Writer's Note: Gak! Sorry for delaying this chapter for so long… I was being bombarded by schoolwork and a writer's block… Once again, I apologies for the delay.

Chapter 4

Again. The nightmare came again, terror approaching within Zhuge Liang's sight within seconds as everything melted in to what was soon to happen. The Prime Minister continued seeing those dreaded patches of blood laid upon the cliff haunting him for long, too long. The bristling tips of the arrow. The blood-soaked sleeves of his former white robe as many hits did his arm took for his defense. The eyes of the untrained strategist only narrowed as he took precise aim to the unknown, his bow straightened as his arm quivered with pain.

Too late, too late…

Zhuge Liang took no noticed from his own self conscious concerned for the man he have erroneously fell in love with. Uncertain of why must fate be such a crucial to him, yet not to others and why must he love a man but not a dear maiden, The Sleeping Dragon watched as the spear sank upon… no, never. He could not bear to see those stainless eyes of one, as lifeless as a dead. Especially the one he treasured so dearly…

There the nightmare ended. No more, no less. Zhuge Liang's eyes almost opened too naturally, especially by the fact that he just saw his vilest dream. Slowly, almost with in a strangely graced motion, Zhuge Liang aroused from his position, his life slightly insensible as if his spirit has ascended from him long ago. Almost as if he was awaken by a dreaded curse. His eyes narrowed as the visions once replayed in his mind. Time was running afar, it will be soon if action was not taken.

Though why must this nightmare come to his mind again and again? Why cannot fate let rest come?

Those questions only rang louder and louder in to his mind, refusing to ease away from the strategist's exhausted mind.

Grimacing slightly, the perplexed strategist rose from his position, wishing to be greeted by something more decent then what he had to see all these restless nights and what is being repeated again in his mind.

As Zhuge Liang exited his tent, a strong essence of nature struck his sense hard. It was doubtless that there was an early drizzle as dusk approached. The warm, luxurious light reflected the dews upon the delicate emerald field, only proving more to the natural scent. The chocolate eyes only winced upon the daylight as it coveted darkness long ago. Much like the lips as it showed a similar reaction becoming a grim line, unwelcoming the everyday rays. And there was only more to exasperate the poor strategist's nerves.

The rings of the bell announced the pirate's arrival of the early morning. Almost treasuring the warmth that the sun brought to him, his voice only sounded disappointed as he noticed the Sleeping Dragon's grimacing face, "Heeey… The sunlight isn't that bad, is it?"

A sigh could have easily escaped the slightly parted lips of the weary strategist as he could hear the former pirate greeted him in an indecorous method. The bells vibrate slightly as Gan Ning's movement came in to a halt, bringing a surprisingly enjoyable chime to his ears, which Gan Ning only grin wider at the sound. Though slightly desperate with the pirate's cheerful attitude, the Sleeping Dragon only turned to him with a bow, greeting the warrior as intended.

"My eyes have been in darkness for long, it was just rather unsettling to be exposed to the sudden light." The pirate only laughed at the comment, though the strategist took no offence to the anticipated laughter. It was hinted well that the pirate had been preparing for another hunting trip; the bow was held upon the slender grip of the pirate as the quiver of arrows was being strapped to his back. Many and countless of arrows lay within, the furry tips became visible…

A thought struck Zhuge Liang as his mind was soon focused upon the nightmare of where he took aim with a bow.

The arrows… The dream. It caused wonder as Zhuge Liang's eyes flickered with anticipation.

When did he learn how to use a bow?

Is his mind playing foul tricks upon himself? No… That, Zhuge Liang was certain as his concentration faded back to the present. Thankfully, the pirate was unable to notice the short distant tediousness upon those brown eyes as Gan Ning spoke his mind out, caring not for Zhuge Liang's mere attention but to have his words exposed from his soul. "… So, you see… Lu Xun wants ya to come with us. If your injury is fine, of course!"

Even with the cheerful tone to the ending of his words, Kongming could easily trace the edge of disappointment that lay within the tip of the pirate's tongue. After all, it was doubtless of what action the pirate could possibly do to Lu Xun at their daily training session. There was more serious matter to consider though.

A step closer to the nightmare he saw or a step nearer to what he really within wish to see. It was a question for Zhuge Liang to consider about it. Sighing slightly, decision laid clear in his mind, Zhuge Liang, without the least amount of hesitation, spoke within his good nature, "It could be quite a benefit to me, as I do not hold the slightest idea of how to clasp a bow within my grip… Much to speak for firing a stray arrow…"

***

As the sun rouse from the wide horizon, bringing light across the distant lands, as a searing noise was followed by the morning, which would have brought uneasiness to those whom were unable to see the fierce warrior, Zhao Yun.

