Zhang He was, needless to say, unhappy with the situation. True, his love was alive,

but that was only for the moment. And he was still cursed, a fact he knew all too

well, as he sat upon a rock near the cave they had retreated to, waiting for the

golden dawn to paint the sky… and take his demon shape away.

When his true form came, he had weakness once again, and that's what Xiahou Dun

was waiting for. Soon he'd be his normal self, and then, he would be easier to

control...

It was a horrible, shameful feeling, and he did not even try to control the sobs that

racked his body. The only thing he was thankful for, was that Sima Yi was not there

to see him so torn apart. No one was…

"He-chan... don't get down to this..." He heard Sima Yi's voice, and he looked around

for the man, fearing to be seen like this. "He's not worth getting down over..."

"Oh Yi-chan…" He moaned, burying his face into those clawed hands. "It seems so

hopeless now…"

The robed man was brought out from the bushes as the sunlight began to coax

Zhang He's body. He had made the blissful yet feared transformation, as Xiahou

Dun, with his bloody sword still in hand, came into view. Sima Yi spat, "To think it'll

end like this..."

Back to normal, though still recovering from the transformation, Zhang He sat upon

the ground, his voice soft, "I'm sorry…"

"Nothing to be sorry for... except you didn't kill Lu Xun like you should have..."

Xiahou Dun growled, stomping his foot on Sima Yi's back. "You held back..."



Hearing his love's cry was too much, and Zhang He begged, "No… don't hurt him…

please…"

Instead, Xiahou Dun only struck harder, and he snapped, losing his temper easily.

"You could have killed him in an instant... why didn't you?!"

Choking back a sob, he tried to answer in a way that would be understood,

"Because… I saw his pain, and his love's pain, and I couldn't… I couldn't tear them

apart! Please! I know it was weakness, my weakness, and if anyone should be

punished for it, it should be me!"

"I still don't see why Sima Yi has to be brought into this..." Xu Huang insisted,

though not really demanding at all.

"Xu Huang… please go inside now and try and get some rest. I will need your help

tonight, so you must sleep well…" Xiahou Dun said almost softly, turning into

someone so completely different as he looked to his love. This false sympathy was

only there to fool Xu Huang, to make him feel better. "I will join you shortly."

"W-what will you be doing?"

Another lie, but it was well told, "Merely telling Zhang He where his place is and

where his fate lies, that's all..."

Xu Huang believed it though, smiling softly, "Okay… please be kind, for my sake?"

Oh, that smile was too frightening; "Of course I will... just for you."

With that, the axe-wielding man disappeared, and Zhang He laughed, though it was

obviously forced, "It is nice, at least, to see that you can be nice to your love…"

When the sword pointed to him, Xiahou Dun only growled, then turned the blade to

Sima Yi, to threaten him. "I know you, Sima Yi... you love to rat, and if I let you go,

or even live, I know that you'll rat on me, because that's exactly what you are."

Sima Yi looked and sounded much calmer than he felt, "Your insults do not hurt

me…"

"Perhaps not... but they could kill you..."

"Only when words become swords… and have the ability to harm the flesh…"

Sima Yi spat with a grin, ignoring the pain in his back as he looked up at him. "Until

then, you can't do a thing... especially since you need me alive for the ransom,

correct?"

Zhang He's widened, and he pleaded, "No! Please, Yi-chan! Don't provoke him!"

The blade was at his throat, and Sima Yi slammed his eyes shut when the one-eyed

man's words broke into the air like deadly staccatos. "You're too smart for your

own good, you know that? If I were you, I'd keep your mouth shut before my blade

accidentally slits your beautiful throat."

"I almost wish you would… just so Zhang He could break free…"

That seemed impossible, as Zhang He sighed, "Yi-chan, just silence yourself before

something horrible happens." Seeing the anger smoldering in his love's eyes, he

lowered his voice, "Please… for me…"

"I can't believe you... why do you let this man control you like this?!" Sima Yi hissed,

almost beginning to struggle.

Tears poured from those amethyst eyes, and Zhang He cried out, "BECAUSE I LOVE

YOU! Because I can't live a single day without you! And I would endure ANYTHING,

ANY torture, any abuse, in order to protect you!"

