Disclaimer: I want them! I want them!
Unfortunately, they do not belong to me, no matter how much I scream or scratch. So, recognition where it is due…
…the characters are regrettably not mine. They belong to themselves who existed a long time ago, and character design belongs to Koei. Those lucky devils…
~~~~~
CHAPTER 2
"Zhang He! Zhang He!! Wait up!!"
Zhang He turning around, not stopping from his long strides, found Xu Huang running quite un-general-ly towards him. Smiling a little, albeit genuinely, he stopped and greeted him as would with any other officials of his present liege.
"General Xu Huang…" He bowed a little.
Xu Huang looked the younger general up and down, squinting a little to maybe strengthen the effect. Today, the man was in simple light purple robes, soft silk cloth covering his feet. The ebony hair that many admired (even women at the palace) was bound simply, albeit elegantly, at the nape of his neck with a black-lavender ribbon, the ends left to hang enticingly down his back. Xu Huang noticed as he turned around that for once the man was decently covered; none of that left-shoulder-which-covers-nothing-but-a-mole armor. Even the fiery orange tattoo that snaked the left of his arm was almost fully covered, the ends peeking out from under full sleeves. He did not understand, how Zhang He could don such armor and yet still step into battle as if he were attending any regular social function. It was just…not right. But then, of course, it was just perfectly Zhang He. Well, at least he won't be subjected to envious stares as they strode around the palace. He had something to relate to the man, but knowing him, oh well…
As he approached Zhang He, he pursed his lips in irritation, ready to shout Junyi's head off if that was possible. Thank God all that running around for that blasted man has not yet made him pant (God forbid if he actually did - Cao Cao would replace him with another younger, perhaps more suave general), but he exclaimed still the same, a little irritated, that Zhang He would not stay put in one place. The man in question laughed, throwing back the statement that maybe…maybe…he had been a general for far too long and needed a break - indefinitely.
"Impudence. That's what all you young farts are. And to think they would take over my position. I shall make sure my successor is properly respectful before he even gets a mile from me," he huffed.
"Gongming…then I shall agree with you. Young farts have absolutely no respect for their elders," chuckled Zhang He, for it was obviously a misstatement and he was far from old.
The older man chuckled along affectionately at the newcomer he now considered his ward. "Brat."
"A brat you know you want; very, very much…" was the suggestive answer, interlaced with a playful caress to the man's cheek.
"Very funny, Zhang Junyi. Unfortunately, as much as I supposedly want to bed you, my tastes do not run in that direction." He drawled, "Perhaps some other time…"
"Haha…some other time then."
The two men, though recently introduced, talked with unassuming gaiety and frankness, just like old friends. He had to admit, Zhang He was a little apprehensive when he joined the ranks of Wei generals for a man's obsession with beauty added with the results of that particular obsession was not what one would typically classify as 'strong' and 'deadly'. Maybe only as a toy to fulfill temporary lust…to later be thrown away. Nothing more. Yet, he fought with such grace and viciousness the others did not really know how to respond to an androgynous beauty who looked as if he had just escaped from some harem and somehow sneaked his way to stand with them. Zhang He had heard whispered comments, on his first day at Wei and it had hurt a great deal. Many were entwined with jealousy and malice and that had made the remarks all the more hurtful; even if he still refused to admit it. Doubting his abilities and decisions, he went through his troupe selection unnecessarily strict and demanding; after that, earning the reference of arrogance and cool reserve. However, just as he had almost given up hope of finding true belonging, Xu Huang and a few other generals had shown open acceptance; with their evident support, the malevolent remarks lessened - at least not in his presence anyway.
He did not really need such help - he could deal with it his way - but it was extremely sweet. Tremendously.
Just as they were arguing, another familiar voice interrupted. "Well, look at the two kids the castle brought in today."
"Yes, joined by a teddy bear boy," retorted Xu Huang irritably. He was quite annoyed already by the arrogant smirk on Zhang Junyi's face, and did not particularly need another - clueless, to add - to increase the man's ire.
The newcomer, Xu Zhu, as if reading his thoughts, merely smiled. "Zhang He, Lord Cao Cao orders you to escort him and Lord Cao Pi to the Yuan castle. They are to leave at noon."
Having related his orders, Xu Zhu departed, leaving a particularly amused man and another reddening one behind. Xu Huang was the one who was supposed to relate "those" orders.
'Damn, he hated moments like this. Who knew…he was not impressed and definitely not interested. God…this man…how he hated him…'
As if reading his thoughts, Zhang He whirled around. "Thinking of my offer, hmm…?"
