Quietly she sat with in the castle, yet to leave her room since it had been announced she was doomed for her own death. That is how he decided to relieve her of the pain? Simply having her end her own life if she was so desperate for happiness. All she had wanted was to hear those three words that would bring her hopes back. Hear some sort of sympathetic tone in his voice when he addressed her, but again that would not be in Cao Pi's character. He was merciless, and this very act had demonstrated it.

Since the order had been given she had simply sat with in her room. The curtains drawn, and only a small torch would be allowed to provide her with any light. It was period of reflection, in which Zhen Ji spent most of her time analyzing her own life and events which had led to this point. How foolish she had been as a young newly wed. Much as the new wife did, she flaunted her power, insulted people using the term 'peasant' as curse word to describe underlings.

Zhen had grown up since then, but it seemed even changing had been in vain. Quietly her eyes shifted over to the ceremonial dagger that Cao Pi had left with in her room. It was there for her to use when she finally decided that she could take it no longer. Her knees hugged up to her chest she recalled a time where she would sit like this in her room for hours. Normally however it was in fear of some dreadful monster hiding under her bed. Only now she was feeling empty, uncertain, and she was married to the monster.

Rising to her feet the girl approached the knife, picking it up in her hand. First she moved it her throat, a quick slit here and she'd certainly be dead. It would be simple, nor would it be extremely messy. Yet she lowered the knife to the heart, it would be a far more fitting position but that also in front far more pressure and pain then the throat. How was she supposed to kill herself, no right person could really do it could they? There was always that wrists, yet she honestly she didn't want her arms to have cuts on them in death. Neck it was.

Sighing heavily she raised the knife back to her throat, pressing it up against her skin. Eyes closed as she pushed it harder against her exposed skin. A small whimper drowned out all sound. The beauty had kept herself dressed as she intended to die, in simply silk garments, her hair down, and a less fixed up manner. Even then she was still beautiful, which she found it most fitting to die so. No longer adorned with the Cao family's items, clothing, or armor. Holding the blade steady, she prepared to draw it back across the skin and let her crimson essence spill.

One...

Two...

Three...

Just as she went to drag the steel across her flesh, she felt her limbs restrained. A hand had grasped hold of the wrist holding the knife stopping her from committing the final act that was to end her life. Without realizing it she dropped the knife, opening in eyes uncertain who would of interrupted her. Ji couldn't recall the door ever opening, but had her own thoughts drowned everything out. A gasp escaped her lips as the figure drew her closer, and tilted her head up to gaze at the man.

"Junyi..." Zhen Ji's eyes widened seeing him. It was him right? In a way the man she stared at she could identify clearly as Zhang He, but there was something very different in the over all mood about him. He was not adorned in he elegant humorous butterfly armor that he loved taunting enemies with, no claws worn, and his hair let down in a messy fashion. The pale nature of his face seemed to reflect a lack of sleep, which he didn't try to hide in the least. Was this really the light hearted friend who slipped her roses to make her feel better, or would preform a silly dance simply to make her laugh and the male generals so uncomfortable.

"I...can't let you do this..." He murmured softly releasing her wrist, "I can't let him do this to you.."

His voice breathy, yet still smooth as silk when he spoke to her. There seemed to be desperation of his own intermixed with obvious pain, why...Junyi why!?

"You...you can't..." Ji felt tears sting her eyes, "Its your duty to serve him, who stands at head of Cao clan. Zhang He...you shouldn't be in here..you.."

Zhen Ji paused as she felt his lips press against her neck, his form hunched a little due to the height difference. She was speechless, her heart racing with his lips on her skin. This was not a new experience for she was no foreigner to such physical contact. It was more of who it was. Junyi...had always treated her like a goddess, but in a manner that always made clear he knew he'd never have her. It was that friendly jesting, admiring, and common bonding that made them friends, but this was a side of him she didn't know. As pulled back from her neck he also took a step back looking down at her. "Blood shouldn't stain such flawless beauty..."

