Bring Me to Life
By Gingivere the Shadowreaver
~*~*~*~
Chapter Fifteen
~*~*~*~
Preparations for war was something Lu Jun got accustomed to very quickly in his life, and he was thankful that the villagers of Dian Gso offered them supplies, soldiers, and horses as well. Lu Jun was well prepared, mounting the closest steed to him and holding his deadly spear at the ready. Once again, he could quench his thirst for blood...
He prayed that the Wei would face them and put up a decent fight. What a waste it would be to return to his village to find it was abandoned. That meant that he's had to do the boring task of tracking them down, and he'd rather have a fight and finish it there then to pursue his enemies.
That was such a task he never liked, so he just made sure that his victims never escaped. It was all simple...
He called to the masked warrior, as he gave his horse a stroke on the neck, mainly to keep his hands busy then anything else. "Hey, Mask Boy, does it normally take you this long to prepare?"
Wei Yan was probably in the worst of moods, as he merely grunted at the lord of Wujun, holding his double voulge with a sneer. Zhao Yun, on the other hand, came trotting on his own white steed, to stand at Lu Jun's side. "It's not best to edge him on, sir... of all people, you should know."
"Tell me... do you remember a time where he WASN'T like this?"
The question would probably remain unanswered, but Zhao Yun tried. "I don't know too much, but he serves us because he serves Liu Bei and Pang Tong... that's all."
With that being said, Lu Jun held his spear at the ready, looking to Wei Yan before pointing it forward. "Let's not keep them waiting... it will be a pity for them if they do not flee this night!"
Such a strong statement! One that any powerful warrior would say, and a good parting line. Well, it would have been if the next thing heard was, "Oh come on Zhou Yu! Please?"
Zhao Yun gave a look of confusion, and he asked, "Was that Lord Sun Ce?"
Wei Yan blinked, "What... hold... up?"
He was not answered, and Lu Jun gave his horse a slight tap, following the voice of Sun Ce. He looked back at the others, though, "Go ahead without me... I'll catch up..."
Knowing that is was something that was out of his control, Zhao Yun nodded, "Come along Wei Yan."
They were gone before long, their forces marching behind them without question. Now, that Lu Jun was alone, he found his way to the voices, seeing that Zhao Yun was correct to say it was Sun Ce. The man looked to have been begging to his close friend, who seemed a bit hesitant about something. "But you don't know how to play it, Sun Ce... I'm afraid that you might embarrass yourself..."
"I don't care if I embarrass myself! Even if I play badly it may cheer her up!" That Sun Ce was a persistent little bugger, as he did not seem to back down. "Come on, old buddy, just for a little while!"
"Why don't you just let me play for her? It would be much easier on everyone! Think of Da Qiao's sensitive ears!"
This was almost humorous, if it wasn't for the fact that he now knew that Sun Ce fancied his son's love. "But it wouldn't mean the same!"
Zhou Yu frowned, "I also do not approve of this for other reasons, and you know it. Lu Xun is very much in love with her, and she is very much in love with him. Why would you try to change that, Sun Ce?"
"Wait, he does?!"
The strategist's brown eyes widened, "Don't tell me you didn't know!"
That even made Lu Jun surprised, seeing Sun Ce nod his head ashamedly. Sun Ce spoke lowly, almost laughing at himself, "I thought they were just... well, you know... really good friends..."
Zhou Yu sighed, "Well, now you know. Does that convince you not to try?"
"Yeah, yeah... still, I'd like to cheer her up..." Now Sun Ce almost sounded heartbroken...
"I would as well... and if you think it will help, then I give you permission. But try and take it easy..."
Personally, as any man would have, Lu Jun did NOT stick around to hear the feeble attempts of the Wu conqueror TRYING to play the flute. It was surely to be a disgrace to music, and though he pitied Da Qiao, he had other, more pleasurable things to be concerned with. "Perhaps... we should have Sun Ce play to Lord Cao Cao..."
~*~*~*~
When Lu Xun was told he was going to be taking a bath, he was rather hoping for either a barrel of water and a little bit of privacy, however, being stripped naked and thrown into the stream that ran through his village, he wished to have been stayed filthy. Freezing and naked was one thing, but when an equally naked Zhang He was there, that was a horse of a totally different color.
He sighed, wrapping his arms about him in an effort to give himself some form of covering, 'How humiliating...'
Humiliating indeed, as he hid behind the closest rock, fearing to see Zhang He turn from the corner with that cat-like grin of his. He sneered, seeping lower and lower into the water until it nipped at his bare neck.
Any minute now he would hear the exotic officer's voice, bidding him to come out, but Lu Xun vowed that was one thing he would not do. Let him force him into this bath, the same way he forced him into everything else. And, sure enough, he trembled to hear the words as they got closer. "Don't worry... we're both men, and you have nothing to hide..."
The Wu officer hissed, "I just don't want you near me..."
"Oh, why not? Hasn't your mother ever bathed you when you were a child?"
"I do not know; I do not remember my mother..." Hiding deeper, Lu Xun spit out water as it tried to seep into his mouth when he spoke. "And even if I did, that was my mother, and not you... I am very capable of taking care of myself..."
"But it will be so much more fun if you let me take care of you..."
'No, just go away...' Lu Xun almost whimpered it aloud, but he held his tongue, hearing the gentle splashes get closer and closer. 'Leave me alone...'
He could go no lower in the water without being submerged, so he took a deep breath and hid the only place he could; beneath the water. It was safe, for a little while. He nearly choked when two hands grabbed his arms, forcing him up. Zhang He gave a triumphant laugh, as the poor boy choked on the cold water. "Can't escape me for long... I bet you fought like this when you were given a bath as a child, admit it!"
