Forbidden Dreams
By Natsue Arishima
Chapter Ten: Overheard
He couldn't believe his eyes. Was he dreaming? And yet the man before him seemed quite solid.
"How...?" his voice came out as mere whisper, his eyes still wide with shock.
Sima Yi smirked, his dark, narrow eyes glinting. "Zhang He has been nice enough to give you a lift. Though there were a few more injuries then I would have expected..." His gaze fell upon Jiang Wei's wounds, and slowly moved up to his face.
Moments passed, and Jiang Wei squirmed slightly, averting his eyes to his own hands.
Stop staring at me...
Sima Yi seemed to sense the tension. His grin widened as he approached the other man. "Why so stiff, Jiang Wei?" The Wei strategist stopped at the bed and settled himself smoothly on the sheets. He leaned forward, a hand caressing Jiang Wei's face. "You've seemed to have forgotte me for quite some time..."
Jiang Wei swallowed. Sima Yi was so close... too close. He felt ripped in half. Zhao Yun... he was with Zhao Yun now! And yet, just weeks ago, he would have gladly gone to Sima Yi...
When he received no response, Sima Yi frowned. He didn't like this new Jiang Wei. Roughly, he tilted up Jiang Wei's chin with a long, pale finger and met the other's lips with his own.
It was nothing like the gentleness of Zhao Yun. Sima Yi was cold and forceful... why was he like this...? He tried to pull away, but Sima Yi was persistent. The cry of pain was muffled by the other's lips as Sima Yi's weight shifted onto his wounds.
Stop... Please stop!
He could suddenly breathe again. Panting, Jiang Wei desperately gasped in air.
Sima Yi was walking away, towards the door. "I've some business," he hissed, before walking out. "Take the time to freshen up."
The door closed with a snap.
The little strategist sighed, before struggling to get up. Out of the bed, he took a few wobbly steps to the closed window. His reflection stared back at him from the glass.
He looked awful. His face was pale, the eyes slightly bigger then usual, barely visible underneath his hair. His lips were bruised and cuts littered his neck and arms.
Abruptly, he turned away from his reflection and slowly crawled back to bed.
Zhao Yun...
*~*~*
The Little Dragon turned around sharply, examining his surroundings. It was as if someone had just called his name...
Shaking his head, he turned back to his white stallion. The grand war-horse nickered softly and blew on Zhao Yun's hair. Smiling gently, the officer continued tying the few sacks of food and tools onto the saddle.
Liu Bei's gray Hex Mark trotted slowly to Zhao Yun's side. The Shu Lord rode on its back, along with several sacks of possessions. His sword was clipped to his side, ready for battle. "We'll be leaving in an hour," he stated, before nudging his horse forwards. Zhao Yun nodded.
A few minutes later, he mounted, spear in hand. The white horse stood suddenly alert, ears perked and ready for the slightest command. Zhao Yun sighed, smiling, and rubbed the broad neck. "We're not fighting yet, bud." His horse snorted, before heading towards the other officers.
Guan Yu suddenly appeared besides him. Red Hare whinnied, and Zhao Yun's stallion nickered in return, shaking the silky mane.
"Are you ready?" Guan Yu asked, his voice deep and low.
"I believe I am," Zhao Yun uttered, adjusting his green band.
Guan Yu examined the younger man for a few moments before he smiled grimly. "May we all fair well in this battle."
"My dear officers!" Liu Bei shouted, Hex Mark rearing up. The two Tiger Generals quickly stopped their conversation and listened intently.
"Xu Chang isn't as far as some would think. If we ride hard, we may be able to reach it in a week or so."
Murmurs of content reached this.
"Of course, this act of war has been sudden, and I thank you all for your eagerness to help. Let us go, and may Wei feel our wrath!" Liu Bei roared, thrusting his sword into the air.
The many officers yelled in triumph. Zhao Yun raised his own spear.
Hex Mark landed evenly on its hooves, and Liu Bei nudged it forwards.
Thunderous hooves galloped out to the open plains, Zhao Yun among them. His hands clenched tightly around his stallion's reins.
They were going to Wei.
To Jiang Wei...
*~*~*
"What?!"
Cao Cao looked taken back at Sima Yi's sudden outrage before clearing his throat. "As I said before, the Shu officers are no longer in Cheng Du. The numerous spies that have been sent out have all informed us of the same thing."
Sima Yi breathed deeply, forcing his face to look calm. "Damn... I can't believe the plan failed..."
The Wei ruler smiled grimly. "It's alright. I believe that they are headed here. It seems as if Jiang Wei has become important to them."
The strategist nodded slowly. "Yes... we'll meet them head on. Either way, they will fall."
Cao Cao nodded. "We should have someone guard Jiang Wei's chamber, for that is what Shu is coming for."
