, pushing him back against the rock. "And stop with the false voice; pouring on the charm will get you nowhere tonight..."
Almost weeping, Zhang He begged to be released, and he sighed, waiting for the man to release him before even trying to reach Lu Xun again. He was too afraid for Sima Yi to care what this was all about, and he gave a long howl, though even that seemed too charming to be true.
After a few cries, the werefox stopped, trembling, "He's awake now... and he'll come..."
"Good..." Xiahou Dun said with a nod, and he soon lurked away, leaving Zhang He by himself now. Or he tried to, but he suddenly felt hands grasping the hem of his cape, and the werefox pleaded, his voice too sweet to resist, "Please... take me to Sima Yi..."
By the look on his face, the man almost considered this, but he declined, using as much strength as he had to walk away. "You will see him soon enough, Zhang He... but first we must wait for Lu Xun and the others to come. Then you'll have your 'Yi-chan'."
"How dare you?! No ONE calls him Yi-chan but me!" Zhang He's voice hinted rage, but it fled his voice as he hit his knees, desperation taking over, "Please... I'll do anything to see him..."
That made Xiahou Dun smile, "Anything, you say?"
There was only a moment's pause, but the answer was as firm as it was soft, "Yes... anything..."
"Then wait here for a second... and I'll think about it."
Zhang He clenched his clawed hands into fists, "What do I have to do to convince you?! I'm begging you, on my knees... please... name anything and it will be done!"
That smile on Xiahou Dun's face was all too revealing, and Zhang He did not regret it for an instant. All he wanted was Sima Yi, to make sure he was alright. He cared for nothing else... just him... and he was going to see him!
~*~*~*~
Zhou Yu HATED not being able to fight. It was perhaps the worst part about his injury, though the fact that he was being treated as a child with a baby sitter was equally bad... However, at least he was not alone, and he forced his way out of the hospital, going to where the annoying loud howling was. He ignored everything Lu Meng had said... he didn't care anymore.
He walked gently through the door, staring at Lu Xun's new form. Blinking, he did not even question it, instead asking, "Are you okay? Why do you howl?"
Gan Ning spoke, cuffing his ears, "He's been going at it for a few minutes now... dammit... it's not like we're HURTING him, and he refuses to talk to us! He's a little brat, I swear!"
Lu Xun merely whimpered, beginning the howl again, and Zhou Yu crept closer, kneeling to look into his bright, golden eyes, and he asked, so softly, "Lu Xun? What is it?"
"I heard Zhang He..." Lu Xun spat, his voice normal and full of fear. Then, without further explanation, he began howling again, cutting it off to pace around even more before trying again.
The elder strategist felt his heart beat increase, and he whispered, "And now... you cannot reach him... oh Gods..."
Lu Meng asked, knowing that something was definitely wrong here, and he tried to speak over Lu Xun's frantic howling. "What's going on?"
Zhou Yu answered, "Something's wrong with Zhang He..."
And Sun Ce, who was raving mad to see Zhou Yu out of bed, banged a tonfa against the bars that contained Lu Xun, trying to quiet him down to where they did not need to scream to hear one another. Lu Xun stopped, now cowering in a corner but instead sitting down, giving Sun Ce such a look as the man asked, "Where's Zhang He? Is he in need of help?"
"He may very well be, my lord..." Lu Xun tilted his head slightly, still feeling the effects of the tonfa against his neck. He gave a hiss, showing his teeth, then turned all sweet and coy, as he turned to Gan Ning, licking his fangs. "Let me out... he's in danger, and Xiahou Dun is there as well..."
"What did he tell you?"
Looking at Zhou Yu, Lu Xun tried to interpret, once again rising and pacing within the cage. "Hard to say. Something about Xiahou Dun and Sima Yi. Something... dunno."
"Sounds like a trap to me..." Gan Ning stated the obvious, and he asked, trying to calm Lu Xun down. "Where was he calling from?"
The voice was so tempting, and not JUST to the pirate, "Let me out, and I'll show you..."
It was Cao Cao that protested, as he practically stormed down the stairs after listening to the entire conversation. Liu Bei was right behind him, as he had just returned for checking on his generals. "You refer to him as if he's some sort of animal still... and what has he done with my three officers, Lu Xun?"
Fixing his golden eyes upon him, Lu Xun answered truthfully, "I do not know, sir. However, I DO know that he is quite upset. Apparently, your cousin is holding your strategist hostage, and dangling him over Zhang He's head. As for Xu Huang, I do not know. He cut off rather abruptly..."
