Story: Dynasty Warriors: Xiaoqiao x OC
Author: Aoi
Written: March 23, 2020
Genre: Friendship/Tragedy
Rating: T
Disclaimer: We do not own the Warriors series, but I do own this original story idea.

Chapter 1

"Xiaoqiao! When we got older, please m-marry me!"

"... W-WHAT!?"

I said it.

I finally said it.

I stood there, feeling completely bashful of what I just said.

The little Qiao sat beside me under the cherry tree, looking at me with a surprised face. I mean, who would not? When someone confessed to you directly like this, let alone at such a young age, who would not be surprised? Her face reddened completely while staring at the surrounding plains.

It definitely was about time for me to confess. I have known her for so long, and so was my feeling toward her. I wanted to protect her with my life. I did not want to lose my precious little maiden. It would be too hurt for me to bear, and I would blame myself if anything ever happened to her when I was not there when she needed my help.

I have to become her real guardian, like what I did here 5 years ago.

We have known each other since we were little, when I was thirteen years old. She was nine at that time, but she was still cute as ever, even until now.

Our meeting back then, dare I say, was fated.

I was sitting under this cherry tree, enjoying the wind when I saw her running to me at full speed, being chased by a wild dog. My eyes opened wide as ever while slowly standing up, completely stunned in awe by her beauty. A goddess-like pale white skin made in heaven accompanied with a pretty face, a pure look without sin, completely innocent. Her light brown hair swayed fast, following her feet movement perfectly. I still remember her cute sob when she ran to me like it was the end of her life.

Without thinking twice, she hid herself behind my body, gripping my shoulder hard. I was both shocked and nervous. She looked through my shoulder, looking at the angry wild dog.

That evening, this was her first request to me.

"*sob* P-please shoo it away! Please!"

My heart melted.

I had to help her!

I closed the gap between the dog and myself, facing it head on. I fought bravely to protect this cute little figurine from any possible harm. She looked at our heated fight with a frightened face, but her eye reflected a single glint of hope.

The dog was able to scratch my face and hurt my left arm, but the fight did not last long. I dealt the final blow with a hard poke in its eye, causing the dog to run back to the forest while howling in pain.

Of course I was proud of my action. Saving a damsel in distress sure was an unforgettable experience. Even though I fell to the ground afterward, feeling exhausted and almost defeated by the dog, I was glad to know that this little girl is now safe.

Her eyes met with mine. She looked so sad, tears were welling up on her eyes. Such expression would not fit her innocence.

I raised my thumb to the air, telling her that I was still alive and kicking, but it did not change her worried look at all. I was out of idea as to how to comfort her when I heard faint footsteps. I immediately looked at the noise to find a handful of soldiers coming at us. The little girl was relieved when she saw them.

"Little lady! You should not wander alone at this forest! It's dangerous!" said the tallest guard, probably their captain.

"Now is not the time to argue about that! My guardian needs help!" 'Little lady' hurriedly replied.

Guardian. The guardian of hers. That was good enough, I suppose.

"No, it's okay! I-I'm fine! Just a few scratches and some broken bones! A day sleep will heal me faster than any medicine!" I said while panting hard.

Of course these scars would not heal that fast, but I had to look tough! I should not show any weaknesses in front of her! A true warrior must act like a gentleman!

Upon hearing that, the little girl let out a slight chuckle from her mouth. Gosh, I never know even a mere chuckle can be so cute.

Even though I said all that thing, one of the soldier walked to me with a pouch in his hand. He dipped his finger inside the pouch, revealing the greenish-like ointment inside. He touched the scar I had in my face and spread the ointment, resulting in me clenching my teeth to hold the sharp pain I felt within my face.

"Aww! At least warn me before spreading my face with who knows what!" I squealed in protest after the person finished.

"Sorry kiddo, that's the least thing we could do to you. After all, we weren't expecting our employer's daughter to wander on her own like this," said the soldier.

"Okay then, it's time to go back to Lord Qiao Xuan. Little lady, you should be ashamed of yourself for running on your own, let alone letting someone to take the blame of your doing! Next time, don't do something stupid like that!" the soldier scolded. She looked down to the ground, ashamed of her action.

No, no, no! This is time for a real gentleman to speak up!

"Eh, it's okay! I want to become a warrior in the future to save those who needed help, and this is one of my real experience! Now I know that a dog could bite you THAT har-, aww aww..."

"Ehehe... Anyway, thanks for your help! Tomorrow, I'll visit you again! How does that sound?" she said with a cheery tone.

