Beautiful Requiem - Chapter 2, Stars Rising
Note: Thank you to all of you who reviewed...those who do not see their characters here, be aware that you'll get your character into the story soon. I am a fair boy and I am not afraid of new ideas, so if you have an idea for the story, send it the hell in. And if I love it, I'll do it. Remember...This story isn't interactive, so you can't send characters.
And Zhou Yu is no long available. I deem Xiao Qiao unfit to marry Zhou Yu. For reasons unknown, I have made the Qiaos Zhou Yu's sisters so that when Sun Ce marries Da Qiao, they'll be truly brothers. You know why he's not available (Zhou Yu)?
Answer: Because someone asked nicely.
On with the chapter
It was dark night, in the middle of the forest. The two who previously fought with the Wei forces were now just sitting in the middle of a small tree gathering, hoping that the nature will be able to conceal their path. It wasn't the cheerful peach garden from the childhood memories and it wasn't exactly full of green leaves either. Most of the things in the forest were dead, leaving brown, leafless, lifeless trees sitting around and clumping together. Most of them looked like claws, over- stretching through the air and touching the other claws around it. And due to the black light, there was more of a scary and haunting effect in the atmosphere. Xing was sitting upon a log, Yu Chai next to him and tending his wound better. Xing would look forward, away from Yu Chai as she wrapped the man's wound with a fresh cloth, tying it tightly to the warrior's left torn arm.
"You really think that we can outrun Wei?" Chai would question Xing as she worked diligently on his left arm, carefully completing and tightening the knot. "We did just kick their asses. And you, well hell! You were amazing!"
"Complimenting me won't lull me over to you." He said rather quickly to the woman that had helped him.
She would look at him funny for the moment before she broke out laughing and then leaned into his shoulder, patting his back. Unfortunately for him, she leaned on the shoulder with the bad arm and he would cringe and growl at the moment a sharp pain hit his mind. Yu Chai, hearing the reaction would back up, still laughing at him, only this time, pointing at his face.
"You are SUCH a hard-ass! You know that? You can't even take a straight on compliment!" She said before leaning back on her seat and swung her legs up so that she could lay straight on the giant log they sat on. "You could never DREAM of being my soul mate, you know that? My guy needs to be interested and deeply in love with me. He should be charming, and witty. You know, you got looks but MAN you falter at just about everything else!"
At that, he grunted in response, looking away from her and into the moon.
"You're too optimistic. Don't even think someone would like you."
"Ooh! Someone's gotten jealous!" She said teasing him before he quickly turned to her with red on his forehead on nose
"I AM NOT!" He started to argue, yelling at her on the first time.
"You're jealous, you're jealous!" she said now jabbing him in chest with her finger and then giving a little smirk
"Stop it! I am not, how can you, of all people, say that?!" He said, flushing at the cheeks this time, along with his nose and forehead, he had officially fully blushed "You're crazy!"
"Maybe you liiiiiii~iiiike me!" she sang out happily, officially making the man pissed. He would stand up and move behind one of the dead trees, sitting at its base with a resounding "hmph" trying to ignore the teasing of Yu Chai.
"You ignorant woman, how can you be so naïve! Hahaha!" she said mimicking his voice as best as she could, but only croaking on the word "naïve". She would start laughing and slamming her fist in the wooden platform next to her but she would soon let the laughter fade, slowly calming down. Getting up she would walk to where Zhao Xing was at, he was meditating. Hmph, he really was a hard-ass. Wrapping her arms playfully around his neck she would decide to tease him more for the hell of it. She really got a kick out of it when he had the angry look upon his face.
"Aww, looks like he's mad! Want me to kiss you, make it all better?" She said in a mock mother voice. Zhao Xing would open his eyes and bared his teeth out Yu Chai, before turning away quickly and crossing his arms.
"I'm going to ignore you as of now!"
"Hey, c'mon!" she said trying to intervene before it was too late "I'm just playing around! You don't need to be so tense about everything!"
"You don't need to joke about everything!"
At that Yu Chai would let out another burst of laughter and hit him upon the head lightly with a balled fist. Zhao Xing would turn around finally, glaring at her face with daggers in each eye. Yu Chai would keep laughing, patting him on the shoulders as a sign of appreciation as he turned to her.
"Hey Xing, just trying to be friends with you, all right?" she said holding out her hand to him, trying to put a serious face on, but the delight and pleasure she derived from Xing's angered face just made her laugh a bit more. "C'mon! Take my hand and shake it! It's just a little sign so we don't hit each other because of every little thing we do!"
Xing would look at her hesitantly, those hazel eyes still glaring into her dark brown orbs. Soon, he would take the hand, still not knowing what to do; he just kept it there and held her hand in the air.
"I'm doing this, why?" he would ask, of course ignorant of the situation at that certain moment.
"You shake my hand!" she said shaking her arm and trying not to get numb from his strong grip "Hurry up!"
"All right, so I shake your hand." He said shaking her hand. But she would only grimace and groan in agony. Before long Xing stopped and loosened his grip, looking up to her with wondering hazels. "Are you all right?"
"I'll show you all right!!!" she shouted at his face, taking the tip of his elbow in one hand and pulled at his arm, she would turn around and flip Zhao Xing over herself, Xing of course, shouting and yelping as he hit the ground. She would clap her hands off from dust and then "hmph"d turning around and going towards the log they previously sat on.
"I'm all right now. Once we get some sleep, we're going to the next village for supplies. All right, Xing?"
"Yeah, sure...All right." And well, she was his first friend. He had heard of friendship but only after he had re-learned what the word "play" meant. When he heard that one of the swordsmanship students courted a woman of high status, which was the first time he heard of something beyond friendship...but when he saw children playing in certain little group, he just called it child's play, but when a fellow student went to him and pointed out how some of the children would stay with another, he described the action as "friendship". Well, needless to say, Yu Chai was his first friend. "Who would've known friendship hurt this badly?"
"Good night, Xing!" she called out sweetly
"Ouch."
O O
When they awoke earlier the next morning, Xing would jump up from the dirt. Tying his hair up in a sort of pony tail, he would just sigh as he started to shake the dirt and soil out of his priest robes. Soon, he would start walking back towards the just waking Yu Chai, sat down before her with a sigh, and awaited for her to speak to him. He thought they should orient themselves before they head out east towards the next village. As soon as she would fully awaken herself, she would clear out the sleepiness out of her eyes by rubbing at them with her forearm and then she would look up to see a calmly waiting Xing.
"Hey, we have to get a move on."
"What? No morning greetings?"
"What?"
"Hello, good morning, Xing!" she would say cheerily, forgetting that he didn't say anything first.
"But it's not a good morning, we're still on the run from Cao Cao's troops and I think we should proceed with haste towards the next village!"
"Ah, fine. What the hell was I thinking? It IS you of course. And here I thought you were warming up to me." She said now shaking her head, getting up and looking towards the end of the road. Pulling at her curly hair she would sigh and looked towards the end of the woods. "Well, we may as well get a move on. The exit out of this place is over there, and then we'll need to hike on the hills."
"Good. Then let us proceed with caution."
O O
Within the village, trouble was brewing. People clad in purple and white ravaged a village as far as anyone could see, reeking havoc amongst the civilian population by slicing their way into the doors with their swords and then plundering the houses. Men were fighting back, holding on to their values and loved ones, eagerly fighting against any and all oppressors. But as easily as they would rise up against a group of bandits, they were easily put down, unable to fight due to their inexperience with weapons. Children were pushed down, young women were raped, and precious items were taken and placed upon horseback. When they plundered their fifth house, finding no more villagers were on the side they were in, they raised their brows and looked behind them a powerful figure looming above them on horseback. He rode a black horse and his face was covered by a black silken mask. He was obviously a foreigner, his eyes being ice blue and the juts of hair peeking out of the mask was blonde at most. He had on a pointed helmet of a general (think the Dynasty Warriors 3 common officers, those bandit leaders) and would beam proudly at their works of destruction and havoc. Slaughtered men, and women on the ground crying from the loss of their maidenheads, this was a beautiful art piece in his point of view. He would laugh and pointed his own sword forward at the small group of villagers coming from the other side of the town. Pathetic little beings...Armed with only makeshift spears and rags on their heads, they would fight? HA! What lunacy is this?
"Take them out! Leave no one alive!" He yelled out to his men, his thick England accent coming forth, revealing he was from the western areas. They would all nod their head, smiled and charged towards the small group of men. They had three hundred men strong and they had a mere fifty village men.
"You heretics, I won't let you take this place!" a young woman yelled out at the men, as she charged out of the group of villagers. The villagers soon followed the woman, charging with their own weapons.
"Please refrain from attacking! I won't bear it any longer!" She said in another plea. She wore a traditional Chinese dress, having the split on both leg areas to allow her movement. On the front slip was the astounding picture of a Phoenix, seen rising from the ashes and decorated in a golden threading upon the dress, showing rebirth on it. On the back of the dress it showed another golden figure, a dragon rising up the slip and going up, as beautiful as the last one adorned in golden threads. The main color of the dress was silver, the outlining white and the obvious threading being a golden color. She wore silver colored heels, matching the silver colored dress. She had long, luscious black hair that separated on her forehead, bangs parting to show her beautiful face. The long hair fell all the way down, past her waist, and the long hair rested neatly upon her curvaceous hips. She had something metal in her hand, engraved on the side of it was the words "Tsunami". Soon enough, she would flick the metal thing and it would unfold to bring out a golden shower of light upon the people's faces. It was golden fan, and she would seemingly dance gracefully into battle as she dodges an incoming soldier's attack with a mere graceful step, her head held high and her eyes closed for the moment. She would open her eyes and smile at the gawking soldier amazed at how she dodged her attack. Soon enough, an attack from her fan would clear that man's head as he would go flying into the air and then hit the ground with a thud.
(For those of you, who are truly dense, the damn dress looks like Chun Li's or Mai's or whoever the hell you've first seen wore a Chinese slip dress. Hell, it could be those sword dancers in that New York restaurant)
"No way!" The English bandit sounded off. His men were obviously confused as well until most of them engaged in battle with the obscure amount of villagers that were right behind her.
"You dress splendidly, love." The Englishman complimented unto her "But fighting for commoners is beyond mental reason!"
"You shouldn't slaughter the innocent! No more attacking, please!" she asked politely, not wanting to hurt another. It would be evident that she would have to attack another person, as a man would come from her left side. She would bring up her fan and span around gracefully, connecting with the jaw of the man and sending him flying away. He would start clearing away at the soldiers as the villagers now fought tremendously, actually helping her along the way. But the help wouldn't last as she was surrounded by soldiers. The villagers were still fighting, but she was separated from them. Some perverse soldiers started snickering, surrounding her more closely so she wasn't able to move, one even bringing a sword up to lift her slip so that everyone had a glimpse of the white panties she wore underneath. BIG mistake...
"You pervert! How can you do that to a woman?!" she said now jumping up and delivered a split kick, knocking down two of the bandits down with bloody heel marks on their faces. When the others came to attack, she would just deliver a kick to the other man's face the slip placing on her hip, showing her undergarment once more as she inflicted pain on that one man. The other bandits around her enjoyed that a little too much. She noted that and would just deliver a blow to the man behind her, knocking the bandit's teeth out with a closed metallic fan. Two more in her way would finally wise up and stopped thinking their malicious thoughts, now charging at her with raised swords. She would just shake her head and bring up her left hand with the fan and then unfolded it, just as the swords came crashing down. She blocked them both and she would only chuckle, as she would now take a whip that she had hidden in her dress and then whipped one of the men's legs. That certain man would yell out in pain as he would let go of his sword and fell to his back, clutching at his leg and crying out in pain.
"Lei! What did you do to Lei?" he said as he knelt down beside his friend, clutching his bleeding leg. The woman would merely shrug, folded her fan and started towards the bandit leader, who was in a straight line from her. If his cohorts were THIS easy, then she would bargain that he was going to be just a peachy little thing. Her thoughts would betray her as soon as she would attack though.
