Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Dynasty Warriors except my fanfic! Well done KOEI! Great game!  ^ _ ~

Author's note: This is my first Dynasty Warriors fanfic. Most of the focus will be on the interaction of certain characters rather than the battles…. Sorry. The focus is on Wu. Sun Quan is in charge, as Sun Jian and Sun Ce are dead. The pairing in my story is Sun Shang Xiang x Zhou Yu. Please don't flame me, especially if it is because you don't like the pairing. Any suggestions, friendly feedback welcome. Hope you like it.

Chapter One: Reminiscences

Sun Shang Xiang was standing on the balcony gazing at the horizon. The sun was fiery, yet calm at the same time; it was setting. She stood there as if mesmerized by the sun's rays. Yet, the truth was, her mind was wandering on the day ahead. Tomorrow would be the first day of battle with Dong Zhuo.

"What's wrong"?" A familiar voice said.

Surprised, Shang Xiang turned around to face her unexpected visitor.

"Oh… it's you, Zhou Yu," she paused.

He looked at her with concern.

"You just startled me…"

Shang Xiang turned back to the breathtaking view. Zhou Yu also went closer to the balcony's banister, now standing beside Sun Shang Xiang, also admiring the sunset. They both stood there for a moment in silence.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He said trying to start a conversation.

"What is?" She said this without much enthusiasm.

"The sunset of course," he replied.

"Yes, it is," she sighed.

Zhou Yu glanced at Sun Shang Xiang. The daughter of Sun Jian; she was just as brave as her father but her beauty surpassed this. Sun Shang Xiang felt his eyes upon her. Her reaction was to face Zhou Yu, but he had already set his eyes back on the setting sun.

'Why does this feel so strange?' She thought to herself.

For some unknown reason she was feeling uncomfortable for the first time. Why was she feeling like this? She was a princess… She had been brought up around soldiers and war; that had made her strong. Zhou Yu was just another soldier. She had grown up with him underfoot. He had been really close to her brother, Sun Ce. He got on quite well with Sun Quan, her other brother, as well. Shang Xiang had never really had the chance to get to know Zhou Yu. She had heard of his extreme loyalty to her brother when he had encountered Zhuge Liang and his army alone. She had heard that he had declared his allegiance to Sun Ce, when he was outnumbered and behind enemy lines. Zhou Yu had said "I hold a sacred trust from my lord, Sun Ce. I would not bow the knee to any such as Cao Cao…", but Sun Shang Xiang had only seen his exterior of conceitedness. Sun Ce, however, had always thought highly of him.

'Oh, Sun Ce,' her mind drifted, 'I wish you were here…' She closed her eyes for a second 'I could always talk to you… about everything.' Then, she opened her eyes suddenly. She remembered that she hadn't really spoken to Zhou Yu, since her brother had fallen in battle.

The silence was there again, so she decided to break the ice and find out why Zhou Yu had come.

"Zhou Yu?"

"Yes?" He replied now facing her.

"Did you want something?" She said inquisitively.

He let out a little laugh. "Why do you ask?" He answered her with a question.

They made eye contact. Sun Shang Xiang and Zhou Yu were both quiet, as if they had been left out of a joke.

"I…," started Shang Xiang, but she decided to stop. Instead, she left the balcony to enter the small room that was connected to it, breaking eye contact. Zhou Yu followed her with his eyes, turning so that he was now leaning against the balcony's banister and looking into the room. The room was like the sunset, with washes of red, yellow and gold. On two opposing walls of the room numerous weapons were mounted. All of these, though, did not look appropriate for use. Some were artefacts and collector's items, ornately decorated with colourful feathers, silks and jewels. There were some weapons, however, which were intended for use, such as spears, swords and many other blades of various shapes and sizes. These stood, in what looked like, wooden stands with holes to place the weapons. The blades of these weapons were quite dull, which suggested that they had been and were for use. This was the room Sun Shang Xiang had used to display some of her collection of weaponry. She also used this as a training area at times.

"I just thought that my brother must have sent you to summon me or something?" She continued, more assertively, now running her finger along the blade of a spear.

"Lord Sun Quan, is busy preparing for tomorrow," Zhou Yu told her.

"Then… shouldn't you be attending the preparations as well?" She asked looking once more in his direction.

"I… um…" Zhou Yu left the balcony making his way, slowly, to where Sun Shang Xiang was standing. "Your brother has dismissed me. Physical preparations have been made. Only those of the mind and soul need to be completed."

"Then are your mind and soul prepared?" She asked.

"Yes, to an extent." He paused. "The mind and soul are never truly ready."

"You are worried about tomorrow then?" She placed the spear back in its hold.

