Hi there! Someday I'm gonna give you a clue to the ending but unfortunately (or not) for you I'm not telling you…yet. Oh yes, before I answer reviews, I would like to ask you all a question may be stupid, who knows. I was wondering what you all think of Lady Aven Yu, I guess I mean is she likeable enough. What do you think of her as? Okay, now you can't laugh but anyways you don't have to answer it, but it's just a thought.

Ardoris: Whatever.

Shadowwolf5889: Thanks again, and I know how that is, oh well. Tired. Oh yeah and I signed the guest book on your site hehehehehehehe

Guan (twice): Thanks, about the poem/reviews etc. I TRIED to show nice side this chapet but I may have just failed miserably there should be more though.

Mrs.SleepingDragon(twice): Yes, he is. If you are referring to MASTERING THE ART OF WAR then yes, I do, it's nice to see someone else who loves Zhuge as much as myself. Do you not have a account cause if you don't you need one. Looking forward to story. I'll keep going if you all keep reviewing!

Sonicwind: Yes, I like that part too, thanks I'm honored and I just love my reviewers (hugs reviewers) thanks!

Oh and hermitness is a word now because I said.

Chapter8-Fire in the Distance

Everything around me was burning, I began to fear for life, and fear that I wouldn't see Master Liang again…

Wait, let me back up a bit, we struck the forces of Cao Cao as planned at Chi Bi. I was stationed with Zhuge Liang, guarding the altar, but I didn't think the enemy knew about it. I was still thinking about the other night, I had never seen The Great Sleeping Dragon shed a single tear in my life at least in the 6 months I had known him. I was sad and yet honored by what he revealed to me, his trusting me enough to do so. It became evident just how much he loved his wife, but it pained me to know that he may always feel this way, may never extend his love towards me, be it now or later. My mind never left him now; our friendship continued to grow. Anyways, we all waited in expectation, worried about the outcome of the battle. We were outnumbered. That's an understatement. The only person that didn't seem nervous was Zhuge Liang, but then again that's just the way he was. I was a bit apprehensive about Pang Tong being able to finish his task. Something about him annoyed me. It might have been because he put himself on equal grounds with Master Liang even though in my opinion he was far lower. But it is after all, only my opinion. Or it was that his short hermitness and hidden face made me agitated.

Zhuge Liang turned to me as I was thinking,

"It is yet awhile before the proper time. I had a question for you, if I may be nosy. Hopefully, you shall not begrudge me an answer."

"And it is?"

"When did you meet Master Sima Yi?"

"That pig? I met him, when I was 16, seven years ago. I knew him before he joined Cao. He was a traveler then. One day supposedly, he was beaten up by a couple of ruffians outside of the city. Lord Liu Bei found him and brought him to the camp. He recovered there and stayed awhile, we became fast friends. He was kind, respectable, a good man. I never liked him for more than a friend, but apparently he didn't feel the same way. He told me one night that he loved me, and I couldn't lie to him. I suppose it was that I crushed him. By the next morning he was gone. A month later I had been captured and brought to Wei. He was there. Hating Liu Bei, hating Shu. He still harbors feelings for me or else claims so. He's not all that evil, but I can't help but think it was my fault that he's on Wei now. In fact, I think his heart still has good in it, despite his devotion to Cao Cao."

"I disagree."

"Hmmm? That he's not all evil?"

"No, I don't believe it's your fault. You cannot help your feelings. Emotions are most unpredictable."

"Yes, I suppose they are." I turned and met his brown eyes. I had to break the serious moment with a smile."

"What was that look for?"

"What look?"

"Never mind."

"Yes, well." A young female messenger ran up before us and kneeled. Her hair was beautiful, and curly, cascading toward her shoulders. A small red band separated a bit of it from the rest.

"Please forgive me, was I interrupting something?"

"No, not at all, what is Mei Xing?"

"Pang Tong has succeeded." The master cut in it. Mei Xing looked at him astonished.

"Why yes! How did you know?"

"Because I know things. Aven Yu, it is time." I always loved the way he said my name. I loved his voice so calm and serene but it matters not, not any more…

"Yes, Master Liang." He moved in front of the small makeshift pillar and I followed him. He looked to the orange moon and smiled.

"We shall be victorious."

"How do you know?"

"Are you saying you don't trust that we will win? No, The orange moon proclaims a victory to us. Ah, there is no magic here. I know that the southeast wind shall blow on this day." The still air at Chi Bi picked up and blew Master Liang's hair and my own. Southeast.

"It worked!"

"Come we must go and meet Zhou Yu in preparation for the fire attack." My horse, Mei, had been sick and there were no extras. I was stuck walking or sharing. Zhuge Liang was kind enough to allow me. Not that I didn't want to… We reached the post in what seemed far too short a time.

"Are we amply prepared, Zhou Yu?"

"Huang Gai should reach his destination soon." The Sleeping Dragon dismounted first and helped me down. I saw Zhou Yu's wife there as well. I spoke with her as the men conversed of the plan.

"Greetings, Lady Xiao."

"Hiya! Is that your husband?"

"What? No."

"Oh, fiancée?"

"No."

"Oh, well, I was just wondering cause you've been staring at him this whole time. He's kinda cute, but my husbands much cuter." I didn't want to start a conflict, but I disagreed with her completely. Although he was said to be complimented on his good looks. Then, I saw a beautiful sight, red and orange flames engulfing Cao's ships and the sounds of the Allied forces' battle cries. His plan had worked.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

I hated her already, and was eternally grateful she wasn't saying. And I was glad Zhuge Liang didn't fall for her seductive ways.