This is the list of the styled names that will be used in this story. I'll stop listing the style names after chapter four.

Xingba = Gan Ning

Boyan = Lu Xun

Kongming = Zhuge Liang

Zilong = Zhao Yun

Chapter 3

As Zhuge Liang stirred quietly in pain, the unseen wound struck his nerve in to shattering pain through his entire mind, his eyebrow furrowed as he gapped a weak moan from his lips. He could hear the weak and distant call of his name, familiar yet foreign. So far, yet so close, Zhuge Liang's head rolled indolently to his left, as he could hear his name being called again. His consciousness reached for the anticipated light as he was being repeatedly called. The nightmare again came.

The night with the sense of evil, as he could feel the wind swayed the tree at the unfortunate day. The day where the Prime Minister of Shu will drop down to his knee, his white daoist robe will drift to the mud. The distinctive blood coated at the mountainous grounds of the cliff, and Zhuge Liang felt terror struck him as he stepped in to the familiar ground that was brought in his visions.

"Lord Zhuge Liang… Please wake up." A soft familiar voice was now near; his voice was filled with guilt and worried. Finally, the light of a torch came through the closed eyelid of the sleeping strategist, whom was slowly opening his eyes open as he witnessed what was in front of him now, which was no longer a nightmare but reality. The familiar golden eyes of the Prime Minister from Wu were the first recognizable object that came in to the awakening strategist's hazy mind.

A weak groan escaped from the older strategist's lips as the sharpening pain once shot through his threatened mind, which have just been awakened from the dread nightmare that have haunted him ever since the night when he was assigned the job that he asked; persuading Zhao Yun to return. Feeling the pain, both mentally and physically, The Sleeping Dragon shuttered his words as he have been struck by a chill, though it wasn't as noticeable as Zhuge Liang thought it was, "Lu Xun…?"

Lu Xun hesitated slightly as his feral eyes were being kept at the bandage that was being tainted by blood, at the temple area, where the arrow has sleekly cut through. "The exact same place of where you have received your wound…" Lu Xun's voice droned away as his looked away, gaining sudden interest of a small pebble on the ground. His eyes were being covered by definite guilt, though his red hat shaded his feral eyes away in the dark wavering shadow, however Zhuge Liang can felt the guilt radiating from the shorter man.

"Lu Xun shot an arrow at you… rather by mistake." Gan Ning spoke softly as he pinned his blade at the solid ground that he stood upon. The softness that the pirate was carrying did not suit his usual rough attitude. As if not wishing to break the uncomforting silence, the former pirate spoke no more as he twirl his blade around by it's handle, keeping it still at the ground. Zhuge Liang's eyes became confused at the words, as none wanted to speak anymore.

Ignoring the throbbing wound at his head, Zhuge Liang only laid back at the bed, fearing to sleep. His dark chocolate eyes was only been laid open as his inquisitive mind only called him to speak a word and investigate what have happened. However it was just then Lu Xun was about to speak his thoughts and the recent events that his very own eyes have witnessed, "I… I am sorry…"

"What for? This wound is unintentionally, is it not?" Zhuge Liang asked as he once again arouse from the bed. His eyes glittered slightly as the candle guttered slightly. Lu Xun only bowed his head lower as his anxious mind searched for a solution to explain the happenings.

"Yes… In a way…" Lu Xun spoke slowly, which was granted by Zhuge Liang's confused eyes.

"What do you mean by, 'in a way'?" The older strategist was now beyond confused; Lu Xun's voice was traced with an unpredictable guilt and Zhuge Liang could not identify the guilt and what caused it. The younger male only sighed in reply as the answer must be forced away from his mind, must be released. The former pirate watched his companion with tendering care, wondering if this was too stressful for Lu Xun.

"Xingba was correct. I… was careless about my habit and it leaded an injury to your head…" The Prime Minister of Wu explained, leaving a little bit away from his auditor. That was not it, Zhuge Liang thought quietly as his gaze was starting to become stern and slight fear was starting to gnaw at his heart. Lu Xun sensing the fear of the uncommon fear from the usually calm Zhuge Liang, Lu Xun knew that the truth was his exit from such anxiety, "Long before you came, we saw a general that looks remarkably like… like Zhao Yun."

There was respective pause that came in to the conversation, a chance for Zhuge Liang to absorb the information in to his brain, despite of the throbbing pain at the side of his wounded head. Zhuge Liang only took a short inhale and quickly released it as the Prime Minister of Shu have already predicted of what have happened at yesterday's daylight, his voice did not tremble nor any emotion lingered within, "You shot him as well?"

Lu Xun's feral eyes twitched slightly, as he hesitantly nodded. The younger man knows the penalty well of such actions, even if it is unintentionally, though the probability for Lord Sun Quan to defend him was rather high. He felt guilt flooded in to his heart and his mouth dry shortly afterward.

"If it was unintentionally, I will allow the matter to pass." Zhuge Liang simply said as rubbed his uninjured temple, haplessly trying to ease the swollen pain on the other side, shortly after a small relief of pain, the Sleeping Dragon continued, "Though I need to know the location of Zhao Yun. There is a reason of why am I out in such wild forest with ten bodyguards."

