Disclaimer: I do not own Dynasty Warriors or any of the characters. It and they belong to Koei. I own my OCs.
Just so you know no snakes were actually harmed. You will know what I'm talking about if you read this chapter. Remember to review!
"Just let her rest and have her eat proper meals and she'll be fine."
"All right, thank you Doctor."
My fingers reach out to find that there is something soft and warm on top of me. My eyes slowly flutter open and I sit up. Blinking rapidly a few times, the image before me becomes clearer. I am sitting on a large, soft bed with Lu Xun, Ling Tong, Gan Ning, Sun Shang Xiang, Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu crowding around me. Oh yeah, and the doctor that is currently leaving.
"W-What-" I stutter in bewilderment.
"You tried to escape, you climbed a tree, you fainted," Zhou Yu answers calmly.
"Uh, oops?" I say, not sure of how to reply.
"That was half rational and half not," says Sun Shang Xiang.
"But I gotta say, that was a pretty good escape," says Sun Ce proudly in admiration, while giving me thumbs up. "even though you didn't escape."
"I must say though, you are quite the strategist," praises Zhou Yu in appreciation. "I have a proposal for you. I will tell you after you feel better."
Zhou Yu gestures for Sun Ce to follow him. Together, they nonchalantly walk out.
"Well, hope ya feel better," says Gan Ning sympathetically. "Me and Ling Tong will go train now."
"Feel better," calls Ling Tong sincerely as he leaves with Gan Ning.
"Hey, are you hungry? The doctor says you fainted because of hunger and lack of energy," says Sun Shang Xiang.
Of all things I could have fainted because of it had to be lack of energy and hunger. How humiliating!
"Yeah, I'm a little hungry," I reply sheepishly, and when she shoots me a look, I hastily correct myself. "Okay, very hungry."
Sun Shang Xiang quickly dashes off, her clothes becoming a red blur when she sprints outside the door. That leaves just Lu Xun and me. This will be SO awkward.
I wait for him to say something, but only silence swims around the room. I could totally hear a pin drop in this silence. I mean it's so quiet that it's deafening. If that even makes sense. I sit on the bed, tugging uncomfortably at the soft blanket. Even though I keep my eyes on my fingers, I can feel his intense stare causing me to shudder slightly. Silently, he walks out without looking back.
For some reason, his departure leaves me a little sad. Whatever. It's not like I like him or anything. In fact, I detest him. The silent era comes to an end when the bird outside start chirping happily. Sunlight peers through my window.
"I got the food," cries Sun Shang Xiang as she sprints inside.
Panting heavily, she hands carefully hands it to me. Then, she wipes the sweat trickling down her cheek.
"Oh hey by the way, is Lu Xun okay? The first time I saw him, he seemed like an okay person. Then, he was pissing me off and he was angry or something. After that, he was nice. Now, it seems like he's silently angry," I say slowly and thoughtfully, faking concern for the young strategist.
"Yeah. He went back to his hometown to find someone. I think it was his girlfriend or childhood friend or something. When he got back, he was really sad, angry, and disappointed. He left home for five years and didn't go back until that day," explains Shang Xiang sadly as I quietly nibble on a meat bun. "He wouldn't eat and just worked on that plan to capture you. I guess your fire strategy snapped him out of it."
"Actually, I altered that strategy from something my…childhood friend taught me," I reply cautiously, sipping cool water.
"He's really a fire lover."
"I can tell."
"Oh yeah," says Shang Xiang as she shoots up out of her chair like a rocket. "I want you to meet someone….or two people."
On cue, a woman with silk, black hair, light skin, gray eyes, dressed in a blue skirt, red blouse with white sleeves walks in. Next to her is a girl with light brown hair, peach skin, and honey brown eyes.
"D-Da Qiao?! Xiao Qiao?!" I stutter in shock as I run over to them.
They greet me with hugs and tears of joy.
"Xin Ying, it really is you," they say happily.
"After we went on that mission, we were outnumbered and captured. We...fell in love with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu," they explain slightly sheepishly
So we spent the rest of the day catching up.
I CANNOT believe this. I am lost in this stupid palace and I can't find my way outside. No, I am not trying to escape again. I just want some fresh air.
While I impatiently stumble through hallways and shamefully stagger through rooms, I think about this Lu Xun. His eyes seem so familiar, but I have never heard of anyone with the name Lu Xun. Yet, I've seen those golden brown eyes before. In case you're wondering, no, I'm not going crazy.
