Can't believe it's been over a year, wrote most of this pretty recently, too. Tried to work on some character development here, set the kids up for their next campaign. Musical inspiration: 'The Unforgiven II' by Metallica, "March of Mephisto' by Kamelot, 'As Embers Distress the Sky' by Agalloch, 'Gone with the Sin' by H.I.M. … Original DW characters belong to Koei, etc. etc. Also, as I've uploaded documents, I noticed that some words, punction gets messed up. I'm trying to catch these; let me know if you find any, thanks! And enjoy!

Zhi plopped herself into a seated position near the sidelines of the dancing, appropriated the nearly full cup of wine left by one of the dancers, and swallowed a mouthful with appreciation. Watching the people dance, she slowly focused her mind away from the revelry.

The bandits had stolen an astonishing amount of food and building supplies. Not to mention the wagons and horses it took to carry those supplies. Cao Ang was visibly disgusted with the thievery and ordered everything be returned to the nearby villages.

The first village they stopped at was thrilled with the return of their goods and relieved that they would be able to bring in their harvests without fear of being deprived of the fruits of their labors. So they had honored the soldiers with a celebration. And the trend had continued as they traveled slowly back to Cao Cao's castle, distributing the reacquired goods.

It had taken her a few hours after the battle to fully regain her magical strength and two days to recover her physical strength. She had eaten like she never had before in her life; as if she had been deprived of food for a week. Cao Ang had jokingly said she would rival Xu Zhu's size if she continued. But she noticed that Dian Wei had the same massive appetite and was reassured. She also noticed that she required more sleep, becoming exhausted in the early afternoon. Tonight was the first in the six days since the battle that she felt as if she had regained her former strength. She made a mental note to discuss the phenomena to Sima Yi.

Now she was pleasantly tired from the vigorous dancing. She had whirled with Cao Ang through the simple, yet fast-paced dances of country folk. She had feasted and drank and danced some more – the next time with what seemed like her entire platoon.

But she had missed one man and while she used her time sitting as an excuse to catch her breath, she was in reality looking for him.

Dian Wei sat alone, also indulging in the fine wine that the village produced as its main source of income. She briefly considered her own slightly intoxicated state.

The wine here is very fine. A couple of cups… maybe... six? Eight? I lost count. Whatever the case, I have to bow before the power of my addiction.

Every once in a while, one of his men would approach him and speak. Zhi knew that even on this night, his elite soldiers were keeping them all secure. She studied him inconspicuously. Over the previous days, she had come to a conclusion.

There was definitely something that drew her to him. While she could admit that she was drawn to him physically, something else enticed her even more. She did not understand quite what it was, but she was determined to find out.

It's not as if I'm adverse to the idea of getting close to him, she thought wickedly.

And so, with all the courage of the truly inebriated, she got to her feet and carefully made her way to him.

He noticed her immediately, a primal darkness burning in his eyes, and she ignored her heart as it began to pound.

Oh yes, there is definitely something there, she thought. He makes me as brainless as teenage girl.

"It's going to rain," she said, surprising herself. It was not at all what she had intended to say. He seemed amused as he glanced up at the sky.

"Possibly," he replied noncommittally, returning his gaze to hers. She abruptly envied his ability to remain expressionless and tried to mimic his nonchalance.

"Dance?" she asked.

He stared at her for a moment, hawk-like eyes dominating her vision, before he set his cup down and rose to his feet. She had to tilt her chin up to look at him now; the top of her head just reached his shoulder. Wordlessly, he offered his hand and she places her fingers in his so he could lead her into the exuberant crowd.

It was wonderful. To be close to him was headier than any wine. So much so that she had difficulty keeping in step with the music. At one point he had to catch her to keep her from tripping. It was at that moment that the rain began to fall in a sudden downpour. The music cut off suddenly and with lighthearted shouts soldiers and villagers began to move for shelter. No one noticed the two of them, standing no more than a hand's width apart in the deluge. Zhi had no awareness of the rain or the people running for shelter, she was lost in the dark gaze of the man before her.

She couldn't help it, perhaps it was the wine that had loosened her inhibitions, but whatever the cause, Zhi took a step forward. She slid her arms around him and leaned her cheek on his chest, closing her eyes, inhaling his scent. For a moment, she thought she was holding a tree or a rock; so rigid did his body suddenly become and she wondered if perhaps she was mistaken in her perception of his feelings for her.

But gradually he relaxed and the joy she felt when his arms came around her was unmatched. He buried a hand in her hair, gripping the back of her skull, holding her closer. She had never felt so cherished, not even in Jin's arms. A breath of pure pleasure left her.

