Note: This story isn't historically accurate. The author made great use of historical license on writing it. The inaccuracy is designed to add to the dramatic aspects of the plot. The Huns' invasions and the first Japanese incursion into Chinese territory is at least two centuries apart. The military apparatuses used in the story are out of their respective Eras, as well. That being said, the cultural aspects of Chinese society were extensively studied and are, mostly, accurate, though. Enjoy the reading!

Flower of China

By Kath Klein

Translated by Yoruki Hiiragizawa

Chapter VI

The sharp blade had pierced the Hun in front of Sakura. She kicked the dead burly man away from her, releasing her sword from his body with laboured breathing. That last one had been stubborn to die. She could feel the warm blood oozing from a cut on her arm, making it hard to hold her increasingly slippery weapon.

She looked around, taking notice of many familiar faces among the dead on the ground. Looking toward the palace, she saw the remaining Huns going down the slope, in a desperate move to engage the Imperial Army within the city.

'Major!' she called, looking for him and found the man taking out yet another enemy.

He moved in on her, out of breath, and watched at the red dots who stumbled downhill in despair.

'Do you think the City Guard can handle them?'

'I don't know…' he said, uncertain.

Xiao Lang didn't like the idea of leaving the Emperor's safety in Xue Lian's arrogant hands. He looked back to his troop, noticing that all Huns had gone down to the palace. His men were in deplorable conditions but stood proudly.

'Pu!' He turned to the other soldier. 'Take care of the wounded! Kinomoto and I are going down after the Huns.'

Sakura looked his way in wide-eyed shock. 'And just how do you suggest we do that? It's too damn steep! They're crazy for even trying!'

'What? Are you scared?' He smirked at her, raising one eyebrow.

She pressed her lips together in annoyance and moved close to a gig, taking apart the mortar on top of it. She pushed the cart to the edge and turned to the Major. 'If we're gonna do that, then we have to hurry.'

'That's why I like you, kid!' Xiao Lang jumped into the cart and held out his hand.

Once she took his hand, he pulled her into the cart and instructed his men to push them down. Pu and another soldier tried to dissuade him, to no avail. The Major ordered them again.

Sakura held tight to the cart's rim and felt her blood freeze in her veins at the sight of the hillside, suddenly regretting her suicidal idea.

'Hum… Sir? I think they're right. It's too hi…' Her voice was swallowed by the high speed of the descent and she widened her eyes as the scenery turned into a blur.

The cold and cutting wind hit her face, freezing the sweat and blood on her skin. Sakura tried to hold on, feeling the jolting of the descent and bumping on a dozen Huns along the way. All of a sudden, she was shoved off the cart and fell onto the soft snow.

Xiao Lang fell on top of the little soldier, quickly getting to his feet. The vehicle crashed into the wall with a thunderous bang, causing no damage to the advanced Chinese architectural structure.

Sakura got up. Each and every muscle in her body ached. She was undoubtedly more hurt than she thought. She looked toward the Major who was watching the Huns as they came down the slope. Some of the enemies slipped, plummeting down the mountainside. Using the cart, they got there a moment before the Huns.

'Dammit!' The Major grumbled, noticing that the City Guard still wasn't at the site. 'General Xue's men are really useless!'

Sakura didn't even hear. She was petrified at the sight of the more than fifty men charging their way.

'Kinomoto…' He beckoned the soldier by his side without even looking at him.

'Yes, Sir?'

'Now you'll have to show what you are made of. It's just the two of us against the lot of them.'

'Oh, no! No way I'm fighting all of them! It's suicide!'

Xiao Lang took a step back with his eyes wide open staring at Kinomoto.

'I'm gonna run and jump over that wall! You can stay here and play the hero if you like, but I ain't gonna die here!'

'Coward…' he muttered with clenched teeth.

'It's two against over fifty!' she pointed out, trying to put some good sense into his head. 'We won't stand a chance!'

'I never ran away from a battle, soldier,' Xiao Lang said, turning to face the enemies again.

'Well, I'm surprised you're still alive, then! Sometimes a strategic retreat is the best way to fight, Major!' She turned around to run but stopped at catching sight of the crashed cart near the wall. 'A cannon! Thank the gods!'

