Wow is it just me, or have I updated super-fast this time? lol Okay maybe not that fast, but much faster compared to some of my earlier updates! But I guess that's because I suddenly have a whole lot of free time... not sure how long that's gonna last, but I might as well make use of it and do something productive... But before you begin reading the chapter, I'd just like to make note of a couple of things:
1) All the characters now appear the way they did in DW6 (or in Da Qiao's case, DW6: Strikeforce 2). When I say 'appear', I essentially mean their outfits have now changed and maybe their hairstyles are different as well... depends on the reader's preference:). I still want to make clear that, in this fanfic at least, Da and Xiao look CONSIDERABLY older than 12 year olds.
2) I've FINALLY closed the poll I'd put up which was labeled: I'm thinking of doing another oneshot, so which couple should I base it on?
And the winners by just ONE vote were... Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao! lol And to be honest I'm kinda glad things turned out this way, because I am looking forward to writing some more about those two. For those who don't believe me and want the stats, here they are.
1 Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao
18 » 38%
2 Sun Ce and Da Qiao
17 » 36%
3 Gan Ning and Sun Shang Xiang
7 » 14%
4 Zhao Yun and Xing Cai
4 » 8%
5 Zhang He and Zhen Ji
1 » 2%
Unique Voters: 29
I hope that's good enough for you:). I just wanna thank all my reviewers before getting on with letting you read this update, and I think there's no better way to do that than to shut up and get out of the way:P. So, to everyone who's been aching to finding out about what was going down at the end of that last chapter, here's Chapter 30!
Enjoy.
His fists were clenched and his throat was dry as he waited. Every second seemed like a lifetime, but he waited. Every fiber of his being was desperately aching for him to make just one more move, but he waited. He could imagine nothing more agonizing than just standing out there in the night, gazing endlessly up at the windows the way that he did, but despite it all, he waited. His muscles tensed and relaxed repeatedly. It was the greatest show of patience he- or maybe anyone- could ever have displayed. What he wouldn't give... what he wouldn't do to speed up time a hundredfold right now-!
He couldn't bear it any longer. The window gave no sign of opening. Could his journey have been in vain? If that were true, he doubted how well he'd be able to stand it. There had been far too many disappointments, far too many disasters befalling him within the past two days, and one more just might be enough to finally break him. He couldn't let that happen. He had to show himself, whatever happened afterwards.
He stepped into the moonlight, his eyes never leaving the window he'd tossed the pebbles at. He would have called out if he could just find his voice. But all it took was a step. And then it happened. It happened right at the moment he was bathed only in the moon's pale glow, surrounded otherwise by darkness.
His eyes widened to their fullest, and the windows were flung open.
And then the world stopped. Time stopped. Sound and sense vanished.
The world stopped, but his heart didn't. His heart raced as his mind tried to take in what his unblinking eyes beheld before them.
Yes, there was the mansion. There were the windows. There was the windowsill. And at the windowsill, there was... there was...
It was a dream, she knew it was. It had to be. It had to be another one of those dreams she'd been so afraid of succumbing to every night. Those dreams were the reason why she wouldn't go to bed sometimes. Yet one of them had appeared before her right now, outside of her window, paralyzing her from head to foot. That had never happened yet. The dreams had never rendered her so helpless before. So why now, of all times? And why was this dream somehow... different from the others? This dream didn't look the way she'd remembered it... it had... changed... It had... grown.
Her heart gave a loud, wrenching thump, which almost broke her apart. It was all she could do to pull herself together. There she was again, fooling herself into believing it was real! Any moment now, she was going to wake up. She knew that. She knew she was going to wake up, but why wasn't she even trying? She knew this was a dream, so why was she so still... so determined to keep dreaming? Still staring down at it without looking away?
Her fingers were gripping the window frame as though her life depended on it. Any tighter and she'd never be able to pry them off. And why was her vision turning blurry? And... moist?
Oh. I'm crying.
