Note: Yep, celebrate, Chapter 2 is finally done! Here is the list of styled name that was being used in this chapter.

Jiang Wei = Boyue

Lu Xun = Boyan

Zhuge Liang = Kongming

Chapter 2

As the night passed away, Zhuge Liang was not able to find sleep through the rest at the horrified night. Within his restless sleep, Zhuge Liang stirred and moved within his beddings. A few times, Jiang Wei calmed his mentor's unusual movements in his sleep, only for it to rise again when younger man's presence was no longer there. Zhuge Liang weakly opened his eyes, greeted by a grey atmosphere, hinted that daylight was soon to come and the night was soon to pass. A nightmare, it just kept replaying in his mind, The Sleeping Dragon was indeed relief to know that he was finally awake and away from the living hellhole.

His usual green robe was soaked with sweat, as his eyebrows were drenched as his robe and beddings are. Hastily, Zhuge Liang wiped the sweat from his forehead and stopped as his fingers covered his eyes, wistfully trying to remember the nightmare that haunted him through the night. It seems so vague now; his horror seems to refuse to recall the memory, as it was only weak hints of what have happened that was being remembered. Ignoring his recent nightmare, The Prime Minister of Shu rose from his bed and take hold of his daoist robe in procedure as he exited the tent, in the early morning before the true light was being seen.

The first thing that greeted his eyes was the crack of dawn, a thing that he hasn't seen ever since he swore loyalty toward Shu. The graceful scene only brought a true smile to the strategist's lip, washing away the nightmare, yet the remnant was still there. Zhuge Liang watched in silent awe as he watched the sun rise from the land, bringing light to the entire China. If only his duty was as simple as this, Zhuge Liang thought quietly, but was human life ever simple?

The Prime Minister's thoughts were being disconnected as he heard a branch snapped upon the weight of a human's foot. Regretfully, Zhuge Liang broke his gaze away from the tremendous sight and set his glance at his back only to meet a slightly shocked Jiang Wei, his eyes gleaming in reflection of the approaching daylight. Blankly, Jiang Wei just gaze at the branch that was unseen by his sight, as if trying to sneak upon his Prime Minister. The apprentice only smiled timidly in response of his mentor's glance, but it only was washed away. Seeing the disappointment in his mentor's eyes, Jiang Wei spoke up weakly, almost as if he was sorry for what he has done, "I apologies to snatch your eyes away from such magnificent sight, Prime Minister…"

Zhuge Liang immediately smiled reassuringly at his pupil's reaction, quietly hoping that he didn't hurt him, "Please, you do not have to be sorry about your action. It is just that I have never seen such scene ever since my entrance at Shu…" With that, Zhuge Liang faced at the plains, as he felt the warmness that was being radiated from the sun, which now has rise in to its former glory in daylight, knowing that he missed the rest of the scene, the older strategist faced his pupil, "How long have it been since you saw a sunrise, Boyue?"

Jiang Wei felt a sensation of blush as he realized that his mentor has just called him by his style name, hesitantly, Jiang Wei gave a thoughtful look about it as he walked up to his counselor, naturally. "It has been a week…" Jiang Wei replied considerately as he gave a rather short glance at Zhuge Liang's dark eyes. The younger man was still curious about his mentor's restless sleep at night and Zhuge Liang sensed his apprentice's curiosity; yet do not yield in to acknowledging it. Jiang Wei immediately felt uneasy when his mentor didn't say a word at his noticeable curiosity "Has it been this long? I mean, since you saw a sunrise, Prime Minister?"

The older strategist only nodded and a heavy sigh escaped his lips, "It has been too long…" Zhuge Liang's voice droned in to nothingness as he remembered his younger days, though Zhuge Liang was not exactly old at the age of twenty-two, a lot of things has happened. Ever since he has devoted his life to Shu, Kongming's life has gone through a dramatic change, one that seems to manage to seek enjoyment through the stress and mockery he have done, yet he fears to fully take possession of the joy in his stressful daily life. One cannot fully enjoy himself when the land is in chaos, thus he will fall, Zhuge Liang thought solemnly.

Zhuge Liang observed Jiang Wei's features, as his pupil stared out in to the fields. He still remember one of those many walks in the hallway, as Jiang Wei would speak his thoughts and never stops his babbling about the recent strategy as the older strategist would listen to him in silence as he observed the surrounding of the hall. Jiang Wei never acknowledge the whispering that occurs around maids about his wondrous male look as they stride past the hall, Zhuge Liang thought quietly as he stroke his goatee, either Jiang Wei didn't notice it or he didn't wish to concede such senseless whispering.

"Prime Minister…?" Jiang Wei spoke up timidly, which immediately jerked Zhuge Liang slightly from his thoughts, "Did you have a nightmare last night?" Zhuge Liang immediately sighed mentally in relief, as he realized that his apprentice didn't catch him staring or having the unique thoughtful glint in his eyes.

