Why hello there, all you wonderfully supportive, tenacious readers of mine! Welcome me into the new year, everyone! Hahahah. I don't blame any of you for being shocked out of your mind (if you are, that is ) that I've actually updated another chapter to this story! I know the majority of you read the Author's Note I posted a month ago, and responded to it at once. I must say, what I had been feeling while I typed that down (and even some weeks since I did so) had been very real and very unavoidable. And while I do stand by everything I had said, the reaction I got from most of you as overwhelming. My inbox was flooded with PMs and reviews that could not be ignored! I'll be honest, I did not see myself changing my mind… but you guys did it for me! So, reading all your apologies, encouraging messages and promises, I decided to trust you guys' reassurances more than I did my instincts about this story losing its popularity. You all gave me the boost I needed! I do hope I have made the right decision in listening to all of your comments. I could always be wrong, but something tells me I'm not :) Here's hoping for the best!

But do bear in mind- the next time I feel this way (and as you've seen now, it takes A LOT for me to feel this way!) I WILL discontinue this story. I kept my promise when I said I might give it a second chance, but that's not a promise I can keep making, and I know many of you whom I've kept in contact with can understand that. But I still hope we never have to see that day! I love you guys too much to willingly not update for you!

So, to all you devoted, spirited, and supportive fans and friends alike, here is the REAL Chapter 33 .

Enjoy!

His eyes locked themselves on her from the moment she tentatively stepped into the room. Unblinking, they were steady as they followed her slow, uncertain movements towards the bed where he lay, inert. They stopped short when she did, several yards away, and awaited her next move. But she stayed where she stood, avoiding his stare, her own eyes cast down instead. He could see her mouth trembling slightly. Her hands were cradling her elbows, and her shoulders were somewhat raised, as though bracing her delicate form for an attack. Otherwise, she looked as exquisite as she ever did. And he didn't know what he was to make of it.

The seconds ticked by. Neither of them said a word to the other. Each was recounting, she was certain, the last time they had both met in this room alone. Whatever the memory was doing to him, it was causing her especial discomfort and hurt.

Her eyes dared to flit upward. He was still watching her fixedly. His face had not assumed the frighteningly hostile demeanor which had burned itself into the back of her mind from the moment she had encountered it. But, she noted with a sinking feeling, that was small comfort. He looked wary in the way that he watched her, his features impassive save for the alertness in his scrutiny. She did her best to remain calm as his eyes bore through her frame. It took all the resolve she could muster to keep from turning away and rushing back to the door, away from his probing gaze.

The stupor was growing too difficult for her to bear. Someone had to say something, anything-!

"Good morning, Lord Sun Ce."

"Good morning."

It lifted her spirits a tiny bit to discover that the venom had evaporated from his voice since the last time. But his tone still conveyed a solid edge of mistrust, of caution.

She had to keep trying. She couldn't give up. Not now that she'd been given a second chance. She'd promised herself she would put her all into this brief, half-heartedly approved visit. And she was going to do just that.

"Thank you for allowing me to see you again. I'm very grateful."

"Zhou Yu is the one I'm doing this for. He didn't want me to dismiss you completely before seeing you one last time without anger clouding my mind. So he's who you ought to be thanking."

A lump came to her throat at his words, but she did not falter. She had been expecting this.

"I already have. But I'm thanking you as well for letting him change your mind."

She did an adequate job at keeping her voice from quivering, hoping he hadn't noticed.

He let out a slight sigh.

"You're welcome. Lady Da Qiao."

Silence again.

Da Qiao knew he wasn't going to volunteer anything further.

"You look… much better than you did last time. Thank goodness you aren't in any pain now."

"Yeah. Can't say these people don't know what they're doing, whatever else I'd like to say about some of them."

Da attempted to smile at the joke- at least, that's what she hoped it was. She abandoned the attempt a few seconds later.

"If I may ask… what made you agree to Yu's request? Was it just to appease him, or… did you truly change your… your feelings- about…"

She trailed off when she saw that Sun Ce wasn't even reacting to her words. He was now looking away, his face turned towards the windows and his eyes appearing distant and listless.

Da bit her lips. This inattentiveness wasn't helping her comfort level.

"Um… I-"

"Why are you standing so far away?" Ce asked abruptly.

Da blinked.

"I'm- I'm sorry?" she stammered, startled.

"Come up and stand here. By me," he said motioning towards the bedside. He was no longer looking out the window. His eyes were carefully trained on her once again.

Da's breath caught in her throat as she tried to stifle a gasp, wondering if she had heard him right. She could feel her pulse quickening, and prayed it would slow. But she was utterly taken aback by his instruction.

"You did hear me, didn't you?"

"I did, Lord Sun Ce," Da breathed, "but I didn't think you actually meant it."

"I assure you, I did," Ce replied, a touch of sarcasm in his voice. "Go on."

Swallowing hard, Da drew herself up to her fullest height, and lifted her head a few inches, her nose slightly in the air.

I must be strong. I can't falter. I've got to keep my chin up at all costs.