Droplets of sweat were being shaken away from his forehead, descending upon the rough hays that were placed within his prison. Zhao Yun did not stop, though rest did not come to him, he felt strangely energetic. The rusty shackle was starting to show damages as cavernous dents was marked for the futile resistant, the smell of the rusting manacles would have only brought nausea to many, but not Zhao Yun.

Seeing a crack on the former sturdy shackles, hopes finally shined upon the oblivion that Zhao Yun was in. Much like being one whom has seen the first light, the tired warrior was grateful for his effort. Bringing the fullest of his potency, Zilong collided the bindings together. The dominating force shook within the metallic bind; it was then the two shackles that have held the mighty warrior in place, dehisced.

The feeling of being free overwhelmed Zhao Yun's emotions, his final wish was to only see the devoted strategist one more time, and it has astonished the Little Dragon fairly. Perhaps the day was soon to come. Zhao Yun stopped slightly from his bliss though, he was still far from safety, and he knows that well. The dawning light of the first radiance has creaked pass the cracked doors, but first is first, he must find his spear; The Fierce Dragon.

Desperateness edged to the detained warrior's soul, the warrior's mind. Much like shadows to lights, he could feel the sinister darkness gnawed upon his fragile will. His mind, playing tricks upon him, told him that it is hopeless for one to have such anticipation. It would never happen. But Zhao Yun knew, it is only Kongming or his life. The oblivious strategist would continued his path, the path that will lead him to where Zhao Yun fear deeply for the man he loved, death.

He must stop him; Zhao Yun nodded slightly in agreement, knowing it was for the best. Though his thoughts were deep and confused, the will was determined.

'What would Kongming's method be …' the desperate warrior mused silently. The daylight was now bright, bringing an ominous glow to the door. It would only be shortly that his captors will arrive. Time will not await Zhao Yun, and the race against time has started… And the lone warrior has to be victorious.

***

"No! You are not doing it correctly!" Gan Ning cried in frustration. Desperately, the pirate fumbled the pitiful strategist's elbows, hoping secretly that Zhuge Liang would be considerate for the weary man. However, as tired as the former pirate, the Sleeping Dragon's mind was elsewhere, beyond the realms of a human eye. Finally, Gan Ning was surfeited of the strategist, knowing well that the man has a higher capability then his effort.

As the pirate moved away from the strategist in order to join his companion, whom was more willing to abide the pirate's approach. Lu Xun's features were dancing with amusement though; his eyes reflected the sunlight, bringing an ambitious radiance to his feral eyes. The forest only brought a green shade upon the shadows of Lu Xun, as he calmly sat upon a boulder.

It was in still the early morning, where the sun shone barely as bright as any other days. The leaves were smoothly scattered upon the rough forest groundings, some tattered but was merely noticed by any eyes of the training men, all too common to be noticed.

A few arrows were being struck neatly of the recent practice, their silver heads struck glimmers by the rays of the lightly sun. All shown the amazing accuracy of the genius strategist, but Gan Ning cannot bear the fact that the strategist cannot shoot the arrow correctly in its correct position… But what does it matter? All it matters to Zhuge Liang was the accuracy he needed, not the position or the style with the wooden bow, smoothly shaped, dangling upon the advisor's delicate fingers. The Prime Minister of Shu only stroked the wood patiently, wishing that he could excuse himself from the dwindling leaves. From the forest, from this clearing. Too much was in his mind, it was only serenity he wished, but it was yet to come. Almost too frail to come, the distant was afar.

"Gan Ning…"

Lu Xun's timid voice broke the isolated silence; the pirate's intensive posture only brought many in to the edge of discomfit. As his secluded lover's voice called upon the former pirate's ears, it was almost instant the ruby eyes snapped toward those feral and golden eyes.

"Lord Zhuge Liang had done well enough, needn't to correct him of his incorrect posture. What it matter, is accuracy." The Prime Minister of Shu cannot help but to thank the young advisor, speaking the exact words of his thoughts. However, words were not needed. The gleam held beneath the Prime Minister's eyes explained much. Lu Xun only nodded in return. It was then the Sleeping Dragon departed from the clearing without a sign of farewell.

As he departed in to the dimmed distant, his mind filled with doubts and thoughts, the quiver were tied to his side and the bow was still within his grip. Yet, the gracile feather fan was no where in sight.  It was the least of his worry though, knowing well that he did not brought fan along with him within the preliminary session. The solitary strategist only walked forward, wishing to find another clearing within the rough surroundings, his eyes observant of the shadows, certainty that he was not followed.