Cracking her whip at the man, he would merely roll his eyes and brought an arm out, the whip wrapping around his forearm. He would pull on the whip and then smiled as the woman would stumble forward and lose her balance. He would get off of his horse to face this woman in an obviously lop sided match. She would be no match for him and his saber. Bringing out his Western Saber, a curved one sided sword that was usually issued to English soldiers in the western areas; he would point it at her with a grin, made obviously visible with the movement and shifts of the depths in the mask.
"En guard...Touché!" he yelled at her, causing the woman to quickly jump on her feet and then bring out her metallic fan, unfolded. Taking a cue from how men with the slip robes fought, she would bring her front slip behind her, not caring if people saw interest in her, it was easier to fight this way. She would beckon the leader and he would respond by quickly stabbing at her, which she would retaliate by bringing her fan up and blocking. It wouldn't be long before he'd bring a leg up and knee her in the stomach.
"And the tiger creeps up on his prey." He said as he approached her, saber drawn towards the woman's neck. "The tiger smiles at his prey, the tiger plays with his prey."
He would now play with her as he said, adding insult to the injury. He started to bring his saber out and cut one of her shoulders lightly. Not enough to cause her tremendous pain, but enough to leave a mark on her.
"And the prey would soon be cornered. And she would look up at the tiger, paralyzed with fear." He said tauntingly. The woman would only bow her head in shame.
"My only regret is that I didn't protect the village."
O O
Zhao Xing and Yu Chai would arrive at the village's entrance, unaware of the things happening. Of course Zhao Xing would be absolutely perturbed from the usual, as Yu Chai would be sitting on his back as he carried her.
"Hey! Don't look all sour! It just so happens I cramp very easily!"
"As easy as a fox would crawl into a fine exotic diner." He replied silently, mumbling this to himself.
"I heard that! And I'm not lying!"
Just as she said that, they were crossing a bridge over the river that separated the forest from the small mountain village. Suddenly, an injured man scrambled to them and bowed before Zhao Xing. He had a long gash down his left arm which was completely uncovered. In fact, he had no protective covering at all. All he had was a few rags on and another long rag tied around his head. They were all yellow and brown. Perhaps he was from the Yuan Regime? No, it didn't look like it. He was a mere villager, by the way he bowed.
"Bandits are destroying our village! Please help us!" he said bowing deeply and nodding his head down at each word he said.
"Bandits?" Xing said, dropping his passenger in back of him, despite much protest from her. "Do not worry, I shall dispose of them!"
Suddenly, from behind him, Yu Chai stood proud with her pole arm balanced on her shoulder and holding it with one hand
"We will punish those who harm the innocent!" She said proudly
"Well, at least you're getting my own thoughts into your mind. You're learning, grasshopper." And without further words between the three, the villager, Yu Chai and Zhao Xing, they would begin to make their way towards the other end of the village.
"Tiger is pleased that the woman dies so humbly. The tiger almost wants to have his way with her." He said smiling, the smirk quite obvious, as it would quirk the sides of his cheek, visible through the mask. "Tiger has made up his mind."
"You're sick."
"Tiger thinks." He said now circling her, his leather boots making a "tap" each time it left the muddy ground and then a distinct "slosh" sound every time he brought it back down to the ground. He stepped and walked. "Tiger bares his fangs, and wishes to show no mercy."
He would draw his sword once more, aiming it at her neck. The woman, not at all scared by this, would just close her eyes and wait for her death. She traveled and she went around the Northern Territories quite a few times. Maybe she was fortunate to die young. When he draws his sword back to kill her he suddenly froze at the sound of a voice.
"You like giving out your attack names, mocking the martial arts? You harm innocents? This is unforgivable!" Zhao Xing had arrived on the scene. He had bypassed the soldiers of the Bandit Leader to get to the man himself, seeing him about to slay the woman. He would just punch a fist into an open palm and then pointed at him "You and me! Let's go!"
"Couldn't be easier, bloke!" he said turning to the man and then giving him a rude gesture. Zhao Xing would just close his eyes and then reopened them at the Bandit Leader, his eyes bearing that signature death glare. His eyes would've seemed to turn golden as he would step forward, the Bandit Leader greeting him with a swing of a saber.
"Tiger swipes its claws!" he said again, causing Xing to bare his teeth at the sound of him mocking the martial arts.
"Eagle takes its perch!" he said quickly ducking and then keeping his arms out and spread, like an eagle quickly unfolding its wings. He would then bring both hands to his feet and the Englishman would only look as the long haired man took hold of his fine pants. "Monkey paw grabs at food!"
"You dirty bastard!" the man now cursed at him.
"Charging bull, takes its lead!" he said now dashing forward, knocking the man to his face by flipping him over his shoulders and himself able to go into a defensive position before the Bandit Leader. He would arch his left leg back and extend out his right. Bringing his hands out in a snake style, he would get ready for this insulting man to take his next move. Xing didn't care, any move would suffice. He wanted to publicly embarrass and humiliate this man for doing this! Insulting the art of fighting, attacking the village? Why was this no surprise that he didn't like the man?! "Alpha male, awaits his challenger."
"Mocking ME now are you? Well I'll show you! You impudent whelp!" he said now thrusting his sword forward, aiming for the heart of the man.
Xing wouldn't let his surroundings come to waste. His foot was right next to a rather large stick, and with proper foot placing, he had brought the stick right on top of his foot. He was going to wait right when he was about in front of him. Closer and closer the man came with the sword poised to strike. He was mere inches away with the sword, when Xing back flipped causing the stick and some mud to come up and hit him in the face while he would dodge the blow with room to spare.
"Beaver slaps its tail! Cow's tail swats flies!" he said quickly stepping upon the Englishman's feet then turning around and then hitting the reeling man in the face with his hair, whipping him with the length of his jet black hair. Xing would use the small spin as the man reeled back from another small blow; he'd go down low and bring one leg to his stomach and extended the other, going in a low sweep towards the man's legs. "Monkey's tail grabs tree trunk!"
"How dare you!" the man said when he fell to the ground, now wallowing in pain and his clothes stained with mud. "Who's mocking now?"
"You are...I'm just a better fighter that can make terrible attacks look good."
"I'm not through yet! You just stay right there, Chinese-man!" he said, now jumping up to balance himself, his heels digging into the thick mud.
"Snake bites rabbit!" he said bringing his left hand to jab his opponent with his left hand, a claw motion made obliviously obvious. But he wouldn't let the blow knock the man down, as he'd grab the man's mask with the "bite" of the attack and pulled him back. "Corkscrew opens bottled wine!"
With that Xing jumped up and span around quickly, his body spinning in the air while in a direct, calm, and absolute still manner, doing a corkscrew motion as he came down and bashed the Bandit Leader in the face, causing him to have a glazed expression in his eyes and his mouth becoming wide open. It was lucky that he had that mask, because as soon as Xing landed from the air, the Bandit Leader would too, only on his face and in pain from the attack.
"You're alive. Just be happy for that." He said as he grabbed the Bandit's body and started walking through the still fighting people. He would reach the dark colored horse and he would bring the bandit from his shoulder to over the horse's back. Slapping the horse's hind, it would neigh and rear to its hind legs, and then galloped off towards the exit and probably to the next mountain pass. The soldiers saw their "brave" and "mighty" leader retreating as Xing would just sit down and watched the sky above, looking at the passing clouds.
"Hey! He's retreating!"
"Let's get out of here!"
Soon the bandits were filing out of the village, leaving the small amount of men left from the tussle to raise their poor weapons up into the air and shout in a victory. It sounded terribly tired to Xing's ears, but to them, it was hymn of joy as they now jumped up, embracing one another and shouting thank you to each other, before they would run back towards their houses, returning to wives, children, and their valuables. Meanwhile, Yu Chai would just be sitting beside Xing, after she had gotten herself from the crowd. While Xing was away, Chai was helping the villager prevent a break into their houses, using her pole arm skills to her advantage. Leaning upon Xing's shoulder, she would let out a breath of relief and looked to the setting sun.
"You did well, Xing." She said to him, no particular expression in her eyes or tone
"Yes...We did do well. And none of the villagers that fought died?"
"None, at least not the ones that I helped... It was miraculous at most, but I don't see anyone dead at all. What happened?"
"Nothing... Simply, nothing... It was only that one leader that bothered me, mocking the martial arts with his insidious attacks and idiotic insults to mine and that woman's pride."
At this she would just laugh and leaned on his shoulder, jabbing him in the ribs with her elbow.
"I saw that damsel in distress!" She said, teasing the taller young man that she leaned on, grinning to no end and repeatedly jabbing at his ribs. "Ah? You can't hide that! Xing-xing and the damsel, sittin' in a tree-..."
"She was no damsel. She looked fit enough to take on the leader. I just so happen to caught her in a time of need." Xing quickly interrupted
"Aw, quit being so modest!" she said now turning so that she leaned back on him. This time, she jabbed to elbows into both his front and back.
"Will you quit doing that?"
"Nah, I told you...I like it when you're mad, you look funny." She said smiling. Just when she got comfortable, the woman that was fighting before had gotten up to Zhao Xing and Yu Chai's position and he bowed deeply to them. "Wow, that's a pretty dress."
"Thank you very much! I appreciate you people coming to my rescue! Uhm, sorry for not being able to beat them myself, but you people did great! Although I didn't think the bandit leader would've been THAT tough. Anyway, my name's Qing Yuan!"
"I see." Responded Xing, he would merely cant his thoughts to the side and sigh.
"Well my name's Yu Chai! I'm Xing-xing's friend over here!" she said, standing up rather fast and posing proudly, some dramatic timing derived from the winds blowing her cape and curly hair. She would pat Xing's back rather hard, a loud "SMACK" sounding every time she patted. "And this is the abnormal monk, Xing-xing!"
"Just one 'Xing'. Though, thank you for introducing me, Chai. Come; let's get the supplies and leave. I am not in the mood to linger any more." He said now turning his shoulder from the two girls and then walking towards the other end of the town. "And I am not a monk...I don't worship any type of God."
"He seems mysterious. Wow. That's nice, but I just hoped he could've talked to me!" Qing Yuan sounded as Xing rounded the next corner
"Ah, Mr. Hard ass over there isn't going to crack and make new friends anytime soon. But hey, Yuan?" After clearly insulting Zhao Xing, she would now turn her attention to Qing Yuan
"Yes?" Qing Yuan would be sort of unbalanced by the sudden introduction question from Yu Chai, her eyes blinking and then shifting towards the other woman's.
"What were you doing fighting here in the first place?" Now sitting down, Yu Chai would take off her dragon shoulder pads and cape and sit down, flipping a curly brown lock out of her face and then looking back at Qing Yuan. "I mean, no offense to the village men, but they don't look like they could afford anything you have on."
"Ah well!" she now blushed and looked down to the ground as she sat on the wooden log fence nearby. Bringing her eyes up to the smiling Chai, she would smile back and nod once more. "I'm just trying to look good in my travels! It's nothing special!"
"Ah, don't be so damn modest! You got some great lookin' stuff there!"
The girl really seemed interesting to Yuan. But she was more interested in that man. How he would gracefully defeat that one man she could not. His hard attitude and amiable courage made her think. The man was one to be admired, in her book.
O O
Leaving the women to their bickering, Zhao Xing would take no more of it. He would decide to walk away, trolling through the multiple areas in the village. He saw the long well, shaped with long stone rocks, each laid down precisely to cover up the well's contents. Xing remembered the well from his village. He remembered when he fought the men, and sent them packing, only to discover that they had more men awaiting him. He also remembered something that made him feel empty inside. Fires, men and women running this way and that to outrun the Wei soldiers who held their swords up high to attack the innocents, and finally, that muscular man whom took everything from him, it all ran amuck in his mind.
