Author's Note: You probably know the reason why I haven't updated in so long.....Empires is so addicting.

Chapter 29

Tattered Flags

"Ares, Va Cal." Chao looked at the stud as his ears perked up. He took the halter off and watched the grey colt gallop off towards Cheng Du, to see his mom.

"You really love her don't you?" Diao Chan asked as she appeared out of the darkness.

"Who?" Chao turned away from the enchantress.

"You know who. The wife of the man I love."

"You're awfully inquisitive." Chao turned back and looked at her. She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, but he was perfectly aware of the fact that she knew that.

"I want to get back to him." Chan sighed and sat down on a rock and looked up at him with a longing look.

"Why did you leave him in the first place then?"

"Why did you tell your woman you didn't want her?"

"I asked first." Chao didn't like how much this woman knew about them.

"I love Lu Bu, but if I stayed with him he would have done something stupid to protect me. And if I returned to him he would have not had the strength to join with Liu Bei. I know my lord very well, he is very ambitious when he wants to make someone happy."

"Then what do you hope to achieve by returning to him?"

"I answered your question, General, now you answer mine." She fluttered her eyelashes at him and saw him fidget.

"She surprised me, I've never met a woman so forward before. I had too much on my mind and I didn't need something else." Chao cocked an eyebrow at her. "Your turn again."

Chan stood up and looked up at the moon. "I would be happy to be his concubine if he so desires. As long as I am with my lord, it does not matter to me." She walked over to him. "You are an exceptionally attractive and talented man, why do you want another man's wife? I'm sure there are many women who would die for the chance to be with you."

Chao swallowed hard. She was very close and he didn't like the feeling he was getting. "Like I said Cal is different."

"Very. I can't help but think she is too different. You are rumored to be a very virtuous man, how is it that you are accepting of an adulteress?"

"I believe it is my turn to ask a question." Chao snapped. That one struck home. He was having a hard time with the fact that he loved a married woman. He believed in a lot of things and suddenly his beliefs were beginning to falter. At Tong Gate he had blasted her continually for what he found offensive, now he found all of those offenses endearing. How could he change his ideals and morals so quickly? "What will he do for you? Will he betray Liu Bei?"

"You'd love that wouldn't you? How easy that would make everything. You become the hero of Shu and secure yourself a wife as a prize. No, my Lord Ma, I will not allow him to get out of hand again. He must grow up sometime; I just want to give him a reason to. Especially since his actual wife doesn't appreciate the great thing she has." Chan looked him over. He had removed his armor and had left his tunic partial open. Probably accidental, he only came out into the night to send his equine messenger back to Cheng Du. She let her eyes linger on his well muscled chest. It was not Lu Bu's, but it was still incredibly impressive. She watched him pull his tunic closed and looked up at him. "Do you find me attractive?"

"Yes. I doubt there is a man anywhere who wouldn't." He knew she'd ask that, as if she didn't hear that enough.

"You're turn." She smiled.

"How did you end up in Cao Cao's hands?"

Chan frowned and turned away. She closed her eyes and began to squeeze out some tears. "You know how evil he is, why would you force me to remember that?" She tossed a sad glance over her shoulder at him, just to give him a glimpse of her tears.

"You didn't answer my question." He wanted her to go away. It was so long since he had seen Cal and six months of nothing but thinking about her was going to drive him insane. Damn this woman, she was good.

"He sought me out and added me to his collection. That demented pervert." She shook her head. "I'm done for tonight. Excuse me." She sat down and began to cry. Come on you chivalrous idiot, comfort me!

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Cal woke up when she heard the familiar nicker echoing in the night. She jumped out of bed and ran over to the balcony. Unsure of the correct procedure, the guards were looking down and staring at the crazy animal. She ran back into the room and threw on a robe and looked at her husband asleep on the bed. Why the hell was he so insistent on being here now? She glanced over at the crib and looked down at her son. Young Lu Xi was finally asleep, the child had the irritating tendency of his father to be very demanding and make her breasts sore. She knew Chao had sent Ares back to her and she wanted to jump on the horse and ride right back to him….but she had someone else to think about now. She looked back down at Xi, he would be up soon, she better just get her horse and bring him in.

