the story…
Scion of Madness
Chapter One: Unexpected Meetings
Zhou Yu reigned in his bay horse. What in the world is he doing…? 'He' would be Sun Ce, and the action that warranted the thought would be the fact that Sun Ce had dismounted his horse and was skipping….. yes skipping amongst his enemies, whacking Wei soldiers with his tonfa.
"Sun Ce!!!!" Zhou shouted, slaying a random, unimportant officer with his sword, "what in you father's name are you doing!?!"
"Relax! You and everybody else say I need more flexibility. A reliable source told me more sporadic movement and stuff would help!" Sun Ce replied as another skull cracked.
Zhou Yu allowed himself an unguarded moment in the battle. "You…..mean to tell me…… that you decided…… skipping……. was a good idea……?"
Sun Ce's face split in an overwhelmingly happy grin- given the circumstances. Said circumstances being that Cao Cao was coming down their throats and the Wu army was losing moral, all the while being outnumbered. Happy times indeed….. "Of course! It's a skill that requires a certain amount of overall flexibility that I find most satisfying, especially since I'm using the tonfa while I do it." The answer seemed perfectly logical to Sun Ce, whose special brand of logic was something else….
"Be careful! Our 'Special Friend' is reported to be heading for us!" Zhou called, wheeling his horse about. In split seconds, Zhou Yu had crossed half the battle field.
"Great. As if I'm not busy enough fighting and talking to you, I have to fend off his 'advances'…." Sun Ce stopped skipping long enough to grumble, then ducked as a screaming soldier leaped at him.
"Wu will fall for our Lord and I will deliver the head of Sun Ce to…" Well…. quite personally, Sun Ce had heard that line about a bazillion times before and really resented it. That's why the guy's still warm body landed with a thud before he could finish the cry.
"I really hate that!!!!" Sun Ce's cry was angry as he slew a dozen more opponents. As he finished the last of the troops around him, he realized the area was clear. He decided to take a three second breather. It ended up being two seconds too long as he realized a figure ran towards him. He recognized the figure long before it was in full visual range, due to the shudder happy cry that met him.
"Oh Sun Ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" The figure ran at him with astonishing speed and grace. "Where is our other beutiful one!?!"
Sun Ce abruptly sat on a rock. He knew that he just couldn't outrun the threat that was heading for him faster than Lu Xun for the nearest library. "Oh whaddya want now? In case you haven't noticed… We are supposed to be enemies and we are supposed to be fighting!"
Zhange He kneeled sweetly in front of Sun Ce. "I have never considered you my enemy! It is only that my lord sees fit to fling our unruly army at your might!"
"Zhou Yu and myself have told you on numerous occasions numerous times that we don't want anything to do with you!" Sun Ce's head was buried in his rough hands. If I ever even think about being gay, he will be the absolute last to know!!!! Or actually- Sun Ce thought with wiry humor- he is the last to know. Hmm, must not be one much for rumors!
Zhange He, like any opportunity taker, clasped one of Sun Ce's hands to his heart and muttered, "My poor Sunny Boy! What have those mean generals been telling you now?"
Sun Ce stared into the eyes of the madman. Sun Ce, in all his short life, could not ever remember being so irritated. But, as he thought that the Heavens were showering him with bad luck, and that Buddha had abandoned him, the most unlikely of saviors showed up…..
"Will you fight me, Sun Ce!?!" Cao Cao called, swinging his sword.
Sun Ce sent a silent prayer above before shouting, "Yeah! I'll take you on, Moo Moo!" He stood to face the dreaded Wei ruler.
"But my Lord! Wait! I beg of you, allow the Wu ruffian to fight my blades! I shall defend my Lord's honor!" Zhange He whined as he pushed Sun Ce back down on the rock.
"This is getting damn ridiculous!" Sun Ce growled as he knocked Zhang on his arse. "Cao! Call off the gay guy and fight me yourself! I should have 'em brought up on stalking charges!"
Cao Cao sent Zhange He a questioning look before responding, "He's…. not as bad as you think. He's a damn good fighter…. if nothing else." Zhange He gave an uncultured squeak at his Lord's words.
"I don't care! Every time our forces meet on the field of battle, he's stalking me and my strategist!" Sun Ce glared. "If I didn't know you any better, which I don't, I'd swear this is a tactic to throw me and Zhou Yu off!"
"Believe me, I wouldn't do that. Sima Yi is that diabolical, but I have certain standards of torture." Cao Cao shook his head. "I'm sorry. This is terribly embarrassing. We will retreat before this dishonor reaches any further lengths. I apologize for Zhange He. He'd apologize, but he's too busy retreating…." The Wei lord briefly glared at his underling. "Right?" Zhange He was gone before the sentence was done.
"He…..he needs therapy or something like that." Sun Ce muttered.