"Dian Wei." He murmured the strongman's name. That man with the silver chest plating that bore the symbol of Wei painted on both sides, clad in those blue baggy pants tied with the indigo sash. He carried a horse's head on his left arm as an arm guard and in his right hand; he took up a large axe. Those evil brown eyes, they were like stone or hardening clay that threatened to roll up into a giant boulder and then clear everything in its way by rolling over and crushing them. He was sickened, that bald head of his shiny with sweat, reflecting the fires that he and his troopers had set, that eager to kill smile that drove Xing mad. He hated it. Oh, to his heart, he hated the man with every ounce of his body. He remembered hearing his mother scream and then when he came up to his house, Dian Wei would only smile at him.
"Child. I've come to kill you!"
Zhao Xing's eyes widen in fear as he looked to his left, viewing Dian Wei smiling at him at the well's side. Zhao Xing would jump up in a fighting stance, his teeth bared out at him, and his hands trembling with anticipation. Dian Wei, here?! No matter!
"Mother... Xiao, Lian... My home..." He repeated the words from his childhood memories. The images of his mother, coming through his mind, his little sister running up to him, when his brother said goodbye with the Wildcat Riders at his side, when he first saw his village in ruins. His eyes were burning, his golden hazels being replaced by a fiery gaze, emitting the inferno that was his village a long time ago. He felt the heat of the fire...It made him feel ill, the crackling red and orange that crept up and made him sweat. Drawing his arm back, clutching a vengeful fist, he'd look wide eyed at the leering Dian Wei.
"What are you afraid of you little chicken?!" Dian Wei said, now dropping the axe and beckoning him with his hands, a little twinkle in his eyes. "Think you can't lift me up again?!"
"I'll kill you!" Zhao Xing yelled, tears pouring out of his eyes. Every essence of him burned with hatred and every being of him felt nothing but death and loss. Dian Wei. He must kill him. "I'll slice you into tiny pieces and then, AHHH!"
Letting out a battle cry, which sounded something of pure anguish and suffering, he punched at Dian Wei, the large man dodging by simply stepping back and moving his shoulders quickly.
O O
"So yeah! I was just traveling and then all of a sudden, these men came up and asked me to help!"
"I know! Me and Xing-xing were running away from the Wei jackasses back from our village and then we ended up getting the same response!"
"Wow! This is a bit unusual to say the least! And-What in the name of?" Looking forward, through the darkness, they saw Xing punching everywhere, not using the finesse kicks or the graceful jumps he would always use. He was thrashing at everything in his way, punching at something. But this was inexcusable, as he would break the well's wooden supports with one right hook, and then with a left uppercut, he'd punch through several crates. "He's red and he's sweating!"
"He's sick?!"
"Seems so! It looks like he's delirious!"
"Ah, Xing-xing!" Chai ran towards him, dropping her pole arm and such as she would be more worried about him killing someone than her weapon.
"Wait, I will help!" cried out Yuan. She would soon follow suit, not leaving Yu Chai alone to deal with a thrashing Zhao Xing.
"DIAN WEI! FIGHT LIKE A MAN!" He called out, constantly punching at him. When he finally made contact with his face, Dian Wei merely smiled as Xing's fists started to bleed. Again and again Xing would throw his punches, but to no avail. "Die! WHY WON'T YOU DIE!"
"Xing!"
"Sir!" the two girls looked on as Xing was punching at a stone wall, put up as a precautionary, just in case the river nearby became too overflowed. Xing was crying, his face was red and his fists were bleeding "Oh Goddesses, he's hurt."
"Xing, c'mon you dumb ass! Stop it!"
"Don't call him that, you don't know what he may be going through!" Yuan would glare at the woman standing beside her and she would only get a nonchalant shrug in return. "What?! But I thought you were friends!"
"Yeah, I know what he's going through, but this ain't no way to blow of steam!"
"Can't we help him?" Yuan would ask, shooting a concerned look towards Xing once more, she would only sigh and step towards him.
"Nah, let him do this. It's only stone!" Chai said back, shrugging once more. But she cringed as she heard a crack from Xing's fists. His weaker left hand no bleeding and the fingers discombobulated. Xing would cry out in pain, but only for a couple seconds, soon he would jump up with an even worst death glare in his eyes, punching faster with his right arm. "Sheesh. NOW we help the man."
With a nod, Qing Yuan made a step towards Xing, only to see him crumbling down on his knees, tired from all the energy he exerted on punching the various objects in the village. Xing was panting, out of breath. He would crawl around pitifully, much like a dog in need to be put to sleep, to free him from a fatal injury. Xing would jump at her, but quickly collapsing in a bleeding pile, still crying his heart out. Something had gone wrong with his mind at that moment, something triggered it.
O O
"My lord, are you positive this will be of use? Causing someone's inner fear to come out during the night using the hypnotic measurements set by our Master Sima Yi could be possibly dangerous, to both the public and us."
Five men were mounted on a horse, each wearing the colors of Wei. The funny thing is that one of the boys that carried the flag of Wei had drawn a line down the middle of the symbol. One of the men had worn a blue outfit, not unlike the garb of the common horse riders. He wore a navy colored turban that sported an engraving of a tiger, its head and claws pointing out to give off a striking perspective of the drawing and then the back of it, fading until it was no more. His medium sized build would hold up the officer's silver and blue armor of Wei and sport the navy sash at his lower torso. He looked like the leader of the men as he stood a bit forward from his counter parts. The bottom of his chin was visible from the little light they were sitting in. A cross shaped scar appeared right at the left side of his chin, right under his cheek. He had an uncaring expression as he watched Zhao Xing beat up non-living things then collapse in physical stress.
"No. Remember, he's one of us. Like you people, Dian Wei is something of an evil to him. And bringing that fear out can make a difference between him and his brother. Let's see if the younger of the two can do anything special. And Sima Yi is NOT our master."
"But...Cao Kai."
"No ifs, ands, OR buts."
"Yes, sir!"
"If this works to our advantage, he'll attract Wei and kill them and my accursed father for us. And then we'll avenge ourselves, me for my comrades, and you for your fallen siblings." Cao Kai would suddenly say with vigorous venom, his hand coming up and clenching into a shaking fist, looking like it was threatening to burst into someone and kill them that one instant...
"Kai? Will this actually work?"
"Maybe, but we will see if this village here is ruined in the morning. We need to get out of here so my father doesn't see us."
"Right...Wildcats Reborn!" one of the comrades said, turning his horse and then speeding off into the darkness, the others soon following, leaving all but Cao Kai, the man in the faded Wei cavalry suit, sitting on his horse alone.
"We'll see if you can live up to your brother, spawn of the Zhao. But for now, let us see you deal with the little bit of magic that Sima Yi had taught us. If you can live through this with out killing anyone, I'll talk to you myself." He now departed, riding towards where his company had ridden.
O O
Cao Cao, dressed in his spectacle of violet robes that would flow downwards, the red chest plate put over the robes sporting golden engravings and on his lower parts of the body, he would wear the flowing black pants he wore under the robes, he'd step through the castles walking and scowling all the while. He slammed the doors of his war room open and then directed his small, yet notoriously feared dark browns unto Sima Yi, Cao Ren and one woman that was unidentified to him. He would shrug the girl's appearance off and then grabbed Sima Yi. He had anger within his black eyes and his wiry moustache and beard combination would seemingly look sweaty...as if very angry and his anger was making him hot, but that was public information to anyone at the moment.
The strategist, clad in his usual long flowing blue robes that he'd wear lavender colored pants underneath, coupled with the battle helmet, would look upon his Lord Cao with his light brown eyes, obviously shaken much more awake by the aggressive behavior of his lord.
"M-m-my Lordship, what is the meaning of t-t-t-this?!" stuttering and missing some words every time Cao Cao shook him, he'd only gain a headache and some dizziness as he would be pushed down by Cao Cao, who again scowled, causing everyone but Cao Ren to reel back in fear once more.
"YOU!!! You insolent, little, son of a double headed snake! What is the meaning of this?!"
"Meaning of what sir? Urgh...." Sima Yi looked like he was about to be sick from all the consistent shaking from Cao Cao. Never did he think that his lord was actually strong enough to carry him above his head and then rumble him violently. Evidently so, the Wei genius was incorrect. "If you don't mind, I need to go outside."
"YES! I DO MIND!" Cao Cao said, grabbing Sima Yi's collar of his robes, lifting him with one hand and then bringing him closer. Their foreheads would touch and Sima Yi would be staring right into his lord's brown eyes, his light brown oculars meeting with his dark brown orbs. "My estranged son, he's ALIVE! SIMA YI! YOU IGNORANT BUFFOON! HE'S ALIVE, YOU WORTHLESS SOUL!"
"Impossible! Years ago, Dian Wei burned him and the Zhao Yun spawn along with the other Wild Cat riders to leave no trace of evidence! It was the perfect plan!"
"OBVIOUSLY, PERFECTION DOES NOT BODE WELL WITH YOU! YOU'RE LESS THAN PERFECT IN MY EYES RIGHT NOW! YOU'RE NOT EVEN A DOG'S WORTH RIGHT NOW!" he screamed into the light strategist's ear, before flipping him over his shoulder and then throwing him into the table. The table, with one distinct "SNAP!" would break in half, wooden splinters going everywhere as the unlucky Wei thinker would just groan in pain as his majesty threw his little tantrum. "YOU SAID HE WOULDN'T BE ALIVE!"
"Ugh, forgive me. My lordship, he was a very clever son. He could've possibly snuck out while we delivered the fire attack. And when Dian Wei attained that scar across his shoulder from that boy, he could've escaped as well."
"WHAT?!" Cao Cao now screamed back at the wooden laid genius
"That young boy... Zhao Lian, wounded your most precious bodyguard that day."
"I remember that day." Cao Cao trailed off, turning from the near broken body of Sima Yi, leaving Cao Ren to easily hoist the man over his shoulder, despite some painful protests from the Wei Secondary Mastermind. "That was a brilliant fire attack!"
O O
~Flashback~
The day was darkened by many clouds. At a village beyond the main cliff of the Wu Zhang Plains, was ten boys gathered by a small fire. They all looked cold and hungry, as they shivered and clutched their blue blankets that they had with them. Each wore a turban that had the black symbol. The symbol of a pouncing tiger, faded at the back, right on the front of the turban. They wore silver and blue chest plating, wrist bands and knee guards. All of them had the same silver line and golden dot patterns. On the back of their armors was a red symbol, painted largely to show the symbol of "Wei". What was not seen was that there were two boys by the entrance of the village. One wearing a green headband in place of the turban, and the other, having a cross shaped scar on his face, sitting by his horse and giving it vegetables to feed upon.
"ATTACK!" 'Villagers' came out with fire arrows shooting at the ten boys gathered by the fire.
The change of peaceful environment resulted in a massive fight, between those elite boys that were sitting, and the men wielding the flaming arrows, alighting every thing in their paths to keep the boys contained. The distant sound of a retreating galloping was heard as the boy with the green headband came in, slicing through one of the weak walls of one of the housings, knocking it down upon some of the archers.
"Let's go!" he said, smiling as he wielded his spear. He threw off his blue armor, revealing a style not unlike that of Zilong's. He had on the white over armor with white shirt underneath and the tan shawl that was thrown over his shoulder. He'd wear the short skirt-type armor that had blue and green clothes hanging in simple design and blue battle boots. His hair was even hung in a ponytail, brought back by a green band. (OK. He looks like the Dynasty Warriors 3 Zhao Yun's head with Dynasty Warriors 4 Zhao Yun's body.) Now charging at a few warriors, he'd smile as he'd gracefully danced within them, showing much agility and grace by spinning quickly and cutting them at their stomachs without killing them, just enough to pierce them so that they'd fall down. When he readied his spear once more, he'd nod to the boy now retreating to the entrance of the village, where the one with the scar had left. After making sure that they would make it, he'd turn his eyes back to his battle just in time to see an arrow flying right towards him. Ducking, he'd dash forwards, mimicking his father's opening move (AKA: Triangle Attack) and then put his spear out in a stabbing motion. His hit came home as he spiked someone in the foot with his spear point and then uppercut him straight into the jaw with the end of his spear handle. Twenty more people rushed out of the other flaming houses around him, all bearing the mark of Wei on their shoulders. They all grinned at him and raised their weapons, charging at the son of Zilong.
