((SXH: Hi, everyone! I'm not dead or anything! Some of you already know the story but I went without Internet the entire summer and am still without it. I have to type at my school on school day. I only have forty-five minutes to work but I am back and I hope you all enjoy this long awaited chapter! Please, Enjoy!)

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the storyline and Little Ying.

Warning: Cursing and sexual suggestions

Enjoy!

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To Hell & Back Again

Chapter 18: Confusion

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Zhou Yu was shocked at the question. Of everything the man could have asked, he did not expect his late wife to come in to question. In all honesty, he hadn't even given a second thought to the possibility of such occurrence. He waited a few moments, looking for the right words, before he began to respond. Although, his silence spoke for him.

"Sima Yi, you should not bring up things such as that," Cao Cao chastised.

"No, it is all right," Yu reassured. "It was just a little unexpected." Yu turned his head back to Sima Yi. "Yes, she is dead, and I am not afraid to talk about it. Xiao Qiao was a very bold woman. That boldness led to her death."

"Please, elaborate," Sima Yi insisted. Zhou Yu frowned.

"I would prefer not to and would respect you more if you did not insist, Lord Sima Yi," Yu stressed. Sima Yi frowned.

"Very well," Sima Yi replied with distain. "I merely thought that you were not afraid to tell us more." Sima Yi smirked at Zhou Yu's look of irritation.

"You know, Sima Yi," Zhou Yu started and stood up. "In all those meetings we had, I actually believed you were a decent man. However, now that I get to have a real conversation with you, I have come to see how much of an ass you are." Sima Yi scowled heavily, never had anyone dared insult him before.

"Why, you!" Sima Yi began to stand but heard laughing to his left. He looked to the source of the noise.

"So the rumors about Wu are true," Xiahou Yaun laughed. "Lord Cao Pi, you'll have yer hands full with this one." Cao Pi raised an eyebrow.

"You think I have not already?" the prince asked. "I have already had to search for him once when he ran away. It took me an entire day to find him."

"Nah! I mean even more," Xiahou Yuan clarified.

"What do you mean?" Cao Pi inquired.

"He's just like all those of Wu. A fiery temper, big mouth, and..." Xiahou Yuan looked Yu in the eyes. "The will to protect what is theirs." There was a small silence. The world echoed in Yu's mind, finally making him laugh a little.

"I guess he is right," Yu laughed. Zhou Yu began to remember what all his good traits were. It made him laugh because those same traits were the ones that always got him into trouble. After all that has happened, Yu began to laugh wholeheartedly. "He is right," Yu stated. Cao Pi smiled.

"I guess I am stuck with you," Cao Pi said.

"I suppose," Yu replied. Cao Pi put his hand on Yu's shoulder.

"Now, if anyone needs us, Zhou Yu and I will be in my chambers. Good night, everyone," Cao Pi informed, gently steering Zhou Yu away from the table. The two were walking out the door as everyone wished them a "good" night. Yu mentally scowled at their behavior. Even the Wu troops wouldn't say any of that. Zhou Yu then remembered a few and shook his head. Never mind. The ones who weren't womanizers didn't say such things.

The two of them made their way down the many halls. Zhou Yu was beginning to memorize a few of the halls but had to keep from dazing out. He felt something nag at the back of his mind. Yu kept trying to remember what it was but couldn't seem to.

As he walked, he ignored everything around him. He tried and tried to think about it but just couldn't remember what it was. Cao Pi touched Yu's shoulder again. Being brought out of his thoughts, Yu calmly turned to look at him.

"You go on ahead to the room, I forgot something back in the meeting hall," Cao Pi said gently.

"Alright," Yu murmured in response.

"There is a servant just up ahead that will take you to the baths and give you some clothes," Cao Pi informed. "I will see you in a little while." Zhou Yu nodded and watched the man walk off. Yu then continued his walk.

/

Sure enough when Zhou Yu turned the corner, at the end of the hall was a servant. When he approached, the little lady perked up and smiled. She had short black hair and green eyes with a heart shaped face. She was pretty but not as pretty as Zhen Ji.

"You must be Zhou Yu," she beamed. "This way please." She gestured toward one of the halls. The lady led him out of the boat onto another. She led him a little ways further until stopping at a door. Then knocked in a funny little rhythm.

Then a girl opened the door. Zhou Yu blinked several times. This one looked exactly the same as the other. They were completely identical. The second one looked at him, and, for a moment, Zhou Yu thought he saw the fiery rage of Wu in her eyes. He blinked and it was gone, replaced with kindness.

"Your bath is ready," said the second girl.

"Meanwhile," started the first. "We will-"

"Pick out some clothes-" went the second one.

"That will look good-"

"On you," the second girl finished.

"Um..." Yu started. He remembered how Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao used to take the words right out of each other's mouth. However, he wasn't used to it to this extent. He decided to make it a little less confusing for himself. "What are your names?" he asked. He two girls looked at each other, confused. Most likely due to the fact that I actually asked for their names. Zhou Yu thought. The two looked at him and smiled.