"Zhang He.." She whipped around to face her placing her hand upon her neck where the blade had pierced the peach flesh. His lips tinted a slight red from it, and his eyes simply watching her for the reaction, "I beg you...do not get yourself killed over me. Please don't...Junyi.." Tears stung her eyes, and Zhen Ji was slipping into an emotional state that reminded of her teenage years, complicated and confusing emotions.

"I'm not going to die..." He assured her watching her silently, "but I won't allow you to die either."

The woman was barely over twenty, yet was forced to act so much older and regal due to position. This Zhen Ji he was seeing was that lost little girl that had been locked away by her heart with her first marriage to Yuan Xi and then when Cao Cao had given her to Cao Pi. The girl who wasn't used to the affection displayed being anything more then passionate lust, had this girl ever known rightfully what real love was? Oh the comforting words may of soothed wounds she liked to hide, allowing herself to fall prey to simple words. She deserved far better., the Cao Pi and even himself. "Luo...come here..."

She stood there tears running down her cheeks as he beckoned for her, things settling in. He called Luo...Zhen Luo, the childhood name that she had discarded upon her marriages for a better name. He opened his arm to her, and all reason left her. She ran to him, burying her head into his chest as her arms wrapped around him seeking what comfort he could give her. In turn he held her close, one hand lacing through her silky dark locks of hair, the other settling around her waist. He didn't need to say anything, and neither did she. The moment was perfect just like this, well there was something missing he felt.

Letting his hand brush through her hair, he moved it back around. His index finger slipping under her chin and tilting it upwards. Tears clouded those beautiful brown eyes, far too much pain for one beauty. Silently he vowed to end it...somehow he'd free her permanently, but all he had right now was a temporary solution. However he didn't intend to spoil the surprise or mood right now. Zhang He smiled gently down at her, leaning forward, and giving her gentle kiss on the lips.

Ji's eyes widened feeling their lips meet. Her mind racing, and her body was starting to lose its feeling.

Why...Junyi...why are you sacrificing so much for me..?

Her form fell into him, and he there to catch and support her. His eyes closing as he refused to let himself part with her just yet, and Ji felt her own eyes giving into this kiss which she still didn't understand. Zhang He was no mind reader, but he knew what she was thinking. Lady Zhen was an open book to him, but he didn't intend to let this simply settle. His actions would never mean anything with simple words, he'd prove himself first.

Because Ji...I love you.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Standing at the front of the hall she knelt, swallowing hard uncertain as to why exactly she was called down here in the first place. Had word of her fight with Jiang Wei reached the ears of Liu Bei? Maybe he was going to punish her for it, yet he was supposed to be a kind ruler right? Shang Xiang was so very convinced of this anyways.

Admittedly this was the first time she had been in the presence of Liu Bei for business. Yes she had seen him at the wedding but never did she directly interact with him. So the best option she found was to simply remain knelt waiting for him to speak to her. After all she was standing in a hall with not only Liu Bei but the Five Tiger Generals minus Guan Yu, the Sleeping Dragon, Fledgling Phoenix, and her watcher standing behind her. Obviously this wasn't exactly a place where she could be considered well liked.

"Lady Xiao...you know you can rise now right?" He noted with an amused smile on his face watching as Xiao Qilin rose to her feet a little red in the face from embarassment. Obviously this girl had been taught quite a bit of obedience by the Wei forces, a type that even Wu seemed incapable of breaking her out of. Which in his case was rather nice, a tame officer once in a while did help his sanity when having to deal with like of his brother Zhang Fei, and elder Huang Zhong's pranks. He loved the old man but he certainly did give his younger officers a hard time, and he was sure that this girl likely been victim to some of it.

"Sorry sir.." She replied softly bowing her head.

"Lady Xiao you act so very humble in my presence..." He noted, "Is there a reason? Are you still worried about me killing you?"

"No sir..." Qilin replied looking at him, "That isn't my concern. My concern is offending you and making my situation worse."

