Part 3
The Romance of the Four Leaders
Chapter 29
Breath of Life
"What the Hell you doing to her?" Sun Ce spat at Sima Yi.
"Nothing! I just wanted to apologize!" Sima Yi started imploringly.
"S'at true, sis?" Sun Ce asked. Sun Shang Xiang looked apprehensive. Zhang He could tell she was debating whether to tell the truth or continue on with the lie. He shot her an angry look, which she noticed after a moment. Her face sunk and tears welled up in her eyes again.
"Don't you dare come near me again! You hear?" She said, pointing violently at Sima Yi.
"I haven't done a thing to you!" He exclaimed. Sun Shang Xiang let out a cry of frustration. She was fighting a losing battle.
"All you just leave me alone!" She screamed and shot into the girl's tent. Everyone was silent for a moment. Zhang He could almost feel Sima Yi's pain. Why was Sima Yi circled by this horrible unending streak of bad luck?
"What's wrong with her? She's been acting weird ever since I got back from the battle." Sun Ce inquired. Zhang He filled him in on what had happened.
"But I didn't mean to! I didn't even want to! If only I had just ignored him! If only I knew who he was, I'd kill him so fast, he wouldn't know what hit him! Now she'll never like me . . ." Sima Yi left off hopelessly. A few moments went by, sun CE seemed to be thinking hard.
"You love my sister?" He asked stupidly after his great bout of thought had passed. Sima Yi turned his head slowly and looked at Sun Ce as if he'd made a terrible joke.
"This was not evident to you, brother?" He asked with a look of disbelief.
"Uhh, no . . ." He said, finally picking up on how dumb he sounded. Da Qiao forced back a smile as Sun Ce scratched his head. After a moment she stood on tiptoe and whispered something in his ear.
"Please?" She asked as she shrunk back to her normal height.
"Of course, anything for you . . ." He said with that fake huskiness as he slipped an arm around her slender shoulders. She looked flattered.
"Dearest brother He, I have a favor to ask of you." Sun Ce asked as he stepped closer. "It would be great if we had two more generals, wouldn't it?" He said cheerfully.
"Yeah. . ." Zhang He answered warily.
"Then what about letting Da Qiao and her younger sister stay with us on the Shi?" He said hurriedly with a boyish smile on his face.
Zhang He scratched his head. "I don't know, I'm not to keen on letting more women on our force, I don't like to see them get hurt . . ."
"Please, Zhang He! They live all alone, they have no family, and they could get captured again! She needs me to protect her. Pleeeeease?" He whined.
Zhang He laughed subtly "Sure, why not?" He said shrugging.
"WHHHHHOOOOOO HOOOOO!!" Sun Ce said, leaping into the air. "C'min, let's go tell Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao!" He said, grabbing her hand and running off like a child after a mountain of sweets.
"Calm down, Sun Ce!" She said as she was swept away. Diao Chan laughed a little.
"I like those Qiao sisters. But now we're equal! Four main women, four main men! See if you're all sworn brothers, can we become sworn sisters?" Diao Chan asked as they sat down. Sima Yi was still staring blankly into the distance and hadn't moved at all.
"I suppose, but I've never heard of sworn sisters before!" He laughed "You alright Sima Yi?" Sima Yi looked back wide eyed, and nodded a little. He walked back and sat down on Zhang He's left. He seemed to be thinking vigorously. He kept putting his hand over his mouth and his eyes darted back and forth. Every now and then he would shake his head as if disagreeing with someone. About three minutes later Mitsuke returned with Kawaii-Sama.
"Look, I got food for everyone!" He said, happily displaying several bowls of rice each with a cooked shrimp.
"Great!" Diao Chan said, perking up and taking hers. "Thanks a lot!" She said through a mouth full of rice.
"Thanks." Zhang He said as he took the pale green bowl. He sat down next to Diao Chan with Kawaii-Sama in his lap. Zhang He took the shrimp up with the chopsticks and nibbled on it thoughtfully. "So, what's' your reason for coming to China, Mitsuke?" He asked placidly.
"Well, um, I just, er. . . got tired of the Japanese army! You know, just got tired!" He said a little nervously.
"O . . .k. . ." Zhang He said, thinking this wasn't the entire troop.
"I'm not lying, I swear! I never lie!" He said, sweating a little.
"It's alright, I believe you! So you are a Samurai?" Zhang He continued.
"Yeah, check out my sword!" He said, pulling out his katana. It gleamed radiant and silver in the moonlight.
"Wow, what a beautiful weapon!" Diao Chan gasped. The all stared at it for a moment.
"Onesan . . ." Said a quiet and high voice. At first no one knew where it came from, but then it sounded again. "Onesan. Gohan." It was Kawaii-Sama that had spoken. Her arms were outstretched and she was grabbing for the rice bowl. Mitsuke looked even more nervous. He sheathed the sword quickly and handed her the bowl. Sima Yi shot a quick look at Mitsuke. He looked confused and unsure. Mitsuke laughed a little and looked away.
"Soooo, when are we going into battle?" He said, changing the subject abruptly. Zhang He laughed a little.
