Style Names:

Cao Ren - Zǐxiào
Xu Chu (Xu Zhu)- Zhòngkāng
Guo Jia - Fèngxiào
Cao Cao - Mèngdé
Xiahou Yuan - Miàocái
Xiahou Dun - Yuánràng
Cao De (Cao Cao's brother) - Jugao
Chen Gong - Gōngtái
Xiahoushi - Xiahouji
Chen Gong - Gōngtái
Li Dian - Mànchéng
Yue Jin - Wenqian
Yu Jin - Wenze

A/N - I noticed that I never stated Xiaolian's age. Right now, she's seven. Xiahoushi is six. Also, just wanted to know, should I add musou attacks? I've avoided doing so but this is a Dynasty Warriors fic and musou attacks are in the game. Also, the style names. Would you rather that I leave them in or go with their real names like the game? If I do use their real names, I won't use their last and first name for every single reference. Just some of the time. Please let me know what you think.

Xiahou Dun headed to Cao Cao's tent. It wasn't unusual for Cao to want to speak with him just before a battle so he thought nothing odd about the sudden summons. Standing before it was Dian Wei and a newcomer to their army by the name of Xu Chu. Cao had recruited him during a skirmish against the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Apparently, Xu Chu wanted to protect the crops from the fighting and decided the best way to do that was to take to the battlefield on his own. He may seem to be a bit dim at times, but his bravery could not be questioned. Cao was in fact so impressed by his bravery, he managed to convince Xu Chu to join his army and made him a bodyguard.

When Dun found out about this decision, he had to question Cao's sanity. While Chu was a brave man and seemed strong, his intelligence left something to be desired. Cao assured Dun and others who voiced their concerns that Chu was the perfect man to guard him alongside of Wei. In another surprising move, Cao gave the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion who were unable to fight land within Yan Province so they could plant crops. Chu and his people were overjoyed with this and they swore loyalty to Cao and his cause for life. It may have seemed like a move made by a man sympathetic to the needs of the rebels, but the move was a strategic one. Cao now had an army and the means to feed them. That simple move made his power rise exponentially.

"Yo, Yuánràng!" Wei greeted. Dun bowed his head in greeting towards Wei.

"Wei," he replied. He looked towards Chu who had an enormous smile on his face. Dun couldn't help but wonder what he was so happy about or rather, what he was always happy about. The man seemed to have an eternal smile on his face. Dun wasn't sure if he should be annoyed with the constant cheer or envious. He settled on annoyed. No one could be that happy all the time, especially in times like these.

" Zhòngkāng...," Dun said in greeting.

"Hi, Master Dun! Are you here to see Lord Cao?"

"That would be why I am at his tent yes," Dun replied. Wei grinned at the comment but Chu didn't seem to hear the sarcasm in it at all.

"Okay then! He's already in there with Master Jia," Chu replied as he stepped to the side to allow Dun entrance.

Dun walked past the two men and entered Cao Cao's tent to find him and Guo Jia bent over a war map.

"I'm surprised either of you are up with the amount of drinking you did last night," Dun remarked.

Jia looked up and gave Dun a smile. "I'd say drinking agrees with me. I'm much more pleasant after indulging a bit," he replied. "I'm just not my usual charismatic self without enjoying a few drinks."

"Hmph, you consider yourself to be charismatic?" Dun asked.

"But of course. I have a legion of very satisfied women that agree with me as well. You should try drinking a bit more. Might help dislodge the stick you have shoved up your-"

"Enough," Cao interjected. Dun threw an obscene gesture Jia's way before focusing on Cao. "Yuánràng, I asked you here because a concern has come to mind and I need someone I can trust to handle it."

"What is it?" He asked as he folded his arms across his chest.

"I need you to go back to Yan Province," Cao replied. Dun's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing.

"You want me to leave when we are mere moments away from heading into battle to go to Yan Province?" Dun asked, the bewilderment was evident in his tone.

"Correct," Cao replied.

There were a dozen things Dun wanted to say. Most of which were harsh and would be considered to be disrespectful to one's superior. If Dun followed anyone besides Cao, he probably would have said them. He respected his cousin and held him in high regard. For this reason, Dun tapered the annoyance he felt at being asked to leave a battle he's been itching to fight and refrained from spewing the litany of crude comments that were sitting on the tip of his tongue.

"Why?" Dun asked in a gruff tone.

"Chen Gong."

"I told you to kill him."

Cao sighed. "You tell me to kill most people, cousin."

"His stupidity was what got Uncle Song and Cousin Jugao killed. His death was warranted."

"That...may be true. But I believed it to be an error in judgment, not a malicious plot. Killing him would have been a waste of talent. I thought it would be best to keep him around albeit with less power than before."

"What changed?"

"That would be me," Jia replied. "Lord Cao has chosen to make me his lead strategist...a decision Gōngtái has not taken very well. He considers himself to be superior to me and being made to be my subordinate did not sit well with him. The last conversation I had with him, he seemed...shiftier than usual and considerably disgruntled."

"I have heard murmurs of the same amongst some of the troops as well," Cao chimed in. "They claimed to hear him talking to himself, stating how he would get his revenge. I am not sure if that revenge is exclusively meant for Fèngxiào or for me since I was the one who demoted him."

"So what exactly do you want me to do?"

"I need someone I can trust to keep guard over Puyang. While there are other generals there, I do not trust them as I trust you. If Chen Gong is plotting something, there is a chance he could sway or trick the others. I need someone that I know would not betray me or be so easily duped. Our home is there, our families are there. If we lose Puyang...it would be devastating. The heavens have taken enough from me, Yuánràng. Please...see that I do not lose anything more."

How could Dun stay angry when Cao pleaded with him so earnestly? Cao was a master of words and he wielded them just as well as he wielded his sword. Dun felt his anger wane and he felt a little irritated that Cao always had the ability to do so, so easily. He knew just the way to appeal to him. He sincerely hoped this was something that Zhuyue never figured out because if she did, he would be wrapped around her finger.

