Part 3
The Romance of the Four Leaders
Chapter 26
Together Once Again
Zhou Yu charged at the guards at full speed, sword raised, cleaving away their heads as easy as pie. Sun Ce blasted through the doors after him, followed by the other six. Inside it smelled as though animals lived inside the house. It was very dark and dank and a strong odor of mustiness. Large red and purple curtains obscured light from entering the room and the floors were laid with Tatami mats from Japan. Large fans made from bamboo adorned the halls and many exotic plants had taken root inside the building.
"Lets split up into three groups and search the castle for any remaining soldiers." Zhou Yu commanded.
"I'm with Da Qiao!" Sun Ce piped at once.
"Then Zhang He, go with Sun Shang Xiang and Diao Chan, and I'll take Xiao Qiao with me. Everyone alright with this?" He asked. They all nodded and sped off in different directions.
Zhang He had to run a little slower so that the girls could keep up with him. They knocked in doors and peered over corners, but they only found two soldiers in the building that offered no challenge whatsoever. Once the reached the throne room the set down their weapons and took a look around. They were directed to stop here anyway, so they could wait and look at the same time.
"Look at this gigantic throne!" Sun Shang Xiang marveled, trying to climb into the purple cushioned seat. "You'd have to be at least six feet tall and weigh three hundred pounds to occupy this thing!" She laughed. Diao Chan laughed.
"That's like a horse!" She joked. Zhang He had never really thought who had ruled the Nanman tribe. He was sure Zhou Yu and Sima Yi knew, but he never actually took the time to ask.
"I bet you he's as hairy as a horse!" Sun Shang Xiang continued smiling as Diao Chan climbed into the enormous throne.
"And three times as ugly!" She smiled.
"And that his beard reaches the ground." Sun Shang Xiang said, lying down on the purple seating with still a plethora of room for Diao Chan. Zhang He smiled at the girls. So cute, he thought.
"It's true, my husband is ugly, hairy, and quite obese, but he could destroy every last one of you."
Zhang He wheeled around in the direction of this voice, as did the two girls. A tall woman started to emerge from the shadows. She carried a huge three ended boomerang with blades attached. Her hair was snowy white and her body was tanned to a bronze color. She wore an assortment of tribal garments that showed a little more of her body than Zhang He wanted to see. He would have minded seeing it on Diao Chan, but this woman looked more like a man, something Zhang He DEFINATLY didn't want to see.
She walked casually up, fingering the fearsome weapon and smiling.
"You little sissies have some nerve attacking our city of Ru Nan, but that's all you've got. I saw right through your silly little plan, I knew you'd be coming straight to the throne room, so I waited." She drawled on.
Diao Chan and Sun Shang Xiang leapt of the throne and seized their weapons.
"You think you can take on the three of us?" Asked Zhang He defiantly.
"Don't underestimate me because I'm a woman . . ." She growled. Zhang He laughed mockingly.
"I don't underestimate any women! Why would I be accompanied by two of them if I underestimated them? Although, I'd have a pretty hard time calling anyone like you a woman . . ." He ended casually. She let out a cry of rage and grasped her weapon like a vice.
"You'll rue the day you insulted Zhu Rong!" She bellowed, then launched towards them, weapon at the ready.
She was quite unskilled at battle, but huge on power. One swing against all of their guarding weapons sent them all shooting backwards into the wall. She would have gotten Zhang He then, but he was too quick. He zipped to the right and in a flash was behind her. He took a swing with his Talons, but missed. Diao Chan cam from the side and landed a glancing blow to Zhu Rong's ribs, and disabling her guard for a moments time. Sun Shang Xiang created a tiny scarlet slit on her arm with a sway of her Chakrams, and for a moment it looked as though they were winning. Then Zhu Rong spun into the air and drove the blunt end of her boomerang directly into Diao Chan's stomach. She choked and stumbled back violently, landing on the floor. Zhu Rong cackled and lifted her boomerang once more, but this time, the blade was exposed. Just as she was about to bring it down, Zhang He executed a well-timed leap kick, knocking Zhu Rong's tall figure to the floor.
"Diao Chan!" He gasped and ran to her aid. She was out cold and her eyes were still open. Zhang He respectively closed the lids and lifted her off the ground. "Hold her off for a moment, Shang Xiang, I have to get her to safety!" She nodded critically and squeezed her Chakrams as she ran towards Zhu Rong once again. Zhang He sprinted up to the throne and lay her down gently. Ju8st as soon as he had done this, a high-pitched shriek echoed throne voluminous throne room, telling him that Sun Shang Xiang had fallen.
