Well peoples, I am back, apologies for the incredibly long delay, it's been a damn busy Christmas and a hectic New Year…especially with the amount of essays to deal with! I have made a tiny amount of changes in my previous chapters, spelling and whatnot, nothing that needs to be re-read (that is of course, unless you want to re-read my fic…), there is a small section dedicated to the site Peppermint Storm and Spirit-hime about hair, I was recently visiting her site after many years, and even though it is rarely updated, it's still one of the best shitennou sites around. I can't seem to get the link up, so just Google Peppermint Storm, it's easy to find.

On with the show, and I should have quicker updates from now on, as always, THANK YOU for reading, hope you enjoy!

Ohh, one last thing, just to explain the type of language used, I tried (and I think I failed miserably in doing so) to have my narrative voice reflect the emotions in my characters, it's supposed to be able to help the reader understand the what the character is thinking and feeling, e.g. I use flowery language around Claudio… any feedback about whether I should just give up that writing style or if I managed to pull it off would be great!

Act 1 Scene iii

"Well this seems like a splendid place, why have I never been here before?" Bassanio asked good naturedly observing the surrounding view of the villa. The sun had just set and among the hills, lamps started to appear, glowing like soft yellow stars in the distance.

Benedick smiled, "Because my dear friend, you were not under Don Pedro's regiment before."

Faint humming from a monastery reached them, lulling the outside world to sleep in its promises of salvation and God. Unnoticed, Claudio walked a few feet away from the other two, drifting between the olive and lemon trees, listening with half closed eyes as his mind wandered to the image an angel. Hero was so beautiful, he thought back to moments before when he first saw her, her crystal clear eyes and golden hair, those rose lips and that sweet cherubim face, the way her hands moved when she curtseyed, clutching her dress ever so gently…how could someone seem so innocent and yet at the same time be so tempting? She was like the Madonna and Venus combined. His heart seemed to sing with the poetry of love and romance and he could think of nothing else but the sweet creature called Hero. "Hero…" he whispered, just her name made his heart flutter. He leaned against a tree in a state of utter turmoil, these emotions, these thoughts, they were all so new, sure he had noticed women before, but he had never held the same interest that Bassanio and Benedick did, they were pretty to look at, they flocked all around him with eyes shining in admiration for his rank and uniform, but he had never been interested, not until now…

"That Beatrice of yours is rather feisty too, and quite pleasing to the eye if I may say so, especially when she's flushing with rage."

"Bassanio, you can say whatever you want, but that doesn't necessarily make it true, feisty she may be, but mine? Never, not for all the riches of Italy would I ever consider that harpy." He noticed a tiny wild mushroom in the grass, he had the sudden urge to squash it under his boot.

Bassanio frowned at his friend, "That's a bit hash isn't it? I don't think she merits being called a harpy, she was quite courteous with me."

Benedick quirked an eyebrow, "courteous? How do you know if she's courteous? You've only seen her for two minutes, and you haven't even said a word to her."

"Well Don Pedro seems to like her," Bassanio said.

"As loyal as I am to our Lord, he is not the best judge of character; you can see that by our newest member." He stamped down hard on the unsuspecting mushroom.

"Everyone deserves a chance Benedick," came the exasperated reprove, Bassanio was sensing a reprisal of the argument they had already fought many times.

"He has had plenty. And every single time he has either taken advantage of his position or downright betrayed our leader."

Bassanio knew it was true, he had not been there personally and there was no actual proof, but it was well known that Don John had turned on his brother many times before. During the passed year, the peace between the two was tenuous at best, Don John never listened to Pedro's commands, doing what he pleased, but he got away with it by always winning his battles. Despite all that he had done, Pedro still asked his men to give John the benefit of the doubt, so Bassanio was doing just that.

"He's Pedro's brother," he tried again.

"Half brother," Benedick corrected.

"Well this time he is different, he could have very easily sided with the enemy during the campaign, but he didn't, he chose to fight alongside Pedro,"

"Only because he knew we were sure to win, if he had openly declared war on us and then lost – and you know he would have lost - he would no longer have a head, the King would make sure of it. You know that, he knows that, Pedro knows that. Any drunken donkey with only half a brain would know it."

Bassanio gave in, Benedick's words were exactly how he felt about the matter: he didn't like Don John, none of them did, whenever he was around, people became anxious, wondering if he was up to anything, "Well there is nothing we can do about it now so there's no use worrying. Our best option is simply to watch and wait. It's our only option," he added with reluctance.

Benedick grudgingly agreed.