"Come, for I am Zhao Lian!" He said now raising his spear, cutting his way through the soldiers. "I am the proud son of Zilong! I am the one raised by Ma Yuan Li! I am the one in your NIGHTMARES!"
~Flashback Ends~
O O
"Yes. I remember it quite well." Cao Cao recalled the event with excruciating detail. "I wanted Guan Yu or that man's family, but I guess we had to settle with Guan Yu for a few months. If he didn't leave my army, we would've had the strongest army I ever could've imagined. Why just that man...or the family of the Chang Ban Tiger would bring up morale and fighting spirit of this army."
"Right, brother..." Cao Ren patted his brother on the shoulder as he headed out to bring the complaining man on his shoulder to the medical ward. "Don't get yourself too worked up. Let us think of a plan, to end this chaos."
"I thrive in chaos! Nothing will keep the chaos from ME!" he yelled at Cao Ren who shook his head and just ignored Cao Cao's ramblings, heading towards the door and closing it behind him, walking towards the medical ward. Cao Cao would stamp his feet to the floor now, a distinct thud coming from him every time. It was at that time Cao Cao would notice the girl was laughing at him. Flashing his glare at her, he would point and open his mouth for yet another tongue lashing "Who the hell are you?!"
The woman just shook her head, chuckling out the ends of her laughter before she decided to respond.
"Uncle Cao, you're really funny!"
"Dear Gods." Cao Cao turned with a disgusted face "If you're Cao Ren's daughter, I can't see how you're going to be a beautiful woman when you grow up, I'm sorry, but I just can't."
"Hey! Some people think I'm very pretty! Like Zhang He and Zhen Ji!"
"For your information, Zhang He is a deranged lunatic that finds beauty in everything he sees. Look, give him a pebble!" he says now mocking Zhang He's voice, but gives off a rocky and rough impression "Look at the beauty of this damn rock! Looky looky! Lord Cao! It's BEAUTIFUL! - DAMMIT!" he would make an almost hilarious impression of Zhang He, mocking his voice to the fullest if it weren't for him shouting out the curse without the impression. He would then proceed in throwing the rock at the window nearby, breaking open the wooden shutters that closed the window. "And Zhen Ji is just my daughter. LIVE WITH IT! SHE'S ALL GIRL TALK!"
The woman couldn't take it anymore. Sighing, she'd shake her head and stood her full height then marched right over to Cao Cao, jabbing a finger into his chest. When she stepped fully into Cao Cao's eyes, she revealed that she had light brown skin, sort of a blending Nanman skin. Her bright brown eyes stared up to Cao Cao's countering his glare. She had on a long sleeve shirt, that had a black and brown dragon spiraling upwards, one being black, the other brown. On her head, she had a bright silver band that ties around her head and covers her skin atop her head. This allowed for her dark brown hair with a reddish tinge to it to part evenly on her forehead. Her long hair shimmered down and went past her back. She had on black pants that had a silver sash tied around the waist part of it as a design. She would keep jabbing the finger into Cao Cao's chest.
"You should be appreciative to me! I at least call you uncle! I don't appreciate ignorant people!"
"Ignorant?!" Cao Cao's eyes seemed to twinkle at the word as she said it. She was in trouble. "You're Dian Wei's niece? The one that people say is a match for the Generals of Shu? Hmph! I'll show you RESPECT!"
It was a nice quiet day in the hallways of the Wei castles. Zhang He was just enjoying himself as he headed towards the war room. Just keeping an even pace along the marble path, he'd just hum a beautiful tune to himself that he felt suited for this gorgeous evening.
O O
"What a beautiful day. And such an eerie, yet pulchritudinous night, with the crickets chirping and the open hallway, free for any animal to come in or out. Good evening my Lady Zhen! You're looking elegant, exquisite, and resplendent. Like a dove, pleasing the eyes of common folk, you've please my eyes with your simple appearance." He was in his mood to compliment every thing again. He was in his usual black vest with the matching pants, his hair tied up with an indigo band and Zhen Ji was likewise dressed in her usual attire, wearing that blue dress that showed off her cleavage and her foxy legs that Zhang He so admired from her. He would just look her over calmly and compliment her repeatedly, always getting a giggle or a compliment back in return, whereas any other would get a slap right on the nose and cheek.
"A fairer woman to grace this land? I think not!"
"Oh stop it! You're making me blush!"
"And a woman of...stunning proportions you are."
"I...uhm...oh!" she said now sweeping her dress to cover her blue undergarments that would usually show when she'd walk or just stood there. He would laugh as she'd also brought her other hand, closing the hole that would barely cover her upper "levels"
"Thank you, Lord Zhang He."
"T'was my pleasure, milady, for I just wish to warn you a bit without embarrassing you, that is all!"
"Oh my, Zhang He, thank you, I'll have the woman who made me this dress give me a completely new one." She said now walking pass Zhang He and towards the opposite doors he was heading towards. "And I almost forgot!" she said, springing up and then turning back. Zhang He would just close his eyes and smile, knowing what was coming. Zhen Ji would place a little kiss on the man's cheek before spinning back around and heading towards her destination. "Don't tell Cao Pi, all right?"
"But of course, milady." He said before she disappeared through the next door. "Hmm. All right, that would be the twelfth kiss this week...The second from milady Zhen. Hmm! New record!"
Zhang He would walk towards the war room once more, smiling as he went forward on his way once more, before he'd see Lord Cao Cao throwing a woman out by the collar, his bright brown lit up from anger. The woman would scream as she hit the ground on her front and landed, skidding on her face. Zhang He would merely smirk and walked pass her.
"I thought you were like a female Lu Bu." Zhang He insulted as he passed. "Dian Kamo, you shouldn't anger our lord."
"Note to you and everyone: Do NOT tell Cao Cao what to do. Urgh."
"You deserve it. To think, you've been called the Female Lu Bu?! Ha! Listen, there is no such thing as a female Lu Bu. There was beauty in his attack, but the thing you put in your attacks her cunning and finesse. Which you can not surpass mine."
"Shut up Zhang He. Before I really DO hurt you with my halberd."
"That wasn't beautiful...That wasn't beautiful at all!" Zhang He muttered as he opened the war room to greet the red-faced Cao Cao."
O O
Zhao Xing reached up, he was sweating. He was hot from the battle and his head pounded like crazy. He passed out from exhaustion. He knew he didn't kill Dian Wei and he knew it was an illusion. Someone tried to get him to act purely out of anger and it worked. He would try to get up but he only fell back to the bed, his fists giving out on him. When he turned his hazel eyes upon them, they were wrapped up, red spots appearing out of some of the thinner layers of the white wrappings. He would lay in the bed for about a couple more seconds before he'd try to get up again. But this time, he stared right into the tips of a metal fan. Seeing a familiar golden pattern upon the Chinese slip of the dress, he'd look up into the likewise hazel eyes of Qing Yuan. She looked down hard at Xing, keeping the fan to his head.
"Stay down, for I do not wish to hurt you."
"I do not wish to hurt you either." Xing quickly retorted.
"Just sit down and stay down. Your friend will be right back."
O O
An hour would pass without any sign of Yu Chai coming into the house, which Zhao Xing would lay in. He was upon a simple hay mattress as the woman sitting by his bed side would just keep looking away, towards the window. She seemed in deep thought as she sat by him on his bedside. Nudging at her thigh, Zhao Xing would see her quickly move her head to face him, glaring at him for some reason. Not understanding why, he'd give a quick smile and nod to her. She would blush crimson and turned away with an "hmph" as he did that. Not knowing that he just did a pervert-type notion towards her, first touching her upon the thigh at the opening of the slip and then smiling afterwards...It was kind of a wonder he didn't get slapped.
"Excuse me, miss?"
"What?! And don't touch me again!" she said slapping his hand away, causing the 'mighty' warrior to cringe and yelp with a child-like show of taking his pain.
"ARGH! Are you dense?! I have an injury!"
"Are YOU dense?! You don't touch a girl on her thigh and just smile at her!!!"
"What are you supposed to do?! I was just being friendly!!!"
"It's really unmannerly!"
"Fine" Xing succumbing to her complaints... "I WON'T do it again...all right?"
Well...what?" she'd looked at the man confused. Normally, men would've made a pervert comment, talking about "sex" or "testing" her. But then again, idiots like that would always be turned away by any sensible girl she knew. But this man..Was not quite like other men. "Mister Zhao Xing?"
"What?"
"Where did you learn the way you fought?" she asked now taking the bit of the fact of Xing's naivety out of her mind and putting forth her curiosity before anything. And besides, the less she thought about what he did, the better they would get along without her slapping him. "I'm curious to know how you beaten that one man I could not."
"I'm injured. I would've shown you myself, but I'm all tied up at the moment."
"Ah, I see." She said, now shifting her position, crossing her legs while looking to him. "Perhaps you could teach me?"
Xing's eyebrows would shift their position as he would first furrow one brow deep in thought and then raised one of them as he would slowly nod his head to her.
"Sure. I've always wanted a student. And a female student would be somewhat revolutionary."
"Ah, all right then. Well. As soon as you're better, you have to promise you'll teach me some."
"What?"
"Promise!" she said, getting a bit giddy, turning to him and giving a pleading look and a smile.
"All right, promise. I'll teach you whatever you want to be taught."
"Then we have a deal, I'll travel with you tomorrow?"
"What?!" Xing's eyes would widen as she smiled upon him, his opening hazel oculars meeting with her own hazels. "I didn't agree to that!!!"
"But Chai already told me you're escaping death from Wei, if you keep running, I'll never learn anything!" She said now getting off of his bed to let him rest "I'll see you later, and I know if you're leaving too."
"Damn...she's good."
O O
End of Chapter 2
Cao Kai: Hello, I'm the ambiguously vengeful Cao Kai. The next episode is going to be something good. I should know.I'm in it. It has me fighting Xing with his hands broken and this strange woman who claims it was Xing who was the bandit leader, trying to escape the wrath of the village they just ran from. Well, since we're all friends here, let's just say I get some spotlight.
Yu Chai: Yeah right! Next episode, me and Xing-chan is going to whoop some ass!
Zhao Xing: What's all this racket?
Qing Yuan: Indeed.We're all trying to get some sleep here. You know?
Yu Chai: Whatever! I just wanna kick some ass myself! And see the kung fu action tomorrow! Hwwwigggggh Yaaaa!
Zhao Xing: Are you drunk?
Yu Chai: No Xing-chan.
Zhao Xing: Yes you are.
Yu Chai: Yes I am.
Qing Yuan: Well since this you're sobering her up and we don't want Cao Kai to speak again, I guess I will.
Cao Kai: I want to speak!
Yu Chai: Feel the wind! (Runs around naked)
Zhao Xing: (Runs after her with a towel in one hand) Geh! Come back here! Don't go there!
Qing Yuan: See you all next time on:
Confusion with Bandits and the Last of the Wildcat Riders
See ya there!
Don Shizumi: All right. Review for those of you who want/should/need to review and also, tell me what you want to see. Make it realistic and make it seem logical. Want romances between characters? Review! Want fights? Review! Want to see your favorite bishounen or bishoujo strip naked and described in excruciating detail? REVIEW! I will do anything and everything the reviewer wishes unless I deem it unworthy or stupid. So keep your hands on that mouse. And...well...REVIEW!