It was almost what he wished. As Zhuge Liang stepped upon the opening grass floor, there was nothing but a melody of nature. The wavering greens was being struck by golden reflections, striking glimmers upon the very edges of the leaves, bringing rays down the opening, each wishing to outshine another. Haplessly, Kongming did not notice that vivid view that was before his sight, his thoughts laid elsewhere. The bow, the arrow, the blood… Everything from the graveling nightmare, the nightmare of one's darkness and shadows, which was once coveted, yet wished to reject the forbidden sight. Forbidden to his mind, to his will and wish.

But everything was obscured from the man on the other side of The Sleeping Dragon's world, whom was worrying of his own thoughts, afar from reality, trying to escape with his soul upon his shell within, with a silent wish to see that one sacred man. The man that still bid his thoughts within his mind but not with his lips, not knowing the fierce warrior as well as he thought he does.

Finally, shattering the nature's song, once howling through the forest with a touch of pride, a heavy sigh could be heard. It was troubling, so troubling that Zhuge Liang wished secretly that it would stop, and a chance to reverse through time, stopping Zhao Yun from leaving him. The thoughts of the false betrayal, his promise, his discovery of his deepen feeling; his affection, but what could possibly bring Zhuge Liang a step forward? That gaze, that drowned gaze when the Tiger General firstly lay upon his lord's bride… It haunted him. He could remember the emerald shimmers locking upon the man he loved, drawing the sturdy warrior in to an unbreakable trance.

For the first time, the once presumed genius strategist was lost. The famous Sleeping Dragon did not held a thought of action to turn right or left, forward or backward, approach or recede. His mind was almost like an oblivious void to the knowing strategist. His emotions, his actions were all unknown to him. His jealousy, how could he not sense it? It is him, his emotions, his feeling. A small frustration became part of the always-calm advisor as he could not know how could he lost track of who and what is he. He has known others rather quickly, knowing them within and out, he knew what was one's decision and other.

Yet…

Never his. Even his emotions, it took him… so long to find his feelings.

Was it the sacrifice he had to face?

His cruelty to the commoners, his merciless expression through wars, his…

Zhuge Liang paused in his thoughts, not noticing his fingers were curled upon his palm, forming a stone-like fist. His anger seemed to have brought the wind in to a stop and the birds from its singing. The wistful strategist brought a halt to his long, yet consecutive thoughts.

His judgments have brought the Sleeping Dragon a small astound. Guilt, something that had been haunting Zhao Yun's heart, was now within his. Something he never thought that was within him, guilt for killing many, sending troops within the battles of death, fighting for their life, forcing them to do the transgression that was just one of the many.

An irony taste of blood seeped in to his silver tongue, down within his throat, the horrific taste. Yet, along with the pain upon his lips, the man lost within his own thoughts, ignored it.

Finally, a small smile crept upon Kongming's feature. It was not one filled with slyness nor was one filled with validity; it was one with the truth, his thoughts that he was once heedless about. Zhuge Liang was uncertain about when did the sinister clouds rolled in, covering the shameless rays, one dying soon after another as Zhuge Liang watched them dimmed. Like the men he sent in battle, killing them.

'Our casualty was minor! We only lost at the maximum of 200 men!' The voice of the many messenger that has reported to the strategist, rang clear in his mind. Minor, yet it was still lives. Precious lives, where each one will be wept for it's lost, some may be honored, yet others were just ignored. His lord was one with virtue, granted with many traits, each death struck a deep scar in his lord's heart, while, Kongming, only with much of a cruelty, sent his men to the brink of death.

Only then, a crushing blow was resented by the Sleeping Dragon's mind, bringing a headache to the edge of his opened wound. Zhuge Liang did not groan or grunt upon the pain, but he only kept on thinking, trapped within his own maze, the maze of his mind, his complexity mind. His soul seems to detest these thoughts, bringing his mind into a deeper pain, wishing to crush these crude thoughts.

However, his will resisted the urge to stop. The bitter blood only seeped past the corner of his lips as Kongming force his teeth deeper in to the fragile flesh that laid within appearance of his features, the taste only seems to remind him further of his existence, what he once is; the innocent hermit that once stood aside of the chaotic sights, farming for his livings.

Unfortunately, the pain struck deep within his mind, bringing an abrupt halt to his thoughts, which was soon followed by a small groan of pain. Snapping the strategist from being so closed to what he once is. His forehead glimmered with the sparkles of sweat that were plastered by the unbearable pain, however, Zhuge Liang's thoughts were not reversed to where it once was, but it only was shattered with the bewildered throbbing. The last piece of a puzzle was now so close yet so near… Yet little did Zhuge Liang know that he had just started his first step toward the reverse of his daunted nightmare … Discovering himself.

***End of Chapter***

Author's Note: I am sorry if it is too confusing… I only read this once… Please tell me if it is too confusing, I will try my best to fix it. Pointing out grammatical problem would be appreciated as well. Oh, I also dropped a few hints in this chapter about the upcoming sequel for this fic. Good luck finding 'em!