Hey! I'm back with another update. And I'm thrilled to say that this one ISN'T too late! Or at least, not as late as the previous one! XP XD. I guess I haven't really got anything specific to say, so I'd just like to thank everyone who reviewed, as usual. So, thank you! I'm so glad you're all happy to see I' m back!:P. And that you're satisfied with the story so far. I guess it's safe for me to say that there's still LOADS more left to happen, so keep reading/reviewing! So for all those reading these words right now, here's Chapter 12.

Enjoy!

"Sis, I'm back! And I had the time of my life! I never knew flying kites could be so much fun! Well, I mean, I did know it was fun, but I never knew how many different kinds of fun there were to flying kites, really, I mean, it was nothing like how it was whenever you and I used to fly them in our garden! I mean, that was fun too, but this was different, way different, and- and..."

It was when Xiao Qiao finally stopped for a breath of air that she realized, with a slight stab of something like annoyance, that Da Qiao wasn't paying the least bit of attention to her. She wasn't even acknowledging her presence. She was simply lying across her bed, and if it wasn't for the fact that her eyes were open and focused on the ceiling, Xiao would have mistaken her for asleep.

She plopped herself on the bed next to Da and shook her shoulder impatiently. "Sis? Are you listening to me? Listen! I've got loads to tell you!"

Da slowly turned her head towards her and blinked once.

"Finally! What was I saying? Oh, now I remember! First, Yu and I went to get the kites, and... No, wait, that's not it. First, we... What did we do first? I can't remember! There you go, Sis, now look what you did! You made me forget! And I had such an interesting story for you, and now I can't remember it!"

Xiao pouted at her sister to show her what a bad thing that made her. But when she received no response from Da, her frown faded. She stared to grow genuinely concerned.

"Sis?" she asked hesitantly. "Sis, what is it? What's up? Is...everything alright?"

Xiao could have cried with relief when Da's lips spread into a smile, and when more color rushed into her face.

She inched closer to her. "What happened? What do you know that I don't? Tell me!" she whispered excitedly, her own tale forgotten. "Tell me, please!" she repeated.

Da sat up at once, and took hold of her sister's shoulders. "Xiao," she breathed, as though it was the first time she was beginning to believe whatever she was about to tell her. She drew Xiao slightly nearer so that their foreheads were as good as touching.

"Xiao, he kissed me!"

Xiao's mouth dropped open.

Sun Ce whipped around instantly at the sound of his door creaking.

"Oh. It's you," he said shortly, when he perceived Sun Quan standing in the doorway. Quan was as still and silent as a statue, his face as grave as ever.

Ce whistled. Quan almost looked like a specter from hell. "Whoa, dude. Who's dead?"

"You."

Ce raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You heard me, Ce. Where were you and Da?"

Ce narrowed his eyes at his brother coldly. It took him slightly aback that Quan didn't flinch at his stare.

"Why do you care?"

"Why aren't you telling me?" he pressed.

"What's that?" Ce said sharply. Since when did Quan get the gall to seriously pester him like that?

"Ce, just do it."

"Get out of my room."

"Not until you tell me where you were. And what you were doing."

"Why're you still standing there? I told you to get out."

"You're hiding something. I'm not leaving till I find out what it is."

"Quan. Just shut up and leave."

"Not until you tell me. Now!"

"Why the hell would I ever tell a jackass like you?" Ce thundered finally.

He stepped forward, until they were within a few inches of each other. Both were breathing heavily. Both of them were exceptionally strong young lords. Ce was considerably larger than Quan, and a few inches taller. He seized Quan by the collar.

"Quan, just leave. Get the hell out right now, or I'll hurt you. You know I can."

Quan did know. He shook himself free of Ce's grip and staggered back through the door, still facing him.

"And you know I can find out," he snarled. "And I will, too." He turned his back on his older brother, so that only the side of his face was visible. "It seems to me you need a reminder, brother, that you're the son of Lord Sun Jian of The Kingdom of Wu. You're the heir of The Tiger of Jiang Dong. You wouldn't want to do anything to taint his reputation."

He left.

Ce just stood there, watching the back of him. He was dumbfounded. It was the worst threat anyone could possibly throw at him.

"Wow, Sis," Xiao breathed softly. "I can't believe this!"

Da smiled.

"You can't believe it? Think about me, silly!" she laughed, pinching her sister's cheeks.

Xiao squealed, then doubled back on the bed, giggling.

"Oh, wow. My story's peanuts compared to this!"

Da's smile faded.

"Oh, my gosh! Your story! Oh, I'm so sorry, Xiao! I completely forgot... C'mon, tell it to me. I'm listening."

Xiao sat up, sobered.

"It's nothing special," she mumbled, her eyes lowered, as though she was both embarrassed and ashamed of it, after hearing one which she believed was so superior to it. "It isn't much. Very boring."

Da made the same pout Xiao did a little while ago.

"But you said you had such an interesting story to tell me! About Yu and the kites, right? C'mon, I want to hear it."

Xiao brightened at once.

"You mean you were listening?" she asked, overjoyed.

Da smiled at her lovingly.

"How couldn't I?"

She gathered her little sister up in her arms.

"Now tell me from the beginning till the end."

And Xiao did. When she was finished, Da smiled thoughtfully and said,

"Hmm, that is interesting. It's nice to know that Yu can be so much fun."

