Zhou Yu had known it would not take the entire time Xiahou Dun was willing to give them to make his decision. He had known the entire time that both Zhang He and himself were willing to sacrifice themselves for the other officers. What bothered him to no end was the fact that his one-eyed enemy had known it as well, and the fact that they had been used made him burn with anger.
Yes, Lu Meng and Gan Ning were returned, however, when Zhou Yu had approached to free his part of the deal, he was denied. Instead, Lu Xun remained tied and kneeling on the grass, at least ten soldiers surrounding him with their deadly spears fixed at his chest.
Instantly his chocolate brown eyes became flames, and he turned to Xiahou Dun, "What are you doing? You have the one you want; make this trade and get it over with!"
"I'll kill you, you one-eyed bastard!" Gan Ning bellowed, almost struggling against the soldiers that were holding him back.
Placing a hand on the hilt of his sword, the elder strategist's voice was low and deadly, "Release him now..."
Lu Xun remained silent, saying nothing as Xiahou Dun refused the order. "Tell me why I should, Zhou Yu. What makes you think he does want to go back in the first place? Maybe later."
"I haven't come here to play games with you! You were the one who offered the trade, and the boy WILL go free!" Zhou Yu snarled. "I'm here! What more do you want from me?!"
The spears got deadly closer when Xiahou Dun nodded, and the pirate struggled even more, as Lu Xun braced for the strike. It did not come, as it was only meant to scare them, and once again, the one-eyed general refused. "Two out of three isn't too bad, but you're not in the position to demand anything now."
Stiffening, Zhou Yu released the hold on his weapon, his voice rough, "What do you want? There's something you're holding out for, from me... just tell me what it is! I said I would trade myself for the boy; if things have changed, tell me how and what the additional demands are..."
"He's beyond reasoning now, Lord Zhou Yu..." Lu Xun's voice sounded too timid to be true, and he averted his eyes from the others to avoid their gazes. "And you have given him exactly what he wishes."
Eyeing him, Zhou Yu felt a knot tighten in his stomach as the tip of Xiahou Dun's sword gently traced the curve of the boy's face, and his voice softened, "I will not let you remain here, Lu Xun; I will do whatever is necessary to free you..."
But Lu Xun said nothing, only lowering his gaze some more to apologize mentally. Now Zhang He spoke, as two antsy soldiers surrounded him. "It's dishonorable to do such a thing... I would expect it from you, Xiahou Dun, but not you, Xu Huang. Why must to aid him in doing such a thing?"
Xu Huang spoke, so softly, placing a hand on his love's arm, "He is right, Dun. There is no honor or gain from this. Why will you not let the boy go?"
"Can't I have a little fun here?" That laugh was quite frightening, but it did not remove sword from the boy's chin. "What's honor, anyway? There's no honor in anything anymore... we just are what we are and we all have our own means, just different."
Sneering, Zhang He gazed at the soldiers around him, wishing that his metal claws were with him, "We know you care nothing for honor, but those who still do need not sink to your level of filth."
Lu Meng spoke up as well, though no one knew if he was just impartial or too drained to be enraged. "How the hell did it come to this? Someone hand me my halberd, so I can end this!"
Zhou Yu shook his head, "You can't end this, I'm afraid, Lord Lu Meng. There is something I need to do here that WILL, and if Xiahou Dun would simply tell me what it is he is waiting for, it will be better for us all..."
"You know what it is, so do you agree?" The blade pricked Lu Xun's cheek, letting a small little bit of blood stream down his cheek.
A sickening feeling pervaded Zhou Yu's body, as it dawned on him just what this beast wanted. Seeing the blood, he followed it's crimson path with his eyes, before speaking softly, "I said anything for his release. I meant it..."
No, it was not immediate, but Xiahou Dun did release the boy, letting a single soldier tear off the ropes as the others grabbed the boy and practically threw him to the ground, showing neither care or fear of hurting him. Even then, Lu Xun did nothing, merely lowering his head in shame and letting Zhou Yu help him up as Xiahou Dun sneered, "We'll be gone by dusk, so don't expect any sort of rescue attempt."
"I need no one to rescue me," Zhou Yu sneered. "I am no frail princess to need such a thing..."
This seemed to calm the pirate and the other general down it, as Lu Xun shook his head, "We shall think of something, sir... I thank you for the rescue."
"Don't mention it; I'd do it again," he assured him, smiling weakly. Sighing, he turned away from his friends, "The three of you had better go now. Lord Sun Ce is going to think something has gone wrong."
Nodding, Lu Xun regained strength in his legs again, just as Zhuge Liang arrived, as silent as a mime. Lu Xun just looked at him, saying absolutely nothing as he stared right back at him, caught in a small trance before bypassing one another. It was Lu Xun who whispered first to the other man, "Do what you feel is justified, but do not expect pity."
"I never have..." Zhuge Liang replied, drawing further away but his voice still hearable. Though, he stopped and spoke softly to where only Lu Xun could hear him. "Everything happens for a reason, and my reasons will be shown soon enough. Be sure to tell this to Jiang Wei, will you?"
"I will, if his shattered heart can bear to hear it."
Xiahou Dun hissed, swinging his sword, "Be gone with you then! Don't make me change my mind!"
Though he half-expected it, he was still rather surprised to hear the clang as Zhou Yu's sword intercepted his own, as the Wu officer's voice was stoic, "Leave them be. They are no longer your concern..."
As the three generals began to disappear towards the castle, Xu Huang only agreed, forcing them both to lower their weapons with his mighty axe. "We've got what we came for... we should be leaving now before they attempt something we're not ready for."
"Go ahead and take Zhang He. We will follow shortly." Oh, how that tone was frightful, but Xu Huang only obeyed, looking back just to make sure that they weren't being followed. Xiahou Dun couldn't find the three captives anymore, so he ceased to look for them. He turned to Zhuge Liang, his lone eye suspicious, "For someone's who betrayed your clan you sure do seem too calm about it."
Zhou Yu laughed bitterly, "He is eternally calm, as you must have noticed. He could run a blade through Jiang Wei's heart and not flinch..."
That didn't even earn him a heated glare, as Zhuge Liang said and did nothing, his cold eyes set upon Xiahou Dun.