"What do I do about, Chen Gong?" Dun asked.

"If he is plotting something, end him."

"And if I am too late? If I get there and he has already sowed discord? Then what?" Cao faltered. Dun could tell this was not a scenario he wanted to think about.

"Then do what you can. Try to contain the situation as best you can...or at the very least...ensure that our family does not come to harm."

Dun nodded. He turned to leave but hesitated. "Just out of curiosity...if it turns out that he is not plotting something...how angry would you be if I killed him anyway? Just to be on the safe side?"

Cao pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh. " Yuánràng..."

"Just asking, Mèngdé. But truly, is it such a bad idea? The alternative is to keep constantly looking over your shoulder wondering what if. Might want to consider it," Dun replied.

" Yuánràng...," Cao said. It was a warning but not a stern one. Dun got the message all the same. He shrugged his shoulders and left the tent, leaving Jia and Cao alone.

"He has a point," Jia mused. Cao leveled him with a stare and Jia raised his hands in surrender but the smile on his face showed that he didn't find Cao's glare threatening in the least. Cao kept his gaze on him for a few more moments letting him know that he was not amused before focusing back onto the map.

=#=

Xiahoushi casted an uncertain glance back to Xiulan who stood in the entrance to one of the doorways of the inner courtyard. Xiulan gave her an encouraging smile before ducking out of sight. Xiahoushi nodded slowly and clutched her stuffed rabbit closely to her chest. After gaining strength from her stuffed friend, she slowly approached Xiaolian who was practicing sword swings. Xiaolian's face was set in determination as beads of sweat trickled down, showing the results of her exertion. The very sight made Xiahoushi want to run. She gripped her stuffed rabbit tighter, trying to squeeze strength from it and silently wish she hadn't agreed to Xiulan's request.

Xiulan had come to her earlier and asked if she would convince her sister to dance. The minute she heard the idea, she wanted to say no. Xiaolian had been very clear in her dislike of pretty much everything with the exception of fighting. Everyone except Xiulan seemed to understand the fact. Xiulan looked so broken that Xiahoushi couldn't outright turn her away, even if she knew the idea was pure folly.

When Xiulan explained why she was so intent on getting Xiaolian to learn a skill such as dance instead of fighting, she instantly felt symphony for her. It seems that Xiaolian and Xiulan's mother was brutally murdered in front of them and it was because she tried to fight against the attackers. When they originally broke into their home, they promised that they would not hurt anyone if they stayed calm. Their mother was outraged at the intrusion and when she thought she had an opening, she attacked one of the bandits, wounding him. That caused a chain reaction, having the bandits slaughter everyone in their family. If only their mother would have remained calm, things wouldn't have turned out the way that it did. Xiulan didn't want to lose the only member she had left in her family. Xiahoushi may be young, but she could understand loss as she went through it when her parents had been killed by bandits. It was this that led her to say yes to Xiulan's request, though now she was greatly regretting that decision.

"H-hi, Xiaolian," Xiahoushi said in a tiny voice. If Xiaolian heard her, she didn't acknowledge it. She continued to train as if Xiahoushi was not there.

"Um, Xiaolian?" Xiahoushi said once more. Xiaolian stopped and turned toward her. It was clear that she was a bit annoyed at being interrupted.

"Oh, um hi..." Xiahoushi muttered as she resisted the urge to hide her face behind her stuffed bunny. Xiaolian did not reply. Xiahoushi did not let this deter her.

"A-are you having fun?"

Xiaolian's eyebrows rose then scrunched together in confusion. She wiped the sweat from her brow with her sleeve then turned away from Xiahoushi and started her practice swings again.

Xiahoushi looked towards the spot where Xiulan was hiding helplessly. Xiulan poked her head out made a gesture encouraging her once again. When Xiahoushi didn't budge, Xiulan gave her a pensive look and folded her hands together. She mouthed the words please several times while holding her clasped hands out to her. Xiahouji sighed and focused back onto Xiaolian.

"Um-I only ask because I k-know I have fun with dancing so...," she paused and took a deep breath. "So I wanted to know if you were having fun doing what you were doing because you like what you are doing right? Maybe you would have fun dancing! You never know if you don't try!" She blurted out.

Xiaolian paused her actions once more and turned to face Xiahoushi again. Xiahoushi squirmed, not quite sure how to handle the newfound attention. Her eyes darted towards the doorway where Xiulan was standing to find it empty. She was hiding. Xiaolian caught the shift in her gaze and allowed her eyes to follow to where it led. Not seeing anyone there, she let her eyes move back to Xiahoushi who was squeezing her hands around her stuffed rabbit's neck.

"I-um...d-do you want to learn? D-dancing I mean?" Xiahoushi asked. It came out as a whisper and was filled with uncertainty.

"Stop," Xiaolian replied.

Xiahoushi was a bit surprised that Xiaolian even spoke. It was rare to hear the girl say anything to anyone. The day she performed being the rare exception.

"Stop wh-," Xiahoushi started, only to be cut off by Xiaolian.

"She made you come to me, right?" Xiahoushi shook her head furiously and tried to deny it.

" Xiahouji, stop."

Xiahoushi froze at her words and looked as if she was ready to burst into tears or turn and run. Probably both simultaneously.

Xiaolian felt a tinge of pity for her. She knew that her sister sent her here in another attempt to get her to do what she wanted. She has been doing little things like this since Xiaolian announced her desire to become a warrior. This wasn't the first time she enlisted assistance in trying to force Xiaolian into a life servitude and anonymity. Her efforts were mostly thwarted due to Dun presence. Xiaolian was grateful for that. Now that he was away at war however, Xiulan has resumed her pressure. Xiaolian guessed it was better than the cold shoulder her sister had been giving her while Dun was home. Xiulan barely said two words to her sister while he was around for fear that he would intervene. Instead, she told people some outlandish sob story and they would scold Xiaolian for putting her sister through so much heartache. Zhuyue tried to get Xiulan to lay off of Xiaolian, but her fondness for her sister prevented her from being truly strict with her. There was also the fact that Lady Ai kept her sufficiently distracted with details of her impending marriage to Dun.