"No; I liked my nice warm baths, actually," Lu Xun spat. "But I don't like you..."
"Oh, why not?" He was forces to sit down, and he trembled ferociously, feeling those hands running gently down his back, trying his best to fight it, but to no avail. "My goodness, who's done this to you? You're lucky if they do not scar your back for the rest of your life..."
"I do not care if they do or not," Lu Xun whispered. "As for who inflicted them... you know him well enough..."
Yes, as Zhang He feared, giving a sad sigh as he captured a little water in his hands and sprinkling it down the wounded back. Seeing Lu Xun's shivers grow only made him feel worse, and he asked, "You trembled because of the water, or is it something else? I assure you, there is nothing to fear when I'm here..."
"It... it is only the water," Lu Xun lied. He was forced to look at Zhang He, seeing as he demanded the truth, and he berated himself to whisper. "No one needs to touch me... I have to give them permission to touch me..."
"My, whatever do you mean by that, little Xun-chan?"
Shivering all the more, Lu Xun whispered, "Why does everyone try to touch me? I do not wish to be touched... not... not anymore..."
As if to ignore his babbling, Zhang He grabbed a few flowers from the tree hanging above them, crushing them within his hand and sprinkling them on top of the trembling Lu Xun. Then, he asked, grabbing a handful of water and soaking Lu Xun's light brown hair with it. "Why is it that you don't like to be touched? Your skin is baby soft... it seems that age does not affect you at all!"
"I don't like to be touched because..." Lu Xun stopped himself, muttering angrily, "Why the hell do YOU care?! What does it matter? You're still going to touch me... to hurt me..."
"Of course not! I touch you to cleanse you... what, did your father touch to harm you?"
"My father..." The Wu officer laughed bitterly, "My father wouldn't touch me for anything. Not to beat, not to hug, not a friendly pat on the shoulder or the head... not even to help me when I stumbled... No, my father never touched me..."
Grabbing more flowers, the 'motherly' side of Zhang He took over, reaching into the sack he carried and placed on a nearby rock and pulling out a small bottle. It was full of herbal lotions, and as he dumped the lotion on the young man's hair, he replied, his voice tender and almost welcoming. "What a cruel father that was then..."
"He never meant to be cruel, I'm sure. He wanted... he wanted to make sure I was strong enough to protect myself. I was so easily taken advantage of by the other children, and... by some adults..."
"Ohhhhhhh... I wish my hair was soft as yours!" Zhang He smiled, narrowing his exotic eyes a bit. 'Yes, do tell...'
If Lu Xun found it strange that he was talking to an enemy officer they way some women talked to their nurses, he showed no signs of it, his eyes vacant as his mind wandered through memories he had long tried to forget, "Yes... after that one incident... he grew so protective, so determined to make me into a strong man. I suppose that concern is why he worked me so hard..."
"One incident?" Pausing from the task of lathering, the general asked. "Who would ever want to take advantage of sweet little you? Must have been someone foolish..."
"Yes, I would say foolish. I do not remember his name now. He's been dead for so long... two days after my father found out... He would have been killed sooner if he had not had to be hunted down..."
He did not care for the man's fingers running through his hair, but how would he fight back? The more cooperative he was, the sooner it would be over, but that would mean giving in. He sighed, as Zhang He asked. "Well, remind me not to make your father angry... though it is taking him awhile to track us down... not a very smart man your father is, huh?"
Lu Xun hissed, "Don't insult my father..."
"Oh... sorry... but will you answer my question? I'm so curious about your father..."
"My father would not wish for me to speak of him to you. He'd see it as a sign of weakness, a form of betrayal. And I will NOT betray him..."
He winced as another handful of water was dumped upon him, and as he tried to get a breath, Zhang He's strong hand cupping his head and pushed him below the surface. "Don't breath."
Naturally, when the words were spoken, the very first thing he attempted to do was to take a breath. His mouth filled with the icy water of the river, and he came up sputtering, gasping, and his teeth chattered as he spoke, "A... little... warning would be nice..."
"Hold your breath again..." And once again, he was pushed under without a chance to hold his breath at all.
"Are you TRYING to drown me?!"
Smiling innocently, if that was even possible, Zhang He denied such actions. "No, just rinsing you... but how would he see your talking about him to me as a betrayal?"
Lu Xun rubbed some of the water from eyes as best he could with his still bound hands, "You know perfectly well why he would. You're a Wei general. You're his enemy, just as you are my enemy. If I were to tell you about him, you would be able to guess whatever actions he is most likely to take. I may be young, but I am not completely stupid..."
"I've seen your father in action... he is controlled by the blood wrath, is he not?"
The Wu officer hesitated. Would confirming this statement be betrayal? He doubted it, since it was rather obvious, "He does have a tendency to become rather enraged. You should have seen what he did to that man he hunted down... I do not believe there was a piece of him left that would have been recognizable..."
"Hm... I then shall pray that I never come across him in a fit of rage..." Zhang He felt amused by this, and he sprinkled a few more flowers onto the man before asking another question. "Tell me, do you think that Bloodwrath only happens during battle? I'm curious about this little disease..."
"It is a hard question to answer. It is sometimes hard to tell when my father is in Bloodwrath... and when he is just angry..."
The next question stunned him. "Was there ever a time he trained you under its influence?"
Lu Xun did not speak for a second, and when he did, it was with hesitation, "Not... not to my recollection..."
'Father, I can't take anymore of this...' He heard a cry, and he could see himself on his knees, overwhelmed by fatigue and swollen with welts from the harsh wooden swords. Maybe he had lied to Zhang He... as now he saw his father towering over him, trembling with rage. 'I need a break, father...'
