Disclaimer: This is jointly written by Gene Sama and Sinisterkat44. As such we have no rights to KOEI's depiction of some characters. Only the OCs we have created.

Art of War

High noon hit, and with it the increasing irritation between the troops; the general in charge of the organized ambush grunted to himself. With the heat rising, he sighed deciding they would dismount from their horses and move toward the shaded side of camp.

"Alright…" Xiahou Dun sighed as he dismounted, glancing to Dian Wei as they led their horses over to the stables. "It seems our Lord has decided to hold off on the attack…"

"Yes." Dian Wei nodded while the two generals walked away from their steeds.

"My Lord…" A young woman known as Zhang Lien approached Dun, giving a slight bow. "When are we scheduled to march?"

"We wait for further orders. Those were the only orders I was given. Until then, rest and keep hydrated." He waved her away.

Accepting his orders, Zhang Lien did as told without another word, though once reaching the shaded area Dian Wei held out his battle ax.

"Spar with me…" He narrowed his eyes with a soft grin, never one for drawn out conversations.

"Alright…" She returned the grin, reaching for her spear.

Xiahou Dun did not watch the young woman spar with Cao Cao's best bodyguard. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of someone standing watchfully by the private tent. The woman's attention was focused only on Zhang Lien. Working his jaw, Xiahou Dun kept his eye on the woman in revealing leatherwear.

Suddenly, a lower officer appeared out of the tent, red faced and looking particularly pleased as he adjusted his pants and armor. The woman ignored the man's prideful look, but her dangerous and normally sultry eyes followed the officer as he left to join his group, no doubt to boast about his carnal escapade.

Xiahou Dun straightened his coat and marched resolutely towards her, lips pulled tight. She caught his eye and smirked, disappearing inside the tent. Stern faced, Dun pulled open the flaps seeing the object of his interest lying on a makeshift straw bed, a white sleeping robe covering her normal Amazonian attire and holding in her abundant bosom.

"Zhuji," Xiahou Dun whispered, his voice catching. He was able to say nothing else. He realized he had no excuse to be here. Well…technically he didn't need any.

"Xiahou Dun, a least give me rest. I have lost much gusto after that last man."

"He was…"

"Awful. He has not studied anything in the art of pleasure."

The officer with the eye patch clenched his teeth, feeling anger towards both the woman and the officer. He knew firsthand how Zhuji could give pleasure to the staunchest of men. Her skill in that regard had become renown in Cao Cao's court. Yet, for some reason, Zhuji, despite fascinating him, also made him seethe. She could be…a viper.

"I'm not here for your bed," Xiahou Dun ground out a little too harshly.

Zhuji blinked and grinned, standing up. "Oh?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you here?" her voice was like a purr of a pleased panther.

Damn…what was it I was supposed to say? Xiahou Dun dared to take one step towards the camp courtesan.

"Although your apparent duty is to guard the Zhang Lien, you are to remain here, as Cao Cao ordered," he replied finally finding his tongue and voice.

Zhuji's keen brown eyes widened a bit, for once seeming surprised.

"Why would Cao Cao deem me important enough to send a personal order?"

"Despite you being of no consequence, he wishes to have you nice and safe. Cao Cao has a job for you."

"Oh I can imagine what it could be," Zhuji scoffed turning her back.

"It's not what you think…"

"Sure," Zhuji wasn't convinced and she crossed her arms, "Is that all or do you care to indulge?"

"I'm not that single-minded."

Zhuji turned her head and gave the general a disdainful stare, "I know what you are doing Xiahou Dun. And shame on you. Using the same approach as Zhang He did to save me from that brothel. It is time you face the fact that He, as uncomfortable as he can be, bested you. Now are you done with chivalry? If so, we can continue and I can just stare at the ceiling while you work out some repressed feelings about your mother like all other men."

Xiahou Dun's only exposed eye twitched, cheeks coloring. He was angry, but he withheld his rage. "You should know not to talk about a man's mother like that."

"What I say is true and you know it."

His nostrils flared, "Listen, I don't really have any clue as to why you are even here. Zhang Lien can take care of herself. So as far as I know, your duties should be back at the palace, away from war trodden men!"

Zhuji drew her robe around herself and sauntered slowly towards the swordsman.

"But you see me as something more than just a weekend lay, don't you," she whispered, nose inches from his. Xiahou Dun, cool and collected in battle, was now sweating. He swallowed hard.

"I am doing a favor for Zhang He, and you know that," she said through clenched teeth. "You know many things. And so loyal, I like that."

He jerked when he heard the swift unsheathing of a blade. The steel was now pressed dangerously against his groin. Damn.

"And if anything happens to that girl," her breath was like dragon's breath on his face, "I'll cut your bleeding balls off."

Xiahou Dun only took orders from Cao Cao, but he was willing to make an exception, given the dangerous situation he was. He just prayed no one was listening in outside. He'd never hear the end of it. Right now, Xiahou Dun could only nod.

Zhuji grinned, "Good."

As she backed away and retreated to her bed to brush her long slightly wavy black hair, Xiahou Dun remained still for a few moments until he cleared his throat and stormed out of the tent. Adjusting his armor, he grunted as he walked away from the tent, humiliation taking place upon his scruffy face.

Zhang Lien leaped back, dodging a quick attack from Dian Wei as she narrowed her eyes inquisitively at Xiahou Dun. It wasn't like men to storm away from Zhuji's tent so agitated, which made her question Dun's performance. Zhuji never was a woman to hold her tongue in a man's presence, though, so Lien merely shrugged it off.