"You aren't the only one who doesn't trust him, but at least I try and make the effort to be polite, which is what you should also be doing with Beatrice." Bassanio argued, getting back to the subject at hand. Benedick threw his hands up in despair and started to walk away.

"You cannot say that Posthumous doesn't have a good judge of character, and he likes her!" Bassanio continued, not willing to let the subject drop.

Benedick stopped and turned around, "Well of course he likes her, she's perfectly civil to him," he put on a thoughtful face, "though it must be hard for her to act like that, she's a witch by nature you see," he explained, "it's not natural for her to be nice to people, it's an act she puts on."

"So first she is a harpy, now she's a witch, you are cruel Benedick," Bassanio admonished, "and you forget who her family is."

"Oh I have no doubt that's she's an honourable – thing - she's clever and witty and manages her house well, but that does not take away from the fact that she is rude, and much too full of pride and vanity, trust me my dear beardless friend," (Bassanio clutched at his smooth chin defensively), "give it a few days and she will no longer seem so 'courteous' or 'feisty' to you. And if you will take note," he added, "she is the one who started it off this time, I offered nothing but a polite, formal greeting and she insults me!" Benedick defended.

"Polite, formal? You were practically staring daggers at her, you were asking for it, and I suspect, had she not started that little spar, you would have anyway. And I have no beard because I shave it, just like the rest of you, I'm simply more skilful with a razor and I have finer hair, that's why you can't see it." Bassanio quipped.

"Of course, my apologies, I suppose the hours you spend maintaining that long, curly mane of your is also to emphasise your manliness." He replied with heavy sarcasm.

Bassanio ignored the insult, he liked his hair, women liked his hair - that was all the justification he needed. "I have never seen you so disagreeable, not even when we spent three nights without sleep fighting against the barbarians."

"And I would rather do that again than be here with her, she can smell fear you know, you have to be constantly on your guard or she she'll attack you out of nowhere, like a wild mountain cat, or a goat protecting the miserable sandal it's been chewing on for the passed few years." His eyes showed a slightly wild amusement as he imagined Beatrice as a black-fleeced bleating goat butting anyone who came near her smelly shoe. Bassanio was taken aback and more than a little worried for his friend. This man was one of the greatest soldiers he knew, he was a true warrior, and even without days of food or drink, he would still be annoyingly cheerful and good humoured. His ability to charm the skirts off women almost, almost matched his own, yet here he was, acting like a complete idiot at the hands of a lady. True, she may have insulted Benedick first, but he had risen to the bait, he should have been able to restrain himself, there must have been something about her to get under Benedick's skin so completely and Bassanio wanted to know what it was.

"What has she done to deserve such disapproval from you? Did she beat you in a sword fight or something?" he asked with a smile.

"Why are you trying so incessantly to get me to like someone I hate?" Benedick countered. "What business is it of yours?"

"Because I can never resist a damsel in distress and you are most certainly distressing a damsel, and it's fun to see you so annoyed." He said, twirling a piece of his copper hair in his fingers, "So what did she do to get you to hate her?"

Benedick gave in, "I don't remember what started it really, it was a small trivial thing, but it went from there, she said some very unforgiving things in anger and I of course was not going to be insulted by some silly, long-haired sphinx."

"Well it seems to me that the only problem lies with you, everyone else gets along with her, and to be honest, if I was forced to side with a lady or with you, I think I would be inclined to choose the prettier one." He patted Benedick on the back and looked around for their missing comrade, spotting him wandering amongst the trees.

Benedick rolled his eyes, "thank you for that very useful piece of insight, next time I see you surrounded by four armed men, I won't throw you my spare sword." He mumbled, following his friend as they made their way towards Claudio.

"Ha! The only reason I didn't have a weapon is because I threw mine into the back of the man who was about to slice you in two."

"I would have handled him well enough, you were just showing off."

Bassanio ignored him and called out to Claudio. "How now, what have you been doing here? I needed you to back me up, Benedick is set against the fair lady Beatrice and I think he is gravely mistaken to be so."

Benedick simply grunted.

Claudio sighed, "If the lady Beatrice is fair, I have not noticed it. My brothers in arms," he said gravely, "I have glanced upon heaven, and I do not think I can return."

Benedick and Bassanio looked at each other questioningly, "what nonsense are you talking, speak plainly, have you eaten any kind of rotten fruit from the ground?" Benedick asked.

"Bassanio, what did you think of the lady Hero?" Asked Claudio, ignoring Benedick's question.

"Hero? I didn't really notice her; she is the sister of the one who arrived late? Serenity's younger daughter?" Bassanio asked.

"Indeed," replied Claudio.

