AU: This is it guys ! the final chapter ... i have spent my extra days in making this ... XD hope you like it .. thank you very much

She took my hand, pulling me off my seat, she was taking the lead. Pulling me as she runs to the corridors down at the back of the manor, eager to see my surprise, this was not how I planned it but she still wanted to see it, I guess it's in her nature. The day we left the manor to Jiang Dong, I asked the maids to do a miniature garden at the back. It was a risk doing it, I was debating at myself 'She may not like it' I said a few times but the garden was indeed small but full of life, the flowers bloomed, peach trees just grown fruits, the atmosphere was cheerful and lively like her personality and the way she is. Simple yet elegant. I've meet her in the garden in Jiang Dong, not aware of her presence, she was on the brunch of the peach tree, trying to harvest them by herself, getting all the fruits she can carry. I was under that tree, reading a book, studying, she accidentally fell on me, it was a good thing I was there to catch her rather than she will fell on the hard ground. Saying her thanks to me with a huge smile and offering me a peach she just harvested, I never tasted one yet, and it was the first time I tasted one and moments later I was craving for another one. At the same garden I confess my feelings and asked her permission if I could court her, I proposed to her and at the same garden I apologize.

Xiao Qiao was awe seeing the garden, the flowers, trees and green grass but what really captured her eyes was the cherry tree planted on the center of the garden, it was just planted but its growing fast. He let go of her hand as she explores the garden and stopped staring at the new planted cherry tree. Zhou Yu approached her, caressing her in the shoulders and then his hands went down wrapping her arms around her waist, pulling her close to him, closing the gap between them.

"I'm sorry the cherry tree was just planted after we left to Jiang Dong, that's why it's not yet bloomed" he said.

She stayed quiet and keeps her head down, it worried that maybe she didn't like it or she doesn't like the whole garden, it worried him sick, thoughts were quickly running onto his mind, it suddenly stopped when he felt her soft hand touching his and being squeezed.

"It's perfect" she murmured, turning around with tearing eyes and a wide smile on her face, her reaction shocked him, the effect of the garden to her, the cherry tree.

Zhou Yu ordered the plantation of the cherry tree before he left to war, he knew that having a cherry tree in the garden would ease up her feelings, it's her favorite and mostly the peach trees, and every time he saw a peach or a peach tree it always reminds him of her.

He smile back "I'm glad its in your liking" he said, making a move to kiss her but he heard small giggles behind him, he turns back and points a finger "YOU THREE ARE GETTING ON MY NERVES" he shouted.

The three maids were peeking at them since they got in the garden, they followed them after they ran off from the dinning room, Xiao Qiao just laugh at the irritated Zhou Yu while the maids were bowing, apologizing and Zhou Yu was giving them a death glare.

"Please, prepare us a tea and finger foods" Xiao said stopping his death glare and letting the maids run free "You're still hungry?" he asked confused "No, I just" she sat on the wooden stairs and look up in the moon "Want to hang out in here for a while, while drinking tea" she continued.

Zhou Yu removed his robe and place it on her and then seat next to her. His gesture flattered her "How about you? Last time I remember you got a cold" she said, looking at him "I'll be fine" he said as he took her hand and hold it rubbing it against his two hands, making them warm, she smiled but she felt that the robe was big on her so why not share it.

She immediately removes her hand out from his grasp and opens the robe, placing the other half on his broad shoulder and she scoot close to him, taking his hand and rubs it, making it warm "If you don't want me to get a cold, I don't want you to have it either" she said. He place his head on top of hers, resting it there.

"When I was child, I was a wimp" Xiao didn't know what to respond nor what to do, she just listens and fell his warmth "I was weak, I always got picked by my older cousins, and everybody thought I was a girl" they both chuckle "Yes even now" she joked "Because of that I was rumored around Lujiang, they were saying that Lord Zhou Yi is a strong and feared Lord but he has a weakling child, it hurt so much to be told by your own father that you're not worthy to be given the name Zhou, I cried, I cried a lot, I was a cry baby, that was my brother told me but he said, its not wrong to cry its just us men have to keep it in until we could, I admire my brother at that those times" Xiao can see herself from his childhood.