"I don't think it'll be for a long while. We just took the Nanman territory and we need time to straighten this out. But, after that, were going for Shu." Zhang He explained.
"I've heard of the Shu, I almost went to them. If it weren't for their creepy strategist I might've. But then I heard of you guys, and of your kindness. Then I knew I only belong to the Shi. I liked their leader though." He finished.
"Yes, he does have potential. I know him pretty well myself, him and my father and Guan Yu are all sworn brothers." Zhang He said.
"Ooh, who's your father?" Mitsuke asked.
"ZHUGE LIANG!" Sima Yi bellowed. Everyone stared at him. He was on his feet and looking a little crazy.
"No, my father's name is Zhang Fei . . ." Zhang He said cautiously after a moment.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. Zhuge Liang is the man who's possessed me! It all fits! Someone who hates me, is on the Shu, and a powerful White Magician. Why didn't I see it before?" He said, smiling and still wide-eyed.
"You're right! His voice too, it sounds exactly the same!" Diao Chan said, also getting to her feet.
"Of course, and all those things he said, it made him sound like a genius, which he is!" Zhang He said putting up a finger.
"I can't believe it! I'm so stupid, how could I not have known?" Sima Yi said.
"Sima Yi, a little off subject here, by why in the world does he hate you?" Zhang He asked a little more calmly.
"Oh, it was some stupid thing that happened a while back.. My father had taken me to a fancy banquet that happened four years ago. All the smart people were there including Zhuge Liang. My father took me so he show off how smart I was, and while Zhuge Liang was talking he made an error about the subject. When I corrected him, everyone laughed and said how I, a mere child, was more intelligent than the great Zhuge Liang. It was really only a joke, but I suppose he saw it as offense and he got very angry. I remember the night I was staying at that place, he put some sort of spell on me, but it appeared to do nothing, so I gave it thought."
"Odd, I guess he really treasures his reputation a chief genius or something . . ." Diao Chan said.
"And I hate him as well! Prancing around all the time like he's a God. Everyone thinks he's incredibly smart, but he's only a good strategist. He knows nothing of politics! He just wants everyone to think he does so he acts high and mighty. I'd like to knock him off his high horse!" Sima Yi snarled.
"I don't think many strategist take to each other. . ." Zhang He said under his breath to Diao Chan who smiled.
"Ohhh, the things I could do to him if he were a prisoner. I'm sure he'd LOVE sleeping in a bucket of near frozen water, or perhaps he would enjoy a refreshing drop onto a bed of nails, or how about a poison that liquefies him from the inside out, or maybe -" Sima Yi continued maliciously, gesturing violently with his hands.
"Stop with the death thing, your freaking people out." Zhang He interrupted.
"Forgive me, I can't help fantasizing about killing my enemies when it suddenly comes to mind." He grinned evilly. Zhang He narrowed his eyes.
"Or maybe is just a way to vent your anger or pain that came from a recent situation." Zhang He offered nimbly.
"I haven't an idea what you mean, brother . . ." Said Sima Yi, his face falling a bit.
"Sun Shang Xiang . . ." He continued innocently. Sima Yi frowned.
"If she doesn't want me around, then I simply won't be. It hurts to say it, but I know she hates me, and I do not want instill more anguish upon myself by pursuing the matter." He stated heartbrokenly.
"Oh, that's not you. Sima Yi doesn't quit at anything, you surly aren't going to just let her treat you like that." Zhang He asked.
"I-I don't want to feed the fire, Zhang He, just let me alone about it for a while." He said softly.
"Alright, whatever you say, but I promise you it won't end this way. I'm not going to stop until I'm your go-between asking her father if you can marry her." Zhang He said in a mock stern voice. "Also, by any chance was there a hot spring in that jungle?" He asked.
"Yes, actually, there was." Sima Yi said.
"I'm going to go round up Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. You want to come take bath with them and me?" Zhang He invited.
"Sure, I'll get Sun Ce." Sima Yi said, moving towards the direction Sun Ce bounded off in before.
"Hey, you want to come, Mitsuke?" Zhang He asked before departing. He looked a bit taken aback.
"Uhhh, well, I'm a little busy. . ." He said, leaving off.
"Nonsense, come on it'll be fun! Go with Sima Yi and I'll meet you with Zhou Yu in about ten minutes by the edge of the forest, Alright?" Zhang He arranged.
"Alright, see you then, brother. Come, Mitsuke." Sima Yi said, walking off. Zhang He hugged Diao Chan goodbye, and went off in the opposite direction. He now had more on his mind than asking Zhou Yu to casual bath; he was going to confront Sun Shang Xiang head on. He ducked into the girl's tent cautiously and looked around.
Sun Shang Xiang was in the corner, hugging her knees and looking like she had just had a good cry. When Zhang He came in, her face brightened for a moment, then went back to an angry scowl.
"Hello." He said amiably.
"What do you want?" She asked quietly.
"To talk." He admitted, sitting down beside her.
"About what?" She said, looking at her feet.
