Hmm... Well, I don't think I've really got much to say in this A/N- just that I don't own Dynasty Warriors (didn't say that for quite a while:P), and as always, thank you to everyone who reviewed. And to you, and everyone else, here's Chapter 7.

Enjoy!

It took a little while for Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao's eyes to adjust to the darkness. Both of them could tell that the palace was indeed massive, yet they could see absolutely nothing beyond their faces. It was pitch dark. It didn't seem like there was any life inside. They were clinging onto each other for support.

"Looks like everyone's asleep," came Sun Ce's voice.

"Well, of course they are! It's past midnight," answered Zhou Yu, still slightly annoyed since he and Ce had their conversation. To his utter surprise and pleasure, Xiao giggled hard, and hadn't it been as dark, he would have seen her blush at his sudden spark of irritation.

Ce thought about shoving Yu into the wall, but decided against it... He didn't want Da to know he was in the habit of doing that just yet. Besides, Yu was quick enough to dodge it half the time, so it would be pointless to try.

"Okay, Pop's away on campaign, and Quan, Shang Xiang and everyone else are asleep right now. There's no telling when he might get back, but we're definitely going to have a while before that happens. So I think we should show Da and Xiao their rooms. We could introduce them to everyone tomorrow. Alright?" Ce inquired of Yu.

"That's good. I like that idea," Yu replied. "What about the two of you?" If Yu could, he would have turned to stare at Xiao. But it was Da who answered.

"Yes. That'd be nice. But-uh-Ce? Could I please... have word with you?" she asked, half-shyly, half-hesitantly.

"Uh… Sure! Just excuse us, guys," he replied.

And without waiting for a reply, he and Da vanished into a nearby room. Not that they were even visible in the first place, of course. But their absence caused Yu more tension than they could have imagined. He and Xiao just stood there, each waiting for the other to say something.

Inside the room, Ce lit a candle and held it between Da and himself.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked softy. He noticed she was twisting her fingers together again. He also realized that it was something she did whenever she was nervous, or didn't know what to say. It was a sweet gesture... he doubted she even noticed she was doing it. She kept her eyes cast down to the floor.

Da finally looked up at him. "Ce, I- well, this is very nice of you… and I really appreciate what you and Yu're doing for us-but…"

Ce was suddenly seized with panic. What was the matter? Could she have suddenly decided to return to her home? Was Ce about to lose what he'd found? What was the problem?

"What if your family doesn't like me?"

Ce blinked. That was what the big deal was? Relief swept over him in torrents. He could've burst out laughing, but fought to suppress his mirth. She was so innocent! She was looking up at him nervously, her eyes wide and questioning. When Ce was sure the danger of him laughing had passed, he replied,

"Not like you? I don't believe anyone couldn't like you. They're gonna love you! Don't worry so much about it. I'm sure they will."

"How can you be so sure?" Da pressed.

"Well, because I…" Ce stopped himself just in time. What on earth was he about to say? Ce swiftly covered up his error.

"Because I'll tell them how awesome you are. Shouldn't be too hard."

Da's eyes had widened even more when Ce had mentioned the word I with such heavy emphasis, but softened with slight disappointment when he finished his sentence in that way. Then she started blushing at his words.

"Really? You'd do that?" she whispered, smiling.

"I'd do more than that if you wanted me to."

He couldn't help saying that. She was looking at him so warmly; he wasn't able to stop himself. Ce decided it was time to end the conversation.

"Anyway, I don't think you have anything to worry about, Da. Anyone would like you, I know it. Now, I think it's best if we just leave this room?" he said.

"Hmm? Oh! Oh- yeah, of course," she answered, smiling. But she didn't think it was a very good idea, she was getting used to seeing his face illuminated by the candlelight. She felt that a similar feeling was reflecting in the eyes that were a mirror image of her own. And she had a feeling that the growing warmth that she knew was affecting the two of them didn't bother him in the least. To her, he was much more than gorgeous-he was such an amazing, wonderful and genuine person. Not to mention extremely and effortlessly funny. She didn't want to be anywhere but with him at the moment. And she had no idea what she was feeling for him right now, but whatever it was, she knew that it was a good feeling.

Meanwhile, this was what had been happening with the other two. As Yu had expected, waiting for Ce and Da got Xiao bored at once, and she began to... Well, not complain exactly, just start to grow tired, irritated, and state the fact. Or maybe she was just complaining. Yu just didn't see it that way.

"They're taking too long."

"Yes, I know."

"Yu, I'm sleepy."

"Hmm. So am I."

"Can you take me to my room? Please?"

"What about your sister?"

"Ce can show her to hers. I'm sleepy. I can't wait. Pretty please, Yu?

Yu was glad it was dark. He wasn't in the mood to absolutely melt seeing her cute, puppy-eyes begging him like that.

"Well… alright, I suppose."

And they were off.

When they reached the one of the staircases and began climbing up the steps, Xiao stumbled repeatedly. Yu, like everyone else in the house, knew his way around the palace very well, even in absolute darkness. But the long, spiraling staircase was too confusing for Xiao to follow without missing a turn here and there.

"Need help?" he asked, after holding out his arm to narrowly break her fall for the third time.

"Yeah," she panted. "Could you carry me on your back again?"

Yu was just about to agree, but then decided against it. Maybe he could try something else...

"No, I've got another idea."

"You do?"

"Yes. Here, I'll take you up there in my arms. Like this."

And, similar to the way Ce had held Da when he'd found her in the palace, he did so, noting how very light she was.

"Is it alright?"

Xiao began giggling as he carried her up the stairs.

"Oh, I think it's almost better than my idea!"

Yu smiled, glad he'd thought of it at her admission.

When the two of them reached Xiao's new bedroom, Yu lowered her to the floor, and she shot right into it, pouncing onto the four-poster bed, wrenching open the curtains, gaping with awe at the enormous wardrobe which was already filled with numerous dresses, and staring at her own reflection in the enormous mirror.

"The royal seamstresses can alter all those clothes for you whenever you want to try them. Da's room is on this floor too, just across from yours. So...do you like it?" asked Yu, not daring to enter.

"I love it! It's even better than my room at home," she exclaimed. "Thank you!" she added. To his delight, she skipped up to him for a brief hug, then leapt back onto the bed.

"Good night, Yu!"

And she immediately yanked back her covers, rolled herself into them and was asleep in what seemed like an instant.

Smiling faintly, Yu lowered his eyes and turned away, to climb several other long flights of stairs to get to his own room.

"Where did they go?" Da whispered, as they left the room they'd been in. "Weren't they just here?"

"Yu probably took Xiao to her room. She must've been really sleepy, huh?" Ce answered, giving her a smile.

Da laughed. He was probably right. Xiao wasn't the most patient person in the world when it came to sleep... or much else for that matter. But Da never had a problem with any of that. Her sister was hers, however she was.

"C'mon. I'll take you to yours. It's pretty close to where Yu put Xiao. You'd like that, right?"

And they followed the same path Yu and Xiao did.

Just like her sister before her, Da was having difficulty keeping up with the winding stairs.

"Hold onto my arm," offered Ce.

If Ce had seen Da's smile when she took his arm, he would never have wanted to look away.

Da didn't stumble even once after that.

So, as usual, remember to review please! Sorry if you find my constantly saying that annoying, (as most of you probably do:P), but it's just a habit I can't seem to let go of! So please, if you can find it in your warm, forgiving, understanding hearts, bear with my irritating ways! Thank you.:)