Taking a deep breath, she obeyed him. She began to walk over on faintly shaking legs. As she drew nearer and nearer to him, it became nigh impossible for her to continue averting his stare. Unable to help themselves, her eyes flickered upon him as she came closer. His dark mahogany hair was still loose upon his pillows, not possessing the length of Yu's, but still long enough to just spill over his broad, bare and tanned shoulders. His eyes never left her face. His wounds were still extensively bandaged, but judging by his breathing, he was able to manage them somewhat better, meaning they were healing normally. His hands lay by his sides. His brow was slightly furrowed as he watched her, as though he couldn't make sense of what he was looking at.

After what seemed like minutes, Da stopped and stood stiffly by his bed, her hands folded neatly in front of her. As always, he was handsome enough to take her breath away. This, combined with the intensity of his gaze, thwarted hers easily, and her eyes fluttered to the floor.

Nerves and shyness got the better of her here as they so often did, and she remained mute, waiting for him to speak.

"Why did you want to see me again?"

His tone was not harsh. That encouraged her somewhat.

"Because I wanted- want you- to know the truth."

Ce didn't answer, but instead kept watching her, the small crease still intact in his forehead. Da took this as an invitation to continue. She plunged right into her much-rehearsed explanation.

"Here's the truth. I hadn't the least idea of what was going to happen that night. All I wanted was to talk to you about something really important, and I thought the terrace would be a safe enough place to-" she stopped short when Ce cut her off, waving his hand dismissively upon putting together her rapid account. He gave an almost imperceptible shake of the head.

"Never mind that for now. Why else are you here? Or is there another reason at all?"

"…"

She swallowed again.

I can't let him know. Not ever. Not unless I really do wish to see him dead.

Cao Cao's threats and ultimatums, still fresh in her memory, loomed over her like an executioner's ax. IF she spoke now, all would be lost. She struggled to maintain her composure as her mind quickly formed a convincing enough lie.

"I-"

"Stop."

Caught off-guard, she followed the command at once, confused. Did he… could he have known she meant to lie to him?

When Ce spoke again, the change in his voice was fairly astonishing. It took on a calm, reassuring quality, a tone which resounded with persuasion and… and… gentleness.

"Look at me."

She remembered this voice well. It was not unlike the voice that had spoken to her comfortingly as she had drifted off to sleep while being raced across battle debris for the first and last time in her life. It was remarkably akin to the voice she heard during the time she was resting her aching head on someone's lap. It was the same voice which had filled her with warmth and hope the day the man she fell in love literally swept her off her feet.

So thrilled was she to hear this voice after so very long, that she did not think twice about raising her eyes to meet his.

The powerful intentions behind his irises flooded into hers and held her stare to his. Whether fixated, startled, or frightened, Da was unable to look away.

"Now tell me," spoke the same voice. "Is there anything else?"

Da mechanically opened her mouth to repeat the lie she had intended for him. But, bizarrely, it wouldn't come out. Ashamed, she pressed her lips together and remained silent, allowing her eyes to convey that though she would not lie, nor would she answer.

Appearing frustrated at her refusal to answer, Ce exhaled deeply, defeated. He broke his gaze away from hers and resumed staring out the window, his jaw set.

"It's just as well," he said, more to himself than to her. "There shouldn't be any other reason for you to visit me, anyway. After all, what else would an innocent person wanna do, but clear their name?"

Da, hardly daring to believe what she was hearing, was barely able to process his words in time before he said them: the words that ought to set her conscience free then and there.

"Well, I'll admit it then. Yu was right. I guess I was being unfair to you after all."

Da's head, which had been hanging low ever since Ce had looked away from her, snapped up at once, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"You… you mean-" she whispered.

"Looking back, I don't think I ever believed you were responsible, really. I only told myself you were because it made things… easier."

His voice now sounded weary, even bored. He still refused to look her in the face as he spoke.

"I suppose I should apologize for the things I said to you," Ce went on. "I see now that they were way out of line. You coming to see me to maintain your innocence even after all that proves you had no hand in my injury."

Da, who had been holding her breath and her own arms with anticipation, expected that right about now was when she was meant to burst with relief and gratitude. Only… only it wasn't. But why not? Wasn't she hearing everything she'd been praying to hear? Ce believed that she had nothing to do with hurting him. He believed she was innocent, and she hadn't even had to prove it. Wasn't that what she had come for? She'd been telling herself that it was, the entire previous night. Then why was her heart unmoved now? Why had this moment been so anticlimactic? Why wasn't she leaping for joy and thanking him over and over?

Da could have cursed herself. What more could she possibly ask from Ce? Why was he bothering her so much with the way he confessed his mistake? And why, why for the life of her, could she feel the moisture forming at the corners of her eyes?

Da struggled to appear as though she were blinking normally as she answered him.

"I had no… no doubt you'd come around, Lord Sun Ce. Thank you very much."

Ce sighed again.

"Don't mention it."

"And I can only be grateful that your life was spared. If you'd lost it to one as cowardly and despicable as the archer who shot you, I can't imagine-"

"Well, that's all it was," Ce said heavily. "An accident. There's no need for me to look for any sinister intentions behind it now. It was unfortunate, yeah. But I'm through blaming you. There's nothing for me to do now except recover. Right?"

