A/N: Gomen! Gomen! I'm such a slow worker! *drops down on knees and begs for forgiveness* Thank you so much for the reviews. I'll be quick in the future and finish this fanfic soon. I swear!
Disclaimer: Characters depicted in the story aren't mine. They belong to Koei and W-Force.
Of Exquisite Beauty
Was she dreaming. . ? She felt his warm lips press on hers once again, insistently tugging until she opened up to him. She heard him groan with pleasure as he started to explore the sweet contours of her mouth. Her head spun and her heart started to beat faster when she felt his hand slip under her peasant shirt. Desire she never felt before shot up inside her system when she felt his large hand move its way up to cup her right breast, his other hand sliding up and down her shapely thigh. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, Zhang He. . .
Zhen Ji sat up from the bed in sudden wakefulness, startling Zhang He who sat on a wooden chair by the window. He quickly stood up and walked toward her, worry creased his brows. "Are you all right, Ji?" He asked as he crouched beside her bed.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine," she managed to reply. Remembering her dream, Zhen Ji turned bright crimson. By the deity, that was utterly mortifying! She, being a respectable lady, shouldn't even be thinking of him in such a way. It was not proper at all!
"Bad dream?" Zhang He asked as he continued to look at her. "If you want to talk about it. . ."
"No!" Her reply was vehement as she shook her head. There was no way she was telling him she was dreaming about him in such an embarrassing manner! "I-It's nothing. It's just that. . . I've never had a dream like that before in my life," she explained while she avoided his gaze. With the moon as the only source of light in the still black sky, Zhang He was able to see the slight color that stained her cheeks and wondered about it. She wasn't feeling ill, was she? Zhen Ji shook her head once again when he voiced out the question. Leaning closer, he put his hand on her forehead to check for himself. The contact reminded Zhen Ji all too much of the dream she had of him. Without thinking, she slapped his hand away and cried in a rather high pitched voice, more of panic than in anger, "Don't touch me!"
Zhang He held his hand up in mock surrender as he drew back, his brows raised, amusement lurking deep in his eyes. "Sheath your claws, little cat, I mean no offense."
"Just keep your distance, all right?" Zhen Ji frowned down at him. It was disturbing. His nearness. She was suddenly, acutely aware of him. Not only emotionally but physically as well. She was afraid that she will become nothing more but a puddle of willingness the moment he placed his hands on her. It was frightening. This power he held over her.
A flicker of irritation crossed his eyes, but Zhen Ji dismissed it as just a figment of her imagination, especially when he nonchalantly shrugged his broad shoulders and stood up from his crouching position. He walked back to his seat by the window in that arrogant and insolent strut of his and sat, facing the window, his hand resting on the window sill as he looked outside. It was the early hours of dawn and darkness still covered the sky. He stared blankly at the dark vast ocean, his mind miles way, on a land on the other side of China.
"What are you thinking?"
Zhang He turned his head toward her direction when she softly spoke up after a long while. She sat in the shadows of the room, her back resting on the headboard of the large bed. He couldn't clearly see her eyes but he knew she was gazing directly at him. He shrugged yet again as he leaned back on his chair, half facing her. "Wei?"
"Are you thinking of a way to get back?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he gazed outside the window again and told her to get back to sleep. It was still too early to be asking such questions.
Of course he was, she thought to herself and sighed, he must be bored. She could see the restlessness in his actions. He was a man, after all, preferring to do battle instead of staying in a remote, inert village doing nothing. She was sure he'd leave the moment he got the chance.
Thankful of the darkness inside the room, she watched him for quite a long while as he sat motionless on his wooden seat, appearing to be in deep thought as he stared outside the window. No doubt he was thinking of a plan to get out of this fishing village, she thought as she continued to gaze at his beautiful profile bathed by the moonlight. Probably visualizing the village in that great mind of his and looking for any possible escape routes. In all honesty, she wasn't as eager as he was to return to Wei. She liked it here. . . liked the serenity of the village. . . liked the people. . . liked the simplicity of life. She would love to stay here forever if it were possible.
