I'm never going to own Koei or Dynasty Warriors... sniff...

Next chapter! The intro was short- now the plot begins!


Chapter 2- The Search Is On

"Whoo!"

As soon as Shang Xiang entered the room, she was pulled by her eldest brother Sun Ce, and he dragged her back to the dance floor, where he twirled her around. She giggled as he tried dancing to the music- his wife Da just stood at the side, embarrassed at what he was doing. He was drunk, of course, and acting like a fool! Everyone was enjoying themselves- once again the Qiaos had done a good job of organising the annual Wu Valentines Ball. The hall was decorated with flowers, and lively music was being played. The officers were dancing with their wives (and some of the maids!), and the single generals were sitting at tables watching the dancing.

"How much has he drank?" Taishi Ci asked as he watched Sun Ce throw his arms up in the air.

"Enough!" replied Sun Quan, and he drank some of his wine. "I see Shang Xiang returned then?"

Ci nodded. "Yeah- where was she anyway? I thought she was going to rip off that dress, but she's still wearing it! Strange…but she's been quiet, hasn't she?"

"I thought so too. I think little sis wants a man…"

Half the generals heard this and nearly choked on their wine.

"I'm sorry?" said Zhou Tai. "Lady Sun wants a MAN?"

"Yes Zhou Tai. Well, that's what I think. I mean, she's what, 20 now? She's at that age." Quan put his glass down, and watched his sister. Sun Shang Xiang was now out of her brother's clutches and sitting next to Xiao Qiao, who was fussing over a rose. He sighed deeply. "She needs one too- every girl does."

"But the Lady Sun is no ordinary young woman," Zhou Tai continued. " She's not a Qiao. But I think you're right. Do you think she's started looking?"

Sun Quan looked at his 'bodyguard'. "Probably not. She's never been interested in that as far as I know. I wonder if she has though, and I wonder if she's looking at any of those lot." He pointed down the row at the other generals, who were ignoring the fact that it was Valentines Day, the most love filled day of the year, and just drinking and conversing as usual. Zhou Tai chuckled- the thought of Shang Xiang with any of those men needed a lot of imagination!

"Ooh it's so pretty Shang!" Xiao exclaimed as she examined the rose. "It's so pretty it's perfect!"

"I know, but who gave it to me?"

"Maybe it was Lu Xun! He spends a lot of time in the garden, so he could have picked it for you!"

"I don't think so…"

"Okay then…Lu Meng?"

"Argh no! He's well, erm, I don't like older men. And he doesn't like me in that way."

Xiao racked her brains for a few moments. "How about Zhou Tai?"

"Nah, he's not really a woman kind of guy."

"Taishi Ci?"

"No! He's too much of a jerk to be this thoughtful!"

"Okay then- Gan Ning?"

Shang Xiang had to think about this one. Gan Ning was one of her best friends, even though he was an ex-pirate. She had warmed to him though since his arrival in Wu. They hung out and sparred together, enjoyed a good joke, and generally chatted when they could. She enjoyed his company, and hated it when she had to leave. But was it just that?

"No way Xiao! If it was him, maybe he just felt sorry for me!"

Xiao sighed and handed the rose back to Shang. "If it wasn't him, maybe he knows who gave it to you! You should go and ask him! If anyone knows, he will!"

Shang Xiang nodded, and after deciding she's talk to him later, walked back over to Sun Ce to dance with him. She was wearing a dress (after Da had spent a whole afternoon persuading her), and it did make dancing hard, but she couldn't really embarrass herself more than Ce, who was now trying to sing along in slurred Chinese! She had bigger things to think about.


SSX is wearing a dress... what has the world come to:) R&R please? Pretty please?