"I am Yin," said the first.

"I am Yang," said the other.

"Yin and Yang, how strange..." Yu murmured but they heard him.

"Yes," Yin started.

"We know," Yang finished, as she opened the door to the bath house. "Please, enjoy your bath, Lord Zhou Yu," the two wished in unison. Yu walked into the room that held the bath. It was lovely. It had a bronze tub filled with steaming water. Along the walls were shelves of assorted soaps but one in particular was set out for him.

Zhou Yu made him way to the tub. He gingerly picked up the soap and smelled it. Lavender. They had set out lavender for him. Such a sweet fragrance, though it is not particularly my cup of tea. However, I guess I have no choice in the matter. Yu thought.

Yu stripped off his kimono and pulled off the bracelets and untangled the necklace from his hair. He stepped into the tub and began to just relax. He tried to remember what it was that still nagged at his mind. Sadly, all he could remember was that it was something important and that he should have remembered it. Yu gave up and sunk his head down into the water. He quickly washed his hair and the rest of his body. When he heard a knock on the door, he called out, "Who is there?"

"It is us," he heard two voiced say in unison. "Yin and Yang."

"Just a moment," Yu got out and quickly dressed in a towel. He opened the door and was met with two smiling faces.

"We have brought your clothing," said Yin.

"And we are sure you will look good in it," went Yang.

"But we bet that Lord Zhou Yu will look good in anything we put him in," they both finished. Yu blushed a little as he was handed the clothes and dragged him back into the room. "It is a set for tonight..." The two paused and giggled. "And possibly for in the morning, too!" Yu blushed brightly when he caught on. Then he nearly squeaked when they reached for the towel.

"I-I can dress myself," Zhou Yu stuttered, redder than an apple. The two girls looked hesitant but nodded and left him alone. At least they are not as persistent as Daio Chan... Yu very quickly dried himself off and dressed himself in a thin silk white yukata. He opened the door again, letting the two lead him to Cao Pi's chambers. His bed chambers... Yu thought bitterly.

Suddenly, the two girls stopped. Yu was going to ask what was wrong when they turned to him with bright mischievous smiles. Yu was almost scared. Almost.

"This is as far as we can take you," Yang started.

"Lord Cao Pi's room is down the hall and to the right," Yin informed.

"Good luck, Lord Zhou Yu," they both wished. Then they skipped down the hall. Yu shook his head at their oddity, and continued his way down the hall.

Before entering Cao Pi's room, Zhou Yu knocked on the door. He didn't want to walk in uninvited or witness something he shouldn't. Zhou Yu remembered the last time that happened. He was grateful it happened but he also regretted it. Yu shook those thoughts away when he heard his permission to enter from the other side. He walked into the room and found Cao Pi sitting on his bed with a cart just next to it.

"Ah, there you are," Cao Pi said, smiling at him very kindly. "How was your bath, Yu?" Zhou Yu shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"It was nice," Yu replied softly.

"Please, have a seat," Cao Pi encouraged. The prince made a gesture to the bed, however, Zhou Yu pretended not to see it. He took a seat in the chair on the other side if the room. It was a simple chair with wooden armrests. When Zhou Yu sat down, he could see the disappointment in Cao Pi's eyes. The emotion disappeared a few seconds later and replaced by the prince's bright smile.

"You must be hungry," Cao Pi went on. "I had my servant bring some food in if you were indeed so." The prince rolled the cart to Zhou Yu, showing the man the food that laid there. It smelled heavenly to Yu. The strategist didn't know how hungry he was until now. "Have as much as you like."

"Can I really?" Yu asked hesitantly. Cao Pi chuckled.

"Of course," Cao Pi replied and sat on his bed. Yu nodded and lightly picked up a plate and began to eat. The first bit melted in Yu's mouth. I haven't had food this delicious since I was kidnapped. Zhou Yu thought. He continued to eat but was very uneasy. Something was still nagging at him but also Cao Pi's eyes never left his form. Those eyes made him feel as though the prince was undressing him in his mind.

Yu fidgeted under his gaze. Cao Pi seemed to notice and away.

"Is the food good?" Cao Pi asked. To Yu, he sounded a little nervous, but if he was, he made no other indication. After all, royalty knew how to hide their emotions. Zhou Yu knew that if he did show emotion, it most likely wasn't what he was really feeling. Yu swallowed his food and began to speak.

"Yes, it is," Yu replied. "Would you like any?"

"No, I have already eaten," Cao Pi stated. The two sat in awkward silence as Zhou Yu finished his meal. He couldn't recall eating so well and feeling so clean all in one day. Yu put the plate back on the tray.

"You know, it was very hard to find you?" Cao Pi informed. Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow I am sure it was. After all, you were waiting so patiently for me to come out of hiding... Yu thought sarcastically. However, Yu would humor him just this once.

