A/N: Hello there again. Sorry for this late update. But here we are. WARNING: Xing Cai will be the most annoying and lamest person you will have ever met. You are forewarned. Please enjoy.
Ma Chao was wearing rough, dirty prison clothes. But that was the least of his worries. What was Xing Cai doing? Was she thinking of him as he was thinking of her? He wanted to get out of his prison. Not for freedom, but to see Xing Cai. How he missed her.
"Hey, someone's here to see you," said a gruff voice which belonged to one of the guards.
Ma Chao turned slowly to see who it was but instantly jumped up when it was Xing Cai who appeared. He ran to the bars and tried to reach for her. But Xing Cai was standing out of range and once again, Ma Chao felt her cold glare on him.
"Xing Cai!" he called out in joy. "You came!"
Xing Cai was elated to see him, but she forced a stoic appearance on herself. She beckoned one of the guards to release him. They were to dress Ma Chao in his usual clothes and let him out.
"Is Liu Shan letting me leave?" asked Ma Chao. "Have you come to take me back?"
Xing Cai clenched the sword behind her back. She watched silently as the guards came and bound Ma Chao's arms tightly by his sides.
Ma Chao looked about, turning his head to the two guards who were tying him up with sturdy rope. He looked up at Xing Cai. "What's happening? Aren't I free?"
"No," said Xing Cai, her voice void of emotion. She nodded to the guards when they had finished tying him up. "Follow me," she beckoned.
Ma Chao saw the sword. "You…are you—"
"Shut up and follow," Xing Cai growled. She was unhappy with herself; for causing Ma Chao such pain and confusion. Xing Cai glared at the man because he wasn't following.
"Xing Cai, you aren't going to—"
Xing Cai grabbed Ma Chao by the collar and pulled him out the door of the prison. It was still quite early in the morning. Xing Cai dragged Ma Chao through a less busy street and out of the city through a quiet exit. No one seemed to notice the two generals.
They arrived at a green grassy field. Xing Cai continued to trudge on.
"Xing Cai! Can you tell me what's going on?" shouted Ma Chao, digging his feet into the ground to stop their march. She let go of his collar and turned to face him. The field was quiet enough, no one was around. Just the two, standing in the middle of nature.
"Liu Shan told me to kill you," muttered Xing Cai, looking at the ground.
Ma Chao stared at her in horror. "He couldn't…you can't be serious!"
Xing Cai's hand moved to the sword handle. "On your knees, General Ma."
"Xing Cai! You would…kill me?" asked Ma Chao in a just audible whisper.
"Do I need to repeat myself, General Ma?" answered Xing Cai coldly. Her heart clenched when she heard him sigh. She was sure it was a sigh of giving up. Ma Chao got down to his knees in front of Xing Cai.
"If Xing Cai wills it, then let me die," declared Ma Chao. "I will be content to die by your hands."
Xing Cai walked behind Ma Chao. She could not meet his eyes. Ma Chao closed his eyes and bowed his head.
"But…I thought you loved me," added Ma Chao softly.
"Duty above all else, Chao," replied Xing Cai, forgetting to call him General Ma. She pulled the sword out of its sheath, gripping the handle so tightly it hurt. "I should do what Liu Shan tells me to do."
"So it ends here," grunted Ma Chao.
I… Xing Cai drew her sword arm back. She closed her eyes, hoping with all her heart that everything was just a dream. But when she opened them again, Ma Chao was still there, kneeling, his back facing her. She swung the sword down. Can't do it. The sword sliced through the ropes, freeing Ma Chao's arms. Ma Chao looked up and turned around in surprise.
"Not this time though," Xing Cai looked away, her eyes were watery with tears. "I can't follow his orders."
Ma Chao picked himself up and ran to hug Xing Cai. He looked out over the field as he embraced her. "So there is something above duty to you," he whispered. Xing Cai dropped the sword and returned the hug.
"Yes," muttered Xing Cai in reply. "The life of a loved one." She could not put up the act anymore. What Liu Shan had told her to do was too difficult for her. She could not kill Ma Chao. Indeed, duty was not above all else.
Ma Chao moved and kissed Xing Cai. She no longer had the will to stop him; her desires took over. Ma Chao was a little taken aback at first when Xing Cai was willing.
"Cai…I thought—"
Xing Cai silenced him with a kiss, then pulled away. "I thought you wanted this. Why so many questions?"
Ma Chao laughed lightly. "Yeah, you're right." They dropped to the ground and lay in the grassy field, kissing. Ma Chao already knew the answer to his questions. Xing Cai still loved him, and that was all there was to it. But thoughts continued to spin around his head.
"You're Liu Shan's wife," blurted out Ma Chao.
"We never consummated our marriage," muttered Xing Cai in reply. Ma Chao let out a soft gasp. But he did not have enough time to think on it. If both he and Xing Cai wanted each other, then no one could stop them. Ma Chao felt Xing Cai's slender hand move to his waist belt and with a gentle tug, his robes fell away…
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They lay in the grass under the sky, their clothing a little askew. Ma Chao smiled, lying side by side with Xing Cai, hand in hand. He wished everyday could be like that. He rolled over and planted a kiss on Xing Cai's cheek.
