I don't own Prince.

The Notebook

As few wispy clouds drifted lazily by on a warm afternoon, Professor Min sat at his desk and watched his students prepare to leave for the day. It'd been a good day, the students had been engaged in what he was saying and the time seemed to fly by. He loved days like that. They were slowly filing out of his classroom when he noticed Feng Yang Ming hanging back, staring at him. *hmm ... wonder what he wants... I hope it's school related.* He thought to himself. He enjoyed second life, but tried hard not to let it interrupt his real life. There was really only one interruption he wanted from second life ... but since he couldn't have it, thinking about it only made it worse.

As Yang Ming sat staring at his professor, his sister caught his attention as she walked past him,

"Hey! Are you coming?" Feng Lan asked as she continued walking to the door. He nodded slightly and answered,

"Aa, just give me a minute. Will you go to the library and tell Ling Bin that I'll be a little later than usual? I need to talk to Professor Min about something." He sat back and rested his hands behind his head, waiting for her to leave.

"Sure, but is everything alright?" She asked him, concerned that her stupid brother would need to talk to the Professor about anything, especially when he was always copying her work!

"Stupid Sis! It's a guy thing! Hurry up and leave!" He got up and started towards her to shove her out but she "eeep!"ed and ran out ahead of him.

"Alright, just hurry up stupid brother, I don't want wait around forever." She was giggling as she left. Yang Ming didn't make a reply, but Lan wouldn't have heard it anyway, she seemed to be in a hurry to leave.

Professor Min watched with a slight amusement. He always enjoyed watching their interaction. This being his first year as a teacher, he didn't expect to have a pair of twins in his class and he doubts it'll happen too frequently afterward. *Why is she always so rushed though? Her papers always show that she pays attention and it's not like she hates the class...* Professor Min thought to himself as he watched over his classroom. *I hope her home life is okay.*

After all the students had gone and it was just the two of them, Professor Min waited for Yang Ming to say something. Yang Ming just sat there looking more and more uncertain about what it was he wanted to say. When he didn't say anything, Professor Min decided to help him along. "So you had a question for me Yang Ming?" Yang Ming swallowed the lump in his throat and made strangled noise of affirmation. Professor Min was getting a little impatient. "This is school related right?" He asked, trying to make this go a little faster, or at least get a response. He'd dealt with shy students before ... but never imagined Yang Ming to be in that category.

It took a Yang Ming while to respond since he still wasn't sure if he wanted to do this or not. It would be an invasion of her privacy after all, but then something really needed to be done. He couldn't stand seeing his sister like this, even if she was hiding it well. Was this really the best way to handle it though? He decided to start with a test, sort of an ice breaker. When nothing else came to mind he suddenly blurted, "How much do you love Prince?"

Professor Min looked a little confused *What does that have to do with anything* he was instantly offended when Yang Ming interrupted his train of thought. "I know it's none of my business and that it's rude to ask but I really need to know. Do you truly love Prince, or are you just playing with him?"

Professor Min was stunned, "Playing with him? What in the ..." His brows drew together and his voice raised a little as he almost snapped at Yang Ming, "Of course I'm not playing with him. What the heck is this about Yang Ming?"

Yang Ming was watching him closely and trying to decide what to do. He wasn't really used to thinking things through so much. "Prince ... he's ...mmmmm he's in trouble. I need to know if you'll help me help him."

Gui Wen's annoyance and anger melted away instantly, "Of course, is he alright? I'll do anything in my power to help him. That's not even a question."

"Good." Yang Ming breathed in relief before standing slowly, Professor Min could see that his hands were shaking as he pulled a small leather book out of his bag.

"I don't know if I'm doing the right thing … I've known prince forever, he's like a brother to me. This might hurt him more than it will help, that's why I need you to promise."

Walking over to Professor Mins desk he took a deep breath, and looked him in the eye before setting the leather book down in front of him.

Min waited, patiently returning Yang Mings look with one of complete openness. "Promise what, Yang Ming?" He asked softly after a tense silence.

"Promise me …" He seemed at a loss for words, his brows coming together in concentration. "Just promise that you'll help. That you won't take what I'm giving to you and act like that idiot avatar you use. Take it seriously." He was almost pleading, his throat tight with the realization of what he was doing. He felt like an idiot, but it was too late. He'd already handed it over.

