Okay, for everyone who's wondering, I'm not dead YET! Hard to believe, right? lol, well, while I was chilling over the summer, I just so happened to forget about updating this fanfic almost entirely! But now that school's started again, I guess I'm back to being lifeless old me, whose only source of freedom is the computer and the stories she writes... I swear, I'm not exaggerating... too much:P

So anyway, I hope everyone reading these lines right now had the funnest summer of their lives! And for everyone who wasn't enjoying themselves enough to forget about this fic, here's Chapter 15!

Enjoy.

Sun Jian slumped forwards onto his black-coated horse. As he did so, the stretch of muscle in his chest tightened, causing him considerable pain, but he didn't wince. He had learned to bear the discomfort long ago.

I am growing far too old for this.

The most recurring thought he had. He was nearing forty years of age. But Sun Jian loved being a warrior. Fighting on the battlefield was his passion. It was inadequate to say he didn't know when to quit. True, he hadn't had to fight a whole lot during this particular campaign. But he had done enough to exert himself quite considerably.

Sun Jian sighed with pleasure as he grew closer and closer to his beloved palace, his home. He could see more than just the turrets of the towers now. Normally, there would have been a large and noisy procession of soldiers behind him, laden with flags, banners and fireworks in celebration of their successful eight-month long campaign.

But not this time. Not today. Today, Sun Jian longed just to be alone with his family, catching up with them on everything he'd missed while he was away, learning of the new skills they'd acquired in his absence, experiencing the joy of being near his children and loved ones again...Therefore, he hadn't permitted a celebration of any sort, not willing to draw attention to himself. He wanted his return to be a total surprise to all. His men had been terribly disappointed to learn of his orders, but they loved their leader, and understood his reasons for forbidding their victory festivity well. Of course, they had obeyed without question. They knew their time for festivities would come soon enough

Although Sun Jian was no doubt eager to see all three of his offspring, he simply could not wait to set his eyes on his eldest son. Sun Ce was not only his heir, but his pride as well. He had surpassed veterans and generals nearly twice his age, and had made his name known throughout the entire kingdom in a short period of time at a tender age.

But the reason of all reasons why Sun Jian was most impatient to see him was because Ce was in truth his most beloved child. Yes, his second son was as precious to him as his first, and he no doubt adored his only daughter madly, but somehow, Ce was was more important to him than any living soul he knew. Maybe the difference he felt for Ce and his other children was even negligible, but it was there, and Sun Jian had felt it on a few occasions himself.

And of course, there was Zhou Yu. How could he forget about him? The dear boy was sharper than forty crickets, but just as reserved and quiet as they were shrill and obvious to themselves. Perhaps that was how he slipped Sun Jian's mind. As far as the Sun clan was concerned, Yu was family, and had been for more than several years. Sun Jian had made it known that while a Zhou, Sun Jian regarded Yu as one who was as good as his own son, and his children their brother, only Ce more strongly so. And of course, Yu called Sun Jian 'Father'.

Suddenly, Sun Jian's horse didn't seem to trot fast enough. His undeniable urge to see his family mounted as the palace grew closer with each passing second. He dug his heels slightly into the stallion's side.

"Quickly," he muttered softly. It was almost time to start ringing the gongs for the morning assemblies at court. If the royal servants began that before he reached, he would surely be glimpsed and recognized by at least one official or the other. That was just what he needed to avoid. He wanted to be greeted by his children first, and his children alone.

The gate guards slowly swung open the palace gates with wide, disbelieving eyes at perceiving their lord and master.

"Your Majesty..."

"Welcome home..."

"Thank you."

Sun Jian's very tone let them know that they were not to make his return obvious. They nodded, having taken the hint. As Sun Jian entered the gates, he heard the faintest trace of a whisper:

"Congratulations, Lord Sun Jian."