'No... what you need to is to strengthen yourself... look at you! My son, my weak, pitiful son...'
And he rose against his body's will, grabbing his fallen, heavy wooden swords and trying to regain his fighting stance. These weapons were far too heavy for him to handle, and one arm was far weaker than the other, barely able to keep the stick off the ground. But he stood ready, trying to anticipate his father's next moves.
Once more he fell down before his father's blows; once more he was spat upon and cursed, and then left alone. Tears rolled down his cheeks, and there were not just the tears of years gone past, as he saw the crystalline droplets disturb the water beneath him.
"Oh... are those tears?"
Lu Xun broke from his memory world with a start, sneering, "Of course. You... you got some of those damned flowers in my eyes; it's irritating them..."
Plucking a single petal from his nose, Zhang He apologized. "Right... well, now that your hair's clean, I think I should start on those wounds of yours..."
"Must you? Is there no way for me to do it myself?"
"Oh, that's right... you don't like to be touched..."
Lu Xun smiled, though it was not one of mirth, "For once, you're not the cause of my discomfort... surely THAT must make you happy..."
Zhang He, on the other hand, wanted to know more about this young man's past. "There had to have been a time where your father wasn't training you, right? Did he ever take you to the fairs or anything?"
"All these questions about my past... what if I have no past to speak of?"
Dunking him in the water for a third time, Zhang He waited for Lu Xun to resurface before explaining himself. "Everyone has a past... now answer my question."
"I went to a fair only once, and never again."
"Once, you say? Do you remember anything that happened there?"
Lu Xun nodded, "I remember that no one was training there. Everyone was there for a job, yes, such as a merchant or an entertainer, but none seemed concerned with war... except that it would come and ruin the fair..."
He could remember it clearly, seeing a single tent burst into flames as fire arrows swooped over the walls, then the angry shouts from his father, calling for the soldiers to rise to counterattack the enemy forces. The panic that rose then on confused him, remembering the great Duke Qiao Xuan grabbing his daughters and himself and leading them towards the temple.
"It seemed their fear was quite justified. Many men died that night... not to mention many innocents... and the fair never came back to our village again..."
He shivered when he felt the cold wet hands of his enemy run down his back, and he growled, "What are you doing?!"
"What do you think?"
"I don't care... just... just stop it, okay?"
When Zhang He did not comply, Lu Xun spun about to face him, his amber eyes blazing, "I mean it... do NOT touch me..."
He was slapped across the face, but he was never given a chance to fall as he was turned around again. "You cannot reach the wounds on your back... be patient, will you?"
"If... if you promised to behave yourself, then maybe I'd feel a little more comfortable..."
"You're too much of a good boy... maybe that's why so many have taken advantage of you in the past..."
Lu Xun hissed, "And what on earth is THAT supposed to mean?"
Keeping his artful smile, Zhang He continued to sprinkle water down the trembling, beaten back. "Exactly what you think it means, my dear."
NOW the Wu officer was angry. Zhang He could tell by the way he stiffened his body, and the poison that practically dripped from his words, "So you are saying... that I bring such things upon myself? That it is MY fault when someone I thought I could trust decides to rape me and leave me for dead?!"
"Now you never told me the man raped you!"
Lu Xun closed his eyes, trembling in rage, "All things considered... I didn't think I had to..."
He stiffened again when the soft hands rested on his shoulders, and he felt the words tickle his ears. "Do you really think I will do such a thing to you? Do you think I will make the same, foolish mistake as that man?"
Lu Xun had no answer prepared, so he answered truthfully, "I never know WHAT you will do."
"You're silly and paranoid, you know that?"
"Am I? You truly are unpredictable! You are kind and gentle one moment, and harsh and cruel in the next. You clean the very wounds you earlier helped to inflict. You talk to me as if I were a close friend instead of an enemy, and then you mock and ridicule me again. How am I to know WHAT you will do next?"
A flower was place in his open mouth, and as he looked at the general confusingly, Zhang He ordered. "Chew it a few times, then swallow..."
Before obeying, Lu Xun asked, "What is it?"
"A flower that'll clear your mind from the pain..."
The Wu officer sighed, shaking his head, "I swear... I do not understand you..."
But, never the less, he chewed the horrible tasting flower within his mouth, and he eventually brought himself to swallow without gagging. His stomach rejected the flower, threatening to release its insides if there was any food left, and Zhang He smiled as the man tried to keep the flower down. "Good boy..."
"It makes me feel funny..."
"It's supposed to..."
Lu Xun blinked as the world around him began to spin, and his legs threatened to give out from beneath him, "I'm dizzy... and I can't feel my legs..."
"Don't worry, it's just the effects of the flower... it's supposed to relieve your tension."
"I-I can hardly stand! How am I going to get back to shore?!"
Then, what made matters worse was that he could no longer feel his hands, and Zhang He asked him so, "What about your hands? Do you think you can crawl?"
Lu Xun tried to control his panic, "No... I've lost feeling in them... and now my arms are growing numb as well..."
"Then good..."
It did not take long for the frightened Lu Xun to understand, "You knew the flower would do this... and you are going to drown me here... you bastard... you cunning bastard..."
"Sorta... I was actually giving you the flower to calm you down enough to where I can bathe your wounds without fear of you harming yourself, but if you WISH for that to happen..." Without a second thought, he was released from Zhang He's arms, but swooped back up again before he was given the time to panic.
He felt the blood rush from his face, and he shouted, "DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT! You're likely to give me a freakin' HEART ATTACK!"
