It was the year 200 and Guo Jia was on his way home from Cao Cao's palace; having partied the night away in light of their victory at Guandu. Guo Jia loved the nightlife. The music, the wine, the women, he loved it all. The moon shone down brightly on his ever bashful presence as he strolled through the streets of Xuchang, making his way home.

The battle of Guandu was over and Cao Cao had never felt so triumphant. It was only appropriate that he held the biggest celebration to date.

Jia stopped his leisurely stroll home and gazed lovingly at the moon. It was as golden as the tip of his sceptre and as bright as the sun itself.

His thoughts instantly turned to his family; his son as he stared up at the sun of the night. He had been away from him for almost a year, fighting and strategizing for his lord against Yuan Shao; his former lord. He has been away for too long, far too long he thought to himself as he continued walking.

He turned his head to notice a merchant closing up shop and walk towards him; dusting his green robe in the process.

"A beautiful night tonight is it not?" Guo Jia asked

"Never before has a moon been so bright Lord Guo Jia. Clearly it shines in recognition of our victory at Guandu my lord."

"It sure does. I see you're closing up, you wouldn't mind me buying one last meat bun would you?" the strategist asked kindly as he got out numerous coins.

The merchant presented him with a meat bun from a nearby basket "Please my lord, put those coins away. After all you have done for our lord, this bun is on the house." The merchant threw the meat bun towards Jia as he put his coins away, only just about catching it.

"Why thank you my good man." Jia thanked the man with a healthy smile on his face as he took a large bite out of the bun.

"Think nothing of it my lord, have a good night" The Merchant proceeded to walk away as Jia waved goodbye and continued his way home.

"Yuan Shao is gone. The north is almost under our complete control. Heh heh I must say that Lord Cao Cao has done quite well with his ambition…Although…I did help a little. While Yuan Shao's sons have fled further north…It is only a matter of time unti-"

Guo Jia's passing thoughts came to an abrupt halt as he heard a very faint voice in the alleyway to his left. Allowing his curiosity to take hold for just a moment; he ventured into the alleyway and was completely unprepared for what his eyes had found.

There before him; laid a woman cradling a baby in her arms. The baby was wrapped in a blanket and snuggled tightly within her arms. All that could be seen was the little tuft of hair protruding out of the top of the blanket. The woman looked as though she had been through hell and come back the same way.

She had ebony black curly hair that was not short of dust and dirt. She was dressed in a brown robe that had patches of yellow, clearly degraded by dirt. Where had this woman come from? And how was she able to singlehandedly give birth without any medical help? Jia looked down at her legs to see there was a lot of blood, his heartbeat became irregular for a moment and felt light headed as he realized what has happened.

While he was unsure of the details, something about this birth has gone horribly wrong. The woman did not speak but she tugged on his arm as he bent down to get a closer look.

"Miss; what's happened? You're bleeding…" Jia questioned as he brushed her her away to get a better look at her face. She had light brown eyes and tan skin. The dirt had not spared her face.

Guo Jia took a cloth out of his pocket and wiped her face, eradicating some of the dirt that had surrounded her eyes and made a home on her cheek.

"It...hurts…" the lady whispered, only managing to just about speak at a quiet tone

"We...We have to...Can you stand miss? We have to get you to a doctor!" the woman sensed panic in his voice and despite the vast amount of pain she was going through; she did not want a panicking man doting over her.

"Its...too late…"

"I don't believe that."

"I've lost too much...blood...And all doctors are asleep right now…"

"But but but but-"

"Please...stop...panicking...You're making...me nervous." Whilst this injured woman was immobile and probably dying, she had a sense of authority in her tone.

"But miss…" Jia's toned his voice down and calmed himself down. He was still unsure of what to do, this was definitely not something he had planned for the night "What happened?"

"Long story...I'll...meatbun it. Birth went wrong. Had to...cut myself."

"What?!" Jia's tone rose again earning himself a stern look from her.