Note: Thank you to all of you who reviewed...those who do not see their characters here, be aware that you'll get your character into the story soon. I am a fair boy and I am not afraid of new ideas, so if you have an idea for the story, send it the hell in. And if I love it, I'll do it. Remember...This story isn't interactive, so you can't send characters.
And Zhou Yu is no long available. I deem Xiao Qiao unfit to marry Zhou Yu. For reasons unknown, I have made the Qiaos Zhou Yu's sisters so that when Sun Ce marries Da Qiao, they'll be truly brothers. You know why he's not available (Zhou Yu)?
Answer: Because someone asked nicely.
On with the chapter
It was dark night, in the middle of the forest. The two who previously fought with the Wei forces were now just sitting in the middle of a small tree gathering, hoping that the nature will be able to conceal their path. It wasn't the cheerful peach garden from the childhood memories and it wasn't exactly full of green leaves either. Most of the things in the forest were dead, leaving brown, leafless, lifeless trees sitting around and clumping together. Most of them looked like claws, over- stretching through the air and touching the other claws around it. And due to the black light, there was more of a scary and haunting effect in the atmosphere. Xing was sitting upon a log, Yu Chai next to him and tending his wound better. Xing would look forward, away from Yu Chai as she wrapped the man's wound with a fresh cloth, tying it tightly to the warrior's left torn arm.
"You really think that we can outrun Wei?" Chai would question Xing as she worked diligently on his left arm, carefully completing and tightening the knot. "We did just kick their asses. And you, well hell! You were amazing!"
"Complimenting me won't lull me over to you." He said rather quickly to the woman that had helped him.
She would look at him funny for the moment before she broke out laughing and then leaned into his shoulder, patting his back. Unfortunately for him, she leaned on the shoulder with the bad arm and he would cringe and growl at the moment a sharp pain hit his mind. Yu Chai, hearing the reaction would back up, still laughing at him, only this time, pointing at his face.
"You are SUCH a hard-ass! You know that? You can't even take a straight on compliment!" She said before leaning back on her seat and swung her legs up so that she could lay straight on the giant log they sat on. "You could never DREAM of being my soul mate, you know that? My guy needs to be interested and deeply in love with me. He should be charming, and witty. You know, you got looks but MAN you falter at just about everything else!"
At that, he grunted in response, looking away from her and into the moon.
"You're too optimistic. Don't even think someone would like you."
"Ooh! Someone's gotten jealous!" She said teasing him before he quickly turned to her with red on his forehead on nose
"I AM NOT!" He started to argue, yelling at her on the first time.
"You're jealous, you're jealous!" she said now jabbing him in chest with her finger and then giving a little smirk
"Stop it! I am not, how can you, of all people, say that?!" He said, flushing at the cheeks this time, along with his nose and forehead, he had officially fully blushed "You're crazy!"
"Maybe you liiiiiii~iiiike me!" she sang out happily, officially making the man pissed. He would stand up and move behind one of the dead trees, sitting at its base with a resounding "hmph" trying to ignore the teasing of Yu Chai.
"You ignorant woman, how can you be so naïve! Hahaha!" she said mimicking his voice as best as she could, but only croaking on the word "naïve". She would start laughing and slamming her fist in the wooden platform next to her but she would soon let the laughter fade, slowly calming down. Getting up she would walk to where Zhao Xing was at, he was meditating. Hmph, he really was a hard-ass. Wrapping her arms playfully around his neck she would decide to tease him more for the hell of it. She really got a kick out of it when he had the angry look upon his face.
"Aww, looks like he's mad! Want me to kiss you, make it all better?" She said in a mock mother voice. Zhao Xing would open his eyes and bared his teeth out Yu Chai, before turning away quickly and crossing his arms.
"I'm going to ignore you as of now!"
"Hey, c'mon!" she said trying to intervene before it was too late "I'm just playing around! You don't need to be so tense about everything!"
"You don't need to joke about everything!"
At that Yu Chai would let out another burst of laughter and hit him upon the head lightly with a balled fist. Zhao Xing would turn around finally, glaring at her face with daggers in each eye. Yu Chai would keep laughing, patting him on the shoulders as a sign of appreciation as he turned to her.
"Hey Xing, just trying to be friends with you, all right?" she said holding out her hand to him, trying to put a serious face on, but the delight and pleasure she derived from Xing's angered face just made her laugh a bit more. "C'mon! Take my hand and shake it! It's just a little sign so we don't hit each other because of every little thing we do!"
Xing would look at her hesitantly, those hazel eyes still glaring into her dark brown orbs. Soon, he would take the hand, still not knowing what to do; he just kept it there and held her hand in the air.
"I'm doing this, why?" he would ask, of course ignorant of the situation at that certain moment.
"You shake my hand!" she said shaking her arm and trying not to get numb from his strong grip "Hurry up!"
"All right, so I shake your hand." He said shaking her hand. But she would only grimace and groan in agony. Before long Xing stopped and loosened his grip, looking up to her with wondering hazels. "Are you all right?"
"I'll show you all right!!!" she shouted at his face, taking the tip of his elbow in one hand and pulled at his arm, she would turn around and flip Zhao Xing over herself, Xing of course, shouting and yelping as he hit the ground. She would clap her hands off from dust and then "hmph"d turning around and going towards the log they previously sat on.
"I'm all right now. Once we get some sleep, we're going to the next village for supplies. All right, Xing?"
"Yeah, sure...All right." And well, she was his first friend. He had heard of friendship but only after he had re-learned what the word "play" meant. When he heard that one of the swordsmanship students courted a woman of high status, which was the first time he heard of something beyond friendship...but when he saw children playing in certain little group, he just called it child's play, but when a fellow student went to him and pointed out how some of the children would stay with another, he described the action as "friendship". Well, needless to say, Yu Chai was his first friend. "Who would've known friendship hurt this badly?"
"Good night, Xing!" she called out sweetly
"Ouch."
O O
When they awoke earlier the next morning, Xing would jump up from the dirt. Tying his hair up in a sort of pony tail, he would just sigh as he started to shake the dirt and soil out of his priest robes. Soon, he would start walking back towards the just waking Yu Chai, sat down before her with a sigh, and awaited for her to speak to him. He thought they should orient themselves before they head out east towards the next village. As soon as she would fully awaken herself, she would clear out the sleepiness out of her eyes by rubbing at them with her forearm and then she would look up to see a calmly waiting Xing.
"Hey, we have to get a move on."
"What? No morning greetings?"
"What?"
"Hello, good morning, Xing!" she would say cheerily, forgetting that he didn't say anything first.
"But it's not a good morning, we're still on the run from Cao Cao's troops and I think we should proceed with haste towards the next village!"
"Ah, fine. What the hell was I thinking? It IS you of course. And here I thought you were warming up to me." She said now shaking her head, getting up and looking towards the end of the road. Pulling at her curly hair she would sigh and looked towards the end of the woods. "Well, we may as well get a move on. The exit out of this place is over there, and then we'll need to hike on the hills."
"Good. Then let us proceed with caution."
O O
Within the village, trouble was brewing. People clad in purple and white ravaged a village as far as anyone could see, reeking havoc amongst the civilian population by slicing their way into the doors with their swords and then plundering the houses. Men were fighting back, holding on to their values and loved ones, eagerly fighting against any and all oppressors. But as easily as they would rise up against a group of bandits, they were easily put down, unable to fight due to their inexperience with weapons. Children were pushed down, young women were raped, and precious items were taken and placed upon horseback. When they plundered their fifth house, finding no more villagers were on the side they were in, they raised their brows and looked behind them a powerful figure looming above them on horseback. He rode a black horse and his face was covered by a black silken mask. He was obviously a foreigner, his eyes being ice blue and the juts of hair peeking out of the mask was blonde at most. He had on a pointed helmet of a general (think the Dynasty Warriors 3 common officers, those bandit leaders) and would beam proudly at their works of destruction and havoc. Slaughtered men, and women on the ground crying from the loss of their maidenheads, this was a beautiful art piece in his point of view. He would laugh and pointed his own sword forward at the small group of villagers coming from the other side of the town. Pathetic little beings...Armed with only makeshift spears and rags on their heads, they would fight? HA! What lunacy is this?
"Take them out! Leave no one alive!" He yelled out to his men, his thick England accent coming forth, revealing he was from the western areas. They would all nod their head, smiled and charged towards the small group of men. They had three hundred men strong and they had a mere fifty village men.
"You heretics, I won't let you take this place!" a young woman yelled out at the men, as she charged out of the group of villagers. The villagers soon followed the woman, charging with their own weapons.
"Please refrain from attacking! I won't bear it any longer!" She said in another plea. She wore a traditional Chinese dress, having the split on both leg areas to allow her movement. On the front slip was the astounding picture of a Phoenix, seen rising from the ashes and decorated in a golden threading upon the dress, showing rebirth on it. On the back of the dress it showed another golden figure, a dragon rising up the slip and going up, as beautiful as the last one adorned in golden threads. The main color of the dress was silver, the outlining white and the obvious threading being a golden color. She wore silver colored heels, matching the silver colored dress. She had long, luscious black hair that separated on her forehead, bangs parting to show her beautiful face. The long hair fell all the way down, past her waist, and the long hair rested neatly upon her curvaceous hips. She had something metal in her hand, engraved on the side of it was the words "Tsunami". Soon enough, she would flick the metal thing and it would unfold to bring out a golden shower of light upon the people's faces. It was golden fan, and she would seemingly dance gracefully into battle as she dodges an incoming soldier's attack with a mere graceful step, her head held high and her eyes closed for the moment. She would open her eyes and smile at the gawking soldier amazed at how she dodged her attack. Soon enough, an attack from her fan would clear that man's head as he would go flying into the air and then hit the ground with a thud.
(For those of you, who are truly dense, the damn dress looks like Chun Li's or Mai's or whoever the hell you've first seen wore a Chinese slip dress. Hell, it could be those sword dancers in that New York restaurant)
"No way!" The English bandit sounded off. His men were obviously confused as well until most of them engaged in battle with the obscure amount of villagers that were right behind her.
"You dress splendidly, love." The Englishman complimented unto her "But fighting for commoners is beyond mental reason!"
"You shouldn't slaughter the innocent! No more attacking, please!" she asked politely, not wanting to hurt another. It would be evident that she would have to attack another person, as a man would come from her left side. She would bring up her fan and span around gracefully, connecting with the jaw of the man and sending him flying away. He would start clearing away at the soldiers as the villagers now fought tremendously, actually helping her along the way. But the help wouldn't last as she was surrounded by soldiers. The villagers were still fighting, but she was separated from them. Some perverse soldiers started snickering, surrounding her more closely so she wasn't able to move, one even bringing a sword up to lift her slip so that everyone had a glimpse of the white panties she wore underneath. BIG mistake...
"You pervert! How can you do that to a woman?!" she said now jumping up and delivered a split kick, knocking down two of the bandits down with bloody heel marks on their faces. When the others came to attack, she would just deliver a kick to the other man's face the slip placing on her hip, showing her undergarment once more as she inflicted pain on that one man. The other bandits around her enjoyed that a little too much. She noted that and would just deliver a blow to the man behind her, knocking the bandit's teeth out with a closed metallic fan. Two more in her way would finally wise up and stopped thinking their malicious thoughts, now charging at her with raised swords. She would just shake her head and bring up her left hand with the fan and then unfolded it, just as the swords came crashing down. She blocked them both and she would only chuckle, as she would now take a whip that she had hidden in her dress and then whipped one of the men's legs. That certain man would yell out in pain as he would let go of his sword and fell to his back, clutching at his leg and crying out in pain.
"Lei! What did you do to Lei?" he said as he knelt down beside his friend, clutching his bleeding leg. The woman would merely shrug, folded her fan and started towards the bandit leader, who was in a straight line from her. If his cohorts were THIS easy, then she would bargain that he was going to be just a peachy little thing. Her thoughts would betray her as soon as she would attack though.