"………well….. perhaps. But, he's really a great warrior. Just…. a little off his rocker. Beauty obsessed and so forth. I shall see you again on this field, Wu Tiger. Just not today…." Cao Cao muttered as he walked away. Then, he paused.
"Eh….. wha-?" Sun Ce haphazardly asked, confusion obvious in his child-like voice.
"I just remembered a message Liu Bei asked me to deliver to you. He asked that the leaders of all three Kingdoms, their strategist and a few other generals hold a peace summit at your head quarters. He gave no reason for that, but he wants it held in two weeks. Surely the might of Wu would……..accept?" Cao Cao phrased the last part carefully. If nice persuasion would not work on the barbaric young man, then perhaps goading him with the might and honor speech would work.
"Tch, yeah! If maybe a big ol' meetin' will solve this… then I'll give you a hell yeah!" Sun Ce stopped just short of a whoop, which was just as well given that Zhou Yu had quietly come back.
"And let us all hope that the path to peace is one that our feet decided to tread upon, for if not…. then this generation will surely be ruined by war and strife…." Zhou Yu added. Sun Ce started at the sultry sound of Zhou Yu's voice, at his very sudden appearance. The warlord gave an indignant cry.
"…" Cao Cao was silent a moment before replying to Zhou Yu's weighted words. "Indeed Gentleman Zhou. But peace must allow for the personalities of all those who are not truly evil. The ambitious, the noble, the intelligent, the ignorant….. If we can forge peace for all these types, then we have created something that no men have ever done and… given the wills of men... could likely never do again." Cao Cao walked off, actually leaving this time.
"Let us hope that we are so strong…." Zhou Yu softly muttered as Sun Ce sighed.
"What is it, my Lord and friend?" Zhou Yu dismounted his horse and placed a hand on Sun Ce's shoulder.
"Eh……… It's just that….. nah, never mind." He shook his head and headed to mount his own horse.
Zhou Yu looked on with concern. "Sun Ce…. you have never refused to speak your mind to me before, what brings this change of heart?"
"I don't like this."
"That….. the others have called a summit?"
"No… that's good."
"I don't understand. What is of concern?"
"Zhange He."
"I……. as of yet still do not make a proper correlation."
"I think…. no….. I feel that he may try something at the summit. Cao Moo thinks a lot of him, so he'll definitely bring 'em. That means-"
"Oh Buddha! He'll be in our home and have opportunities we'd rather him not have! Oh Sun Ce! This reeks of trouble for us both!" Zhou Yu leaned heavily on his horse's warn, fuzzy side and moaned his trouble into the mane.
"Yup." Sun Ce answered, patting his horse on the neck.
somewhere deep in Wei territory HQ- some four days later
Sima Yi waved his fan gently in front of his face. Zhange He had been fuming over the battle with Wu. "Well, lovely falcon…" Sima began, attracting Zhange's attention again, "if the beauty and the beast of Wu is what you most desire, I may yet be able to help you."
Zhange He snorted and flung his head back in a feral way. "The beast I still long for, but the beauty knows my game too well. He is too like myself in many ways. Every step I advance, he knows which foot to draw back. He has listened to the song too many times, and can now play it in that annoyingly perfect pitch of his."
"So you have given up on him? Do you wish him dead?" Sima Yi knew where this was going. It was not that difficult to read Zhange He's actions and thoughts.
"No….. I shall not destroy something that is so beautiful, even if I cannot have it. I want him to pay, to suffer…. yet remain lovely." Zhange sank into a silken cushion and brooded a bit.
"You are sure of what you say? There is no hope of getting him?" The sly strategist flicked his wrist to get a bit of a breeze from the fan.
"Sun Ce…. is not like him. He is not weak, but doesn't know how to deal with me that greatly. Zhou….. Wonderful Zhou……. parries my words with his own like he parries attacks with his sword. The charm of it all has been lost. I desire to dominate him more than anything, even if that domination is only in some vague supremacy rather than physical, sexual, loving domination." The brooding look remained on the elegant face as the last phrases were snarled.
Sima Yi placed the fan beside his own cushion and crossed over to Zhange He. Dropping onto the cushion with as much grace as he could muster, he wrapped his arms around Zhange and nuzzled his neck. "I think…..a friend and I have a plan for you…." The voice was barely a whisper across Zhange's ear.
The feminine face smirked with joy. "Oh really? And who would your friend be…?"
Saving Sima the trouble of answering, a shadowy figure appeared from the left. The steps were soft and sure, his very essence palpable in the air. A white feather drifted from the fan held protectively across the chest.
"Zhuge Liang?" Zhange He breathed, surprised greatly.
"Yes, 'tis I." The famed man helped himself to a cushion at Sima's nod. "Sima has told me some rather disturbing facts that only fuel certain suspicions I have ascertained as of late."
