Author's note: This is a sad chapter. I know someone out there is gonna
hate me lol! This is the last chapter in part 1! Whoohoo!! I hope you
like this one, and if anyone actually DOES cry, please, I wanna know, It
would mean a lot to me! (I try to write emotional stuff)
PLEASE ENJOY!
Part 1
The Rise of the Stars
Chapter 10
Libra
What to do? Where to go? What would be the only place someone would be safe during this mess? The first place that came to mind was the courtyard. He raced over though debris and smoke to the grassy area. None of the trees in the courtyard had ignited yet, but if they did. Zhang He looked around, out of ideas and places to go.
"What will we do?" Diao Chan said looking around.
"I have no idea.no place is really safe enough for me to put you." Zhang He said hopelessly.
"Just leave me here, I'll be fine!" Diao Chan said as if this was obvious. "But-" Zhang He started. "Nonsense! Go before someone is killed." Inside he could hear crashes, bangs, shrieks and other sounds of chaos. Smoke was thick and it made Zhang He a little light headed. He was very pleased to see that some of the people who had escaped were trying to extinguish the flames. At the end of the hall loud, raucous laughter could be heard along with screams of agony. When Zhang He peered inside such a gruesome sight met his eyes he had to turn away. Lu Bu and Dong Zhou were tying the residents up and throwing then in to fire, while they were still alive. Zhang He looked down the line of those waiting to be next, not just men, but women, children, babies and near the back, bound and gagged was Yuan Shao and Rai Tso. No! This can't happen, he wouldn't let it. Dong Zhou and Lu Bu were the most disgusting people he had ever laid eyes on and he would not rest until they suffered. He ran up silently behind Dong Zhou, not daring to breath. The second Dong Zhou walked towards the fire, Zhang He summoned his courage and gave Dong Zhou a mighty push. He fell forward into the flames, crying out in surprise. Lu Bu looked around and spotted Zhang He. Just as he lifted his pike, Dong Zhou erupted from the flames, beard slightly shorter than before. "Kill him, Lu Bu! Make him feel pain!" Dong Zhou bellowed, pointing at Zhang He. Lu Bu strode menacingly forward and Zhang He was frozen with fear. Would he even have a chance against Lu Bu if they dueled? Lu Bu came forward, eyes gleaming with flames, nostrils flared as if ready to shoot flames just like a dragon. Then all of a sudden, something snapped in Zhang He's head. "The Dragon, the Demon, and the Firefly will dance into your life. "Do no battle under the black moon, but let the Fireflies' light guide you away from them all." The words from his dream! They weren't just gibberish, it was telling the future! The dragon and the demon were Lu Bu and Dong Zhou! Tonight was a new moon, so he shouldn't fight. He rolled quickly to the side just as Lu Bu brought his pike down. Zhang He slashed all the prisoners' ropes with his Talons, freeing them. He took extra care while freeing Yuan Shao and Rai Tso, who were very grateful. "EVERYONE!" Yuan Shao yelled "Attack Lu Bu!"
All of the people, even the smallest child jumped on Lu Bu. They wrenched the deadly pike out of his hands and forced him to the ground. Dong Zhou jumped to stop them but Rai Tso and Yuan Shao blocked him with their newly reclaimed weapons. Zhang He was just about to go in for the kill, when he heard high-pitched shriek from outside. "DIAO CHAN!" He yelled, racing from the room. His legs carried him swiftly to the courtyard, where what he feared was occurring. Several of the people who lived in the palace were tying up Diao Chan and gathering their weapons. She was struggling and screaming as hard as she could. "STOP!!" Zhang He bellowed at the men. "She's innocent!" "What? What do you mean? She's Dong Zhou's bodyguard!" One man yelled back. "Who was doing nothing? She was just sitting there!" Zhang He protested. "She with me all night anyway, we fell into the forest. She's got a broken leg, she needs help!" "Please, untie me, he speaks the truth! I hate Dong Zhou, I'm in a secret plot to kill him and Lu Bu!" Diao Chan admitted. "Do we believe her?" Someone said. "They're both lying! He's on their side, get him!" The first man yelled. "Shut up, Pon Tang! Don't you know who that is? He's the one that killed Zhang Jiao!" Someone else said. "Then maybe we should release her." Said Pon Tang, rethinking his actions. "Yes, and hurry up!" Zhang He said angrily. After she was unbound, Zhang He transported her inside. He walked into his room and laid her down on the bed. "I think you'll be safe in my room, there's no fire near here." Zhang He said preparing to leave. "Thank you, Zhang He, I am forever in your debt." She said softly. Back in the room where everyone was fighting, they had managed to break and burn Lu Bu's pike and Dong Zhou was getting tired. When Zhang He arrived, Dong Zhou let