Cracking her whip at the man, he would merely roll his eyes and brought an arm out, the whip wrapping around his forearm. He would pull on the whip and then smiled as the woman would stumble forward and lose her balance. He would get off of his horse to face this woman in an obviously lop sided match. She would be no match for him and his saber. Bringing out his Western Saber, a curved one sided sword that was usually issued to English soldiers in the western areas; he would point it at her with a grin, made obviously visible with the movement and shifts of the depths in the mask.
"En guard...Touché!" he yelled at her, causing the woman to quickly jump on her feet and then bring out her metallic fan, unfolded. Taking a cue from how men with the slip robes fought, she would bring her front slip behind her, not caring if people saw interest in her, it was easier to fight this way. She would beckon the leader and he would respond by quickly stabbing at her, which she would retaliate by bringing her fan up and blocking. It wouldn't be long before he'd bring a leg up and knee her in the stomach.
"And the tiger creeps up on his prey." He said as he approached her, saber drawn towards the woman's neck. "The tiger smiles at his prey, the tiger plays with his prey."
He would now play with her as he said, adding insult to the injury. He started to bring his saber out and cut one of her shoulders lightly. Not enough to cause her tremendous pain, but enough to leave a mark on her.
"And the prey would soon be cornered. And she would look up at the tiger, paralyzed with fear." He said tauntingly. The woman would only bow her head in shame.
"My only regret is that I didn't protect the village."
O O
Zhao Xing and Yu Chai would arrive at the village's entrance, unaware of the things happening. Of course Zhao Xing would be absolutely perturbed from the usual, as Yu Chai would be sitting on his back as he carried her.
"Hey! Don't look all sour! It just so happens I cramp very easily!"
"As easy as a fox would crawl into a fine exotic diner." He replied silently, mumbling this to himself.
"I heard that! And I'm not lying!"
Just as she said that, they were crossing a bridge over the river that separated the forest from the small mountain village. Suddenly, an injured man scrambled to them and bowed before Zhao Xing. He had a long gash down his left arm which was completely uncovered. In fact, he had no protective covering at all. All he had was a few rags on and another long rag tied around his head. They were all yellow and brown. Perhaps he was from the Yuan Regime? No, it didn't look like it. He was a mere villager, by the way he bowed.
"Bandits are destroying our village! Please help us!" he said bowing deeply and nodding his head down at each word he said.
"Bandits?" Xing said, dropping his passenger in back of him, despite much protest from her. "Do not worry, I shall dispose of them!"
Suddenly, from behind him, Yu Chai stood proud with her pole arm balanced on her shoulder and holding it with one hand
"We will punish those who harm the innocent!" She said proudly
"Well, at least you're getting my own thoughts into your mind. You're learning, grasshopper." And without further words between the three, the villager, Yu Chai and Zhao Xing, they would begin to make their way towards the other end of the village.
"Tiger is pleased that the woman dies so humbly. The tiger almost wants to have his way with her." He said smiling, the smirk quite obvious, as it would quirk the sides of his cheek, visible through the mask. "Tiger has made up his mind."
"You're sick."
"Tiger thinks." He said now circling her, his leather boots making a "tap" each time it left the muddy ground and then a distinct "slosh" sound every time he brought it back down to the ground. He stepped and walked. "Tiger bares his fangs, and wishes to show no mercy."
He would draw his sword once more, aiming it at her neck. The woman, not at all scared by this, would just close her eyes and wait for her death. She traveled and she went around the Northern Territories quite a few times. Maybe she was fortunate to die young. When he draws his sword back to kill her he suddenly froze at the sound of a voice.
"You like giving out your attack names, mocking the martial arts? You harm innocents? This is unforgivable!" Zhao Xing had arrived on the scene. He had bypassed the soldiers of the Bandit Leader to get to the man himself, seeing him about to slay the woman. He would just punch a fist into an open palm and then pointed at him "You and me! Let's go!"
"Couldn't be easier, bloke!" he said turning to the man and then giving him a rude gesture. Zhao Xing would just close his eyes and then reopened them at the Bandit Leader, his eyes bearing that signature death glare. His eyes would've seemed to turn golden as he would step forward, the Bandit Leader greeting him with a swing of a saber.
"Tiger swipes its claws!" he said again, causing Xing to bare his teeth at the sound of him mocking the martial arts.
"Eagle takes its perch!" he said quickly ducking and then keeping his arms out and spread, like an eagle quickly unfolding its wings. He would then bring both hands to his feet and the Englishman would only look as the long haired man took hold of his fine pants. "Monkey paw grabs at food!"
"You dirty bastard!" the man now cursed at him.
"Charging bull, takes its lead!" he said now dashing forward, knocking the man to his face by flipping him over his shoulders and himself able to go into a defensive position before the Bandit Leader. He would arch his left leg back and extend out his right. Bringing his hands out in a snake style, he would get ready for this insulting man to take his next move. Xing didn't care, any move would suffice. He wanted to publicly embarrass and humiliate this man for doing this! Insulting the art of fighting, attacking the village? Why was this no surprise that he didn't like the man?! "Alpha male, awaits his challenger."
"Mocking ME now are you? Well I'll show you! You impudent whelp!" he said now thrusting his sword forward, aiming for the heart of the man.
Xing wouldn't let his surroundings come to waste. His foot was right next to a rather large stick, and with proper foot placing, he had brought the stick right on top of his foot. He was going to wait right when he was about in front of him. Closer and closer the man came with the sword poised to strike. He was mere inches away with the sword, when Xing back flipped causing the stick and some mud to come up and hit him in the face while he would dodge the blow with room to spare.
"Beaver slaps its tail! Cow's tail swats flies!" he said quickly stepping upon the Englishman's feet then turning around and then hitting the reeling man in the face with his hair, whipping him with the length of his jet black hair. Xing would use the small spin as the man reeled back from another small blow; he'd go down low and bring one leg to his stomach and extended the other, going in a low sweep towards the man's legs. "Monkey's tail grabs tree trunk!"
"How dare you!" the man said when he fell to the ground, now wallowing in pain and his clothes stained with mud. "Who's mocking now?"
"You are...I'm just a better fighter that can make terrible attacks look good."
"I'm not through yet! You just stay right there, Chinese-man!" he said, now jumping up to balance himself, his heels digging into the thick mud.
"Snake bites rabbit!" he said bringing his left hand to jab his opponent with his left hand, a claw motion made obliviously obvious. But he wouldn't let the blow knock the man down, as he'd grab the man's mask with the "bite" of the attack and pulled him back. "Corkscrew opens bottled wine!"
With that Xing jumped up and span around quickly, his body spinning in the air while in a direct, calm, and absolute still manner, doing a corkscrew motion as he came down and bashed the Bandit Leader in the face, causing him to have a glazed expression in his eyes and his mouth becoming wide open. It was lucky that he had that mask, because as soon as Xing landed from the air, the Bandit Leader would too, only on his face and in pain from the attack.
"You're alive. Just be happy for that." He said as he grabbed the Bandit's body and started walking through the still fighting people. He would reach the dark colored horse and he would bring the bandit from his shoulder to over the horse's back. Slapping the horse's hind, it would neigh and rear to its hind legs, and then galloped off towards the exit and probably to the next mountain pass. The soldiers saw their "brave" and "mighty" leader retreating as Xing would just sit down and watched the sky above, looking at the passing clouds.
"Hey! He's retreating!"
"Let's get out of here!"
Soon the bandits were filing out of the village, leaving the small amount of men left from the tussle to raise their poor weapons up into the air and shout in a victory. It sounded terribly tired to Xing's ears, but to them, it was hymn of joy as they now jumped up, embracing one another and shouting thank you to each other, before they would run back towards their houses, returning to wives, children, and their valuables. Meanwhile, Yu Chai would just be sitting beside Xing, after she had gotten herself from the crowd. While Xing was away, Chai was helping the villager prevent a break into their houses, using her pole arm skills to her advantage. Leaning upon Xing's shoulder, she would let out a breath of relief and looked to the setting sun.
"You did well, Xing." She said to him, no particular expression in her eyes or tone
"Yes...We did do well. And none of the villagers that fought died?"
"None, at least not the ones that I helped... It was miraculous at most, but I don't see anyone dead at all. What happened?"
"Nothing... Simply, nothing... It was only that one leader that bothered me, mocking the martial arts with his insidious attacks and idiotic insults to mine and that woman's pride."
At this she would just laugh and leaned on his shoulder, jabbing him in the ribs with her elbow.
"I saw that damsel in distress!" She said, teasing the taller young man that she leaned on, grinning to no end and repeatedly jabbing at his ribs. "Ah? You can't hide that! Xing-xing and the damsel, sittin' in a tree-..."
"She was no damsel. She looked fit enough to take on the leader. I just so happen to caught her in a time of need." Xing quickly interrupted
"Aw, quit being so modest!" she said now turning so that she leaned back on him. This time, she jabbed to elbows into both his front and back.
"Will you quit doing that?"
"Nah, I told you...I like it when you're mad, you look funny." She said smiling. Just when she got comfortable, the woman that was fighting before had gotten up to Zhao Xing and Yu Chai's position and he bowed deeply to them. "Wow, that's a pretty dress."
"Thank you very much! I appreciate you people coming to my rescue! Uhm, sorry for not being able to beat them myself, but you people did great! Although I didn't think the bandit leader would've been THAT tough. Anyway, my name's Qing Yuan!"
"I see." Responded Xing, he would merely cant his thoughts to the side and sigh.
"Well my name's Yu Chai! I'm Xing-xing's friend over here!" she said, standing up rather fast and posing proudly, some dramatic timing derived from the winds blowing her cape and curly hair. She would pat Xing's back rather hard, a loud "SMACK" sounding every time she patted. "And this is the abnormal monk, Xing-xing!"
"Just one 'Xing'. Though, thank you for introducing me, Chai. Come; let's get the supplies and leave. I am not in the mood to linger any more." He said now turning his shoulder from the two girls and then walking towards the other end of the town. "And I am not a monk...I don't worship any type of God."
"He seems mysterious. Wow. That's nice, but I just hoped he could've talked to me!" Qing Yuan sounded as Xing rounded the next corner
"Ah, Mr. Hard ass over there isn't going to crack and make new friends anytime soon. But hey, Yuan?" After clearly insulting Zhao Xing, she would now turn her attention to Qing Yuan
"Yes?" Qing Yuan would be sort of unbalanced by the sudden introduction question from Yu Chai, her eyes blinking and then shifting towards the other woman's.
"What were you doing fighting here in the first place?" Now sitting down, Yu Chai would take off her dragon shoulder pads and cape and sit down, flipping a curly brown lock out of her face and then looking back at Qing Yuan. "I mean, no offense to the village men, but they don't look like they could afford anything you have on."
"Ah well!" she now blushed and looked down to the ground as she sat on the wooden log fence nearby. Bringing her eyes up to the smiling Chai, she would smile back and nod once more. "I'm just trying to look good in my travels! It's nothing special!"
"Ah, don't be so damn modest! You got some great lookin' stuff there!"
The girl really seemed interesting to Yuan. But she was more interested in that man. How he would gracefully defeat that one man she could not. His hard attitude and amiable courage made her think. The man was one to be admired, in her book.
O O
Leaving the women to their bickering, Zhao Xing would take no more of it. He would decide to walk away, trolling through the multiple areas in the village. He saw the long well, shaped with long stone rocks, each laid down precisely to cover up the well's contents. Xing remembered the well from his village. He remembered when he fought the men, and sent them packing, only to discover that they had more men awaiting him. He also remembered something that made him feel empty inside. Fires, men and women running this way and that to outrun the Wei soldiers who held their swords up high to attack the innocents, and finally, that muscular man whom took everything from him, it all ran amuck in his mind.
