A/N: I wrote this chapter in thanks to DarkSakuren. I hope you guys enjoy chapter two as well as chapter one! And don't forget to press that lovely review button! Oh, and one more thing. I forgot to mention this in the last chapter: all of the characters are in their DW 6 outfits. Enjoy!


Clanking armor and horses' hooves pounding into the dirt was all Mizuchi had heard for the past day. Yuan Shao had ordered a forced march as soon as every able-bodied man had assembled at the front gate the day before. Now they were three-fourths of the way to their destination: the Yellow River, and from there, Guan Du, where Cao Cao had reportedly been sighted building up his own forces to meet Yuan Shao's attack.

The day was dry and dusty. Thankfully, Mizuchi had been ordered to ride the lead position along with Yuan Shao and Yuan Tan, away from the flying dust particles. However, she'd had to listen to Yuan Shao's boasting and Yuan Tan's complaints about the weather throughout the whole of the march. Her nerves were shot to pieces, and if it hadn't of been for her personal bodyguard, Liu Shang, whom she could turn to and begin a decent conversation with, she would already have swung her horse around and galloped away as fast as the beast could carry her.

Finally, the two ceased to speak, leaving Mizuchi in peaceful solitude. She took this time to question her bodyguard. "Liu Shang? How large is Cao Cao's army? Not originally hailing from this land, I do not know which generals have the most power, and Yuan Shao has not bothered to inform me of such matters." She couldn't help it, she had to quickly send a glare her lord's way. Every time she spoke his name, a hatred so deep as to engulf the whole world would well up within her, and she would scarcley be able to contain it.

Liu Shang, not catching the loathesome look, put a thumb and forefinger to her chin, contemplating her answer so as to be as truthful as she could. "Well, my Lady, I would put his numbers around...20,000. You see, he spent most of his army chasing General Liu Bei out of the capital of Xu, therefore, he is already running low on men. That is why he has chosen to set up camp in Guan Du castle. At least, this is what I believe. He may have ulterior motives, or he is simply hiding troops along the Yellow River, which would be most like him."

Mizuchi cocked an eyebrow. "I am glad I chose you to be my guard, Liu Shang. You seem to know quite a bit about strategies and the surrounding provinces' military status."

Liu Shang ducked her head in a polite bow. "I am glad you think so. It is my duty, after all."

"Indeed. Now tell me, what does Yuan Shao hope to gain from this battle? He already holds within his grasp the four northern most provinces, does he not?"

Liu Shang nodded. "That he does, my Lady. As to what he hopes to gain...well, he sees Cao Cao as his biggest rival. Yuan Shao holds most of the territories north of the Yellow River and Cao Cao controls most of the southern territories. In addition, Cao Cao has also encouraged the Emperor to settle in his capital of Xu Chang, in the Xu province, in which he so recently evicted Liu Bei. It seems the most obvious solution for Yuan Shao is to attack Cao Cao now while he has so few troops. He may then seize the Emperor and take Cao Cao's place as Commander-In-Chief. Do you understand, my Lady?"

"Yes, I see. A most fitting reward for the victor. It seems this battle must be handled with the utmost care."

"Sharp, as always, my Lady. In fact they-"

A high pitched, feminine voice suddenly cut through whatever Liu Shang was about to say. "My Lord! Oh, what a magnificent army you have established!" Mizuchi turned in her saddle to see a brightly clothed figure sitting atop a gleaming black horse trotting slightly behind her. He was...a most unusual man. His armor only covered half his chest, the rest was left in plain view. He was even wearing a pair of tight, thigh length shorts to which billowing robes of purple and pink were attached. The sleeves of his armor were see through, and they ended in a pair of loose fitting purple gloves. The man was even wearing heels! And his hair was tied up in an ornate headdress into which a feathered needle was poked through. Mizuchi had never seen such a...colorful man before in the entirety of her life.

The man dug his heels into his horse's flank, causing the beast to lurch into a gallop, which quickly brought him level with Yuan Shao. As he passed, Mizuchi was able to get a closer look. Her eyes widened when she caught a glimpse of his face. Why, there were two bright red swirls painted over his eyebrows! Mizuchi shook her head, which caused Liu Shang to giggle behind her hand, for she had witnessed the entire interplay.