out a cry of rage. "Not another one! Lu Bu, let us retreat today, fight another day!" Dong Zhou yelled and ran towards the door. "But my Lord," Lu Bu yelled back after punching a man in the face "What about Diao Chan?" "Forget her! She's probably already dead anyway! Let's get out of here!" Dong Zhou said speeding away from sight. Lu Bu growled and followed after him reluctantly. Everything was silent for moment, and then someone spoke. "Did we just drive out Lu Bu?" he said. "We just drove out Lu Bu!!" another said happily. The next thing everyone knew was they were all cheering and celebrating. Cries of "We are the greatest!" and "We did it echoed throughout the building. Suddenly, Yuan Shao stood in front of everyone and raised his arms. "People, we have all done spectacularly! But, think now. Where would we all still be if Zhang He hadn't been here?" Yuan Shao said, "My most trusted bodyguard and friend, you have saved all of our lives once again! I would like to ask you to stay in my services for the rest of your life and take on after Rai Tso when she is gone. Will you please?" "B-but of course, my Lord!" Zhang He said ecstatically. He couldn't believe his luck. "Please, allow me to ask you something my Lord." "Anything!" Yuan Shao said happily. "Lady Diao Chan is completely innocent of any crime. I was with her all night, and she did nothing. She was injured and she needs immediate help, I must ask you to have her be cared for here." Zhang He paused "And, perhaps she might be allowed to stay here afterwards." "Of course I will allow this, but I must ask why you were with her this night." Yuan Shao said puzzled. "We were-" Zhang He stopped. If he told Yuan Shao that he was walking around at night and that he went into the forest, he would be in trouble. "Ohh, I understand.." Yuan Shao said. "What? What do you mean? No, sir, it wasn't anything like that!" Zhang He said embarrassed. He knew exactly how this sounded, not good on his part. "Alright." Yuan Shao chuckled, "Whatever you say.Now, you'd better get some sleep. Where is Diao Chan, so that Rai Tso may take her to the infirmary?" "I-in my room." Zhang He said quietly, shrinking down and turning redder. Yuan Shao smiled and gestured to Rai Tso. She walked over and started walking down the hall. Zhang He followed and caught up with her. "Well, well, well." She said slyly. "Oh, come on!" Zhang He said, starting to get angry "You don't even believe me?" "You mean you're trying to deny it?" She said surprised. "It's okay, Zhang He, it's not a really bad thing." "Oh, pu-lease! Why don't you believe me!? I've got an alibi, I just couldn't tell Yuan Shao!" Zhang He said then explained everything that happened. "It's normal to deny, but don't flat out lie to me." Rai Tso said. "What? How can you not believe me!?" Zhang He said very distressed. "So your trying to tell me the balcony just fell off?" She said, stopping and raising her voice. "YES! Go see for yourself tomorrow!" Zhang He yelled. "I thought you were better than that.Friends don't lie to friends!" She said bitterly, walking through the door. She went up to Diao Chan and picked her roughly up. "So, was he good!?" She spat at Diao Chan. "What?" Diao Chan said utterly puzzled. "What happened between you guys tonight?" Rai Tso yelled at a frightened Diao Chan. Diao Chan proceeded in telling Rai Tso the same story Zhang He did, detail for detail. "Oh, very impressive, Zhang He, you guys made up the story together!" Rai Tso yelled, sounding hurt. "I'll just your new 'friend' to the infirmary now!" Rai Tso said starting to walk away. "Oh, maybe you'd like to kiss her goodbye!" Rai Tso mocked. "Why are you acting like this? We told you what happened, why don't you understand?" Zhang He said quietly. "I guess, if friends don't tell friends lies, then you aren't my friend anymore!" She screamed and stormed out. Zhang He fell into a restless sleep, trying not to think about Rai Tso's cruel words. The next morning he went to visit Diao Chan in the infirmary. It turned out that the break was only minor and she would only have to heal for about three weeks. Everyone was happy with Zhang He for saving them; whenever someone would walk by him they would wave. Everyone was set to work rebuilding the burnt parts of the palace. Some people were grieving for they had lost family members to Dong Zhou's cruelty. Zhang He had a tough time explaining to Diao Chan why Rai Tso had been so mean. "I suppose she was just surprised and upset at the thought that you might be lying.she will realize soon enough there has been a mistake." Diao Chan said. But this was not the case. Zhang He didn't see her once in a week. He was all over the castle, helping people work, talking to and assisting Yuan Shao, visiting Diao Chan, running messages to everyone all over the place, and not once did they run into each other. Zhang He hated being without friends, so when he had worked enough, he spent