She lay on her side, covering a wound on her shoulder and trying to get up helplessly. Zhu Rong prepared to reave her from the ground, but Zhang He saved the day again using his own version of martial arts.
"Leave her alone, she's down!" Zhang He yelled.
"That's right, and once she's down, her life is mine!" Zhu Rong snarled.
"That goes against honor in battle . . ." Zhang He spat.
"All's fair in love and war!" She said, waved her boomerang through the air like a colossal baton.
"Run, Sun Shang Xiang! Get to safety!" Zhang He ordered as he held off the woman's powerhouse assault. She tried to get up as best she could, but kept tripping and stumbling. I must end this . . . Zhang He thought bearing his teeth. He started waving his Talons back and forth as fast he could. They turned into metallic blurs and Zhu Rong stepped back slightly. His arms were getting tired, but he knew that he must continue. Zhu Rong stepped back and brought back her boomerang heavily. At the exact right moment she swung it forward with a tremendous force, striking Zhang He's Talons head on. They were both hit with such power, that they actually snapped off his hands and lay dormant at the other side of the throne room. He now stood unarmed against this titan of a woman, without his companions. She laughed in a most sinister way.
"What's wrong, little boy? You scared to die?" She said, advancing slowly. Zhang He retreated cautiously, ready to dodge at any moment. She waved a lightening fast blow and the blunt end collided agonizingly with Zhang He's right arm. He felt the bone crack and white-hot pain surrounded it. He let out an earsplitting scream and fell to his knees, a shaking hand over the destroyed arm. Zhu Rong laughed once again, and moved until she was right above his head. Zhang He couldn't get up to dodge, this was it . . .
"I'm going to enjoy killing you and you two little girlfriends niiice and slowly . . ." She grinned in a demented way. She slashed a small gash across Zhang He's chest, which started to bleed profusely. I've already died once today . . . He thought feebly. She kicked him down onto his back and placed a foot on his broken arm and stepped down. Tears sprang from Zhang He's and his body twitched and convulsed in pain.
"Awww, is the widdle baby cwying?" She cooed mockingly. "Accept your death, boy!" She bellowed coldly. No Phoenix to protect me this time, I'm really going to die . . . Zhang He thought as his heart sickened. He closed his eyes and lamented over his life, over all the things he'd done. Diao Chan was unconscious, he couldn't say goodbye. Zhu Rong raised her boomerang into the air and began to laugh even louder. Just as she was about to swing down, Zhang He closed his eyes and turned away. A series of strange noises were heard: A zap, a scream, a thud, another thud, and something metal clanged painfully in Zhang He's ear.
"Am I dead?" He asked, keeping his eyes shut. No one answered, so he bravely opened an eye. He was still staring at the ceiling of the throne room; still lying on the hard ground, arm still aching in agony. He sat up with difficulty and looked around. Zhu Rong was lying on the floor, a gaping hole in the direct middle of her bosom. She was gasping out loud and her eyes were popping. Sun Shang Xiang and Diao Chan were both lying in the chair, still out cold. Who could have done this? Zhang He peered around, searching for the person or thing that had attacked Zhu Rong and saved his life. Then he saw him, lying by the door, gasping for life and clutching his side, which was bleeding all over the floor.
"SIMA YI!" Zhang He yelled, springing to his feet and landing next to Sima Yi. Sima Yi lifted his head up and looked at Zhang He. He looked simply terrible. The dark circle under his eyes had spread and his face was bleeding. The left side of his hat was torn, letting some of his long hair poke out. A large gash was on his side and he wheezed and winced with every breath.
"You l-left without me, how could you leave w-without me?" He asked pathetically.
"Sima Yi . . ." Zhang He moaned. "Your very Ill, I couldn't have let you come into battle. You shouldn't have come now, your getting yourself killed!"
"I couldn't sit back and watch you get hurt, you guys need me. I. . . can . . . s. . .till. . ." He stopped and his face fell on the ground. Zhang He shook his head and put a hand on Sima Yi's back.
"Hang on, brother . . ." He whispered.
Zhang He attempted to pick him up and move him over to the girls, but he was injured badly to. All he could do is sit and wait for Sun Ce and the others to find them. Menacing thumps and crashes from outside the door made Zhang He's heart jump again and again, but nothing ever happened. After ten minutes Zhang He got heavily to his feet and move next to Diao Chan. If he were going to get killed, he would prefer to be next to her. After another painful ten minutes of waiting, the door finally blasted open and in pounded Sun Ce.
"Holy shit, what the hell happened in here!?" He exclaimed when he saw the violent scene. Up behind him trotted in Da Qiao, then Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao.