"Which..." Breaking up their argument, Xiahou Dun grinned, removing the sword's

tip from the strategist's throat. "Is why I will win this..."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang He said nothing, giving a defeated look as Sima Yi was kicked upwards, and

he leaned against a rock as Xiahou Dun shrugged, "I'll win... that's all that matters."

The cursed officer winced as the one-eyed man drew closer, and he looked away,

trying to delay the inevitable as long as possible. It seemed impossible, and he

heard Sima Yi asked, his voice edged with anger, "So... what's the punishment?"

Zhang He squeezed his eyes shut, pleading mentally, 'Sima Yi… please don't watch…'

"What are you going to do with him?!" Sima Yi asked angrily, his small fighting spirit

slightly rising. "Xiahou Dun?!"

"I'm going to do… whatever I want with him…" Xiahou Dun said with a rather cocky

grin, pushing Sima Yi aside as he went to the disgraced Zhang He. "I should have

fun as well... heh..."

Zhang He made no attempt to move away, though he turned his head to look away.

He knew even this small defiance would come with a price, but what more could he

do? Not even Sima Yi's safety was promised here, and he was defeated. However,

he looked to Xu Huang's direction, almost wishing for salvation for him...

He could not repress his shudder as a hand was drawn gently across his face to cup

his chin, forcing him to stare into that one, glimmering eye. He spoke softly,

heartbroken, "Yes?"

"Nothing... just wanted to look at your eyes..."

He gave a false laugh, to try and cover his pain, "You have seen them before; they

have not changed…"

A harsh slap was his response, but he did not fall from where he sat. Instead, Zhang

He sighed, "They're not that special..."

"Oh, not at all. Everyone in the world has such perfect, amethysts for eyes… deep,

entrancing…"

"Oh please..." Sima Yi growled, not knowing when to silence himself.

He did, however, when he heard his love's cry of pain, seeing the blood dripping

from his beautiful face. Zhang He whimpered, "Please, Yi-chan… don't make it

worse…"

The Wei strategist could read his pain, and he instantly silenced himself, only

berating the one-eyed general even more as he cursed him to the deepest pit of hell

mentally. He would have his revenge one day, Sima Yi thought, turning away and

trembling with rage.

"You're too good to him, He-chan…" Xiahou Dun said with a spat, giving him a light

kiss before pushing him off of the rock. "If I had him, I'd show him his place..."

Zhang He looked away again, his heart aching at the sound of his petname, "Then it

is lucky for him… that I am not you…"

With a grin, the one eyed general only snickered, saying nothing as he gave the

bound man such a look.



Sighing, the exotic general said, "Please… let's just get this over with…"

"But why?"

Shuddering again as strong hands untied the ribbons that bound his hair, allowing

the silken strands to fall upon the ground, he whispered, "Because… it hurts…"

Yes, how useless it was, as Xiahou Dun almost lay on top of him, preparing to give

him his punishment very well. He had no feelings any more, nothing but anger, and

he wanted nothing more then to inflict as much pain as possible. He laughed,

"Good... you should have killed them, then this wouldn't have happened."

Zhang He only continued to look away, trembling as the hands ran down his body.

So many memories attached to this, so many feelings he had long ago sought to

forget. And, despite himself, he felt the warm tears caress his face, refusing to be

denied their freedom.

"Why do you cry?"

His voice was roughened by the tears, "You couldn't possibly understand…"

Gripping his hair, Xiahou Dun asked, "Why not?"



Crying out, Zhang He answered, "BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO HEART! You have so soul,

no compassion, no SHAME… and no memories…"

Yes, this was nothing new to Zhang He, as this was nothing but old pain for him.

Xiahou Dun seemed ready to do something, however, Sima Yi's shout forced his

attention away, "Xiahou Dun, someone's coming..."

Narrowing his one eye, and not releasing his victim, he asked, "Who?"

"I dunno... I just heard something!" Sima Yi spat, trying to draw his hands off of the

man. He had lied; he heard absolutely nothing, but he couldn't stand what was

going on. He had to do SOMETHING!

