A/N- This is a story I've been thinking about for a long time now, and I originally intended for it to a be a replacement story for Don't Let Go,but I'm considering continuing it now because I'm too fussy about things being left unfinished. I haven't abandoned anything just yet, I've been really busy settling into university so sorry for any long delays. I've become even busier than I was before but I've just got back into fanfic writing. Now, about the story... from that title, as you can probably gather, the story is based around the Sun family and Wu, but more specifically Sun Shang Xiang. It'll have some historical battles in, or at least, I hope it will. It'll be the opposite of Crazy Days in Wu I guess (I'm working on the next chapter of that, it should be ready this week if I'm feeling particularly creative), and I'm trying my best at writing battle scenes. Heh, we'll have to see how that turns out won't we? XD

Chapter One: Freedom

"Please let me go out and fight? I'll do you proud, I promise!"

Sun Jian, the leader of Wu, looked at his eager daughter and sighed. She had been begging him for a long time now and it wasn't as if she hadn't shown how much of a great fighter she was in duels and sparring. In fact, Sun Shang Xiang was just as capable as some of the elder generals; weaponry was her favourite pastime even though it was a dangerous one. Jian was just worried about her, just as a protective father should be. No father would be very willing to let their youngest and only daughter out on the battlefield and risk their life.

He stared at Shang Xiang as she held on to her neatly polished chakrams with their sharpened glistening blades. Did he doubt her talent? Or maybe he was scared of it… he honestly had no clue. "Shang, I'm not sure about this… what if something happens to you?"

After putting both chakrams on one arm she held on to her father's with the other. "Father, something is bound to happen out there, but I'm prepared for that. You know I'm tough, I can withstand most things, and I'm not reckless either. Do you understand?"

A small breeze blew past them as Jian looked out to the Wu training grounds. He had watched her train there most days and had even been challenged by her. She couldn't beat him though, but it hadn't stopped her from trying. Shang had probably become even more competitive since that day, which was something the other generals hadn't thought was possible. Lady Wu, Sun Jian's wife, wasn't overly impressed when Jian had first allowed Shang Xiang to train as a little girl. First it had been the swords, when Shang would swing it around the castle causing as much damage and destruction as a five year old could… until Jian let her practice with other weapons. Her eyes had been set on the chakrams since day one so she chose them as her weapon of choice. The generals residing in the castle didn't know which was better as Shang could throw both of them well…

"I do understand daughter, but I just don't want to let you go out so soon. It's my duty to protect you and I can't do that if you're miles out on the battlefield." He sighed again and then watched as Sun Shang Xiang put on her pity face. It was hard to say no to her sometimes- Lady Wu called him 'soft' for being so easy. Jian just wanted to see his daughter happy and would do anything for her. "I guess you can come along, but you're to stay by Sun Ce at all times. You can watch as it's your first time and only go out fighting if Ce is there with you… understood?"

Sun Shang Xiang nodded her head up and down vigorously before dropping her weapons and hugging her father. She had been waiting for his permission for as long as she could remember and now she could finally go… it was such a bundle of mixed emotions she was feeling and she was lost for words. Finally she could go out and fight, just like the rest of them! Gone were the days of staying inside waiting with her mother and the Qiao sisters- they had bored her to no end. But she dreaded what her mother would think, let alone say… Lady Wu was a very strong willed woman and tried to keep control of the whole castle; sometimes it was hard to tell who ruled Wu, Sun Jian or Lady Wu.

"Thank you!" she said mid-hug, squeezing him tight. "I promise I won't let you down!"

Jian nodded as she eventually let go of him. She stood by him beaming a smile as bright as the sun- his permission had truly made her happy. "Will you be alright killing others Shang? It does get hard sometimes…"

The young princess' smile faded as she thought about it seriously. Sure, battles were fun and exciting, but when its real lives are lost… she tried to imagine her enemies coming at her and herself trying to fend them off. She didn't know whether she was capable of killing someone… everyone on the battlefield was someone's relative, husband, son, brother, uncle… everyone was someone who would be missed. Shang Xiang knew that she would feel guilt, but surely that would pass? There could only be one winner and she was determined that she would be that person. "I'll be alright Father, its part of being a warrior, accepting what you've done. They're our enemies so we have to fight them."

