Tian Shui: Aftermath
Yu Xue stood at the top of the ruined fortress gates, his eyes upon the bloody ground before him. The soldiers that he had practically raised himself were in ruins, only a few of them actually surviving and staying alive. It saddened him greatly, and it showed in the forlorn expression of his face.
"My home...it lays in ruins..." He said, looking longingly at the abandoned city span that was Tian Shui below. His eyes drifted from place to place, looking at the different people. His opinions were usually right about the people here, but he also knew a lot about these men and women around himself. Several bonfires were started as the group settled down in the fort ruins for the night, both green and silver armored men sitting and waiting. Yu Xue's fell upon the one at the large bonfire at the torn part of the fort wall. He was tall, and he had the eyes of a dragon. His lips were a pleasant cherry color and he was taller than six feet, nearly ten spans. His large hands were clenched upon a golden staff of a weapon, his glaive. The giant 'Blue Moon Dragon' as they've called it was a sight to behold. And, as Yu Xue remembered, he indeed had a long, beautiful beard. It was well kept, not a grain of sand or dirt in it and obviously thoroughly washed.
"Good job..." The God of War said. Guan Yu received many smiles from both his own soldiers and Yu Xue, and he didn't mind at all. This would raise moral and it also shown the incredible charisma that was described of Guan Yu when he charged the five gates. Guan Yu's deep voice echoed through the area as he then sat down just like a common soldier, talking to the Lieutenant beside himself. All of them listened intently to their leader's tales of heroics about his older brother, Liu Bei, the great lord of Shu.
Yu Xue took interest but wished to examine the rest of the people around him. Li Jishan was the next target of his examination. He was certainly a talented spear artist. His spear was irregular, that blade long enough to be a short sword. The fastening was certainly interesting, a red, female's ribbon. Li Jishan had not admitted to what it was doing on his weapon, but he did know that it was some kind of good luck charm. Yu Xue respected that. Li Jishan...he was talented, young, brash and temperamental to boot.
His eyes started to wander again, and this time his eyes took upon two particular soldiers that had met during his training of the Tian Shui most talented. They looked the same, them being twins. Both of them were tall, short brown hair adorning their heads. Their brown eyes lent them an interesting, matching look. They seem to wear the dragon design armor that was made famous by Ma Chao and his famous five riders. One of them wore a black version and the other wore the original brown one. Both looked formidable just by their tall and tedious appearance alone, but that formidable look was upgraded to dangerous when one could see their weapons. Each would bear dual weapons, the one in the brown having two broadswords, and the other having two sets of the sword that Zhou Tai had.
"Zima Shi..." Yu Xue said as he looked to the brown armored one before looking to the black armored one. "Zima Shao..."
Again, his interest was waning on the two as they've agreed to spar each other. The other soldiers gathered around and closed a circle around them as their swords clashed with each other. Yu Xue then turned around, looking to the different people behind his position...And who but the beautiful Qing Yuan did his eyes fell upon first?
"Worthy..." was all that he said when thinking of her loyalty to Zhao Xing. She would've died for him and it seemed the feeling was mutual from Zhao Xing himself. She was sitting beside at that moment. Again, she was worthy, being an able warrior-woman and a good friend and companion. Her brown eyes were always upon the cackling fire and her long and shining hair was neatly placed over her shoulder so that she wouldn't have it hit the dirt. Her head was leaned upon Zhao Xing's shoulder and she couldn't look more content. Zhao Xing was Yu Xue's next target, and of course, one of the most important targets of his observation.
"The Young Master Zhao..." Yu Xue sounded off. Zhao Xing's hazel eyes were upon the red and orange splendor that was the fire. The blaze seemingly reflected off of his eyes and shined through the whites of his eyes. He definitely took after his mother, him having long hair, just as long as Qing Yuan's. The color of his hair seemed to be a more raven color, a slight tinge in the black color...Yes...he was exotic in appearance. Yu Xue's eyes scanned him over...the fists...yes, Zhao Xing's fists were dangerous. They were as deadly weapons as Xiahou Dun's Kirin Sword. Zhao Xing had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of existing martial arts...But it seemed so did Sun Ce. Zhao Xing was definitely still saddened by the effects of the battle, so many soldiers lost, and losing to the prince of Wu in his own specialty. So many things clouded the young master's mind, and his past failures certainly seemed to be the ones plaguing him.
Yu Xue didn't lose interest in Zhao Xing, but he felt it would be better to divert attention from the Zilong Spawn till he felt better. His eyes bolted from this way and that, looking for another subject. His eyes widened as he saw the next person. Zhao Yun, Zhao Xing's father. Zhao Yun didn't look like he aged at all. His hair was still in its loft ponytail and his face was still as handsome as it was before all the battles. He was still the same as Chang Ban. The fierce tiger was clad in the usual white armor with the small sash draped over the next shoulder, and he was just walking. The sheer presence of the man was both terrifying and gratifying at the same time as those onyx eyes of his were always tense...always looking like it could kill. His blue handled spear was shining from his back, as it was tied via the end on the rope to his shoulders. The thread that held it was strong enough to hold it down upon the incredible Zilong, but it looked to be weak enough that Zhao Yun could pull out his weapon when the time came. He was heading to Zhao Xing's position, an eager smile on his face.
"Too eager..." Yu Xue thought as the man now stood before the young master.
O O
"Young Xing..." Zhao Yun said, only a broad smile the only thing one could see of him right now.
"Father..." Zhao Xing's eyes didn't look up to him. But he did get on his knees, and did the usual homage of respect, bowing to him, his head touching the ground. Zhao Yun was pleased with his son's mannerisms.
"You fought well...many a man has been felled by your attacks. You even took use of the legendary Musou." Zhao Yun now added different compliments and observations, but nothing about how long it has been since he had seen his son. And even then, all that Zhao Xing received before his father went away was a pat on the shoulder and more words. "See you tomorrow morning..."
Qing Yuan was sitting right next to Zhao Xing while this was going on, and she knew how horrible it must have felt on the inside. She almost panicked when she saw him shudder and shake, but refrained from touching him when he stood up on his knees. He had tears in his eyes...it was understandable, but Qing Yuan had never seen Zhao Xing so saddened in the short time she knew him. She needed to comfort him in any way that she could, as what would be her self declared title of being his lover be? Nothing, if she didn't do anything, which was her opinion. She too, had gotten on her knees, but before Zhao Xing himself. Her body blocked his view of the retreating Zhao Yun's form as he walked away, so that means the only thing he could see was her. His eyes lingered upon her for the moment, the tear stained, glassy eyes...They scanned her...They looked her over, for once in Qing Yuan's well supported knowing, this was the first time he had looked her over. Xing's eyes came to a stop at the brown eyes of hers. The tears of his stopped, but they left dried streams of where the tears had fallen on his cheeks. Qing Yuan merely shook her head and smiled, shifting towards Zhao Xing, both of them still on their knees. She brought her hands up, both of them touching Zhao Xing's face, wiping the marks that his tears had left. She caressed his face, for the moment, feeling every part of his soft features, studying them with her hands as if she were blind, being guided by only touch alone. But the big surprise was when she felt something on her cheek. Zhao Xing's own hand had traveled up, brushing a delicate bang of hair aside and tucking it behind her ear. Her hands went away from his face, no longer touching his features, as she felt his hand start to caress the side of her own face. Those fingers, she thought would be rough with bumps and wounds were gentle, soft as silk. Zhao Xing's eyes had never left hers, and she knew that straight away as soon as she looked back to him. Qing Yuan and Zhao Xing just kept locked upon each other's eyes; Zhao Xing's looking almost like an innocent child as he did this and Qing Yuan narrowing her eyes, gazing upon him lovingly and with much affection. Qing Yuan brought a hand up to the hand of Zhao Xing's gently holding his with her fingers. Her hands were smaller compared to his, but that wasn't abnormal. She liked the firm hold he had on her, just staying upon her face and doing nothing but feeling her. She moved her hand to urge his hand, to move, to keep caressing her. He responded with by moving his hand beyond her jaw line, and to her neck, his feathery touches sending shivers up her spine. She didn't move; she just wanted to keep this feeling. Zhao Xing brushed his hand to her shoulders. This was the time...he pulled her in, Qing Yuan could feel it coming...their lips were about to meet! It's-
"Hahahaha! My son has a soft spot for hand maidens?" Zhao Yun had come back, and with an atrocious laugh to accompany it. His smile had never faded as he came to tell his comment and made Qing Yuan taken aback. Qing Yuan was so close to having a kiss that really meant something with Zhao Xing! She was SO CLOSE! Zhao Xing had turned his attention to his father, again bowing his head and finally letting go of Qing Yuan. Qing Yuan didn't want to show any respect for this man, and instead had chosen to remain upright. Zhao Yun took his son by the arm and lifted him up from his kneeling position. "My son, don't be so low in your taste. That girl is dressed in nothing but a cheongsam. Standard uniforms in different areas and only a dress to those who are of middle class. Don't disgrace yourself, you deserve much better!"
"But father, I-"
"Uh-uh! Tut-tut! I want nothing of those sorts, in front of me now, Zhao Xing!" Zhao Yun said in a mock father tone. Zhao Xing's face faulted, his head bowing down in shame and his facial expression deepening. It seems he had taken what he said quite seriously.
"Yes father...I won't talk back again, father..."
Qing Yuan was shocked at the parental loyalty that Zhao Xing displayed, despite the whole thing only being a more than noticeable joke, since the tone of the older Zhao's voice was full of mirth and glee.
"Don't worry, don't worry!" Zhao Yun said to his son, turning to leave again. "Don't go around with hand maiden, all right, my son?"
"Father..." Zhao Xing just bowed again as his father left. Qing Yuan was utterly repulsed by her beloved's actions, and she just stayed there upon her knees, looking to Zhao Xing bowing and agreeing with his parent. Well if he thought of her as a hand maid, then so be it...But she wasn't going to sit around and listen to all of this...Zhao Xing turned to her just before she was about to go away and turn shoulder, and that's when she caught a glimpse of his gorgeous eyes. Ohhh...why did he have to be so uncontrollable in looks? She immediately forgotten that incident with Zilong and just turned to Xing, her own soft and delicate browns meeting with his luxurious and unwavering hazels. His eyes...they were so dramatic and changing. They were like the different seasons, always being different. This time, instead of being a cold and desolate wasteland of feelings, the eyes were apologetic, these eyes were so innocent. If one could see Qing Yuan now, it would seem to it that she had fallen in love with his eyes more than anything else. Zhao Xing would only give this look before bowing his head shortly in an apologetic motion and then walk off after his father. Qing Yuan was again, awakened by another abrupt action, and looked towards Zhao Xing. Her eyes widened and her mouth agape, she took a step towards the son of Zhao and shouted.
"So you're just leaving me?! You can't be going to Shu and abandoning your dreams!" She shouted with all her might, but this never stopped Zhao Xing. It seemed he added insult to the injury as he approached his father and bowed to him. Zhao Xing's words were too soft for Qing Yuan to hear, but he had definitely heard what Zhao Yun had said. Zhao Yun placed a hand on his son's forehead and closed his eyes, seeming to bless his son.
"We are father and son, Zhao Xing...You belong at my side."