"If they are in danger, then we should go help them..." Sun Ce stated, crossing his arms and giving Lu Xun a look, still wondering about is odd transformation. "But... it COULD be a trap, but for what? What could he possibly want?"
Zhou Yu whispered, "What he's always wanted; power..."
Lu Xun gave a bark, leaning against the wall. "Let me out and I can go see for myself... isn't their safety top priority here? Please... let me out..."
Lu Meng sighed, "You know we can't do that..."
"Pleassssssssseeeeeee..." Lu Xun pleaded, his voice so compelling. "I want to be free... and I want to help the only member of my pack that's left!"
It was hard not to want to let him out, and Sun Ce stopped Gan Ning from opening the door, speaking softly though he knew Lu Xun could hear them well. "Are you sure we should trust him? It could be a trap and he could very well be harmed..."
It was, surprisingly enough, Liu Bei who answered, "If he wishes to take the risk, then you should let him... if I were in his position, I know I would do the same..."
"If it was Zhou Yu, you'd let him out." Gan Ning responded, beginning to open the door, "You know you would..."
Now Sun Ce silenced himself, wanting to disagree, but knowing it was true. So he did nothing when the pirate opened the doors, and Lu Xun wagged his shabby tail, pure joy writen on his half transformed face. Like an obedient puppy to its master, he crawl to Gan Ning's feet, smiling, "Thank you..."
"Don't make me regret it..."
"Of course not!" Lu Xun gave a sigh. "Why would I make you regret it?"
And, neglecting the others in the room, Gan Ning lifted the boy up, kissing him quickly before he could strike back, "Because I love you too much to see you hurt..."
As the puppy gave a happy bark, Cao Cao growled, "How can we be sure that he won't try to kill him?"
Zhou Yu met the challenge with one of his own, "Is my word not good enough for you?"
Giving another bark, Lu Xun jumped out of Gan Ning arms, running up the stairs before anyone else could say anything. Not arguing, the first two to actually follow him were the pirate and Lu Meng, and Cao Cao answered Zhou Yu's question. "I know you are true to your words... but is he?"
"I swear to you that I will not allow your cousin to be killed... though I make no guarantees that he will not be injured..."
"Uh, shouldn't we get going before we're left in the dust?" Sun Ce asked, pushing Zhou Yu along.
Once they had gone, Cao Cao went to follow, but he stopped when he heard Liu Bei speak softly, "Thank you..."
"Why do you say that?" Cao Cao asked, resting against the cage. "I've done nothing but forsaken my cousin and three of my best officers..."
"No... you have not forsaken them. Your cousin, perhaps, but it seems he is trying to betray you. Sima Yi, Zhang He, and Xu Huang are still yours..." Liu Bei answered, his grey eyes showing that he firmly believed it.
Giving a sneer, Cao Cao wanted to believe this, but he did not. He did nothing, just walking up the stairs and showing no rush to find his officers, nor caring whether Liu Bei followed or not. "At least you do not have a reputation against you on this... however, that is the last of our concerns. You tagging along for the ride? You have all your officers... why don't you leave?"
Biting his lip, the Lord of Shu answered, "Don't you know?"
"Know what?" Stopping halfway up, Cao Cao looked down at him, seeing his slight concern.
"I...If I leave now, with my officers, and something were to happen that would hurt you... I-I would feel..."
Cao Cao cut him off quickly, in fear of someone hearing them. "I thought we were over this. It wouldn't work... and how can we stage a war when neither of us keep these feelings aside?"
Liu Bei did not answer immediately, but when he did, his voice was ice, and his grey eyes were twin chips of stone, but there was obvious pain there, "Of course. My apologies. I was trying to overcome my cowardice; I see that my initial rejection has lost you forever. I shall trouble you no more with my feelings, as they disgust you..."
Now that was not what Cao Cao was looking for, and he quickly turned away, scaling the stairs to avoid his gaze. He was hoping more for Liu Bei to beg, to plea, but this... this was completely unexpected. His ego was shattered, but nothing compared to his shattered heart. Perhaps it truly WASN'T meant to be... he now cursed himself, but said nothing more to Liu Bei.
After a pause, Liu Bei spoke, "You expected me to beg for you to take me back, didn't you?"
Cao Cao did not even stop, as he practically fled from him, his pace quickening. He shouted back to the dungeons, tempted to lock him away for him to stay there for the remainder of his life for all he cared. "We have a werefox to follow!"
