((SXH: Hey guys! My computer's still down. I was really happy with the feedback I got from my last chapter and hope to get more of that. Anyway, I am typing up the next chapter but it will take a little while. I've been trying to balance sports, school and FF. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Read the warning. Hope you all enjoy!))

Warning: Bad News for Zhou Yu. Diao being worse. I think there's a little cursing in this chapter... Maybe some typos and grammar mistakes.

Disclaimer: I no own except for Little Ying and story line.

To Hell & Back Again
Chapter 15: The Negotiations II

Zhang Liao's eyes widened; Diao did nothing, said nothing; and Zhou Yu's head just dropped. While Zhang Liao began to protest, Zhou Yu only sighed. Why is this happening to me now? Why is it now that people want me? This never happened when I was younger! Zhou Yu stopped that train of thought.

Yu started to think about earlier. He knew Diao wasn't cleaning him up out of the goodness of his heart. That's when he realized. That wench! She set this up! Zhou Yu stood up and looked at her. Whatever conversation she was having with Cao Cao was completely stopped. Fine. I will play her game, just this once. I cannot wait to see her look when her plans fall apart in front of her.

"I am very sorry, Lord Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Sima Yi," Zhou Yu spoke himself. "I must decline." Diao frowned.

"It is not your place to decide!" Diao said angrily.

"I cannot be on your arm, Lord Cao Pi," Zhou Yu went on, ignoring Diao's protests. "I am sure you can tell from the sound of my voice, but I am a man. I cannot give you an heir."

"Quiet!" Diao yelled. "Do not say another word out of turn." Cao Cao grew very irritated by the noise that continued to echo of the walls. Liao did as well but he said nothing.

"Silence!" Cao Cao boomed, the sound echoing around the room, making the command seem louder. Diao and Zhou Yu went silent. Yi clutched to the sleeves of the kimono, scared of what was to happen next. Cao Cao turned to his son. "Cao Pi what are your thoughts on the matter?" he asked. Cao Pi just stood from his seat, his face portraying nothing. He went over to Zhou Yu.

"It does not matter to me whether you are male or female. I do not need an heir from you since Zhen Ji is already carrying," Cao Pi informed. "Although I know every single Beauty in China, I do not know you. Even though you are male, if I were to give the Beauty title away, I would give it to you." Zhou Yu felt heat rise to his cheeks and turned his head away. He felt sorrow build up in him.

"Do we have a deal?" Diao asked. Zhou Yu continued to hang his head.

"Yes," Cao Pi smiled, his face portraying kindness. Yu didn't see it.

"No," Zhou Yu said.

"What?" Cao Pi asked, clearly shocked. Sima Yi, who was watching Yu intently, noticed something drip onto the table. Zhou Yu looked up at Diao. Diao's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw tears running down Zhou Yu's face.

"I really hate you, Diao Chan," Zhou Yu whispered, ripping himself away from Cao Pi. Yu then ran out the room.

"Yu!" Liao called. He stood to go after him but Diao put an arm in front of him.

"Do not go after him," Diao ordered.

"But-" Liao stopped. Diao had the most calm and unreadable expression Liao had ever seen.

"He needs time to calm down. It will take a while to get used to the idea of being here," Diao explained. At that statement, it clicked into Liao's head. She planned this all along. She even said it last night before we made our deal. Why did I forget that?! Why did I ignore the signs?! Liao thought.

"You horrid woman! You planned this all along!" Liao said. Diao's head shot to look at him. It seemed she finally remembered the little deal they had made.

"Zhang Liao, let me exp-"

"Do not even try," Liao interrupted. "I am not in the mood to listen to your lies any longer. Now, if you do not mind, I am going back to camp and make sure he has not set the place in flames already."

"I will take you back," Sima Yi offered.

"Please do," Liao said. Sima Yi stood and lead him to the door.

"Are you coming, Lady Diao? Or are you going to visit longer?" Suma Yi asked, lightly tapping his foot in impatience.

"No, I think I will stay just a little longer," Diao whispered, just loudly enough for him to hear her.

"Well, alright then. This way, Lord Zhang Liao," Sima Yi said and walked out the door. Liao followed after him. After the two left, only the sound of slashing water outside was heard. Only about five minutes into it did Cao Pi begin to speak.

"Father, I think that it is only fair that there will be no deal," Cao Pi started. Diao's face turned to horror.

"What?! But we just-!" Diao was now silenced by Cao Pi's raised hand.