She ran toward the explosive device that powered the mortars and quickly aimed it to the mountain. She didn't have time for finesse.

The Major took a sidelong look at the soldier, seeing him position the blasting projectile and moved closer to see what he was doing.

'How long till they get here?' Sakura asked without taking her eyes from her target.

'Two minutes, tops!'

'Good! I just need one…' She grinned, stabilising the weapon and looked to the man beside her that seemed a bit confused. 'Let's bury them with an avalanche!'

'It's going to take down the palace wall as well!'

'It's just one cannon. It won't cause much damage. What it will do is stop the Huns long enough for the City Guard to deal with them.'

'You're right, but…' he shook his head. 'What about our escape?'

Heaving a sigh, she pointed to the wall behind them. 'We'll have to climb that, otherwise, we'll be buried as well.'

He snickered. 'And you said I was suicidal.'

'At least my idea has more chances of working out...' she said through bared teeth and a flushed face. 'Sir!'

'I hope you're right.'

His last comment was swallowed by the cannon blast as Sakura fired past the enemies and hit a snow-covered slope, causing the white mass to collapse.

'Run!' The Major urged, pulling Kinomoto with him toward the stone walls.

The Huns didn't even have time to understand what was happening before the thunderous white wave reached them.

Sakura started to climb, desperately hearing the avalanche roar behind them, as it got closer and closer. No matter how fast they escalated, they would never make it to the top in time. That's when the City Guard showed up and threw them a pair of ropes, helping to pull them up.

'Thank the gods!' Sakura murmured, grabbing the rope and quickly climbing up.

She could hear the terrified enemy screams behind her. It was just the time for her to be pulled inside The Forbidden City's walls as the snow splashed down onto the tall and strong barrier. Just as she had anticipated. She remembered hearing the Major say, once, that the North Wall had been designed precisely to withstand against snowslides. It seemed to work.

'Are you alright, soldier?' Someone asked her, pulling her up by the regimentals.

'I think so…' she said, trying to catch her breath.

'Congratulations, Kinomoto. Your plan did work.'

She recognised the Major's voice beside her. Even whilst out of breath, he was still taunting her insufferably. She turned to the side, seeing him braced against the wall while dismissing a soldier who tried to help him stand. Looking up, she saw some guards jump down the wall to finish off with any Hun that might've survived.

'I have injured men on top of Mount Fuy.' Xiao Lang told one of the soldiers as he stood up tall, seeing General Xue Lian approaching.

The General was seething. He never liked Li and, now that he was interfering with his job, despised him even more. 'Your orders were only to train a bunch of idiots, Major! What have you done?'

Xiao Lang took a step forward with his trademark haughtiness. 'I was protecting my Emperor, Sir. That's a mission that stands above any order.'

'Why, you punk! What did you do this time?'

'The Huns were invading The Forbidden City, Sir. The Major couldn't just stay still and do nothing,' Sakura said, frowning at the man's reaction - completely unaware of who he was.

'And who do you think you are to talk back at me?' Xue Lian roared at her.

'He's one of my soldiers,' Xiao Lang told the General. 'My second in command. The one responsible for stopping the Huns before they reached the city.'

'This avalanche could've buried and damaged the palace!' Xue Lian's face was even redder than before.

A new voice spoke from behind them. 'I don't think so, General Xue. You should know that this wall was built specially to withstand this kind of impact.'

Xue Lian turned around, seeing the Emperor approaching them with his Counsellors. Everybody got to their knees.

Wei regarded the group in front of him, focusing his gaze on the Major and, then, on the small soldier at his side. 'On your feet.'

Sakura could hardly believe that she was standing in front of the great Sovereign of China. A rush of happiness and pride was very close to bursting inside her chest.

'What happened here, Xiao Lang?'

'The Huns were about to attack from the North wing, coming out of Mount Fuy,' he explained calmly. 'My troop was training when we saw the Huns carrying mortars through the mountain passing. We pursued them and attacked before they had the chance, which was a close call, for they already had the mortars set toward Your Majesty's palace. We disrupted their plans and they despaired, running down the mountain. That's when Kinomoto here had the idea of provoking the small avalanche to bury them.'