The tears won out and Xiahoushi began to bawl in front of Xiaolian. She hated the fact that she looked like such a child in front of her but she didn't care. She couldn't keep her feelings pent up any longer. How could the two of them be so different despite being so close in age? Xiaolian always struck her as cold and distant and unafraid while she was shy and meek. It made her angry, frustrated and sad. How could Xiaolian not care about her only sister's feelings? Hadn't they lost enough family? Shouldn't they stick together? Why was she so mean?

"No!" Xiahoushi shouted, surprising herself and Xiaolian. "You stop! You stop being so mean to your sister! She loves you and you-you don't even care!"

Xiaolian sighed. She didn't want to deal with this. She sincerely wished that Dun or Zhuyue were here. No, she can't keep depending on them for everything. She had to stand up for herself.

"She's lying," Xiaolian stated. This did not placate Xiahoushi. She had a crushing grip on her rabbit and tears streaming down her cheeks but a determined look in her eye.

"No! You don't care about her! She just wants to keep you safe! She doesn't want you to die like your mother and father and-and-," her argument dissolved into sobs. Xiulan stepped out from her hiding spot and embraced Xiahoushi. She patted her head soothingly and whispered thank you.

"Why must you do this, Xiaolian? Even Xiahouji could see that what you are doing is wrong. I only want to keep you safe and you spit in my face. Why? Please, I beg of you. Stop this!"

Xiaolian looked between the two and felt her anger swell within her. This has gone too far.

"You're lying!" Xiulan pulled away from Xiahoushi and slapped her sister hard across the face. Xiaolian was stunned by the strike and felt her small hand tighten its grip around her training sword. Her sister moved to slap her again and she raised her wooden blade threateningly. She froze and remembered who it was she was facing. She couldn't hit her sister even though a tiny voice within her told her to. Told her that she would deserve it.

"You would raise your sword against me?! Your flesh and blood? That is it! I knew this was not good for you," Xiulan said as she snatched Xiaolian's wooden sword out of her hand. By this time, Xiahoushi had ran away to find someone to help. It was clear that this situation was escalating out of control.

"We shouldn't have come here. Lady Zhuyue is not the woman she once was. She has been changed by that man. She is a bad influence on you as is he. We are leaving here," Xiulan said as she tossed Xiaolian's sword to the ground away from both of them. She pulled her sister towards the door but Xiaolian pulled back.

"No!" Xiaolian protested. Xiulan spun around and slapped her sister once more. Xiaolian took the hit, even though every fiber within her told her to defend herself, she just could not bring herself to raise her hand to her sister. It was what she deserved after all for keeping that terrible secret hidden for so long. Her silence let it get this far. She deserved every hit she got.

She tried to pull away from her but Xiulan held strong. Xiulan continued to strike her. All of the anger she felt from the past few months cumulated to this moment. Xiaolian didn't bother trying to shield herself from her sister's assault, too stunned that this was even happening. Reflectively, her eyes closed, blocking out the barrage of hits from Xiulan as she scratched and slapped at her. She could hear Xiulan screaming at her, but chose to block it out, choosing instead to focus on the jumble of thoughts in her mind. Was this the real Xiulan? The one that hid away for so long. Does she know that she knows? Is this the person she wanted to get strong to protect? She was the last person alive in her family but did that really matter? Did someone like her deserve to be protected? Her face stung as tears streamed down her cheeks into the freshly made wounds. The tears weren't from the pain, at least not the physical. Since she began training with Zhuyue and Dun, her pain tolerance had increased so though the hits did hurt as much as they could have. She could endure. That was something to be grateful for because it didn't seem as if Xiulan had any plans on stopping.

The hits suddenly stopped and Xiaolian felt relieved. She eased her eyes open only to discover that one of them had blurry vision. She decided to keep that eye closed for now and tried to look around with her good eye. She thought Xiulan had worn herself out by hitting her, but that wasn't the case. A furious Zhuyue was holding onto her wrist.

"When Xiahouji came to me, I thought she had gone mad. I couldn't believe that you would attack her like this. Look at what you did," Zhuyue hissed. When Xiulan closed her eyes in shame, Zhuyue twisted her arm behind her back and grabbed her face with her free hand. Xiulan cried out in pain and Zhuyue pulled her face down towards Xiaolian's.

"I SAID LOOK!" Zhuyue shouted. Xiulan's eyes opened slowly and she took in the disheveled sight of her sister, still on the ground, looking back up at her with one half lidded eye while the other was squeezed shut. Xiulan gasped as she took in every bloody red whelp and splotch that highlighted where bruises would soon adorn her face.

"Heavens forgive me! Xiaolian...I am so sorry!" Xiulan reached out to her sister but was pulled away roughly and thrown to the ground opposite of Xiaolian. Zhuyue's unsheated her blade and pressed it dangerously close to her neck. Her eyes wild and her teeth were clenched together.

"The only thing that stays my hand from killing you is our past together, but you will tread very lightly from now on, Xiulan," She said in a voice that showed she was just barely controlling her anger.

"I-I understand, Zhuyue," she replied through choked sobs.

"No, you no longer get the honor of calling me by my name. I no longer see you as a sister. You will no longer enjoy the privileges you once did. Be grateful that I do not cast you out completely," Zhuyue replied. Xiulan never heard such anger in Zhuyue's voice, even more, she never heard such anger directed at her. The true weight of her actions began to weigh down on her. She lowered her head in shame and nodded solemnly.

"And you are to have no further interaction with, Xiaolian."

At this, Xiulan's head snapped up.

"She is the only family I have left! Who will care for her if not me?"

