A/N: Spoiler alert (for some): tried to be historically accurate. Failed a little, because I had to make things happen. In case you didn't read the summary: this is a story about Zhang He and Sima Yi falling in love. Things will happen (it's like a spoiler, but the M rating already told you that, right?)

Also, I'm sorry if the He/he thing gets confusing. That's the trouble with Zhang He's romanised name. ¬_¬ I've also left some dates floating around to help you (and me) keep track.

1. Caught By a Butterfly: The Beginning

Xuchang, Summer 215

"Zhang He!" Xiahou Yuan stood at the front gate of Xuchang's south wall, waving to the general.

Zhang He waved back and as he got closer he called, "did you miss me, Miaocai?"

Yuan laughed. "Of course – it's not easy training troops on your own."

Zhang He began to dismount his horse, but Yuan motioned for him to stop. "Cao Cao wants you in the throne room immediately, so be ready to give the battle report."

"He's impatient today. Doesn't he want Liao present too?"

Xiahou Yuan shook his head. "Actually it's more to do with his son's new secretary who's interested in you. I'm just assuming that you'll also be expected to give the report while you're there; he's not much of a time waster."

"Well, I'll see you later then," Zhang He said when he noticed some of Cao Cao's attendants coming his way. "Oh, and if you could help Liao bring in the troops that would be wonderful."

OoooO

This was the second time that Sima Yi had been into the throne room on business, only this time he was alongside Cao Cao and not bowing at his feet. It had taken some years, but he'd finally been promoted from that petty desk job under one of the higher up politicians. Being secretary to Cao Cao's son would probably be more of the same, but this was about power. Yes, he was already in Cao Pi's good books, but he had to keep proving himself. His first test would be at Baxi – Cao Pi had told Yi to choose the battle's strategies and who would be the vanguard. Owing to his previous position he hadn't actually met many of Wei's top generals (clearly he was only going to go for the best), but he had heard stories over the years. And based on those he'd chosen one which Cao Pi said he was going to recommend himself.

"Lord Cao Cao, general Zhang He has arrived," the guard at the door announced. Cao Cao waved a hand and the guards opened the large doors. Zhang He strode in, face dirty and armour still bloody; Sima Yi felt as if he had made a good choice.

The general knelt on one knee, fist in hand. "My lord." He bowed his head. "Please excuse my foul appearance." Cao Cao waved it off and asked for a short report. "The small Wu army was no match for us," Zhang He said. "A rear attack by Zhang Liao finished them off quickly."

"You should give yourself some credit too," Cao Cao said. "I'd advise you to rest up well and train your best troops, as you're being sent to Baxi near Hanzhong in a month. Our sources tell us Shu plans to capture it and use it as a supply base."

"The army of ten thousand that have just returned should do, wouldn't you say?"

Sima Yi stepped forward. "No, double the size."

Zhang He did not recognise this new face. "We lost less than one hundred men in the battle just past. Is it necessary to take more men?"

"Yes," Sima Yi said. "My strategy uses men in groups of five thousand. Less than that will not do."

"Your strategy?" Zhang He questioned. "Is Jia Xu not planning this battle?"

"Jia Xu is continuing to plan the offensive against Wu," Cao Cao said. "Zhang He, I'd like you to meet Sima Yi who'll be directing you during our Hanzhong campaign."

Zhang He inclined his head. "A pleasure to meet you, my lord."

"Likewise, general. It appears that you care somewhat about strategy; I appreciate that and look forward to speaking with you again."

An interesting character, thought Zhang He. There was something different about Yi that struck He, but he could not figure out what it was.

OoooO

The rest of his time in Xuchang was spent training his troops with Xiahou Yuan to bring them up to scratch.

"Your admirer's back," Xiahou Yuan said.

They'd been training from dawn to noon everyday for a week and Sima Yi had appeared most days, watching from afar for no longer than an hour. But usually he appeared closer to noon; today he appeared under his usual tree while the sky was still tinged orange from sun rise. Even more surprising was the fact that he stayed until practise finished, long enough for Zhang He to approach him.

"So, do you like what you see, my lord?"

"Very much, general."

"Please, call me Zhang He."

"As you wish. In turn call me Sima Yi. I'm hardly worthy of the title lord at present."

Zhang He raised his eyebrows. The man before him had seemed so confident the first time they had met, yet here he sat saying he was unworthy, perhaps he was more humble than He thought. "So you have ambition?"

Yi laughed. "Doesn't everyone? Do you not wish for more?"

The general shook his head. "Not anymore. I've worked my way up, but I'm quite content with where I am now. I don't think I'd like much more responsibility."

Yi nodded his head slowly. "It's good to find someone who recognises that. You are a wise man, it seems." The strategist then patted the grass beside him and Zhang He took the offer to sit down. "You're an elegant fighter," Sima Yi began.

