Author's Note: Hello, kiddies! It's that time again for another chapter
of TOTSD! YAY! I must say thank you to all you lovely people who review my
story, I wuv them all!! *runs over and huggles reviewers* I must also say
thank you to you Diao_Chans_Zhang_He for reading my story even though it
wasn't completed in three parts and I'll try to keep up with your speed reading skills ~-^. Also a thanks to Petta, who is an awesome reviewer for EVERY chapter! YAY! This chapter is kinda short and weird lol, I've been playing a lot of Silent Hill and you can tell from the chapter lol!
But I hopes you like it!
Enjoy!
Part 3
The Romance of the Four Leaders
Chapter 30
Tears of Saturn
The walk back was a long one. Everyone walked in silence, their minds fixed on the newfound dream. Sima Yi kept shooting inquiring looks back at Mitsuke, as if waiting for something to show itself. He looked very uncomfortable and hung at the back of the group staring at the ground with a bit of blush still on his face. Zhang He thought he was acting quite odd. Was it an abnormal thing for people to take bathes together in Japan? Whatever is was, Zhang He didn't think this was normal. When they finally returned back Sun Ce and Zhou Yu went off to find Xiao and Da Qiao, Mitsuke left silently and Sima Yi and Zhang He just hung where they were.
"I had a little chat with your beloved Lady Sun." He said as they walked to the men's tent. Sima Yi stopped.
"Zhang He . . ." He whined "I told you -"
"No, I have it all under control!" Zhang He interrupted.
"Great, YOU have it under control, I guess that means we can all give up!" He said half mockingly.
"Ok, think what you want, but I'm just saying, I'd go see her if I were you." Zhang He advised.
"I'm tired . . ." Sima Yi breathed as he sat down on a bed.
"It's been a long day, we should all get some rest . . ." Zhang He sighed, sitting on the bed next Sima Yi's.
"I'm not going to wait for Zhou Yu and Sun Ce, I'm going to sleep now." Sima Yi yawned as he pulled off his hat for the second time that night. Zhang He, who hadn't bothered to put his hair back up, got straight into bed without removing his shirt at all. Sima Yi sighed comfortably and fell asleep quickly. Zhang He lay awake, finding it difficult to drop off despite his exhaustion. Zhou Yu came in about an hour later. He said a quite goodnight to Xiao Qiao (who Zhang He assumed was at the tent door) then stepped in noiselessly. Another half an hour went by and still Zhang He had no sleep. He was extremely tired, but something in his gut was telling him to stay awake. He already knew he was able to predict people's deaths, and when he had a bad feeling, he never took it lightly. He heard the other men in the camp move into their own tents one after another. After he heard Xu Huang's booming voice bid farewell to Pang Tong, everything was silent. Everyone was probably asleep in their beds except him and one other person: Sun Ce. He waited with a growing apprehension for Sun Ce to walk in. The cool night air descended and still no Sun Ce.
Suddenly, without warning, an earsplitting scream rang through the air. Zhang He leapt onto his feet, feeling his heart hammer in his chest. He knew something was going to happen! Sima Yi and Zhou Yu also got to their feet, asking what was going on.
"Diao Chan!" Zhang He yelled, running out from the tent. He burst outside, looking wildly around for the source. The entire night was still until Sun Ce came tearing across the corner, a bleeding gash on his head. He screeched to Sima Yi, Zhou Yu and Zhang He as he passed.
"Their coming!!! They'll kill me!" He screamed as he zoomed into the tent. There hadn't been a time when Zhang He wanted his Talons more. He waited on guard, trying to remember the kicks and moves Rai Tso had taught him so long ago. His fists were balled and he felt a drop of sweat roll down his forehead. Then, all four girls, covered by only thin strips of fabric came racing around, weapons raised and faces red.
"Where is that pervert!?" Demanded Diao Chan. Zhang he tried to answer but only a small 'uhhh' escaped his lips as he tried not to look closer at Diao Chan.
"How dare he watch girls while they bathe!" Yelled Sun Shang Xiang. "Now tell us where he is!" Sima Yi's face was as red as a tomato and he was trying to quell his profusely bleeding nose. Zhou Yu slowly pointed to the tent as they all rushed in fiercely. Angry cries emitted from the tent and sounds of punching and pain were heard.
"How could you do that, Sun Ce? I'm sorry you call yourself my brother!" Sun Shang Xiang bellowed.
"B-but sis, I didn't want to see you!" Sun Ce pleaded. A sharp slashing noise told them he'd just been cut.
