The night after the battle Lu Bu's army setup camp to rest before they return back to Xia Pi castle. Almost everyone in the army was sleeping apart from a few individuals. Thanks to Pang Tong no one notices him, LingQi and Mitsuko entering the camp with Mitsuko in their arms. They bring her to her tent and set her down softly.

'Ahh what a battle that was eh?' Pang Tong asked as he stretches his arms and his back. LingQi gave him a glare to make him be quiet and let her sleep. He chuckles at this.

'Well I'll leave you two to it then.' He exits the tent leaving her and Mitsuko alone.

After LingQi finds Mitsuko more settled she stood up and started to exit however she hears shuffling behind her. She turns around and sees Mitsuko tossing and turning in her sleep. She immediately returns to her side unsure of what to do. She never saw Mitsuko like this and doesn't know what to do to help her. She could only sit there and watch her and hope vainly that she'll get better. However...

'mhm ...n-no stop...i'm s-sorry...' Mitsuko whispers softly to herself as her tossing and turning becomes more active. A small tear began to form at the edge of her closed eye which prompted LingQi into action. She didn't know what she was doing but she didn't want to watch Mitsuko suffer this nightmare anymore...whatever it is. She carefully grabs her head and puts it on her lap and cups her face gently wiping away any tears that could've potentially have been formed.

'Mitsuko...its ok I'm here don't worry.' LingQi spoke no higher than a whisper to the woman in her arms. Slowly but surely her tossing and turning slowed down to a stop. Mitsuko didn't utter a sound after that which pleased LingQi knowing that she's not suffering from the nightmare anymore. Soon after she realised that she's still cradling her in her arms and that she's never seen Mitsuko look so tranquil and peaceful. She spent a minute just examining her especially her face. She shakes her head and gently put her head out of her lap and onto the ground. LingQi exits out of a tent with Pang Tong sitting near a cliff looking at the moon. He hears her footsteps getting closer.

'So how is she then?'

'It took a while but she's resting peacefully.' LingQi replies as she takes a seat next to him.

'Excellent and no one even noticed she was injured, everything turned out well wouldn't you say?' Pang tong chuckles as he reaches into gown and takes out a grasp and takes a swing of it.

'I wouldn't say it went well...' LingQi replied as her mind returns to seeing Mitsuko just collapse.

'You're worried about her aren't you?' Pang Tong stated rather than questioned.

'Of course I am. Aren't you?'

'Yes I am however I know she'll pull through and be back to herself in no time.'

'...How can you be so sure?' LingQi hesitated to ask almost...ashamed to ask.

'Because she's Mitsuko of course do you really think she'd want us worrying about her or let that skirmish put her out of commission?' Pang Tong chuckles once again and takes another drink.

'I suppose not...it still doesn't prevent me from worrying about her.' LingQi admitted.

'Haha is that so? Well maybe that's not all bad.' Pang Tong laughs heartily while LingQi remains quiet.

'By the way what took you so long in that tent? I would've thought after that battle she would've slept soundly.' LingQi remained silent hesitating to answer his question especially after their last conversation.

'At first but she became unsettled and I couldn't just leave her there. So I stayed with her. It was like...she was having a nightmare or something.'

'Is that so? Well good for you for helping out a friend in need. I think that deserves a reward.' Pang tong offered her his flask to LingQi who declined the offer.

'Well more for me then.' Pang Tong chuckles and takes a quick sip. LingQi looks at him oddly, surprised by how calm his demeanour is.

'May I ask you something strategist?'

'Sure what's on your mind?'

'Why do you serve Mitsuko? You said before you're compelled but aren't there warlords who are more established than her? Forgive me if I sound ungrateful but it doesn't make much sense to willingly serve a relatively unknown officer than an established warlord.' Pang Tong went silent for a minute looking up at the moon. LingQi couldn't read him at all.

'Well when you look and act like me warlords tend to not take you too seriously and reject your applications. I mean most of them are just incompetent who just wants yes men anyway but still. Besides even if that wasn't the case they wouldn't listen to me really so there would be no point. None of them really have what it takes but when I first laid eyes on Mitsuko in that ever so small village. I knew that she was someone special and I'm sure you also feel the same. I wasn't planning on serving her I thought I'd show up, make you all aware of the bandit attack and that will be that. However the more time I spent with her the more compelled I was to stay, that aura of hers is quite something. Something about her made me think "she's going to go places." So I offered my services. So now I'm committed to do everything I can to aid her in her goals...whatever that maybe. And now here we are.' Pang Tong explains being uncharacteristically serious for the first time that LingQi has known him. She was taken aback by Pang Tong's answer.

'Plus it would be boring if I served someone who had everything he needed straight away. Anyway sorry for rambling on that's something I may need to work on.' Pang Tong chuckles again.

'I see...' was all LingQi could respond with as she didn't know what else to say to him. Pang Tong stands up and stretches.

'Ahh think I'll head back and rest for a busy day tomorrow...all that marching. You should probably do the same you know.' Pang Tong suggested.