"Give you three guesses." He said playfully. "Come on, that seriously isn't how you act. The real you would've forgiven him by now. He couldn't help it, you know."
"That's . . . not what I'm upset about." She said gently, separating the pebbles from the dirt on the ground. Zhang He tried to look at her, but she wouldn't meet his gaze.
"You want to tell me?" He asked sympathetically. She was silent and continued piling up stones for a bit.
"Well, you see, before anything really weird stared happening, we were just talking. I had no idea he was possessed, but I did notice he wasn't looking at me the entire time. Then he asked me if would follow up to the hill. I was so happy; I completely forgot that I wasn't supposed to let him out of the infirmary. Well, when we got up, he told me that he had feelings for me and I admitted to it too. Then I thought e was coming into embrace me, but he actually started choking me. It really confused me because I thought it was really him! I was scared that he hated my loving him, and I couldn't bear that. I don't really see myself as his equal; he's almost like a God in my eyes. So it was a horrible pain in my heart. So after I figured out what happened, I thought that I could deal with that kind of pain again if the occasion ever arose once more. So then I thought if I make Sima Yi hate me, then I never have to deal with it again, but it ended up hurting more. I've got myself into a fine mess now . . ." She ended.
"That's all that's bothering you?" Zhang He said.
"Ugh! You're so mean, I can't believe I even confided in you!" She said, getting teary again.
"No, no, I didn't mean it like that. What I mean to say is there is no problem at all! Sima Yi isn't mad at you, he sad because he can't be with you. He thinks that you hate him. All you need to do is clear that up and everything can go back to normal!" Zhang He explained.
"Really? Wow, it really isn't that bad . . ." She said, almost regaining her old spunk. "Thanks, Zhang He, you're a good friend." She said, putting her arms around his neck. He laughed a little, and then stood up.
"See you later, Lady Sun. Have any idea where Zhou Yu is?" He asked.
"Yeah, he's in your tent with Xiao Qiao."
"Excellent, thank you." H said as he waved goodbye. He stepped into the tent right across from the girl's tent and looked for Zhou Yu.
He and Xiao Qiao were trying to play shougi, but Xiao Qiao kept doing odd illegal moves and Zhou Yu had to correct her.
"Hey, Zhou Yu, want to come take a bath with me and the others?" He asked.
"Excellent idea, brother." He said smiling. "You don't mind if I leave do you, Xiao Qiao?"
"Nope, I'll go play this with my sister!" She told him.
"Alright, goodbye then, I shall meet with you again in the morning." He said, stepping towards Zhang He.
"Bye-bye!" She said, putting away the black and white space markers.
Zhang He and Zhou Yu stepped outside into the cool night air. It danced across their faces and set the mood of autumn in their minds.
"It's my favorite season again . . ." Zhang He said happily, taking in a breath of the sweet air.
"I love autumn too, not to hot, not too cold, just perfect." Zhou Yu conversed softly with shallow, docile smile.
"I think . . . Yes, it's been an entire year now since I left home. It feels like I'm a different person than before." Zhang He communalized.
"I agree, it feels like I've done a lot of maturing in this last year. I miss my father very much, Sun Ce said he wasn't there when the went to get the generals, so there was no chance that they could of invited him along. I wish he could see me now, I'll bet he would be proud." He said smiling.
"How did you and Sun Ce come to meet anyway?" Zhang He asked suddenly.
"Oh, a while ago some bandits Sun Jian had killed the leader of wanted revenge on Sun family. Sun Jian decided it was too dangerous for his children to be living with him while the assassins were appearing day after day, so he sent them to live with his most trust friend and ally, my father. That was twelve years ago, when I was five. Sun Ce was only a month older than me, so we became fast friends even at that early age. A year or two later Sun Jian had eliminated all the remaining threats and sent a letter saying Sun Ce, Sun Shang Xiang, and Sun Quan could return. Turns out, they liked living with me so much, they stayed for another year. The Sun Jian demanded their return and I was left all alone. I got so lonely without Sun Ce and the others, that my father picked up and moved right next to Sun Jian, so I've been friends with Sun Ce ever since I was only a little child." Zhou Yu said nostalgically.
"Wow, I had no idea you two were that close." Zhang He said as they spied Sima Yi, Sun Ce, and Mitsuke in the distance.
"Yeah, Sun Ce has always been there for me, we also vowed to be each other's go-betweens when we finally want to marry." He said.
"Just like me and Sima Yi! And speaking of which, I think Sun Ce's finally found his woman." He said slyly. Zhou Yu laughed.
"Yes, he does seem to have become rather attached to Da Qiao." He said happily.
"It seems so perfect. We could all get marries pretty soon, myself and Diao Chan, Sun Ce and Da Qiao, Sima Yi and Sun Shang Xiang, you and Xiao Qiao!" Zhang He smiled.
"Myself and Xiao Qiao?" He asked a little apprehensively.
"Oh, you can't tell me you don't like her! She's extremely beautiful and so cute! Seems like the perfect wife to me, heck, if I wasn't in love with Diao Chan, I'd try to marry her!" He said in disbelief.