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"Oh No! Do I hear a damsel in distress?" Tong shuffled into the clearing, pushing past Ma Chao.

Chao smiled to himself. The little sage was a very good man. "I said the wrong thing I'm afraid."

Chan silently cursed the cloaked freak. "I'm….fine." You ruined it!

"I'll keep ya company! Chao needs his beauty sleep."

Chao sighed and left, tomorrow he would finally see his love again. He just hoped she hadn't lost faith.

"So gorgeous, do you want to hear some poetry?" Tong giggled at Chan's polite smile.

"Sure." She would have to wait to get her hands on the truly splendid Ma Chao.

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Cal waited anxiously on Ares a few miles from Cheng Du. She knew he would be in the lead; he was the finest cavalryman in all of China. So much had happened since they parted and a small part of her told her that there was a great deal more that she missed. Lu Bu was happy to ignore her now, thanks to Lu Xi. She felt almost like she had betrayed Chao when she tried to convince Lu Bu to stay put. Her fantasy life with Chao was banking on Lu Bu leaving but they were the same horrible thing, killing machines powered by an insatiable bloodlust. Even now, as she sat on her faithful steed, she couldn't wait to get back on the battlefield. Knowing that the Shu army has just gotten their asses handed to them didn't help. Then the dust cloud got closer and a lone man in golden armor on a white horse appeared. She galloped down the road to meet him.

"Hey beautiful." Chao pulled her off her horse and into his arms, kissing her immediately.

"I thought you forgot about me." She pulled his handsome face down to meet her excited kiss.

"I'm sorry, have we met before?" His grin broadened.

"Shut up and kiss me." She held on to his neck as he dismounted with her cradled in his arms. She locked onto his lips again as he put her feet back on the ground.

"You look incredible…" He said while he stared at her chest.

"I just had a baby Chao, they're going to deflate."

"Damn." He kissed the exposed portion of her breasts. "How did you fit them in your vest?"

"I had the button moved." She looked over as Tsunami nudged her looking for a treat. "Chao? What's wrong with Yun?"

Chao stopped and looked at her panicked face. "He's going to be alright, he just lost a lot of blood."

"How?"

"Archers."

"DAMMIT!" Cal pushed off of him and into her saddle. "Where is he?"

"Come on, I'll take you to him." Chao jumped up on Tsunami and galloped after her. Ares was already at full gallop before he turned Tsunami back to the east.

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Cal saw Zhao Yun's crest on the fluttering flag near a tree. A small lean-to was propped so that the ailing general could have some shade and rest before continuing to Cheng Du.

Yun looked at Cal and smiled. "You lost weight."

"Funny." She kissed his cheek and sat down next to him. "You alright?"

"I think I'll be fine." Yun coughed. "Maybe get some much needed attention from the ladies."

"I'll stay with you." She volunteered.

"Yeah, because you are so very available." Yun looked over at Chao. "That one hasn't been able to shut up about you since we left."

"Well…" Chao blushed a bit.

"Oh now you're embarrassed. You weren't at all flustered last night when you were talking about her..."Yun cocked and eyebrow as Chao wrapped his hand over his mouth and grinned nervously at Cal.

"My what?" she queried and saw his bright smile and quickly forgot about the question.

Yun pushed the hand away. "Please take him away from me. If I have to suffer through another discussion about your finer points I'm going to kill myself."

"You're not allowed to die." Cal put her head to his. "Got it?"

"How's everything going on the home front?" Chao asked.

"Well Bei and Shang have been frolicking around Cheng Du like when they were first married. Huang Zhong has been supervising the bow production facilities and had been tinkering with a more kick ass bow for his men. I've been miserable and Lu Bu's been so focused on Xi that I haven't had to deal with him."