"Thank you." Zhang He inclined his head slightly. "Although I'm sure you already heard about that from someone else."

"There is a difference between imagining what an elegant fighter looks like and then seeing one move before your eyes," Yi pointed out. "I wasn't aware that one could move so gracefully when wielding weapons."

Zhang He smiled as their conversation took flight and an hour or so passed getting to know each other better.

OoooO

Baxi, it was a small place on the outskirts of Hanzhong and somewhere Zhang He was confident he could win. Sima Yi's plan was to take the town on 4 sides, 5000 men at each wall. At the 4th watch Zhang He's unit charged down the hill, heading straight for the gates, but ahead of him stood one of Shu's most formidable warriors, Zhang Fei. They both held their weapons, ready.

"You must be that one they all talk about," Zhang Fei said. "Zhang…something. The better looking one – not Liao."

"I am Zhang He. It's a pleasure to finally meet the one they say can shout men into submission."

Zhang Fei laughed. "I don't think that's going to work on you."

"Certainly not."

"Well, maybe if I scratch that pretty face of yours you'll run away."

It was He's turn to laugh. "Is that the best you could do? One day you may learn that beauty runs deeper than the skin – but enough talking." He raised his spear and pulled on the reigns of his horse.

They fought 20 bouts, but neither could win.

"Charge!" Zhang He ordered, hoping to over run Zhang Fei's small unit of 1000 men. But then Zhang Fei let one of his famed mighty roars and ambush units appeared at the rear and to the right of Zhang He's army. Some fought while Zhang He headed west to the mountain, searching for an escape route, there was small path up the mountain, and only he and a dozen men escaped on foot, the others fighting until the last, covering the general's escape.

Further up the mountain they were able to look down upon the carnage.

"Genereal, can we do anything?" one of the soldiers asked.

Zhang He surveyed the scene with sorrow in his eyes. "No. They will die for us. Count yourselves lucky, men, and mourn not, for they have died gloriously defending Wei."

Yet, despite himself, Zhang He still shed a tear for those lost.

OoooO

Xiahou Yuan found his friend sitting on the river bank, his knees pulled up to his chest.

"I don't usually find you like this," Yuan commented. "What's up?" he asked as he sat next to He.

"I messed up today."

"Junyi, don't -"

"No, it's true. I've disappointed him; I could see it in his eyes."

"Junyi, just listen to me," Yuan pleaded. He took Zhang He's silence as agreement. "I know what you're thinking – you believe that because you failed to beat Zhang Fei we lost Baxi, right?"

He nodded.

"I'm not going to lie, we would've won if you'd done it – no, listen, listen – we lost because Zhang Fei was too good. He took out Yue Jin's unit too and started on my rear. So it's not all your fault."

"But -"

"No buts. Sima Yi just expected a lot from you, that's all. It's good for him to taste defeat while he's still new to this; it'll make him a better strategist."

Zhang He sighed. "But I still lost almost five thousand men, my best five thousand."

Yuan put a hand on He's shoulder. "I know, but we can't do anything about that. But think – if you'd had less would you have got out alive?"

"I would've died a good death."

"What's got into you, Junyi? Wei relies on people like you to remain strong."

Zhang He shrugged. "I think I'd like to be alone, Miaocai."

"Alright, but don't stay out here too long, the nights are getting a bit chilly."

The general sat in silence, head resting on his knees, staring at the moon's reflection in the water.

Xiahou Yuan was right, when had he ever been like this? Since when was he ever out to please anyone other than himself? …Okay he had tried to impress Cao Cao in his early years (and it had paid off), but that was the ruler of Wei, not some new strategist. He wasn't even a strategist yet – he was a secretary! Secretaries weren't meant to decide battle formations! Perhaps the blame did lie with Sima Yi, maybe his plan was the reason they'd lost. Yet after spending time with him in Xuchang, Zhang He had really begun to believe in Yi. Yes, Yuan was right, Yi had expected far too much. He walked back to the camp, feeling better, more of his usual spring in his stride.

OoooO

Their next move was to go east back into Wei territory and wait for reinforcements, then they'd travel to Mt. Dingjun where they would set up camp.

As they retreated they found that Liu Bei himself was at their rear. It was an unusual move and Zhang He urged everyone ahead of him to pick up the pace, fearing ambushes from elsewhere. He stayed at the read with 2 units of 100 foot soldiers, halting Liu Bei's progress.

"Do you wish to fight me?" Zhang He asked. "Because I'd gladly take your head."

"I have no quarrel with you today," Liu Bei said honestly. "I am only on my way to meet up with my brother at Baxi."

