Disclaimer : I do not own Dynasty Warriors but I do own my own created characters and the plot.

The Legend of the Fragnant Lotus

Chapter 1

It was the spring of jianan year (1) in China. The lands were in chaos, since it was still not united. The three kingdoms, Shu, Wei and Wu, were all in a desperate fight with each other to achieve this great goal, to bring peace to China. Recently, this has been done so, when the great lord Cao Cao has been defeated by the joint forces of Wu and Shu at Chi Bi. The battle may have ended, but the war did not.

Our story starts in a city, north west to the Wu capital, Jianye. It was named Nan Cheng (2). Perhaps, this small city was the most peaceful of all in the province, since it was well-governed. However, with the confusion throughout the land, even this city was suffering from a few ruffian attacks.

„We got you now! You can't run away!" yelled a man who ran towards a young lad and tried to strike him, but failed to do so since the lad dodged the attack easily. He fell on the ground groaning, injuring his chin but stood up quickly.

The young man looked around. He was surrounded by three quite unfriendly men, not to mention quite a few people have gathered around to watch the fight. His attackers carried different kinds of weapons, while he had nothing. He clearly was in disadvantage. He had no other choice but to defend and run around.

„Come with us and you won't die so soon!" laughed another man and tried to injure the lad by slashing his arm but he failed just like his friend.

„You idiots! Can't you kill a rotten bookworm?! PREPARE TO DIE!!!!!!" their leader cried.

„STOP!!" came a voice from the crowd stopping the fight for a moment. From the crowd emerged a young woman dressed in a luxurious red silk robe. She had long black hair that was partially tied up into a bun with a classy hairpin that had feathers in it. She had plain make up on and had pearl earrings in her ears. She walked up to the scene and glared at the bandits.

„Just who do you think you are trying to hurt an innocent person! You scums! You disgust me! Leave in peace or else!" she said bravely.

As the men started to laugh, the young man looked at the woman. Her brown eyes shone with determination. He was quite suprised that how could such a beautiful young woman behave that way. He had to do something to protect the both of them, he only had to figure out what. But before he could have done anything, one of the men grabbed her and held a knife to her throat.

„Hahaha, serves you right ya little wench! So what's it gonna be? You cry for daddy?!" they all laughed. She started to struggle but he held her firmly.

„Watch it girly or your pretty little neck will be cut!" looking at the young lad he continued.

„Oh, almost forgot about you…you have no choice. You come with us, or the girl gets it!"

Before the lad could have answered him, the girl bit his hand as hard as she could, causing it to bleed and ran behind the lad. The man cursed, but those were his last words, as he was struck down by a sword. As their leader bled to death on the ground, the other two tried to run off but they were caught by soldiers and got arrested. They then ordered the citizens to get back to work. The soldiers restored peace to the area.

The young lad turned around and faced the lady. She sighed in relief.

„Are you alright?" he asked.

The girl nodded. „I am fine…"

„I am glad, but next time, don't get yourself into trouble, okay?"

„Look who says that!" she said playfully putting her hands on her hips.

„I apologize for my rudeness. I have not even introduced myself to you. My name is Ti Jiang and I am from Sizhou." he bowed.

She blinked. „I have never heard of such a name like that before…what an odd name.."

„I am called Xiang Fei and I am from Yangzhou." She smiled.

A-an imperial concubine stood up for me…?(3) That's not good…I could get into trouble…" Ti Jiang's eyes widend and bowed twice.

„I apologize…I enjoyed chatting with you but I must be going thought. It is getting dark. I need to find a place to rest." He stated.

„You don't have anywhere to go?" she asked curiously.

„…yes."

„Come with me. I will give you shelter, food and whatnot." She smiled.

„I can't trouble you this much. I…" but before he could finish his sentence, he was cut off as he got dragged towards to a carriage. Ti Jiang sighed and sat in after she sat down in the carriage. After he got in the carriage started moving. Ti Jiang stared out of the window of the carriage, wondering what should he do now. Xiang Fei noticed that he was deep in thoughts and decided to speak to him.

„Is something wrong?"

„No. Nothing."

„You seem troubled."

„It is nothing, really."

„Why did they attack you?" Xiang Fei asked innocently.

Ti Jiang looked at her. Unknowningly to her, the question shook him to the core. He did not know what to say to her. It could have gotten the both of them in trouble if he explained his situation to her. He was especially nervous because she would take him to her place. He decided to make up a lie so she would not get involved in his problem.

„I was in the market trying to buy some fresh fruits, when out of nowhere they appeared and tried to rob me…and they did."

„Oh, I am sorry to hear that. By the way…Now that you will be staying with us for quite awhile. I will tell you about my family."

Ti Jiang blinked. „F-family?"

„Of course silly. I am living with my family in the biggest house in the city, that is located in the far back of it. My father is the governor of the city." She smiled.

His eyes widend. „G-governor?"

„Yes. My father Xiang Zhen is the governor of Nan Cheng for fourteen years already."

Then…she cannot be a concubinet…can she?" he pondered then spoke back. „Wow, that is a long time."