Gui seemed to see through his inner struggle, and even though he didn't know what the book contained, it obviously meant a lot to him. "Yang Ming, I swear to you that I will do all in my power to help Prince. I will not take this lightly. Thank you for trusting me with this."

Yang Mind nodded, and held onto the book for a second more before letting go, "Just don't disappoint me." He whispered before turning and walking from the room.

Professor Min watched him go in silence for a moment wondering what was going on and how in the world he was supposed to help Prince without knowing who Prince even was. He didn't even know what the problem was. Hopefully the book contained the answers.

It was only a moment that he stood there contemplating this though. When his classroom returned to quietness once again he sat down, and curiously opened the book.

******* The book *******

Professor Min,

This is prince ... yeah, kinda hard to believe huh. I know ... I just had this crazy idea, wouldn't it be cool to exchange letters? I've always wanted to do that, but no one ever returns the letters I write. I bet you would. Then we would start this long conversation through letters and we'd learn so much about each other. ...but then, we'd learn about each other and I can't tell you how much I'd love that, and how much I fear it. So I can't really start sending you letters, how would you even get them without finding out who I am? So yeah, I guess this was pretty pointless.

Professor Min,

I know this is stupid, but I can't help the desire to write to you, even if you never see it.

In game, you always declare your love for me, and tell me you want to help. You go so far as to humiliate yourself, just to help me feel better. I sometimes wonder if you'd listen to my problems from real life too. If maybe we could be friends in real life. I know that's impossible though, I know that you would not see me the same way you do now, if you knew who I was. You might not even talk to me anymore. I can never reveal myself to you, or I'd risk losing even the silly relationship we do have.

Professor Min,

I don't know when I started to like you. You were such a perverted idiot at first. Then ... you became my professor. How was that even possible? I was curious about what kind of professor this idiotic guy would turn out to be. He turned out to be amazing. You made it so easy to understand the class material, and when we were all playing around I started to see bits of Gui coming through. You would smile and joke with us, and somehow always end up back on topic. I love that your grin. I couldn't believe it when I thought to myself ... is this really my bard? Did I really fall for him?

Professor Min,

Would it ruin the rest of my life if I didn't tell you who I am? Would I be constantly wondering what would have happened? Could I ever be satisfied by not knowing? Is there any hope for me? Sometimes I wish you would just ignore my desire for anonymity, and search me out on your own. I'm glad you don't though. I've never had anyone who respects me the way you do. You're really becoming precious to me.

Professor Min ...

I'm so frustrated. I've tried so many times to write to you, but it never reaches your hands. I am always convinced that contacting you in person is a very bad idea. You might learn who I am. You might be disappointed. You might not speak to me anymore. If I write to you of my fears, will you quell them? If I tell you of my wishes ... will you fulfill them?

Should I just confess all and be done with it? My fear is overwhelming. My desire is desperate.

I see you ... even as I write yet another note that will simply be discarded. I see you looking out at us in your class. I know you can't run to me like Gui does ... but even a faint hint of recognition in your eyes. A smile in my direction. Some kind of acknowledgment.

I hate being just another face in the crowd to you. I hate that you're so close I can touch you. That I will walk by you, you'll see me and say good morning and that will be the end of it. I hate seeing you everyday and knowing that it's just a game. Second life is just a game. Prince is just a game. I hate that everyday I can walk away from you ... I can walk right out of your door, and you don't even notice.

Oh god ... how much longer can I live like this?

Professor Min,

Wicked found out who I was today. I'm so scared. I was in agony. It hurt so much I couldn't think straight and I said something I shouldn't have. I was expecting you to be the one to find me. You've always been there for me ... If it had been you, then wicked wouldn't have found out it was me. Then I could fight him without his holding back. Then my game life wouldn't be so closely intertwined with my real life. Then I could say that there was never a time when you weren't by my side. If it had just been you.

