Disclaimer: I do not own Dynasty Warriors by KOEI. If they did, I would let them live in my apartment for all eternity. All I own is the plot plus the romantic sap and teenage drama that comes with it. Also credit goes to the talented Leslie Mills for her wonderful song Starlight, which always makes me feel better when I feel sad or run down.

Main characters:

Da Qiao: Daikyou

Xiao Qiao: Shoukyou

Sun Ce: Son Saku

Zhou Yu: Shuu Yu

Other characters in Chapter 8 are as follows:

Cai Wenji: Sai Bunki

Bao Sanniang: Hou Sanjou

Author's notes: Ok...I finally finished another new chapter and I want to post it a bit early...let's take a deep breath...it has been an emotional night for the girls but what happens next for Da Qiao? I actually feel better after writing this and...the good news is that the end is in sight. :) But for now, let's read on, shall we?

Story notes: Added in song lyrics for atmosphere and are in italics.

Chapter 8 - A Starlight Touch of Hope

Sunday morning arrived with grey skies and a heavy shower of rain, probably mirroring the misery in my heart. I refused to leave my room and had already skipped breakfast and lunch. I could hear muffled voices coming Shoukyou's room. Otousan must be talking to her about yesterday...after some time, the voices stopped. This meant Shoukyou had recovered somewhat from her emotional fit.

But I hadn't...

Shoukyou and Otousan had implored me to unlock my bedroom door numerous times throughout the day. They wanted me to come out but I ignored them...why couldn't they leave me alone in peace and let me suffer in my misery?

Ignoring my mild dizziness and empty stomach, I focused on my literature homework I couldn't finish on Friday night. As I did, I tried to forget the experience of the Royal Masquerade Ball. It wasn't very successful...because as much as I wanted the memory to be erased from my mind, I also didn't want to forget what happened...the selfish part of me didn't want to relinquish the beautiful romantic feelings I felt with my masked prince...Son Saku-kun...

I harshly breathed with relief after finishing the last sentence in my literature homework and slammed my notebook and textbook shut. I fell back onto my pillows and clutching my white teddy bear. I never imagined this homework task to be so difficult. Why did this assignment had to be about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet? At least they were together in death instead of suffering alone in silence like I was...

What happened to me...I couldn't find concentrate at all...my mind felt fuzzy and my head hurt...Son Saku-kun was in every plane of my mind...all I could think about was how warm and strong his arms around me, his gentle smiles, his dark brown eyes shining with tenderness and the kiss that could've happened.

As I rolled into several positions on the bed feeling sorry for myself, images of yesterday night flashed through my mind...our talk in the garden...our waltzes...the slow dance... They were the most beautiful yet fleeting memories that refused to leave until I was brought back to the harsh reality on the unmasking...that part hurt the most...but the most piercing images that made new tears fall down my cheeks was the hurt and sadness across Son Saku-kun's face when I screamed at him that I hated him and when he tried in vain to reach me when I was in Otousan's car. He may had played with my heart but it made me feel terrible that I also hurt him...I regretted it now...and I hated myself even more...

"I'm a monster..."

"Onechan...onechan..." I heard Shoukyou calling me through my locked door followed by more knocks, "Come on, open the door..."

"Please go away, imouto...I want to be alone..." I wiped away my tears, "And for the hundredth time, I'm not hungry..."

That was a lie..I was starving...but I didn't care...

"Onechan...Sai Bunki-chan and Hou Sanjou-chan are here with me...they want to see you..."

A moment of silence passed until I heard more knocking...this time, the knocks were softer...politer...

"Daikyou-chan... Daikyou-chan, it's Sai Bunki-chan...please let us in. We want to help you," I stubbornly stayed silent, hoping that they'll take a hint and leave me alone, "Daikyou-chan..."

I heard a frustrated sigh followed by shuffling noises outside.

"Move away, Sai Bunki-chan. Daikyou-chan, I'm giving you a fair warning. If you don't open this door by the count of three, we're going to make your room uninhabitable for you as long as you remain inside...we've already got permission from your dad so don't think you can get away from us," I hugged my teddy bear tighter. Hou Sanjou-chan sounded cross and irritated...all the better to ignore, "1...2...3...we warned you!"

I groaned when I heard their fists banging on my door. It was a terribly thundering sound. I stuffed the pillows on my head in an effort to drown out the noise. But it was no use, the pillows only partially muffled the sounds. After several minutes, I couldn't stand it anymore.