"Apparently, you are right..." Xiahou Dun proclaimed, letting his sword lay dead at his side. "Nevertheless, don't you dare think of betraying me... otherwise, if you do have a bit of heart for the boy, he'll get it."
"I have no reason to betray you." Zhuge Liang answered. Bowing, he spoke calmly, as was his nature, "If you do not mind, sir, I shall join Xu Huang and the others."
"Good... now go."
Zhou Yu watched the man leave, leaving him and Xiahou Dun completely alone now. He hated it, but he undid the sash binding his sword to his side. Placing the weapon gently upon the earth, he rose once again, staring deeply into that one-eye, and speaking softly, "No weapons on my side."
The sword was kicked aside, and it was not long before he drove his own sword into the ground, nearly splitting it apart with the strength that rose from it. Xiahou Dun's eye sparkled with lust, as he spoke smoothly, "Sad how I had to use the brat for such a thing, really..."
Zhou Yu looked away, not moving a muscle as the man stepped closer, "Sad how you need such a thing in the first place. It changes nothing."
"Perhaps not, but for your sake and theirs, they best just forget about you."
He forced himself to remain still as a hand touched his face, and he spoke with hardly any emotion at all, "What do you want from me?"
That smile, oh, how he wanted to rip it off. "Tonight you will know..."
"I want to know now," he responded coldly. "I am no hostage to wait out these demands; I am no princess in the hands of a villain. I am a grown, mature man, and I deserve to know."
"As I stated, later... wait until I get my immortality and you will know..."
"Fine..." Zhou Yu pushed the man away so quickly, beginning to stride away. "Then keep your hands off of me."
~*~*~*~
Jiang Wei was the first to greet the freed captives, and he nearly pounced Lu Xun, knocking over the slightly older strategist and demanding answers, "I saw him speak to you! What did he say, that traitor to Shu?"
"Calm down, Jiang Wei!" Lu Meng quickly intervened as the pirate helped Lu Xun back to his feet, and seeing how more officers of Shu and Wu were arriving, he tried to explain. "The trade was made, and though we're greatly thankful that you found us worthy to save, we can NOT let Xiahou Dun get away with this..."
"I'll tell you later, what was said," Lu Xun answered softly. "For now, we must hurriedly find a way to get back those that were just traded..."
Sun Ce agreed completely, though he almost overlooked Lu Xun completely, "Exactly what I was thinking... the question is, how to do so without HARMING them! I won't let Xiahou Dun live to see the light of another day again! Tonight he will DIE!"
"And if we are not careful, both Zhou Yu and Zhang He will die with him," Lu Xun stated.
"He's insane, Sun Ce! You were not THERE to see how obsessed with this blood he was... he's willing to sacrifice ANYTHING, and I don't think he'll think TWICE about slaying Zhou Yu if you provoke him!"
Sun Ce could feel his blood boil, and he tried to contain his anger, "Then what should we DO?!"
We must plan to where we can retrieve them without harm, and the best way to do that it to somehow convince the soldiers and the other two ones that follow him that this blood is a fake... or convince them that immortality is not what they truly want." Lu Xun tried to explain, though weakly, as if to doubt himself somehow "But, if Master Zhuge Liang has discovered this to be true, then convincing them will be hard, almost impossible..."
Jiang Wei spoke softly, "It will be hard to get anyone following Master Zhuge to change from the course he has set them upon..,"
"Unfortunately we have little proof to prove it's false..."
"I can prove it..."
It was poor Sun Ce that felt the man's wrath, as Sima Yi stormed towards them, a sword within his hands and his face eager for war. He practically roared, striking uncontrollable fear into all of them. "I'll have his head; I will have Zhang He convert him, then I shall SLAY him myself!"
Gan Ning sneered, "You'll have to wait in line..."
Lu Xun silenced the pirate with his despair, "What proof do you have, sir? Please share it with us..."
"I know all about his plan! I went along with it, because I understood his reasoning, but now he has gone too far!" Sima Yi seethed. "I will NOT have Zhang He die for his petty revenge!"
Jiang Wei's eyes widened, as he gave a look a sad puppy would have made, "Revenge?"
Turning upon him, and having no mercy, the Wei strategist turned upon him, "Yes! Revenge for YOU! Ever since you turned back he's been plotting... and now his plotting has gone TOO far!"
Also neglecting his fellow strategist's feelings, Lu Xun shouted, "Of course! Master Zhuge Liang MUST have lied to him about the blood of a werefox, so that once he drinks the blood, he only FEELS as if he is immortal... a cheap trick that would actually work."
Sima Yi sneered, "Yes... feel smart, do you, boy?"
"Admirable... if it did not involve a sacrifice," bringing his hand to his chin and smirking, Lu Xun slowly felt his pride growing once more. "Seems that he truly does have a care for personal gain as well, especially for you, Jiang Wei."
The blush that covered his face was only too obvious and Gan Ning snickered, "Looks like a rose... all red on top and green on bottom."
He was punched by the all too serious Lu Meng, "That still leaves us a problem, so stop thinking with your hearts and start with your heads so that we can save Zhou Yu and Zhang He!"
Lu Xun's smile deepened, "It should be easy, actually, since we have no worries about immortality."
"Yes... but we will have to act quickly... the 'legend' states that the blood is ONLY good at night, and it's only an hour until night!" Sima Yi hissed.
Sun Ce looked to Lu Xun, "Have you an idea?"
The boy seemed hesitant, but he tried to come up with something as quickly as he could, hating to be rushed but knew their lives depended on it. "Xiahou Dun would intend to have the blood for himself and Xu Huang... he had or showed no intentions to share it with anyone else, as they were pawns for the hostage incident. Without them, it would just be him and Xu Huang, who hasn't the heart or will to fight."
"So, we only need to worry about those two then?"
Nodding, Gan Ning added in, "And it's hard to believe that he'll even share it with Xu Huang... he's only using him as a shield, same as Zhuge Liang."
"No... I think he loves him, in his own, twisted way..." Sima Yi said slowly, gripping the sword doubly now. "And we shall use that against him... so that he can feel the same thing that so many OTHERS have felt!"
