Chapter 15: One of Those Days
** Disclaimer: I'm poor. Please don't sick a lawyer on me. I don't own these guys.
**
Calling all Wei Yan fans! I'm going to start a webpage dedicated to Wei Yan. (Like no one saw that one coming.) If you have any artwork, or stories that you would like me to either post or link to then please please please please tell me! Also, to get more people to write about our loveable caveman. I'm considering holding a contest, with the grand prize ranging from custom plushies to some other anime stuff I haev laying around the house. Well some Dynasty warriors stuff too. *grumbles about going to have to find DW3 cheap for some poor people not to mention if they ever bring out Dynasty Empires.....* So anyhow start thinking up ideas and I'm going to contuine building this webpage and perhpas I can come up with some more prizes, yes? *bounces* Oh and sorry this chap is so short.
**
Yue Ying awoke to the smells of damp earth and dried blood. Pain lanced through her back from the unforgiving earth. She tried to turn, only to find herself immobilized. Looking down she easily saw the reason why. The wound must have been bothering the masked general more than she had supposed the night before. He lay on his uninjured side with his arms wrapped around her, and one leg thrown over her own. Liu Shan lay directly between the two, giving out snores that a grown man would envy. She was in essence, trapped.
This would never do. She had to go back and see what had happened at the Shu camp. There would be people who needed her expertise in the medical arts. Not to mention the fact that she was worried about her husband's prized pupil. Jiang Wei was smart and strong, but the numbers had been so vast!
Hopefully, he had gotten away without too many injuries, and was leading a search party even now. But, she had never been one to stand idly by while some man rescued her. After all she was a warrior! There was not much she could do for either of her comrades. The baby would soon start screaming with hunger. There was no milk to be had and some needed to be found. As for the general, she had done everything she could last night. Death would not take him, but the man would be weaker than usual for a while.
The arms around her were warm, but surprisingly strong considering how much blood the general had lost earlier. Turning her head, she peered over at the sleeping man's face. For once his face wasn't schooled into a careful blank. Instead he looked rather peaceful, with the tiniest of smiles tugging his lips up.
It was really too bad that she was going to have to wake him up. Licking dry lips, she cleared her throat and poked the man's arm. "Excuse me, Wei Yan."
The man gave a little moan of displeasure, his hands slithering up her body. She blenched as she realized just where his hands came to rest. Pushing at the offending hands, she hissed, "Wei Yan, wake up. Now!"
The masked general mumbled something in his sleep, adjusting one leg further up on her. To her horror, she saw that her white skirt had been pushed almost around her waist, the skin tight black silk pants the only barrier between them, and she could definitely feel a little bit too much of his body pressed up against her for her piece of mind.
"Wei Yan!" She pinched his arm.
The man gave a start of surprise and started awake. His head jerked forward, slamming into hers.
"Damn!" The word flew from her mouth before she could stop it. Liu Shan's wails quickly joined in with Wei Yan's mumbled curse.
"What matter?"
"I thought it would be obvious. We have to get back to the Shu camp."
He nodded. "Then we go back."
"And you need to get off me." In the dim light it was hard to tell, but it appeared he blushed while withdrawing his hands and leg.
"Sorry." The word was said softly.
"No need to be. Any man would have...reacted the same if he woke up next to a woman." She took up the child in her arms. "Now we should be going. It'll take a while with you injured for us to reach the camp."
Without saying anything else she crawled out through opening of the cave. It was going to be a long day.
**
Xiao Qiao watched in apprehension as her sister drew near. It was easy to tell when Da was angry if one knew her little habits. She was tapping a finger against her chin. Though she loved her sister desperately, she had been avoiding her for almost a week. It hadn't been easy, but Sun Ce happily ran interference. It was just her good luck that the ship was about to dock. She would be able to avoid most of the questions that her sister wanted to quiz her on.
"Where have you been? I've been looking for you all week!"
Xiao bit down a goofy smile. There was no way she was going to tell her sister that she had spent most of the week in bed learning how to please her future husband. She just wouldn't approve of behavior like that, plus Zhou Yu wasn't exactly high on Da's favorite person list. "Oh I've been around." She shot her sister a happy smile. "Did you know Sun Ce is on board?"