Qing Yuan couldn't believe this! Zhao Xing was actually giving up?! And they had already came this far. How...how could he? How could he, after this one great battle, fight the war with this army that he had hated before? Qing Yuan was disgusted. She didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore, but still, emotions die hard. She still had love for Zhao Xing, and nothing could deny that, but she couldn't go with him right now. She wasn't "worthy" enough in the great Zilong's eyes. Qing Yuan turned around and walked towards Yu Xue, her mind on nothing but perhaps joining him and setting out with the small group of soldiers. She didn't want to see Zhao Xing until his real self had come back.
O
O
Meanwhile- In the Wu dungeons-
The Wu dungeons were horrible. They were nothing but stone floors with sturdy wooden walls. Everything reeked of not being washed, and there were rats everywhere. Even the prisoners were malnourished and very much dirty. Some of the more worse charged were hanging in small cages, made directly out of bamboo rods, strapped together with bamboo shoots and vines. They made VERY effective cages. To make matters even worst, there were several guards, each one carrying a specific weapon to deal with any miscreants here. One carried the traditional Chinese sword, sharp to the touch. One would call this a "Xiao Lian" type of sword, but that would only be those who are interested in legend. One carried a bamboo staff, and obviously meant that he himself used the Kulun style of martial arts. Kulun Bamboo techniques aren't great for open war, but in close fighting and in subduing a group of opponents in closed areas, there's nothing better. Many of these guards seemed to be the top of the line, and very agile. Scanning the prisons was of no consequence to them, as the constantly moved, diligently screening the area. These crimson clad guards were almost inhuman...
Yu Chai was one of the many prisoners in this unisex prison...and she hoped she wouldn't turn out like the other female prisoners...A lot of the female prisoners here had been raped and abused at the same time, being hit by one of the sadist guards while being subjected to another, more desperate and lonely guards. She determined this by many things. One of the other female prisoners was chained and shackled before her on the other side of the wall, about twenty feet from her and opposite of her. She was naked, and blood was trailing down the side of her legs. This was definitely not good for her if she was the next one to had eyes set on her by one of these guards...and things were definitely not looking up for her, as she heard another woman, somewhere else in these dungeons scream and the laughs of the guards were filling and echoing through these walls.
"Zhao Xing...where ...oh, Xing-Xing...I wish you were here to help..." Yu Chai muttered as some prisoners were led in, chained together and then sat before her. Some of them were grumbling curses while others were lamenting their sins. Yu Chai sighed. No matter what happened, this would be a very long stay at this prison.
O O
Sun Shang Xiang was having the time of her life watching some of the prisoners. While she sat on her throne that was situated right next to Sun Quan's, she just laughed at the two men who were brought before the royal family to fight. The Sun siblings were always at the right hand of Sun Jian, while the royal subjects were always seated to his left. At this time, they were enjoying the small entertaining fight, both of the prisoners having experience with swords. They were constantly charging and clashing, both of them even. And to think, they were fighting just to be part of the Wu frontline and to get out of prison, or to die a quick death. Sun Ce was mumbling small curses though, and his actions caught the eye of his younger brother. Sun Quan quickly looked up to his older brother with more interest in him than the fight.
"Damn those Zhao's! Nothing but trouble! I could've finished that man off and I would've been talked about in the countryside, not that pretender!"
"Patience, my older sibling, you need to use patience. I have a plan...do not worry about it, Ce." Sun Quan was obviously the genious of his siblings. Sun Yi and Sun Kuan, both took interest as they also turned towards Quan.
"Those Zhao, cowardly dogs..." Sun Ce said as Sun Quan gotten ready to explain his plan. Sun Jian needn't know about the brothers plotting for revenge, as he didn't need to know about affair of something else. So Sun Quan left his father out of this business. He gathered his brothers and left the royal chambers to the back room, behind the curtains to the preparation rooms for the entertainers. Sun Kuang was not a magnificently well muscled man, but he had proper proportions. And Sun Yu was not much bigger than his brother Quan in stature, but he was obviously stronger than him. All four brothers huddled up in the room as Sun Quan would whisper the plan.
"That was obviously an ambush by Shu, to lure us into attacking them when we had least expected it. And we couldn't have done any worst. We NEED to fight back..." Sun Quan received agreements from his brothers and a big one from his older brother.
"Agreed!"
"Most definitely"
"Get back at that Shu scum!"
"Yeah! Great!" A woman's voice shouted above the agreeing brothers, which made them look around to see who could've done a high pitched voice...none of them could've but they DID counted someone different in the huddle. Sun Shang Xiang had joined her brothers in this circle and she was beaming and smiling proudly. Sun Ce was the only one not glaring daggers at her, and that was perhaps because of the deep bond he shared with his sister...That and he knew what she could've have done to everyone...He should've never given her any fighting lessons...
"A sis, maybe ya shouldn't be in here, ya know?"
"Aw, but Ce! I can do everything you guys can do, honest!"
"Yeah, but you won't get anymore lessons if you don't get, c'mon, get a move on, sis!" He said, picking her up by the waist and hoisting her over his shoulders. Sun Quan continued the planning with his brothers while Sun Ce went off and carried Sun Shang Xiang back to the throne room. If someone else did that to the spunky little woman, that someone would've had a face full of fist. But Sun Ce had a natural talent with dealing with the younger sister. In fact, all the while he carried her; all she did was laugh and giggle, all the while trying to persuade the oldest brother to bring her back to the circle.
"My brothers...we will attack soon! But we don't strike Shu itself. We strike Zhao Yun...and make it look like an accident..."
O O
O
Lien Qiao's eyes were shut...she didn't want to see what had befallen her before, but now, she was awakening from her sleep. Someone was tugging at her hair, gently twisting the divided hair out of the two tails she kept her hair in and braiding them into one long braid. It couldn't be...that boy said that she wouldn't see the light of day where she was going...and this was just plain odd. She finally ended up opening her eyes to the surroundings. Everything was white...was this heaven? No...It couldn't be heaven; she would already be enjoying herself with the Gods and Goddesses, finally being able to set eyes upon them. But what she saw was a woman, sleeping beside her; short brown hair on her head was carefully pulled back into a small ponytail. Lien Qiao first thought it was that Shi Liu girl, but it was most definitely not her. The girl was smaller in stature and height, and she was also quite a bit different in complexion. The girl who slept was clad in a dancer's outfit, having a white, green striped blouse and same with the matching short shorts. In the middle of the green stripe was a crimson stripe, obviously the mark of Wu. She was about to move, but she still felt the tugging at her hair. She quickly closed her eyes and hoped that whoever was doing the styling wouldn't notice that she had awakened.
"No...My little sister, please don't move..." A soft, pleasing voice came out. That voice was so pleasant in fact...the sheer factor of how heavenly it was wasn't the wanton desire of a man having the pleasure of the voice of his lover, but the sheer admiration of a woman. That was how beautiful the voice she just heard was...so gorgeous...
"...S-sister? But L-Lu Xun said he wouldn't..." Lien Qiao's speaking was a bit off from the bit of trauma that had been around her for the while. But wait...did this woman called her sister...that had just registered within her mind and she suddenly frowned. Her eyes closed as she turned over and cried on the bare leg of her older sister.
"There, there...My young Lien, do not worry, I won't let anything harm you..." Da Qiao was right there. The black haired beauty, oldest of the Qiao sisters and always considered the more graceful and more soft spoken of the two, was also the most protective and more motherly of the two, having already bore a son. "I'm glad you're home...I'm supposing that you've never seen me this close in ages."
"No...I haven't...but I've been dreaming..." Lien kept crying as she finally reunited with one of the people she loved the most. But the older sister finally brought her up and wiped off the remaining tears from the younger one's face.
"Did you meet your other older sister yet?" Da indicated with a wave of the hand. Lien looked to her right, to the one who had been asleep all this time. Unlike the other two, she had different hair color...Lien timidly touched the other's shoulder, the chestnut haired one bringing out a tremendous yawn. She started to stretch and then immediately hopped off the bed, stretching some more. Immediately afterwards, she turned around, eyes opened now. They were round, having a pool of enticing green eyes. Indeed, she was more different than the other sisters.
"Ya? What's up Da?" Xiao Qiao was the middle of the three and definitely the better speaker.
"Don't mind her; she's a little crazy..." Da's comment on Xiao had arisen some giggles from Lien as they looked on to the still stretching Xiao, now doing some side bends.
O O
Zhao Xing mounted his horse, a smile as he presented himself in full Shu armor. His head covered by a white helmet and his long hair flowing from the back of the helmet. He had on a chest plate and to fully compliment this, he had a broadsword sheathed at his side. He truly looked like the son of Zhao now. Qing Yuan was not at all pleased at this though. And though she had promised that she'd love him, she did not want to see him at all in this current state. She would stay with Yu Xue and the rest of the soldiers that would stay so that she may help him rebuild the town of Tian Shui. It seems that they lost morale as well. Li Jishan eyed Zhao Xing, a sense of betrayal in his dagger like gaze. Almost like a dragon's was his gaze at the brave warrior of the fortress.
"Zhao Xing, son, hurry up! We're leaving now!" Zhao Yun's voice made the Zima brothers cringe simultaneously. They didn't like how the famous man was taking away one of the people who fought along their sides.
"Shi, what do you think of this...Really sucks, doesn't it?"
"Shao, be quiet...I don't feel like hearing your bickering..." The twin merely turned from his brother and went away, going towards the rest of the soldiers that were left in Jian Zhen.
"Hey, you rooster head, I'm talking to you!"
"And shut up about my hair style..."
"Damn, he's good..." Zima Shao instantly stopped, his body nearly going limp from his boredom. He needed to talk...His Dragon Horseman's armor clinked as he just let himself drop to the ground. His eyes trailed towards the sky and his oculars just watched the clouds pass by...
Zhao Xing looked over to the rest of the men and Qing Yuan before galloping off. Qing Yuan saw this too...and was almost brought to her knees by his actions. She did, however, brought her hands up and started to sob.
"H-he...He didn't even say goodbye!" She yelled as she ran towards the galloping horde of men, tears staining her cheeks. None stopped Zhao Xing as he galloped off with his father. Qing Yuan no longer felt like she should love Zhao Xing...but she just couldn't get rid of the feeling. She wanted him with her...she wanted him at her side...After they disappeared behind the next mountain pass, she finally dropped on her knees. She proceeded to scream at the nothingness, the nothingness that was there, where Zhao Xing had filled within her and made her whole. It was not helping, but she thought it would make it go away, that terrible taste in her mouth, that terrible pressure in her chest and the terrible pain in her head. Yu Xue looked on at the woman, at her displeasure and pain...So this was her weakness. Lord Zhao Xing was her weakness. He was about to go and comfort the woman, say it was all right, but then one of his own soldiers came up to him and bowed.
"My lord, one of the soldiers said we should be expecting a letter from the Sleeping Dragon soon! We should be rewarded by the Prime Minister soon!"
"That's good..." He said as he looked on to the now pitiful Qing Yuan, still sobbing her heart out. The Zima Brothers looked on to Qing Yuan, neither daring to go to her for fear of retaliation of her heart. Yu Xue understood this now... But she would have to be monitored daily, as she may do something that everyone would regret if she let her feelings get the best of her. Li Jishan, didn't pay attention to her crying...his eyes was looking onwards to the rising sun.