Da remained silent, her face blank. Outwardly, she appeared as though she neither agreed nor disagreed with him. Inside, she was screaming.

How could you believe that, Ce?! It isn't true! It isn't! It was no accident! This was done on purpose, Ce! Cao Cao planned it, just so that he could get to me, just so that he could hold your life over me as bait! He was using you to control my every move, Ce! And he'll continue to do it until the day I die! You must know that, you must!

But through sheer willpower, Da restrained herself from giving any more away. It was better this way, she realized. The less Ce knew, the safer he would be. If Cao Cao so much as suspected that Ce knew full well the cause behind his 'mishap', Da was certain he would make sure he finished the job. And then send a regretful letter full of woe and remorse back to Wu, informing his family and subjects that the Crown Prince hadn't made it. No. That must not be permitted to happen. This was how she'd much rather have things, distasteful as they were.

So, she forced herself to incline her head forward in the slightest, as though she intimating to him that he was right.

Ce turned towards her again. His face looked curiously open. Almost inquisitive.

"I know it'll take me a while to heal," he said. "But even so, I don't know if I'll get a chance to tell you this, Lady Da. I really do wish you only the best. I hope you and… Lord Cao Cao… are very happy together."

The sincerity he was doing his best to inject into his voice stung her, and she hated herself for allowing it to. Ce was only trying to be civil with her. He was just trying to make amends for the way he'd treated her before. So why wasn't she graciously reciprocating his attempts, as she should, and instead allowing pain to eat her up?

The best Da could do was nod in assent. If her lack of response deterred Ce at all from being as polite as he could, he didn't show it.

"I also realize I, uh… haven't exactly apologized to you yet. Please believe me when I tell you how profoundly sorry I am for insulting you the way I did. It was unforgivable."

Da abruptly turned on her heel and took a step back from the bed, facing away from him. Ce could see that her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, her shoulders rising slowly as she took in several deep breaths to pacify herself- from what, only she knew.

Oh, even his raging at her was almost preferable to the indifference he was showing her now. At least with his accusations, horrific though they may be, he implied that they had had a past, that he had felt strongly for her. Now, it was as though she was nothing more than a hostess to him that he'd unintentionally wronged; that they had not even been friends. Was this the only farewell she was entitled to receive?

"Please. You saved my life," she said flatly.

It took Ce a few seconds to realize she was referring to the time he had rescued her from Dong Zhuo's harem.

"Oh, that. Right."

"I owe you so much in return."

"You don't owe me anything."

"But I do."

She turned her head to the side so that her profile was now visible to him.

"You may not feel like it, but I do. At least allow me to return your apology to you. Hearing your accusations was the least I could do, considering how you're the reason I'm even alive today. There's no need for you to feel regretful for it in the least. "

Ce listened to her quietly.

"If that's the way you'd rather have it," he said at last.

"It is."

Ce nodded, mollified.

"Then I suppose… we've nothing left to say to each other."

"Yes, I suppose you're right," Da agreed after a moment's hesitation.

"Thank you for stopping by, Lady Da Qiao."

"It was my pleasure, Lord Sun Ce."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

She made as though to take a step forward. But then, as though something occurred to her, she stopped. She turned her head towards him fully now, so she could see him looking at her. Beholding him watch her with no anger, no glare of hostility in his eyes whatsoever, made her… happy. It made her feel as though their entire meeting today was worth every word, no matter how much certain ones had hurt her. And really, wasn't that all that counted in the end?

Yes. It is.

She smiled at him. She couldn't suppress it. She just had to do it, to show him how she felt. Pain may come later on. But for now, seeing him made her nothing but happy. And so she smiled for him.

Her smile... There it is! That's her smile-!

How many times had he seen it? He would know it anywhere. There it was, the first time he told her she was gorgeous a few minutes since meeting her, it was there when he took her to Chang Jiang River, there it was the last time he looked into her eyes and told her how he felt about her…

Oblivious to the slew of powerful emotions Da had just unleashed from the only other living soul in the room, she finally turned away from Ce to the door, the smile still upon her face.

Her hand was seized by another, stopping her in her tracks. Accompanying this was the most sudden, heart-rendingly familiar sensation which she had almost forgotten the feel of.

She never had enough time to register it. She never had enough time to realize what was happening. She never even had time to collect a thought. For she only had a second.

A second for her eyes to widen and her mouth to fall open in surprise.

A second before the hand swiftly pulled hers back with an urgency that spun her around, making her fall right onto the man lying behind her.

The breath was knocked out of Da. Alarm and astonishment shot through her. Blood rushed to her face and pounded frantically in her ears at what had just happened. Head spinning, stomach fluttering, unable to keep from trembling, unable to do anything but half-raise herself on shaking arms as though in a hazy dream, she lifted her head from his bare torso.

And she saw it.

She was enveloped by the look he was giving her. Wonder and amazement was etched in every facet, in the entire character of his features. The emotions behind his eyes, as they gazed down upon her form, absolutely wide and awestruck, were spilling into hers, overwhelming her in her dazed state. His mouth had fallen open in bewilderment just as hers had. His nose, as well as his chest rising and falling beneath her revealed the heavy, adrenaline-filled breaths he was taking. Why was all this new to her? What was she seeing?

