The day was calm and beautiful. The breeze was soft as it made it's way through the plains and leaves. For Ma Dai, it felt like a soft cloth brushing against his face. A calm setting for him to relax in, sitting underneath an oak tree. In between his missions and doing favors for his comrades, he finds himself here. Located a few yards away from Chengdu, he enjoyed the seclusion the spot offered. Away from people yet not too far where that no one can find him. He finds himself often chasing his thoughts and thinking about what the next day holds for him. No doubt running some errands and taking part in yet another supply transport.

That's what most his days were, ever since the defeat of Orochi in the third war. All the kingdoms, both the Chinese and Japanese, were in a state of peace with each other. Some were in legitimate peace while others were more in a fickle alliance. Who knows how long it will last before they all begin to fight again, but for now the days were quiet and for once, enjoyable.

There are some days were the monotony of transporting supplies or helping someone find something does get to him. Ma Dai believes it can get tedious at times, though he can't complain too much about. He does enjoy seeing the strange sights this world has to offer. This strange fusion of different timelines brought together by Orochi both surprised and fascinated him. Never has he ever felt both familiar and unfamiliar in a place he once thought he knew. Elements of his world along the others sprinkled together like pebbles in a pond. He sometimes wondered if other world were also thrown together with theirs. Learning from his little ninja friend, the one he playfully calls his little sister, how far back their history goes. The stories from both Joan de Arc, Ayane and Momiji about their history led him to believe in the possibility of other worlds being fused with this one. It's almost impossible to believe that Orochi simply picked a handful of warriors and placed them in this sandbox he created. There has to be others.

Ma Dai remembers when he asked Lord Taigong Wang this same question only to recieve an answer summed up as, "Eh, maybe." That wasn't enough for the painter. He wanted to know more. The idea both amazed and frightened him. The possibility of other warriors and legends he could learn from amazed him. Yet, he also thought if there are others, would they not be so friendly. What if they didn't want to be disturbed. If Achilles' disappearance was anything to go by, is that some people just want to be left alone. It could just be the fact that Achilles himself was a fierce being that got tired of the peace. But still, someone else like him could be out there, and could have an army.

There he goes again, getting lost in his own thoughts again. Before he knew it, he had a not-so unexpected visiter with him. Sitting on a branch above him was his "little sister," who only seemed to call herself Kunoichi. She sat looking at him till he finally got out his thoughts and noticed.

"Got lost in your own thoughts again, big brother?" She asked him as she juggled her kunais.

"Yeah, I guess I did. How long have you been sitting up there," he asked.

"Mmm, probably about five... or so minutes," she replied.

"And you just sat up there looking at me, doing nothing?"

"I didn't want break up whatever it was you were thinking about. What if you were about to find out the meaning of life, or something."

"I guess, so what are you doing here?"

"Hmm, no reason. Just wanted to see how my big bro is doing." Kunoichi drops down from the branch and plops herself next to Ma Dai. Her bright smile reflected her curiosity. "So, what were you thinking about?"

"Well, it's just... the usual thing I've been thinking about lately."

"Guan Yu's daughter?"

"The other thing."

"The perfect fishing spot?"

"Nope, the other thing?"

"The possibility of other warriors stuck here with us?"

"That's the one."

"Man, that whole thing just makes my head spin. I'm still barely getting over the idea that this... timeline exists if everyone didn't die. Not to mention, the idea of me killing you at some point."

Her voice shook a little when she said that. Ma Dai felt the same way. The idea that there was a timeline where nearly everyone was killed by Orochi's army. The timeline where Kunoichi, underneath the bastard Kiyomori's mind control, killed Ma Dai. He remembers when his cousin Ma Chao told him what had happened. He didn't know what to believe, but the proof was that he was here, alive and well. Kunoichi was back to normal, free of Kiyomori's control was also proof. They may not remember what happened before, but the stories from Ma Chao, Sima Zhao, and Hanbei Tanaka left them baffled.

"Yeah, uncanny." Ma Dai said. He hated the possibility of his dear friend being the cause of his death in a different time.

"How do you think happened? I imagine that it went something like..." she said as she stood up and took a heroic stance. "The valiant and dashing Ma Dai, along with his companion Pang De fought the massive horde of demons. One by one, they were cut down by the heroic duo. The demons needed help so they called upon their greatest champion; the young and beautiful little ninja."

Ma Dai didn't like to be reminded of what had happened, but he did enjoy Kunoichi's morbidly heroic take on it.

"She faced the duo head on. The battle was long, she punch, kicked, and clawed at her enemies. She eventually got the upper hand on them and... well, we know the rest." She didn't want to say the rest. No matter how she changed up the story, she always hated the ending.