But Jun Yi wouldn't. He was starting to get restless.
* * *
Zhen Ji woke up to the sound of someone shuffling impatiently inside the room. She sat up and found Zhang He rummaging through the wooden chest on the table, looking for something.
"What are you doing?" She asked in confusion as she swung her legs off the bed. She walked toward him, carefully placing a safe distance between them, her dream still vivid in her mind's eye. She looked admiringly at his lean, tall frame, her eyes dropping to his rear when he suddenly bent down to retrieve something. She blushed at where her thoughts led her.
Zhang He didn't notice as he continued his search, crouching on level with another wooden drawer and pulled it out to look at its contents. "I apologize if I woke you up. I was just looking for my butterfly ornament."
"Oh," Ji replied, "it's with your armor and claws. I hid it in a box inside the cupboard." She explained as she walked toward the cabinet on the other side of the room and pulled it open. She took out a large, heavy box hidden beneath layers of clothing, "It would rouse suspicion if people saw them so I hid them here for a while," she said as she struggled with the weight of the box.
"Let me help you with that," Zhang He offered, suddenly standing beside her and taking the heavy load from her. Zhen Ji visibly jumped when she realized how close he stood behind her, his hand brushing against hers as he took the box from her. His fresh masculine scent was drugging her senses, his heat warming her body. She closed her eyes, wanting to lean back to him and revel at his strength. But before she succumbed to the temptation, she snapped back to her wits and tensed, scolding herself for behaving so out of character. What would he think of her if she ever did that? She thought in mortification. A lady must not act like so!
With the little space between her and the inner closet, she scooted farther away from him.
Zhang He frowned when he noticed her little retreat from him. What was wrong with her? He asked himself as he walked toward the table and opened the box, inspecting with a critical eye his head ornament and deadly talons. Surely she wasn't afraid of him? Unless. . .
So what she thought last night was right after all, Zhen Ji thought as she watched him run his long finger on his weapons. Zhang He had come up with a plan that would get them out of the village and was gearing himself up if a battle should arise.
"Are we leaving the village?"
Zhang He shook his head. "Not yet." He proceeded to take out his armor and placed them on the table. He took out his claws next and wiped them with clean cloth.
"Then I'm going out for a while," she said after a long while, "I want to see the whole of Jie Shi." And to freshen herself up as well. But her reason for leaving wasn't because of that alone. She wanted to be away from him for a while. There was this air between them that she could clearly define as physical attraction. Yet, it seemed like it was only affecting her. Jun Yi didn't appear to feel it. He was too busy reuniting himself with his weapons that she was sure he didn't even realize that she was still standing behind him.
Zhang He surprised her by nodding his head in response though his back was still to her. "As long as we don't do anything suspicious in this village, the Shu soldiers will not bother us. Zhao Yun has assured me of that."
"I see," Zhen Ji replied, finally understanding why he didn't want her going out yesterday. He was first making sure that the village would be safe for her if ever she decided to look around. Perhaps that was why Zhang He had let himself be seen the day before. He wanted Shu to know that they were in the village to avoid any misunderstandings in the future. After all, they stumbled into Jie Shi quite by accident and were not there to spy on the treaty between Shu and Wu. She almost smiled. Zhang He may not tell her what he thought beneath that bored expression of his, he may view her as an unwanted responsibility, but she knew her safety was always foremost in his mind. And for that, she was grateful.
Zhen Ji was shutting the door behind her when she heard Jun Yi speak. "You do want to return to Wei, my lady, don't you?" He asked and turned around.
Zhen Ji stopped. How noble of him to ask how she felt. Men of her acquaintance never stopped to ask her what she thought. They were arrogant devils and they simply decided on her fate. Being a mere woman, her opinions were of no importance. She was merely a beautiful puppet, a decoration on her lord's side. But it was altogether different with Zhang He. He listened to her, respected her thoughts, and protected her. He even risked his life to save her.