O
O
-Song Sequence - Song-fiction part-
"Another day has gone
I'm still all alone
How could this be
You're not here with me
You never said goodbye
Someone tell me why
Did you have to go
And leave my world so cold"
Zhao Xing's horse was at the head of the army, right before Zhao Yun himself. The proud Zhao men were galloping towards Shu grounds, which were west from their position. If they didn't go out quickly, relations with Wu would go even sourer.
"Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay"
Qing Yuan was almost broken. Her eyes were like a doll's, unmoving and indefinitely unfeeling. Her form was crawled up in a little ball in the corner of the shattered fort. All she could think about, all that was running through his mind was Zhao Xing...was his face, was his voice, was his eyes, everything about him was going through her. It didn't make her happy...it made her saddened...it made her feel like the world was going to end.
"But you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
But you are not alone"
Zhao Xing felt that he forgotten something. Something felt empty inside himself. But nothing he thought of was helping him feel happier. It was something...something that had happened. He tossed the thought out of his mind and began thinking of the path before him...his new life in Shu.
"Alone, alone
Why, alone"
Qing Yuan just buried her head on her knees, as she hugged her legs to herself. She wanted to be alone. Everyone that had come to offer her something, breakfast, condolences, anything, was promptly rejected and turned away by her. She was normally calm and caring, but this scar on her mind seemed to be digging deeper. Qing Yuan wanted to cry, and the thought alone was getting her ready to let the tears flow again.
"Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin"
His horse never seemed to tire, as never did the other horses. They were past the Jing province, merely by riding on the horses, showing how quick and efficient these cavalry men's animals were. Zhao Xing's eyes suddenly closed...he felt a sensation on his lips...that empty feeling in his heart going away for the moment as he rode on and into the morning lights.
"Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay"
She closed her eyes. Almost in unison, when Zhao Xing had closed his miles and miles away. She leaned forward, as if he was still there, and let a weak kiss right on his lips. Qing Yuan knew he wasn't there. Qing Yuan knew he wasn't coming back from Shu. But she just wished, that he had said goodbye...
"For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
For you are not alone"
"Qing Yuan..." His voice trailed over, and quickly faded into the thunderous falls of the horses' hooves. He remembered. He had just remembered. Zhao Xing silently cursed for not even mentioning anything to her before he had left. Qing Yuan...he had barely even scraped the surface of her personality and now he was leaving her...that was the most cold- hearted thing that he had ever done, in his life.
"Whisper three words and I'll come runnin'
And girl you know that I'll be there
I'll be there"
"You broke our promise...Zhao Xing, your broke our promise..." Qing Yuan said softly as she backed into the fort's stone walls. She closed her eyes, trying not to cry, but all of her tears kept coming out. Nothing could control this eternal sadness now...nothing...
"You are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart"
"DAMMIT!" His heart took the better of him and he immediately turned his horse, directing it in the opposite direction of where Shu was going. He needed to head back...to apologize to Qing Yuan...to give her proper good bye...and to see if she would come with him...
Zhao Yun would not see his son go back for anything and immediately rode his White Mare out to stop him. Blocking his son's path, he narrowed his eyes at young Xing and quickly sighed.
"No...You're to proceed with the group...I will not allow you to go back."
"For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay"
Qing Yuan's eyes were red from crying...she still loved him...she still loved him so very much. He was the world to her...This time; the thoughts of him filled her with happiness. The thoughts of him made her feel like she could fly. But she couldn't get up. She couldn't go back to everyone just yet. She needed to wait this out for the moment. But the sides of her mouth quirked up. A weak smile was now present in her expression.
"For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart"
Zhao Xing couldn't believe his father. But again, he had to obey him. He quickly, and without hesitation, turned his horse around and headed back to the main group. His eyes though, lingered behind him...to the mountains...to where he had left Qing Yuan.
"For you are not alone..."
Qing Yuan was smiling...though she felt like her heart had been ripped to shred, she was smiling. She felt him...she felt his presence...his feeling... That's all she needed to know. That's all she wanted to know. Qing Yuan finally stood up, walking towards Yu Xue with a bright smile on her face. She spent most of the day crying and it was already lunch time...
The ride had been long and excruciating. It seemed to take forever and the sun was already setting. The sky had taken a fading orange look, everything was getting darker, one side being black and having stars littered all over it, the other side being orange. The orange gave the sky a serene, smooth look and the night just looked peaceful to come. It had taken only a full day of travel and one stop to complete the journey to Cheng Du. When everyone else dismounted and proceeded into the castle gates, Zhao Xing stayed outside and looked up to the stars.
"Qing Yuan...I'm sorry..."
-End Song Fiction Part- (You Are Not Alone-Michael Jackson)
O O
Cao Kai's turban was taken off, revealing his spiked, black hair. Odd as it may seem, it looked like it would never fall. He had been repeatedly whipped by the guardsmen here, courtesy of the Sun Brothers. They wanted Cao Kai to tell of where Zhao Xing had went, but Cao Kai repeatedly refused. Cao Kai knew where he was. Sima Yi had taught him to look to the stars and you can determine anything. The fading lights and the different celestial balance could only mean one thing...a shift in alliance. Sweat dripped off of his face, rolling down his cheek and off his chin. He felt pain...that was good; at least he still felt his body parts. Cao Kai need only to await his freedom...that is then when he will leave his vengeance upon Wu and Wei, all at once...
"Time for reckoning will soon come..."
He tugged at his shackles, grinning as he heard the "chink" of the metals. His eyes looked over to the next person; he too was beaten like Cao Kai. But unlike Cao Kai, he doesn't have the will and the attitude. The son of Cao Cao started to laugh...his laughter echoing throughout the prison, and filling the guards with surprise and somewhat of fear. He was eagerly awaiting his next beating so that he may become angrier...and that he may become more vengeful towards these damn Wu.
O O
Dian Kamo was lounging on the throne where Cao Cao had normally sat on. She was in her usual long sleeved attire, waiting for the entertainment to get into the throne room. Her smooth, chocolate brown skin was mostly covered by her clothing, but that didn't detach from her figure. She was still very attractive, and unique because of her dark skin and different hair. Her hair, by the way, was a dark brown, tumbling tresses of beauty, but that was it for her lady behavior. Anyway else, she behaved like her uncle. It wasn't long before Zhang He came in. Ooh, Zhang He. That man that was so-called "Peacock" or "Beauty-Obsessed" was beginning to be a rival of Kamo's. It was odd how they just met and they started with insults flying. But still, rivalry could be a great thing. And seeing as how Dian Kamo loved to annihilate ignorant, bogus people whom love toying with her, she accepted the company of Zhang He.
"Ah, the odd niece of Dian Wei..."
"Ah, the gay man him self..." Dian Kamo retorted immediately. Zhang He raised an eyebrow at the lounging Dian Kamo before yawning and stretching before her. It was unexpected, but Zhang He suddenly unsheathed his claws and pointed them towards Dian Kamo's throat. Dian Kamo, not at all fazed by his actions, just glared at him.
"I am getting tired of your incompetence!" Zhang He shouted as he pressed the claw into her neck, the blades not cutting into her but in one slight movement, could tear off her head.
"I'm getting tired of how big of a jackass you're being to everyone." Dian Kamo responded, pushing the talons away with a swift wave of her hand. She immediately stood up and turned her back to Zhang He. "Thinking you're the most beautiful, thinking you're the most graceful...thinking you can do EVERYTHING..."
"Well maybe I can!"
"And maybe you're a snob!" Dian Kamo left that remark in the room before stepping outside of the room. Zhang He was left, smoldering in his own anger. That girl...perturbed him so...
"Sir, we ARE the entertainment!" A group of soldiers just came in, juggling plates and such. Zhang He was still ticked off at the actions of Dian Wei's niece, and instead of tolerating the performers, he turned around and proceeded to slice one of their heads cleans off the shoulders. Afterwards, he stepped back and impaled another performer with his other claw. Blood, beautiful blood... That made everything better...he couldn't wait till that Kamo girl messed up and he could bask in the glory of her spewing blood during her execution.
O O
Shi Liu awoke in a chambers she was very unfamiliar to...her eyes opening to nothing but grey stone. She was in a jail? Yes...this was some sort of holding facility...a dungeon. Red guards and crimson weapons...The Wu dungeon...Shi Liu had just awoken from the blow by Huang Gai and now she had just gotten her wits together. Shi Liu checked her left and right shoulder, nothing to of concern to her. What concerned her was the frightened woman that was shackled across the room from her, staring at the prisoner beside Shi Liu's position. So the prisoner was raped, so what? This happened in prison normally. That was Yu Chai...the one with Zhao Xing, as he had heard from some of the guards pointing her out. Curse Zhao Xing! So, he been rounding up women and making them conceive to his every bidding?! Ha! She would have to get even when she met that man again. Perhaps smash his pretty, little face in. Of course, for some reason, that man was the only thing in her mind right now.
"Perhaps it's all the money you owe me..." She wondered out loud, bringing a devious smirk at the thought of all that money she'd get if he ever came back into her life. But Shi Liu's first priority was to get out of this dungeon and beat the living shit out of the guards before going off to find him. "It's going to be fun, Zhao Xing...I'll kick your teeth out after I knock out all of these guards..."
"What? Zhao Xing?" Yu Chai wondered out loud, looking up towards Shi Liu. Shi Liu didn't mind the woman questioning her, but the sheer stupidity in the question made her think that she was a bit...slow...
"Yes...that odd, stupid, little man that had taken my stable job and threw it into the ground with his own two hands...and feet."
"Sounds like my Zhao Xing..." Yu Chai was sort of put at ease hearing about her friend from way back. She leaned back onto the dungeon wall and sighed, closing her eyes, thinking of better times than the one she was in before all this. Ah, it was still fun with ol' Xing-Xing around, so who cares. "Ah, he'll be back for me...little runt can't do anything without me..."
"So what does he do? Does he serenade you and the other women around him too?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Yu Chai asked, raising an eyebrow to the strange woman's question. She just laughed afterwards and kicked the stone floor with her heels. "He never does anything like that! I wish he'd sing to Qing Yuan and me once in a while! It'd be hilarious!"
"...So...why are you with him in the first place?" Shi Liu began to get more interested into this Yu Chai girl as she began talking about Zhao Xing. Perhaps the "know thine enemy" saying was really getting used thoroughly now. The other woman perked up at the question and smiled back.
"I'm his friend from waaaaaa~aaaaay back in the village massacre. I'm surprised as anyone I didn't turn out like him, but hey, at least I unbalance his more serious personality!"
"I see..."
And so it went, Yu Chai telling Shi Liu everything she knew about Zhao Xing...
O O
Zhao Xing was craving company. His father had left him in the camp, alone and with no one to entertain or talk to him, and now, it was getting outrageous. He felt so deprived from a father and son relation, but that didn't stop him from honoring his father's presence as he was required to. Zhao Xing closed his eyes and began to rethink his life at that moment. Everything would change since he had entered Shu. He could have a family. A decent life as a soldier was now present for him...and there were many interesting people...
"You idiot!"
"You heretic!"
Zhao Xing sighed as he heard voice from outside his tent. The Shu forces that belonged to Zhao Yun were stationed right after the cotton fields of Cheng Du, for precautionary measurements. Guan Yu had been sent to capture Fan Castle in an attempt to dissuade the Wei forces from further advancement, with meager forces. That just showed how competent he was. Well, the yelling men outside were none other than Jiang Wei and the one called Ma Chao.