"At those times, I told myself maybe I was adopted"

"Zhou Yu!" Xiao Qiao squealed, making him stop his story "That's … so terrible" she continued

"Yes it was, my mother told me that I'm not, my father was hard on me because he doesn't want me to grow up weak and it's unexpectedly effective"

"So your going to copy your father's action when …" she suddenly turn silent thinking about children and family, of course, it immediately pop's in her mind, how to make a child, she blush at the thought.

Zhou Yu notices that she was struggling to end her sentence "Of course not, I couldn't do it" he said, Xiao looks up to him, he looks like in a deep thought.

"I saw my brother struggles in his training, father was training him personally while I was trained by the best teacher in Lujiang" he let out a sigh "And those times, I felt that I was alone, I've met Shin"

She was alarmed hearing her name, yes that's right, he has not yet told her everything yet, coming from his mouth directly, she already knows that they have a deep relationship, she has heard Shin's side how about his side.

And this was Zhou Yu's hidden agenda, to let her know everything. Shin Shui knew him from head to toe, she can predict his movements or even thinking but Xiao Qiao doesn't, and it hurts inside him that there were other people knew him better than his beloved wife, its unfair he thought. This conversation will be long and it can even last until tomorrow morning but he doesn't care, the important thing was he has shown who really he is and she's the only one who can knew him.

"I kept a straight face, acting like my father with a stern face but she was stubborn and loud" she listens carefully but hearing this, her heart aches "She have broken my shell and saw the real me" he tighten his grip on her hand "That's why I fell in loved her, she was my first love and my first broken heart" he chuckles "Cheesy as it sounds but it was true, I thought she will be my first and last but … no … I was young, naïve and quite stupid, when I heard that Jiang Dong was recruiting young soldiers I grab the opportunity and I was eager to leave, leaving everything behind me and move on" he checked Xiao's face and she looks so affected at his life story, stroking her cheek.

"Hey rub that off in your face" he smiles at her

"Well I can't help it" she said quickly, still keeping that face

"Yes, I know but the story was not yet near to the end" kissing her in the forehead and continues his story.

"When I got to Jiang Dong, I pushed myself to the limit, I have to be honest I really was showing off at those days, I mean I was still living the name Zhou and I have to perfect at everything I do" his voice changed into a cheerful manner "I've met a girl, falling from the tree, it was a good thing I catch her, she's easy going and very cheerful, loud and fun to be with, it take me for about two months to confirm what I was feeling towards her, I was afraid to fall in love again for I might get hurt again" Xiao Qiao finally manage to let out a small laugh.

"Well finally, you smiled" he said

"Well that girl sounds familiar"

"Of course you knew her; in fact you were very close to her"

"Ohh really? Let me guess who she is"

"Oh there's no need, its Da Qiao"

"What?" she said in a shocked manner, tilting her head

Zhou Yu burst in laughing "Of course I was kidding, it's you" she pouts and crossed her arms, acting like a child.

"This face of yours" he cupped her face squeezing it lightly, making her face pout, she laugh at this touch "Your personality, attitude and smile" stroking her face "Your unique" he finished his sentence with a gentle smile. And that smile caught Xiao Qiao's eyes, this was the second time she saw that smile of his, and she wonder, did Shin have done this as well? Has she let Zhou Yu smile like this?

She smiled in return "Hmm you should smile like this more often" cupping his face "It makes you look more handsome" she continued "Well you should not smile like this to anybody" he said with a stern face, Xiao tilt her head in confusion "Why? You don't like it? Is it bothering?" she said touching her cheeks, trying to figure out what does she look like when she smile this.

Zhou Yu manage a small chuckle seeing his wife tracing her face, he took them and away from her face and pulls her to him, making her face him "Because that smile of yours caught me and I won't allow any men would see that beautiful smile of yours, your mine" he said seductively.

