Between Love and Loyalty
Chapter 1
Author's Repost Note
To my readers: I didn't remove this story by choice. did so, but didn't tell me. I don't know why, and I hope it doesn't happen again. I will post the third chapter soon. To : Next time please tell me before you take my story off.
Ryu walked out of the convenience store and opened his soda. 'What a stressful day this was.' He thought. It hadn't been the best of days and he wasn't in the best of moods. 'God I go to school in a good mood and everyone and their grandmother finds a reason to chew my head off!' He said. He put his headphones on and pressed play on the CD player. 'Now you're causing me trouble?' He said, looking at the blinking Low Battery light. Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out a large pack of batteries. 'Good thing I just bought these.' He said. Replacing the batteries, he allowed the blaring music to absorb him as he began his walk home. A car shot by, and a flyer from the ground flew up and hit him in the face. Annoyed, Ryu grabbed the flyer and looked at it. His eyes changed from annoyed to delighted. 'Finally!' He said. He turned off his usual route and began walking down a different road. 'It's finally done! The Three Kingdoms exhibit at the museum is finally done!' He said with a laugh. 'I've been waiting for months for it to be finished. I'm pretty sure my roommates are tired of me talking non-stop about it.' He thought. Turning a corner, he saw the museum. 'At last.' He thought, walking in. Walking through the halls, he came to where the exhibit was. The only thing between him and it, was a security guard and a rope. 'The exhibit isn't open yet. It will open to the public at 8:00 PM this evening.' The guard said. Sighing, Ryu walked down a hall and around a corner. 'No way am I going to wait until tonight when it's packed.' Ryu thought. He peeked around the corner, waiting for the guard to leave. 'Come on dude. Get hungry or go to the bathroom or something.' Ryu thought. As if to read Ryu's mind, the guard walked away. 'Yes!' He muttered. He dashed around the corner and into the exhibit. Looking around, Ryu's mind began racing. Weapons, armor, general portraits, and all manner of artifacts covered every inch of available room. 'Amazing.' Ryu whispered. One particular item caught his eye. 'The Imperial Jade Seal!' The seal was radiating a strange light, drawing Ryu even closer. He picked up the seal and examined its every detail. 'It's breath taking! It may be over 1800 years old, but it still sparkles as though it were made yesterday!' He said. 'Wait. What's this? A blood stain?' The seal suddenly began glowing brighter, and Ryu began to panic. 'This CAN'T be good.' He thought. The seal emitted a flash of light, and Ryu shut his eyes. When the flash faded, he had vanished.
When Ryu opened his eyes, he was in the middle of a battlefield. 'This DEFINITELY isn't good!' Ryu yelled. All around him, soldiers in red, blue, green, and purple armor were battling each other. A soldier dressed in purple came at him with a sword. He tried to decapitate Ryu, who ducked and punched the soldier in the stomach. 'These dudes mean business!' He stole the soldier's sword, and began running towards what he hoped was the edge of the battlefield. While he ran, he spotted several banners that read 'General Sun Jian' 'General Liu Bei' and 'General Cao Cao.' Ryu's eyes widened. 'No way.' He swung the sword wildly, not really checking who he hit. He finally managed to reach a forest, and took off running. He finally stopped when he came out of the forest and to a road. Sitting down, he pulled his backpack off. 'Great. I somehow got sucked back in time and I'm stuck in the Three Kingdoms Era.' Ryu took a few deep breaths before he managed to calm down. 'Okay, tech check.' He said, emptying the pack. 'Mini CD player with head phones, CD case, jumbo pack of batteries, water bottle, stolen sword and a pair of mini speakers.' He muttered. 'I'm doomed.' He heard someone cough, and turned around to see a group of men in green armor. They were lead by three men all mounted on horses. 'Well this can't be good.' Ryu said. 'Stay where you are!' The one in charge said. One of the men turned to another. 'Do you think he's a soldier of Dong Zhuo's?' He asked. 'I don't know. His clothes are weird enough.' The other said. Ryu calmly packed his things into his backpack and turned to greet the three men. 'Greetings generals. Might I have the honor of knowing your names?' Ryu asked. 'So it can speak.' One of them said. 'From where do you hail from stranger?' The one in charge asked. 