"Who's Xi?" Yun asked and looked to Chao who was also perplexed.

"My….my son." Cal was still struggling with the notion herself.

"Oh." Yun squeezed her hand.

"I've been trying to convince Lu Bu to change. He won't."

"I'm sorry I couldn't get back sooner." Chao hung his head apologetically.

"I'm concerned about Xi. If Lu Bu turns on us were going to execute him. If that happens….what happens to our son?" Cal asked Yun.

"He won't have many options if he's the son of a traitor." Yun told her what she had been dreading.

"Cal…..I'd never turn you away. That goes for your child too." Chao took her hand. "I want you to know that I'm here no matter what happens."

"You've got responsibilities Chao. You can't go picking up strays and bringing them home." Cal turned her head away.

"Well hell, then I guess you'll be left with me." Yun smiled. "I hear you're great with that tongue of yours."

"All I ever did was kiss you." Cal looked to Chao who turned red.

Yun laughed. "That's all he ever bragged about but thanks for giving him something else to think on." Yun groaned and sat up.

"Yeah, I'm such a whore." She frowned.

"Well then maybe you're going for the wrong Ma man." Dai grinned as he entered the structure. "Sounds like we might be destined for each other. I am on my very own quest to become a male-slut."

"Dai, I can still pick you up by your foot and hang you in a tree." Chao threatened.

"See he really does love you. My cousin has never been pissed off by any comment I've made about one of his women. Ever." Dai smirked and handed Yun some wonton soup. "Actually I can't help but think that Uncle Teng would have thought you two a good match as well."

Chao looked away a moment as his cousin mentioned his dead father. How was he going to fill his shoes? "Yeah, he always did say I was too serious."

"Amongst other things." Dai mumbled. "Anyhow it will be interesting. Chao with his brooding and over thinking and Cal with her sharp wit and instincts. You'll even each other out. Good thing, Chao needed someone to get that book of etiquette out of his ass."

"Things change Dai." Chao looked down at the woman beside him and she wrapped her arms around his waist. He wrapped his arm around her and squeezed.

"I always wanted a stealthy ass-kicker in the family." Dai grinned

"Well then if it makes you happy Dai, I suppose there really is no other choice." Chao sighed dramatically. "Looks like you'll just have to come home with us."

"We need to talk." Cal pulled away from her man and went out the side of the tent.

"She's freaking out Chao." Yun put his hand out to Dai who gave him a gold coin. "I told you so."

"You two bet on it?"

"Yeah." Dai nodded. "We don't really have anything else to do."

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"You've been cheating on me, haven't you?" Chao smiled as he ran his hand down her arm.

"With my husband." Cal tried to move away but he held her in place.

"I'm not letting you go." Chao chuckled. "Too late for that."

"I can't be the woman you need Menqi. You can't take me home with you, I'll only destroy you reputation, respect and life. Darling, it's like a dream with you, but like a dream we must wake up eventually."

"That's a rather severe prediction." Chao played with her earlobe. "I love you, I don't care what anyone thinks about it. You will be my wife and I will adopt Xi. That's all there is to it. The end is near; don't loose faith in me now."

"I've been trying to stop him from leaving. I changed; I thought he might want to. But I guess you have to want to."

"I love you, he doesn't. It's as simple as that. Just a little longer, I promise this will work out."

"Well you better hope it does because I'm planning on haunting you if it doesn't." Cal smirked and hugged him.

"Good."

"So…" Cal ran her hands into his tunic. "You want to play?"

"Yes, but I'm not going to." He pulled her hand away. "You're married and I'm going to wait until your not."

"There went my motivation." Cal growled as he kissed her.

"Can you just be satisfied with kissing me for now?" He played with her hair.

"Isn't that just as bad?"

"Um, no." He gave her another kiss. "I can't let you destroy all my morals now can I?"

"Actually you can." She grinned and tried to put her hand down his pants.