"Sun Ce . . ." Zhang He breathed.
"What happened?" Zhou Yu asked, grimacing at Zhu Rong's body.
"She attacked us, then she almost got me, but Sima Yi . . ." Zhang He left off.
"Sima Yi?" Sun Ce questioned, but when he saw him lying on the floor he swore loudly again. "That idiot, does he want to die?"
Zhou Yu rushed over and hoisted Sima Yi's arms up on his shoulders. Sun Ce seized his sister and Diao Chan in either arm and walked up.
"We've got to hurry out, Sun Quan and Taishi Ci are coming soon, and they can occupy the castle. Will you be our cover, girls?" Zhou Yu asked Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, who nodded affirmatively. Zhang He went and collected the Talons with his working arm, then joined the group. Once they were outside, there weren't many Nanmans left, so they had an easy time escaping. Xiao Qiao stood on either side of the group guarding them with their enormous fans. They all began to climb the steep hill back to the camp with much difficulty. Zhang He kept slipping and worried very much that he might fall on the Talons. His arm pounded painfully with every step and tears occasionally leaked from his eyes.
"Man, you guys really got hurt . . ." Sun Ce said, eying them all.
"I let my guard down when I was protecting the girls. Sun Shang Xiang almost got killed . . ." He said wearily.
"Thanks for saving my sister, most men would've just let her die." Sun Ce said.
"I had to, I love her like a sister too." Zhang He said, shifting the Talons in his sweaty hands.
After about five more minutes of walking, Zhou Yu suddenly came to an abrupt halt.
"Someone's coming out of the bushes . . ." He warned loudly. Everyone stood quiet as death. There was shaking noises coming from the brush, and someone was wheezing.
"Don't attack, don't attack . . ." Said a familiar voice. Gan Ning fell out of the green leaves, face first. He got quickly to his feet and brushed his unusual attire off. "Ning got lost, but I found you!" He smiled. "I tell ya, that Meng Huo, he scares Gan Ning, four of our strongest couldn't even make him break a sweat!"
"That strong?" Exclaimed Sun Ce.
"Ning never lies!" He objected.
"We're going to have to get back in there as fast as possible, Sun Ce. This could be bad . . ." Zhou Yu said, leaning forward a bit more.
"Go back, Gan Ning, we need you in there!" Sun Ce commanded.
"But Gan Ning doesn't want to go!" He whined, "How come they get to go back to the camp?"
"Because they're injured, now go back." Zhou Yu continued in a frustrated tone.
"But Ning's injured too . . ." He complained, holding up his arm. His elbow was a little scraped and bleeding a small amount. Sun Ce sighed and halted.
"If you allow me to break your arm, then you can come back to camp with us." He stated pointedly. Gan Ning stood his ground and gave a pathetic "but its not fair" face. Sun Ce shook his head, put the girls gently down and stepped towards Gan Ning. The second he wrapped his large hands around Gan Ning's arm, the former pirate ran away faster than a cat being chased by a vicious wolf. Sun Ce chuckled a little and removed the unconscious women from the ground.
After about one half of an hour, they reached the temporary main camp. Zhang He, Sun Shang Xiang, Diao Chan and Sima Yi were deposited in the minute infirmary that looked as though by the time the soldiers returned from the fray it would be more than full. Some healers tended to Zhang He's arm right away.
"Does it hurt when I do this?" Said one, forcefully pressing directly on the break. Zhang He yelped and yanked his arm away quickly. He then rapped the healer on the head candidly.
"Fool! Yes, it hurts when you do that!" He yelled.
"Forgive me, my Lord, I was just confirming if it was truly a break." He said cautiously.
"Well, next time do it less painfully . . ." Zhang He moaned pitifully, nursing the broken limb. In a minute's time, the healer had his arm in a splint and gave him a fast working painkiller, which had an amazing effect on the excruciating arm, but made Zhang He extremely giddy and lightheaded. He lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling and occasionally broke into diminutive burst of laughter over nothing at all.
After about two hours, Diao Chan awoke. She sat up carefully, clutching her stomach. She groaned and leaned over, massaging her forehead. After a minute, she looked over at Zhang He.
"You made it out! Did you kill Zhu Rong?" She mumbled softly. Zhang He rolled onto his side and stared at her, oblivious that any words had been said. There had been alcohol in that painkiller, and Zhang he had no tolerance to alcohol whatsoever. His fancy tickled with intoxication, he squinted drunkenly at Diao Chan for a long while, saying nothing. "Zhang He?" She asked, expecting an answer. Five seconds crawled by.
"Yeah?" He said in a slurred manner.
