No one could honestly be happier then Xiao Qilin to be back with in the Cheng Du castle walls. Though she had received proper medical treatment, others had not been so lucky. Thus now roaming the halls was an estranged doctor by the name of Hua Tuo who apparently was famous for tending to one of Liu Bei's brothers. With him some old man known as Zuo Ci, a crazy old mystic so claimed some of the soldiers. All Qilin knew was that she wanted to remain tucked away in her room able to rest, while her wounds and that blasted mark disappeared. Why did he have to say anything? She had wanted him to act, just not quite like that. Men! Everything was wrong with them.

Lying back on her bed she breathed a sigh of relief taking the weight off her sore feet. The jungle terrain had not had the best affects on her body. Just as she had situated herself, a knock on the door came. Qilin attempted to move a little, but found herself with a complete lack of energy to do so now being in the soft bed. To be clothed in silk and back in normal beds, what a wonderful feeling. "Come in…" She called out unwilling to try to move again.

The door was pushed open and in walked three men, all in which she hadn't any interest in seeing. The dreaded doctor and his friend had come, accompanied by the Shu strategist Zhuge Liang. After the events in the nanman territory she didn't even want to look at him, Zhu Rong had been the one to bargain for her treatment. How sad was it when the enemy wanted to see you better then your own 'allies' did.

"I see you've acted a little smarter then most of our injured soldiers do. Acting confining yourself to a bed…" He'd seen Zhang Fei and Guan Yu repeatedly push aside their injuries in a careless manner. The two of them were completely and utterly hopeless though, so devoted to their brother. "I've brought an expert to assure that our friends down south didn't create any complications in their archaic medicinal practices."

"So you're Xiao Qilin." Hua Tuo mused looking over towards Zuo Ci for a moment. Her name had come up in conversation between the two before. "I've heard about you. Quite a mess you're stuck in now it seems. I though don't quite see why a woman your age would be on the field in the first place."

So the old man had simply come in to rub in her face of the situation she was caught with in? Absolutely lovely. Managing to finally sit up, she gave this doctor a rather unpleasant look. "We all have our reasons."

"Do you? You are no sister to a great lord, nor are you ones wife. Your father is not a general and likely not even a warrior. Most logic as to why a girl is fighting. You should be married off with children by this age."

Qilin's eyes narrowed viciously on the old man quickly snapping her head away from her, "You don't know me, don't act like you do."

"Ah forgive my friend." Zuo Ci interrupted after Zhuge and himself had exchanged worried glances. What were all three doing here together? Qilin was starting to become suspicious of them and their behavior. Was this an interrogation of some sort? Likely, she hadn't fully served out punishment. She should have seen this coming. "He simply doesn't understand you more modern women. Mind if I sit down?"

Pulling her knees to her chest she allowed the man some room on the bed to sit down. Her eyes quickly lowered on the bed sheets to keep any eye contact from being made.

"Now Lady Xiao," He addressed her in the proper manner which Hua Tuo had failed to do. "Your new comrades know so little of you."

"I'm a prisoner, not an officer here." She retorted softly, she wasn't in the mood to talk.

"I do not think that will be the circumstances much longer," Zuo Ci's eyes shifted to Zhuge Liang in one of those 'better be listening' sort of ways. "From Wei, to Wu, to Shu… I do believe that perhaps fate itself brought you here for a reason. For what I haven't the clue but a good friend of mine spoke of you and the stars in a reading I asked him to do, you have something good awaiting you in the future."

"Why do you all care?" Qilin asked finally, "You've made it perfectly clear I was a prisoner here and now suddenly I'm a human being once more. I don't get it."

"How old are you girl?"

"Seventeen to be eighteen in a week,"

"So still very young."

"What are you talking about she's about to be an old maid." Hua Tuo noted on the normal standards about unmarried women.

"Ahem. As I was saying people tend to forget themselves when it comes to war. Liu Bei has asked me to come here and assure you that he means no harm or disrespect to you." Zuo Ci insisted, obviously he was trying a great deal to preserve the Lord of Virtue's name. "He has asked me to invite you this evening to the great hall where there shall be celebrating over the successful victory of the Nanmans."

"No one is be in armor, strictly formal attire. A way to demonstrate the trust Liu Bei has in his officers. General Xiao."

"Wait…what?" Xiao's head turned as the Lt. was dropped from her title.

