Thanks for all the reviews I got in my two week absence, you guys! Yes, I actually read them all lol. And I'm glad so many people out there think so highly of this story- I mean, I've barely even got it started and it's already being so appreciated. That means alot, so this is for all you readers out there who reviewed… And for those who are wondering how tall Xiao is- she's 5'4 lol. Anyways, here's Chapter 6!

Enjoy.

"Xiao Qiao!"

"Sis!"

The Two Qiaos rushed towards each other, tears forming in their eyes. They collided with each other so hard, it was a miracle that neither of them lost their balance and toppled over.

"You're safe!"

"You're safe!"

And then the tears poured out. They clung to each other, laughing and sobbing wildly with joy, neither of them releasing the other. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu just stood silently to one side, watching the tearful, but joyful reunion. Both of them could see how the sisters had missed one another. Ce moved forward and punched Yu's shoulder, grinning, indicating that they hadn't done badly at all. Yu returned the gesture in agreement.

Finally, as though she remembered something just in time, Da Qiao gently released Xiao Qiao, who immediately began wiping her tears away. Slowly, Da made her way towards Ce, not taking her eyes off him, a look of awe on her face.

"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with tears. Ce didn't know what to say. He just stood there, awkwardly.

"Thank you so much, I- I don't know how I can- I think you're the most amazing person I've ever met!"

And with that, she threw herself at him and flung her arms around his neck, her head buried into his shoulder.

Ce was speechless. He hadn't expected this sort of reaction from her... Or hadn't he? Maybe he'd known all along that she'd submit herself to him. Maybe she already had, from the moment he found her in Dong Zhuo's palace. Then, he too held her close, something that he knew he'd been wanting badly to do since he first met her, and drew her nearer, surprised at how soft she was and how easily he could get his arms around her. But what surprised him most of all was her response. Her arms tightened around his neck, she pressed herself to him even more, and leaned her cheek against his chest.

A little way off, two people watched the scene, shocked, and with other mixed feelings

Yu had known Sun Ce since childhood, had heard him sneer about how all the girls he came across were the same to him, seen him roll his eyes at all the scores of young ladies who eyed him hopefully, attempted to flirt with him to get his attention, and sometimes threw themselves at him due to his good looks and high-ranking status.

And now, Ce was actually holding a girl he hardly knew, as if she was dearer to him than anything in the world, as if he'd never let her go. Yu never thought he'd live to see this day. Was it because of, true to Ce's claims, how truly beautiful Da was? No, Ce always saw past outer beauty, Yu knew he did. His whole family was exceptionally good-looking, so it was no surprise that where he learned how to do that. Then why? How?

As for Xiao, she was more interested in Da's reaction. Her sister was shy in front of strangers, wary of men. She had never allowed herself to feel anything for them. But now, she had fallen into Ce's arms, closer to him than she had been to any man, squeezing nearer to him to him by the second. She didn't seem to have any plans of releasing him, either. As if she was ready to stay there forever. As if she had finally found the one she could-and would- belong to.

Yu and Xiao turned to stare at each other, but smiled instead somehow.

"Well, thanks," said Xiao, giggling.

Yu felt himself blushing. "No problem," he said,trying to smile back. She was even prettier than he originally thought, now that he looked her over... Xiao turned to stare a moment longer at Ce and Da, and then as if as an afterthought, began to approach Yu.

Yu stood transfixed, terrified, and yet hopeful, silently praying. Xiao had an especially strange smile plastered all over her face. She was coming closer… closer… closer… Yu held his breath. Just when she was standing directly under his nose, she began to stretch her arms out- and then-

"Yu, Xiao Qiao, c'mon, let's go," called Ce. Yu and Xiao both staggered away from each other. Yu saw Xiao give him a half-apologetic, half-extremely-disappointed look before tearing her eyes away to look at Ce and Da. They were both tightly holding hands, before Ce lifted Da up onto his horse, as if it was something he did every week. Xiao turned back to Yu, turned crimson, giggled, hurried to his horse and leapt up onto it without looking back.

