All characters used in this story are not min and belong to Koei. Enjoy the fic!

Chapter One

Slowly a young woman walk down the hall carrying a tray of tea and a bowl of steamy noodles, she looked to be in her middle 20's fair, and very beautiful. It looked as if she was ready and dress for war, clad in light armor and a sword joined at her side. She stopped before the red oak door, her hand slipping from under the tray to open it and slipping into the small room. There were only few lamps lit, and light coming from an open window letting the light of a summer day shine through with ease. She moved over to the sitting woman whose back was turn to her looking out the window as if she was waiting. The girl knelt before her placing the tray upon the small lacquerer table before the woman, bowing her head afterwards pushing it towards her.

"Lady Huang, please, you must eat something. You must keep your strength up for the coming battle at Wu Zhang. Your husband-" She was suddenly stopped by the woman's hand that rose to gesture her to stop.

The woman turned slowly, a once youthful face withered from the years, but beauty still embraced her features. A gold circlet crowned her head, her long gray hair laid lazy upon her shoulder, her hazel hues dim as if all light within has blown out.

"Kai, please, I told you, between me and you, he is not my husband, my real husband just passed…"

Kai nodded slowly, folding her hands within her lap her dark hues looking to the elder woman. "I'm sorry, I see more of Zhuge now than him…my mind jumbles like beans at times…"

"I understand…" Yue sighed softly looking to the tray of food Kai has brought to her, " All food has lost taste for me Kai, and Tea isn't so soothing any more…"

Kai looked upon Yue her eyes water just hearing the sorrow in her mentors' voice. Since his death Yue Ying hasn't been the same, for a month she stayed within her room looking out into her window watching the spring turn into summer, she wouldn't acknowledge anyone, not even Zhuge Liang.

Yue reached slowly for the cup of warm tea, bring it to her lips to give a small sip, but a bland face appeared as the tea touched her lips. As she placing the cup down her hand started to shake, Kai moved to her side for support, but Yue Ying waved her off standing slowly.

"Please, I'm fine. I'm strong enough to support myself…"

"Not without him…"

Yue looked to Kai, then to the wall where her War Scythe hung ready for another battle. Is she ready to fight again? For the sake of Shu she must, he would have wanted it. Kai stood slowly watching her, and then softly she asked.

"Please, tell me again how you two became one, to hear this tale brings great memories, to you…and me my Lady. I miss him just as much, and to ear your tale brings me happiness."

Yue looked to her then smiled softly and nodded. "I shall tell our tale as we ready for the journey to Wu Zhang. And you are right it does bring me happiness as well, to tell how I found my true love…"

Kai smiled happily and rushed to gather her mentors' armor and gear, placing them at her side upon a long table. Yue stood watching her, her dimmed hazel eyes looked upon the lit lamp within the corner.

"It all started, when the late Lord Liu Bei visited Zhuge 3 times to receive his services…."

25 years ago…

Liu Bei sat before Zhuge Liang quietly his head bowed, only breathing could be heard from him, as the white robed young man sat still and cool, his white-feathered fan in his hand swaying it slightly side to side, as his dark eyes watched and studied the landless lord before him. It seem like hours these two just sat speaking not one word to each other, as if the young man was testing him. Yue Ying stood within the other room watching the man and her husband, Zhuge Liang. She has only been married to him for a few days now, and so far things were quiet and carefree. She turned her head to glance outside the window, seeing the 3 followers Liu Bei has brought along, a tall burly man with a serpent blade pike, drinking from a flask at his side, his cheeks were red he apparently was drunk or close to it. Another was a young girl standing next to him, she was cheerful, her hair dark, skin pale and very beautiful, she carried a shield and battle fork, she looked to be embarrassed by the hairy mans drunkenness and blunt outburst at the other. This brought a smile to see such colorful characters, until her bright hazel eyes moved upon a young man with dragons upon his armor, his long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and a bandana wrapped upon his brow. He was handsome, and looked to be a strong warrior with his spear in hand. She looked away once she finally heard Zhuge speak her attention returning two the two men in the other room.

"I am honored for these 3 visits, I have decided that I will join you, and aid you in your mission to end the chaos that take our lands." He stood slowly looking over to the bowing lord.

Liu Bei popped his head up quickly looking to the man. "Will you? Oh! Thank you Master Liang! How can I-" he stopped as Zhuge gestured him to stop with his hand.

"No, my lord, I am now your servant, you owe me nothing. I promise that you'll be our guiding star through all the chaotic darkness."

Liu Bei stood placing his hand upon Zhuge's shoulders in thanks. Zhuge bowed his head then turned towards the room where Yue stood in waiting, his hand gestured her to come forth. Slowly Yue walked from the room, bowing her head to the two men before her.

"Lord Liu Bei, this is my wife Huang Yue Ying, she is my equal in every way, and I know well she will be a help to you."

