Yes, I know Yun was acting out of character, but even the greatest of people have their weak times. And, after all, this is a historically inaccurate fiction, so I am allowed to make Yunnie-poo act in any which way.

This chapter is dedicated to Kat. Why? She's helped me so much, even when she's not aware of it. Without her, E'sW might not be here. So, thank you, Kat, for inspiring me. That, and everything else.The best of luck to you and may your bishie harem always be full of squee-able and uber glompable bishies.

The Weaving of a Snare

The wind that catches the dragon…

Cool sunlight filtered through the window, thick with morning fog. Strains of rhythmic jingling of harnesses and the distant tramping of steady footsteps fell upon Yue Ying's ears, alerting her.

Our army; they have returned... I should hasten to Liang and inform him of Zhao jiang jun's return.

The worn, bamboo scroll clinked as she placed it gently back upon the cluttered desk. Silken skirts rustled as she strode quickly from her room.

Pausing at Zhuge Liang's door, Yue Ying hesitated slightly. I hope I do not interrupt my husband… Knocking, she called softly to him.

"Kong Ming?"

Turning his head marginally, Zhuge Liang's pen dashed across the paper whilst speaking to his wife.

"Yue Ying, would you mind welcoming back the troops for me? I have a lot to finish…" He trailed off, eyes wandering to his unfinished work.

Bowing, Yue Ying left his room, leaving the assiduous prime minister to himself.

Liang, what you really need is someone to help you with your work.

Splashes of vague colour wove together with his vision, melding into a blurry veil. His emerald eyes glazed over in vacancy and were devoid of emotion, echoing voices and frozen images replayed in his mind.

Swirling ebony locks, slim form fading into the mist. Her eerie, piercing stare, desperate to be released from his promise of revenge. "Little Dragon… Please."

The quickly fading image of Hua Li trickled into another, more recent memory…

Lady Mi hovered teasingly above his nose, tickling him with a blade of grass. From behind his eyelashes, he saw her paste a pout upon her dainty face. "Brother Zhao, wake up! I'm bored…"

"Ha!" He sat up suddenly, sending Lady Mi scrambling backwards in a hurry, panic written over her face. The warmth of his laughter filling her; she stared at him, partly from wonder.

"I've never heard you laugh like that. Nor seen your smile free from sorrow."

Memories of the day he spoke her name to another still brought pain. Lady Mi, naïve as she was, eased his soul in a way that seemed impossible.

Shock paling her face, kneeling on the ground, their images melding together... So similar, but so different…

Yue Ying looked nothing like Hua Li. So then, why did their presence feel so similar? Her…ghost?

Steely eyes met his own, daring him to drive the Fierce Dragon and take his life. He was so young… Concealed fear lurked in those brown eyes, hesitation poking at him.

The innocence in those eyes, barely out of youth. He should have been flirting with girls, or studying… Not in the battlefield.

Searing pain shot through his right arm, spear falling to the bloodstained grass. The feathered barb of the arrow, imbedded, quivered ever so slightly from the shot.

Why? I could have killed him and saved myself from injury. But why didn't…

Why couldn't I?

At a glance, it was obvious something was wrong. Zhang Yi leaned over, lightly tapping Zhao Yun on the shoulder.

"Er… General, we are almost at our camp."

No response was given. Zhao Yun's blank gaze, directed at no one in particular, was beginning to send a chill up the spine of his subordinates.

Directing a whisper at Zhang Yi, Gao Xiang murmured, "That arrow wound must be messing up his head."

"No. It has to be something else."

Gao Xiang shrugged, "As long as we get back quickly, it doesn't matter to me. He is beginning to creep me out."

Yue Ying noticed an odd aura surrounding the returning troop. Danger? No… Victory? Doesn't seem like it… Then… Emerald flags waved limply, held by tired hands, heralding their return.

"Halt."

The voice that gave the order sounded unusually strained, emotionless. Yue Ying moved to the head of the troop, inquiry about the expedition on her lips.