"Allow me to finish," he said politely. He lowered his hand. "Until that beautiful man is found again, it is only fair that there is no deal. Once we find him, I will send a messenger to saying that your end of the bargain is complete," Cao Pi informed. Cao Cao laughed wholeheartedly.

"You are becoming more like me every day, my son," Cao Cao chuckled. "I am very proud." Cao Cao looked back to Diao. "Until he is found, we will not give you any protection whatsoever. What do you say?" Diao didn't need to think on her answer. She knew what she was going to say, but she still found herself caught up on the thought that she made Zhou Yu cry. She couldn't believe it, and she couldn't make out how she felt about it. It is because of this that she hesitated to answer.

"Yes. I am content with you conditions," she said. Her hesitation did not go unnoticed.

"Is there something wrong?" Cao Cao inquired. Diao raised her eyes from where they had firmly laid on the table, to look at him.

"No. Everything is fine," Diao assured. Cao Pi didn't believe her.

"If it about the incident earlier, then we understand," Cao Pi spoke.

"No, really, I am fine," Diao insisted as she stood from her chair. "Besides, I think it is about time for me to head back to my encampment."

"If you insist on it," Cao Cao said. He called forth a servant and whispered in his ear. The servant nodded, bowed, and left through the side door. He came back with none other than Zhang He. He looked very irritated at the moment. His hair was slightly messed up, almost as though he didn't brush it. To Diao it seemed like Zhang He was just awoken from his sleep and wasn't too happy about it. If his looks weren't enough, then the servant's newly found black eye did.

"You called, sir?" Zhang He said in a dull tone.

"Zhang He could you please lead Lady Diao back to her camp?" Cao Cao asked. Zhang He narrowed his eyes at this, but said nothing.

"Yes, Milord," he answered with a little annoyance. He walked past Diao rather quickly for a man who just woke up. "This way, Lady Diao Chan." He did not give Diao a chance to respond before he began walking.

"Goodbye, Lord Cao Cao, Lord Cao Pi," Diao said politely before sprinting to catch up with Zhang He. Diao Chan and Zhang He were gone before they could say their own goodbyes. A few minutes later Cao Pi turned to look at his father.

"I am going to find that man," Cao Pi spoke. "I will return when I have recovered him. Good day, Father." Cao Pi also left, leaving his father there all alone, waiting for his son's return.

Meanwhile, Sima Yi and Zhang Liao walked silently Alongside each other. The scene back there confused Sima Yi. His curiosity to know what was going on continued to nag at him. He wanted to find out so terribly, he feared he would go insane. Instead of doing that, he kept his cool and decided to calmly ask and not badger him for answers.

Sima Yi coughed, only just realizing the terrible uncomfortable silence between them. How could he have missed that? Seriously, they were already halfway to his camp, and he didn't notice the awkward silence? He must have been spacing out or something of that nature.

"Would you like to explain to me what just went on?" Sima Yi asked. Liao, who was still very pissed, nodded. "You have my ears."

"Thank you," Zhang Liao said. Then he went on to explaining everything that happened, and everything that Diao had done to since Yu's arrival to Dong Zhuo's palace. When he was done, he let out a growl of frustration. Sima Yi was baffled by the story. He was happy that his curiosity was satisfied but that was just a terrible series of unfortunate events.

"I must admit, Lord Zhang Liao, that is one Hell of a story," Sima Yi said bluntly. Liao stopped in shock. He stared at Sima Yi for a while before running to catch up with him. Never in all his life had he ever heard of Lord Sima Yi speak any profanity. Then again, he shouldn't be surprised. Nothing has been normal since Yu's arrival.

"Even my wife would not devise plans like that. And she most certainly would never harm a child I consider my own. How come Lord Lu Bu has not noticed?" Sima Yi inquired. Liao thought for a moment. Evidently he forgot to mention that Lord Lu Bu was indisposed at the moment. He decided not to mention it.

"Lord Sima Yi, that is why he has not noticed," Liao informed.

"What?"

"Think about it. Lu Bu loves Diao as much as, if not more than you love your wife," Liao explained. "He is literally blinded by love, he has always been. And when Yu came, Yu slowly lifted that veil. He still is; he just does not know it. However, lately Lu Bu has been doubting her a little. I can see it in his eyes." Sima Yi's eyebrows knitted in thought.

"That is all well and good but this 'Yu' belongs to Lord Cao Pi now. I doubt he can help you now," Sima Yi stated.

"That is true," Liao grumbled, as they neared the camp.