"Will you stay with me?" asked Ma Chao once again.
Xing Cai's eyes snapped open and she looked into Ma Chao's. After a long moment of hesitation she said, "…No."
"What? But did we not just…doesn't it mean anything to you?" Ma Chao asked. He was hopeful that she would comply, but she had shattered the hope.
Xing Cai sighed. "I…" she thought for a long moment, but could not come up with another excuse. "I was selfish. I wanted you, and I hated Liu Shan for sending me to kill you. But I couldn't do it, yet I can't leave with you, or I would shame my family." She laughed sarcastically. "How ironic, I already have shamed them. I married Liu Shan, loving you, didn't consummate the marriage with him and now…you and I have already…" she paused a little. "I'm so horrible and selfish." I just wanted to leave you with something special.
Ma Chao gripped Xing Cai's hand. He didn't want to let go. "It doesn't matter, I still love you."
"I am selfish! I can't let go of you, no matter what I try. I want you to forget me, but at the same time, I want you to remember and love me, as I love you. I hate myself," shouted Xing Cai. She got up, but she felt a tug on her hand; Ma Chao was still holding it. He too got up.
"I'm not going to let go of you," declared Ma Chao. Xing Cai pried his hand off hers.
"You have to, Chao. I'm sorry," said Xing Cai. She looked away. "You've got to go, leave this place. Right now, you're supposed to be dead, killed by Xing Cai." She turned back to Ma Chao. "Don't come anywhere near Cheng Du, or else you will bring trouble to yourself and I!"
Xing Cai turned and walked off a little way. Then she paused. "Promise me you'll leave, Ma Chao." She blinked at him and then continued on her way, leaving Ma Chao all alone. He clenched his fists and headed off in the opposite direction to Xing Cai. But he stopped. How could he leave without money? He could not return to Cheng Du, in case anyone saw him and spoke about him in front of Liu Shan. If that happened, then Liu Shan would do something unfathomable to Xing Cai.
Zhao Yun.
Ma Chao's best friend, and the one who encouraged him to persuade Xing Cai. He would help him, Ma Chao knew he would. In a sure, swift pace, Ma Chao retraced his steps, back towards Cheng Du. Zhao Yun would be at training, so Ma Chao headed for the training grounds to find his friend.
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"So, my dear, how did it go?" asked Liu Shan, looking into a mirror. He had seen Xing Cai's reflection in it when she entered his room.
Xing Cai shoved the sword on the table, in front of Liu Shan.
"As you wanted it, my lord," said Xing Cai stoically. Liu Shan nodded and smiled as he returned the sword to its place in a weapon rack.
"Good. You are a very reliable woman, you know? Now, let's go out and have dinner," said Liu Shan who got up from his chair.
Xing Cai faked a smile. She took hold of one of Liu Shan's jackets and put it on for him.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ma Chao watched silently from behind a tree as his fellow colleagues trained. He spotted Zhao Yun having a mock battle with Yan Yan, who quickly won him. When training ended, Ma Chao felt that he was in luck because Zhao Yun was walking in his direction.
"Psst, Yun," whispered Ma Chao, just loud enough to be heard. Zhao Yun looked around and finally found Ma Chao when Ma Chao signalled. Zhao Yun frowned a bit, looked around to see if anyone was watching him and silently glided over to Ma Chao.
They walked away from the training area and into a thick grove of trees and shrubs.
"Why are you hiding?" asked Zhao Yun immediately when they had gotten over to somewhere quiet, away from anyone's ears.
"Look," whispered Ma Chao. "Liu Shan sent Cai to assassinate me."
Zhao Yun stared at him before asking, "What?! Xing Cai? To kill you?"
"You heard me. So, obviously, Cai didn't kill me, because I'm still here. She let me go, but I've got to leave Cheng Du. If I hang around here any longer, and word gets out that I'm still alive…" Ma Chao sighed and shook his head sadly. "I don't know what he'd do to Xing Cai. And he would want me dead for sure."
Zhao Yun thought silently as the information was processed through his head. "So you're going to leave."
"As much as I don't want to do that, I have to. For Xing Cai's safety," said Ma Chao. "I came to you because you are my friend, and I have one last favour to ask from you. Could you bring me some money and clothes? I can't leave without money, and I can't walk around in my usual gear."
Zhao Yun gripped Ma Chao's shoulder. "You're not going to leave."
Ma Chao brushed Zhao Yun's hand off. "What? Do you want me to—"
"Hush, Ma Chao, I'm not going to leave you die. I have a little cottage on the outskirts of Cheng Du. If you stayed there, there will be a very minimal chance for you to be seen. And, you can stay close. I'm sure you don't want to give up on Xing Cai yet," explained Zhao Yun.
He remembered what Xing Cai had said before she left him at the field. "Promise me you'll leave, Ma Chao."
Ma Chao stared at his friend. I'm sorry, Xing Cai…I don't think I can promise you. He nodded. "Alright, I'll do that."