"She seemed pretty, that's all I can say, do you know her at all Benedick?"

"Do you want my own honest opinion?"

"Nothing but what you truly think, I wouldn't ask for anything else!" answered Claudio.

"Well," said Benedick thinking quickly back to when he had seen her on his last visit, "She has grown in beauty since I saw her last, she used to be a little too plump; in fact, she used to be much too plump, it made her eyes look beady and her nose too small," Benedick admitted, he scratched to his blond head before continuing, "she used to be quite clumsy and awkward if I remember correctly, she kept tripping over her skirt, and she could eat as much as a man, possibly more."

"I asked for your true opinion, do not to make fun!" Claudio said, a slight blush rising to his cheeks.

"I was giving you my true opinion," said Benedick with a laugh, "but take comfort in the fact that I think she has have improved much recently. She doesn't seem clumsy and her nose now makes her look quite splendid. Though I must warn you," Benedick suddenly became serious, "one thing I know that will not have changed in young Hero is her good character and open friendliness. I hope you do not intend to play with her heart, she has always been a sweet girl, innocent and little too naïve, and she is very sensitive to other people's emotions, it would be wrong to abuse her, I would keep my distance if I were you."

"Here I think Benedick speaks wisely. For once." Bassanio cocked a grin at Benedick, who simply gave a look of disapproval at the comment, "I am glad you've suddenly taken a keen interest in women, Lord knows how we have tried to get you to at least talk to them, but such a girl is not one to mess around with."

Claudio's face was suddenly that of utter disappointment, he looked away as if pain, his jaw tightening, emphasising the hardness in his features, "Ask me anything else, but do not ask me to keep away from her, my intentions are innocent of any devious plot, I would never taint such virtue, but how could one avoid wanting to be near such a treasure?"

"I do not doubt your honour," Benedick said, a little worried about the melodramatic scene Claudio was making, the man was normally as masculine as one could get, "but you must stay away simply because she is such a treasure, I have known her since she was very young, and I do not want to see her hurt, and if you woo her, she will most certainly feel a heavy sorrow at your departure. Now come, if you want, we'll find you a wench at a bar later on and you can charm her with your new-found ability of spouting romantic nonsense, but for now, let us forget this rather depressing talk of women and get some food."

"But I would never leave her!" Claudio's blue eyes shone with determination, unwilling to end the conversation. His jet black hair darkened the look on his face and gave a very grim expression, "even if I were dragged away by fifty men, I would not go. My beating heart and living soul would be ripped from my body and would stay with her!"

Benedick crinkled his eyes and opened his mouth in horror as he imagined Claudio tearing his heart out of his chest and giving it to Hero to hold before being dragged away with a silly love sick smile on his face, "what a terrible thing to say!"

Bassanio simply laughed, "But a very powerful one, she seems to have made a rather serious impression on you."

"Serious cannot describe it," said Claudio, his heart was beating so hard, it would burst out of his body if he did not say what he felt, "the second her eyes met mine I became hers, she is now my only master, whatever she asks, I would do it." He laughed lightly, lifting his hands in front of his face and clenched his fists, "I don't even feel real, this moment is beyond real…I feel only one thing, a pull towards Hero, she is the only image I see."

Bassanio looked down at the grass around him; maybe Benedick's theory about Claudio eating rotten fruit was right after all...

Suddenly understanding the direction this ranting gibberish was heading, Benedick promptly smacked Claudio on the back of the head, "Talk sense now! You vowed to me, but a few weeks ago, that you would remain a bachelor. When I told you that eventually you would change your mind, you replied yourself that women could never come above your love of 'drink, swords and horses', and there I quote you directly! Did he not say so Bassanio?"

"So I've heard, but in honesty I wasn't there, I was in infinitely better company that night." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Benedick waved a dismissive arm at him before turning back to Claudio, "You have so many other responsibilities! Think about your brother! Your country! Me! Who's going to travel around with me in search of fun and adventure? Posthumous? I think not! That man wouldn't know what fun was if it came and bit him in the arse. You can't seriously imagine staying here the rest of your life!"

"I'm sorry Benedick, but what I said back then was in a very different time, we were in a war and I could think of nothing else, we forged a brotherhood that will last forever, that will never change," he said consolingly, "but now everything is at peace, I want what it can offer me, a bachelor's life no longer has the appeal it once had," he turned his gaze away from his friends and searched the darkened sky for the first signs of stars, "before I met the lovely Hero, I lived only for myself, but now that I know she exists I would never be able to survive without her, I live for her now. I know I've only just met her, I know I haven't even spoken to her, but there is something about her, no matter what, this need for her will never go away, I just know it."

