Disclaimer : I don't own anything. I think I'll do this disclaimer thing up to 10th chapter but then stop. Yeah.


Chapter Seven : Meeting

I couldn't remember falling asleep in such a comfortable bed. My eyes flew open when I realized that I was no longer in my tent at the camp, but in an actual room, surrounded by four walls. I sat up, but then had to lean against the wall for support – the roof was spinning and the floor was jumping. I felt sick and moaned quietly, putting a hand on my forehead. It wasn't burning so I didn't have fever, and it didn't seem like I was attacked on the head.

"Is anybody there?" I called, loudly. I could hear quick footsteps behind the door and the door slid open to let in Zhang He, wide-eyed in concern.

"Hello, Hua, how're you feeling?" he asked carefully, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Awful, my head feels like it's got bruised all over," I replied. "What happened? What have I missed?"

Zhang He grinned. "All done," he said joyfully, "we have successfully managed to drive off the Shu army with grace! Guan Yu and his son, Ping has been captured by Wu, but Lu Meng executed them. It was such a beautiful end for a warrior!"

"Who's Lu Meng?"

"Oh, he's that general from Wu. I think he was the commander for Wu for this battle. There are two other generals and there still in the castle, discussing something of great importance with Lord Cao Cao. Or something like that." Zhang He shrugged carelessly. So that basically summarized the battle, I thought.

"Hey, what happened to me?" I asked. Zhang He shrugged again.

"You, like fainted from blood-loss or something. That's what the doctor said anyway. We sent a messenger to the main camp afterwards. He came back to report that Sima Yi said that you got injured. You had to be carried in, and I must admit, your face was very pale."

I snorted at my friend. "I have always been pale," I said. "So how long have I been out for?"

Zhang He seemed to be thinking. "Three or four hours maybe? Oh no, I just remembered," he said suddenly, jumping up from the bed, "Lord Cao Cao told me to report to him if you woke up. Ok, don't move, the doctor said not to move around too much because you'll faint again, sleep lots and eat lots. I'll be back, okay?"

I just nodded and watched him leave. Don't move, sleep lots and eat lots… Sounded like I had to be a big baby. I was thirsty, though so I decided to grab myself something to drink and after couple of tries, I managed to get onto my feet. Whoa, it was making me feel dizzy just standing on my feet. Swaying dangerously, I walked towards the door and entered a long corridor.

I didn't worry about the fact that I didn't know a way around this castle. I was bound to meet someone and I could ask them for directions. I just kept on walking, my uninjured hand on the wall at all times to stop me from falling.

The corridor was long and I thought it would never finish – which was impossible, of course, but when you have a headache, it's hard to think straight – when I felt my foot tripping on something. With a small cry of surprise, I lost my balance and began to fall forward, losing my grip on the wall.

I clenched my teeth and waited to be smashed against the floor, hard. However, I felt a pair of strong arms holding me up. "Are you alright, lady?"

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you," I said, and lifted my head to look at my rescuer. He was an unfamiliar young man, wearing red clothes. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. Urg, I felt like I was going to throw up.

"My na... i.. Lu ...un, a .... gener..." he said some inaudible words. "Ar... ... sure you... alri...?"

"What?" I whispered and tried to look at him, but he's face came in and out of focus. Darkness started to surround me and I tried to fight it off by squinting my eyes but in the end, I gave up. Defeated, I tumbled into the peaceful blankness, unable to bear the pain no more.


He stared at the fainted girl in his arms blankly. He had no idea what to do, but she certainly seemed to need help immediately. Hesitantly, he slid his arm underneath her leg to gently lift her up. She hardly weighed anything. He began to walk towards the medic's room when he heard hurrying footsteps from behind him.

"Excuse me, General Lu Xun!" a voice called out to him and he turned to face Cao Cao, followed by Wei and Wu generals. As soon as Cao Cao saw the girl in his arms, Cao Cao shouted. "What have you done to my daughter? Give her to me!"

Cao Cao basically snatched her away from Lu Xun, his eyes burning fiercely. Lu Xun flinched back but once Cao Cao had hold of the girl, he calmed down and looked embarrassed. "My apologies, General Lu Xun," he said, "as a father, I tend to be overprotective of my youngest child."

"Of course, Lord Cao Cao," replied Lu Xun easily. So that girl was Cao Cao's daughter, Lu Xun thought. He noticed his two comrades, Lu Meng and Ling Tong staring at him from behind Cao Cao. Lu Meng was looking at him gravely while Ling Tong was shaking his head. What did he do?

"So, General Lu Xun," spoke a Wei general that he recognized as Zhang He, "what happened? I told her to stay in the room, but why was she in the corridor with you?"

The atmosphere around them tensed up at once. Lu Xun was smart enough to know that if he said a wrong answer, not just his life but his comrades' lives could be in danger. He decided to tell the truth and opened his mouth carefully. "I found her walking in the corridor and she clearly needed help. She fainted so I was going to take her to the medic's room. I had no idea who she was, for if I had known, I would have alerted you, Lord Cao Cao," he said. Cao Cao seemed to not trust his story completely, but he just nodded before lifting his daughter up in his arms.

"Well, then General Lu Xun," he said, "I appreciate your help." With that, Cao Cao and his generals left, except for Zhang He who eyed him suspiciously before following the rest of the group. Lu Xun watched them go until someone smacked him on the head.

"Ow! What was that for, Tong?" he yelped as his friend smirked at him. Lu Meng frowned.

"That was too close, Lu Xun. You could've blown our entire plan. This isn't like you," said Lu Meng. This time, it was Lu Xun's time to frown.

"What are you saying, Master Lu? Are you saying that I should've left the girl?" he asked, rather fiercely than he anticipated. He was horrified to see his master nodding his head.

"Don't give me that look, Xun," he said. "It was pure luck that nobody asked you why you were here in the first place. Don't forget our mission!"

The mission. Wu army wasn't here just for reinforcements. Master strategist, Zhou Yu had foreseen upcoming conflict with Wei and he knew that Fan Castle will be an important strategic point for Wu forces. So he had sent these three men to investigate around the castle so when the time comes, Wu could take down Fan Castle with ease. Lu Xun understood how important this mission was; after all, he was the one who suggested sending spies which turned into reinforcements later on. He nodded slowly. "Yes, of course, master. I understand."

Lu Meng grunted. "Glad we got that sorted," and he marched off. Tong remained, still smirking at Lu Xun. Lu Xun gave him a questioning look. Tong snorted.

"Oh, don't give me that innocent look!" said Tong, waving his hand carelessly. "You were looking at her as–"

"Okay that's enough," interrupted Lu Xun, feeling a bit warm. "Don't think up rubbish things."

"Psh, fine," said Tong to Lu Xun's relief. "You're no fun teasing. But you got to admit, that girl was pretty. Maybe I should – hey, where're you going?" Tong called, but Xun pretended to not hear. Tong watched as his friend walked around a corner and smiled to himself.

"Man, that guy is too innocent and transparent about his feelings. Teasing him makes my day!"