Thank you SO MUCH again for all your lovely reviews! No, seriously, who said writing could be tiring? I LOVE you guys! I don't think I was ever happier with this story than I am now... Well, anyway, I'm really glad this story's being so well received with all my recent readers... and although I'm totally indebted to me early reviewers, who've never missed a chapter, I'm still happy to welcome new people every day! Okay, so since I know full well that it's my story you're here for and not my sad, silly little A/N's I guess I'd better shut it now and give you just what you want, since I do owe you that much! But before I do, I'd just like to add:

PLEASE DO HURRY AND VOTE ON MY POLL! I'M ABOUT TO CLOSE IT IN ABOUT A WEEK, SO BEFORE I DO, I'D LIKE ALL MY READERS TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO READ FROM ME IN FUTURE!

lol, So now, without further ado, I give you all Chapter 23 of this ever-growing fanfic!

Enjoy.

"How have you been, Lord Sun Ce?"

Finally, that hushed whisper, which was the first sound to penetrate the thick, heavy silence that hung over the ballroom. Yet, nobody heard it save for the speaker and for the one it was meant for.

It was the last thing Sun Ce needed to be certain that this was real.

He didn't answer. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Her hand had flown to her heart a minute or so ago, and had stayed there. Her eyes had snapped open and were still as wide as they had become the moment they were set on him.

"Fine," he heard himself saying flatly. "Just fine."

And that was all. Her expression still hadn't changed, and save for a faint inclination of the head, she gave no sign that she heard him. Her eyes were still fixed on him. It didn't make him feel nervous, but just slightly uneasy. How long had it been since he'd seen that gaze?

In the back of his mind, something was telling him that he should enquire after her, as well. But how? Where to start? What to say? He was at a loss for words.

Just as he opened his mouth uncertainly, Lord Cao Cao suddenly appeared directly before him, sweeping up between the two of them, a certain sort of puzzlement and interest registering on his face.

"Is something here amiss?" he demanded imperiously. "Lady Da Qiao? Who may this young man be? Are the two of you acquainted?"

Da Qiao was silent. Had she even noticed Cao Cao's presence, Ce wondered? Why wasn't she answering him? And why had that closed-off, blank look crossed her face? Her eyes were now cast towards the ground. Should Ce reply in her stead?

Cao Cao was now curiously switching his gaze from Ce to Da.

Before Ce could make any move, Da came back to life.

"Yes, my lord," she said softly. "Lord Sun Ce was kind enough to rescue me from the dominion of Dong Zhuo, and shelter me for many weeks afterwards."

The confusion cleared from Cao Cao's brow.

"Ah, so I see," he replied, his face breaking into a smile. "Then I suppose it is only natural for you to recognize each other."

He turned back to Ce, his eyebrows now raised in surprise.

"Is it true? Lord Sun Ce? The heir to the Kingdom of Wu?"

Ce felt himself nod once stiffly. His eyes were still focused on Da, who stood motionless behind Cao Cao. Thankfully, the latter hadn't noticed this.

"How very wonderful indeed!" Cao Cao exclaimed. "I have simply been hoping and hoping to meet with the famed Master Sun Ce for over two years now! It seems as though fate has favored me at last! Lords and ladies," he went on, now addressing the positively bewildered audience, "I was entirely unaware that Lord Sun Ce, Crown Prince of Wu, would be attending in his esteemed father Lord Sun Jian's place. But, apparently, that was not the sole surprise in store for me! For now it is clear to me that, because it was he who had once done a young woman a chivalrous turn, I should be thanking Lord Sun Ce for being able to present my bride-to-be to you tonight!"

Ce's mouth fell open again in shock at Cao Cao's words. He turned his head to stare at him, hoping against hope that he would not see what he somehow knew he would. But it was of no use. The Emperor was pointing at Da.