'So, was the explosion we heard a mortar?' inquired one of the counsellors.

'Yes. We tried to warn the Guard of what was happening,' the Major replied.

Wei turned to Xue Lian. 'Why did you not heed the noise, General?'

The man was speechless. He was certain it had been just some prank with fireworks. 'I could never imagine that would be the Huns attacking from the mountains, Your Majesty.'

The Emperor heaved a sigh, turning once again to the Major and his soldier. 'You once more performed above and beyond your duty, Xiao Lang.' He smiled. 'Where are your men now?'

'They're at the top of the mountain. Many will need care. It was a very difficult fight.'

'But they fought bravely. I knew you would turn those men into brave soldiers, Major.' Wei got closer to him and rested a hand on his shoulder, grateful.

Xiao Lang opened a slow smile. The wise emperor was right. Those men had shown their worth. Something that he himself couldn't see at first.

The emperor turned to Sakura who cast her eyes down. He, then, took a step to the side, standing in front of the young soldier with a somewhat curious gaze.

She clutched her fists to stop them from shaking with the fear of being discovered. Their Emperor was the Son of Heaven, the wisest of men on the Earth.

'Aren't you a bit young to be in the Army?' the elder man inquired.

She bit her lip, holding her breath.

He nodded satisfied and smiled, auspiciously. 'So young and already you have shown your potential and intelligence. I'm sure you'll have a great military future, soldier.'

The Emperor took a step back and ordered Xue Lian to rescue Major Li's troop before departing.

Once both the Emperor and Xue Lian had gone away, Xiao Lang turned to Kinomoto beside him displaying a smug look.

'You did great, Kinomoto. It seems like you carry the military in your blood.' He saw the green-eyed boy flash him an easy smile. 'You just need to grow a beard now,' he joked, lightly tapping his shoulder and walking away.

Sakura was lying down in a comfortable bed. It was quite different from the mat she had in her tent. She looked dazedly at the walls, watching the swaying lanterns hanging on the ceiling create flickering shadows.

After the battle, she and the Major had been taken to the medical ward, along with the rest of their troop. She had to dodge the well-meaning healers to avoid being stripped in front of everybody, tending to her wounds herself. Luckily they were just some scratches and bruises.

Kinomoto Touya, the Major, and the rest of his troop, once thought of as wimps, were now celebrated as brave warriors and heroes. It was odd how life put people into such extreme situations. It had been only a week since the incident with the Huns.

Someone knocked on her door and she made sure that her male hanfu wasn't open before answering to it. She widened her eyes at the sight of the Major wearing an even more elaborate hanfu than the one she wore. At first look, he seemed just like any other noble, but, paying a bit of attention, one could see the many grazings he still had from the recent fight.

'I need to talk to you, soldier.'

Sakura opened the door and let him in. He was, undoubtedly, about to say that the leisure times were over and it was time to get back to work - and to the hard mat in a cold tent.

'What would you like to talk about, Sir?' she inquired straight away.

Xiao Lang grinned and sat on a comfortable armchair. He gazed at the young soldier. A long and intent look that caused Kinomoto to fidget, green eyes darting around the room. 'Sit down. It'll be a long talk.'

Sakura sat on a chair in front of him and tried to relax by snapping her neck and shoulder, but no matter how hard she tried it seemed impossible.

'I'm coming from a meeting with the Emperor. We had been discussing the future of some soldiers and your name came out.'

'My name?' she asked, creasing her brow and tilting her head.

'That's correct. You obviously have a gift for military strategy. Despite being so young, you already show signs of being a prominent warrior and soldier. How old are you, exactly?'

'I'm… I'm 14,' she stuttered, a bit embarrassed for almost telling him the truth. She had to remember to lower her age to justify her meagre body.

'You're still young, but you also have guts. I'm being promoted to General due to our action against the Huns. And I'm promoting you to Captain.'

She stood up in wide-eyed shock. 'A-are you kidding me, Sir?'