"Of course not," He said with a smile. "If you begin with negativity, the journey's outcome, whether spiritual or physical, will also be a negative one."

"I guess that's true," she agreed.

"Tomorrow, we shall be victorious," said Zhou Yu, almost too assertively.

"Yes…."

"There is no doubt in my mind."

Shang Xiang remained silent.

"…but I fear there is some doubt in yours," he said gently. Zhou Yu paused, waiting for her to speak, hoping that she would confide in him. However, with Sun Shang Xiang's strength came pride and stubbornness. Unlike ordinary princesses, she made sure that she had a right to choose if she wished to participate on the battlefield. Owing to her background, this wasn't unexpected. Shang Xiang had a keen interest in weaponry; her favourite weapon being the chakram. Growing up with two brothers also gave her this wish to prove to everyone and herself that women were just as good fighters as men or sometimes even better.

Shang Xiang looked up. Zhou Yu was standing opposite her now and quite close. He looked straight back at her with a kindness in his eyes that she hadn't seen before. Had she underestimated him?

"Zhou Yu!" called a voice. "There you are."

Sun Shang Xiang recognised the voice instantly and turned to greet the visitor. "Brother!" She called excitedly. It was Sun Quan. When the decision had been made to confront Dong Zhuo, Sun Quan had been very busy with preparations. She had spent most of the time alone, studying texts on the different fighting styles and the weapons that were used. If not, Sun Shang Xiang would sit alone on the balcony or in her room, looking down at the soldiers who were perfecting their battle strategies. Anyhow, she was not going to lose this opportunity to see her brother.

"Little sister," Sun Quan called, teasing her. Shang Xiang pouted her lips, which immediately transformed into a beaming smile when he held out his arms to her. She stepped closer and then sister and brother held each other in a tight embrace for a moment.

Zhou Yu just stood still and silent, waiting for the siblings to finish reuniting and wondering what Sun Quan had wanted to see him about.

"You look tired, brother," Sun Shang Xiang stated. "Maybe you should get some rest," she suggested.

"Yes… I think you're right," he said releasing her from his embrace.

"Of course I'm right" she laughed. "I'm always… right," her smile faded.

"What's wrong?" asked Sun Quan.

"I… I don't want to lose you…," she said quietly.

"Nonsense," he expressed hilarity. "Where do these thoughts come from?" Sun Quan called to Zhou Yu. "Why don't you join us, Zhou Yu?" he requested. Zhou Yu walked up to the siblings and stood adjacent to them. Next, Sun Quan placed his hands on Sun Shang Xiang's shoulders. "Now, listen… dear sister," he said. She looked up. "I do not wish for you to worry about me. … Or anything, for that matter, okay?" Sun Quan waited for a response.

She nodded.

"I'll be fine… Zhou Yu will be with me, too, eh?" Sun Quan looked at Zhou Yu, who nodded in agreement. "See?" He said, trying to reassure her. "And Zhou Yu will look after to you, too." Sun Shang Xiang took offence at the last comment her brother had made. She gave Zhou Yu a quick look of disapproval and then held onto her brother's arms. An expression of remorse and guilt appeared on Zhou Yu's face.

"It's not me that I am worried about," she retorted. "I can look after myself. I –"

"I know you can," he expressed this statement coolly, hoping to calm his sister down and reassure her that everything would be fine. "You're even more skilled than me," Sun Quan grinned.

"You're just making fun of me," Sun Shang Xiang released her brother's arms, feeling frustrated.

"We wouldn't ever cross you, little sister," he laughed. "Isn't that right, Zhou Yu?" Sun Quan folded his arms.

Zhou Yu didn't reply; it was as though he was in a daze.

"Zhou Yu?" Sun Quan tried to get his attention.

"…Yes... I mean yes, Lord Sun Quan," Zhou Yu said this quickly, now alert.

"Zhou Yu," he paused "What's with the formalities?"

"I… um… it is your title, my Lord," Zhou Yu replied, giving a quick bow.

"I told you not to worry… you are a dear friend to me, not just an asset to my army," he told Zhou Yu. "We are not on the battlefield. Try to take it easy. If you wish to address me in that manner in the presence of others, that is very well, I understand. We wouldn't want the others thinking that I were biased."

"Yes," Zhou Yu replied.

"I do have many officers and generals…" He placed his hand on Zhou Yu's shoulder, "but even I am in need of good friends."

"Thank you," Zhou Yu nodded in response.