With her free hand, Zhuyue punched Xiulan square in the jaw. Her anger flared at words. You do not beat someone you care about so mercilessly. Not when they don't have the power to fight back. That was the philosophy her father subscribed to and she hated him for it. He never knew how to use his words to speak, it was always a fist. Seeing Xiaolian on the ground brought back unpleasant memories.

"You claim to care now after what you did to her?" Zhuyue asked through gritted teeth. Xiulan grasped her bruised jaw and let out a wail of pain. It took several minutes for her sobbing to subside enough to be able to give Zhuyue an answer.

"I...I know what I did was wrong but you don't understand. She...she forced me...," Her eyes widened as Zhuyue reared back to hit her once more.

"No! NO please! I'm sorry. I-I...," she paused and sucked in a deep breath. "P-please don't take her away from me...We...we will leave here and you will not have to worry about us."

"Leave? You think I would allow you to leave with her after everything you have done?" Zhuyue asked.

"She is my sister! You have no true claim over her. Please, we will leave you. Just let us leave," Xiulan pleaded.

Zhuyue remained quiet for a few moments. She removed her blade from Xiulan's throat and backed away from her. Her eyes drifted to Xiaolian who pushed herself up into a sitting position. She stared back at Zhuyue with her good eye, unsure how to feel about everything up to this point. She was angry at her sister but there was a small part of her that felt an obligation to her. They were blood relatives after all. She had no others. At the same time, she wanted nothing to do with her. She felt conflicted and the swirl of emotions made her head hurt.

Zhuyue felt a hand gently touch her arm. She looked to see Lady Ai standing beside her. She vaguely remembered Lady Ai and the others following her after Xiahoushi burst into the room to seek help for Xiaolian but she had forgotten about them after she stumbled across the deplorable scene.

"You cannot truly let Xiaolian go with her...," Ai whispered. Zhuyue regarded Ai in silence for a few moments before shifting her gaze to Xiaolian again.

"Xiaolian...As Dun and I will be married soon, if you wish it, I will ask him to adopt you on my behalf. You need only say the word. If you truly wish to remain with your sister...I...will respect your decision."

Xiaolian looked between Zhuyue and Xiulan. Why did she have to leave this decision to her? She didn't want to make it. She closed her eye and tried to sort through her feelings. Her feelings towards Xiulan had been a complicated one. One some level she cared about her, but on another there has always been a disconnect between them. Even when their family was alive, they weren't particularly close. If Xiaolian was honest with herself, she was closer to her older brother, Xi. Just the thought of him made a pang of grief spear through her chest. She missed him so much.

Her mother always told her that family was important. It was a lesson that Xiaolian took to heart. Always look out for your family. Despite what happened in the past, Xiaolian did not turn her back on her only sister. She tried to love Xiulan but she never seemed to understand her and always seemed to want to force her into a lifestyle she didn't want. She lost count with the amount of times she wished that Zhuyue was her sister instead. Now she had the chance to truly become family with Zhuyue and she was hesitating. Why? In a way, she felt that by abandoning her sister, she was betraying her family. She was letting them down by leaving her. She swore to herself and them that she would protect her remaining family with her very life. She wouldn't lose anyone else. How could she keep that promise if she left Xiulan? Wasn't the reason she was becoming stronger to protect her family?

Xiaolian looked to Zhuyue again. Family...Zhuyue had become her family over the course of time she had come to know her. She felt closer to her than she did to Xiulan. She always felt a bit guilty about it but she couldn't help it. Then there was Dun. Since the moment she saw him, she was instantly reminded of her beloved brother Xi. When he saved her from being trampled by that horse, she swore her brother had come to her from the heavens itself to save her. Though it may have been the similarities to Xi that first drew Xiaolian to Dun, she was now genuinely attached to him. Zhuyue and Dun were more like family to her than Xiulan at this point. Was blood really that important?

Xiaolian opened both eyes. Her right eye was still blurry. She touched it gingerly and noted that it was beginning to swell. She closed it once more, deciding to give it rest and pushed herself to her feet. From her spot on the ground, Xiulan followed her every move, her eyes pleading with her. Xiaolian made eye contact with her sister as she walked towards her. Xiulan's face lit up and as soon as Xiaolian was in front of her, she enveloped her in a hug. Xiaolian returned it, wrapping her arms around her neck and lowered her head to whisper something in her ear. Xiulan pulled back, her eyes wide in surprise before she began to weep freely. Xiaolian pulled away from her sister and stood before Zhuyue who was watching the entire scene in silence.

She felt odd standing before Zhuyue. Their entire relationship was about to change. She always thought of her as a sister and Zhuyue always told them the same but it was truly a honorary title at best. Now, Xiaolian stood before her, turning her back on her last blood relative to be adopted by the woman she always admired. Part of her didn't feel worthy but another part of her yearned for this more than anything she ever had in her young life. Zhuyue knelt down so that she was eye level with Xiaolian. She cupped her face gingerly, being mindful of her wounds.

"You wish to stay with me?" Xiaolian nodded slightly and Zhuyue gave her a reassuring smile. She pulled Xiaolian into a hug.

"What do we do about her?" Ai asked as she stared at the sobbing Xiulan. "She cannot stay here. When Yuánràng finds out about what happened...," Ai trailed off. She knew her son's temper. She was tempted to strike Xiulan herself if she was honest. It was hard to believe that she would do something so terrible.

"She can serve in our household," Bianshi replied. She turned her head from Ai and focused on Xiulan. "I suggest you take the offer. Your alternative is not a pleasant one. You are unmarried and have no one to protect you. You will not last long on your own, especially since you have no skill to defend yourself."

Xiulan nodded as she tried to control her sobs. She knew that Bianshi spoke the truth. She had nowhere to truly go. Even if Xiaolian picked her, she had no real idea of where to go. She just wanted to get her away from here as soon as possible. She regretted coming here and couldn't help but question why the heavens treated her with such disdain.