"Alright! Alright! You win! Stop!" I waited for the banging to stop before I went to my door and unlocked it. Shoukyou, Sai Bunki-chan and Hou Sanjou-chan lowered their fists, "Come inside..."

I sat down on my bed as the girls helped themselves to a pillow or one of my smaller stuffed toys. Sai Bunki-chan sat on my right, Hou Sanjou-chan on my left and my little sister nestled before me and laid her hand on my lap. We basked in a heavy silence, not knowing what to say...after a while, I broke the ice and said the first thing that came into my mind.

"I'm sorry about yesterday..." three pairs of eyes stared in surprise at what I said, "I'm sorry for making you all cry...and for ruining the one night when we're supposed to have to have the best time of our life...I'm sorry..."

"Daikyou-chan...please don't say you're sorry..." Sai Bunki-chan shook her head, "It hurts us when you're sad..."

"We came by to make sure that you're ok from last night...but..." Hou Sanjou-chan brushed my hair aside, her eyes glowing with concern, "It's obvious you're not..."

"How can I be? I just told...no, screamed at the boy I liked that I hate him! He was so wonderful to me yesterday and I threw it back into his face all because I felt hurt!" I croaked, shaking my head in despair, "I should be happy that I finally know that he likes me but...why did he ditch Shoukou-san to be with me?! I feel terrible that I'm the cause of their split and for humiliating him!"

"Daikyou-chan...you're far too considerate to this Shoukou-san for your own good..." Hou Sanjou-chan commented sadly, "Why can't you be selfish for once?"

I roughly shook my head, "No! The one thing I can't stand is betrayal! Don't you understand?! Shoukou-san was the girl who made Son Saku-kun happy! He was supposed to be with her! Why did he come after me if he's still with her?! After what I have done last night, I'm now certain I'm not the one for him!"

"Onechan..."

My head was hurting a bit more now...I had never felt so confused before...but the one thing I knew was...

"I'm scared...I'm really scared..." I whispered, trying to take comfort from the girls' presence, "I'm scared of what tomorrow is going to bring...what have I done...I've said the most horrible things to the boy I still like! I'm going to face the wrath of the entire school!"

"Daikyou-chan! Calm down!" Sai Bunki-chan exclaimed as she hugged me, "We won't leave you alone to deal with this...that's what we're here for. We're your best friends and we stick together thick and thin."

"You still have us, Daikyou-chan...we'll make sure no one will mess with you," Hou Sanjou-chan gripped my hands tight.

"Onechan...everything will be alright...you'll see tomorrow..." Shoukyou joined in the hug, "I'll tell off anyone who insults you...including Shuu Yu-kun if he dares to try."

I hugged the girls close as tightly as I could, "Thank you...but...I don't know if I can get through the entire term now..."

"Girls?"

We looked up from my pillow to see Otousan in an apron peering in from the bedroom door. He smiled at us and pushed the door aside.

"Just want to let you know dinner's nearly ready. Shoukyou-chan, would you mind taking our guests downstairs and leave us for a while? Maybe watch a bit of TV or put on a DVD movie to calm your spirits. I'm just going to talk to your sister. Sai Bunki-chan and Hou Sanjou-chan, you two are welcome to stay for dinner. It's the least I can do to thank you both for helping Daikyou-chan come out of her shell."

"Thank you, Kyou-Ojisan. Would you mind if Hou Sanjou-chan and I could use your phone quickly to call our parents to let them know we're coming home late? I'm afraid we didn't bring our mobile phones in the rush to see Daikyou-chan."

"Please go ahead. We'll see you downstairs."

The girls nodded and left my room, leaving Otousan and I alone. He sat down on my bed and patted his lap. I pushed myself onto my knees and snuggled against him as he stroked my hair and kissed my forehead...just like when my sister and I were little whenever he comforted us when Okasan passed away.

"You know the best thing to do right now is to let everything out of your chest and tell someone of your troubles, darling. I already talked to your sister so I'm going to do the same for you."

I sighed, "I don't know where to start..."

"It's always best to start at the very beginning," he kissed my forehead again, his dark eyes on me, "I'm all ears...we have all the time in the world."

So I told Otousan everything. How I liked Son Saku-kun and watched him from afar. The Valentine chocolates and the beautiful girl with the green eyes and auburn short hair. How I ended up in the company of the mysterious masked prince. The pleasant conversation in the school gardens, the wonderful waltzes we shared and the magical slow dance at the end. The unmasking...the terrible things I shouted at him...that part hurt the most...I was in another bout of crying by the time I finished. Otousan only held me tighter.