Professor Min,

I've written to you so many times, and I always sound like such an idiot. I just don't know what to write. I start out thinking, I'll write to him, and tell him why I'm so scared of his finding out. If I do that though, you'll know why ... you could find out just from that. I'll just have to tell you who I am and be done with it. Even if I wanted to though ... how in the world would I go about it? Augh! This is so frustrating! I can't focus in class because I'm so distracted by all this, I have to work even harder outside of class just so I don't embarrass myself in front of you the next day, and then I can't log in as early as if I had just payed attention to what you were saying! It makes it worse because I know I'm missing out in game. I don't know what I'm thinking, I can't tell you who I am! Your a teacher! Even if you wanted to have some sort of relationship you'd get fired. I could never do that to you. I can't tell you who I am...

Professor Min,

It's kinda funny how my diary turned into letters to you. At first I thought I'd send them to you, but that's ridiculous. You'd know who I was for sure if I did that. Anyway, writing to you always makes me feel better. It's like you're really there for me. I know you want to be, so it's not like it's all in my head. Tonight, I'm relaxing. Sitting in the dark, listening to old songs from my high school days. It's such a nostalgic feeling. I wish you were here, then we could talk about the music you listened to too, or you could tell me where you were in life when this song came out. I could learn about you more and tease you about your taste in music even if I secretly share it. We would laugh together and I'd make rootbeer floats with chocolate ice cream and a dash of cinnamon. I'd see your huge happy smile ... and I'd feel like maybe ... maybe there isn't anything else I need. If you were just here... but you're not, and you won't be, because you don't know me. So I'm stuck, listening to old breakup songs in the middle of the night thinking about a guy I never even dated.
Wondering how I ever got to be so pathetic.

Professor Min,

It's Friday night and I'm home, cooking dinner for my stupid brother. I don't want to leave the food unattended, but it gets boring watching water boil. Normally I'd watch something on my smart phone or check out YouTube videos. I know you probably live alone, so you definitely know what it's like cooking on your own. That's why it'd be so perfect if you were here. You could make the salad and side dishes while I get the main dish ready. Maybe we'd compete to see who could chop faster, obviously you'd lose. You might resort to trickery and distract me … maybe kiss me on the cheek right before I finish my share of vegetables. I'd be so embarrassed, but I wouldn't concede the match. I'd win and gloat about it for days … if you were part of my life.

Professor Min,

Ling Bin confessed to me today. It seems my whole family knows about how he's loved me since we were little. Everyone expects me to be happy. They remember how I asked him to marry me when I was eight. I just wish it had been you. I wish he hadn't confessed. I don't know how to handle this situation. It scares me. I can't tell him I'm in love with someone else. So what do I do? Now more than ever I really wish you were here with me. Then I wouldn't have to face this on my own. You'd be here, and you'd tell them all to mind their own business. Maybe you'd tell Ling Bin that he's out of line, confessing to your girl like that. It's not gonna happen, I have to remind myself that you're not really part of my life.

Professor Min,

My parents are pressuring me to marry Ling Bin. I don't know what to do. I can hardly tell them I'm in love with a man who doesn't even know I exist. I'm such a fool. I told them I wanted to focus on school for now, but what happens after school? I feel so bad for him. I know he loves me but he's always been ge-ge to me. Professor Min, I wish you could save me.

Professor Min,

Ling Bin is a great guy. He's smart and handsome and sweet. It really is an honor that he would be interested in me.

You hugged me last night, that's normal of course, but did you know how hard it was for me to pull away and do the normal routine? Do you know how much it hurts to hear your declarations of love? Do you know how badly I wish you would never let me go?

Gui couldn't breath. He read the book again. There were obviously pages missing, and he didn't really mind. They weren't his to read anyway. *Why ... why did Yang Ming give this to me? What can I do if I don't even know his real name?* He clenched his teeth as he reread Prince's words. He'd had no idea Prince was so troubled. His Prince ... always smiling and laughing ... were these words really written by his Prince? Was Prince really going to be forced into a marriage with wicked? He buried his head in his hands and sat at his desk not knowing what to do. Trying to think of how he could help. There really wasn't enough information to reveal prince's identity. The only information pertaining to Prince's identity was enough to let him know that he was a student ... Gui's student, and he never even noticed. He felt like such a jerk.

