He did not like this Yuan Shao. Arrogant and self-centered his ambition alone could justify his death. Not that it mattered to him anyway. Once he received his payment he would bid this war-torn country goodbye and to hell with these Three Kingdoms. All that mattered was his payment from which Liu Bie had promised him a handsome sum.
"Dong Zhou's death brings a new light of hope for this land," Yuan Shao replied, "however Lu Bu is still on the run along with Diao Chan. Strategically they could still pose a great threat."
"I seriously doubt that," Cao Cao said, "even if he is a great warrior he still is only one man, and from what I've heard Diao Chan was injured. He will not attack…not yet."
"We have agenda's of our own," Sun Jian started, "I for one wish to see the last remnants of the Yellow Turbans purged from my lands."
"As do we all," Liu Bie replied. Cao Cao chuckled under his breath.
"Spoken of one who has no land to protect," the Wei ruler mocked. Liu Bie said nothing to the insult as he got to his feet.
"I'll leave this to you," he replied, "I've my own problems at present. Good night gentlemen." Upon leaving Guan Yu and Zhang Fei followed him while his newest so-called officer remained a moment. For some reason Cao Cao felt a sense of impending doom from this one. Long white hair, bristling with strange full-plate armor and a huge sword that was not nearly as half as he was tall. He had heard reports that he had fought Lu Bu to a draw and even caused the warrior to retreat. His presence alone was frightening enough. Yuan Shao and Sun Jian began debating on whom had full ownership of Luo Yang when Cao Cao noticed the strange white haired turn to leave the room. He hurriedly stopped him just short of the tent flap.
"I heard you even frightened Lu Bu into retreating," Cao Cao said. The man said nothing, his cold white eyes piercing as if they grew sharper than even his sword. Cao Cao gulped under the dark gaze and drew himself up.
"What loyalty do you have to Liu Bie?" he asked. Still he said nothing.
"Do you even have a tongue?!" Cao Cao barked. At that the Wei ruler had neither the time or will to react as the man grabbed him by the throat and flaunting his awesome strength lifted Cao Cao bodily into the air, Yuan Shao and Sun Jian staring in awe. The white haired man drew the shorter one to eye level as Cao Cao weakly tried to fight against his raw power. Drawing his face closer, Cao Caos fright grew from the sheer intensity and coldness of his eyes.
"……….you will know me only as An," the white hair finally spoke, his voice like that of broken icicles, cold and liguid like, "my loyalty…I will leave you to judge for yourself." Without warning An released his grip as Cao Cao landed to his feet, grasping his throat in ragged breaths. The tall warrior thus turned and left without saying anything more. Watching him depart Cao Cao somehow knew that he would meet this An again sometime however it would not be in commerce. It would be on the battlefield.
Lu Bu had to stop and rest if not for Red Hare's sake then for Diao Chan. She was wounded but still alive, and he judged her injury was not severe. She would be out for a day or two however that was still enough time to head for Guan Du before Yuan Shao did. He would be able to care for her there. He had at first thought to head south toward He Fei but then thought better of it. No doubt Wu would be waiting for him and he wasn't exactly welcome there.
As he craddled her limp form off Red Hare he suddenly grew afraid that she did not survive the trip. He breathed a sigh of relief as she moved under his strength and he gently placed her to the ground. Pillowing her head in Red Hares saddle he began to stoke a fire and thought what next on his agenda. He was a man on the run now and so was the young songtress at his side. That one he fought with was formidable. At that he took up Sky Scorcher and checked the crack. It had actually grown some and with tentative care he began the long process of repairing his weapon. That white-haired man; who was he?
Casting the thought aside his attention drew away from his concentration as he heard a horse in the distance. Being followed no doubt, Lu Bu thought however something was amiss. He left Red Hare to guard Diao Chan and cautiously crept along the shadows for a better view. Near the ridge he had just galloped from he noticed a large force heading south but not toward him. Among the soldiers he could make out three unforgettable figures: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and the infamous Liu Bie. Lu Bu had no desire to face these three, so quietly he began to slink back when he noticed a fourth figure drawing up the rear. He immediately knew who it was. The white-haired man. He was working for Liu Bie? Why? That did not concern him as Lu Bu saw a chance to redeem himself and offer payback for having his broken weapon. Without concern to stealth he rushed back to his camp, checked on Diao Chan and made his way back to Liu Bies force. Searching with keen interest he scanned the horsemen. He wasn't there! He couldn't have just disappeared.