"It would be unfortunate if you did not make your meeting." Then Zhang He rushed forward a dozen meters on his horse, causing Liu Bei to back away.

"Do I look like I am in a condition to fight?" Liu Bei asked. "I only have 60 men and armour that will just about protect me if I were to fall from this horse."

"Everyone knows you to be a virtuous man and that I can see – a true warrior is not so foolish as to tell the enemy of his weaknesses. Yet, do not expect me to be of the same virtue." Zhang He rushed forward, spear raised, aiming straight for Liu Bei's heart.

Immediately Liu Bei's unit turned and rode for their lives. Zhang He knew he could not catch them – they were all on horses and his unit were foot soldiers, so he threw his spear as far as he could, but it fell short of Liu Bei by a mere few feet. He pulled it from the ground and watched as Liu Bei rode away, then he and his men raced to catch up with the main army. It appeared that Liu Bei really was the honest man everyone believed him to be; not a single soldier was out of line when Zhang He's unit reformed the ranks. Sima Yi had taken it upon himself to cover the rear in He's absence, something Zhang He hadn't thought him brave enough to do.

"Where is Liu Bei?" Yi asked.

"Too far for the eye to see," He replied.

Sima Yi smirked. "Impressive. Of course I expected nothing less from you."

Zhang He hoped that meant that he had repaired his reputation somewhat.

OoooO

"The reinforcements are coming from Luoyang?!" Sima Yi was not at all pleased with this news. "I expected troops to be here, or a couple of days away. So, who has trained them?"

"I am unsure, my lord. I have been given no details." The inspector of the town told him. "I was only told that I should expect ten thousand men from Luoyang and only hand them over to you."

Sima Yi shook his head. "This is terrible. They must be over a week away. I need -"

"Ahem."

Sima Yi whipped around to find that it was Zhang He who had interrupted him. While Yi looked visibly distressed, He was completely calm.

"Sima Yi, may I suggest that you take a few minutes to think through our options. Perhaps alone in a quiet room?"

"Fine. But you're coming with me." Yi followed the inspector to a small room full of scrolls and equipped with a small table. As soon at they were inside he said with quite a harsh tone, "Stand there. Don't speak."

Zhang He opened his mouth to ask why Yi has ordered that he accompany him if he wasn't going to be used, but the look on Yi's face told him to leave the man alone. Yi sat down at the table, interlocked his fingers and spent the next few minutes in silence. His gaze was intense, eyes tracing the table's edge; then looking up, but at nothing in particular; he looked at the general for 10 seconds, his eyes narrowing as he did so. Zhang He noted the brown irises flecked with a lighter tone that almost looked golden. Then finally the lips that had been pursed so tightly opened, closed once more and then a tongue traced the lips before he finally spoke.

"The reason I brought you here was for you to listen to my plan, tell me your thoughts and refine the plan if necessary. So, here is my proposal: we go back to Xuchang. Listen first, we have a small army at present and it won't take us long to get back. The reinforcements can be redirected to Xuchang too. There they can be trained to your standards which I noticed are quite high. We will prepare a better plan for taking Hanzhong and securing Mount Dingjun. But why go back to Xuchang in the first place? Winter is setting in. This is a small town on the outskirts of Wei territory; it may be able to supply its current population, but perhaps not our army. At least in Xuchang we can guarantee ample food and space for our troops. That and it is unlikely we would get far in the winter months anyway… Your thoughts, please?"

Zhang He was smiling. "It's hard to believe that you were the person worrying before. Your reasoning has persuaded me that it's our best plan. My only suggestion is that we wait for the troops from Luoyang to arrive."

"But the trip will be more difficult if it starts to snow. The sooner we leave the better."

"You think like a strategist, but I'm a general and to me the troops come first. We have just been travelling quickly to get out of Shu territory and the troops could use some time to rest. I also think it would be better for us to join with our reinforcements sooner, they'll appreciate that we waited and will bond better with our current troops."

"Fair enough." Yi stood up and He opened the door for him.

OoooO

"Sima Yi, do you really need four guards around your tent?" Zhang He walked in unannounced.

The strategist was in his 'bed' which consisted of him wrapped in many layers of silk sheets and furs. "Zhang He, I would appreciate it if you would not waltz into my tent whenever you pleased. As for the guards, why does it matter to you how many I have?"

"Honestly, Yi, I thought you'd figured out that I'm also an untitled 'troop welfare officer'. I care about them and right now they're standing outside your tent, freezing in this cold, even though we are in Wei territory and unlikely to be bothered, let alone attacked."

Sima Yi rolled his eyes. "If it matters that much to you, tell them to take the night off and you stand here and guard me."

Really, he should have known that Zhang He would take up the offer. He watched as the general walked out of the tent to relieve the guards and then walk back in, a smile now on his face. Yi shook his head and went back to the scrolls he was consulting before he was rudely interrupted.