Crying because it was going to disappear, just like all the others. Well, it sure was taking its time. And the strange fact of the matter was, looking down at it, she could almost see what her own face might look like at the moment- minus all the tears, of course.
The cruel, tormenting apparition! It was refusing to vanish. Why didn't it just leave and get it over with? Why was it insisting on toying with her? That- that thing- standing there, in all its beauty, she couldn't bear it- she couldn't-!
"Xiao."
And that was when realization stopped her heart from beating.
Her name was what did it.
The moment he spoke her name, everything changed.
He watched as her eyes flew open again, and as she covered her mouth with her hand. Watched as she slowly straightened up. As she stepped onto the windowsill, her arms outstretched. A gust of wind blew over her, fanning out her hair, making it flutter about her form as she gazed down on him.
Without a word, he stepped forward.
And she stepped off the sill and dove right into his waiting arms, as light as a feather and soft as a cloud.
The moment they came into contact, the world exploded around them. The world exploded, but they did not. What happened to them was more of a collision of hearts.
First, all they did was stare at each other, her laying in his arms, him carrying her slight form.
And then a second later, it happened.
His arms encircled her waist as he snatched her up like a man who'd been starved, leaving no room for air between their forms; his hands ran themselves through her hair, across her back, along her neck, and his lips found her tear-streaked face, and he kissed whatever of it he could find which wasn't already buried in his chest.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, she was entwined and gathered to him as he held her off the ground, her hands lost themselves in his hair as she inhaled the scent of him she'd been longing for; held tightly against his chest, she pressed her lips to the base of his throat because that was the only part of him she could reach, as her forehead was covered by the kisses she'd so missed-!
They were inseparable as they sat in the grass under the night sky, nothing could pull them apart, there was nothing either of them could see, smell or touch besides each other.
It was only after a few minutes when he realized how close he was to crushing her.
Alarmed and appalled with himself, he took her arms and held her away, yet never letting go of her.
"I'm sorry," he breathed, his eyes searching her face. But he found no hint of pain, no sign of relief at being released.
Her big eyes were fixed on him adoringly, full of incredulity and lingering amazement.
Like I'm a 'big' person in her eyes.
He fought against the urge to seize her in his arms once more, and instead allowed her to have her time.
She reached out, as though mesmerized, and touched his face. Lightly, at first. Then she covered what she could of his cheek with her hand, still in daze. As if she was afraid he would disappear the moment she did.
There was no way that was going to happen, of course. Parting from her right now was unimaginable.
He turned his head to her hand and kissed it. Then he seized it in one of his while the other stayed in her hair, and, for the first time in over a year, he looked at her to his heart's content. His eyes took in everything... her face, her stunningly beautiful face, the face he loved, the face that had grown even lovelier and more womanly over time, the large, honey-brown eyes with their short, thick eyelashes, the nose which was not so much a button anymore, the rosy, full-lipped mouth which was as sweet as ever, and the long, soft brown hair which his hand was covered in.
His eyes roamed her over and over... he couldn't get enough of this, could never cease to gaze at her at the way he did now! It had been too long, far too long... he doubted if he'd be able to stop. She was perfect, so perfect! But her eyes... her eyes were speaking to him, they told him all he needed to know. Looking into them, he could see everything going through his heart and mind going through hers. His love, his darling girl had changed so much while she'd been away from him. She had grown so much, so fast, it astounded him. But she was still the same. With the greatest difficulty, he tore his gaze away from her face and absently towards her body.
And he stopped at once. Right then, as suddenly as he had started. For the sight that met his eyes might just have been too much for him to bear. Already his hand desired to slide down her neck and cup her shapely waist, drawing her against him as his lips roamed over every inch of her...
He banished those thoughts from his mind the moment they entered. He was disgusted with himself. Of course, these fantasies could probably be excused for now, since it was his first time seeing her this way. But he would never let them rule his mind again. To think he would let them overcome the true, deep emotions he felt for her! To think he could forget, even for a second, what she meant to him-!