The warrior crawled along the foliage and took a better vantagepoint. Nothing of the white-haired man remained among them other than his ghost alone. Drawing himself up Lu Bu scanned the many faces, remaining as stealthy as possible.
Suddenly from behind a blade dropped and imbeded into the wooden log mere inches from Lu Bu's face. Looking up he saw the white-haired man, his strange white eyes looking menacingly down on him. Withdrawing the blade the swordsman reach down and grabbed Lu Bu by the throat, drawing him up like a rag doll and pinned him up against a near tree, the warriors feet dangling.
"…………………………………you again," was the white-haired cold liguid reply, "I take it the thrashing I gave wasn't enough?"
"Don't be cocky," Lu Bu rasped, "you caught me off guard, though I'll admit you're strong." At that the white hair released him and backed away, retrieving Dragon Breaker.
"……well then," he replied brandishing his sword, "shall we…dance…."
"With pleasure," Lu Bu seethed.
Both men struck out, steel meeting steel with a loud clash. Testing each other's strength the two warriors were oblivious to the fact they had an audience. Liu Bie and has brothers saw An dissappear amist the foliage and grew curious. They discovered them in the throws of battle. Lu Bu braced against An's abomidable strength with his own gaining little headway as both suddenly broke away. Lu Bu was the first to react raking in high and fast with a slash toward his midsection. An reacted by twisting about, sword extended, throwing all his power out through the blow. Lu Bu would not be fooled this time as he used the metal shaft of his weapon to block however sparks lit the night sky as Dragon Breaker. Whirling Sky Scorcher about Lu Bu careened sideways and through creating a massive arc to catch An off guard. The taller warrior then did something Lu Bu did not expect. Taking the full brunt of the blow An used Sky Scorcher to flip backwards and out landing and strong foot against Lu Bu's jaw. Not expecting the attack Lu Bu witnessed a shower of stars as he staggered backward. Then he witnessed An grab him by the graff of his armor and headbutt him hard. Lu Bu's world became a blur as An threw him to the ground in a heap. Trying to regain himself Lu Bu looked up to see Dragon Breaker hurtling toward him. It was at that point he knew his time had come...and gone.
However instead of seeing the coming darkness he instead heard steel clash. Looking up he beared witness to a lithe form in front of him standing between him and his nemesis. Her legs weakly tried to hold firm as his vision showed him a pair of maces meagerly holding Dragon Breaker fast but barely. Diao Chan had come to his rescue as the tall man stood there a moment in indesicion. He then forced her away which almost caused the girl to lose her footing.
"…..Stand aside," An said, "don't make me destroy you……"
"I will…not," Diao Chan replied, trying to size herself up, "I…I can't."
"…Are you not afraid?" An asked. Diao Chan knew she was in no shape for combat especially against someone who could defeat Lu Bu. However her heart said otherwise…she loved him, pure and simple. Even if it did destroy at least Lu Bu would get away.
"I'm terrified," she answered, "but…I….." An's face was crossed in puzzlement, then he looked closely into her eyes then down at Lu Bu. At that point his eyes became warmer, almost remorseful. Lu Bu regained his composure and got back to his feet. An just seemed a bit stunned at first, then he replaced Dragon Breaker back to its place, turned and began walking away. Their audience however didn't share his sense of mercy.
"An," Liu Bie called out, "why didn't you kill him?" More curious than vengeful the Shu lord couldn't make heads or tails why the tall warrior spared Lu Bu. He had seen An cut down men begging for mercy before with a ruthlessness that almost made the tall warrior bloodthirsty. Only now did he show mercy against a man so feared that his name alone caused many to quake with fright in their boots? Why?
"……I've my reasons," An replied, "take them captive if you wish."
"I intend to," Liu Bie replied. An then stopped and scanned him with an appraising eye.
"Know this….my dear lord," An seethed coldly, "try to have them executed-." He drew Dragon Breaker and pointed it at Liu Bie "-it will be my blade you face next. And no army on earth will save you from my wrath."
"I get the message," said the Shu lord nervously, "they will not be harmed." An took his answer as he then looked to Diao Chan and Lu Bu, his eyes showing emotion for once. Saying nothing more An departing the anxious couple as the three brothers of Shu surrounded them.