Xiao Qiao blushed at that quote, she felt that she was a material being owned and her owner was none other than him, she smiled again but this time with her mouth closed, making her looked matured, she got on her knees and kissed him in the forehead "I'm yours and your mine" she whispered.

At the back the three maids were still peeking at them and of course they were so flattered watching this couple tease themselves.

After six months

A new threat to the Wu Empire has sparked and another battle will flourish. Everybody was alarmed and terrified at the thought at Shu Empire will take their revenge. Gan Ning together with Ling Tong and Lu Meng has gone over seas to gather more men, after the Battle to Ying Province they could not produce another thousand men, even though they won the war, they were still casualties, five hundred men died for the victory.

Sun Ce doesn't want that to happen again, with the brains and strategies of Zhou Yu they want to come up with a battlefield without bloodshed, but Sun Quan and the other officers see that it would be impossible to win a war without a single men being killed. Debating the officers' brain storm until they could came up with a plan.

"We could use arrows, more archery in the balcony and towers" the young officer said.

"That's ridiculous, when most of our men are on the towers and balcony, who will be fighting in the ground?" the elder officer said.

Sun Ce rubs his chin as he was listening to his officers.

"We should have set an assassin to kill Liu Bei"

"The Han will see us as a traitor if we killed Liu Bei on his behind"

"We will be the laughing stock of the Han"

The officer's debate was nonstop, the court room was loud and strong everybody has their own ideas but it was always ending up being counter attacked, Lu Xun the young student of Zhou Yu stay silent as he watched the other officer's talked, then he looked at his teacher, he was staring at the horizon outside the window. Deep in thought, he was already calculating his plan.

No one have notice that it was already night fall, they started early in the morning and until now they don't have a perfect strategy. Lu Xun stood up, banging his hands on the wooden table "I believe this would be the perfect time to dismiss" he said as the officers look at him. Sun Ce looks down and stood up.

"I couldn't agree more, we will continue this discussion tomorrow morning"

"But Milord, maybe Zhuge Liang has already came up with a plan on destroying Wu" the elder officer said

"Come on people, if Shu has Zhuge Liang, Wu has Zhou Yu" he proudly said.

Everybody's attention have turned to Zhou Yu, who was still staring at the window "Ah Zhou Yu" Sun Ce called him, bringing his name at the troubled committee always calm them down but seeing Zhou Yu absent minded, everybody started to panic and worried.

Voices of debating, the sound of the wooden table being banged on was heard on the north wing of the castle. The maids and peasants were getting worried.

If an Empire loses to the battle and many of its men will suffer or being put on the front lines as pawns even though they were not yet trained in the call of desperation, one Empire will sacrifice everything just not to surrender from the enemy, of course this may cause a total riot.

If that Empire has lost it's another battle and its people rebel against their own Empire, it will collapse immediately and the consciences are disturbing. Women will be raped until they dehydrate and die, children will be slaves and will be strip off their innocence, men will be tortured until they ran out of blood and die while their eyes were open and even the Empress of the fallen Empire will be raped, ripped in all their glory and the land they were protecting will be burn to ashes.

Everything will be burned out; no one will be left alive.

Another loud thud has heard from the court room, it was not Lu Xun nor Sun Ce but Zhou Yu, all eyes turned to him, full of hope that he already came up with a brilliant plan. Keeping his posture, standing straight and looks straight to their eyes "People of the council, the battle will be held at Yi Ling, I believe the advantage is ours" he grins as he elaborate his brilliant plan.

On the South Wing of the Castle, there was no trace on atmosphere that there will be another war, it was peaceful, like it was on the other side of the world, away from all the chaos. Da Qiao's womb was already at its due date, but she doesn't feel anything, no aching or even water broke. Sun Ce was worried at the infant might be over due and putting their lives in danger, but he never failed not show it from her, he don't want to scare her, but if there's anything that will happen, the castle was high on alert for an heir was being awaited.