Then it hit her harder than any realization had ever before.

For the first time since they had been reunited, for the very first time, Sun Ce's face and eyes told Da Qiao how entirely and definitely open they were to her- how, for the first time in over a year, Sun Ce was baring his soul to her, unhindered and unhesitant.

There was something else. A hard, blazing, determined look had taken possession of his face, a look she had never seen there or anywhere before.

Sun Ce encircled Da Qiao's waist with his hands, pulled her body higher up against him, and crushed her lips with his.

The cry remained trapped in Da's throat forever.

For a heart-stopping moment, her entire body exploded with emotion, with shock, with awakening. Every part of her rose up in response to his touch. This was not one of the soft, sweet kisses of fondness she remembered, and treasured in her memories for months. This was worlds apart. He had never, never kissed her like this before. Her thoughts were blown apart, her mind was a frenzy. She didn't know how to act, what to think, how to be. Oh, what was he doing, what if they were found out, why was she thrilling to this so?!

And then Ce, never releasing her, opened his eyes.

And that was when Da knew. Mesmerized by his emerald green irises and bathed by their unabashed honesty, all of her qualms vanished at once. She was drowning in his eyes, and realized at last that this didn't call for any thinking at all. This was happening. This was real.

She collapsed onto him fully, kissing him back with a passion she never even knew she had. Climbing up his body further, she crushed herself to him, taking in his familiar essence. She could taste him on her lips; and he tasted exactly the same as she remembered, the first time and every other time since. She could feel his heart pounding through his chest, the tremors jolting into her own body. His hot, bare skin was separated from hers by only her clothes and his thin sheets, and thinking of it drove shivers through her, making her press herself even closer against his warm, massive frame.

And yet none of it was enough, none of it filled her insatiable hunger for more of him. It had been so long, too long since she had last touched him, since she had last been in his arms, since she had felt his lips on hers; too long for her to be satisfied by anything less than everything he could give her. Her entire body was set aflame with his kiss, blood boiled under her skin and her heart beat uncontrollably as her hands fluttered over his chest, his face; her fingers losing themselves in his thick, unruly hair. She had missed this, missed this more than she had ever realized before, now that she was feeling it again at last.

Ce…

She didn't care if they were discovered. She didn't care by whom. She didn't care even if she lost her life because of it. All she cared about was him. All she wanted was to give herself to him entirely, to be his forever. Nothing else mattered. There was nothing she could taste, touch or smell that wasn't him. There was nothing else that made sense. Everything that made her who she was: her powerful, undying love for her darling sister, her tenacity in holding onto her dead mother's affections, her secret, grudging desire to make her father proud, her loyalty to the young man who'd journeyed all this way to help her, her fear of the cruel, malevolent ruler who threatened to destroy the lives of all her nearest and dearest… it all paled in comparison to how one man was making her feel right now.

Ce!

She could think of nothing else, all her mind could do was repeat his name over and over as she kissed him more desperately, devouring his mouth as she wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to convey to him that they were together now, that nothing could go wrong, that they could stay this way forever...!

It was only a sharp intake of breath, as a spasm shot through Ce's body, that finally made Da stop, alarmed.

Her mind clearing rapidly at the sound of his gasp of pain, her eyes snapped open, and she immediately rolled off him and onto the floor in horror of what she had done. Her hair was disheveled from where Ce's hands had entwined themselves in it, and her cheeks were flushed and hot. It took several seconds for her eyes to focus, for her heartbeat to cease from overwhelming her. She couldn't believe what had come over her. How had she reacted the way she had? She'd never have believed it of herself. She'd never have believed she would lose control of herself enough to cause Ce pain!

Ce's arm was clutching onto his side, her face contorted with distress. His breaths were rapid and shallow. But it was Da his eyes were fixed upon.

"No," he murmured hotly through clenched teeth, reaching for her, and then wincing in pain again when the gesture overcame him. He cursed, bracing himself for another spasm, his eyes shut tight now. He pounded his fist against the wood of the bed in frustration at his helplessness.

"Ce," Da choked out, horrified at herself for having hurt him so. A wave of nausea rose up inside of her. More sweat beaded on her already damp forehead. Was he angry at her? Would he forgive her?

What have I done?!

"Da…!"

The sound of Ce's voice calling her name, only her name, jolted her to her senses. She leapt to her feet, and would have flown to his side in a second, if she hadn't heard the double doors at the other end of the hall swing open. The nurses had entered the infirmary.

It was time for Ce's bandages to be changed.

Da stopped on tenterhooks, torn between her desire to attend to his wounds herself, and her urgency to flee the room before the two of them were seen together in their respective states. She knew anyone would have been able to put two and two together after stumbling upon such a scene. Her very real fear of Cao Cao's intentions returned, and she knew what awaited the two of them should he even hear a whisper of what had just passed.

For an agonizing moment, she turned back to Ce, distraught. He was gazing at her with bated breath, imploringly, an arm still protectively at his side to keep his wound from splitting.