"I know it seems like it's the end of the world at the moment, darling. But everything will turn out fine in the end. You still have your sister and your friends to help you through it," he pulled back, "Surely you don't regret going to the ball, did you?"

"I don't know, Otousan. The ball was everything I imagined it to be and more..." more tears slipped from my eyes, "But I told Son Saku-kun I hated him! In my heart, I still like him even though he hurt me! He must surely hate me now that I said I never want to see him again!"

"Daikyou-chan, from how you described this Son Saku, he sounds like a nice young man and I don't think he meant to hurt you. If anything, it gives me the impression that he treasures you and truly sees how beautiful you are like your sister and I do. He still chased you even though you were already in the car...it has to count for something for his character."

"But he's with Shoukou-san, Otousan. He betrayed her..."

"I'm sure there's an explanation for all of this happenings, sweetheart. Don't take it all in face value until the facts are clear and leave without a shadow of doubt," Otousan said patiently as he cupped my face, "If he truly likes you, he'll find some way to talk to you again come Monday at school..."

Otousan momentarily left the bed to retrieve my other shoe I left on the floor the previous night and handed it to me. The red rhinestones glittered under the room lights and the red heart crystal seemed to wink at me.

"For all you know, he could be your Prince Charming who will return your other glass slipper..."

I still remained unconvinced as I turned the shoe around in my hands, "Otousan...those wonderful feelings I felt at the ball still linger even after the clock struck midnight...I want to forget about them but I don't have the heart to..."

"Then you shouldn't if that's what your heart's telling you, darling."

"They don't matter now...the damage has been done..."

"Come now, what happened to the romantic, strong-minded and smart daughter that Okasan and I raised, hmm?" I looked up to Otousan who was gazing at me fondly, "You're so much like Okasan...so tender-hearted and innocent that you truly don't realise how beautiful you really are. Yes, the damage is done but there is still time to fix it. You're a good person and things will go your way tomorrow, I just know it. There's always a silver lining in every dark storm cloud. Don't give up on your heart's dream."

"What do I do now?" I hated the sound of my voice, it was small and pitiful but I truly didn't know what to do...

"My advice is that if he does talk to you, open your heart and give him a chance to tell his side of the story. The path of young love isn't easy but it makes it all worth it in the end," Otousan kissed my forehead again and stood up, holding out a hand for me, "Now, I know that you skipped your two meals of the day and I don't intend to let my cooking go to waste tonight. Let's have dinner, ok?"

I reached up to take his hand. Then I felt him pull me into a huge hug.

"And another thing, Daikyou-chan," we pulled apart and Otousan smiled at me, "You and your sister will always be beautiful princesses to me...and especially Okasan thinks so too."

I couldn't help but smile a bit, "Otousan..."

Otousan outdone himself for tonight as he prepared my sister and my favorite meals. But Otousan made me eat chicken congee first before I had my main meal, stating that I need something more substantial since I already missed two meals. Sai Bunki-chan ate demurely while both Hou Sanjou-chan and my little sister ate with gusto. As I ate, I thought over Otousan's advice but it didn't make me feel any better, knowing what I would face tomorrow morning in school. I was very sure that all the other girls would now shun and humiliate me more because of what I said to Son Saku-kun. On top of that, I had jeopardized my sister's chances of happiness to be with Shuu Yu-kun since the boys were best friends. My sister was going to suffer because of my angry outburst.

I wasn't looking forward to tomorrow...

By the time we finished dinner, the rain had thankfully stopped. Sai Bunki-chan and Hou Sanjou-chan had to leave to return to their own homes. My sister and I walked together with them to accompany them off to the train station.

"We'll see you both tomorrow," Sai Bunki-chan hugged me tight, "Try and sleep well tonight, Daikyou-chan..."

"I'll whoop their asses if they so much try to lay a hurtful hand on you, Daikyou-chan," Hou Sanjou-chan promised before turning to Shoukyou to hug her fiercely, "The same goes for you too, Shoukyou-chan."

After watching Sai Bunki-chan and Hou Sanjou-chan disappear in the train station to go to different platforms, my sister and I walked home in relative silence. I felt her hand slipping in to graze my palm and before long, her fingers were clutching tightly in mine. I knew that she was trying the best she could to stave off my anxiety for the next day.

"Onechan..." Shoukyou shifted closer to me and laid her head against my shoulder, "Everything will be ok...you'll see..."

The gesture was sweet and kind...but just like Oyousan's reassuring words, it still didn't make me feel any better.