Frustrated, I walk down a long, dark hall. Heh. It feels like I'm a victim stuck in a maze, and this is the hall that the killer jumps out and tries to kill me. The silence is so eerie. Turning at a corner, I think how funny it would be if a killer jumps out now and-
"AHHHHH!" I shriek in panic as a tall person jumps out with bells jingling around his waist.
"I swear Gan Ning, I will just KILL you if you do that again!" I scream at him furiously.
"Heh, as if you can catch me!" cries Gan Ning triumphantly with a fist in the air as he scurries down that dark hallway.
"How does that pirate stop his bells from making any sounds?" I wonder out loud.
"That's what makes you an idiot."
I immediately whip around with my fist ready to punch that idiotic person who said that. To my horror, I find a smug Lu Xun standing there with an annoying smirk and his arms crossed.
"Hello Asshole," I greeted, faking courtesy
"Hello Moron," he replies with fake politeness as well.
"Look who's talking?" I angrily snap back, all the politeness gone from my voice.
"Says the one who loses all her allies. You know what, I think they deserted you because you are too stupid," he shoots back hotly. "You call yourselves Assassins, but you couldn't save yourselves in the end."
"Coming from the guy who abandons his girlfriend and finds that she runs off," I snap furiously. "She probably went off with another guy."
I regret those words as soon as they leave my mouth. But, being the proud person I am, I refuse to take them back. The scariest thing of all is that his eyes changed. His eyes narrow, and glare hatefully at me. I am trembling in fear on the inside right now. His eyes are cold, emotionless, and totally empty. He looks like he is dead, and seeing nothing real before him.
Enraged, he takes what seems like a malicious step forward. Fearfully, I retreat one step back. We keep doing this cycle until my back slams shamefully into a wall. I gasp as he advances and places both his hands on either side of my arms. I cower fearfully a little. He may not know this, but he is extremely intimidating when he is angry like this. His face is so close to mine, I can clearly see his eyes like I did on the night of my escape. They are full of rage now and….a little bit of shame?
"You have absolutely no right to say that," he growls coldly. "You. Don't. Know. Me. At. All. I thought you were different, I guess I was wrong."
After those scary words, he just leaves, leaving me standing there in shock. I nibble worriedly on my lips. I, am a horrible, terrible, cold-hearted, cruel person, and I am truly, sincerely regretful.
"HELLPPPP!" I scream desperately.
"You need help?"
Suddenly, Ling Tong quickly pops up in front of me like a cute, adorable bunny, almost giving me a heart attack.
"What's with people scaring me?" I complain, very annoyed.
"You *cough* Assassin *cough* scared," coughs Ling Tong in bewilderment.
"Yes, people actually do scare me," I grumble while rolling my eyes.
"Okay. So Zhou Yu sent me to bring you to him. Don't worry you'll stay alive. I'm sure that your head isn't that valuable to us," says Ling Tong cheerfully while steering me around halls.
"Wonderful," I say, rolling my eyes again in irritation.
When I enter the room Zhou Yu is in, I find many generals already there tapping the large, long table in front of them and they are sitting and waiting impatiently. Some are desperately attempting and failing to fall asleep. My dark brown eyes slowly scan the room until they rest on Lu Xun, who is not looking at me or anything else. In fact, they are staring straight ahead stoically.
"All right, are we all here?" asks Zhou Yu patiently while looking tiredly around the room. "Take a seat Lady Xin Ying-"
"Just Xin Ying," I interrupt him as I lazily plop myself down a hard, wooden chair.
"Xin Ying," he nods in approval. "I have a proposal for you."
"YOU'RE GOING TO PROPOSE TO HER?!" gasps and shouts Gan Ning in shock as he shoots up like a rocket. "XIAO QIAO, DID YOU HEAR THAT?"
"Proposal, as in plan Gan Ning," growls Lu Xun irritably and angrily as he shoots up and quickly smacks Gan Ning on the head.
"Oww," complains Gan Ning as Xiao Qiao stomps angrily toward him and starts to bicker with him.
"YOU ANNOYING, MEAN PIRATE….."
"NICER THAN YOU!..."
"HEY! THAT'S MY LINE!" I shout, popping up from my chair and pointing an accusing finger at Gan Ning.
Many chuckles erupt and echo throughout the room. My cheeks begin to burn red, but I eventually laugh happily with everyone else. Then, the room quiets into a comfortable silence.