It was some time before Sima Yi finally stopped reading and stretched his arms. He looked over at the general who was still standing and now seemed to be as close to the torch as possible.

"Zhang He, are you cold?"

The general jumped as the silence was broken. "Of course not."

"Your upper arms are bare, as is your midriff."

"And why should that mean I am cold?"

Sima Yi raised an eyebrow at the general as if to say, do I look stupid to you? He motioned for Zhang He to come closer and bend down beside him. Then he placed a hand on He's arm and found that the general was a terrible liar.

"Did you actually come on this campaign with no suitable clothes?" Sima Yi asked.

"I have a large wardrobe, but the more 'suitable items' I have with me are cumbersome and only for battle."

"Suit yourself; it doesn't matter to me if you want to freeze to death." Zhang He wasn't fazed. "Why won't you just admit you're freezing?"

"A guard should never complain and always just endure the conditions he's in. I think you have a lot to learn about the way the army works, Sima Yi."

"And if you were not pretending to be a guard, you'd say…?"

"That I was very cold and hoped to get back to my tent immediately and wrap myself up like you."

Sima Yi sighed. "That wasn't too hard, was it? Get that armour off and get in here." Zhang He raised his eyebrows and Sima Yi gave him a confused look. "What's wrong?"

"I didn't think you were the type to share with…with anyone really."

Sima Yi laughed. "I know I can appear to be a tiger sometimes, but I have a nice side too. Not many people see it though."

Zhang He lifted the purple armour from his shoulders while Sima Yi untangled himself enough to make it more like a bed and less like a cocoon.

"Lay down," Sima Yi commanded as he untied his robes. The general was unsure of what Yi was up to, but he obeyed nonetheless. He laid on top of Zhang He, the bare skin of their chests pressed together. "Now wrap your arms around my back."

"Why?"

"I thought you'd know this technique for warming someone up quickly."

"Yes, but usually you'd only use it if you were without blankets." Honestly, Zhang He found it very uncomfortable, he could feel Yi's now erect nipples against his cool chest and his warm breath on his neck. Suddenly Zhang He was warming up a lot quicker than he should. A few minutes passed, during which Zhang He stared at the ceiling of the tent and tried not to think about the body on top of him, of what Yi was thinking, of how soft his skin was –

"I'm warm enough now," Zhang He announced.

"Already?" Sima Yi asked, pressing his hands to He's chest and stomach. "Here, take this." He held out his outer robe to Zhang He who put it on.

"I'm quite tired, aren't you?" He asked.

"I guess so, good night, Zhang He." The strategist pulled the covers up to his chin.

"'Night." And Zhang He was left with his own thoughts for the night.

OoooO

"There you are, Junyi! Sima Yi said you'd be somewhere with not enough clothes, but I didn't expect this." Xiahou Yuan laughed as he walked up to the edge of the lake that held a naked Zhang He. "Isn't it too cold to be in the water?"

"Not at all. I needed to cool down and this was just perfect."

"COOL DOWN?!"

Zhang He wasn't listening. "We should train in the lakes near Xuchang, the water resistance will make our troops much faster."

"Sounds great. Anyway, Sima Yi sent you these." He held up a waist sash and upper arm guards. "If you want to talk say so, otherwise I'm heading back."

Zhang He waded out of the water and began to run on the spot.

"You're a crazy man today. What has gotten into you?"

"No," Zhang He gasped, rapidly getting out of breath. "I am…doing…the right thing…by drying…off." Then the general dressed himself, taking the new garments from Xiahou Yuan.

"So, what's the deal? Did someone do something?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"And did you beat them up?"

A small chuckle escaped Zhang He. "It's not always about fighting…or do I look angry to you?"

Yuan surveyed He. "It's difficult to tell… But angry people usually go on a rampage and wear themselves out."

"Hmm…perhaps I'm angry at myself."

"I'm here if you need me."

Zhang He sighed. This was so frustrating. "Okay, I'll tell you… Oh, Miaocai, it's embarrassing."

"You? Embarrassed? No way."

"I think I'm falling in love."

Heavens, what have I let myself in for? Xiahou Yuan wondered. "Well, you've told me now, go on."

"I told myself I wouldn't let this happen, not after last time…"

Zhang He seemed to lose his thread, so Yuan asked, "you mean with Xun Yu?"

"Yeah…" In his earlier years in Wei, Zhang He had become rather infatuated with Xun Yu, but they were never destined to be. Once He had told Xun Yu how he felt and Yu actually slapped He and told him to never speak to him again. Despite that, Zhang He was still sad when Xun Yu passed away a few years later.