'This one is a traveler far from the west. I had heard stories about a great empire to the east and decided to see if the stories were true.' Ryu said. 'It's not the truth, but it's not a lie either.' He thought 'You come at a terrible time stranger. The empire has fallen under the control of the despot Dong Zhuo.' The leader said. 'Dong Zhuo eh?' Ryu thought. 'While I'm here, I may as well make my mark in history. I mean, I may never get home.' Ryu picked the sword up. 'Dong Zhuo. He intends to usurp the Han?' Ryu asked. 'Yes. He intends for the Han to collapse and him form his own dynasty.' The leader said. 'There are the few who are standing against him, but like I said they are few.' The leader told him. 'It sounds as though you could use all the help you can get.' Ryu said. 'Why don't I join you? It might make some kind of difference in the outcome of the battle against Dong Zhuo.' One of the men laughed. 'What difference could one man make?' He asked. 'One man can make all the difference my lord.' Ryu said. 'Enough. This young man has made his intentions clear that he wishes to join us.' He turned to Ryu. 'May we know your name soldier?' The leader asked. 'My name is Jin Long. Just call me Long though.' Ryu said. 'Well then Long, my name is Liu Bei. These others are my brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. We are just about to arrive at the alliance's camp and prepare our strategy for the battle tomorrow.' Liu Bei said. 'Brother look! Dust in the sky! It must be a battle!' Guan Yu said. Liu Bei turned to Ryu. 'This is typical. I must ask that you stay out of this battle Jin. You have no armor and wouldn't last long. Now! To battle!' Liu Bei's troops took off, leaving Ryu behind. 'I travel back nearly two thousand years and get left in the dust? I don't think so!' He grabbed one of the lagging foot soldiers. 'Sorry I have to do this to you.' He said, hitting the soldier over the head with the hilt of the sword. Quickly taking the soldier's armor, he slipped into it, but left the helmet. 'That you can keep.' He said. He drew his sword and ran after the army.
He came to the battlefield and immediately brought his sword down onto an opposing soldier. 'Well that's one down.' Ryu thought. He swung his sword again, killing another soldier. He backed up and bumped into another person. He swung around and tried to kill the person, but they blocked his strike. Getting a good look at his opponent, he saw that he was wearing red armor. 'You're one of Sun Jian's generals.' I said. 'And you are one of Liu Bei's.' He said. Ryu saw an enemy soldier coming up behind the Wu General. He pulled his sword away and stabbed it past the Wu general's head. 'Watch behind you!' Ryu said. The Dong Zhuo soldier fell to the ground, the sword covered in the soldier's blood. 'Same to you!' The general said, ducking under Ryu's arm and sending the attacking soldier flying. Ryu and the Wu general were now back-to-back, and a group of Dong Zhuo soldiers had surrounded them. 'This is a bad way to meet someone new.' Ryu said. 'Could be worse. It could have been at an execution.' The general said. 'True enough. I'm Jin Long. What's your name?' Ryu asked. 'I'm Sun Ce!' He said, twirling his tonfa around. 'Well then Sun Ce, what say we show these guys how to fight?' Ryu asked. 'Ha ha! I like your attitude Jin Long! Let's go!' Sun Ce said, he and Ryu charging into the waiting enemies.
'Sun Jian will take the lead. And Yuan Shu will provide support.' Yuan Shao said. 'We leave at daybreak. Generals! Good fortune in battle!' The group of generals, including Ryu, stood up and walked out of the tent. Ryu was walking towards his tent when he suddenly found himself in a headlock. 'Jin Long my friend!' Ryu grinned. 'Hey Sun Ce. Looking forward to the battle tomorrow?' Ryu asked. 'You bet I am!' Sun Ce said. 'That aside, I heard some interesting news and I thought you might be interested.' Sun Ce whispered. 'And what news might that be?' Ryu asked. 'In Jiang Dong, there are two beautiful young women by the name of Qiao. The elder Da Qiao, and the younger Xiao Qiao. I heard that Dong Zhuo kidnapped them and is holding them in one of his castles to the south. What say you and I go rescue them?' Sun Ce said. 'That's suicide! Are you crazy?' Ryu said, trying to control the volume of his voice. 'Dong Zhuo barely left any men guarding them. His entire army is gathering to meet us. We should go now while there is a light guard and while we have the cover of night!' Sun Ce said. Ryu reluctantly nodded. 'Well then, it's time for us to rescue the two Qiaos!'