"Bad girl." He pushed her hand away. "No means no."

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After the execution of Ma Su, the officers we quiet and antisocial. Cal followed Tong back to his tent, where he promised to teach her about strategy.

"Oh we forgot to tell you." Tong looked up from his Art of War. "Xiahou Yuan got killed."

"Oh." Cal fell silent. Poor Dun. She never really took to Yuan, he was always a dick to her, but she left him alone because he was Dun's brother. She would have killed him if she had to, but still…... "You have some paper? A pen maybe?"

"Even ink." Tong gave her the requested items.

Cal began to write out a short note. But Tong was staring at her. "What?"

"When did you learn how to write?"

"I didn't. I only know how to write four things. 'Cao Cao' 'Xiahou Dun', 'Wei' and 'Sesame Chicken'. I actually spent more time teaching Dun Latin than I did learning Chinese." She continued her letter. 'Xiahou Dun' she wrote, concentrating heavily on the Chinese letters, then she switched to Latin and quickly completed her communication. 'requiescat in pace.'(l. May he rest in peace.) And signed it. It had to be short, she never got around to teaching him all that much of her language. "You have anyone who can deliver this?"

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"Shang and I are going for a ride, we were wondering if anyone else would be interested in coming along." Liu Bei looked over the small group of four officers: Cal, Chao, Tong and Ying.

"Hey Tong, it sounds like the emperor is warming up to the orgy idea." Cal winked at Liu Bei and blew him a kiss.

"Ooohhh! I call Shang. I like her bandana." Tong smiled and giggled.

"I'll take Chao." Ying smiled, "Payback for ChiBi."

"No, No, No." Liu Bei turned red, "I' wasn't suggesting….."

"You and me baby." Cal stood and began to prod Bei's chest. "It's about time…."

Shang laughed as Tong puckered up for a kiss. These people were crazy and it was good to be back with them. "I want to be in control." She kissed him in a nice friendly manner, making him giggle.

"All the better!" Tong hugged her and tossed her tiny body over his shoulder. "Grab your girl Chao, Ying's mine next."

Chao smiled as Cal made Liu Bei's face turn a shade of red he never though possible. "I can't believe you all do this to him." He looked to Ying.

"We've been neglecting him." Ying smirked as Bei put Cal in a headlock. "He should know by now to watch what he says to us."

"I never said anything like that!" Bei had to laugh as Ying grinned at him "I just wanted to show you all the peach orchard."

"THE peach orchard?" Cal smacked his ass and won her freedom.

"Yes, now Chao if you won't mind taking your girlfriend back I would rather take my chances with Ying."

Chao froze and saw Ying do the same. "Sir?"

"I told him." Cal gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I forgot to communicate that didn't I?"

"And you're not mad?" Chao asked cautiously.

"Chao, this young lady has done more for me since I have met her than anyone. I hope it all works out for the best." Bei kissed Cal's head. "She deserves it."

Ying ran over and wrapped her arms around the emperor's neck. "You are the best!"

"Looks like two on one, sorry Chao you sit out this round." Cal swiped Liu Bei's crown.

"Give me that!" Bei snatched it back and put it back on his head. "Watch it, or I'll change my mind. Just don't think I'm going to go easy on you young man! You're going to have to ask me for her hand."

"Ooohh!" Cal clapped. "I'm being adopted! Shang! You're my new mommy! Ha and a new grandma too!" Cal ran off after Tong.
"You girls will be the death of me I swear."

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"So this is it." Sun Shang Xiang leaned into Liu Bei and pushed him off balance.

"Yes, this is it." He righted himself and watched the others look around.

Cal was trying to get a peach but it was too high for her. "For once I have a use for my husband and he's not here."

"What?" Chao asked concerned.

"A 6' 11" human ladder would be awesome right now."

"Will 6'1" do?" Chao bent down to give her access to his shoulders.

"I finally get you between my legs.." She giggled and squeezed his neck with her thighs.