He was shocked when the Lord of Shu grabbed his shoulders, and even more so when he was shoved against the wall. He was entranced by those burning grey eyes, and Liu Bei's voice was harsh, "I know. Why do you treat me like an inferior? Why did you expect me to beg? I am as strong as you, as determined as you. I am not a weakling; do not expect it of me..."
"Unhand me... or we can settle it right here if you wish." Cao Cao withdrew his blade quickly, setting it down on the shorter man's side, but not piercing his skin. Cao Cao wanted nothing to do with him now; he knew how much he was defeated this night, and he cared nothing more then to grab his men and leave, to return to his plans of conquest.
The smouldering fires in the man's eyes died, and the crystal pricks of tears could be seen, "Then you do not love me now... and I am a fool..."
Once again, Cao Cao was silenced, and he couldn't find himself to speak, even now. He lowered his sword, eventually drawing it back into its sheath as he turned away, unable to stand those eyes. Finally, he spoke, "Then that should make the two of us."
"Is this your revenge on me?" Liu Bei looked away, in a failed attempt to stop his rising tears. "For what I said earlier?"
Anger flashed through Cao Cao; how could he ever THINK such a thing?! Then, his voice dripping acid, "Of course. Now you see what it is like to have your love shatter your heart into a thousand tiny pieces, to take all of the love you feel for them and treat it like it is garbage..."
That did not help, and the fact that this was not true did not help either, as Liu Bei took all the strength he had NOT to withdraw his own blade. He cursed, "Damn you then... I will fight you until the end of the world if I must... taking my land and people is one thing... but this is war of Gods here!"
"Oh Gods, Liu Bei, I..." Cao Cao sighed, his voice dropping, "It isn't easy for me to express my feelings. At all. And when I did... you hurt me, so much..."
He was pushed away, and Liu Bei hissed, "I don't care... you are the same, and you'll never change. How do I even KNOW any of this is true? For all I know, this could be a ploy, a clever little ploy constructed by your own sick mind and Sima Yi's lust for power!"
Cao Cao did nothing to defend himself, "Do you think I could do such a thing?"
"Yes... you have done worse, after all..." Liu Bei responded. "Can you assure me that you are NOT behind this? That you are NOT responsible for the pain my officers have felt? Are you just stringing me along, for kicks, to see how you can reduce your worse enemy by pulling my heartstrings?"
"If I knew a way... even if it was to kill myself, I'd do it..."
Liu Bei sighed, "And can you trust me? There can be no love... without trust..."
This was indeed a question, and Cao Cao felt weak now, uncertain of how to answer this question at all. He wanted to be truthful, but h knew it would be submission, and he wasn't sure if he was willing to do that. He said nothing, nothing at all, and he felt completely defeated. In one night, he was to lose his cousin and his heart.
"You need to dominate me... don't you?"
How could Cao Cao answer? He sighed, quite thankful now that no one else, especially his own generals, were not here to see this. "I don't like not getting what I want... but perhaps... being dominant is what is preventing me of that goal..."
Liu Bei spoke in a hushed whisper, "I will not let you control me... but I want you... to love me..."
"Then... tell me how..." Hating to sound weak, but not daring to do anything to scare this man away from him again, Cao Cao whispered as well, "I want to love you... and for you to love me, but I don't know how..."
Seeing his smile was one of the most relieving things for him and Liu Bei spoke softly, "Then perhaps we can learn how..."
"It will be hard... for me. I'm used to having things my way; you'll have to have patience with me..."
Was Cao Cao actually bending? No, Liu Bei knew he was, but he wasn't the one to gloat. The Lord of Shu smiled, moving closer, "And you with me..."
~*~*~*~
It was almost too easy, and Zhang He still laid on the ground, though now, resting near him was his Sima Yi, a small amount of blood still caked upon his beautiful but dirty face. Not too far away now was Zhuge Liang, as it was he who led the Wei strategist here, only to be giving the same treatment as the one he brought.
Licking his love's wounds, Zhang He asked, softly, "Why doesn't he stir? Surely you did not harm him too much?"
Preparing his arrows (which were gladly supplied to him by the Shu strategist), Xiahou Dun gave his answer, testing its string and looking into the opening. "Hopefully I've hit him hard enough to forget most of this... thought you knew that much."
"How would I know anything? You've told me nothing, not even the price of this favor," the cursed man said, running his palm down Sima Yi's face, careful not to scratch him with his claws.
"You'll know soon enough... is Lu Xun coming or not?"
"He said he would as soon as he was able," Zhang He murmured, his voice silk. "Have patience..."