Sun Shang Xiang looked intently at the man who her brother referred to as a 'good friend'. It was true; Sun Quan did need friends as well. His duties to the kingdom hindered him from such social endeavours. In a position such as Sun Quan's, it was hard to find people you could trust. Many praised Lord Sun Quan, saying that he was a great leader, but he wasn't content with their show of worship. Despite never facing mutiny under his leadership, deep down, thoughts of doubt entered Sun Quan's mind. Were they satisfied with his leadership? Or hadn't the right opportunity arisen to rectify the matter?

"I doubt you've eaten today, Zhou Yu… How about joining us tonight?"

"I am sorry Sun Quan," he apologised, "I still have some matters to attend to."

"You do look rather tired, my friend. Is there anything that I can help you with?" Sun Quan asked concerned.

"No, it is fine… but thank you for your offer," Zhou Yu replied.

"Then I will leave you to it," said Sun Quan. "He was ever the perfectionist, you know." He said to his sister, laughing. Shang Xiang forced a quiet laugh, while Zhou Yu just smiled. The smile, however, wore thin; his expression became blank.

Zhou Yu bowed.  "Good night friend and may our ancestors smile upon us." He gave a fleeting look to Shang Xiang and said "Good night, my Lady." Although the glance was brief, it was long enough for Sun Shang Xiang, who was staring directly at him, to realise that she had indeed offended the young Commander. She could see it in his eyes.

Sun Shang Xiang opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. Now she, too, felt guilty. However, hers was a guilt that arose from being insensitive. Sun Quan said farewell to his friend and chief officer. Then he took a flask that had been tied to his belt and put it to his mouth.

Zhou Yu turned his back on the siblings and made his way out of the room. Just then, Shang Xiang called his name out loud "Zhou Yu, wait," but it was too late, he had already left the room.

"What did you want to tell him?" Sun Quan asked his sister, sealing the flask once more.

"It doesn't matter. It'll keep until morning." She told her brother.

"Well, just make sure that you don't distract him too much tomorrow," he laughed.

"Ha, Ha …very funny," she said sarcastically.

"Brother," she said now with a serious expression "did he look a bit distressed to you?" She asked Sun Quan.

 "I would not be surprised if that is how Zhou Yu was feeling. He has a lot to deal with, my sister," he told her.

"Like what?" She asked.

"Why, the sudden curiosity?"

"Just wondering," she said with a smile. Shang Xiang thought that she would try another approach. She was going to bring their brother Sun Ce into the conversation, but immediately changed her mind, deciding that talking about their brother would lead to talk of his fall in battle. With battle approaching, it seemed inappropriate. However, as if he had read his little sister's mind, Sun Quan said "He blames himself for Sun Ce's death."

Sun Shang Xiang was quiet.

"I have tried reasoning with him and told him that it wasn't his fault," he paused. "He served our brother well. I do not blame him. Sun Ce's time to ascend to the heavens was then. No man could have changed his destiny otherwise."

Everything fell into place. Shang Xiang had made Zhou Yu feel even worse, when he had already been feeling low. Yet, how was she supposed to know? She wasn't a mind reader.

Sun Quan continued "Sun Ce wouldn't have wanted Zhou Yu to feel like that either. He trusted Zhou Yu with his life as I do now." He paused and looked at his sister's face. "I can see it in people's faces at times, when they speak to Zhou Yu. He, too, senses their mistrust in him. He isn't to blame you know."

"I know," she said quietly.

"Are you all right?" said Sun Quan.

"Lordship, I'm sorry to interrupt you," said the young soldier entering the room and bowing.

"What is it?" Sun Quan asked

"General Lu Xun wondered if he could have a quick word." The soldier told him.

"Where is he now?" He inquired.

"He is presently in his chambers, my Lord."

"Thank you. Tell Lu Xun I will be there shortly. That is all." With that the soldier bowed and dismissed himself.

"It looks like something has come up dear sister," he said. "Will you be all right?"

Shang Xiang had an expression of despair. "Yes" she paused. "I'm fine, just tired that's all," she said yawning.

"I can stay with you for a while, if you want… I'm sure Lu Xun will understand. We can have our dinner first and then I'll go."

"Don't worry, brother. We'll have dinner together next time. I don't feel very hungry at the moment anyway. I think I may have a lie down," she said, trying to reassure Sun Quan.

"All right," he said placing his hands on his sister's shoulders. "Look after yourself…" he kissed her on the cheek.  "I will make this up to you."

"Good night, Sun Quan," she said. With that Sun Shang Xiang put her arms around him. Sun Quan returned the hug.

"Good night and sleep well," he said.

They parted and Sun Quan made his way towards the door.

"You look after yourself too, brother," she waved with a smile on her face.

At the door Sun Quan turned to face his sister once more. He smiled and waved back and then he left the room.

Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Please review. ^ _ ~

Thanks for reading.

~Lady Leonhart~