Ma Dai placed his hand on her back in hopes of comforting her. He knew that she hated the idea of herself killing him. She looked at him, her strange pink colored eyes read concern on them.

"Come on, little sis. We are both here now, and that's the only thing that matters. Besides, that's not what I was even thinking about so there's no need to worry yourself."

His words seem to eased her thoughts. Anything that kept her from thinking about that reality always did good for her.

"You're right. Sooo yeah, warriors like us being stuck here too," she said. "That could be either really cool or really bad. It all depends if they are the good guys or not."

"To be fair, who's to say that we are the good guys?"

"Well, we did stop a warmongering snake god obsessed with someone trying to stop him, three times. And that third time was also for the survival of this world."

"Yeah, that third time was really weird."

"But if there others out there, I guess the most we can hope for is that they like us and are, at least, friendly towards us."

"Well, we will never know until we go out there and search for ourselves"

Kunoichi made a sly smile and said, "Or maybe they come looking for us."

Ma Dai laughed. She was right though, maybe they didn't have to go and look for anyone. They can just come to them. In that case, Ma Dai hoped they came with good intentions.

The two continued to sit together underneath the tree, talking about other stuff going on in their lives. Kunoichi talked about her prank she plans to pull on Lady Kai while Ma Dai talked about talked about his recent supply transport to Odawara. This went on until Kunoichi decided to take a nap on his shoulder. Ma Dai didn't mind so he let it happened. until he noticed that the sun was beginning to set. He rocked his shoulder until her eyes began to open. As she wiped her eyes, she gasped suddenly.

"Crap! I forgot to tell you! Lord Liu Bei and Lord Tokugawa wanted to see you. They said that it was important."

Ma Dai looked at her in disbelief, "What! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Because I wanted to spend some time with you."

"If they said that it was important, I would imagine that it would be important."

"I'm sorry! I just kinda forgot."

Ma Dai couldn't be too annoyed with her. He did enjoy his time her, as usual. Most likely, his lords most likely were going to have him do yet another transportation mission or some other errand they have.

"Ehh, don't worry about it too much. It's most likely stuff I've already heard before. Though, if I run now, I might make it before they retire for the day. See you later, little sis."

He tipped his hat and smiled at her before taking off towards the main castle. Kunoichi looked on till he was out of sight. "Time to go see what they're going to talk about."

"The sun is almost setting, where is he?" Liu Bei said in confusion. "We told that ninja it was urgent that we see him."

"Perhaps he is running late, my friend," Ieyasu reasured him. "Besides, I know that ninja. She most likely what's holding him up. Isn't that right, Yukimura?"

"Uh, yeah. She's always been the playful one," he responds.

"Still if he doesn't show up before the sun sets, we may have to postpone till tomorrow," Zhuge Liang said.

"Don't worry, he's the most reliable guy I know," Yukimura says. "He'll be here."

"Well, I sure hope so. I haven't eaten since early this morning." Liu Bei said while holding his stomach. "Maybe if I leave for a little bit-"

The doors to the war room slide open fast, the members inside look over to see Ma Dai seemingly out of breath. "I'm sorry I'm late my lord," he shouts. Ma Dai took a bit to catch his breath before making his way over to the group. He looked around to see each of the people in the room. Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Noboyuki and Yukimura Sanada made up the meeting.

"Ah, Lord Ma Dai. You've finally made it." Liu Bei said as he sat down, ignoring his growing hunger.

"I understand that you wanted to see me."

"Yes, please come this way," Zhuge Liang told him as he made his way over to the table where everyone else was at. Ma Dai followed him, acknowledging his lords when reached the table.

On it was a map of the known world. A mixture of lands, territories frozen in time from their world and others. There was an area on the map circled marked as "supply depot." It was passed a notorious stretch of land called the "dead lands." A two hundred and thirty-six mile stretch of land between Nanzhong and the depot. The land is nothing more than a massive dessert completely void of life.

"Lord Ieyasu, if you would." Zhuge Liang said.

"Lord Ma Dai, Master Yukimura here tells me that you are the right man for any type of job." Ieyasu said.

"Well, yes my lord. Just as long I know what I'm getting myself into."

"I assure you, Master Ma Dai, this should be a low risk assignment for you," Noboyuki said.

"Alright, what's the problem?"

"As you know, part of the agreement among the kingdoms is to transport supplies to one another," Ieyasu said. "You, yourself have been transported numerous materials between Shu and the Tokugawa and I thank you for that. However, there has been a bit of a troubling development."

