Hi again!!!!! I'm still around lalalalalala. Hehehe.yah. Whatever. Um, what to say what to say, oh YES, I DID MAKE A ZHEN JI A FLIRTACIOUS LITTLE DEVIL CAUSE I SEE HER THAT WAY. LIVE WITH IT!!!!! Now that that's out of the way on to business. Bet you can't get who the 'prisoners of war' are before you read it. Hahahaha you'll be surprised mwahahahahahahahahahaha. Sorry just had a moment there. It was my b-day Friday I'm 14 hehehehehehehe. Sorry. Okay that was a boring long waste of time.
Zhuge Liang: cough psycho cough
Shut up, go read or something I'm busy.
Zhuge: Of course you are…
Guan: Thanks Guan! And yes he has to be half evil.
Sonicwind123:Yah, the Xiao Qiao part? Thanks.
Shadowwolf5889: Gasp is right I did that only upon Guan's request. Thanks
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Chapter9-Prisoners of War
A smile crept over Zhuge Liang's face, devious as ever. Zhou Yu sniffed.
"We haven't won yet, Zhuge Liang."
"No need to be so sour Zhou Yu." Zhuge Liang smirked.
"No, Aven Yu, he's correct only cynically so." Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow in offense and pointed one finger at Zhuge Liang as he lectured.
"YOU! I HATE you, Zhuge Liang, we're only allies because I despise Cao Cao more." Zhuge Liang, still smiling picked up Zhou Yu's finger and moved it from in front of him. Master Liang clicked his tongue.
"Temper, temper, you really should control that, you've become so angered I believe you've forgotten your manners. It's not polite to point." Zhou Yu pulled free of The Prime Minister's grasp, muttering something I most likely shouldn't repeat. We remounted, but just as we were leaving I caught him quietly say something to Xiao Qiao.
"That Zhuge Liang may one day be a threat to Wu."
"He sure hates you an awful lot." I said to him.
"It matters little."
"It's amusing, really."
"Let him be jealous, it only gives me an advantage." I let my head rest on his shoulder. To tell you the truth, I'm surprised he didn't casually try to brush me off. But he didn't.
"Master Liang."
"Yes?"
"I wanted to tell you I lo-I-I. Never mind."
"What is it?" He mumbled something under his breath I couldn't hear but I'm sure one of the words was 'know.'
"It is nothing. Oh, but I was wanting to ask you a question."
"What is it?"
"How is it that you remain so calm in the face of danger? I don't think I've ever seen you scared." I couldn't see his face but I knew he had smiled.
"Practice."
"Really? I thought you were always this way. Have you ever dreamed of tales of valor I mean to be the hero of such?"
"All things will one day fade Aven Yu, know this. That one day nothing on this earth will matter. Valor, and courage, and all that we fight for won't remain forever."
"If you truly believe this, why do you still fight?"
"Because it is my duty, on occasion, I fear that I cannot help our lord, I fear that Liu Bei's destiny may not include uniting a land…" His voice trailed but neither of us spoke the rest of the way. We reached a good place not too close to the burning wood to fight Lord Cao Pi and his generals. Master Liang was skilled with his war fan. I killed many with Shadow Realm, my sword, but that story is for another day.
I somehow became separated and wandered around in search of fight after killing the surrounding enemies. I came to a place free of enemy soldiers and saw before me a half-enflamed plank of wood. I stepped up to it in all curiosity, careful of the embers on the top half. I peered over the edge and spotted what remained of Cao Cao's camp held in a state of disarray. They seemed to be preparing for retreat. I could see the mighty Cao, drowning his frustrations in a goblet of wine.
"If only Guo Jia were alive this may not have happened." He downed the glass and was poured another. "I'm not afraid I shall hold off the enemy allowing the retreat until we can regroup for a counterstrike. What a humiliating defeat at the hands of Zhuge Liang."
"What of Zhou Yu?" Said a familiar and horrible Zhang He voice.
"I think that his allies will become the death of him. Zhuge Liang is a force to be reckoned with. He is not to be taken lightly."
"Of course my lord."
I felt the warm sensation of fire near my skin and stepped back figuring I should search for Zhuge Liang, but before I knew it, I was surrounded by red-orange flames. I feared for my life, and feared that I'd never see Master Liang again. I let out a shriek, probably not the smartest thing to do, but I did. Suddenly, I felt myself lifted up just before consciousness left me.
I awoke in a carriage, my head resting on Zhuge Liang's lap. He looked down at me and smiled.
"You had quite a predicament there."
"Did we win?" I said, finally getting up.
"Yes, shortly after I heard you scream."
"Then it was you who saved my life."
"Well, yes…" I smiled. "We took many men and a few generals."
"Who?"
"I don't recall, but we are home." He helped me out of the carriage. "Come, we have a meeting with Liu Bei." We found him in his tent.
"My lord, may we speak with you?"
"Of course."
"I shall be frank, I believe we should attack Luo Castle."
"Your council is wise, but when?"
"Three months."
"I see…"
"Let us make plans later, now is the time for rest."
"Yes."
When I awoke, it was so light outside, that I was sure it was midday. I stepped out of my tent, and scanned the area. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Liu Bei were discussing some in depth and important matter, and I was slightly surprised that Zhuge Liang was not with them, although I don't really think Zhang Fei was in on the conversation, he was too intent on the wine. Wei Yan and Huang Zhong were in a rousing battle, while Ma Chao and Zhao Yun fought an impressive duel. One spectator that caught my eye, however interested me. I recognized her vaguely as Zhen Ji. She clapped at every hit. She stood in the most seductive of manners, and I had half a mind to challenge her to a duel. I mean WHO fights with a flute. Yah try and fight someone that your little feminine wiles won't work on. She succeeded, however, on distracting Ma Chao a turn or two and he took some hits. She smiled and giggled. Her gaze shifted to someone in the corner directing some troops—Zhuge Liang. I scowled and watched, inching slowly towards the place. I was close enough to hear this conversation.
"So, I heard you are Zhuge Liang." She tried her best to catch his attention but he simply looked straight ahead intent on business. I watched, thoroughly amused.
"I believe that's my name unless it's changed recently."
"Don't you do any fighting? You seem soo strong and handsome."
"Listen, Lady Zhen, I must go. Go flirt with Zhao Yun. I haven't the time for this."
"Humph! I—I will!" She looked rather hurt and walked back to the fight. Zhuge entered his tent. A few minutes later as I had entered my own, I heard some music. I peered into Master Liang's room and watched him playing his zither. He sang as well, and had taught the song to me once.
Upon this winding road I singTo empty air and ears to ring
I've tread so long and still so far to go.
A smiling face, a glis'ning eye,
I've traveled long and still I sigh
For want of such a long-forgotten thing.
So long a jaunt have I begun
Trav'ling toward the setting sun
I started early but shall finish short.
So long for such a cause as naught
For I shall never find my lot
All fortunes left me dull and bare to die.
My life shall wane to end my quest
And then my soul will finally rest
To end my path on ever-winding roads.
"I see my notes fall not on empty ears."
"Such sweet notes and sorrowful melodies never fall empty upon the ears of those who know them well."
"How true that is." He said as he began another song on his lute.
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Next chapter I'm going to have the battle of Luo Castle, I'll eventually get rid of Zhen Ji, etc. That's all I'm sayin.