"That's right- I was just checking that you'd be okay with it. I know with your skills you're easily capable of killing someone so there should be no problems with that. It's just the emotional side, but I know you're strong in that area too. Just promise me you'll be fine out there?"

"Father, I told you… I'll be alright! Like you said, I'm easily capable of killing someone, so I can defend myself out there! I promise!" She kissed his cheek before picking up her chakrams again and bounding off back into the castle to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Sun Jian watched his daughter disappear around a corner before deciding to go in the same direction. He wondered how Sun Ce would be able to cope with his sister at his side- it was likely she'd drive him crazy by constantly asking if she could separate from him. Jian knew he'd have to tell his son about the change of plan, as some kind of advance warning. He could've just allowed Shang Xiang to stay at his own side but it would've been better to let her go where more of the action is. Hoping that he'd made the right decision he opened one of the castle doors and stepped inside. It was time to prepare for battle…

xxx

Sitting next to Zhou Yu in the battle room, Sun Ce picked up a quill and started adding notes to his sworn brother's own plans. Yu had drawn up a map of everyone's positions so at least the Wu generals would know what they were doing. More importantly Ce needed to know what he was doing. Sun Jian, since receiving an injury at the hands of Huang Zu, had been forced to take a back seat in battles due to the endless moaning of Lady Wu. The injury had meant that the Wu leader was slightly weaker than he was before, and no longer the ferocious tiger he once was. He'd been fighting for a long time anyway so he kind of needed the break, and while the tiger was resting it was the Little Conqueror's turn to show what he was made of.

"So we're going to Qu'e… how dare that bastard Liu Yao threaten my mother and uncle!" Ce growled as Yu placed markers on the map representing the different generals. "Why don't you just place me right next to the bastard and the battle will be over just like that!"

Yu shook his head, knowing all too well the recklessness of his friend. "You rush into things too soon Sun Ce, that's not what this battle is all about. A good strategy is our key to success." He wrote something down on a blank scroll. "Is your father participating in the battle?"

"I don't think so. He's letting me do it by myself this time, so at least I can show him what I'm capable of. I say it's about time!" He grinned to himself and observed the map some more. He and his army were to go to Qu'e and launch an attack on Liu Yao, who was situated in the south east across the Great River after being driven out by Yuan Shu. Since arriving in Qu'e he had caused trouble, threatening Lady Wu and her brother Wu Jing, who resided there. This had angered both Sun Jian and Sun Ce, but Ce was the only one who could go out and fight. Summoning Zhou Yu, he decided to prepare his army and seek revenge on Liu Yao.

Fortunately Sun Jian had given Ce control of his most trusted generals Huang Gai and Cheng Pu, but Ce had yet to build up the main body of the army. What he needed were some strong generals, ones that Wu could really do with. Zhou Yu had joined the year before after he and Ce had been reunited- they had been separated when the Sun family relocated from Shucheng where the Zhou family resided. It was a large task to build up an army, but Sun Ce knew he was surrounded by the right people for the job. Wu would have an enviable army in no time!

The two best friends looked up as Huang Gai and Cheng Pu entered, followed by Sun Jian, Sun Quan and Sun Shang Xiang. They all took seats around the table with Sun Jian sitting at the head, waiting for the meeting to commence. Shang Xiang tried to get a look at Zhou Yu's plans but they looked so confusing and daunting, especially as she had never seen anything like it before. She was grateful that she had taken no interest in strategic matters, from what she had seen it didn't look like a fun job to have.

"It looks like you two certainly know what you're doing…" Jian said after studying the map for himself. "I believe Wu will be in safe hands with you both at the helm. What's the plan so far?"

"Well," Zhou Yu started, "we're to make our way to Qu'e, where Liu Yao is situated south of the Shenting Hills. Word has it that one of his volunteer generals, Zhang Jing, is defending the stores at Ox Landing. Attacking there would be a huge blow to their troops, so if we capture that we can get through the battle with no trouble. Are our troops ready?"