"You're too tense... I'm only trying to lighten you up."
"BY SCARING THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME?!"
Wincing, Zhang He took advantage of his disability, scooping him up in his arms and standing, taking the bare Lu Xun completely out of the water. The wind was deathly cold, and he quickly waded to shore to find the extra clothing he had left there. "Fear is a good way of relieving oneself..."
Cocking his head, Lu Xun asked, "So, you regularly scare yourself?"
"Of course... I fear disappointing my Lord and Master."
Trembling, the Wu officer shook his head, "Everyone who serves one does. That's not fear... not like the fear I just experienced..."
He was set upon the shore, his back resting against a rock, as Zhang He quickly grabbed a long, red robe, wrapping it around Lu Xun's small body. Greatly relieved, Lu Xun sighed, "Why can't I understand you?"
"Perhaps I am not meant to be understood..." Zhang He replied, rubbing the wet body to dry it. He could see the look on Lu Xun's face, see the drugs full affect slowly taking its toll on him, as he suddenly looked ready to drift into unconsciousness. "Do you remember who it was that attacked your village during the fair, Lu Xun?"
The sleepy reply came, "I think the Yellow Turbans..."
"Yes... the Yellow Turban rebellion..." Zhang He stopped from his rubbing, to place a hand under the damp chin of his prisoner. "I remember now, for I believe I was there... I knew I saw you once before."
"Funny... I don't remember you... but then again, I was so afraid of the fire... I was probably too busy running to notice anyone..."
"Well, I was so young then... tell me, how old do you really think I am?"
Lu Xun wanted to sleep so badly, but he fought it off, "Umm... I don't know... thirty to thirty-five?"
Chuckling softly, the stronger man lifted him into his arms, not realizing he was still in the nude until the cold, chilly wind nipped at his bare rear. He blushed slightly, not realizing they were being watched from a short distance. "Close, very close... now, can I guess yours?"
"If it will make you happy... and allow me to sleep..."
"Okay... first allow me to cover myself." He lowered the man to the ground again, to grab the second elegant robe that he had waiting on the shore and doing just as he had told. As he changed, he gave a guess, "You're... eighteen?"
"Close enough; I'm only seventeen... believe it or not..."
Snapping his fingers, Zhang He returned, fully clothed once again, but his long, damp hair lay on his wet shoulders. "Yes, close indeed... but you look no older than fifteen."
Lu Xun chuckled, opening one eye slightly, "Well, right now, you resemble Zhou Yu... in a strange sort of way, with your long hair and the robe. Things are not often what they appear to be..."
"What do you mean by that, that he's prettier than I?" Snorting, Zhang He turned away. "No man is prettier than I!"
"I was taught that a man was not meant to be 'pretty'... only women are described in that manner..."
Those soft blue eyes seemed only mocking. "Then what of the man that raped you? Surely he either thought you were pretty... or a girl."
Lu Xun's eye immediately closed, and his good humor seemed to evaporate, "No... he didn't think I was a girl. And you are quite correct; he thought I was quite beautiful... as he continually told me throughout the entire painful process..."
"You are very beautiful; that was the only right thing he said..."
"I don't care what he said... I wish to forget him..."
Once again, he was lifted into Zhang He's graceful arms, and he could not see the man's smile, thankful that his eyes were closed. He could feel himself being carried, and it only made the sudden dizzy spells get worse, making him even more tired. "You'll forget him soon enough..."
"I hope, for once, that you are right..."
"For once... why, I am always right..."
Lu Xun only murmured, slipping ever closer to the warm embrace of sleep, which beckoned so seductively to him, "No one... is... always right..."
Seeing how quickly he was slipping away, Zhang He only encouraged it, walking right past the hiding Sima Yi. "Sleep well, because tomorrow, we march."
"But, I thought we were going to negotiate with Lord Sun Ce..."
His hopes were shattered once again, when Zhang He snickered, "Cao Cao would never do such a thing... he has already dispatched units to clear the way for our departure... so sleep well, little one..."
Though angered, Lu Xun said nothing, only giving in and closing his eyes.
Seeing them leave, the prisoner in his love's ever-so-graceful hands, was perhaps the most painful thing that Sima Yi had ever experienced. He watched them leave into the tent, feeling his heart that was just struck by an invisible arrow. Earlier today, he thought he and Zhang He had patched things up. Was this morning in vain? Was it all a lie?
~*~*~*~
The sounds of thundering hooves and marching soldiers filled the night sky, and Zhou Yu rode along side the troops, counting to make sure that all were accounted for. If they had no problems, they were to reach the mountains before sunset tomorrow, and he only hoped that the troops would not tire out before then.
Still, as he looked over the troops, he couldn't help but wonder that something was wrong here. No, he was not bothered by their attire, knowing that they were not his own, but still, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He rode alongside Pang Tong, speaking over the thundering hooves. "Are these men well trained?"
"Can't say for sure, but they appear ready for anything I suppose..." Pang Tong scratched his nose, noticing the strategist's worried look. "Swallowed a bug?"
Shaking his head with a laugh, Zhou Yu replied, "No... just have a feeling that we have a bit more than expected..."
Pang Tong rose an eyebrow, hoping that Zhou Yu had not checked the supply carriages for a third time before they departed. He knew of the little stowaway, as he was the one who helped her get in. He laughed, covering it up easily, "The more the merrier... if we're going to be chasing down Cao Cao, then we might as well get all the help we need..."
Somehow, Zhou Yu had a feeling he knew what the problem was, but he would do nothing about it now. They had no tie to waste, and he only hoped that Sun Ce would take it easy on Da Qiao if she was caught...