the rest of the day with Diao Chan. She was very kind and extremely grateful to Zhang He for making Dong Zhou leave her. She was also overly joyed that Yuan Shao had let her stay. Zhang He told her of the perils he had faced with the Yellow Turbans, and of the news with the Wu, Wei, and Shu. He told her about his sworn brothers and their families and all the wonderful adventures they would have when Yuan Shao finally joined the Wu. She was a very good listener and seemed very interested in everything he had to say. It was the happiest of times when they were together. It almost seemed to patch the emptiness that was left by his brothers. Diao Chan also had interesting stories to tell. She spoke of her childhood and her father. She had never actually known her real father, but the man that had adopted her was like her father. She told him about how she had saved her families lives by singing some bandits into submission. She told him about the cruelties of Dong Zhou, how he would kill because he felt like it and how he would spend days at a time down in his torture chamber. She also shivered when she told him how both Lu Bu and Dong Zhou planned to marry her. During her second week at the palace, Diao Chan was allowed out of bed, but she had to walk very slow and be extremely careful. She would spend a lot of time sitting in the courtyard, watching children for the people who were working and waiting for Zhang He to come visit. Almost all the work on the castle was complete and everyone had more time for relaxing. At night, all the men would stay up drinking and celebrating. One day, while telling Diao Chan how he had still not seen Rai Tso, Zhang He saw Guo Tu on the other end of the courtyard. He was holding his stump of an arm and glaring at Zhang He. "Who's that?" Diao Chan inquired, looking over at Guo Tu. "He's the strategist. We've detested each other ever since my very first day here." Zhang He said softly. "He's smiling at you, I would think you were friends." She said, flicking a bug off her shoulder. There was more and more insects in the air, perhaps a sign that spring was on its way.
Guo Tu was smiling. Smiling in that evil way that told everyone he was up to no good. The sun was beginning to set and the temperature dropped. "I'm going back to my now, see you later." Diao Chan said. "Let me help." Zhang He said, offering her his shoulder to lean on. "Thanks." She said gratefully. They made their way back inside the building and to her room, which was the same as the one she had been in while visiting. She waved goodbye and disappeared inside. He wheeled around to enter hi own room and stood face to face with Rai Tso. She stood for while staring at Zhang He, her eyes began to water. The next thing he knew he was being squashed by her arms while she was crying into his hair. "I'm so sorry!" She wailed. "I should have believed you from the start! When I saw that the balcony really had fallen, I just didn't know what to say to you. I acted like a child, please forgive me." "It's okay! I was just going to apologize to you." Zhang He said. She broke away and smiled. "You look just like him." She said softly. "Like who?" Zhang He said. "Rai Jin.My son." She said crying a bit more. She looked like she was going to throw her arms around him again, but then she stopped and look puzzled. "Who're you?" Rai Tso said to someone behind Zhang He. Suddenly a hand came launching out beside Zhang He. It was holding a silver twisted dagger. Suddenly, everything went in slow motion. He saw the hand inch closer and closer. He saw Rai Tso's face contort and she tried to say something. The point touched her soft throat and tore in. She closed and opened her eyes and brought her hands to her neck. The blade sunk deeper and the hand released. Rai Tso's body started to fall and her hair flew up and rippled in the air. Tears floated out of her eyes, which were still open with a beautiful sort of sick sadness. She hit the ground and looked up at the ceiling. Her lips trembled and flashed into a last smile of farewell. "Zhang He." she mouthed, "Can you see them?" She pointed up feebly "Those lights." She closed her eyes and let her soul be freed from the cruel bonds of life. She died with a smile on her lips, she was finally free. "No." Zhang He said. He dropped to his knees and put his hands on her body, drenching them in blood. Tears surged down his face and his heading pounded painfully. This couldn't be. This was some horrible nightmare he would wake up from. This just couldn't be true. He let out a cry of anguish and wept onto the ground. He held her lifeless body, begging her to return. "HELP! MURDER!! THERE'S BEEN A MURDER! GUARDS!" Said the person behind. Zhang He turned to him, his grief turning to rage. Guo Tu stood smiling in a truly demented and cruel fashion. He had killed Rai Tso. Guo Tu had killed Rai Tso right before his eyes. "It was him, guards!" Guo Tu announced