Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Dynasty Warriors except my fanfic!

Author's Note: Hi, this is my new Dynasty Warriors fic. As before, most of the focus will be on the interaction of certain characters rather than the battles. I'm focusing on Shu and Wei this time since the pairing is Zhen Ji x Zhao Yun. Please don't flame me, especially if it is because you don't like the pairing. Any suggestions, friendly feedback welcome.

Prologue

There was a young woman crying. Her face was dirty and her hair unkempt. Cao Pi didn't recognise her.

"Who is she?" He asked Yuan Shao's wife, Liu.

"It is Xi's wife," she replied. Then with a silk cloth, she wiped the young woman's face.

Behind the dirt, her complexion was clearer than jade. Her features were delicate, but exquisite. There was a graceful air about her. Cao Pi fell in love at first sight. Liu saw the way Cao Pi looked at her recently wed daughter-in-law.

"You don't need to worry about dying now," Yuan Shao's wife whispered into the young woman's ear.

Chapter One: A Meeting

Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, Cao Pi and Zhen Ji headed through the mountain pass.

"A rockslide!" Xiahou Dun shouted. "Look out!" he warned them.

Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun drew their horses back, but Zhen Ji was still in danger. Cao Pi called out to Zhen Ji. She rode her horse towards the others, stopping as she evaded the rocks. Cao Pi started to ride towards his betrothed. Maybe he could still save her.

"Cao Pi," Cao Cao called. "Don't be a fool."

However, before Cao Pi could put himself in harm's way and at Cao Cao's request, Xiahou Dun placed his horse between Cao Pi and Zhen Ji, just as a number of large stones fell before them, separating them from Zhen Ji.

"No… Zhen Ji." Cao Pi dismounted. "We need to clear this," he told them. He started to move the smaller rocks.

"My son," Cao Cao paused for a moment, "no one could have survived that. Be strong."

"She's alive. I'm sure of it." He was hysterical.

"Don't fret, Cao Pi," Xiahou Dun began. "There are plenty of women out there. She was just one of them," he said coldly.

On the other side of the barrier of stone, Zhen Ji was slumped over her horse. Looking for water, the horse carrying her in her now unconscious state headed far from the mountain trail. A few hours passed and the horse came to a stream where it stopped and lapped up the fresh water.

"Lord Zhao Yun, there is a horse further up stream," the soldier explained.

"Is it one of ours?"

"I cannot be certain, my Lord."

"Approach with caution then, but if it is ours retrieve it."

"At once my Lord," the soldier gave a quick bow before leaving Zhao Yun's presence. Then the soldier made his way towards the horse, which was away from the Shu army's encampment. The soldier approached with caution as he had been instructed. He was only a few metres away when he stopped suddenly.

"There's someone here!" he called back.

Zhao Yun mounted his steed and rode to where the soldier waited.

Getting of his horse, he drew his spear and walked closer to the horse. The horse was startled. Zhao Yun grabbed its reins firmly and gently rubbed the horse behind its ear, to show he was not a threat.

"Take the reins," he told the soldier, who still hadn't come any closer. The soldier approached and did as he was told. Then Zhao Yun examined the horse's load. There was indeed someone there. However, who the person was and what state they were in was impossible to distinguish, since the figure was covered with a deep blue velvet cloak with gold edging. Although the extravagance of the cloak did suggest that the person was of noble blood. Then again, it could also have been stolen. Either way he had to know and see if they were still alive. Approaching the side where the rider's head drooped, Zhao Yun carefully lifted the hood.

"A woman…," he said in surprise. Lifting her arm he checked her wrist for a pulse. "She's alive." He addressed the soldier. "Ready the medicines, she may need attending to."

"Yes Sir."

Zhen Ji awoke with a startle as she felt a cold, wet cloth on her face. She looked up and saw a man, with brown hair which came down slightly below his shoulders, sitting bedside her. He hadn't noticed that she was awake. He was busy dipping the cloth in a bowl. He was about to dab her face with the cloth once more, when Zhen Ji grabbed his hand.

"Stop," she said in alarm. "Who are you?"

The man fixed his eyes upon hers. Feeling rather uncomfortable, Zhen Ji let go of his hand. He placed the cloth back in the bowl. Then he turned back to Zhen Ji, who had backed away from him a little and was now sitting up.

"You had a fever," he began, "I was merely tending to it. I wish you no harm, my Lady. You have the word of Zhao Yun," he bowed his head.

"You are Zhao Yun of Shu?"

"Yes, of Shu and no other."

She was in Shu territory. How could this be? Zhen Ji tried to recall what she remembered. They were passing through the mountain trail when there was a rockslide, causing her to be separated from Cao Pi and the others.

Zhao Yun continued, "Do you recall what happened?"

"It isn't very clear," she decided not to mention what she had remembered. Shu and Wei were enemies, and she was going to marry Cao Pi of Wei. It would just complicate matters.

"Do not worry. You will remember in time. You just need to rest."

"Yes," Zhen Ji agreed without hesitation.

"May I ask the fair lady her name?"

"My name is Zhen Ji."

I know this is quite short, but that's because it's just an opening chapter. The others will be longer.

Bye for now,

Lady Leonhart [10/08/04]