Blushing furiously, Xu Huang kept adamantly silent.
Zhang He laughed. "But shouldn't you think of me when you are not on duty? What would Lord Cao Cao say?" His laughter grew louder, the soft intonations soothing and seductive. "Tsk tsk…General Xu…"
"Enough!" came the angry growl. "Work! Now!!!"
Laughing all the way out the palace, Zhang He finally hopped on a silver-white stallion and rode of to prepare. Xu Huang fumed as he watched him ride off.
Someday…he'll make that man cry.
Hmm…it was not too bad a thought to ponder. 'Now, what would I do? Cut his precious hair? Replace his beloved claws with sharpened chopsticks? Accidentally break one of his perfect nails… Oh, I know!! Maybe I'll paint that androgynous face Junyi's so proud off… Hehehe…'
Chuckling happily, he rubbed his hands in glee and tried to imitate evilness. But sighing almost immediately after, he knew the boy was as talented as his name perceived him and sincere in heart, no matter how tough he looked.
He hoped he would never get hurt from the softness in his heart. He was already feeling quite brotherly towards the boy.
'Junyi's going to make some man very happy…'
Shaking his head in amusement and obvious relief, Xu Huang thought almost instantly:
'Thank God that man would never be me…'
Then, he too hurried off to make the necessary preparations. It would not do good to make Cao Cao wait.
______________________________________________
At the Yuan palace, Cao Cao and his son Cao Pi staked their claim and announced their victory as the ultimate rulers from the kingdom of Wei. For Zhang He, it did not really matter. What interested him was the palace. The way it seemed so…distant…even though he must have stepped in and out, passed through it's countless corridors a thousand times. He knew for a fact, he did not belong there anymore. His past at that place, along with the legacy of the Yuan family, would fade back into time and finally be forgotten.
Just as he idly slid his claws against the walls, he ran into a familiar face.
"Lady Zhen Ji…!!"
"Zhang He…"
A hard slap resounded through the finely lit corridor. "You traitor," she hissed.
Pausing, Zhang He put a hand to the spot and whispered, "Aren't we the same. Aren't you also uniting yourself with Wei?"
Twin pink spots appeared on Zhen Ji's cheeks. "We are not the same! Never!" But she saw the odd sadness in his eyes and bit her lip.
"Why not? We joined the enemy under similar circumstances."
"You defected…I…I…"
Zhang He shook his head sadly. "It is useless to fight fate, my lady. For we are merely tools in this war, you and I. I will never be more than a warrior soon forgotten and you, you have gained Lord Cao Pi's favor. /you would be empress. Nothing more."
He could see tears begin to form in her eyes. She had never desired to be Yuan Xi's wife when he was alive and now that the eldest son of Cao Cao fancied her, she could still not escape her fate for the peaceful life she secretly yearned.
"I…I…"
"I'm sorry, my Lady." He spoke softly. "But I will try to be happy from now on."
Zhang He could only look as two Wei guards quietly brought her away, to be confined all over again at another palace.
In a way, he felt the same. Gazing at the high ceiling, he pondered his destiny for the first time since that night the night sky went up in flames (Jade: "The Battle of Guan Du" for the still clueless ^^;).
In his heart, he wept his lost past. Quietly and with pride, as a warrior would be…
______________________________________________
Hidden by heavy velvet curtains, Sima Yi watched unobserved.
He saw the sorrow on the Van leader's face and strangely longed very much the soothe it. The beauty he saw absent in many women called to him unlike any other.
Disturbed by this strange attraction, Sima Yi mentally reminded himself of his goal. He would become High Commander and one day…one day.
Convincing himself that the strange longing was only an insane infatuation, due to confusion to the sudden change and takeover, he quietly left his hiding place to grant the grieving general deserved privacy.
But…he told himself…when the day came…maybe, maybe then, he would own Zhang Junyi…
~~~~~
Jade: Err…lemme think of something witty to say…
Sima Yi: *snort* Must be a very hard task…
Jade: Please, contain your anger. You are supposed to exude calm and elegance…(thinks a
Moment)…Or else dear Junyi might just look the other way…
Sima Yi: What?!? *murderous eyes* You wouldn't dare!!!
Jade: As it is, he doesn't even know you're alive at this moment…
Sima Yi: … (mind in motion)
Jade: Muahaha… Call me 'Lord'.