"No, no, it's not that I don't like her, I just . . . Didn't think I was being that obvious. . ." He said critically.
"Haha! I knew it, already fallen for her! Would it be perfect if we all got married the same day?" He asked excitedly. Zhou Yu smiled broadly.
"It would be quite grand, but the chances are slim. I mean, what're the chances we could woo all the women we want at exactly the same time?" Zhou Yu asked skeptically.
"Well, I've pretty much got Diao Chan, and I'd say Sun Shang Xiang would accept if Sima Yi ever got the courage to go and ask her. And as for Sun Ce, well all he has to do is put on that special voice of his and presto!" Zhang He said, truly believing in his eccentric dream.
"You know, I bet we could . . ." Zhou Yu said, his voice losing all the skepticism. "We actually could!" He smiled.
"We could what?" Said Sun Ce as the came up. Mitsuke looked a little sick and Sima Yi turned their way, eager to be filled in as well.
"Hello, brothers." Zhang He smiled, leading the way into the trees. "Zhou Yu and I had a little idea, we did."
"And what was that?" Asked Sima Yi catching up. Zhang He and Zhou Yu took turns describing their wonderful plan. With every line they increased the eccentrics, Zhang He had never seen Zhou Yu so alive. Mitsuke hung in the back and watched with amazement. After they were done Sun Ce looked extremely excited, but Sima Yi on the other hand . . .
"I just don't think we could do it, Zhang He." He said shaking his head in dismay.
"Why not?" They all said in unison.
"Well, think about it. Think about what happens when you get married." Sima Yi said, like the problem was obvious.
"Ummmm, you get a girl and she lives with you for the rest of your life and -" Sun Ce began.
"No, don't be an idiot, Sun Ce, think about the preparation." Sima Yi said exasperated.
"Let's see proposal, betrothal, then the week before you install the marriage bed and.oh, I forgot about that." Zhang He said. The installing of the marriage bed was a ceremony in which you put a new, two-person bed in your house. But that was the problem, none of them had their own house yet . . .
"Exactly, where are we going to get the money to each buy a house?" Sima Yi asked downheartedly.
"But why do we have to live apart?" Sun Ce whined. "Couldn't we all live in one big house?" They all remained silent for a moment. To Zhang He, this would be a wonderful thing. They'd never have to part and they all live their lives together, not separated and distant.
"That would be great, but still, that money isn't just going to drop from the sky." Zhou Yu commented. Mitsuke remained silent at his side, he looked very nervous indeed.
"There's got to be a way . . ." Zhang He said, smelling the water in the air, meaning they were very close to the spring.
"I suppose we could all save up for a long time. It would be excellent if we all lived together." Sima Yi said as they rounded the corner and saw the vast pool of warm water.
"We'd each have a really big room." Said Zhang He hopefully as they all neared the waters edge. "With a warm bath in each one."
"Yeah, and a gigantic bed, and nice looking weapons on the walls!" Sun Ce continued excitedly, pulling out the red ribbon holding his ponytail and releasing his wiry mane of hair. Zhang He also wrenched out the golden hairpiece and purple ribbon from his hair and laid them on the ground.
"It could have a big garden with a pond and a little bridge. I'd buy some fish and put them in. I'd feed them every morning with Xiao Qiao . . . " Zhou Yu said dreamily as he removed his red headband.
"And we could have a strategy room, with lots of maps and books . . ." Sima Yi said, joining in quietly as he removed his blue strategist's hat and revealed his hair bun.
"And we could have stables, and a whole building for guests, and a banquet hall!" Sun Ce fabricated and he wrenched off his clothes and jumped in, splashing water all over everyone.
"It could be on the outskirts of a forest, a little ways from the next town, but not close enough where we'd be considered part of it." Zhou Yu explained, as he tested the water timidly before getting in.
"And we could go to the market every week and get stuff. And everyone would bow to us as we stepped in." Zhang He said grandly as he stepped in gracefully. Sima Yi unfastened his ebony, elbow-high tresses and got in with the rest of them. Back behind them Mitsuke stood watching, a patch of blush on his cheeks.
"Aren't you coming, Mitsuke?" Sun Ce asked as he scrubbed his hair with his fingers.
"Umm, maybe I should just stay here, I mean I took a bath the other day, and -"
"Come on! You never know hen you'll get to bath again, you'd better not pass up the chance. You'll start to smell like Sun Ce if you don't!" Zhou Yu teased and seconds later a small rock was hurtled at him by Sun Ce.
"B-but there might be something in the water . . .," He protested. They all looked at him skeptically and he shook his head. "I'll be right in, just a second . . ." He said as he stepped off into the bushes.
"What do you think he's so weird about? Sun Ce asked. Sima Yi looked thoughtful again as he sat in the corner and stroked his hair. A moment later Mitsuke slipped silently into the water and floated a great distance off from them. He seemed to be shielding himself from them and covering his chest with his arms. He was also blushing furiously.
"You think we can really do it?" Sima Yi asked with a newfound hope and timorousness after a minute or two.
"We can try, brother . . ." Zhang He answered.
