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. 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.

Hi, thanks for waiting so patiently. I'm happy to say, my exams are over… for the summer anyway. Maybe I'll be able to finish the story. Here's chapter eight. I hope it was worth the wait. Enjoy :)

Chapter Eight: Troubles of the Heart

Today Sun Shang Xiang was to be married. It was to be a joyous and momentous occasion. This would mark the beginning of her new life… but then why did she feel so lousy?

"Su Ling, why am I doing this?" She was tense.

"You don't have to go through with it, you know," Su Ling paused. "It's not too late to change your mind."

"Change my mind…?" Shang Xiang considered this for a moment. "This is my special day, Su Ling," she said unflinchingly. "Everyone dreams of their special day," she spoke slowly now "with the person they love."

That was just it. She wasn't sharing her wedding day with the person she truly loved. Shang Xiang was quiet now. She seemed distant. She was trying to convince herself that she was marrying Liu Bei because she loved him. The signs were all there.

"Do you love Liu Bei, then?" Su Ling asked her boldly.

"How ridiculous," she exclaimed, "What sort of question is that to ask me on my wedding day?"

"One that you should answer," Su Ling raised her voice. Shang Xiang was taken aback. "Not for me, but for yourself," she sighed. "If this is what you really want, I wish you all the luck in the world."

Su Ling paused to see if Sun Shang Xiang would respond, but she said nothing. She breathed deeply and then sat down on her bed, her eyes lowered.

Su Ling continued, her tone was gentler now "If not, then do something about it. You shouldn't do anything that you might regret. Love is hard to find. Some never find it… but when you do, you'd be crazy to let it go."

"You make it sound so easy, Su Ling," Shang Xiang looked up. "If it's that easy, then tell me what you're supposed to do when the other person doesn't feel the same way." A tear ran down her cheek.

"He does love you, Shang Xiang?"

"Then why didn't he try to change my mind?" Further tears streamed down her face. "Why is he letting me marry Liu Bei?"

"He tried to meet you… yesterday."

"Yesterday... what do you mean?"

"In the gardens," she replied.

"You mean, Zhou Yu… he was waiting for me in the gardens?"

"Yes."

"Then, there was no flower," she paused, "was there?"

Su Ling shook her head.

"Brother… he came. He told me that there was something out there… it was Zhou Yu?"

"Yes. He pleaded with me to let him see you. You told me that you didn't want to see him in any circumstance. You were hurt and angry. I didn't want to go against your wishes."

"It's okay, Su Ling, it's not your fault. I understand, but please tell me… then what happened?"

"We arranged a time and a place for you to meet him 'accidentally, so you could talk alone."

They were quiet now. Shang Xiang gently pressed her fingers against her forehead. Closing her eyes she tried to take everything in.

Meanwhile Su Ling watched the princess she served, her dear friend. She felt helpless. She couldn't help her as her servant or her friend. She thought about what would happen if Shang Xiang gave up all hope, if she married Liu Bei. She would leave Wu. Would she still see her?

Just then Sun Shang Xiang stood up and faced Su Ling. "Thank you, Su Ling," she held her hands in hers. "Thank you for everything you've ever done for me."

Su Ling looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"You've always been like a sister to me. I'm really going to…" she hesitated."

"Going to what?" Tears were evident in both their eyes now.

"I'm really going to… miss you, Su Ling."

Their hands parted and they embraced each other tightly.

"How's the bride?" said a voice. Sun Shang Xiang and Su Ling brought their embrace to an end and looked towards the door where Sun Quan now stood. Su Ling felt uncomfortable and made an excuse to leave the siblings alone.

"You truly are a vision," he told her. Shang Xiang didn't respond. "It's natural to feel nervous. It is a big day for you," he smiled, "and for Wu. I have to say, I didn't think that you would accept the proposal that quickly."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, you were the one who inherited the stubborn streak."

"Maybe I think he will make me happy. You said so yourself." She quoted him "Liu Bei is an honourable man."

"Yes," Sun Quan said in a tone almost like he was trying to convince himself, "I would not have allowed the marriage to take place otherwise." He sighed heavily "Shang Xiang?"

"Yes, brother…?" she said this with a puzzled look on her face, "What is it?"