"Um….. yes…… and what might those…. suspicions be?" Zhange asked, annoyed yet astounded at the mind of Zhuge Liang.
"That the Wu strategist Zhou Yu seeks to kill me in any way… using whatever tactics he deems necessary. Considering how his Lord is, Sun Ce would likely allow him any means. I will not discontinue my services to Lord Liu Bei by being killed." Zhuge Liang sighed, as if the thought of all this was greatly disturbing.
Zhange He leaped from his position and proceeded to pace the length and breadth of the room. "This brings me back to what I originally asked. How are we to accomplish the result that we obviously desire? If two great minds, such as the two of you, have come together despite ongoing war, then you must have some feasible solution."
The two strategist looked at one another, as if to see who cared to explain things. Sima Yi apparently won the silent bout, stretching a bit before speaking. "We have done research and been in contact with colleagues that dapple in… the dark arts. Powerful magic that they assure us can work as long as proper procedures and rules are followed. We have everything necessary, save the victim."
Zhange pondered this a long while. "And…. what shall this spell do to him?"
Zhuge picked up the line, by saying, "We are told that it shall turn him into…. what his heart is."
Zhange stared point blank. "Uh…. please, inform me further of what that actually means. I know you well enough to say that you know the truth better than you are telling me."
"Well…. you have heard that some people are described like creatures. You know, Sun Jian was the 'Tiger of Jiang Dong' and some give my Lord Liu Bei the attributes of the mighty dragon. We shall see what beast roams the heart and soul of the noble, yet dangerous Zhou Yu." Zhuge shrugged, as if that was simply all he would ever know on the subject.
"Hmm…….. interesting." Zhange He looked rather pleased with himself. "This could prove to be great fun. I wonder what sort of thing he may be…… a fox? Cunning and wise? Or perhaps the eagle? Strong and free? Hmm.. a wonder indeed!"
"Yes! Is it not most….. excellent?" Sima Yi was extremely pleased…. because Zhange He was pleased.
"And yet…… I wonder…." Zhuge muttered, looking inward to think.
"Wonder what, Sleeping Dragon? Are you changing your mind?" Sima Yi growled, as if the argument had been enacted before.
"I just……….. I do not think my Lord Liu Bei would approve….." Zhuge Liang stated hesitantly.
"Zhou Yu would stab you in the back and slit your throat. How can you think of morals when he has none concerning your welfare?" Sima Yi questioned.
"It is only for the heavens to judge him when he leaves. I would be overstepping my authority on this world to make a decision for the gods. His reasons for his feelings are his own, and mine for plotting against him are my own. However, in plotting against him…… I have become like him……" Zhuge frowned. "No….. I cannot do this. I have sinned too much in this matter anyway…… I must go, gentlemen. I will not hinder you, yet I shall not help you any longer. My conscious has warred with itself and now one side has won." Zhuge simply stood and walked out.
"I should have Cao Cao take off his head at the gate……" Sima Yi growled, irritated at the change.
"Ha ha ha….. let him go, Lord Strategist. If he has no desire to see this through to the end, let's not let him spoil our fun!" Zhange He was absolutely tickled at all this.
Yet… and yet Sima Yi stewed, like rotten tomatoes. His soul strained at the chains of self-control. He really yearned for Zhange He, those strong arms around him. But all he got was scant attention for a task that would make most men quake. Is this the feeling of unrequited love? Huh……… This chafes me! I can plot to overthrow governments and win battles, yet the battle of my heart is uphill…How can this happen!?! Arg! Why!?! Why… won't… he … love… me…?
"Yes…. your fun must never be spoiled…." Sima answered, his voice dark and ominous.
"You sound distressed, Lord Strategist." Zhange He looked quizzically at Yi.
"Minor… irritations, He…. minor irritations." Sima rose, intent on leaving. Zhange He said nothing as he walked to the door. As Sima paused a moment, as if to say something actually meaningful, Zhange spoke.
"Do I enrapture you so, Sima Yi?" There was a smile on the angelic face, eyes glinting like sapphires-- but the words struck Sima like those of a devil. Eyes widening in agony at the statement, then narrowing in threatening emotions, Sima stormed off, the fragile door slamming behind him. As the weak door feel off its' hinges, a puzzled Zhange He muttered….
"Was it something I said…?"
Sima's room….. or close to it
I'm a damn fool. A gods-be-damned fool for ever…ever … thinking that this would work. Mocking me, that's all he was doing! I should quite this war, go home to my wife and… and…Hell… and what? Raise children? Govern some peasants? Grow rice!?! Suicide? … … …
Sima paused to kick at an end table that made the wrong decision of existing in
front of Sima in a full rage. The table responded by not moving. In the grand chain of events that follows such rash actions-- Sima yowled as red-hot pain shot through his toes, dashed about his ankle and ran up his leg. In indignant fits of fury, Sima hopped down the hall, positive several toes were broken.