The footsteps were growing closer. She could hear the nurses conversing with each other. Any second now, they would turn the corner, and all chances of leaving without being seen would be lost.

"I can't stay," Da whispered.

She saw the pain, the other kind which hurt her even more cross his face. For a fleeting second, she almost changed her mind. She almost threw herself forward to help him, nurse or no nurse. But her better judgement had finally resurfaced after being so grossly disregarded during their passionate encounter. It rose up now, and prevented her from endangering him further.

"Forgive me, Ce," Da burst out, and spinning around, she rushed past the curtained doors and fled out of the infirmary seconds before the nurses turned the corner to Ce's room, saw his condition, and began tending to his condition at once.

Da ran down the hall as quickly as she could and up the spiraling staircase which led to her room, before flinging open her door, slamming it shut behind her and collapsing on her bed, out of breath with her heart pounding. The next few minutes passed with Da trying to regain her breathing. Then she seized her pillow, and, to the best of her ability, tried to wrap her head around what had just happened.

Vivid memories of their kiss flashed in Da's mind. Her heart beat even faster at the recollections. Her face prickled, and she knew that she was blushing hard. She shut her eyes, still afraid to believe that what had happened was not a dream. She almost felt as if it was. She almost felt as if she imagined it all… as if none of it even happened. Then she remembered Ce's eyes gazing brazenly into her own; the feel of his lips on hers, and she was unable to stop a smile breaking across her face from ear to ear.

Foolishly, she seized the pillow nearest to her and, burying her face in it, cried out in delight for as long and as loudly as she dared.

I love him, she thought shyly, her heart singing wildly. I love him!

It was as if she was floating on a sea of joy.

But Da couldn't let things rest as they were. As she pulled the pillow off herself, a worried knot formed in her brow. She couldn't get Ce's pained face out of her mind, the look he gave her before she was forced to leave him. She knew that wasn't what he wanted. She knew there was something he'd wanted to tell her. And yet they hadn't even enough time. She still had no idea what enticed him to kiss her so- only that she was soaring over the moon that he'd done it. But that still didn't explain things. And she knew things were far from settled. Because all Ce knew was that Da responded to his touch, and then turned and ran from him- again. It wasn't much different from what had happened over a year ago which had turned him against her the way it did, Da thought hard. She still didn't even know if he'd forgiven her for that. After all, until she had brought it up, he'd been reluctant to even allude to their time together.

Da rolled over onto her back, facing her ceiling as she tried to fully understand the situation she was in.

She couldn't keep running from him. Those days were over. They had to be. Or else Ce would think she'd played him for a fool again, Da realized, dread filling her heart now. And that must not be allowed to happen.

No. That must not be allowed to happen.

"When will you have to go back?"

Zhou Yu tickled Xiao Qiao's ear, making her giggle.

"Not immediately. I still have some time," he smiled at her.

She smiled back, pleased. They were outside again, by the same tree which they'd reunited under. The morning sun was high in the sky, and the air was cool and misty. His horse was tethered in the stables, patiently awaiting its master. Meanwhile, Xiao had him all to herself for a little while longer. It could never be enough, but it was worlds better than when she didn't have him at all- and she was beyond thankful for the contact she was able to have with him.

"You're lucky no one knows you're here. Hui isn't the only one around anymore. Papa relocated a few other of my maids to keep an eye on me, and things would have been bad if they'd seen you. They aren't as loyal as she is."

"I suppose I was right in riding around the back, then," Yu replied, inwardly congratulating him on his presence of mind.

Xiao nodded.

"Mmm-hmm. It would have been tough for Ce. He was always let in through the front. Hui couldn't keep her eyes off him," she tittered.

Yu laughed as well. He could believe it. Palace maids had been infatuated with Ce since he was fifteen.

"How is he?" Xiao went on seriously. "Didn't you tell me… that he'd agreed to let Sis see him again? Today?"

She sounded anxious.

"That's right. She might be meeting with him as we speak. Though they've most probably said goodbye by now. Her room was empty when I checked in on her before coming to see you, Xiao. She likely saw him very early."

"Oh… and you don't think they talked for that long? Was he that opposed to seeing her?"

Yu mulled over her words.

"I'm not sure, Xiao. He was rather adamant in trying to believe she was responsible for his condition. But we can never be too sure. Hopefully, Da was able to convince him of her innocence, and earn his forgiveness. I wouldn't put it past her at all."

Xiao huffed discontentedly, her brow furrowed, a pout forming on her pretty lips.

"I still can't believe Ce could ever think Sis was the one who tried to hurt him. The nerve of him! I wish I could go set him straight!"

Yu laughed, amused by her indignation over this injustice. He bent down and kissed her cheek.

"Well, what can I say. My brother can be quite a hardhead, even at the best of times."

Xiao sighed, trying to mask her smile at his affection. She inched closer to him, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I really hope he isn't giving Sis a hard time. I really hope they're working things out. My sister's been through enough."

Yu nodded gravely, recalling how troubled and weary Da looked now. She was more beautiful than ever, it was true, and Yu couldn't be prouder of having a sister like her. But there was something present in her face that hadn't been before, and Yu couldn't say he liked it. His heart ached for her.

"She certainly has," he said quietly.