Her sister frowned and went back to tapping her chin with one finger. "Yes. He's been pestering me all week since you deserted me."
Xiao shrugged. "I thought you would enjoy spending some time getting to know your future husband."
Da paled. "He's a big puppy. I can't marry a man like that."
Xiao sighed. When was her sister going to get over her aversion to the man? He was perfect for her. "I was hoping you would let your hair down with him."
"I only let my hair down with people I trust."
The younger girl sighed. Her sister was apparently not going to be wooed easily. "Da, you're my sister, and I love you no matter what happens between you and Ce." She gave the taller girl a quick hug. "Now come on, aren't we supposed to be able to finally get off this boat?"
There came a sigh behind them. "It's a ship, ladies. A boat is much smaller." Gan Ning shook his head. "Now why don't you take your little attendants and check around. Sun Ce doesn't want his little sister walking into a trap."
Xiao saluted sharply. "Yes general! Sir!"
Gan Ning reached over and flipped her ponytail. "Get outta here Shorty."
Dragging her sister, Xiao took off giggling to the dock.
**
"It was him. I would never forget that mask." Zhang He paced back and forth in front of her. "If only I had been faster! I could have had his head!"
Zhen Ji shook her head. She had hoped that her brother had forgotten about the masked man through the years. Apparently, he had not. "We shall see him on the battlefield soon enough Zhangie. Let it go."
The man shook his mane of hair and plopped down beside her on the soft grass. "Don't you see dearest? He was the one who brought us to this."
"And do you forget what else he gave us?" She snapped. "He gave you a purpose. He showed us what a true leader should be like. We would both still be nothing if the masked man hadn't attacked."
"And do you forget what else he gave us sister? Do you enjoy being Cao Pi's whore?"
The slap was soft enough to not bring anyone, but it sounded unusually loud to the siblings on the knoll. Zhen Ji watched as her brother's pale skin began to redden where her palm had struck him. Her voice was soft when she finally answered. "I am no whore."
"Ji, my dearest, I have heard of what Cao Pi makes you do." He reached over and took one of her hands in his. "It isn't normal." He squeezed her hand. "I don't want you to have to do anything like that. Yes, Lord Cao Cao was one of the best things to ever happen to me. But for you nothing has changed. We might as well have stayed with Yuan Shao and his family."
She pulled her hand away from him and got to her feet. "Zhang He, the past can not be changed. Regret never brings anything but more regret. Forget the masked general. We both must live as we must."
As she began walking away she heard him call to her, "I can stop the regret, but I will never stop wishing for vengeance." The wind howled mournfully, carrying his words away. If only his thirst for the masked generals blood would leave so easily.
**
"Hello ladies. My name is Zhuge Liang, and you are?"
Lu Xun looked at the man in the starch white robes in awe. This was definitely not how he had imaged meeting the Sleeping Dragon. Then again, he had never thought he would wear makeup and women's apparel.
Zhou Yu gave a giggle that sounded like sweetly tinkling bells. "My name is Zhou Luo. This is my companion, Lu Mei." He fluttered his eyelashes at the man.
Zhuge Liang bowed low in front of Zhou Yu. "You are not one of the Qiaos?" A sly smile spread across his face. "But of course not, your beauty far outshines them."
Zhou Yu turned red. Zhuge Liang, seeing this as maidenly embarrassment continued. "Your very image would make the heavens themselves hide their face in shame, not mere flowers.
Lu Xun stifled a laugh as his mentor turned a most becoming shade of crimson.
Zhuge Liang still did not see the danger he was in. "Perhaps on this ride back you would like to ride in my personal carriage? I believe you might be interested in seeing some of my maps of the region?"
Zhou Yu managed to sputter out the words in his false maiden's voice. "No thank you."
Zhuge Liang took Zhou Yu's hand in his and kissed the top, letting his tongue flick out and taste the woman ever so gently. His voice softened. "I also have a fine sword that has been passed down generations through my family. Perhaps you could examine it and see what a fine lady like yourself thinks?"