"Well this is pretty." Tong took off his mask and hat. "Hopefully it doesn't have a name like Decomposing Phoenix Orchard."

"No, I doubt it does." Bei watched Shang pull away from him and almost got nailed in the eye with a peach.

"Sorry!" Cal shouted as she handed a few to Chao. She shoved one in her man's mouth and laughed.

"Thanks." Bei bit into the fruit and smiled as Tong caught his in his hat.

Shang looked around the clearing and over at the small alter that was at the center of the garden. "Over here?"

"Yeah. I wish Fei and Yu could be here but they're so wrapped up in the power struggle out east….I just wanted to share it with you all."

"Yun's gonna be pissed." Cal smiled as Chao let her down. Zhao Yun was beginning to feel left out of everything. She was going to be spending a lot of time with him, despite his protests. She was also going to make sure he got to play some chess with the emperor.

Shang felt at ease here and looked back to Liu Bei's warm smile and knew what she was feeling was so very right. With her right hand she raised her Chakram to her waist and held it out flat. "In this same garden then, I swear to help you unite the country and bring peace back to the land."

The group paused and watched her. Ying instinctively knew what to say, "And I too pledge my undying support of our Lord. May my inventions and strategies bring him victory." She raised her scythe then laid the blade flat on Shang's Chakram.

Cal whipped out her rapier in a swift a fluid motion, adding it to her friends. "I will give my life and soul to protecting our lord."

"Then here, we three pledge our everlasting loyalty to Liu Bei." Shang used her other Chakram to lie on top of the weapon collection and bind them together. "We are now bound together by this oath, as Liu Bei and his brothers still are. There is nothing that may stand between us and our duty now, agreed?"

"For our lord." Ying nodded.

"Long live Liu Bei." Cal agreed.

Shang pulled her Chakrams away and looked at the two women. "We need a catchy name now."

"Tigress Generals." Ying smiled. "I'm sick of getting Tiger General shit getting thrown in my face."

"Except that denotes a high ranking general. Need I remind you that I am barely worthy of the Brigadier General title I currently hold?" Cal smirked. Why the hell couldn't she be a good general?

"General's a general." Shang shrugged. "That works?"

"Yes." Ying smiled. "What do you think my lord?"

Liu Bei brushed back a tear. "You are all too good to me."

Shang bounced up to him and kissed him tenderly. "Someone has to be, you're so rough on yourself!"

"Cal, I couldn't think of anyone I'd be more proud to have by my side." Chao gently kissed her, still wierded out by Liu Bei's encouragement.

"Ying!" Tong raised his hands and pulled the taller woman into his face. "You are the greatest!" He kissed her.

Ying pulled away. "Tong!" What the hell has gotten into you!"

"You were left out! I may not kiss like Zhou Tai, but I ain't bad lady!"

"I don't think anyone kisses as well as Zhou Tai." Cal had to admit then glanced into Chao's annoyed eyes. "Sorry sweetheart, it's the truth."

"Oh, Yeah. Ying is in love with Zhou Tai." Shang whispered in Liu Bei's ear.

"Well, you're still faithful to me right?"

"You're not an egotistical asshole." Shang grinned. "I'm the only one happy with her husband."

"Good. I was beginning to wonder about them. Zhou Tai, huh?"

"Yeah. Cal was just covering for them. She's a very good friend." Shang turned around and smiled at her friend happy and content in Chao's embrace.

"I know." Bei kissed her cheek and watched Tong pout.

"If you like the guy on guy thing, Ying, why is girl and girl so weird?" Tong smiled.

"Tong, that's not even a rational argument. I'm not joining you or any of your concubines."

"How bout you Cal? I know Chao's being a prude." Tong shifted his attention to the Roman girl.

"I have to pay for my Tai kissing compliment." She smiled as Chao laughed.

"Indeed you do."

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A courier arrived from the east, and the gates opened for the man. Shang looked to Liu Bei, she smiled as he looped his arm around her. She looked back to the gate and he spirits fell. Zhou Tai was back.

