-I will get back to writing my other stories after writing at least 6-8 chapters of this story. I like to write this story more, plus I have more ideas for this story, if you have read my others, Ideas would be happily accepted! Anyway onto the next chapter. Enjoy!-

Xao was backed into a corner. There were three guards standing outside her door while Lu Bu 'checked in' on her. He paced up and down the room, while she cowered. She wasn't very good under pressure.

"Fine" She admitted. "I am the Fox that everyone is talking about. But I was just minding my own business. Your troops shouldn't have killed the thoughtful old man that lived there. That wasn't right! If all you wanted was me, I would gladly come with you!" She shouted. Lu Bu stood for a second then continued his pacing as he thought of what to say next. Despite all the rumors about Lu Bu, he was a ruthless warrior, yes. But what most didn't know was that he was a great thinker, although not in comparison with the likes of Sima Yi, Lu Meng and Zhuge Liang. They were the greatest minds that China owned.

Cai Xao continued to cower. "You are a faithful officer of Dong Zhuo yes?" She asked in a calm tone. He nodded, politely. "Then can you at least tell me something?"

Lu Bu sighed. He was always doing Dong Zhuo's dirty work. Right now the old man was watching his dancers perform while he gobbled up all the food that was served on his table. But he was glad. Zhuo would have made her serve under him, more than likely in the Dancer's unit. At least then he could use her for his plan, she had quick feet and that would be useful. "Alright."

"Where is my horse and my bow? They were both taken away from me, one after the other."

Bu sighed again. "What is your horse like?" He questioned.

"He is dark chestnut and has hooves that shine like the full moon at midnight, but he is very disobedient with others. He hates people petting his nose, and he answers to no-one but me." She stammered. "Oh and his name is Ares."she added.

"He was one of the horses that was captured in the raids. He is in the northwest stables, not to far from here. I took my liking to him and now he sits in my stable with Red Hare, my faithful and loyal steed."

"And my Bow?"

"All weapons that are found on the people we take as prisoners are taken to a special storage." He looked really bored.

"And what about you?" Lu Bu grinned. "Why do you follow Dong Zhuo around?" She asked meekly. She cowered into the corner as he towered over her.

"Because...because..." He started. A thick figure bursted through the door. Dong Zhuo had finally finished following his lust and appetite for the day.

"My son," He said putting his large, meaty hand on Bu's shoulder. "Did you interrogate her like I asked?" He nodded. Zhuo turned away from his son and faced Xao. "So did she admit it?"

"Yes my lord, it seems the fox does not do well under pressure." Bu said proudly. He sneered, and walked out of the doors. Damn, Bu thought, I was just about to ask her for help in my plan and then he comes bursting in, I knew I should have said it as soon as I started to interrogate her. Now it will be hard to get a moment alone with her. Damn you Father! Xao heard Bu curse under his breath. He must be very angry about something.

"Well, Xao," Zhuo said lightly. "Why were you wandering around my provinces?" Xao gave him a small scowl. Why should she tell him why she was traveling? Especially with the way he looked at her. She shook her head, folded her arms and put her back to his perverted gaze.

Zhuo tapped his foot after several minutes of silence.

"Stubborn, eh? Guards!" He shouted. "Bring the whip!"

After a short wait, a guard, clad in purple armor, handed him a long, elasticated whip. It rested in his hand. Grinning, he threw the end of the whip behind him and forced it forward, it slashed against Cai's back. She yelled out in pain.

"Fine!" She yelled as he laughed tyrannically. "I will speak!" She rubbed her back, it was wet and when she looked at her hand, it was coated in a thick layer of her own scarlet blood. "Bastard." She mouthed at him, when he was concentrating on throwing the whip to the side. "I was going to ask to join your forces, but when I was trying to find your stronghold, it seemed you found me before I could find you." she smoothly lied.

"I would be glad that the Fox from Zhang Zhou would want to join my force, but... I think there is something you are not telling me. Why would the fox be so far from home? It came to my knowledge that the fox never left her province. Tell me really why you did come here?" He asked.

"My village was burned by the yellow turbans, when they had just begun to rebel. I had no choice but to travel." Sobbing gently she put her head in her hands. Zhuo but his large hand on her tiny shoulder.

"That is fair enough fox. I sense we shall get along in the future, for now though, to toughen you up some more, I shall leave you here."

The guards had shackled her after Dong Zhuo left. A little while later, A knock emanated from the outside.

"May I come in?" A tiny, but beautiful voice asked.

"Yes..." she took in a large mouthful of dusty air and sighed. "Everyone else has." The handle creaked downwards and the door opened to reveal a small woman, dressed from head to toe in pink. She had a baby face hidden behind the fringe of her glossy, light brown hair. A small purple clip held it all in place. The unknown lady was carrying a tray that had several bowls balanced on its surface. She walked over and stood near to where Xao was shackled to the stone wall.

"A heard from Master Bu that you had been whipped, therefore I have brought water to clean up your wounds with. I apologize for my lord's earlier behavior." She placed the tray on the cold floor and took a small iron key from underneath her well pinned hair. "The guards are so gullible." She said, slyly. She strode over to where Xao was pinned to the wall and tried the key in the lock. It unlocked after a gentle twist. Xao flexed her arms; it felt good.

"So," She said. "My name is Diao Chan, a brilliant songstress, that serves under Lord Zhuo." Xao was about to speak before she was interrupted by Chan. "My, my!" She gasped as she saw the amount of blood that had spilled over her robes. "My lady, Dong Zhuo talked of finding you one day, I knew he would succeed, eventually. I never thought much of you until I saw you. I can see why his lord wants you so. Fox you are so beautiful, yet crafty resilient and brave. It reminds me of my mother, who died valiantly on the battlefield." She whittled while she worked on Xao's scarlet wound.

"Diao Chan? I have heard that name before. You were a cast out after your mother died. Your father threw you out of his castle, when you were found by Lu Bu, after wandering for days. Thereafter you joined Lu Bu amongst the ranks of his adopted father, Dong Zhuo." She asked, unsure of whether the tale she recounted, was Diao Chan's tale.

"Right," She confirmed, as she washed the cloth being used to wipe down her wounds, in the bowl of clear water. "I would be obliged if you were to eat something. You look starved." She pushed the tray towards Xao, who accepted it, with ease.

"Thankyou." She said gratefully. "I will enjoy it with your comfort, Chan." Chan continued to clean, while Xao munched, rather hungrily on the food provided.

Screams emanated from outside the small window, the next night. Xao rose quickly, to see a house burning in the distance. Raiders, she thought, the people in the small town below must be helped!

"Guards!" She yelled again and again. "You have to get down there and help!" There was no answer. "PLEASE!" She yelled. There was still no answer. She pushed on the door, it creaked open softly. There were no guards outside her room... therefore she could make her escape...

-Just had to make it a cliffhanger. I thought it would be more interesting for you all! Anyway I will do the next chapter soon I promise, but first I have some layton to attend to...-