A giggle finally escaped Lu Xun's lips. This was just priceless! His revenge was sweet indeed.
Zhou Yu turned around and glared at the small strategist. His smile promised eons of vengeance.
Lu Xun cleared his throat and took a step forward. It was time to save his friend. "My dear lord strategist. I am afraid it would be most improper for my lady to do such a thing. Her brother is the esteemed Zhou Yu, and he would be most upset if he heard of his sister riding unattended with a man that she did not know."
The pleasant smile fell from Zhuge Liang's lips. "Oh." He sigh was full of regret as he let Zhou Yu's hand fall to the side. "A pity. Perhaps I should travel to Wu and get to know your brother better than the short time I spent with him. Mayhap then you come see my ancestry sword?" A hopeful light filled his eyes.
"Perhaps." Lu Xun said. He took Zhou Yu's arm in his. "Now if you'll excuse us, we must be going to help with Lady Sun's wedding train.
The man nodded, swept them a deep bow and took off back in the direction of their camp. Once he was out of sight Zhou Yu glared at the much smaller strategists. "I will get you back for this Lu Xun. If it's the last thing I ever do!"
**
Chapter 16: Wu finally makes it! What does Sun SHang Xiang have planned. What will Yue Ying notice?
**
Chibi: See, I need a beta so I can stop confusing people, and myself. I thought it was confusing but that little voice in my head convinced me it was okay. *sees that Sima Yi is the person behind that little voice in her head and drop kicks him* If there was a Mardi Gras and a Dynasty warrior float then I would storm it and kidnap Yaners. I would kidnap the rest for you though!^_^
I'm hoping I made things better making Zhuge Liang hit on Zhou Yu and the Wuvable Pyro Prince having to save his shapely backside. Oh well. I'm not going to torture Yaners for a while. It's too much fun torturing Ying for a while. Bwhahaha! Well that and I need to go torture Liu Bei for a while. Poor guy.
Ramza: Glad you noticed it was R rated. I have to keep it that way because I tend to do weird things in my stories. Sigh. Bad old naughty brain of mine. I'm kinda hoping that I can get my version of Liu Bei to oh........I don't know........think about raising his son so he can be ready to handle things when good old dad dies? Okay, like I'll let Liu Bei die when he can be making babies much better suited for leadership with Sun Shang Xiang! Sigh, sorry. History is going to take a sharp bend into Nat Reality which I've been told has not much to do with reality at all. Zhen Ji are a few other characters will slowly change. You could say it's her poker/battle face that she puts on for everyone. Actually no. I was trying to be subtle, but apparently I was too much so. Basically Gan Ning has noticed another sailor being extremely attracted to Lu Xun. Let's face facts. He's a pretty boy, he would be a beautiful woman. Therefore he's actting like Lu Xun is his so that the other man won't try anything stupid. Some of the ladies, poor Da, haven't yet seen those hairy legs of the guys so they don't know what's going on.Sun Shang Xiang does not know Liu Bei yet. Things will change. Eveything in its due time though. I'm trying to update Dark Days but I have writers block!
Roll: As of right now there is no yaoi in this fic and I don't plan for their to be any. Now in some other fics........cheese wiz. If you don't like yaoi stay away from Monster Within! I wrote it for Chibi and she likes yaoi. ;)
Guan: Awe! Ya made me blush! You're a doll. Luckily Xiao is smarter than she appears. Glad you like Ying/Yan. There are some people who are quite verb in private messages to me about being castrating Wei yan. *shudders* Mystic Azure Girl: You're the one who started all those stories recently, right? The SSX/Lu Xun. Is It Possible? And I think two others. I have them under my DW: Need to Review favorites. Yikes! I do need to review don't I *sheepish grin* And don't worry. Mei Lin is going to get hers in the end. angiebee : long time no see. I actually almost have the next chapter done. If only Sun Shang Xiang would stop destorying things! Vegg: My fellow Yue Ying Torturer. I'm glad you like Lu Xun in a pink dress. He's too pretty for pants! *gets a flaming arrow in the chest* Anyhow when are YOU updating? ^_^ Someone else has to torture Yue Ying to take some of the pressure off me.
