Chapter 7

The cry of terror struck the midnight within its stillness time, as a mere child whimpered at the evening darkness, cuddling within his fears of the dark. His sob went unheard as his parents were both away within different rooms of their poorly made home. His shimmering eyes, glistening with the tears at the serenity of the moon, watched the enclosed window with a trembling terror. Being so young, unable to comprehend his surroundings, he only wept within the end of his innocence as a distant galloping sounded within the range of countless miles sounded their thunderous raid.

Angels of death descended the district of Bei Ping, as the riders of the proud Yuan Shao approached another city to rule upon. The wavering darkness, clad with fluttering banners of gold, approached the city. Young or old, woman or man was slaughtered mercilessly… and that gave the Little Dragon a slight fear as homes after homes engulfed in the vermillion flares as ashes of grayness only remained in the destruction's wake. During all that time, there was no feeling for killing mere children that had just started to see the world.

He was guilty for that.

Perhaps that was mainly why he left Yuan Shao and joined Gongsun Zan. To leave the sick desire of a man behind his back and perhaps facing him in battle, punishing him for his unforgivable ambition that spares no woman or child within the flames of war. He hated the fact that his hand was as dirty and as soiled as his former lord.

Blinking away the memory of his distress, Zhao Yun glared at the men before him. His emerald orbs frowned within the moonlight, gleaming with an urge to rip apart these men that caused the needed suffering of many innocents. Gritting his teeth at the rebellion, his vision flared a slight hatred at the shadows, which now surrounding him with a rhythmic approach, unaware of their footsteps toward the opened gates of hell. Seeing this, the fearful warrior flashed the Fierce Dragon with an unwary glance of death, splattering blood upon the ground, scattering the fear among the hidden stalkers.

---

The whispering darkness of the second hour past midnight only whisked through the Sleeping Dragon as he crossed the darkening path within hurry. A slight remorse held against his heart as his mind wandered at the concern for the isolated warriors, both within the tiger's jaws. That did not stop him for a punitive moment and brood about a plan or any sort however; instead his legs only carried him faster than it ever did. His gripping concern only grew at every step and seconds that passed by him unknowingly.

There were a lot of risks to take within this course of action. The former pirate had chosen to be a decoy, while his crush had become a diversion, both at the threat of death. Cursing slightly at how his foremost plan had been flipped apart by his own men, Zhuge Liang reminded his tactical mind silently of his fatal mistake.

Unswervingly, a call of distress was sounded within the nightly air, interrupting the strategist's thoughts as he turned toward to blaringly familiar sound, moving closer toward the shadows of trees as he followed the voice.

"Kongming, over here."

Those glimmering emerald orbs of the warrior only peered toward the Sleeping Dragon as he inched closer toward his companion. Within his own reaction, the pensive strategist gave short glances behind his former position as he and the Little Dragon knelt low within the shadow. A tug from his sleeve only broke the Prime Minister away from his task however.

Zhao Yun's eyes radiated a viridian gleam as his vision met with the solicitous strategist's onyx eyes, "Where is Gan Ning? I thought he would be with you."

A timid sigh only was exerted from the strategist's lips as an infuriated glare replaced the weary stare of the strategist.

"We were ambushed as you created a diversion between those… assassins. Gan Ning decided to be a decoy as I was to be certain that you are safe…" A small momentary pause came between them as Zhuge Liang hesitated with his words, only creating an eerie atmosphere within the air; his eyes only met the ground as his silver tongue flickered the necessary words before his mind can stop it, "… Lord Liu Bei would not be pleased to see you hurt."

A mild disappointment crept into the Tiger General's feelings as the question that was bond to their feelings was being asked again, echoing within his head. As if he sensed the disappointment from the general, the Prime Minister of Shu immediately hesitated at his words, throwing a sense of comfort within his unnerving words, "And I would be guilty to see that my friend was being hurt while I could only stand and watch."

Despite the situation they were in, as the serenity of the moon only failed to overcome the chaos within the woodland, the two officers of Shu only brooded within their own worries of the raking relationship between them. The flash of a deepen shadow only broke both thoughts, creating a small worry for Zhuge Liang, restraining him calmness of the situation as he immediately tensed at the situation, pulling himself feet upon the ground as the general did the same.