"As much as I have noticed," Lu Xun started thoughtfully until a singular thought struck him clear, "Did something happened between… you and Zhao Yun?" The way of how Lu Xun spoke granted him a fairly confused glance from the injured strategist, the Sleeping Dragon's eyes reflected the depth of confusion he was in.

Gan Ning's eyes was soon dancing with amusement as he watched the two strategist talked until Lu Xun secretly assumed his very own thoughts, Zhuge Liang have a specific liking on Zhao Yun. Cheerfully, Gan Ning voiced his thoughts, "I expected to understand Boyan's words, Zhuge Liang."

"I believe that my thoughts are being misunderstood…" Lu Xun muttered almost instantly as his companion's words reached his ears. Within, Lu Xun was thankful for the Sleeping Dragon's wisdom, relieved that he was being forgiven, Lu Xun still has a slight curiosity nibbling on the very back of his mind. The relationship concerning Kongming and Zilong, the younger man still remember the day clear when he noticed the gaze Zhao Yun had in his eyes when he watched the Sleeping Dragon spoke politically upon the meeting.

"Surely I am being misunderstood?" Zhuge Liang asked, eyebrows furrowing slightly, breaking Lu Xun away from his thoughts, Gan Ning only sniffle a small chuckle as Lu Xun vaguely wondered if the injured man was merely lying, as much as he couldn't recognize any visible hints of lying.

"Take no notice of my words, I was merely having my attention diverged in to another matter." The Prime Minister of Wu excused as he gazed away from the older man. Personally, Lu Xun noticed his horrible skills at speaking false words. It was definite that the strategist sensed a lie but spoke no words as he let it pass.

"If that is so…" Zhuge Liang murmured as he stroke his goatee thoughtfully, "Please, may either one of you retell what have exactly happened? I will need anything that I could gain." Gan Ning simply shrugged at the request, though his companion has a reverse attitude as he bowed and nodded almost too humbly.

"Surely that wouldn't be a problem." Lu Xun immediately replied. Hearing the younger strategist's words, Zhuge Liang leaned closer to the Prime Minister of Wu as Lu Xun started his task, reviewing the last few days' activity.

******

Consciousness slowly came back to Zhao Yun's mind as his vision mended itself in to one, dissolving the double vision away from Zilong's eyes. His back ached horribly as he remembered last night as he felt that he have been disgraced. His last pride as being shredded away by two rough men, bandits to be specific, tears slowly streamed down from the weary warrior's eyes as he made no sound for his tears. He only lay still at the hay, ignoring the bruises and pain that was being laid by the rough treatment that he has gained through the darkening night.

'Why must such thing happen to me?' Zhao Yun thought bitterly as now the final chance of ever speaking those specific words to the man who truly loved was now too embarrassing to be spoken about. The fierce warrior was beyond ashamed; he remembered when he kept uttering Zhuge Liang's name behind the horrifying treatment that would never ease from his mind. His hands were cuffed as he turned himself around, stomach now lying on the rough hay, in order to ease the discomfit. Now the bandits probably knew.

Little did he know that the man he thought about was looking for him in the depth of nightmares and danger, caring not for his safety but for Zhao Yun's. Slowly, despite of the nightmares he witnessed in beyond the future, he drifted in to his restless sleep.

******

Within darkness, Zhuge Liang laid at his bed in silence as he clearly reviewed what he has just heard, the moment when Lu Xun mentioned the slightest hint of the possibility that the Prime Minister of Shu might have a crush upon the missing warrior, Zhuge Liang was almost surprised at the mentioned words, yet he did not know why. That moment, Zhuge Liang can feel his heart fluttered slightly, it was an unknown feeling to Zhuge Liang.

His eyes lay slightly open, refusing to return back at the haunted nightmare. As being the calm one, Zhuge Liang's mind always runs in one straight line, now it just twirled in to an unexpected turn. The images that came in to his mind back at the earlier evening, it was disturbing, as much as he did not want to remember, he did.

Unlike his other nightmare, this was almost present. He heard Zhao Yun uttered his name with unexpected sorrow, as if he was apologizing. Apologizing for what have been done and that he is no longer present in the kingdom of Shu. Absently, Zhuge Liang touched the jade that he wore by his neck, as if wondering about it. Slowly, his fingers traced the shape of the necklace under his clothing, which was given by his demised master, Sima Hui.

His eyes slowly drifted closed as his fingers made contact with the nicely carved jade that was formed in to a dragon that have curled it's body around an oddly shaped sphere. Opening his eyes again, his mind felt strangely full as he stared at the jade through the darkness. He felt a cold sensitive touch upon his chest as he slipped the necklace underneath his green robe, deposing the memories that have returned to him.

'Zhao Yun, stay strong...' Zhuge Liang thought in silence as he arouse from his bed and stepped out of the tent, the first thing he saw was Lu Xun himself, knees on his chest as he sat in the silence of the night.