Ce was sitting in one of the plush rooms of the palace, waiting for Cao Cao to enter and be acquainted with him. In front of him, Da was seated on her armchair silently, refusing to make eye contact with anyone in the room. The fire in the hearth crackled eerily. Ce's attendants stood stock-still behind their guest, while Da's handmaidens knelt around their mistress in a graceful pattern. The sapphire curtains were pulled back, revealing the dark night-time sky, the crescent moon in its midst. In contrary with the atmosphere in the Grand Ballroom, these quarters of Xu Chang Palace were so quiet and subdued, Ce felt that anyone could have fallen right to sleep within them. He would have, too, except that he doubted he could ever sleep again after what he was going through.

Ce still had trouble believing his situation. How? For heaven's sake, how? Why? Why him? Why now? Why did this sort of thing always happen to him? The confidence and comfort he had regained in the past few hours had deserted him completely. Now he found himself wishing fervently to return home to Wu again. It was beyond torture to sit here in silence, so close to the girl he had once felt so much for... and waiting to speak the man to whom she was now bound. What was he to do now? Should he talk to her? Ask if he could excuse himself? Would she answer? Why was he thinking so much? Oh, the agony of it all!

Before he could make any move, however, the door swung open, and, beaming widely at him, Cao Cao entered the room.

"Ah!" he exclaimed, striding towards Ce. "The moment I've been waiting for all evening!"

Ce rose to his feet and gave a slight, polite bow in reverence without looking at him.

"Do sit down, do sit down..." Cao Cao was insisting graciously, having a seat himself. "Forgive me for being such a time. I hope you have not found the wait unpleasant?"

When Ce shook his head silently, he went on, "Very well, I am glad to hear it..."

He paused for a moment, surveying him with his glittering black eyes. The young prince of Wu was sitting very stiffly indeed, and although he was carrying himself nobly, as if he was used to doing so, there was nothing in his demeanor to suggest that he had accomplished the truly wonderful feats Cao Cao had heard of.

"Where to start?" Cao Cao declared suddenly. "Such rumors have reached my ears, Master Sun Ce! The Little Conqueror! The Red Cyclone! I have to say that these are most impressive titles, do you not agree, Lady Da Qiao?"

Ce's eyes snapped up towards Da once more. She still had not changed her position. All she now did was nod her head once. Ce resumed staring at his feet.

"After all," Cao Cao continued, "Such epithets are not easily acquired. How difficult would you say it was for you to achieve your fame, Master Sun Ce?"

Ce raised his head to look at him. He had barely registered the question. But he knew that he had to maintain his reputation, or he would fail everything he came for.

Careful, he told himself. Remember, Pop's counting on you.

"I wouldn't exactly say it was too hard," he replied, smiling lightly, fighting to keep his gaze away from Da. "I just never felt it was that big a deal. And to be honest, I had no idea that so many people had heard of me."

Cao Cao threw back his head and laughed good-naturedly.

"As modest as the rumors had described! Well, Master Sun Ce, it seems that you need to be more aware of that which is being said about you! The truth of the matter is, you are in fact a role model to many young men. What have you to say to that?"

Cao Cao watched him intently, anticipating his answer. Ce didn't lose his composure even once.

"If I can do it, anyone can do it." Was his simple answer.

Cao Cao didn't laugh this time, but his eyes widened very slightly in surprise.

"Wonderful," he said after a few minutes. "I have no doubt that you are as spirited as anyone can be, Master Sun Ce. The land needs more men like yourself."

"Thanks."

