((SXH: How's it going guys? I'm actually very proud of myself to be able to post so many chapters up this break. I forgot to say in the last chapter that I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. If you didn't, then I hope you have a Happy New Year! I'm turning 16 on New Year's Eve! Finally! The last chapter was your Christmas present; this chapter is my birthday present I'm sharing with you all!

I hope you enjoy this chapter like all the rest you've liked. Tell me if there is something that bothers you with the story and I will answer to the best of my ability! When I wrote this chapter I had a feeling something was off with it. I can't tell what it is now but I would appreciate it if you tell me what I might be missing. Thanks!))

Warning: Angst and more Drama. Definitely cursing...

Disclaimer: This is the thirteenth chapter... Do I really have to keep telling you guys? I no own except for storyline and Little Ying!

Enjoy!

To Hell & Back Again

Chapter 13: The Arrival

Zhang Liao made his way to the spot where Yu was at. When he got there, he saw Gou Si hitting Zhou Yu repeatedly. Liao quickly pulled him off of Yu and beat the shit out of him. "I better not catch you near Zhou Yu again. Do you understand?" Gou Si only nodded before running far off into the camp.

Liao turned to face Yu. However, when he looked at him, he seemed different. But it didn't matter. What mattered right now was Yu's well being. "He did not injure you too bad, did he?"

"No," was the simple reply. Liao untied Zhou Yu from the tree. He hesitated when he saw Yu shiver. That was very odd. Normally he would not give off any sign that he was cold until his fingertips were blue. Now that Liao thought about it, Yu never seemed to complain about anything except Diao. And even that was very little.

"Are you sure you are all right? Are you cold?" Liao asked. Zhou Yu shook his head no.

"I just need a bath," Yu answered. If not for the upset and serious look on Yu's face, Liao would have laughed at the silly request, but he held his tongue. Instead, he just nodded.

"I know a good place," Liao spoke. "The river is out of the question, but I know a stream nearby. It flows into the river at two places. Generally, people avoid the second because the first one is closer," Liao explained. "If you want, I could lead you there." Liao held out his hand politely.

Zhou Yu thought about this. He really wanted to be alone at the time. Then again, a little company never hurt, did it? He smiled and took Liao's hand. Yu let Liao lead him to the stream Sadly, on the way he changed his mind. He decided finally he did not want company. Maybe Liao could guard him?

On the way there, Yu really didn't pay attention to their surroundings. He was too caught up in his thoughts to say anything for even notice the scenery. Most importantly, he did not know the way back to camp.

When they reached the stream, Yu looked at Liao sheepishly. "Lord Liao, could you please just stand watch?" The look of shock or confusion never crossed Liao's features like Yu had expected it to. His expression was one of understanding.

"If that is what you wish," Liao replied. Then he pointed to a nearby tree. "I will be behind that tree. Call my name if you need me." Yu nodded. He waited until Zhang Liao was sitting firmly down behind the tree, before he undressed and stepped into the water.

It was cold, naturally, but Yu could deal with it. He sat in the water, behind a boulder and just soaked. At the moment, nothing could compare to how he felt. He felt hurt, betrayed, used, and empty. And more than anything, he felt violated. But he also felt guilt. He felt like he had betrayed Liao's trust by leaving.

"Liao?" Yu called.

"Yes?" Liao called back.

"I have to know," Yu started. "Are you angry with me?" The silence Yu received made him uneasy.

"Why do you ask?" Liao finally said. Yu shifted in the water uncomfortably.

"I feel like I have hurt you," he replied. "I want to know. Are you angry with me?" Yu waited for an answer as he leaned his head up against the boulder, looking up at the night sky.

"To be honest, yes. You hurt me greatly," Liao replied. Yu felt his heart sink down further. "But I am not angry. I understand why you left. If I were you, I would have done the same thing." Yu felt touched by this and smiled. He got up and moved to a warmer spot in the water.

"Thank you for understanding, Liao" Yu said.

Liao only nodded. Although Yu answered his question earlier, he still wanted to know why he was here now. The answer Zhou Yu gave him was just too vague. This is why he found himself saying, "Though, I do not understand why you came back..."

Liao heard a loud sloshing sound and whipped his head around to look at Yu. Zhou Yu was standing up on the shore, still completely nude. He had water dripping down his body and beautiful, long hair. He found his traitorous eyes moving lower on the man's body. Liao blushed and quickly turned back before they could go any further. He expected Yu to yell at him for it but all he hear was laughter.