Ryu silently snuck across the bridge and dispatched the two guards. 'How did I let myself get talked into this?' Ryu thought. 'On a suicide mission to save the Qiaos. Isn't this the kind of excitement you always wanted?' A part of him said. 'It's just like the game. Except there's no reset button.' He thought. Spying the gate to the castle grounds, he killed the guards and opened the gate. 'Those kendo lessons dad had me take when I was a kid are finally paying off.' Ryu thought. Creeping through the grounds, he saw a group of guards running down the path ahead. 'Hurry! Don't let the Qiaos escape!' One of them said. 'Did Sun Ce bungle the plan? Or could the Qiaos be trying to escape on their own?' Ryu thought. 'Either way, I'll follow those soldiers. They'll lead me to the Qiaos.'
Ryu followed the soldiers and watched them from afar. They had crowded around someone with their swords and spears drawn. 'Sun Ce if you got caught.' Ryu thought. One of the soldiers suddenly went flying from the group. 'Watch out for her fans! They can cut through armor!' One of the soldiers said. 'It's one of the Qiaos. Time to help them out!' Ryu thought. He ran out of his hiding place and into the crowd of soldiers. The soldiers, shocked by this new arrival, were unable to fight. A new wave of soldiers appeared. 'Someone is trying to rescue the older Qiao!' They said. The group stopped when they saw the other group of soldiers dead. 'So this is Xiao Qiao I'm rescuing.' Ryu thought, charging at them. 'Duck!' He heard Xiao Qiao yell. He immediately fell to the ground and a set of fans flew over him. They cut through the group of soldiers before they could escape. Coughing, Ryu looked up and saw Xiao Qiao offering him a hand up. 'Thank you for saving me.' She said. 'No problem Lady Qiao.' Ryu said. 'No need to be so formal with me. I'm not that formal myself.' Xiao Qiao said. 'Then what might I call you by milady?' Ryu asked. 'Just call me Xiao.' She said. 'Alright then Xiao. My name is Jin Long. Though I prefer it if you just call me Jin.' Ryu said. 'We still have to rescue my sister! She is still imprisoned inside the castle.' Xiao said. 'That's already been taken care of.' Ryu said, sheathing his sword. 'Hey Jin!' A voice said. 'And that would be him now.' Ryu said. From out of the bushes came Sun Ce and Da Qiao. 'I see you saved the elder Qiao with drawing the attention of everyone in the castle grounds.' Ryu said. 'And I see you did the same with Xiao.' Sun Ce said. 'We are both indebted to you two for saving us. We should escape before Dong Zhuo notices.' Da Qiao said. 'I agree. We have to escape now.' Ryu said. 'Looks like we won't be getting away that easily.' Sun Ce said. Turning, they saw a group of horsemen lead by Dong Zhuo's general Hua Xiong. 'You fools are bold to sneak in here. You've fallen into my trap. Lord Dong Zhuo left me here to guard the Qiaos. Now you are surrounded.' He said. 'Great. This is just great.' Ryu thought. He drew his sword and faced Hua Xiong. 'Well we'll have to fight our way out of here. You ready Sun Ce?' Ryu asked. 'Am I ever! This is what I've been waiting for!' He said. 'What about you two? Can you fight?' Ryu asked. 'I'll try!' Xiao said. 'As will I' Da Qiao said. 'Then what are we waiting for?' Sun Ce said.