** Disclaimer: I'm poor. Please don't sick a lawyer on me. I don't own these guys.
**
Calling all Wei Yan fans! I'm going to start a webpage dedicated to Wei Yan. (Like no one saw that one coming.) If you have any artwork, or stories that you would like me to either post or link to then please please please please tell me! Also, to get more people to write about our loveable caveman. I'm considering holding a contest, with the grand prize ranging from custom plushies to some other anime stuff I haev laying around the house. Well some Dynasty warriors stuff too. *grumbles about going to have to find DW3 cheap for some poor people not to mention if they ever bring out Dynasty Empires.....* So anyhow start thinking up ideas and I'm going to contuine building this webpage and perhpas I can come up with some more prizes, yes? *bounces* Oh and sorry this chap is so short.
**
Yue Ying awoke to the smells of damp earth and dried blood. Pain lanced through her back from the unforgiving earth. She tried to turn, only to find herself immobilized. Looking down she easily saw the reason why. The wound must have been bothering the masked general more than she had supposed the night before. He lay on his uninjured side with his arms wrapped around her, and one leg thrown over her own. Liu Shan lay directly between the two, giving out snores that a grown man would envy. She was in essence, trapped.
This would never do. She had to go back and see what had happened at the Shu camp. There would be people who needed her expertise in the medical arts. Not to mention the fact that she was worried about her husband's prized pupil. Jiang Wei was smart and strong, but the numbers had been so vast!
Hopefully, he had gotten away without too many injuries, and was leading a search party even now. But, she had never been one to stand idly by while some man rescued her. After all she was a warrior! There was not much she could do for either of her comrades. The baby would soon start screaming with hunger. There was no milk to be had and some needed to be found. As for the general, she had done everything she could last night. Death would not take him, but the man would be weaker than usual for a while.
The arms around her were warm, but surprisingly strong considering how much blood the general had lost earlier. Turning her head, she peered over at the sleeping man's face. For once his face wasn't schooled into a careful blank. Instead he looked rather peaceful, with the tiniest of smiles tugging his lips up.
It was really too bad that she was going to have to wake him up. Licking dry lips, she cleared her throat and poked the man's arm. "Excuse me, Wei Yan."
The man gave a little moan of displeasure, his hands slithering up her body. She blenched as she realized just where his hands came to rest. Pushing at the offending hands, she hissed, "Wei Yan, wake up. Now!"
The masked general mumbled something in his sleep, adjusting one leg further up on her. To her horror, she saw that her white skirt had been pushed almost around her waist, the skin tight black silk pants the only barrier between them, and she could definitely feel a little bit too much of his body pressed up against her for her piece of mind.
"Wei Yan!" She pinched his arm.
The man gave a start of surprise and started awake. His head jerked forward, slamming into hers.
"Damn!" The word flew from her mouth before she could stop it. Liu Shan's wails quickly joined in with Wei Yan's mumbled curse.
"What matter?"
"I thought it would be obvious. We have to get back to the Shu camp."
He nodded. "Then we go back."
"And you need to get off me." In the dim light it was hard to tell, but it appeared he blushed while withdrawing his hands and leg.
"Sorry." The word was said softly.
"No need to be. Any man would have...reacted the same if he woke up next to a woman." She took up the child in her arms. "Now we should be going. It'll take a while with you injured for us to reach the camp."
Without saying anything else she crawled out through opening of the cave. It was going to be a long day.
**
Xiao Qiao watched in apprehension as her sister drew near. It was easy to tell when Da was angry if one knew her little habits. She was tapping a finger against her chin. Though she loved her sister desperately, she had been avoiding her for almost a week. It hadn't been easy, but Sun Ce happily ran interference. It was just her good luck that the ship was about to dock. She would be able to avoid most of the questions that her sister wanted to quiz her on.
"Where have you been? I've been looking for you all week!"
Xiao bit down a goofy smile. There was no way she was going to tell her sister that she had spent most of the week in bed learning how to please her future husband. She just wouldn't approve of behavior like that, plus Zhou Yu wasn't exactly high on Da's favorite person list. "Oh I've been around." She shot her sister a happy smile. "Did you know Sun Ce is on board?"