The metal of Dian Wei's blade glinted in the sunlight as he raised his war ax above his head, towering over the small woman. Flashing a faint grin, she saw his waist left open. Extending her foot between his feet, she angled her back before sliding her wooden spear behind his ankle. With a quick flick of her wrists, he was flat on his back.

Lying there, he blinked while staring up at the sky blue sky, almost feeling the whiplash from her attack. With a smirk, Xu Huang approached, reaching out a hand.

"How is it, that this little girl bested Cao Cao prized bodyguard?"

"Silence!" He brushed off the dirt…and the shame. "The sun… It was in my eyes!"

"Sure it was." Xu Huang patted Wei's back, chuckling. "Some of the soldiers are gathering up with a jug of water. Looks like you need it."

Zhang Lien gripped her spear, her small hands almost unable to comfortably reach around the thick wooden weapon. Scanning the area, her bright green eyes hidden behind her squinted lids, she laid her hand to her brow, attempting to shield her eyes from the mid day's sun. The thick metal armor rested heavily against her fair skin, though it was home to her. Anything less and she'd feel uncomfortably nude. Running her fingers through her auburn pony tail, she attempted to brush her waist length locks before turning to inquire her friend about Xiahou Dun's irritated expression.

Lien pushed her way through Zhuji's doors, barely feeling the fabric over her armored gloves. The dimly lit tent barely gave visibility to Zhuji as she lay on her belly, holding her head up with her one palm. Lien nodded a hello to her guard as she seen the woman's eyes fall upon her.

"Well this is a little beyond me… I'm not into women, sorry." Zhuji grinned playfully.

"You know that's not why I'm here." Lien smirked, leaning her spear beside the door. "I saw our general storm away from here… Did you scare him off?"

Zhuji giggled in a low tone at the thought as Lien made her way across the small tent.

"Hardly, though I do fancy the idea." She gave a wink. "He never touched me, I assure you."

"No wonder he looked so angry…" Lien made room on the small make shift bed while Zhuji scotched over to make room.

"Don't worry about him; it was simply a conversation between a highly respected general and someone of my status."

"Your status?" Lien narrowed her eyes. "You're more than just a play toy for the men around here."

"Silly girl…" Lien gave a half grin, feeling comfort in Lien's naivety. "You're wise beyond your years, though sometimes you say the silliest things."

"Oh please, Zhuji…" Lien sighed. "You've done countless things for me, even when I too was just a guard…"

Zhuji scoffed in dismay causing the younger woman to frown.

"My, sometimes you see things with jaded eyes. My duty as my…profession is one that many women have. It is not unlike one of a man going to battle. Luckily our roles in our battles are one on one."

Zhang Lien stiffened when she heard Zhuji speak that way. The duty of a woman…Why was that all she heard even when she wore battle armor and fought alongside Wei's finest heroes. They still talked about marriage. It was inevitable, but Zhang Lien was tired of listening to it. Of course, she was not immune to the laws of marriage. After all, she was about to be sucked into one.

Her exasperated sigh seemed to amuse Zhuji.

"Oh what? I don't amuse you?" Zhuji asked, cocking her head to one side.

"No, not really. Can we change the subject?"

With a low chuckle, Zhuji sat up regarding her with softened eyes, "You must realize that men are lecherous animals. In the heat of battle, they are particularly…single-minded, especially towards women. Just be wary of who you may run into."

"Oh, stop it. All this talk of men is making me lose my focus," Zhang Lien murmured with a smirk, attempting sarcasm. At the very least, Zhuji laughed, "The fact that you never see the dark side of things is quite amusing. Are you sure you belong to Wei?"

"Through and through, I bleed hues of blue."

Zhuji patted her shoulder, patronizingly, "Keep chanting that, little girl. I won't be. I'm staying here. Not that you need my help."

The older woman brushed past Zhang Lien and through the flaps of the tent. Lien was still, mouth agape, not sure if she heard right. After the words sunk in, she suddenly turned to follow, "Wait, what!"

Zhang Lien kept close on her friend's heels, though stopping abruptly Xiahou Dun stared down at them from atop his horse.

"We have received news from our Lord…" He glanced from Zhuji to Lien. "We are to begin the march momentarily."

"Right." Lien bowed, though Zhuji smirked, having no interest in what Dun had to say, so she simply disappeared back into the tent without a word.

"Liu Bei is trying to retreat. We must stop him at all cost; he is becoming a nuisance…" Dun elaborated while ignoring Zhuji.

Zhuji quietly reappeared next to Lien while handing over her spear. Though the woman was tough as nails, she struggled against the weight of the long weapon. Zhang Lien took the spear, gripping it with both hands before lifting it from Zhuji's delicate hands.

"It's not like you to hold such a thing." Lien commented while looking up to Zhuji. "It suits you."

"Hah. It's just the atmosphere getting to you." She smirked.

"While you're here, Zhuji…" Dun chimed in. "Put your medicinal skills to use and nurse the wounded that return here."

"Fine, fine…" She grinned. "I'll 'nurse' them."

Lien smirked in spite of herself, admiring Zhuji's courage to speak so freely to a man of Xiahou Dun's status. Dun narrowed his eyes before turning to the camp gates. Rushing over to her horse, Lien followed suit, complete with the focused expression and calm mind. Standing in a diamond formation, Xiahou Dun took the lead, followed by Dian Wei guarding the rear. Xu Huang glanced over at Zhang Lien as their horses shifted their hooves.

As the large wooden gates swung open, Lien's mind fell blank as her expression became void. Gripping the reins of her horse, the four generals lead the way onto the plains of Changban.

First chapter of this collaboration finished. Read and review friends.