"D-definitely good! I'll see you tomorrow, then!"

The soldiers walked away with the little girl. She seemed to be not sad anymore, and that was good. What a pretty girl. Such girl surely was a daughter of an important person, judging by the amount of soldiers who was looking for her. Who was that, they said? Qiao Xuan? Wait... I forgot something important.

"H-hey! What's your name?" I shouted to the girl.

She looked back to me with a smile in her face.

"You can call me Xiaoqiao!"

Xiaoqiao.

Little Qiao.

When I was back home, mother's face was priceless. She was frightened at my torn down face, thanks to the wild dog. I told her that I was fine, and she questioned how did I get such injuries. I told her that I protected a little girl from a wild dog, causing her eyes roll to the side. She let out a single sigh and scolded me to not put myself in such situation anymore.

I said yes, while deep down I disagree with her. If I turned the blind eye toward those who needed help, then how could I become a good warrior in the future?

That night, I couldn't sleep. I could only think about the girl. Xiaoqiao, she said. What a cutie! I definitely wanted to know more about her...

...but would it be possible?

We were completely different. She was an important royal figure. On the other hand, I was a mere peasant. No one important to her. Maybe she said such thing to not disappoint me, to give me hope, but I realized.

We were not meant to know each other as a friend.

I crushed the hope of meeting her tomorrow. She would not come, and never will. I bet she would be enjoying a feast with her family rather than visiting a normal child like me.

A tear slipped out from my eye, but I cannot allow more tears to come out. Face reality! We were not meant to know each other more than what happened today.

Boy, I was wrong.

The following day, around the exact time of yesterday's event, I found myself sitting under the tree, accompanied with a stick and a knife. I tried to make a flute of my own. I carved the stick in a way that I could blow it and make a good melody. When the makeshift flute was set, I inhaled deeply and blew it hard.

Instead of a melodious note, I heard a completely failed attempt of making a flute.

"Eeeww! That sounded odd!" said someone behind me with a high and annoyed tone.

I turned my head in surprise, seeing a girl covering her ears with both hands.

Xiaoqiao.

"You... you really came!"

"Of course, dummy! I promised, right? A good girl will fulfill her promise~" she said gleefully.

I was delighted.

My little figurine decided to visit me again.

We talked a lot that day. About her family, mine, and herself. It was a fun discussion, really. We both laughed when things gotten funny. We both kept secret of what we gossiped under that tree. It was a happy day for both of us, until the sun decided to hide its face from the world.

"Wow, it's evening already? Guess we really enjoyed ourselves, ehehe~" she said with her trademark laugh.

"Yeah..." My voice trailed off.

Sure, I could meet her today, and that was absolutely breathtaking.

Could we meet again in the future, though?

I shook my head, killing the hope inside me.

"What is it? You sounded sad for a moment..."

"It's just... Can we meet again and become friend?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"Hey now, you are my friend already! Don't say such thing!"

My eyes widened. Turns out there was hope after all. She looked at me with a big smile in her cute face. I replied her smile with a pat on her head.

We started to know each other better, days after days. Days became months, months became years. In the 5 years that I have lived with her as my best friend, we knew each other like a brother and sister. We helped each other when things gotten rough on one of us.

I even visited her royal house. I was nervous when she asked me about it. Visiting a big mansion was a big no-no for a peasant like me, but Qiaowy, I gave her that nickname, asked me to follow her. Her father was a kind man, as well as her older sister. Sister Daqiao was a pretty girl too, but somehow I couldn't compare her with Qiaowy.

I could not compare her beauty alone. That day, I realized. Deep down, I was starting to love her. Not just as a best friend. I was confused with the feelings that bugged my heart whenever we talked before, but that day I finally realized. I was happy.

No. More than that.

The word happy was not enough to explain the feelings inside my heart.

I fell for her.

I started to train myself to become stronger, so I could protect her whenever danger arose. I pushed my body to the limit, endangering my own life, but whenever I thought about Xiaoqiao, my body refused to give up so easily, as if hearing her voice alone could give me the strength to cross a mountain.

I must become stronger to protect her.

So I could be worthy enough in front of her.

She always cheered at me while I was training myself without knowing that she was the source of my power. She comforted me when I forced myself to the brink with my rigorous training. Sure, 'I will become a strong warrior in the future' was my go-to excuse, and that is not wrong, but deep down, it was not only about that.

Oh, Qiaowy.

I fell for you. I fell so hard for you.