Lu Xun nodded, "Yes... I believe he will find the tables to be turned..."
Now Lu Meng gave Lu Xun such a look, one that Lu Xun felt ashamed of. "My, Lu Xun, it's not like you to speak of revenge with such venom..."
"Forgive me, Lord Lu Meng... but I am tired. There is no excuse for the pain he inflicts; such an evil... must be stopped."
"For ONCE the kid makes sense!" Sun Ce grinned, clapping his hands together. "Nothing wrong with a little personal revenge, eh, Lu Meng? Besides, it's the first human thing he's said since forever! I'm all for it."
Sima Yi growled, though his anger had abated somewhat, "Then we must cease to waste any more time."
No one objected to this, and it wasn't long before the strategists put their heads together to devise a plan. It was dangerous, but one that they were willing to risk. Nothing mattered to them more than saving the lives of the two officers...
~*~*~*~
Liu Bei was beginning to wonder just what exactly what was going on. He was terribly confused as to everything that he begun to happen, not to mention the fact that his heart throbbed with pain every time he looked at the unconscious Cao Cao. Resting his head on his arms, he sighed, "I wish I knew what to do..."
No one answered his question, and he hated this helpless feeling. What good was ruling a nation when he was so useless?
He traced the curve of the man's cheek, tugging lightly on his beard as he whispered, "You may very well win in the end, for no other reason than your opponent is so very weak..."
Cao Cao just lay there, struggling against death as his wounds only seemed to get worst with time. It would not be long before death claimed him, and Liu Bei sighed, looking towards the ceiling and curling his fist. "What a bother... though I know the minute I leave to go check, he will be awake."
"Go... check... what?"
He could hardly believe it until he saw flames behind the eyes, and he gasped, "Cao Cao, you're awake!"
"Of course. You'd wake up too... if someone tugged your beard..."
Cao Cao almost defied injury, trying to sit up but failing horribly. He cursed, "To think my own family member did this to me... what's going on? How... how long have I been asleep?!"
"A couple of days..."
Hearing that, Cao Cao did rise, though it took a great amount of strength, denying Liu Bei's hands. "Then I should be able... to kill him now."
"No... you are going to lie RIGHT there!" Liu Bei snapped.
"I... take orders... from no one!"
Pushing him down with strength he did not know he had, the Shu lord shook his head, "You need to rest, so for now, you WILL obey my orders..."
Hating the position, Cao Cao reached for his sword, only to find it was taken from him. "Have you no heart?! I longed for revenge... let me have... my revenge before I die!"
"You know where my heart lies... and you will have your revenge..." Liu Bei spoke with such courage that Cao Cao found himself obeying, and the Shu lord nodded, "I'll go see what's going on... but you must stay still, for your own sake."
"Only if you swear to come back..."
"Of course... what makes you think I won't? I'm useless elsewhere..."
Cao Cao shook his head, "No... never useless, to me..."
Liu Bei smiled, "Well, that's something, at least."
The doors swung open, and Liu Bei quickly rose to greet the angered Sun Ce, whom practically bypassed him without a care in the world. Instead, the Little Conqueror looked to Cao Cao, and he showed no mercy, quickly asking questions before the man could even acknowledge his presence. "How upset will you be if we slaughter that cousin of yours exactly?"
"I suppose not very... all things considered..."
"Good, because he has Zhang He and Zhou Yu, and I think he just made it impossible for us to keep him alive." Sun Ce spat, now looking to Liu Bei. "Not to mention your sly little friend has betrayed you as well."
"I beg your pardon?"
"It was he who captured three of my generals and forced a trade-off." Sun Ce's rage seemed to grow even more, and he practically growled, "So I'm going to kill him too..."
Now this Liu Bei couldn't let happen, as he tried to talk him out of it, "I'm sure that Master Zhuge Liang has his reasons, Lord Sun Ce, and by doing such a thing then I will have no choice but to ignore the treaty as well!"
"I DON'T CARE ANY MORE! HE'S ENDANGERED MY MEN FOR THE LAST TIME!"
Whether the two were going to engage each other was still a mystery, as Ma Chao and Zhao Yun rose their spears, keeping their weapons at the ready and pointed their deadly aim at the rash overlord. It was at a stand still when Lu Xun entered, trying to draw their attention away. "Excuse me, but it's dusk now and we don't have enough time for such things, Lord Sun Ce."
"You're right; Zhou Yu and Zhang He are going to need our help," Sun Ce sighed, rubbing his temples. His gaze was acid as he looked to Liu Bei, "I'll let him live... until you can decide what punishment to give to him."
As they were leaving, Zhao Yun spoke to Lu Xun, who stopped halfway through the doorway, "So tell me, Lu Xun, are you in this because your lord says so, or are you in this for revenge?"
"I... that doesn't matter now..."
"Of course it does, but do what you must if not to please yourself then."
The boy grabbed the elder man's arm, his voice soft, "I'm sorry... for everything I said before. But I will not allow my lust for revenge to cloud my judgment..."
Zhao Yun, not wishing for either Ma Chao or his lord to be involved, merely nodded, letting Lu Xun leave in peace as Liu Bei finally asked, "What was that all about, may I ask?"
"You may, my lord, but unless you order me to, I shall not answer."
Knowing best, Liu Bei merely nodded, and, looking about, he asked, "Where is Jiang Wei then?"
"Crying..." Ma Chao answered, looking at Cao Cao and sneering. "My Lord, I suggest we take our men and leave while we still can... perhaps we can convince Master Zhuge to join us."
"No... if he has truly left you, then he shall not return..." Wincing, Cao Cao's voice got considerably weak, and they turned, with much surprise, to see him trying to rise from the bed. He ignored all pain and injury, and, denying anyone's help, he stood now, his blue eyes flaming with lust of revenge. He grasped his mighty sword, despite Liu Bei's hands trying to pry them away. "Traitors must be punished, no matter what their cause."
Liu Bei hissed, "You stay here! You're far too injured to help us now; you'll only end up getting killed!"
"I'm not in this for anyone but myself!" Cao Cao spat, knocking him away and ignoring the hated glance from Ma Chao. He nearly trembled, but he kept control of his voice, as he raised his wrathful sword. "Nobody betrays me... and gets away with it... even my own blood..."