He set about reading it again, trying to memorize every fear in hopes that he could somehow help prince through it. Trying to memorize every hope, so that he might be able to convince prince that there was nothing to fear. Maybe if he really did hug Prince and not let go everything would work itself out.

Suddenly his classroom door opened. He wasn't in the mood to talk and he knew it would show on his face. So he kept his head down, hoping whoever it was would just get what they came for and leave.

Lan opened the door slowly peeking inside the room to see if it was alright to come in since the door wasn't normally shut. What she saw surprised her. Professor Min was sitting at his desk looking miserable. She didn't have to see his face to know, she could see his trembling hands and the fact that he didn't even look up. For a moment she just stared at him. *I should leave. He doesn't know me, he has no reason to think I'd really care.* She couldn't though, the thought of just walking away knowing she was leaving him like that was not even really worth considering. So she came in, closed the door, and locked it. No one would know anyone was in there, and she didn't want some stupid college student coming in and making things worse.

When Professor Min heard the door shut he was a little relieved, but when he heard it lock he looked up in shock. Feng Lan calmly walked across the room to her seat and sat down, and didn't look at him once. He was speechless as she started rummaging through her bag looking for something. *Didn't she see me? Didn't I make it obvious that I didn't want anyone around?* She got out her note book and her text book and set them on her desk, and then stared at them sadly. He didn't trust his voice to speak at first but when she finally opened the book and started writing, he had to ask, "Feng Lan?" She still didn't even look at him, but he saw her flinch at his address.

"Yes, Professor Min?" She answered a little nervously with a saddened voice.

"What are you doing?" He asked slightly harsher than he had intended. Not really sure if he should be annoyed or concerned. He didn't feel like being concerned but she looked like she was waiting for something to fall on her. Prince still weighed heavily on his mind but this girl's cute and nervous apprehension did help take his mind off of it, if only a little.

"I'm doing my homework, Professor Min." She stated clearly not looking away from her paper as she wrote.

"Yes, I can see that, but why are you doing it here?" He was trying not to sound too annoyed. *and why won't you look at me?*

"I'm doing my homework here because ... I don't know what else to do ... but I didn't want you to be alone." The last line was said so quietly he had trouble hearing it. After realizing that she's been just staring at her paper she once more read the same line of her book trying to focus on anything but how that statement would be received.

Gui honestly felt bad for getting annoyed at her when he heard her reason. Still, he can't talk to her about his problems and he doesn't want her to worry ... he sighed solemnly before speaking again.

"Feng Lan, I appreciate the thought, I really do, but I'm alright. I just got news from a friend that my cat is sick. It's nothing big and I don't need you to stay and worry about me. It's alright, you can go home." He saw her hand tighten on the pen and got a little confused. *Why is she upset?*

When she spoke she still kept her head down. "I already knew that. I know I'm just a student, one who tries to avoid your notice so it's not like we're close or anything. I know you can't tell me about it. I just can't ... I can't leave... like that." She trailed off suddenly feeling stupid. Stupid and embarrassed and hurt.

*Ah, so that's why she wouldn't look at me... is she crying? ... how is it that she cares for me so much ... when she's always trying to avoid me? I thought she hated me. Especially after I rejected her on our date.* Gui stood there looking at her for a long time. *If she cares this much, she'll only get hurt in the end. I don't want to hurt her, she's such a nice girl ... Maybe I should make her hate me ... at least it would hurt less in the long run ...* For a while they just stayed there, he was having trouble bringing himself to say something purposely hurtful, and she didn't get why he was just standing there. *Making her hate me though might have a negative influence on her grades ... maybe I should just try to let her know I'm not available again ...no, she really needs to be mad at me or she might just get more determined.*

"Feng Lan ... your presence is not a comfort to me. I don't want you here and I would appreciate it if you left immediately. If you need somewhere to do your homework, the library is always available for student use." There, he did it. That was as cruel as he could possibly be. He instantly felt sick. He hid it behind a practiced mask of shcolarship, but she could still see a hint of disgust behind his mask.