The Two Qiao's were enjoying their after dinner tea at the balcony. Da Qiao has a thing for balconies while her sister was for gardens. The elder Qiao was stitching infant cloths, socks, gloves and even a hat, she was trying not to overdo it, since they can't determine the gender, she was keeps her designs unisex, as long as she can.

Sitting on the wooden floor "Ahg" Xiao said while copying her sister, who was sitting on the chair "It has already three months, and I still can't do it right!" she whined as he keep on trying and trying and she can't came up with a single socks or gloves "This sticks, I don't want to do it anymore!" giving up she place it down and pouts while resting her face on her knuckles.

"Xiao, it takes time and patience, you'll get it soon" her sister cheered her

"Hmp!" standing up and stomp at the floor "It's unfair! I wanna do some cute things too!" whining like a child, Da Qiao laughs at her.

The maid knocks and opens the door with a tray of tea and finger foods "Wha-What is this? I just said tea" Da Qiao stood up checking the tray "Lady Zhou requested it Milady" the maid bows "Y-you did?" she turn to her sister, Xiao nods and smile widely "Well I was a bit hungry" trying to convince her sister.

"But we just ate? You already have eaten your husband's meal" placing her hands on her waist, raising a brow at her

"Well he said I can eat it" she pouts as she plays with her hand.

Da Qiao waved her hand dismissing the maid and then gets back to her, with narrowed eyes; she examines her from head to toe "What?" Xiao said tilting head, puzzled.

"Ever since you get back here from your little vacation, you waist has gotten wider"

"Are you saying I'm getting fat?" Xiao said getting worked up.

Da Qiao suddenly remembers a familiar thing that happened to her, walking close to her, placing her hands on her shoulder "Xiao are you-" she pause after she felt that there was dripping something between her legs and Xiao noticed it.

"Xiao" she moaned.

In the Court room, Zhou Yu was discussing his plans, everybody was listening carefully, this battle must be victorious, everybody thought. The room was now silent; the opposite from before, where everybody was panicking, now they all looked like calm lambs. A small scream was heard and every maid outside have gone to the south wing. It was like some angle has just passed them, everybody was silent listening carefully, what is happening outside.

Sun Ce gulped as he felt something, a hunch that he was afraid to speak about. Another scream was heard and this time it was louder. Sun Ce run out from the room without an excuse "Excuse Us, we will continue this tomorrow morning" Zhou Yu said and point a finger on his student "Clean the scrolls and place them in my office" the young boy quickly stood up and start picking up papers.

It has been already four hours since Da Qiao was brought up into the infirmary. There were six nurses and two physicians assisting in her labor, of course Sun Ce was on her side, holding her hand, giving support. It was his first born after it was natural for a father to see and hold his first child and as a husband to support and help ease pain his wife is being through at giving birth. Meanwhile outside the infirmary, Sun Quan, Lian Shi, Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao was waiting at the door. Sun Ce strictly ordered that no one except family was allowed to go near the infirmary; it was for the safety of the heir. Sun Ce is after all a war lord, many lords and other war lords want him dead.

The four of them were waiting patiently and worried. The news spread fast immediately, the gates of the castle were open because of the new soldiers in training, but of course court ladies and other people used this opportunity to peak at the castle and its high officers. There was a false rumor going around, that the heir was a girl. In ancient China, having a female child was worthless, they could not inherit the family name or even the title of her father, female children were often use as a tool for alliances, for bearing a child and nothing more.

Sun Quan was walking around in circles, Lian Shi was praying, Zhou Yu was silently leaning on the edge of the door and Xiao Qiao was eating. The beautiful lady got irritated at him walking around "Please dear, sit down, it's not like you're the father of the child" she said "Well I can't help it, I'm worried" he said "Look at Lady Zhou" pointing a finger at her, making Xiao pause "She doesn't even look like she's worried" Sun Quan used her as an excuse "Hey!" Xiao stood up "I am worried" placing her hand on her waist and raised a brow at him.

