I do not own any of the DW characters; they belong to Koei or whoever. I do own the OC and some minor characters that might pop up.

The warm air was soothing to my skin. I stood in the light of the ethereal plane, watching Nu Wa at a distance. She had returned to her angelic appearance of flowing robes and free hair. Her face held a visage of calm anger. I knew it was time for her to judge me. I took a deep breath, ready for whatever she had in store for me. Her features suddenly cracked. Gone was her stern look, in its place was a grateful smile.

"I see I had been too quick to view you as a failure." She spoke as she neared me. She came to a stop directly in front of me. Reaching up she took hold of my ivory braid. He eyes held a dim spark as she stared at the strand. "This piece of me, I gave to you to seal our deal. It seems to have taken your fear and replaced it with a great deal of determination and wit. Thank you, Koa." Her eyes flicked up to meet my own. I felt her look over my soul during her pause. "Are you truly ready to face the nothing if I chose to send you?" I let my answer shine in my eyes. She released my hair and stepped back from me a pace. He white hair swayed with the gentle shaking of her head. "No, you have proven yourself worthy of you actions. I will spare you such a fate. However, our original deal was that you would be returned to your own time when your task was complete. I see now that you do not wish that."

"It would be returning me to another nothing." My words caused her to nod. She knew what had transpired during my time home.

"Very well, you shall remain. Keep my celestial blade as your own, a reward for your bravery. " She raised her and to me, the light increased to a blinding level. I felt the cold of reality return to my body just as her final words reached my ears, "Tell your tale to your coming favor."

I opened my eyes to find myself exactly where I had fallen asleep. The light that passed through the cloth told me it was early morning. Outside I could hear horses being shuffled around it must time to pack up. I stood and stretched out my body. Then I knelt down and packed away the bedding I had used. Xing Cai had woken while I was doing so. She helped me figure out how to tie up everything correctly and where to put it when we finished. She and I then went about taking down our tent and packing it on to a cart that carried the supplies of Shu. She went off to find food while I chose to stay and help others prepare to leave. By noon, the town of canvas was turned into a trampled meadow.

I stood looking around; the feeling of pride for helping filled my body and brightened my face with a broad smile. Sun Quan's army took the boats and we waved to them as they pushed their way through the river, carefully passing the burnt remains of the Wei fleet. I spotted Tong and Ning by the rail on one of the larger vessels. I directed a wave toward them. They returned it, Ning with reluctance. A hand on my shoulder caused me to turn.

My eyes fell on a bowl of food. Zhao Yun told me that I needed to eat quickly; we were to depart soon. I walked toward a group of other hurriedly eating by the camp cook while he rushed them so that he could pack up the last of his dishes and be ready to move out. I only ate about half the food when another solider ran up and began to beg the large man for some food. He argued that he had been helping others pack and had not eaten yet. The cook informed him that there was nothing left. I offered the poor man the remaining food I had. He graciously accepted. It took me a minute to locate Bay; he was fully tacked and ready to go. The gilded golden wings of the hilt of the blade attached to his saddle, the blade incased in a makeshift sheathe. I gave him a rub and mounted.

As the last few stragglers fell into formation, we were ready for the order to begin. I took a position toward the back of the caravan beside the cook's wagon. Bay stomped the ground, impatience over having to wait. Quick hoof beats indicated the approach of another rider. Zhao Yun stopped his white steed in front of me.

"Come this way. Lord Liu Bei would like you to join us at the front." He informed me. I gave Bay a nudge to follow the man to the very start of the large train of carts, horses, and people. At the front Liu Bei tipped his head to me in greeting, I returned the gesture. Then the order went out and with a few yells and some creaking of wooden wheels the caravan shuddered to life. The journey back to Cheng Du was to take almost a week to make. We would travel for most of the day, starting early, stopping for a short lunch around midday, and making camp with the fading sun light. I rode every day at the front, behind the Lord and his brothers, next to Zhao Yun. We spent most of the travel merrily talking with one another. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu would compare their tales of past battle, they usually ending in one claiming the other were lying, and the rest of us laughing as the men began to bicker. Zhao Yun would sometimes share one of his own tales, the others adding in heroic details he left out. I would listen intently to each.

The walls of the city came in to view showing us our journey was at an end. The townspeople cheered us as we entered the gates. The men of the caravan broke formation and sought out their families and the reunions were tearful. The worried wives and children overjoyed that their loved ones had returned to them. My heart sank when I noticed some of the hopeful families breaking down when they realized that their husbands, fathers, brothers, or sons had not returned. My eyes watered and my heart ached for them.