"Ah," said Bassanio knowingly, his green eyes reflecting the smile that graced his delicate lips.

"Ah? What ah? There is no ah. Do not say ah, you'll encourage him!" said Benedick panicked, "I have seen this look on men before, it means the end of their career as a soldier and the start of a life of infinite suffering." He took Claudio's chin in his hands and titled his head so Bassanio could see his eyes, "Do you see it?" Claudio wrenched himself away, "Do not go down this road my friend Claudio, it will lead you to nothing but pain, stay away from her, she will be the end of your freedom. She's not that pretty, and I don't think she's too clever either! And she had bad teeth when she was younger." He added. Claudio looked at him sceptically.

"Now Benedick, you're getting out of hand, just a few moments ago you were saying how wonderful the girl was, you were all ready to protect her honour." Bassanio was becoming highly amused at his friend's reaction.

"Well that was before he started talking about, about…well, you know!"

"No I don't, what are you going on about?" He replied deviously. Benedick was becoming very easy to wind up.

"Do not play dumb with me, you know very well what I mean," he answered, "I'm talking about the 'm' word,"

Claudio frowned in confusion, "madness?"

"No!"

"Mattresses!" suggested Bassanio.

"Not funny! Now stop it! You aren't helping the situation!"

"What situation? You're over reacting," he brushed his copper bangs out of his eyes, but the night wind blew them back out of place, annoyed, he undid the leather ribbon that held his hair in a low ponytail and retied it tighter.

"Marriage?" asked Claudio,

"My Lord in Heaven he said it!" Benedick cried, grasping his head as if in pain, "you see what you've caused Bassanio?"

"What did I do? I was just fixing my hair!" He yelled back in protest.

Benedick ignored him, "What kind of herbs do they grow in that garden of theirs? Look how this girl has poisoned your mind!"

"Poison? If being beautiful is poison, if having an angelic face and a graceful air, if soft, pink lips and innocent eyes are a poison, then I have indeed drunk from a deadly brew, if her ivory skin-"

"Alright, shut up!" Benedick cried out, "Dear God, I can't take any more, another word like that and I'll be forced to rip out your tongue," he gripped Claudio's shoulders and looked at him in his eyes, "for my sanity and those around you, enough of this nonsense."

"Benedick, be kind, the boy is in love, and his case seems rather severe to merit such a change in his disposition, I think a little sympathy is in order, and support?" Bassanio suggested.

Benedick dropped his hands from Claudio's shoulders, shaking his head in resignation, "Look at what the world is coming to, another great soldier, full of promise and enthusiasm, reduced to becoming nothing but marriage fodder," he looked up at Claudio, "are you sure then?"

"I love her, I could not be more sure."

Benedick sighed, "Then you should talk to Don Pedro so he can arrange it."

"Do you believe he will approve?" Claudio asked worriedly.

"Of course, it's a good match!" replied Bassanio, putting an arm on his friend's shoulder, "now let's get inside before everyone starts to worry about us."

"Well Benedick doesn't seem too pleased about it." Claudio continued as they made their way into the house.

Bassanio looked over at Benedick, giving his a look that said 'Well say something!'

Benedick sighed, "Of course I'm pleased, Hero is very worthy and I am sure she will make you a happy man. I am simply disappointed, you do not have much time left in the regiment as it is and now you will be gone much sooner, who will make fun of Bassanio's pretty locks with me?"

"Keep on with comments like that Benedick and you will one day wake up with a woman's hair wig glued to your skull," Threatened Bassanio.

"Ah, but my friend," remarked Claudio, "to be able to use the wig on Benedick, you would first need to find a way to remove it from your own head."

Benedick gave out hearty laugh, his eyes once again their normal shine, even Bassanio had to crack a smile, though he came out with a bitter reply, "Love may have fuddled most of your brain, but apparently it left a just enough for you to delude yourself into thinking you're funny."

"Oh come now, you're getting out of hand," retorted Benedick, mimicking Bassanio's earlier words, "just a few moments ago you were all ready to defend the poor boy's social suicide."

"His what?" Asked Don Pedro as he made his way towards them, his dark hair was now loose from its earlier braid and hung in waves just passed his shoulders. "What has kept you so long outside? What have you three been plotting?" He asked suspiciously.

"Oh nothing, quite the opposite in fact, I have been trying to save the soul of one of your men." Benedick answered. Pedro gave him a curious look, but before he could question further, Claudio stepped forward, "My Lord, may I have a word with you?"