A striking arrow only bristled against the timorous wind as it sleeked through the wind, the silvery tip only brushed against the bandaged wound of the strategist, reopening the wound with a different angle as the bandage was brushed away by the mournful wind. A grunt of pain was soon followed by leaking blood of the wound, as the Sleeping Dragon's concern immediately flew to the Tiger General behind him. A cry of alarm died at his throat as the arrow had struck the Little Dragon at the joint of his shoulder, forcing the drop of his spear as the pain overrode the senses of his fingers.

The droppings of crimson did not come from the general in pain however, slowly Zhuge Liang became very much aware of his former pain as it crept between the sleek cut of his wound, rolling the droplets of his life down to his chin and dripping before the reach of his goatee. His tongue only hissed slightly at the wound as his composure slowly took upon his mind, "An arrow that strikes two birds, I see…"

Zhao Yun only winced at his own wound and at his companion's wound that was soon revealed to him as deep and long. Tugging the arrow from his shoulder, the Little Dragon forced himself to take a grip of his spear as his eyes only became feral at the wounds inflicted at his treasure that he had yet to gain.

"Still gripping with that kind of calmness, you do know that wounds like yours are quite fatal if you leave it to be infected, right?" A reply came from the shadows as both officers immediately strained their hearings into the shadows, wishing to recover the location of their attackers, a laugh soon followed with the words and arrogance filled the air, "The Great Teacher will be immensely pleased to see you two dead."

Alertness immediately swarmed at the two men that had become aware of the man behind the scene, Zhuge Liang almost narrowed his eyes with danger at the well-spoken name of the rebellious leader. With cautiousness growing within the heart of the Sleeping Dragon, another arrow came out of the shadows soaring toward the vital point of every human body within the strategist…

---

The gapping breath of the vexed Prime Minister of Wu brought concern across the entire coalition. Zhou Yu for one cannot help but to wonder what was doomed to his rival, his deeply brown eyes only watched the strategist in red with an unrestrainable curiosity as he mildly rested his chin upon his fingers as his eyes gleamed with a slight interest, "Explain yourself."

Lu Xun's mind immediately raked at the entire story behind the reinforcements, and quickly, between gaps of breaths, the entire reason was retold to the meeting. The Lord of Virtue narrowed his eyes with distress as the story was blurted out with gaps, "Take a deep breath, Lord Lu Xun," The Prime Minister of Wu immediately comprehended the strict order as he continued to take his breath as a new discussion came upon the table.

"I am sure there are no disagreements about sending reinforcements, right?" Sun Ce asked, slightly ignoring the fact that his strategist was reluctant at agreeing to his lord's sentence, however it did came as he know that the faithful pirate was with them, "Well, since that is an agreement, Lu Xun, why don't you lead the reinforcement into where Zhuge Liang is? Zhou Yu, you will follow his lead."

A slight protest almost escaped at the strategist's lips, it died at the touch and glare of Huang Gai however.

A nod immediately confirmed the order from the Prime Minister of Wu only relieved Sun Ce however, as Liu Bei turned to his present strategist, "Jiang Wei, assist the Prime Minister at all cost." The Hero of Chao immediately narrowed his eyes as his mind ached at which officer he should send. He could feel the eyes on him, expecting him to assist the coalition, and the Lord of Wei only sighed at the stress.

"Xiahou Dun, go and alert Zhang He and Sima Yi that they will assist this reinforcement. They will leave as soon as the reinforcement is ready."

The loyal cousin of Wei immediately nodded at the order and stood up with a bow, leaving the coalition in silence. The Lord of Wu's eyes met the lords at table, "I am sure there are no objections that they are to leave immediately, eh?"

An agreement immediately came as the nods from the lords of both kingdoms confirmed Sun Ce's suspicion. "Alright then, that's that, I suppose we can all be dismissed now and for those who are sent as reinforcements, be ready immediately. You will need to exit as soon as possible." Zhou Yu only grumbled slightly at his lord's orders, knowing fully well that Sun Ce could hear his complains as he was one of the first to exit the room.