"But you know Xun Yu was too close to Cao Cao and those rumours… Who is it this time?"

Zhang He blushed. "Sima Yi." Before Yuan could comment Zhang He began to tell him all about what had happened the night before in great detail, some parts Yuan really didn't need to hear, like how it tickled when Yi's breath was on his neck.

"I can see that you really like him – and I'm no expert on love – but I think you should get to know him better first. Listen, Junyi, I don't want you to get hurt like before, so take it slow."

Zhang He hugged Xiahou Yuan. "Thank you for listening, Miaocai. I know it must be a bore for you." Then the butterfly general skipped away. Yuan just shook his head.

OoooO - Xuchang, 217

Autumn was on the approach, they had been training all year and soon they would resume their campaign in Hanzhong. Xiahou Yuan had taken on Zhang He's idea and they were now spending some time in the lakes just outside the main city walls of Xuchang. They were training when Zhang He noticed a carriage heading towards the city with the characters for 'Sima' on silk covering the windows. He left the troops and jogged over to the carriage.

"Are you here to see Sima Yi?" Zhang He asked the horseman.

"Yes, do you know where to find him in the city?"

Zhang He nodded. "Have his brothers come to see him?"

"No, his wife and sons."

Suddenly he no longer wished to escort the carriage. Obviously Sima Yi was still a young man, he had a wife, he had children… But he himself had those too. No, it was different.

"Which way is it?" the horseman asked. Zhang He didn't even realise he had stopped walking.

"Oh, we'll have to leave the carriage at this point; he should be in the building just ahead of us."

He wanted to leave the man with directions and head back out to the lake, but at the same time he wanted to see what Yi's wife looked like and how old his children were. Out stepped a young woman, probably around 10 years younger than Yi, with brown hair that curled slightly. Then he helped two boys out, one who looked just like his father, with a harsh expression to match; the other was younger and looked more like his mother. Zhang He bowed and led them through to the map room where He was relieved to find Sima Yi was waiting alone. Heavens help him if he'd had to go searching the place for Yi.

"Daddy!" The smaller boy ran to his father before Zhang He had time to announce them.

"Hello, Zhao." He bent down and gave the boy a hug. Zhang He felt like an intruder and went to leave when Sima Yi called him. "Would you mind watching the boys while I talk with my wife?"

Now he really couldn't get out of it. "Of course." How could he deny a request from a friend?

"Shi, Zhao, this is Zhang He. He's daddy's friend, so play nicely." He patted Zhang He on the shoulder as he left the room. What's that supposed to mean?! Zhang He was worried about what he'd let himself in for now.

"Hey, mister, I'm Sima Zhao and that's my brother Shi, but he's a meanie." Shi just shrugged and sat on the chair his father usually occupied. "You're really tall, mister."

"Call me He. Now what would you like to do?" He wasn't often around children, but surely he could make this work.

"Let's play war! Shi can be the bad guy!"

"Urgh, you're so childish, Zhao." Yep, definitely Yi's son.

"No, I'm a big boy now. You said I would be a big boy when I was six!"

Zhang He watched as the boys bickered and was glad that he hadn't had any brothers.

Zhao tugged at He's trousers. "Quick, we have to run, Shi's army is coming!" Zhang He played along with the boy. Zhao fell to the floor. "My horse has been shot!"

"Well, lucky you can fly!" Zhang He picked the boy up and 'flew' him around. "Quick, shoot them with a bow and arrow!"

"Oh no! Lu Bu is here!" Zhao cried. Zhang He wondered who had told him those stories. "It's okay – I got him! The battle is won!" Zhao clapped and Zhang He returned him to the ground. "He, can you put me on your shoulders? Then I could be really, really tall. Because Daddy is way shorter than you." Zhang He smiled at the boy and wished he'd been there for more of his own sons' upbringing.

When Sima Yi returned he found Zhang He running around with Zhao on his shoulders, yelling something about Shu invading, meanwhile Shi was standing on the chair trying to get a better look at the map of China in front of him.

"We did it! We captured Hanzhong!" Zhao yelled. "Hey, Daddy! Look at how tall I am now." Sima Yi smiled and went to take Zhao from He's shoulders. "No, I don't want to get down!"

"Zhao, Zhang He has other things to do than entertain you. Maybe you can play another time." Zhang He took that as his cue to leave.

OoooO

"Zhang He?" a voice called.

He turned around to find Zhang Liao walking towards him where he sat under a blossom tree that was almost ready to bloom.

"Liao? I thought you were fighting against Wu."

"I was," Zhang Liao said as he stood, hands linked behind his back. "However, disease broke out and we decided it was best to withdraw."

"Oh. How many did we lose?"

"Only a few hundred. We managed to get medicine to the troops, but losing Sima Lang demoralised the troops -"

Zhang He cut him off. "Sima Lang?"