It made her rather happy to know that. Yu was so calm and composed around everyone, except perhaps for Ce, that she had always deeply admired him and his demeanor. Not to mention she found the young man brilliant, and looked up to him. Sometimes, she imagined that had she an elder brother, he would be very like Yu... But that was absurd, of course. Yu would probably laugh at her if she ever told him she felt that way.

Xiao twisted around to face Da.

"Oh, he can, Sis, he's amazing! He just doesn't see it. And he just doesn't know how to start. He really does need me, huh?"

Da laughed.

"Of course he does, Xiao."

"Sis?"

"Hm?"

"D'you... d'you really think my story was interesting?"

"I sure do!"

"Yeah? After what happened to you? Oh, wow, I still can't get over it! How'd you get brave enough to?"

Xiao felt giddy enough to squeal once again at her sister's story,

Da blushed. She held Xiao closer and rested her chin on top of her head.

"I don't know," she said softly.

Both sisters were quiet for a while, each immersed her own thoughts. Then Da said,

"Tell me more about Yu."

Xiao gladly obliged.

And although Da listened to Xiao's eager tales about Zhou Yu with genuine enthusiasm, she couldn't help thinking of Ce, and dreaming of what stories of him the next day would tell her.

Ce slowly made his way to his bed and sat on it heavily, his hand resting on his high, regal forehead.

What exactly did Quan mean by tainting Sun Jian's reputation? How could he- Ce- ever lower his father's name in any way? He was the pride of the Sun family! His people adored him! And why shouldn't they? What hadn't his love for them driven him to do for his kingdom? How many children were there in Wu who didn't spend hours of their time inventing songs in his praise together? Was there such a mother in Wu who never told her son to 'try and be more like Lord Sun Ce'? Could any soldier who didn't strive to please Sun Jian's heir ever exist in Wu?

Most importantly, had Ce ever failed to fulfil any of his father's dreams? Had he ever disrespected Sun Jian? Had his sincere love for him ever wavered even once?

Yes. As much as Ce didn't want to admit it, he had to. Yes, it has. If Pop meant as much to me in these past couple of weeks as ever, I would be happy to know he's coming back sooner. I would have told Quan and Shang Xiang, Yu. I would have-

Ce swallowed. He hated to admit it to himself. But he had to.

I would have sent the Qiaos back. I would have sent Da back.

But he'd done none of those things. Instead, he did the absolute opposite. He'd been completely disheartened at the news, hid it from everyone, drawn Da even closer to him...

But for what? He remembered how she'd been looking at him by Chang Jiang River, her innocent eyes reflecting every emotion he held for her. Had it really been less than hour since that moment they shared-that moment he would never give up for just about anything? It suddenly seemed like years ago.

Ce groaned and pummeled his pillow. What was he thinking? If Sun Jian caught wind of this, the family would be in disgrace. And what of Da? Would her father ever accept her after discovering all she'd done? Ce knew that if Sun Jian did send her and Xiao home, he would tell Qiao Xuan all. What then? Where would they go? What would happen to them? To Da? Would she and Xiao suffer, homeless? Suffer because of him?

They would.

He'd ruined everything. Everything. Quan had actually opened his eyes. Ce would never be able to forgive himself if any of this hurt Da.

I didn't mean to do it. It just-happened. I would never do anything that would hurt her.

But he did. Ce pressed both his hands to his temples. The right thing to do now, he thought almost feverishly, is send them back where they belong and pretend none of this ever happened.

But he couldn't! He simply couldn't bring himself to let Da go! He didn't want to lose her at any cost. He would risk all he had to keep her. There had been the time he was certain he would never see her again when she and Xiao were captured by Dong Zhou's men. He would make sure that would never happen again. He would keep her by his side no matter what. He wouldn't let a single tear of sadness appear in her eyes. He-

Stop it!

Ce struggled to clear his mind of these thoughts. How much he wanted her didn't matter. What mattered was her safety. Her life. He had to sacrifice his own selfish needs for her sake. He would, too. He knew he would.

But why is that so hard for me to do? Why can't I bear the thought of letting her go?

Pathetic. He, who had endured swords, arrows, boulders, fires, floods, and most importantly, blood, for millions of people couldn't even bring himself to send a girl back to where she would be safe for her own benefit. She might be different and more precious to him than any other girl he knew-or ever would know. But nevertheless, he knew she couldn't stay. He knew she had to return to her home.

If anyone can even call that place a home.

Ce shook his head to avoid thinking about it. Whatever that was, it was where she and Xiao should be. If he didn't send them back as soon as possible... Well, he didn't like to think of what would become of them. Especially Da.

And besides, he added, as a feeble attempt to convince himself further, if I don't, Quan would probably write to Pop and spill the beans. I can't exactly risk that happening.

Ce's mind was made up. Just as he stood up, his door creaked for the second time.

"Ce?"

Ahhh...Now aren't you wondering who this intruder might be? And what could start between him/her and Ce? Sorry, but the next chapter can tell you that! First, I'd like EVERYBODY to review and tell me how much they liked this chapter(even though there wasn't much that took place:P) And I'd also like you to think about how contrasting the events that took place between the brothers and the sisters were, too. No special reason, I just feel like bugging people today! lol. No seriously, THINK ABOUT IT!

Thank You!

Hopefully, the next update will be quicker:P.