Yeah, the place of their wedding kind of changed. I forgot where I held the original wedding…and I'm lacking of a map of China right now. This might be a long chapter, because the original one was pretty long too.

Disclaimer: Dynasty Warriors is copyrighted to KOEI.

Chapter 2: Birthday Wish

Note: Still in the flashback of chapter 1. But out of Qing Wan's pov

"Ma Chao is leading the army?" Lu Xun frowned. The young general had many clashes with this strong Shu general and knew defeating him and Pang Tong would be hard. "How many are approaching the border?"

"Approximately 9000 are approaching." Lu Xun's eyes widened at the number, including all the villagers of the city. The town's population did not even reach 5000.

"This is such a big number to work with, it will be hard to defeat." He massaged his head with his fingers, "Quickly, go request reinforcements from the city of Jiang Ning!"

"Yes my lord." The soldier replied and ran off with several other men. For the next half an hour, Lu Xun dressed in his formal wedding suit was busy ordering and commanding the troops to build a strong defense against the border. Qing Wan sat on the steps of the Lu mansion and watched as her would have been husband working hardly to protect the citizens of Jian Ye. "Lord Lu Xun," his subordinates ran over after most of the preparations were met. "Reinforcements from Jing Ting will arrive in about one day, and there is about 9 hours before Shu will officially be at our borders."

"Prepare the men for anything that may happen, you never know Pang Tong. Nine hours seems too promising for me." Lu Xun replied, his eyes turning rounder by the second. "I myself will go to the front lines and defend until reinforcements arrive, hurry!" he waved his hand in the air, dismissing the soldiers that bowed in front of him. He let out a sigh of relief and turned around facing Qing Wan who sat there silently on the steps. "Qing Wan…" he approached her, her head raised slowly. "I'm sorry…"

"It's not your fault." She replied, wiping the tears flowing from her eyes with her hand. "Protecting our people is the most important thing." Taking his hand, she led them into the mansion and to his room where his armor was laid out for him on the table. Slowly she helped him fit into his armor, her fingers touching every inch of the pad that was supposed to protect him. "Are you sure about this?" She said softly, her voice cracking.

"You said so yourself, the people are the most important." He placed his hand on her cheek, kissing her lightly on the lips. "Don't worry, I'll get those Shu bastards for ruining our day." Qing Wan stared into the eyes of Lu Xun a small smile formed on her face. Releasing herself from his grip, she went to the back of his room returning with Lu Xun's most prized possessions. His twin swords, 'Falcon'. The two then walked out of the mansion, where many soldiers who were also dressed in their battle armor greeted them.

"The carriage is ready my Lord." The man in red replied, Qing Wan stared blankly as Lu Xun pulled her towards the backgate of the city. Leading in to the prairies. "This is the safest way back to the main city my lord, if Lady Cheng is to return."

"What?" Qing Wan asked, slipping her hands away from Lu Xun's. "You want me to go back?" she stared at him angrily, "You want to face this danger by yourself?" she shouted, her breath getting heavier.

"Look." Lu Xun replied, approaching his fiancé. Lu Xun knew of Qing Wan's tempers, they weren't very easy to tamper with. "I don't want you to be in danger."

"I don't want YOU to be in danger!" She cried backing up slowly. Suddenly she tripped on a rock and fell on her butt; the side of her wedding gown tore. Lu Xun quickly approached her but was refused any assistance. "I'm a Wu general too!" she pleaded, "I have the right to protect these people!"

"And I have the right to protect you. I want you to return because I care for you…"

"There are 9000 Shu troops out there! There are not even 1000 of you! I can help you! I promise!"

"As your commanding officer, I command you to return to the main city now!" he finally shouted, his voice breaking with each word. Qing Wan stared at the man she loved; she didn't want to lose him. She knew that this battle was impossible to fight; she knew something bad was going to happen. "Cheng Qing Wan." He repeated, pulling something from his right pocket.