"Quan and I just checked on them, they're fully equipped and ready to go on my orders. Now, Sun Ce…" Jian turned to Sun Ce and smiled weakly. "I think that extra numbers may help in this battle, so I've decided to send your sister with you. She's shown to me that she's a capable warrior and I think everyone agrees with me. Is that okay with you?"

Ce looked at his father blankly, and then to Shang Xiang. "But Father, she has no unit!"

"I know, that's why I'm asking if she can stay with you. She'll be taking some bodyguards with her so she'll be able to help you. You'll be able to show her the ropes, teach her a few things about battle… what do you say?"

Sun Shang Xiang smiled sweetly towards her eldest brother, her expression almost begging him to say yes. Of course Ce couldn't say no, when Jian ever made a decision is usually stayed final. "Please Ce? I'll be good, I swear!" She smiled again, and beamed when Ce nodded his head, even if it was just a small nod. It still meant 'yes' in her book, and she was now excited of the prospect of going into the battlefield to help defeat the enemy. She started to think of the day when she'd be allowed to have her own unit and become a general… the dream was starting to become a reality.

"But you have to swear you won't separate from me!" Ce said pointing towards his sister. "This is an important battle for me; I don't want to end up responsible for the death of my sister. I guess it's best if you stay by me, Quan isn't that experienced himself…"

"I can do just as good a job as you Ce!" Quan argued back. "No one's giving me a chance to become stronger, you keep giving me easy positions."

"That's because you've yet to understand battle. Plus, doing the easy things helps you build experience- you shouldn't look down on them just because they're not that important. Even the greatest warriors need to start somewhere. Father didn't just wake up to find that he was in control of Wu."

Quan pouted and sulked in his chair, while Jian smirked- his son was actually speaking some sense! It was all true though, when he had started out he just fought bandits and groups of pirates. He had worked hard to get where he was, it was only fair that his children learn the same way. Hard work breeds success was what he wanted them to know. Life wasn't easy and it would never be simple, but the Sun children had been lucky. For most of their lives they had been brought up in the castle not having to worry about the outside world, and Jian just wanted them to realise the dangers.

After coughing Zhou Yu diverted the attention back to the conversation of the battle. He went through what he was hoping to happen at the battle- he explained that while some of the army attacked the enemy stores, the others should camp north of the Shenting hills and wait for a chance to attack Liu Yao. It would be the perfect opportunity to achieve a victory here and make the small Wu army even stronger. Yu hoped that they would get the chance to recruit more experienced generals attracted by the victories- Jian just hoped the army would be strong enough with him stepping out of the spotlight. Maybe Shang Xiang would be a vital asset to the army after all…

xxx

The sweet scent of incense billowed out of one the castle rooms located in the east tower and the atmosphere changed as the smell got stronger and stronger. For a castle inhabited by mostly male generals it seemed odd to outsiders that such a room exist there, but this room was no ordinary room. It was the Lady Wu's room, where she spent most of the day inside resting, relaxing, and keeping out of all things military. It was clear that Sun Shang Xiang had not inherited this side of her mother, just the feisty Sun attitude. Her mother was the complete opposite- she had the room decorated in shades of pink, jade, lilac and gold; silk curtains draped over the windows; sweet jasmine fragrance in the air; it was a truly feminine environment. It was no wonder that the two Qiao sisters, Da and Xiao, had felt so welcome in the room. They themselves were also extremely feminine and loved spending time in the room- the three would discuss their husbands, what with Da being married to Sun Ce and Xiao recently married to Zhou Yu. All day the room would be filled with the sounds of gossip and giggles, the noise sometimes echoing down the corridor. Even Sun Shang Xiang could hear it as she approached the room with her father.

Sun Jian nodded to his daughter and she sighed before knocking three times on the golden knocker on the door. She placed her hands behind her back and waited patiently for someone to answer, and found that as usual, she was answered by one of her mother's handmaidens. The handmaiden was dressed in pale pink and jade, armed with a small sword at her side. Clearly Lady Wu had even made her handmaidens match the room décor, but Shang Xiang always thought of it as bad taste.

