Between Love and War
By: Mako_chan
Mako_chan@tekken.cc
Shibaraku ne!?! Sorry for the long absence and delay. Had to take a lot care of a lot of stuff, just too screwy so I'll spare you the whole thing. What's important is this new chapter!!! ;)

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



BETWEEN LOVE AND WAR
Chapter Five



"Deliver this message at the gates of Xia Pi. If they point their spears and swords at you, tell them that General Lu Bu has sent you." With that, he handed the scroll to the messenger.

Fear struck the poor young man upon the mention of the name "Lu Bu." Breaking into a cold sweat, he received the message with trembling hands and exited the room as fast as he could.

"I take pride in the knowledge that mere mention of my name breeds fear among men," Lu Bu said stifling a laugh, "However, it is not necessarily a happy thought. A village and a battlefield are two different grounds."

Hearing this from the general, the messenger's shoulders slumped and expelled the breath that he had been holding. Lu Bu finally exploded into a fit of laughter that was enough to be heard from the bustling market outside.

"I'm afraid the general has gone mad," one of the villagers whispered to his companion.



"My lady, please. This is for you," one of the lady merchants offered. She held out a beautiful cloth with intricate embroidery.

"I'm afraid I do not have much with me to exchange."

"No, no, no. This is a gift for you, from us."

"But--," Diao Chan tried to refuse. The people had already given them so much from the time they arrived. They were staying at the best and larget rooms of the village inn and the maidens have given them a fresh change of clothing. Now she was shopping at the marketplace, in an exquisite purple attire and her hair fixed. The scent of lavender lingered as she passed by.

The inhabitants of the little village were awestruck by the people that had sought their help - even in her tattered and blood-stained clothes they knew she must have been a princess from a neighboring province somehow. And despite its concealment, the young boys who had helped store the Sky Scorcher were taken by awe as part of the wrap provided a glimpse of the pole's magnificent and baroque design. They figured out that the wounded man was probably a highly-respected military officer, but not really recognizing that he was Lu Bu and the woman was Diao Chan, allied [formerly] to Dong Zhuo, the despot who plundered, set fire to their houses and took their sisters away. News of his assassination has yet to reach their ears.

Three days have passed since their untimely arrival at that place, and for four days he had not moved a single muscle. He looked outside his window -- the skies were blue and the sun was shining. It was a day when no man should be staying pathetically in bed. So despite the physician's orders, Lu Bu got up and grabbed the robes neatly folded on the bedside table.

Diao Chan felt some tugging at her skirt. When she looked down, she saw a tiny girl in pigtails with two flowers, urging her to take them. Diao Chan smiled. She got and placed them on her hair, then told the child, "They are pretty. Thank you."



"Good morning, my lord."

The peasants took off their hats and greeted him, and Lu Bu acknowledged them by giving a curt nod. The articles of clothing he had on was something he had to get used to again. They felt incredibly light, breezy and far more comfortable than his gold-plated armor.

His presence was undeniable the minute he walked out of his chambers. Lu Bu was a massive man, his features and built were awfully striking. The men raised their heads in wonder and respect, while the young ladies giggled and looked at him with a mixture of admiration and excitement.

"My lord, you should not be outdoors yet," the village physician told Lu Bu frantically and pressed on, "Go back to bed, please!"

Diao Chan overheard the commotion the old man was making and turned her head towards their direction. She begged for excuse and went to the two men.

"I have been lying in bed immobile for days more than I should. There is no way that I shall return under the covers."

"My lord!" Diao Chan exclaimed. "What are you doing out here?"

"Please, my lady! Convince him to go back."

"This is no time to be a stubborn boy!" she reprimanded Lu Bu and further pressed, "If you do not move from that spot...I shall drag you off by your ears!"

Lu Bu looked down at Diao Chan with interest and amusement. She put on her most threatening face, obviously it wasn't like her at all. Her "ferocity" would not even be able to scare a bunny away. His thoughts prevailing over him, he found himself expelling a sharp bark of laughter.

"There's nothing to be merry about. W-wipe that smile off your face!"

Seeing her already fuming, he sobered. Lu Bu rested his big hands on her slender arms. "You are threatening me again, my lady, and I do not like it. Insist and I will haul you off like a sack on my shoulder faster than you can hope to pinch me."

"I should like to see you try in front of all of them," she snapped, her hands akimbo and her chin high.

"Very well."
Put me down!" Diao Chan yelled and hit Lu Bu repeatedly. Lu Bu had carried her to his room in front of everybody's eyes, and this was a cause of monstrous embarrassment for her.

He dropped her harshly on his immense bed and let the maiden throw her tantrums. Diao Chan went on calling Lu Bu names to spite him, but to no avail. As much as she wanted to tell Lu Bu about how impressed and how the clothes he wore were perfect on him, she couldn't. He had put her in an extremely foul mood.

Lu Bu had only been waiting for Diao Chan to settle down. She was now staring out into the distance, and he had to smile at the sight. He sat beside her, and she flinched. They were like cat and mouse.

"Diao Chan--"

"I do not feel like talking."

Lu Bu took out something from inside his robe. He prodded her until she gave in. "I wanted to say 'Thank you.' That's why I went out. I was lucky enough to get you this."

Diao Chan held her breath and her brown eyes reflected great surprise. In Lu Bu's hands were a string of deep sea pearls.

"You have saved me from death. And now, I trust you with my entire life...say something."

She didn't speak. Sure, she was awestruck by the sight of the beautiful necklace, but Lu Bu's words struck home. It meant so much to Diao Chan, for a man of great power, he was willing to trust her...not one of his generals or advisers had ever received those words.

The next thing Lu Bu knew, his back had gone stiff and a pair of soft lips had pressed against his, and the taste of delectable honey invaded his mouth.