Words just didn't come in to Zhuge Liang's always thoughtful mind, again, he nodded. Smoothly, Zhuge Liang changed the subject in to a more serious one at hand without a single hint of hesitation, "Jiang Wei, would you mind to prepare ten men to escort me in my search?" Jiang Wei immediately gave a look that holds a questioning impression, suiting his restless teenage years.

"Why ten… I thought you were going to bring a hundred men?" Jiang Wei asked confusingly. Zhuge Liang only let out a heartily chuckle at his pupil's comment, something he haven't done for quite a time, a genuine one, at the very least. Jiang Wei's confused expression was immediately washed away, but soon, his previous expression returned. His wondering eyes, tried to understand if he have said anything wrong that was well enough to be rewarded his Prime Minister's indisputable genuine laugh. It sounds extremely smooth to the younger strategist's ears. He, himself, never had heard his mentor's laugh, as he always witnessed the stressful tone in Zhuge Liang's voice. Jiang Wei felt like if he should comfort his mentor's tension, and felt guilt for not doing so. Ever since the Yellow Rebellion, Zhuge Liang's stress only ten folded as sleep was no longer in his daily life and he soon locked himself in to his own rooms, trying to bring a halt to the vile rebellion.

Finally, Zhuge Liang's voice bring an abrupt stop in Jiang Wei's train of thoughts, his voice was still filled with amusement, "Would I really be foolish enough to bring a hundred men in a search with me? It was merely a lie to convince Lord Liu Bei. It would have surely been a waste of men power," Zhuge Liang paused for a second to only smile to, likely, only himself, "Of course, our lord's wisdom probably already have figured it out early on."

Jiang Wei now was flushed with embarrassment, as he realized that he have only revealed his idiocy side to his mentor, bowing immediately, Jiang Wei thought this was the best to excuse himself from such discomfiture. "I understand, Prime Minister. I shall now follow your order, please excuse me." Jiang Wei replied meekly before striding away from his mentor, cursing silently for his stupidity and his curious thoughts, a wish to understand his instructor.

As Jiang Wei disappeared from Zhuge Liang's sight, the mentor only bows his head and sighed. Alone again, and the remains of the nightmare starts to nibble in the back of his thoughts, Zhuge Liang would have groaned in aggravation. He wants it to recede, resting his mind from this nightmare that disturbs him, yet so vague to be seen. Zhuge Liang closed his eyes, trying to remember that image… And it happened, that haunting image that disturbs him greatly. The Sleeping Dragon chewed his tongue lightly as he became extremely worried. He shall set out as soon as possible, if his dream means anything… Zhuge Liang swore quietly to himself, it best not be…

******

"Lu Xun, I have to make a comment that your archery skill is great." A familiar pirate simply spoken his words loudly as he sat calmly on a tree stump, leg crossed, and one on top of another. Gan Ning's red ruby eyes followed another arrow that his advisor has fired, sharply aimed at an unfortunate hare that happened to cross his path within such a clear spot out in the middle of the forest.

Lu Xun without a singular word simply dragged another stray arrow, holding its furry tips with in his index finger and his thumb. Skillfully, he rapidly fitted the arrow in to place and took aim at a rather random target, a tree. Without a sign of hesitation within the feral eyes of the Wu Prime Minister, Lu Xun released his grip on the arrow, slinging the singular arrow across the air, striking the tree in an almost center perspective at the trunk. Birds gathered away from the flickering leaves of the tree as the arrow's force shook the entire tree, crying its innocent song as it disappeared within the blue sky, traveling further in to a safer place.

"What was that for?" Gan Ning asked with a slight hint of amusement hanging within the depth of his voice. Lu Xun took no notice of his companion as he stared at the dead hare, his feral eyes was fueled with certain anger. Gan Ning, noticing the younger man's anger, immediately knew what was wrong, "Boyan, I know my comments are somewhat harsh the last couple of days, but you got to stop shooting at moving bushes."

Lu Xun only sighed for once, but yet no words followed the heavy sigh. Slowly, the upset strategist paced toward one of the other stumps, sitting on it. Lu Xun immediately adopted a fierce tone as if he was preparing for another argument with the former pirate, "Perhaps you will want to clarify what you mean by 'stop shooting at moving bushes'?"

"I am sure that you understand what you mean," Gan Ning growled against his companion's fierce tone, "Last time, you shot Zhao Yun because of the bushes were slightly shaken by the galloping from that damn white horse! I could even saw that you made a clear shot at his arm!"

Lu Xun only groaned in frustration as the exact same argument repeated itself again, especially that they shortly after had one, "Gan Ning, it is not Zhao Yun," Lu Xun stressed the 'not' as he tried to reach his exact point, "I have told you that Lord Zhuge Liang will not send any warriors out in such distance away from Cheng Du, especially when there is a rebellion to stop.

The pirate only rubbed behind his ears at the comment, "Yeah, perhaps you are right." Once again, the argument eased as Gan Ning left his comfortable seat and moved closer to Lu Xun, who was practically ignoring the pirate. "I am sorry, okay?" Gan Ning apologies as he placed a firm grip on the younger man's shoulder, Lu Xun's eyes was immediately jerked away from his cautiousness as the man he loved made a physical contact with him.