Silence fell over the room again. Cao Cao seemed lost in thought as he stared into space, contemplating his next question. Ce waited, watching Da once more. She was sitting very still, her hands folded in her lap, her eyes pointing towards the floor. It suddenly occurred to him that Da had changed. He realized that there were several aspects about her physique which were different. Why hadn't he noticed them before? She had grown very slightly taller, for one thing. But that was only the beginning, Ce thought, as his eyes roamed over her form, looking her over for the first time in months. Her hair was longer, thicker, somewhat silkier than before. Her skin appeared fresher to him, and her face was more full, still perfectly oval, but with both more curve and maturity at the same time. Her lips together formed an even lovelier pink petal than they had a year ago. Her brow was smooth and glossy as ever, but now better-defined. Her cheekbones had arched just a bit, too, and this gave her face more of a womanly touch. As for her figure, it was still dainty and lissome- but it was a little less narrow than Ce remembered. This form was curvaceous and wholly-formed, but, bizarrely, it was still familiar to him.

Alot could definitely happen in a year.

"Master Sun Ce?"

Ce's body gave an involuntary twitch. Immediately, he redirected all his attention to Cao Cao, whom he had forgotten was even in the rom. Embarrassed, he said,

"I'm- I'm sorry, Lord Cao Cao, I... You were saying?"

The confused look that was creeping across Cao Cao's features was wiped off at once.

"Ah, yes, of course," he began again. "Well, Master Sun Ce, I am afraid it had completely slipped my mind that you and Lady Da Qiao have previously met. I simply must know precisely how and when that came to pass. May I request a summary of the events? From both of you, naturally?"

This was the first time Da looked up to face Ce. Her eyes, which had expressed so many emotions to him a little over an hour ago, now appeared blank and dark. After they flitted to Cao Cao and back, Da took a breath and began.

"I had been abducted by Dong Zhuo one afternoon, my lord, and was held in his palace for several hours. It was Lord Sun Ce who arrived and saved my life just in time. He asked for nothing in return, and I... I am indebted to him."

She lowered her eyes again.

Cao Cao nodded, seemingly pleased. He turned now to Ce, who had been watching Da through it all.

"I am certain there is still more to the story, Master Sun Ce! Come now, would you not narrate your side?"

Ce slowly turned his head to Cao Cao. How much had been unsaid. Kept hidden away, safe from prying minds. He would have liked to forget all about it himself. But if that was possible, he would never be feeling the way he felt at this very moment.

"I don't really have anything else to say."

But Cao Cao was not to give up so easily.

"Well, then I supposed I shall have to keep digging until I find out! What say you, Master Sun Ce?"

He laughed genially.

Ce tried to smile.

"I guess I haven't got a choice, then."

"Good, good. I see we understand each other."

He paused, picking his first question carefully.

"So, to begin with, were you Lady Da Qiao's sole savior? I have no trouble believing it, but I would certainly like to know if there was anyone else I am inclined to thank?"

"No, I wasn't the only one. I had help from a friend."

Cao Cao was silent, and Ce realized he hadn't said enough.

"My closest friend. He's the future strategist of Wu, and I don't think I could have done it without him."

"Indeed! And why is that?"

"Well, because..." Ce trailed off, looking towards Da again. Should he say it? Divulge the reason why he was obliged to split up with his sworn brother on that fateful night? Da's face was still clear of emotion. But Ce was amazed to see how much weight her eyes were suddenly filled with. There was fear, pain, and hope all combined within them, and immediately, Ce found his answer from their depths.

"Just because he's a great warrior. He backs me up real good."

"I see. That sounds absolutely thrilling, if I do say so myself! That accursed tyrant Dong Zhuo... if it had only been I who had defeated him in Lu Bu's stead..." Cao Cao's voice suddenly took on a deeper growl.

"That villain never could be satisfied with any woman from his harem... the thought of him laying hands on my delicate young fiancée..."

As Cao Cao was speaking, he got to his feet and walked towards Da. When he reached her, he stopped at her chair and slowly curved his arm around her back, resting his hand on the nape of her neck.

