Light and Shadow

Chapter 11 - Nostalgia and Longing

Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, and Guo Jia finished looking around the city for anything out of the ordinary and returned to their agreed meeting location in front of the gates to the palace grounds. No one out of the three found anything that was of concern; however, Cao Cao still felt uneasy. The stillness of the night air did little to appease his apprehensions either. Perhaps checking on Xun Yu will help put my fears to rest. Cao Cao thought to himself.

"Maybe we should go and check on Xun Yu? I want to make sure that he's okay, then I will let you two return to your game of Go." Cao Cao stated.

"Okay, we'll come with you. But is everything okay? I haven't seen you this," Guo Jia paused for a moment as he carefully considered the phrasing that he was going to use. Don't say paranoid. Don't say paranoid. "Um, worried in a while."

Although Xiahou Dun didn't say anything, it was apparent that he was also concerned about their Lord. He had not seen his Cousin this worked up in quite a while. Cao Cao did his best to assure the two that everything was fine, but he wasn't sure himself if everything was truly okay. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something was wrong, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was that was causing him to feel this way. The three walked in silence to Xun Yu's house, which was located six kilometers away from the palace.

Cao Cao remembered the place well because he would frequently visit Xun Yu before he made the mistake of sending him away. He fondly recalled the times when he would sneak out of the palace at night just to visit him, and how they would spend hours talking about anything and everything. He was glad to have Xun Yu back. He missed being able to talk to the man and spend time with him, even if the two were no longer as close as they once were.

As the group neared the house Cao Cao became increasingly more nervous. What if he is asleep and we disturb him? What if he is displeased to see us at his home at this late hour? What if he isn't there? What if he is hurt? Stop it brain. I want to make sure that he is okay, and there is nothing wrong with that.

They walked along the narrow stone path that led up to the house. Cao Cao noticed that Xun Yu planted one of his favorite flowers on both sides of the small garden that he had in front of the small porch that led to the front door. They were white chrysanthemums. That flower describes him well. Always loyal and honest, I'm surprised that the flower wasn't made for him. Cao Cao thought silently to himself.

Bamboo blinds covered the two intricately carved windows that were on each side of the front door. Everything appeared to be neat and well-kempt, nothing appeared to be out of place. Cao Cao stepped toward the front door with Guo Jia and Xiahou Dun standing close behind him. He gently knocked on the door and it slowly slid open. The three were immediately filled with concern as Xun Yu typically made sure to lock his doors at night.

The three exchanged dubious looks before cautiously entering the house. Guo Jia and Xiahou Dun looked through the living area and kitchen while Cao Cao checked the bathroom. The three then headed to the bedroom. Once they entered, they saw Xun Yu laying down on his back in bed. He was laid neatly on top of his black fuzzy blanket, with his hair still up in a bun and while wearing his black casual paofu. His hands were clasped tightly together over his chest and sweat trickled down his forehead. Cao Cao sighed in relief as his greatest fear began to dissipate, but something was off about the situation. Why is he laying like that? Why is he still wearing his daytime clothes? And why is his hair still up? That can't be comfortable.

Cao Cao resolved to approach the bed. He quietly walked closer to it and a strange smell greeted him. He was accustomed to Xun Yu's sweet, gentle smell, not the unfamiliar faint damp earthy smell that currently emanated from him.