to the men. "Zhang He killed her, I saw the whole thing!" "You bastard!" Zhang He screamed at Guo Tu. "It was him, guards, he's framing me!" "You see, he tries to blame me! Bind and gag him!" Guo Tu said smiling even more broadly. Everything was hazy. They tied him up and put a cloth in his mouth. He didn't even put up a struggle; he was too overcome by grief. Diao Chan came out of her room to what was going on, saw what was going on and screamed. She ran over to Zhang He and demanded to know what was going on. "Zhang He murdered Rai Tso!" Guo Tu said plainly. "He would never do something like that!" She said hostilely. "Well, he has and he might do it again!" Guo Tu yelled. Diao Chan put her arms around Zhang He's neck and he let his head fall onto her shoulder. "Can't you two see he's crying? He loved this woman like a mother! He could never kill her!" She yelled at the guards. The considered for a moment, but stopped when Guo Tu spoke again. "You fools! This is lunacy! Kill her, then take this pathetic killer to Yuan Shao!" They raised their weapons at Diao Chan, who cringed and covered her head. "WHAT'S GOING ON?" Boomed another voice. Yuan Shao strode powerfully down the hall, looking furious. He stopped when he saw Rai Tso and the rest of the scene. "Good God. What happened here?" He said looking aghast. "Zhang He, in all of his greed for power, decided to kill Rai Tso to gain her position. I tried to stop him, I really did, but I was too late. I called these guards and they have restrained him. I can also report several other rule breakings and crimes he has committed! He has been outside at night frequently, he went down to the forest on the night the castle was burned, and I have reason to believe he has 'taken advantage' of this poor young woman. He is a menace and must be dealt with!" Guo Tu said, speaking nails. "I-is this true?" Yuan Shao asked Diao Chan. "Of course not! Guo Tu is just looking for a way to get revenge on Zhang He! He probably killed Rai Tso himself! Zhang He was only out at night because he was following me; he thought I was an assassin! We both fell into the forest, that's how I broke my leg! And also, he has never 'taken advantage' of anyone in his life! He is completely innocent, my Lord!" Diao Chan said loudly. "Will you take my word, or a woman's, my Lord?" Guo Tu said, looking at Yuan Shao. "Zhang He obviously has threatened her to lie for him." Yuan Shao stood and thought for a long while. He brow furrowed many times, and he opened his mouth a couple of times, then closed it again. He finally looked as is he had come to his decision, and faced them all. "Take Zhang He and Diao Chan far away from my palace into the forest. He will be flogged an inch from death. Leave him the Talons incase she speaks the truth. If either of them ever return, kill them on sight." Yuan Shao said crucially. Guo Tu smiled and walked away. Diao Chan and Zhang He were both blindfolded and taken away. Zhang He couldn't think his world had been crushed, everything he ever worked hard to get, one of the best friends he had ever had, all destroyed by another's jealousy. He kept seeing Rai Tso's empty shell of a body and Guo Tu's horrible smile. About three hours later he was being thrown onto the ground. Someone was removing his shirt and he heard Diao Chan being dropped down. Suddenly he felt the agonizing crack of a whip on his back. Again and again it struck, cutting into his flesh, never stopping. He flailed and kicked, trying to get away from the terrible pain. He cried out more than once and finally just gave up. He lay on the ground unable to move at all. They finally stopped and he heard a soft metal thud on the ground next to him. Blood flowed from his open wounds, stinging in the cold night air. He heard Diao Chan's soft sobs mixing in with the sounds of the night. Here he lay, forsaken by all save Diao Chan. She would probably leave him, it was his fault she was thrown into this, and she probably never wanted to see him again. He felt someone untying the blindfold with shaking hands. Diao Chan's crying face appeared out of the blur. She ran her fingers through Zhang He's tangled hair. She slowly and with trouble undid the rest of the binds. He let his arms drop lamely to his sides and stared off into the distance, his lip trembling. She lay down beside him and wept into his chest. From somewhere above the sky, a star fell down and died below the horizon. Soft, white snowflakes danced down to Earth. The moon shone down, the wind blew softly, and the world was still. Everything was covered in white, the last snow of winter released it self down upon everyone. Somewhere, under some roof, someone was born, another chance for someone. Zhang He stared at the world and its painful beauty, and felt the snow on his forehead. Something about that snow wasn't so bitterly cold. Maybe a gift. He thought to himself as he slipped into sleep. I'll always remember.