"Yes, Sima Yi's older brother was more of the 'get up and do' type rather than a desk politician."

"He didn't even…" Zhang He mumbled to himself. Not a word about his brother. No sign of mourning… Perhaps Sima Yi was as cold-hearted as Zhang He had originally thought.

Zhang Liao waited until Zhang He seemed ready to take in more information. "Anyway, I came to tell you that Xiahou Yuan is looking for you. He said you left some time ago and didn't return."

"Oh. Yes, I should get back."

"Are you okay?" Liao asked.

Zhang He nodded. He couldn't confide in Liao…he just didn't seem like the type to give love advice. But I'm the one who usually gives that kind of advice. Well, this was going to be difficult then…

He didn't know how long he'd been gone, but when he returned to the lake he found that Xiahou Yuan had managed to replace him with his son, Ba, and most of the lower ranked soldiers were sitting around, worn out from the training.

"Junyi! You finally decided to rejoin us."

"And I see you've replaced me." Zhang He managed a smile.

"Yep, I've decided I'm too old for this, so I'll train Zhongquan here so he can take over."

"You're not old, Miaocai." He'd lost count of how many times he'd said that. "I just came to say that I'm done for the day."

"Who was in the carriage?"

"I'll tell you later." It was unusual for Zhang He to keep something so simple to himself.

"Okay, so I'll see you at the banquet later? I'm assuming you heard that Cousin Dun and the others returned from Eastern Wu."

He nodded and made his way back to the city, to a garden where he would hopefully find someone to talk to.

OoooO

"You haven't been to see me for a long time."

"We saw each other at New Year's," Zhang He pointed out.

"True, but that wasn't you going out of your way."

Zhang He rolled his eyes. "I've been busy training -"

"No, you've been busy with your new best friend, Sima Yi."

That surprised him. For a moment he simply stared at the woman in front of him. "How?"

"Now, now, Junyi, a woman doesn't reveal her secrets. Besides, are you not here to make use of my all seeing eyes and ears?"

"You know me too well, Zhen Ji. But how you do this is beyond me, seeing as I always have to sneak in here to see you."

"I can't do anything about that, unless one of us suddenly changes sex. Perhaps you should ask Cao Pi for his permission to see me? After all your new friend is his secretary."

"Well, if he has eyes and ears like you he'll already know I'm here."

"So, what can I do you for?" Zhen Ji asked.

"What do you know about 'my new friend', particularly his wife?"

Zhen Ji smirked. "Why so interested?" Zhang He didn't answer. "Anyway, I'd normally charge for such fresh information, but your confidence in my skills is payment enough."

"So you do know something?"

"Naturally. Sima Yi is the second of eight children, his eldest brother recently passed away and his brother Fu works here in Xuchang. The other four are dotted around the Wei Empire and the youngest died when he was a child. But you want information on his more personal affairs? Well, he's married to Zhang Chunhua. She's quite pretty and has a good figure."

"I don't need to be reminded," Zhang He said.

"Ooh, so it's her you're interested in? Well, she's bore him two sons so far, but you've already met them, right?"

"That's pretty amazing, Zhen Ji."

"Thank you. Anyway, I've met Chunhua a couple of times over the years. She seems like quite a smart girl and cares a lot for her husband. It might not last now he's getting higher up the ranks and she's being sent to Luoyang to stay with Sima Yi's father while you go back to Hanzhong – someone's coming."

Cao Pi walked in. "The banquet will start at sundown, so be ready for then. Is everything okay, love?"

"Yes, I was just pondering what to wear."

Cao Pi smiled and swooped down to kiss her on the cheek before leaving. At the sound of the doors closing Zhang He popped back up from under the window ledge. "Does that always work?"

"What? Pretending to think about my appearance and other feminine things? Pretty much. So, will that information satisfy you?"

"It's more than I could have hoped for." He took her hand and kissed it, but as he went to pull away he found that she was holding on.

"Junyi, I think we're missing the part where you tell me why you wanted to know so desperately."

"It's a long story."

"Any story, however long, can be made shorter."

Zhang He sighed; she was far too sharp. "I've fallen in love with my 'new best friend'."

Her expression was unreadable – she seemed to want to smile, but also looked displeased and…sorry. "Just try to give Xiahou Yuan a break. Sometimes he's too nice and doesn't tell you to shut up when you should."

"What? Am I that bad?"

"He came crawling to me when you wouldn't shut up about Xun Yu and how pretty his face was."

Zhang He laughed. "But he was very pretty and -"

"Stop. I've heard it all before. I can only imagine what he's already been through." She then impersonated Zhang He as best she could, "Sima Yi's so amazing. Look at how wonderful his jaw is and how striking his eyes are."