"Is my mother available to talk?" Shang asked, and the handmaid nodded. She then quickly disappeared behind the door, before returning to signal the two Suns inside. Sun Jian felt uncomfortable as soon as he set foot in the room; he just didn't feel right in it. It was so bright and much too feminine for him. In fact, that was the reason he allowed his wife to have such a room, so she didn't go and terrorise the rest of the castle with the girlish colours and flowers; it wouldn't have gone down too well with the generals and Jian liked the occasional castle darkness and the shadows.

As soon as she entered Shang Xiang dodged the seats full of gossipy women and made a beeline for her mother, who was sitting on an elaborate chair eating small sweets with Da Qiao and another woman whom Shang assumed was someone wanting to marry on of the generals. There seemed to be endless queues of these women, and even if the generals weren't interested Lady Wu was always willing to let them stay and increase her list of contacts at the same time.

Lady Wu looked up at her daughter after eating a sweet, and then at her husband, who looked as if he wanted to run straight out of the room. She saw that Shang Xiang looked slightly nervous but most of the time she was; due to the Sun attitude short tempers and arguments were rife so bad news was hardly taken well. "You came to see me Shang Xiang? Please, take a seat and join us!"

"Actually, I was hoping I could just be quick, Father and I need to get to business. It's the battle tomorrow and…"

"You don't need to get to business my daughter; you're not even going to the battle! That means you can spend more time with me and do something together… I think it's time we got you into a dress…" Lady Wu pulled over a spare seat and motioned for Shang to sit. However, she remained standing.

"Mother, I've… erm… I was talking to Father earlier today and he's given me permission to go out fighting. He knows I've been practicing hard and I'm not as weak as you think I am. I'm strong now; I can even beat Quan in sparring! Mother, are you alright? You don't look well…" Shang Xiang looked at her mother who had almost frozen. Her facial expression was blank and she failed to say anything. She backed away slowly to where her father had so carefully chosen to stand as her mother's eyes narrowed and glared at them both.

"WENTAI!" Lady Wu slammed her fist on the table, shaking the box of sweets as well as making Da and the other woman jump out of their skins. "How can you let our only daughter go out and fight with those brutal men? Do you not know the dangers out there? She should be inside learning song and dance so she can find an honourable husband! What kind of life can she lead if she spends more time outside fighting than her husband?"

Sun Jian, with Shang Xiang hiding behind him, raised his hands up in front of him to be cautious. He was the only one brave enough to face his wife; his children would run in the opposite direction and hide. They obviously knew what was best for them. "Listen, my wife, Shang Xiang is very capable and a very strong fighter. She'll be by Sun Ce's side and he's already said he won't let anything happen to his little sister. She's been asking for this for a long time now, it's only fair that we give her this chance."

His wife stood up and walked over to them both. "Wentai, look at your daughter. You do want a son-in-law don't you? You're too soft, spending too much time spoiling her with attention and letting her do what she wants. If it was me instead, Shang Xiang would already be married to a gentleman and would most likely have a child by now. But what life are you trying to give her? Men do not want wives that are stronger than them." She crossed her arms and frowned at both of them. "You two are the same; always want to go out fighting living your life on the battlefield. The choice of a stable life is here Shang Xiang if you wish to take it, but you are old enough to make your own decisions. I suppose I can't force you to stay away from battles; you'd only try and escape from the castle. So… what's it to be?"

Nervously Sun Shang Xiang looked at both of her parents. She admired her mother's fieriness and attitude, but the lifestyle just wasn't her and never would be. To live that life would be living a lie and she couldn't do that. Plus, she wasn't ready for a family yet, she was only eighteen years old. Her whole life was ahead of her and she didn't want to waste any chances. To her, her chances were out on the battlefield. She looked up to her father and brothers, she always had done. It would be a dream to be like them she thought as she smiled at her father briefly. At the end of the day it was her life, and she was determined to live it the way she wanted to.

"I've made my mind up Mother," she said, straightening her back in an attempt to be assertive. "I'm going to battle as I've always wanted to."