He just smirked and leant back with his hands behind his head as he stretched his legs. 'I became a Captain at the age of 16. It looks like you beat me to it. Of course, this means you'll have to go through more improved training than the other soldiers.'

'Will I be able to study?' she asked, trying to hold her anticipation.

'Yes. You'll study artillery, fighting, military strategy and engineering, among other things.'

Sakura stared him with a fixed gaze, unable to move. She would study! When would she ever imagine that? Never!

'Can you read and write?' the Major inquired, watching the delight on the boy's eyes.

'Somewhat,' she muttered.

Because she wasn't a good bride candidate and had lived in the orphanage for a long time, Mr Yang had taught her the very basics of writing and reading so that she'd help him with his correspondence and with running the house. She used to read the few books he kept in his office time and again.

'I'll teach you. The Military Academy is closed because of the war, so I'll start instructing you myself. I'll be your instructor, but I won't take it easy on you. If anything, I'll be even more rigorous than before.'

She frowned, taken aback. 'Even more…? Are you trying to kill me?'

He guffawed at the remark, annoying her. 'I'm not going to kill you. I'll teach you all you need to know to become an excellent warrior.' He stood up to pace around the room. 'If I had a son, I'd want him to be just as smart as you, kid.'

'You still can father children, Sir.'

The man scowled and shook his head. 'Anyway, that doesn't matter right now.'

He started explaining about how the training would proceed.

Sakura listened to every detail in fascination. She'd learn math and science, and to read and write properly; maybe she'd be able to learn other languages from countries far away. Her heart had never been so full of joy. Her mind had never dared to entertain the thought of achieving so much.

'So? What do you say?' Xiao Lang asked as he finished his explanation.

'What do you mean, Sir?'

'Do you accept it? Though, if you refused being instructed by me, you wouldn't be as smart as I thought you were.' He claimed, overbearing.

Sakura raised an eyebrow and felt very tempted to say 'no', just to antagonise him. Looking at the man in front of her, she wondered how could one person be so full of themselves. The Major walked around as if he were the Emperor of China. She knew him to be an excellent warrior. He knew that too, and that was what made him so confident.

The man started tapping his foot, showing impatience at her lack of response.

'Obviously that I do, Sir!' she answered, at last.

He grinned and rubbed his hands together. 'Take the day to rest and relax. We'll start tomorrow.'

'Already?' she asked without thinking about it.

'You already know I can't stand slackers, soldier.' He scolded her.

'Forgive me, Sir,' she replied, bowing in a sign of respect and contrition.

Xiao Lang stared at the little soldier in front of him. 'The Emperor has reallocated our troop to The Forbidden City. We'll continue the basic training from where we stopped and you'll receive extra lessons.'

'So, you'll keep training the other soldiers.'

'Exactly. I'll keep training them with your help.'

'My help?' She startled.

'Why, being a Captain isn't just having a rank added to your name.' His mouth curved into an ironic smile.

'I don't know how to order people around, Sir.'

'Don't worry. You'll learn.' He guaranteed, leaving the room. 'I'm the best instructor you could've asked for.'

Sakura remained staring at the closed door for a few heartbeats. She'd run around screaming at the top of her lungs that she would study if she could. Since she couldn't, she did the next best thing: ran to the bed, jumping on it and laughing as carefree as a child.

'I'm gonna study! I'm gonna study!' she rejoiced, jumping up and down on the bed.

Suddenly, she heard a crack sound and felt as the bed collapsed on the floor. She couldn't stop laughing, even as she got to her feet feeling her back aching.

Sakura, then, took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. 'And you'll have the best student you could've asked for, Major,' she declared confidently.

Abruptly, her door was opened. 'Is everything alright, soldier?' She heard the Major's voice at her back. 'What happened here?'

She tightly closed her hanfu and turned around with a livid face. 'Hm… Well…' she stammered, trying to find a good explanation. 'I think there was termite on the bed.'

"What a ridiculous excuse!" she thought, checking the urge to facepalm herself. "He'll never believe that!"