"Come Doctor give the girl her examination so we can proceed to the other soldiers." Kongming finally spoke up feeling at this point he wouldn't say anything that would remotely offend the sensitive girl.

"There is no need." He replied walking over to the girl, pulling a small white baozi from a small satchel dangling from his waist sash. "Simply eat this and you'll feel better in no time."

"A Baozi?" Xiao Qilin took it giving it a little glance over.

"Trust me."

Well he was a better doctor then she, even if he was a sexist tradition bound asshole. After a moment or so she began nibbling on it, at least until Hua Tuo and the other two walked out of the room. The moment they were gone the rest was popped into her mouth in a manner that wasn't so appropriate for a lady. Qilin had a weakness for Baozis, a terrible one when it came to food habits. Sighing laid back on the bed. So she had an event to attend tonight, just lovely, yet she felt strange suddenly. Moving to touch her bandages on her she began to realize the pain had subsided fully. In fact she couldn't even feel the wound any more…Holy shit. Was he a mystic too?

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Standing at the edge of the boat Ling Tong's eyes shifted to the north, something was sitting right with him right now. This trip had been far too easy, and they were even in enemy territory. Something wasn't right about it, and he was beginning to figure that he wasn't the only one feeling this way. Gan Ning standing at the helm seemed at ease, yet more alert then he had been for the past few days. He had even insisted this morning that the girls stay with in the room on the boat.

"You getting the feeling we're being watched?" Ling Tong finally spoke up, looking out across the northern shore.

"Mmmhmm." He replied, "Have for awhile now."

"Who do you think?"

"I have a feelin that Shu's been eyin' our ship for the past day or so." Xingba answered honestly, "An after what we saw… Don't be surprised if something happens once Liu Bei finds out about them executions."

Ling Tong's eyes shifted finally to Gan Ning, his eyes narrowed slightly, "People really don't like their family getting killed do they."

"Don't start this again…" Xingba growled looking at Ling Tong, "We were enemies then."

"And we aren't now?"

"Good point." A smirk spread across the pirates face.

"Both of you stop it!!" The little voice of Xiao Qiao commanded as she stepped out of the cabin. In her fans both fans were closed up but she seemed ready to smack the hell out of both of them. That pretty face was graced by a slight scowl, "Fighting each other isn't the point of any of this. We're out here to help a comrade! Believe it or not you both serve Wu and are comrades too! Wu is about to be in serious trouble, and if we have to turn to help them from this are you two going to spend time bickering or put aside your problems and help Sun Quan!!?"

"Xiao please…" Da Qiao sighed heavily as she stepped out also giving her sister a pleading gaze not to cause any more trouble.

"No, both of them need to listen!" Xiao Qiao glanced over her shoulder before stepping out further out, "Ling Cao was killed by Gan Ning… but sometimes you can't let the past hold you back forever. Just because Zhou Yu and Sun Ce are dead doesn't mean we're going to let ourselves drown in misery for the rest of our lives. Wu is our home, our family! What other kingdom is like that? We all saw Qilin when she came from Wei…and Shu hate each other too…Ning…Tong..please…"

She never could finish her sentence. The next thing they'd realize was an arrow had shot by, hitting the small girl right in the back. Her eyes widened, caught off guard, Zhou Yu always told her she had a problem lowering her defenses. Quickly Ling moved forward catching her before she hit the ground. Carefully he removed the arrow before picking her up and leaping to the side. Da Qiao's fans were instantly spread, as Xingba removed his sword from his side.

Figured…they had gotten surrounded.

"Put your weapons down and come with us unless you're wishing to be killed."

Da Qiao and Gan Ning exchanged a look, Xiao Qiao being hurt gave them nothing to bargain with. Da Qiao stepped forward setting down her fans with a frown, "You attack us without reason…you hurt my sister."

Irrationally the soldier taking charge of this operation stepped forward, using the hilt of his sword to bash the girl upside the head. "You aren't in the position to say anything." The man had their cooperation, until he made that move. Gan Ning still held that sword with in his hand. Staring down the authority factor, he suddenly felt as though he was back in his early days, where he hadn't a care in the damn world of who he pissed off. If they fucked with him, they were going to get hurt. These men had just harmed both princesses of Wu and hid the other one away with Liu Bei. In all truth he had complete authority to act this way, and he'd damn well abuse that right.

"You just fucked up big time buddy." A vicious smirk spread, "Get them outta the way kid. I got these guys."

"You…"

"Yep." A burst of energy filled him as he lunged forward his blade held up just cutting through the enemy that had entered the ship. He'd taken on armies! A few Shu soldiers were nothing to worry about. Besides they were always at war, and the situation had gotten worse. To be honest, no one hit a lady, HIS lady, like that. Sliding out his foot he changed positions spinning out, slashing is sword out with a broad almost sadistic grin worn on his face, "You don't mess with Gan Ning."

"You fucking idiot!" Ling Tong scowled looking at the dead soldier, "a unit is missing and theres a strange ship in their territory, more will come…."

"What?"

"The armor…" A smirk spread on Ling Tong's face, "Grab their armor, we'll use it as a way to get us and the girls in. Xiao needs medical attention fast. The armor on and put the girls in it."

Gan Ning simply stared at him. "Dress the girls?"

"Yes."

"You are not getting me castrated alone. You take Xiao, I got Da here…" He glared at Ling Tong, "I get racked for this you better damn well to."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The great halls were decorated, green banners hanging from the ceiling as delicate music played. Liu Bei sat upon the throne as a table was set up in the dead center of the room. It was a short walk to his grand pillow to sit on, and each vassal had a place at the table. Already sitting was the noble Zhao Yun, dressed in a green, white, and blue outfit that still had a warrior feel to it. He hadn't been quite comfortable adjusting to the more casual outfits. Next to him sat the lovely little Xing Cai dressed in a teal colored gown with her hair pulled back into two buns with flowers decorating them.

Ma Chao was next to sit down, and he seemed far more relaxed then most. Dressed in royal garbs of course respectfully in a shade of green, with his long dark hair tied back in a bun worn by most scholars, though the front of his hair was allowed to hang loose. There was no surprise that the young maids were staring at him.

Zhuge Liang was not robed much different then normal, though his wife at his side was clung to his arm dressed in a long gown with intricate gold designs laced through the fabric. It was a pleasant scene, and everyone looked almost happy in a way.

Stepping into the man room, Xiao Qilin looked around rather worriedly. She was dressed in regular dress, simply shade of green, with an under layer of black that had a slight train to it. This had been the one left for her to wear, yet it was rather regal for a place in which she had just been a prisoner. General Xiao Qilin though, how was she to feel about that. Her hair was worn in a down fashion, with a white flower tucked behind one ear, miraculously even it had a greenish tint to it. Though the hair was meant mainly to cover her neck due to a certain mark that had been left by Wei Yan.

"Qilin!" A young woman shouted, "You look wonderful."

Dressed in probably the most fashionable out of all the ladies, was Lady Sun Shang Xiang, which had called out to Qilin. A smile was worn on her face, and actually a dress covered the tom boy's body. A decorative head piece kept her hair from looking to boyishly cut, and there was even a little paint on her face. "Lady Sun you've gone out of your way this time."

"Shh…" Her cheeks flushed embarrassed, "Don't act like it's the first time I've worn one, Liu Bei doesn't know that!"

A soft chuckle escaped Qilin watching Sun Shang Xiang, then pointing, "Well your prince is right there. I'd go catch him." Quickly turning her head Lady Sun watched Liu Bei move towards his cushioned seat at the table. Giving Qilin a playful smile, she winked before heading towards Liu Bei. As Qilin watched, she noted Lady Sun stumble just as she reached him, saving herself only but acting as though she had lunged out to hug him. Which in good fun Liu Bei laughed at drawing her closer, wow, they looked so happy. Something Hua Tuo said rang in her mind, why was she not yet married? Well in truth because she hadn't been wed off.

"Qilin…" She heard the rough struggled voice of a certain general behind her. Whipping about she indeed found this to be whom she had expected, Wei Yan, but his appearance was not what she had expected. There was no bone armor, there was no weapon, and he was fully dressed. Though his waist sash tied lazy enough that the found of his robes sagged a little revealing the solid built tan chest. That wild mess of hair was tamed only slightly, and his face was exposed partially. A green headband drooped over the eyes with the 'x' shaped scar crossed. "You…fine?"

"Yes…My wounds were fully healed by the Doctor." She replied with a small smile on her face. "Yourself?"

"Fine." One word answers didn't strain those injured vocal chords of his so much, he looked actually quite normal at the moment. His one eye that was visible took the time to take in her appearance. No one had ever seen her dressed so regally since she was first sent on this damned mission. There was that slight feeling of sophistication present in the air right now she hadn't felt in a very long time, yet the air seemed far warmer then the halls of Wei had ever felt. "You…" He started before cutting himself off from saying something, was it something he'd regret later?

"General."

"Wenchang…" He replied looking down at her, that names was his style? One normally didn't allow people to address them by that unless fairly close. "..come…sit." Waving his hand he motioned to some open seats not yet filled. They were still awaiting the arrival of Liu Bei's sworn brothers to arrive. Qilin took a seat next to Wei Yan, with Huang Zhong on her other side, and across sat the doctor and mystic that had been invited into the castle.

"Ah good to see you are up and well." Zuo Ci smiled warmly before looking down towards his food.

Hua Tuo glanced at her as an amused smirk crossed his lips, "Now that is something young ladies like yourself should be wearing more often then that armor." Though it had been a teased Qilin's expression did indeed react as he had desired. "Not to mention there are many fine young single gentlemen here who are unmarried. I don't believe Zhao Yun or Ma Chao have taken wives yet, Liu Bei could always use another…"

"Old…man." Yan growled suddenly in warning, his teeth clenched slightly.

"Oh I see." Hua Tuo responded simply dropping topic shortly afterwards, which only left Qilin glancing back in forth rather oblivious to what had just occurred. So many times they accused men of being the naïve ones when it came to this.

"Youngsters and their flings," Huang Zhong muttered before digging back into his meal.

Before anyone was able to get too incredibly cozy at the table, the doors to the main hall burst open as a soldier in green stumbled in bloody and out of breath. "Lord Liu Bei!" He cried on falling to his knees and pressing his forehead to the floor. Liu Bei sat up straight, losing that happy expression across his face. The soldier lifted his head and continued to speak, "General Guan Yu…and Zhang Fei…have been killed. Guan Yu executed by Lu Meng, and Zhang Fei in battle with Wu. Guan Ping was also killed along side of his father."

Silence fell over the room as everyone turned to face the Lord of Shu. His head was bowed, hand clenching his cup to the point his knuckles were white. After a moment he raised his head, "We will have Sun Quan's head for this."

Lady Sun's eyes widened hearing this, and for a moment she had to turn away trying not to vomit. Zhuge Liang stepped forward his expression of obvious concern, "Lord Liu Bei I beg you to reconsider."

"No." He replied simply rising up from his seat, "We march in two days. Sun Quan will pay for this."

"Now do you believe him so faultless?" Hua Tuo muttered under his breath to Zuo Ci. The mystic's face had dropped, and he was simply sitting back as if all hope he had was now gone. How could this be.

Qilin looked to Sun Shang Xiang who was looking away from them all then to the small girl sitting next to Zhao Yun. She was pale as well, but she seemed trying her hardest not to cry. Her eyes were watery, and Qilin knew instantly that the girl was putting up an act of strength. The moment however that Zhao Yun moved a comforting arm around her, she collapsed with her head buried in his shoulder. Soft sobs muffled by the Zilong's clothing.

Lowering her eyes to the table she knew suddenly friends were enemies again. Da Qiao was with Wu, and they'd be forced to fight it they ever crossed paths. War, she hated it, but there would never be peace until one was victorious. Had she chosen whom she wanted to see win yet? Or did she know. If only Cao Cao was to arise again and take his place, her loyalty would not be so strewn about. To him she owed everything, but Cao Pi nothing. Zhen Ji, Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, Sun Shang Xiang… wives to warriors and generals whom they aided on the fields. Qilin was there because she had no where else, no place else, but was this where she belonged?

Slowly she began to realize her hand was grasping hold of another, a stronger hand that wasn't quivering as her own were. Lowering her gaze she found her hand with in Wenchang's who allowed her to use him as support. Was she really this upset? Bowing her head she noticed a small droplet hit the table, she was crying. Great she was really being this weak? Was she being weak or simply human?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Authors Note: An even longer yet far more recent update then what I have been doing. With so many random spurts of freedom between classes its been fairly easy. Which at this point taking a brief moment to Prop the new Fic I'm doing also called Dance of Fate. A modern day SW fanfic. Check it out please Reviews tend to keep me active and moving. Which also thank you for all the awesome comments. Sorry no ZhenJi/ZhangHe this time around. I felt our lil pirate crew needed their well deserve time to shine.