Upon raising his eyes to her face, however, he was surprised. Her expression had not changed in the slightest. She had known just what had gone through his mind then. And just what he'd resolved to do upon thinking it. And she loved him for it. So much! It was different having him stare at her. In the past, she'd hated men's eyes raking at her face and form the way that they did. Because of that, she was never comfortable with any man looking at her. But now, she felt none of the things she would otherwise have felt. For he was not looking at her the way anyone else had ever before. His eyes were revering her, adoring her. He looked at her with all the tenderness- and hesitant uncertainty- that she wanted him to. She knew she wanted nothing more than for him to see her. To be pleased with how she looked now, with how much she'd changed, because it was all for him.
She reached for him again, this time cupping his face with both her hands. Oh, his face! She could touch him! Touch him and not have him melt away, into nothingness! He was there, right there with her, and he was real. His face was real, more beautiful than she remembered it. His deep, meaningful eyes were warmer than ever. His long, slender nose... it had strengthened in structure just a little, as had his pale, oval face contrasting with his dark chocolate-brown hair. And his curved, carved lips... It was him, there was no doubt about it now. There was no reason for her to fear him leaving her again.
Abandoning all restraint, she flung her arms about him again, and finally burst into tears.
He held her to his heart, which was breaking with guilt. He had never wanted to upset her this way. He rocked her back and forth, his lips on her hair, his hand softly caressing the back of her head.
"Xiao, Xiao, Xiao..."
Xiao, Xiao, Xiao!
He said her name over and over, now that he knew she was there to hear it, to respond to it.
After a while, she quieted down. She stared up at him, still disbelieving, still in surprise.
"Yu."
He shut his eyes. How long he'd waited. Just to hear his name from her. Just to hear it in her voice. In a hushed, loving whisper just like that one.
When he opened them she was still there, a soft smile on her face.
"You came for me."
He took her face in his hands.
"Of course I did," he murmured, looking into her eyes. "How couldn't I?"
She covered his hands with hers and pressed them to her face, still hardly daring to accept this, even though she knew how real it was.
"Yu," she whispered again, causing him to place another kiss on her forehead, and making her blush. "I dreamed of you every night..."
At that, Yu removed her hands from her face and kissed them. She leaned in closer to him, nestling in his arms.
"I waited for you."
He kissed her nose.
"I knew you'd come to me someday."
He kissed her cheek.
"I..." she tried to continue weakly. She couldn't go on anymore. What he was doing was robbing her of her ability to speak. It caused an eruption of butterflies beating inside of her. It caused goosebumps to pop along her arms.
Nonetheless, he kissed her other cheek, and then her neck.
"Yu..."
Xiao shut her eyes, and raised her face to his, waiting, her heart pounding and her mind racing.
Nothing.
What...
Puzzled, she opened her eyes. And her breath was taken away.
Yes, Yu was right there, and his face was so close to hers, she could barely contain herself. His nose was a hairsbreadth from hers, his face beautiful and shadowy in the moonlight. He was smiling at her, as though sharing a private joke.
"Yu, what's-?"
"Say it," he ordered. He held her to him again, and took her chin in his hand. "Say it first."
A huge smile broke across Xiao's face for the first time that night, as she understood where this was going. But it certainly wasn't going to be the last time.
"Kiss me, Yu. Pretty please?"
"With pleasure," he whispered, and, bending even nearer, he captured her lips in the first kiss they'd shared in a year. And she was kissing him back like she never had before, remembering all the cold, lonely nights, all the dreams which would leave her to her bitter life just before they allowed him to kiss her just like this, all the times she wondered if he missed her too, if he would hold her that way again given the slightest chance.
And when he started to pull away, she leaned in to him, giving him more joy than she could have imagined, and he gladly complied with her wish as the breezes picked up around them.
It was still dark outside when Xiao stirred.
Yu opened his eyes at once.
He stroked her cheek with his finger.
"Are you cold?" he asked softly.