Sun Jian smiled more broadly at that, making his way towards his beloved home. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. Ce, Quan, and Shang Xiang might very well be in the royal grounds. The training fields did provide them enough room to practice or hone their skills, and the magnificent gardens were perfectly suitable for relaxing when they grew weary from sparring.

Sun Jian steered his horse to the left, now heading for the gardens. He scoured every inch of whatever his eyes could reach, before coming to the conclusion that there wasn't a soul within his sight. He was just beginning to lead his horse away, before a shrill cry reached his ears.

He immediately dismounted and wheeled around. The voice belonged to someone completely unfamiliar. Who could it be? A spy? Were they under attack?

"Yu! Yu, where'd you go!"

Sun Jian was startled to see a small figure hurtling towards him out of nowhere. But when it was just feet away, the apparition stopped abruptly. He peered carefully at what was standing before him.

A small, panting, young girl. Her face was rosy, probably excessively from having run at a rather high speed, covering a considerably large distance. Her eyes were large and honey-brown, her fairly long hair just a bit darker, only beginning to come loose of its elaborately high ponytail, her slim body slightly rising and falling. Her eyes were contemplating him with something like fright. She seemed almost like a little child who had been caught in some sort of mischief and was afraid to admit it.

Sun Jian decided after one look that she was lovely. No, much, much more than lovely. More like a fresh, young and exquisite bud just waiting to burst out and bloom in all its beauty in a few years, showering shame on every blossom surrounding it. He stared at the girl for a few more seconds. He had no idea who she was, what she doing here, where she came from, and why she was looking at him as though he were about to slice her in two. But what he did know was that he would find out, without betraying any surprise of seeing her in his gardens, and with the gentlest of means. He then cleared his throat, making her twitch with a start.

Sun Jian began,

"Good morning. May I know your name?"

She didn't answer.

Smiling, he went on,

"Do not be afraid, child. I would never hurt one so sweet as you."

At that, he knew she almost blushed. The corners of her rosy mouth twitched, as though she were about to smile. But still, she said nothing.

"Well, may I at least know what you are here for? Perhaps I could help you."

By that he meant, of course, what she was doing in his palace in the first place. He felt certain he would receive no reply once more, and was beginning to wonder whether the girl was altogether slightly mad, when she actually spoke.

"I was looking for Yu, because he was beside me just a minute ago, but then when I looked up, he was gone. I thought he went this way, and you kind of looked like him from where I was standing, so I ran up to you, and- and..."

Her voice faltered. Sun Jian's smile widened. The girl had said all of this in a burst of words, as though nervous of leaving any of it out. He could tell that she was still afraid of him. Who could she be? A far-off relative of Yu's? A distant cousin, perhaps? Her eyes did look bizarrely similar to his...

Ah... of course not.

Sun Jian inwardly cursed himself for letting it slip his mind so easily. None of Yu's family had survived. That day, over seven years ago, none of his family had made it through that terrible night. Because none had been sharp enough to hide in a way that had only occurred to a ten-year-old boy, who was to lose all that was dear to him, and to eventually be handed over to a family that would raise him as if he were their own...

"I'm... I'm sorry sir, but who are you?"

The girl had finally lost her composure. She was looking at Sun Jian as though tears were just ready to spill from her eyes.

"Forgive me, dear," said Sun Jian in alarm. He certainly hadn't imagined that he would ever seem this frightening to someone. "But how is it that you do not recognize me?"

He was stunned, after all, how could this girl be in the grounds of Jian Ye and have no idea who they belonged to? And if she was indeed from Jiang Dong, which she may well be from, since she seemed to know Zhou Yu so well, how couldn't she even see that her Emperor was before her?

"Why so afraid?"

He couldn't for the life of him understand what the matter was.

"Because... because... because you've got a sword!" she cried out at last.

Sun Jian stared at her, and then threw back his head and laughed heartily. So that was what she was reacting to! He laughed and laughed, not even paying any attention to the now bewildered girl, who was still standing and blinking at him, more puzzled than he was.