"Lord Zhou Yu! Please wait!"

The infuriated man only turned to his apprentice at war. There were at times when the Prime Minister of Wu mildly angered the pensive strategist, and these are one of the many times. However, the strategist of Wu could barely feel any anger at the fact that he was stripped of the rank Prime Minister. Though he was no longer leading the strategies of Wu, Zhou Yu was slightly relieved that he could spend more time with his lord rather than being fueled by his angry ambitious on successfully outwitting the Sleeping Dragon.

A forceful smile crossed Zhou Yu's features at the meeting of the pyromaniac's golden eyes, "Is there something you want to talk to me about, Lu Xun?"

Despite the youngness of his age and the frequent shuttering, the youthful Prime Minister was quite bold when it comes to actions and strategies. His feral eyes only flickered at the night of the coalition, showing his slightest concern within his voice as he implied his words toward the older strategist, "Ah… I was wondering if this could possibly be a burden for you… I know that Lord Zhuge Liang is quite a rival within your mind and perhaps asking you to be part of the reinforcement is too much…"

"You needn't to worry about it. It is an order from my lord, and I suppose it will only benefit Wu in its best." The rebellious strategist simply stated, covering his intentions within his heart, however the adolescent Prime Minister only nodded at his superior in strategies.

"I am certainly relieved to hear that." Lu Xun stated, generously smiling with his charm, "If that is so, I best leave to prepare for the reinforcements. Farewell, Lord Zhou Yu…"

With those words, the vigorous advisor of Wu disappeared within the deepening shadows of the nightly hours… An irritated sigh escaped the brooding strategist's lips as he escaped into his quarters, preparing for his leaving.

---

A small grunt dispersed into the vile atmosphere around the forest grounds, as a burning pain consumed the Sleeping Dragon's shoulders just as the feathery tail of the erosive arrow as it slated upon his slanted shoulders as the strategist was merely kneeling at his futile attempt of evading the dangerous shaft. His eyes glimmered with a solid disclosure of his additional wound, as a hollow sound of the dart echoed into the darkness, striking clear at the trunk of the wood sending a flock of raven soaring into the distant skies.

Bearing a slightly broken pride, the disregarded general glared at the smothering fog of darkness that had evaded the skies within the fifth hour of the night. Sensing a bubbling anger of the supplementary injury that his companion had received, the Little Dragon barked at the unknown figure that lay within the distance away, laughing silently at the torture that was yet to be seen.

"What's the meaning of this?" Zhao Yun's voice corroded into the deep apparition of the treachery. An unseen smirk almost became sensible at the reply of the warrior's question.

"I thought the Great Little Dragon would have figured it out by now. Or is he blinded by his worries that were unconcerned to the matter at hand?" Almost like a chilling wind that had breezed past the ambush party, the Little Dragon found his spine came frozen at those cursed words. He immediately took a short unwanted glance toward the injured strategist, wishing that he never saw those skeptical and pained ebony orbs that were painted within the Prime Minister of Shu's features.

Hesitation corrupted the general's senses as his mind scraped over any response he could possibly give that would not upset the nearby strategist. His lips quivered upon the sharp response the unseen figure had given to him within a slight second. Soon, the figure that was seen as his companion stood upon the woodland's ground, watching his balance closely at the hindering obscurity that had came closer to the corners of his vision. Zhuge Liang looked at the direction where the piercing weaponry came from, as shaky as he was from the slipping of his unconsciousness as his wounds splashed blood onto the ground.

"Using such words against a warrior in confusion, do you expect him to recognize all your sinister schemes? If he does, your planning was poorly done." An eerie calmness still stood within the pained voice as the Sleeping Dragon pressurized his newly opened flesh with his own hand, watching as his own blood stained his own trembling fingers, showing the instability condition of his body from both the lack of sleep and the reopened wounds during his journey.

Almost being taken back from the Sleep Dragon's counter, the ghostly phantom of the fogging darkness only spat the same offence toward the injured strategies, "Why bringing yourself into this hideous world then? You could have sent someone else to find your lord's little pet."

