Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Dynasty Warriors except my fanfic! Well done KOEI! Great game!  ^ _ ~

Author's note: This is my first Dynasty Warriors fanfic. Most of the focus will be on the interaction of certain characters rather than the battles…. Sorry. The focus is on Wu. Sun Quan is in charge, as Sun Jian and Sun Ce are dead. The pairing in my story is Sun Shang Xiang x Zhou Yu. Please don't flame me, especially if it is because you don't like the pairing. Any suggestions, friendly feedback welcome.

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed my story so far. I'm glad you liked it. Sorry to keep you waiting had some trouble with the computer. Well here's the next chapter. PLEASE NOTE: In this chapter there is one character that has been created by me. Her name is 'Su Ling'. She is one of Sun Shang Xiang's maids as well as her childhood friend. Enjoy!

Chapter Two: For Love or For Guilt

Now in her bedroom, Sun Shang Xiang stared up at the canopy above her bed. She tried to get some sleep, but things kept on going round in her mind. She tossed and turned trying to get comfortable until she sat up, screamed and slammed her fists beside her, on the bed. It was not a scream of fear, but a scream of frustration.

"My Lady, are you all right?" It was her maid Su Ling.

"I'm fine, Su Ling. Thank you," she said sharply.

Su Ling lowered her head and advanced towards the doorway.

"Su Ling, wait!" Shang Xiang called.

Su Ling attended to her lady.

"I'm sorry, Su Ling… I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"It's all right, my Lady, you shouldn't apologise. I understand."

Shang Xiang now twisted herself so that her legs dangled off the side of the bed. "No, Su Ling, I was wrong." Next she made a gesture for Su Ling to sit down beside her.

Sun Shang Xiang had known Su Ling since she was small. She was around the same age as her, maybe slightly younger. Su Ling was the daughter of Su Ying, who had been a maid to Lady Wu, Sun Shang Xiang's mother. Therefore, Su Ling was the closest person Shang Xiang had to a sister. As children, they used to play together and together they would be scolded for dirtying their dresses. They did not like to play with dolls. Instead they wrestled each other and played games like hide and seek. Su Ling's father was a soldier, so sometimes they would sneak out beyond the palace walls, in the wilderness, with weapons, pretending that they could save China, single-handedly, from the enemy. However, that didn't last very long. One day they were found out. As a punishment, Shang Xiang wasn't allowed to play with her dear friend Su Ling. The head of security stated that it wasn't safe, whilst another man told them that princesses didn't play with servants. Su Ling had burst into tears because of this. Sun Shang Xiang told her mother, how unfair it was and how cruel the man had been. Her mother, who was also close to Su Ling's mother, confronted her husband Sun Jian about the matter. The cruel man was banished for his selfishness and pomposity, as it was also discovered that he had been mistreating his own servants. So eventually, they were allowed to play together again. Yet, as they grew up, they saw each other less than they used too. Shang Xiang had to have a royal education, so she was often busy. She used to question why Su Ling couldn't join in, but as they both grew up, they learnt of the division that would always be between them; but his didn't stop Sun Shang Xiang teaching Su Ling everything she learnt in her classes each day. Even Su Ling was busy. Working in the palace consisted of many duties. So as Su Ling grew up, much more was expected from her. One day, Su Ling told Shang Xiang that she was going to be transferred to another part of the palace, because her services had been requested. Su Ling wasn't very happy about the transfer, but, hiding her uneasiness, said that it was an honour working anywhere in the Wu kingdom. Shang Xiang was furious. Su Ling was her maid, but more importantly, her friend. Therefore, Sun Shang Xiang had words, glared at a few people and demanded that Su Ling stay with her; and she had succeeded. From then on, they had made a pact to be there for each other, no matter what.

Su Ling sat down beside Sun Shang Xiang. They both remained silent for a few minutes. Su Ling could see that something was wrong because Shang Xiang was tapping her fingers on the bed, so taking a tactful approach she said: "My Lady is something troubling you?"

"Su Ling, it is okay… you don't have to call me 'my Lady" here. It's fine." She sighed. "I don't want you to think that I ordered you to sit with me either," She looked at Su Ling. "You are welcome to leave, but I hope you will not. I don't need maids, I need my friend." Sun Shang Xiang gave a little smile.

Su Ling smiled back.

"Su Ling…?" She said in an inquisitive tone. "Have you ever been in…" she hesitated, "in love?"

"Oh, is that all that's troubling you?" Su Ling laughed.

"It's not funny," she said gently, her cheeks going red. "Do you know what it's supposed to feel like?"

"Who's the lucky guy?" Su Ling said, trying to tease her.

"There's no one…," she replied.

"Oh… but there will be," Su Ling was still laughing.

"No… I don't think he likes me very much."

"Why do you say that?" Su Ling now asked with a serious expression on her face, seeing her friend's expression of guilt.

"I think I upset him… I was a bit insensitive," she said this slowly. "Oh… it was only a small thing, he'll get over it."

Just then Su Ling asked Shang Xiang the very question that was going through her head "Then why are you feeling that?"

"Like what?" She was in denial.

"You know exactly what?"

"I don't know what you mean," she said cautiously.

"If it doesn't matter, why would you be pondering over things that have already happened?"

"I… I'm not," she said quickly, refusing to believe what in heart she knew to be true.

Su Ling sat in silence, looking at Sun Shang Xiang's face, giving her the 'I don't believe you' look.