"Let that be a lesson!" Said Xiao Qiao as the stepped outside, looking very pleased indeed. Heads raised high; they moved back to their tent and disappeared quietly. The three men moved dazedly back into their tent to find Sun Ce bruised and bleeding on the floor.
"What have you been up to Sun Ce?" Zhou Yu asked seriously.
"I heard them talking . . ." Sun Ce whined, nursing his bleeding head. "They were going to take a bath too, I couldn't help myself . . ." He moaned. Zhou Yu shook his head and stepped over Sun Ce.
"You deserved every bit of it." He said sternly. "And Sima Yi, please try and stop that, you're bleeding all over the place."
"I can't stop it! It just keeps coming!" Sima Yi said, trying to mop up the river of blood. Zhang He decided Sima Yi was going to have certain marital problems if his nose started gushing blood every time he saw a half- naked woman. Zhang he laughed at this fact and Sima Yi turned on him.
"What's so funny?" He asked insecurely.
"Nothing, just your reaction's a bit . . . er . . ."
"You think it's funny that I'm bleeding?" He asked, sounding hurt. Zhang He explained his previous thought and Sun Ce and Zhou Yu laughed.
"What do you mean by that?" Sima Yi challenged, obviously not taking this as a joke.
"All I'm saying . . ." Zhang He smiled disarmingly "Is, how can you ever have any sons if you can't get past step one?" More laughter. Sima Yi was taken aback.
"So, I'm a little shy." He shrugged, sounding very upset "That doesn't mean I won't have any sons!"
Sun Ce sniggered "He's afraid of women . . ." He whispered harshly to Zhou Yu.
Sima Yi took a few steps back. "Why are you making fun of me?" He gasped.
"Ahh, we we're just teasing, Sima Yi . . ." Zhang He said, sitting down casually, now aware of how mean he had been.
"It didn't sound that way!" He snapped as he sat back down.
"Jeez, Sima Yi, we were just messing with you, we didn't mean it . . ." Sun Ce said defensively.
"You don't even have an idea where 'just teasing' got me before!" Sima Yi snarled.
"Calm down, we're sorry Sima Yi, we won't do it again!" Zhou Yu said, stepping in as mediator. "Now let's sleep, if our good friend Sun Ce, hadn't let his pervert side take control, none of this stupidity would have occurred!" Zhou Yu said, retiring in a way that made him seem much older than seventeen. They all went back to bed silently, still thinking about their heated confrontation bitterly. He acts like he was tortured or something! Zhang He thought hotly. Then he remembered exactly what Sima Yi's father had done to him. That was just as bad as torture . . . Zhang He's stomach sickened a bit. He wished he could apologize, but he didn't want to disturb the others. But, then again, he father never really teased him. Was it possible that he actually suffered even more after his mother's gruesome murder? Zhang He wondered why in the world all these horrible things kept happening to Sima Yi. If I had been in his position, I'd probably want to die. . . Zhang He admitted to himself. 'I never really knew true happiness, and I still don't . . .' Sima Yi's words rang again within his thoughts. Zhang He didn't have the heart to ask Sima Yi how he'd been teased. He vowed silently to himself that he would be nicer to Sima Yi from now. He deserved sympathy, he needed it.
Zhang He still found it difficult to relax. The sick feeling in his stomach hadn't disappeared. He kept telling himself it was nothing and he was acting stupid, but he couldn't seem to ignore it. The night darkened and the atmosphere grew even more sinister. A thick silence hung around, just waiting to be broken. Zhang He lay in bed, harrowed with fatigue, aching to go to sleep, but with every nerve poised to act. He sat up and looked out the widow. The moon floated in the sky like a great, unfinished orb of celestial light. Its slender crescent shape graced the dark sky, but seemed to give off no light. His stomach gave a great lurch and for a moment he thought he was going to be sick. He covered up his head in the blanket and tried to ignore his pounding headache.
Then, outside, the noise of delicately place footsteps scraped up along his tent. Zhang He drew a breath and held it involuntarily. His hand slipped down to the shining golden Talons at his bedside. A hand appeared in the doorway, outlined by the silvery moonlight outside. A short figure pushed it's way in and peered around quietly. They made no effort to try and hide themselves, so Zhang He assumed the cause of the intrusion was probably not malicious. But then again, most people were asleep at this time . . . No matter the reason, Zhang He still kept a firm grip on his Talons. The short person tiptoed over to Sima Yi's bed and put their hands on his shoulders. The person then shook him gently, but no response came. The person looked back towards the door warily, then faced Sima Yi and shook him a little more vigorously.
"Sima Yi . . ." Hissed a familiar voice. "Sima Yi!" Sima Yi moaned a little, then sat up groggily.