„The Xiang Family has governed the city ever since the yellow turbans have caused such a havoc to the country." She stated.

„I see…" he nodded.

„Now that you know my father, I will tell you about my siblings. I am the eldest of five children!" she said happily.

His jaw-dropped. „Five?!"

„You are not the only one to get so suprised." She laughed.

He remembered how his mother had trouble taking care of him, his elder brother and younger sister. Neither of them were really a calm child, they always wanted to explore and have fun. Imagining two more brothers or sisters made him twitch. He looked at Xiang Fei as she continued.

„The second eldest in our family is Xiang Zhai, my brother. He is two years younger than me and is already an accomplished general. He is a master of weaponry and has already been to the battlefield quite a few times. When he returned from battle, he never recieved a wound. Not even a scratch!"

That is amazing...he sounds like a great man." thought Ti Jiang as she continued.

„The third in line is Xiang Lian, my sister. She is three years younger than me and is highly intelligent. She has been studying since she was three. Because of that the people around in the area likes to spread rumors about her." She laughed.

So she is the one that I have heard about…the girl who was as intelligent as she was beautiful…but how could she be the sister of an imperial concubine…?"

„My youngest sister is Xiang Hua. She is six years younger than me and is very beautiful. She…er…" she pondered for a moment causing Ti Jiang to raise his eyebrows.

„Well she can dance!" she nodded and smiled.

He sweatdropped. He hated that type of women.

„Well, they are my family. How about yours Lord Ti Jiang?" she asked happily.

Ti Jiang paniced a bit. He could not tell her about his family. If he told about his family, she would know about his situation, causing her to be in danger. He would not want that. He then blinked as he noticed Xiang Fei staring at him.

Wait a minute…didn't she just say…"

„Didn't you say you are the eldest of five children? What of your youngest sibling?"

„Oh…" she began sadly. „I had a younger brother. His name was Xiang Jiao. He died five years ago."

„And your mother?"

„She died giving birth to him."

„I am sorry…"

„It is not your fault." She said smiling at him.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped moving and they both got out. Ti Jiang stared at the huge front gates in awe. His eyes then wandered to the door where a flower has been carved in it, above it the family's name. After it opened and they both went in. Inside the Xiang estate, he looked around as they went, walking and admiring the beauty of the gardens and the ponds.

After awhile they arrived in the main part of the house. Xiang Fei led Ti Jiang into a huge room, where a man sat by a table and drank tea. He looked like he was in his late fourties and had a thick moustache and beard. He wore a deep crimson silk robe and his hair was arranged under a dark blue headdress.

„Father!" Xiang Fei greeted the man.

„Ah, Fei-Fei you are finally back. Did you buy what you wanted?" he asked.

She nodded happily then blinked as her father stood up angrily from the table.

„What is the meaning of this Fei?! You brought a man to the house?! Who is he!" he demanded.

Ti Jiang bowed low. „Forgive me my lord. My name is Ti Jiang and I am from Sizhou. I am a wanderer."

The Tis? Never heard of them…" Xiang Zhen blinked then sighed and bowed back. „I am Xiang Zhen governor of Nan Cheng. Thank the ancestors for that you are not interested in my Fei-Fei!"

„Father!"

„You can stand up now, son." He laughed.

Ti Jiang stood up slowly and smiled sheepishly. Xiang Zhen seemed like a good and kind man. He offered him a seat in front of him which he gladly took. Xiang Fei then brought in more tea and prepared food for the both of them.

„So, Lord Ti Jiang, what brings you here to Nan Cheng?" Xiang Zhen asked as he took a sip from his tea.

Ti Jiang stiffend a bit and quickly thought for an answer. „I was searching for my relatives. I have not seen them for a long time. I got word that they were seen in this territory last."

„Oh? I sincerly hope you do find them. If you want I can help you out." He nodded smiling.

„That is alright my lord, you have already done so much for me. I cannot ask for more."

„Nonsense son!" he laughed.

Xiang Fei then spoke up. „I promised Lord Ti Jiang a room for a couple of days. He has been attacked and robbed out. I thought that it would have been nice to invite him." She smiled.

„If my Fei-Fei trusts you, so will I. Welcome to our home son!" he laughed louder.

Home. How he longed for one. How he wanted a place he could call home. And of course, not only that, he wanted his family too. But they were no longer in this world…and he had to be strong. He had to avenge them and keep the Ti family name live.

Before he could think more thought, silence fell in the room. Everybody turned their attention to the person who entered the room.

„Father, could you please keep it down? I am trying to teach Hua."

------------------

(1) Jianan year – 209 A.D.

(2) Nan Cheng – Fictional city, if one may exist I had no idea of it. (lol)

(3) Ti Jiang thinks she is an imperial concubine, because „Xiang Fei" can mean „Imperial Fragnant Consort", but don't worry, she is not. (lol)

A/N : BOO! Well, hope you all liked it. I will try to update it as soon as possible. I have still not decided on the pairings in this fic, so I hope you can help me out with that. Anyways, please read and review and feel free to give me advices and ideas. Until next time.