'Ah, yes. Some of the older furniture really is infested with termites.' He said it collectedly, but without hiding a smug smirk that let no doubt about him not believing her. 'Unfortunately, you'll have to fix that yourself. The Emperor can't provide you with a new bed every night.'

Sakura looked down to hide her blushing face.

He closed the door but opened it again a second later. 'And the next time you want to celebrate, jump over something sturdier, will you?' He was shaking with laughter. 'You're such a child!'

'I'm not a child!' Sakura muttered to the closed door and couldn't help thinking about how Ban used to get mad when people called him that way.

Letting herself fall on the mattress, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes tight, feeling her chest constrict again. Training would never be the same again without her friend there.

She opened her eyes again, staring at the ceiling. 'I'll show him, Ban! I'll definitely show him!'

Sakura stood still beside her commanding officer at the ceremony of distinction in which she'd been promoted to Captain. That was a great honour bestowed upon her, however, the joy she should be feeling was tainted by the knowledge that many of her colleagues hadn't survived. She wasn't really close to the men in the troop other than Ban and Yancha, but would still miss some of the familiar faces.

She swallowed hard, watching as the Lord of Ten Thousand Years and His Imperial Highness, Prince Yue, and other nobles proceeded with the rites to honour the dead and celebrate the living.

Emperor Wei had been truly elated at granting the former Major his promotion. He couldn't even disguise how proud he was about having the man as a General in his army.

Sakura had noticed - though it would take a blind man not to do so - that Li Xiao Lang was held in high regard by the Emperor. The Major… That is, the General had mentioned earlier that he had requested the decoration to be held in a simpler manner, but the Emperor had been adamant about celebrating his achievements.

She cast a sideways glance to the General. He was looking even more stoic than usual; she hadn't ever thought that such a thing was possible. He politely refused any drinks offered to him, unlike any other military or noble around the room.

Her eyes surveyed the room and locked on the Imperial Dames at the other side of the Great Hall. The older women were in front of the young ones as if protecting them from the men in the chamber. Sakura saw them graciously strolling to where she and the General were standing to congratulate them for their promotion before leaving the celebration.

They were all of them with their heads down, as it was expected of women. Despite being dressed in gorgeous attires, made of the purest silk, and embellished headdresses, those women were also oppressed. The only difference between them and any other women in China was the fact that they were covered in gold.

The Dames said nothing; just curtsied as one after another paraded in front of the two of them. One of the younger Dames, just a kid, really, stumbled on the seam of her hanfu, falling on her knees.

Sakura involuntarily took a step ahead, reaching out to help the girl up, but felt the General hold her arm, halting her action.

'I was just going to help,' she clarified, puzzled at his attitude.

'You mustn't touch an Imperial Dame,' he muttered emphatically. 'She's a Princess.'

Sakura straightened up, vexed at not being able to help. She saw one of the older women roughly pull her up, berating the princess with hissing words.

The girl lifted her head with her eyes in flames, as she frowned at the hissing woman, and her beautiful ruby-brownish eyes met Sakura's, who couldn't help smiling at the girl's little sign of defiance. The princess widened her eyes and swiftly lowered her head, with a flushed face, before curtsying and departing.

'I saw that, Kinomoto,' the General muttered as the Dames walked away. 'Don't even think about it. Princess Mei Ling is already promised in marriage.'

Sakura frowned at hearing that. 'She looks so young. She's just a child.'

Xiao Lang grinned. 'High-ranking officers can get married to Imperial Dames, with the blessing of the Emperor. However, you're still too young and the rank of "Captain" isn't enough to earn you a Princess. You still have a long way to go.'

She gave him a rueful grin. 'Haven't you heard me say that she's just a child? She isn't even of age to get married, yet. Plus, I don't intend on getting married.'

'Good!' he said, resting his hand on her slim shoulder. 'Marriages are only useful to sire a son. Other than that, it's just an inconvenience to a career military.'

She just stared at the General, who pursed his mouth in a self-satisfied smirk and shook her head, taking a deep breath. Looking away from him, she wondered how would she endure hearing all that nonsense without replying.

"May Buddha help me control my tongue," she thought.

To be continued.

Edited: November 28th, 2019.