"There was something I –" he moved closer to her. "May our ancestors, bless you with happy times." Then gently Sun Quan held her head and kissed her forehead. Then he left the room.

Shang Xiang wasn't sure why, but something troubled her about the visit by her brother. He had seemed uneasy. She was convinced that he had wanted to tell her something more than just giving her a blessing.

Just then, lost in her thoughts, Sun Shang Xiang was caught off guard as a pair of hands covered her eyes. She remained calm, certain that whoever it was wouldn't be a threat since their touch was gentle. Besides, Shang Xiang could not be scared that easily.

"Tell me, who are you?" Her tone was firm.

"You haven't changed one bit," he said with a laugh.

"Brother…?"

He removed his hands from her eyes. Immediately Shang Xiang turned to face her visitor.

"Sun Ce…?" She couldn't believe her eyes. "Is it really you?" She hugged her brother tightly. Tears of joy were evident on her face.

"Of course it's me," he replied. Sun Ce wiped her tears.

"I thought you were dead." The tears continued. "We all did," she spoke quietly. Then all of a sudden she felt anger towards him. "Why didn't you let us know that you were all right?"

"Things were really complicated, Xiang," he sighed. "I'm sorry." He was about to place his hand on her shoulder to comfort her, but she backed away.

"I needed you."

"Didn't Sun Quan help?"

"You cannot replace a loved one," she cried out. Then she paused briefly, thinking about what she had just said. It wasn't that she didn't love Sun Quan, it was just that… "Brother Sun Quan doesn't have time… the affairs of the kingdom are what he holds closest to his heart."

Sun Ce watched his sister as she sat down. She was hurting because of him. First their mother passed away, then their father. Then he, Sun Ce, also disappeared from her life. She had felt alone. It was true that ruling a kingdom didn't leave much time for your loved ones, but Sun Ce could not help but feel a little disappointed in Sun Quan. Sun Ce had been unhappy with himself. He had felt helpless hiding away like that, and he regretted not being able to be there for his sister, but it couldn't be helped. Sun Quan, however, could have tried to make time for Shang Xiang. She was their little sister, after all.

Sun Ce chose not to discuss the rumours surrounding his supposed death. Seeing Sun Ce alive was already a great shock for Sun Shang Xiang. He thought it would bring back too many painful memories. For that reason he decided that it would be better left for another day.

He walked over to her slowly and sat down beside her.

"I meant it Shang Xiang, I really am sorry. If it means anything, I missed you too. There was a time when I thought I'd never see you again. Maybe it would've been better if I hadn't come back. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you. If you hate me I'll –"

Without warning she threw her arms around his neck.

"I never hated you," she spoke softly.

"See, I knew you'd come round," he smiled. They parted and Shang Xiang saw that Sun Ce's eyes were also wet from tears he was trying to hold back.

Sun Ce composed himself then noticed a jade necklace around his sister's neck. "Mother's jade? What's the occasion?" he asked.

"I," she began, "I'm getting married."

"Well, that's wonderful," said Sun Ce, wrapping his arm around her shoulder affectionately. "And father's jade?"

"Where it is meant to be."

"Good," he smiled. "Wait a minute. Who are you marrying? He'd better be good enough."

"Liu Bei," she told him.

"Liu Bei of Shu?"

"Yes. Brother Sun Quan arranged it and I accepted."

"An alliance between Wu and Shu, eh…? I never thought Sun Quan would settle that easily. Well, he is in charge. All that really matters is that you're happy."

Sun Shang Xiang sighed heavily, "Yes brother."

"Pardon me for saying, but you don't exactly look thrilled."

"Apart from you, what's there to be thrilled about? I'll be leaving everyone behind… all my friends, family… you."

"I'll still see you."

Shang Xiang didn't respond.

"There's something else, isn't there?"

"It's just…"

"Go on."

"There was someone, but… Oh, it doesn't matter now. Have you spoken to brother yet?"

"Shang Xiang, don't change the subject. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you… but I'm here now. Let me help you," his face was full of concern.

"I've given my word, brother. I can't go back on it now," she said determinedly.

"If that's what you want."

"Yes… please. Now can we forget this?"

Sun Ce nodded. At that moment Su Ling entered the room.