Feng Lan stared at him with wide disbelieving eyes. She felt like she'd been physically hit. Gui could see the effect it had on her. Her sharp intake of breath and then her slow shaky movements as she gathered her things. *Of course he would say that.* She thought. *I'm the one being an idiot here. I knew he wanted to be alone. Anyone would find me annoying in this situation. It's not like we're friends. It's not like he has a reason to want me here. He doesn't know I'm prince. He doesn't know ... how much this hurts.* She forced herself to move slowly and not run out of the room as fast as she could ... she didn't want him to know just how much it had hurt. When she got to the door she even looked up at him for the first time and gave him the biggest fake smile she could. "Thank you Professor Min, I'm very happy to know you're alright. Bye then!"

She missed the look of regret on Professor Mins face as she turned to leave.

As soon as the door shut behind her the tears were there. She couldn't go back to the library and face Ling Bin and her brother like this. She found an empty hall and sank to the floor, her back against the wall. *Why does it have to hurt so much?* She put her head on her knees and cried. *How will I ever tell him now? I couldn't possibly ... not after he says something like that ...* Every thought only making it worse. *How will I face him in game tonight?*

In the midst of her misery she heard footsteps. Looking up she saw it was her brother. *Crap* "Uhh .. I forgot my notebook..." she said hastily wiping at her eyes.

He looked ticked, "I don't care about that right now, what happened, sis?"

She hiccuped, and shook her head. "Nothing happened ... I just ..."

He put his hand on her shoulder and she jumped, but he just looked into her eyes. "If it was nothing sis ... you wouldn't be alone in the hallway crying." He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "Sis, you went to get something from Gui. Did he do this to you? Do I need to go beat the faggot to a bloody pulp? No body hurts my sister and gets away with it, you know." She couldn't tell if he was joking or not, and it was with much effort that she looked up at him, wiped her eyes and told him no. "He didn't do anything... I just heard this really sad song on my ipod, it always makes me cry" She stood up and declared to her brother. "I'm fine, let's get back so I can hurry and make dinner. I'm starved!"

He stood up and led the way back to where he'd left Ling Bin waiting. He never brought up the fact the she didn't have her ipod on her. When they saw Ling Bin, he looked relieved to see her. She tried to pretend nothing happened but when she wasn't looking Yang Ming pulled him over and whispered angrily. "After dinner I'm going to kill the bard. Be sure to keep her occupied for a good twenty minutes at least ... I may kill him more than once..."

Ling Bin knew Yang Ming enough to understand that the professor had somehow hurt Fang Lan. He narrowed his eyes and agreed wholeheartedly to the plan. Even though he acts like a stupid useless brother, he does a lot for her behind her back. This time, Gui really ticked him off.

Professor Min stayed at school for a while, just sitting at his desk and thinking about the things that had happened. He'd never been mean on purpose before and he didn't like the feeling he was left with afterward. He wasn't sure how he would act the next day in class. He was also thinking about Prince and how everything seems to suck right now.

When Professor Min finally got home, he didn't even eat anything, he just went right to second life. Gui didn't know what to expect but as soon as he logged on, Wu Quing was walking towards him with a murderous look on his face. Just a few hours ago, the boy had been begging Gui to help him. This could only mean one thing, something must have happened to Prince. Wu Quing came closer and closer but he didn't stop. One moment Gui was about to ask what was going on, the next he was on the floor. Wu Quing slammed him as hard as he could with his fist. Before Gui could blink, Wu Quing was on him. He tried to ask what, why, he tried to block, he couldn't for the life of him figure out why Wu Quing would act this way. He could only hate himself for his weakness. Wu Quing stopped for a moment, and stood up. Gui was thrashed. He tried to speak and his voice came out strangely strangled. He hadn't tried to fight back at all, all he could think was, "What happened ... to Prince?"

If it was at all possible, that seemed to make Wu Quing angrier than before. "This isn't about Prince. Get up."

Gui was confused, and the beating his head took wasn't helping. If something had happened to Prince, this would be nothing. He tried to stand but the world started spinning and he vomited instead. Suddenly he felt a cool vial pressed into his hand. He realized it was a health potion. *Why ... why is he so angry? Why is he giving me potions?* "Wu Quing, What is this about, if not Prince?"

"This is about my sister. Drink the potion." Gui looked up helplessly at Wu Quing, *I deserve this.* Was his only thought as he tried to do as he was told.