"Tis an honor to serve a very virtuous man, Lord Liu Bei." Yue said softly as she lifted her head to look upon the man smiling to her.

"The honor is mine, Lady Huang. Come, both of you, meet my loyal followers that journeyed with me this far."

Liu Bei brought them outside where the three stood patently. Zhang Fei was grumbling about wasting time being here while his daughter Xing Cai tried to convince him it was for the good of their ideals, Zhao Yun stood quietly watching them, until his eyes moved to the opening door where their lord appeared with two people he stood up straight to waiting to hear what his lord had to say.

"My friends! I have good news, Lord Zhuge Liang and his wife Lady Huang will be joining us on our quest to restore the Great Han!"

Zhang Fei scoffed a bit, while Zilong and Cai cheered in joy, finally they gotten hold of the Sleeping Dragon.

"Lord Zhuge, this is my sworn brother Zhang Fei and his daughter Xing Cai."

"How do you do." Xing Cai said shyly bowing. She then looked to her father seeing he only glared at them; she elbowed him softly in the side.

Zhang Fei looked to Xing then sighed softly lifted up a hand, "Hey."

"And this is Zhao "Zilong" Yun, he recently joined us." Liu Bei exclaimed as he motioned to the warrior whom bowed deeply to them.

"Its pleasure to meet you both. If you need anything please do not hesitate to ask me." Said Zilong, his head still bowed.

Yue smiled brightly, as well as Zhuge both nodding their head in thanks. She looked to Zhuge as he looked back, his smile faded slowly.

"Well then, we should gather our thing for our journey. Yue can you please gather my things, and whatever you wish to bring."

Yue Ying nodded slowly then turned moving into the house they only shared for awhile, and gathered all that he requested and few things of her own. Once she returns to Zhuge side they started off to meet with the rest then started off to Chang Ban.

Upon the road as Liu Bei seemed to take over Zhuge, she rode back enjoying the night view, the stars were bright and the moon brighter than ever. She smiled softly, she loved the night it mysterious wonder, and strange sensual effects it places upon people. She sighed, though married her and Zhuge never yet shared a bed together, she never understood why, but its nothing she not worried about right now. She always found herself walking out into the night studying the stars and their formations. She slowly ran her hand through her light brown hair, her pale features glowing within the moonlight; she was a beautiful woman, though she cares not for appeal, but of the mind. Soon her small trance was broken when she heard a soft voice next to her.

"The night is beautiful, yes?" Asked Zhao Yun as she rode next to her, his deep green hues looked to the young woman.

Yue looked to him, stun, but she recovered quickly to respond. "Oh, yes. Very much so. Your Zhao "Zilong" Yun, yes?"

He smiled nodding to her. "Aye that I am, some call me Little Dragon, cause at a young age I master the spear and could handle myself in tough situations."

"Oh, quiet a name then!" She giggled softly, "Sadly I have no title, just Huang Yue Ying."

"But it's a lovely name." He smiled to her once more then looked ahead to Liu Bei and Zhuge, "How long have you two been married?"

Yue blushed softly to his comment about her name, and then looked ahead as well to the two lords together talking.

"For a few days now, and yet we have only met a few days ago." She looked to Zilong to see his reaction. Of course, a quick marriage was normal in China, well what she heard of.

"Oh I see…" He nodded slowly, he kept his horse at the same pace as hers, "I have yet found the right one for me, don't think I will though"

"Why not?" She asked tilting her head slowly to the side, a man being as handsome as he is hard to find a wife? Unspeakable.

"No woman can match my idea, well none I meet. I want a woman who is strong and can depend on herself incase I can't be there, independent and wise, beautiful…" He sighed softly then looked over noticing her staring off at him, he could help but to smile. "Lady Huang?"

"Huh?" She shook her head and blushed, "I'm sorry, just…"She took in a breath the clear her head then looked to him. "You can meet such a woman…just the one I know, is taken…" She looked down blushing brightly now that it was visible to any eye.

Zilong looked upon her, his brow rose slowly. "There is such a woman? Though she is taken?" He looked away from her slowly. Huang Yue Ying, he had heard of her. Rumors went around about a woman whom was both wise and strong, though they did say she wasn't so attractive, but looking upon her in person, she could be mistaken for a trophy wife upon the arm of some rich lord from the north. "Are you referring to yourself?"

She looked to him, "Maybe, but it doesn't matter, I am Zhuge's, your too late my spear wielding friend." She chuckled then kicked her horses' side moving to meet up with her husband.

"Yeah, too late…" Zhao Yun tilted his head slowly as he watched her gallop away from him. He wondered what she meant by that, but for now he would continue his ride to the camp and prepare for the travel through Chang Ban, he heard news that Liu Bei wives and infant son were to join them this time.