Oh, that was probably because he was ordered to look after her. Yet, with the short time they had been together, he became considerate. . . though still quite exasperating. She was sure he hated her in the beginning, definitely a first for her since no one dared to be angry with her, but their relationship gradually changed as time passed by. He had begun to understand her and was able to crack her cool façade.
And for that she loved him more.
Remembering his question and his restlessness she witnessed earlier that day, she replied, "Of course. I couldn't wait to do so." No matter how she hated going back, no matter how difficult it would be for her, if it pleased Zhang He, then it would please her too.
* * *
Zhen Ji walked toward the deep well that was located at the back of the village and gathered up some water to freshen herself with. As she splashed water on her face, she sensed that she was no longer alone. She quickly wiped the droplets from her face and stood straight, her hands on her sides as she surveyed the area around her, her stance changing from being unguarded to that of defensive.
She didn't wait long as she spotted someone coming toward her. She quickly recognized the man as the Shu General Zhao Yun, and waited without an ounce of expression on her face for him to reach her. He nodded his head in respect to his former comrade when he stopped before her. "It's been a long time, Lady Zhen Ji."
"Lord Zhao Yun," she acknowledged.
"I am surprised to find you unescorted," he continued and looked around, "where is Jun Yi?"
"Probably asleep by now," she said, "he didn't get much last night." She thought that reasonable. After all, he entered their room very late, stayed by the window to think all night and when she got up, he was still wide awake. Aye, he must be asleep right about now.
"Really?" Zhao Yun raised his brows in amusement. He had heard some villagers speak of a beautiful young couple who stumbled into the village a few days ago and were now residing with them. They couldn't possibly mean Zhang He and Zhen Ji, could they? Were they truly married? "And you, my lady, aren't tired at all?"
Easily following his train of thought, she inwardly blushed but her cool façade remained in place. She must keep her defenses up. "You misunderstand, General," she answered, without a flicker of emotion on her beautiful face, "Lord Zhang He and I were never intimate." Well, they shared one kiss but that was it.
"Please forgive my rudeness, my lady," Zhao Yun quickly apologized for his mistake and wondered how Zhang He could keep up with a beautiful block of ice. The lady was undoubtedly a marble statue, nothing could possibly faze her. That was why he didn't believe Jun Yi yesterday when he said that she was quite in a foul mood when he left her in their cottage. Foul mood? The Lady Zhen could not possibly be in that state. He could barely get a reaction out of her! The lady was an enigma, the moment he saw her the first time in Yuan. "I assume Zhang He has told you of your position in this village? I apologize for it but it is necessary."
"I understand."
"Your stay would take a little longer since the treaty hasn't been finalized yet."
"Of course."
"The Shu soldiers will not bother you while you are staying in this village. Zhang He and I have reached an agreement about it."
"Thank you."
Silence reigned between them. Why was he even explaining himself to the woman? Why was he apologizing for the inconvenience of their stay? To get at least a little smile from her? Any form of emotion at all? Maybe. What would she do if he suddenly told her that a big spider was on her shoulder? But didn't act on his thought since she would undoubtedly just brush it off her. He sighed. What could one do to get a reaction out of her? Then again, why was he even bothering? Zhao Yun mentally shook his head. Forget about the lady already and leave her in peace, he silently ordered himself.
"I will trouble you no further, my lady," the Little Dragon said as he bowed before her, "please continue on to your. . . er. . . business."
Zhen Ji nodded and watched until he disappeared from her view. Later, when she made sure that the coast was clear, she was going to a part of a lake well hidden by thick branches and dense leaves, and take a bath.
* * *
"Lord Zhao Yun approached me by the well in the village this afternoon," Zhen Ji volunteered the information after they ate their dinner. The village healer had brought them food once again, much to Zhang He's delight. He would rather not sample the Lady Zhen's infamous culinary talent.
"Indeed? What did he want?" Zhang He asked as he walked to his usual seat by the window, bracing his hands on the window sill as he breathed in the fresh sea breeze. His dark hair lay unbound on his shoulders, the wind blowing the soft strands across his face. He watched as young village couples walked by the seashore, lanterns in hand to guide them back to their homes. This little village. . . he liked it.