Sadness crossed Xiao's face for a moment. How dearly she missed her sister. How much she wanted to be with her again. To comfort her, to wipe away her tears. To encourage her. But it wasn't to be, and it wasn't fair. She prayed that the day would come when they would be reunited sooner than she feared.

"Xiao, why does Da say the two of you were promised to Cao Cao from the beginning?" Yu asked suddenly, jolting her out of her thoughts.

"Oh," Xiao said, surprised and a little caught off-guard at the question. "Well, I don't really know the details as well as Sis does. All I remember hearing is that he and Papa were good friends when they were young. Or at least, that was how Papa saw it. Cao Cao helped Papa out with something a long time ago, before Sis and I were even born. I never knew what it was, only that it was something that meant a lot to him. But in return, Papa was made to promise to give us up in marriage to him."

"I see," Yu said frowning pensively. "But how could your father promise to give you up, if neither of you were even born? What sort of a turn deserves marriage to the benefiter's daughters? It doesn't seem to make sense."

"I don't know," Xiao sighed. "Like I said, it was all so long ago. And why would it even matter now, Yu? He wants us, and he's going to get us. No one cares why."

Yu lifted Xiao closer to him, pressing his lips to her forehead protectively.

"He won't if I have anything to do with it," he vowed. Xiao dimpled adorably.

"I know," she admitted, lying back, comfortable against his torso.

They stayed that way for a few more minutes in silence, enjoying each other's warmth and company, and basking in the lovely weather together. All too soon, their time would run out, and Xiao would be saddened at being left alone. But still, her Yu had kept his word. He'd promised to visit her as often as he could, and he had been to see her just about every day since the morning he came back into her life. But she knew that that was to be over too soon. Luckily for them, Lord Cao Cao had been abroad when Yu reached Xu Chang Palace, and his return was delayed as well. But he was to arrive at Xu Chang in less than a day. So the luxury of being so close together, so frequently, was about to change. She certainly wasn't looking forward to it, but she would much rather her sister and Yu be safe. Besides, she knew Yu was clever enough to find a way back to her from time to time. She could live with being apart as long as she was able to see him sometimes.

"Yu," she said by-and-by, her cheeks growing hot. "About what I… said to you…"

"Yes?" he asked, opening his eyes and surprised to see her blushing.

"That day. Right before you left to Wei," she said, her voice growing smaller and smaller. She refused to look at him. "You… you remember, right?"

Yu's puzzled expression was replaced with a look not dissimilar to Xiao's. Of course he remembered. How could he ever forget it? Xiao, beaming at him, looking beautiful and joyful, gazing at him with wide-open eyes, declaring that she loved him… that she loved him!

"Yes, I do," he managed to get out normally. Xiao still wasn't looking directly at him, so she missed the trace of color that appeared momentarily on Yu's otherwise near-alabaster skin.

"Well… about that…"

This is it, thought Yu. Now was finally the right time to bring it up. Now was finally when he could let her know he felt the exact same way, and maybe even more. Now was when she would finally know. He waited, trying to control his excitement, for Xiao to ask the question.

"I was wondering… if… if you-"

"Lady Xiao?"

It was one of the maids.

Xiao's voice caught in her throat, and she stiffened in Yu's arms.

"My lady?" came another voice. "Where are you? It's time for your breakfast."

"I- I'm supposed to be in my room," she whispered, looking up at Yu, dismayed and panicked.

Yu lost no time. He rose to his feet, lifting Xiao with him. Dusting off any grass or petals that may have stuck to her, he spoke quickly.

"Tell them you couldn't sleep, and took a walk to the stables. Tell them that you lost track of time, and that you're sorry for worrying them, and that it'll never happen again. If they ask too many questions, pretend to be tired and crabby from not getting enough sleep. Do you understand, Xiao?"

Xiao nodded, but looked plaintive, her eyes disappointed. Yu brushed her hair back from her cheek and gave her a quick kiss.

"It's alright. I'll come back. You know I can't stay away from you for long."

"Neither can I… but, it's not that… it's-"

"Lady Xiao!"

The voices were getting louder and closer.

"You have to go," Xiao whispered, paling, her hands on his chest. "Go get your horse, I'll distract them."

With a nod, and a swift hug of farewell to his precious Xiao, Yu did what he was meant to do with an especial reluctance and irritation at being interrupted.

Barefoot and bareheaded, Da Qiao silently treaded the interior of Xu Chang Palace. She didn't know exactly how late it was. Just that it was pitch dark outside, save for the moon's serene, ethereal glow. And that it was late enough for hardly anyone, if not no one, to be stirring awake within the palace walls. She had waited for as long as she could. She couldn't wait any longer. She purposely climbed the marble staircases and traversed the hallways. She could barely see in the heavily-dimmed rooms, with only the candlelight to aid her vision. She trembled slightly at the enormity of what she was doing. But she didn't falter. It was time for her to be as brave as she knew she could be. That didn't entail shying away from what her heart told her. Nor did it entail hesitating.

Shivering a little, she rubbed her bare arms with her hands. All she wore was her satin, floor-length nightgown her ladies had insisted on dressing her in for bed. Her dark hair hung loose and flowing, but it hardly provided her any warmth. It didn't matter.