"My Lord," the man began again, "Cao Cao must definitely be shaking in his boots from his position in Guan Du! Just the sight of this grand army shall send him to his knees!" The man articulated his words with elaborate swings of his arms and gestures with his hands.

Yuan Shao chuckled. "Yes, Zhang He. He will not know what to do when the poweful Yuan army arrives at his doorstep!"

The two continued in this fashion until Mizuchi promptly shut them out and moved her horse farther away. She once again turned to her bodyguard. "Liu Shang, has that man always been with this army?"

"Who, my Lady? Zhang He? Yes, of course. He is Yuan Shao's right-hand man, if you will."

"Then how is it that I have never seen him before?"

"Lord Yuan Shao usually keeps him busy directing his territories because it-"

"-is not fitting for a man of his stature. Am I correct?" Mizuchi rolled her eyes, already knowing where that was heading.

Liu Shang was surprised. "I, well, yes. Yes, those were his exact words. How did you...?"

"Let us say that I have heard this phrase many times since settling here. And I am sure to hear it again in the near future."

The two women began laughing together as they spurred their horses onward. Little did they know that they were heading straight into a maelstrom of chaos that would sweep them off their feet.


Mizuchi's horse skittered to the side as an infantryman scurried past. She leaned over and patted it reassuringly. "Shh, steady boy." It soon quieted under her comforting hand and she straightened in the saddle to stare out over the battlefield. Men were rushing to and fro, preparing catapults and seige ramps to take down the impregnable Guand Du castle. Her heart had ceased to painfully pound since Yuan Shao ordered everyone into their positions. She was always excited for battles such as these, yet there was a nervousness and fear she could not be rid of. Her nervousness was tripled this day because of a plot that had sprung into her mind while Yuan Tan yelled at his men to begin digging trenches and fortifying neutral bases.

What if this is my chance to escape? What if I faked my death and...no, no. That would not work. They would simply drag me back to the capital and hold a funeral ritual. So, what, then? Could I simply flee during a heavy skirmish? No, Yuan Tan is closely watching my every move. It is as if he suspects something of me.

I feel it in my heart. This is my chance, my one and only chance, to be free of the Yuans. Yet it seems impossible, a fruitless dream. Still...

"Mizuchi! Come over here!"

Mizuchi started. She glanced up to see Yuan Tan gesturing for her to come to his side. Slowly, she picked up the reins and urged her horse into a trot. Within moments she was abreast of him, and she tugged on the reins. The horse shook his head in annoyance, wanting to keep on trotting until he left the noise and commotion behind. Mizuchi could sympathize with him. She, too, wanted to escape from this place...at least, away from the arrogant Yuan Shao and his pathetic son.

"Look there, do you see?"

Mizuchi followed his finger to where he was pointing at. She could see a group of Yuan's forces already beating back Cao's Cao's men with ease. A sudden bark of laughter from Yuan Tan startled her. "Father's army is unbeatable! Cao Cao should never have challenged him!"

Mizuchi turned in disgust to her husband. "Do not be so quick to form conclusions. Soon, it could be Cao Cao, not Yuan Shao, winning this battle."

Yuan Tan swiveled in his saddle to glare directly into Mizuchi's face. "Do not dare speak ill of my father! Or I will have you thrown in jail, wife or no!"

Mizuchi, although murderously angry at his harsh words, kept her face blank and jerked her horse's head to the side, quickly galloping away from Yuan Tan. She was tired of his constant wining and complaining. Yuan Shao and Yuan Tan were definitely not fit to rule this land. She wished Cao Cao would win this battle and defeat Yuan Shao's forces until nothing remained, not even a speck of blood should be left behind. Then, only then, would she be satisfied.


Blood spurted onto Mizuchi's yukata as she thrust her three pronged spear into an enemy soldier. The man screamed in pain and crumpled to the ground. Mizuchi yanked her spear out of his chest and wiped it on his blue plated armor. Shortly after she had left Yuan Tan's camp, a few units of Cao Cao's men broke through the first wave and swarmed her position. She had only taken a small amount of soldiers: 20 light cavalry and 50 infantrymen. All remained alive as the last of the enemy unit was sent rolling down an embankment, emitting screams of pain out of his shattered jaw. Mizuchi turned to her troops. "Good job, men! Now, let us proceed forward, to the central gate!"