"We exchanged pleasantries, that was all," Zhen Ji sat on a chair by the bed, peeling an edible fruit she got from a tree by the forest that afternoon. The bright color attracted her so that she brought two for her and Zhang He.
"I see," he said as he sat on the window sill, one long leg folded before him while the other dangled on the floor. "Young Jiang Wei visited me while you were out. Do you remember him?"
"The young strategist?" Zhen Ji asked, looking up. She recalled a spear-wielding young man who was interested more in books than in fighting. She had met the boy in He Fei Castle's library while she looked for a book that could help pass her time. She remembered being impressed with the boy's vast knowledge of battle tactics and war machineries. She said he was going to be a great strategist in the future. And the young man had the grace to blush, being complimented by a beautiful lady and all. "Aye, I remember him."
"He wanted to extend his greeting to you in person but was quite disappointed to find you absent."
"Oh," she nodded, "then I guess I have to see him tomorrow." She said, her eyes brightening, "I always wanted to know how he fared in Shu."
"He assured me he was doing well," he answered. "He found someone he greatly respects and is now following his footsteps."
"That's good to hear," there was a tinge of sadness in her voice, for Jiang Wei was one of the few people who she actually liked talking to. It was regrettable that he had to leave Wei.
As if he could read her thoughts, Zhang He said, "You can't expect him to return to Wei after being betrayed like that, can you?"
"No, just. . . Ah!" She gasped when she accidentally cut herself with the sharp blade she was using. She carefully placed the fruit and the knife on the table beside her and stood up, walking toward the small chest to retrieve a bandage the healer left, when blood seeped out of the small cut. Zhang He intercepted her. She found herself sitting on the bed, Jun Yi beside her as he inspected the wound.
His clean male scent filled her senses once again. She was getting dizzy by just his closeness while he cleaned and bandaged her wound. He was affecting her so much and he didn't even realize it! Oh, if only she didn't have that dream about him, she wouldn't be acting so differently now.
She tried to remove her hand from his but he latched onto it tighter. He turned to look at her, confusion marring his perfect brows. She tried to move away from him but he pulled her back. What was the matter with her? She had been acting like that since this morning.
"Z-Zhang He. . ."
"What's wrong with you?" He asked in worried confusion, "You keep acting as if I'm going to hurt you." To prove his point, he ran the back of his hand on her cheek and quite expectedly, Zhen Ji slapped his hand away.
Was she repulsed by his touch?
"I just don't want you near me. It disturbs me."
Zhen Ji saw the effect of her words when Zhang He's expression closed up, his cold, bored look once again replacing the warmth that was previously there. By the deity, she had not seen that detached look on his face since they left Bo Wan Po. He stood up and Zhen Ji didn't know what she said that made him angry. Even so, she wanted to apologize.
"You loathe being touched yet you unashamedly ran your hands on me while I was unconscious," he sneered as he returned to his seat by the window. "Don't think you can do that again just because you are a rank higher than I," he looked at her impassively, coldly, her apologies dying in her throat as she stared back at him, "then again, I don't think I have to worry about that since you are the Ice Maiden after all."
Zhang He wanted to wince and apologize profusely when he saw pain run across Zhen Ji's lovely features, fleetingly, yes, but quite noticeable. He didn't know why he said such hurtful things to her. Well, maybe he did. That was to get back at her for rejecting his touch. Childish, yes, but it absolutely irked him that the woman he wanted for such a long time would be disgusted by his touch.
Zhen Ji's eyes narrowed as she stood up from the bed and walked toward him. With the moonlight bathing both of them with a soft glow, Zhang He clearly saw the anger that simmered beneath her beautiful dark eyes. Still, he continued to sit motionless on his chair as he gazed up at her impassively.
"I am not the Ice Maiden!" She said through clenched teeth and simultaneously raised her hand. Zhang He didn't do anything to stop the hand swiftly descending on his left cheek. He knew he deserved it. She slapped him hard, his head whipping to his side due to the impact, wanting him to feel the pain he inflicted in her. Yet, curiously, she felt the pain twist her heart ten times more.
