Authors Note: All characters in this story are copy right Koei besides Xiao Qilin. Also I actually do have an extensive knowledge of the actual history of things but this is Dynasty Warriors not Romance of the Three Kingdoms game section. Fictional here is fun, and please do not hate on the pairings. We all come here to have fun and read what we like. Everyone has different tastes, canon or not.

Introduction

"I must say that dress seems to fit you perfectly. Far more elegant then the last pair you have been wearing onto the field." Purred the smooth voice from her unit commander, "Not to mention is shall look nice at the dinner this evening. I am quite pleased with the growth you done later, such a smart girl...Not to mention the fact that the others shall be bringing their own star pupils...breath out dear"

Breath in...breath out.

The last decorations to the dress were added on while Lady Zhen continued to primp her recently promoted Lt. General. A proud day for the commander, for the young woman was found worthy enough to wear the regal gown and strategists dresses. Zhen Ji however decided that the regal gown looked far better, and would be easier for her student to move in. With addition of the hair pin from the other dress it added more femininity to her appearance.

"Lady Zhen how should I-"

"Oh Xiao do not worry about it. Just act like the young lady you are, though you could use to keep your chin up more. That way you don't seem so bashful around everyone else, take pride in your abilities.." The beautiful woman in blue advised with a little smile, "Now you finish up while I make sure that husband of mine own is getting ready and dressing in something other then his battle armor. Men...what would they do with out us?"

A small chuckle, laced with Zhen Ji's silk voice, escaped her lady's lips as she parted from the room. Weakly Qilin smiled. Lifting her armors she adored the white sleeves of the regal gown that she had been given as a gift. The touches of yellow and pink to off set the white, and the white leggings that kept her legs from exposure to the wind. It was a pleasant feeling that overwhelmed her, was this what it was like to feel completely happy?

Shutting the door of Lady Zhen's room, the young Lt. General began making her way down to the palaces gardens to look into the reflection pool. Every step taken in the grand halls of this place made her feel more honored then ever to be there. The banquets held here in Xu Chang tended to be strictly for those of the general status, now here she was all dressed up for the feast. Something told her this evening would in no way steer in the wrong direction. Lady Zhen had already been talking about how Xiao Qilin would outshine other Lt. Generals in attendance, and she wasn't one to highly praise on other females.

Tracing her hand across the rim on the walls, she found the servants were attentive to every thing in the palace. Not a trace of dust was found even on the tiny wall rim, Lord Cao Cao certainly knew how to live. Though something made him wonder if many of his wives helped to clean or if they simply made all his children do it. There were so many Cao's it was hard to address any Cao clan member without giving their entire name to avoid confusion. In her mind again and again she went over the etiquette manners one was to demonstrate during such dinners. Ladies had to be poise and elegant as Zhen Ji had said. To carry a certain air of grace and balance to it, though Lady Zhen often had a great amount of self-assurance when she was around others. Though it was not without reason, she was wife to Lord Cao Pi heir to Cao Cao. One day that woman might just become empress of Wei. How amazing would be to see her commander and lady as empress?!

Entering the gardens the air was suddenly filled with its sweet blend of fragrances. Petals nearly glowing in the moon light creating a rather romantic scenery. Slowly she moved to the water edge to do a little self primping before going inside. Gazing into the water Qilin checked the heart shape bun on the top of her head, then the ornament worn to secure it in place.

"Ahem..."

With a little from she wondered who on earth would be interrupting her in the gardens. Shifting her head to the side so she could look just over her shoulder, Xiao was caught quite off guard by who stood there. Lazily leaning in the door frame dressed in shades of blue and purple, was General Zhang He. Both of his hands folded behind his head, and eyes closed in mock boredom. Qilin's face nearly illuminated red with embarrassment as she got a good look at him. Zhang was not dressed in his usual attire.

Not at all.

The purple robe was something more that one would see a minister wear. Black trimming on the chest, sleeves and belt. The front opened in a manner exposing the man's chest, with his long dark hair cascading over his shoulders...Wait...was that one of Sima Yi's robes?!