"I do not talk like that!" he said a little too loudly for someone who wasn't supposed to be there. "And besides, I am not infatuated with Yi like that… I liked Xun Yu purely because of his appearance, but I like Yi in a different way – not to say that he doesn't have a good body."

Zhen Ji wiggled her eyebrows at him. "Oh, well, that is interesting. Body, not face. Anyway, I'm glad you like him in this different way, Junyi. I was worried you'd never find love again. But enough talking, the banquet's not far off and I need to make myself presentable, as do you." Zhang He bowed to her and began to climb back over the bushes. "Let me know how it goes with him."

"I won't need to," he said. She smirked, knowing he was right, but all she wanted was a reason for him to come back and free her from boredom.

OoooO

"So who was in the carriage?" Xiahou Yuan asked.

"Don't you know already?"

"Nope. So it can't be anyone recognisable."

"Then why would you be interested?"

"Because," Xiahou Yuan said, "whoever was in there, or whatever happened after turned you into a depressed looking little Junyi. Even Zhang Liao told me you seemed out of it when he found you."

Zhang He smiled sincerely. "You're a good friend, Miaocai." He wanted to hug the other, but resisted knowing that Yuan wasn't big on hugs in public. "Sima Yi's wife and two young sons were in the carriage."

"Oh." Yuan put an arm around He's shoulders. "Look, you have a wife and kids, so does he."

"But his are…current."

Yuan hated seeing He looking so down. Truthfully he wanted to tell He that it was never going to work in the first place, but instead he said, "there's always hope on the battlefield, right? Let's drink to that and forget today."

Zhang He raised his cup and downed it. Usually he was a cautious drinker, but today was not a usual day… By the end of the night he was sat with Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun, telling them how we scared away Liu Bei by roaring like a tiger and chasing after him on Red Hare.

"B-but how? How did you not catch him?" Xiahou Dun asked, his speech slurred.

"I couldn't – he was flying away…on a dragon!" Zhang He replied as he reached for the jug of wine.

"I think that's enough," Sima Yi said, taking hold of He's arm. "Did no one tell you we're leaving tomorrow, Zhang He?"

"I'm not leaving. I have to stay with Sima Yi."

Sima Yi shook his head. "Please excuse us, my lord," he said to Cao Cao who may or may not have been listening. Then he pulled Zhang He to his feet and began to lead him away. It was difficult work as Zhang He seemed to be unable to take a step without staggering.

"Do you think if I kill his wife he'll love me?" Zhang He asked. When Sima Yi said nothing, Zhang He asked again.

To pacify him Sima Yi said, "I don't think you should kill anyone's wife."

As they made their way up the stairs Zhang He began to mumble, "he loves me, he loves me not…" and when they reached the top Zhang He got very confused as to which one he'd said last. "Oh, Miaocai, I can't remember if he loves me. But I love him. I love him so much, Miaocai. You're the best friend I've ever had, do you know that?"

Sima Yi pushed open the door and pushed Zhang He into bed. "Go to sleep, Zhang He."

Zhang He's eyes widened in recognition as he looked up at the person who had been escorting him. "Sima Yi! Why are you…are you in my room?"

"This is your room. Now, sleep."

OoooO

When Zhang He finally woke he found that he was moving and lying on bags of grain. He massaged his temples and regretted the night before, not that he remembered much of it. He tumbled out of the cart when it finally came to a stop.

"Good afternoon, Junyi." Xiahou Yuan laughed. "I thought you knew we were leaving today."

"I lost track. And it was all your fault I started drinking anyway!" He could remember that much.

"Can't say I regret it – I've heard some great stories today." Zhang He waited for him to continue. "So, you told Xu Huang that you met a giant fat man and that turned out to be Xu Zhu. Then you told Cao Cao that you saw Liu Bei flying on a dragon."

"Anything else?" Zhang He asked as he straightened out his clothes and retied his hair.

"Yeah, you told Sima Yi that I'm the best friend you've ever had." Yuan smiled, then lowered his voice so no one else could hear. "You also said you might kill someone's wife to get him to love you."

"What?! Who did I say that to?"

"The person who's wife you want to kill. But don't worry – you never named anyone. He came to me this morning asking if I knew who you were talking about and I said I knew nothing."

"Thank you." Zhang He finally gave Yuan the hug he deserved.

"My lords, Sima Yi sends Zhang He his horse and says that we are ready to move out once more." The guard handed He the reigns and scurried away. Zhang He mounted the horse and rode up beside Sima Yi.

"I wish to apologise for last night," Zhang He said.

"Don't worry about it. But I'd like to know about this man you were talking about."

"I can't remember much of last night."

Sima Yi didn't believe him. "Perhaps so, but how can you forget someone who you apparently love so much?"