"I'm sorry but...you could be dying…"

"I am."

The Wei strategist was confused as to how she could be so calm in such a perilous moment "I don't understand...My Lady, how are you so calm?"

"Xiang Bai. My name is Xiang Bai."

"My name is Guo Jia. Come on; we have to move you out of here."

"Hurts...too much." Making it crystal clear that she couldn't move, Bai held Jia's hand and looked him in the eye. Looking down at the sleeping baby in her arms, she looked back to him.

"...What's its name Lady Bai?"

"HIS name...Kai. Xiang Kai."

"That's a nice name."

Letting out a scream of pain, Bai took deep breaths to try and keep herself calm. Her death was approaching and she didn't have all the time in the world to converse.

"Take him."

"What?" Jia glared at her with a skeptical look illustrated across his face.

"Please...take him."

"I...can't...I can't just take him…What about his father?"

"Dead. He...Died in battle..." Bai coughed and clutched her stomach; her condition was deteriorating fast.

"No next of kin?"

"Just...me…"

"I'm all for living in the moment but I can't just take a baby!"

"Please!" Bai screamed, loud enough for Jia to squint in pain and to wake the deceased. Realising that she could have woken up Kai, Xiang Bai glanced down and breathed a sigh of relief; he was still sleeping happily.

"Heavy sleeper this one." Jia commented earning a smile from Bai

"Please...I beg of you. I am...Not long for this world…Lost...Too much blood…"

"But...you won't get to see him grow up."

" I know. It hurts...But...But I am...Happy to see him...In the world...healthy and happy."

"Bu-"

"Please! Give...Give him the...The life that I couldn't…" Bai held Jia's hand gently, 'He has soft hands' she thought to herself.

'They kinda match his face.'

Jia looked into Bai's eyes. They conveyed sadness but also resonated strength; she wasn't about to just let this go. Jia sighed, knowing he had to do it. His morals would not allow him to abandon this woman and her child. He slowly and ever so gently; picked up the baby nestled in Bai's arms.

"Goodness! He is so soft my lady." Jia instantly grinned as he held the baby in his arms.

Bai let out a small laugh as she watched him "Yes, he is." speaking softly and quietly; Bai observed the two. Kai awoke but didn't cry. Jia took off his right glove with his teeth stroked Kai's face, tickling the young baby and receiving a giggle. Kai grabbed Jia's finger and the Wei strategist glowed like the sun as the baby shook his finger around like a toy.

"Well hello there! My name is Guo Jia." Jia looked up at Bai who had a smile on her face. But something was amiss. "Lady Bai?" Her face did not change. It did not move.

Jia's heart sank and his smile eroded away. Kai started crying; perhaps as a response to his loss "Shh shh it's gonna be okay little man."

Jia clearly had a way with kids as Kai's crying got slowly quieter, though he was still moaning.

Placing his glove in his pocket; he proceeded to close Bai's eyes. "I promise you...With any remaining life I may have...I'll take good care of Kai." Jia wasn't sure what he was doing...Why was he taking this baby? Because it was the right thing to do he thought. But he still couldn't shake the feeling that he willingly made his life ten times harder. He had to plan out a future for Kai, plan his finances, Kai's future schooling. How was he going to explain to Yi that he has a new brother? Or to Lord Cao Cao that he has a new son now?

Looking up at Bai's face, Guo Jia took some comfort in the smile that was now permanently there. Knowing she died happy. 'I can't just leave her there...' He thought to himself. He would have to bury her body. Perhaps he could bury her in the Guo family tomb...It's not like anyone would object. Looking down at Kai; Jia smiled upon seeing the baby had fallen right back asleep. He was either a heavy sleeper or just tired from all that has happened.

"Well...I best take you ...to your new home, little one." Guo Jia stood up and continued his journey home with a thousand questions and answers roaming around in his head, but only one at the top of the list, what is the little guy here going to eat?