In unison, the soldiers pumped their fists into the air and let out a fierce yell. Mizuchi remounted her horse and swung her spears in an arc, facing the direction she wished to go. She then screamed, "To me!" and spurred her horse in the flanks. It reared and plunged forward, leaving her men to follow in her wake.

As she galloped, she swung her spears down and to each side of her horse and killed any enemy foolish enough to approach her. The ones she missed, her light cavalry unit cut down, as well as Liu Shang, whom she had kept with her the entire time.

Said bodyguard suddenly came abreast of Mizuchi with a worried look etched into her young face. "My Lady, Zhang He is having trouble at Wu Chao. They are storming his position. He will soon fall!"

Mizuchi growled. "That pathetic excuse for a man! Ugh, it cannot be helped. Send ten light cavalry and thirty infantrymen to his position at once!"

"But, my Lady, that will put you at further risk! Surely there are others who would be happy to-"

"Just do as I say, Liu Shang! Now is not the time to question me!"

Liu Shang looked at the soldiers and back at Mizuchi. "As you wish, my Lady." She dropped back and relayed the message to the troops. Soon, Mizuchi heard horses breaking off from her group and heading back the way they had come. She turned in her saddle to survey what remained of her unit. She grimaced. It was a pathetic sight.

She turned back in her saddle when Liu Shang once again came abreast of her, and together they led their men to their destination of the central gate of Guan Du.


Cao Pi nonchalantly strode through the groups of his most elite troops. His father would most definitely win the battle now that he had brought his force of men, which numbered exactly at 50,000. An entire army could not stand up to even one of his elite troops. "Alright men. Keep focused and do not let any enemy past you, or I will cut you down myself. Understood?"

As a unit, they let out an enormous roar, which seemed to shake even the heavens. With a wave of his wrist, Cao Pi released them from their frigid stances, and as one, they turned and charged out onto the battlefield with spears and swords raised high and mouths open in a fierce battle cry.

Cao Pi son followed on his white steed, making sure they were not attacked from the back as they stormed the field. The battlefield soon came into sight and Cao Pi could see a few tired men attacking his father's forces at the gate. Elation filled him. This was going to be easier than he first thought! With glee, he charged his horse into the middle of the fight. The chain mail covering his chest rattled as he swung his arms, cutting down any and all enemies within his reach. An arrow whistled just above his head, causing his jet black hair to be blown backwards. He deftly ran a hand through it to fix it, and resumed swinging his sword.

A man wearing Yuan Shao's yellow suddenly charged him with sword raised above his head and mouth open in a scream. An easy target. Cao Pi leaned over his horse's neck and easily slid his sword through the pliant skin of the man's throat. Blood poured out of the wound, cascading down his chest and staining the yellow armor red. But even though he was dying, the man continued to swing his sword at Cao Pi, hoping to at least mark the powerful general.

"You would try to kill me even though you, yourself, are dying? Very well, I shall end your life quickly and painlessly." Cao Pi plunged his sword into the man's chest cavity and into his heart, quickly pulling out again. The man was left to crumple, lifeless, at his horse's feet, into a thick puddle of his own blood. "You are a courageous and loyal soldier. I hope that you are praised for your service in the afterlife."

Cao Pi dismounted, and picked up the man's sword, placing it reverently onto his chest. He straightened. "Now then, who else shall die by my hand?" He whipped his snow white cape behind him and strode towards a group of Yuan's forces, who had engaged his own troops in battle. "Stand down. I will personally destroy these weaklings."

Cao Pi's men obediently lowered their weapons and stepped back. Yuan's forces look around curiously, but paled at the sight of Cao Pi, the Prince of Wei, approaching them. This did not stop them from facing him menacingly with spears pointed at his stomach. Cao Pi, not in the least daunted by their numbers or ferocity, charged at them with his sword held at an angle behind his back.

Just as he raised his sword to begin the first slash, it was jarred to a stop in mid-air. Cao Pi's eyes widened in surprise when a beautiful woman landed on her feet directly in front of him, holding two spears tightly in her grasp, one of which had blocked his own weapon. For a few seconds, he was stunned by her beauty and grace, until she roared and flung his weapon arm back. He very nearly lost his balance and fell to the ground, but at the last second he was able to right himself and block her second attack.