"Then you must realize that there is nothing I can do," Sima Yi said. "If I could, then I would. But seeing the circumstances, I cannot. I'm very sorry."

"Do not be. It is Diao's fault. She planned it before we even got here," Liao scowled. "I wish I could make Lu Bu see the truth, then I could watch her be on the other side of Lu Bu's wrath." Sima Yi only nodded. The two of them stopped when they entered the camp.

"I hope your situation gets better," Sima Yi spoke. "Until we meet again Lord Zhang Liao." Liao nodded and said his own goodbyes. He watched as Sima Yi walked back to his ship. Turning to face the camp, Liao also headed back. Although, when he arrived he noticed Gou Si sleeping again. He went over to where the man slept propped up against a tree and kicked him in the ribs.

"It is mid morning. Wake up!" Zhang Liao ordered very annoyed. Gou Si curled in himself from the shock and great pain. He looked up, still in a sleepy daze. As soon as he saw Liao he was wide awake with all his senses on high alert and fear coursing through his veins.

"G-G-Good morning, L-Lord-!"

"Quiet I do not want to hear it," Liao interrupted. "Just get up, we have to pack." Gou Si could feel the fury radiating off of him. "Or do you wish me to pay you back for what you tried to do in my tent?" Gou Si flinched and scurried away to pack his things. Liao watched him run with a smirk playing on his lips.

Liao decided to go to his own tent and make his own plans to get back at Diao.

It didn't take long for Diao to make it back to camp. When she arrived Zhang He left and Gou Si approached her. He smiled down at her, only being a head taller than her. However, she continued to walk to her tent, allowing him to follow.

"Greetings, Lady Diao Chan. I see you are not harmed," Gou Si greeted.

"Yes," Diao replied softly.

"Lord Zhang Liao came back just a little while ago. He was defiantly not in a good mood," Gou Si shuddered. "Did something happen during the meeting, Milady?" Diao stopped walking to her tent.

"Nothing. Do not concern yourself with what happened," Diao said. She began walking to her tent but was stopped again.

"Are you sure, Lady Diao?" Gou Si asked. Diao hardly thought about her next move. She barely realized what she was doing as she raised her voice so every one of her troops could hear her.

"Everyone! Pack up camp! We are moving out!" Diao shouted. All the soldiers got up and began to pack their things.

"You did not answer my question, Lady Diao Chan," Gou Si pointed out. Diao gave him a sideways look. He flinched a little. Her look was just dark and evil looking, worse than usual.

"I just told you to pack," Diao stated. "I would hate to repeat myself."

"I would not like it either. I have no doubt about that," Gou Si replied. "But let me ask just one more question." He waited for a reply. When one didn't come, he went on. "Where is Zhou Yu?" He watched with dumbfoundment as she actually flinched herself.

"You do not have to worry about him anymore either," Diao hesitated. She turned away from him and started for her tent yet again. "Consider him to be on a very long trip. I really could not care less."

As Diao entered her tent, she couldn't shake off the sense of foreboding. Something really bad was going to happen in the near future. She could feel the dread raise in her chest and as it spread to her bones.

Diao began to pack her things, hoping to avoid those sorts of thoughts. Everything was going to be fine. However, as she packed, fear began to rise in her, forming a stone in her stomach. Diao began to feel angry that she let fear into her mind. So she kicked to nearest cheat to rid herself of it.

Diao nearly jumped three feet in the air at the sound of something falling to the ground. She swirled around to see what had made the sound. She found her picture of Lu Bu and herself. She picked it up, finding the frame broken. Diao sat down. She didn't want to panic even though it was filling her by the second. Her picture of them both falling and breaking... This was not a good omen at all.

SXH: I hoped you guys liked this little chapter I put together. I tried my best.

Zhang Liao: I thought it was good and dramatic. The way Zhou Yu ran out in tears was great.

Diao Chan: Yeah. Who knew he could cry so easily?

SXH: He doesn't. I made him put in eye drops, to make him look more sad and cute... *looks over to Cao Pi as he approaches Zhou Yu* Although, I'm sure he could look cute even without fake tears... ^_^'

Cao Pi: *talks to Zhou Yu* Want to go to lunch sometime?

Zhou Yu: *looks to SXH*

SXH: I'm still working on chapter 16...

Zhou Yu: Sure. Maybe we could practice for next chapter's to come. *walks off with Cao Pi*

Zhang Liao: B-But I wanted to ask Zhou Yu out... TT_TT

Everyone: We hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to leave a REVIEW! See you next time!

Bye~!