Zhao Yun nodded, his tone low, "Thank you, sir, for realizing the truth."
Looking to him, the Wei emperor slowly walked past him, one hand over his wound as he bypassed them without as much as a glance. "I'll have my revenge... and I'll be buried alongside him then..."
Liu Bei went to protest, but again, Zhao Yun spoke quietly, "Let him go, my lord."
"Then what else is there to do then?" Liu Bei asked, feeling quite naked now, without either his brothers or his Prime Minister at his side. He looked to his two officers with question in his eyes, and the Imperial Uncle, never one to like the feeling to uselessness, asked again. "What do you suggest we do?"
"We get ready for a hunt..."
Looking to the Little Dragon, Liu Bei sighed, "Do you feel... that this is the best course of action then?
The fire in the man's green eyes was almost frightening, and his voice was cold, "It is the only course of action we have..."
"Ma Chao?"
"Whatever you decide, my lord." Ma Chao replied quickly, giving a bow to his lord. He noticed the blood that caked the hospital bed and the floor in the pattern of Cao Cao's stance. He rose his eyes now, adding on to what he had just said. "However, rather Zhuge Liang's intentions for betrayal are true or a ploy, we can't just sit here and do nothing. I ask for revenge as well."
"Then... for us all, revenge seems best..." Liu Bei grasped his sword, looking at it's double-edged blade and seeing his own reflection. He was so confused as to why Zhuge Liang would betray him, and there was doubt in this. It had to be a ploy, for something deeper. Nodding, he looked to his two generals as the sun had just set over the horizon. "Let's hope that we will not regret this decision."
Zhao Yun chuckled lowly, "I will not regret it..."
~*~*~*~
It did not take long for Jiang Wei to find a room for himself, separated from all others, and there he kept to himself, too afraid to reveal his tears to his comrades and the members of the other clan. Instead, he wept silently, laying on whoever's bed this was...
"Not exactly who I would choose to have in my bed, but certainly not a disgrace to his clan..." He heard Sima Yi say, but he said nothing to him, knowing why there was a hint of anger in that deep voice of his. Jiang Wei sighed, as Sima Yi drew closer, "Why are you here, child? Why aren't you with your beloved Prime Minister?"
"Don't speak of him to me; I never want to hear of him again!"
Hearing the shuffling of paper and various objects told Jiang Wei that the Wei strategist was packing his objects, and Sima Yi spoke, not even looking at him. "I know your pain then, so let's keep quiet and not speak with each other unless it is on the battlefield. Do not think, though, since I pity you, that I won't show any pity to my arch rival..."
"Kill him, for all I care." Jiang Wei hissed, "And I don't need your pity!"
The sounds of a sword being unsheathed was quite frightening to hear, and he could look in a mirror that rested across from him, seeing the broad sword that Sima Yi held in his hand, holding it as if it were as light as a feather. "You have brains, then... I commend you."
"No... don't commend me... just leave me alone..."
"Of course... as you wish then..." Sima Yi sneered, resting the dull end of the blade against Jiang Wei's shoulder. Not once did the boy flinch, and he was leaving, only laughing at the thought. Tonight he was going to slay his archrival for more than one reason... he was to pay for what he's done, him and Xiahou Dun!
He froze suddenly when he felt the point of a spear to his back, and the boy's voice was quiet, "Will you at least... kill him quickly for me? Please?"
"If it pleases someone besides myself, then yes... I'd rather have his head as a trophy, though hearing his cries would have been quite pleasant."
"For you... it is something I cannot bear..." Jiang Wei said with a sigh, not seeing Lu Xun standing in the hallway, listening to them with his full attention. His spear wavered, and he lowered it. "Prime Minister has his reasons, and I can respect them, even if they are for personal gain."
"Your heart is broken now, little one, but it will heal."
Had this come from the cold Sima Yi? Jiang Wei could hardly believe it, but he replied, nevertheless, "All things heal... with time. I will move on, because my lord Liu Bei needs me if he does not have Master Zhuge."
"No. Don't move on for anyone but yourself," Sima Yi admonished him gently, sighing. "You are the only one who has to live with your heart. It took both Zhang He and I far too long to realize this simple truth... and I would not wish that pain upon anyone, much less one so young..."
"I thank you for your concern..." Jiang Wei said with an actual hint of a smile. "It is night... and your general is in need of assistance."
"Yes... you are quite right."
Sima Yi replied with a grin, imagining Zhuge Liang's head resting in his curled fist. He was going to make that bastard pay, and he left without a word, nearly bumping into Lu Xun but flying out of his way as he left. That was when the two young strategists noticed each other, and they just stared for the longest of times before either one dared say a word.
Lu Xun finally spoke, his voice soft, "I'm sorry."
"I thought you had no feelings, so why do you care?" Jiang Wei practically spat, turning to go back into the borrowed room. "You had better go... your lord, not to mention your love, will want you there."
He could almost feel Lu Xun's feral stare, but his voice only strengthened Jiang Wei's beliefs, as he kept his tone civil, annoying civil at that, as if to ignore the situation. "Of course... one must stay impartial, even if he is the Snow Queen. Zhuge Liang has betrayed his lord for you, just... just thought you should know."
"He has betrayed us all by helping Xiahou Dun... unless you know something I do not?"
"Perhaps I do, but I do not have the 'heart' to tell you."
That did it, and Jiang Wei only closed his eyes, to keep the tears from rising again, "Then go, you heartless bastard! Do not tease me or torment me; I have had enough of that without you joining in!"
Lu Xun only shook his head, turning to return to his duties as Lu Meng called to him. "I am only the one you claim me to be then... it saves me from the pain that you are feeling now."
"No! Nothing saves you; you DOOM yourself!" The young Shu officer sobbed, "You die... you die a little everyday... and in the end you will be EMPTY! You will have nothing to live for! Nothing to die for! YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING!"
Stiffening, Lu Xun's voice was soft, "Perhaps it is better to have nothing, because when one has nothing... one has nothing to lose."
"You're wrong, Lu Xun... oh how you are wrong! If you have nothing to lose... then you have nothing to live for. One day... one day you will realize this..."
