Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors or other ROT3K games.

A/N: Months after KUF 1 finished, I thought about making this special chapter that takes place during chapter 3. This one mostly focus on the development of Zhao Yun and Zhen Ji's relationship as the Dragon of Chang Shan taught the Goddess of River Luo learning the Running tactic cavalry skill from Rot3k 9. (Which both of them have it in battle)

Zhen Ji- Oh this is so pleasing!

Zhao Yun- It's about time you added this filler in the presequel. Of course, I taught her it! Who else?

Yuan Shao-That could be me you arrogant brat!

Zhen Ji and Zhao Yun- Get lost you noble ass!

SilentNinja- Sigh, lets get on with this special chapter and I also edited the previous chapters. Since I messed up a lot in the story of the first KUF!

Kingdom Under Fire

Special Chapter: Affections of Hope


At the courtyard…

During the night, Yuan Shao's forces remain halting by surrounding the whole field outside the gates with camps. Inside the surrounded city, Zhao Yun and Zhen Ji look awkwardly at each other pausing the moment when they stare at each other with thoughts inside.

"Um…" Zhen Ji started finding her will to talk. Zhao Yun sighed as he gave Zhen Ji a caring smile.

"Are you worrying about Yuan Xi? There is no intention in me to stealing you from him and I understand your feelings for him," Zhao Yun said.

"No, that's not it," Zhen Ji said. She turn away from him frowned then she looks up the night sky.

"Why do I get the feeling, she's been forced to get involve on these kinds of things against her will?" Zhao Yun thought. The moment he thinks to himself about Zhen Ji, he might have seen her before years ago. Could it be, that was the same girl he caught his attention to across the town at Zhong Shan?

"How could I fall in love with him so quick after getting to know him this fated night?" Zhen Ji shrug herself from shyness thinking about those rumors about him from Ji zhou, "Still, he is the most unpredictable and attracting man I've ever met. It's hard to believe what Yuan Shao's men think of him, besides all my life the chaos made things speculating."

"Lady Zhen…." Zhao Yun breaks the silence. His hand slowly tries to reach her shoulder, but held back. Zhen Ji change her expression into a confidence look then slowly turn gazing at Zhao Yun.

"It's alright to call me Ji, or Zhen Ji. No need to be formal because of my class," Zhen Ji grinned seductively.

"Well…I'm a man of respect, so calling you Lady Zhen shows the gentle attitude of a true hero," Zhao Yun said, which brought Zhen Ji to chuckle at his persistence.

"So, you took yourself to be a noble, but you're a warrior at heart. Zhao Yun, tell me why you joined Gongsun Zan? People had hated him for executing Liu Yu that's what brought this whole war on Yuan Shao's side," Zhen Ji asked.

Before Zhao Yun could explain, the name Liu Yu gave Zhao Yun a shameful sad face. It's difficult to show good motivation in serving Gongsun Zan when his lord is indeed terribly misunderstanding man. Liu Yu was rumored to have conspired with Yuan Shao on usurping Liu Xie to become the emperor. But, later Yuan Shao put Liu Yu's refusal in jeopardy by blocking the envoy to the capital which is suppose to denied those rumors bringing a gap between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan on hostilities.

"Do you really want to know the true?" Zhao Yun pale look made this curious of Zhen Ji interest.

"Yes, ever since the incident at Jie Qiao, I heard about you from town to town about how you saved Gongsun Zan at Pan River and fought Wen Chou and Qu Yi. It's hard for me to believe Yuan Shao is on the side of the heavens. What happened to Han Fu had also made me suspicious," Zhen Ji replied.

"Well, it's been years since I got recruited to Yuan Shao, but switched before I'm completely his officer. It happened so fast when I learned that Zhang He joined him. At first, Lord Gongsun Zan's brother death confused the people who were interest in joining Yuan Shao's army. I, myself, was greatly angry. Yuan Shao's greed was the most lucriduous excuse of this vile deed, bullying Han Fu and taking Ye was one thing, but Gongsun Yue's death was another," Zhao Yun filled the first part of his reason joining.

Zhen Ji knew well about this from her mother that time. Things were so confusing since Yuan Shao was over exaggerative as a hero due to his leadership of the coalition. Zhao Yun continued while Zhen Ji listens.