Her sister frowned and went back to tapping her chin with one finger. "Yes. He's been pestering me all week since you deserted me."
Xiao shrugged. "I thought you would enjoy spending some time getting to know your future husband."
Da paled. "He's a big puppy. I can't marry a man like that."
Xiao sighed. When was her sister going to get over her aversion to the man? He was perfect for her. "I was hoping you would let your hair down with him."
"I only let my hair down with people I trust."
The younger girl sighed. Her sister was apparently not going to be wooed easily. "Da, you're my sister, and I love you no matter what happens between you and Ce." She gave the taller girl a quick hug. "Now come on, aren't we supposed to be able to finally get off this boat?"
There came a sigh behind them. "It's a ship, ladies. A boat is much smaller." Gan Ning shook his head. "Now why don't you take your little attendants and check around. Sun Ce doesn't want his little sister walking into a trap."
Xiao saluted sharply. "Yes general! Sir!"
Gan Ning reached over and flipped her ponytail. "Get outta here Shorty."
Dragging her sister, Xiao took off giggling to the dock.
**
"It was him. I would never forget that mask." Zhang He paced back and forth in front of her. "If only I had been faster! I could have had his head!"
Zhen Ji shook her head. She had hoped that her brother had forgotten about the masked man through the years. Apparently, he had not. "We shall see him on the battlefield soon enough Zhangie. Let it go."
The man shook his mane of hair and plopped down beside her on the soft grass. "Don't you see dearest? He was the one who brought us to this."
"And do you forget what else he gave us?" She snapped. "He gave you a purpose. He showed us what a true leader should be like. We would both still be nothing if the masked man hadn't attacked."
"And do you forget what else he gave us sister? Do you enjoy being Cao Pi's whore?"
The slap was soft enough to not bring anyone, but it sounded unusually loud to the siblings on the knoll. Zhen Ji watched as her brother's pale skin began to redden where her palm had struck him. Her voice was soft when she finally answered. "I am no whore."
"Ji, my dearest, I have heard of what Cao Pi makes you do." He reached over and took one of her hands in his. "It isn't normal." He squeezed her hand. "I don't want you to have to do anything like that. Yes, Lord Cao Cao was one of the best things to ever happen to me. But for you nothing has changed. We might as well have stayed with Yuan Shao and his family."
She pulled her hand away from him and got to her feet. "Zhang He, the past can not be changed. Regret never brings anything but more regret. Forget the masked general. We both must live as we must."
As she began walking away she heard him call to her, "I can stop the regret, but I will never stop wishing for vengeance." The wind howled mournfully, carrying his words away. If only his thirst for the masked generals blood would leave so easily.
**
"Hello ladies. My name is Zhuge Liang, and you are?"
Lu Xun looked at the man in the starch white robes in awe. This was definitely not how he had imaged meeting the Sleeping Dragon. Then again, he had never thought he would wear makeup and women's apparel.
Zhou Yu gave a giggle that sounded like sweetly tinkling bells. "My name is Zhou Luo. This is my companion, Lu Mei." He fluttered his eyelashes at the man.
Zhuge Liang bowed low in front of Zhou Yu. "You are not one of the Qiaos?" A sly smile spread across his face. "But of course not, your beauty far outshines them."
Zhou Yu turned red. Zhuge Liang, seeing this as maidenly embarrassment continued. "Your very image would make the heavens themselves hide their face in shame, not mere flowers.
Lu Xun stifled a laugh as his mentor turned a most becoming shade of crimson.
Zhuge Liang still did not see the danger he was in. "Perhaps on this ride back you would like to ride in my personal carriage? I believe you might be interested in seeing some of my maps of the region?"
Zhou Yu managed to sputter out the words in his false maiden's voice. "No thank you."
Zhuge Liang took Zhou Yu's hand in his and kissed the top, letting his tongue flick out and taste the woman ever so gently. His voice softened. "I also have a fine sword that has been passed down generations through my family. Perhaps you could examine it and see what a fine lady like yourself thinks?"