Her mother nodded without expression and then pouted. "It seems I have three sons now, I can't even make my own daughter participate in womanly activities. Fine, you win this time Shang Xiang, but things will change. You're still my daughter, just remember that. Don't forget to see me before you leave for battle, okay?" She said the last sentence with a hint of caring in her voice, but was quick to turn around and walk back to what she had been doing before. Sun Jian put his hand on Shang's shoulder and proceeded to lead her out of the room.

"I'm not sure if she took that well or not," Shang said as she and her father walked back in the direction they had come from. "She looked pretty much annoyed at me. Do you think she's angry at me?"

Sun Jian shook his head and patted his daughter on the back. "I think she just feels defeated. She's just realised that she can no longer make decisions for you and she just doesn't agree with the path you want to follow. All I can say is that I'm proud of you, and happy that we have another warrior in the family!" He chuckled as Shang Xiang grinned and cheerily linked arms with him. "I'm glad you're happy too, I know you'll prove your mother wrong one of these days. I guess she just wanted a mini version of herself."

"Ugh, I'm so glad I turned out different then! Imagine a mini version of Mother…" Shang Xiang jokingly shuddered and then giggled. "I just hope this battle goes well, I can't imagine the grief she'd give me if I came back injured. 'I told you so' and 'You should've listened to me!'"

"Hopefully that won't be the case and you'll be fine. You'll be close to Sun Ce and you'll have some of your bodyguards with you too. I'm not saying you'll need to rely on them, but if you need any help at all go to them. We don't want anything happening to you, okay?"

Sun Shang Xiang nodded and hugged her father. "You worry about me too much, you know that? I promise you I'll be fine!" She stood back from the hug and rejoined arms with Jian before they reached the flight of stairs leading down towards the library and dining room. They found Sun Quan awaiting them at the foot of the stairs, and he joined them as they reached the bottom.

"We could hear Mother shouting from down here," he said as he walked with them to the indoor training area. "I take it you told her sis?"

"Yeah… obviously it didn't go that well. She says I can go but she wants to see me before I head out tomorrow. I have no idea what she wants if anything, I'll have to wait and find out." She sighed as they stopped outside the double door entrance. "I'll never understand her; she can be really weird sometimes."

Jian opened the door with his free hand and led his two children inside. "She's afraid and worried about you daughter. When she's like that she reacts in the only way she knows how and that's anger. She's always been like that. You've been closer to me so you haven't really bonded with your mother. I don't mean that you two aren't close, but there's still a lot you don't know about each other. Now, let's see what this lot have been doing while we've been gone…"

As they fully entered the room they observed the current sparring match taking place between Sun Ce and Cheng Pu. Zhou Yu and Huang Gai were standing at the side looking on, each watching as blows were exchanged, dodged and carefully blocked. Ce was using his treasured twin tonfas and trying to attack Cheng Pu who was wielding his trusted gilded sword. The three Suns who had just joined them went to stand with the two observers and waited for the battle to end.

"I believe I've won that one!" Ce said in triumph as one of his tonfas knocked Cheng Pu's sword straight out of his hands and sent it flying to the side of the room. Zhou Yu clapped for his friend as did Jian. The victor then went to shake hands with the loser for the sake of being good competitors. No one was rivals in the Wu castle and there were never any grudges held against anyone because they had won a sparring match. It was always thought of as practice and after all they could learn from their mistakes. "Good match Pu!"

"Yes, but now your father is here young prince… is everything ready for battle my lord?" Cheng Pu asked Jian as the Wu leader walked over to the window.

Gazing out Sun Jian watched the trees sway under the warm sky in the distance. It was so calm and peaceful, just how the land had been before the conflicts. "We should be prepared now, but it's important we get our rest ready for tomorrow. Sun Ce?"

"Yes Father?"

"I trust that you'll make this battle go smoothly and hopefully in our favour. Look after your generals and your siblings, and don't let me down. Quan and Shang Xiang- listen to your brother. Follow his instructions and do the Sun family proud." He stepped back from the window and turned to face all of them. "Let's do it for Wu!"