Looking around at the slain Hua Xiong and his troops, Ryu sheathed his sword and took in a breath of air. Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out his water bottle and took a gulp. 'Now that that's over with, we really should escape now.' He said. The others just nodded. They ran through the castle gardens and escape through the gate. 'And we have to battle Dong Zhuo again today? If I live through this it'll be a miracle.' Ryu thought. They reached the alliances camp just before the Sun was rising. 'I'll take the Qiaos to my father. You go and get some rest.' Sun Ce said to Ryu. Too tired to argue, Ryu nodded and walked towards his tent. When he got there, he pulled his CD player out of his bag and put some music on. 'I may as well get what sleep I can.' Ryu thought, slowly falling asleep to the music.
'Long! Hey Jin Long! Wake up!' Ryu opened his eyes drowsily. 'Whozzat?' He muttered. 'And who's Jin Long?' Opening his eyes completely, he saw Xiao Qiao at the entrance to his tent. 'You're Jin Long silly! How could you forget your own name?' She said. Ryu looked at her blankly a minute. 'Wasn't that all a dream?' He thought. 'Are you even awake Long?' She asked. Ryu shook his head. It wasn't a dream 'Sorry about that Xiao. I'm still half asleep.' He said. 'I guessed that.' She replied. 'By the way, Lord Sun Jian wanted to see you before we marched to battle.' Ryu, slightly alarmed, just nodded. 'Ok. I'll be there in a few minutes.' He said. Xiao nodded and walked away. 'So all of yesterday wasn't a dream. It was reality. I'm actually in the Three Kingdoms Era!' Ryu stood up, excitement welling up in him. His CD player fell to the floor with a clatter. Ryu bent down and picked it back up. 'Can't break you yet. You're my only link home.' He said. He put the CD player into his bag and left the tent. The sun was just rising and soldiers were busy taking down the tents. Ryu griped his sword, and he felt excitement again emerging. 'Well then, here I go.' Ryu said.
'You left camp without telling anyone, you put your life and the lives of others in danger, and then return expecting no one to know about! What do you have to say for yourself Sun Ce?' Sun Jian said, keeping his back turned to his son. 'It was the right thing to do pops! And besides, we didn't get killed or even injured.' Sun Ce said. 'Lord Sun Jian, please listen to your son. If he hadn't saved us, who knows what Dong Zhuo would've done.' Da Qiao said. 'I can imagine what he would've done.' Sun Jian thought with a shudder. 'And I hear that you had an accomplice. Who was it Sun Ce?' Sun Jian said. 'That would be more Lord Sun Jian.' Ryu said, walking into the tent. 'I recognize you now. You're that new general of Liu Bei's.' Sun Jian said. Ryu bowed. 'Jin Long is my name, Lord Sun Jian.' Sun Jian examined Ryu. 'Then you admit to assisting my son in his little venture last night?' He asked. 'Yes Lord Sun Jian.' Ryu said. 'Well then Jin Long, both you and my son are to be both commended and punished for your actions.' Sun Jian said. 'Commended for rescuing the Qiao sisters and slaying Hua Xiong, but punished for going alone without telling anyone. Seeing as you caused more help then trouble though, you'll both be let off.' Sun Jian said. 'I knew that's what you'd have said pops! I told you we'd get away with it Long!' Sun Ce said with a laugh. Sun Jian shook his head. 'From now on Sun Ce, no sneaking off.' He said. 'Now prepare for our march to Hu Lao Gate.' Sun Ce, a serious look on his face, bowed to his father. Sun Jian walked out of the tent, and Sun Ce let out a breath he had been holding. 'Didn't think we'd get off that easily!' Sun Ce said with a nervous laugh. 'What would've been the worst that could've happened?' Ryu asked. 'You would've been thrown in jail. Luckily, Lord Sun Jian isn't going to tell Yuan Shao about this.' Da Qiao said. 'Now I remember why I didn't join the military back home.' Ryu thought. 'There you are Jin Long!' Someone said. Ryu turned and saw Zhang Fei. 'What is it?' Ryu asked. 'Our unit is about to begin our march! Come on!' Zhang Fei said, walking away. Ryu turned to Sun Ce and Da Qiao. 'Guess I'll see you later.' He said. 'See you in the battle Long!' Sun Ce said. Ryu walked towards Shu's camp, when he heard someone yell his name. 'Long! Wait up!' Ryu turned around and saw Xiao Qiao running towards him. 'What's up Xiao?' Ryu asked. Xiao paused, then threw her arms around Ryu. 'I just wanted to thank you again for saving me and my sister.' She whispered. Xiao let him go and began to leave. 'You better live through this Jin Long! I won't forgive you if you don't.' Ryu's gaze followed her as she vanished into the crowd of busy soldiers. 'Jin Long! Hurry up or you'll be left behind!' Guan Yu said, riding past him. Ryu nodded deftly as a soldier brought him a horse. He mounted it and rode after Guan Yu.