Jiang Wei was known as the genius of Shu, born with the mind and body to be a prodigy of China. He had always worn a green vest, lightly plated inside with wood, for a light but effective armor. His hair was always seen worn in a tight, long pony tail behind his back to keep it out of way. Of course, he was also quite a bright and handsome man, just to match his body. He was a gifted man, none the less.
Ma Chao was a rugged, paranoid, insecure, well to do but doesn't type of man. He was incredibly skilled in riding the wildest of stallions and was known to be the best cavalryman that had ever graced the Northern Plains. Of course, his family name meant "Super" or "Skilled" and his own name meant "Horse" so it only meant that he could be the ultimate rider in terms of name. He was armed like Jiang Wei in terms of the spear, but he was at least a foot taller and his expressions were much tougher looking.
"You should just butt out!" Ma Chao shouted to Jiang Wei, poking Jiang Wei on the chest with a provoking finger. "I should charge the enemy head on if they come through the fields!"
"Well," Jiang Wei was on the defensive on this argument, but he had a valid reason for telling Ma Chao not to rush into fights. "We can definitely destroy the enemy if YOU were at the hem of the battle..."
"Damn right!"
"Of course..." Jiang Wei was lying...Ma Chao would've been annihilated the moment he stepped into close battles in a narrow area. "But if we do my plan, we won't lose as many troops..."
"You idiot!"
"You heretic!"
"I will fight till the end! I sworn my life to Liu Bei and I pledged I WILL fight!"
"I pledged that I wouldn't lead everyone to their inevitable demise when you go through the narrow entrance..." Jiang Wei said, pointing to the opening of the cotton fields that was about eight feet wide. "I won't allow you to lead them..."
Jiang Wei's plan of striking an enemy during an attack on Shu's capital was to keep focused upon the narrow space that the Shu can easily defend, as the enemy would be forced to bottle nose their offence in order to fit through the opening. Then, he would initiate the order to close the enemy in from the other side, using an elite cavalry unit led by either Zhao Yun or the newly made "General of the Southern Fist" Zhao Xing. He had no interest on making the reckless Ma Chao do anything but wait.
Ma Chao's plans concerned sending in his own unit to meet the enemy at the middle of the bottle nose and continue to press forces into the narrow area. And then, he'd attack at that one area until the soldiers wear out and then the general was forced to go to battle. But Jiang Wei had found a flaw in that plan...what happened if Ma Chao was too tired from fighting using all of his fancy maneuvers?
Well, the bickering continued, Zhao Xing not getting any rest still. The moon was already in the middle of the sky, and the two hadn't shut up about the defensive plan. But when he had heard a calm, cool, collected voice state his presence, he praised the gods.
"You're both wrong..." The man said as he approached. The man was richly dressed, being in long, white, satin robes, his sash being entirely made of satin as well. His white hat looked to be that of an envoy's or maybe an imperial court person's hat. He had neatly trimmed facial hair, his pale face framing every part of his face evenly. And of course, the opal colored eyes paid no homage to the great one's deeds. He had the wisdom of ten thousand men engraved in those eyes. His signature fan could only mean that he was indeed, the great Kongming. "I will come up with the plan..."
"But of course, Prime Minister..." Jiang Wei reveled in respect and admiration for the man before him, kneeling down on one knee and bowing his head down to the person he idolized.
"Zhuge Liang! How're you doing buddy?" Ma Chao on the other hand, didn't do anything but act like the reckless man he always did, approaching the Prime Minister, slapping him on the back and smiling, waiting for a response.
Zhuge Liang's hat shifted forward from the jerk of his body as he responded to the slap. A slight groan was emitted from Zhuge Liang's mouth as he fixed the hat upon his head. This earned only laughter from Ma Chao as he pointed with glee at the angered Zhuge Liang. Pointing his fan at the General's mouth, Ma Chao ceased his laughter, glared, and then quickly settled himself into a kneeling position, grumbling about getting even with the great strategist.
"Indeed, learn some respect Ma Chao..." Zhuge Liang said before smiling upon him. "And do not be hateful...I'll assign a cavalry unit to you, and make your brother, Ma Dai, second in command..."
"Zhu-I mean, Prime Minister, thank you!" Ma Chao was obviously delighted at this...Zhao Xing heard running foot falls, probably Ma Chao running off to tell his brother the good news. Jiang Wei's voice and Zhuge Liang's voice faded as they went off, talking about strategies and such. Maybe Zhao Xing could get some sleep...at the moment when he started to shut his eyes, a knock came at the wooden post of his tent and he was forced up again. Maybe he wouldn't get any sleep...
"Zhao Xing...I want to talk with you..." A sweet woman's voice sounded through the air. Zhao Xing knew who it was. It was Zhuge Liang's wife, Huang Yue Ying. She wasn't the most beautiful person to look at, but she was pretty to say the least. Her eyes were charming, and that was her best asset. Ever since Zhao Xing had come into the Shu camp, this woman had been the one who had been talking and checking on him, not his father.
"Yes, come in Lady Yue..."
"Thank you, Xing..." She said, coming in, something behind her back as she came into full view of the laying Zhao Xing... "You won't be disappointed..."
Eyes filled with wonder, he looked on to the older woman and found what she had in store not the least bit disappointing. He looked to her hands, a small golden dagger; everything from the blade to the handle was gold. Yue Ying gave a small smile as Zhao Xing looked upon the golden dagger with lulled, transfixed eyes. It wasn't long before she reached her arm out to him, presenting it to him.
"Come on, kid...Take it already..." Zhao Xing looked upon the dagger one more time before looking up to the woman. Just before he tried to take it, Yue Ying brought up the leather sheath. So...two gifts... He took both of them, strapping the sheath to the belt of his formal robes, which were white and looking much like Zhuge Liang's, and then looked back to Yue Ying.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Zhao Xing stopped fixing everything and looked back to Yue Ying, who was still smiling upon Zhao Xing. Yue Ying merely shook her head as she stepped forward towards Zhao Xing.
"It's nothing...you're just the new kid, right?" She asked a somewhat rhetorical question to him. But she was lying...The reason why she was doing all of this was purely by feeling. She had no reason for doing this. She just felt as if she should do this. Yue Ying seemed possessed when she reached out one arm and touched his face with the tip of her finger...but, Yue Ying looked on Zhao Xing with sad eyes again before she turned and went out of his tent with nothing but an exit. Zhao Xing looked on to her odd behavior before he quickly went to bed.
O
O
Yue Ying approached Zhuge Liang's tent, her eyes streaming with tears. Zhuge Liang, surprised at her sudden appearance, nearly fell from his seat from the noise she made at her entrance. Yue Ying was actually sobbing, which was hard to do to such a woman as she. Zhuge Liang was concerned, but he didn't know the matter. He'd have to wait for her to actually say it. So instead of walking off, he stood straight, posture up and his face resumed its usual, calm demeanor. Yue Ying went to her husband directly and just wrapped her arms around him, crying on his chest. Zhuge Liang then knew what she was crying about. It took no genius to figure it out when you know your wife, and you know her feelings.
"My wife..." Zhuge Liang murmured, his hands rubbing his beloved's back, trying to calm and sooth her. Yue Ying just shook her head and continued to sob. "We can't bring him back...I know it's hard, but you can't keep crying every time you see some young man who bears a resemblance to him."
"But I miss him!" Yue Ying urged, more crying coming forth, they waterfall down her cheeks in a river of cascading tears. She looked up to her husband's eyes, hazel hues meeting opals. "Zhuge Zhan was the only son we had..."
Zhuge Liang cringed at the memory of his son. Indeed the only memory he had of the young lad was within his wife.
"I'm sorry Yue Ying...please don't let any distraction get in the way of our lord's destiny...I do not want ourselves to be brought as failures just because of some feelings of someone gone from our lives..."
"Yes, my husband...I'll try..."
O
O
END
O
O
The Tigers VS Wu Elite
Previews
Zhao Xing: Yue Ying...Thank you...
(Zhao Xing is lying on the battlefield; Yue Ying is tending to his wounds while holding him in her arms.)
Sun Ce: Attack them! Attack them all!
(Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Lu Meng, Zhou Tai, Taishi Ci, Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, and Gan Ning all charge at the opposite people. Their enemy was Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, Huang Zhong, Wei Yan and Zhao Xing)
Guan Yu vs. Huang Gai
Zhang Fei vs. Lu Meng
Zhao Yun vs. Zhou Tai
Ma Chao vs. Zhou Yu
Huang Zhong vs. Gan Ning
Wei Yan vs. Taishi Ci
Zhao Xing vs. the Sun Brothers
O
O
Don Shizumi: What's up?
Diao Chan: Indeed...
Don Shizumi: ...What's you're deal?
Diao Chan: I'm not in your story yet, that's what!
Don Shizumi: Would it help that I'm a Zhen Ji to Jiang Wei fan now?
Diao Chan: NO!
Don Shizumi: I'm sticking you with...hmm...Sima Yi.
Diao Chan: He's a prissy lunatic!
Sima Yi: MUAHAHAHA! (Swings by and fetches Diao Chan)
Don Shizumi: I have a bunch of stuff I started...
I did start the original Jiang Wei and Zhen Ji pairing...just in case anyone didn't know that...
I did start the original Sun Shang Xiang and Sun Ce pairing. Although I've grown sickened of it... I'm still NOT a Liu Bei fan! So I'm now sticking Sun Shang Xiang with Jiang Wei as well. Jiang Wei, is awesome. More of you people should love him! Like I've heard from many, he's is the ultimate bishounen and should be admired!
No I am not gay.
No I do not like yaoi couples. That doesn't mean I'm against them. Just sick of them being predominant everywhere...
Now, for the letter of the chapter
Dear Don Shizumi, What are your favorite couples and genres? I totally love the story!
-ZhaoyunStalker109
Dear Zhao Yun's stalker, My favorite couples are any that doesn't concern yaoi, Liu Bei, Huang Zhong, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Huang Gai, Xu Zhu, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Dong Zhuo, or Meng Huo. I hate couplings that involve THEM. And yes, I do have a problem with Liu Bei being coupled to Zhao Yun and Sun Shang Xiang. I have a nasty pang of yaoi or pedophilia feeling whenever I see those things. I do however; recommend Jiang Wei to any and ever Dynasty Warrior woman. He's just cool. I mean, who ISN'T cool with pink M.C. Hammer pants? Genres? Anything, as long as it's not racist, stupid, has poor language, or is just redundant. And thank you for loving the story.
~Don Shizumi
Please send me letters through the designated e-mail address. And also, what are you waiting for? Review! Remember to keep yourself in mind. If you want to see something in the story, TELL ME! If you want to see someone get hurt, TELL ME! If you want to see your favorite bishoujo or bishounen strip naked and described in excruciating detail, TELL ME! Please review, and tell me what YOU want.
Shout out to the Kimiko half of Animatized. You helped out in this chapter, even if you only took a bit of dramatic comments to the IMs. Heh. It's OK. You're still thanked because you always give me quite a bit of constructive criticism that always improves my writing. And for that-
(Presents the Ninja Mask Award of Reviewers)
You are commended, congratulations on winning the first award of the Reviewer Awards!