"Whaiz it?" He said in a slurred way as he rubbed his eyes.
"It's me, Sun Shang Xiang." Said the sneak. Sima Yi seemed to perk up at her name.
"What're you doing here at this time?" He asked, more worried than angry.
"Please, Sima Yi, I keep hearing weird noises outside that little window in our tent. And . . . I don't know . . . I've got a weird feeling." She explained quickly.
"Want me to go check outside?" He asked bravely.
"No, it's alright, I just . . . Well, for one thing, I'd like to apologize to you." She stated, "I've been horrible, I really have. I never should have blamed you for what happened, I overreacted and was mean too. I hope you have it in your heart to forgive me . . ." She said, bowing her head sadly. Zhang he could tell Sima Yi was smiling one of his shallow smiles that meant he was really overjoyed inside.
"O-of course . . ." He stammered "I don't blame you at all, it was just one of those things." He said, noticeably happier. They looked at each other for a moment, then a loud scraping noise broke through the quiet. Sun Shang Xiang let out a quiet scream and flung her arms around Sima Yi.
"Y-you see what I mean? I keep hearing that . . ." She whined. She sat beside Sima Yi on his bed, cowering behind him. He stared blankly at the window for a moment, the got up slowly.
"I'm going to go see . . ." He said, walking towards the door.
"No! Please don't Sima Yi!" She protested, but hung back out of fear. Sima Yi glided outside, his white skin almost glowing in the moonlight. He black hair swung softly at his bare lower back where pair of black pants were held up by a rope belt. His torso bent left to one side of the tent, then he came back.
"There's nothing out there." He said in an odd, unforced, misty voice. He was beginning to seem a little fearful himself. He sat lightly back down on the bed next to Sun Shang Xiang.
"C-can I sleep here tonight?" She requested timidly.
"I have no problem with it." Sima Yi said a little nervously.
"Thank you!" She exhaled, showing her gratitude. They both lay down slowly and carefully and Zhang He smiled a little when he thought about how fast Sima Yi's heart was probably beating.
After a while it looked as if everything had calmed down once again. The night went back to the hazy lull and silence fell in the air. Then, once again that furious scarping noise made Zhang He's heart pound in his chest. He heard Sun Shang Xiang gasp and felt her forehead cold with sweat. Again and again it sounded, each time growing louder and more forceful. Zhang He pulled his Talons into his bed and carefully snapped them on. He extremely long hair hung around and stuck to his face. Every breath he took was each more painful as the next. Suddenly, all the noises stopped and a horrible deaf silence was left. Zhang He sat up, throwing the covers off and looked madly around. He was shaking uncontrollably; he knew what was coming next. He yelled at the top of his lungs but no sound came out. He could feel Her approaching, he knew She was coming. Sima Yi and Sun Shang Xiang were now not the only ones awake now. They, along with Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were staring at him, wide-eyed and afraid.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He screeched as he backed towards the wall, his heart hammering in his chest. His sworn brothers mouthed words at him as he moved, but he couldn't hear. He felt an icy cold feeling on his shoulder, and turned around slowly.
There She was. Floating in the air, a sublime and horrible apparition. Her hollow black eyes gaped at Zhang He and Her mouth formed into an unmistakable smile. She advanced toward him as he fell to the floor and crawled desperately away from her. She drew nearer and nearer, then put a blurred hand to his face. It was like the coldest ice in the world being set on fire. It made Zhang He's head feel like it was splitting in two.
"My love, you have returned to me . . ." She rasped in an echoic and eerie way. Zhang He shook his head drastically.
"Not me, I hate you!" Zhang He yelled, terrified. Her face dropped in to a miserable and sorrowful look.
"Only a bit of love, set me free . . ." She moaned in a cry that filled the earth with a powerful grief.
"I HATE YOU!" Zhang He reiterated in a frantic way, shutting his eyes and opening them again. The Lady shrieked and moaned like a banshee in utmost agony. Great tears of ruby-red blood flowed from Her pit-like eyes.
A horrible red aura sparked from behind Her and filled the room. A bolt of it struck Zhang He and visions of horror overflowed in his mind. A woman, tied to a gravestone with chains. Twenty-four dead birds were scattered on a wilting tree, bleeding into their forsaken nests. A skeleton of a misty village, he stood all alone. A moon was above him in the misty, dismal night and black clouds swept along its shiny, foreboding body. The woman was dead, Zhang He could tell by here chalk white face. The dark buildings stood threateningly around him, and he could tell there were no more people living here. Where was he? Why was he here? Did the Lady send him here? He dropped to his knees, looking around for a sign of hope or happiness. It's too late . . . said Her resonating voice in his head. To late for me, you left me before, but now you're back. Don't listen to her song, SET ME FREE, LOVE ME! Her voice screeched in his mind.