Still blushing, Liao shouted, "What are you laughing about?" But his ears were only met with more laughter. Liao turned back to him and repeated his question, still fighting off the terrible blush of his face. Yu slowly stopped his laughing, but he was still chuckling when he ran a hand through his hair.

"Your expression," Yu finally answered. "You look like this is your first time seeing another man nude. Your expression was priceless." The pout Yu got sent him into another fit of giggles as he got dressed. When he was done, he noticed that Liao was still looking at him with a out. He smiled and walked over to him. He put his hand on Liao's shoulder. "Thank you very much, Liao. I needed that laugh."

At the sight of Yu's smile, Liao's pout melted into a smile. He rose to his feet. "You are very welcome, Lord Zhou Yu." Zhou Yu groaned and hit him on the arm. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Drop the formalities. I have known you long enough to call you by Liao. You have known me the same amount of time, so you should call me by 'Yu'!" Zhou Yu explained. Liao felt joy weld up in him.

"Alright, Yu," Liao smiled.

"so, should we return to camp?" Yu asked.

"Actually, I would like to stay out here just a little longer," Liao replied. Yu raised an eyebrow.

"Are you not concerned about Diao? What if she wonders where we are and sends someone to look for us?" Yu questioned. Liao shook his head.

"Diao is not going to do anything. The princess wouldn't sacrifice her beauty sleep for it," Liao answered. Yu laughed again.

"Too true, my friend. Too true," Yu said recalling the days when he was told to go wake Diao, only to receive a vase thrown at him. He always made sure to catch it so that she wouldn't bitch later about it being broken. "So what did you have in mind?" Liao thought for a moment.

"Well, actually..." Liao trailed off. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Yu smirk. "What?"

"I see now," Yu spoke. "You have no idea what you want to do. And here I thought you always knew what you wanted," he teased.

"Oh, do not go there, Yu," Liao warned, smiling the whole time.

"Really? Why not? It is not like you are going to do something about it. Even if you did, Liao, I am not afraid of you," Yu laughed.

"Now you have done it," Liao said, getting ready to pounce. Yu looked at him with daring eyes.

"You wouldn't," Yu frowned as Liao stepped closer.

All of a sudden, Yu found himself in the water yet again. Only this time, Liao had joined him. Liao had tackled Yu and was now holding the wet man in his lap.

"Gotcha!" Liao laughed.

"Yes, I know," Yu grumbled, trying to get up. Sadly, it was to no avail since Liao's strong grip didn't let up. Yu sighed "You know, I was not intending to bathe twice, Liao. But it seems I had no choice on the matter," Yu turned around so that he was sitting on Liao's thighs, facing him. Even in this position, he could feel the water seep through his clothes.

"No, you really do not," Liao smiled. Said smile disappeared as he saw an evil smile on Yu's face.

"Since we are going to take a bath," Yu's face crept closer. "It would not be fair if I was the only one sopping wet." Liao's brow raised.

"What are you-?!" Yu swiftly cut him off by slamming the man's upper body into the water. "Two can play that game!" Liao smirked.

"Before Yu could react, Liao put his arms on Yu's chest and pushed him aside, and into the water.

Liao tried to jump on Yu again only to come in contact with the watery ground. Yu saw what would come next so he had rolled out of the way. Yu laughed as Liao's face planted into the mud. "You sneaky fox," Liao said and went for you again. This went on for several minutes, the two chasing each other around, trying to pin each other to the ground.

It finally ended when Liao jumped on Yu, pinning his wrists on the ground. Yu struggled to out of the bruising grip but again to no avail. Yu gave up and just looked at Liao.

"I have got you," Liao grinned. That simple remark made Yu burst into another fit of giggles and laughter.

"Liao, you have earned the right to be called the second most silliest man I have ever known," Yu laughed.

"'Second'?" Liao asked. Yu was about to answer but remembered who really was the goofiest man he had ever known. He felt pain in his heart but he decided to just go ahead and say it with a smile.

"Have you ever met Sun Ce?" This, of course, made Liao laugh.

"Only on the battlefield," Liao replied. Yu laughed again, trying to forget what he had just said. He laid his head back in the water, letting his laughter die instantly at what he saw.

"Liao, look up ahead," Yu said. Liao lifted his gaze. His eyes met with a whole fleet of ships just visible between the trees. The moonlight reflected their sails as they slowly floated down the river.

"That is not good," Liao said, releasing Yu.