Yu Xue stood at the top of the ruined fortress gates, his eyes upon the bloody ground before him. The soldiers that he had practically raised himself were in ruins, only a few of them actually surviving and staying alive. It saddened him greatly, and it showed in the forlorn expression of his face.
"My home...it lays in ruins..." He said, looking longingly at the abandoned city span that was Tian Shui below. His eyes drifted from place to place, looking at the different people. His opinions were usually right about the people here, but he also knew a lot about these men and women around himself. Several bonfires were started as the group settled down in the fort ruins for the night, both green and silver armored men sitting and waiting. Yu Xue's fell upon the one at the large bonfire at the torn part of the fort wall. He was tall, and he had the eyes of a dragon. His lips were a pleasant cherry color and he was taller than six feet, nearly ten spans. His large hands were clenched upon a golden staff of a weapon, his glaive. The giant 'Blue Moon Dragon' as they've called it was a sight to behold. And, as Yu Xue remembered, he indeed had a long, beautiful beard. It was well kept, not a grain of sand or dirt in it and obviously thoroughly washed.
"Good job..." The God of War said. Guan Yu received many smiles from both his own soldiers and Yu Xue, and he didn't mind at all. This would raise moral and it also shown the incredible charisma that was described of Guan Yu when he charged the five gates. Guan Yu's deep voice echoed through the area as he then sat down just like a common soldier, talking to the Lieutenant beside himself. All of them listened intently to their leader's tales of heroics about his older brother, Liu Bei, the great lord of Shu.
Yu Xue took interest but wished to examine the rest of the people around him. Li Jishan was the next target of his examination. He was certainly a talented spear artist. His spear was irregular, that blade long enough to be a short sword. The fastening was certainly interesting, a red, female's ribbon. Li Jishan had not admitted to what it was doing on his weapon, but he did know that it was some kind of good luck charm. Yu Xue respected that. Li Jishan...he was talented, young, brash and temperamental to boot.
His eyes started to wander again, and this time his eyes took upon two particular soldiers that had met during his training of the Tian Shui most talented. They looked the same, them being twins. Both of them were tall, short brown hair adorning their heads. Their brown eyes lent them an interesting, matching look. They seem to wear the dragon design armor that was made famous by Ma Chao and his famous five riders. One of them wore a black version and the other wore the original brown one. Both looked formidable just by their tall and tedious appearance alone, but that formidable look was upgraded to dangerous when one could see their weapons. Each would bear dual weapons, the one in the brown having two broadswords, and the other having two sets of the sword that Zhou Tai had.
"Zima Shi..." Yu Xue said as he looked to the brown armored one before looking to the black armored one. "Zima Shao..."
Again, his interest was waning on the two as they've agreed to spar each other. The other soldiers gathered around and closed a circle around them as their swords clashed with each other. Yu Xue then turned around, looking to the different people behind his position...And who but the beautiful Qing Yuan did his eyes fell upon first?
"Worthy..." was all that he said when thinking of her loyalty to Zhao Xing. She would've died for him and it seemed the feeling was mutual from Zhao Xing himself. She was sitting beside at that moment. Again, she was worthy, being an able warrior-woman and a good friend and companion. Her brown eyes were always upon the cackling fire and her long and shining hair was neatly placed over her shoulder so that she wouldn't have it hit the dirt. Her head was leaned upon Zhao Xing's shoulder and she couldn't look more content. Zhao Xing was Yu Xue's next target, and of course, one of the most important targets of his observation.
"The Young Master Zhao..." Yu Xue sounded off. Zhao Xing's hazel eyes were upon the red and orange splendor that was the fire. The blaze seemingly reflected off of his eyes and shined through the whites of his eyes. He definitely took after his mother, him having long hair, just as long as Qing Yuan's. The color of his hair seemed to be a more raven color, a slight tinge in the black color...Yes...he was exotic in appearance. Yu Xue's eyes scanned him over...the fists...yes, Zhao Xing's fists were dangerous. They were as deadly weapons as Xiahou Dun's Kirin Sword. Zhao Xing had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of existing martial arts...But it seemed so did Sun Ce. Zhao Xing was definitely still saddened by the effects of the battle, so many soldiers lost, and losing to the prince of Wu in his own specialty. So many things clouded the young master's mind, and his past failures certainly seemed to be the ones plaguing him.
Yu Xue didn't lose interest in Zhao Xing, but he felt it would be better to divert attention from the Zilong Spawn till he felt better. His eyes bolted from this way and that, looking for another subject. His eyes widened as he saw the next person. Zhao Yun, Zhao Xing's father. Zhao Yun didn't look like he aged at all. His hair was still in its loft ponytail and his face was still as handsome as it was before all the battles. He was still the same as Chang Ban. The fierce tiger was clad in the usual white armor with the small sash draped over the next shoulder, and he was just walking. The sheer presence of the man was both terrifying and gratifying at the same time as those onyx eyes of his were always tense...always looking like it could kill. His blue handled spear was shining from his back, as it was tied via the end on the rope to his shoulders. The thread that held it was strong enough to hold it down upon the incredible Zilong, but it looked to be weak enough that Zhao Yun could pull out his weapon when the time came. He was heading to Zhao Xing's position, an eager smile on his face.
"Too eager..." Yu Xue thought as the man now stood before the young master.
O O
"Young Xing..." Zhao Yun said, only a broad smile the only thing one could see of him right now.
"Father..." Zhao Xing's eyes didn't look up to him. But he did get on his knees, and did the usual homage of respect, bowing to him, his head touching the ground. Zhao Yun was pleased with his son's mannerisms.
"You fought well...many a man has been felled by your attacks. You even took use of the legendary Musou." Zhao Yun now added different compliments and observations, but nothing about how long it has been since he had seen his son. And even then, all that Zhao Xing received before his father went away was a pat on the shoulder and more words. "See you tomorrow morning..."
Qing Yuan was sitting right next to Zhao Xing while this was going on, and she knew how horrible it must have felt on the inside. She almost panicked when she saw him shudder and shake, but refrained from touching him when he stood up on his knees. He had tears in his eyes...it was understandable, but Qing Yuan had never seen Zhao Xing so saddened in the short time she knew him. She needed to comfort him in any way that she could, as what would be her self declared title of being his lover be? Nothing, if she didn't do anything, which was her opinion. She too, had gotten on her knees, but before Zhao Xing himself. Her body blocked his view of the retreating Zhao Yun's form as he walked away, so that means the only thing he could see was her. His eyes lingered upon her for the moment, the tear stained, glassy eyes...They scanned her...They looked her over, for once in Qing Yuan's well supported knowing, this was the first time he had looked her over. Xing's eyes came to a stop at the brown eyes of hers. The tears of his stopped, but they left dried streams of where the tears had fallen on his cheeks. Qing Yuan merely shook her head and smiled, shifting towards Zhao Xing, both of them still on their knees. She brought her hands up, both of them touching Zhao Xing's face, wiping the marks that his tears had left. She caressed his face, for the moment, feeling every part of his soft features, studying them with her hands as if she were blind, being guided by only touch alone. But the big surprise was when she felt something on her cheek. Zhao Xing's own hand had traveled up, brushing a delicate bang of hair aside and tucking it behind her ear. Her hands went away from his face, no longer touching his features, as she felt his hand start to caress the side of her own face. Those fingers, she thought would be rough with bumps and wounds were gentle, soft as silk. Zhao Xing's eyes had never left hers, and she knew that straight away as soon as she looked back to him. Qing Yuan and Zhao Xing just kept locked upon each other's eyes; Zhao Xing's looking almost like an innocent child as he did this and Qing Yuan narrowing her eyes, gazing upon him lovingly and with much affection. Qing Yuan brought a hand up to the hand of Zhao Xing's gently holding his with her fingers. Her hands were smaller compared to his, but that wasn't abnormal. She liked the firm hold he had on her, just staying upon her face and doing nothing but feeling her. She moved her hand to urge his hand, to move, to keep caressing her. He responded with by moving his hand beyond her jaw line, and to her neck, his feathery touches sending shivers up her spine. She didn't move; she just wanted to keep this feeling. Zhao Xing brushed his hand to her shoulders. This was the time...he pulled her in, Qing Yuan could feel it coming...their lips were about to meet! It's-
"Hahahaha! My son has a soft spot for hand maidens?" Zhao Yun had come back, and with an atrocious laugh to accompany it. His smile had never faded as he came to tell his comment and made Qing Yuan taken aback. Qing Yuan was so close to having a kiss that really meant something with Zhao Xing! She was SO CLOSE! Zhao Xing had turned his attention to his father, again bowing his head and finally letting go of Qing Yuan. Qing Yuan didn't want to show any respect for this man, and instead had chosen to remain upright. Zhao Yun took his son by the arm and lifted him up from his kneeling position. "My son, don't be so low in your taste. That girl is dressed in nothing but a cheongsam. Standard uniforms in different areas and only a dress to those who are of middle class. Don't disgrace yourself, you deserve much better!"
"But father, I-"
"Uh-uh! Tut-tut! I want nothing of those sorts, in front of me now, Zhao Xing!" Zhao Yun said in a mock father tone. Zhao Xing's face faulted, his head bowing down in shame and his facial expression deepening. It seems he had taken what he said quite seriously.
"Yes father...I won't talk back again, father..."
Qing Yuan was shocked at the parental loyalty that Zhao Xing displayed, despite the whole thing only being a more than noticeable joke, since the tone of the older Zhao's voice was full of mirth and glee.
"Don't worry, don't worry!" Zhao Yun said to his son, turning to leave again. "Don't go around with hand maiden, all right, my son?"
"Father..." Zhao Xing just bowed again as his father left. Qing Yuan was utterly repulsed by her beloved's actions, and she just stayed there upon her knees, looking to Zhao Xing bowing and agreeing with his parent. Well if he thought of her as a hand maid, then so be it...But she wasn't going to sit around and listen to all of this...Zhao Xing turned to her just before she was about to go away and turn shoulder, and that's when she caught a glimpse of his gorgeous eyes. Ohhh...why did he have to be so uncontrollable in looks? She immediately forgotten that incident with Zilong and just turned to Xing, her own soft and delicate browns meeting with his luxurious and unwavering hazels. His eyes...they were so dramatic and changing. They were like the different seasons, always being different. This time, instead of being a cold and desolate wasteland of feelings, the eyes were apologetic, these eyes were so innocent. If one could see Qing Yuan now, it would seem to it that she had fallen in love with his eyes more than anything else. Zhao Xing would only give this look before bowing his head shortly in an apologetic motion and then walk off after his father. Qing Yuan was again, awakened by another abrupt action, and looked towards Zhao Xing. Her eyes widened and her mouth agape, she took a step towards the son of Zhao and shouted.
"So you're just leaving me?! You can't be going to Shu and abandoning your dreams!" She shouted with all her might, but this never stopped Zhao Xing. It seemed he added insult to the injury as he approached his father and bowed to him. Zhao Xing's words were too soft for Qing Yuan to hear, but he had definitely heard what Zhao Yun had said. Zhao Yun placed a hand on his son's forehead and closed his eyes, seeming to bless his son.
"We are father and son, Zhao Xing...You belong at my side."