"Let me alone! I WANT TO GO BACK!" He screamed. He shut his eyes and covered his head with his hands. I want to go back, I want to go back he kept thinking over and over, trying to block out the terrible Lady's cries. Suddenly he felt someone shaking him back and forth. He cautiously opened his eyes and stared into the face of Zhou Yu. "Oh, God . . ." Zhang He breathed. He was finally away from Her.
"Are you all right?" Zhou Yu asked, shaken. Sima Yi was holding a scared looking Sun Shang Xiang next to Sun Ce who was hanging back carefully in the background.
"Oh, God . . ." Zhang He repeated, letting his head fall onto Zhou Yu's shoulder. He was still shaking frenziedly and his whole body felt numb. There was nothing that scared him in the entire world except the Lady in Black. When She was around he felt like a helpless little child stuck in a world of horror. He drew a shuddering breath and felt the after-effects of his enormous shot of adrenaline.
"What happened to you?" Zhou Yu asked, still holding on to his shoulders.
"I-it was h-horrible . . ." Zhang He stammered. "She came back, but She thought I was her love, I h-hate her, I hate h-her. . ." Zhang He, letting his entire body fall helplessly to the floor.
"Who?" Sun Ce said, regaining his curiosity.
"The Lady in Black." Zhang He gasped. He then explained to them vaguely all that had happened from the very first time he saw Her.
"But she didn't show you a death, she came to you wanting your love?" Zhou Yu confirmed.
"Something like that." Zhang He said regaining his stability.
"I don't know that much about the Lady, but I do know that She was alive once." Zhou Yu informed them.
"What? She was human?" Zhang He asked, astounded. His hands were still shaking and he felt worse than dead, but this was something he needed to know.
"No, something like it, more like a God than a human." Zhou Yu said. "I think you should get some sleep, now. I've been up all night, too." He said, smiling a bit.
"W-wait, why -"
"Bedtime, Zhang He." Zhou Yu said forcefully as he pushed him into bed. Sun Ce turned and finally noticed Sun Shang Xiang.
"Whoa, sis, where'd you come from?" He asked, sounding very surprised.
"I've been here for a while." Sun Shang Xiang told him quietly. Sima Yi hastily let her go when he noticed that all eyes were on him and Sun Shang Xiang.
"Y-you were sleeping in his bed?" Sun Ce exclaimed. Sima Yi turned beet red and looked to the side, avoiding everyone's gaze.
"Yeah, so? Diao Chan sleeps with him all the time!" Sun Shang Xiang yelled defensively. "I just got scared, I needed to be with someone." She admitted. Suddenly, the other three girls burst through the door.
"What happened?" Asked Diao Chan.
"We heard screams!" Informed Da Qiao.
"We couldn't find Sun Shang Xiang, are you okay Zhou Yu?" Sped Xiao Qiao.
"Calm down, everyone!" Boomed Zhou Yu in a hardly used yell. "Everything is fine, Sun Shang Xiang is right here, Zhang He was screaming, but he's alright now, ask him what happened, and I'm fine, thanks." He explained. Zhang He had to explain once again about his misadventure with the Lady in Black. By the time the story was over, Diao Chan was clutching his arm.
"Oh, Zhang He, that must've been awful." She said as she moved closer. "You ought to get some sleep, I could stay with you if you like." Zhang He smiled.
"Sleep sounds great. . ." He sighed as he moved back to his bed. Sima Yi and Sun Shang Xiang also went back to their bed. Diao Chan moved in right beside Zhang He, making him calm down considerably.
"If they're staying, can I stay, Zhou Yu?" Xiao Qiao asked happily. Zhou Yu smiled a blushed a bit.
"If you want." He said shortly, trying not to show his glee.
"Yay!" She cheered as she dove into his bed. Sun Ce looked around at everyone.
"Hey, Da Qiao . . ." Sun Ce said thoughtfully. "Looks like you've had a rough night, maybe you oughta stay right here with me . . ." She considered him for a moment, (most likely remembering how he was a notorious Peeping Tom) But then she smiled and nodded.