Xiao's heart swelled with warmth at the sound of his voice, the feel of his fingers on her face. She was awake now, and he was still there. He wasn't gone yet! If she'd had any remaining doubts on him being real, this last miracle erased them all.
She shook her head, rubbing her face further against his shoulder. Despite her answer, Yu removed the top of his robe and covered her with it, leaving himself in only his undershirt. He was careful not to disturb her.
Her arm was slipped in his, one hand on the back of his shoulder, while her other hand rested on his heart, feeling it beat steadily in his chest. How she had missed this. How she had missed him.
She sighed, snuggling closer to him, smiling when he kissed the hand on his shoulder.
Zhou Yu. My Zhou Yu. My Zhou Yu came for me. He came to me.
She opened her eyes and looked up to find him watching her.
She blushed under the intensity of his gaze and lowered her eyes. Then she took hold of the robe he'd given her and wrapped it around both of them.
"You'll be cold," she said softly, turning her eyes on him again.
He smiled at her.
"Care to warm me up?"
She blushed even harder, making him laugh. But her eyes were shining with joy and love. She took both of his hands in hers and pressed them to her heart, letting her lips touch one and then the other. She turned her face back up.
"I hope that's good enough."
For a split second, he gave her one look of such surprised tenderness, then, without warning, swept her into his arms once again.
"Xiao..." he breathed into her hair. "I won't ever let you be alone again. I'll come for you. After all this is over, when everything's done... I will come back for you. I promise. I'll come back to you no matter what."
Yu spoke nothing but the truth. At that moment, there was nothing he was more certain of than his promise. He would make his way back to her and take her with him, whatever else happened. There was no way he was going to live without Xiao now that he finally found her again- now that he finally had her back.
Her heart was melting at his words, her eyes were brimming over again. She grasped the back of his robe as though she couldn't bear to be parted from him- which, of course, was true.
"Come back?" she choked out. "Why? Where are you going?"
Her voice came out in a cry at her last words.
She fastened her arms more tightly around his neck.
"I won't let you go. You can't leave me alone again. You're not going away, I'm not letting you!"
Sobs overcame her here and she cried into his shoulder bitterly. Oh, how cruel! How hurtful and unfair the world was! Returning him to her for only a few hours before taking him back again! Why did it enjoy torturing her so? Why couldn't he just stay with her? Where, where could he be going?
"Don't leave me, Yu," she gasped between sobs. "Please."
His arms wound themselves around his love's waist and shoulders as he held her to his heart, rubbing her back and kissing her tears away. She was suffering, she was miserable, and it was all because of him. Yu cursed himself inwardly. Why couldn't he have waited? Why did he have to come and see her now, and cause her even more pain by leaving? And the problem was, Yu wasn't sure if he could leave her after now.
"You know I would never if I had the choice. Xiao, you know."
"Then why?" she sobbed, looking up at him, searching his face.
He leaned forward and kissed her hard; he couldn't help himself.
Holding her face close to his in his hands, he prepared to explain calmly. Breaking the news to her was not going to be easy. Nor would it be easy for her to hear it.
"Xiao," he began, slowly and steadily as he looked into her eyes. "Something happened in the past few days. Something very terrible."
Her eyes were wide and fearful as she listened. She gave a nod to show him he could continue.
"Ce's been hurt. Very badly."
He felt the jerk go through her body as she gasped. Her face twitched, and he felt her pulse quicken in her neck. She covered her mouth with both hands, her teeth biting into her lip.
"It happened just yesterday. We received word about the accident this morning. It was a poison arrow fired dangerously close to his heart. His condition is-"
He stopped the moment he saw that he was scaring her.
"No!" she whispered, fresh tears spilling out of her eyes.
He pulled her in again, softly caressing her head.
"It's true," he said in a low voice. "That's why I was able to leave Wu. To go and see his condition, and help him with anything he might need. Father ordered it himself before he-"
Yu stopped again. No, he wasn't going to tell her about that. There was no need to trouble Xiao with more occurrences. Thankfully, she was sobbing too hard to notice.