A giggle finally escaped Lu Xun's lips. This was just priceless! His revenge was sweet indeed.
Zhou Yu turned around and glared at the small strategist. His smile promised eons of vengeance.
Lu Xun cleared his throat and took a step forward. It was time to save his friend. "My dear lord strategist. I am afraid it would be most improper for my lady to do such a thing. Her brother is the esteemed Zhou Yu, and he would be most upset if he heard of his sister riding unattended with a man that she did not know."
The pleasant smile fell from Zhuge Liang's lips. "Oh." He sigh was full of regret as he let Zhou Yu's hand fall to the side. "A pity. Perhaps I should travel to Wu and get to know your brother better than the short time I spent with him. Mayhap then you come see my ancestry sword?" A hopeful light filled his eyes.
"Perhaps." Lu Xun said. He took Zhou Yu's arm in his. "Now if you'll excuse us, we must be going to help with Lady Sun's wedding train.
The man nodded, swept them a deep bow and took off back in the direction of their camp. Once he was out of sight Zhou Yu glared at the much smaller strategists. "I will get you back for this Lu Xun. If it's the last thing I ever do!"
**
Chapter 16: Wu finally makes it! What does Sun SHang Xiang have planned. What will Yue Ying notice?
**
Chibi: See, I need a beta so I can stop confusing people, and myself. I thought it was confusing but that little voice in my head convinced me it was okay. *sees that Sima Yi is the person behind that little voice in her head and drop kicks him* If there was a Mardi Gras and a Dynasty warrior float then I would storm it and kidnap Yaners. I would kidnap the rest for you though!^_^
I'm hoping I made things better making Zhuge Liang hit on Zhou Yu and the Wuvable Pyro Prince having to save his shapely backside. Oh well. I'm not going to torture Yaners for a while. It's too much fun torturing Ying for a while. Bwhahaha! Well that and I need to go torture Liu Bei for a while. Poor guy.
Ramza: Glad you noticed it was R rated. I have to keep it that way because I tend to do weird things in my stories. Sigh. Bad old naughty brain of mine. I'm kinda hoping that I can get my version of Liu Bei to oh........I don't know........think about raising his son so he can be ready to handle things when good old dad dies? Okay, like I'll let Liu Bei die when he can be making babies much better suited for leadership with Sun Shang Xiang! Sigh, sorry. History is going to take a sharp bend into Nat Reality which I've been told has not much to do with reality at all. Zhen Ji are a few other characters will slowly change. You could say it's her poker/battle face that she puts on for everyone. Actually no. I was trying to be subtle, but apparently I was too much so. Basically Gan Ning has noticed another sailor being extremely attracted to Lu Xun. Let's face facts. He's a pretty boy, he would be a beautiful woman. Therefore he's actting like Lu Xun is his so that the other man won't try anything stupid. Some of the ladies, poor Da, haven't yet seen those hairy legs of the guys so they don't know what's going on.Sun Shang Xiang does not know Liu Bei yet. Things will change. Eveything in its due time though. I'm trying to update Dark Days but I have writers block!
Roll: As of right now there is no yaoi in this fic and I don't plan for their to be any. Now in some other fics........cheese wiz. If you don't like yaoi stay away from Monster Within! I wrote it for Chibi and she likes yaoi. ;)
Guan: Awe! Ya made me blush! You're a doll. Luckily Xiao is smarter than she appears. Glad you like Ying/Yan. There are some people who are quite verb in private messages to me about being castrating Wei yan. *shudders* Mystic Azure Girl: You're the one who started all those stories recently, right? The SSX/Lu Xun. Is It Possible? And I think two others. I have them under my DW: Need to Review favorites. Yikes! I do need to review don't I *sheepish grin* And don't worry. Mei Lin is going to get hers in the end. angiebee : long time no see. I actually almost have the next chapter done. If only Sun Shang Xiang would stop destorying things! Vegg: My fellow Yue Ying Torturer. I'm glad you like Lu Xun in a pink dress. He's too pretty for pants! *gets a flaming arrow in the chest* Anyhow when are YOU updating? ^_^ Someone else has to torture Yue Ying to take some of the pressure off me.