Yu suddenly felt something explode inside him he watched Xiao turn away from him. Anger, possibly, which was directed at Ce. He stamped up to Ce, his hands balled into fists.

"You really are a moron," he hissed through his teeth, before stamping right back to his mare without taking any action. Which didn't faze Ce in the slightest. Everyone knew, that however angry Ce and Yu grew at each other, they would never get into a serious fight. Their bond of friendship ran deep... Or well, deep enough. Besides, Yu certainly wouldn't be the one to initiate anything. He was far too calm and collected for that.

"Hey, thanks," Ce called after him, laughing. After sitting behind Da, he bent down until his lips were beside her ear and whispered,

"You're welcome."

Da went scarlet.

"Here it is," announced Ce.

"It's beautiful," Da gasped.

"Uh-huh, it sure is," commented Xiao.

True, Jian Ye Palace was stunning, what with its numerous towers and turrets, vast gardens, countless stables, and gates constructed from pure gold. Even distant tiger lairs were visible. As if this wasn't enough, it looked even more magnificent, bathed in the moonlight.

"Um, Ce? Could I have a word?" demanded Yu, standing some feet away.

"Yeah, Yeah, sure," Ce answered, dismounting his stallion and walking up to him.

Yu took Ce aside. "Don't you realize what impression this'll make on everyone?" He hissed."Your father? Your siblings? Wu? Haven't you considered that? What'll people think about two lords bringing home two young, beautiful, unmarried ladies? Well?"

Ce inhaled, then exhaled. He'd known that Yu would eventually bring up this point. And he had a valid reason to do so too. Ce had thought about it, but certainly not as much as Yu wanted him to. "Yu, sure I have. And if the people of Wu say they really know us, than they should know that we're not those kind of guys at all. We're men of honor. Besides, I've spoken to Da. She doesn't wanna go home. Not yet, at least."

Yu was stunned. "She doesn't want to go home?"

"Nope."

"But why not?"

"I dunno. I even offered to take her back but she said no. "Not so soon" was what she said. Anyway, why're you complaining about it? I thought you liked Xiao?"

Yu ignored this jibe. He had nothing more to say. Perhaps, if Da didn't want to go home yet, that meant she didn't have a home for now. And if she didn't have a home, neither did Xiao. Yu decided he'd be happy to give Xiao- well, both of them- shelter. After all, Ce had the right to do so, didn't he? So who was he to stand in the way?

"Sis? Did you actually tell Ce you wanted us to stay at Jian Ye Palace?" Xiao was astonished. This was too much coming from her sister!

Da was twisting her fingers together. "What else could I do Xiao? I don't want to go home. I mean, Ce's been so wonderful, and so understanding- I don't think we should go back just now. I want us to stay here."

"You mean, you want to stay here with him," corrected Xiao, more than slightly exasperated.

"Yes, I do," Da answered, unperturbed. "I'm in his debt, and I think maybe he could possibly want me to stay for at least a bit. And I know you want to stay here with Yu. Don't you?"

Xiao couldn't deny the truth. And maybe her sister had done a good thing telling Ce what she did. That meant they could stay, and Xiao could get to know Yu better. She'd like that.

"Yes, but... What about Papa, Sis?"

Da's face hardened. She had thought about Papa. And-

"I doubt he'd even notice we're gone."

Try as she might, Xiao couldn't come up with an argument against that. She remained silent, contemplating her sister's words. Would their father really care if they went missing? Wel, if he were home at the moment to notice it? Perhaps he would, but would it be for the reasons they wanted him to?

xiao looked up as Ce walked over to Da, smiling at the same time she did. Without a word, he took hold of her elbow, silently pushed the palace doors open and walked indoors with her.

Yu turned to Xiao, who stood blinking up at him expectantly. "Well, ready to go?" he asked tentatively. Xiao nodded, and they followed Ce and Da inside.

Ahhh… see, I told you I'd make Yu more loving! And this is just the beginning, people. So, remember to review, please! Thanks.