"We have noticed your skill in fighting and strategy," says Zhou Yu and he pauses, almost in hesitation. "I have heard from Lady Qiaos that you and they were part of a group called the Assassins."
"Am," I correct immediately. I feel almost…offended.
"Huh?"
"I am an Assassin."
"Anyways, your loyalty and skills are admirable. We realize that you are the last Assassin left…."
"And?..."
"We," says Zhou Yu hesitantly as he pauses in doubt again. "would like to offer you a place in our army and a new home."
"I…"
Honestly, I feel like I am in shock. There are so many eyes awaiting my answer. Some of them look at me in pity, and some of them look at me expectantly.
"I…need time," I cough out, softly at the end.
Zhou Yu nods understandingly, giving me a gentle smile. I swiftly dash out the room and sprint down quiet, empty halls. Finally and to my relief, I find the exit and entrance to the outside, soothing world. I take a deep, relaxing breath to calm myself.
Seeing a tall, enormous tree close to the roof of the grand Wu palace, I grasp and thick, brown branch and gracefully swing myself up. I grin a little because I love climbing. This also reminds me of my grand escape. It would have worked if I didn't faint. Maybe it would have... Anyways, climbing is a relaxing and fun activity to do. Fun when you don't climb and fall because you're too hungry.
I take a deep breath and swing myself over to the roof of the Wu palace. Peering over the edge, I slightly shudder in fright. I would hate to think what would happen if I fall off. Jogging calmly around the roof, I sit down and quietly hug my knees.
I was planning to escape and reform the Assassins. Or just live by myself as the last, remaining Assassin. But, Da and Xiao Qiao are here. Now that I've found them I can't leave them. Besides, I'm not even sure where brave lady guards had fled to. I tiredly rub my temples in frustration and annoyance. What should I do?
Soft, gentle footsteps quietly approach me from behind, but I don't bother to see who it is. The calm person takes a seat next to me and wraps his strong arms around me. I take a deep breath again and inhale the sweet, soothing scent of chocolate. Chocolate…..his eyes and his scent. I gratefully lean against him and lean my head between his neck and shoulders. I don't suspiciously question why he is being nice to me after that incident that made him angry. All I know is that he is someone I can depend on and I can cry on his shoulder-that is if I ever need to.
"Xin Ying, have you decided yet?" asks Ling Tong gently, pulling softly at my arm.
"Not yet," I sigh in frustration as I bury my head in my hands. "I…just don't-"
"Don't worry, take your time. It's not as if we'll chop your head off," laughs Ling Tong carelessly.
"Wonderful," I say flatly. "Why do always make jokes about taking my head?"
"I don't always. I think I've only made it twice."
"Hey, how bout this, we can go sailing for a while. You need to relax," offers Gan Ning generously and kindly. "And Ling Tong will go, too"
"Of course I will egghead," snaps Ling Tong. "Who knows what your idiot head will do. Bet, you'll get lost."
"Who are YOU calling me an idiot," yells Gan Ning furiously.
"Umm, you do realize that egghead means a smart person, right?" I giggle uncontrollably.
"HA!" shouts Gan Ning triumphantly, pointing a finger at Ling Tong.
"Hey Egghead!" shouts Gan Ning, waving an excited arm at a random passing person with large, thick books, long, thick scrolls, and multiple elegant brushes. "Want to go sailing with us?"
The random person staggers ungracefully toward us in attempt to balance the mountain of items. To my horror and relief, it's Lu Xun wearing his red vest that shows his nice….er okay abs.
"Um," says Lu Xun slowly as he eyes each of us-mostly me-carefully. "I suppose so. Just let me give these to Zhou Yu."
He quickly dashes off to give the items to Zhou Yu, making Gan Ning impatient. Waiting patiently for him, I twirl the necklace with a silver heart on my neck around slender fingers. I have no idea how I have it. I just know that I had it when the Assassins found me, they did not give it to me, and it has "Yi" engraved on the back.
"Let's go," says Ling Tong, seeing Lu Xun nonchalantly jogging back.
I can only look at the ship in shock. It is HUGE! Either that or I have never seen a ship before. The answer is probably the second one.
"Whoa," I gawk at the ship while Lu Xun helpfully pulls me aboard.
"Nice, huh?" grins Gan Ning proudly with his arms behind his head. "I'm off to the steering wheel."