'This is a battle for justice! Do not fear! Attack!' Yuan Shao said. Ryu gulped and drew his sword. 'If I knew I was going to get pulled back in time, I would've brought a sweater!' He thought, squinting to see through the snow. 'Crap it's cold' Ryu said as he shivered. A group of Dong Zhuo's soldiers came running towards him. 'Meh. I'll warm up as I fight.' Ryu dodged a vertical slash and stabbed the attacking soldier. Ducking under a horizontal attack, he dashed forward and cut the soldier's head off. Fighting through the soldiers, Ryu came across a large gate. 'The Qing Long gate.' Glancing up at the archers, he snorted. 'Great. The inhuman bastards.' He thought. 'Halt where you stand scum!' Someone behind him said. Ryu turned and spotted his opponent. 'And who are you?' Ryu asked. 'Know my name and tremble! I am Dong Min!' He said with a laugh. 'Let's see. Big attitude, minus twenty points. Terrible evil laugh, minus another fifteen points.' Ryu said. 'You dare to mock me?' Dong Min said. 'Nasty yellow teeth and bad breath, minus another five points.' Dong Min charged at Ryu and swung his spear. 'This shall teach you to mock me!' Ryu blocked the attack with his sword and kicked Dong Min in the side. Dong Min felt his ribs crack as the kick impacted. Dong Min dropped his spear and fell to one knee. 'You son of a whore!' He said. Ryu swung his sword, cutting Dong Min's head off. 'Bad manners, minus forty points.' Ryu said. 'He killed Lord Dong Min! Retreat!' The guards at the gate ran, flinging the gate open and allowing Liu Bei's forces through. Ryu ran through the gate. 'Okay, now which way to go.' He said. Squinting through the snow, he spotted several shapes ahead of him. 'Who goes there?' Ryu yelled. 'A soldier wearing yellow armor appeared. 'You're one of Liu Bei's men? We're Lord Yuan Shao's ram unit. We're heading to Hu Lao gate.' He said. 'I'll go with you.' Ryu said. 'You'll need all the help you can get. Count me in!' A familiar voice said. 'Made it here already Sun Ce?' Ryu asked. 'I could say the same about you Long.' Sun Ce said. 'I hate to interrupt milords, but we must proceed to Hu Lao gate.' The captain said. 'Another slaughter, coming right up.' Ryu muttered sardonically.