"If I ever……. I should…. I-I……gah!" Sima yanked on the handle to his door. It refused to give. Bellowing, Sima swatted the offending door with his fan- killing yet again another perfectly good door.
Before more misfortune could pay it's respects, Sima launched himself onto his bed.
It would be my luck that the gods are laughing. Curse the South! Curse the red of Wu and the justice of Shu! May Suzaku fail them all! Sima came close to succumbing to the tears that rimmed his tired eyes. No. I will not weep. I swore long ago I would not weep for whatever fate dealt me-I would make her weep instead. And I shall…
Sima pondered his own thoughts and nurtured them, praying that they would come to fruition, and perhaps even ferment to become stronger.
A servant popped into the room through the non-existent door and muttered, "S-sorry to interrupt you sir, but I was concerned because you…..yelled. Are…. are you okay?"
"NO"
"O-oh….. shall…. shall I repair the door?" The servant stuttered, bowed over in fear of the angry strategist.
"Make it quick or I'll have your head….. on a PLATTER!!!" Sima roared as the servant flew out the room- or at least it seemed so with the speed and effort he put into his travels.
a bit down the hall
Jiang Wei had little to no idea why Zhuge Liang had seen fit to drag him to Wei as well…
'You've been here before' he says. 'You have a mission' he says. He most certainly does not want to tell me the real reason why. The young man mused to himself as he walked the halls.
Never mind that Cao Cao would love to see my head mounted like a hunting trophy. Never mind that I'm rather useless……………except as a form of entertainment.
Before he could muse further, a strange sound split the air…
"That sounded like a wild animal, but we are inside……" He frowned. "What if…. what if that Sima has tricked the Prime Minister!?!"
At that most disturbing and horrendous thought, Jiang Wei took off at a run toward the direction of the offending sound. As he slowed for the approach, he noticed a door that had been knocked off it's hinges.
"Oh no…" Jiang Wei inhaled sharply and dashed into the room, a short sword in his hand, considering spears would never do indoors. "What have you-"
There was silence.
"What are you doing to that poor pillow…?" Jiang Wei asked as Sima was methodically ripping the down out of his pillow.
" 'What are you doing to that poor pillow'… he asks. What does it look like! I'm tearing it apart!" Sima mocked Jiang Wei in the cruelest and … most accurate way.
"Stop mocking me!" Jiang Wei muttered.
"Huh? I can't hear the impediment in your voice." Sima smiled evilly. Jiang Wei glared and refused to answer. Sima struggled to his feet and hopped over to face the Shu warrior, dead sure his toes were broken, or they wouldn't hurt so bad.
"Sima, sir, if you are hurt, you have no business doing anything…. much less harassing me and helpless pillows." Jiang Wei slowly advanced towards Sima, genuine concern for the man visible on his youthful features.
Sima abruptly turned away and muttered, "I am pathetic if this puppy has obvious sympathy for me…"
"You are not pathetic, sir. It's only that… you seem angry. Maybe you should talk about it." Jiang Wei cocked his head to the side, waiting for Sima's reaction.
Sima whirled on the youngster and snarled, "Talk is cheap! I've had enough of everything! Get out of my room!"
"But-"
"That wasn't a request!!!!!!!!" Sima growled and struck Jiang Wei without provocation. Jiang Wei reeled and put a hand to his nose.
It felt broken. Broken…… kind of like Sima seems. He usually is calm and cool and in control. He is not in control and is acting like Zhou Yu around the Prime Minister.
We will have to watch him…
Jiang Wei strategically withdrew and frantically searched for ... … … well, for anybody he could find, really. It just so happened he ran into Xu Huang, literally.
"Pardon?" The big man muttered, glancing down to see who'd run into him this time.
"Mister…. Xu…? Xu Huang?" Jiang Wei's speech was slurred and nasally. Blood dribbled freely from his nose, and stained his clothing.
"Wha… happened to you…?" Xu Huang was a little bit more than confused.
"It is Sima Yi! He is…. something is amiss with him. He is … … raging. He is not his usual taunting, sly self. He rashly broke my poor nose, to boot." Jiang Wei ripped a strip of cloth from his sash to wipe his nose with.
"That isn't like Yi much at all. I think I have been putting off speaking to him for too long. Go back to where you came and tend your nose. I shall try to put things right with Sima Yi." Xu Huang nodded in his confidence and strode off, quickly picking his way to Sima's room.
Jiang Wei walked back to his own and wondered a great many things. Why is Sima Yi being this way? He is usually so… so controlled and manipulating, not ranting and raging. And… and where is the Prime Minister!?! Oh no! If anything happens to him, Lord Liu Bei will never forgive me. Jiang Wei blew his nose sorrowfully. "No, I will never forgive myself."
,-,
Yeah, it's kinda weird like that…
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Constructive criticisms are welcomed!