"I can't believe it," she whispered. "Ce? I've never been able to picture him hurt!"
"I know," he soothed her. "Not many people can. But there you go, Xiao. Now you see how anything's possible."
Xiao sat up abruptly. To Yu's surprise, she somehow looked fierce and angry.
"It's no accident," she growled. "You know what I think? I think this was done on purpose. I think Cao Cao's the one who planned it!"
Yu lowered his eyes.
"Yes, I've been thinking along those lines as well."
Xiao tossed her head triumphantly.
"I knew it!" she exclaimed. Then she looked furious again. "How dared he hurt him! That monster! That horrible, evil- and right under Sis's nose-"
She gasped mid-sentence, as if just realizing.
"Oh, no," she whispered. "Sis! Oh, Yu! What must she be going through right now! It has to be hell for her, I know it!"
She looked back at him despairingly.
"You see, don't you? Cao Cao must have found out about her and Ce! And then made sure Ce was nearly killed, but stayed alive, and then he told her about it to threaten her, and now..."
She clapped her hand to her mouth again, her eyes larger than ever.
"Now he's luring you there," she whispered. "Because he wants to know who else saved us from Dong Zhuo that day. So that he can hold both of you there like hostages until we're both married to him. It's..."
She shut her eyes and more tears rolled out from under her lids.
"It's all a huge trap."
She lay her head on her arms and cried in silence.
Yu stared at her incredulously. Words could not express how proud he was of her. He thought he'd have to explain more, but... She figured it out all by herself in mere minutes.
"I- I'm scared, Yu. For everyone. Sis. Ce..." she raised her head slightly to look at him.
"Us."
He let her rest against him for longer and stroked her hair while murmuring reassurances to her.
"Don't be afraid. I'm with you. I'm here."
Xiao seized the front of Yu's robes again, but more firmly.
"You are not going."
He sighed. This was every bit as hard as he'd thought it would be.
"Xiao," he began sternly, although saying the words he did next nearly broke his heart, "you know I can't stay. I've got to go to Wei. Ce-"
"But that's just what Cao Cao wants! You'll be playing right into his hands-"
"So would you rather Ce and Da stay there at his mercy alone, him helpless and injured and her devastated?"
Xiao paused guiltily, to consider this, then changed tack immediately.
"Then take me with with you! I'll come, I'll-"
"You'll do no such thing," Yu almost snarled, so decidedly that Xiao was taken aback and did not answer for a few moments. Instead, she stared at him, bewildered at his resolve to keep her here. Then she looked hurt.
"I don't want to be alone anymore."
Her lips trembled.
Yu sighed again, and took her fingers in his.
"You won't be for long. I promised to come back for you, didn't I?"
"But how long will you be there for? I'm worried about Ce too! I want to see him. And what about Sis? She needs me right now, I'm-"
"I can't let you."
"You can't keep me from my sister!"
"That's not what I'm doing, Xiao-!"
"So then why-"
"Because I'm trying to protect you, which I'm sure Da will agree with! Xiao, do you have any idea what Cao Cao will do once he gets a single glimpse of you? Think! He'll claim you in a-"
"I'm not afraid of him, I'll be with you! You'll protect me!"
She paused, and searched his face uncertainly here.
"You- you will, won't you?" she asked, hesitant.
He bent his head and kissed her cheek.
"With my life."
He smiled at her warmly, making her blush and beam with pleasure. She lay against him again, with her head on his chest, and sighed. Oh, how content she was as this very moment. How she loved him.
I love him...
Just those three words, just the realization of how deep her feelings ran for him was enough to give her thrills of joy.
"But do you really want it to come to that?" Yu asked softly as he held her close. "Because it nearly did for Ce. Do you want to go through what Da's going through, Xiao? Think about it."
He didn't want her to at all, he didn't want to make her imagine such vile possibilities. He didn't want them anywhere near her. But if this was the only way to make her understand, he had no choice but to give her a taste of what might happen if she got her way.