"And I shall make sure the doofus doesn't mess up," grins Ling Tong slyly.
I easily ignore Ling Tong's evil grin and happily walk over to the wooden, brown railing. The cries of the majestic seagulls don't disturb me. I gently place my hands on the railing and I suddenly notice a sharp object next to me. Its color is dull with ropes tightly hugging it. The shape of it is basically like a cone, with its sharp vertex pointing outwards. I wince slightly, imagining what would happen if someone gets stabbed by it.
I hear shouting in the distance which I assume is Ling Tong and Gan Ning childishly bickering over something. Probably that egghead thing. But, as fate would have it, the ship lurches and I stagger toward the sharp object with my eyes wide in horror. Fortunately, it doesn't stab me. Instead, it rips my thin, pale gray dress. And in case you are wondering, I am wearing a dress because a maid had handed it to me in the morning when I was eager to get breakfast.
"Shoot," I growl, repeatedly harshly tugging at my dress with no result.
"Need help?"
Without looking, I know it is the annoying yet nice Lu Xun. I sigh and mumble a sheepish, "Yes, please."
He strides to me and begins the tedious work of tugging at my dress. Frowning deeply when it rips my dress further, he takes out his gleaming saber.
"You don't mind, do you?" he asks respectfully as he looks at me uncertainly.
"Go ahead," I shrug carelessly.
As long I'm free, I'm happy. You know what they say; a free bird is a happy one. Wait, scratch that. I said that. That's my saying now. Muhaha.
Lu Xun carefully slices my dress in a way that would take off as less clothing as possible, which I am extremely grateful for. But, my clothes have gotten ripped before when I was wearing peasant clothes. That was when I was on a mission with my fellow Assassins. My peasant clothes were mercilessly ripped by tree branches.
I gently kick the fabric from my soft, pale gray dress with the side of my foot.
"Thanks," I mumble, smiling with gratitude.
The ship rocks back and forth slowly, causing me to be dizzy. I shake my head a little and walk cautiously forward, but I stumble with embarrassment. Luckily for me, Lu Xun catches me with his warm arms. However, my cheeks flush when I immediately notice that our faces are very close and the ripped fabric on my dress is reluctantly allowing my skin to brush against his...abs. I squeeze my eyes shut. Of all days he can pick to wear his abs revealing vest, why today?
"So, have you decided to stay?" he asks sincerely with genuine concern.
"I honestly don't know," I sigh. "I planned to reform the Assassins or go on as the last remaining Assassin. I've never truly had a home. The Assassins found me and we moved from place to place. I guess I just don't know yet."
He gives me a soft smile before his chocolate eyes trail down to my neck.
"Where did you get that?" demands Lu Xun bluntly pointing to my necklace with the beautiful silver heart.
I carefully pull it off my neck and dangle it in the warm, air. My fingers hold onto the chain while the silver heart glitters brightly and happily in the sunlight.
"I've had it since forever and I don't ever want to lose it," I say, smiling at the heart. "I don't remember who I got it from or when I got it. I just remember I had it on since the day the Assassin found me at-"
The ship lurches again, but this time more violently. I stumble ungracefully forward, but luckily I grasp the railing before I can fall. Lu Xun also saves himself by quickly grabbing the railing.
"Noooo!" I cry despairingly as my necklace soar and dances through the air and sails toward the cold shimmering water.
Shockingly, Lu Xun immediately dives into the water leaving me with my jaw dropping to the ground. I carefully lean over the edge and yell, "LU XUN! LEAVE IT! HURRY AND GET YOUR BUTT BACK UP HERE!"
The truth is that I fear that he might drown. But, that is ridiculous because if he can't swim, he won't even dive in there. That and Zhou Yu develops many strategies involving water. It would be very surprising if their soldiers or generals ever drown. Maybe Zhou Yu makes them learn how to swim. I'll have to ask him about that.
"Whoah, did Lu Xun dive in there?" asks Gan Ning collectedly, peering over the edge.
"OF COURSE HE DID YOU IDIOT! NOW SAVE HIM!" I scream furiously, waving my arms in complete frustration at the stupid pirate.
"Don't worry, he can save himself," replies Gan Ning nonchalantly as he tosses a ladder made of rope over the edge. As soon as he says that, I angrily smack him over the head.
I carelessly peer over the edge as my eyes begin to sting. Even though I've taken down many people, accidently killing one person…..that I….care about is like stabbing him in the back.