By Gingivere the Shadowreaver
~*~*~*~
Chapter Fifteen
~*~*~*~
Preparations for war was something Lu Jun got accustomed to very quickly in his life, and he was thankful that the villagers of Dian Gso offered them supplies, soldiers, and horses as well. Lu Jun was well prepared, mounting the closest steed to him and holding his deadly spear at the ready. Once again, he could quench his thirst for blood...
He prayed that the Wei would face them and put up a decent fight. What a waste it would be to return to his village to find it was abandoned. That meant that he's had to do the boring task of tracking them down, and he'd rather have a fight and finish it there then to pursue his enemies.
That was such a task he never liked, so he just made sure that his victims never escaped. It was all simple...
He called to the masked warrior, as he gave his horse a stroke on the neck, mainly to keep his hands busy then anything else. "Hey, Mask Boy, does it normally take you this long to prepare?"
Wei Yan was probably in the worst of moods, as he merely grunted at the lord of Wujun, holding his double voulge with a sneer. Zhao Yun, on the other hand, came trotting on his own white steed, to stand at Lu Jun's side. "It's not best to edge him on, sir... of all people, you should know."
"Tell me... do you remember a time where he WASN'T like this?"
The question would probably remain unanswered, but Zhao Yun tried. "I don't know too much, but he serves us because he serves Liu Bei and Pang Tong... that's all."
With that being said, Lu Jun held his spear at the ready, looking to Wei Yan before pointing it forward. "Let's not keep them waiting... it will be a pity for them if they do not flee this night!"
Such a strong statement! One that any powerful warrior would say, and a good parting line. Well, it would have been if the next thing heard was, "Oh come on Zhou Yu! Please?"
Zhao Yun gave a look of confusion, and he asked, "Was that Lord Sun Ce?"
Wei Yan blinked, "What... hold... up?"
He was not answered, and Lu Jun gave his horse a slight tap, following the voice of Sun Ce. He looked back at the others, though, "Go ahead without me... I'll catch up..."
Knowing that is was something that was out of his control, Zhao Yun nodded, "Come along Wei Yan."
They were gone before long, their forces marching behind them without question. Now, that Lu Jun was alone, he found his way to the voices, seeing that Zhao Yun was correct to say it was Sun Ce. The man looked to have been begging to his close friend, who seemed a bit hesitant about something. "But you don't know how to play it, Sun Ce... I'm afraid that you might embarrass yourself..."
"I don't care if I embarrass myself! Even if I play badly it may cheer her up!" That Sun Ce was a persistent little bugger, as he did not seem to back down. "Come on, old buddy, just for a little while!"
"Why don't you just let me play for her? It would be much easier on everyone! Think of Da Qiao's sensitive ears!"
This was almost humorous, if it wasn't for the fact that he now knew that Sun Ce fancied his son's love. "But it wouldn't mean the same!"
Zhou Yu frowned, "I also do not approve of this for other reasons, and you know it. Lu Xun is very much in love with her, and she is very much in love with him. Why would you try to change that, Sun Ce?"
"Wait, he does?!"
The strategist's brown eyes widened, "Don't tell me you didn't know!"
That even made Lu Jun surprised, seeing Sun Ce nod his head ashamedly. Sun Ce spoke lowly, almost laughing at himself, "I thought they were just... well, you know... really good friends..."
Zhou Yu sighed, "Well, now you know. Does that convince you not to try?"
"Yeah, yeah... still, I'd like to cheer her up..." Now Sun Ce almost sounded heartbroken...
"I would as well... and if you think it will help, then I give you permission. But try and take it easy..."
Personally, as any man would have, Lu Jun did NOT stick around to hear the feeble attempts of the Wu conqueror TRYING to play the flute. It was surely to be a disgrace to music, and though he pitied Da Qiao, he had other, more pleasurable things to be concerned with. "Perhaps... we should have Sun Ce play to Lord Cao Cao..."
~*~*~*~
When Lu Xun was told he was going to be taking a bath, he was rather hoping for either a barrel of water and a little bit of privacy, however, being stripped naked and thrown into the stream that ran through his village, he wished to have been stayed filthy. Freezing and naked was one thing, but when an equally naked Zhang He was there, that was a horse of a totally different color.
He sighed, wrapping his arms about him in an effort to give himself some form of covering, 'How humiliating...'
Humiliating indeed, as he hid behind the closest rock, fearing to see Zhang He turn from the corner with that cat-like grin of his. He sneered, seeping lower and lower into the water until it nipped at his bare neck.
Any minute now he would hear the exotic officer's voice, bidding him to come out, but Lu Xun vowed that was one thing he would not do. Let him force him into this bath, the same way he forced him into everything else. And, sure enough, he trembled to hear the words as they got closer. "Don't worry... we're both men, and you have nothing to hide..."
The Wu officer hissed, "I just don't want you near me..."
"Oh, why not? Hasn't your mother ever bathed you when you were a child?"
"I do not know; I do not remember my mother..." Hiding deeper, Lu Xun spit out water as it tried to seep into his mouth when he spoke. "And even if I did, that was my mother, and not you... I am very capable of taking care of myself..."
"But it will be so much more fun if you let me take care of you..."
'No, just go away...' Lu Xun almost whimpered it aloud, but he held his tongue, hearing the gentle splashes get closer and closer. 'Leave me alone...'
He could go no lower in the water without being submerged, so he took a deep breath and hid the only place he could; beneath the water. It was safe, for a little while. He nearly choked when two hands grabbed his arms, forcing him up. Zhang He gave a triumphant laugh, as the poor boy choked on the cold water. "Can't escape me for long... I bet you fought like this when you were given a bath as a child, admit it!"