"They are so close to our camp," Yu whispered, turning on his stomach. Liao stood and offered his hand to Yu. Yu took it and again, just like that had met, was nearly lifted off his feet. Liao caught him around the waist.

"Sorry," Liao said. "Sometimes I forget how light you are." Yu felt large pain in his heart, like someone had just tugged at it very roughly. Tears welled. up in his eyes. "Yu, what is wrong?" Liao asked. Yu pushed away from him and hid his face as he remembered Sun Ce always saying that. What hurt the most was that he had said it that night. It was still so fresh in his mind. Stop crying... It may be painful but you cannot cry now... Not here... said a little voice in his head. But Yu couldn't stop.

Liao was confused as to what made Yu this way. None the less, he wrapped his arms around the sobbing man. Yu didn't realized that one of the troops found them. The man told them that Diao was looking for them. Yu did, however, feel the vibrations of Liao speaking.

"We will be there in a moment," Liao spoke. "Tell no one of what you have seen here," Liao ordered. The soldier nodded frantically and ran off back to where he came from. Liao did not bother to look after him, he had more important things to worry about. Liao just couldn't think of a reason why Yu would act like this.

Yu seemed really upset. What set him off? Liao asked himself. As Yu still shook in his arms, Liao hugged him tightly. When Yu finally calmed down, Liao raised his hand to Yu's shin and raised Yu's head to make Yu look at him.

"What is wrong?" Liao asked. Yu closed his eyes, pulled his head away and shook it 'no'. It must be a very painful memory. Liao thought. "Alright. But please, Yu," Liao spoke. This had Yu looking up at Liao. "Tell me when you are ready to. Crying does not suit you." Yu couldn't help but smile at the compliment as he wiped away his tears. Yu pulled out of his embrace.

"I am ready to leave now," Yu whispered, afraid that if he spoke too loud then his voice might crack. Before they could take one step forward, Diao burst through the trees. She didn't seem to be in a bad mood, oddly. Diao seemed in a hurry.

"Come back to camp," Diao ordered. "The meeting will begin in a few hours." She cast a quick look over the two of them. "Do I want to know why you two are dripping wet?"

"Um... no," Liao replied.

"Well, then get out of there and get ready," Diao snapped. Zhou Yu and Zhang Liao wadded through the water to the shore. "Now, go back to camp and change clothes." When Zhou Yu didn't move, Diao growled. "What is it now?"

"I do not have any of my clothes," Yu said shyly. "I left the Shu camp without taking anything." Diao stared at him dumbfounded. He cringed under her intense gaze.

Liao noticed that Diao was inspection Zhou Yu. He raised an eyebrow when she stepped closer. Diao inspected you until finally she grabbed him by the wrist, affectively making him jump in fear. She pulled him to the tree line, all the while saying, "You are a little taller than me but other than that, we look to be the same size. I will lend you some of my clothes."

Liao followed closely but he couldn't help blushing at the thought of so much of Yu's skin being revealed. Diao had always worn revealing clothes. Though Liao said nothing against the idea, Yu was protesting vigorously. Liao could only imagine the pain Yu was in at the idea of wearing women's clothing.

Diao Chan: *shouting while still dragging Yu* Is the outfit almost ready?

SXH: Sadly, no. I'm almost done, but I just couldn't fit the outfit in this chapter... *looks sad*

Lu Bu: It's okay. I'm sure you'll get it in the next chapter.

SXH: Thank you, Big Bwother. *smiles and goes to work*

Zhang Liao: What is it going to look like?

SXH: Can't tell you until the next chapter!

Lu Bu: I picked out the colors and she's the one making it...

Everyone: ... *stare*

Lu Bu: What?! I have to do something while I'm not in the story!

Zhang Liao: *quickly changes subject* So how about that chapter?

Diao Chan: It was okay but I don't think there was enough of me in it...

SXH: You'll get your turn in the next chapter!

Zhang Liao: What about you, Zhou Yu?

Zhou Yu: *snatches his wrist away from Diao* I still don't like this idea of wearing women's clothing but that scene was fun. I actually got to mess around a bit...

SXH: And everyone got to see you naked!

Zhou Yu: O/O Shut up!

SXH: You know the drill guys!

Everyone: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Tell us what you think by giving a REVIEW! And if you really like the story so far why don't you favorite it or add it to your alerts? See you next time guys!

Bye~!

I would like to thank the reviewers of the last chapter. So far it only had about 20 visitors to it and 3 of them reviewd! I'm happy because in such a short time so many people reviewed the story and that I've been able to keep you interested! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS!