Hi! My first Dynasty Warriors Fanfic, Vastly inaccurate, you've been warned.
I've always wanted to make a ZhouYuxCaoPi fanfic XD And now I am! Sorry I think Xiao Qiao and Zhou Yu is one of the worst pairings ever, every time I play dynasty warriors and hear her voice and Zhou Yu's I cringe and mute the whole thing. ZhouYu's too mature for her.
There are some realisticness to it, Cao Cao never really love his 2nd son Cao Pi. I see Cao Pi as a mix of his model in DW5 and DW7 for some weird reason. And I see Zhou Yu in his DW6 model. Okay, the romance may be slow but there will be romance, for now is just like a prologue, introducing the characters. After Chibi there will be romance.
Abba means Father in Chinese.
Warning: Inaccurate Timelines, Characters may not act like themselves, violence, suggestive themes, awful grammar and etc.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or anything save for my imagination and writing
"Abba! Abba! Abba!"
A forlorn cry of a child echoed across the halls but all eunuchs marched passed the little boy, following the intimidating man dressed in dark royal blue.
"Abba! Abba! Abba!"
The cries turned into breathless sobs but still the man walked farther and farther away, leaving the boy kneeling on the cold marble floors. Snow fell like tears from the gray sky, covering all the steps. Soon the pathway was nothing more than a blank smooth white. By then the boy's tears stopped, he slowly opened his eyes,
And saw the white world... A blank world...
Cao Pi stared at the fresh snow, his red fingers hesitantly touched the white then in a fit of rage, he tore at the snow.
"AHHHH!" He screamed clutching his head, his long hair streaming down his shoulders. His pin falling on the cold and unforgiving ground as he sobbed bitterly. Father did not want him... Mother did not want him... Father had left him behind to see his newborn baby brother...
No one stopped to comfort the lonely child, soon the sun set and left the child alone in the dark night.
He lifted his head up and stared at the sky and gentle yet harsh snowflakes falling. Salty tears mingled with the pure snow.
Few years later...
Cao Pi stared at the simpering nobles and idiotic generals sitting before him, laughing and being merry. He lowered his eyes, his father had not come to his birthday once again... Yet every year without a fail... His father would go to his little brother's and older brother's party... Even though his older brother was a reckless buffoon and his younger brother a wimpy poet.
Cao Pi swirled the contents of his cup, a white object landed gently into his wine.
"Ah! It's snowing!"
An simple minded noble exclaimed as if everyone had knob holes for eyes. Cao Pi hmphed his annoyance as he leaned his cheek against his fist, staring at the crimson cup. The snowflake began to dissolve in the golden color rice wine. Taking a sip of the bittersweet liquid, he savoured the hint of the cold the snowflake brung.
"How luck, Lord Cao Pi! It never fails to snow on your birthday!"
Cao Pi smirked at the noisy noble,
"Hmph... Winter favors me." Cao Pi said softly, remembering the cold he endured waiting for a crumb of affection from his father that never came... He wondered if he was still that pitiful little boy standing in the cold with disgusting pleading eyes that kept looking for a bit attention like stray dog.
"I will take my leave." Cao Pi said as he stood up and walked down the aisle, when he was younger it use to frighten him to walk between the rows of enemies and judging fiends but now... He could feel their imaginary daggers and snide glances, waiting for the moment of weakness to take him down, the son of the devil. Cao Pi felt his smirk growing wider as he straighten his back as if he was saying 'come at me, peons'
With one strong thrust, Cao Pi threw the double doors open, parting the roaring dragon. He chuckled when the north wind caressed his face, they say that Mongolians were superior to Wei because they knew the harsh north but Wei has faced their northern wrath and has repelled them while battling with southern neighbors... Wei is far greater some barbaric tribe...
Cao Pi leaned against the wooden railing as he gazed upon the glowing lights that dotted the city with hidden longing. This world... Was so beautiful yet in the shadows, decay and corruption ran rampant even though that pig Dong Zhuo was killed... The people deserve better than this... He thought as he saw a woman running screaming as 'imperial' soldiers chased her and in another area he saw people surround another with fists and malice. What an ugly world...
"Such a shame..." He murmured to himself, the Han Dynasty was no longer what it was before... Weak and pathetic. Leaders must be strong... Stronger than their subordinates or all will fall. The emperor should control his men better and teach his men not to turn against the very people they were suppose to protect.
Just then a messenger arrived with a scroll in his hand, kneeling before the birthday boy, Cao Pi turned to the blue cladded man,
"What is it?" He asked irritably, his infamous scowl prominent on his slightly tanned face. The messenger swallowed nervously,
"Y-Your-"
"Speak up, are you not of Wei?" Cao Pi hissed angrily, the man shivered before clearing his throat before the proud boy,
"Your father, Cao Cao, has requested you to join him in arms at Chibi(Red Cliff) against those losers Shu and cowardly Wu." The messenger said in stronger voice and there was a confident glint to his usually dull and subdued eyes. Cao Pi smiled,
"I see... And I am to join him?"
"Tonight if possible."
Cao Pi nodded as he accepted the scroll, this was how Wei is suppose to be. Strong and proud... Unlike those pathetic Shu, how on earth Shu last this long? Even with capable warriors and generals on their side, somehow they succeed losing against the great Wei army over and over again. Now they are asking the cowardly Wu for help, pathetic. Cowards and losers...
"Hmph... Not even fit to share the battlefield with me." Cao Pi said as he marched back to his room. As Cao Pi silently admire the phoenixes that decorated the walls and ceilings of his wing, he thought of the tigers of Wu. Long ago during his childhood, he heard of the Sun family's prowess and their capable generals and strategists and it seems that Sun Quan of Wu lacked everything his brother and father was praised for.
Cao Pi sat down on his chair and neatly unrolled the scroll, carefully reading every character and stroke that his father dedicated to him. How pathetic... Still seeking affections from a devil...
"Cao Pi,
We have been pushed back in land warfare by Sun Quan and Liu Bei's forces. It appears Viceroy Zhou Yu has returned to the battlefield after years of isolation. Viceroy Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang the sleeping dragon has joined forces and has defeated our incompetent generals.
That cowardly devious Zhou Yu is a man that is willing to use dirty tricks to get his way. I intend to capture Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao and put them in the tower I've built for them... Bring with you 100,000 strong men."
Cao Pi put the scroll down, hah... Even those women, have his father's love and he doesn't? Cao Pi clenched his fist, he'll show his father he's good enough... Better than any simpering female, no matter how beautiful she is... Isn't he worth more?
Cao Pi leaned back on his seat and looked up, his icy blue eyes scanning over the scrolls and their labels. They were all his notes, that he's kept of his enemies and would be rivals. He stood up in one fluid motion and began to pull out scrolls he recorded of Wu.
He opened one of them, Sun Ce was the older brother of Sun Quan. At the age of 24 conquered all of Wu with the help of his sworn brother Zhou Yu. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were closest of friends and when Sun Ce died, Zhou Yu turned to Chibi and stayed there, keeping his profile low. Cao Pi smirked what a devious man... Zhou Yu was really preparing an army in Red Cliff, after all, Chibi was the best place for Wei to invade Wu.
Slightly tanned fingers smooth out a crumpled edge as he read through Shu's records. His eyes softening as he remembered his small little grubby fingers trying his best to write down everything neatly. Cao Pi ran his fingertips down the dried ink, he still had awful handwriting at the very least no one but himself can read it.
Cao Pi scowled bitterly, some stranger... Loved by a man as great and intelligent as Zhou Yu and praised for her beauty... Has his father's love. Every time he walk past his father's room... He could see a portrait of woman with flawless beauty gracing his father's wall and dozens of paper scattered around his father's study... And every single one of them was about that woman: Xiao Qiao.
"What if... What if, father, I capture this Xiao Qiao for you or kill this Zhou Yu, then will you smile at me the same way you smile at brother? Will you praise me?"
Cao Pi asked the empty air, he smirked, of course not... But it's better to try than just give up, right?
Dragging a trunk out from under his bed and throwing the dusty lid open, quickly banishing the dust, he began packing. He faltered a bit, he didn't know how this Zhou Yu looked like nor did he know how this Xiao Qiao really looked like... Cao Pi gritted his teeth and shoved his clothes and armor into the trunk, who cares? He'll find out soon enough!
"Wait for me 'Xiao Qiao', I'll take what is yours..."
Cao Pi said coldly as he slammed the lid shut. His icy blue eyes glowing in the darkness of the night as he crept out into the courtyard where the carriage awaited for him. A servant quickly materialized by his side to take his luggage which Cao Pi surrendered quite easily. As he placed a boot on the step, he felt as he was entering something completely unknown yet exciting... Something that'll completely change him.
Only the moonlight lit his way, the glow made the marble road gleam like silver and in the still night the sound of a 100,000 men marching behind him echoed through Wei.
"Lalalala! I love Zhou Yu! Lalalalala! Zhou Yu's the best evar! Lalalala."
Xiao Qiao sang loudly as Da Qiao plucked the harp, Zhou Yu forced a smile on his face, enduring the onslaught. If he could face a thousand men in battle, surely he can handle his wife right? Zhou Yu glanced nervously at Da Qiao, it seems that she has yet to recover from Sun Ce's death. He looked down on the polished floors with sorrow, Sun Ce...
They were inseparable... When they first met they were children, he a shelter and uptight noble while Sun Ce was a fiery being as if he was ten thousand suns put together. Sun Ce colored his world with blazing flames that ignited his soul with a passionate fire. Maybe it was more than brotherly love he felt for his sworn brother...
Maybe that is why he felt so much pain in his heart when Sun Ce said he was in love with some beauty of China. He followed his idol to meet the Qiao sister, how ironic... He only wanted to see what he was lacking and found himself saddled with a wife, a beautiful but childish one at that. Curse his naturally born gentleman manners... Had he known a few flattering words would trap him like this he would've... Oh the music stopped.
Zhou Yu smiled and clapped his hands softly once Xiao Qiao was done singing,
"Beautiful... Your sweet voice complements the beauty of Jiang Dong and the proud Kingdom of Wu." Zhou Yu said softly, his voice dancing like an elegant heron over still waters. Xiao Qiao blushed and beamed under Zhou Yu's praise, Zhou Yu smiled as he patted his wife's head. She was like a very adorable puppy. Zhou Yu resisted pouncing on her and squeezing her adorable cheeks, no no no he had an image to uphold.
Zhou Yu sneaked a glance at Da Qiao and couldn't prevent that twinge of satisfaction when he saw her crestfallen expression when she saw the two 'lovebirds'. Yes... This is what you get for taking Sun Ce from me, he thought before guilt settled in. He loved Sun Ce yet Sun Ce always went to that insecured girl...
Maybe Sun Ce needed someone who needed him... Rather that someone who needed him to need them... Zhou Yu sighed heavily,
"Xiao Qiao, please comfort your sister, she needs you." He said softly, Xiao Qiao blinked blankly before breaking into a smile,
"Whatever you want Zhou Yu!" She said cheerfully, Zhou Yu smiled, how naive and innocent she is. She too is like a blazing sun, full of youthful energy and dreams. Zhou Yu touched his chest gentle, why could he not fall in love with her? If only he could see her more than a sister, then maybe... Then maybe he could give her what she truly desired?
He watched Xiao Qiao's boundless energy bringing a smile on Da Qiao's face, he sighed shaking his head. Xiao Qiao is a force of nature, if she wants something, it'll happen one way or another. His gloved hands rested quietly over the scroll as the Qiao sister left his study, chattering happily. He glanced at the scroll, a scowl decorated his features.
That damn Cao Cao wants Xiao Qiao? AS if he'd just hand her over to a tyrant like him! Zhou Yu interlocked his fingers as he rested his forehead on his hands, thinking and planning. Yes, he knew that Cao Cao was looking for an excuse to attack Wu but Zhou Yu rather die than let Sun Ce's kingdom die! It's best if they fought now, while Cao Cao was still gaining strength. Maybe Cao Cao is too strong for them but...
Zhou Yu stood up and turned to the map posted on the wall behind him. He touched the darts that marked important areas. He knew that Cao Cao sent spies to draw the map of Wu... No, the map of Chibi. Zhou Yu smiled grimly,
"When you look into the abyss, the abyss looks back at you, Lord Cao Cao."
Zhou Yu said as he touched one of the markers. He had spies too...
"Only 120,000 men... And we have 70,000 men." Zhou Yu said pacing, "Including Liu Bei's calvary and my own marines"
Zhou Yu glanced back at his desk, where Cao Cao's declaration of war sat,
"That crude man..." Zhou Yu muttered, Cao Cao had sent the messenger's head along with the letter, bragging 800,000 men. Zhou Yu scoffed, Cao Cao is a fool to think he could make Wu surrender and become his slave though a bluff. Yes, Sun Quan panicked when he saw the letter but Zhou Yu assured him they would win because they had to win, for the sake of Sun Ce's dream, they had to. Zhou Yu looked out of the window, it was so peaceful and quiet with occasional carefree laughter. It did not seem like an impossible war looming over them.
Zhou Yu sighed, he wanted to protect the world Sun Ce brought forth... He will not falter, he must not die because his lord needs him. Zhou Yu clutched his stomach as a worm of fear crawled through. He couldn't fail, he mustn't fail! He glanced outside, staring at the trees, Northwestern, the wind was blowing Northwestern and he needed southeastern...
"Lord Zhou Yu!" Huang Gai exclaimed, rushing over to the kneeling viceroy. "Calm down my Lord. Your plans have not failed before-"
"What if I fail? What is there is no wind?" Zhou Yu gasped, his eyes glazing over, "Sun Ce... Sun Ce is watching me... I cannot fail... I cannot..."
Huang Gai rubbed the pale leader's shoulders while holding the frail man up. "We won't..."
"But everything... Everything rests on the Southeastern wind..." Zhou Yu gasped out, choking for air.
"There will be Southeastern wind." A calm and collected voice,
"Zhuge Liang..." Zhou Yu managed out, he quickly stood up, pushing Huang Gai's support away. He cannot afford to look weak before Zhuge Liang. Huang Gai looked at Zhou Yu worriedly but Zhou Yu gave him a strong smile. Huang Gai nodded and backed away. Zhuge Liang's expression did not change until Zhou Yu offered him a seat,
"Sit, my friend, what is it that you need?" Zhou Yu asked hiding a cough, he covered his mouth. His dark glove hid the blood stain and his lips hid the blood in his mouth.
Zhuge Liang stared at the chair and held his fan close as he gave Zhou Yu a small bow, "Thank you but I won't be staying long... I came to tell you, to buy time for me to finish my prayer then Southeastern wind will come. So rest your fears."
Zhou Yu nodded mutely, sweat trickled down his tight collar but he did nothing to show his discomfort. Zhuge Liang glanced at the polished oak table for a moment,
"I'll take my leave, Lord Zhou Yu." He said as he turned, Zhou Yu jolted up, "Yes... Good night Lord Zhuge Liang... I pray for the winds."
"As do I... The rest is up to you." Zhuge Liang said quietly, he knew if he failed to uphold his part, Wu would be a formidable enemy... His Lord does not need anymore enemies... And...
Zhuge Liang's eyes glanced back once more at the dark reddish stain on Zhou Yu's table. It appears that the Wu strategist is suffering from an illness. A friend and rival... Soon to be gone. Zhuge Liang felt a twinge of sadness. The Shu strategist said nothing as he left. Once he was gone, Zhou Yu nearly collapsed. Huang Gai quickly rushed over to the pale man's side,
"Lord Zhou Yu!" Huang Gai exclaimed, the sickly man opened his pain filled eyes,
"Quiet... I can't let them know... The medicine... It's in the cabinet..." Zhou Yu wheezed out while leaning heavily on Huang Gai. The tall muscular man quickly opened the cabinet and pulled out a small pouch of white powder. Huang Gai watched Zhou Yu take his medicine with sad eyes, those of Sun Ce's and Sun Jian's generation was dying off... Soon Zhou Yu will follow his Lord to the afterlife.
"Maybe you should sit this battle out." Huang Gai mumbled, Zhou Yu sat up suddenly, "No! I can't! This is an important battle, this will decide the fate of Wu! I cannot just sit it out!"
Then Zhou Yu coughed violently, blood spilled out of his lips, he wiped the blood away messily.
"I'm sorry... I... I lost control of myself... Forgive me." Zhou Yu said softly as the medicine began to take hold. His eyes were less pain filled and his breathing evened out.
"How much longer-"
"It's fine, Huang Gai... I won't die yet... I have enough morphine to last me a few more months..." Zhou Yu said kindly, yes this drug cost a fortune but it was worth it... He needed to live... Just a little longer... A little longer for Sun Ce.
"Lord Zhou Yu... I've watched you and Sun Ce become best of friends and grow up to who you are now... I'm sure Lord Sun Ce wants you to live your life the way you want to." Huang Gai said quietly as he helped Zhou Yu return to his bed room. Zhou Yu paused at the door,
"But this is what I want..." Zhou Yu said softly, yes he felt the great and heavy disappoint of having a cowardly Lord like Sun Quan... But Sun Ce begged him to watch over his brother and support him... So he'll delude himself a little longer... He'll make himself find good points of Sun Quan, he'll hold on a little longer...
"Good night, Lord Zhou Yu."
"Good night Huang Gai, you are a loyal friend... I hope you live to see the world Sun Ce dreamed of..." Zhou Yu said softly and his mind he added, because I won't. He stayed by his door until he heard Huang Gai's heavy footsteps fade like mist, he turned to his bed and undressed quickly. The cold air raising goosebumps. He swiftly dressed in a white silk robe.
As he covered himself with warm blankets he stared at the sky, they say everyone was born with a star... Zhou Yu could see his star but Sun Ce's blazing star was gone... No longer by his side. Zhou Yu laid back against the thick pillows. The pain no longer tore at him, it was nothing more than a dull ache.
Moonlight painted his features white, tomorrow was a dawn of a new age.
Cao Pi stared at the sky, he saw a flickering red star that somehow appeared closer to his own blue star. What did it mean? His star was always shining alone, yet this spluttering star dares approach his? Whose destiny was to collide with his?
"Master Cao Pi." A soldier said, "We have arrived."
Cao Pi waited silently for the door to open, he stepped out as servants and soldiers parted way for him. A devilish looking man stared at him, Cao Pi knelt on one knee and bowed,
"Father, I have come with what you requested." Cao Pi said in an even voice, Cao Cao looked at his son before turning away,
"Right on time, we shall crush Wu by sunset."
Cao Pi nodded, as the rays of a new dawn lit the land.
"Yes, father."
Cao Pi said obediently, he stood up and stared at the beauty that was called the Red Cliffs. Two towering red cliffs loomed overhead and Wu flags fluttered in the wind. It was beautiful and it was going to be his glory.
Alright, that's it for chapter 1.
Please review!