"How?" Yu inquired, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. Cao Pi looked taken aback by the question. Yu mentally cursed. He must have sounded pretty bored.

"To be honest, I had my men search the ships top to bottom," Cao Pi spoke. The look in the man's eyes almost seemed sad. "I went all over in search for you. Just as I was about to give up, I remembered a movement I saw between those crates. At first, I thought it was a bird or a rat. Later, when I thought about it, I realized that it had to be you." Cao Pi looked up at Yu. "I thought for a long while there, that I had lost you." Cao Pi didn't mean to make Yu angry, but he did. Yu had taken what he said the wrong way. Cao Pi saw it the anger in the man, but Yu burst out before he could do anything.

"I am not a prize! I cannot be gained or lost!" Yu said loudly, in a fit of fury, and stood up. Yu turned around, his back now facing the prince. "If you have any hope of me staying here, you would do well to remember that." Zhou Yu could hear Cao Pi sigh but couldn't care to turn around. All royals are the same. They think that everything, even people, are their possessions, their personal belongings. Yu thought bitterly.

"I did not mean it that way," the prince replied softly. "I guess I should specify." Yu suddenly felt a presence near his back. He barely had any time to react before he felt hands tickling the life out of him.

Zhou Yu tired to keep from laughing but failed. He couldn't help but laugh as the man hit all his tickle spots. "Ha ha ha! Stop! Ow! My sides!" Yu giggled. "Oh, it hurts! You jack ass!

"You would do well to smile once in a while," Cao Pi countered to Yu's earlier statement. Cao Pi laughed along with the man below him, and continued his assault. Yu tried to escape from the man who was making him laugh so hard. Unfortunately, wherever Zhou Yu moved, the prince followed.

"Knock it off!" Yu chuckled. He tried backing away, but the back of his knees soon found the foot of the bed. Even when Yu fell, Cao Pi followed. Now Zhou Yu lay sprawled out on Cao Pi's bed with said man next to him. The only good thing about this position was that Cao Pi's hands stopped their attack. Yu lay here panting, trying to make good use of his freedom while it lasted. Cao Pi repositioned himself to where his head rested on his palm with his elbow supporting him. Cao Pi looked and him and smiled lovingly. Zhou Yu looked at him

"I do too smile," Zhou Yu said finally. Cao Pi laughed.

"Not enough," he replied. "You know, I like your smile." Zhou Yu inwardly sighed. I guess I should expect it now... Everyone likes me. Everyone I will meet will like me. But the only one who hates it is me. And Diao, but I really do not care about her one bit... "But I think you are too serious." Zhou Yu gaped.

"I am no such-" Yu's protest was silenced as the man pulled him into his arms.

"Let me rephrase. I think you have been too serious of late," Cao Pi corrected. Yu shut his mouth to keep from snapping back. "I can understand why. However, you need to let go of the past. It will not do you any good to hang onto such memories." Yu was stunned. Was this cold hearted Wei prince actually trying to comfort him? Zhou Yu felt the man's grip tighten on him. "I remember fighting you. You were always so fierce on the battlefield, so... happy. I am not sure if it is because of your past love or something else. But, I do know that when you looked at Sima Yi, when he overstepped his boundaries, I saw that fire again." It is true... Yu did have fun on the battlefield because he was with Ce.

"Last night, when I found you... you seemed so broken," Cao Pi told. By now, his voice was low, almost a whisper. "You cried so much, it made my heart break in two," the prince went on. Yu was pulled to Cao Pi's chest. "I do not ever want to see you like that again. I promise, I will make you happy." Zhou Yu looked up at the man's face to see a lone tear roll down his cheek.

"Lord Cao Pi..." Yu whispered.

Before anything else could be said, the two were sent flying off the bed by a sudden lurch to the left.

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SXH: Dun! Dun! DUN! Another cliffhanger just for you guys. But, don't you worry! I will post the next chapter tomorrow for you lovely eyes!

Zhou Yu: Our deadline's tomorrow?!

SXH: Yes.

Cao Pi: We haven't even started filming. Do you know how long it is going to take to set up that stage?

SXH: I am very well aware but I have been away from my wonderful readers long enough. I think some of them have believed me to be dead, so I must prove them how wrong they are. Besides, the injuries from Zhou Yu's and Cao Pi's fall aren't going to last very long. I prefer we film them with the real injuries since I just can't fake them like I used to.

Zhang Liao: But-

SXH: NO BUTS! We need to work ASAP! Got it? Now I am going to give you a ten-minute break before we start filming again.

Sun Ce: Thanks, but what about-

SXH: *raises an eyebrow* Sun Ce? What are you doing here? We don't need you right now! And I am in no mood for your stupidity. Out. Out, NOW!

Sun Ce: *runs from the room*

SXH: Well, after 17 chapters. I don't think I have to tell you guys anymore. But just in case, Please review and stay tune for the next chapter in To Hell & Back Again.

Bye!~