Clearly Yi wasn't going to give up easily. "I was probably talking about Xun Yu."

"He's been dead for quite a few years now."

"I never really got over him passing away." What would it take to please this man?

Sima Yi shrugged. "I guess drinking does that to some." And with that Zhang He quickly left Yi's presence.

"So, what's the plan?" Zhang He asked Yuan.

"We get to Dingjun via the border of Shu."

"Good, I was worried he'd go off track if I wasn't here to tell him that a central attack is a bad idea."

"Junyi, he was never really going to do that. He's a strategist, not a warrior."

OoooO – Mt. Dingjun, 218

"When do you think they'll give up?" Xiahou Yuan asked. They had set up camp at the base of Mt. Dingjun a few months ago and every few nights the two generals walked a little way up the mountain and observed the Shu camp.

"I don't think they're going to give up this time," Zhang He said truthfully. "Do you think we'll make it?"

"I'm not sure anymore. It looks like they have this one planned out, no doubt that Zhuge Liang guy had something to do with it. If we don't make it back I want you to know that I've had a good time fighting alongside you."

Zhang He shook his head. "Don't talk as if you're going anyway, Miaocai. I'll be having none of this mushy stuff. We'll both make it back."

"No mushy stuff? What about you and Sima Yi? How's that going?" Xiahou Yuan raised his eyebrows a few times.

"I haven't pursued him or anything. I'm waiting to see how things play out. Besides, when was our…um, 'relationship' ever mushy?"

"I found a poem you wrote the other week."

Immediately Zhang He turned red. "How did you find that? Have you been looking through my stuff? Miaocai…"

"Oh, so it definitely was about him. I wasn't sure if your wife had written to you, but had forgotten what you were like."

Zhang He hid his face in his hands. "I write these things so you don't have to listen to them."

"Well you'd do well to not leave them lying around where prying eyes can see. Not that many would actually recognise that it was your calligraphy."

Zhang He let out a sigh. "I'm glad that's how you knew."

"No, it was also in your tent, just there on the ground."

He threw his hands up in surrender and began to walk back down the mountain.

"Aww, don't be like that, Junyi. I don't even know what I've done."

"You went nosing around in my tent -"

"Hold up," Xiahou Yuan said, "I went looking for you and saw what could have been a note to say where you'd gone."

Zhang He stopped. "I'm sorry, Miaocai. I didn't want to believe you'd do something like that. What did you think of it anyway?"

"It was a beautiful poem. There was a perfect balance that made him seem like a much nicer person than he is - like you described him as cold, but then said something like 'that made him a strong pillar that would never fall', but in a much more poetic way, obviously."

The fact that Yuan had actually absorbed some of the poem made Zhang He smile. "Don't make me hug you again."

"Not if hug you first!" He pulled Zhang He in for a bone crushing hug. "But really, Junyi, these days there's too much hugging and not enough fighting from you."

"I know…I think I'm just missing the touch of another. Back in Yuan Shao's army I was of a lower rank, we had to share tents and so I was never lonely. No one minded cuddling up at night, especially when it got cold in the north."

"Well, if you want a tent buddy I'm sure we can sort one out. But if you'd prefer a lady friend maybe we could stop off in a town on the way back, unless you'd prefer your wife?"

"My family are still up in the north, and Miaocai, in all the time you've known me, when have I ever cheated on my wife with another woman?"

"Not once, but everyone knows you got it off with that drummer boy." Xiahou Yuan laughed at the memory while Zhang He blushed.

"I'll remind you that I was a little tipsy at the time and happy about my promotion. I haven't seen him since."

"It's still cheating on your wife…sort of. No – don't say it. I know you're about to start the whole 'women can't expect men to not cheat when they go to war'."

Zhang He shook his head. "You're missing the important part of 'it's better to cheat with men rather than other women'."

"Yes, yes, yes. So, we'll get you a tent buddy?" Xiahou Yuan asked.

"Can we make Sima Yi my tent buddy?"

"Not likely, but you can try."

Zhang He began to walk back down the mountain.

"I know I said you should wait and see what happens with Sima Yi, but I think maybe you should say something to him sooner rather than later. Not now, maybe after the battle, when we return to Xuchang. And if it all goes wrong, I'll be here for you and you can blame me."

"Thank you, Miaocai. Hopefully it won't come to that."

"Yeah, I don't think Sima Yi would physically assault you."

"Neither do I."

"No, he'd do something much more psychological," Xiahou Yuan said in the most serious voice he could manage, "like never talk to you again."

Zhang He gave Yuan a light knock on the head. "Unfortunately there is no way to not talk to me again. I would make you do so eventually, painfully if necessary."

"Looks like you'll win either way."