The water gripped her with its icy hand. It grabbed at folds in her dress and pulled at them weighing her down. The wind whipped at her face but she knew seeking cover beneath the water would only lead to her death. She spotted the raft disappearing over the crest of a wave and began a desperate breaststroke towards it. The sea churned irritably as though intent on keeping its prisoner. Cai struggled as hard as she could but try as she might; she was fighting a losing battle. Cai knew all about losing battles, having fought, and won, many herself. However she was the daughter of Zhang Fei, both of them famed for their fighting prowess and skill, not for their swimming ability. Cai quickly discovered this as her legs began to feel like two sacks of lead and her confident breaststroke receded to a half-hearted doggy paddle. Her breath became short and sharp, her lungs half frozen by the torrent of water. She noticed Yue Ying screaming for her from the raft, before Cai slipped beneath the water.
The sound of the storm was stopped instantly. Cai felt herself sinking but she was too weak to keep swimming. Bubbles eased themselves from her mouth as the last of her air supply began to run out.
"What a shame. After winning Chi Bi am I to die here? Father forgive me… Ping, don't forget me."
Her lungs screamed for air but Cai felt strangely calm. She was so tired. She needed rest. Her eyelids slowly slid shut and her body fell limp. All was dark and quiet. "Goodbye… Ping…"
Guan Yu collapsed into the sand. Beside him Liu Bei fell to his knees, breathing heavily. Their swim had been a difficult one. The various tides and currents had been merciless and at the same time Yu had been dragging a passenger along with him. Suddenly remembering his fellow officer Yu pushed himself up onto all fours and looked at the small girl, who was lying completely still. "My lord," Yu rasped, "we have to help Cai." Bei nodded resolutely and the two of them positioned themselves around Cai's limp body. "What can we do?" Bei asked Yu worry showing clear upon his face. Yu shook his head deep in thought, he had been the one to rescue Cai from under the water and he'd be damned if he would let her go now. Remembering the few things he had picked up from times when his brother had become similar to this, due to alcohol, he began to take charge.
A figure dressed in purple watched from the trees. He could see the two familiar generals and he knew of the girl who was still lying, unconscious. The moon hung high in the sky and its eerie glow illuminated the beach and left the sea depicting an inky spill. He knew that at the moment the least important thing to them were pathetic Shu officers but all the same he could never miss such an opportunity. He gestured to the three officers lurking in the shadows and they fanned out between the trees, their eyes glued to the hulking shape of Guan Yu. Eventually Liu Bei, the leader of Shu, rose happily to his feet and pulled a shaky Cai up with him. The shadows could hear their laughter. Then with a single flick of his fan the three officers burst through the trees.
Bei was caught completely by surprise, a scimitar held to his throat. Guan Yu roared with anger and rushed towards his master. However a flamboyantly dressed figure brought him to his knees with sharp claws. Cai gasped as a gigantic bald man grabbed her by the arm and hurled her roughly to the ground. Her knees scuffed and her head still fuzzy from lack of oxygen, she still managed to recognise a familiar cackle.
"Well, well, well." Sima Yi giggled as he emerged from the trees his purple robe, impossibly dry and clean, his black fan held lazily in his hand. Guan Yu snorted angrily but Zhang He pushed his head down once more. Yi strolled over to Bei. "My dear Liu Bei. What happened to you? Captured so easily. You should know better," he taunted. Xiahou Dun, Bei's captor sneered aggravatingly. "And Guan Yu! You must be so embarrassed to have failed to protect your "brother"." Yu struggled to his feet throwing He off him.
"You insolent little…" But Yi interrupted, "no… no… this won't do. You have no power here. I am in command…"
"I don't think that's quite true!" Hollered a voice from the trees. Yu noticed Yi falter for a moment before his demeanour retained its usual smugness. Cao Pi ambled out from between the trees, his arm wrapped around Lady Zhen Ji.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to Ji. Her perfect complexion shone ethereally in the moons glow and her lips were a dark red. Cai noticed that all the generals, even Bei and Yu, were staring longingly at the stunning woman before them. Cai felt almost jealous. Glancing away, enviously, Cai noticed that Wei was not looking at Ji, instead looking down at the ground, or was he looking at her? She couldn't quite be sure, as the moment their gazes met he looked away angrily.
"Forgive me Lord Cao Pi." Yi said slimily, "Obviously you are in charge here."
"And don't you forget it." Pi snarled, striding towards Bei, pulling Ji alongside him.
"My dear wife." Pi began, "what should we do with this snivelling maggot?"
Ji detached herself from Pi's arm and swanked over to Bei. In her presence Dun puffed out his chest, stood up straight and gave her a nervous smile. Which she returned tenfold.
"My Husband. Why not eliminate your enemy while you can? Why not kill Liu Bei."
At this Yu protested and He had to struggle to maintain his grip on the huge warriors shoulder, his claws cutting into Yu's arms.
"Ha. My Wife is eager to see the end of Bei."