"Did you kill Zhu Rong?" She repeated clearly.
"You woke up!" Zhang He said, as if he had just made a fascinating discovery.
"Are you alright?" She asked, her voice growing sharper. Zhang he laughed and rolled onto his back.
"No, are you dumb? I'm Zhang . . . Zhang Ho! No, Zhang Ce, Zhang . . . Zhang . . ." He said rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Healer!" Diao Chan called urgently. "Come quick!" Zhang He started laughing hysterically. The healer came rushing in, repeatedly asking what was the matter. "I don't know what's wrong with Zhang He! Has he gone crazy?" She cried. The healer looked bewilderedly at Zhang He, and then pushed his head back onto the pillow.
"He's only a little drunk from the wine in the painkiller I gave him." The healer explained. "Now, let me take a look at your injuries."
Zhang He stared stupidly as the healer checked Diao Chan for any signs of internal bleeding or rupture. It turned out she was only badly bruised and would need about a day of rest. After Sun Shang Xiang awoke he stitched up her side then bandaged it. Sima Yi still had not awoken, but the healer checked him over anyway. After inspecting his body, he removed a head of an arrow and had to apply several stitches to Sima Yi's back, shoulder, and chest. He poured some foul-smelling (and probably worse tasting) medicine down Sima Yi's throat that made a sizzling sound as it was dispensed.
Zhang He fell into a very deep sleep and didn't awake until late at night. He sat up and rubbed his pounding head. The happy affects of intoxication had quite worn off and left Zhang He with an excruciating headache.
"Is the battle still going on?" He asked the ever-bustling healer.
"Yes, many have returned, but no one can seem to take out that Meng Huo." He explained.
"I need to help." Confirmed Zhang He as he started to get out of bed.
"But, my Lord, you have not fully recovered!" He warned, trying to hold Zhang He back.
"I'm fine, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu need my help." Zhang He said, pushing the healer smoothly out of the way.
"Brother, wait . . ." Said a cracking voice from the other side of the room. Sima Yi sat up weirdly, panting a little.
"Sima Yi, lie down! You're going to kill yourself!" Zhang He yelled.
"Quiet, give my the Black Feather for a moment." He commanded weakly.
"If you think I'm letting you come with me, you've got another thing coming." Zhang He said, pushing him down.
"Just let me have my fan, I need it." He gasped, trying to sit back up.
"If it means that much to you, here." Zhang He said, seizing the fan from the shelf and handing it to him.
"Good, come a bit closer . . ." Sima Yi breathed. He leaned the silky feathers of the fan onto Zhang He's fractured arm and concentrated intensely.
"What are you doing?" Zhang He asked warily. Sima Yi started to mutter an incantation slowly and the fan began to glow, though instead of radiating black light, it was glowing white. His words sped up and Zhang He's arm began to tingle and grow warm. Suddenly, the fan erupted with bright light, and then everything was still.
When Zhang He's eyes readjusted to the darkness, Sima Yi was lying unconscious again, still grasping the fan. He let out a cry of rage and clapped a hand to his face.
"He's trying to get himself killed!! Did he just do more magic? For a genius he the most idiotic person I've ever met!" He yelled. He swung his other arm in anger and smashed it into the wall. He then sharply gasped. It wasn't broken anymore! Sima Yi had healed him.
"He's not an idiot . . . He just cares very much about his friends." Said a soft female voice behind him, he recognized as Sun Shang Xiang. She was sitting up and had obviously been witnessing the events. "After all, we're the only friends he's ever had, I'm sure he's just trying to keep it that way." She said tenderly. Zhang He smiled at her from across the room.
"You're a very kind woman, you'll make a wonderful wife for him." Zhang He said a little wryly. She looked taken aback and blushed furiously.
"What is that supposed to mean?" She exclaimed, regaining her fiery spirit. Zhang He laughed as he picked up the heavy Metal Talons.
"I mean what I said." He said, grinning broadly and stepping towards the exit.
"What makes you think we're getting married?" She asked boldly.
"Oh, don't play innocent. You're completely mad about him." Zhang He said plainly.
"Yeah, so what?" She snapped, avoiding his gaze.
"So, what I mean is it's always the woman's choice if people get married or not." He joked.
"Ha ha, your so funny." She sneered playfully.
"How many sons do you plan on having?" Zhang He continued jesting.
"Don't you have a battle to fight?" She asked.
"Right you are. Farewell, Lady Sun." He said stepping out the door fro a brief moment, then turned back. "Do not let him get out of bed under any circumstances whatsoever." He reminded her.
"Understood. Good luck." She waved.