After returning home, I stayed by Shoukyou's bedside for she was having trouble sleeping. My sisterly instinct somehow told me that I wouldn't be the only one with troubles awaiting us tomorrow.

"Those girls will bother you again, won't they?"

"They won't bother me, onechan...I'm a strong girl...you don't have to worry about me..."

But I knew she wasn't okay. I saw my sister's eyes sadden and the clenching of her fingers in her comforter tighten into fists. I scooted closer to her and hugged her the best I could.

"I'm sorry that you had to put up with a weak onechan who couldn't protect you the way she should...and for ruining your happiness with Shuu Yu-kun..."

"Don't say that, onechan...you're the strongest girl I know...I hate it when you talk yourself down like that..." Shoukyou nuzzled her head close to me and gripped my hand, "I just...I just want you to hold me until I fall asleep, onechan..."

I nodded and kissed her head, "Anything you want, imouto..."

It took a while until she eventually fell asleep and I returned to my room. As I prepared for bed, my gaze wandered back to the glittering shoe I placed on my desk before I left the room to have dinner. It was the only reminder of the best and worst day of my life. I thought about throwing it away and to forget about it since the chances of finding my other shoe could be next to nothing...but it would be a waste of money and I would only cause my little sister more heartbreak if I threw away something that she sincerely chose for me.

Acting on that logic, I decided to keep the shoe. But a strong feeling followed that logic...a little gentle voice telling me that I should keep it with me always...and as if in a trance, I carefully packed the shoe in my schoolbag with the rest of my things...

I went to to switch on my IPod to a random song in the hopes that perhaps it could lull me to sleep.

"Lying awake...the sound...

Feeling so let down...

And I can't help crying...

Then suddenly as I close my eyes...

I see the brightest light to guide me...

Telling me to rise above...

Telling me I can't give up...

Shining from the sky...the starlight's calling...

Telling me I'm beautiful...

Showing me the love within my heart will conquer all...

And every time I fall...the starlight calling me..."

I hadn't heard this song for a while...I sighed, drawing my legs up to my chest as I sat down on my bed. I looked out to see the stars shining in the sky.

"Show me the truth somehow...

l feel you all around...

And I can't help trying...

To find all the strength that I need to see...

The hope within this night is dancing...

Telling me to rise above...

Telling me I can't give up...

Shining from the sky...the starlight's calling...

Telling me I'm beautiful...

Showing me the love within my heart will conquer all...

And every time I fall...the starlight calling me..."

I'd like to believe Okasan was watching me from the stars just like Otousan said...but right now...I never felt more alone than before. I brought this misfortune upon myself. I glanced at my digital clock...it's almost midnight...I simply must get to sleep...but my troubled thoughts refused to leave me alone...

"Okasan...I wish you were still here...what would you do in this situation?" I finally lied down on my bed and clutched my teddy bear as close as I could, feeling fresh tears down my face.

"Even when I'm lost...

Like a wave out on the sea...

You showed me that I'll always find my dreams...

I squeezed my eyes tight, imagining Okasan before me hugging me gently in her arms. She would coo in my ear and her sweet voice telling me to follow my heart's voice. I remembered the sweet smell of lilies always seemed to follow her...I tried to hold on to my illusion that she was here comforting me...

"Darling...keep your chin up and your dreams will form before you..."

I clung onto the voice, trying desperately to source comfort from the tender tone...and I cried harder, releasing the full extent of my fear and sorrow of what's to come...although I knew that tomorrow was going to be a terrible day, a part of me still hoped that things would turn out for the better...

"Telling me to rise above...

Telling me I can't give up...

Shining from the sky...the starlight's calling...

Telling me I'm beautiful...

Showing me the love within my heart will conquer all...

And every time I fall...the starlight calling me..."

Feeling the tears dry on my cheeks, I sagged on the bed, suddenly feeling exhausted.

Allowing the lyrics to lull me in a sense of false security, I finally went into a fitful sleep...

Telling me I'm beautiful...

Showing me the love within my heart will conquer all...

And every time I fall...the starlight calling me..."

To be continued...

Author's notes: Wow...I had never felt so connected in writing this chapter...this is almost therapeutic and that is the wonder of writing :). Well, now that it is all said and done with some good father and daughter as well as sisterly bonding time and a bit of soul searching...what happens on Monday? Well, I'm afraid you will have to find out in the next chapter. As I will be going overseas next week, I'm going to post another chapter weather this coming Tuesday or Wednesday before boarding the plane since it just needed to be edited; this next chapter will be the second-last before the finale so in other words 2 more chapters :) Reviews and feedback are nice but flamers aren't.