"That day after Gongsun Zan went to war, I thought about what could be done to stop the chaos erupting the lands of Ji zhou. Spectacle the townsfolks while I'm still a recruited private at Yuan Shao's army, one of the youngest of course; people voice their opinions on the beginning of the war of heroes. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, there was a man named Liu Bei who was known with his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. I've decided to go to Ping Yuan, which was controlled by Gongsun Zan. He offered me to join their ranks and during that time I learnt of his benevolence and charismatic personality. Was very glad to become his little brother and talked a lot about ourselves," Zhao Yun chuckled, which also made Zhen Ji giggle. Her mother talked about Liu Bei's heritage that raised her hometown.

"Before the day at Pan River, my plan of defection came in mind. Without hesitating, the Zhao family I left behind at Chang Shan now isolate myself to help Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan on the hope to restore the Han emperor to it's former glory," Zhao Yun sighed.

Zhen Ji quickly alerted, "But, Yuan Shao is also planning to restore the Han emperor, however, I'm not sure if he's really doing it…judging by the bad deeds you told me."

"If he was then Liu Yu would not have conspired with him and Yuan Shu on spreading those rumors about the plotting of usurpation. However, the two incidents that changed the gap forever, Gongsun Zan's attack at Liu Yu and Cao Cao's mad rampage on massacring Xu Zhou. Everything happened unexpected, every officer tried to restrain Gongsun Zan, but upon the letter received so late at the capital, Liu Yu was ordered to be executed of treason, which brought disorder upon the people of You zhou. And…" He stopped looking away from Zhen Ji and clinches his fist. The corruption at the capital and Yuan Shao's trickery was the real reason upon Liu Yu's execution, not Gongsun Zan. It became a horrible misunderstanding.

"I know….I know, now it all makes sense," Zhen Ji hold back her tears. She can't believe this is how corrupted the Han has become.

"I was a low rank, powerless to save the reputation of Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu. But, what I also blame myself for showing weakness on conscience. My promise from Liu Bei before I left Xu Zhou was held in question. After I returned to Gongsun Zan, the moments defecting Yuan Shao haunted me. There is no turning back now as I will start repaying the debt of the man who taught me to live and find a way to defeat Yuan Shao once and for all," Zhao Yun finished. Zhen Ji learns how this man comes to inspire her finally.

"All those years, my family and I had been observing these events with mixed opinions and you suffered enough to tell me from your point of view. Why am I living in such a self-denial country?" Zhen Ji refrained from being the wife of the most selfish family. It wasn't by her choice to marry Yuan Xi to Yuan Shao's arrangement.

"The people of China could never excuse themselves to living in a messed up tradition. I vow to change the fate of this land upon this force. Zhen Ji, if you want to stay by my side, you won't be able to connect your ties with your family, but the bond of the Imperial Uncle. This is a task shared the hope of an impossible dream," Zhao Yun said.

"……." Zhen Ji twitched her fingers unsure what to decide. Her father died when she was two and her mother's burden to lead the family cost them a lot of fortune to giveaway to those who suffered from the chaos when she was eight. She comes to realize the marriage of Yuan Xi was a political mistake. She's the golden girl of Ji zhou to be strict of her past.

"You're free to leave this city and return to Yuan Shao. It angers me that his greed could go that low to put you involved into his ambitions…" Zhao Yun coldly presumed.

Before Zhen Ji could walk out of the courtyard, she turns back and hugged Zhao Yun. She doesn't want to suffer herself anymore than losing her father, her older brother, the grief of her older sisters and the people in confusion of those who are in denial.

"I will stay by your side, because of you, I finally understand everything that happened around us," Zhen Ji choked.

"Zhen Ji…" Zhao Yun strokes her hair softly.

"…." Zhen Ji still on his warm armory.

"Do you ever keep your hopes up and never let go of those hopes?" Zhao Yun questioned. Then Zhen Ji sighed looking at his eyes.

"No, I'll never let go of those hopes," Zhen Ji answered.

They continue embracing together for minutes, then Zhao Yun get something to give her for the honor of his feelings.

"Um, Zhen Ji, since you work yourself to be a specialist for Yuan Shao, will you like to learn this tactic? It will help to protect yourself and the army on our cause," Zhao Yun said.

"Err, I admit, my skills are inferior, that's because women weren't taught to warfare except for special occasions like one thing why I was married off to the Yuan family," Zhen Ji shrugged.

"Well, you're lucky, my lord led me to control his force. This is a desperate solution, Ji. Come with me," Zhao Yun gladly sees Zhen Ji obliged.