Ryu couldn't help but gape as Hu Lao Gate slowly materialized from the shadows. 'Formidable looking isn't it?' He said. 'It won't be that formidable when it's nothing but rubble!' Sun Ce said as the rams went to work. 'Is it just me, or does this seem too easy?' Ryu asked. 'Nope. That must just be you Long.' Sun Ce said. With a crash, Hu Lao Gate fell to the ground. 'Let's go and slay that pig Dong Zhuo!" Ryu said. 'Think you worms are going somewhere?' A voice said. 'I hope that's not who I think it is.' Ryu said. A lone figure stepped out. 'Stand your ground vermin! You face the mighty Lu Bu!' He yelled. 'Just great.' Ryu muttered. 'What are you worried about? We'll beat him! He may be the mightiest man in Dong Zhuo's army, but can he defeat both of us at the same time?' Sun Ce asked. Ryu laughed. 'So what you're saying is that everything will work out?' Ryu asked. 'Yep!' Sun Ce replied. Ryu grinned and shook his head. 'No wonder he conquers all of Jiang Dong.' He thought. 'The time to die has come!' Lu Bu said. 'All right Sun Ce, you go that way, I'll go this way!' Ryu said. 'No problem!' Sun Ce leapt at Lu Bu and brought his tonfa down. Lu Bu blocked with his spear and threw Sun Ce back. Swinging around he blocked Ryu's attack and locked weapons with him. 'Do you truly think you can defeat me?' Lu Bu asked. 'Not really, but I'm sure as hell going to try.' Ryu said. Taking one hand from his sword, he punched Lu Bu's face, causing him to back up. 'Cheap hit! Only a coward would do that!' Lu Bu taunted. 'I may be a coward, but I have loyalties at least.' Ryu said. 'And what do you mean by that?' Lu Bu asked. Ryu was about to answer when Sun Ce hit Lu Bu in the back of his head with his tonfa. Falling to the ground, Lu Bu dropped his halberd. 'He won't be fighting anymore today.' Sun Ce said. Lu Bu picked up his halberd and began to limp away. 'You haven't seen the last of me!' He roared. 'That was a little anticlimactic. Almost a little too easy.' Ryu said. 'You're over thinking things. Come on! Only Dong Zhuo's left.' Sun Ce said. 'I still think that was too easy. You are right though. Let's go teach the fat man how things work.' Ryu said.
Sun Jian cut his way through a group of soldiers. 'My son and his new friend are quite impressive.' He thought. His scouts had reported that both Sun Ce and Jin Long were the first through Hu Lao Gate and had routed Lu Bu. Now they were inside of Luo Yang and taking on countless enemies. 'Most impressive. It's a shame that Jin Long has already joined Liu Bei.' Sun Jian suddenly tripped and fell forward. 'My lord!' One of his bodyguards dashed to his side and helped him up. 'What tripped me?' He thought. 'It was this my lord.' a bodyguard said, holding up a bow. Sun Jian took the box and opened it. 'It can't be!' Sun Jian gasped. He quickly slammed the box shut. 'Spread the message. We're retreating!' Sun Jian said. 'Yes my lord!' Sun Jian mounted his horse. 'I can't believe my luck! This must be a sign from the heavens!' Sun Jian grinned. 'Hurry up my son. We must leave before anyone else finds out about this.' Sun Jian said. Inside the box, the Imperial Seal glowed softly.
'Go on ahead Sun Ce. I just need to rest a moment.' Ryu said. 'You sure?' He asked. 'Positive! I'll catch up!' Ryu said. Sun Ce reluctantly ran towards Dong Zhuo's palace. Ryu sat down, panting heavily. All around him, Luo Yang burned. 'That coward. Then again, I suppose I had prior warning.' He muttered. Ryu stayed sitting until he got his breath back. 'Fighting is too damn exhausting. No wonder everyone died young during this period.' He said, getting up. He began to follow the direction Sun Ce went when he heard a voice. 'Thought you'd get off that easily?' Ryu turned around only to have a spear blade pierce his armor and enter his body. Ryu screamed in pain and agony. 'That will teach you!' His assailant said. Ryu was flung from the blade and sent flying into a wall. 'You bastard. Who's the coward now?' Ryu asked, looking at the attacker. Lu Bu grinned. 'You were foolish enough to let your guard down.' One of Dong Zhuo's soldiers ran up to Lu Bu. 'Lord Lu Bu! Master Dong Zhuo has retreated!' Lu Bu scowled. He turned to Ryu. 'It's a pity I won't be able to kill you with my own hand, but that wound that Sky Scorcher gave you should do the trick!' Lu Bu said. He began to laugh as he walked away. Ryu just lay there, a large puddle of crimson blood forming around him. He moved his hands to his wound. Feeling the gaping hole in him, he sighed. 'So this is how I'll die. An anonymous soldier on the battlefield.' He thought. His vision began to blur, and he wanted to fall asleep. 'No. I can't die now. I can't let it end like this.' All around him, soldiers had begun to retreat. 'We won the battle.' He thought. One soldier stopped, and started to run towards him. 'Who's that?' Ryu thought. Just as the soldier came close enough for Ryu to see who it was, he blacked out. His last thought: 'Don't follow the light.'