"Dian Wei." He murmured the strongman's name. That man with the silver chest plating that bore the symbol of Wei painted on both sides, clad in those blue baggy pants tied with the indigo sash. He carried a horse's head on his left arm as an arm guard and in his right hand; he took up a large axe. Those evil brown eyes, they were like stone or hardening clay that threatened to roll up into a giant boulder and then clear everything in its way by rolling over and crushing them. He was sickened, that bald head of his shiny with sweat, reflecting the fires that he and his troopers had set, that eager to kill smile that drove Xing mad. He hated it. Oh, to his heart, he hated the man with every ounce of his body. He remembered hearing his mother scream and then when he came up to his house, Dian Wei would only smile at him.
"Child. I've come to kill you!"
Zhao Xing's eyes widen in fear as he looked to his left, viewing Dian Wei smiling at him at the well's side. Zhao Xing would jump up in a fighting stance, his teeth bared out at him, and his hands trembling with anticipation. Dian Wei, here?! No matter!
"Mother... Xiao, Lian... My home..." He repeated the words from his childhood memories. The images of his mother, coming through his mind, his little sister running up to him, when his brother said goodbye with the Wildcat Riders at his side, when he first saw his village in ruins. His eyes were burning, his golden hazels being replaced by a fiery gaze, emitting the inferno that was his village a long time ago. He felt the heat of the fire...It made him feel ill, the crackling red and orange that crept up and made him sweat. Drawing his arm back, clutching a vengeful fist, he'd look wide eyed at the leering Dian Wei.
"What are you afraid of you little chicken?!" Dian Wei said, now dropping the axe and beckoning him with his hands, a little twinkle in his eyes. "Think you can't lift me up again?!"
"I'll kill you!" Zhao Xing yelled, tears pouring out of his eyes. Every essence of him burned with hatred and every being of him felt nothing but death and loss. Dian Wei. He must kill him. "I'll slice you into tiny pieces and then, AHHH!"
Letting out a battle cry, which sounded something of pure anguish and suffering, he punched at Dian Wei, the large man dodging by simply stepping back and moving his shoulders quickly.
O O
"So yeah! I was just traveling and then all of a sudden, these men came up and asked me to help!"
"I know! Me and Xing-xing were running away from the Wei jackasses back from our village and then we ended up getting the same response!"
"Wow! This is a bit unusual to say the least! And-What in the name of?" Looking forward, through the darkness, they saw Xing punching everywhere, not using the finesse kicks or the graceful jumps he would always use. He was thrashing at everything in his way, punching at something. But this was inexcusable, as he would break the well's wooden supports with one right hook, and then with a left uppercut, he'd punch through several crates. "He's red and he's sweating!"
"He's sick?!"
"Seems so! It looks like he's delirious!"
"Ah, Xing-xing!" Chai ran towards him, dropping her pole arm and such as she would be more worried about him killing someone than her weapon.
"Wait, I will help!" cried out Yuan. She would soon follow suit, not leaving Yu Chai alone to deal with a thrashing Zhao Xing.
"DIAN WEI! FIGHT LIKE A MAN!" He called out, constantly punching at him. When he finally made contact with his face, Dian Wei merely smiled as Xing's fists started to bleed. Again and again Xing would throw his punches, but to no avail. "Die! WHY WON'T YOU DIE!"
"Xing!"
"Sir!" the two girls looked on as Xing was punching at a stone wall, put up as a precautionary, just in case the river nearby became too overflowed. Xing was crying, his face was red and his fists were bleeding "Oh Goddesses, he's hurt."
"Xing, c'mon you dumb ass! Stop it!"
"Don't call him that, you don't know what he may be going through!" Yuan would glare at the woman standing beside her and she would only get a nonchalant shrug in return. "What?! But I thought you were friends!"
"Yeah, I know what he's going through, but this ain't no way to blow of steam!"
"Can't we help him?" Yuan would ask, shooting a concerned look towards Xing once more, she would only sigh and step towards him.
"Nah, let him do this. It's only stone!" Chai said back, shrugging once more. But she cringed as she heard a crack from Xing's fists. His weaker left hand no bleeding and the fingers discombobulated. Xing would cry out in pain, but only for a couple seconds, soon he would jump up with an even worst death glare in his eyes, punching faster with his right arm. "Sheesh. NOW we help the man."
With a nod, Qing Yuan made a step towards Xing, only to see him crumbling down on his knees, tired from all the energy he exerted on punching the various objects in the village. Xing was panting, out of breath. He would crawl around pitifully, much like a dog in need to be put to sleep, to free him from a fatal injury. Xing would jump at her, but quickly collapsing in a bleeding pile, still crying his heart out. Something had gone wrong with his mind at that moment, something triggered it.
O O
"My lord, are you positive this will be of use? Causing someone's inner fear to come out during the night using the hypnotic measurements set by our Master Sima Yi could be possibly dangerous, to both the public and us."
Five men were mounted on a horse, each wearing the colors of Wei. The funny thing is that one of the boys that carried the flag of Wei had drawn a line down the middle of the symbol. One of the men had worn a blue outfit, not unlike the garb of the common horse riders. He wore a navy colored turban that sported an engraving of a tiger, its head and claws pointing out to give off a striking perspective of the drawing and then the back of it, fading until it was no more. His medium sized build would hold up the officer's silver and blue armor of Wei and sport the navy sash at his lower torso. He looked like the leader of the men as he stood a bit forward from his counter parts. The bottom of his chin was visible from the little light they were sitting in. A cross shaped scar appeared right at the left side of his chin, right under his cheek. He had an uncaring expression as he watched Zhao Xing beat up non-living things then collapse in physical stress.
"No. Remember, he's one of us. Like you people, Dian Wei is something of an evil to him. And bringing that fear out can make a difference between him and his brother. Let's see if the younger of the two can do anything special. And Sima Yi is NOT our master."
"But...Cao Kai."
"No ifs, ands, OR buts."
"Yes, sir!"
"If this works to our advantage, he'll attract Wei and kill them and my accursed father for us. And then we'll avenge ourselves, me for my comrades, and you for your fallen siblings." Cao Kai would suddenly say with vigorous venom, his hand coming up and clenching into a shaking fist, looking like it was threatening to burst into someone and kill them that one instant...
"Kai? Will this actually work?"
"Maybe, but we will see if this village here is ruined in the morning. We need to get out of here so my father doesn't see us."
"Right...Wildcats Reborn!" one of the comrades said, turning his horse and then speeding off into the darkness, the others soon following, leaving all but Cao Kai, the man in the faded Wei cavalry suit, sitting on his horse alone.
"We'll see if you can live up to your brother, spawn of the Zhao. But for now, let us see you deal with the little bit of magic that Sima Yi had taught us. If you can live through this with out killing anyone, I'll talk to you myself." He now departed, riding towards where his company had ridden.
O O
Cao Cao, dressed in his spectacle of violet robes that would flow downwards, the red chest plate put over the robes sporting golden engravings and on his lower parts of the body, he would wear the flowing black pants he wore under the robes, he'd step through the castles walking and scowling all the while. He slammed the doors of his war room open and then directed his small, yet notoriously feared dark browns unto Sima Yi, Cao Ren and one woman that was unidentified to him. He would shrug the girl's appearance off and then grabbed Sima Yi. He had anger within his black eyes and his wiry moustache and beard combination would seemingly look sweaty...as if very angry and his anger was making him hot, but that was public information to anyone at the moment.
The strategist, clad in his usual long flowing blue robes that he'd wear lavender colored pants underneath, coupled with the battle helmet, would look upon his Lord Cao with his light brown eyes, obviously shaken much more awake by the aggressive behavior of his lord.
"M-m-my Lordship, what is the meaning of t-t-t-this?!" stuttering and missing some words every time Cao Cao shook him, he'd only gain a headache and some dizziness as he would be pushed down by Cao Cao, who again scowled, causing everyone but Cao Ren to reel back in fear once more.
"YOU!!! You insolent, little, son of a double headed snake! What is the meaning of this?!"
"Meaning of what sir? Urgh...." Sima Yi looked like he was about to be sick from all the consistent shaking from Cao Cao. Never did he think that his lord was actually strong enough to carry him above his head and then rumble him violently. Evidently so, the Wei genius was incorrect. "If you don't mind, I need to go outside."
"YES! I DO MIND!" Cao Cao said, grabbing Sima Yi's collar of his robes, lifting him with one hand and then bringing him closer. Their foreheads would touch and Sima Yi would be staring right into his lord's brown eyes, his light brown oculars meeting with his dark brown orbs. "My estranged son, he's ALIVE! SIMA YI! YOU IGNORANT BUFFOON! HE'S ALIVE, YOU WORTHLESS SOUL!"
"Impossible! Years ago, Dian Wei burned him and the Zhao Yun spawn along with the other Wild Cat riders to leave no trace of evidence! It was the perfect plan!"
"OBVIOUSLY, PERFECTION DOES NOT BODE WELL WITH YOU! YOU'RE LESS THAN PERFECT IN MY EYES RIGHT NOW! YOU'RE NOT EVEN A DOG'S WORTH RIGHT NOW!" he screamed into the light strategist's ear, before flipping him over his shoulder and then throwing him into the table. The table, with one distinct "SNAP!" would break in half, wooden splinters going everywhere as the unlucky Wei thinker would just groan in pain as his majesty threw his little tantrum. "YOU SAID HE WOULDN'T BE ALIVE!"
"Ugh, forgive me. My lordship, he was a very clever son. He could've possibly snuck out while we delivered the fire attack. And when Dian Wei attained that scar across his shoulder from that boy, he could've escaped as well."
"WHAT?!" Cao Cao now screamed back at the wooden laid genius
"That young boy... Zhao Lian, wounded your most precious bodyguard that day."
"I remember that day." Cao Cao trailed off, turning from the near broken body of Sima Yi, leaving Cao Ren to easily hoist the man over his shoulder, despite some painful protests from the Wei Secondary Mastermind. "That was a brilliant fire attack!"
O O
~Flashback~
The day was darkened by many clouds. At a village beyond the main cliff of the Wu Zhang Plains, was ten boys gathered by a small fire. They all looked cold and hungry, as they shivered and clutched their blue blankets that they had with them. Each wore a turban that had the black symbol. The symbol of a pouncing tiger, faded at the back, right on the front of the turban. They wore silver and blue chest plating, wrist bands and knee guards. All of them had the same silver line and golden dot patterns. On the back of their armors was a red symbol, painted largely to show the symbol of "Wei". What was not seen was that there were two boys by the entrance of the village. One wearing a green headband in place of the turban, and the other, having a cross shaped scar on his face, sitting by his horse and giving it vegetables to feed upon.
"ATTACK!" 'Villagers' came out with fire arrows shooting at the ten boys gathered by the fire.
The change of peaceful environment resulted in a massive fight, between those elite boys that were sitting, and the men wielding the flaming arrows, alighting every thing in their paths to keep the boys contained. The distant sound of a retreating galloping was heard as the boy with the green headband came in, slicing through one of the weak walls of one of the housings, knocking it down upon some of the archers.
"Let's go!" he said, smiling as he wielded his spear. He threw off his blue armor, revealing a style not unlike that of Zilong's. He had on the white over armor with white shirt underneath and the tan shawl that was thrown over his shoulder. He'd wear the short skirt-type armor that had blue and green clothes hanging in simple design and blue battle boots. His hair was even hung in a ponytail, brought back by a green band. (OK. He looks like the Dynasty Warriors 3 Zhao Yun's head with Dynasty Warriors 4 Zhao Yun's body.) Now charging at a few warriors, he'd smile as he'd gracefully danced within them, showing much agility and grace by spinning quickly and cutting them at their stomachs without killing them, just enough to pierce them so that they'd fall down. When he readied his spear once more, he'd nod to the boy now retreating to the entrance of the village, where the one with the scar had left. After making sure that they would make it, he'd turn his eyes back to his battle just in time to see an arrow flying right towards him. Ducking, he'd dash forwards, mimicking his father's opening move (AKA: Triangle Attack) and then put his spear out in a stabbing motion. His hit came home as he spiked someone in the foot with his spear point and then uppercut him straight into the jaw with the end of his spear handle. Twenty more people rushed out of the other flaming houses around him, all bearing the mark of Wei on their shoulders. They all grinned at him and raised their weapons, charging at the son of Zilong.