"The plaque." She directed to the golden plaque Lu Xun held in his hand. It was a plaque given to every Lord in the ruling cities by Lord Sun Jian, where if there is a time of need. They could use it to command anyone in the army, because it would be representing a command made by their Lord. "But Bo Yan…" she cried softly, "What if I never see you again?"

"I will see you again." He led her slowly to the carriage and closed the door. Qing Wan opened the side blinds and stuck her head out. Lu Xun kissed her forehead lightly.

"Wait for me…okay?" she said, he nodded and gave her another peck on the cheek. "Come back for me?"

"I promise."

(End Flashback)

Qing Wan sat there with Lu Xun's journal in her hand starring at the wall. She always believed that he would return to her, because he promised he'd do so. "So yeah nothing much happened at breakfast today, except Da Qiao was complaining about Sun Ce's snoring problem to his father again. It causes a mini quarrel but they're still fine, they always do that." Xiang Wan continued babbling about the incidents of breakfast earlier in the morning. Taking a quick stretch, Xiang Wan reached for a cup of tea and took a large sip. "Jie!" she pouted, "Were you not listening to a single word I was just saying?"

"Shut up. You're disturbing my thoughts." Qing Wan replied, Xiang Wan's face scrunched. "You're looking really horrible like that too."

"DO YOU NEVER CARE ABOUT ME?" Xiang shouted at the top of her lungs. She turned around on her chair and crossed her arms for the next five minutes while Qing Wan continued to read the contents of his journal. "OH WAIT." She suddenly shouted again, "I forgot! Master Zhou has something to speak to you about!" Qing Wan gave a quick glare to her sister and sprung from her chair.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" She slapped her younger sister across the head and sprinted out of her room. The walk from her quarters to Zhou Yu's was at least a 15-minute walk, but with her running skills she made it there panting in less then 5. "I'm so sorry!" she shouted barging into the room where Zhou Yu and Lu Meng were planning something on a map. Noticing other company here, she straightened out her gown and bowed at the two generals.

"You missed morning meal again." Zhou Yu said monotonously not looking up at her. Qing Wan scratched her head. "It's not healthy you know." Zhou Yu was like a brother to Qing Wan, he'd always wanted the best for her, and tried to lead her into the right paths. "Oh by the way." He walked over to her, "Happy Birthday." He smiled plopping a paper hat on her head. Qing Wan stepped back shocked as many of her Wu friends and comrades appeared from all corners of the small office singing.

"It's my birthday?" she scratched her head; Xiang Wan ran over and hugged her from behind.

"Happy birthday jie!" she giggled pulling her sister outside for all the fun events the kingdom had planned for the day to celebrate the girls birthdays. The day went smoothly for a birthday party because it had been months when everyone had seen Qing Wan smile a real smile. Qing Wan couldn't help but laugh at all things people performed, and she especially enjoyed the dumpling-eating contest between Huang Gai and Gan Ning. It was a game that happened every year during Qing Wan and Xiang Wan's birthday, the objective was simple. To see how many dumplings the two men could eat in half an incents time, Qing Wan remembered the hilarious results from last years race and cheered happily with the crowd.

"Gan Ning, you got to be the champion this year!" She squealed as the pirate started turning blue. At the end of the game, there were a total of 82 dumplings eaten, and the winner of course was Huang Gai. As he had been the champion for the past 5 dumpling eating competitions. "You alright?" Qing Wan plopped beside Gan Ning who was breathing in and out slowly as if he was in labor.

"I didn't win for you again this year." He puffed out, "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry." Qing Wan smacked his stiffened belly, "You'll win one year." It was during dinner time where the feast was held where Qing Wan was the most touched. The Qiao's had prepared a small-layered sponge cake with the words 'Happy Birthday Qing Wan and Xiang Wan' formed from a type of gelatin.

"Make a wish." Gan Ning smiled at the woman he once loved.

"I wish…for next year to be just as well. Except, with an extra person by my side." Qing Wan whispered silently.

End Chapter 2

A bit different from the last one. Kind of long…hope you liked it? Xx.
Reika