Qing Yuan couldn't believe this! Zhao Xing was actually giving up?! And they had already came this far. How...how could he? How could he, after this one great battle, fight the war with this army that he had hated before? Qing Yuan was disgusted. She didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore, but still, emotions die hard. She still had love for Zhao Xing, and nothing could deny that, but she couldn't go with him right now. She wasn't "worthy" enough in the great Zilong's eyes. Qing Yuan turned around and walked towards Yu Xue, her mind on nothing but perhaps joining him and setting out with the small group of soldiers. She didn't want to see Zhao Xing until his real self had come back.
O
O
Meanwhile- In the Wu dungeons-
The Wu dungeons were horrible. They were nothing but stone floors with sturdy wooden walls. Everything reeked of not being washed, and there were rats everywhere. Even the prisoners were malnourished and very much dirty. Some of the more worse charged were hanging in small cages, made directly out of bamboo rods, strapped together with bamboo shoots and vines. They made VERY effective cages. To make matters even worst, there were several guards, each one carrying a specific weapon to deal with any miscreants here. One carried the traditional Chinese sword, sharp to the touch. One would call this a "Xiao Lian" type of sword, but that would only be those who are interested in legend. One carried a bamboo staff, and obviously meant that he himself used the Kulun style of martial arts. Kulun Bamboo techniques aren't great for open war, but in close fighting and in subduing a group of opponents in closed areas, there's nothing better. Many of these guards seemed to be the top of the line, and very agile. Scanning the prisons was of no consequence to them, as the constantly moved, diligently screening the area. These crimson clad guards were almost inhuman...
Yu Chai was one of the many prisoners in this unisex prison...and she hoped she wouldn't turn out like the other female prisoners...A lot of the female prisoners here had been raped and abused at the same time, being hit by one of the sadist guards while being subjected to another, more desperate and lonely guards. She determined this by many things. One of the other female prisoners was chained and shackled before her on the other side of the wall, about twenty feet from her and opposite of her. She was naked, and blood was trailing down the side of her legs. This was definitely not good for her if she was the next one to had eyes set on her by one of these guards...and things were definitely not looking up for her, as she heard another woman, somewhere else in these dungeons scream and the laughs of the guards were filling and echoing through these walls.
"Zhao Xing...where ...oh, Xing-Xing...I wish you were here to help..." Yu Chai muttered as some prisoners were led in, chained together and then sat before her. Some of them were grumbling curses while others were lamenting their sins. Yu Chai sighed. No matter what happened, this would be a very long stay at this prison.
O O
Sun Shang Xiang was having the time of her life watching some of the prisoners. While she sat on her throne that was situated right next to Sun Quan's, she just laughed at the two men who were brought before the royal family to fight. The Sun siblings were always at the right hand of Sun Jian, while the royal subjects were always seated to his left. At this time, they were enjoying the small entertaining fight, both of the prisoners having experience with swords. They were constantly charging and clashing, both of them even. And to think, they were fighting just to be part of the Wu frontline and to get out of prison, or to die a quick death. Sun Ce was mumbling small curses though, and his actions caught the eye of his younger brother. Sun Quan quickly looked up to his older brother with more interest in him than the fight.
"Damn those Zhao's! Nothing but trouble! I could've finished that man off and I would've been talked about in the countryside, not that pretender!"
"Patience, my older sibling, you need to use patience. I have a plan...do not worry about it, Ce." Sun Quan was obviously the genious of his siblings. Sun Yi and Sun Kuan, both took interest as they also turned towards Quan.
"Those Zhao, cowardly dogs..." Sun Ce said as Sun Quan gotten ready to explain his plan. Sun Jian needn't know about the brothers plotting for revenge, as he didn't need to know about affair of something else. So Sun Quan left his father out of this business. He gathered his brothers and left the royal chambers to the back room, behind the curtains to the preparation rooms for the entertainers. Sun Kuang was not a magnificently well muscled man, but he had proper proportions. And Sun Yu was not much bigger than his brother Quan in stature, but he was obviously stronger than him. All four brothers huddled up in the room as Sun Quan would whisper the plan.
"That was obviously an ambush by Shu, to lure us into attacking them when we had least expected it. And we couldn't have done any worst. We NEED to fight back..." Sun Quan received agreements from his brothers and a big one from his older brother.
"Agreed!"
"Most definitely"
"Get back at that Shu scum!"
"Yeah! Great!" A woman's voice shouted above the agreeing brothers, which made them look around to see who could've done a high pitched voice...none of them could've but they DID counted someone different in the huddle. Sun Shang Xiang had joined her brothers in this circle and she was beaming and smiling proudly. Sun Ce was the only one not glaring daggers at her, and that was perhaps because of the deep bond he shared with his sister...That and he knew what she could've have done to everyone...He should've never given her any fighting lessons...
"A sis, maybe ya shouldn't be in here, ya know?"
"Aw, but Ce! I can do everything you guys can do, honest!"
"Yeah, but you won't get anymore lessons if you don't get, c'mon, get a move on, sis!" He said, picking her up by the waist and hoisting her over his shoulders. Sun Quan continued the planning with his brothers while Sun Ce went off and carried Sun Shang Xiang back to the throne room. If someone else did that to the spunky little woman, that someone would've had a face full of fist. But Sun Ce had a natural talent with dealing with the younger sister. In fact, all the while he carried her; all she did was laugh and giggle, all the while trying to persuade the oldest brother to bring her back to the circle.
"My brothers...we will attack soon! But we don't strike Shu itself. We strike Zhao Yun...and make it look like an accident..."
O O
O
Lien Qiao's eyes were shut...she didn't want to see what had befallen her before, but now, she was awakening from her sleep. Someone was tugging at her hair, gently twisting the divided hair out of the two tails she kept her hair in and braiding them into one long braid. It couldn't be...that boy said that she wouldn't see the light of day where she was going...and this was just plain odd. She finally ended up opening her eyes to the surroundings. Everything was white...was this heaven? No...It couldn't be heaven; she would already be enjoying herself with the Gods and Goddesses, finally being able to set eyes upon them. But what she saw was a woman, sleeping beside her; short brown hair on her head was carefully pulled back into a small ponytail. Lien Qiao first thought it was that Shi Liu girl, but it was most definitely not her. The girl was smaller in stature and height, and she was also quite a bit different in complexion. The girl who slept was clad in a dancer's outfit, having a white, green striped blouse and same with the matching short shorts. In the middle of the green stripe was a crimson stripe, obviously the mark of Wu. She was about to move, but she still felt the tugging at her hair. She quickly closed her eyes and hoped that whoever was doing the styling wouldn't notice that she had awakened.
"No...My little sister, please don't move..." A soft, pleasing voice came out. That voice was so pleasant in fact...the sheer factor of how heavenly it was wasn't the wanton desire of a man having the pleasure of the voice of his lover, but the sheer admiration of a woman. That was how beautiful the voice she just heard was...so gorgeous...
"...S-sister? But L-Lu Xun said he wouldn't..." Lien Qiao's speaking was a bit off from the bit of trauma that had been around her for the while. But wait...did this woman called her sister...that had just registered within her mind and she suddenly frowned. Her eyes closed as she turned over and cried on the bare leg of her older sister.
"There, there...My young Lien, do not worry, I won't let anything harm you..." Da Qiao was right there. The black haired beauty, oldest of the Qiao sisters and always considered the more graceful and more soft spoken of the two, was also the most protective and more motherly of the two, having already bore a son. "I'm glad you're home...I'm supposing that you've never seen me this close in ages."
"No...I haven't...but I've been dreaming..." Lien kept crying as she finally reunited with one of the people she loved the most. But the older sister finally brought her up and wiped off the remaining tears from the younger one's face.
"Did you meet your other older sister yet?" Da indicated with a wave of the hand. Lien looked to her right, to the one who had been asleep all this time. Unlike the other two, she had different hair color...Lien timidly touched the other's shoulder, the chestnut haired one bringing out a tremendous yawn. She started to stretch and then immediately hopped off the bed, stretching some more. Immediately afterwards, she turned around, eyes opened now. They were round, having a pool of enticing green eyes. Indeed, she was more different than the other sisters.
"Ya? What's up Da?" Xiao Qiao was the middle of the three and definitely the better speaker.
"Don't mind her; she's a little crazy..." Da's comment on Xiao had arisen some giggles from Lien as they looked on to the still stretching Xiao, now doing some side bends.
O O
Zhao Xing mounted his horse, a smile as he presented himself in full Shu armor. His head covered by a white helmet and his long hair flowing from the back of the helmet. He had on a chest plate and to fully compliment this, he had a broadsword sheathed at his side. He truly looked like the son of Zhao now. Qing Yuan was not at all pleased at this though. And though she had promised that she'd love him, she did not want to see him at all in this current state. She would stay with Yu Xue and the rest of the soldiers that would stay so that she may help him rebuild the town of Tian Shui. It seems that they lost morale as well. Li Jishan eyed Zhao Xing, a sense of betrayal in his dagger like gaze. Almost like a dragon's was his gaze at the brave warrior of the fortress.
"Zhao Xing, son, hurry up! We're leaving now!" Zhao Yun's voice made the Zima brothers cringe simultaneously. They didn't like how the famous man was taking away one of the people who fought along their sides.
"Shi, what do you think of this...Really sucks, doesn't it?"
"Shao, be quiet...I don't feel like hearing your bickering..." The twin merely turned from his brother and went away, going towards the rest of the soldiers that were left in Jian Zhen.
"Hey, you rooster head, I'm talking to you!"
"And shut up about my hair style..."
"Damn, he's good..." Zima Shao instantly stopped, his body nearly going limp from his boredom. He needed to talk...His Dragon Horseman's armor clinked as he just let himself drop to the ground. His eyes trailed towards the sky and his oculars just watched the clouds pass by...
Zhao Xing looked over to the rest of the men and Qing Yuan before galloping off. Qing Yuan saw this too...and was almost brought to her knees by his actions. She did, however, brought her hands up and started to sob.
"H-he...He didn't even say goodbye!" She yelled as she ran towards the galloping horde of men, tears staining her cheeks. None stopped Zhao Xing as he galloped off with his father. Qing Yuan no longer felt like she should love Zhao Xing...but she just couldn't get rid of the feeling. She wanted him with her...she wanted him at her side...After they disappeared behind the next mountain pass, she finally dropped on her knees. She proceeded to scream at the nothingness, the nothingness that was there, where Zhao Xing had filled within her and made her whole. It was not helping, but she thought it would make it go away, that terrible taste in her mouth, that terrible pressure in her chest and the terrible pain in her head. Yu Xue looked on at the woman, at her displeasure and pain...So this was her weakness. Lord Zhao Xing was her weakness. He was about to go and comfort the woman, say it was all right, but then one of his own soldiers came up to him and bowed.
"My lord, one of the soldiers said we should be expecting a letter from the Sleeping Dragon soon! We should be rewarded by the Prime Minister soon!"
"That's good..." He said as he looked on to the now pitiful Qing Yuan, still sobbing her heart out. The Zima Brothers looked on to Qing Yuan, neither daring to go to her for fear of retaliation of her heart. Yu Xue understood this now... But she would have to be monitored daily, as she may do something that everyone would regret if she let her feelings get the best of her. Li Jishan, didn't pay attention to her crying...his eyes was looking onwards to the rising sun.