But he spoke to air, as the other strategist strode away, not wanting anyone to see the tears rising to his own eyes. When he reached Lu Meng, he did not say anything, except, "Let's get this over with..."
Yes, Lu Meng and Gan Ning were returned, however, when Zhou Yu had approached to free his part of the deal, he was denied. Instead, Lu Xun remained tied and kneeling on the grass, at least ten soldiers surrounding him with their deadly spears fixed at his chest.
Instantly his chocolate brown eyes became flames, and he turned to Xiahou Dun, "What are you doing? You have the one you want; make this trade and get it over with!"
"I'll kill you, you one-eyed bastard!" Gan Ning bellowed, almost struggling against the soldiers that were holding him back.
Placing a hand on the hilt of his sword, the elder strategist's voice was low and deadly, "Release him now..."
Lu Xun remained silent, saying nothing as Xiahou Dun refused the order. "Tell me why I should, Zhou Yu. What makes you think he does want to go back in the first place? Maybe later."
"I haven't come here to play games with you! You were the one who offered the trade, and the boy WILL go free!" Zhou Yu snarled. "I'm here! What more do you want from me?!"
The spears got deadly closer when Xiahou Dun nodded, and the pirate struggled even more, as Lu Xun braced for the strike. It did not come, as it was only meant to scare them, and once again, the one-eyed general refused. "Two out of three isn't too bad, but you're not in the position to demand anything now."
Stiffening, Zhou Yu released the hold on his weapon, his voice rough, "What do you want? There's something you're holding out for, from me... just tell me what it is! I said I would trade myself for the boy; if things have changed, tell me how and what the additional demands are..."
"He's beyond reasoning now, Lord Zhou Yu..." Lu Xun's voice sounded too timid to be true, and he averted his eyes from the others to avoid their gazes. "And you have given him exactly what he wishes."
Eyeing him, Zhou Yu felt a knot tighten in his stomach as the tip of Xiahou Dun's sword gently traced the curve of the boy's face, and his voice softened, "I will not let you remain here, Lu Xun; I will do whatever is necessary to free you..."
But Lu Xun said nothing, only lowering his gaze some more to apologize mentally. Now Zhang He spoke, as two antsy soldiers surrounded him. "It's dishonorable to do such a thing... I would expect it from you, Xiahou Dun, but not you, Xu Huang. Why must to aid him in doing such a thing?"
Xu Huang spoke, so softly, placing a hand on his love's arm, "He is right, Dun. There is no honor or gain from this. Why will you not let the boy go?"
"Can't I have a little fun here?" That laugh was quite frightening, but it did not remove sword from the boy's chin. "What's honor, anyway? There's no honor in anything anymore... we just are what we are and we all have our own means, just different."
Sneering, Zhang He gazed at the soldiers around him, wishing that his metal claws were with him, "We know you care nothing for honor, but those who still do need not sink to your level of filth."
Lu Meng spoke up as well, though no one knew if he was just impartial or too drained to be enraged. "How the hell did it come to this? Someone hand me my halberd, so I can end this!"
Zhou Yu shook his head, "You can't end this, I'm afraid, Lord Lu Meng. There is something I need to do here that WILL, and if Xiahou Dun would simply tell me what it is he is waiting for, it will be better for us all..."
"You know what it is, so do you agree?" The blade pricked Lu Xun's cheek, letting a small little bit of blood stream down his cheek.
A sickening feeling pervaded Zhou Yu's body, as it dawned on him just what this beast wanted. Seeing the blood, he followed it's crimson path with his eyes, before speaking softly, "I said anything for his release. I meant it..."
No, it was not immediate, but Xiahou Dun did release the boy, letting a single soldier tear off the ropes as the others grabbed the boy and practically threw him to the ground, showing neither care or fear of hurting him. Even then, Lu Xun did nothing, merely lowering his head in shame and letting Zhou Yu help him up as Xiahou Dun sneered, "We'll be gone by dusk, so don't expect any sort of rescue attempt."
"I need no one to rescue me," Zhou Yu sneered. "I am no frail princess to need such a thing..."
This seemed to calm the pirate and the other general down it, as Lu Xun shook his head, "We shall think of something, sir... I thank you for the rescue."
"Don't mention it; I'd do it again," he assured him, smiling weakly. Sighing, he turned away from his friends, "The three of you had better go now. Lord Sun Ce is going to think something has gone wrong."
Nodding, Lu Xun regained strength in his legs again, just as Zhuge Liang arrived, as silent as a mime. Lu Xun just looked at him, saying absolutely nothing as he stared right back at him, caught in a small trance before bypassing one another. It was Lu Xun who whispered first to the other man, "Do what you feel is justified, but do not expect pity."
"I never have..." Zhuge Liang replied, drawing further away but his voice still hearable. Though, he stopped and spoke softly to where only Lu Xun could hear him. "Everything happens for a reason, and my reasons will be shown soon enough. Be sure to tell this to Jiang Wei, will you?"
"I will, if his shattered heart can bear to hear it."
Xiahou Dun hissed, swinging his sword, "Be gone with you then! Don't make me change my mind!"
Though he half-expected it, he was still rather surprised to hear the clang as Zhou Yu's sword intercepted his own, as the Wu officer's voice was stoic, "Leave them be. They are no longer your concern..."
As the three generals began to disappear towards the castle, Xu Huang only agreed, forcing them both to lower their weapons with his mighty axe. "We've got what we came for... we should be leaving now before they attempt something we're not ready for."
"Go ahead and take Zhang He. We will follow shortly." Oh, how that tone was frightful, but Xu Huang only obeyed, looking back just to make sure that they weren't being followed. Xiahou Dun couldn't find the three captives anymore, so he ceased to look for them. He turned to Zhuge Liang, his lone eye suspicious, "For someone's who betrayed your clan you sure do seem too calm about it."
Zhou Yu laughed bitterly, "He is eternally calm, as you must have noticed. He could run a blade through Jiang Wei's heart and not flinch..."
That didn't even earn him a heated glare, as Zhuge Liang said and did nothing, his cold eyes set upon Xiahou Dun.
"Apparently, you are right..." Xiahou Dun proclaimed, letting his sword lay dead at his side. "Nevertheless, don't you dare think of betraying me... otherwise, if you do have a bit of heart for the boy, he'll get it."