At once, there erupted within Ce a fiery, white-hot emotion, burning up his insides and surging through his veins. Fiancée. Ce's mind was racing. Anger and hatred, boiling and searing, expanded within him, and he was possessed with a mad impulse to lunge at Cao Cao, attack him in any way, fall upon him like the tiger he was. From the very instant Cao Cao's fingers made contact with Da's smooth skin, Ce felt as though a nonexistent part of him had suddenly come alive. What was it? Where had it come from? He' never felt it before. But that was the least of his concerns- as Cao Cao's hand began lightly massaging the back of Da's neck, Ce could hardly contain the agony exploding inside of him. Why was she sitting so still? As if she couldn't even feel him? Ce couldn't bear it. What wouldn't he give to rip Cao Cao's hand off his wrist right now- !

Thankfully, a second later, the doors swung open and the Royal Chamberlain entered.

Cao Cao removed his hand from Da's neck at once.

"Yes?" he asked, somewhat irritably.

The Royal Chamberlain bowed deeply before him venerably.

"Forgive me for the interruption, my lord. But our honored guests request your presence in the Banquet Hall."

Cao Cao exhaled in near-annoyance. But he gathered himself almost immediately.

"Oh, very well, very well," he answered briskly. "Go and inform them that I shall return shortly."

"Of course, my lord," was the reply, and, bowing once more to Cao Cao and to Ce, he glided out of the room to carry out his task.

Cao Cao then turned to Ce.

"Well, Master Sun Ce, it seems our conversation has come to an end for the present. But, I give you my word, we shall indeed come back to it during your stay here!"

Ce got to his feet and bowed low without a word. The powerful feelings he had recently experienced were now ebbing away, but he was still left confused at what they were, and why they had filled him.

Cao Cao, being the elder, merely inclined his head towards the young lord.

"I see that the young men have reason to assume you as their role model, Young Master," Cao Cao mused, more to himself than to Ce. "You are most welcome here in the Kingdom of Wei. I wish you a very pleasant stay."

And with that, he turned to go.

After a bow to Ce, Da made as if to follow him, but Cao Cao lay a hand on her shoulder to prevent her from doing so. When she looked up at him questioningly, he murmured,

"I wish for you to stay here and entertain our guest. I will send for you by and by."

Da gave a slight, timid nod.

With a swift smile directed at Ce, Cao Cao turned on his heel and swept out the doors. Curiously enough, Ce and Da's attendants excused themselves several seconds afterwards. It was unfathomable, but Ce made nothing of it. He was too preoccupied with other things on his mind at the moment.

After a few, uncomfortable minutes during which neither of them looked at one another, Da suddenly broke the silence.

"How have you been?"

Ce couldn't help but notice that her voice was now somewhat breathless, suppressed, and quavery.

"You already asked me that."

It was clear that Ce's tone couldn't have been flatter. Maybe he was being something of a bad-tempered stiff, but he couldn't help it. He had no sympathy for anyone but himself at present.

"I...I know," she said, her voice more hushed now. "Sorry."

He looked up at her incredulously.

"'Sorry'? For what?"

She looked as confused as he felt.

"I only meant... I-"

"Never mind."

Ce didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to hear anything she had to say to him. He still couldn't believe what was happening, and he didn't know how he was to proceed with this. He found that he was extremely restless and uncomfortable with all this.

He looked away from her, but for some strange reason, his head snapped right back at her.

"Why didn't you let me tell him?"

The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

At the same time, that sealed, blank look took over Da's face again.

"Tell him what?" she asked softly.

Ce struggled to remain patient.

"Tell him exactly who helped me that night, and the reason why I couldn't have saved you without him. The reason why the two of us had to split up. And why did you make it sound like you were the only one I was saving? And why-"

"Because I had to."

Ce was dumbfounded.

"Why?"

Da was silent.

Ce forced himself not to shout at her. Da's attitude was frustrating him beyond words. Countless emotions were stirring within him. There were so many things he wanted to do at the moment- and he knew that he would never do any of them...

Instead, he waited, hoping that Da would give him a better answer. He wanted one. He needed one. Many, in fact.