O
O
-Song Sequence - Song-fiction part-
"Another day has gone
I'm still all alone
How could this be
You're not here with me
You never said goodbye
Someone tell me why
Did you have to go
And leave my world so cold"
Zhao Xing's horse was at the head of the army, right before Zhao Yun himself. The proud Zhao men were galloping towards Shu grounds, which were west from their position. If they didn't go out quickly, relations with Wu would go even sourer.
"Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay"
Qing Yuan was almost broken. Her eyes were like a doll's, unmoving and indefinitely unfeeling. Her form was crawled up in a little ball in the corner of the shattered fort. All she could think about, all that was running through his mind was Zhao Xing...was his face, was his voice, was his eyes, everything about him was going through her. It didn't make her happy...it made her saddened...it made her feel like the world was going to end.
"But you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
But you are not alone"
Zhao Xing felt that he forgotten something. Something felt empty inside himself. But nothing he thought of was helping him feel happier. It was something...something that had happened. He tossed the thought out of his mind and began thinking of the path before him...his new life in Shu.
"Alone, alone
Why, alone"
Qing Yuan just buried her head on her knees, as she hugged her legs to herself. She wanted to be alone. Everyone that had come to offer her something, breakfast, condolences, anything, was promptly rejected and turned away by her. She was normally calm and caring, but this scar on her mind seemed to be digging deeper. Qing Yuan wanted to cry, and the thought alone was getting her ready to let the tears flow again.
"Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin"
His horse never seemed to tire, as never did the other horses. They were past the Jing province, merely by riding on the horses, showing how quick and efficient these cavalry men's animals were. Zhao Xing's eyes suddenly closed...he felt a sensation on his lips...that empty feeling in his heart going away for the moment as he rode on and into the morning lights.
"Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay"
She closed her eyes. Almost in unison, when Zhao Xing had closed his miles and miles away. She leaned forward, as if he was still there, and let a weak kiss right on his lips. Qing Yuan knew he wasn't there. Qing Yuan knew he wasn't coming back from Shu. But she just wished, that he had said goodbye...
"For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
For you are not alone"
"Qing Yuan..." His voice trailed over, and quickly faded into the thunderous falls of the horses' hooves. He remembered. He had just remembered. Zhao Xing silently cursed for not even mentioning anything to her before he had left. Qing Yuan...he had barely even scraped the surface of her personality and now he was leaving her...that was the most cold- hearted thing that he had ever done, in his life.
"Whisper three words and I'll come runnin'
And girl you know that I'll be there
I'll be there"
"You broke our promise...Zhao Xing, your broke our promise..." Qing Yuan said softly as she backed into the fort's stone walls. She closed her eyes, trying not to cry, but all of her tears kept coming out. Nothing could control this eternal sadness now...nothing...
"You are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart"
"DAMMIT!" His heart took the better of him and he immediately turned his horse, directing it in the opposite direction of where Shu was going. He needed to head back...to apologize to Qing Yuan...to give her proper good bye...and to see if she would come with him...
Zhao Yun would not see his son go back for anything and immediately rode his White Mare out to stop him. Blocking his son's path, he narrowed his eyes at young Xing and quickly sighed.
"No...You're to proceed with the group...I will not allow you to go back."
"For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay"
Qing Yuan's eyes were red from crying...she still loved him...she still loved him so very much. He was the world to her...This time; the thoughts of him filled her with happiness. The thoughts of him made her feel like she could fly. But she couldn't get up. She couldn't go back to everyone just yet. She needed to wait this out for the moment. But the sides of her mouth quirked up. A weak smile was now present in her expression.
"For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart"
Zhao Xing couldn't believe his father. But again, he had to obey him. He quickly, and without hesitation, turned his horse around and headed back to the main group. His eyes though, lingered behind him...to the mountains...to where he had left Qing Yuan.
"For you are not alone..."
Qing Yuan was smiling...though she felt like her heart had been ripped to shred, she was smiling. She felt him...she felt his presence...his feeling... That's all she needed to know. That's all she wanted to know. Qing Yuan finally stood up, walking towards Yu Xue with a bright smile on her face. She spent most of the day crying and it was already lunch time...
The ride had been long and excruciating. It seemed to take forever and the sun was already setting. The sky had taken a fading orange look, everything was getting darker, one side being black and having stars littered all over it, the other side being orange. The orange gave the sky a serene, smooth look and the night just looked peaceful to come. It had taken only a full day of travel and one stop to complete the journey to Cheng Du. When everyone else dismounted and proceeded into the castle gates, Zhao Xing stayed outside and looked up to the stars.
"Qing Yuan...I'm sorry..."
-End Song Fiction Part- (You Are Not Alone-Michael Jackson)
O O
Cao Kai's turban was taken off, revealing his spiked, black hair. Odd as it may seem, it looked like it would never fall. He had been repeatedly whipped by the guardsmen here, courtesy of the Sun Brothers. They wanted Cao Kai to tell of where Zhao Xing had went, but Cao Kai repeatedly refused. Cao Kai knew where he was. Sima Yi had taught him to look to the stars and you can determine anything. The fading lights and the different celestial balance could only mean one thing...a shift in alliance. Sweat dripped off of his face, rolling down his cheek and off his chin. He felt pain...that was good; at least he still felt his body parts. Cao Kai need only to await his freedom...that is then when he will leave his vengeance upon Wu and Wei, all at once...
"Time for reckoning will soon come..."
He tugged at his shackles, grinning as he heard the "chink" of the metals. His eyes looked over to the next person; he too was beaten like Cao Kai. But unlike Cao Kai, he doesn't have the will and the attitude. The son of Cao Cao started to laugh...his laughter echoing throughout the prison, and filling the guards with surprise and somewhat of fear. He was eagerly awaiting his next beating so that he may become angrier...and that he may become more vengeful towards these damn Wu.
O O
Dian Kamo was lounging on the throne where Cao Cao had normally sat on. She was in her usual long sleeved attire, waiting for the entertainment to get into the throne room. Her smooth, chocolate brown skin was mostly covered by her clothing, but that didn't detach from her figure. She was still very attractive, and unique because of her dark skin and different hair. Her hair, by the way, was a dark brown, tumbling tresses of beauty, but that was it for her lady behavior. Anyway else, she behaved like her uncle. It wasn't long before Zhang He came in. Ooh, Zhang He. That man that was so-called "Peacock" or "Beauty-Obsessed" was beginning to be a rival of Kamo's. It was odd how they just met and they started with insults flying. But still, rivalry could be a great thing. And seeing as how Dian Kamo loved to annihilate ignorant, bogus people whom love toying with her, she accepted the company of Zhang He.
"Ah, the odd niece of Dian Wei..."
"Ah, the gay man him self..." Dian Kamo retorted immediately. Zhang He raised an eyebrow at the lounging Dian Kamo before yawning and stretching before her. It was unexpected, but Zhang He suddenly unsheathed his claws and pointed them towards Dian Kamo's throat. Dian Kamo, not at all fazed by his actions, just glared at him.
"I am getting tired of your incompetence!" Zhang He shouted as he pressed the claw into her neck, the blades not cutting into her but in one slight movement, could tear off her head.
"I'm getting tired of how big of a jackass you're being to everyone." Dian Kamo responded, pushing the talons away with a swift wave of her hand. She immediately stood up and turned her back to Zhang He. "Thinking you're the most beautiful, thinking you're the most graceful...thinking you can do EVERYTHING..."
"Well maybe I can!"
"And maybe you're a snob!" Dian Kamo left that remark in the room before stepping outside of the room. Zhang He was left, smoldering in his own anger. That girl...perturbed him so...
"Sir, we ARE the entertainment!" A group of soldiers just came in, juggling plates and such. Zhang He was still ticked off at the actions of Dian Wei's niece, and instead of tolerating the performers, he turned around and proceeded to slice one of their heads cleans off the shoulders. Afterwards, he stepped back and impaled another performer with his other claw. Blood, beautiful blood... That made everything better...he couldn't wait till that Kamo girl messed up and he could bask in the glory of her spewing blood during her execution.
O O
Shi Liu awoke in a chambers she was very unfamiliar to...her eyes opening to nothing but grey stone. She was in a jail? Yes...this was some sort of holding facility...a dungeon. Red guards and crimson weapons...The Wu dungeon...Shi Liu had just awoken from the blow by Huang Gai and now she had just gotten her wits together. Shi Liu checked her left and right shoulder, nothing to of concern to her. What concerned her was the frightened woman that was shackled across the room from her, staring at the prisoner beside Shi Liu's position. So the prisoner was raped, so what? This happened in prison normally. That was Yu Chai...the one with Zhao Xing, as he had heard from some of the guards pointing her out. Curse Zhao Xing! So, he been rounding up women and making them conceive to his every bidding?! Ha! She would have to get even when she met that man again. Perhaps smash his pretty, little face in. Of course, for some reason, that man was the only thing in her mind right now.
"Perhaps it's all the money you owe me..." She wondered out loud, bringing a devious smirk at the thought of all that money she'd get if he ever came back into her life. But Shi Liu's first priority was to get out of this dungeon and beat the living shit out of the guards before going off to find him. "It's going to be fun, Zhao Xing...I'll kick your teeth out after I knock out all of these guards..."
"What? Zhao Xing?" Yu Chai wondered out loud, looking up towards Shi Liu. Shi Liu didn't mind the woman questioning her, but the sheer stupidity in the question made her think that she was a bit...slow...
"Yes...that odd, stupid, little man that had taken my stable job and threw it into the ground with his own two hands...and feet."
"Sounds like my Zhao Xing..." Yu Chai was sort of put at ease hearing about her friend from way back. She leaned back onto the dungeon wall and sighed, closing her eyes, thinking of better times than the one she was in before all this. Ah, it was still fun with ol' Xing-Xing around, so who cares. "Ah, he'll be back for me...little runt can't do anything without me..."
"So what does he do? Does he serenade you and the other women around him too?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Yu Chai asked, raising an eyebrow to the strange woman's question. She just laughed afterwards and kicked the stone floor with her heels. "He never does anything like that! I wish he'd sing to Qing Yuan and me once in a while! It'd be hilarious!"
"...So...why are you with him in the first place?" Shi Liu began to get more interested into this Yu Chai girl as she began talking about Zhao Xing. Perhaps the "know thine enemy" saying was really getting used thoroughly now. The other woman perked up at the question and smiled back.
"I'm his friend from waaaaaa~aaaaay back in the village massacre. I'm surprised as anyone I didn't turn out like him, but hey, at least I unbalance his more serious personality!"
"I see..."
And so it went, Yu Chai telling Shi Liu everything she knew about Zhao Xing...
O O
Zhao Xing was craving company. His father had left him in the camp, alone and with no one to entertain or talk to him, and now, it was getting outrageous. He felt so deprived from a father and son relation, but that didn't stop him from honoring his father's presence as he was required to. Zhao Xing closed his eyes and began to rethink his life at that moment. Everything would change since he had entered Shu. He could have a family. A decent life as a soldier was now present for him...and there were many interesting people...
"You idiot!"
"You heretic!"
Zhao Xing sighed as he heard voice from outside his tent. The Shu forces that belonged to Zhao Yun were stationed right after the cotton fields of Cheng Du, for precautionary measurements. Guan Yu had been sent to capture Fan Castle in an attempt to dissuade the Wei forces from further advancement, with meager forces. That just showed how competent he was. Well, the yelling men outside were none other than Jiang Wei and the one called Ma Chao.