"But know that if you do anything that I find deplorable, I will not hesitate to have you permanently removed...," Bianshi continued.

Xiulan nodded again. Bianshi shook her head.

"Say that you understand. I want no confusion on the matter."

"I-I understand, My Lady." Xiulan replied with a wavering voice. Bianshi nodded.

"Then wipe your face and get your things. I imagine they do not want you here any longer. Be quick about it," Said Bianshi.

Xiulan nodded and slowly stood to her feet. Her eyes drifted towards Zhuyue and Xiaolian before hurrying off to do as she was commanded.

Zhuyue pulled away from Xiaolian and studied her face. She frowned seeing the whelps and bruises that now adorned her face along with the drizzle of dried blood splattered here and there. She took a few steadying breathes, not allowing the anger she felt to consume her. She offered Xiaolian a smile.

"Come, let's get you cleaned up."

=#=

Lu Bu stood at the edge of their makeshift camp within the woods near Puyang and surveyed his surroundings. There was so much time left before the attack would began. He didn't understand why they had to wait for the cover of night. He didn't need such cheap tricks to secure a victory. With Cao's main force fighting against Tao Qian, there was truly no one worthy of standing up to him. Bu smirked. Even if Cao's main force was there, there was no one who could truly stand up to him.

The sound of approaching footsteps caught Bu's attention. He gripped his halberd which was resting against a nearby tree and turned to face the intruder. It was Diaochan. She took small measured steps towards him, a seductive smile playing on her lips. Bu eased his defensive stance and laid his halberd back against the tree. She placed a hand on the breastplate of his armor and looked up to him.

"Eager for the battle, My Lord?"

"Hmph...you know me well, Diaochan. This waiting is pointless. We should just go in and crush them."

"You are a mighty warrior, My Lord. Such a battle is below a skill such as yours. Your time shouldn't be wasted fighting against those below you. By following the plan and waiting for nightfall, it will be a quick and effortless victory. Your time won't be wasted. You can concentrate on other things...and you would have energy to celebrate our victory later on," she concluded with a sly smile.

Bu snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

"Even if we were to go in now, I would still have energy enough to please you later on. Still, I get your point. We will wait. No point in me wasting more of my time than necessary."

"A wise decision, My Lord!"

Bu grit his teeth in annoyance as he turned to face the approaching, Chen Gong.

"I knew I was right in joining forces with you! Already you are proving vastly superior to that fool, Cao Cao."

Diaochan wiggled herself out of Bu's arms and stood behind him, her head bowed. Bu folded his arms across his chest.

"You better have a good reason for bothering me," Bu said.

"But of course!" He motioned over his shoulder to Ling who stepped forward.

"We only wanted to inform you that I double checked the hidden entrance to Puyang. It is secure. We will be able to get in undetected under the cover of night. As far as I can see, no one is aware of our presence here and no one is aware of Gōngtái's shift in allegiance with the exception of those he has already paid off."

Bu nodded. "Good. This is only the first step. Once we take Puyang, we will finally have a base of our own. Then, once we build our forces up, we will attack Chang'an!"

Gong sputtered at the declaration and waved his hands around frantically.

"No no no! I am glad you are thinking big but we cannot attack Chang'an! We do not have the forces for that. Our plan of domination would be over before it truly began! Once we take Puyang, we need to take over other territories close to ours and build up allegiances. Once we have enough forces and enough allies, then we can march on Chang'an and stand a fighting chance."

"I cannot wait that long. I need to attack Chang'an as soon as possible! If you cannot make that happen then you are useless!"

Gong sighed, he had to deal with this in a tactful manner.

"I understand you are eager to take the capital, and I fully intend to help you do that. I long to see you stand at the top of it all, victorious! But you must understand...there are steps."

"You are the strategist aren't you? Figure out a way!" Bu growled.

Gong sighed again and refrained from pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation.

"I understand that you are um...enthusiastic about going to Chang'an, but I sense there is more to it than simply claiming your rightful place at the top...may I ask why you wish to go so urgently?"

"I left someone important behind. I will not leave her longer than necessary. Who knows what those dogs are doing to her," Bu said as he clench his giant hand into a fist, fury steadily bubbling up within him.

Gong blinked in surprise. He looked from Bu to Diaochan who seemed to be trying to actively hide her face from view now. Was it another women he left behind? There was something he was missing here.

"Of course...of course...may I ask who it is you are speaking about?"

"My daughter, Lingqi. We were unable to find her when we made our escape," Bu answered. Gong noticed an odd look on Diaochan's face. What was it? Embarrassment? Jealousy? Guilt? Something to consider later.

"I see. Well! I will continue to prove my worth to you by getting news of your daughter. I have contacts within Chang'an that should be able to find out something. We might be able to even smuggle her out," Gong said, flinging his arms wide and smiling brightly.

"Truly? You can do this, Gōngtái?"

"I can and I will!" He replied.

"Then do it," Bu commanded. Gong bowed.

"I will send a messenger immediately. As soon as I hear word, I will let you know. Till them, please rest up and get ready for tonight's assault."

"Hmph...I'm always ready for a fight."

"Um, My Lord?" Bu turned to face Ling.

"I am holding up my end of the bargain...I just wanted to be sure that you will do yours?"

"Kill your family because you don't have the strength to do it on your own? Hmph...I said I would so I will. They will die as will anyone who stands in my way."

Ling bowed and thanked Bu who chose to ignore his groveling.

"Diaochan..." She jumped at hearing her name, having been lost in her own thoughts.

"What's wrong with you?" Bu asked. Diaochan shook her head quickly and offered him a fake smile.

"N-nothing, My Lord," she replied.

"If you are worried about the battle, you don't have to join. I would prefer if you didn't," said Bu.

"No. I want to fight. I want to be by your side. I swear I won't be a burden. Just let me stay by your side...please."

Bu studied her for a few seconds before nodding and looking out towards Puyang once more.