Rain poured down around them in sheets, drowning all of her awareness of the surrounding world. She only heard the steady beat of his heart, felt only the warmth of his body, smelled only the intoxicating scent of him. For that moment, nothing else mattered. In the arms of the grim warrior, she was finally whole.

Dian Wei's voice rumbled through his chest and his words were strangely clipped.

"Bai Zhi, we must talk."

Zhi opened her eyes languidly. She felt unattached to her body - dreamy and lethargic. Slowly, she shifted her head to look up at him. His gaze was intense, turbulent. She could not resist reaching up to brush her fingers along the tautness of his jaw.

"Woman," he growled in warning as his hand tightened in her hair.

"I don't think I can walk," she whispered.

He smiled and lowered his head to rest his forehead against hers.

"This is why we must talk – think of what would happen if I kissed you right now," he murmured, his lips inches from hers.

Zhi had no doubt. Her body was not in her control – similar to the bloodlust – with an obvious difference in circumstances. She reluctantly left the warmth of his arms. They regarded each other a bit warily now that a distance separated them until Zhi trembled a bit as awareness of her surroundings encompassed the chilly downpour. Immediately Dian Wei swept an arm around her shoulders and steered her in the direction of their camp. Despite the rain, the couple moved unhurriedly. Dian Wei waited while Zhi ducked into her quarters to grab dry clothing and then they entered the command tent. Zhi looked questionably at him as he seated himself across the table from her after they had changed.

He chuckled briefly,

"I do not trust myself near you at this moment; I only have so much self control. Cao Ang will be here soon. Can't give the boy a show."

Zhi sighed and clenched her hands into fists before her. A chuckle passed her lips involuntarily.

"So what are we going to do about this?" she asked.

Dian Wei regarded her steadily. "Doushenka," his voice caressed the strange, beautiful word, sending a shiver up Zhi's spine, "I must admit that I am… apprehensive… as to where this must lead us; and I will tell you why. You obviously have read the history of the mages – our ancestors. Clearly family lines have persisted over the years. I do not get my power from the Chinese, but rather a Northern strain, my mother's family. And I imagine that your village was possessed of another diluted strain of mages.

"My father," Zhi whispered. "My brother," her voice broke and she looked down.

"Our blood is different from others, Bai Zhi. Xu Zun is also of our race, but only you have retained the predisposition for magic."

He sat back and sighed, crossing massive arms over his chest.

"Our affection will grow in strength, Bai Zhi, much as the blood lust threatens to consume us. Much as your magic threatens your sanity."

A growing fear blossomed in Zhi's chest – cold.

"If we proceed with this," and his gaze burned her as Dian Wei injected the phrase with volumes of unspoken emotion, "you must realize that it will be one more distraction, an added threat to reasonable thinking, yet another need to keep under control. I have battled it since the moment you stood defiant before me in the moment of our first meeting."

"I see," she murmured. "And I agree." She looked up at him through her lashes. "But when have either of us denied our needs?"

Dian Wei tensed and stood abruptly. His power rolled off of him. Zhi followed suit and they gazed at each other from opposite sides of the table. Abruptly, Zhi felt like prey under his gaze. She felt her body go pliant as he moved around the table.

"Dian Wei! Bai Zhi!" Cao Ang's voice crashed through the tension as he entered the command tent, oblivious to the silent drama. The rain dripped from his clothing and he unbuckled his sword belt before dropping into onto a cot in the corner.

"Well, they know how to throw a party," Cao Ang said. "But we need to organize for departure tomorrow, rain or not." He dropped a crumpled scroll onto the table and retreated to his quarters to change into dry clothing. Zhi glanced at Dian Wei and picked it up. She read it quickly.

"General Dong Zhuo has retreated with the emperor to Hu Lao and will not respond to inquiries. The other lords are proposing an alliance…"

"You see," Wei murmured, "It never ends, the opportunities that threaten our sanity."

He moved around the table as Zhi laid the scroll down. He stopped before her and leaned to whisper in her ear. "But you are right, doushenka, neither of us will deny the chance to attempt to slake our thirsts despite the risks. We only wait for the perfect opportunity." He straightened and reached down to take her hand. He brought the palm to his lips, released her, and abruptly turned and left. Zhi struggled to tamp down her inner demon as the memory of his breath burned in her hand. She shook her head and called out to Cao Ang as she left the tent to assemble her platoons.

"Little girl, they did not feed you enough!" Huang Sen huffed as she dished another plateful of noodles, vegetables, and sauce out for Zhi. "Women need to be properly taken care of if they're going to be out playing soldier."