A mysterious smile only crept into the strategist's face as his debating mind only took in charge of the predictable response from their ambushers, "He would not return if it was only a mere soldier or another officer. Alas, I would be even more dubious if I have to send my lord out in to such hideous world." A peculiar pause came between the heating exchanges of words as the advisor of Shu carefully brooded about his words. The mystical man behind the flocks of tenebrosity only sneered at the sudden silence before the serene voice of the strategist came back to the indistinct realm, "I am not such a fool to bring myself into such danger…"

"The Great Teacher brought that injury on your temple is to lessen your stubbornness, not bring it to the greater height!" The voice hissed with slight annoyance as the Sleeping Dragon ears became alarmed at the new knowledge. His companion only tighten his spear at the confusion within the situation and the stories behind his comrade's assignment, the ghostly figure only continued as his emotion took better of his mind, "Amusing, isn't it? You would have thought that petty thinker of Wu shot that arrow."

The name behind the infamous Zhang Jiao came spilling upon the unfaithful follower of the Way of Peace. Zhuge Liang only smirked at the mere usage of his words; however the growing blank spots within his vision forced the weakening Prime Minister stumbled upon his knee soundlessly, bringing an immense pain upon his wounded palm as it made contact with the dirt of the woodland's grounds.

His concern immediately went to the strategist, as if within natural instinct, the Tiger General started to move toward his crush before a rough voice halted his procedure. The stretching of a leather wire created the sound of an arrow being pulled back as the wooden bow took the voice obediently just as the eyes of the sinister soul only glared toward the Tiger General, just as the warrior heard the screeching of wood came about the deep greens.

"You will not move or help him!" The rough voice only seared into the skies where a corner of deep cobalt had already consumed the eastern world of the fallen Han Dynasty. Bringing the desperate Tiger General a slight hope that they could soon see their attackers, just as his pained companion's eyes met the imminent sunrise that he had long seen since the first day of his departure from Cheng Du.

Trembling at his own consciousness, the Sleeping Dragon only smirked at the coming rays of illumination. His eyes dancing with a slight amusement that the faithless disciple of the Yellow Turban Rebellion had deafened his ears from his surroundings, unaware that the lone officers of Shu were not alone. Despite of the burning pain within his head, the ring of bells sounded clear for the Prime Minister's heeding ears, knowing that the entrance of the nine bells had came, just before the crows of the former pirate arrived.

Reflecting upon the shimmering eyes of the unknown shadow, the moon shone upon his ambush party, revealing an indistinguishable stature within the smothering fog. The another clashing of two different bells rang across the forest before the hideous, sickening man behind the entire act of troubles finally became aware of a mysterious party within the viridian woodland, "Whoever is there, one more ring from those bells of yours, I will fire my arrow!"

An obvious familiar sound came from the shadows, rivaling the threat of the man's ignorant call, just as a ripping sound of flesh came upon a cleaving sword came with a splatter of blood, which was soon followed by the drop of a wooden object.

"Do not act like you are all tough when you are only a two-man army." Pain engulfed the former pirate's voice as the bell continued to ring, searching for the steps of Xingba as he inched closer to the direction of the voice, "Your little ambush party in the back is all dead. Only you remain."

The glimmering glow of the moon came upon the metallic appearance with on the Sea Master brought slight fear upon the unknown stalker that had seen he failed his master's flawless plan, anger and madness swallowed his soul just as the grinding of metal screamed into the lurking obscurity of the world, "Where are you?!"

"Right… behind you."

Gan Ning's voice held a sheer mockery that brought a strange confidence of the viewless observers of the scene, as a stabbing kick brought forth the man behind all their troubles. Zhang Bao winced as his weight crashed into the open spot of soil and dirt, washing a pale brown on his yellow robes. Panic grew within his mind just as his limps sprawled on the ground, attempting to crawl away from the trouble. However, the gleaming dagger of the Fierce Dragon only stared between the both of his nervous eyes.

