AU: my, my it has been years LOLs hahaha sorry for the late update ... been quiet busy but i am still writing hahaha ... thank you for all the reviews guys i really appreciate it ! keep it coming hahaha ... as promise a long chapter ... here's the new chapie ... enjoy .. credits to Elgator 44

Xiao's hair was tied up into a pony tail, wearing her usual clothes, repeating to herself what Lu Xun told her, thinking hard while on her way to their meeting place "Why? Who is she? Do I even know her?" she asked herself. When she finally stepped into the garden, Xiao gaped, seeing Yan Shui for the first time.

"It was very kind of you to grant my request; even though you don't know me," Yan bowed showing her respect. "I have been wanting to meet you."

Yan Shui gazed directly into her eyes and continued, "I have heard many things about you." She was referring to what Zhou Yu and Shin told her about Xiao not those filthy lies.

However, Xiao as she thought she was referring to the rumors. "What do you want?" Xiao replied in a stern voice, crossing her arms, getting worked up as her brows met.

"I am Shin's older sister. She told me that she would like you to have this, " Yan presented the letter.

Xiao was cautious, remembering the past letter she received from Shin.

"I don't want it! What is it this time? There invitation for their wedding!?" Xiao shouted, clenching her fist.

"I see … so Yu has not told you anything yet"

"He barely talks to me!"

"Well yes, he is a quiet person" Yan said with a sigh.

'Is she rubbing in my face that she knows more about him that I do?' she thought, her blood boiling in anger and hatred.

"I married his brother Zhou Tou, that's how I knew him" Yan continued.

'He has a brother? What is this? I married a person I barely even know!' Xiao thought in dismay.

"Yu is very collective and too quiet," Yan dared to wipe the tear from her Xiao's face. Xiao was stunned. She didn't notice a tear that escaped from her eye.

"He doesn't want anyone he loves to find out that he is in pain. Xiao, I am here to apologize and fix what my sister had done and help your marriage work for I can see that you love each other deeply."

The words Yan Shui said were the blatant truth and it came crashing down upon Xiao Qiao, so much so that Xiao fell to her knees. It was a good thing Yan caught her before she fell to the hard wooden floor. The older woman embraced the young girl as she wept.

Meanwhile, in the corner of his office, Zhou Yu sat, regarding nothing as he held an empty wine bottle in his hand.

'How will I tell her … everything?' Zhou Yu repeated to himself several times before taking a sip of the wine, but now that the bottle is empty still he had no idea what do next. He assumed Yan told Xiao everything, which only served to make him feel stupid and guilty. The best thing would've been if he flat out explained everything, but chances were the fact that Xiao had to hear everything second-hand couldn't have been beneficial to his situation. He was startled when Yan Shui opened his office door. "Yu, are you in here?"

Gaining his wits he hid the bottle and stood up behind his desk. "Sister" he whispered.

"What are you doing behind there?" she asked gazing at him in suspicion.

"Nothing" he said tersely. He left the bottle behind his desk an walked as straight as he could towards his sister-in-law.

"Alright," she sighed, "Well, I suppose I should be going now."

Yan Sui smiled at him, and he nodded in response, his face stern and impassive.

But to his surprise, he was pulled into a hug, "You Zhou brothers are the same. Quiet, reclusive, unapproachable, making it difficult for the rest of us to understand you two," she whispered before leaving a perplexed Zhou Yu confused in his office.

It was sunset when Yan Shui arrived at the Zhou manner. Zhou Tou was waiting for her at the gate, standing tall and with his crossed arms bearing a disgruntled expression. Yan just stepped down from the carriage, and stopped when she saw him standing there alone. Regaining her posture, she approached him and smiled, "Good evening, my Lord." She bowed.

Zhou Tou just nodded and turned his back. Yan had seen this from him before. She ran up and hugged Zhou Tou from behind.

"Well, well, well was my beloved husband worried about me?" she said, mocking him.

"Well I would be lying if I said otherwise," Zhou Tou turned to her, eyes aflame with anger and anxiety, "Don't you do that again! Understand?!"

"I just delivered a letter," she explained as she cupped his heated face.

"Deliver a letter?" he pulled back, looking more befuddled.

"Yes, Xing saw a letter from Shin's chamber; it was addressed to Xiao Qiao"

"Why Xiao Qiao?"

"Because she is your brother's wife."

Zhou Tou knew that his brother was married but he didn't know that he married one of the famed Qiao sisters. He raised an inquisitive brow.

The married couple arrived back in Jiang Dong before dinner time, Da Qiao quickly left to her sister's room, wanting to demand an explanation as to why she ditched her in the city today. Regardless, she bought a basket of pomegranate and peaches for Xiao Qiao. As she reached the door, she knocked and called, but there was no answer.

"Xiao I'm coming in!" Da called again and entered her sister's quarters.

"Xiao why won't you answer the door?" she asked dismayed, but stopped when she saw Xiao reading a letter at her desk intently.

"Yours truly … Shin … Shui" she said with a sigh.