Now Xu Huang asked, gripping his axe again, this time he looked ready for a real fight. "Are you sure about this, Dun?"
"Perfectly..." He took aim for a nearby tree, catching the limb perfectly. The one eyed general nodded, reloading the bow and this time, preparing to aim it at something else. A moving target. "If Sima Yi's studies were correct... then this should work."
Once more that all too charming voice filled the air, "If I may; what should work?"
They heard the sounds of something leaping onto the grass behind them, and Xiahou Dun turned as fast as he could, though it was already too late. The oddly transformed Lu Xun was already there, his bright, golden eyes shining oh the more with the beautiful full moon. Xu Huang instantly stood between the two, his weapon at the ready, and Zhang He eyed the situation from a safe distance.
Lu Xun spoke, apparently unconcerned about the man before him, "Are you alright, Zhang He?"
"Never better..." Zhang He lied, not daring to rise, in fear of anything happening to his love while he was away.
"Good..." The boy's eyes narrowed, and his ears flattened as he hissed, staring directly at Xiahou Dun, "Gods... I wish I could kill you..."
As he set the bow again, he took aim directly behind Xu Huang's back, preparing to strike the werefox, regardless of the barrier. He just had to get him to move in enough time, at least to spill his blood. "Then why don't you? After all, I did shatter your pride, did I not? How did the pirate take it?"
Hearing a growl, he froze as the point of a sword pressed against his back, "Let's just say... 'the pirate' wasn't too happy... not at all..."
'Well... that's not good...' Xiahou Dun thought, for once taken completely off guard. He did not move, instead, he replied, "I figured as much..."
Gan Ning could barely restrain himself from plunging the blade into the man's back, but it was Zhou Yu's voice that caught the most attention, "I don't think you figured enough. A strategist, you are not. Why don't you just give up now?"
Though it seemed horribly against him, Xiahou Dun had only begun, pulling back on the string for all to hear. "Because... God loves a tryer, does he not? Giving in is for the weak, and we are not weak, are we, Xu Huang?"
Gripping his axe handle, the man shook his head, "No..."
Lu Xun spat, giving the tip of his tail a playful yet deadly wag, as insanity seemed to brim his words. "Why don't you just move... so I can chew his head off?"
Sun Ce sneered, "Remember Lu Xun; you can't kill him. Not yet, anyway..."
However, Lu Xun did not seem too thrilled about that answer at all, as he gave a long growl, crouching lower and he teeth bared. Gan Ning spoke, more to stop Lu Xun then to threaten either of the two. "Drop your weapons already... we don't need any casualties here, and I will not stop him from slaying you, one-eyed bastard!"
Xiahou Dun chuckled, "No... no I suppose not." He actually looked as if he was going to lower the weapon, however, Lu Xun gave a howl, lunging himself at both Xu Huang and Xiahou Dun. He did not care anymore; screw Cao Cao! He wanted his blood! He bypassed the axe and went directly for the one-eyed general, neglecting the weapon and going straight for his neck.
The twang of the bow was heard, and although Lu Xun dodged it, he hissed as he realized he had been knicked by the axe blade. But what did it matter? He would have his revenge!
The moment for his chance was gone, as Xiahou Dun allowed him to land on him, taking him over as he thrusted a blade into his side flank. The young werefox gave a yelp before being kicked off, and all hell broke loose.
It was amazing how quickly Gan Ning and Xiahou Dun matched swords, and Sun Ce went after Xu Huang. Lu Xun, though wounded, was defiantly trying to help his love, and Zhou Yu was about to join his lord when he noticed Zhang He just staring at the battle. Confused, he almost yelled, "ZHANG HE?! WHY AREN'T YOU HELPING?!"
Zhang He just looked at them, saying absolutely nothing. This was not his place... he only called to Lu Xun telepathically, trying to persuade him to leave the fight.
Lu Xun's response was swift, 'I won't leave Gan Ning..."
'You must... or I will force you.' Zhang He almost begged, 'Don't make me fight you...'
Now THAT stopped Lu Xun, and the young werefox looked to him, his golden eyes shining all the more. 'Would you?'
'Only if you force me... I have no desire to hurt you...' Zhang He said, now rising and leaving his love's side, preparing himself for the fight. He would have hoped that, when he saw that he was serious, that Lu Xun would have backed down. Instead, that only edged him on, and he sneered. 'I hope you understand... I must do this for Yi-chan...'
'I understand...'
Then, to add to the chaos, the two still infected men clashed under the light of the full moon... and the night was slowly but surely slipping away. Just as Xiahou Dun was hoping for...