"Take care, Sima Yi. Consider that if you lie, the punishment I give… He-chan will be

twice what it is now…"

Wincing, the strategist almost wished he would have kept silent as the one-eyed

general went to investigate, however, he wasted no time at all, rising and though

with his hands still bound, he ran to Zhang He. "He-chan, are you alright?! Come

on, you can run, can't you?"

The sheer pain in those violet eyes was almost unimaginable, and he spoke softly,

"He'll catch you… bound as you are… and I have not the strength to carry you…"

"Then quickly cut me loose!" That did not kill his spirit, as Sima Yi helped him up

anyways. "I'm not going to let this go unpunished... get up and cut me loose!"

Mutely, almost against his own will he rose, finding a sharp rock and cutting the

bonds away. Sima Yi urged him on, keeping watch and being wary for the return of

the general. He spoke softly now, "He'll pay for what he's done to you... I won't let

him get away; NOBODY double crosses me or anything of mine... nobody, not even

blood of the one I serve!"

"No matter what happens, Yi-chan… know that I love you…"

The look Sima Yi gave him was frightening, but it did not last long, as the smaller

man grabbed his hand, nudging him into a sprint. "No need to state the obvious...

now let's go, before we are caught!"

Zhang He nodded, trying to maintain a speed slow enough to stay with his love. The

last thing he wished to do was leave him behind… to that madman they were

escaping....

It was actually surprising to see how far they got without being caught, however,

Zhang He and Sima Yi were too fast to avoid the warrior that leaped out of the

bushes, running right smack into him and the poor boy behind him. It was almost

pure chaos, as Sima Yi's fighting spirit rose once again, thrashing about and

screaming at his opponent, "AWAY WITH YOU, FOOLS! YOU WON'T HAVE MY HE-

CHAN!"

"Easy there… we don't WANT your He-chan!"

Finally regaining his senses, Zhang He looked into the eyes of Zhao Yun, and he

gave a relieved sigh, "Zhao Yun... Jiang Wei! What are you two doing here?"

"We heard your howls…"

Jiang Wei brushed the dirt from his clothing, lending the opposing strategist, who not

stopped his assault, to his feet. "We've come to help... is everything alright?"

Sima Yi hissed, "NO! We have to get OUT of here!"

Taken back, Jiang Wei sighed, "Never been better myself, sir..."

Seeing his love's ire rise, Zhang He did his best to soothe him, "Please, my lord.

These men are our friends, and they do not deserve your wrath."

"Keep the sympathy for later... let's go before it's too late!"

Zhao Yun nodded, "As much as I hate to admit it, we must flee. You two should go

ahead; Jiang Wei and I will keep Xiahou Dun and Xu Huang from following you…"

Giving a nod, Sima Yi pulled his love along, his rage hardly contained. "Quit

stalling... they can handle it..."

Never slowing his pace, Zhang He asked, "Are you angry at me, my lord?"

"Why the hell would I be mad at you?" Sima Yi spat, only running faster and

knocking the bushes out of his way. "I'm angry at myself, for being so foolish to

trust that Zhuge Liang... I am angry at Xiahou Dun, for causing all of this, and I'm

angry at Zhuge Liang, for leaving us here to die! That bastard... I'll get him good!"

"He did not leave us, Yi-chan. He was rather unconscious at the time and had little

or no say in the matter…"

Jiang Wei asked, "What of Prime Minister? Is he alright?"

Sima Yi seethed, "He WON'T be once I get through him! I don't care HOW much he

swears this will bring revenge… he should NEVER have brought He-chan into this!"

"But he did it for the best I'm sure!" Poor Jiang Wei tried to cover up for his Prime

Minister, but it seemed useless.



Sima Yi paused, peering closely at Jiang Wei, as if noticing something for the first

time, "You're his little lover, aren't you?"

That made the poor boy blush, but Zhao Yun responded for him, "What's it to you?

As you stated, escape is the top priority here... not shut your mouth and move your

ass!"

"Of course…"

~*~*~*~

Zhou Yu was tired. He was tired of trying to listen to Zhuge Liang try and explain

what had happened, tired of trying to get Gan Ning to take Lu Xun to the doctor. He

excused himself, going straight to his room and lying on the bed.

What a night it was... and still more was left to be done. Only one left, but he was

told to forget about him. But how? Zhou Yu could hardly take anymore of this, and

he didn't care about anyone else. He wanted nothing more than to sleep... he would

find out everything later. He had enough.