Tai sighed. He hated doing this, but it was the only chance he probably was going to have to see Ying. He walked Mariner over to the Shu ruler and his queen. "I'm sorry."

"Who?" Shang squeaked.

"Ce."

Shang burst into tears and buried her head into Liu Bei's chest. "Why?"

"Sunny." Liu Bei held her and closed his eyes. She was going to leave again….and he needed her so much.

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Ying stared up into Tai's eyes and smiled. "I can't believe it…."

"Nor I." Tai kissed her and heard Cal mutter something behind them. "What? Jealous?"

"Yeah. Wish I picked someone without morals." She dropped into the pillows next to Tong and glared at Chao.

"It's bad enough I'm waiting around for a chance to kill your husband, honey." Chao felt like all they did was argue about this anymore. He sat down in a chair and ran his hand through his hair. "I don't need to compound that with adultery. I'm trying to turn you into an honest woman."

"You are wasting your time." Cal leaned against Tong.

"So why is Liang letting you go back with Shang again?" Tong asked, it was a really weird thing for Zhuge Liang to accept, even with Liu Bei's support.

"He said that I should work with his brother Jin while I am there to solidify our alliance with Wu. That and bring Shang back home in a more timely manner than last time."

"So you're refusing to sleep with her?" Tai asked of the younger man.

"Yeah." Cal snapped.

"That's why you love me." Chao retorted.

"Oddly honorable." Tai shrugged.

"I am so glad you didn't do that to me." Ying smiled and rubbed his chest.

"You didn't have a husband to sleep with if I didn't." Tai winked at Cal.

"Lu Bu is occupied with Diao Chan. That's all he cares about." Cal played with a pillow. "I need to apologize for what I said last time we talked….you were right."

Tai smiled. "Well hopefully we can help each other out. We are the bad-asses of the forbidden couples."

"Yes we are." Cal grinned up at Chao. "Something you're going to find out when I break that chastity belt of yours."

"So you're going to take out Lu Bu and Zhuge Liang now?" Ying laughed. "Talk about confidence, Cal."

"Ying, if I wanted them dead they wouldn't still be drawing air."

"But you're not going to kill anyone like that anymore. You don't have to." Chao reprimanded her.

"Well he's pretty bossy." Tong nudged Cal. "That's what you get for picking the prefect of Xiliang."

"What exactly does that mean?" Cal asked the question that had been bugging her for so long.

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"Alright, ready for your present?" Chao bent down and smiled at her.

"Do you really like the voyeur thing?" Cal looked around the training field and saw Dai laugh.

"Rape him!" Dai screamed.

Yun had to smile. "She can do it Chao. Don't let your guard down."

Chao sighed, as if he didn't have enough of their endless teasing. "No. Get your mind off of that. It only makes it harder…."

Cal latched on to his crotch. "Indeed it does, baby."

"NO!" Chao pulled her hand off. "Harder to wait!"

"Then give in to my seductive wiles." She licked his thumb.

"Stop it!" He let go of her hand and watched Dai double over with laugher.

"I love this!" Dai squeaked.

"This is your present." Chao handed her a spear.

"If I exchange it can I have your spear instead?" She reached out for his crotch again.

"No…"he had to laugh; she was just so damned cute.

"Long smooth shaft….broad head" Cal growled seductively.

Yun laughed as Chao began to blush. "You're never going to make it Chao."

"Oh I will. Never underestimate the stubborn streak of the Ma Clan."

"Honey, I'm a Roman. We always take what we want." She watched him pick up the Stallion Fury. "But apparently I need to subdue you first. Very well."

"I'll make a deal with you. If you can best me on this field then I will allow you to trample my morals along with my pride and dignity."

"GREAT!" Cal smiled.

"With that spear."

"DAMN!" her shoulders fell. "Chao, I hate pole arms."

"A spear is a far better weapon to use on horseback. Ares is a fine warhorse and you are really destructive together, I just want to make you better."

"Great. In addition to my literacy lessons with Yun and my 'How to be a good general in two-thousand easy steps' class with Tong, I'm really beginning to feel like you all don't like me the way I am."

"Don't forget your parenting class with Liu Bei." Yun snickered.

"Maybe you can teach me how to be a bigger whore." Dai laughed as Chao shot him an agitated glance.

"We just want to help." Chao grinned. "So are you really going to protest me helping you figure out your stance?" He swung in behind her and wrapped his arms around her body. Taking her hands in his he put them on the spear where he though she should hold them, then used his knee to move her leg into the right position.

"It's kind of hot; don't you think you need to take off your tunic? I worry about heat exhaustion with you wearing all those heavy clothes." She rubbed her ass against his groin

"I'm sorry, did you say something? I was too busy ogling your breasts." Chao replied.

"Do you have to do this in public?" Lu Bu took his arm off of Chan's shoulder as he approached.

"I brought her back a gift and thought I'd teach her how to use it properly." Chao snapped.

"Oh….well in that case I've got a gift for you too, sweetie." Lu Bu raised his halberd.

"Shouldn't you be in our bedroom with your trophy whore?" Cal pulled away from Chao.

"Tell me, Chao. Exactly how is it that someone who claims to be so righteous can justify stealing another man's wife?" Lu Bu crossed his arms and stared menacingly at the shorter man.

Chao stared back. "If you tell me how you can change your belief every week. On this very same battlefield you offered her to entice me over to your side, now you are offended by my interests."

"That was before I realized you were trying to betray me. Pretend to befriend me, fuck my wife then put a knife in my back."

"I've never fucked your wife." Chao snapped.

"And I'll be the one putting the knife in your back." Cal smiled dangerously.

"Oh, so you haven't scrapped all your standards yet. Truly commendable." Lu Bu ignored his wife and grinned as the young warrior began to let his anger get the best of him. "So do you think you're actually good enough to fight me? Do you want to die that quickly, boy?"

Cal threw the spear at him and Lu Bu raised his arm to defect it. "I won't have you insulting him."

"You're even less of a threat, darling." He smirked knowing it would egg her on.

"I'm a lot better than you think, bitch." Cal slammed her fist into his lower jaw.

Lu Bu took a step back and gave her his famous scowl of death. "Well then, you've already shown me everything else." He gave Chao a look to see if his rage was boiling over yet. It definitely was. "Well, go ahead, I'll give you the second move too."

Cal walked back to Yun, who had her rapier. "Can I have my bracers too?"

Yun took her arms and put the bracers on for her. "Be careful."

"Keep an eye on Chao, please." She looked to them both.

"Yeah, that's going to be an easy fight to break up." Dai mumbled and handed Cal her shield.

Cal took her weapons and marched back to Lu Bu. "Shall we?"

"Don't you want to do your gibberish thing?" Lu Bu waved Sky Scorcher at her and narrowly missed swiping Chao with the blunt end. "You might want to back up there, sonny, this is between me and my wife."

"Go ahead Cal, kill him." Chao took a few steps back and kept his angry eyes on Lu Bu.

"That will be the day."

"Get my spear, would you Dai?" Yun asked and stood up with a groan.

"Exitus Acta Probat." Cal kept her eyes closed and let her fury take over her self-control. This would be a dirty fight, and he didn't deserve any better.

"I'm waiting!" Lu Bu stood and yawned. Then his eyes got wide and he hit the ground as Cal threw her knife at his head. When he looked up, Lu Bu had to roll out from under her jumping strike attack that surprised him. When did she learn that? He righted himself and met her attempt to stun him. "Well, you have gotten better….Ughhh."

Cal used her forehead to headbutt him in the mouth. With her shield she clocked him on the left side of the head and smashed the hilt of her rapier into the right side. He had no choice but to fall backwards. But as she tried to jump onto him with a down thrust, his foot came up and tossed her across the field.

Chao gripped his weapon nervously. Cal rolled back on her knees and flung her shield at her husband and it whistled through the air like one of Sun Shang Xiang's Sol Chakrams. He saw the giant swat at it and send to flying back at her. With nothing to protect herself with she raised her arm, and the shield slammed into her bracer. Chao saw her wince; it was the same wrist she injured before. He looked over at Yun who was watching everything stoically, Fierce Dragon in his hand.

Cal launched her slender skinning knife at Lu Bu as she sprinted at him, ready to musou him. "This is one thing I will not regret!"

"Wrong again!" Lu Bu slammed her into the ground with his weapon, ignoring the pain from the knife embedded in his arm. "Today you die for your arrogance…." He began to swipe at her neck but something impeded its path.

Chao met the great halberd with his spear and pushed it away from his slightly stunned lover. "I do believe it is time for you and I to settle our differences. I happen to be in love with your wife and in order for us to be together you must be eliminated. Too bad, huh?"

"So, the man who hurt her enough to drive her into my arms wants to save the day. Interesting." Lu Bu pulled back and looked over his new opponent. "How valiant."

Chao fumed. "I'll rectify my mistakes today, with your life."

"Why is it that men are always fighting over her." Diao Chan sauntered up and smiled taking Lu Bu's arm.

"I'm not fighting over her." Lu Bu suddenly realized how ridiculous it must seem to the woman he loved. How could he insult her by killing a man for his wife?

Chao spun his spear and pulled back to help Cal off the ground. "You Okay?"

Cal blinked and sat up felling Chao's strong hand on her back she looked at Lu Bu with his gem. "Fine."

"I thought I was all you needed." Chan asked meekly. She looked down at the annoying Roman woman and gave her finest sneer. Lu Bu had to leave with her, those were her orders. Then and only then could this stupid slut have her chance to kill him, only to find herself back in Cao Cao's hands. How satisfying that turn of events would be.

"You are right as always, Chan." Lu Bu wrapped his arm back around her and pulled the knife out of his arm. "Oh I bet you want that back." He threw it down at her chest, annoyed when she deflected it with her rapier.

"I'm going to enjoy watching you die." Cal put her knife back in her boot. "You deserve to be killed in your sleep more than any other man I killed. Pity you sleep so soundly, isn't it?"

Lu Bu laughed, "You keep bragging, but I haven't seen any results."

"Just you wait." Cal said icily and received a concerned look from Chao.

"Are you done?" Yun came up next to his friends and slammed his spear into the ground. "You're interrupting practice."

"Bye now, darling." Lu Bu smirked. "Hope I see you tonight."

"The only time you'll see me is when it's too late." She snapped

"Promises….." Lu Bu walked away with Chan, blood running down his sleeve.

"So far I've inflicted two wounds, Fengxian. My third will not be a tease."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Well we have finally received some information from Guan Yu and Zhang Fei." Zhuge Liang flicked his fan and pushed his long greasy hair back over his shoulder. "My lord are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah…go ahead." Liu Bei looked up at his strategist with tired and weary eyes. The first night away from Shang was always the worst.

"They have taken half of the Nan territory; Sun Ce claimed the other half. That was three months ago. Then they moved on and attacked Wan Castle, where they barely missed capturing Cao Cao. Dian Wei and Cao Ang were killed however, good news. They are moving towards Jingzhou, since Guan Yu feels it will be threatened by Sun Quan in his efforts to prove himself. Guan Yu is sending Zhang Fei back to us with seventy percent of the troops. He doesn't believe it necessary to have a large force at Jingzhou, and I agree."

"Good news." Liu Bei wished Guan Yu would come home. He missed his friend and Fei was never sober anymore.

"Perhaps I could interest you in that tea, sir." Liang asked gently. "You need a good nights rest."

"Yes…perhaps."

"I'll see to it my lord." Finally!