"Please, keep it down" Zhou Yu gets in the conversation "Let me change the topic for a while" Lian Shi said as she stood up, since everybody was on their feet "You're eating too much Xiao" she continued "No I'm not!" she protested "Are you alright?" Zhou yu said touching her shoulder "I'm fine" she responded quickly "Then why are you eating again?" Lian Shi asked once again "I-I don't know" blinking her eyes, looked all innocent, all of them were staring at her "I said I don't know okay!" she said whining.

Zhou Yu examines his wife, from head to toe and from toe to head "I'm going to ask the physician to stay after the labor, will have you checked out" he said "No! Please! I'm fine!" she beg "it's better to be sure Xiao" he said it, ending the conversation, Xiao sighs in disappointment.

After two hours finally Da Qiao has given a birth to a healthy baby boy, they named him Sun Shao. Sun Ce was trying his best to hold the baby properly, the nurses were worried that he might accidentally drop him but he handles him safely. The physician were called after Da Qiao's operation, it seems it's the season of giving birth, so Xiao Qiao's checkup was saved.

The night was indeed long, the Sun family just got bigger, Sun Ce wanted to show the people of Jiang Dong his first born, but the physician suggested that it will not be good for the infant to me moving around much, after his new born, Sun Shao will be presented to the people when his six month old.

After saying her greetings to her sister and brother in law, she escapes from the group and lock herself in her chamber, locking the door to make sure that no one will come in without her knowing it.

"Ever since you get back here from your little vacation, you waist has gotten wider"

"You're eating too much Xiao"

"Are you alright?"

Their words echoed inside her thoughts, standing in front of the mirror she untie her hair, removes her robe, leaving her thin robe, she held her waist and then cupping her belly, it surely has grown a bit. Her eyes got widen, letting out a gasp as she felt something very familiar, walking closely to the mirror, caressing her belly once again. She smiled knowing what it was.

She got startled hearing a loud knock on the door "Xiao?" it was Zhou Yu, she didn't bother to get dress, quickly she walk quickly to the door and opens it "Wha-" not letting him said a word, pulling him in and shutting the door immediately.

"Why? What's happening?" he said, getting worked up "Why you dress like that? Did someone-" he pause as she shook her head while smiling "Then what is it?" she pulled him, walking towards the mirror, placing his hand on her belly.

"Xiao" he sighs

"There's no need to consult a physician" she smiled.

His eyes grew wide, taking a deep breath and then chuckles "Xiao this is"

"Zhouie, we're going to have a baby!" Xiao happily announced the great news facing him

"Oh, Xiao, this is wonderful!" he said, smiling, hugging her tightly.

The couple was laughing and cheering for the unborn child.

On the next day, the couple announced the great news to everyone, as they consulted the physician, it was confirmed, she is carrying Zhou Yu's child. The couple celebrated at their own, treating themselves expensive food, cloths, and buying infant cloths, since Xiao could not stitch.

Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao have three children, living happily in each other's arms, until the end of their days.

In love, it has two faces; love could turn a decent person into wicked, love could also change a cold hearted person into a warm one, no can predict on how will it grow between two people, it has surprising ways that can affect not only two but many people. In the time of the Three Kingdoms, chaos rules, greed, lust, power, politics, monarchy, empires, blood line, off springs, traitors, and those people were influential and powerful. It shows that evil ways could make one victorious.

But that's not all.

Behind those blood bath battles, there were still peace in other places; love can be felt in the air, children playing around the yard. Every Empire was fighting for this, fighting for freedom. And in Zhou Yu, Xiao Qiao and Shin Shui's case, they were just victims for the greedy people, seeking revenge, understanding, and answers and seeking love.

...END...

thank you guys for reading it ! for everything guys ! i wanted it to be historically accurate but .. i can' XD

thank you very much for those wonderful reviews ! it helped me alot .. thank you ... i'm actually lost for words right now ...

all i can say is thank you ... :D

if you want more XiaoQiaoxZhouYu fan fics click here : s/9279738/1/Affection