'I will soon...I just need to be alone for a while.' She answered. He pats her on her shoulder before retreating to his tent. LingQi looks to the moon and her mind turns back to Mitsuko and how restless she was tonight, She wonders if that was a one off however she didn't think it was due to how restless she was. And her words...she wonders what should Mitsuko have to apologise for.

'Mitsuko...what is it that plagues you?'

The next day everyone when woken up started to pack up the camp. LingQi went to Mitsuko's tent to see if she's ok however she's surprised to see her walking around like she's already recovered as she's packing up her own tent. She walks towards her.

'Good morning Mitsuko.' She didn't expect Mitsuko to get startled and drop everything she was holding. She turned behind her and took a deep breath as she saw who it was.

'Man LingQi don't scare me like that.' Mitsuko responded as she started to pick up everything she dropped as LingQi giggles slightly with her hand in front of her mouth.

'Sorry that wasn't my intention. Although I must say I didn't expect you to be scared by only my voice.' She smiles softly at her as Mitsuko growled at her before LingQi helps her pack up.

'By the way how are you feeling? I didn't expect you to be so active so soon.' LingQi questioned.

'Well it turned out all I needed was a nights sleep because I feel fine.' They packed up the rest of her tent before Mitsuko asked LingQi something.

'Last night...did I...say or do anything that was weird?'

'No nothing out of the ordinary why do you ask?' LingQi didn't want to say anything about last night since it wasn't the best time or place to talk about those words or question the nightmare she had.

'Ahh no reason just curious is all. Sorry about that I didn't expect to suddenly collapse like that.'

'Please there is no need to apologise for anything you didn't do anything wrong. I'm just happy that your injuries have healed. And you're feeling better.' LingQi had a small smile on her face which made Mitsuko's heard skip a beat and turned away from her as she felt her face heat up slowly.

'I hope I'm not interrupting anything.' They turned around to see Wu Zi accompanied with a few armed soldiers who all bow respectfully at her.

'Well this is a surprise.' Mitsuko stated unsure of what to say.

'Its been a while since we last met my lady. My apologies but may I request a word with you...in private if that's ok.' Wu Zi glances at LingQi who Mitsuko quickly defended.

'Anything you can say to me you can say to her.'

'There is no need. I need to attend to my duties anyway, please excuse me.' LingQi bows to everyone before leaving. Mitsuko glances at Wu Zi with an annoyed expression on her face.

'My apologies my lady however I fear what I may say she shouldn't need to hear.'

'And that would be?'

'As I said it would be better if were in private.' Wu Zi makes his way to a tent that hasn't been packed and opens the flap. Mitsuko makes her way inside, Wu Zi enters and closes it behind him.

'I always thought about that battle at Dingtao about how lord Lu Bu was ready to abandon us and leave us to our fates...but you, her and that other weird looking one...you all stayed behind and helped me and my men survive the battle. Ever since that battle I had doubts about our lord's capabilities and wondered what kind of man he truly is.' Wu Zi explains however Mitsuko was confused as to why he's telling her all this.

'Wait why are you telling me this now?'

'Because now I have reached a decision, one that I don't make lightly.' He puts his left palm over his right fist and wears a determined look on his face.

'Mitsuko because of your prowess in battle and your willingness to help us...allow me and my men to enter your ranks as your subordinates.' He bows respectfully at her as Mitsuko is taken aback by this.

'Wait what?'

'I know I don't have nearly as many men that you and I would like but they are good soldiers. They and I will give you our undying loyalty.'

'But wait...are you sure you want to do this? I mean after all I'm still serving the man you renounced a minute ago.'

'If that is your wish then so be it however if there was ever a choice of my loyalties my choice would be you and my men would respond the same way. So please allow us into your ranks and let us aid you on the path that you choose.' He bows his head as Mitsuko was silent he dared not to raise his head. Mitsuko doesn't know what to say or do, she's never had anyone do anything like this before. She stayed silent as Wu Zi wondered what was going through Mitsuko's mind.

'All right well...if you're sure about this then...welcome aboard.' She puts her hand out in front of him. He raises his head up and eagerly shakes her hand.

'I promise we won't let you down my lady.' Mitsuko couldn't help but think she's more worried about the other way around due to her inexperience. They exited the tent and Wu Zi retreats to his own soldiers. LingQi kept her distance but watched them come out and wondered what they were discussing. Until she hears a familiar chuckle behind her.

'Well well, looks like Wu Zi made his move now. Right on time as well.' She glances behind her to see Pang Tong casually sitting on a pile of boxes.

'So I'm assuming this was your handiwork ...whatever this was?' LingQi asks.

'C'mon now not everything that happens is because of me...but I am flattered that you think I would be. Besides even if I did do anything it was for Mitsuko's benefit so that makes it ok right?'

'I suppose so.' LingQi laughs slightly as Mitsuko comes over and tries to explain the situation that arose to them.

'Excellent things are progressing nicely. Soon you and she will be free from his shackles Mitsuko and then you will finally be able to take the first step of your journey. Hehe I'm looking forward to it already.'