No more running away from what you want. It's time to do the only thing you can.

Da walked into the darkened, deserted infirmary. She didn't stop there. She went on until she reached her goal.

His room.

Shutting her eyes, Da prayed that this time wouldn't be like the time before- like the time a few days ago. She prayed things would be different. She wished for the strength to never give up hope. Taking a deep breath, she lightly pushed open the door and stepped in.

And of course, he was there.

Swallowing, Da stole over to his side. She held her breath as she gazed down at his resting form. He was so handsome, so familiar to her. His eyes were closed naturally, his breathing deep and regular. His face held none of the pain it had contained just hours ago. Da was spellbound. She had never seen him sleeping, or even resting before. He looked so peaceful, so… so vulnerable. He looked content and carefree. Like his former self. She remembered Ce as being so full of laughter, so full of merriment and liveliness. He was the embodiment of vivacity and charisma, the epitome of strength and courage. She missed the look of a young man living his life to the fullest in his face. Looking down at him now, he reminded her of how he used to be. Not how he was now. Not indifferent, distant or brooding. Not what she had made him into.

Tears began welling up in Da's eyes. It was all her fault, how he'd become. And now she didn't know if he'd ever be the same again.

A tear leaked out of her eye and, slipping off her smooth face, it landed on his cheek.

Sun Ce stirred slightly. Slowly, he opened his eyes. They widened when they saw her standing there.

"You came back," he whispered.

It was as though he had been waiting for her. As though he had lain awake ever since she had left, wondering if she would return to him. Da's heart began to beat irresistibly faster.

She took a step closer, her hand outstretched.

"Ce… I'm so sorry…"

In an instant, Ce had taken hold of her hand and snatched her so close, her forehead was inches from his.

"You're not leaving me again, Da," he murmured in low tones. "I won't let you."

"I… Ce-"

"Da, I promise you," Ce growled, his eyes boring into hers, "if your will truly is to live the rest of your life without me, I'll let you live in peace. No matter how much it breaks me. If this is the life you choose, I won't stand in your way. But I'll die before I let you leave me as long as I'm here. There's no way I'm letting you go. That's a sacrifice I won't make. Be apart from me forever if that's what you want. But you won't do it when I can help it. I'll fight it for as long as I can."

Da's eyes clouded with even more moisture at his words.

"I can't live without you," she breathed. She let her heart speak for her at last. She was tired of keeping it suppressed. And she he knew she no longer had to.

"Then don't," he whispered at once in earnest. His face lit up, his eyes flashing with eagerness, with hope. "Da, don't. You don't have to live this lie anymore. Come back with me."

Da shut her eyes. Tears rolled out from under her lashes. She breathed a long, shuddering sigh of gratitude, of joy. How long had she been waiting to hear those words? How long had she hoped for them? How much had she cried, pleading against fate, for him to utter them to her, for him to let her know if he wanted her? And now that he finally had, after all the pain she'd endured, after all the hardships and struggles they'd both been through, his words set her free. Now, she felt as though all her suffering had been worth it.

"You're mine, Da," Ce said, emotion resonating in his voice. "You were always mine. You can't be anyone else's, and you know it. You can't because you don't want to be. Because I won't let you be. Not now that I know what I know. Not after what you've just said to me. I lost you once. I'm not gonna lose you again. You can't pretend as if I'm nothing to you, either."

Da could hardly accept that this wasn't a dream. She could hardly keep her knees from buckling, hardly keep from fainting away from delight and disbelief.

"You were never nothing to me," she did her best to say in her trembling voice, her heart singing with ecstasy. "You were… everything."

Ce took hold of her face in his hands suddenly, and drew it closer to his. He could count every tear on her cheeks.

"Then come with me."

It had been so many months since Da had known happiness like this. But then, this sort of happiness was something she had only ever experienced when she was with Ce.

Unable to stop herself, she reached out and lightly touched his face with her fingers.

"Ce… you have no idea how much I wish I could…" she said softly.

"Don't just wish it!" Ce said fiercely, his face shining hard with his own determination which she had always loved. "Nothing ever came of anyone wishing for something they never worked for. Do it, Da. For me. For us," he besought her, his eyes pleading with hers to understand.

"Please say yes," he murmured.

"I-"

Da was the one who stopped herself from finishing. Impulsively, she leaned closer and kissed him softly and sweetly, cutting him off from interrupting.

"Just to remind you of how it used to be," she whispered, smiling at him shyly through lowered lashes.

Ce gave Da a look of such tenderness, of such pleasant surprise, she found herself yearning to kiss him a dozen times more.

He gently wrapped an arm about her waist and held her to him.

"I do remember, darling," he whispered into her ear. "I just couldn't help myself before. I didn't mean to scare you… you looked at me, and you smiled… and then… I just knew," he finished simply.

Her heart ballooning inside her bosom, threatening to implode with pleasure, Da rose up, carefully pulled back the covers and slipped into bed beside Ce, as lithe and limber as she was.