Xaio Lan and Ling Bin were just finishing up the dishes from dinner. She was still worried about Professor Min, why had he been so depressed? She knew her own presence wouldn't be a comfort to him ... but perhaps it would make him feel better to see Prince. It was with that in mind that she put the last dish away and turned to go.

"Xaio Lan ..." Ling Bin called to her. For some reason he was nervous. He had thought about what he would say to keep her out of the game, but he hadn't been able to come up with anything good. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" She looked a little annoyed by the request but she still stopped and faced him expectantly. *Now what?* He thought, completely unsure of what he wanted to talk about. As Lan lost patience and began to continue to her room he found that he needed to do something fast.

"I'm sorry Zhuo-gege. I really don't feel like talking right now. I just want to go ... " She turned away again and he started to grow frantic. Who knew what Wu Quing was up to, he couldn't let her in game yet. He grabbed her hand and turned her around. Looking into her eyes he forced himself to remain calm. "It's ... it's important Xaio Lan."

Lan was getting nervous, where was her brother? She didn't want to talk. She was worried about Gui. She knew though, Ling Bin was important to her too. If he had something important to say, she couldn't just blow him off. This whole marriage thing has had her avoiding him as much as possible. It's not about that is it? She tried to calm herself and focus on the moment. There was no guarantee that Gui would even be on just yet. "Alright Zhuo-gege. What is it?"

Frantically trying to think of something quick and not knowing how he could come up with something terribly important on such a short notice he did the only thing he could think of. He kissed her. Her eyes widened in surprise and she tried to pull away but all he could think of was her going into the game and seeing her brother kill Gui. He didn't want to see her face, he didn't want to see how much she cared for the stupid bard. He was going to be the one she would marry. She shouldn't care what happens to the bard. He held her there, kissing her and not wanting to let go until he realized just how harsh he was being. He let go like she was on fire. Because she had been pushing against him, his sudden release made her fall into the wall behind her. He looked at her suddenly afraid of what his own actions would cause and he could see her eyes getting red and watery. Her jaw set in anger, "Zhuo-gege ... don't you care at all how I feel?" She stood looking looking at him with something close to fear.

He took a step forward, wanting to apologize but when she tried to get away, this time he let her, and she ran crying to her room. Zhuo-gege had always been Zhuo-gege, and now he was forcing her into something else.

When Prince logged into second life, he wasn't sure he wanted to find Gui right away. He was troubled himself and how could he be of any help to Gui if he was the one wanting help. He was just considering heading out to the forest to train when he saw there was a commotion in the streets. He went over to see what was going on and arrived just in time to hear Wu Quing demanding someone drink a potion. Prince got closer to see what was going on and his heart stopped at the sight of Gui on the ground covered in blood.

"I can't." He managed to cough out in reply, struggling to move. Suddenly Wu Quing was on him choking him and pouring the potion down his throat.

"You will." He said still choking him, forcibly sending the back of his head back into the pavement. "Or you'll drown."

Prince couldn't believe what he was seeing. He immediately rushed into action, knocking Wu Quing off the bard with a single shove. Wu Quing didn't know who it was at first but when he saw Prince standing there, he knew he was in trouble. "I told you NOT to TOUCH HIM!" Prince screamed at him. Wu Quing was already mad enough, he couldn't believe his sister.

"He doesn't deserve your pity. This is disgusting! I'm not sorry and I'd do it again in a heartbeat." Wu Quing stood looking at Prince defiantly. Prince narrowed his eyes and hid the anger and pain and everything he's dealt with today behind his blood elf mask. "Like I'd let you." He growled as he ruthlessly stabbed Wu Quing through through the heart turning him instantly to pillar of light. Wu Quing hadn't tried to block, he was stunned and hadn't expected Prince to attack so suddenly. Prince stayed there for a moment, just breathing. He couldn't believe his brother and he was so angry he was trembling. After a few moments he turned towards Gui and then he saw Wicked standing there watching the scene and a thought occurred to him. "You knew ... didn't you?" He asked looking right into Wicked's eyes. Wicked swallowed hard and gave a barely perceptible nod, never taking his eyes off prince. "That's why you ... that's why ..." Prince chocked back a sob and covered his mouth with his hand. He felt so used. Forcing a kiss like that ... for something like this? Wicked made to move forward, but Prince raised his sword and pointed it at Wicked. "I am the blood elf Prince." His voice came out slightly strangled. Wicked paused and watched as Prince narrowed his eyes, regaining his composure. "I am the lord of Infinite City." Prince never lowered his weapon, as he finally got ahold of his blood elf public persona. "It is my duty to protect this city and it's citizens. You have aided in the brutal beating of an elite member of the city council. By your actions you have threatened the life of one of my close friends, a member of odd-squad. I don't want to see you in this city." Prince continued to glare at Wicked, and quietly added, "Or in my home."