Sun Shang Xiang looked at Su Ling. "Come on, Su Ling. Say something."

Su Ling remained still like a statue, closing her out. She used to do this, when they were children. If Shang Xiang tried to deny her true feelings in the past, Su Ling would just sit still in silence, with a smile on her face, waiting for her break. Eventually, she would break. Su Ling knew how much it irritated her friend, who was used to getting what she wanted. This, again, arose from her strong will and stubbornness; as well as her wish to prove that women should be treated equal to men. She was a princess after all.

Sun Shang Xiang glanced at her friend. She hadn't moved an inch.

"Okay! Okay… I admit it."

"I was wondering how long it'd take to make you confess," Su Ling smiled. "You really must be weak at the knees, giving in that quick."

Shang Xiang lowered her head and blushed.

"I don't know why I'm feeling like this, Su Ling," she said suddenly. "I do feel weak… and warriors shouldn't feel like that."

"To love is not a weakness," Su Ling told her. "Love is strength as well. If you have someone you care about, you have something to fight for." She paused. "You love your, brother, don't you?"

"Yes, of course I do," Shang Xiang replied.

"It's exactly the same kind of thing," said Su Ling.

"What do you mean?" She asked looking puzzled.

"You would do almost anything for your brother wouldn't you?"

"Yes…?" She said this with uncertainty as to where this was leading.

"Well, that's because you love him," Su Ling sighed. "It is true that love can also bring despair, but like they say 'it is better to have loved than not at all.' Without any kind of love in the world at all, there would be emptiness." She stopped to take a breath. "Many of the decisions that we make in life after all, due to love. The wars our people fight are down to their wishes to keep their loved ones safe. How we treat each other depends on how much we care about one another. Of course, we shouldn't be mistreating anyone just because we don't love them but that's life – we are but only human."

Mistreat him…? Is that what she did…? So, if she had treated him wrongly, surely that meant she didn't love him? Then… why was she feeling so guilty?

Su Ling waved her hands in front of Sun Shang Xiang's face to get her attention. She had continued chattering on and had only just noticed that the princess had drifted off into deep thought. "Are you okay?" She asked her.

"Yes …" she replied. "I'm really sorry. I was listening."

"Don't worry… what were you thinking?"

"Do you think I mistreat people?"

"Of course I don't."

Su Ling looked at Sun Shang Xiang's expression that was now on her face. She had never seen her like this before. Whoever she was thinking of had really made an impact on her.

They sat in silence until: "Come on… tell me who he is. It's obviously bothering you."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ *~

'Face up to the situation'. That had been Su Ling's advice. That didn't seem too hard. Situations always had to be faced, whether pleasant or not. At this moment in time, Sun Shang Xiang wasn't sure which one it was.

It was after midnight now. Everything was so much quieter. It also made her feel like she was being watched. She felt like she was sneaking around. Why? She wasn't sure of that either. This was her home and she was someone important so surely she could go where she pleased. Even to Zhou Yu's chamber in the middle of the night. She stopped in a corridor to think about this. Even she would be suspicious of herself if she went to his quarters at this time of night. Therefore, she decided that it was most appropriate for her to continue not to be seen.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ *~

Finally, she reached his quarters. Looking in, she noticed how clean it was. That was a good sign. From what she could see, there was nothing out of place. It was almost as if he hadn't been living there. She stood at the entrance to his quarters, thinking. What should she do? He might be asleep and she'd disturb him? Should she call his name to make sure he was dressed for visitors?

Just then, Shang Xiang heard voices coming from around the corner of the corridor. Their footsteps could also be heard. They were coming closer. It was late, people would be suspicious. She was a long way away from her own room. Without another thought, she stepped into Zhou Yu's quarters. Quickly she drew the velvet curtains behind her and hid against the wall, beside the entrance. She heard the guards pass the doorway, and then took a deep calming breath. Anxiously, she looked around the room but found that she was the only one in the room.  She'd made it. She stood for a moment, surveying the room. Now was the more awkward part. What was she going to say to him? Thinking about this, she decided to find him first. 'Well…' she thought to herself. "If he wasn't in the first room, maybe he was in the bedroom." She started towards his bedroom and then stopped. What if he was in the bedroom? Should she wake him? Or would it be impolite? She considered forgetting the whole thing, but then she became curious. Was he in there or not? Consequently, Sun Shang Xiang chose to see if Zhou Yu was even there. At least, if she checked she could tell Su Ling that he was present but fast asleep, so she thought it best not to disturb him. They were after all facing battle the next morning. If he wasn't there, then Su Ling couldn't blame her for not trying either. She approached the doorway, hoping that he was absent. Without another thought, she slowly walked into the room. The lights were out. The only source of illumination was coming from the balcony, which was lit by the moon.

Shang Xiang gave a sigh of relief. Zhou Yu wasn't there. She moved closer to the four-poster bed. Since she was there, maybe she'd just sit down for a moment. The day had been a long one and she was feeling exhausted. It wouldn't hurt anyone. She turned her back to the bed and then smoothed her hand over the spread as if making sure it was clean or stable. She was just about to sit down when:

"You're welcome to sit down, Princess."

Sun Shang Xiang froze.

"Zhou Yu! It's you."

Don't worry, there'll be more. I hope you liked it, though. Please review. ^ _ ~

Thanks for reading.

~Lady Leonhart~