Jiang Wei was known as the genius of Shu, born with the mind and body to be a prodigy of China. He had always worn a green vest, lightly plated inside with wood, for a light but effective armor. His hair was always seen worn in a tight, long pony tail behind his back to keep it out of way. Of course, he was also quite a bright and handsome man, just to match his body. He was a gifted man, none the less.
Ma Chao was a rugged, paranoid, insecure, well to do but doesn't type of man. He was incredibly skilled in riding the wildest of stallions and was known to be the best cavalryman that had ever graced the Northern Plains. Of course, his family name meant "Super" or "Skilled" and his own name meant "Horse" so it only meant that he could be the ultimate rider in terms of name. He was armed like Jiang Wei in terms of the spear, but he was at least a foot taller and his expressions were much tougher looking.
"You should just butt out!" Ma Chao shouted to Jiang Wei, poking Jiang Wei on the chest with a provoking finger. "I should charge the enemy head on if they come through the fields!"
"Well," Jiang Wei was on the defensive on this argument, but he had a valid reason for telling Ma Chao not to rush into fights. "We can definitely destroy the enemy if YOU were at the hem of the battle..."
"Damn right!"
"Of course..." Jiang Wei was lying...Ma Chao would've been annihilated the moment he stepped into close battles in a narrow area. "But if we do my plan, we won't lose as many troops..."
"You idiot!"
"You heretic!"
"I will fight till the end! I sworn my life to Liu Bei and I pledged I WILL fight!"
"I pledged that I wouldn't lead everyone to their inevitable demise when you go through the narrow entrance..." Jiang Wei said, pointing to the opening of the cotton fields that was about eight feet wide. "I won't allow you to lead them..."
Jiang Wei's plan of striking an enemy during an attack on Shu's capital was to keep focused upon the narrow space that the Shu can easily defend, as the enemy would be forced to bottle nose their offence in order to fit through the opening. Then, he would initiate the order to close the enemy in from the other side, using an elite cavalry unit led by either Zhao Yun or the newly made "General of the Southern Fist" Zhao Xing. He had no interest on making the reckless Ma Chao do anything but wait.
Ma Chao's plans concerned sending in his own unit to meet the enemy at the middle of the bottle nose and continue to press forces into the narrow area. And then, he'd attack at that one area until the soldiers wear out and then the general was forced to go to battle. But Jiang Wei had found a flaw in that plan...what happened if Ma Chao was too tired from fighting using all of his fancy maneuvers?
Well, the bickering continued, Zhao Xing not getting any rest still. The moon was already in the middle of the sky, and the two hadn't shut up about the defensive plan. But when he had heard a calm, cool, collected voice state his presence, he praised the gods.
"You're both wrong..." The man said as he approached. The man was richly dressed, being in long, white, satin robes, his sash being entirely made of satin as well. His white hat looked to be that of an envoy's or maybe an imperial court person's hat. He had neatly trimmed facial hair, his pale face framing every part of his face evenly. And of course, the opal colored eyes paid no homage to the great one's deeds. He had the wisdom of ten thousand men engraved in those eyes. His signature fan could only mean that he was indeed, the great Kongming. "I will come up with the plan..."
"But of course, Prime Minister..." Jiang Wei reveled in respect and admiration for the man before him, kneeling down on one knee and bowing his head down to the person he idolized.
"Zhuge Liang! How're you doing buddy?" Ma Chao on the other hand, didn't do anything but act like the reckless man he always did, approaching the Prime Minister, slapping him on the back and smiling, waiting for a response.
Zhuge Liang's hat shifted forward from the jerk of his body as he responded to the slap. A slight groan was emitted from Zhuge Liang's mouth as he fixed the hat upon his head. This earned only laughter from Ma Chao as he pointed with glee at the angered Zhuge Liang. Pointing his fan at the General's mouth, Ma Chao ceased his laughter, glared, and then quickly settled himself into a kneeling position, grumbling about getting even with the great strategist.
"Indeed, learn some respect Ma Chao..." Zhuge Liang said before smiling upon him. "And do not be hateful...I'll assign a cavalry unit to you, and make your brother, Ma Dai, second in command..."
"Zhu-I mean, Prime Minister, thank you!" Ma Chao was obviously delighted at this...Zhao Xing heard running foot falls, probably Ma Chao running off to tell his brother the good news. Jiang Wei's voice and Zhuge Liang's voice faded as they went off, talking about strategies and such. Maybe Zhao Xing could get some sleep...at the moment when he started to shut his eyes, a knock came at the wooden post of his tent and he was forced up again. Maybe he wouldn't get any sleep...
"Zhao Xing...I want to talk with you..." A sweet woman's voice sounded through the air. Zhao Xing knew who it was. It was Zhuge Liang's wife, Huang Yue Ying. She wasn't the most beautiful person to look at, but she was pretty to say the least. Her eyes were charming, and that was her best asset. Ever since Zhao Xing had come into the Shu camp, this woman had been the one who had been talking and checking on him, not his father.
"Yes, come in Lady Yue..."
"Thank you, Xing..." She said, coming in, something behind her back as she came into full view of the laying Zhao Xing... "You won't be disappointed..."
Eyes filled with wonder, he looked on to the older woman and found what she had in store not the least bit disappointing. He looked to her hands, a small golden dagger; everything from the blade to the handle was gold. Yue Ying gave a small smile as Zhao Xing looked upon the golden dagger with lulled, transfixed eyes. It wasn't long before she reached her arm out to him, presenting it to him.
"Come on, kid...Take it already..." Zhao Xing looked upon the dagger one more time before looking up to the woman. Just before he tried to take it, Yue Ying brought up the leather sheath. So...two gifts... He took both of them, strapping the sheath to the belt of his formal robes, which were white and looking much like Zhuge Liang's, and then looked back to Yue Ying.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Zhao Xing stopped fixing everything and looked back to Yue Ying, who was still smiling upon Zhao Xing. Yue Ying merely shook her head as she stepped forward towards Zhao Xing.
"It's nothing...you're just the new kid, right?" She asked a somewhat rhetorical question to him. But she was lying...The reason why she was doing all of this was purely by feeling. She had no reason for doing this. She just felt as if she should do this. Yue Ying seemed possessed when she reached out one arm and touched his face with the tip of her finger...but, Yue Ying looked on Zhao Xing with sad eyes again before she turned and went out of his tent with nothing but an exit. Zhao Xing looked on to her odd behavior before he quickly went to bed.
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Yue Ying approached Zhuge Liang's tent, her eyes streaming with tears. Zhuge Liang, surprised at her sudden appearance, nearly fell from his seat from the noise she made at her entrance. Yue Ying was actually sobbing, which was hard to do to such a woman as she. Zhuge Liang was concerned, but he didn't know the matter. He'd have to wait for her to actually say it. So instead of walking off, he stood straight, posture up and his face resumed its usual, calm demeanor. Yue Ying went to her husband directly and just wrapped her arms around him, crying on his chest. Zhuge Liang then knew what she was crying about. It took no genius to figure it out when you know your wife, and you know her feelings.
"My wife..." Zhuge Liang murmured, his hands rubbing his beloved's back, trying to calm and sooth her. Yue Ying just shook her head and continued to sob. "We can't bring him back...I know it's hard, but you can't keep crying every time you see some young man who bears a resemblance to him."
"But I miss him!" Yue Ying urged, more crying coming forth, they waterfall down her cheeks in a river of cascading tears. She looked up to her husband's eyes, hazel hues meeting opals. "Zhuge Zhan was the only son we had..."
Zhuge Liang cringed at the memory of his son. Indeed the only memory he had of the young lad was within his wife.
"I'm sorry Yue Ying...please don't let any distraction get in the way of our lord's destiny...I do not want ourselves to be brought as failures just because of some feelings of someone gone from our lives..."
"Yes, my husband...I'll try..."
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END
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The Tigers VS Wu Elite
Previews
Zhao Xing: Yue Ying...Thank you...
(Zhao Xing is lying on the battlefield; Yue Ying is tending to his wounds while holding him in her arms.)
Sun Ce: Attack them! Attack them all!
(Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Lu Meng, Zhou Tai, Taishi Ci, Huang Gai, Zhou Yu, and Gan Ning all charge at the opposite people. Their enemy was Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, Huang Zhong, Wei Yan and Zhao Xing)
Guan Yu vs. Huang Gai
Zhang Fei vs. Lu Meng
Zhao Yun vs. Zhou Tai
Ma Chao vs. Zhou Yu
Huang Zhong vs. Gan Ning
Wei Yan vs. Taishi Ci
Zhao Xing vs. the Sun Brothers
O
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Don Shizumi: What's up?
Diao Chan: Indeed...
Don Shizumi: ...What's you're deal?
Diao Chan: I'm not in your story yet, that's what!
Don Shizumi: Would it help that I'm a Zhen Ji to Jiang Wei fan now?
Diao Chan: NO!
Don Shizumi: I'm sticking you with...hmm...Sima Yi.
Diao Chan: He's a prissy lunatic!
Sima Yi: MUAHAHAHA! (Swings by and fetches Diao Chan)
Don Shizumi: I have a bunch of stuff I started...
I did start the original Jiang Wei and Zhen Ji pairing...just in case anyone didn't know that...
I did start the original Sun Shang Xiang and Sun Ce pairing. Although I've grown sickened of it... I'm still NOT a Liu Bei fan! So I'm now sticking Sun Shang Xiang with Jiang Wei as well. Jiang Wei, is awesome. More of you people should love him! Like I've heard from many, he's is the ultimate bishounen and should be admired!
No I am not gay.
No I do not like yaoi couples. That doesn't mean I'm against them. Just sick of them being predominant everywhere...
Now, for the letter of the chapter
Dear Don Shizumi, What are your favorite couples and genres? I totally love the story!
-ZhaoyunStalker109
Dear Zhao Yun's stalker, My favorite couples are any that doesn't concern yaoi, Liu Bei, Huang Zhong, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Huang Gai, Xu Zhu, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Dong Zhuo, or Meng Huo. I hate couplings that involve THEM. And yes, I do have a problem with Liu Bei being coupled to Zhao Yun and Sun Shang Xiang. I have a nasty pang of yaoi or pedophilia feeling whenever I see those things. I do however; recommend Jiang Wei to any and ever Dynasty Warrior woman. He's just cool. I mean, who ISN'T cool with pink M.C. Hammer pants? Genres? Anything, as long as it's not racist, stupid, has poor language, or is just redundant. And thank you for loving the story.
~Don Shizumi
Please send me letters through the designated e-mail address. And also, what are you waiting for? Review! Remember to keep yourself in mind. If you want to see something in the story, TELL ME! If you want to see someone get hurt, TELL ME! If you want to see your favorite bishoujo or bishounen strip naked and described in excruciating detail, TELL ME! Please review, and tell me what YOU want.
Shout out to the Kimiko half of Animatized. You helped out in this chapter, even if you only took a bit of dramatic comments to the IMs. Heh. It's OK. You're still thanked because you always give me quite a bit of constructive criticism that always improves my writing. And for that-
(Presents the Ninja Mask Award of Reviewers)
You are commended, congratulations on winning the first award of the Reviewer Awards!