"No; I liked my nice warm baths, actually," Lu Xun spat. "But I don't like you..."
"Oh, why not?" He was forces to sit down, and he trembled ferociously, feeling those hands running gently down his back, trying his best to fight it, but to no avail. "My goodness, who's done this to you? You're lucky if they do not scar your back for the rest of your life..."
"I do not care if they do or not," Lu Xun whispered. "As for who inflicted them... you know him well enough..."
Yes, as Zhang He feared, giving a sad sigh as he captured a little water in his hands and sprinkling it down the wounded back. Seeing Lu Xun's shivers grow only made him feel worse, and he asked, "You trembled because of the water, or is it something else? I assure you, there is nothing to fear when I'm here..."
"It... it is only the water," Lu Xun lied. He was forced to look at Zhang He, seeing as he demanded the truth, and he berated himself to whisper. "No one needs to touch me... I have to give them permission to touch me..."
"My, whatever do you mean by that, little Xun-chan?"
Shivering all the more, Lu Xun whispered, "Why does everyone try to touch me? I do not wish to be touched... not... not anymore..."
As if to ignore his babbling, Zhang He grabbed a few flowers from the tree hanging above them, crushing them within his hand and sprinkling them on top of the trembling Lu Xun. Then, he asked, grabbing a handful of water and soaking Lu Xun's light brown hair with it. "Why is it that you don't like to be touched? Your skin is baby soft... it seems that age does not affect you at all!"
"I don't like to be touched because..." Lu Xun stopped himself, muttering angrily, "Why the hell do YOU care?! What does it matter? You're still going to touch me... to hurt me..."
"Of course not! I touch you to cleanse you... what, did your father touch to harm you?"
"My father..." The Wu officer laughed bitterly, "My father wouldn't touch me for anything. Not to beat, not to hug, not a friendly pat on the shoulder or the head... not even to help me when I stumbled... No, my father never touched me..."
Grabbing more flowers, the 'motherly' side of Zhang He took over, reaching into the sack he carried and placed on a nearby rock and pulling out a small bottle. It was full of herbal lotions, and as he dumped the lotion on the young man's hair, he replied, his voice tender and almost welcoming. "What a cruel father that was then..."
"He never meant to be cruel, I'm sure. He wanted... he wanted to make sure I was strong enough to protect myself. I was so easily taken advantage of by the other children, and... by some adults..."
"Ohhhhhhh... I wish my hair was soft as yours!" Zhang He smiled, narrowing his exotic eyes a bit. 'Yes, do tell...'
If Lu Xun found it strange that he was talking to an enemy officer they way some women talked to their nurses, he showed no signs of it, his eyes vacant as his mind wandered through memories he had long tried to forget, "Yes... after that one incident... he grew so protective, so determined to make me into a strong man. I suppose that concern is why he worked me so hard..."
"One incident?" Pausing from the task of lathering, the general asked. "Who would ever want to take advantage of sweet little you? Must have been someone foolish..."
"Yes, I would say foolish. I do not remember his name now. He's been dead for so long... two days after my father found out... He would have been killed sooner if he had not had to be hunted down..."
He did not care for the man's fingers running through his hair, but how would he fight back? The more cooperative he was, the sooner it would be over, but that would mean giving in. He sighed, as Zhang He asked. "Well, remind me not to make your father angry... though it is taking him awhile to track us down... not a very smart man your father is, huh?"
Lu Xun hissed, "Don't insult my father..."
"Oh... sorry... but will you answer my question? I'm so curious about your father..."
"My father would not wish for me to speak of him to you. He'd see it as a sign of weakness, a form of betrayal. And I will NOT betray him..."
He winced as another handful of water was dumped upon him, and as he tried to get a breath, Zhang He's strong hand cupping his head and pushed him below the surface. "Don't breath."
Naturally, when the words were spoken, the very first thing he attempted to do was to take a breath. His mouth filled with the icy water of the river, and he came up sputtering, gasping, and his teeth chattered as he spoke, "A... little... warning would be nice..."
"Hold your breath again..." And once again, he was pushed under without a chance to hold his breath at all.
"Are you TRYING to drown me?!"
Smiling innocently, if that was even possible, Zhang He denied such actions. "No, just rinsing you... but how would he see your talking about him to me as a betrayal?"
Lu Xun rubbed some of the water from eyes as best he could with his still bound hands, "You know perfectly well why he would. You're a Wei general. You're his enemy, just as you are my enemy. If I were to tell you about him, you would be able to guess whatever actions he is most likely to take. I may be young, but I am not completely stupid..."
"I've seen your father in action... he is controlled by the blood wrath, is he not?"
The Wu officer hesitated. Would confirming this statement be betrayal? He doubted it, since it was rather obvious, "He does have a tendency to become rather enraged. You should have seen what he did to that man he hunted down... I do not believe there was a piece of him left that would have been recognizable..."
"Hm... I then shall pray that I never come across him in a fit of rage..." Zhang He felt amused by this, and he sprinkled a few more flowers onto the man before asking another question. "Tell me, do you think that Bloodwrath only happens during battle? I'm curious about this little disease..."
"It is a hard question to answer. It is sometimes hard to tell when my father is in Bloodwrath... and when he is just angry..."
The next question stunned him. "Was there ever a time he trained you under its influence?"
Lu Xun did not speak for a second, and when he did, it was with hesitation, "Not... not to my recollection..."
'Father, I can't take anymore of this...' He heard a cry, and he could see himself on his knees, overwhelmed by fatigue and swollen with welts from the harsh wooden swords. Maybe he had lied to Zhang He... as now he saw his father towering over him, trembling with rage. 'I need a break, father...'
