Okay, I added this part to help move the story along from chapter 1. I hope you like it. Thanks for the reviews. This story has now officially changed from what I wanted it to be. This version is even better. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: Dynasty Warriors is owned by KOEI.
Chapter 2: Treasured Memories
(Flashback)
"Father, leave him alone," a girl's voice said. Tao Wan could barely hear whoever was talking.
"I'm just checking," a male voice answered.
Tao Wan struggled to get up, but he couldn't. All his actions caused him pain. He couldn't even open his eyes to see what was happening. All he remembered was that instant before he passed out then everything went black.
Where am I? He asked himself. Who are these people?
"How is he doing?" the same male voice asked.
"I bandaged the cut on his back and covered his burns. That is all I can do," she responded. "Poor guy, I wonder what happened to him?"
"Whatever happened, he is lucky that he survived."
Tao Wan lied on his back in pain. The two voices still conversed with each other.
There was a long pause until the man spoke again. "So…you sure that he is still alive?"
"Father, please." Tao Wan heard the sound of slapping then the sound of a door closing. He didn't know if he was left alone or they were still there. All he thought was what he was going to do now. His parents were gone and there was no one to help him.
I'm all alone. He thought to himself.
"I hope that we didn't wake you," the girl softly said. "My father is not the brightest person. It was a good thing that I found you."
Are you talking to me? He asked her in his thought. All Tao Wan could do was listen to get a better knowledge of where he was. He tried to move around again but she put her hand on Tao Wan's chest, telling him to stop.
"Don't worry. You are in my house, if that's what's bothering you. By the way, my name is Yian Xi. What surprised me is that you are still alive. Many people with a fatal cut like that would be dead already. You are not like other people, huh?" He listened and conversed in his thought as she continued talking.
"The spear that you have with you, where did you get it? I haven't seen anything like it. Are you part of the imperial army?"
Why does it matter? I'll never get there now. Even though his eyes were closed, he felt a tear.
"You look like you can be. You have the strong build as one, and the muscles to prove it."
Tao Wan was surprised about how much detail she paid attention to his body. Why does she need to know this? he asked himself.
"It is no surprise that you are still asleep. You lost a lot of blood when we found you."
She leaned in closer to where he lay, stroking her fingers in his long black hair. "Please get better," she asked while leaning in closer to his face, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. Yian Xi got up from his side and walked out the door, leaving Tao Wan by himself.
Sleep steadily consumed him. "Yian…Xi," he said before falling asleep.
By the time Tao Wan woke up, the sun was shining on his face. Surprisingly, he didn't hurt that badly and was able to move himself. Tao Wan slowly sat himself on the edge of the bed and moaned.
How long was I asleep? he said, holding his head with his bandaged right arm. He tried to look around, but his vision was still blurry. Yian Xi.
Slowly, the door leading into the room crept open.
"You're awake!" Yian Xi said before running to his side. "You shouldn't be sitting up. The wound on your back hasn't fully recovered."
"Where…am…I?" he struggled to ask, his voice raspy.
"Don't worry, you are in my home," she answered.
"How long…have I been asleep," he said, clearing his throat.
"A long time. Probably nearly half a month."
Shocked, he tried to quickly stand up, but pain rushed through his body forcing him back down onto the bed.
"You won't be going anywhere if you continue to do that. Besides, how did you get that gash on your back?" she said puzzled.
"Fire…" Tao Wan said confused. "… Fire, and…pain." He tried as best as he could to try and remember what happened that night.
"Fire and pain? Not really much of an answer but still a good start." She smiled at him while taking out a bowl of rice soup. It was still steaming hot, but the smell of it hungered Tao Wan. "Here, I made this for you. I hope you like it."
His sight was still a blur and couldn't make out what she looked like. A soft voice and a caring personality was the only things that Tao Wan needed to recognize a trustworthy person.
"Open wide," Yian Xi asked. He obeyed while she poured a spoonful into his mouth. It nearly burned the boy's tongue, but he quickly swallowed it. The taste was bland, but Tao Wan didn't mind, so long as he had something in his stomach.
As she continued to feed him, he talked about himself and his village.
Tao Wan continued to stay in Yian Xi's hospitality until he was fully healed. Throughout the whole month he was healing, he helped around the village trying to repay them for their kindness. Tao Wan started to feel more at home every minute he was there, even though his real home was now just a memory.
By the time he was able to wield his spear again, he started training at night and during the time after his chores. Yian Xi would be there with him, cheering him on. The young girl looked similar to Mei Qian in every way. Her long hair, brown eyes, and caring personality reminded him of his sister, except that she didn't tell her parents about every bad thing that Tao Wan did.
He lived with Yian Xi and her family and protected them while still recovering from that incident. Tao Wan always thought about the fire and his real family. All he wanted was to avenge them. No matter who he had to kill to get his answers, he would find out.
By the time Tao Wan's wounds were healed, it was already a month since he was taken there. He felt stronger and ready to find the murderer of his family. Nearly the whole village was there to see him go.
"Thank you. I promise that I will return someday," Tao Wan said to the cheering villagers. His new mother and father walked up to him and held out two items wrapped in cloth.
"These are for you," the short and elderly mother said to Tao Wan. "Please, don't lose them."
All three of them bowed as Tao Wan accepted their gifts. He undid the cloth straps to reveal two identical blades. They shined in the sunlight, newly made. Thankful, he bowed once again to them before turning his attention to Yian Xi. She stood behind her parents, looking away from Tao Wan. Yian Xi was blushing as he stared at her.
"Yian Xi…I…" he tried to say before she stopped him. She pulled out a small piece of cloth and shoved it into Tao Wan's arms. The villagers looked at Tao Wan while he opened the red strip of cloth. Gold thread was woven into it, portraying a picture of a dragon. Every detail was precise, from every thread to the next.
"I made it for you, along with this." Yian Xi pulled out a red tunic and leggings. A golden dragon was also woven into the threading.
Tao Wan gratefully tied it on, and to his surprise, it fit him comfortably. A gold dragon was woven into it, circling around from front to back. He tied his shirt with his sash, completing his outfit.
"Yian Xi, this is amazing. How did you…"
"I had a lot of free time," she explained.
"Thank you," Tao Wan whispered into her ear as he hugged her. She started to blush even more.
With his spear in hand and blades in their sheathes, he said his last farewells and walked down the road toward the East.
"Yian Xi said that the closest place to look for clues is in Jiang Dong, the Wu kingdom."
(End Flashback)
Okay, so I hope this chapter turned out great. I added this to get a deeper understanding of how his weapons were so precious to him. Sorry, I had no other idea. Now we should be getting back to the story. If anyone has any questions, please add it into your review. Thanks.