Slowly, Da raised her face to his. Her eyes were pleading with his to understand. But he refused them. He was not going to let this pass. He let her know that he would not rest until he found out exactly what was going on.

In the meantime, he cast his mind around for another topic to discuss, and found one instantly.

"Fiancée, huh?"

Ce's voice was bitter, with plenty of sarcasm, and not a shred of humor.

"Yes."

"For how long?"

Da avoided his eyes.

"Four months."

"Sounds great. Congratulations, Lady Da Qiao."

"Thank you, Lord Sun Ce."

"So you're happy with all this?"

He did a good job at keeping the strain out of his voice.

She looked at him sharply, warily.

"Of course I am."

And here she smiled at him for the first time since he arrived.

Immediately, Ce knew something wasn't right: her smile- it wasn't hers, it wasn't hers at all. What was wrong with it? It didn't belong to her. Ce didn't believe it for a second. He knew that something was up. Why wasn't she smiling the way she always did? This smile was guarded, unsure, plain, and altogether, just not real.

"So how have you been?" he asked, trying to pretend that he hadn't noticed.

"Very well, thank you," she answered politely, still without looking at him. "And how about everyone else? You father? Your brother, and sis-"

Ce suddenly leapt to feet, abruptly ending the forced conversation. Da, interrupted, stood up herself.

"I have to go," he said, somewhat harshly.

"Where?" asked Da.

Ce looked at her, and noticed that she looked simply alarmed, and panic was spread all over her face.

"Go where?" she repeated, this time in a whisper.

Ce tried to reassure her, as bizarre as it seemed.

"It's nothing. I just feel like going back upstairs."

Da's features relaxed.

"Oh," she said in a small voice, seeming embarrassed at having reacted so strongly. "Alright. I suppose I might see you tomorrow then."

Ce nodded once stiffly.

Tomorrow. What a word. Was he even going to have a tomorrow after this? He doubted whether he actually wanted one in the first place.

Da crossed the room and walked towards the doors. Before she passed him, however, she stopped, and looked up at him.

She stood by him for what seemed like years, even though it could not have been more than two or three minutes.

Then, she took a deep breath, and let it out in a strange sigh that Ce had never heard before, not from anyone. He couldn't help himself as he turned to stare back at her.

"Have a good night's sleep, Lord Sun Ce," she said softly, before reaching out and lightly placing her fingertips on Ce's arm.

It was in the split second in which she touched him when Ce felt a most familiar feeling surge through him, like some sort of electric shock. He looked right into her eyes once again, catching her off-guard. She froze in her place for just a fraction of a second, and her eyes grew wide. She pulled her away from him at once as though it was burned, but didn't break eye contact with him.

It was only when she blinked that the connection was broken, but the deed was already done. She stared up at him, looking dazed, confused and imploring, but immediately hurried out of the room in the next moment, leaving him behind, silent and quite on his own.

She did not know it, but it was in that split second, that when Sun Ce stared into Da Qiao's eyes, he realized that he still loved her.

Ce rolled over for what seemed like the umpteenth time. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't bring himself to sleep. He had lain awake for hours now. The moment he felt even the least bit drowsy, her face would appear before his eyes, and they snapped open again, leaving him as wide awake as ever. Whenever he thought about her, a million searching questions would rush to his mind, and he found himself unable to answer even one of them. How? When? Why? Ce didn't know when to start. When he first saw her, standing serenely in the midst of the Hall, he felt as though he were dreaming. He couldn't believe what was going on. He didn't know why she was there, but strangely enough, he didn't much care, either.

It was only when Cao Cao had referred to her as his fiancée that Ce had felt that he'd woken up and revived from his shock completely, only to feel something much more deadly spreading like poison over his heart- whatever it was. There was just so much on his mind, so much he wanted- no, needed- to ask her. And when her fingers had touched him, something dormant within him came back to life. It was like something that set his heart and soul alive. Ce had thought he would never feel such sensations again, but apparently, he had been proven wrong. But still, he knew that she may never answer his burning questions, and that he may never ask them, anyway. But how could he find out? How? If she wouldn't tell him what she'd been through in the past year, whom could he ask who would?