Why a girl as cute as you decided to steal my heart so soon in my life?

Although that was what I felt toward her, I could not bring myself to confess. Not yet.

I have to become stronger first, then I could confess properly.

I trained hard day by day, hoping that I could become her guardian for real.

We supported each others dream, we clapped hands like a partner in crime, we...

...we were inseparable.

I knew that deep down.

I bet she knew that too.

Thanks to that feeling, today I mustered my courage. I asked her to meet me under the very tree where we met for the first time.

"Hi!" said by the cutie coming at me.

She looked pretty today... No, she was always pretty in front of me. The most beautiful flower I ever met in my whole life.

She sat close beside me. My nervous system went wild, my breath became disoriented. She didn't seem to mind about it.

"So, what is it? You wanna talk about something?"

I was at loss for words at that time.

What should I say?

My mind went blank.

"Uuh... erm... Let me think about it fir-"

N-NO, WAIT! THAT WAS NOT... URGH! IT'S SO DIFFICULT!

"...what? Eheheh, you asked me to come and now you don't know what to talk about? Dummy dummy~" she teased.

Gosh, you don't know how cute you were, Xiaoqiao.

We sat there for quite a while, listening to the forest. The soft breeze by the wind caused some of the cherry tree leaves to fall, making the scenery around us looked much more beautiful.

Did the heaven witness this event and decided to bless me?

"You know..." Qiaowy muttered loudly while playing with her hair, "I kinda remembered that day. When you saved me from that wild dog. I really am grateful," she continued with a small smile in her face.

"If only you weren't here, I might have died. Thanks, my guardian!" Her smile went wider.

"Guardian, huh..."

I stood up, watching the plains getting swooped by the wind. Xiaoqiao stared at me with her innocent face.

"You could depend more to me than just that, y'know?" I said slowly. Qiaowy raised her left eyebrow in response.

"Hmm, so you're telling me to guess what did you mean by that..." Xiaoqiao replied, suddenly deep in thought, her finger between her eyes.

Oh boy, the moment.

I inhaled as much as possible, then I bowed to Xiaoqiao.

"If you w-want..."

"Xiaoqiao! When we got older, p-please marry me!"

"... W-WHAT!?"

I said it.

I let my mouth to say the rest of my feelings.

"I... I fell for you, Qiao. The moment when we first met, I feel like there will be something going on between us in the end, and now I can guarantee that. I fall in love with you, and I wish to hold that hand of yours in marriage when we are allowed to!"

Her eyes opened wide upon hearing that. She only sat still in her spot, not moving an inch. Her mouth opened, wanted to say something, but she closed it slowly.

"I... I... Xiaoqiao, I-"

"... It's not that I don't want it. I know that feeling, and I believe the same thing is happening inside me, but I can't answer you with ease before telling father about this. G-give me a day and we'll sort it out, okay?" Xiaoqiao said, her face still red.

I was left confused with that statement.

Was that a confirmation?

No, I believe that was not a rejection.

So... She felt the same?

Y-yes, she was!

Why then... I felt quite uneasy?

We sat beside each other for the rest of the evening, completely at loss for words. When night falls, she said her goodbye hastily and left me there.

I went back to my house, but along the way I heard something, albeit faintly.

The sound of metal clashing at each others.

I tiptoed slowly to the noise, seeing a large amount of soldiers fighting against an army. They all wore mostly red uniform. Whoever they were, it was dangerous for the time being. I ran back to my house and warned father and mother about what I saw earlier. I took my red iron staff and stood in front of my house, trying to protect my family from any possible danger that night.

A charm made by Xiaoqiao was hanging in one of the staff end.

Hopefully she would be safe with her family, I prayed.

The fighting was getting intense based on the info spread around the village, but luckily the brawl never reached here. Some days later, I learned that the army who invaded our homeland was called as 'Wu'. Father, mother, we all prayed silently each day so that the war would end as soon as possible. We all just want to live peacefully.

Thanks to this war as well, Xiaoqiao did not come back to visit. It was obvious, though. It was not safe outside.

After quite a while, the fighting had died down in the area. Wu successfully conquered this part of the land. Not that I care, to be honest. As long as the conqueror is a good person, I would not mind his presence. I wanted to join them, even! I was tired with the constant power struggle within the land, and I hoped to help a faction who seemed able to bring peace within the land.

I immediately joined Wu. I started as a low-ranked soldier, but thanks to my dedication, I was able to get myself promoted as an important figure within Wu army.

Well, maybe not very important, but good enough, I guess.

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