When everyone was finally in their beds and things had calmed down Zhang He finally relaxed. He held Diao Chan very close, glad that she was right beside him. Oh, how he hated the Lady in Black. He wondered why in the world She thought he was Her love. He shuddered at the fact of anyone being her love. He was extremely happy that his only love was lying right beside him at the moment. He took a deep, comfortable sigh and gave into his fatigue. Consider how they all wanted to reach their 'dream'; tonight was a very good night indeed.
wasn't completed in three parts and I'll try to keep up with your speed reading skills ~-^. Also a thanks to Petta, who is an awesome reviewer for EVERY chapter! YAY! This chapter is kinda short and weird lol, I've been playing a lot of Silent Hill and you can tell from the chapter lol!
But I hopes you like it!
Enjoy!
Part 3
The Romance of the Four Leaders
Chapter 30
Tears of Saturn
The walk back was a long one. Everyone walked in silence, their minds fixed on the newfound dream. Sima Yi kept shooting inquiring looks back at Mitsuke, as if waiting for something to show itself. He looked very uncomfortable and hung at the back of the group staring at the ground with a bit of blush still on his face. Zhang He thought he was acting quite odd. Was it an abnormal thing for people to take bathes together in Japan? Whatever is was, Zhang He didn't think this was normal. When they finally returned back Sun Ce and Zhou Yu went off to find Xiao and Da Qiao, Mitsuke left silently and Sima Yi and Zhang He just hung where they were.
"I had a little chat with your beloved Lady Sun." He said as they walked to the men's tent. Sima Yi stopped.
"Zhang He . . ." He whined "I told you -"
"No, I have it all under control!" Zhang He interrupted.
"Great, YOU have it under control, I guess that means we can all give up!" He said half mockingly.
"Ok, think what you want, but I'm just saying, I'd go see her if I were you." Zhang He advised.
"I'm tired . . ." Sima Yi breathed as he sat down on a bed.
"It's been a long day, we should all get some rest . . ." Zhang He sighed, sitting on the bed next Sima Yi's.
"I'm not going to wait for Zhou Yu and Sun Ce, I'm going to sleep now." Sima Yi yawned as he pulled off his hat for the second time that night. Zhang He, who hadn't bothered to put his hair back up, got straight into bed without removing his shirt at all. Sima Yi sighed comfortably and fell asleep quickly. Zhang He lay awake, finding it difficult to drop off despite his exhaustion. Zhou Yu came in about an hour later. He said a quite goodnight to Xiao Qiao (who Zhang He assumed was at the tent door) then stepped in noiselessly. Another half an hour went by and still Zhang He had no sleep. He was extremely tired, but something in his gut was telling him to stay awake. He already knew he was able to predict people's deaths, and when he had a bad feeling, he never took it lightly. He heard the other men in the camp move into their own tents one after another. After he heard Xu Huang's booming voice bid farewell to Pang Tong, everything was silent. Everyone was probably asleep in their beds except him and one other person: Sun Ce. He waited with a growing apprehension for Sun Ce to walk in. The cool night air descended and still no Sun Ce.
Suddenly, without warning, an earsplitting scream rang through the air. Zhang He leapt onto his feet, feeling his heart hammer in his chest. He knew something was going to happen! Sima Yi and Zhou Yu also got to their feet, asking what was going on.
"Diao Chan!" Zhang He yelled, running out from the tent. He burst outside, looking wildly around for the source. The entire night was still until Sun Ce came tearing across the corner, a bleeding gash on his head. He screeched to Sima Yi, Zhou Yu and Zhang He as he passed.
"Their coming!!! They'll kill me!" He screamed as he zoomed into the tent. There hadn't been a time when Zhang He wanted his Talons more. He waited on guard, trying to remember the kicks and moves Rai Tso had taught him so long ago. His fists were balled and he felt a drop of sweat roll down his forehead. Then, all four girls, covered by only thin strips of fabric came racing around, weapons raised and faces red.
"Where is that pervert!?" Demanded Diao Chan. Zhang he tried to answer but only a small 'uhhh' escaped his lips as he tried not to look closer at Diao Chan.
"How dare he watch girls while they bathe!" Yelled Sun Shang Xiang. "Now tell us where he is!" Sima Yi's face was as red as a tomato and he was trying to quell his profusely bleeding nose. Zhou Yu slowly pointed to the tent as they all rushed in fiercely. Angry cries emitted from the tent and sounds of punching and pain were heard.
"How could you do that, Sun Ce? I'm sorry you call yourself my brother!" Sun Shang Xiang bellowed.
"B-but sis, I didn't want to see you!" Sun Ce pleaded. A sharp slashing noise told them he'd just been cut.
"Let that be a lesson!" Said Xiao Qiao as the stepped outside, looking very pleased indeed. Heads raised high; they moved back to their tent and disappeared quietly. The three men moved dazedly back into their tent to find Sun Ce bruised and bleeding on the floor.