End of part 1
would mean a lot to me! (I try to write emotional stuff)
PLEASE ENJOY!
Part 1
The Rise of the Stars
Chapter 10
Libra
What to do? Where to go? What would be the only place someone would be safe during this mess? The first place that came to mind was the courtyard. He raced over though debris and smoke to the grassy area. None of the trees in the courtyard had ignited yet, but if they did. Zhang He looked around, out of ideas and places to go.
"What will we do?" Diao Chan said looking around.
"I have no idea.no place is really safe enough for me to put you." Zhang He said hopelessly.
"Just leave me here, I'll be fine!" Diao Chan said as if this was obvious. "But-" Zhang He started. "Nonsense! Go before someone is killed." Inside he could hear crashes, bangs, shrieks and other sounds of chaos. Smoke was thick and it made Zhang He a little light headed. He was very pleased to see that some of the people who had escaped were trying to extinguish the flames. At the end of the hall loud, raucous laughter could be heard along with screams of agony. When Zhang He peered inside such a gruesome sight met his eyes he had to turn away. Lu Bu and Dong Zhou were tying the residents up and throwing then in to fire, while they were still alive. Zhang He looked down the line of those waiting to be next, not just men, but women, children, babies and near the back, bound and gagged was Yuan Shao and Rai Tso. No! This can't happen, he wouldn't let it. Dong Zhou and Lu Bu were the most disgusting people he had ever laid eyes on and he would not rest until they suffered. He ran up silently behind Dong Zhou, not daring to breath. The second Dong Zhou walked towards the fire, Zhang He summoned his courage and gave Dong Zhou a mighty push. He fell forward into the flames, crying out in surprise. Lu Bu looked around and spotted Zhang He. Just as he lifted his pike, Dong Zhou erupted from the flames, beard slightly shorter than before. "Kill him, Lu Bu! Make him feel pain!" Dong Zhou bellowed, pointing at Zhang He. Lu Bu strode menacingly forward and Zhang He was frozen with fear. Would he even have a chance against Lu Bu if they dueled? Lu Bu came forward, eyes gleaming with flames, nostrils flared as if ready to shoot flames just like a dragon. Then all of a sudden, something snapped in Zhang He's head. "The Dragon, the Demon, and the Firefly will dance into your life. "Do no battle under the black moon, but let the Fireflies' light guide you away from them all." The words from his dream! They weren't just gibberish, it was telling the future! The dragon and the demon were Lu Bu and Dong Zhou! Tonight was a new moon, so he shouldn't fight. He rolled quickly to the side just as Lu Bu brought his pike down. Zhang He slashed all the prisoners' ropes with his Talons, freeing them. He took extra care while freeing Yuan Shao and Rai Tso, who were very grateful. "EVERYONE!" Yuan Shao yelled "Attack Lu Bu!"
All of the people, even the smallest child jumped on Lu Bu. They wrenched the deadly pike out of his hands and forced him to the ground. Dong Zhou jumped to stop them but Rai Tso and Yuan Shao blocked him with their newly reclaimed weapons. Zhang He was just about to go in for the kill, when he heard high-pitched shriek from outside. "DIAO CHAN!" He yelled, racing from the room. His legs carried him swiftly to the courtyard, where what he feared was occurring. Several of the people who lived in the palace were tying up Diao Chan and gathering their weapons. She was struggling and screaming as hard as she could. "STOP!!" Zhang He bellowed at the men. "She's innocent!" "What? What do you mean? She's Dong Zhou's bodyguard!" One man yelled back. "Who was doing nothing? She was just sitting there!" Zhang He protested. "She with me all night anyway, we fell into the forest. She's got a broken leg, she needs help!" "Please, untie me, he speaks the truth! I hate Dong Zhou, I'm in a secret plot to kill him and Lu Bu!" Diao Chan admitted. "Do we believe her?" Someone said. "They're both lying! He's on their side, get him!" The first man yelled. "Shut up, Pon Tang! Don't you know who that is? He's the one that killed Zhang Jiao!" Someone else said. "Then maybe we should release her." Said Pon Tang, rethinking his actions. "Yes, and hurry up!" Zhang He said angrily. After she was unbound, Zhang He transported her inside. He walked into his room and laid her down on the bed. "I think you'll be safe in my room, there's no fire near here." Zhang He said preparing to leave. "Thank you, Zhang He, I am forever in your debt." She said softly. Back in the room where everyone was fighting, they had managed to break and burn Lu Bu's pike and Dong Zhou was getting tired. When Zhang He arrived, Dong Zhou let out a cry of rage. "Not another one! Lu Bu, let us retreat today, fight another day!" Dong Zhou yelled and ran towards the door. "But my Lord," Lu Bu yelled