The Romance of the Four Leaders
Chapter 29
Breath of Life
"What the Hell you doing to her?" Sun Ce spat at Sima Yi.
"Nothing! I just wanted to apologize!" Sima Yi started imploringly.
"S'at true, sis?" Sun Ce asked. Sun Shang Xiang looked apprehensive. Zhang He could tell she was debating whether to tell the truth or continue on with the lie. He shot her an angry look, which she noticed after a moment. Her face sunk and tears welled up in her eyes again.
"Don't you dare come near me again! You hear?" She said, pointing violently at Sima Yi.
"I haven't done a thing to you!" He exclaimed. Sun Shang Xiang let out a cry of frustration. She was fighting a losing battle.
"All you just leave me alone!" She screamed and shot into the girl's tent. Everyone was silent for a moment. Zhang He could almost feel Sima Yi's pain. Why was Sima Yi circled by this horrible unending streak of bad luck?
"What's wrong with her? She's been acting weird ever since I got back from the battle." Sun Ce inquired. Zhang He filled him in on what had happened.
"But I didn't mean to! I didn't even want to! If only I had just ignored him! If only I knew who he was, I'd kill him so fast, he wouldn't know what hit him! Now she'll never like me . . ." Sima Yi left off hopelessly. A few moments went by, sun CE seemed to be thinking hard.
"You love my sister?" He asked stupidly after his great bout of thought had passed. Sima Yi turned his head slowly and looked at Sun Ce as if he'd made a terrible joke.
"This was not evident to you, brother?" He asked with a look of disbelief.
"Uhh, no . . ." He said, finally picking up on how dumb he sounded. Da Qiao forced back a smile as Sun Ce scratched his head. After a moment she stood on tiptoe and whispered something in his ear.
"Please?" She asked as she shrunk back to her normal height.
"Of course, anything for you . . ." He said with that fake huskiness as he slipped an arm around her slender shoulders. She looked flattered.
"Dearest brother He, I have a favor to ask of you." Sun Ce asked as he stepped closer. "It would be great if we had two more generals, wouldn't it?" He said cheerfully.
"Yeah. . ." Zhang He answered warily.
"Then what about letting Da Qiao and her younger sister stay with us on the Shi?" He said hurriedly with a boyish smile on his face.
Zhang He scratched his head. "I don't know, I'm not to keen on letting more women on our force, I don't like to see them get hurt . . ."
"Please, Zhang He! They live all alone, they have no family, and they could get captured again! She needs me to protect her. Pleeeeease?" He whined.
Zhang He laughed subtly "Sure, why not?" He said shrugging.
"WHHHHHOOOOOO HOOOOO!!" Sun Ce said, leaping into the air. "C'min, let's go tell Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao!" He said, grabbing her hand and running off like a child after a mountain of sweets.
"Calm down, Sun Ce!" She said as she was swept away. Diao Chan laughed a little.
"I like those Qiao sisters. But now we're equal! Four main women, four main men! See if you're all sworn brothers, can we become sworn sisters?" Diao Chan asked as they sat down. Sima Yi was still staring blankly into the distance and hadn't moved at all.
"I suppose, but I've never heard of sworn sisters before!" He laughed "You alright Sima Yi?" Sima Yi looked back wide eyed, and nodded a little. He walked back and sat down on Zhang He's left. He seemed to be thinking vigorously. He kept putting his hand over his mouth and his eyes darted back and forth. Every now and then he would shake his head as if disagreeing with someone. About three minutes later Mitsuke returned with Kawaii-Sama.
"Look, I got food for everyone!" He said, happily displaying several bowls of rice each with a cooked shrimp.
"Great!" Diao Chan said, perking up and taking hers. "Thanks a lot!" She said through a mouth full of rice.
"Thanks." Zhang He said as he took the pale green bowl. He sat down next to Diao Chan with Kawaii-Sama in his lap. Zhang He took the shrimp up with the chopsticks and nibbled on it thoughtfully. "So, what's' your reason for coming to China, Mitsuke?" He asked placidly.
"Well, um, I just, er. . . got tired of the Japanese army! You know, just got tired!" He said a little nervously.
"O . . .k. . ." Zhang He said, thinking this wasn't the entire troop.
"I'm not lying, I swear! I never lie!" He said, sweating a little.
"It's alright, I believe you! So you are a Samurai?" Zhang He continued.
"Yeah, check out my sword!" He said, pulling out his katana. It gleamed radiant and silver in the moonlight.
"Wow, what a beautiful weapon!" Diao Chan gasped. The all stared at it for a moment.
"Onesan . . ." Said a quiet and high voice. At first no one knew where it came from, but then it sounded again. "Onesan. Gohan." It was Kawaii-Sama that had spoken. Her arms were outstretched and she was grabbing for the rice bowl. Mitsuke looked even more nervous. He sheathed the sword quickly and handed her the bowl. Sima Yi shot a quick look at Mitsuke. He looked confused and unsure. Mitsuke laughed a little and looked away.
"Soooo, when are we going into battle?" He said, changing the subject abruptly. Zhang He laughed a little.