"One of our supply depots passed the Nanzhong region has gone dark on us," Liu Bei chimed in. "It has been 2 months since we heard from the depot. We sent a messenger to see what was the problem but he never returned. It's been several weeks since. We even asked Lord Meng Huo if he has noticed anything but his report came back with nothing."

"I understand that this depot is past the deadlands, near the great mountain," Ma Dai said.

"Precisely," Zhuge Liang says. "We merely suspect because of its location, the reason for delay is due to extreme weather conditions."

"You guys are certain that there's no fowl play involved?"

"All kingdoms have been accounted for. Even the smaller clans," Noboyuki said. "We would've have asked if Meng Huo to check up on the depot but he and his people refuse to enter the dead lands."

"So you want me to travel out there and see what's wrong then, right?" Ma Dai asked, knowing very well what the answer is.

"Yes," Ieyasu answered. "We don't suspect any fowl play but we want to be certain."

"Lord Ma Dai, do you accept this assignment?" Liu Bei asked.

He had to think it over for a bit. The dead lands were notoriously dangerous. It's called the dead lands for a reason. Yet, he was Ma Dai. He's always willing to help anyone in need. Besides, he had always been interested in the land and it was considered a low risk. Low risk in the sense that "no one will try to kill you" and not so much "the weather may or may not kill you."

"I accept."

"Splendid, then we will leave you to make preparations," Zhuge Liang said. "You will be accompanied by Master Yukimura and I assume his ninja. As well as anyone else you wish to take."

"I also will lend you some of my finest men," Ieyasu said.

"Thank you, my lord. But I believe that preparations will take some time," Ma Dai said.

"Take however much time you need," Ieyasu said.

All the men bowed to each other they made their way out of the war room.

"Woo, finally. My stomach is growling," Liu Bei had said as he was the first man out.

Everyone else had left as Ma Dai and Yukimura were still in the room. The two gave a knowing look at each other as they knew they weren't alone. "Alright, you can come out now," Yukimura called out. After a few seconds, Kunoichi came out of a small crawl-space near the table.

"So, we are going into the dead lands, huh," she asked as she dusted herself off.

"Seems like it," Ma Dai replied.

"Who else do you have in mind that should come with us," Yukimura asked.

"Well Wei Yan could help out a lot, no doubt he's been in the dead lands before. Magoichi could be help us out as well. We could also ask Lady Yueying for some equipment that can help us-"

"Ahem." The two men looked at Kunoichi as she made the noise. "Isn't there someone you're forgetting, big brother. A certain, special someone?"

Ma Dai gave it some thought before he realized who she was referring to. "Oh no, there's no she is coming with us." He said while giving off a small blush.

Yukimura in confusion asked, "Wait, who are she talking about?"

"I'm talking about the beautiful daughter of the God of War. Miss Guan Yinping, the one who has completely smitten Ma Dai's heart," Kunoichi teased.

"What really?! Ma Dai, you like her?" Yukimura asked.

"What, not you too," Ma Dai replied.

"Come on, I think that's great. You shouldn't feel embarrassed about that"

"Please, it's nothing. Besides, Lord Guan Yu would never allow her to go somewhere like the dead lands."

Kunoichi shrugged, "You don't know that. Maybe if you ask nicely."

She stared at him with that sly smile and hands covering her cheeks. Ma Dai knew she had a point. Who knows how long this assignment would take. That's quite a long time away from someone he had been growing increasingly fond of. He admired Lady Guan Yinping's strength and her determination to protect everyone, whether or not if she knew them. She would always help anyone in need. In a way, she reminded him of himself. However, he hoped not too much. Ma Dai had always helped those who needed it. But in some instances, he wished that he hadn't. Those where the ones that always cane back to haunt him. Something he wishes that Yinping would never be forced to face.

While he wasn't against the idea of her coming along with them, her agreeing to it wasn't the problem. The real issue was convincing her father. Guan Yu is known to be one of the most fiercest warriors of all time. A living legend in his own right and self-proclaim god of war. It should come as no surprise that he is also very protective of his one and only daughter. While he raised her to become a great warrior, that doesn't mean he would simply let any man go near her. Let alone someone like Ma Dai, who Guan Yu has never personally met before. Not to mention, his other children. Guan Ping, Guan Suo, and Guan Xing are also pretty protective, with Ping being just as protective as his father. This will not be any easy task to pull off.

"Well, I'll need some help from Yukimura," Ma Dai said. "You and Guan Yu have met before and he respects you. Maybe he'll consider it."

"No problem, my lord."

"This'll be no doubt the hardest thing I've ever done."