Fingers fumbling with the leather reins, Zhao Yun shakily dismounted Xue, the effort draining the last of his energy. His vision blurred, staggering weakly.

Much to Yue Ying's surprise, Zhao Yun collapsed onto her. His warm form resting on her, a crimson flush rose on her face, to her dismay.

All right, this is downright embarrassing. He's in my arms and I'm holding him. In any other case, this would be deemed improper. Aiya… (1)

Clearing her throat, Yue Ying gathered the little bit of her pride and tried to redeem her sense of honour., willing her face to return to its normal colour.

"Ah… Let's get you to the infirmary, shall we?"

Dimly concealed surprise echoed in Zhuge Liang's eyes. How can this be?

"Who has seen through the dark depths of my plan?"

Zhang Yi bowed his head, before continuing, "His name is Jiang Wei, of Tianshui."

"He… is truly a genius," Zhuge Liang slowly admitted. Standing up, fan fluttering, an ominous look crossed his face.

"I will get him, this Jiang Wei…"

Finally, someone worthy of my knowledge…

Someone's calling my name and they won't stop…

Unwilling to part from the comforting blanket of sleep, Zhao Yun kept his eyes closed, warm sunlight on his eyelids.

"Zilong." The person began poking him, a tone of exasperation in their voice.

All right, all right… Calm down. Sitting up, he turned to face the poking visitor. Lady Mi smiled back at him, cheery as ever.

"Hello! Nice to see you're awake; I was getting tired of waiting."

Zhao Yun smiled back at her, reaching to mess the delicately coiled locks of ebony, something she hated him to do. Lady Mi caught his hand and brought it back down.

"Now, now. No messing up my hair; I just put it up! And you shouldn't be using that arm for a while."

Hurrying over, pale robes fluttering behind her, the doctor came over with fresh bandages in her hands, anxious to save her patient from having his ears talked off.

"Lady Mi, would you mind leaving?"

With a slightly disgruntled humph, Lady Mi exited the room. Zhao Yun nodded his thanks to the doctor.

Little Mi can get a bit talkative when she gets started… Who am I kidding? She's the chatterbox of the Three Kingdoms! Nevertheless, she's the sister I never had.

Placidly, the fan waved to the silent footsteps of the strategist. Crickets, chirping an evening chorus, masked the voice of Zhuge Liang. Tapering candles, droplets of wax rolling down their sides, cast a pale glow throughout the tent, silhouetting the strategist and the spear general.

Continuing softly, "You are injured, yes. But if you deem yourself able enough…" Calm brown eyes flickered briefly to the bound arm.

"You are dismissed for today, then."

Damn bastards…

Heart racing, Jiang Wei goaded his horse, willing it to gallop faster. Snorting, the bay slowed down. Nudging Savanah, he shot uneasy glances into the surrounding shrubbery.

Eek. This place gives me the creeps…

Long shadows drew eerie fingers, reaching out to haul the young man into the dark depths of the forest. A creeping sensation lingered on his spine, making him shift uncomfortably in the saddle.

The perfect place for an ambush…

"Surrender now, vassal of Wei!"

Shock flooded Jiang Wei's face, Savanah rearing up. Torch after torch crackled with fire, held by hundreds of hands. Wheeling around, row after row of green uniforms met frightened eyes.

It's him again… Those eyes, deep with emotion…

Zhuge Liang cleared his throat, catching Jiang Wei's attention.

"Hello, Jiang Wei. I have been waiting for you…"

(1) Onomatopoeia. Similar to the word "Argh!"

A/N: Finally, Yue Ying is back in E'sW. To tell you the truth, I did forget about her for a while, what with the bishie battle. Teehee… Again, I'm sorry if the frequent scene changes/skipping confused anyone. I apologize doubly if this chapter confused you. Yes, Savanah is not a Chinese name; Mufy-sis named her. And thankies to my readers and reviewers; the only way I write better is if I know what my readers think. The shonen ai is being hinted at… I wonder if anyone will catch onto the clues. One last thing: if you read down to here, please leave a review. Anyways, until next chapter!