"Xiao?" Da Qiao asked in confusion. 'What is she reading?' she thought. Da supposed that the presence of Yan Shui had something to do with this.

"Xiao? For how long are you going to sit in there?" Da Qiao asked approaching her, putting down the basket of fruits. "I don't know" Xiao responded distantly. Da Qiao, however, saw that her eyes were swollen and red. 'She was crying,' Da thought to herself in disappointment.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked again.

"I don't know anymore" Xiao said looking down, another wave of tears threatening to return, but she held it back.

"What do you mean?" Da Qiao asked in a concerned voice.

"I'm just tired sis, is it okay if I would not join dinner today, just for today?"

"Sure, but you have to eat something."

"Yes, I will."

Da Qiao closed the door behind her with hesitation, not wanting to leave her sister sulking alone once more, but she had no choice. This was her young sister's own problem. Taking what her husband told her several times; this is a matter that only they can fix. But her sisterly instincts didn't approve.

Every officer gathered in the main dining hall. Ling Tong and Gan Ning were still teasing Lu Xun about what happened earlier while Lu Meng was talking to Lu Su about battle strategy and the others drink and ate like there's no tomorrow.

The gathering was hosted by the Little Conqueror himself, Sun Ce, accompanied by his wife, Da Qiao, on his other side was Zhou Yu, Sun Quan and Lian Shi, but there was an empty space on Da Qiao's side. It was Xiao Qiao's seat. Sadly, everyone was distracted by the party to notice her absence. Except Zhou Yu.

Ever since he stepped in, he secretly searched if she was present but she's not. He stayed more quiet than usual in his seat, eating in peace. Da Qiao had already told Sun Ce about Xiao's absence tonight, so now he and his wife was observing Zhou Yu's every move.

Having had enough, Zhou Yu tapped his sworn brother's shoulder, catching Sun Ce's undivided attention, "I will go now." Sun Ce responded with a nod and smile. "Okay buddy" he replied cuffing him on the arm. The young strategist of Wu left the party.

"Do you think he will use this opportunity to talk to her?" Da Qiao whispered to her husband. Sun Ce shrugged, "I don't know but he better be. Everyone is in here, so no one can disturb them."

"Did she eat?" Zhou Yu asked himself while walking door the corridor, feeling the cold breeze touch his pale white skin. Not entirely sure what to do or say, he went straight to her room. "What if she doesn't want to see me?" his thoughts stopped him. "Maybe that's why she didn't join the dinner." That was an entirely logical possibility. He stepped back no

He stepped back not wanting to pressure or force her. He clenched his fist and cursed to himself.

"This was entirely my fault," he closed his eyes, flashes of Xiao crossing his mind.

The door opened making him nervous but soon as he saw her state he got angry, mostly with himself. Her eyes widened not expecting him to be there. In the back of Xiao's mind, she knew that she was not emotionally ready to face him but she wanted to talk to him badly. But she didn't know what to say nor how to feel. She felt hurt hearing everything from the mouth of someone she just met instead of the mouth of her own husband. Truly hurt. She felt that Zhou Yu did not trust her.

Yan Shui wrapped her arms around herself, keeping her warm from this cold night, while she sang a lullaby. From the doorway, her husband heard her sweet tone. He paused. Yan smiled after singing and caressed her lower abdomen. "Please be a healthy" she whispered.

"Yan?" Zhou Tou called getting her attention. She almost jumped in shock.

"Oh … what a bummer" she sighs playfully approaching him. She was still waiting for the right time to announce him the great news but it seemed he was about to find out.

"What do you mean by what you just said?" getting curious and worried at the same time.

Zhou brothers are truly over protective.

Cupping his face and smile "This was not the way I was planning to tell you but since you heard me, well then" kissing him on the cheek "Ryu will be a big brother" taking his hand placing it on her lower abdomen. Zhou Tou's eyes widen in shock "You mean?" his mouth open in gape as she nods and giggle.

His lips slowly curled up in a smile and pull her into a tight and warm hug.

"This is now or never"

"This is now or never"

'After sulking in my room for the entire day, I felt stupid … so stupid … I believed and trust other people easy … making me believe at some things that wasn't true … I should have asked him first … rather that making conclusions and think only of myself … my feelings only … how selfish of me … Zhou Yu …'

'I should have told her before I left for the battle field … no … I should have told her everything from the start … I was so foolish to keep it all … I too quiet … I was hurt giving everything to someone before and it was all gone … I was used to it … I have never noticed that she was there for me … she was different … how selfish of me … Xiao Qiao …'

"I must apologize"

"I must apologize"

Closing the door behind her, she stood, straight looking down at the wooden floor, not sure what to do next. Heart beating fast, nervous and scared, but she must grab this opportunity now that she knows everything. Zhou Yu didn't do anything wrong; this was all a huge misunderstanding. But this might not have happened if only he told her everything. Now there are tons of questions running in her mind now.

"Why wouldn't he just tell me? Doesn't he trust me?"