Wicked was stunned. He knew he'd hurt her. Obviously, he'd hurt her more than he thought. Obviously he'd hurt her more than the professor had. He didn't even know what the professor had done. For all he knew, Wu Quing had just wanted an excuse to fight him. He never thought he could be such an idiot. He had to apologize, he had to explain, "Prince - "

"I SAID LEAVE!" Prince shouted. "If you refuse to listen, I'll kill you here, banish you from the city for good and declare you to be KOS"

Wicked was silent as he turned around and as he walked away he sent her a private message. "I'm sorry Xaio Lan. I hope sometime, you'll forgive me." and then he logged off.

After Wicked logged off, Prince's anger dissipated. He stood there trembling, staring at the spot Wicked had vanished from. He forgot to keep up the blood elf mask for everyone and let his tears come. *My life ... it's falling apart* He brought his hand still holding his sword up to cover his eyes, and took in a deep shuddering breath.

Gui didn't understand anything that just happened, he couldn't really think straight. He did understand one thing, Prince just separated from two of his best real life friends. After the notes he had gotten from Wu Quing, he knew Prince was already suffering. He couldn't bear to watch him standing there trembling, trying to hold himself together. "Prince ..." He called softly, trying to ignore his own bodily injuries. They would be gone soon ... but he didn't know if Prince would be alright or not. For just an instant, when Prince turned to look at him, Gui's breath caught in his throat. His eye's were so full of sorrow, he hadn't known it was possible. Then Prince was rushing to his side. Frantically looking for a health potion with tears flowing freely.

"I'm so sorry, Gui. This is all my fault. If only I'd anticipated how he would react. I swear-"

"Stop, Prince. I can't take it anymore." Gui said grabbing his hands and holding them to his chest. "I can't bear to think of how much you're suffering. Please, your highness, stop apologizing to me." Prince stopped, and looked at Gui incredulously. Then ... he started to giggle. His eyes tearing even more and his giigle turning to laughter.

"Gui ... heh, how do you ... oh my gosh ... calling me your highness at a time like this? You look so serious!" His laughter started to sound more pained and more forced "Haha ... oh God ... " and then turned to sobs. "Gui ... I'm so hopeless." Prince rested his head against Gui's wounded shoulder and cried. "I'm so hopeless I don't know what to do. I'm so sorry Gui, I'm sorry."

Gui wanted to make a reply, he wanted to reassure prince and utter calming words, but Prince had his head resting on a spot where all Gui could do was grit his teeth. If he couldn't even tell his Prince that all would work itself out, he sure as hell wasn't going cry out in pain because of his stupid shoulder. It was only a few more moments before Prince calmed down enough to realize he hadn't healed Gui yet. He sat there for a moment unsure ... *Gui had said he couldn't drink a potion ... but I'm sure he drank at least a little of the one my stupid brother was forcing down his throat ... maybe ... *

"Gui ... do you think you could drink a potion if I helped you?" The thought of Wu Quing and Wicked made his blood boil and he was getting angry again, when he felt a hand on his arm.

"Prince ... if you would smile, I could do anything." He looked so serious when he said it ... and Prince couldn't help but smile in spite of everything. "I feel better already!" Gui said with a wink. Prince tried to hide his grin behind a scowl but it wasn't working very well so he just handed Gui the drink.

"If you're feeling so great, then drink it yourself!" He said with a hmph and turned his head away.

Gui whined at him, "But I was hoping you'd give it to me with a kiss!"