"Come, for I am Zhao Lian!" He said now raising his spear, cutting his way through the soldiers. "I am the proud son of Zilong! I am the one raised by Ma Yuan Li! I am the one in your NIGHTMARES!"
~Flashback Ends~
O O
"Yes. I remember it quite well." Cao Cao recalled the event with excruciating detail. "I wanted Guan Yu or that man's family, but I guess we had to settle with Guan Yu for a few months. If he didn't leave my army, we would've had the strongest army I ever could've imagined. Why just that man...or the family of the Chang Ban Tiger would bring up morale and fighting spirit of this army."
"Right, brother..." Cao Ren patted his brother on the shoulder as he headed out to bring the complaining man on his shoulder to the medical ward. "Don't get yourself too worked up. Let us think of a plan, to end this chaos."
"I thrive in chaos! Nothing will keep the chaos from ME!" he yelled at Cao Ren who shook his head and just ignored Cao Cao's ramblings, heading towards the door and closing it behind him, walking towards the medical ward. Cao Cao would stamp his feet to the floor now, a distinct thud coming from him every time. It was at that time Cao Cao would notice the girl was laughing at him. Flashing his glare at her, he would point and open his mouth for yet another tongue lashing "Who the hell are you?!"
The woman just shook her head, chuckling out the ends of her laughter before she decided to respond.
"Uncle Cao, you're really funny!"
"Dear Gods." Cao Cao turned with a disgusted face "If you're Cao Ren's daughter, I can't see how you're going to be a beautiful woman when you grow up, I'm sorry, but I just can't."
"Hey! Some people think I'm very pretty! Like Zhang He and Zhen Ji!"
"For your information, Zhang He is a deranged lunatic that finds beauty in everything he sees. Look, give him a pebble!" he says now mocking Zhang He's voice, but gives off a rocky and rough impression "Look at the beauty of this damn rock! Looky looky! Lord Cao! It's BEAUTIFUL! - DAMMIT!" he would make an almost hilarious impression of Zhang He, mocking his voice to the fullest if it weren't for him shouting out the curse without the impression. He would then proceed in throwing the rock at the window nearby, breaking open the wooden shutters that closed the window. "And Zhen Ji is just my daughter. LIVE WITH IT! SHE'S ALL GIRL TALK!"
The woman couldn't take it anymore. Sighing, she'd shake her head and stood her full height then marched right over to Cao Cao, jabbing a finger into his chest. When she stepped fully into Cao Cao's eyes, she revealed that she had light brown skin, sort of a blending Nanman skin. Her bright brown eyes stared up to Cao Cao's countering his glare. She had on a long sleeve shirt, that had a black and brown dragon spiraling upwards, one being black, the other brown. On her head, she had a bright silver band that ties around her head and covers her skin atop her head. This allowed for her dark brown hair with a reddish tinge to it to part evenly on her forehead. Her long hair shimmered down and went past her back. She had on black pants that had a silver sash tied around the waist part of it as a design. She would keep jabbing the finger into Cao Cao's chest.
"You should be appreciative to me! I at least call you uncle! I don't appreciate ignorant people!"
"Ignorant?!" Cao Cao's eyes seemed to twinkle at the word as she said it. She was in trouble. "You're Dian Wei's niece? The one that people say is a match for the Generals of Shu? Hmph! I'll show you RESPECT!"
It was a nice quiet day in the hallways of the Wei castles. Zhang He was just enjoying himself as he headed towards the war room. Just keeping an even pace along the marble path, he'd just hum a beautiful tune to himself that he felt suited for this gorgeous evening.
O O
"What a beautiful day. And such an eerie, yet pulchritudinous night, with the crickets chirping and the open hallway, free for any animal to come in or out. Good evening my Lady Zhen! You're looking elegant, exquisite, and resplendent. Like a dove, pleasing the eyes of common folk, you've please my eyes with your simple appearance." He was in his mood to compliment every thing again. He was in his usual black vest with the matching pants, his hair tied up with an indigo band and Zhen Ji was likewise dressed in her usual attire, wearing that blue dress that showed off her cleavage and her foxy legs that Zhang He so admired from her. He would just look her over calmly and compliment her repeatedly, always getting a giggle or a compliment back in return, whereas any other would get a slap right on the nose and cheek.
"A fairer woman to grace this land? I think not!"
"Oh stop it! You're making me blush!"
"And a woman of...stunning proportions you are."
"I...uhm...oh!" she said now sweeping her dress to cover her blue undergarments that would usually show when she'd walk or just stood there. He would laugh as she'd also brought her other hand, closing the hole that would barely cover her upper "levels"
"Thank you, Lord Zhang He."
"T'was my pleasure, milady, for I just wish to warn you a bit without embarrassing you, that is all!"
"Oh my, Zhang He, thank you, I'll have the woman who made me this dress give me a completely new one." She said now walking pass Zhang He and towards the opposite doors he was heading towards. "And I almost forgot!" she said, springing up and then turning back. Zhang He would just close his eyes and smile, knowing what was coming. Zhen Ji would place a little kiss on the man's cheek before spinning back around and heading towards her destination. "Don't tell Cao Pi, all right?"
"But of course, milady." He said before she disappeared through the next door. "Hmm. All right, that would be the twelfth kiss this week...The second from milady Zhen. Hmm! New record!"
Zhang He would walk towards the war room once more, smiling as he went forward on his way once more, before he'd see Lord Cao Cao throwing a woman out by the collar, his bright brown lit up from anger. The woman would scream as she hit the ground on her front and landed, skidding on her face. Zhang He would merely smirk and walked pass her.
"I thought you were like a female Lu Bu." Zhang He insulted as he passed. "Dian Kamo, you shouldn't anger our lord."
"Note to you and everyone: Do NOT tell Cao Cao what to do. Urgh."
"You deserve it. To think, you've been called the Female Lu Bu?! Ha! Listen, there is no such thing as a female Lu Bu. There was beauty in his attack, but the thing you put in your attacks her cunning and finesse. Which you can not surpass mine."
"Shut up Zhang He. Before I really DO hurt you with my halberd."
"That wasn't beautiful...That wasn't beautiful at all!" Zhang He muttered as he opened the war room to greet the red-faced Cao Cao."
O O
Zhao Xing reached up, he was sweating. He was hot from the battle and his head pounded like crazy. He passed out from exhaustion. He knew he didn't kill Dian Wei and he knew it was an illusion. Someone tried to get him to act purely out of anger and it worked. He would try to get up but he only fell back to the bed, his fists giving out on him. When he turned his hazel eyes upon them, they were wrapped up, red spots appearing out of some of the thinner layers of the white wrappings. He would lay in the bed for about a couple more seconds before he'd try to get up again. But this time, he stared right into the tips of a metal fan. Seeing a familiar golden pattern upon the Chinese slip of the dress, he'd look up into the likewise hazel eyes of Qing Yuan. She looked down hard at Xing, keeping the fan to his head.
"Stay down, for I do not wish to hurt you."
"I do not wish to hurt you either." Xing quickly retorted.
"Just sit down and stay down. Your friend will be right back."
O O
An hour would pass without any sign of Yu Chai coming into the house, which Zhao Xing would lay in. He was upon a simple hay mattress as the woman sitting by his bed side would just keep looking away, towards the window. She seemed in deep thought as she sat by him on his bedside. Nudging at her thigh, Zhao Xing would see her quickly move her head to face him, glaring at him for some reason. Not understanding why, he'd give a quick smile and nod to her. She would blush crimson and turned away with an "hmph" as he did that. Not knowing that he just did a pervert-type notion towards her, first touching her upon the thigh at the opening of the slip and then smiling afterwards...It was kind of a wonder he didn't get slapped.
"Excuse me, miss?"
"What?! And don't touch me again!" she said slapping his hand away, causing the 'mighty' warrior to cringe and yelp with a child-like show of taking his pain.
"ARGH! Are you dense?! I have an injury!"
"Are YOU dense?! You don't touch a girl on her thigh and just smile at her!!!"
"What are you supposed to do?! I was just being friendly!!!"
"It's really unmannerly!"
"Fine" Xing succumbing to her complaints... "I WON'T do it again...all right?"
Well...what?" she'd looked at the man confused. Normally, men would've made a pervert comment, talking about "sex" or "testing" her. But then again, idiots like that would always be turned away by any sensible girl she knew. But this man..Was not quite like other men. "Mister Zhao Xing?"
"What?"
"Where did you learn the way you fought?" she asked now taking the bit of the fact of Xing's naivety out of her mind and putting forth her curiosity before anything. And besides, the less she thought about what he did, the better they would get along without her slapping him. "I'm curious to know how you beaten that one man I could not."
"I'm injured. I would've shown you myself, but I'm all tied up at the moment."
"Ah, I see." She said, now shifting her position, crossing her legs while looking to him. "Perhaps you could teach me?"
Xing's eyebrows would shift their position as he would first furrow one brow deep in thought and then raised one of them as he would slowly nod his head to her.
"Sure. I've always wanted a student. And a female student would be somewhat revolutionary."
"Ah, all right then. Well. As soon as you're better, you have to promise you'll teach me some."
"What?"
"Promise!" she said, getting a bit giddy, turning to him and giving a pleading look and a smile.
"All right, promise. I'll teach you whatever you want to be taught."
"Then we have a deal, I'll travel with you tomorrow?"
"What?!" Xing's eyes would widen as she smiled upon him, his opening hazel oculars meeting with her own hazels. "I didn't agree to that!!!"
"But Chai already told me you're escaping death from Wei, if you keep running, I'll never learn anything!" She said now getting off of his bed to let him rest "I'll see you later, and I know if you're leaving too."
"Damn...she's good."
O O
End of Chapter 2
Cao Kai: Hello, I'm the ambiguously vengeful Cao Kai. The next episode is going to be something good. I should know.I'm in it. It has me fighting Xing with his hands broken and this strange woman who claims it was Xing who was the bandit leader, trying to escape the wrath of the village they just ran from. Well, since we're all friends here, let's just say I get some spotlight.
Yu Chai: Yeah right! Next episode, me and Xing-chan is going to whoop some ass!
Zhao Xing: What's all this racket?
Qing Yuan: Indeed.We're all trying to get some sleep here. You know?
Yu Chai: Whatever! I just wanna kick some ass myself! And see the kung fu action tomorrow! Hwwwigggggh Yaaaa!
Zhao Xing: Are you drunk?
Yu Chai: No Xing-chan.
Zhao Xing: Yes you are.
Yu Chai: Yes I am.
Qing Yuan: Well since this you're sobering her up and we don't want Cao Kai to speak again, I guess I will.
Cao Kai: I want to speak!
Yu Chai: Feel the wind! (Runs around naked)
Zhao Xing: (Runs after her with a towel in one hand) Geh! Come back here! Don't go there!
Qing Yuan: See you all next time on:
Confusion with Bandits and the Last of the Wildcat Riders
See ya there!
Don Shizumi: All right. Review for those of you who want/should/need to review and also, tell me what you want to see. Make it realistic and make it seem logical. Want romances between characters? Review! Want fights? Review! Want to see your favorite bishounen or bishoujo strip naked and described in excruciating detail? REVIEW! I will do anything and everything the reviewer wishes unless I deem it unworthy or stupid. So keep your hands on that mouse. And...well...REVIEW!