"What have you been up to Sun Ce?" Zhou Yu asked seriously.
"I heard them talking . . ." Sun Ce whined, nursing his bleeding head. "They were going to take a bath too, I couldn't help myself . . ." He moaned. Zhou Yu shook his head and stepped over Sun Ce.
"You deserved every bit of it." He said sternly. "And Sima Yi, please try and stop that, you're bleeding all over the place."
"I can't stop it! It just keeps coming!" Sima Yi said, trying to mop up the river of blood. Zhang He decided Sima Yi was going to have certain marital problems if his nose started gushing blood every time he saw a half- naked woman. Zhang he laughed at this fact and Sima Yi turned on him.
"What's so funny?" He asked insecurely.
"Nothing, just your reaction's a bit . . . er . . ."
"You think it's funny that I'm bleeding?" He asked, sounding hurt. Zhang He explained his previous thought and Sun Ce and Zhou Yu laughed.
"What do you mean by that?" Sima Yi challenged, obviously not taking this as a joke.
"All I'm saying . . ." Zhang He smiled disarmingly "Is, how can you ever have any sons if you can't get past step one?" More laughter. Sima Yi was taken aback.
"So, I'm a little shy." He shrugged, sounding very upset "That doesn't mean I won't have any sons!"
Sun Ce sniggered "He's afraid of women . . ." He whispered harshly to Zhou Yu.
Sima Yi took a few steps back. "Why are you making fun of me?" He gasped.
"Ahh, we we're just teasing, Sima Yi . . ." Zhang He said, sitting down casually, now aware of how mean he had been.
"It didn't sound that way!" He snapped as he sat back down.
"Jeez, Sima Yi, we were just messing with you, we didn't mean it . . ." Sun Ce said defensively.
"You don't even have an idea where 'just teasing' got me before!" Sima Yi snarled.
"Calm down, we're sorry Sima Yi, we won't do it again!" Zhou Yu said, stepping in as mediator. "Now let's sleep, if our good friend Sun Ce, hadn't let his pervert side take control, none of this stupidity would have occurred!" Zhou Yu said, retiring in a way that made him seem much older than seventeen. They all went back to bed silently, still thinking about their heated confrontation bitterly. He acts like he was tortured or something! Zhang He thought hotly. Then he remembered exactly what Sima Yi's father had done to him. That was just as bad as torture . . . Zhang He's stomach sickened a bit. He wished he could apologize, but he didn't want to disturb the others. But, then again, he father never really teased him. Was it possible that he actually suffered even more after his mother's gruesome murder? Zhang He wondered why in the world all these horrible things kept happening to Sima Yi. If I had been in his position, I'd probably want to die. . . Zhang He admitted to himself. 'I never really knew true happiness, and I still don't . . .' Sima Yi's words rang again within his thoughts. Zhang He didn't have the heart to ask Sima Yi how he'd been teased. He vowed silently to himself that he would be nicer to Sima Yi from now. He deserved sympathy, he needed it.
Zhang He still found it difficult to relax. The sick feeling in his stomach hadn't disappeared. He kept telling himself it was nothing and he was acting stupid, but he couldn't seem to ignore it. The night darkened and the atmosphere grew even more sinister. A thick silence hung around, just waiting to be broken. Zhang He lay in bed, harrowed with fatigue, aching to go to sleep, but with every nerve poised to act. He sat up and looked out the widow. The moon floated in the sky like a great, unfinished orb of celestial light. Its slender crescent shape graced the dark sky, but seemed to give off no light. His stomach gave a great lurch and for a moment he thought he was going to be sick. He covered up his head in the blanket and tried to ignore his pounding headache.
Then, outside, the noise of delicately place footsteps scraped up along his tent. Zhang He drew a breath and held it involuntarily. His hand slipped down to the shining golden Talons at his bedside. A hand appeared in the doorway, outlined by the silvery moonlight outside. A short figure pushed it's way in and peered around quietly. They made no effort to try and hide themselves, so Zhang He assumed the cause of the intrusion was probably not malicious. But then again, most people were asleep at this time . . . No matter the reason, Zhang He still kept a firm grip on his Talons. The short person tiptoed over to Sima Yi's bed and put their hands on his shoulders. The person then shook him gently, but no response came. The person looked back towards the door warily, then faced Sima Yi and shook him a little more vigorously.
"Sima Yi . . ." Hissed a familiar voice. "Sima Yi!" Sima Yi moaned a little, then sat up groggily.
"Whaiz it?" He said in a slurred way as he rubbed his eyes.