Finally, he said, "Well, there really is no need to be so timid. I would never hurt you. As I have already said, you are far too sweet for me to harm."

He smiled at her kindly.

Slowly, she began smiling too, rather embarrassed, it was true, but he could tell she was much more relaxed than before.

"Actually, you do remind me of someone, sir."

"Is that so?'

"Uh-huh. It's like I've seen you before. I'm not sure where, though. But I know that I know someone who you remind me of!"

The girl was almost excited now.

"Oh? And who is th- no, never mind, you may tell me that later. But what of Zhou Yu? Did you say you know him?"

At that, the girl (he was a little amused that she still hadn't introduced herself yet) positively beamed from ear to ear. It was surprising, however charming, the change in her face once she did that.

"Oh, do you? He's my best friend in the whole world! He's great, don't you think so?"

She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet in eagerness.

"I suppose one could not argue with that of course, but how is that? I am certain he never mentioned you before... not that I know your name, of course."

"Well, ever since he helped save me and my sister from those horrible soldiers. I thought we were goners, I mean I still have no idea what they were gonna do with us, but I know from the way Sis was crying that it wasn't going to be good! But then he rescued us, and I was with Yu, and Sis was with-"

"Wait, wait, wait! Did you say your sister?"

Sun Jian was astounded. Who was this girl? Where did she come from? And did she say she had a sister?

The girl was now nodding vigorously.

"Yes, my sister. We were doing something outside which I can't remember, and then the big, mean men came and carried us off to the ugly palace, and it was really ugly, by the way, not pretty like this one! And they carried us off to that ugly palace, and Sis was crying and so was I, but a bird came through the window, and Sis tore a piece of her skirt, picked this bit of glass lying around and-"

The girl swallowed and blinked a few times, looking at her feet for several seconds. Then, head snapped up as though there'd been no interruption, and she continued just as quickly and excitedly.

"She wrote for help, and the bird flew out, and then the men came back in and made us walk upstairs with them. Then I like a stupid, idiot ran away without Sis. I didn't mean to! I never wanted to leave Sis all by herself, I know it was a really bad thing to do! Mama would have called me disgraceful, and I was. You know, I still haven't apologized to her! But I mean to soon, and I know she probably already knows. She must have forgiven me anyway, she's the best! And then I was alone, and then Yu came, and helped me get away from all the soldiers running around us, and I was with him and Sis was with-"

"What is your name?"

Sun Jian had turned very pale while this girl had been 'telling' her story.

"My name?"

"Yes, what is it?"

Her name would tell him who she really was- who her father was, where she belonged. Her name would tell him if he had guessed correctly.

"My name's-"

"Xiao!"

It was a most familiar voice, one Sun Jian would recognize half-dead.

"There you are. Yu's been looking everywhere for you. C'mon, let's go ins-"

The voice trailed off as the speaker came to a halt and saw Sun Jian. Sun Jian turned and fixed the intruder with a glassy stare. Nothing was said for what seemed like years.

"Now I remember!" Xiao Qiao burst out excitedly upon looking at him."This is who you reminded me of!" Turning to Sun Jian, she said proudly, "Sir, this is my friend. Sun Ce"

Hee hee hee! Yeah, please ignore the stupid, high-pitched laugh…I just feel really, really naughty to not continue the most intense part of the story in this chapter! But I guess that's enough writing from me for one chapter, and you guys obviously have more to your lives than sitting at the computer all day, unlike me. So, I know Sun Jian sounds like a total weirdo when he talks, and that there wasn't really any fluff in this chapter, but I felt I needed t take a break form romance just for once in the story, and give Sun Jian a good introduction. So that's why I wrote everything from his POV (you can tell by the way I very cleverly didn't mention who Xiao was, until the last line, because that was when I decided to put things in both Ce and Jian's perspective :P) So please, please, please review if you'd like me to update sooner, with a lot more fluffy, romantic scenes! I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks!