Chapter 20: Peace time.

There's something about knowing you're in a temporary period of peace…you enjoy it as much as possible, but get ready to fight again……Something at the back of your mind tells you 'it'll start again…you know it'. The only thing on my mind apart from that was Sarah and Simon's well being.

I think I overdid the snow, as I was bed ridden with cold for a few days. Shang Xiang, Ling and Gan got off lightly, only being in bed for a day. They even visited to gloat about the fact. While I was annoyed at being bed ridden for something so small, these days anything could kill you if not properly taken care of.

From what I gathered, Simon was right; Lui Bei moved to take the southern Jing province and managed to get a good base to move out from. He had agreed to my lord's offer…I never thought I'd say anything like that. I guess I'll have to get used to saying it.

Shang Xiang got a lot happier ever since she heard the wedding was off. I still hold my thought of she had someone else in mind. I didn't know who, but I didn't want to pry. I looked out of the window; the snow had melted the day before I was due to return to active duty.

Those few days were BORING. All I could do was lay there and think…and think some more…maybe sleep a bit but not much more then normal. Occasionally I would try to sneak out and train a bit, but I was always caught by someone and carried back in here.

One the final day, the doctor came in with a clip board and a feather, ink on the end of the feather. (Good old quills) He was steadily filling it in.

"If you would, my lord, I would ask you to do some things for me" he started, me getting out of bed.

"Sure, if it'll get me out of here quicker" I replied, smiling. he looked back at his board.

"First off, can you do 20 push ups?" I complied, getting into position and starting. He put a weight on my back, which didn't really feel like much to start with but then took a lot out of me at the end. I got back up after said 20. "Now balance on one leg for a minute"

"Easy" I told him, getting into position. He pulled out a weight, this one looking heavy; he motioned for me to hold it while doing this. I grabbed the weight, nearly falling over as I did so.

He basically went on from there, asking me to do simple exercises. I passed them all with flying colours, apparently. I was allowed to leave to get back on with duties. My first order was to oversee the new recruits while they trained, along with Zhou Yu.

When I got there, the troops were armed with a variety of weapons, getting into lines and columns and all of that Military stuff…you know the drill. Zhou Yu stood next to the swordsmen, swinging his sword around like them. They followed his lead…thank god they had wooden weapons the rate they were flying around at.

I stood near the crossbow men, seeing them load up a 'dummy' bolt, aim and fire in 5 seconds, each one getting close to the centre. They held crossbows that were quite large compared to mine, having too hold and fire them with two hands. I could hold mine with one hand and use the other to load. And firing was a breeze.

One of them held his crossbow off, if you get what I mean. He rested it against his chest and aimed, guessing where to fire and missing. He loaded another bolt, resting it against his chest again.

"Wait" I told him, walking over to him. He stopped 'aiming' and looked at me. "You don't fire it like that"

"How do you fire it then my lord?" he asked, lowering the crossbow.

"If I may" I held out my hands for the weapon, the soldier passing it to me. "You hold it like this" I held the crossbow at head height so I looked down the weapon's sight. "Check where your target is" I moved round so that I could get a clear shot. "hold your breath" I did what I said. "And fire"

I fired the weapon, seeing the bolt fly towards the target and hit the bull's eye. I was as surprised as everyone around me, as I saw the soldiers look at the target then look at me. I lowered the crossbow, looking at the soldier I borrowed it off.

"If you take all that in and keep calm in battle, then you'll be great with this" I told him, handing the weapon back. He nodded, getting another bolt out. I looked at the soldiers, thinking of something to say. "This isn't a show lads, get back to work"

They all nodded, loading another bolt each and firing. I was amazed at the accuracy they had after my little show. I walked to the back of the room, looking at my hands. I had never used a crossbow before I came here, and somehow I'm miraculously brilliant with one. Maybe the Fu side of me contributing that skill, maybe the weapons and energy thing was because of that.

"That was a good way of training troops" Zhou Yu told me, walking over to me. I looked at him, seeing him smile.

"Thanks, I guess" I replied, putting my hands across my chest. Zhou coughed like hell, putting his hand on his chest. "You ok?"

"I'm fine…just my age"

"You don't look that old"

"Thanks for the compliment" he coughed again, this time punching his chest. He didn't look very well.

"Seriously, Zhou, get some rest, you don't look to good" I uncrossed my hands, walking closer to him.

"I'm…fine" he told me. suddenly he collapsed onto the ground.

The rest was just a blur. I saw myself go to the ground and try to find a pulse. I looked at the soldiers, shouting something like 'someone, get a doctor!' and a soldier running off. The rest looked at me, wondering what was going on. They saw Zhou Yu on the ground, not knowing what to do.

The rest just whizzed by. I don't know what happened, all I knew was I was standing in the doctor's room, Zhou in the bed with, who I presume is, his wife crying at his side. I felt sorrow wash over me as I saw the doctor walk in.

"I'm sorry" he started, looking between me and Zhou's wife. "There's nothing we can do"

"Please, there has to be something" I replied, a tear running down my face.

"We can't reverse death my lord" he replied, looking at the bed. "He's gone, there is nothing to do but grieve"

I stood watch outside the room for a bit, not wanting to grieve. I didn't want to lose such a talented officer and friend. Throughout the day, as people heard the news, they came to pay their respects to him. Everyone I knew came along, and some civilians were allowed in.

I think Quan was the last one to visit, and this was around night time…wow, time flies. He came out, obviously having used a lot of tears up. He looked at me, seeing me in a seemingly cold state…well I wasn't crying, and I don't really show emotions.

"Are you ok, lord Xi?" he asked me, looking concerned. I looked back at him, seeing worry in his eyes.

"I'm fine…what about you?" I asked in response. "What are we going to do without a strategist?"

"That problem is being taken care of. Right now we have to stay strong for him and unite the land" he looked into the room, thinking for a bit. "It was his and brothers dream"

"My lord, I'll make sure that dream comes true" I told him, smiling. "The demon of war shall blight the battle fields for Wu"

"I know Fu, but just be sure that you're ready for any duty" Quan replied, putting his hand on my shoulder. "You're smart; maybe you should read some strategy books and see what happens"

I smiled as he said this, not thinking of what he had just said. Quan walked off, going back to duties most likely. I stood outside the door a bit longer, still thinking. Eventually I set off to my room, hoping to get some sleep.

I've been here, what, a few days. I've killed plenty of people on the battlefield without a second thought or after effect…so why has Zhou's death affected me so much? I thought about Quan's words, deciding to listen to what he had said and start reading.

To all you Zhou Yu fans, I'm sorry if his death wasn't dramatic enough. It had to come sometime.