Ce enfolded her in her arms and into his warmth, his lips brushing against her temples, one hand at her waist, the other in her glossy, sweet-smelling hair. She nestled her head against his chest, listening to the steady, comforting rhythm of his heart-beat, feeling as though she had come home at last.

He frowned slightly.

"You've been cold, my love. Let me warm you up," he said softly, pulling her nearer to him. Da smiled her widest then, trying to hide her blushing face from him. But he had seen it, and he thrilled to being able to see her smile so frequently. Even more than that, he thrilled to being the one who had brought it back on her beautiful face.

"Thank you… Ce, I…"

Her voice caught as she felt his fingertips trail down her bare arm, leaving goosebumps popping up in their wake. Butterflies erupted in the pit of her stomach and shivers ran down her spine.

"Ce…"

She stared up at him with half-lidded eyes. She could have cried out in joy at what she saw: Ce's eyes were twinkling mischievously, his trademark crooked smile on his face.

"What?" he asked playfully, his voice husky, his eyes now softening just a little.

He was robbing Da of her breath. Her heart beat even quicker.

"You know what you're doing!" she gasped out, and would have thumped him across the chest were it not for his condition- which she knew Ce was fully aware of.

He laughed heartily- the sound of it music to Da's ears.

"Come on," he said teasingly, kissing her forehead. "You're in my bed."

"Don't say it like that!" she said in alarm, her cheeks crimsoning so brightly in the moonlight, he laughed again to see it.

Then, as he looked at her face bathed in the soft glow of the moon, her deep green eyes looking into his so sweetly, he grew serious.

"You're so beautiful."

Da shut her eyes, basking in his praise.

"The only time I believe it is when you say it to me," she confessed in a bashful whisper.

"Da," Ce said, his voice low and intimate. "If I ever asked you to… If I ever needed you to follow me anywhere, if it was the only way we could be together… would you?"

He looked deep into her eyes as he asked the question, a note of urgency in his tone.

Da reached up and cupped his cheek, meeting his stare with one full of honesty.

"I would follow you to the ends of the earth," she said softly.

Ce's face broke out into a delighted smile, his heart leaping for joy. He saw the truth, the sincerity in her eyes. It was all he needed to know.

He embraced her fully as though he would never let her go, and she succumbed to his tenderness only too willingly. They had erected a metaphysical barrier between themselves over all the months they had been apart, one that had grown far too strong; that had separated them for far too long. Now that barrier came crumbling down, swept away into nothingness by their unrestrained passion for each other as though it was made of dust. They were welded together, leaving no gap between their forms. He was hers and she was his. No longer would they be kept away by misunderstandings and words spoken in anger or helplessness.

And now was the time to tell him so.

"Ce, I'm so sorry for how I've hurt you. Even though I meant none of it, everything I said to you that year ago should never have been said. Will you ever forgive-"

"Sshh…" Ce touched his fingers to her lips. "It's all in the past, sweetheart. I don't need to hear about it, even if I wanted to. I'm sure you had a very good reason for doing what you did. Besides," he went on smiling, "what I said to you a few days ago had to have canceled that out, huh?"

Da heard herself giggling for the first time in ages, and he joined in, still hardly believing that the two of them were together like this, and thanking the heavens for it.

"Ce… thank you," she whispered, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy. It was so good to be able to cry tears that weren't shed out of sorrow again. It was so good to be loved again, it was so good to be warm and safe in his strong, protective arms again!

"No, Da," Ce said solemnly, taking her slight, delicate hands in both of his, trying to convey his gratitude to her for never giving up on him, for always seeing something in them that was still worth believing in. For helping him make his way back to her heart. For letting him finally find her again. "Thank you."

He lowered his head and kissed her again, slow and gentle. Letting them both remember how it felt kiss the one they loved, before finally drifting off to sleep in each other's arms- sleep full of sweet, pleasant dreams, and peaceful sleep at last.

I firmly believe I'm getting into the habit of writing STUPENDOUSLY LONG chapters for you! This is the longest one yet! I hope it stays that way hahah, because my fingers are exhausted. But it was worth it! See what you would have missed if I hadn't changed my mind?! By the way, just in case anyone was interested enough in these little nuances I enjoy sticking in my stories, in this chapter, both our couples, at a particular were interrupted during their... shall we say dalliances? By no one really important. Lol. Another thing I'd like to add (just in case anyone out there cares for some reading tips from the author and doesn't mind reading to background music LOL), I highly recommend reading this chapter while listening to I Can Feel Your Heartbeat by Enrique Iglesias, featuring Nicole Scherzinger (particularly the parts featuring Ce and Da's reunion... so most of the chapter hahah). The reason being that this song actually partially served as my inspiration for this chapter, meaning that although I'd been planning for the story to progress in this way for years, this song was what I listened to while writing it out in order to make Ce and Da's emotions come alive. So I'm feeling pretty confident I've won back the hearts of all you Ce/Da fans out there :P.

Well, I do hope you all decide to review this time! Please leave your feedback and comments, because as you all know by now, they really mean a lot to me. And to all of you, HERE'S WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let's hope 2013 brings many more great additions to this fanfic :)

Let me know how happy (or not!) you've been with this chapter, and hope to see you all soon!