"I don't think it'll be for a long while. We just took the Nanman territory and we need time to straighten this out. But, after that, were going for Shu." Zhang He explained.
"I've heard of the Shu, I almost went to them. If it weren't for their creepy strategist I might've. But then I heard of you guys, and of your kindness. Then I knew I only belong to the Shi. I liked their leader though." He finished.
"Yes, he does have potential. I know him pretty well myself, him and my father and Guan Yu are all sworn brothers." Zhang He said.
"Ooh, who's your father?" Mitsuke asked.
"ZHUGE LIANG!" Sima Yi bellowed. Everyone stared at him. He was on his feet and looking a little crazy.
"No, my father's name is Zhang Fei . . ." Zhang He said cautiously after a moment.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. Zhuge Liang is the man who's possessed me! It all fits! Someone who hates me, is on the Shu, and a powerful White Magician. Why didn't I see it before?" He said, smiling and still wide-eyed.
"You're right! His voice too, it sounds exactly the same!" Diao Chan said, also getting to her feet.
"Of course, and all those things he said, it made him sound like a genius, which he is!" Zhang He said putting up a finger.
"I can't believe it! I'm so stupid, how could I not have known?" Sima Yi said.
"Sima Yi, a little off subject here, by why in the world does he hate you?" Zhang He asked a little more calmly.
"Oh, it was some stupid thing that happened a while back.. My father had taken me to a fancy banquet that happened four years ago. All the smart people were there including Zhuge Liang. My father took me so he show off how smart I was, and while Zhuge Liang was talking he made an error about the subject. When I corrected him, everyone laughed and said how I, a mere child, was more intelligent than the great Zhuge Liang. It was really only a joke, but I suppose he saw it as offense and he got very angry. I remember the night I was staying at that place, he put some sort of spell on me, but it appeared to do nothing, so I gave it thought."
"Odd, I guess he really treasures his reputation a chief genius or something . . ." Diao Chan said.
"And I hate him as well! Prancing around all the time like he's a God. Everyone thinks he's incredibly smart, but he's only a good strategist. He knows nothing of politics! He just wants everyone to think he does so he acts high and mighty. I'd like to knock him off his high horse!" Sima Yi snarled.
"I don't think many strategist take to each other. . ." Zhang He said under his breath to Diao Chan who smiled.
"Ohhh, the things I could do to him if he were a prisoner. I'm sure he'd LOVE sleeping in a bucket of near frozen water, or perhaps he would enjoy a refreshing drop onto a bed of nails, or how about a poison that liquefies him from the inside out, or maybe -" Sima Yi continued maliciously, gesturing violently with his hands.
"Stop with the death thing, your freaking people out." Zhang He interrupted.
"Forgive me, I can't help fantasizing about killing my enemies when it suddenly comes to mind." He grinned evilly. Zhang He narrowed his eyes.
"Or maybe is just a way to vent your anger or pain that came from a recent situation." Zhang He offered nimbly.
"I haven't an idea what you mean, brother . . ." Said Sima Yi, his face falling a bit.
"Sun Shang Xiang . . ." He continued innocently. Sima Yi frowned.
"If she doesn't want me around, then I simply won't be. It hurts to say it, but I know she hates me, and I do not want instill more anguish upon myself by pursuing the matter." He stated heartbrokenly.
"Oh, that's not you. Sima Yi doesn't quit at anything, you surly aren't going to just let her treat you like that." Zhang He asked.
"I-I don't want to feed the fire, Zhang He, just let me alone about it for a while." He said softly.
"Alright, whatever you say, but I promise you it won't end this way. I'm not going to stop until I'm your go-between asking her father if you can marry her." Zhang He said in a mock stern voice. "Also, by any chance was there a hot spring in that jungle?" He asked.
"Yes, actually, there was." Sima Yi said.
"I'm going to go round up Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. You want to come take bath with them and me?" Zhang He invited.
"Sure, I'll get Sun Ce." Sima Yi said, moving towards the direction Sun Ce bounded off in before.
"Hey, you want to come, Mitsuke?" Zhang He asked before departing. He looked a bit taken aback.
"Uhhh, well, I'm a little busy. . ." He said, leaving off.
"Nonsense, come on it'll be fun! Go with Sima Yi and I'll meet you with Zhou Yu in about ten minutes by the edge of the forest, Alright?" Zhang He arranged.
"Alright, see you then, brother. Come, Mitsuke." Sima Yi said, walking off. Zhang He hugged Diao Chan goodbye, and went off in the opposite direction. He now had more on his mind than asking Zhou Yu to casual bath; he was going to confront Sun Shang Xiang head on. He ducked into the girl's tent cautiously and looked around.
Sun Shang Xiang was in the corner, hugging her knees and looking like she had just had a good cry. When Zhang He came in, her face brightened for a moment, then went back to an angry scowl.
"Hello." He said amiably.
"What do you want?" She asked quietly.
"To talk." He admitted, sitting down beside her.
"About what?" She said, looking at her feet.
