Chapter One

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters that are featured in Dynasty Warriors. I am just writing the story for my own personal gain. No one else's. So, stop hating and just read...

A/N: So, this is my second DW story. And I admit, I am looking forward to writing it. I might try and concentrate on this one for a while but I'll see how it goes, I just needed a break from my other stories to be perfectly honest. But anyhoo, hope you enjoy it because I'm trying as best I can to make a story for you guy's to read that completes all the expectations needed.

Warning: This story is going to contain scenes of a lemony nature in later chapters. Also, it is going to be almost totally OOC. If you are narrow-minded and dislike stories with a bit of originality, now is your cue to leave ^.^. Also, there could be some violence later on, as well as some foul language. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a hate-ridden story but I believe that giving you the warnings will mean giving you the choice. If you are uncomfy about any of the above, you should probably leave now. I've given everyone the warning which means I am currently able to do as I like in my story. Yay!!!

I sat behind my vanity desk, preening in one of the many mirrors that were situated in my chambers. Gods, I looked good! As usual, my personal time had to be spoilt by something. Today, it was the continuous knocking at my currently closed, mahogany bedroom door.

"Miss Zhen, your parents require your presence and soon as possible" the voice of Lei Hia, my maid called from outside. I said nothing for a short while, mentally cursing my mother and father for their constant poor timing. Hia's voice spoke again. "Miss Zhen, did you hear me?"

"Yes Hia, I did" I told her offhandedly, pouting my lips once in the mirror and admiring my new lip liner.

"Okay Miss Zhen. Call me if you need anything". Hia told me, her voice slowly drifting away as I heard her footsteps padding down the stairs.

I stood up and smoothed my lilac dress down. My parents, especially my mother, were very strict about the way I dressed. Whenever I was summoned to see them, they reckoned that I should always be in ladylike attire. Which was no worry for me since I loved dressing up, and always tried to look my best.

"So together, we thought that the best idea would be to find you a husband!" my mother enthused, smiling widely. "Because many girls your age are either married or engaged. You Ji, are neither and that is why we want to help you".

I just watched the two of them carefully. I noticed that they both looked very pleased with themselves. I could barely take in what they were saying to me. Were they serious? "Sorry mother, did you say that you and father were going to try and find me a husband?" I asked incredulously.

My mother's smile faded quickly from her made up face. She gave me a slight frown. "Yes Ji, that is what I said. Are you not happy with these arrangements?"

I felt like screaming angrily at the top of my lungs. Why did they always have to rush things? I was still young, I had plenty of time to find a suitable husband, get married and reproduce. But my parents seemed to have no patience when it came to those things. Or, more specifically, when it came to me. "No mother, the arrangements are fine" I lied, knowing that she could read me like a book. I was right. Her frown deepened but she seemed to decide not to pursue the matter any further. I wasn't planning to argue anyway. Firstly, it was bad manners and I knew I'd never win against my mother in any case.

"Good" she told me curtly, shooting a proud look at my father. "So, your father and I will immediately begin finding you possible consorts. I have a fairly good idea of where to start" she smiled excitedly to herself and I knew that she was having mental images of me, "happily" married with three children in tow and a large palace in which I resided, being constantly waited on hand and foot by maids. "You are excused" she told me.

I stood against the wall in the village marketplace, avoiding the unattractive men who watched me and smiling at the handsome men who did. I was waiting for my best friends, Su Mei and Ying Xiang, two girls who I had known since I was a young girl. We were like triplets, we always seemed to think in sync. It was quite amazing most of the time. I found myself blushing at a particularly gorgeous young gentlemen, who had winked at me as he walked past. Although I was used to so much attention whenever I was out and about, it still surprised me how much males paid attention to me. I was just a sixteen-year-old girl who liked nothing more than dressing elegantly and accentuating my features. But I wasn't perfect. And the way those guys looked at me? It was if I was the most adept creature they had ever had the honor of setting their eyes on...

"Hey Ji!" I was swept out of my daydreaming by a pair of cool hands brushing along my bare shoulder. It was Mei and Xiang, looking pretty in their multicolored kimonos. I cuddled each one of them in turn, just itching to tell them my news.

****

"Your mother told you that?" Mei asked in a surprised tone, her smoky eyes widening at my announcement.

"Yes" I answered. "Her and father are now on a mission to find me the perfect beau". I rolled my eyes. Mei giggled.

"My mother and father met by arranged courting and marriage" Xiang piped up, taking her eyes off the two hunky players who were currently engaged in a match of Go.*

Xiang was the youngest daughter of one of the Noblemen of China and so she knew all about being close to royalty. She always seemed to take it in her stride though, never seeming to get excited by the things that Mei and I usually enthused about.

"Yes, but your mother and father were happy. They did not mind having everything done for them. I however, do mind. I like to do things my own way". I frowned. "But try telling that to my mother".

Xiang shrugged sympathetically. "Well, life is hard. Especially for us, seeing as we are young ladies. But we have to fight for what is right, even if our thoughts barely get heard. I just hope that one day, we will be as equal as men are in society".

Mei and I broke into helpless laughter at her dialect. Xiang was never usually one for large, speeches. She wasn't really one for anything other than looking pretty, gossiping and making eyes at men.

She pouted at our unlikely reaction. "What is so funny?" she asked us, her hazel eyes blinking rapidly.

I finally managed to "sober" up long enough to give her a clear answer. "It's you Xiang-Xiang, you should really think about becoming a spokeperson one day. Your speeches are amazing!" But I didn't get to hear her reaction because Mei and I were laughing again, so hard that my insides were aching...

R&R for me please, I want to know what you think of the story so far. Come on... you know you want to!!

*"Go" is an ancient Chinese board game, played on a board that looks a little like a chess board. Many generals in the times of the Han Dynasty enjoyed playing go as one of their pastimes. In fact, in DW (especially DW5) Go is mentioned frequently and is even in some officer's ending videos.