Disclaimer: Own Dynasty Warriors I do not.

I would like to dedicate this little drabble to La Maddalena/Nyn-san, a loving oneesan. From you, I have observed "thedivine art of the vignette", and found someone to confinde in. Being blessed with only a neechan, it's wonderful to have an older sister figure to turn to. For that, this is for you.

"If you betray me, I will die." Earl Cain C. Hargreaves, Count Cain

Softly whispering, a scent-laden breeze passes through, tossing its perfume to those near. How parallel that fragrance is toa lovely virgin in the midst of a bloodstained tavern of harsh men. Wisps of surreal-familiar dark locks twist and fly loosely, roused by the drifting current. Once in a seemingly surreal time, I entwined my fingers with that silky-smooth curtain that surrounds you, maelstrom-like. In that time, which now resides in my dim memories, I felt real. I felt…whole.

Then you went away, and I broke.

Now, I see you once more, in a less than desirable situation.

I should kill you, as I have longed to do and was ordered to. When shades of twilight crept across the floor, unrelenting fillies of dreams plagued me. Cruelly, your still-beating heart would be ripped from a beautiful chest. Crimson rivulets would cascade down my arms, and bathe a dying lover in the life of the only being he has ever loved.

Drenched in my own sweat, twisted in pale sheets ruby with blood, I would break the reins and awake--terrified and once more, alone. An all-too recognizable tang pierces my keen senses. A martyr, they call me. Supposedly, I am saintly general with a virtuous heart of gold, whose only desire is to rid the land of evil. What have those cats ever known? Only you, my love, has broken the snowy-pure shell I wear and plummeted into the shadow-wrapped, morbid canyon of my self. The side I am ashamed of, because it is who I really am.

You took the scalpel from my dirty hands; cleaned the festered wounds upon me. You shattered my battlements and left me quivering on the ground, alone, to pick up the stained fragments of my heart.

I hate you. But I love you.

Ever the same, your cool gaze regards me—those icy sapphire orbs. A certain something within the macabre valley of my soul breaks. A certain oath that I made resounds in my head.

"If you betray me, I will die."

As the water-sharpened blade of your sword runs through this hated body of mine, your eyes widen in shock. And perhaps, realization. Fear, maybe? Yes, Cao Pi, I came to you without my detested armour, without my martyr's mask. You would be able to see my true identity, the one you freed, before my wish was granted.

Before welcoming arms of Lady Death envelop me, I press my lips against yours, for the last time. Your warm touch is the last thing I feel.

And your beautiful face, with your piercing eyes, is the last sight I see.

Fin

Just to state something, the pairing is Yun/Pi, my favourite yaoi pairing in DW. Please leave a review if you so desire to; it would be very nice if you did. Thank you for reading.