"Shang Xiang, I brought the… Lord Sun Ce?"

"Su Ling," he stood up to greet her.

"It's nice to see you looking so well, my Lord."

"Don't be so formal, Su Ling. It's fine. I hope sis' hasn't been giving you a hard time."

Su Ling shook her head and smiled.

"The flower for your hair," she told Shang Xiang, holding out the tray.

"May I?" enquired Sun Ce.

Sun Shang Xiang nodded. Then Sun Ce picked up the flower and gently pinned it in his sister's hair.

"You look perfect. Doesn't she Su Ling?"

"Yes, she does," Su Ling agreed.

"Will you be coming to the wedding ceremony?" Shang Xiang asked her brother.

"I'm not sure about that yet. I would really love to, but since I've been away for so long, my miraculous appearance may be too much for everyone."

"I'm certain that brother and Zhou Yu…" She didn't finish. She had been trying so hard to forget about her feelings for him.

"Yeah, how's Zhou Yu doing?" Sun Ce quizzed her.

"He's all right. I suppose. I don't really know. You'll have to ask him yourself." Then without delay she changed the focus of the conversation "Brother Sun Quan may be shocked at first, but I know he'll be pleased to see you... everyone will."

"Maybe you're right. I'll leave you to it, then. I'm sure you've both got a lot of things to sort out." He gave Su Ling a smile. Then he hugged Shang Xiang. "I'll catch up with you later, all right? I promise."

Someone was knocking on the doorframe. Without even bothering to see who was there, Zhou Yu's response was "If it can wait, please don't bother me. I'm busy."

"Is that how you treat your friends?"

'That voice?' Zhou Yu thought to himself.Then quickly he turned to look towards the doorway.

"You don't look all that busy to me," his visitor added upon entering the room.

"Sun Ce…?" Zhou Yu stood in disbelief.

"Long time no see."

They shook hands, ecstatic over their reunion. Just then Sun Ce noticed a piece of jade tied to Zhou Yu's wrist. The friends embraced.

"What happened? I thought –"

"That can wait. I'll explain later. Tell me. What's been happing in Wu? Is there someone special in your life?" Sun Ce asked, making it obvious that he was referring to the jade tied to Zhou Yu's wrist."

"For a time but… it doesn't matter now." He covered the jade with his sleeve.

"What about you?"

Sun Ce shook his head. "That was the least of my worries," he paused briefly. "I hear Shang Xiang's getting married."

"Yes, to Liu Bei, for an alliance between Wu and Shu."

"Just for the alliance…?"

"What do you mean?"

"I was hoping that she would marry someone she loves."

Zhou Yu was silent.

"Then again," Sun Ce continued, "I guess she has her reasons. Shang Xiang's not the type who just goes along with things."

"Yeah," Zhou Yu said quietly.

"What's this Liu Bei like, anyway?"

"I have never really met him," he began, resolving that seeing Liu Bei on the battlefield that time they went to rescue Sun Shang Xiang was insufficient to make a clear judgement, "but his reputation precedes him. He'll look after her."

"What do you think about it all?"

"I am happy for her."

"Really?" he laughed mockingly. "Well she's not."

"She isn't?"

"She said there was someone else."

"Did she tell you who?" Zhou Yu asked him.

"She said it was you," Sun Ce told him.

"She did…?" Zhou Yu couldn't hide his surprise.

"Actually no, she wouldn't tell me, but I know the truth now. You love Shang Xiang don't you?"

"Yes… very deeply," he admitted.

"She gave you that jade, because she feels the same way?"

Zhou Yu told Sun Ce what had happened between them and explained what Sun Quan had planned, the reason why he had told Sun Shang Xiang that they couldn't be together.

"I want my sister to be happy, Zhou Yu. If she'll be happy with you, then you should be marrying her. You have always been there for me. You are still my best friend and I know I can trust you to do the right thing by her."

"It's too late Sun Ce."

"Zhou Yu, if there's one thing I've learnt in life it's that… it is never too late."

"What about Sun Quan?"

"I'll deal with him."

Did you like it? That was a surprise, wasn't it? I thought Sun Ce was dead, too :)

Thanks for reading.

Until next time,

Lady Leonhart 27/05/04