Lu Xun wasn't wearing his familiar red hat, revealing the smooth brown hair that he possessed on his head, though he was wearing the very same clothing that he wore during his daylight hunt. As Zhuge Liang took a step closer to the quiet strategist, Lu Xun turned to meet Zhuge Liang, softly; he smiled at Zhuge Liang, "I thought you should be asleep."

"I cannot yield to rest tonight." The Prime Minister of Shu only replied as he gazed at the stars, taking no motion to sit beside Lu Xun or on the grass field. However, his eyes left the evening stars as he noticed Lu Xun's gaze at him.

"You are worried, are you not?" Lu Xun asked as he observed Zhuge Liang's expression as his only source was the mere moon that hanged at the dark navy blue night, the younger man simply stated a mere comment, "Lord Zhao Yun is strong."

"I wish he is now." The visions only tugged deeper in to his mind as the words escaped Zhuge Liang's lips. Lu Xun's eyes flickered slightly with concern, though they are enemies before, Lu Xun knew he have to be concern for the older man's health, as they are allies now. As Lu Xun became slightly concern, Zhuge Liang smoothly changed a topic that is apprehensive to the younger man, "I thought Gan Ning would be with you."

The younger strategist face immediately flushed as he realized what the Sleeping Dragon was assuming personally. 'His eyes are keen at emotions, yet not on his' Lu Xun thought as he wondered if this is a little payback from the earlier events. Though Lu Xun's lips would have shuttered the words that are to be spoken, his mind prevented it, "He… is asleep."

Exhaustion was a very powerful thing; Zhuge Liang felt no words have come to him in order to resume this unnecessary conversation; his mind, mentally, was too weary to speak. Lu Xun did not become aware of the older strategist's tiredness in this matter, but he spoke what he had in his mind, "Why don't you be true to yourself for once?"

Zhuge Liang's eyebrow furrowed slightly as he vaguely wondered what Lu Xun meant about his words, "What are you assuming?" Lu Xun's eyes finally met Zhuge Liang's eyes as he turned toward the weary strategist as he took note of the Sleeping Dragon's weariness.

Lu Xun's lips trembled slightly as if in wonder of he should say it or not, biting his lips lightly, Lu Xun slowly spoke his words, "I thought it was rather noticeable that you care for Zhao Yun… in an 'unnatural' way."

"Sorry, Lu Xun, but I don't think I am what you assume I am." Zhuge Liang spoke rather too calmly for his own natural behavior. Lu Xun's eyebrow drew together as he heard Zhuge Liang's words.

"I thought it would be wise for me to let you know that hiding away from your feelings is not the wisest action." Zhuge Liang's narrowed his eyes slightly too dangerously, which Lu Xun took no notice upon it as he turned his back at the Sleeping Dragon.

"I thank you for your concern then." Without speaking more, Zhuge Liang turned away from the younger strategist as he started to walk back to his tent without much of a hesitation. Perhaps sleep will be grand for tonight, Zhuge Liang thought bitterly as he was soon back at his bed, his eyes drooping in to darkness, ignoring the horrible aching at the side of his head.

******

As the time edged close to midnight, Zhao Yun clashed the shackles together, which have chained his hands together. In a futile attempt, Zhao Yun gave another blow to the sturdy shackles that refused to leave a heavy dent.

There was suddenly a mere spark of hope that he could escape. It was unknown, but Zhao Yun clutches it with his mind. To have his life ended in such cruel place was not what he wished, even if he felt empty. Empty for too long, uncaring for what the beasts have done, his hope laid in there, shaken for a few times.

Though it was too much for the tiger general, soon the events once again played in his mind. Guilt washed over the last remnant of hope. Somehow, he heard Zhuge Liang's thoughts, though somehow he feared. He secretly wished that the man would not come, as he feared something wrong, horribly wrong that could possibly wreck his life open would happen to the man he obviously loved.

"Please don't come…" Zhao Yun almost silently sobbed as he remembered the mere visions that have twisted his confidence apart. Within him, he would prefer living this life then for anything horrifying to happen to Zhuge Liang.

******

The Sleeping Dragon's eyes snapped open as he heard a soft and quiet cry that sounds vaguely familiar like Zhao Yun. The nightmare had almost faded away that night, yet the voice he heard already terrified him enough. He was certain that he heard Zhao Yun, to have him sound so broken, itself have already gave the slightest edge of fear to his mind.

Knowing that rest will not come anymore, Zhuge Liang laid at his back, eyes open. Zhao Yun's broken voice only replayed in his mind, guaranteeing that the man was degraded in his pride by the lusting bandits, The Prime Minister of Shu only sighed, he slowly murmured the words in his mind, "I should have listened to you; to have rest. I should not have allowed you to walk alone as the foul trick comes in to play."

Remembering the younger strategist's words in the earlier midnight echoed, Zhuge Liang only smiled sadly at the truth, "True of what you said…" Though Zhuge Liang was almost unsure the other man's feeling, which surely was unlikely of him to be inexperienced in such things... For once his injury's pain seems to be vague and less disturbing.