The Tiger General only watched the brother of the sage with a skeptical interest and disgust, just as the Sleeping Dragon watching the pathetic form of what seemed to be an arrogant man awhile ago in a raising relief. His calm voice, regardless of his smoldering injuries, lifted the intensified atmosphere within the bloody air of massacre, "I see then… the final pawns of the Yellow Turban Rebellion still remains alive."

Zhang Bao spat at the Prime Minister of Shu's words, regaining his spirit at coming downfall of his death, "You will not gain anything, Zhuge Liang, even if you kill me. The Way of Peace will live no matter what!" Bitterness swarmed into his voice as he spattered the strategist's name with hatred and an unknown reason for his disgust of the man that stood before him as blood matted his hair and wound after a long haul of ambushes and talks.

"Enough, your death is now." Zhao Yun broke into the silent conversation between the two thoughtful men as he drove the silver tip of his spear into the furious heart of the youngest Zhang brother. An edge of navy blue had consumed the sky as the gruesome crimson spilled over the shaft of the Fierce Dragon. At the last seconds of death, the heart of the fallen brother ached to beat just as the last breath of Zhang Bao escaped his already-pale lips.

"Man… you two looks disastrous…" Gan Ning of the Nine Bells inched a comment just as he collapsed on his knee, supporting on the bloodied sword of his, giving a short glance at the wounds that had became apparent on both of the officers of Shu.

"Your back does not look too decent either." A comment came back to the pirate as the Sleeping Dragon observed the deep engrave that had railed along his back as a dark fluid had consumed the fancy green materials that the pirate usually wear. Gan Xingba only merely snickered at the strategist's comment just as the reached his ears, "Lu Xun sure did take his sweet time… We managed to make it out alive though."

Vermillion color had washed down the skies as streaks of indigo blue came along with dark skies, hinting that the night had passed restlessly as the strategist collapsed on the floor out weariness, remembering the conversation that had taken between the apprentice of the Sleeping Dragon and he, himself, about the sunrise. The Tiger General's concern doubled as he walked toward the Sleeping Dragon, however his worries broke apart as a timid laugh escaped the strategist's delicate lips.

"It appears that I just want to lie here and wait for reinforcements to give us a ride back to the camp…" Zhuge Liang confessed honestly at his own words, just as Zhao Yun kneeled beside his comrade as the Little Dragon had disposed the arrow that struck him deep into the shoulder joints, creating a pained sensation as his muscles stretched.

"I apologies for all the troubles I caused." The regretful general lamented at his failure and his sightless-ness on the situation. He started to dress his crush's head wound, just as the strategist smiled forgivingly toward the Tiger General.

"Do not worry about it. It wasn't your fault."

Zilong only frowned at the indolent response of his love interest, as he leaned closer to observe the dazed features of the strategist, grimacing at his concerns. His voice carried the concern over to the Sleeping Dragon's ears, just as the strategist's ebony eyes came to meeting at the Tiger General's jade-like eyes, "Kongming… How are you feeling?"

"I am fine, just tired… I broke my promise with Lord Liu Bei, I suppose..." Zhuge Liang's voice droned just as a rustling of leaves exposed the arrival of the reinforcements. His eyes immediately became focused as both warriors immediately reached for their blades, waning at their relaxation. However, the panicking voice of the apprentice of Shu only brought relief back to three injured officers.

"Prime Minister! Lord Lu Xun, they are here!" Gestures were immediately sent toward the hidden figures within the woods; however the feral eyes of the Prime Minister of Wu immediately came upon their sights. Gan Ning only grinned sheepishly of his wounds just as the frown stretched into the young strategist of Wu's features.

The Sleeping Dragon only rolled his eyes slightly at the scene as a final knot was made for his new bandage; Zhao Yun only patted the tired strategist on his exposed forehead, smiling at the peaceful look of the Prime Minister of Shu that could rarely be seen. It almost seemed like everything had eased for the one moment within their lives… Almost…

End of Chapter

Author's Note: Eeep, long chapter for such an extreme long wait… More story in this chapter than description I think. … Oh well, we are almost at the end of WoD, hang on for a few more weeks, guys and girls!