To my relief, I see Lu Xun's head suddenly pop up from the shimmering blanket of doom (for people who can't swim). He collectedly swims over to the rope ladder and climbs up. When he arrives to the top, I slowly and attentively take in his messy, light brown hair that is soaking wet. His wet red pants and vest cling tightly to his skin. But, he gives me a carefree smile and holds up his hand, watering dripping from it. I stare intently at the shimmering silver heart dangling from his hand. I stride confidently toward him, rudely grab the necklace, and throw it harshly at his feet. Startled, he looks at me with surprise flashing in his eyes. Then, I sock him on the arm. I walk closer and continuously pound on his chest as my dark brown eyes begins to sting and my eyes blur. He simply wraps his strong arms around my waist as I continue to sob.
"Don't every do that again," I whisper, sniffing.
"I'll always be beside you," he answers, patting my trembling back, his warmness and kindness easing me to calmness.
"Lu Xun," I say softly, walking in his room with a cup of warm tea in my hands.
He looks up and gives me a warm smile while putting down his long writing brush. I quickly glance at his messy table that has piles of papers. On his table is a long, thin paper with elegant writing which he seems to be working on. He protests as I silently pluck the paper off his table and set the warm, sweet smelling tea before him.
"Take a break," I order sternly, placing my hands on my hips. "Plus, I didn't thank you for my necklace. You know your life is more important than the necklace."
"What if my life is the necklace?" he says softly, catching my hand as it leaves the cup in his strong grip.
"Huh?" I say, bewilderment washing over my face.
His brows furrow and he looks crestfallen.
"Nothing," he replies quietly, pressing his lips to my hand causing me to blush immensely.
Gesturing to his bed, he says, "Take a seat."
I walk to his extremely neat bed, so neat that it suspiciously looks like it hasn't been slept in for a long time. He sits next to me, and tells me to turn around a little. I feel his warm breath tickling my neck, and then I feel something warm touch the space below my neck, and a chain around the nape of my neck. Whoah….so many "necks" in my sentence.
I peek down to see the shiny silver heart as gratitude once again embraces me in its arms.
"So," he says sadly. "You claim that you can't remember who gave it to you and when."
"Yeah," I confirm. "I just know I've had it since the Assassins found me. They were like the first and only family I think I've had. It'd be great to have a family again."
"You can have one. If you stay. Wu will be your family."
I smile sadly. I'm really not sure if I should stay.
"Maybe," I say.
"Lord Lu Xun, Lady Xin Ying," acknowledges a soldier clad in red armor. "Lord Zhou Yu has ordered me to give you this exact message, 'Give them this exact message. We will go to battle with Shu tomorrow and Lady Xin Ying is *cough* welcomed to participate.'"
"You okay?" I ask, showing concern.
"Lord Zhou Yu coughed when he said that," explains the soldier (causing our faces to look like -_-, while his face looks like ^-^). "Anyway, he said, 'Tell them to be prepared and pack some stuff. And remember to eat breakfast and HOLY SHIT! WHY IS THERE A FREAKING SNAKE IN THIS ROOM?! KILL IT, KILL IT I TELL YOU! GAN NING, I SWEAR IF IT WAS YOU WHO PUT THIS…HORRIYFYING, MORTIFYING, FRIGHTENING CREATURE HERE I WILL SO-KILL IT NOW! OH MY FREAKING GOD WHY IS THE HEAD TRYING TO BITE US WHEN IT WAS ALREADY DECAPITATED. IS IT A FREAKING ZOMBIE?! OH SHIT OH SHIT, THE HEAD IS TRYING TO BITE ME AND THE BODY IS STLL THRASHING AROUND. KILL IT! Oh wait it kind of is already dead so never mind-SQUASH IT! SHIT IT ALMOST BIT ME! GET THAT THING OUT OF HERE!'"
The soldier finishes his rant…message thing and exits the room (leaving our faces like 0o0). We just stare at each other in shock and burst out laughing.
"That…..was hilarious!" I laugh uncontrollably as I wipe tears from my eyes.
"Who *laugh* knew *laugh* he was afraid of zombie snakes!" says Lu Xun between laughs.
"Holy shit!" I curse as I fall off his bed while laughing.
Chuckling, Lu Xun helpfully pulls me back up. I lay on his comfortable bed with soft, white blankets while trying to recover from my laughter and small accident of falling. Lu Xun's chocolate scent and warmth eases me to a deep sleep.