back after punching a man in the face "What about Diao Chan?" "Forget her! She's probably already dead anyway! Let's get out of here!" Dong Zhou said speeding away from sight. Lu Bu growled and followed after him reluctantly. Everything was silent for moment, and then someone spoke. "Did we just drive out Lu Bu?" he said. "We just drove out Lu Bu!!" another said happily. The next thing everyone knew was they were all cheering and celebrating. Cries of "We are the greatest!" and "We did it echoed throughout the building. Suddenly, Yuan Shao stood in front of everyone and raised his arms. "People, we have all done spectacularly! But, think now. Where would we all still be if Zhang He hadn't been here?" Yuan Shao said, "My most trusted bodyguard and friend, you have saved all of our lives once again! I would like to ask you to stay in my services for the rest of your life and take on after Rai Tso when she is gone. Will you please?" "B-but of course, my Lord!" Zhang He said ecstatically. He couldn't believe his luck. "Please, allow me to ask you something my Lord." "Anything!" Yuan Shao said happily. "Lady Diao Chan is completely innocent of any crime. I was with her all night, and she did nothing. She was injured and she needs immediate help, I must ask you to have her be cared for here." Zhang He paused "And, perhaps she might be allowed to stay here afterwards." "Of course I will allow this, but I must ask why you were with her this night." Yuan Shao said puzzled. "We were-" Zhang He stopped. If he told Yuan Shao that he was walking around at night and that he went into the forest, he would be in trouble. "Ohh, I understand.." Yuan Shao said. "What? What do you mean? No, sir, it wasn't anything like that!" Zhang He said embarrassed. He knew exactly how this sounded, not good on his part. "Alright." Yuan Shao chuckled, "Whatever you say.Now, you'd better get some sleep. Where is Diao Chan, so that Rai Tso may take her to the infirmary?" "I-in my room." Zhang He said quietly, shrinking down and turning redder. Yuan Shao smiled and gestured to Rai Tso. She walked over and started walking down the hall. Zhang He followed and caught up with her. "Well, well, well." She said slyly. "Oh, come on!" Zhang He said, starting to get angry "You don't even believe me?" "You mean you're trying to deny it?" She said surprised. "It's okay, Zhang He, it's not a really bad thing." "Oh, pu-lease! Why don't you believe me!? I've got an alibi, I just couldn't tell Yuan Shao!" Zhang He said then explained everything that happened. "It's normal to deny, but don't flat out lie to me." Rai Tso said. "What? How can you not believe me!?" Zhang He said very distressed. "So your trying to tell me the balcony just fell off?" She said, stopping and raising her voice. "YES! Go see for yourself tomorrow!" Zhang He yelled. "I thought you were better than that.Friends don't lie to friends!" She said bitterly, walking through the door. She went up to Diao Chan and picked her roughly up. "So, was he good!?" She spat at Diao Chan. "What?" Diao Chan said utterly puzzled. "What happened between you guys tonight?" Rai Tso yelled at a frightened Diao Chan. Diao Chan proceeded in telling Rai Tso the same story Zhang He did, detail for detail. "Oh, very impressive, Zhang He, you guys made up the story together!" Rai Tso yelled, sounding hurt. "I'll just your new 'friend' to the infirmary now!" Rai Tso said starting to walk away. "Oh, maybe you'd like to kiss her goodbye!" Rai Tso mocked. "Why are you acting like this? We told you what happened, why don't you understand?" Zhang He said quietly. "I guess, if friends don't tell friends lies, then you aren't my friend anymore!" She screamed and stormed out. Zhang He fell into a restless sleep, trying not to think about Rai Tso's cruel words. The next morning he went to visit Diao Chan in the infirmary. It turned out that the break was only minor and she would only have to heal for about three weeks. Everyone was happy with Zhang He for saving them; whenever someone would walk by him they would wave. Everyone was set to work rebuilding the burnt parts of the palace. Some people were grieving for they had lost family members to Dong Zhou's cruelty. Zhang He had a tough time explaining to Diao Chan why Rai Tso had been so mean. "I suppose she was just surprised and upset at the thought that you might be lying.she will realize soon enough there has been a mistake." Diao Chan said. But this was not the case. Zhang He didn't see her once in a week. He was all over the castle, helping people work, talking to and assisting Yuan Shao, visiting Diao Chan, running messages to everyone all over the place, and not once did they run into each other. Zhang He hated being without friends, so when he had worked enough, he spent the rest of the day with Diao Chan. She was very kind and extremely grateful to Zhang He for making Dong