The Romance of the Four Leaders
Chapter 26
Together Once Again
Zhou Yu charged at the guards at full speed, sword raised, cleaving away their heads as easy as pie. Sun Ce blasted through the doors after him, followed by the other six. Inside it smelled as though animals lived inside the house. It was very dark and dank and a strong odor of mustiness. Large red and purple curtains obscured light from entering the room and the floors were laid with Tatami mats from Japan. Large fans made from bamboo adorned the halls and many exotic plants had taken root inside the building.
"Lets split up into three groups and search the castle for any remaining soldiers." Zhou Yu commanded.
"I'm with Da Qiao!" Sun Ce piped at once.
"Then Zhang He, go with Sun Shang Xiang and Diao Chan, and I'll take Xiao Qiao with me. Everyone alright with this?" He asked. They all nodded and sped off in different directions.
Zhang He had to run a little slower so that the girls could keep up with him. They knocked in doors and peered over corners, but they only found two soldiers in the building that offered no challenge whatsoever. Once the reached the throne room the set down their weapons and took a look around. They were directed to stop here anyway, so they could wait and look at the same time.
"Look at this gigantic throne!" Sun Shang Xiang marveled, trying to climb into the purple cushioned seat. "You'd have to be at least six feet tall and weigh three hundred pounds to occupy this thing!" She laughed. Diao Chan laughed.
"That's like a horse!" She joked. Zhang He had never really thought who had ruled the Nanman tribe. He was sure Zhou Yu and Sima Yi knew, but he never actually took the time to ask.
"I bet you he's as hairy as a horse!" Sun Shang Xiang continued smiling as Diao Chan climbed into the enormous throne.
"And three times as ugly!" She smiled.
"And that his beard reaches the ground." Sun Shang Xiang said, lying down on the purple seating with still a plethora of room for Diao Chan. Zhang He smiled at the girls. So cute, he thought.
"It's true, my husband is ugly, hairy, and quite obese, but he could destroy every last one of you."
Zhang He wheeled around in the direction of this voice, as did the two girls. A tall woman started to emerge from the shadows. She carried a huge three ended boomerang with blades attached. Her hair was snowy white and her body was tanned to a bronze color. She wore an assortment of tribal garments that showed a little more of her body than Zhang He wanted to see. He would have minded seeing it on Diao Chan, but this woman looked more like a man, something Zhang He DEFINATLY didn't want to see.
She walked casually up, fingering the fearsome weapon and smiling.
"You little sissies have some nerve attacking our city of Ru Nan, but that's all you've got. I saw right through your silly little plan, I knew you'd be coming straight to the throne room, so I waited." She drawled on.
Diao Chan and Sun Shang Xiang leapt of the throne and seized their weapons.
"You think you can take on the three of us?" Asked Zhang He defiantly.
"Don't underestimate me because I'm a woman . . ." She growled. Zhang He laughed mockingly.
"I don't underestimate any women! Why would I be accompanied by two of them if I underestimated them? Although, I'd have a pretty hard time calling anyone like you a woman . . ." He ended casually. She let out a cry of rage and grasped her weapon like a vice.
"You'll rue the day you insulted Zhu Rong!" She bellowed, then launched towards them, weapon at the ready.
She was quite unskilled at battle, but huge on power. One swing against all of their guarding weapons sent them all shooting backwards into the wall. She would have gotten Zhang He then, but he was too quick. He zipped to the right and in a flash was behind her. He took a swing with his Talons, but missed. Diao Chan cam from the side and landed a glancing blow to Zhu Rong's ribs, and disabling her guard for a moments time. Sun Shang Xiang created a tiny scarlet slit on her arm with a sway of her Chakrams, and for a moment it looked as though they were winning. Then Zhu Rong spun into the air and drove the blunt end of her boomerang directly into Diao Chan's stomach. She choked and stumbled back violently, landing on the floor. Zhu Rong cackled and lifted her boomerang once more, but this time, the blade was exposed. Just as she was about to bring it down, Zhang He executed a well-timed leap kick, knocking Zhu Rong's tall figure to the floor.
"Diao Chan!" He gasped and ran to her aid. She was out cold and her eyes were still open. Zhang He respectively closed the lids and lifted her off the ground. "Hold her off for a moment, Shang Xiang, I have to get her to safety!" She nodded critically and squeezed her Chakrams as she ran towards Zhu Rong once again. Zhang He sprinted up to the throne and lay her down gently. Ju8st as soon as he had done this, a high-pitched shriek echoed throne voluminous throne room, telling him that Sun Shang Xiang had fallen.
