Disclaimer: I only own DW in my dreams, but here I do not sadly. I also do not own Sun Mei. I got special permission from the author to use her.
Searching
Ning was in his chambers, packing up his supplies. He was full of energy, knowing he was going out to sea. He hadn't gone sailing for almost a year. He needed to feel like his old self. He grinned at the thought that he'd be allowed to drink wine since Sing would be in Da's care. He felt sad though that he would have to leave his daughter behind. The longest he'd been away from Sing was a few hours. He shook his head. She'd be fine with Da.
Ning handed his bag to a servant. He left his chambers, and headed to the Qiao's quarters. He saw Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. Ning approached them and arched a brow when he saw that Sun Ce was holding a doll.
"Are you two planning to play dolls?" he asked.
"No. Where looking for Mei, Da, and Xiao. Have you seen them?" Sun Ce growled.
"I was going to ask you that. I wanted to have a short farewell," he answered.
"Since when are you touchy about farewells?" Zhou Yu asked.
"Since Da has Sing with her," he snapped.
"Well they're not here. It's odd though. They said they'd be here. Maybe they changed their minds." Sun Ce shrugged as he threw the doll behind him.
The three decided to go search for them. They checked the kitchen, the library, the dining hall, the living rooms, and all the other places in the palace. After searching and asking people where the women were, the men started to panic. Sun Ce ordered a search party. If the soldiers did not return with any news or the girls, he threatened to kill them.
Zhou Yu paced about the palace. Where could they have gone? Were they all right? Would he see Xiao ever again? Zhou Yu felt his heart began to ache at the thought of never finding his wife. He would find her! Otherwise he'd join Ce in slaughtering everyone. Zhou Yu saw Gan Ning standing in the garden. He found that strangely odd. Xing Ba only went to the garden to let Sing observe and have some fresh air. Maybe he had found them! He rushed over but only saw Ning bent down. Gan Ning looked up at him. His face was extremely pale. He pointed down at the grass. It was stained with dry blood.
"This was from some hours ago. Looks like the blood was coughed up. Someone took them. Who and why, I don't know." Ning informed him.
"I must find a trail, and follow them." Ning swallowed hard.
"Sun Ce and I will come with you."
Ning nodded in agreement. They found Sun Ce back in the Qiao quarters. He was gritting his teeth as he clenched the doll again. Zhou Yu bowed to his brother and told him what they found. Sun Ce didn't answer, but rushed to the stables.
They mounted the horses and rode to the garden wall. Ning found hoof prints that led to the city. The trail went around the city. It was evident that the kidnappers didn't want to be seen. From time to time there was dried blood on the trail.
They followed the trail for hours. They began to loose hope as the sun began to set. Ning halted at a small village. He dismounted his horse. He bent down, and looked desperately for the trail.
"Ning if you don't find it then I swear I'll-"
Gan Ning put his hand over Sun Ce's mouth and made the shush sign. Sun Ce glared at him and was about to clobber Ning when he heard a cry. It was a baby's cry, followed by women screaming, and a man yelling.
Zhou Yu tied the horses to a fence. He motioned them to crouch and follow. They moved quickly in the shadows. Even Ning's bells where quiet. The cries led them to a small house that was separated from the other village houses.
Sweat dripped down their faces as they peered through a window. What they saw made their hearts jump into their throats. It took all of their strengths to keep still and watch.
Review response
stackles - Thanks. I love writing cliffies. Makes my friend Sun Mei go insane. hehe.
xiahou. Yes you are right. she should be VERY ashamed of herself. Yet she's to stubborn to admit it.
firesaddle- Yes Lady Sun will appear again in the story. Yet that is far far far far away, and I only think she'll be in some...4 or 5 chapters.
Da HecKlaR - Thank you for your review. I'm trying to update as fast as I can.
EverKitsune - lol. Hmmm I wonder who he is myself. lol just kidding. You'll find out in the next chapter. muhahaha!
Zack M. Strith- Is that a good hm or a bad hm? O.o