Zhou leave her. She was also overly joyed that Yuan Shao had let her stay. Zhang He told her of the perils he had faced with the Yellow Turbans, and of the news with the Wu, Wei, and Shu. He told her about his sworn brothers and their families and all the wonderful adventures they would have when Yuan Shao finally joined the Wu. She was a very good listener and seemed very interested in everything he had to say. It was the happiest of times when they were together. It almost seemed to patch the emptiness that was left by his brothers. Diao Chan also had interesting stories to tell. She spoke of her childhood and her father. She had never actually known her real father, but the man that had adopted her was like her father. She told him about how she had saved her families lives by singing some bandits into submission. She told him about the cruelties of Dong Zhou, how he would kill because he felt like it and how he would spend days at a time down in his torture chamber. She also shivered when she told him how both Lu Bu and Dong Zhou planned to marry her. During her second week at the palace, Diao Chan was allowed out of bed, but she had to walk very slow and be extremely careful. She would spend a lot of time sitting in the courtyard, watching children for the people who were working and waiting for Zhang He to come visit. Almost all the work on the castle was complete and everyone had more time for relaxing. At night, all the men would stay up drinking and celebrating. One day, while telling Diao Chan how he had still not seen Rai Tso, Zhang He saw Guo Tu on the other end of the courtyard. He was holding his stump of an arm and glaring at Zhang He. "Who's that?" Diao Chan inquired, looking over at Guo Tu. "He's the strategist. We've detested each other ever since my very first day here." Zhang He said softly. "He's smiling at you, I would think you were friends." She said, flicking a bug off her shoulder. There was more and more insects in the air, perhaps a sign that spring was on its way.
Guo Tu was smiling. Smiling in that evil way that told everyone he was up to no good. The sun was beginning to set and the temperature dropped. "I'm going back to my now, see you later." Diao Chan said. "Let me help." Zhang He said, offering her his shoulder to lean on. "Thanks." She said gratefully. They made their way back inside the building and to her room, which was the same as the one she had been in while visiting. She waved goodbye and disappeared inside. He wheeled around to enter hi own room and stood face to face with Rai Tso. She stood for while staring at Zhang He, her eyes began to water. The next thing he knew he was being squashed by her arms while she was crying into his hair. "I'm so sorry!" She wailed. "I should have believed you from the start! When I saw that the balcony really had fallen, I just didn't know what to say to you. I acted like a child, please forgive me." "It's okay! I was just going to apologize to you." Zhang He said. She broke away and smiled. "You look just like him." She said softly. "Like who?" Zhang He said. "Rai Jin.My son." She said crying a bit more. She looked like she was going to throw her arms around him again, but then she stopped and look puzzled. "Who're you?" Rai Tso said to someone behind Zhang He. Suddenly a hand came launching out beside Zhang He. It was holding a silver twisted dagger. Suddenly, everything went in slow motion. He saw the hand inch closer and closer. He saw Rai Tso's face contort and she tried to say something. The point touched her soft throat and tore in. She closed and opened her eyes and brought her hands to her neck. The blade sunk deeper and the hand released. Rai Tso's body started to fall and her hair flew up and rippled in the air. Tears floated out of her eyes, which were still open with a beautiful sort of sick sadness. She hit the ground and looked up at the ceiling. Her lips trembled and flashed into a last smile of farewell. "Zhang He." she mouthed, "Can you see them?" She pointed up feebly "Those lights." She closed her eyes and let her soul be freed from the cruel bonds of life. She died with a smile on her lips, she was finally free. "No." Zhang He said. He dropped to his knees and put his hands on her body, drenching them in blood. Tears surged down his face and his heading pounded painfully. This couldn't be. This was some horrible nightmare he would wake up from. This just couldn't be true. He let out a cry of anguish and wept onto the ground. He held her lifeless body, begging her to return. "HELP! MURDER!! THERE'S BEEN A MURDER! GUARDS!" Said the person behind. Zhang He turned to him, his grief turning to rage. Guo Tu stood smiling in a truly demented and cruel fashion. He had killed Rai Tso. Guo Tu had killed Rai Tso right before his eyes. "It was him, guards!" Guo Tu announced to the men. "Zhang He killed her, I saw the whole thing!" "You