"Very good, my Lord," Sima Yi murmured. "We should move him out, away from the city. A private house. Shu would never expect that."
"Lady Zhen Ji might be up to it," the lord said quietly. "Her leg wounds from the previous battle haven't healed yet, and her strength would be reduced on the battle field. However, she could still guard Jiang Wei. Hopefully Shu will be crushed before they find her."
Sima Yi smiled. "Yes. Back her up with some troops. I'll go tell the others."
*~*~*
Jiang Wei lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. Pain continued to flash through his body, but he welcomed it. It made him forget everything else, even if it was for just a brief second.
Time ticked on. Jiang Wei remained motionless. A deep loss was spreading in his gut, combined with pain and fear.
What's going to happen...?
He shut his eyes tightly, rolling over onto his side. His fists clenched and he curled up into a small ball, hiding underneath the covers.
Tears sprang into his eyes, and he swallowed, biting his lip.
This isn't supposed to be happening...
His nails cut into his palm. The blood flowed silently onto the pillow, crimson on white. He stared at it quietly for a few minutes, watching the liquid seep into the cloth.
"Zhao Yun..."
He turned around, glaring at the darkness of his eyelids.
"Why aren't you here...?"
*~*~*
Zhang He narrowed his eyes. Did he just hear...?
He pressed himself closer to the wall. Inside the room, he could hear the rustling of bed covers, silence, and then, in a faintest whisper, "Zhao Yun..."
The lithe officer straightened up, playing with his long hair.
He's in love with someone else.
He turned for Sima Yi's room, intent on telling. Jiang Wei would be disposed of, he was sure. Either that, or killed...
And Sima Yi wouldn't have a lover anymore.
Zhang He smiled, before shaking his head.
What the hell are you thinking of, Zhang He? Ever since Jiang Wei came, you've always been jealous. Damn, you're practically evil now...
The officer stopped in front of Sima Yi's door. He sighed, combing his hair with his fingers, before spinning around and continuing down the hallway.
Evil isn't always a bad thing...
No... he wouldn't tell Sima Yi now.
There was a better way to break the news.
And Jiang Wei could even end up killed...
... by Zhao Yun himself...
He smiled grimly, before stepping out of sight.
**********
A/N: Okay, so I had a really long delay. Sorry about that! Writers block! And I HAVE been writing other stories as well (including the one about Gan Ning and Lu Xun! *hint hint*), so that's my excuse. Anyways, please R&R!
--Natsue Arishima
By Natsue Arishima
Chapter Ten: Overheard
He couldn't believe his eyes. Was he dreaming? And yet the man before him seemed quite solid.
"How...?" his voice came out as mere whisper, his eyes still wide with shock.
Sima Yi smirked, his dark, narrow eyes glinting. "Zhang He has been nice enough to give you a lift. Though there were a few more injuries then I would have expected..." His gaze fell upon Jiang Wei's wounds, and slowly moved up to his face.
Moments passed, and Jiang Wei squirmed slightly, averting his eyes to his own hands.
Stop staring at me...
Sima Yi seemed to sense the tension. His grin widened as he approached the other man. "Why so stiff, Jiang Wei?" The Wei strategist stopped at the bed and settled himself smoothly on the sheets. He leaned forward, a hand caressing Jiang Wei's face. "You've seemed to have forgotte me for quite some time..."
Jiang Wei swallowed. Sima Yi was so close... too close. He felt ripped in half. Zhao Yun... he was with Zhao Yun now! And yet, just weeks ago, he would have gladly gone to Sima Yi...
When he received no response, Sima Yi frowned. He didn't like this new Jiang Wei. Roughly, he tilted up Jiang Wei's chin with a long, pale finger and met the other's lips with his own.
It was nothing like the gentleness of Zhao Yun. Sima Yi was cold and forceful... why was he like this...? He tried to pull away, but Sima Yi was persistent. The cry of pain was muffled by the other's lips as Sima Yi's weight shifted onto his wounds.
Stop... Please stop!
He could suddenly breathe again. Panting, Jiang Wei desperately gasped in air.
Sima Yi was walking away, towards the door. "I've some business," he hissed, before walking out. "Take the time to freshen up."
The door closed with a snap.
The little strategist sighed, before struggling to get up. Out of the bed, he took a few wobbly steps to the closed window. His reflection stared back at him from the glass.
He looked awful. His face was pale, the eyes slightly bigger then usual, barely visible underneath his hair. His lips were bruised and cuts littered his neck and arms.
Abruptly, he turned away from his reflection and slowly crawled back to bed.
Zhao Yun...
The Little Dragon turned around sharply, examining his surroundings. It was as if someone had just called his name...
Shaking his head, he turned back to his white stallion. The grand war-horse nickered softly and blew on Zhao Yun's hair. Smiling gently, the officer continued tying the few sacks of food and tools onto the saddle.