Liu Bei's voice startled me, "I dream that one day no one will have to face the trials they now must." I turned to face the lord, his eyes were sad as he looked on the same scene.

My hand found the hilt of my sword and I stared at it. I felt something deep within myself ignite when I spoke to him. "If you would allow it, I will stand beside you. I will use this blade to work for that day."

He smiled at me, my offer accepted. He then turned his horse and moved off to see about his duties. I turned to help unload the carts but a white horse and its rider cut me off. Zhao Yun beckoned me to follow him. We made our way back to his home. One of the servants took our horses to see to them as we went to the house. Mei's face read of a mix of surprise and joy when she saw me with Zhao Yun. He sent her off to retrieve us some tea before he took a seat in the large room in the middle of the house. He stared at me, silent, for a moment then indicated for me to sit facing him. I lowered myself in to place and waited for him to speak.

"I believe it is time for you to explain yourself to me."

I exhaled and began. I told him everything from the death or my mother and brother to the moment I stood over him with holding the celestial blade. I left out nothing. I told him of my time, explaining some things when a look of confusion crossed his face, and how I came to be in his. I even explained my escape after the night of the party. I told him of my deal with Nu Wa, my failure and my actions to redeem myself. His eyes softened when I spoke of my father, but he never once uttered a sound. It was late into the night when I finished my tale. Mei had lit a lantern for us at some point while she had tended to us. I sat quiet, my eyes searching his face for some sort of sign of what he was thinking.

After what had felt like an eternity his soft voice found my ears, "I see. You have gone through a great many trials in such a short time. I owe you my gratitude for all you have done. And still you have chosen to stay by my side." His eyes moved to mine a smile found his mouth, "Does this mean you will accept my intentions to make you my bride?"

I could not help the giggle at his words. With a forced sigh and returned his smile, "Yes"

His smiled widened and he slapped his leg in a slight celebration, "Well that is wonderful news. In the morning, I will speak to our lord on the matter. As for tonight, it is time for us to rest. Mei will see to you. Sleep well." He stood and gave me a bow before walking from the room. I went to find Mei; she had already prepared my room for me and found me something to sleep in. I felt at peace as I drifted into sleep.

By the time I awoke the next morning, Zhao Yun had already left. Mei excitedly talked with me. She told me of what had happened with her during my absence at the house. She had been engaged to a man and told me of him. He was a fledgling mystic from a family of farmers. She insisted I meet with him and I agreed. We settled on going to his home the following day. Zhao Yun returned to the house in the early afternoon. He informed me that he had come to collect me. Liu Bei wished to speak with me. I hurriedly readied myself to hold an audience with the lord. Lui Bei welcomed me into his ranks as not only the future wife of one of his generals but as a general myself. Zhao Yun balked at news but held his tongue.

That night there was another party, celebration of our victory at Chi Bi and of my joining the Shu army. It lasted well into the night and was thankfully, not as eventful as the one before had been. With high spirits, Zhao Yun and I bid goodnight to others as we left. As we made our way back to the house he told me that he would find someone to teach me the proper technique of my sword and I would have to train with him or her before he would be comfortable with me joining in another battle. I giggled at his words but agreed with him. We parted for the night with an embrace.

Mei excitedly skipped down the dirt path as we made our way to the home of her intended. It was quite a trek. We had left early that morning, after seeing Zhao Yun off, and still had not reached our destination as the sun reached the middle of the sky. She suddenly turned from the well-worn road onto a footpath that led into a forest. At the end of the path stood a small hut, Mei gave me a smile as she ran up and rapped on the door while I paused a bit behind. A moment later, it swung open and a young man stepped out. The two greeted one another, his eyes moved over to me as Mei introduced me, waving me over. The man invited us in and shuffled around large stacks of scrolls to make room for the two of us to sit. He took a place behind a low table and shoved away whatever he had been working on. My eyes danced over the piles of documents, my question in my eyes when I turned to face him.

"They are great in number, I know." He said, "I am collecting every bit of knowledge on the mystic way that I can find. By the way my name is Tháng Enlai."

A broad smile came to my face at his words, "I think you should gather something to write with." His brow raised but he gathered his things without question. Once he was ready, he looked to me, ready to take down my words.

"I have a tale for you."

PS- Please R&R the reviews would help me greatly in writing, I would like to know what you think of the story so far.

Thanks

-Alwayshappytohelp