At the Horsebow barracks…

The soldiers are training to strength themselves on the siege. Zhao Yun and Zhen Ji walk through the barracks and came upon two horses. Zhen Ji gulped as her mount skills are lacked in strength, but if she can tweak her accuracy it will impress the men.

"This is where the White Riders train their cavalry," Zhao Yun revealed.

"So, this is how they learn those incredible mounting moves. There was that guy who rode the horse caught my sisters attention outside our home, couldn't tell who he is," Zhen Ji stated.

"We usually train to keep ourselves in shape at the frontlines against archers. The white riders are the strongest horsemen in China next to the Xi Liang cavalry. Flashy displaying outside rival forces would bring suspicion," Zhao Yun explained.

"So…it wasn't you who was the guy on that horse…" Zhen Ji thought. She slowly disappoint herself, but judging by Zhao Yun's personality, no doubt he isn't a flashy guy.

"Zhen Ji, are you alright? You look disappointed. Well, we're not as powerful as Yuan Shao since the Battle of Jie Qiao," Zhao Yun muttered.

"No, I'm fine. It looks interesting and I'm satisfy of it," Zhen Ji slowly walk up the horse and tame it.

"May I?" Zhao Yun asked to help her up. But she shook her head and got on the horse herself. Soon, Zhao Yun went to his white horse and gave Zhen Ji the bow and arrows.

"We'll start in a slow progress, then the next phrase we do it in unison," Zhao Yun said.

The two mounted around the target dummy shooting it one at a time. Zhao Yun has no trouble releasing his arrows boldly, but Zhen Ji release them prematurely. She struggle to get the target to it the middle.

"Take your time Zhen Ji. You don't have to worry about the strength of the releasing it. Just take your time and strike calmly. The effiency rated is more important than the attack rate of the arrow if you want the best accuracy," Zhao Yun instructed.

She control aim calmly, then release during the mount. She hit it close to point blank and surprised the men watching. They rode faster shooting the target each time.

"Very good, Zhen Ji. Yuan Shao will be looking stupid to ignore your gifted abilities, besides he sucks at cavalry for the recoard," Zhao Yun grinned, which brought Zhen Ji a chuckle.

The next phrase is quick pacing together at the same time. They will move straight ahead instead of going around the target. His men asked to join the practice, but Zhao Yun told them to wait until after Zhen Ji master the tactic.

"It's harder than I thought, but this feeling…I'm no longer afraid to perform myself better than ordinary men. Why Yuan Xi and Zhang He couldn't do what Zhao Yun possibly did is, because he is on the exact opposite side of the view. Fame, heritage, nobility, can't be depend on. I don't care what Yuan Shao is, but I'm getting tired of it and Zhao Yun speaks the true," Zhen Ji and Zhao Yun simultaneously shoot the target darting both arrows to hit directly at the middle.

They keep going shooting 5 more arrows at the target. The men watch in awe, it's like the best combo hitting 10 arrows together. The women watching adore the pair's resemblance as legendary.

"Men, assemble yourselves on my mark, we'll strike all targets together!" Zhao Yun shouted. The men got on their horses and quickly join the progress. There are six target dummies in a row. Together, they rapidly shoot all targets in fast paced.

After an hour of practice, they settle down at ease. Zhen Ji is alittle exhausted because of her abilities. But, she's pleased with her growth as she gets off the horse and flexes her arms.

"The Running tactic is effective on siege battles, but now we're on a defense position, this tactic can only work outside. But, this isn't the true power of the White Riders, just a sample of half of it," Zhao Yun said as he got off his horse.

"That's quite a sentiment," Zhen Ji and Zhao Yun walked out of the barracks heading straight to the gate towers on guard watch.

"Zhen Ji, there's something I like to tell you, but now is not the time. Still, I always wonder if you were the same girl long ago I saw at the town filled with people crowded on a charity. Could it really be you?" Zhao Yun thinks about that day years ago while walking across the town of Bei Ping.

"Thank you, my fierce dragon…" Zhen Ji thought. Her face became alittle red, but she never faint as most other women do when they're embarrassingly close to one they fall in love.

Lets hope they spend this briefing moment of hope till fate unattached them. It doesn't matter if it's nonexistent, but they're too adorable to be separated by the heavens. When there is chaos, there will always be affections of hope.