Liu Bei's gray Hex Mark trotted slowly to Zhao Yun's side. The Shu Lord rode on its back, along with several sacks of possessions. His sword was clipped to his side, ready for battle. "We'll be leaving in an hour," he stated, before nudging his horse forwards. Zhao Yun nodded.
A few minutes later, he mounted, spear in hand. The white horse stood suddenly alert, ears perked and ready for the slightest command. Zhao Yun sighed, smiling, and rubbed the broad neck. "We're not fighting yet, bud." His horse snorted, before heading towards the other officers.
Guan Yu suddenly appeared besides him. Red Hare whinnied, and Zhao Yun's stallion nickered in return, shaking the silky mane.
"Are you ready?" Guan Yu asked, his voice deep and low.
"I believe I am," Zhao Yun uttered, adjusting his green band.
Guan Yu examined the younger man for a few moments before he smiled grimly. "May we all fair well in this battle."
"My dear officers!" Liu Bei shouted, Hex Mark rearing up. The two Tiger Generals quickly stopped their conversation and listened intently.
"Xu Chang isn't as far as some would think. If we ride hard, we may be able to reach it in a week or so."
Murmurs of content reached this.
"Of course, this act of war has been sudden, and I thank you all for your eagerness to help. Let us go, and may Wei feel our wrath!" Liu Bei roared, thrusting his sword into the air.
The many officers yelled in triumph. Zhao Yun raised his own spear.
Hex Mark landed evenly on its hooves, and Liu Bei nudged it forwards.
Thunderous hooves galloped out to the open plains, Zhao Yun among them. His hands clenched tightly around his stallion's reins.
They were going to Wei.
To Jiang Wei...
"What?!"
Cao Cao looked taken back at Sima Yi's sudden outrage before clearing his throat. "As I said before, the Shu officers are no longer in Cheng Du. The numerous spies that have been sent out have all informed us of the same thing."
Sima Yi breathed deeply, forcing his face to look calm. "Damn... I can't believe the plan failed..."
The Wei ruler smiled grimly. "It's alright. I believe that they are headed here. It seems as if Jiang Wei has become important to them."
The strategist nodded slowly. "Yes... we'll meet them head on. Either way, they will fall."
Cao Cao nodded. "We should have someone guard Jiang Wei's chamber, for that is what Shu is coming for."
"Very good, my Lord," Sima Yi murmured. "We should move him out, away from the city. A private house. Shu would never expect that."
"Lady Zhen Ji might be up to it," the lord said quietly. "Her leg wounds from the previous battle haven't healed yet, and her strength would be reduced on the battle field. However, she could still guard Jiang Wei. Hopefully Shu will be crushed before they find her."
Sima Yi smiled. "Yes. Back her up with some troops. I'll go tell the others."
Jiang Wei lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. Pain continued to flash through his body, but he welcomed it. It made him forget everything else, even if it was for just a brief second.
Time ticked on. Jiang Wei remained motionless. A deep loss was spreading in his gut, combined with pain and fear.
What's going to happen...?
He shut his eyes tightly, rolling over onto his side. His fists clenched and he curled up into a small ball, hiding underneath the covers.
Tears sprang into his eyes, and he swallowed, biting his lip.
This isn't supposed to be happening...
His nails cut into his palm. The blood flowed silently onto the pillow, crimson on white. He stared at it quietly for a few minutes, watching the liquid seep into the cloth.
"Zhao Yun..."
He turned around, glaring at the darkness of his eyelids.
"Why aren't you here...?"
Zhang He narrowed his eyes. Did he just hear...?
He pressed himself closer to the wall. Inside the room, he could hear the rustling of bed covers, silence, and then, in a faintest whisper, "Zhao Yun..."
The lithe officer straightened up, playing with his long hair.
He's in love with someone else.
He turned for Sima Yi's room, intent on telling. Jiang Wei would be disposed of, he was sure. Either that, or killed...
And Sima Yi wouldn't have a lover anymore.
Zhang He smiled, before shaking his head.
What the hell are you thinking of, Zhang He? Ever since Jiang Wei came, you've always been jealous. Damn, you're practically evil now...
The officer stopped in front of Sima Yi's door. He sighed, combing his hair with his fingers, before spinning around and continuing down the hallway.
Evil isn't always a bad thing...
No... he wouldn't tell Sima Yi now.
There was a better way to break the news.
And Jiang Wei could even end up killed...
... by Zhao Yun himself...
He smiled grimly, before stepping out of sight.
**********
A/N: Okay, so I had a really long delay. Sorry about that! Writers block! And I HAVE been writing other stories as well (including the one about Gan Ning and Lu Xun! *hint hint*), so that's my excuse. Anyways, please R&R!
--Natsue Arishima