And more importantly "What am I to him?"

Her thoughts were going on and on in her mind non-stop.

"Xiao Qiao" Zhou Yu said.

She faced him with parted lips ready to say what's on her mind but her growling stomach sought attention. It was not unexpected. The reason why she decided to leave her room was because of her hungry stomach. It was an awkward situation.

"You must eat first," he said calmly as a smile curled on lips.

She blinked at him in disbelief. 'Is this really happening?' she thought.

"I'll be waiting at the cherry tree," he continued, bowing at her before he took his leave.

Xiao Qiao was left embarrassed and confused. Should she take his invitation or not? It had been a long time since the whole incident started. The culprit who started it was already gone. The thought of being betrayed and cheated was nothing but a bluff. Embarrassed, her stomach just had to butt in and ruin the perfect moment for them to talk. However, now that she thought of it, maybe that was not the right time for them to talk. She wasn't ready and he seemed to think the same. The meeting was surely a surprise for them both.

Xiao Qiao walked by the dining hall, the noisiest room in all of Jiang Dong. She wanted to join the party but she must focus. Letting out a disappointed sigh, she walked straight into the kitchen. The maids, cooks and servers were shocked to see her. They assumed Xiao would be at the party, not asking for a small meal.

"My dear, is there something wrong?" the oldest maid asked.

"Yes, I'm good," Xiao gave a smile to everyone in the room, "Please don't worry I am fine!"

It was apparent that they were not convinced.

Xiao Qiao continued eating until her sister popped into the kitchen.

"Excuse me-…. Xiao?" Da paused in disbelief. "I thought you don't want to step out of your room?"

"Well as you can I see, I'm here," Xiao Qiao said smiling, using the food as an excuse.

"You should've just called a servant and let them bring the food, " Da Qiao said sitting in front of her.

Her little sister just giggles in response. As usual, Xiao Qiao was trying to play everything off.

Observing her, she guessed that Xiao Qiao and Zhou Yu just saw each other again.

"I'll be fine," Xiao insisted, before she waved her hand to shoo Da away, "Now go back and have fun."

Da reluctantly let her sister be and bid her goodnight before returning to the party. It was best to let things mend themselves.

In the garden in the south wing of the castle, Zhou Yu was waiting for Xiao to arrive. Deep in his mind he wasn't sure that now was the right time.

"She's still hurt…Of course, how stupid of me."

There was one telling him that she won't come and another was saying the opposite. He was debating with himself.

"Maybe she's thinking what to say. Or maybe she's still eating. Is it possible that she forgot?"

"No, it can't be. She will come … I know it"

"Maybe she won't."

"After all that has happened … why do I still believe that she will forgive me?"

He growled to himself, "I'm so stupid! What am I doing? I'm the great young strategist of Wu and I have won bigger battles than…this."

Rubbing his temples, he regretted to admit that he didn't know what do to next. Everything was a blur, but there was one clear thing: he loved her so much and didn't want to let her go. He was not giving up until everything was back to normal. Xiao Qiao smiling, cheerful, and just being herself.

Looking up at the moon, and waited and waited until the gathering ended and everybody went home for a good night's rest.

Xiao Qiao was not planning on just leaving him. She just didn't know what so say or feel. After eating she went straight to their meeting place but hid herself in the bushes. From there she could see him plainly, waiting for her.

'Why in the world am I hiding,' she thought and glanced back at Zhou Yu's position only to find him gone.

Eyes wide, she began searching for him, but couldn't seem find him. Xiao began to worry. Did she make a mistake in waiting too long? She left the area and began to scour the rest of the gardens. The cold air began to chill her hands and she shivered against the chill, continuing her search until she spotted a sleeping figure in the stairs of the entrance.

It was Zhou Yu. He must've fallen asleep waiting for her. Xiao wasted in no time in running back to the east wing and to her quarters. She found the softest blanket available and rushed back to the garden. She placed the blanket over him.

"Oh Gods what have I done?" Xiao was fearful that all this waiting in the cold air would cause him to catch a cold or worse.

"Xiao?" he panted trying to wake up.

"Ah, yes?!" she jumped in surprise.

"I'm sorry," he apologized as he tried to stand up but his legs were shaky causing him stumble. Lucky she managed to use most of her own body strength to keep him from falling completely.

"Will you sit still?! How many times do I have to tell to you?" Xiao guided him back to his seat and placed her hands on her waist, looking very much like she was scolding a child, "Think of yourself once in a while before you think of anybody else!"

He nodded and pulled the blanket tighter around him. "I'm sorry," he said again.

Xiao Qiao stopped. 'Why the heck I am doing this to him? I'm the reason why he's in this condition!

"No, its … okay" her tone changed "You could have caught a cold waiting for me in here."

Zhou Yu staggered back to his feet, maintaining his strength. With a shy smile, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling the blanket around them both.

"I'm not the only one who might get a cold. You as well," he whispered.

AU: haha ! well i gotta write more hahaha its near to its ending :D