He nearly screamed when he heard a timid knock on his door, but contained it as he

heard Sun Ce's voice, "Zhou Yu?"

"Yes?" Zhou Yu sighed sadly, knowing that rest would never come to him again as

long as he lived. "Come in... the door's unlocked."

His lord did so, smiling at him, "Are you alright? You seemed really tense…"

Sun Ce was almost clueless, but Zhou Yu did not mock him, only sitting up and

shrugging ,"Stress, I suppose... a little bit of rest should do..."

"Yes… I suppose rest is something we could all use…"

Sighing, Zhou Yu fell onto the bed again, looking up at the ceiling. He felt horrible

for leaving Sun Ce with the babbling Zhuge Liang, but he tried not to show it as he

asked, trying to keep himself awake. "How's Lu Xun? Will he be alright?"

"Let Gan Ning worry about that. Don't you ever worry about you?" Sun Ce asked,

sitting on the edge of the bed, carefully, as to not try to disturb him too much. He

looked to weak... so tired. "But if it makes you feel better, he'll be fine. A little

bloodloss, but he'll be okay."

"That's good," the tired strategist sighed, not even realizing how worn out and even

old he seemed. He smiled at Sun Ce, "Care to take a little nap with me?"

Almost gleaming with joy, Sun Ce used all of his strength to decline. Instead, he

asked, "First... would you like to tell me what Xiahou Dun meant... back in the

woods?"

The smile faded, and he became guarded, "Never mind that… it's not important…"

"But it is... to me, anyway..."

Zhou Yu drew close, so close they almost touched, "Trust me…"

Oh, how Sun Ce wished he could, but he couldn't find himself to do so, not now. His

eyes looked hurt, but they were not to be denied, as he asked softly, "I think I know

what happened, and if it's true, then I wouldn't blame you. But... still..."

Pushing away, Zhou Yu spoke coldly, "You want to know?"

"If it hurts you, then no..." Sun Ce turned away, sighing. "Why did we have to make

the promise to keep him alive?"

"In order to insure peace…" Pausing, the strategist searched his mind for a good way

to tell his love the truth. And he could find none. So, he did the only he could, he

said it bluntly, "I was raped…"

Silence... and Zhou Yu turned over, not wishing to see his reaction. Now he knew

why Lu Xun had feared to tell the pirate, why the others were hesitant to even be

cured. This was too terrifying, to say such a thing, but he had no other choice. He

had to know...

He curled into a ball, his voice softening to hide the sobs he wished to release, "You…

you don't have to stay… I'll understand if you cannot love me now…"

"Don't say that..."

"Why not?" Zhou Yu asked with a sigh, running a hand over his now damp face.

"Doesn't that dishonor your love then?"

Sun Ce spoke softly, "Look at me…"

He could only obey, and he turned back around, freezing at he looked into those

eyes. His lord drew him close, kissing his forehead, his eyelids, the tip of his nose, "I

will ALWAYS… love you. No matter what…"

"Even after that..." Zhou Yu gave a golden smile. "I truly am blessed then..."



"Did you ever doubt it?"

It was too surprising for words for what happened next, but somehow, Zhou Yu

found them, as he saw the sparkle in Sun Ce's bright eyes. He was pinned to the

bed now, with Sun Ce joyous shout heard throughout the hallways. "Liven up,

buddy! Don't get too mushy with me... that stuff is contagious, and you don't want

a mushy, soggy Sun Ce with you, right?"

"Don't tell me that the Little Conqueror is going to go soft on me," the strategist

chuckled, easily reversing the position, his laughter deepening at the surprise that

flared in Sun Ce's eyes. "I would hate to be some sort of liability…"

If anyone were to arrive, they would have instantly turned about and left. However,

that wasn't the case, as Lu Meng just kind of stared at them, not really noticed at all,

but his face bright red. Sun Ce spat, ignoring the man's presence, "You wouldn't

dare!"

"Oh, wouldn't I?" Zhou Yu growled, gently nipping his love's throat. "Would you like

to find out just how much I would dare?"

"Hey, if you feel up to it."