"I have no reason to betray you." Zhuge Liang answered. Bowing, he spoke calmly, as was his nature, "If you do not mind, sir, I shall join Xu Huang and the others."
"Good... now go."
Zhou Yu watched the man leave, leaving him and Xiahou Dun completely alone now. He hated it, but he undid the sash binding his sword to his side. Placing the weapon gently upon the earth, he rose once again, staring deeply into that one-eye, and speaking softly, "No weapons on my side."
The sword was kicked aside, and it was not long before he drove his own sword into the ground, nearly splitting it apart with the strength that rose from it. Xiahou Dun's eye sparkled with lust, as he spoke smoothly, "Sad how I had to use the brat for such a thing, really..."
Zhou Yu looked away, not moving a muscle as the man stepped closer, "Sad how you need such a thing in the first place. It changes nothing."
"Perhaps not, but for your sake and theirs, they best just forget about you."
He forced himself to remain still as a hand touched his face, and he spoke with hardly any emotion at all, "What do you want from me?"
That smile, oh, how he wanted to rip it off. "Tonight you will know..."
"I want to know now," he responded coldly. "I am no hostage to wait out these demands; I am no princess in the hands of a villain. I am a grown, mature man, and I deserve to know."
"As I stated, later... wait until I get my immortality and you will know..."
"Fine..." Zhou Yu pushed the man away so quickly, beginning to stride away. "Then keep your hands off of me."
~*~*~*~
Jiang Wei was the first to greet the freed captives, and he nearly pounced Lu Xun, knocking over the slightly older strategist and demanding answers, "I saw him speak to you! What did he say, that traitor to Shu?"
"Calm down, Jiang Wei!" Lu Meng quickly intervened as the pirate helped Lu Xun back to his feet, and seeing how more officers of Shu and Wu were arriving, he tried to explain. "The trade was made, and though we're greatly thankful that you found us worthy to save, we can NOT let Xiahou Dun get away with this..."
"I'll tell you later, what was said," Lu Xun answered softly. "For now, we must hurriedly find a way to get back those that were just traded..."
Sun Ce agreed completely, though he almost overlooked Lu Xun completely, "Exactly what I was thinking... the question is, how to do so without HARMING them! I won't let Xiahou Dun live to see the light of another day again! Tonight he will DIE!"
"And if we are not careful, both Zhou Yu and Zhang He will die with him," Lu Xun stated.
"He's insane, Sun Ce! You were not THERE to see how obsessed with this blood he was... he's willing to sacrifice ANYTHING, and I don't think he'll think TWICE about slaying Zhou Yu if you provoke him!"
Sun Ce could feel his blood boil, and he tried to contain his anger, "Then what should we DO?!"
We must plan to where we can retrieve them without harm, and the best way to do that it to somehow convince the soldiers and the other two ones that follow him that this blood is a fake... or convince them that immortality is not what they truly want." Lu Xun tried to explain, though weakly, as if to doubt himself somehow "But, if Master Zhuge Liang has discovered this to be true, then convincing them will be hard, almost impossible..."
Jiang Wei spoke softly, "It will be hard to get anyone following Master Zhuge to change from the course he has set them upon..,"
"Unfortunately we have little proof to prove it's false..."
"I can prove it..."
It was poor Sun Ce that felt the man's wrath, as Sima Yi stormed towards them, a sword within his hands and his face eager for war. He practically roared, striking uncontrollable fear into all of them. "I'll have his head; I will have Zhang He convert him, then I shall SLAY him myself!"
Gan Ning sneered, "You'll have to wait in line..."
Lu Xun silenced the pirate with his despair, "What proof do you have, sir? Please share it with us..."
"I know all about his plan! I went along with it, because I understood his reasoning, but now he has gone too far!" Sima Yi seethed. "I will NOT have Zhang He die for his petty revenge!"
Jiang Wei's eyes widened, as he gave a look a sad puppy would have made, "Revenge?"
Turning upon him, and having no mercy, the Wei strategist turned upon him, "Yes! Revenge for YOU! Ever since you turned back he's been plotting... and now his plotting has gone TOO far!"
Also neglecting his fellow strategist's feelings, Lu Xun shouted, "Of course! Master Zhuge Liang MUST have lied to him about the blood of a werefox, so that once he drinks the blood, he only FEELS as if he is immortal... a cheap trick that would actually work."
Sima Yi sneered, "Yes... feel smart, do you, boy?"
"Admirable... if it did not involve a sacrifice," bringing his hand to his chin and smirking, Lu Xun slowly felt his pride growing once more. "Seems that he truly does have a care for personal gain as well, especially for you, Jiang Wei."
The blush that covered his face was only too obvious and Gan Ning snickered, "Looks like a rose... all red on top and green on bottom."
He was punched by the all too serious Lu Meng, "That still leaves us a problem, so stop thinking with your hearts and start with your heads so that we can save Zhou Yu and Zhang He!"
Lu Xun's smile deepened, "It should be easy, actually, since we have no worries about immortality."
"Yes... but we will have to act quickly... the 'legend' states that the blood is ONLY good at night, and it's only an hour until night!" Sima Yi hissed.
Sun Ce looked to Lu Xun, "Have you an idea?"
The boy seemed hesitant, but he tried to come up with something as quickly as he could, hating to be rushed but knew their lives depended on it. "Xiahou Dun would intend to have the blood for himself and Xu Huang... he had or showed no intentions to share it with anyone else, as they were pawns for the hostage incident. Without them, it would just be him and Xu Huang, who hasn't the heart or will to fight."
"So, we only need to worry about those two then?"
Nodding, Gan Ning added in, "And it's hard to believe that he'll even share it with Xu Huang... he's only using him as a shield, same as Zhuge Liang."
"No... I think he loves him, in his own, twisted way..." Sima Yi said slowly, gripping the sword doubly now. "And we shall use that against him... so that he can feel the same thing that so many OTHERS have felt!"
Lu Xun nodded, "Yes... I believe he will find the tables to be turned..."
Now Lu Meng gave Lu Xun such a look, one that Lu Xun felt ashamed of. "My, Lu Xun, it's not like you to speak of revenge with such venom..."