She lay on her side, covering a wound on her shoulder and trying to get up helplessly. Zhu Rong prepared to reave her from the ground, but Zhang He saved the day again using his own version of martial arts.
"Leave her alone, she's down!" Zhang He yelled.
"That's right, and once she's down, her life is mine!" Zhu Rong snarled.
"That goes against honor in battle . . ." Zhang He spat.
"All's fair in love and war!" She said, waved her boomerang through the air like a colossal baton.
"Run, Sun Shang Xiang! Get to safety!" Zhang He ordered as he held off the woman's powerhouse assault. She tried to get up as best she could, but kept tripping and stumbling. I must end this . . . Zhang He thought bearing his teeth. He started waving his Talons back and forth as fast he could. They turned into metallic blurs and Zhu Rong stepped back slightly. His arms were getting tired, but he knew that he must continue. Zhu Rong stepped back and brought back her boomerang heavily. At the exact right moment she swung it forward with a tremendous force, striking Zhang He's Talons head on. They were both hit with such power, that they actually snapped off his hands and lay dormant at the other side of the throne room. He now stood unarmed against this titan of a woman, without his companions. She laughed in a most sinister way.
"What's wrong, little boy? You scared to die?" She said, advancing slowly. Zhang He retreated cautiously, ready to dodge at any moment. She waved a lightening fast blow and the blunt end collided agonizingly with Zhang He's right arm. He felt the bone crack and white-hot pain surrounded it. He let out an earsplitting scream and fell to his knees, a shaking hand over the destroyed arm. Zhu Rong laughed once again, and moved until she was right above his head. Zhang He couldn't get up to dodge, this was it . . .
"I'm going to enjoy killing you and you two little girlfriends niiice and slowly . . ." She grinned in a demented way. She slashed a small gash across Zhang He's chest, which started to bleed profusely. I've already died once today . . . He thought feebly. She kicked him down onto his back and placed a foot on his broken arm and stepped down. Tears sprang from Zhang He's and his body twitched and convulsed in pain.
"Awww, is the widdle baby cwying?" She cooed mockingly. "Accept your death, boy!" She bellowed coldly. No Phoenix to protect me this time, I'm really going to die . . . Zhang He thought as his heart sickened. He closed his eyes and lamented over his life, over all the things he'd done. Diao Chan was unconscious, he couldn't say goodbye. Zhu Rong raised her boomerang into the air and began to laugh even louder. Just as she was about to swing down, Zhang He closed his eyes and turned away. A series of strange noises were heard: A zap, a scream, a thud, another thud, and something metal clanged painfully in Zhang He's ear.
"Am I dead?" He asked, keeping his eyes shut. No one answered, so he bravely opened an eye. He was still staring at the ceiling of the throne room; still lying on the hard ground, arm still aching in agony. He sat up with difficulty and looked around. Zhu Rong was lying on the floor, a gaping hole in the direct middle of her bosom. She was gasping out loud and her eyes were popping. Sun Shang Xiang and Diao Chan were both lying in the chair, still out cold. Who could have done this? Zhang He peered around, searching for the person or thing that had attacked Zhu Rong and saved his life. Then he saw him, lying by the door, gasping for life and clutching his side, which was bleeding all over the floor.
"SIMA YI!" Zhang He yelled, springing to his feet and landing next to Sima Yi. Sima Yi lifted his head up and looked at Zhang He. He looked simply terrible. The dark circle under his eyes had spread and his face was bleeding. The left side of his hat was torn, letting some of his long hair poke out. A large gash was on his side and he wheezed and winced with every breath.
"You l-left without me, how could you leave w-without me?" He asked pathetically.
"Sima Yi . . ." Zhang He moaned. "Your very Ill, I couldn't have let you come into battle. You shouldn't have come now, your getting yourself killed!"
"I couldn't sit back and watch you get hurt, you guys need me. I. . . can . . . s. . .till. . ." He stopped and his face fell on the ground. Zhang He shook his head and put a hand on Sima Yi's back.
"Hang on, brother . . ." He whispered.
Zhang He attempted to pick him up and move him over to the girls, but he was injured badly to. All he could do is sit and wait for Sun Ce and the others to find them. Menacing thumps and crashes from outside the door made Zhang He's heart jump again and again, but nothing ever happened. After ten minutes Zhang He got heavily to his feet and move next to Diao Chan. If he were going to get killed, he would prefer to be next to her. After another painful ten minutes of waiting, the door finally blasted open and in pounded Sun Ce.
"Holy shit, what the hell happened in here!?" He exclaimed when he saw the violent scene. Up behind him trotted in Da Qiao, then Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao.