Ryu's eyes opened slowly, quickly shutting from the bright light. 'God dammit.' He muttered. He tried to sit up, but immediately regretted it. Pain shot through his whole body like salt being poured on an open wound. He grunted, then lay back down waiting for the intense pain to end. 'And what did we learn today kids? Find out if you're wounded BEFORE you assume your dead.' He muttered. 'Hey, I think I heard something.' Ryu heard a voice say. 'You think he woke up?' Another said. 'Let's find out.' Hearing a door open, Ryu again opened his eyes. 'He's awake! By the gods he's awake!' Someone said. 'Go get Sun Ce! He wanted to know the second he woke up!' The other said. 'Dammit why does everyone have to yell?' Ryu muttered, squinting in the light. 'You've been out for over a month. We were starting to give up hope that you'd make it.' The person said. 'One month? That long?' Ryu said. 'Yes. You're injury was pretty bad.' His eyes finally adjusting to the light, Ryu finally saw who he was talking to. 'You. You're Zhou Yu.' Ryu said. Zhou Yu nodded. 'That's my name, though it seems my reputation has preceded me.' Zhou Yu said. 'You don't know the half of it.' Ryu thought. 'So you finally decided to rejoin the living Jin Long!' Sun Ce said, walking in. 'Yeah. Wasn't necessarily the most pleasant experience I had.' Ryu said. 'Long! You're awake!' Someone said. Xiao ran into the room and threw herself at Ryu. She wrapped her arms around his neck and started sobbing into his shoulder. 'You jerk! You had me worried!' She said. 'Sorry Xiao. I didn't mean to get snuck up on.' Ryu said, a little taken back. 'What did happen to you? When Xiao found you, you were out cold and had a hole in you.' Sun Ce said. 'Lu Bu snuck up on me, and I found myself on the wrong end of his halberd.' Ryu said. 'I thought we sent him running.' Sun Ce said. 'Like I said, it was too easy.' Ryu said. 'If you warned him, then you should've been on your guard.' Zhou Yu said. 'Hey I'm new to being a soldier. Give me a break.' Ryu said. 'That's true. He had just joined Liu Bei.' Da Qiao said, walking into the room. 'Hey Da!' Sun Ce said. Ryu grinned. 'At least one person is on my side.' He muttered. The doctor came in and cleared his throat. 'As much as it pleases me to see you awake, I'm afraid you all must leave. My patient needs rest to regain his strength.' As everyone walked out, Ryu looked around for his bag. 'It was with me when I got stabbed.' He finally spotted it, halfway pushed under the bed. He pulled it out and immediately grabbed his CD player. He grunted in pain, and lay back. He slid the headphones on, grateful that he had his CD player with him when he got pulled back in time. He pressed play and closed his eyes, letting the music lull him to sleep.