Tears rolled down her face as she contemplated his terrible words.
"No, I would never."
"Then you know what to do."
He nearly gave a start when he felt her lips on his neck again.
"Xiao..."
"I can't stand it. I can't stand losing you again, Yu. Or anyone else. I can't live without you. Or Sis. Her, Ce and you... You're all my family now. I can't stand waiting here alone, being away from all of you, I can't do it."
If Yu's heart had managed to remain whole before now, it certainly didn't make it through this time.
"Don't- talk- like- that," he was able to let out somehow. "Don't talk about losing or being left alone. You- it'll make me want to stay here like this forever."
She released him, holding herself together with her arms.
"Don't you want me to be with you?" she asked, her face miserable.
Yu exhaled in frustration.
"Of course I want you to be with- Xiao, what kind of question is that? Can't you understand- can't you-"
He broke off, his hands clenched into fists as he calmed himself from his passionate outburst. Xiao quickly lowered her gaze, abashed and ashamed.
Then he sighed, and took her chin in his hand, making her face him again.
"Can't you see how much you mean to me? Can't you see how it's killing me to let you go so soon? Xiao. You know this is the last thing I actually want."
She mopped her eyes with her sleeve, sniffing. How were his words filling her with so much happiness, and yet so much sorrow?
"I'm sorry," she choked out. "I- I wasn't thinking."
Yu smiled.
"Yes, that happens alot with you."
She giggled, and smacked him across the chest, making him laugh softly. Then a slight frown creased her brow as she looked at him more closely.
"I didn't notice this before," she said in a more hushed, concerned voice.
She reached out with her hand and touched his face under his eyes- touched the dark shadows she saw there, slowly ran her fingers along the lines.
Her face trembled again as did her fingers on his face, as she struggled to keep it from falling. How hard he been working all these weeks? Ce certainly hadn't been exaggerating when he mentioned Yu's rigorous training. It broke her heart to see him this way, so tired and pale.
"What did you do to yourself, Yu?" she moaned. "How- how could this-"
She gave a deep, shuddering sigh.
"When was the last time you closed your eyes?"
He brought her face up to his again and touched his lips to hers.
"Now," he answered, holding her close to his heart once more.
The thought of him leaving was unbearable. She couldn't let him leave her, not again. She didn't know how she was to cope with it anymore.
"At least stay till morning," she begged, gripping the front of his robe with both hands.
"It's already morning, Xiao," Yu said gently.
Xiao blinked. She opened her eyes and looked around. Yes, he was right. The sun was already rising- the sky wasn't quite bright yet, which was why she hadn't noticed. But it definitely was morning.
Yu was going to leave her now.
She gave her head a little shake against him. She had to let him go. It was the right thing to do. It was best for everybody. But- but-
"Could you hold me for a little longer, please?"
"Yes," he said, and cradled her to him, his arms wrapping around her waist to keep her well warm.
Presently he heard Xiao murmur something.
He bent his head down.
"What was that, darling?"
"I've been thinking..."
"Yes?"
"Ce isn't going to visit me anymore."
Just saying the words caused her pain. She still couldn't believe all the harm that had befallen him- all on her and her sister's account.
"No, he isn't."
She took a deep breath.
"Then," she breathed as she looked up at him from his embrace, her face radiant with hope. "Then could you?"
Yu blinked. What?
"Ce used to," she went on quickly before he could say anything. "And nothing ever happened to him. I mean," she amended hastily, feeling foolish, "I mean, obviously, something just has. But not because he came to visit me, at least I don't think anyone found out. Do- do you?" she asked, just to be sure.
Yu considered this. Then he shook his head slowly.
"No, I don't either. If they had, Cao Cao would definitely have sent for you already."
"So then it shouldn't be a problem for you, either! Please say you'll do it, Yu. Please say yes. Please!"
"Xiao," Yu began, but Xiao could sense that he was very close to agreeing, and made it hard for him to refuse with her persistent "Please! Please!" until he finally laughed out loud, and, catching her off the ground, he leapt to his feet with her and swung her about in the air, making her squeal and giggle for joy.