He growled as he was repeatedly forced to retreat a few steps back each time she swung her weapons down to clash with his. As she fought, she began yelling at him as well, each time her spears came into contact with his sword. "You will not kill another one of my men! I will not allow it!"

A part of him registered her accent. Where was she from? Certainly not from around here. "You are foolish, woman, if you think you can beat me!" With that, he locked her weapons together with his and pushed outward, sending her smaller body spinning away from him. She yelped as she landed on the hard ground, but quickly tried to get up. Cao Pi pushed her back to the ground and placed his sword mere centimeters from her neck. She glared at him in defiance and struggled, wildly kicking her feet at his legs. He pushed the sword closer to her throat, effectively ending her struggling.

"I do not wish to harm you, but I will do so if you continue this pointless fight."

At his deep voice, she froze. Without speaking, she stared deeply into his eyes and her mouth parted on a sigh. Cao Pi was surprised when she began to speak. "Wh-Who are you?"

Her voice was like honey. It caressed his ears and instantly he relaxed in her presence. "I am Cao Pi, son of Cao Cao."

"Cao Pi." She tested the name out on her tongue, liking the sound of it. "So then, Cao Pi, why have you not killed me? You are certainly in a postion to."

Cao Pi was taken aback. Did she actually want to die?

"That is simple. I want you...to join me."


Mizuchi simply lay there, hoping he would kill her and take away the burden of being chained to the Yuans. She had practically begged for him to kill her, so she was surprised at his offer.

"That is simple. I want you...to join me. Leave these detestable Yuans. A woman of your beauty and grace deserves someone better; deserves me. So I am giving you a choice. Either stay here and be crushed by my father's army along with the Yuans, or come with me and live a happier life." With that, he held out his hand to her.

Mizuchi eyed it warily, waiting for him to say it was all a trick and to use a hidden knife to plunge into her chest. When no knife appeared, Mizuchi glanced up at his face. It was imploring, and the anger she had glimpsed earlier was gone. Suddenly, a thought hit her. A plot was slowly forming in Mizuchi's head.

This is my chance to be freed of the Yuans! No more will I be tied down like a dog!

"On one condition," she said.

"Excuse me?" Cao Pi looked taken aback, yet curious. "Alright then, let us hear this condition.

Mizuchi sucked in a huge breath. "You must kill both Yuan Shao and Yuan Tan by your own hands. I will not leave with you otherwise. And you must crush his army, leaving nothing behind." She quieted, and waited for his response.

Cao Pi threw back his head and laughed heartily. "You are one malicious woman!" With one last chuckle, he removed his sword from her throat. But he held out his hand again in invitation.

Mizuchi, affirmed that he would do as she wished, finally reached up and grasped it. Her smaller hand was engulfed in his large one as he gently tugged her to her feet. Once both feet were safely planted on the ground, he released her and stepped back. "Nevertheless, I shall do as you command. Watch, as I bring Yuan Shao to his knees!"

Cao Pi motioned two guards over. "Make sure no harm befalls her. Take her to my camp and keep her safe."

They bowed deeply and each placed their hand on one of Mizuchi's shoulders. However, they released her and jumped back as a growl came from Cao Pi.

"Do not touch her, she will not try to escape. Go find her horse and then lead her to the camp." The guards bowed again and quickly scurried off to do his bidding.

Cao Pi stepped forward and came within a hair's breadth of Mizuchi's chest. She could feel the heat radiating off of him. "Do not worry," he cupped her cheek in his hand, "I will do as you wish and destroy Yuan Shao." At these words, he pivoted on his heel and marched over to his horse. He deftly mounted and galloped away into the distance.

Mizuchi smirked. All was going smoothly. Not only would she finally be rid of the pesky Yuans, but she was now a part of something bigger than she could ever have imagined.


LoLpOpSiClE: Dun dun dun! What is going to happen to Mizuchi now? Will everything go as she hopes it will? Or will Cao Pi turn out to be just as much of a jackass as Yuan Tan? You'll find out in CH 3, but only if I get some nice reviews! If not...-_- you will all die in a horrible fire...JUST KIDDING! ^o^ I love you guys! kthnxbai