Sima Yi: (glaring I-will-be-lord-commader-some-day-and-unleash-my-one-million-plus-soldiers-on-
you look while sporting Junyi-like smile) L…L…Lord…*sputter* *cough*…Lord Jade…
Unfortunately, they do not belong to me, no matter how much I scream or scratch. So, recognition where it is due…
…the characters are regrettably not mine. They belong to themselves who existed a long time ago, and character design belongs to Koei. Those lucky devils…
~~~~~
CHAPTER 2
"Zhang He! Zhang He!! Wait up!!"
Zhang He turning around, not stopping from his long strides, found Xu Huang running quite un-general-ly towards him. Smiling a little, albeit genuinely, he stopped and greeted him as would with any other officials of his present liege.
"General Xu Huang…" He bowed a little.
Xu Huang looked the younger general up and down, squinting a little to maybe strengthen the effect. Today, the man was in simple light purple robes, soft silk cloth covering his feet. The ebony hair that many admired (even women at the palace) was bound simply, albeit elegantly, at the nape of his neck with a black-lavender ribbon, the ends left to hang enticingly down his back. Xu Huang noticed as he turned around that for once the man was decently covered; none of that left-shoulder-which-covers-nothing-but-a-mole armor. Even the fiery orange tattoo that snaked the left of his arm was almost fully covered, the ends peeking out from under full sleeves. He did not understand, how Zhang He could don such armor and yet still step into battle as if he were attending any regular social function. It was just…not right. But then, of course, it was just perfectly Zhang He. Well, at least he won't be subjected to envious stares as they strode around the palace. He had something to relate to the man, but knowing him, oh well…
As he approached Zhang He, he pursed his lips in irritation, ready to shout Junyi's head off if that was possible. Thank God all that running around for that blasted man has not yet made him pant (God forbid if he actually did - Cao Cao would replace him with another younger, perhaps more suave general), but he exclaimed still the same, a little irritated, that Zhang He would not stay put in one place. The man in question laughed, throwing back the statement that maybe…maybe…he had been a general for far too long and needed a break - indefinitely.
"Impudence. That's what all you young farts are. And to think they would take over my position. I shall make sure my successor is properly respectful before he even gets a mile from me," he huffed.
"Gongming…then I shall agree with you. Young farts have absolutely no respect for their elders," chuckled Zhang He, for it was obviously a misstatement and he was far from old.
The older man chuckled along affectionately at the newcomer he now considered his ward. "Brat."
"A brat you know you want; very, very much…" was the suggestive answer, interlaced with a playful caress to the man's cheek.
"Very funny, Zhang Junyi. Unfortunately, as much as I supposedly want to bed you, my tastes do not run in that direction." He drawled, "Perhaps some other time…"
"Haha…some other time then."
The two men, though recently introduced, talked with unassuming gaiety and frankness, just like old friends. He had to admit, Zhang He was a little apprehensive when he joined the ranks of Wei generals for a man's obsession with beauty added with the results of that particular obsession was not what one would typically classify as 'strong' and 'deadly'. Maybe only as a toy to fulfill temporary lust…to later be thrown away. Nothing more. Yet, he fought with such grace and viciousness the others did not really know how to respond to an androgynous beauty who looked as if he had just escaped from some harem and somehow sneaked his way to stand with them. Zhang He had heard whispered comments, on his first day at Wei and it had hurt a great deal. Many were entwined with jealousy and malice and that had made the remarks all the more hurtful; even if he still refused to admit it. Doubting his abilities and decisions, he went through his troupe selection unnecessarily strict and demanding; after that, earning the reference of arrogance and cool reserve. However, just as he had almost given up hope of finding true belonging, Xu Huang and a few other generals had shown open acceptance; with their evident support, the malevolent remarks lessened - at least not in his presence anyway.
He did not really need such help - he could deal with it his way - but it was extremely sweet. Tremendously.
Just as they were arguing, another familiar voice interrupted. "Well, look at the two kids the castle brought in today."
"Yes, joined by a teddy bear boy," retorted Xu Huang irritably. He was quite annoyed already by the arrogant smirk on Zhang Junyi's face, and did not particularly need another - clueless, to add - to increase the man's ire.
The newcomer, Xu Zhu, as if reading his thoughts, merely smiled. "Zhang He, Lord Cao Cao orders you to escort him and Lord Cao Pi to the Yuan castle. They are to leave at noon."
Having related his orders, Xu Zhu departed, leaving a particularly amused man and another reddening one behind. Xu Huang was the one who was supposed to relate "those" orders.
'Damn, he hated moments like this. Who knew…he was not impressed and definitely not interested. God…this man…how he hated him…'
As if reading his thoughts, Zhang He whirled around. "Thinking of my offer, hmm…?"