"Not now, Gan Ning." Lu Xun ordered, as Gan Ning kneeled closer to him, his feral eyes twitching slightly. Gan Ning's red pupil reflected disappointment as he rose from his position; Lu Xun only looked away from those disappointed ruby eyes.

"When then?" Gan Ning asked with a shade of disappointment, dazzling of the exact emotion that was shown clearly at his shimmering ruby eyes.

Lu Xun's lips quivered at the question, "Perhaps if you have a little patience, I might agree with it." As the words escaped the strategist's lips, Lu Xun's feral eyes locked on to Gan Ning's ruby eyes, which were starting to brighten by anticipation.

"Remember your words then." Gan Ning commented as he left his position, Lu Xun's eyes laid at firm shoulder blades that were hidden underneath the dark green vest that the former pirate is wearing. Just before a hare jumped in to Lu Xun's view, which was luckily spared by Lu Xun's deep thoughts.

******

As a bloodied bandage was being ripped away by Zhao Yun's strong fingers, the depressed lone warrior observed the depth of the arrow wound that was inflicted by a person that was beyond his knowledge. Just looking at the wound saddens his heart though.

'Kongming probably contacted Wu and Wei to kill me in sight… How else have I received these cruel wounds?' Zhao Yun thought miserably. To be hurt by his loved one was as cruel as stabbing a knife through his chest.

When the arrow hit him, he felt pain, but not pain for shredding blood from his wound, but pain from his heart. Zhao Yun hanged his head as made it in to a random inn and have managed to reserve a room for himself at such busy and crowded days like this one. The voice of loud bickering was being heard below the floor that the warrior stood on, but Zhao Yun was too wretched to hear any of the quarrels or does he possess the will to stop it.

As the sun shine through the opened window, Zhao Yun only felt more miserable as if even the sun has decided to mock him. Feeling disturbed, Zhao Yun left his room, locking his door in procedure and stride downstairs, ignoring the quarrel that was nothing more but whispering to his ears. Seeing an empty table by a shadowed corner, Zhao Yun made it to there without stumbling with sadness. Soon, a man followed to his table and has a piece of clothing over his shoulder.

"What may I do for you, sir?" the man asked, as he quietly bow his head down, ignoring the quarrel that being fought by the two random customers. His cheek bone was slightly bruised for trying to bring a halt to the squabble.

"Two bottles of rice wine, please." Zhao Yun said, looking down focusing at the cup of tea that was given by the waiter. As he brought the cup to his lips, he felt the bitter taste of the brown liquid, suiting his mind. It seems so long before the waiter returned with two bottles of rice wine. As soon as the waiter left the depressed warrior alone, Zhao Yun started to consume the brown glass bottle. His mind soon became hazy and his warrior instincts were being washed away by the burning, distasteful liquid, as he didn't noticed a man walked near him.

"Isn't this famous general Zhao Yun?" A man whispered, Zhao Yun's eyes narrowed as it became blurry and he was unable to identify the two mysterious men that now stood beside him.

"Yes, it is him… Look at him, when did he ever became such a drunkard?" The other laughed in surprised, soon the other man joined in to quiet laughter.

"Let's bring him in to our room, after all he is a famous general, he is due to have some respect." The first man's voice appeared with a tone of slyness, he can sense a nod occurred and soon, Zhao Yun felt a tug at his shoulder and feel that he is being lifted. Unable to think straight, Zhao Yun couldn't fight the two men that bring him in to an unknown world.

******

A new set of images flashed right in to Zhuge Liang's mind as he felt his consciousness disappeared within a second and soon returned, luckily for him, two of guards managed to have a grip on his shoulder before he collapsed in to the clear grass.

"Prime Minister, are you fine?" The bodyguard at his right asked him, as Zhuge Liang stood back at his own feet.

"Yes, thank you for your concern, I only tripped over." Zhuge Liang simply excused, despite of the disturbing images that was given to his stressed mind. It was night time already; the star was shimmering in the sky as one of his bodyguards was holding a torch and wave it around, trying to cut through the darkness with the small flame.

As Zhuge Liang walked through the forest, their horses following them as his bodyguards held tight on the reins. The horses galloping echoed through the darkened forest as it was soothing to the Prime Minister's ears. As he brushed his legs passed each bushes, Zhuge Liang saw a flickered of silver. Halting him in position however did not halt the bodyguards from approaching him.

Just before Zhuge Liang was able to give an order to stay in silence and in position, a sound that is similar of an arrow piercing through an air was being heard by Zhuge Liang's sensitive ears. It was long before the strategist found out what has happened, soon a pain struck hard at his head as he could felt the flesh at his temple was being ripped open, and following the pain was Kongming's very own cry of pain that echoed through the dark forest, striking terror in everyone in the forest.

***End of Chapter***

Author's note: Shortly after my return, I already set up a double cliff hanger… Evil am I? Probably. Chapter three would come shortly though, unless I have ANOTHER computer problem. This copy hasn't been read over by me yet… So, if there is any wrong with this, I'll try to fix it.