"Give you three guesses." He said playfully. "Come on, that seriously isn't how you act. The real you would've forgiven him by now. He couldn't help it, you know."
"That's . . . not what I'm upset about." She said gently, separating the pebbles from the dirt on the ground. Zhang He tried to look at her, but she wouldn't meet his gaze.
"You want to tell me?" He asked sympathetically. She was silent and continued piling up stones for a bit.
"Well, you see, before anything really weird stared happening, we were just talking. I had no idea he was possessed, but I did notice he wasn't looking at me the entire time. Then he asked me if would follow up to the hill. I was so happy; I completely forgot that I wasn't supposed to let him out of the infirmary. Well, when we got up, he told me that he had feelings for me and I admitted to it too. Then I thought e was coming into embrace me, but he actually started choking me. It really confused me because I thought it was really him! I was scared that he hated my loving him, and I couldn't bear that. I don't really see myself as his equal; he's almost like a God in my eyes. So it was a horrible pain in my heart. So after I figured out what happened, I thought that I could deal with that kind of pain again if the occasion ever arose once more. So then I thought if I make Sima Yi hate me, then I never have to deal with it again, but it ended up hurting more. I've got myself into a fine mess now . . ." She ended.
"That's all that's bothering you?" Zhang He said.
"Ugh! You're so mean, I can't believe I even confided in you!" She said, getting teary again.
"No, no, I didn't mean it like that. What I mean to say is there is no problem at all! Sima Yi isn't mad at you, he sad because he can't be with you. He thinks that you hate him. All you need to do is clear that up and everything can go back to normal!" Zhang He explained.
"Really? Wow, it really isn't that bad . . ." She said, almost regaining her old spunk. "Thanks, Zhang He, you're a good friend." She said, putting her arms around his neck. He laughed a little, and then stood up.
"See you later, Lady Sun. Have any idea where Zhou Yu is?" He asked.
"Yeah, he's in your tent with Xiao Qiao."
"Excellent, thank you." H said as he waved goodbye. He stepped into the tent right across from the girl's tent and looked for Zhou Yu.
He and Xiao Qiao were trying to play shougi, but Xiao Qiao kept doing odd illegal moves and Zhou Yu had to correct her.
"Hey, Zhou Yu, want to come take a bath with me and the others?" He asked.
"Excellent idea, brother." He said smiling. "You don't mind if I leave do you, Xiao Qiao?"
"Nope, I'll go play this with my sister!" She told him.
"Alright, goodbye then, I shall meet with you again in the morning." He said, stepping towards Zhang He.
"Bye-bye!" She said, putting away the black and white space markers.
Zhang He and Zhou Yu stepped outside into the cool night air. It danced across their faces and set the mood of autumn in their minds.
"It's my favorite season again . . ." Zhang He said happily, taking in a breath of the sweet air.
"I love autumn too, not to hot, not too cold, just perfect." Zhou Yu conversed softly with shallow, docile smile.
"I think . . . Yes, it's been an entire year now since I left home. It feels like I'm a different person than before." Zhang He communalized.
"I agree, it feels like I've done a lot of maturing in this last year. I miss my father very much, Sun Ce said he wasn't there when the went to get the generals, so there was no chance that they could of invited him along. I wish he could see me now, I'll bet he would be proud." He said smiling.
"How did you and Sun Ce come to meet anyway?" Zhang He asked suddenly.
"Oh, a while ago some bandits Sun Jian had killed the leader of wanted revenge on Sun family. Sun Jian decided it was too dangerous for his children to be living with him while the assassins were appearing day after day, so he sent them to live with his most trust friend and ally, my father. That was twelve years ago, when I was five. Sun Ce was only a month older than me, so we became fast friends even at that early age. A year or two later Sun Jian had eliminated all the remaining threats and sent a letter saying Sun Ce, Sun Shang Xiang, and Sun Quan could return. Turns out, they liked living with me so much, they stayed for another year. The Sun Jian demanded their return and I was left all alone. I got so lonely without Sun Ce and the others, that my father picked up and moved right next to Sun Jian, so I've been friends with Sun Ce ever since I was only a little child." Zhou Yu said nostalgically.
"Wow, I had no idea you two were that close." Zhang He said as they spied Sima Yi, Sun Ce, and Mitsuke in the distance.
"Yeah, Sun Ce has always been there for me, we also vowed to be each other's go-betweens when we finally want to marry." He said.
"Just like me and Sima Yi! And speaking of which, I think Sun Ce's finally found his woman." He said slyly. Zhou Yu laughed.
"Yes, he does seem to have become rather attached to Da Qiao." He said happily.
"It seems so perfect. We could all get marries pretty soon, myself and Diao Chan, Sun Ce and Da Qiao, Sima Yi and Sun Shang Xiang, you and Xiao Qiao!" Zhang He smiled.
"Myself and Xiao Qiao?" He asked a little apprehensively.
"Oh, you can't tell me you don't like her! She's extremely beautiful and so cute! Seems like the perfect wife to me, heck, if I wasn't in love with Diao Chan, I'd try to marry her!" He said in disbelief.