"Forgive me, Lord Lu Meng... but I am tired. There is no excuse for the pain he inflicts; such an evil... must be stopped."
"For ONCE the kid makes sense!" Sun Ce grinned, clapping his hands together. "Nothing wrong with a little personal revenge, eh, Lu Meng? Besides, it's the first human thing he's said since forever! I'm all for it."
Sima Yi growled, though his anger had abated somewhat, "Then we must cease to waste any more time."
No one objected to this, and it wasn't long before the strategists put their heads together to devise a plan. It was dangerous, but one that they were willing to risk. Nothing mattered to them more than saving the lives of the two officers...
~*~*~*~
Liu Bei was beginning to wonder just what exactly what was going on. He was terribly confused as to everything that he begun to happen, not to mention the fact that his heart throbbed with pain every time he looked at the unconscious Cao Cao. Resting his head on his arms, he sighed, "I wish I knew what to do..."
No one answered his question, and he hated this helpless feeling. What good was ruling a nation when he was so useless?
He traced the curve of the man's cheek, tugging lightly on his beard as he whispered, "You may very well win in the end, for no other reason than your opponent is so very weak..."
Cao Cao just lay there, struggling against death as his wounds only seemed to get worst with time. It would not be long before death claimed him, and Liu Bei sighed, looking towards the ceiling and curling his fist. "What a bother... though I know the minute I leave to go check, he will be awake."
"Go... check... what?"
He could hardly believe it until he saw flames behind the eyes, and he gasped, "Cao Cao, you're awake!"
"Of course. You'd wake up too... if someone tugged your beard..."
Cao Cao almost defied injury, trying to sit up but failing horribly. He cursed, "To think my own family member did this to me... what's going on? How... how long have I been asleep?!"
"A couple of days..."
Hearing that, Cao Cao did rise, though it took a great amount of strength, denying Liu Bei's hands. "Then I should be able... to kill him now."
"No... you are going to lie RIGHT there!" Liu Bei snapped.
"I... take orders... from no one!"
Pushing him down with strength he did not know he had, the Shu lord shook his head, "You need to rest, so for now, you WILL obey my orders..."
Hating the position, Cao Cao reached for his sword, only to find it was taken from him. "Have you no heart?! I longed for revenge... let me have... my revenge before I die!"
"You know where my heart lies... and you will have your revenge..." Liu Bei spoke with such courage that Cao Cao found himself obeying, and the Shu lord nodded, "I'll go see what's going on... but you must stay still, for your own sake."
"Only if you swear to come back..."
"Of course... what makes you think I won't? I'm useless elsewhere..."
Cao Cao shook his head, "No... never useless, to me..."
Liu Bei smiled, "Well, that's something, at least."
The doors swung open, and Liu Bei quickly rose to greet the angered Sun Ce, whom practically bypassed him without a care in the world. Instead, the Little Conqueror looked to Cao Cao, and he showed no mercy, quickly asking questions before the man could even acknowledge his presence. "How upset will you be if we slaughter that cousin of yours exactly?"
"I suppose not very... all things considered..."
"Good, because he has Zhang He and Zhou Yu, and I think he just made it impossible for us to keep him alive." Sun Ce spat, now looking to Liu Bei. "Not to mention your sly little friend has betrayed you as well."
"I beg your pardon?"
"It was he who captured three of my generals and forced a trade-off." Sun Ce's rage seemed to grow even more, and he practically growled, "So I'm going to kill him too..."
Now this Liu Bei couldn't let happen, as he tried to talk him out of it, "I'm sure that Master Zhuge Liang has his reasons, Lord Sun Ce, and by doing such a thing then I will have no choice but to ignore the treaty as well!"
"I DON'T CARE ANY MORE! HE'S ENDANGERED MY MEN FOR THE LAST TIME!"
Whether the two were going to engage each other was still a mystery, as Ma Chao and Zhao Yun rose their spears, keeping their weapons at the ready and pointed their deadly aim at the rash overlord. It was at a stand still when Lu Xun entered, trying to draw their attention away. "Excuse me, but it's dusk now and we don't have enough time for such things, Lord Sun Ce."
"You're right; Zhou Yu and Zhang He are going to need our help," Sun Ce sighed, rubbing his temples. His gaze was acid as he looked to Liu Bei, "I'll let him live... until you can decide what punishment to give to him."
As they were leaving, Zhao Yun spoke to Lu Xun, who stopped halfway through the doorway, "So tell me, Lu Xun, are you in this because your lord says so, or are you in this for revenge?"
"I... that doesn't matter now..."
"Of course it does, but do what you must if not to please yourself then."
The boy grabbed the elder man's arm, his voice soft, "I'm sorry... for everything I said before. But I will not allow my lust for revenge to cloud my judgment..."
Zhao Yun, not wishing for either Ma Chao or his lord to be involved, merely nodded, letting Lu Xun leave in peace as Liu Bei finally asked, "What was that all about, may I ask?"
"You may, my lord, but unless you order me to, I shall not answer."
Knowing best, Liu Bei merely nodded, and, looking about, he asked, "Where is Jiang Wei then?"
"Crying..." Ma Chao answered, looking at Cao Cao and sneering. "My Lord, I suggest we take our men and leave while we still can... perhaps we can convince Master Zhuge to join us."
"No... if he has truly left you, then he shall not return..." Wincing, Cao Cao's voice got considerably weak, and they turned, with much surprise, to see him trying to rise from the bed. He ignored all pain and injury, and, denying anyone's help, he stood now, his blue eyes flaming with lust of revenge. He grasped his mighty sword, despite Liu Bei's hands trying to pry them away. "Traitors must be punished, no matter what their cause."
Liu Bei hissed, "You stay here! You're far too injured to help us now; you'll only end up getting killed!"
"I'm not in this for anyone but myself!" Cao Cao spat, knocking him away and ignoring the hated glance from Ma Chao. He nearly trembled, but he kept control of his voice, as he raised his wrathful sword. "Nobody betrays me... and gets away with it... even my own blood..."
Zhao Yun nodded, his tone low, "Thank you, sir, for realizing the truth."