Prince instantly turned red at the thought and covered his mouth ... Gui decided to just drink the potion. Afterward, when he sat up on his own, Prince looked over at him and his eyes lost their smile. "Gui ... can I ask you something?"

"Anything, your highness."

Prince looked down ... and didn't say anything, just sat there. Gui knew he was struggling to summon the courage to ask whatever it was so he gently touched his face and looked into his eyes. His voice was thick with emotion when he spoke, "I swear, your highness, whatever you ask me will be answered with all honesty. I swear I will never turn you away." He was a little shocked when that last statement made Prince flinch, but apparently it was enough because Prince decided to speak. "What was bothering you ... today?" Prince wouldn't look up as he waited for Gui to answer, but Gui didn't know what he meant! He didn't want to go back on a promise he made not two seconds ago so he tried his best to answer, "Today? You mean ... when Wu Quing was ..." He stopped when Prince started shaking his head.

"No Gui ... I mean ... after school." Prince waited for the lights to come on and as they seemed to be slow he decided to elaborate. "Professor Min ... you were fine in class ... but after class... when I came back ... something was bothering you, what was it?"

In a flash everything made sense in Gui's mind. Feng Lan ... she worried about him ... him blowing her off ... her brother ... the fight ... prince's pain ... it was all connected. He was such a jerk. He couldn't believe ... he looked at Prince thinking about all the pain he'd caused her. "Your brother ... he was right." He looked at her disgusted with himself, "I don't deserve your pity. I'm the cause of all of this. You should have let him kill me." He would have said more ... but she just looked so sad, and he realized that she'd probably been thinking of this moment for a long time, worrying about it and planning it and finally she just gave up all her plans just to put an end to her misery. She didn't want him to curse himself, even when telling him who she was, she was doing it in a way to find out more about him. All this time she's been worried about him. He put his hand behind her head and pulled her so their foreheads touched. With his eyes closed and his nose touching hers, his voice was a whisper, "I swore, I would answer you no matter what." Her eyes flew open but he kept his closed, "This after noon ... in school ... I was worried about you." He could feel the muscles in her eyebrows pull together as she tried to make sense out of his words. "Your brother stayed behind in class, he wanted to give me something. He said that it belonged to his friend Prince, and urged me to believe that it was real." She sat and pushed him gently to arms length away from her. "My brother?" Gui nodded yes.

"What did he give you?" She asked suddenly curious. Gui looked at her sadly, he didn't want to say ... but he'd promised.

"He gave me notes, addressed to me, from Prince." He watched as her face lost it's color and she stared at an empty spot on his chest, realizing what it meant. I meant that her brother knew everything. He knew how she felt about Zhuo-gege, how she felt about Professor Min, how she felt about all her friends in second life. It meant that Professor Min knows everything ... and she just went and confessed to it all. Her face rapidly regained it's color and turned a bright red. "those were ... that was ... I mean ... " She couldn't help it ... she wanted to run away. She was so sick of running away ... she buried her head in his purple cloak and barely managed to squeak out, "That was personal." Despite herself ... feeling the vibration of his laughter through his chest felt really good. Before she even knew it ... she wasn't holding onto him because she was embarrassed ... she was holding onto him because she'd always wanted to, and now she finally could.

As Gui looked down at the girl in his arms, he remembered some of what she had written. So with that in mind, he pulled her tightly to him and whispered in her ear, "This time, I'm never letting go."

That night, Yang Ming went to bed without dinner. When he woke up in the morning starving he was surprised to find the scent of food filling the house. He walked out to the kitchen thinking he was dreaming when he saw his sister happily preparing his favorite breakfast. He stood there confused as he watched her. When she finally noticed him, she gave him the biggest grin she ever had before. "Come have breakfast stupid brother." She said as she placed a plate on the table for him.

He stumbled over to the table and sat unbelieving the sight before him. "What's going on?" He asked.

She didn't answer, instead she continued with her morning routine and left for school before him. When he was about to leave the house himself, he found a note on the front door addressed to him. Curious, he picked it up,

"Dear Brother,

Thank you ... for everything."

He couldn't help the grin that spread over his face as he stepped into the morning sun.