Between Love and War
By: Mako-chan
Mako_chan@tekken.cc


Don't forget those reviews! Ehehe =)

*DISCLAIMER: No profits. No ownership but the story. DW and its characters belong to Koei.*



BETWEEN LOVE AND WAR
Chapter Two


"Tell me what bothers you."

Lu Bu sat beside Diao Chan, watching the serene flow of the river as well as succumbing to the soothing sounds of the night.

"I-I...I've nowhere else to go," she said quietly, drawing randomly on the cold soil with her fingers. "How can I go on? What am I supposed to do now. I've no money, no home, not even a roof to cover me...I've no one to turn to, now that--"

"Ssh..could you not see that I am here?" Lu Bu interrupted, hauling her small frame to his massive one. Tenderly, he brushed Diao Chan's luxuriant locks, trying to comfort her. "That is the least of your problems. I may not be much, but you still have me." The moment those words flew out of his mouth without getting filtered by his brain, he knew very well that he had made an egress - he slipped. "I-what I meant was I-uh--"

Diao Chan's head snapped, and her graceful brows met. She was now resting on his chest, looking up at him. Her intense gaze did not help even one bit and his blushing had become more furious; nor did the fact that Diao Chan has timingly decided to place her hands on him.

Finally gaining some of his wits, Lu Bu finally managed, "You must be weary of our journey. We rest tonight and leave at daybreak."

Somehow, even if gathering firewood was the right thing to do and for both their own sake especially Diao Chan's, neither one of them had seem to wanted to move from their position.

She breathed a sigh. I wish we could have met in another time...another place, she thought.

"So do I," came the general's reply. Apparently, Diao Chan was immersed in so much leisure that she had failed to realize that she had said audibly what was on her mind. "Sometimes I'd wonder what life could be like if I was not the fierce Lu Bu...with a sickle, rather than a halberd."

Picturing Lu Bu in peasant clothes and woven hat instead of his grand armor and headress of peacock feathers made her giggle slightly. That's a funny thought, Diao Chan said to herself. Before she could restrain herself, Lu Bu straightened up suddenly.

"I know it is not a sight to behold. Even I have a difficult time imagining the absence of Red Hare and my weapon, digging up the earth...wait a moment."

"Huh?" Diao Chan breathed, another emotion painted on her enticing face. Lu Bu seemed to have lost his nerve...but why?

"Ahem," the general coughed. "You, a maiden at that, dare make fun of the mighty Lu Bu?!" he barked, yet his eyes glinted with mischief. He took advantage of the situation by tightening his hold on the yet again alarmed maiden who was starting to pull away.

"Forgive me, my lord. It is not for want of embarrassing you!" Diao Chan begged, ignorant of the arms sinking her deeper into him.

The moonlight and reflection on the flowing river made her all the more enticing; her features became all the more apparent.

"I will grant you pardon, but you must do something for me first," Lu Bu told her, slowly bringing his hand to cup her smooth cheek, "I have always wanted to see you...every single day I envied Dong Zhuo and wanted to be given a chance...just this once grant my humble wish."

"My lord, tell me and I will do it as best as I could."

"Please. Sing for me."

With that, Diao Chan had to smile. For a man who had been previously bathed with treasures, he sure did like even the most trivial of things. Slowly, she found her herself growing at ease with him, then took a deep breath and started to hum a heavenly melody...