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

My apologies for the messy format. I do not know how to remedy it, heck, I don't even know how or why the spacings got and get screwed up. Anyway, I hope you're still with me. Since there's not much for me to do this spring break, I will try to update and complete this in time for a new fic. I myself am keeping my fingers crossed, all of you have the right to know that I haven't exactly written in quite a while. Had to make some revisions too, especially in the last part of the last chapter. I'll try to stretch and bump things a bit, after all, there was a reason why I made it PG-13. I'm actually considering whether or not I should make this an R-rated story, or make a separate story, but I don't think I'm a good enough writer for a more adult/mature content - after all, I only have one to my belt...I'm more of a reader than a writer in that field. With that said, let's continue with the story shall we, lovelies?


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


Between Love and War
Chapter Eight


Diao Chan stepped forward again, virtually feeling the heat emanating from Lu Bu's body. With the corner of an eye, she watched beads of sweat form and trickle down the general's temples. She had noticed with extreme satisfaction that his breathing was slowly becoming ragged, mouth slightly open and inviting, his tanned throat struggling to swallow. She looked up at him again, and with a face cloth brought her soft hand to wipe away the sweat that trickled down the nervous Lu Bu. Leisurely and almost painstakingly, her hand traveled downwards, arriving at the hollow of his throat, his powerful arms, to his massive chest, feeling the hammering of his heart, then to his chiseled abdomen...her ministrations were put to a stop when Lu Bu's hand grabbed and engulfed hers.

"I...," Diao Chan struggled for words but none came. When she made another effort, he placed his fingers to her lips, hushing her completely. His eyes unwavering, Lu Bu brought her hand up to his lips, kissing every finger and palm. She sighed helplessly, soon enough her knees were betraying her and she leaned against him. He placed his hand on her nape, stroking softly and playing with her tendrils.

"I love you, Diao Chan. I love you. My heart and body belong to you and only you," he whispered.

"Then please," she silently pleaded, "Show me."


Daylight. A time Lu Bu badly wished would and would not have come. He wanted the silence and darkness of the night, and the comfort of her embrace. He wanted to revel in her presence, her scent mixed with his, to caress her, touch her alabaster skin, nuzzle against her satin hair, feel her soft and pliant body against his. He looked at Diao Chan, who was draped over him, her chestnut hair splayed across his chest, sleeping ever so soundly. Lu Bu started to drown in his own thoughts as he lazily ran a hand up and down her arm.

It had been heaven on earth, and he had even thought that his attempted assassination was some kind of blessing rather than an ill auspice -- since that day, Diao Chan never left his side. In the night, he would carry her to sleep. In the morning, he woke up and she would be in his arms.

He never expected that such woman would change his life, even the way he fought. When he learned that Diao Chan went to Hu Lao Gate herself, Lu Bu had never been infuriated in his entire life. Harm coming to her was such a terrible notion that he had taken out hundreds to prevent the Allied Forces from laying seige on Luo Yang. Even if he was only one man pitted against a thousand others, he would not have hesitation -- if it meant protecting his beloved.

Diao Chan whimpered, streaks of sunlight illuminating her face. She opened her eyes only to shut them again, trying to go back to sleep. I could stay here forever, she thought, just as Lu Bu planted a kiss on her forehead and eyelids.

"Diao Chan."

"Mm?"

"Open your eyes."

She did as she was told, and she was greeted by his serene face. Placing a hand on his cheek, Diao Chan kissed Lu Bu shyly and tenderly. She had given Lu Bu her heart, body and soul without guile or reserve, just as he did. "I love you," she said, breathing out the words.

"I know, I know. I know because I feel it," he replied kissing her palm, her wrist, leisurely making his way to her luscious lips.

The lovers giving into sweet surrender, Lu Bu and Diao Chan stayed at the abandoned hut, making love for days on end.


"Must get...must get to Lu Bu's camp." Han Zi staggered helplessly on his way to the enemy general's encampment. A soldier of Niou Fu, he was miraculously survived Lu Bu's onslaught and was the only one who had caught sight of Lady Diao Chan. It had been well-known in Dong Zhuo's court of the songstress' real motives to destroy father and son, but Dong Zhuo, stubborn and lustful as he was, would pay no heed of it. On the other hand, Lu Bu seemed to know nothing about the matter. A mix of shock, confusion and anger boiled up inside him when he saw Diao Chan cling to Lu Bu amidst the fire. "That cunning witch. My emperor and general died because of you. Let's see if you can charm your way out when you are at the mercy of Lu Bu's blade." He waded through the bushes, and realized that he had finally reached his destination.


"Ah, I can see the campfire from here. They must have been waiting for us a little longer than expected, hm?" he asked teasingly, wearing a smirk so familiar to her.

Diao Chan blushed furiously as Lu Bu eyed her playfully and lustfully, so fondly reminded of the things that transpired that last few days. "My lord, I think it would be wise of you to stop that. What if one of your men learn the cause of your delay?"

"Then let them think what they want. Am I not a man as well? Surely they would understand, and I would exact no other reaction from them but delight in my fruitful pursuit," he replied, gaining a shove from the maiden.

"Do not take things ever so lightly with me," Diao Chan admonished Lu Bu, "I may be a woman but I am not as weak as you take me for. I am not even half of what you think of me."

"Ah, my Diao Chan. When did you become so wise and strong? That is why I shall not have eyes for any other woman but you," he said smelling and kissing her hair.

"I have to be. The mighty Lu Bu needs a woman who would be able to rival his strength, maybe not in combat but in spirit."

"Yes, yes." A few meters away from the encampment, Lu Bu pulled the reins on Red Hare, motioning the steed to stop.

"What's the matter, my lord?"

"Nothing...there is just one thing that I want, that which only you can give me."

"What is it?"

"Do you love me, Diao Chan?"

"Heart, soul and body."

"I...I want you to do...something for me."

"Anything," she replied sincerely, the only word that Lu Bu needed to hear.

"Then," he paused, tilting her chin so that her eyes could meet his, "do me the honor of being my betrothed -- no, my wife. Mine and mine alone. Dong Zhuo took you away from me...and I will not let that happen again."

"My lord!"

Lu Bu held her tightly and went on, "You will never have to cry again."

Tearfully she replied, "Of course! Of course." Diao Chan nodded her head emphatically.

"Then everything is settled. It is just that, once we arrive, I want to announce the arrival of General Lu Bu -- and his soon to be wife, Diao Chan." Having said that, Lu Bu was rewarded with the sweetest of kisses.