'No... what you need to is to strengthen yourself... look at you! My son, my weak, pitiful son...'
And he rose against his body's will, grabbing his fallen, heavy wooden swords and trying to regain his fighting stance. These weapons were far too heavy for him to handle, and one arm was far weaker than the other, barely able to keep the stick off the ground. But he stood ready, trying to anticipate his father's next moves.
Once more he fell down before his father's blows; once more he was spat upon and cursed, and then left alone. Tears rolled down his cheeks, and there were not just the tears of years gone past, as he saw the crystalline droplets disturb the water beneath him.
"Oh... are those tears?"
Lu Xun broke from his memory world with a start, sneering, "Of course. You... you got some of those damned flowers in my eyes; it's irritating them..."
Plucking a single petal from his nose, Zhang He apologized. "Right... well, now that your hair's clean, I think I should start on those wounds of yours..."
"Must you? Is there no way for me to do it myself?"
"Oh, that's right... you don't like to be touched..."
Lu Xun smiled, though it was not one of mirth, "For once, you're not the cause of my discomfort... surely THAT must make you happy..."
Zhang He, on the other hand, wanted to know more about this young man's past. "There had to have been a time where your father wasn't training you, right? Did he ever take you to the fairs or anything?"
"All these questions about my past... what if I have no past to speak of?"
Dunking him in the water for a third time, Zhang He waited for Lu Xun to resurface before explaining himself. "Everyone has a past... now answer my question."
"I went to a fair only once, and never again."
"Once, you say? Do you remember anything that happened there?"
Lu Xun nodded, "I remember that no one was training there. Everyone was there for a job, yes, such as a merchant or an entertainer, but none seemed concerned with war... except that it would come and ruin the fair..."
He could remember it clearly, seeing a single tent burst into flames as fire arrows swooped over the walls, then the angry shouts from his father, calling for the soldiers to rise to counterattack the enemy forces. The panic that rose then on confused him, remembering the great Duke Qiao Xuan grabbing his daughters and himself and leading them towards the temple.
"It seemed their fear was quite justified. Many men died that night... not to mention many innocents... and the fair never came back to our village again..."
He shivered when he felt the cold wet hands of his enemy run down his back, and he growled, "What are you doing?!"
"What do you think?"
"I don't care... just... just stop it, okay?"
When Zhang He did not comply, Lu Xun spun about to face him, his amber eyes blazing, "I mean it... do NOT touch me..."
He was slapped across the face, but he was never given a chance to fall as he was turned around again. "You cannot reach the wounds on your back... be patient, will you?"
"If... if you promised to behave yourself, then maybe I'd feel a little more comfortable..."
"You're too much of a good boy... maybe that's why so many have taken advantage of you in the past..."
Lu Xun hissed, "And what on earth is THAT supposed to mean?"
Keeping his artful smile, Zhang He continued to sprinkle water down the trembling, beaten back. "Exactly what you think it means, my dear."
NOW the Wu officer was angry. Zhang He could tell by the way he stiffened his body, and the poison that practically dripped from his words, "So you are saying... that I bring such things upon myself? That it is MY fault when someone I thought I could trust decides to rape me and leave me for dead?!"
"Now you never told me the man raped you!"
Lu Xun closed his eyes, trembling in rage, "All things considered... I didn't think I had to..."
He stiffened again when the soft hands rested on his shoulders, and he felt the words tickle his ears. "Do you really think I will do such a thing to you? Do you think I will make the same, foolish mistake as that man?"
Lu Xun had no answer prepared, so he answered truthfully, "I never know WHAT you will do."
"You're silly and paranoid, you know that?"
"Am I? You truly are unpredictable! You are kind and gentle one moment, and harsh and cruel in the next. You clean the very wounds you earlier helped to inflict. You talk to me as if I were a close friend instead of an enemy, and then you mock and ridicule me again. How am I to know WHAT you will do next?"
A flower was place in his open mouth, and as he looked at the general confusingly, Zhang He ordered. "Chew it a few times, then swallow..."
Before obeying, Lu Xun asked, "What is it?"
"A flower that'll clear your mind from the pain..."
The Wu officer sighed, shaking his head, "I swear... I do not understand you..."
But, never the less, he chewed the horrible tasting flower within his mouth, and he eventually brought himself to swallow without gagging. His stomach rejected the flower, threatening to release its insides if there was any food left, and Zhang He smiled as the man tried to keep the flower down. "Good boy..."
"It makes me feel funny..."
"It's supposed to..."
Lu Xun blinked as the world around him began to spin, and his legs threatened to give out from beneath him, "I'm dizzy... and I can't feel my legs..."
"Don't worry, it's just the effects of the flower... it's supposed to relieve your tension."
"I-I can hardly stand! How am I going to get back to shore?!"
Then, what made matters worse was that he could no longer feel his hands, and Zhang He asked him so, "What about your hands? Do you think you can crawl?"
Lu Xun tried to control his panic, "No... I've lost feeling in them... and now my arms are growing numb as well..."
"Then good..."
It did not take long for the frightened Lu Xun to understand, "You knew the flower would do this... and you are going to drown me here... you bastard... you cunning bastard..."
"Sorta... I was actually giving you the flower to calm you down enough to where I can bathe your wounds without fear of you harming yourself, but if you WISH for that to happen..." Without a second thought, he was released from Zhang He's arms, but swooped back up again before he was given the time to panic.
He felt the blood rush from his face, and he shouted, "DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT! You're likely to give me a freakin' HEART ATTACK!"