"Sun Ce . . ." Zhang He breathed.
"What happened?" Zhou Yu asked, grimacing at Zhu Rong's body.
"She attacked us, then she almost got me, but Sima Yi . . ." Zhang He left off.
"Sima Yi?" Sun Ce questioned, but when he saw him lying on the floor he swore loudly again. "That idiot, does he want to die?"
Zhou Yu rushed over and hoisted Sima Yi's arms up on his shoulders. Sun Ce seized his sister and Diao Chan in either arm and walked up.
"We've got to hurry out, Sun Quan and Taishi Ci are coming soon, and they can occupy the castle. Will you be our cover, girls?" Zhou Yu asked Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, who nodded affirmatively. Zhang He went and collected the Talons with his working arm, then joined the group. Once they were outside, there weren't many Nanmans left, so they had an easy time escaping. Xiao Qiao stood on either side of the group guarding them with their enormous fans. They all began to climb the steep hill back to the camp with much difficulty. Zhang He kept slipping and worried very much that he might fall on the Talons. His arm pounded painfully with every step and tears occasionally leaked from his eyes.
"Man, you guys really got hurt . . ." Sun Ce said, eying them all.
"I let my guard down when I was protecting the girls. Sun Shang Xiang almost got killed . . ." He said wearily.
"Thanks for saving my sister, most men would've just let her die." Sun Ce said.
"I had to, I love her like a sister too." Zhang He said, shifting the Talons in his sweaty hands.
After about five more minutes of walking, Zhou Yu suddenly came to an abrupt halt.
"Someone's coming out of the bushes . . ." He warned loudly. Everyone stood quiet as death. There was shaking noises coming from the brush, and someone was wheezing.
"Don't attack, don't attack . . ." Said a familiar voice. Gan Ning fell out of the green leaves, face first. He got quickly to his feet and brushed his unusual attire off. "Ning got lost, but I found you!" He smiled. "I tell ya, that Meng Huo, he scares Gan Ning, four of our strongest couldn't even make him break a sweat!"
"That strong?" Exclaimed Sun Ce.
"Ning never lies!" He objected.
"We're going to have to get back in there as fast as possible, Sun Ce. This could be bad . . ." Zhou Yu said, leaning forward a bit more.
"Go back, Gan Ning, we need you in there!" Sun Ce commanded.
"But Gan Ning doesn't want to go!" He whined, "How come they get to go back to the camp?"
"Because they're injured, now go back." Zhou Yu continued in a frustrated tone.
"But Ning's injured too . . ." He complained, holding up his arm. His elbow was a little scraped and bleeding a small amount. Sun Ce sighed and halted.
"If you allow me to break your arm, then you can come back to camp with us." He stated pointedly. Gan Ning stood his ground and gave a pathetic "but its not fair" face. Sun Ce shook his head, put the girls gently down and stepped towards Gan Ning. The second he wrapped his large hands around Gan Ning's arm, the former pirate ran away faster than a cat being chased by a vicious wolf. Sun Ce chuckled a little and removed the unconscious women from the ground.
After about one half of an hour, they reached the temporary main camp. Zhang He, Sun Shang Xiang, Diao Chan and Sima Yi were deposited in the minute infirmary that looked as though by the time the soldiers returned from the fray it would be more than full. Some healers tended to Zhang He's arm right away.
"Does it hurt when I do this?" Said one, forcefully pressing directly on the break. Zhang He yelped and yanked his arm away quickly. He then rapped the healer on the head candidly.
"Fool! Yes, it hurts when you do that!" He yelled.
"Forgive me, my Lord, I was just confirming if it was truly a break." He said cautiously.
"Well, next time do it less painfully . . ." Zhang He moaned pitifully, nursing the broken limb. In a minute's time, the healer had his arm in a splint and gave him a fast working painkiller, which had an amazing effect on the excruciating arm, but made Zhang He extremely giddy and lightheaded. He lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling and occasionally broke into diminutive burst of laughter over nothing at all.
After about two hours, Diao Chan awoke. She sat up carefully, clutching her stomach. She groaned and leaned over, massaging her forehead. After a minute, she looked over at Zhang He.
"You made it out! Did you kill Zhu Rong?" She mumbled softly. Zhang He rolled onto his side and stared at her, oblivious that any words had been said. There had been alcohol in that painkiller, and Zhang he had no tolerance to alcohol whatsoever. His fancy tickled with intoxication, he squinted drunkenly at Diao Chan for a long while, saying nothing. "Zhang He?" She asked, expecting an answer. Five seconds crawled by.
"Yeah?" He said in a slurred manner.