Looking to him, the Wei emperor slowly walked past him, one hand over his wound as he bypassed them without as much as a glance. "I'll have my revenge... and I'll be buried alongside him then..."
Liu Bei went to protest, but again, Zhao Yun spoke quietly, "Let him go, my lord."
"Then what else is there to do then?" Liu Bei asked, feeling quite naked now, without either his brothers or his Prime Minister at his side. He looked to his two officers with question in his eyes, and the Imperial Uncle, never one to like the feeling to uselessness, asked again. "What do you suggest we do?"
"We get ready for a hunt..."
Looking to the Little Dragon, Liu Bei sighed, "Do you feel... that this is the best course of action then?
The fire in the man's green eyes was almost frightening, and his voice was cold, "It is the only course of action we have..."
"Ma Chao?"
"Whatever you decide, my lord." Ma Chao replied quickly, giving a bow to his lord. He noticed the blood that caked the hospital bed and the floor in the pattern of Cao Cao's stance. He rose his eyes now, adding on to what he had just said. "However, rather Zhuge Liang's intentions for betrayal are true or a ploy, we can't just sit here and do nothing. I ask for revenge as well."
"Then... for us all, revenge seems best..." Liu Bei grasped his sword, looking at it's double-edged blade and seeing his own reflection. He was so confused as to why Zhuge Liang would betray him, and there was doubt in this. It had to be a ploy, for something deeper. Nodding, he looked to his two generals as the sun had just set over the horizon. "Let's hope that we will not regret this decision."
Zhao Yun chuckled lowly, "I will not regret it..."
~*~*~*~
It did not take long for Jiang Wei to find a room for himself, separated from all others, and there he kept to himself, too afraid to reveal his tears to his comrades and the members of the other clan. Instead, he wept silently, laying on whoever's bed this was...
"Not exactly who I would choose to have in my bed, but certainly not a disgrace to his clan..." He heard Sima Yi say, but he said nothing to him, knowing why there was a hint of anger in that deep voice of his. Jiang Wei sighed, as Sima Yi drew closer, "Why are you here, child? Why aren't you with your beloved Prime Minister?"
"Don't speak of him to me; I never want to hear of him again!"
Hearing the shuffling of paper and various objects told Jiang Wei that the Wei strategist was packing his objects, and Sima Yi spoke, not even looking at him. "I know your pain then, so let's keep quiet and not speak with each other unless it is on the battlefield. Do not think, though, since I pity you, that I won't show any pity to my arch rival..."
"Kill him, for all I care." Jiang Wei hissed, "And I don't need your pity!"
The sounds of a sword being unsheathed was quite frightening to hear, and he could look in a mirror that rested across from him, seeing the broad sword that Sima Yi held in his hand, holding it as if it were as light as a feather. "You have brains, then... I commend you."
"No... don't commend me... just leave me alone..."
"Of course... as you wish then..." Sima Yi sneered, resting the dull end of the blade against Jiang Wei's shoulder. Not once did the boy flinch, and he was leaving, only laughing at the thought. Tonight he was going to slay his archrival for more than one reason... he was to pay for what he's done, him and Xiahou Dun!
He froze suddenly when he felt the point of a spear to his back, and the boy's voice was quiet, "Will you at least... kill him quickly for me? Please?"
"If it pleases someone besides myself, then yes... I'd rather have his head as a trophy, though hearing his cries would have been quite pleasant."
"For you... it is something I cannot bear..." Jiang Wei said with a sigh, not seeing Lu Xun standing in the hallway, listening to them with his full attention. His spear wavered, and he lowered it. "Prime Minister has his reasons, and I can respect them, even if they are for personal gain."
"Your heart is broken now, little one, but it will heal."
Had this come from the cold Sima Yi? Jiang Wei could hardly believe it, but he replied, nevertheless, "All things heal... with time. I will move on, because my lord Liu Bei needs me if he does not have Master Zhuge."
"No. Don't move on for anyone but yourself," Sima Yi admonished him gently, sighing. "You are the only one who has to live with your heart. It took both Zhang He and I far too long to realize this simple truth... and I would not wish that pain upon anyone, much less one so young..."
"I thank you for your concern..." Jiang Wei said with an actual hint of a smile. "It is night... and your general is in need of assistance."
"Yes... you are quite right."
Sima Yi replied with a grin, imagining Zhuge Liang's head resting in his curled fist. He was going to make that bastard pay, and he left without a word, nearly bumping into Lu Xun but flying out of his way as he left. That was when the two young strategists noticed each other, and they just stared for the longest of times before either one dared say a word.
Lu Xun finally spoke, his voice soft, "I'm sorry."
"I thought you had no feelings, so why do you care?" Jiang Wei practically spat, turning to go back into the borrowed room. "You had better go... your lord, not to mention your love, will want you there."
He could almost feel Lu Xun's feral stare, but his voice only strengthened Jiang Wei's beliefs, as he kept his tone civil, annoying civil at that, as if to ignore the situation. "Of course... one must stay impartial, even if he is the Snow Queen. Zhuge Liang has betrayed his lord for you, just... just thought you should know."
"He has betrayed us all by helping Xiahou Dun... unless you know something I do not?"
"Perhaps I do, but I do not have the 'heart' to tell you."
That did it, and Jiang Wei only closed his eyes, to keep the tears from rising again, "Then go, you heartless bastard! Do not tease me or torment me; I have had enough of that without you joining in!"
Lu Xun only shook his head, turning to return to his duties as Lu Meng called to him. "I am only the one you claim me to be then... it saves me from the pain that you are feeling now."
"No! Nothing saves you; you DOOM yourself!" The young Shu officer sobbed, "You die... you die a little everyday... and in the end you will be EMPTY! You will have nothing to live for! Nothing to die for! YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING!"
Stiffening, Lu Xun's voice was soft, "Perhaps it is better to have nothing, because when one has nothing... one has nothing to lose."
"You're wrong, Lu Xun... oh how you are wrong! If you have nothing to lose... then you have nothing to live for. One day... one day you will realize this..."
But he spoke to air, as the other strategist strode away, not wanting anyone to see the tears rising to his own eyes. When he reached Lu Meng, he did not say anything, except, "Let's get this over with..."