ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS
CHAPTER TWO: BATTLE WITH AN ALLURING ENEMY

In the four days between that night and the fight with Shu, Lady Sun has done nothing but sharpen her chakrams and her skills. She has dueled many officers in Wu and lost only to Lu Meng and Lu Xun. Regardless of her failure, Sun Shang Xiang seems very capable of fighting in the battle actively, rather than guard her father like she used to. She is quite excited to battle, because only in fighting can she forget about her broken heart. Each night would find her crying herself to sleep. It was truly sorrowful.

On the fourth day the preparations were being hastily completed. The ambushes in precise locations, the troops were practicing maliciously, as though only war could make them function. Sun Shang Xiang wished that she could be one of them, a faceless nobody, an emotionless machine made only to fight. Oh, she relished in the simplicity of their lives, fight, feast, fight again, feast again, and then die. They didn't have to worry about love unless they survived the war.

"Lady Sun, to battle," cried her father, obviously still expressing concern, "even though our lord strategist says you can fight, I wish for you to take the high ground so you may see the battle better, in order to learn."

"As you wish father." I knew that you would find a way for me not to be in the fray.

So this is true battle. Thought Sun Shang Xiang as she overlooked the furious conflict below. Men died everywhere, so many that the forest was painted red. She was on a cliff that surrounded three sides of the forest, so she may as well as had a crow's eye view. She could recognize many of the Shu commanders as they fought. Zhang Fei, so hard to miss, had an enemy soldier on his 18ft spear now. I called our troops enemies. A man with a cloth wrapped around his left shoulder, and a piece of shoulder armor on his right, was stabbing with fervor and malice at the red-dressed apes all around. That was Zhao Yun. Apes. A great giant of a man, Guan Yu stood. He wore one piece of armor, a shoulder plate. The rest of his body is covered in a deep green robe. He swung his mighty weapon the Blue Dragon, which was now a shade of red, and was cutting down Wu soldiers with inhuman speed. God of War is indeed an appropriate title. Now I'm admiring them. She was surprised at her comments, even if they were in her head.

Now, this was not a one-sided affair, The heavily armored force, Taishi Ci was knocking Shu soldiers back with ease, almost as if they were weeds that needed pulling. The drunken pirate, Gan Ning was running with his sword, out in his odd style, and splitting the troops so fast that they could not be replaced quick enough. Her own brother, Sun Ce was giving himself quite the workout; his tonfas were pounding green goons into pudding. Zhou Yu was merely standing on the cliff, waiting until the time to start his plans. "He couldn't be down there with the rest of our troops risking his life. No, he gets a comfy spot on the cliff, waiting to wave his fan. What a-"

"What were you going to say?" asked Da Qiao.

"Never mind."

"I thought you loved him?"

"Not since I truly saw him, he is just another mindless slave to Wu's ambition, not worth my time."

"Have a look there."

"Why?"

"I see a young warrior who is stunning." Sun Shang Xiang looked in the direction indicated by Da's waving hand.

"That's Bofu."

"Yes." Da says, dreamily.

"That's your husband. He is supposed to be ravishing to you," Sun Shang Xiang says, at the end of her patience.

"So."

"He's my BROTHER!!! I can't say that about him!"

"Just saying."

"Gah!! Just leave."

So Da left, and Sun Shang Xiang looked the other way, when she saw a warrior that was indeed stunning.

His battle garb was stained red, but he looked excited. A long brown ponytail of hair hung from the back of his head. His attire was that of a wealthy peasant. The only item on his body that could be called armor was a matching pair of dragonhead gauntlets on his arms.

While red-clad men charged at him, he skillfully mastered his pole weapon; one hit, two. Then he led the enemy solider into an infinite series of hits that had much spear twirling. After taking care of those four, he was again caught in the middle of more red men. "This will never end, will it?" He says, with a maniacal glee. He hits one of the peons four times, then into the sky. He follows the Wu soldier up, and then smashes the grunt down. Then he rode his weapon to the ground, creating a massive shockwave.

More troops came upon him, "Good grief, I don't need this now," He seems truly tired, and doesn't want to waste time. He spins his lethal blade five times and shoots out a vertical beam of light. It cleaved one man in two and took the arm off another. The last three scampered off. "None shall escape me." He let loose a great lightning bolt from his arm.

Only Lady Sun knew what really happened, he pulled a dart from under his sleeve. Upon its leaving his hand, it became a bolt of lightning. No Way! Only Zhou Yu can do that! She started to think harder about how the two men fought. You know what, this guy can even fight like him. Albeit with a spea… wait. As the mystery man raised his weapon, three tines sparkled in the sunlight, miraculously, it had no blood, but that detail slipped her mind.

Can that be Shu's fighting strategist, Jiang Wei? Sun Shang Xiang felt tingly all over, as though a draft chilled her. Can my love be misguided? She hoped, I thought he even fought like Gongjin, and maybe, just maybe. My love can make mistakes, right, it seemed that the only person she was comforting was herself, it's only part of me and I'm human so maybe Love can make mistakes. Like pairing me with the wrong man. Oh! I should just find out.

After the battle Sun Shang Xiang spoke to her father. "Dad, I have a question for you."

"You can ask me anything, daughter."

"If I fell in love with a man you would support me all the way, right?"

"Of course, what made you think I wouldn't?"

Ignoring his question, she pressed on. "Even if I had to leave to see him?"

"As long as you can keep talking to me," The Tiger of Jiang Dong knew where this was headed, so he steeled himself against her secret weapon.

"Dad, can I leave Wu's ranks?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot let you. I would gladly give you the moon and stars, however, I cannot let you leave the army of Wu." She was crying at this. He finally caved, "I'll tell you what, after the battle is over, I'll let you leave the army, alright."

"Thank you Dad," her tears dried instantly.

"I also wish to see the man who captured your heart."

"It shall be done."

"I shall see you in the morning." Damn it all, I can't stand against that crying. Just like her mother. I can't believe I caved in to the demands. I guess I'm just a gullible old sap.

Well, no matter, she has been interested in Zhou Yu for the last few days, avoiding him so no one will find out. I'll talk to him in the morning.

Later, the next morning, in the room wherein resides the formerly mentioned strategist; Zhou Yu once again, is caught giving Lu Xun a lecture.

"Zhou Yu, I must speak with you…now," said the omnipresent King of Wu.

"I'll just get going then. Tommo--" started Lu Xun

"No, I should speak to both of you. Have either of you talked to my daughter in the past few days?"

"Yes my lord, I spoke to her just before the battle with Shu. We talked for awhile; then she left."

"But, Great Teacher, she left the room crying."

"I am asking because she left the camp just last night," said Sun Jian.