"It's me, Sun Shang Xiang." Said the sneak. Sima Yi seemed to perk up at her name.
"What're you doing here at this time?" He asked, more worried than angry.
"Please, Sima Yi, I keep hearing weird noises outside that little window in our tent. And . . . I don't know . . . I've got a weird feeling." She explained quickly.
"Want me to go check outside?" He asked bravely.
"No, it's alright, I just . . . Well, for one thing, I'd like to apologize to you." She stated, "I've been horrible, I really have. I never should have blamed you for what happened, I overreacted and was mean too. I hope you have it in your heart to forgive me . . ." She said, bowing her head sadly. Zhang he could tell Sima Yi was smiling one of his shallow smiles that meant he was really overjoyed inside.
"O-of course . . ." He stammered "I don't blame you at all, it was just one of those things." He said, noticeably happier. They looked at each other for a moment, then a loud scraping noise broke through the quiet. Sun Shang Xiang let out a quiet scream and flung her arms around Sima Yi.
"Y-you see what I mean? I keep hearing that . . ." She whined. She sat beside Sima Yi on his bed, cowering behind him. He stared blankly at the window for a moment, the got up slowly.
"I'm going to go see . . ." He said, walking towards the door.
"No! Please don't Sima Yi!" She protested, but hung back out of fear. Sima Yi glided outside, his white skin almost glowing in the moonlight. He black hair swung softly at his bare lower back where pair of black pants were held up by a rope belt. His torso bent left to one side of the tent, then he came back.
"There's nothing out there." He said in an odd, unforced, misty voice. He was beginning to seem a little fearful himself. He sat lightly back down on the bed next to Sun Shang Xiang.
"C-can I sleep here tonight?" She requested timidly.
"I have no problem with it." Sima Yi said a little nervously.
"Thank you!" She exhaled, showing her gratitude. They both lay down slowly and carefully and Zhang He smiled a little when he thought about how fast Sima Yi's heart was probably beating.
After a while it looked as if everything had calmed down once again. The night went back to the hazy lull and silence fell in the air. Then, once again that furious scarping noise made Zhang He's heart pound in his chest. He heard Sun Shang Xiang gasp and felt her forehead cold with sweat. Again and again it sounded, each time growing louder and more forceful. Zhang He pulled his Talons into his bed and carefully snapped them on. He extremely long hair hung around and stuck to his face. Every breath he took was each more painful as the next. Suddenly, all the noises stopped and a horrible deaf silence was left. Zhang He sat up, throwing the covers off and looked madly around. He was shaking uncontrollably; he knew what was coming next. He yelled at the top of his lungs but no sound came out. He could feel Her approaching, he knew She was coming. Sima Yi and Sun Shang Xiang were now not the only ones awake now. They, along with Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were staring at him, wide-eyed and afraid.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He screeched as he backed towards the wall, his heart hammering in his chest. His sworn brothers mouthed words at him as he moved, but he couldn't hear. He felt an icy cold feeling on his shoulder, and turned around slowly.
There She was. Floating in the air, a sublime and horrible apparition. Her hollow black eyes gaped at Zhang He and Her mouth formed into an unmistakable smile. She advanced toward him as he fell to the floor and crawled desperately away from her. She drew nearer and nearer, then put a blurred hand to his face. It was like the coldest ice in the world being set on fire. It made Zhang He's head feel like it was splitting in two.
"My love, you have returned to me . . ." She rasped in an echoic and eerie way. Zhang He shook his head drastically.
"Not me, I hate you!" Zhang He yelled, terrified. Her face dropped in to a miserable and sorrowful look.
"Only a bit of love, set me free . . ." She moaned in a cry that filled the earth with a powerful grief.
"I HATE YOU!" Zhang He reiterated in a frantic way, shutting his eyes and opening them again. The Lady shrieked and moaned like a banshee in utmost agony. Great tears of ruby-red blood flowed from Her pit-like eyes.
A horrible red aura sparked from behind Her and filled the room. A bolt of it struck Zhang He and visions of horror overflowed in his mind. A woman, tied to a gravestone with chains. Twenty-four dead birds were scattered on a wilting tree, bleeding into their forsaken nests. A skeleton of a misty village, he stood all alone. A moon was above him in the misty, dismal night and black clouds swept along its shiny, foreboding body. The woman was dead, Zhang He could tell by here chalk white face. The dark buildings stood threateningly around him, and he could tell there were no more people living here. Where was he? Why was he here? Did the Lady send him here? He dropped to his knees, looking around for a sign of hope or happiness. It's too late . . . said Her resonating voice in his head. To late for me, you left me before, but now you're back. Don't listen to her song, SET ME FREE, LOVE ME! Her voice screeched in his mind.