"General Zhang what are you doing out here?"

"I'm rather fond of these gardens," He spoke in a silk manner that closely resembled her ladies. Sometimes one had to wonder if they were twins separated at birth with their similarities Zhen Ji and Zhang He shared. "But I was actually in search to find you. Zhen Ji said you might be down here so here I am...whats that look for?"

"..Gener-"

"Xiao please don't call me general, just Zhang He" He stated interrupting her before she could finish, "now what is it?"

"...why are you in Sima Yi's robe?" Qilin was known to have trouble keeping her opinion and questions to herself. Zhang He looked down at himself, then back up to her after a moment. A sly grin spread across his lips as shifted position a little before giving the girl a little wink. Pushing himself up off the wall he motioned towards inside.

"An observant little beauty you are Xiao Qilin. No wonder Zhongda wanted to..." Zhang paused briefly then continuing, "Oh I've managed to say a little too much now. I think the announcement was to be made at the banquet. Come now lets not be late, and if we are lets at least do so in a fashionable manner!" Zhang grasped the Lt. General's smaller hand guiding her in direction of the hall. He seriously was going in Sima Yi's outfit? Wasn't this supposed to be formal?

The banquet hall itself was lit with by candles on the table, and scarce amount of torches on the wall. A dark setting for the generals of Wei to sit in while waiting for two missing guests. Lady Zhen sighed softly setting her cup down before glancing at the door, "Surely I thought Zhang He would bring her back here with haste." A pout crossing her face, tapping her finger impatiently upon her cheek.

Only a few seconds would pass by until both doors were flung open. The cause obviously was Zhang He who was standing with both arms still out. Though He was a very feminine man, there was also a vast amount of power hidden behind that butterfly decorated armor of his. As the doors began closing again in recoil, Zhang extended both arms out catching them before they closed. "After you little beauty."

Qilin's eyes shifted first to Lady Zhen who's expression seemed to have lightened upon her arrival. Twirling her hair in her fingers as she had often done when bored. Next to her Cao Pi was sitting, talking to General Cao Ren about...what appeared to be of his other wife. A slight frown spread upon her face. Poor Lady Zhen to be in such position, a wife to a man who had other wives. Not that Cao Pi was a normal man, he was a very handsome man whose cruel eyes seemed to pierce through a person's soul. Quickly her gaze changed to Sima Yi before Cao Pi could lock eyes with her. Zhongda, as Zhang He called him, was wearing a scowl on his face eying Zhang He in his robe. In return Zhang He was wearing a rather proud smirk on his face as he sat himself across from Wei's prime strategist.

"Finally you have arrived," Snapped the already agitated Zhongda, "Now to start off this banquet I have had another idea come to mind that will help us in the battle against Wu."

As Qilin sat she glanced between the two people she was sitting between, Xu Huang and Pang De, both men who intimidating size made her shrink a little into her chair. As Sima Yi rambled on sometime more on the troublesome Wu, Xiao wondered exactly where the other Lt. Generals were...none of them appeared to be here. Sima Yi's sharp words suddenly stung her ears as he pulled her chair out suddenly. Only paying half attention Xiao hadn't seem him move...and now suddenly she was center of attention...what had she missed?!

"Now for this scheme to work...Our Lt. General Xiao Qilin will go under cover into the enemy's camp under one of their own generals. A unit of my army intercepted a message meant for her from the camp of Da Qiao who had been impressed with her talent. Getting close to this girl means close to the Sun family...if we learn the weaknesses then we can have one less force to worry about." Yi's eyes were glistening in excitement at the sheer thought of devastating the enemy in such a way, "Now the only question is...do you accept?"

As everyone turned their heads to face her, an overwhelming sense of peer pressure came over her. Straightening herself up in her seat, her eyes shifted nervously to Lady Zhen then to the others before looking into the devious eyes of Sima Yi.

"I accept"