"No, no, it's not that I don't like her, I just . . . Didn't think I was being that obvious. . ." He said critically.
"Haha! I knew it, already fallen for her! Would it be perfect if we all got married the same day?" He asked excitedly. Zhou Yu smiled broadly.
"It would be quite grand, but the chances are slim. I mean, what're the chances we could woo all the women we want at exactly the same time?" Zhou Yu asked skeptically.
"Well, I've pretty much got Diao Chan, and I'd say Sun Shang Xiang would accept if Sima Yi ever got the courage to go and ask her. And as for Sun Ce, well all he has to do is put on that special voice of his and presto!" Zhang He said, truly believing in his eccentric dream.
"You know, I bet we could . . ." Zhou Yu said, his voice losing all the skepticism. "We actually could!" He smiled.
"We could what?" Said Sun Ce as the came up. Mitsuke looked a little sick and Sima Yi turned their way, eager to be filled in as well.
"Hello, brothers." Zhang He smiled, leading the way into the trees. "Zhou Yu and I had a little idea, we did."
"And what was that?" Asked Sima Yi catching up. Zhang He and Zhou Yu took turns describing their wonderful plan. With every line they increased the eccentrics, Zhang He had never seen Zhou Yu so alive. Mitsuke hung in the back and watched with amazement. After they were done Sun Ce looked extremely excited, but Sima Yi on the other hand . . .
"I just don't think we could do it, Zhang He." He said shaking his head in dismay.
"Why not?" They all said in unison.
"Well, think about it. Think about what happens when you get married." Sima Yi said, like the problem was obvious.
"Ummmm, you get a girl and she lives with you for the rest of your life and -" Sun Ce began.
"No, don't be an idiot, Sun Ce, think about the preparation." Sima Yi said exasperated.
"Let's see proposal, betrothal, then the week before you install the marriage bed and.oh, I forgot about that." Zhang He said. The installing of the marriage bed was a ceremony in which you put a new, two-person bed in your house. But that was the problem, none of them had their own house yet . . .
"Exactly, where are we going to get the money to each buy a house?" Sima Yi asked downheartedly.
"But why do we have to live apart?" Sun Ce whined. "Couldn't we all live in one big house?" They all remained silent for a moment. To Zhang He, this would be a wonderful thing. They'd never have to part and they all live their lives together, not separated and distant.
"That would be great, but still, that money isn't just going to drop from the sky." Zhou Yu commented. Mitsuke remained silent at his side, he looked very nervous indeed.
"There's got to be a way . . ." Zhang He said, smelling the water in the air, meaning they were very close to the spring.
"I suppose we could all save up for a long time. It would be excellent if we all lived together." Sima Yi said as they rounded the corner and saw the vast pool of warm water.
"We'd each have a really big room." Said Zhang He hopefully as they all neared the waters edge. "With a warm bath in each one."
"Yeah, and a gigantic bed, and nice looking weapons on the walls!" Sun Ce continued excitedly, pulling out the red ribbon holding his ponytail and releasing his wiry mane of hair. Zhang He also wrenched out the golden hairpiece and purple ribbon from his hair and laid them on the ground.
"It could have a big garden with a pond and a little bridge. I'd buy some fish and put them in. I'd feed them every morning with Xiao Qiao . . . " Zhou Yu said dreamily as he removed his red headband.
"And we could have a strategy room, with lots of maps and books . . ." Sima Yi said, joining in quietly as he removed his blue strategist's hat and revealed his hair bun.
"And we could have stables, and a whole building for guests, and a banquet hall!" Sun Ce fabricated and he wrenched off his clothes and jumped in, splashing water all over everyone.
"It could be on the outskirts of a forest, a little ways from the next town, but not close enough where we'd be considered part of it." Zhou Yu explained, as he tested the water timidly before getting in.
"And we could go to the market every week and get stuff. And everyone would bow to us as we stepped in." Zhang He said grandly as he stepped in gracefully. Sima Yi unfastened his ebony, elbow-high tresses and got in with the rest of them. Back behind them Mitsuke stood watching, a patch of blush on his cheeks.
"Aren't you coming, Mitsuke?" Sun Ce asked as he scrubbed his hair with his fingers.
"Umm, maybe I should just stay here, I mean I took a bath the other day, and -"
"Come on! You never know hen you'll get to bath again, you'd better not pass up the chance. You'll start to smell like Sun Ce if you don't!" Zhou Yu teased and seconds later a small rock was hurtled at him by Sun Ce.
"B-but there might be something in the water . . .," He protested. They all looked at him skeptically and he shook his head. "I'll be right in, just a second . . ." He said as he stepped off into the bushes.
"What do you think he's so weird about? Sun Ce asked. Sima Yi looked thoughtful again as he sat in the corner and stroked his hair. A moment later Mitsuke slipped silently into the water and floated a great distance off from them. He seemed to be shielding himself from them and covering his chest with his arms. He was also blushing furiously.
"You think we can really do it?" Sima Yi asked with a newfound hope and timorousness after a minute or two.
"We can try, brother . . ." Zhang He answered.