Ce suddenly jerked and sat bolt upright, his heart racing, his eyes wide with realization. What an ass he was! How could he have forgotten? Of course! There was someone! Why didn't he think of it before? But no matter now, there was still time... He could be gone and back in just a matter of hours, and no one would find out... He probably ought to plan it more carefully, but all he knew to do was hurry and fly like the wind. Yes, there was no other way.

As he was thinking these thoughts, he had climbed out of bed in a flash, hurriedly pulling on his clothes, making sure he made no noise, even though he knew he need not worry; it was really impossible for anyone to hear him at this hour, from his quarters. But he couldn't take that chance; not now, after all that had happened, he would be mad to risk anyone finding out what he was about to do...

In just forty seconds, the door closed swiftly behind him as he stole away to the stables.

It seemed that Ce wasn't the only one who'd been having trouble sleeping. For when he swung open the stable doors, his stallion's ears perked up eagerly, his eyes sparkling with recognition and fondness for his master.

Ce moved towards it slowly, taking care to avoid the other gently-snoring horses.

"Can't sleep either, huh, buddy?" he asked softly, holding his horse's nose close to his face and rubbing its mane. The animal had been one of Ce's companions for five years, when it was a little more than a foal, and even though Ce had ridden numerous horses in the Imperial Stables, and was familiar with most of them, this was the one whom he loved better than all the others.

The horse snorted its assent, surveying Ce mournfully.

"Don't worry," Ce assured him. "You better saddle up for a long ride."

Ten minutes later, the horse was joyfully galloping at top speed with its master on its back, glad of a chance to exercise his legs to their fullest ability.

Ce, however, was a bundle of nerves. He had been lucky enough to sneak past the palace guards unnoticed, and luckier still to successfully slip out of the gates. Good fortune was on his side tonight. He feverishly hoped it would remain with him for at least a while more, as the wind howled around him and whistled through his hair.

There could be no rests on this journey, Ce thought. No breaks and no slowing down, except when he felt that his horse needed to relax. But, glancing down at its blurred hoofs, Ce didn't think that would be necessary- this was a stallion that went on without stopping. At this rate, Ce calculated, he would probably reach his destination in the early hours of morning- later than dawn, but much earlier than noon.

He gritted his teeth and further dug his heels into his mount's sides, not at all painfully, but enough to let it know that it had to pick up the speed. Honestly, Ce wasn't even sure he knew exactly where he was going. He knew the way, but he was doubtful on how to get there. But he would find it eventually, he knew. He well remembered where Da had pointed a year ago, when he had first met her. He would just have to trust himself, and depend on his instincts. He was a warrior, he had found many things countless times, things that were much harder to locate than this. Ce could barely contain himself. This was some night! Just yesterday, less than twenty-four hours ago, he had been lying in bed, and his sister had pounced on him, receiving a hard blow to the mid-section. Wow, had that really been less than a day ago?

Although he knew it was, Ce doubted it. He doubted it very much.

Well, I hope that was good enough! So, I hope I haven't incited the WRATH of all you Ce/Da fans out there! Hate me for doing this if you want to, but PLEASE do NOT take it out on this story, it NEEDS reviews to stay alive! lol. Anyways, I've now got Da engaged to Cao Cao (can you say EW?) and now, Ce's galloping off someplace where he thinks he can find the answers to all the questions he wants to ask Da, but can't.

But WHERE can he be GOING? And what will happen when he gets there? Who's he gonna ask? Will anyone find out he's gone- or worse, WHERE he's gone? Please keep the guesses coming, I'm actually really interested to know what you guys think is gonna happen! Don't forget about voting on my poll, either! And of course, DO review to make me happy! That's all I'm asking- again, let me know you were here!