"Did you kill Zhu Rong?" She repeated clearly.
"You woke up!" Zhang He said, as if he had just made a fascinating discovery.
"Are you alright?" She asked, her voice growing sharper. Zhang he laughed and rolled onto his back.
"No, are you dumb? I'm Zhang . . . Zhang Ho! No, Zhang Ce, Zhang . . . Zhang . . ." He said rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Healer!" Diao Chan called urgently. "Come quick!" Zhang He started laughing hysterically. The healer came rushing in, repeatedly asking what was the matter. "I don't know what's wrong with Zhang He! Has he gone crazy?" She cried. The healer looked bewilderedly at Zhang He, and then pushed his head back onto the pillow.
"He's only a little drunk from the wine in the painkiller I gave him." The healer explained. "Now, let me take a look at your injuries."
Zhang He stared stupidly as the healer checked Diao Chan for any signs of internal bleeding or rupture. It turned out she was only badly bruised and would need about a day of rest. After Sun Shang Xiang awoke he stitched up her side then bandaged it. Sima Yi still had not awoken, but the healer checked him over anyway. After inspecting his body, he removed a head of an arrow and had to apply several stitches to Sima Yi's back, shoulder, and chest. He poured some foul-smelling (and probably worse tasting) medicine down Sima Yi's throat that made a sizzling sound as it was dispensed.
Zhang He fell into a very deep sleep and didn't awake until late at night. He sat up and rubbed his pounding head. The happy affects of intoxication had quite worn off and left Zhang He with an excruciating headache.
"Is the battle still going on?" He asked the ever-bustling healer.
"Yes, many have returned, but no one can seem to take out that Meng Huo." He explained.
"I need to help." Confirmed Zhang He as he started to get out of bed.
"But, my Lord, you have not fully recovered!" He warned, trying to hold Zhang He back.
"I'm fine, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu need my help." Zhang He said, pushing the healer smoothly out of the way.
"Brother, wait . . ." Said a cracking voice from the other side of the room. Sima Yi sat up weirdly, panting a little.
"Sima Yi, lie down! You're going to kill yourself!" Zhang He yelled.
"Quiet, give my the Black Feather for a moment." He commanded weakly.
"If you think I'm letting you come with me, you've got another thing coming." Zhang He said, pushing him down.
"Just let me have my fan, I need it." He gasped, trying to sit back up.
"If it means that much to you, here." Zhang He said, seizing the fan from the shelf and handing it to him.
"Good, come a bit closer . . ." Sima Yi breathed. He leaned the silky feathers of the fan onto Zhang He's fractured arm and concentrated intensely.
"What are you doing?" Zhang He asked warily. Sima Yi started to mutter an incantation slowly and the fan began to glow, though instead of radiating black light, it was glowing white. His words sped up and Zhang He's arm began to tingle and grow warm. Suddenly, the fan erupted with bright light, and then everything was still.
When Zhang He's eyes readjusted to the darkness, Sima Yi was lying unconscious again, still grasping the fan. He let out a cry of rage and clapped a hand to his face.
"He's trying to get himself killed!! Did he just do more magic? For a genius he the most idiotic person I've ever met!" He yelled. He swung his other arm in anger and smashed it into the wall. He then sharply gasped. It wasn't broken anymore! Sima Yi had healed him.
"He's not an idiot . . . He just cares very much about his friends." Said a soft female voice behind him, he recognized as Sun Shang Xiang. She was sitting up and had obviously been witnessing the events. "After all, we're the only friends he's ever had, I'm sure he's just trying to keep it that way." She said tenderly. Zhang He smiled at her from across the room.
"You're a very kind woman, you'll make a wonderful wife for him." Zhang He said a little wryly. She looked taken aback and blushed furiously.
"What is that supposed to mean?" She exclaimed, regaining her fiery spirit. Zhang He laughed as he picked up the heavy Metal Talons.
"I mean what I said." He said, grinning broadly and stepping towards the exit.
"What makes you think we're getting married?" She asked boldly.
"Oh, don't play innocent. You're completely mad about him." Zhang He said plainly.
"Yeah, so what?" She snapped, avoiding his gaze.
"So, what I mean is it's always the woman's choice if people get married or not." He joked.
"Ha ha, your so funny." She sneered playfully.
"How many sons do you plan on having?" Zhang He continued jesting.
"Don't you have a battle to fight?" She asked.
"Right you are. Farewell, Lady Sun." He said stepping out the door fro a brief moment, then turned back. "Do not let him get out of bed under any circumstances whatsoever." He reminded her.
"Understood. Good luck." She waved.