=#=

Dun saddled up his mount. He was still a bit irritated that he had to leave just before the battle but there was nothing that could be done about it. Zhuyue will probably enjoy the fact that he was made to go back home, after he forced her to stay there. Zhuyue...his mind lingered on her. It would be good to see her again. That was a plus for going back, though he suspected he would not get a warm welcome if the way they left each other was any indication. Still, the idea of seeing her left him with an oddly warm sensation. Even if he knew that she would be pissed with him, he still wanted to see the angry face she would make that he came to find rather endearing. A few months ago, he would have been alarmed about these thoughts and feelings that he came to have for another person. If he wasn't related to them, Dun's level of care was severely limited. With Zhuyue, it came so easy. It disturbed and confused him at first, but now he had come to accept with it. He hadn't relayed his feelings to her as of yet and he wasn't sure if he wanted to. That was uncharted territory for him and he wasn't eager to cross into it. Still, he would have to cross it eventually, especially since they were to be married after Cao finished his campaign in Xuzhou against Tao Qian.

Dun mounted his horse and grabbed the reigns. Before he could set out, he heard the voice of his adopted brother.

"Wait! Brother Dun!" Dun turned to see Yuan running towards him, a sack slung over his shoulder. He tilted his head to the side in confusion and waited till Yuan stopped beside his horse before speaking.

"What are you doing?"

Yuan held his hand up indicating that he wait while he regained his breath. After a minute or so, he spoke.

"I'm coming with you," Yuan said

"No, Mèngdé needs you here," Dun replied.

"Mèngdé has enough people here. You are alone. If something happened, you might need back up," Yuan argued. Dun couldn't help but concede his point. If Gong had truly planned a coup, there wouldn't be much Dun could do alone. It would be hard to fight and protect both his and Cao's family. Having some back up wouldn't hurt.

"Fine, let's go then."

Yuan nodded and quickly went to the task of saddling his horse.

"How did you find out about this anyway? Mèngdé asked you too?"

"Kinda. Fèngxiào asked me on Mèngdé 's behalf. He said Mèngdé asked you to go but he thinks it would be best if I went to watch your back. He said he didn't want to underestimate Gōngtái," Yuan replied.

Dun grunted in response. As much shit as he liked to give Fèngxiào, he couldn't deny that he was an intelligent man. If he thought it was a good idea for Yuan to come, then he would accept the decision. Yuan mounted his horse and grabbed the reigns.

"You don't really think Gōngtái would betray Mèngdé do you?"

Dun shrugged. "I wouldn't underestimate anyone. Easy way to end up dead."

"If he did...then our family-"

"Will be fine," Dun interrupted. They aren't helpless. Remember that and we will be back soon. Yuan nodded.

"For his sake, I hope you are right. If they aren't brother, don't even think about trying to stop me," Yuan said in a solemn tone.

"I'll be too busy killing everything in sight to try and stop you, brother. Enough of this. Let's go."

Yuan nodded and the two of them hurried off, back to Puyang.

=#=

Cao Ren slammed his shield into an approaching enemy, a general by the name of Que Xuan. The shield crushed Xuan's nose causing blood to gush from it freely. He stumbled back, fully distracted by his new injury. Ren turned his attention to four oncoming enemies. He quickly lifted his shield towards the closest enemy and fired a hidden blade from his shield. The blade found its mark in the chest of his target. He fired again at the second, this time finding purchase in the side of the enemy's neck. By this time, the other two enemies were upon him. Ren pulled the blade from its sheath on the front of his shield and parried the oncoming sword swipe. He used his shield to knock his foe off balance before twisting out of the way of a spear from the final foe.

With a grunt, he slammed his shield into the spear wielding enemy, causing him to stumble forward. His companion had to dodge the spear, narrowly missing being skewered by it. That was all the opening Ren needed. With practiced ease, Ren placed his blade back into its sheath and charged forward. He slammed into the spear wielding soldier who had only just regained his footing, sending him flying before crashing into his comrade, knocking him to the floor. He slammed his shield into the throat of the fallen soldier. If the force of the blow wouldn't have crushed his windpipe, the blade jutting out from the shield certainly would have dealt the death blow. He rolled from atop the now dead soldier and made his way quickly to the enemy who was now getting to his feet. Ren positioned himself behind him and quickly snapped his neck.

By this time, Xuan had made his way back into the battle. He attempted to attack Ren while his back was turned only to be met with Ren's shield crushing into his nose again. The man wailed in pain at the fresh assault of his already broken nose, as fresh blood gushed from it. Before he could react, he felt something hard impact with his chest. Numb, he reached down and felt a piece of metal protruding through the chest of his armor. Ren lowered his weapon, as the man crumpled to the floor in an unmoving heap.

Ren looked around the battlefield. The sound of battle raged around him. His men were easily pushing back the enemy. They lacked the numbers and the training to stand up to their forces. This battle was easy...almost too easy.

" Zǐxiào! Zǐxiào!" Ren turned his head towards the sound of his name. He watched as Xu Chu bound towards him, a massive mace slung over his shoulder.

"Zǐxiào!" Xu Chu called again, letting the mace fall from his shoulder to the fall with a loud thump. Ren could have sworn the ground beneath his feet moved from the gesture. The ease at which he carried the weapon baffled Ren and the others of their army who hadn't been a part of the skirmish. He was skeptical that the man could even wield it effectively. Those concerns were put to rest at the beginning of this battle. Xu Chu swung the mace around as if it were the same weight of a normal weapon, using it to smack his foes away with ease.

"You are amazing, Zǐxiào!" Chu remarked with a wide smile on his face as he rested one hand on his large stomach. "If you keep fighting that good, we can finish up the day early and get some food."

Ren shook his head. That man had a one track mind.

"I only do the best that I can for our lord." Ren replied. Chu nodded in agreement.

"But I don't really understand, Zǐxiào. Will defeating Tao Qian bring the end of this chaos any closer? That is what Master Cao wants to do right?"