Finally, he set her down, but pulled her up against him, his arms around her waist and hers about his neck.
"I will," he said smiling at her in a way that made her heart pound. His eyes were bright and laughing, his hold warm and tender. Xiao could barely contain herself.
"Thank you!" she cried, and squeezed him as hard as she could in gratitude. When she let go, she was surprised to see him look saddened.
"What is it?" she asked upset herself. He hadn't changed his mind, had he?
"I will visit you, Xiao. But I can't do it as often as Ce did. I'm going to have to be very careful in coming, since I could never do anything to put you in any danger. Cao Cao's sure to have tightened his security after all he's found out."
Xiao waved her hand at this as though she hadn't a care in the world.
"Oh, that doesn't matter to me! I don't care how long I'll have to wait as long as I have you to look forward to, Yu."
She stared up at him with her eyes bright and her face glowing, with such a pure, innocent look of love and trust, Yu knew he was going to do all there was in his power for her to keep looking at him that way forever.
He took her hands in his.
"Well, I guess I'd best be going now, Xiao. My brother needs me. And... so does our sister."
Our sister.
Well, Xiao couldn't say she was surprised. Yu had always loved her darling sister as though she was his own. Hearing him say it made her even happier. It made her feel as though none of the bonds between any of them could be broken now.
She smiled from ear to ear. There was no longer any trace of sorrow on her gorgeous face.
"Alright," she said, nodding. "Hurry and go to them, then. I'll be waiting for you."
Yu gave a nod of agreement. He didn't want to make their parting harder for her. Despite his yearning, he made it short and left her with a last hug and kiss on her forehead before promising to come back. He turned away and towards where he'd left his horse, determined not to look back and weaken their resolve.
He'd been walking for about twenty or thirty seconds before he felt a pressure on his sleeve.
Puzzled, he turned around. It was Xiao again. She was staring at him with a most peculiar expression on her face- one of utter astonishment mingled with devoted gratitude, her eyes big and looking him up and down. Once again, it seemed as though she still couldn't believe he was actually there. As though the sight of him was enough to fill all the voids in her heart.
"Xiao-"
Yu was silenced by the widest, sweetest smile suddenly breaking across Xiao's face and tears spilling over her eyes.
"Before you go," she whispered, and absolutely flung herself at him, kissing him one last time with all her love and passion for him she could muster- which was, indeed, rather alot.
She released him, leaving him looking dazed and stunned at her sudden move. He stared at her incredulously, still slightly breathless, as was she. Just looking at him that way was enough to bring the words out of her. There was nothing of which she was more certain, nothing she wanted to do more than to say them right there and then.
"I love you," she burst out. "Yes, Yu, I do. Zhou Yu, I love you."
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
There you go, Yu/Xiao lovers! A whole chapter dedicated to their reunion- and Xiao just dropped the L-word bomb! OMG! lol I hope you guys didn't see that coming... though you probably did hahah. Well, since this chapter's been (I think) long enough, I guess we could call this the winning oneshot, huh? LOL jk of course... Don't worry, I'll find time to squeeze in one of those... and see if I can make it less sad :P.
Anyways, I hope you're satisfied, since I know I've kept you waiting long enough! And please do remember to review- a little appreciation right about now is really something I could use. And while reviewing, please see if you can't answer a couple of these questions:
1. Which character (major, minor, supporting, whatever) do you think was portrayed the best?
2. Which mentioned character (not including major) needs a little more spotlight?
3. What would you like to see happen the most (as part of the plot, not the ending) ?
4. What do you think is going to happen after this?
5. How many more chapters would you like this story to run for?
6. Which character do you like and dislike the most in this particular fanfic?
7. What's you favorite color? :P
I'm just curious about your answers so I can get feedback from you on how to improve this story. I could (MAYBE) also incorporate some of them into the plot if any answers are similar! So please keep reading and reviewing. Seeya next update! :)