"You're too tense... I'm only trying to lighten you up."
"BY SCARING THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME?!"
Wincing, Zhang He took advantage of his disability, scooping him up in his arms and standing, taking the bare Lu Xun completely out of the water. The wind was deathly cold, and he quickly waded to shore to find the extra clothing he had left there. "Fear is a good way of relieving oneself..."
Cocking his head, Lu Xun asked, "So, you regularly scare yourself?"
"Of course... I fear disappointing my Lord and Master."
Trembling, the Wu officer shook his head, "Everyone who serves one does. That's not fear... not like the fear I just experienced..."
He was set upon the shore, his back resting against a rock, as Zhang He quickly grabbed a long, red robe, wrapping it around Lu Xun's small body. Greatly relieved, Lu Xun sighed, "Why can't I understand you?"
"Perhaps I am not meant to be understood..." Zhang He replied, rubbing the wet body to dry it. He could see the look on Lu Xun's face, see the drugs full affect slowly taking its toll on him, as he suddenly looked ready to drift into unconsciousness. "Do you remember who it was that attacked your village during the fair, Lu Xun?"
The sleepy reply came, "I think the Yellow Turbans..."
"Yes... the Yellow Turban rebellion..." Zhang He stopped from his rubbing, to place a hand under the damp chin of his prisoner. "I remember now, for I believe I was there... I knew I saw you once before."
"Funny... I don't remember you... but then again, I was so afraid of the fire... I was probably too busy running to notice anyone..."
"Well, I was so young then... tell me, how old do you really think I am?"
Lu Xun wanted to sleep so badly, but he fought it off, "Umm... I don't know... thirty to thirty-five?"
Chuckling softly, the stronger man lifted him into his arms, not realizing he was still in the nude until the cold, chilly wind nipped at his bare rear. He blushed slightly, not realizing they were being watched from a short distance. "Close, very close... now, can I guess yours?"
"If it will make you happy... and allow me to sleep..."
"Okay... first allow me to cover myself." He lowered the man to the ground again, to grab the second elegant robe that he had waiting on the shore and doing just as he had told. As he changed, he gave a guess, "You're... eighteen?"
"Close enough; I'm only seventeen... believe it or not..."
Snapping his fingers, Zhang He returned, fully clothed once again, but his long, damp hair lay on his wet shoulders. "Yes, close indeed... but you look no older than fifteen."
Lu Xun chuckled, opening one eye slightly, "Well, right now, you resemble Zhou Yu... in a strange sort of way, with your long hair and the robe. Things are not often what they appear to be..."
"What do you mean by that, that he's prettier than I?" Snorting, Zhang He turned away. "No man is prettier than I!"
"I was taught that a man was not meant to be 'pretty'... only women are described in that manner..."
Those soft blue eyes seemed only mocking. "Then what of the man that raped you? Surely he either thought you were pretty... or a girl."
Lu Xun's eye immediately closed, and his good humor seemed to evaporate, "No... he didn't think I was a girl. And you are quite correct; he thought I was quite beautiful... as he continually told me throughout the entire painful process..."
"You are very beautiful; that was the only right thing he said..."
"I don't care what he said... I wish to forget him..."
Once again, he was lifted into Zhang He's graceful arms, and he could not see the man's smile, thankful that his eyes were closed. He could feel himself being carried, and it only made the sudden dizzy spells get worse, making him even more tired. "You'll forget him soon enough..."
"I hope, for once, that you are right..."
"For once... why, I am always right..."
Lu Xun only murmured, slipping ever closer to the warm embrace of sleep, which beckoned so seductively to him, "No one... is... always right..."
Seeing how quickly he was slipping away, Zhang He only encouraged it, walking right past the hiding Sima Yi. "Sleep well, because tomorrow, we march."
"But, I thought we were going to negotiate with Lord Sun Ce..."
His hopes were shattered once again, when Zhang He snickered, "Cao Cao would never do such a thing... he has already dispatched units to clear the way for our departure... so sleep well, little one..."
Though angered, Lu Xun said nothing, only giving in and closing his eyes.
Seeing them leave, the prisoner in his love's ever-so-graceful hands, was perhaps the most painful thing that Sima Yi had ever experienced. He watched them leave into the tent, feeling his heart that was just struck by an invisible arrow. Earlier today, he thought he and Zhang He had patched things up. Was this morning in vain? Was it all a lie?
~*~*~*~
The sounds of thundering hooves and marching soldiers filled the night sky, and Zhou Yu rode along side the troops, counting to make sure that all were accounted for. If they had no problems, they were to reach the mountains before sunset tomorrow, and he only hoped that the troops would not tire out before then.
Still, as he looked over the troops, he couldn't help but wonder that something was wrong here. No, he was not bothered by their attire, knowing that they were not his own, but still, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He rode alongside Pang Tong, speaking over the thundering hooves. "Are these men well trained?"
"Can't say for sure, but they appear ready for anything I suppose..." Pang Tong scratched his nose, noticing the strategist's worried look. "Swallowed a bug?"
Shaking his head with a laugh, Zhou Yu replied, "No... just have a feeling that we have a bit more than expected..."
Pang Tong rose an eyebrow, hoping that Zhou Yu had not checked the supply carriages for a third time before they departed. He knew of the little stowaway, as he was the one who helped her get in. He laughed, covering it up easily, "The more the merrier... if we're going to be chasing down Cao Cao, then we might as well get all the help we need..."
Somehow, Zhou Yu had a feeling he knew what the problem was, but he would do nothing about it now. They had no tie to waste, and he only hoped that Sun Ce would take it easy on Da Qiao if she was caught...