"Yes. Lord Cao Cao wants to bring an end to the chaos and this battle will help that in a sense but that is not the only reason we fight it. We fight because Tao Qian mercilessly slew our Lord's father as well as his brother De and their entire household. And why did they do such a heinous act? For riches. Slaying Master Cao Song and his family is the height of villainy! To bring an end to this chaos and on behalf of our Lord Cao, I shall slay this demon!" Ren said as he clenched his hand into a fist.

"Me too! That wasn't nice, killing Lord Cao's poppa like that. They deserve to be punished."

Chu suddenly turned his head towards the sky, his nose scrunched up and an odd expression on his face. Ren had wondered if he had gotten injured and was in pain. Chu suddenly slapped a meaty hand onto Ren's shoulder. His face was a mixture of confusion and sadness.

"You are Lord Cao's cousin, right?"

Ren nodded slowly, unsure of where he was going with this.

"So you lost someone too, right? You lost your uncle."

"Indeed. Though we were not related by blood, we were family by adoption."

"So we have to make sure we fight not just for Lord Cao, but for you too!" Chu said. "And for Master Xiahou Dun and Master Xiahou Yuan too! Especially since they aren't here."

"Don't you worry, Zhòngkāng. This battle will end in our favor," said Li Dian with a smile as he approached the two men, followed by Yue Jin.

"How could you possibly know that, Mànchéng? Jin asked. Dian gave a chuckle and shrugged.

"I just know it. I can't really explain how, I just do. I thought you would be used to this by now, Wenqian," Dian asked with another laugh.

"I thought so too, but I am still amazed every time you get it right," Jin replied.

"Wait, what do you mean they aren't here?" Ren asked, going back to Chu's earlier comment. He did notice that he hadn't seen Dun or Yuan on the battlefield as of yet, but he assumed it was because they were guarding Cao Cao instead of Wei and Chu.

"Lord Cao and Master Jia sent Master Dun back to Puyang. I don't really know why. He was suppose to go alone but Master Yuan said he wanted to go too so Lord Cao let him," Jin supplied.

Dian's face shifted into a frown.

"I have a bad feeling about Yan Province. It seems strange that Master Dun would be sent back there just before the battle."

"What do you think is going to happen?" Jin asked.

"I'm not sure...I just know it won't be good." Jin frowned at his friend's answer. So far, for better or for worse, Dian hasn't been wrong in his intuition. If he said something bad was going to happen, then something bad was probably going to happen. He could only hope that Master Dun and Master Yuan could handle it.

Ren frowned. That was a bit odd but he wouldn't question his lord's decision. Besides, he had a battle to focus on. One they should be getting back to. Before he could voice this to Chu, four enemies sailed through the air and landed a few meters past them. Ren stared at the lifeless bodies. One that happened to be face up had its head nearly cleaved in half. He heard a loud laugh behind him and turned to see Dian Wei resting his bloodied axe on his shoulder.

"Gonna have to do better than that, fools!" Wei barked .

"We don't stand a chance against these guys!" An enemy soldier cried out.

"Retreat! Retreat!" Another screamed. The troops began to fall back.

"Ha, They're retreating! After 'em!" Wei bellowed.

"Enough talking. We have a war to win. Let's get to it!" Ren said. The men gathered nodded and went on to pursue the enemy.

They followed the retreating army under strange metal contraptions that looked like the heads of dragons. They seemed to be nothing more than odd ornaments but something about it made the hairs on Dian's neck stand up. Dian slowed his approach and reached out to pull Jin back. Jin, confused tried to pull out of Dian's grasp. Before he could ask Dian what he was doing, Dian called out for the troops to stop.

Ren, baffled by this stopped just before reaching the dragon heads, as did Wei and Chu. Cao Chong, who had joined the frontline of battle stopped just under the first dragon head. He turned back in confusion at this new order.

"What's go-" He was stopped by a loud rumbling above him. Chong looked up to see the dragon head open. Fear gripped him as he frantically tried to turn his horse around. He managed to do so but was unable to get cleanly away. The dragon mouth opened and spat out a large boulder directly above him. His horse, sensing the danger reared back, throwing him off. His steed was unable to get away in time as the boulder dropped on top of it killing it instantly. While his body managed to avoid being completely crushed, his leg still managed to become trapped beneath it. He cried out in agony as he tried to push the boulder from atop him in vain. Ren ran to his side as did Wei and Chu. With their combined strength, they managed to lift the boulder just enough for Dian and Jin to pull him from it. They managed to get away just before another boulder fell on the spot they had been standing.

The army was in disarray. They had taken a few casualties but thanks to Dian's warning, it was less than it probably would have been without it.

"PULL BACK!" Ren bellowed out. The men under his command responded immediately, pulling back from the battle.

They pulled Chong safely away from the chaos exploding around them. Ren checked his leg to see that it was completely crush. They needed to bandage and get a splint on it immediately. Even so, after such a blow, Ren wasn't sure if he would ever be able to walk on it again.

"We have to get him back to the main camp." Ren said.

"Someone carry him. The rest of us will secure a path," said Wei. Ren offered to be the one to carry him to safety. There was only a token resistance as the bulk of Tao Qian's forces chose to hide just beyond the boulder trap.

They were almost to the main camp when they saw Jia rushing out towards them. The grave look on his face told Ren that whatever news he had, it wasn't good.

"They began attacking the main camp with catapults. We were able to get out safely but if our main camp is destroyed, this battle is over before it began. We need someone to take out the general leading those forces.

Ren set Chong down who had passed out from the pain.

"Please look after Lord Cao's son. I will carry out your task,"

"Dian, take him to his father," Jia commanded. He signaled for a soldier to show him where Cao was now set up. Dian picked up Chong and set off towards Cao's location.

" Wenqian, Mànchéng, take your forces back to the front line. Put up a token resistance. Make it seem as if we are trying to figure out how to get past the boulder trap. This should go without saying but don't actually get caught by the trap anymore. Stay a safe distance away and make sure to keep your men out of the range of archers as well. We just need them sufficiently distracted."

