I don't own Koei or Dynasty Warriors- so don't sue me already!

Here's the next chapter for everyone! I've been not so busy this week and I'm working on the next chapter- will it be the party? Will it not be the party? Who knows! Only one way to find out... wait! Don't worry, I'll finish it soon. Laters:)

Chapter 6- Changeover

"That was fun wasn't it?"

Lu Meng, Gan Ning and Lu Xun glanced at the smiling Sun Shang Xiang who was now smiling cheerily at them as she packed away her fishing rod. They hadn't expected her to have that much fun- she had spent the whole time on the boat catching fish after fish like a pro! The men guessed it was the male influence that had constantly surrounded her for her entire life…

Lu Xun begged to differ with Shang Xiang. He was standing next to the bag of freshly caught fish, and he was soaking wet. The water from his hat dripped down the sides of his face and off his dark brown hair. He even had to take off his boots to tip the remaining water out! He knew it wasn't wise to sit on the edge of the boat next to an over-excited Shang Xiang. She had caught a very large fish and waved her arms about, accidentally knocking poor Lu Xun into the river. When he managed to grab on to the boat and pull himself out, he saw that she was laughing at him, but at least she helped him out.

Fishing was one hobby that Gan Ning could really get stuck into. It reminded him of his pirate days, even if there were two young generals playing about in the background. He and Lu Meng had just sat on the opposite side of the boat talking about whatever it was that two generals talked about. Ning wasn't really listening to Meng's conversation, but listening to what was happening on the other side. He heard a splash and for a minute he thought it was Sun Shang Xiang that had fallen in. He would have run over to help, but on hearing her laughter was thoroughly relieved. Of course he cared about Lu Xun. But Lu Xun was a man and could take care of himself.

"Well we've got a very large haul you guys!" Lu Meng said as he inspected the fish. "How about we sell them at the market?"

"Maybe we could trade Shang Xiang too?" suggested Lu Xun. "I'm sure we'd get a lot of gold for a princess!" He laughed, but stopped when Shang Xiang slapped his arm.

"Hey! You guys wouldn't dream of selling me!"

"Yeah," Xun said sarcastically. "What would Wu be without the hot-headed princess?" This awarded him another slap.

Lu Meng shook his head as the two younger ones chased each other around the deck. Shang Xiang was chasing Lu Xun shouting "Get back here!" and "I won't kill you- just hurt you very badly!" Meng turned to Gan Ning.

"Do you think she passed the test?" he asked.

"Yeah," Ning replied as he looked at the large bag. "She caught a lot- you didn't mind her hanging about with us?"

"Nah, she's alright. She gets along with Lu Xun well. I swear that kid spends too much time in his books, but it's probably me being his tutor. He needs to have some fun once in a while."

"Even if it's Shang Xiang chasing him and threatening him?"

"Yeah!"

The pair then watched as the other two ran back. Lu Xun was out of breath and Sun Shang Xiang was now wearing his hat. It was a bit too large for her but she was happy. In fact she was very happy! For once she had been able to get out of the castle (and the grip of the Qiao sisters, who had wanted to get her in a dress for some bizarre reason!) and have fun, and not under any direct supervision. She didn't like having to follow her father round everywhere- she wanted to be free just like the generals. They didn't have to have to ask permission to go outside…

"So what are we doing next?" she asked sweetly to Lu Meng and Gan Ning.

"Did that not tire you out?" Ning asked. Well, she had been running around all morning, and he was surprised she wasn't tired yet. It was like she had an endless supply of energy!

"Nope!" she replied, picking up her chakrams. "How about we do something I choose? You guys chose fishing so it's my turn!"

The men watched as she brought a hand up to her chin and thought carefully. They knew she wouldn't pick anything 'girly'- that just wasn't Shang Xiang. She'd most likely pick something involving weaponry of some kind…

"I've chosen!" she said after a short while. "How about we practice with each other's weapons? I don't think Lu Meng's been separated from that halberd before…"

"Do we have to spar with them?" Meng asked, holding onto his halberd. That halberd was his pride and joy! He didn't want it to end up in the wrong hands…

"Of course not! Just practice. You guys could never win with these babies anyway!" She raised her chakrams in the air so that they glistened in the sun. "Now we have to decide who swaps with whom."

Lu Meng was quick to reply. "Those are girly weapons! I'm swapping with Gan Ning…"

Ning nodded. "I only use one weapon. So Xun- swapping your pair for Shang's pair?"

"Like I have a choice!" Lu Xun reluctantly let Sun Shang Xiang take his twin sabres. She handed him her chakrams, and he was surprised at the weight of them. How could she use these? The Qiaos' fans were quite lightweight in comparison. He watched Shang Xiang as she swung his weapons around. "Be careful with those!" he called out to her.

"Relax Xun! They're pretty cool…" She tried using some of her own moves with the weapons, and found that she could adapt to them pretty well. Lu Xun's sabres were quite swift she discovered as she twirled around with them.

"How the hell can you use this thing?"

Shang and Xun turned to watch how the other two were getting along. Sure enough, Lu Meng was struggling with the weight of Gan Ning's huge sword. He obviously was too used to his beloved polearm.

Gan Ning laughed. "You wanted to trade! Besides, this halberd's quite light!"

"You'd say that wouldn't you?" Meng used two hands to grasp his 'new' weapon. "Don't break it!"

"Don't worry! You think I've never used one of these before!"

"Well have you?"

"Erm…… no."

After watching Lu Meng and Gan Ning practice, Lu Xun went back to practicing with Sun Shang Xiang.

"So Xunie?" she asked while following his instructions. "Are you going to this party that Xiao's organising?"

"Party?"

"You don't know? I spoke to her before we left, and she says that it's a party for Zhou Yu."

"What's he done?" He watched Shang Xiang as she put down his weapons and sat down next to him.

"Nothing special apparently." She joined in watching Lu Meng and Gan Ning. "Just a party, and it's tonight."

"That's a bit short notice isn't it?"

"I know. When I saw her she was giving the servants orders for decorating the banquet hall! I wonder what Dad has to say about this… Are you going?"

Lu Xun sighed. "I'll have to won't I! You know Xiao likes to make everything go to plan. Do we have to bring a guest?"

"I shouldn't think so. It's too short notice to find a guest anyway. I'm more worried about what Da's going to make me wear!" Shang Xiang shuddered at the thought of wearing a dress. Da and Xiao had managed to get (or force!) her to wear one at their weddings, and Shang hadn't worn one since. At parties she had managed to get away with a skirt and boots, but dresses? They were like poison in her eyes!

This chapter was a bit short... sorry! The next one will be a bit better! Anyway, review please!