"Of course." Pedro answered, indicating with his hand that Claudio should lead the way. They walked towards amongst the trees, but this time Claudio did not notice them, his gaze was fixed ahead of him and he stood so upright as they walked, one would have imagined that he was a puppet being pulled in opposing directions. He was shorter than Don Pedro, but by only an inch or two, (he stood to about six foot, two inches). His impressive height, combined with the look on his grave face, would have caused children to run away from him in fright. Pedro cleared his throat, trying to encourage Claudio to start the conversation, when he received no reply, he began it himself, "You seem troubled my friend, what bothers you?"

Claudio rubbed at the small stubble that was beginning to appear along his jaw bone, it was a sign of nervousness, he wasn't sure how to ask Pedro. "It's about women," he answered finally. Pedro raised his eyebrows in surprise, his interest was peaked, "anyone in particular?" he asked. Claudio nodded, "Hero…" saying her name seemed to open the floodgates and Claudio was no longer nervous, he explained his situation to Pedro, who listened attentively but with a huge smile on his face.

Bassanio's stomach rumbled, loudly, "I'm hungry," he announced.

"And I'm Benedick, pleased to meet you."

"That was pathetic even by your standards." Replied Bassanio rolling his eyes.

"Well, when you say something stupid, expect to get something stupid back. What do you reckon is taking them so long?" The two men were silent for a moment, watching Claudio and Don Pedro deep in discussion.

"It was a pity Beatrice pulled away that girl Imogene; I wasn't able to get a good look at her…" Bassanio said.

"Yes, she is quite beautiful, though she's notoriously meddlesome, and squeaky, she can be very squeaky when she's excited." He added, grimacing at the memories. "But she has a good heart, and she's quite cunning, once she even coaxed Posthumous into dancing with her, why do you ask?"

"Oh, I don't know, just to get a feel for the place and its people, we'll be here for a month after all." There was another pause in their conversation.

"What was the name of Beatrice's sister?" He asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Portia. Why?" He demanded, raising one eyebrow and crossing his arms.

"You're very protective of this family." Bassanio remarked.

"I've known them for a long time, don't change the subject. Why."

"No reason in particular," Bassanio spit back, annoyed at his friend's harsh tone.

"I know you, you're shrewd and conniving, you ask nothing for no reason."

Bassanio frowned, "I resent that remark, what kind of devious person do you think I am? Your paranoia and stubbornness has affected your brain. Can I not ask a simple question without being attacked?"

Benedick uncrossed his arms, relaxing his muscles, "I must still be aggravated by Claudio…" he sighed in regret, "so much potential…though I suppose it had to happen sooner or later, what with his obligations and all…I apologise."

"Accepted. Are either of the two promised to a anyone yet?" He asked calmly.

Benedick's eyes widened, "Not you too! You joke!"

"I have never been adverse to marriage, if I found the right one of course, and perhaps Claudio is right, now is the start of a new era, flipping from woman to woman is not enough, I need to start a household, continue my lineage, that sort of stuff."

"Continue your- Pedro! Pedro! I must speak to you!" he called out.

"Good, and we to you," he replied, advancing with Claudio towards them.

"Brothers, it is settled, the good Don has made me a promise, he will kindly act as the intermediate between me and Hero, negotiating with her father and announcing it to my brother, but this is on the condition that I at least wait until to masque to declare my love for her, to give her time to adjust to my presence."

"Wise council, and I hope- did you say a masque?" asked Bassanio.

"Yes, Serenity is holding one specially to welcome us back and to celebrate our victory." Pedro confirmed.

"That's all well and good, but a new problem has arisen, it seems your little romance Claudio has sparked an idea in to Bassanio's stupid head. He too is having thoughts about settling down," said Benedick in a mock-serious tone.

"Well, well, I lose two men in one day, that's no fair; I will be left with the sour bunch, Posthumous and Benedick." Pedro joked.

Claudio beamed, "It's good to have you on my side! The better to taunt Benedick."

"My Lords, I take offence! And for three reasons, I consider my character very sweet, secondly, I could never be in the same group as the misanthropic Posthumous! And finally…well you would never be able to taunt me, marriage has no place in my heart," replied Benedick, continuing the joke.

"My Lord, it is only a thought, but between the two, Portia or Imogene, which is the more suitable?"

"For you Bassanio? In honesty, I would aim for Portia; she would be a better match,"

"I think I agree with you, she seemed the more intriguing of the two, is she shy?" Bassanio asked

"Around those she is familiar with, not at all, but with strangers, especially men…well, let us leave it by saying she would be a challenge," Answered Benedick, "Now enough talk, let us go to dinner!"

Sorry again for the long delay, hope this makes up for it!

Luv CC2 xx