Both Yue Jin and Li Dian nodded at this. They rallied their forces and headed off to follow their orders.

" Zhòngkāng, go to Lord Cao. He should have both his bodyguards with him until this threat is over. Don't let any enemy forces through to him. Wenze is currently with him. Tell him to get his men to set up a parameter around Lord Cao to ensure no one gets through." Chu nodded and hurried off in the direction Wei went earlier.

" Zǐxiào, I will go with you to face the general of the catapults. I want to see them for myself. I might have an idea on how to turn this situation around."

Ren nodded and both men set off. What seemed to originally be an easy battle now seemed to be anything but.

=#=

Zhuyue's blade whistled as she swiped it quickly through the air. She had been practicing for a while now and she still felt that familiar anger bubbling within her. How could Xiulan do such a thing? She knew that she disagreed with Xiaolian's decision, but to go as far as to beat her the way she did? Zhuyue would have never thought she was capable of such a thing. Especially after she knew what she went through with her own father and his frequent abuse before he fell ill.

Zhuyue sighed and stopped. This wasn't making her feel better, it only made her think more and in turn, made her angrier. She heard movement to her left. She turned her head to see Xiaolian. Zhuyue forced a smile and beckoned her over. Xiaolian came closer, stopping just before her.

"Can't sleep?" Zhuyue asked. Xiaolian shook her head. Xiulan had moved out of their room and it was the first time sleeping in it alone. It felt odd and uncomfortable. It would take some getting used to.

"Me either," Zhuyue replied. She took a seat on the ground, crossing her legs and Xiaolian sat beside her. Zhuyue took had been clad in her new armor. She figured she might as well get use to it before she went into battle. It was comfortable and easy to move around in. She wondered what Dun would think of her in it. He hadn't had an opportunity to see her just yet. She scoffed mentally at the thought. Who cares what he thought? It is his own fault he didn't get to see it anyway.

Both she and Xiaolian sat in a comfortable silence. Zhuyue looked up to the sky, finding beauty in the stars that littered it.

"I'm sorry, Xiaolian," Zhuyue finally said. Xiaolian looked to her in confusion.

"You tried to tell me, but I didn't take you seriously enough. I didn't think it would get this far...I never should have let it get this far," Zhuyue continued.

Xiaolian looked from Zhuyue to the sky as well. She didn't blame Zhuyue for what happened.

"Xiahouji said you told her that Xiulan was lying. What did you mean by that?"

"What happened to our family. She lied."

Zhuyue looked down to Xiaolian.

"So what really happened?"

"Xiulan knew them. The bandits. She loved one of them. She doesn't think I know, but I know. I always knew. When the bandits came the bandits told them they would take Xiulan if they didn't pay. Xi made me hide but I could still see. I could still see everything. Father told them they couldn't pay. He begged them not to take her. They didn't care. They killed father when he wouldn't pay. They cut him so much. He was already dead but they still cut him. Xiulan told them it wasn't supposed to be this way. Xi tried to fight them but Xi didn't know how to fight. None of us did. They killed him and cut him too. They cut him so many times." Xiaolian paused and wiped the tears that started to stream down her cheeks.

"They did things to mother then...mother tried to attack Xiulan...they cut her too. The one Xiulan loved, he laughed while he did it. They were touching Xiulan the same way they touched mother before they killed her but then you came."

Zhuyue couldn't trust herself to speak. Her blood was boiling more than ever. The version Xiulan spun painted her as the innocent victim. Not once did she ever admit to inviting such disaster upon her family. For Xiaolian to carry such a secret with her. Zhuyue squeezed her eyes closed. How could she in good conscious let that woman continue to draw breath after hearing everything she had?

"Do...do you think she lies because she feels bad?" Xiaolian asked.

Zhuyue wasn't sure how to answer this. Should she give her false hope? Let her think of her sister as a better person than the monster and liar that she is? Zhuyue felt disgusted that she once felt such a kinship with such a person.

"I...don't think so. I think she lies because the truth would get her in a lot of trouble...Why did you lie for her? All this time...Why didn't you tell me the truth?"

"Mother said to take care of your family. She was the only family I had left so I had to take care of her. But...you are my family too. You never did to me what she did. I don't want to take care of her anymore. I want to take care of you..."

Zhuyue nodded and pulled Xiaolian into a hug. She knew that the girl had witness horrors but she didn't fully understand the weight she carried on her shoulders until tonight. When Xiaolian was asleep, she would visit Xiulan and confront her with this information. She had to speak with her and see for herself if this was true. No...she knew that what Xiaolian spoke was true. Thinking back to the story that Xiulan told her, there were inconsistencies in it. She always dismissed it, assuming that it was hard to recall such a traumatic event. Now she saw it for what it was. A liar who was having difficulty keeping up a farce.

"What did you whisper to Xiulan when you hugged her?" Zhuyue asked.

"I told her that I know the truth. That I always knew."

So that was why she looked so surprised. She didn't know that Xiaolian knew. Zhuyue blew out a breath. She didn't want to think about this anymore. Not now. She would deal with it when Xiaolian was asleep. For now, she had to do what she can to help this girl.

Zhuyue stood. She offered a hand and helped Xiaolian to her feet.

"Since we both can't sleep, we should be doing something useful. Get your practice blade and we'll train. You're up to it aren't you?"

Xiaolian nodded and went to grab her training sword. She stopped short when she heard the several footsteps in the distance. Zhuyue heard the sound as well and walked to her side, blades in hand. Something within her told her to get out of sight instead of standing and facing the unknown enemy. She went with her gut and ducked into the main house, pulling Xiaolian with her. She eased the door closed as quietly as she could and peeked out of the panels that allowed vision to the outside Emerging from behind a false wall in the inner courtyard was Ling, followed by none other than the mighty Lu Bu.