bastard!" Zhang He screamed at Guo Tu. "It was him, guards, he's framing me!" "You see, he tries to blame me! Bind and gag him!" Guo Tu said smiling even more broadly. Everything was hazy. They tied him up and put a cloth in his mouth. He didn't even put up a struggle; he was too overcome by grief. Diao Chan came out of her room to what was going on, saw what was going on and screamed. She ran over to Zhang He and demanded to know what was going on. "Zhang He murdered Rai Tso!" Guo Tu said plainly. "He would never do something like that!" She said hostilely. "Well, he has and he might do it again!" Guo Tu yelled. Diao Chan put her arms around Zhang He's neck and he let his head fall onto her shoulder. "Can't you two see he's crying? He loved this woman like a mother! He could never kill her!" She yelled at the guards. The considered for a moment, but stopped when Guo Tu spoke again. "You fools! This is lunacy! Kill her, then take this pathetic killer to Yuan Shao!" They raised their weapons at Diao Chan, who cringed and covered her head. "WHAT'S GOING ON?" Boomed another voice. Yuan Shao strode powerfully down the hall, looking furious. He stopped when he saw Rai Tso and the rest of the scene. "Good God. What happened here?" He said looking aghast. "Zhang He, in all of his greed for power, decided to kill Rai Tso to gain her position. I tried to stop him, I really did, but I was too late. I called these guards and they have restrained him. I can also report several other rule breakings and crimes he has committed! He has been outside at night frequently, he went down to the forest on the night the castle was burned, and I have reason to believe he has 'taken advantage' of this poor young woman. He is a menace and must be dealt with!" Guo Tu said, speaking nails. "I-is this true?" Yuan Shao asked Diao Chan. "Of course not! Guo Tu is just looking for a way to get revenge on Zhang He! He probably killed Rai Tso himself! Zhang He was only out at night because he was following me; he thought I was an assassin! We both fell into the forest, that's how I broke my leg! And also, he has never 'taken advantage' of anyone in his life! He is completely innocent, my Lord!" Diao Chan said loudly. "Will you take my word, or a woman's, my Lord?" Guo Tu said, looking at Yuan Shao. "Zhang He obviously has threatened her to lie for him." Yuan Shao stood and thought for a long while. He brow furrowed many times, and he opened his mouth a couple of times, then closed it again. He finally looked as is he had come to his decision, and faced them all. "Take Zhang He and Diao Chan far away from my palace into the forest. He will be flogged an inch from death. Leave him the Talons incase she speaks the truth. If either of them ever return, kill them on sight." Yuan Shao said crucially. Guo Tu smiled and walked away. Diao Chan and Zhang He were both blindfolded and taken away. Zhang He couldn't think his world had been crushed, everything he ever worked hard to get, one of the best friends he had ever had, all destroyed by another's jealousy. He kept seeing Rai Tso's empty shell of a body and Guo Tu's horrible smile. About three hours later he was being thrown onto the ground. Someone was removing his shirt and he heard Diao Chan being dropped down. Suddenly he felt the agonizing crack of a whip on his back. Again and again it struck, cutting into his flesh, never stopping. He flailed and kicked, trying to get away from the terrible pain. He cried out more than once and finally just gave up. He lay on the ground unable to move at all. They finally stopped and he heard a soft metal thud on the ground next to him. Blood flowed from his open wounds, stinging in the cold night air. He heard Diao Chan's soft sobs mixing in with the sounds of the night. Here he lay, forsaken by all save Diao Chan. She would probably leave him, it was his fault she was thrown into this, and she probably never wanted to see him again. He felt someone untying the blindfold with shaking hands. Diao Chan's crying face appeared out of the blur. She ran her fingers through Zhang He's tangled hair. She slowly and with trouble undid the rest of the binds. He let his arms drop lamely to his sides and stared off into the distance, his lip trembling. She lay down beside him and wept into his chest. From somewhere above the sky, a star fell down and died below the horizon. Soft, white snowflakes danced down to Earth. The moon shone down, the wind blew softly, and the world was still. Everything was covered in white, the last snow of winter released it self down upon everyone. Somewhere, under some roof, someone was born, another chance for someone. Zhang He stared at the world and its painful beauty, and felt the snow on his forehead. Something about that snow wasn't so bitterly cold. Maybe a gift. He thought to himself as he slipped into sleep. I'll always remember.
End of part 1