This was far too much for Lu Meng, as the poor man just sort of stumbled out,

making his way as quickly as possible to his rooms. It was just too unexpected for

him; first Gan Ning and Lu Xun and now Sun Ce and Zhou Yu?! He collapsed onto

his bed, his eye twitching, "Am I… the ONLY straight one?!"

Even then, they had not noticed, or cared, and they began their little wrestling

match, seeing who would make it out on top in the end.

Zhou Yu was ultimately the victor, and he purred, trailing his hands down Sun Ce's

chest, "Submit to me, Little Conqueror."

Quite the ticklish type, though one never to admit it, Sun Ce still struggled, unable to

believe how much stronger his friend had become in the last few days. He pouted,

"No fair... I bet you're still a werefox with your strength!"

"Not unless you have to confess that you do not love me…" Pausing, he drew back,

his chocolate eyes smoldering with passion, "You do love me, don't you?"

Sun Ce's words were quick, but meaningful. "Of course I do! I'm sorry... I meant it

as a joke..."



Catching his chin in his fingers, Zhou Yu whispered, "It is no joke to me, love. But I

know you did not mean it…"

"I'm still sorry..."

Kissing him, he drew him closer, releasing him only to whisper, "Let me love you,

and love me. It is enough…"

Like Lu Meng before him, the one who watched them was equally surprised, but

unlike Lu Meng, he found the nerves to speak, "Excuse me... as much as I hate to

break this up... I think we have more important matters to discuss..."

Zhou Yu's hiss was so feral, "Go… away…"

The young strategist only nodded, and Lu Xun obeyed, backing away and closing the

door behind them without another word. Now he felt horrible, to disturb them, but

he said nothing, knowing it was best for them to be left alone. He didn't blame them

at all, he thought with a weak hint of a smile... he probably would have done the

same.

Sun Ce only laughed, "Man… it looks like your plans aren't working out quite as you

intended, eh?"

Feeling bad for brushing him off, Zhou Yu only sighed, "I suppose not..."



Tweaking his nose, he asked, "So, you gonna give up?"

"Never... but I shall withdraw for now..." Zhou Yu replied with a sigh, removing

himself and trying to make himself presentable. He hated to do this, but he had no

choice. He then asked, running a hand through his hair. "What are your orders, my

Lord?"

"My orders… are for you to get back in this bed, before I DRAG you back…"

The look Zhou Yu gave was too stunning, but he obeyed, knowing better then to

question that order. "What of Lu Xun... and Zhang He? I suppose you will take care

of this?"



Curling against him, he asked, "What of Lu Xun? He's fine now, healed and all. As

for Zhang He… I will not leave him behind."

"But what is Xiahou Dun after? It's not just power..." Zhou Yu's will to think got the

better of him, as he sat up, now unable to relax. "He was urging for Zhang He to kill

Lu Xun, but now that Lu Xun is healed, Zhang He is the only one left... does that

mean he will kill him?"

Resting his head in his lap, Sun Ce sighed, "You worry too much…"

"And you don't worry enough..."

Peering up at him, his lord spoke firmly, "Zhang He will be fine; I swear I will see to

it. YOU need to rest! You're not going to be able to help anyone if you are burnt

out!"

Unable to argue, Zhou Yu nodded, giving in once again. "Yes my Lord..."

Drawing him back down to the mattress, Sun Ce rested his head on his chest, "I'm

worried about you…"

"Now who's the one worrying too much?"

"You said I didn't worry enough; I'm showing you what I have to worry about…" Sun

Ce gave a wink, then headed out towards the door, waving off to his friend and love.

"Take care of yourself, okay? I'll handle things... Xiahou Dun won't get away with

this... you can count on that."

His hand was caught, and the voice was soft, "Stay with me…"

That stopped him, and Sun Ce asked in a soft voice, "How am I suppose to get

things done, Zhou Yu?"

"Please… at least until I fall asleep…"

"Of course then..."

Zhou Yu smiled, "Thank you…"

It was too sweet to see such a scene, and Sun Ce only sighed, waiting for his love to

fall into blissful dreams. He wasn't too much in a hurry to leave, though, so he, for

once, waited patiently, looking at his friend and then out the window, seeing the

rather cheerful sun and a small storm cloud brewing in the distance. What a lovely

day!