AN: Disclaimer: I own none of the immensely popular Dynasty Warriors characters. These and the next few chapters I am submitting are re-written and revised and all-around better versions of my previous chapters. ENJOY!! I COMMAND YOU!!! Thanks for reading.

ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS
CHAPTER ONE: LOVE BLOSSOMS

A young woman has her hand on the knob of an unusually large door. Her fingers are small, dainty and delicate. Her arm is slender and of fair complexion. There is a very curvaceous and feminine body attached. Her dull red hair is cut short, so that long locks would not interfere with her fighting. Her brown eyes stare straight ahead of her. She wears a sleeveless shirt so as to show off her arms. She also wears mid-length tight white pants to show off her legs. She takes some deep time to think.

She finally realizes that the one for her is Zhou Yu, his intricate plans in the War Council, his prowess in battle, his presence itself, they all intrigue her. She watched him in conflict today, no other matches his combination of might and strategy on the battlefield, he crushed a legion of Wei troops by his lonesome. Sun Shang Xiang remembers it vividly.

Twelve men, even a challenge for Bofu, my brother, and Gongjin masterfully cut them down. He moved in such a hurry that even seeing his blade was a struggle for me. He slew one with a dart he gathered from inside his sleeve, it changed into a fireball as soon as it left his hand. Then he began his cutting, right, left, up. Then, out of nowhere, he leapt into the sky twirling his body, his sword aflame. He slew two on his first pass, one on his next, and set three aflame on the third. Those recently lit just flew away; perhaps they were spared a death by his blade, only to suffer one of fire. The last five tried to run, in no mood for a chase, Zhou Yu pulled out his bow and let off five arrows in quick succession, each one hitting its target squarely in the back, severing the spinal column. He turns only to find that even more men have arrived to try to slay him. Unable to compose myself, I hurl myself to my love to assist him.

Only the happiness of fighting alongside her husband (hopefully!) filled her head. Reinforcements arrived shortly after and the massive Wei kingdom forces were pushed back, and defeated.

Today Sun Shang Xiang is going to talk to him and see how he feels, after dinner she heads to his room, where we caught up with her.

She opens the door, and peers at the image before her.

Two men are at a desk. The man she fought with, Zhou Yu stands above his desk, which is covered with papers, maps, drawings, and even some stories. She gazes upon him and for the first time, she truly sees him. His rich, luxuriant brown hair is constantly hanging over his face, his hand moves up to push it back every time. She barely notices his jade green eyes darting around the room. His headband is gone, which may be why the hair gets in his face. His full lips are moving at an impossibly fast pace, but (she is certain) with precision and perfection. She has never seen the body under the clothing, but she has her own ideas. He wears a white, thick, baggy shirt and red baggy pants. All covered by a traditional torso and hip armor, all tied by a vibrant blue sash around his waist.

His student, Lu Xun, is sitting; his trademark hat has been discarded so his short, light brown hair has been let out. It's kind of cute, thought Sun Shang Xiang. His hazel eyes also dart around the scattered maps. His attire is similar to that of Zhou Yu, weather purposely or unconsciously, she doesn't know.

Sun Shang Xiang hears them both and concludes that Zhou Yu is lecturing Lu Xun,

"Anyways Meng Te seems a constant fool for fire, it defeated him at Bo Wan Po and at Chi Bi, now I'm not sure if Liu Bei… Aw, Lady Sun what brings you to my quarters?" In his calm, commanding voice the words floated across the air. She got excited just listening to him talk. She paused to savor the feeling.

"Lady Sun?"

"Oh, sorry," her face turned beat red, "I just wanted to talk to you…alone."

"Lu Xun, we will finish this discussion tomorrow."

"Yes sir." I wonder what Sun Shang Xiang wants to talk about, if she wants to talk at all. Lu Xun gave a little smirk as he collected the scrolls he and Gongjin had out.

"What is on your mind Lady Sun?"

This was it, the question, she hoped for a yes. It would liberate her; to be married to the warrior she loved the most. "Do you believe in love, Zhou Yu?"

"Love," he seemed offended, by it; almost appalled, "let me tell you of love. A warrior does not need love; his only concern is for his lord's safety and victory. With someone to sap his attention, no warrior can assist his lord fully.

"Remember Lu Bu, his "love," This especially seemed to pain her, he said 'love' with the same venom that he used when he spoke of his rival 'Zhuge Liang.' It was excruciating torment to hear him so denounce what she held sacred. "Drove a wedge between him and his master, Lu Bu ended up killing the one who took him in. Love has no place in a warrior's life. It is more poison them anything else," by the end of this rant, he had lost his composure and his calm.

Sun Shang Xiang shuddered; the object of her love not only just crushed her hopes for a future, but also completely destroyed her from the inside.

Now, calm and collected he asked, "do you understand what I'm talking about Lady Sun?"

Her only answer was a crystal tear running down her cheek. She turned and ran, not bothering to notice that Lu Xun had fallen on his rear after she opened the door so hard, her tears fell freely. When she got to her room; Da Qiao arrived shortly afterwards to comfort her. Sun Shang Xiang wept into Da Qiao's shoulder,

"Now, now, there, there," softly spoke Da, "Lu Xun told me everything. Zhou Yu has been like that since my sister was killed by Cao Cao's order. He is still grieving, let him be and he'll soften up."

"No, no, he won't, her death has made him callous, you didn't hear how he spoke of love. To him it's a sickness and a sin and he won't have it. I cannot find love with him, he won't let me."

"There are many like him."

"No other can replace him. NO OTHER!"

"Time heals all wounds," replied Da.

Remembering a childhood response to that proverb Sun Shang Xiang shakily replied, "But it's a lousy beautician." The two beautiful ladies shared a little laugh, Da left, after she had gone, Sun Shang Xiang cried loud, hard and deep. A mortal wound had been delivered to her and she feared she could never recover. After she slept for the longest time, a messenger came to wake her.

"Message for Lady Sun."

"Report." She could barely croak out the words, her restless sleep was only a temporary release from the pain of the conversation the previous night.

"War with the kingdom of Shu is to occur in four days, the Council is here and you are late."

"Who sent you?" she asked, knowing full well whom it was.

"Zhou Yu, he also inquires of your person. Are you alright?"

"Yes, but tell Zhou Yu I cannot make it to the Council."

"It shall be done," The messenger knew it was a lie, but decided not to tell Zhou Yu the truth, it would only unsettle him more than the coming battle. After all, Zhou Yu must plan; he can't take time off to worry about the Tiger's cub.