Blushing furiously, Xu Huang kept adamantly silent.
Zhang He laughed. "But shouldn't you think of me when you are not on duty? What would Lord Cao Cao say?" His laughter grew louder, the soft intonations soothing and seductive. "Tsk tsk…General Xu…"
"Enough!" came the angry growl. "Work! Now!!!"
Laughing all the way out the palace, Zhang He finally hopped on a silver-white stallion and rode of to prepare. Xu Huang fumed as he watched him ride off.
Someday…he'll make that man cry.
Hmm…it was not too bad a thought to ponder. 'Now, what would I do? Cut his precious hair? Replace his beloved claws with sharpened chopsticks? Accidentally break one of his perfect nails… Oh, I know!! Maybe I'll paint that androgynous face Junyi's so proud off… Hehehe…'
Chuckling happily, he rubbed his hands in glee and tried to imitate evilness. But sighing almost immediately after, he knew the boy was as talented as his name perceived him and sincere in heart, no matter how tough he looked.
He hoped he would never get hurt from the softness in his heart. He was already feeling quite brotherly towards the boy.
'Junyi's going to make some man very happy…'
Shaking his head in amusement and obvious relief, Xu Huang thought almost instantly:
'Thank God that man would never be me…'
Then, he too hurried off to make the necessary preparations. It would not do good to make Cao Cao wait.
______________________________________________
At the Yuan palace, Cao Cao and his son Cao Pi staked their claim and announced their victory as the ultimate rulers from the kingdom of Wei. For Zhang He, it did not really matter. What interested him was the palace. The way it seemed so…distant…even though he must have stepped in and out, passed through it's countless corridors a thousand times. He knew for a fact, he did not belong there anymore. His past at that place, along with the legacy of the Yuan family, would fade back into time and finally be forgotten.
Just as he idly slid his claws against the walls, he ran into a familiar face.
"Lady Zhen Ji…!!"
"Zhang He…"
A hard slap resounded through the finely lit corridor. "You traitor," she hissed.
Pausing, Zhang He put a hand to the spot and whispered, "Aren't we the same. Aren't you also uniting yourself with Wei?"
Twin pink spots appeared on Zhen Ji's cheeks. "We are not the same! Never!" But she saw the odd sadness in his eyes and bit her lip.
"Why not? We joined the enemy under similar circumstances."
"You defected…I…I…"
Zhang He shook his head sadly. "It is useless to fight fate, my lady. For we are merely tools in this war, you and I. I will never be more than a warrior soon forgotten and you, you have gained Lord Cao Pi's favor. /you would be empress. Nothing more."
He could see tears begin to form in her eyes. She had never desired to be Yuan Xi's wife when he was alive and now that the eldest son of Cao Cao fancied her, she could still not escape her fate for the peaceful life she secretly yearned.
"I…I…"
"I'm sorry, my Lady." He spoke softly. "But I will try to be happy from now on."
Zhang He could only look as two Wei guards quietly brought her away, to be confined all over again at another palace.
In a way, he felt the same. Gazing at the high ceiling, he pondered his destiny for the first time since that night the night sky went up in flames (Jade: "The Battle of Guan Du" for the still clueless ^^;).
In his heart, he wept his lost past. Quietly and with pride, as a warrior would be…
______________________________________________
Hidden by heavy velvet curtains, Sima Yi watched unobserved.
He saw the sorrow on the Van leader's face and strangely longed very much the soothe it. The beauty he saw absent in many women called to him unlike any other.
Disturbed by this strange attraction, Sima Yi mentally reminded himself of his goal. He would become High Commander and one day…one day.
Convincing himself that the strange longing was only an insane infatuation, due to confusion to the sudden change and takeover, he quietly left his hiding place to grant the grieving general deserved privacy.
But…he told himself…when the day came…maybe, maybe then, he would own Zhang Junyi…
~~~~~
Jade: Err…lemme think of something witty to say…
Sima Yi: *snort* Must be a very hard task…
Jade: Please, contain your anger. You are supposed to exude calm and elegance…(thinks a
Moment)…Or else dear Junyi might just look the other way…
Sima Yi: What?!? *murderous eyes* You wouldn't dare!!!
Jade: As it is, he doesn't even know you're alive at this moment…
Sima Yi: … (mind in motion)
Jade: Muahaha… Call me 'Lord'.
Sima Yi: (glaring I-will-be-lord-commader-some-day-and-unleash-my-one-million-plus-soldiers-on-
you look while sporting Junyi-like smile) L…L…Lord…*sputter* *cough*…Lord Jade…