Ryu felt himself wake up, but he didn't open his eyes. He had passed in and out of sleep for awhile now, and was preparing to sleep again when he noticed something. He couldn't hear his music. He reluctantly opened his eyes and sat up. Pain again shot through him, but not as bad. 'You shouldn't be sitting up Long.' Ryu turned to the bedside and saw Xiao sitting in a chair. In her hands was his CD player. 'Oh crap.' He muttered. Xiao took the headphones off and smiled at him. 'So what is this thing? I've never seen something like this before.' She said. Ryu sighed and lay back down. 'It's a very long story.' Xiao smiled. 'I've got time.' She replied. He sighed again and looked at the ceiling. 'You will probably think I'm crazy for what I'm about to tell you.' He began. 'The truth is, I'm from the future. One thousand eight hundred years or so.' He said. Xiao let out a small gasp. 'How'd you get here?' She asked. 'I don't know. I had just gone to visit a museum about this time, I picked up one of the artifacts, and here I was.' Ryu replied. 'I'm just some dumb kid who got kicked back in time.' He said. Ryu looked over at Xiao and chuckled when he saw the shock on her face. 'You think I'm crazy don't you?' He asked, closing his eyes. Instead of shock though, Ryu heard fascination in her voice. 'Amazing!' She said. 'This is the most amazing thing I've ever heard of!' She said. Ryu opened his eyes. 'You believe me?' He asked, surprised. Xiao nodded. 'This thing has to prove it. No one knows what it is.' She said, holding up the CD player. Ryu's eyes opened in alarm. 'You didn't show anyone else did you?' Xiao shook her head. 'No. I didn't show anyone else. It took me awhile to figure out how to use this thing whatever it is.' She replied. Ryu sighed in relief. 'It's called a CD player. In my time, people listen to music on them. They're very popular.' He said. Xiao smiled mischievously. 'Tell me about your world Jin-Jin. What's it like?' She said. 'Jin-Jin?' Ryu asked with a chuckle. Xiao giggled and nodded. 'That's your nickname from now on.' Xiao said with a smile. Ryu smiled back and let out a relieved sigh. 'Where should I start?'
Several weeks passed and Ryu slowly recovered. The more he recovered though, the further he put returning to Liu Bei from his mind. He was now well enough to walk around but not enough to go back into battle. 'Jiang Dong is divided between four powers. Liu Yong at Jian Ye, Yan Bai Hu at Wu, Wang Lang at Kuai Ji, and Sun Jian who controls north-east Yang.' Ryu muttered. 'Sun Jian was supposed to die at the hands of Liu Biao and Sun Ce was supposed to take over Jiang Dong, but he didn't. Sun Jian somehow lived.' Xiao stood next to him. 'So Lord Sun Jian wasn't supposed to live. That's kind of odd, knowing someone was supposed to die.' She said. 'Things are working out though. Sun Jian has decided to take Jian Ye, Wu, and Kuai Ji, and then the rest of Jiang Dong.' Ryu muttered. 'I won't reveal anymore.' Ryu said with a small smirk. Xiao pouted. 'Why not?' She asked. 'I can't reveal too much of what's supposed to happen.' He said. 'My presence here changes history enough.' Ryu chuckled and smiled. 'You're so mean Jin-Jin!' Xiao said. 'You know you love me.' Ryu said, joking around. Xiao blushed, suddenly finding the ground very interesting. 'Hey you two! Having fun?' From the bushes, Sun Ce walked out, a broad grin on his face. 'You love sneaking up behind people don't you Ce?' Ryu asked. 'Zhou Yu sent me to find you two. There's a war council being held.'
Ryu, Xiao and Sun Ce entered the war room. 'It's about time you three got here.' Zhou Yu said. 'Sorry Zhou Yu. These two were alone in the palace gardens.' Sun Ce said. Most people in the room raised their eyebrows, while others had a small smirk on their face. 'Nothing happened so don't even imply it.' Ryu said, glaring at the table's occupants. 'Besides, don't we have a war council to carry on with?' He asked sitting down. Sun Jian nodded. 'Back to where you were Zhou Yu.' He said. Zhou Yu nodded. 'Yes milord. As I was saying, my is to have the army split into two. One half of the army is to attack Jian Ye, the other Kuai Ji. Our two armies will then converge and take Wu. It's a simple, yet effective plan.' He said. 'All that remains to be done is to decide how the army will be split.' Sun Jian stood. 'I will be leading the army to Kuai Ji. Do I have any volunteers to lead the army to Jian Ye?' Sun Ce raised his hand. 'I'll lead the army pops.' He said. 'Do you think yourself capable my son?' Sun Jian asked. Su Ce nodded. 'With both Zhou Yu and Jin Long with me, there'll be no way Liu Yong can defend against us!' The two men in question looked up, both surprised to have had Sun Ce volunteer them. Sun Jian nodded reluctantly. 'Any other volunteers for Jian Ye?' Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao both volunteered, as well as Huang Gai and Sun Shang Xiang. Sun Jian nodded. 'Prepare your army for march Sun Ce. You leave at first light.'