Dun pressed his sword to Bei's throat questioningly. But Pi shook his head.
"No. He may yet prove useful. Dig a pit and throw them in."
Bei hit the earth hard and fell to his hands and knees. Yu hit the soil next to him shortly after. Wei began to lower Cai gently into the pit, before changing his mind and dropping her callously to the floor.
"Dun. Guard the pit. Keep them quiet." Pi barked, before striding off Ji in tow. Dun gave Ji a small, embarrassed wave that caused her to giggle.
"Don't let them out." Yi reiterated to Dun.
"Why don't you guard if you're so good at it," Dun replied.
"I have no time for such trivialities. It is vital I complete my task."
"And what would that be?" Dun asked sarcastically.
"I can't tell you. But by the end of it, Shu will have been dealt a deadly blow and they'll have no idea who from." With that Yi marched off gesturing for He and Wei to follow.
Down in the pit Bei shook his head in disbelief. "The storm was bad enough. But now this?"
"Forgive me my lord…" Yu began but Bei cut him off, "Please call me Bei or Brother my title means nothing here," he said gesturing to the steep sides of the pit they were in.
"Do you think the others are alright?" Cai asked.
"I would hope so." Bei replied
"Hope so. Yes." A tear formed in Cai's eye "Me too," she wiped it furiously from her cheek and turned to lean her back against the pit wall.
"Did Tong ever…" Cai began.
"No. I didn't see him again."
"Do you think he's…"
"Dead? I would hope not."
"I hope Ping's ok." Cai concluded.
"So do I" replied Yu.
"Yu. I am amazed you can show so much love for that boy considering…"
"Shut up down there!" Yelled Dun from above, throwing a stone down into the pit, which hit Yu in the leg.
"Now is not the time for talking," Bei whispered, "We are all very tired after our battle and our dangerous arrival here. So let's try to get some rest."
"Can none of you handle a bow?" Yi screeched angrily.
"My brother could," Dun mumbled sadly.
"I mean someone who is here you idiot!" Yi retorted, "Anyone of you? Where's Wei?"
"He's watching the prisoners. Again."
"What about you He?"
"I have not got beautiful skill with a bow."
Yi pushed past He angrily and marched over to the green-cloaked person sitting on a fallen tree.
"You!" He said pointing at the small man, "you can use a bow come with me."
"I'd really rather not…" the man mumbled.
"You have no choice. Come on!"
Wei watched the three figures sleeping silently. He noticed the way that Cai's hair obscured parts of her face as she slept and her eyes flickered ever so slightly open. One hand rested beneath her head the other curled in her lap. Her legs entwined and curled up to make herself even smaller.
"You look positively transfixed." Called a voice from behind Wei.
Wei turned to see Ji strutting towards him. "Something about the prisoners caught your eye?"
Wei shook his head and turned away from her. Ji placed her hand against Wei's cheek and turned his face towards her. "My dear Wei. What could be the matter?" She stuck out her chest provocatively, her lips parted to reveal a shimmer of perfect white teeth. But Wei was not interested.
"I have a job to do." He muttered, "don't you have somewhere to be?" Ji's smile fell from her lips like an avalanche to be replaced with contemptuous rage.
"I see! I am wasting my time here! You are obviously too interested in staring at the prisoners. What is it about that Xing Cai? Her face is like a towel!"
"Perhaps some girls do not to make themselves look like tramps to attract men" He replied glancing at the large amount of leg and cleavage her dress showed.
"Wha… i…" She stuttered,
"Oh and by the way some girls are happy with just one affair"
She muttered for a moment her eyes flicking back and forth thinking of something to say before shrieking loudly.
Spinning on her heel she flounced off looking for Dun or perhaps He.
"You idiot!" Yi growled, "you had one job and you failed. Miserably!"
The man in green quivered, though only his eyes showed you could tell his expression was one of dread.
"Why couldn't you do it? You have killed many before, what was it about this guy? If it weren't for me this whole plan would have failed!"
"My Lord… i…"
"NO! Do not try to sweet talk me. I will punish you. If you care so much about our victim then you can guard the prisoners! But if you betray me," Yi leaned close and stared into the other man's eyes, "I will not hesitate to kill you."
With that Yi stormed off and the green figure made his way slowly over to the pit. Finding Wei there, in a dreamlike state. He settled himself down cross-legged on the floor and looked at the three people so very familiar to him. Lord Liu Bei looking down at the floor, Yu still fast asleep and Cai staring right back at him…
"Well. Well," she snarled, "Betrayed anyone else lately Tong?"
Finally that Chapter is done and the Wei characters have landed
I hope you like the way I've chosen to portray them.
I'd also like to thank:
Happy-Spirit
Super Sailor Vegatta-Sei
Mal
For reviewing!
By the way in the last chapter I killed off Jiang Wei NOT Wei Yan just in case anyone was confused.
PLEASE, PLEASE READ + REVIEW