"Let me alone! I WANT TO GO BACK!" He screamed. He shut his eyes and covered his head with his hands. I want to go back, I want to go back he kept thinking over and over, trying to block out the terrible Lady's cries. Suddenly he felt someone shaking him back and forth. He cautiously opened his eyes and stared into the face of Zhou Yu. "Oh, God . . ." Zhang He breathed. He was finally away from Her.
"Are you all right?" Zhou Yu asked, shaken. Sima Yi was holding a scared looking Sun Shang Xiang next to Sun Ce who was hanging back carefully in the background.
"Oh, God . . ." Zhang He repeated, letting his head fall onto Zhou Yu's shoulder. He was still shaking frenziedly and his whole body felt numb. There was nothing that scared him in the entire world except the Lady in Black. When She was around he felt like a helpless little child stuck in a world of horror. He drew a shuddering breath and felt the after-effects of his enormous shot of adrenaline.
"What happened to you?" Zhou Yu asked, still holding on to his shoulders.
"I-it was h-horrible . . ." Zhang He stammered. "She came back, but She thought I was her love, I h-hate her, I hate h-her. . ." Zhang He, letting his entire body fall helplessly to the floor.
"Who?" Sun Ce said, regaining his curiosity.
"The Lady in Black." Zhang He gasped. He then explained to them vaguely all that had happened from the very first time he saw Her.
"But she didn't show you a death, she came to you wanting your love?" Zhou Yu confirmed.
"Something like that." Zhang He said regaining his stability.
"I don't know that much about the Lady, but I do know that She was alive once." Zhou Yu informed them.
"What? She was human?" Zhang He asked, astounded. His hands were still shaking and he felt worse than dead, but this was something he needed to know.
"No, something like it, more like a God than a human." Zhou Yu said. "I think you should get some sleep, now. I've been up all night, too." He said, smiling a bit.
"W-wait, why -"
"Bedtime, Zhang He." Zhou Yu said forcefully as he pushed him into bed. Sun Ce turned and finally noticed Sun Shang Xiang.
"Whoa, sis, where'd you come from?" He asked, sounding very surprised.
"I've been here for a while." Sun Shang Xiang told him quietly. Sima Yi hastily let her go when he noticed that all eyes were on him and Sun Shang Xiang.
"Y-you were sleeping in his bed?" Sun Ce exclaimed. Sima Yi turned beet red and looked to the side, avoiding everyone's gaze.
"Yeah, so? Diao Chan sleeps with him all the time!" Sun Shang Xiang yelled defensively. "I just got scared, I needed to be with someone." She admitted. Suddenly, the other three girls burst through the door.
"What happened?" Asked Diao Chan.
"We heard screams!" Informed Da Qiao.
"We couldn't find Sun Shang Xiang, are you okay Zhou Yu?" Sped Xiao Qiao.
"Calm down, everyone!" Boomed Zhou Yu in a hardly used yell. "Everything is fine, Sun Shang Xiang is right here, Zhang He was screaming, but he's alright now, ask him what happened, and I'm fine, thanks." He explained. Zhang He had to explain once again about his misadventure with the Lady in Black. By the time the story was over, Diao Chan was clutching his arm.
"Oh, Zhang He, that must've been awful." She said as she moved closer. "You ought to get some sleep, I could stay with you if you like." Zhang He smiled.
"Sleep sounds great. . ." He sighed as he moved back to his bed. Sima Yi and Sun Shang Xiang also went back to their bed. Diao Chan moved in right beside Zhang He, making him calm down considerably.
"If they're staying, can I stay, Zhou Yu?" Xiao Qiao asked happily. Zhou Yu smiled a blushed a bit.
"If you want." He said shortly, trying not to show his glee.
"Yay!" She cheered as she dove into his bed. Sun Ce looked around at everyone.
"Hey, Da Qiao . . ." Sun Ce said thoughtfully. "Looks like you've had a rough night, maybe you oughta stay right here with me . . ." She considered him for a moment, (most likely remembering how he was a notorious Peeping Tom) But then she smiled and nodded.
When everyone was finally in their beds and things had calmed down Zhang He finally relaxed. He held Diao Chan very close, glad that she was right beside him. Oh, how he hated the Lady in Black. He wondered why in the world She thought he was Her love. He shuddered at the fact of anyone being her love. He was extremely happy that his only love was lying right beside him at the moment. He took a deep, comfortable sigh and gave into his fatigue. Consider how they all wanted to reach their 'dream'; tonight was a very good night indeed.