Zhao Yun smiled and slapped him on the shoulder. "Don't give up, Chao."
Ma Chao clenched his fist and assumed a confident look. "I won't."
"At night fall, I'll take you to the cottage," said Zhao Yun who then held out his hand. "I need your keys so I can bring your things to you."
Ma Chao handed them to him and waited in the shadow of the trees for night to fall, and for Zhao Yun to return. All his hopes were on Zhao Yun. Ma Chao didn't know how he could have managed the time when Xing Cai told him she was going to marry Liu Shan without Yun's support.
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Ma Chao walked into the little cottage beside a lake on the outskirts of town. The path towards the cottage was not very travelled, it would be highly unlikely that anyone would see Ma Chao if he stayed at the cottage. It had a backyard, large enough for training so that Ma Chao could keep his skills up. Zhao Yun unloaded some essentials for Ma Chao onto the dinner table.
"I didn't know you had a little house out here," said Ma Chao as he explored his new temporary home.
"No one does," answered Zhao Yun. "Hey, tell me if I've left anything that your really need. I couldn't take anymore without looking like a thief."
Ma Chao glanced at his things and smiled at Zhao Yun. "I am really grateful for everything you've done for me. But…why?"
Zhao Yun kept silent for a while before answering, "Because you're my friend." His attention turned back to Ma Chao's stuff, but Ma Chao stopped him.
"Friends may help friends, but I know there's something more as to why you're helping me so…much! You, Dragon of Changshan who saved Liu Shan by charging out of a million troops—"
"I'm sorry I saved him. He's causing you and Xing Cai so much distress," interjected Zhao Yun.
Ma Chao ignored the statement. "You're a loyal soldier. Why are encouraging me to defy our lord and persuade Xing Cai to come back to me? It's not your style, Zhao Yun."
Zhao Yun sighed and gestured to the seats at the table. "Fine. Sit."
They both sat, and Zhao Yun, looking Ma Chao in the eye, told him the real reason. "I too love Xing Cai."
Out of all the possibilities, Ma Chao had not been expecting such an answer. He watched his friend, stunned.
With another sigh, Zhao Yun continued on. "Xing Cai only thinks of me as her mentor. I told her I liked her, but she rejected me. Despite that, I still love and care for her." He smiled to himself. "And then you came. I was jealous of you, because you and her got on so well. Every time she got back from one of your outings, she was so full of…joy! After the death of Zhang Fei, you were the only one who could make her happy. I felt glad that she was happy, but depressed that it wasn't I who helped her through the sudden loss of her father."
Ma Chao did not know what to say. He was lost for words as Zhao Yun confessed his feelings. "I…" stammered Ma Chao.
"I'll do the talking," declared Zhao Yun. "In the end, I just want Xing Cai to be happy. If she is, then I will be content. That is why I help you, because I know Xing Cai finds no satisfaction in Liu Shan. She will only be truly happy if she is with you. Understand why I'm helping you now?"
"So, by helping me, you are—"
"Helping myself. I'm kind of selfish, huh? Even the supposed hero has flaws."
"You're love for Cai is really strong," muttered Ma Chao.
Zhao Yun grinned. "You're lucky, Chao. Cai's a really wonderful and gentle woman. Don't lose her."
"I owe you a lot," said Ma Chao with a light laugh. "I don't know how I could thank you!"
Zhao Yun shook his head in objection. "I'm only doing what I think I should do. For you, my best friend, and the woman I love. If really must 'thank' me though...just win Xing Cai back. True love should not be stopped. I wish the best for you and Xing Cai."
"You are indeed my best friend."
"Of course I am!"
Both men laughed, and the heavy mood was lifted.
"So, you stay here, and I'll bring food to you every week. You cook fine, right?" asked Zhao Yun.
"So-so. Not that great, but it'll be edible! I'll pay you back," answered Ma Chao.
"Of course! I'm not paying for your food! You're not even paying me rent for this house!"
Ma Chao laughed and nodded.
"If there's no real need, don't leave the cottage. The back yard should be big enough for training," said Zhao Yun. "We don't want to take any unnecessary risks." He got up from the chair. "Come on, let's get this place ready for you."
Ma Chao tilted his head to the side. "What?"
Zhao Yun swiped a finger across the dining table and it was coated with dust. "I haven't been here for a long time. And I brought your things here, so you should put those in their places as well."
"I don't know what I would have done without a friend like you," said Ma Chao as we stood up and pushed his chair out of the way.
"Oh get over it. I told you why I'm doing this for you," answered Zhao Yun. He shoved a feathery thing with a handle in front of Ma Chao's face. "Feather duster! Get cleaning."
Ma Chao grinned and told hold of the duster and started cleaning as he was told.
"Well, Chao, as long as you're here in Shu, I'll be your friend for life," declared Zhao Yun.
Ma Chao smiled to himself as he remembered Zhao Yun saying that when they first met. He was a friend for life indeed.
Well, I hope you liked it! I have exams next week so, until after then...I probably won't be updating. Anyways…
Thank you for reading. REVIEW~~ Please!!