Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors and 3K.
Author notes: Ok the Sun Ce/ Da Qiao one isn't all that great this time, but hope you understand the anguish in the two lovers…and this one too. Sigh, I want to make Zhou Yu/Xiao longer, but this is as far as continuity goes with the previous chapter...
Romance of the DW Pairings 2
Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao
Xiao Qiao's new marital arts school is at its last session till the closing hours. Tomorrow will be another great training session for her students. Qiao style art of fan wielding brings ever ounces of physical prowess. The true power of the art is love.
"Keep your balance steady and sway smooth with the natural feel of aura within you," Xiao Qiao instructed.
Her students follow the example she forms as the whole class execute move after move by their teacher's pattern. The known women who attend this class is Sun Shang Xiang, Lady Xu, Lady Bu, and of course various of other Wu women.
"Alright keep it up!" Xiao Qiao shouted.
Huang Gai is watching in awe, as he can't believe his lord's wife is doing this. All these women are willing to learn how to fight with a fan in combat. It may seem ridiculous but leave it to the younger Qiao.
Zhou Yu shows up in a priceless expression. He shook his head embarrassed about letting this go. His wife, the woman who always makes him grunt a lot with those impossible smiles is one of the only people he can not beat in a debate because of her taunting, carefree sarcasm and felinity. Xiao…
"Admiral," Huang Gai bowed.
"Huang Gai, I didn't know you're fond of this concept," Zhou Yu shrugged.
"I'm just watching the Lady as you see, she wants me to give her my opinion on her students," Huang Gai stated.
"Ah…well, this brings me to a conclusion you'll be in charge of defending Yang Zhou while Ce and I will attack Liu Biao. Will you take this task, Huang Gai?" Zhou Yu requested.
"Of course, I'll do my best Admiral," Huang Gai confidently accepted.
"Hmm…" Zhou Yu watched his wife finish her job until the last kata form.
"Your wife?" Huang Gai looked at the young commander serious, he knows Zhou Yu didn't come here just to fill him in on the request.
"Yes…take care of her when I'm gone," Zhou Yu said. He turns away from his wife's powerful cheerfulness and head outside.
When Xiao Qiao finishes, she notices her dearest husband leaving as she hurries to catch up with him before he gets on his horse.
"Zhouie!" Xiao Qiao shouted.
"Sigh, I couldn't resist the high pitch voice of my beautiful flower…" Zhou Yu shook his head. Calmly he turns to see the innocent smile of Xiao Qiao. Then the face changes into a disappointing look.
"Why didn't you show up during the session?!" Xiao Qiao angrily questioned. The handsome admiral clears his throat trying to find the best excuse as possible. He did protest his wife's ideals, but never saw how the outcome fares.
"There are far more important things I have to do than watch you teach the women of Wu how to fight with fans," Zhou Yu answered.
"And then you show up like your mind has made up. Huang Gai over there is the only man who sees the whole session. Why not the rest of the men like Lady Bu's husband Sun Quan who rather just as mean as you are about this martial arts school," Xiao Qiao crossed her arms glaring at him.
Boy she's really pissed off at him. Zhou Yu takes a deep breath slowly and tries the best way to forgive.
"I'm sorry, Xiao. To be honest, I am worrying about you. Maybe this proportion won't work, just maybe," Zhou Yu rubbed his chin as he apologized.
"Look at it this way, we're learning to support the men of Wu when it's best they'll be needing it. That is how the Qiao style martial arts is being teach," Xiao Qiao explained.
"With fans and I can't imagine a soldier being killed with paper," Zhou Yu shrugged.
"There's this tip of the blade with metal fabric, I'm a daughter of an intelligent guy, Zhouie…" Xiao Qiao wiggle her fan near Zhou Yu's face.
"Ok ok, I get it. Those things are sharp, you'll leave a scar in my face and blind mark on my eye," Zhou Yu backed away abit as he gets her point.
"Finally get you to approve my contribution," Xiao Qiao drags her husband's arms close and hugs him.
"…Impossible woman…" Zhou Yu can't believe why it's so hard to argue with such an innocent cheerful woman who oddly acts stupid.
"They're so wonderful together…" Huang Gai put a hilarious wept at the romance scene while Shang Xiang elbowed him making the other women giggled.
"Ahem, Xiao, I must go now," Zhou Yu breaks up the romance scene with a serious farewell expression.
"Wha…where are you going right now?" Xiao Qiao asked.
"To war, Sun Ce and I have agreed to start the expedition at Jing. We will be attacking Liu Biao forces starting tomorrow," Zhou Yu confirmed.
War, everything has to be war that breaks them apart. Why can't love be any stronger than war?
"I see…" Xiao Qiao slowly looks on the ground without looking back at her husband's face.
"I requested Huang Gai to watch over you and the defenses while I'm gone and there are a few other officers who will remain here to defend Yang zhou," Zhou Yu added.
"How shall I stop him? If he leaves, will he be alright?" Xiao Qiao thought.
Zhou Yu returns to his horse and eye on the veteran general who exchanges a nod and scanned at the women who are wondering in speculation.
"Xiao, Sun Ce told me that he liked the idea a lot so as soon as my mind made up, I'm starting to grow fond of the Qiao style martial arts. So, do your best my love," Zhou Yu said with a very cool grin.
"Yes, and please be careful," Xiao Qiao bowed.
"...I will," Zhou Yu thought. He didn't want to tell it out to her. Now he rides his horse away towards the sunset where he'll join up with his best friend.
At the port near Chai Sang…
"What's taking you so long and where's Huang Gai?" Sun Ce asked.
"I've told Huang Gai to remain here for the defenses and watch over Xiao," Zhou Yu mounts off his horse and join the crew at the commander's ship.
When Zhou Yu board on the navigator with Bofu, they both sail out the Chang Jiang with their large fleet. The sun set into the west where their primary objective awaits. Zhou Yu then speaks to his sworn brother, "Our wives are concerning about us, but I have no regrets leaving them behind to expand our future for our people."
"Nor do I, my friend. However, about Da, I still love her very much," Sun Ce said.
"Well then, on ward to victory!" Zhou Yu exclaimed.
Next Pairing: Zhuge Liang and Yue Ying