Liu Bei blinked resting his elbow on the side of his throne, placing his chin with in his palm with a rather baffled look across his face. "Offending me? Thats certainly something fairly new to hear. I suppose one staying against their will isn't exactly the best conditions but I have not placed such harsh conditions upon you have I? I do know you did received some punishment for the fight with Jiang Wei...but..."

"Lord Liu, I know this isn't the most appropriate time for me to interject but we did have business with the girl did we not?" Zhuge spoke up trying to get the subject dropped rather quickly.

"OH! Right...thank you Zhuge." Liu replied in an almost cheery tone of voice. Honestly he was nicest one of the rulers, but she was starting to wonder what qualities put him in such a position. "Lady Xiao, up to the north we've had some Cao Cao problems that we've been needing to handle." Which instantly appealed to Xiao Qilin, up north!? Home...that much closer to home.

"This unfortunately has left our southern region rather low on generals." Crap the south, she was doomed to be trapped down south wasn't she? "Recently a rebellion of the tribes known as the Nanman broke out. At the head of this their leader named Meng Huo, who apparently managed to unite the small villages of the area against me. I need you to go down with the troops provided and conquer the southern region once more."

"Who else is going?"

"Well to be honest Zhuge Liang is leading the expedition. His sub generals are Jiang Wei and Wei Yan, and I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to test these scouting abilities of yours since we will eventually need to make use of them." Liu Bei said simply with a slight smile on his face, "We're counting heavily upon your efforts since we are unfamiliar with the territory down there. Mainly because the forests are very dense and some dare say tropical."

Looking at Liu Bei, Qilin frowned a little. So she was going to be exploring unknown terrain. "So how are you going to make sure I don't use it as an excuse to run off?"

"Simple...Wei Yan will be going with in the scouting to serve as brute force if you by chance get discovered. Besides he looks somewhat closer to the natives that live there in clothing wise..." Which giving Wei Yan a glance she frowned, that bone armor and leather? "Which we will be providing you with some clothing thats a little more native to down there as well. We find that it is only fitting for you to blend in. The garments shall be in your room when you return, and I look forward to hearing the report given by Zhuge Liang of your success or failure. I can promise, you do well, and I might be capable of speaking with some members of Wei for a possible prisoner exchange.."

Well...seemed she had no option now but to accept, and actually do well if she ever hoped of going home. Glancing at Wei Yan, she noted that he had already gone off. How on earth were they do discuss strategy if he kept running off like this!? Xiao Qilin sighed and headed back up to her room without any interruption. Wei Yan as her partner in this wasn't exactly a bad thing, but despite him being her watcher she hadn't a clue how he acted. Though it was rather relieving not to be on the other side of his blade for once...the battle when she had been caught echoed in the back of her mind horribly. Opening her room she paused seeing Shang Xiang standing there holding some...

"What...is that?" Qilin's eyes widened starting at it.

"This? This is the outfit that Liu Bei had made to resemble the Nanman outfit, though little more flair to it if you ask me." She replied looking at it, "Seems like it'll be cozy in the hot steamy jungles."

"Y-your...kidding me..."

"Nope."

"Heavens...what have I done to deserve this?"

Shang Xiang laughed a little placing it down, "Time to get past that high class behavior if you wanna do well this time. Though good luck...I hear you'll need it."

OOC: Oh I bet you all had thought I'd long forgotten about this. School, finals, and AP all bogged me down and were being rather consuming of my time. However if you still read this, I've picked things up finally and given a little twist on how I was originally running this. Seems Zhen Ji's getting her romance quicker then Xiao Qilin but thats okay. Next chapters going to be good, and I promise just as long. Give you all some fulfillment for a bit so I won't get mauled. I know the solution hasn't been stated but you'll see soon enough.

Though what did you all think of Zhang He serious? In history Zhang He was a badass and they sort of made him panzy like in DW. Honestly I decided for this scene to occur I'd need to make a side of him thats little different. I kinda feel like he's the result of Hotohori/Nuriko blended together in one person. Both completely awesome bad ass, but still rather vain and silly. Yep i'm a dork for that reference. Thank you! And much love