And perhaps because she wanted to prove that she was not incapable of emotions, or she was sorry, or perhaps because she simply loved the man, that she found herself suddenly, and unreasonably, kissing him, her hands cradling his handsome face, her soft lips rubbing against his stunned ones.
It took quite a while for Zhang He to realize what was happening. One minute he was being slapped by the most beautiful woman in the world, and then he was suddenly being kissed by the same woman the next minute. The woman who had haunted his dreams from the moment he first met her. The elusive lady who he had always wanted but knew would never be his. A ripple of desire coursed through his being and he visibly shuddered. And maybe, even just for tonight, this one insane moment, she was going to be his. But before he could wrap his arms around her slender frame to pull her closer, she abruptly stepped back.
Zhen Ji pushed him away when she felt him shudder. Of loathing? Disgust? Mayhap. After all, Zhang He never showed any real interest in her. She took a step back, taking in his perplexed expression, his stunned immobility. She shouldn't have done it! How could she be so forward? How could she even think of. . ? By the deity, how humiliating! She took another step back and quickly turned around to flee the room.
But before she could even reach the door, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and she suddenly found herself flat on her back on the bed. She gasped when Zhang He climbed on top of her, pinning her arms on either side of her head, and stared darkly at her.
"Lady, don't you dare kiss me and walk away so suddenly as if what we just shared was nothing!" He growled low in his throat.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" She glared at him. She felt trapped. And helpless. And scared. . . not of him but of her feelings toward the warrior. "Let me up, damn you!" She shouted and began to thrash about.
"Be quiet or you'll alert the whole village!"
"Good!" She answered, "And then they could see with their own eyes what a high handed bastard you are!"
By the deity she has a poisonous tongue. He thought as he continued to scowl down at her, her own eyes flashing with anger and with something else as she returned his dark glare. She was once again displaying her fiery nature and Zhang He found it quite an enchanting sight. He closed his eyes when her pleasant scent that was hers alone assailed his senses.
"Do you know how much you affect me?" He asked through clenched teeth, pressing his body to her, wanting her to know exactly how much he wanted her. Zhang He groaned when he saw her blush. He knew she was no innocent. But her passionate and honest responses pleased him so much.
Zhen Ji's eyes widened when she saw his face descending upon her. "Don't you dare take me in anger!" She shouted at him and tossed her head to one side to avoid his lips. She felt his mouth land on her left cheek and travel toward her jaw down to her throat. He bit on her tender flesh, marking her as his. "Zhang He, no." Was it going to happen again? She was afraid that he might lose control, afraid that he might hurt her like Yuan Xi did. Her body. . . her cursed body can awaken the beast inside a man. She shivered.
"I won't hurt you," he solemnly whispered to her ear and took her mouth with his, the words soothing her fears like no other words can. Zhang He kissed her deeply yet so gently that Zhen Ji was stunned by his tenderness. She felt the icy barrier she built around her melt at the touch of his lips. Could it be possible? That a man can control himself even at such a state? It was a gamble, but she will hold him to his words, believe in him. After all, she loved and trusted him.
Zhang He groaned with pleasure when he felt Zhen Ji finally respond to him. He released her hands and he started his exploration of her beautiful body, undressing her, memorizing each detail and every curve.
"You're exquisite," he said, drawing back, his eyes feasting on her naked glory, "and perfect as I imagined you would be." He chuckled when she blushed, trying to hide herself from his vision. But he beat her to it, his hands covered her body as he leaned down toward her for another kiss.
It took an enormous amount of control for him to go slow with her so as not to frighten her. After all, he had dreamt of this moment the first time he met her. He didn't want to rush things with her. For him, this was special. She was special.
He couldn't help but sense her trepidation with what they were sharing. And he understood why. Her previous experiences undoubtedly scarred her, made her believe that her body was only used to sate a man's desire.
But he would teach her differently. She was going to realize that this act could be satisfying to both sides. That she need not fear for he was with her. Always with her.
And without any intended conceit, he knew he was the first man who was going to make her body sing.