Zhi grinned up at the chattering woman as she bustled about the huge kitchen. Her aids jumped out of her way as she returned to Zhi's side with a hearty soup and a pot of aromatic tea.

"Aha! And here is Anli to fetch you back to your room!" Zhi looked up, her mouth full, as Anli entered the kitchen and plopped beside her. Anli leaned over and whispered to her,

"God, Zhi, you are disgusting when you shovel your food." Zhi blinked at her maid and with a perfectly neutral expression, twirled her chopsticks expertly and used them to stuff another mouthful. She chewed as Anli pretended nausea, then said,

"I am efficient, Anli."

The pretty maid giggled and said,

"That's a horrible excuse for your gluttony."

Zhi finished her meal with a flourish and stood. She bowed to Huang Sen and the girls left the kitchen arm in arm.

"Ugh, you stink, too. Is there no such thing as bath – are you humming?"

"No."

"You were! Oh!" Anli lowered her voice to a conspirator's whisper. "You've met somebody haven't you?"

"No!"

Anli was delighted. "You have! One of your soldiers, maybe?"

At Zhi's withering look, Anli shook her head. "Ah yes, the inter-rank fraternization issue. How dense of me. Oh! Please tell me you've stolen the heart of Cao Ang, heir to Lord Cao Cao's domain– those eyes…" she drifted off for a moment, and then returned her attention to the matter at hand.

"Well, if it's not a soldier, and it's not Cao Ang…" she pondered as they entered a courtyard.

At the other end, a group of men entered the courtyard. Zhi squinted and made out Cao Cao, Sima Yi, Cao Ang, and an unmistakable tall shadow behind them all.

"Dian Wei," Anli murmured in an undertone as the groups met and the girls bowed to the men.

"Bai Zhi, I am told you handled yourself capably and modeled proficient leadership on your campaign. Well done." Cao Cao said to her.

"I was well chaperoned, my lord," Zhi murmured from beneath modestly lowered lashes, hiding her annoyance with the man's misogyny.

"Yes, it was not chance that I sent you with two of my best and most trusted lieutenants. But both described your actions and assistance as indispensible. You will be well rewarded."

"Thank you, my lord," Zhi bowed as Cao Cao swept past her, followed by a grinning Cao Ang, who apparently could see through her modest act, and Sima Yi, who passed a small scroll into her hand. Dian Wei trailed unconcernedly behind all of them. As they passed by each other, his upper arm brushed her shoulder and he turned his head to gaze at her briefly before returning his attention to the others, who were leaving the courtyard, unaware of their exchange.

Anli waited until they were safely ion Zhi's room before she spoke,

"Okay, you need to tell me what happened right now, because frankly, I can't wait another moment! What happened between you and Dian Wei?"

Zhi snorted and began looking around for her bathing supplies.

"Nothing," she said with supreme disdain.

"Oh, please," Anli rolled her eyes. "I saw that little… thing in the courtyard. Now tell!"

"I told, you, nothing. Where is my bathing stuff?"

Anli crossed her arms and shook her head.

"I'm not telling until you reveal all."

Zhi made a complete circuit around her room, coming up empty-handed of her soaps and robe.

"Ugh, fine. We danced and then I hugged him."

"A hug?" Anli sounded skeptical.

"Yes."

"That's all?! I have never seen that look in his face before, and you say it was a hug?!"

"Uh, well, we kind of bonded on the battlefield, and then… uh, come on Anli, I don't know! It's weird, I feel like I've known him forever, and…" her eyes glazed over and Anli took an involuntary step away from her.

"I feel like he is the only one who understands me, and whatever monster I have inside me, he has one as well. Two demons, meant to be together."

Anli sobered. "Zhi, you're not a monster. And even though he is the most frightening man I have ever known," she smiled weakly at Zhi, "I don't think he's a monster either. Lord Cao Cao trusts him like no other, I don't even think Sima Yi is in as close confidence with Cao Cao as Dian Wei. So there must be some honor there."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I'm sorry, Zhi, I shouldn't have intruded."

Zhi grinned at her, "It's okay, it's in the nature of nosy little gossips like yourself. Now where the hell did you put my bath stuff – I swear I haven't stopped stinking since I left!"

"Are these yours?" Anli asked distractedly later that afternoon as she rummaged through Zhi's gear, nose wrinkled in distaste.

"What?"

"Oh." Anli's tone was speaking volumes more than Zhi could guess at.

"What?"

"Umm, I guess they are yours," she said, passing a small, neatly wrapped leather bundle to Zhi as she moved closer to see what Anli had been asking about. Anli covered her mouth to hide her grin as Zhi frowned at the cramped script on the scroll attached.

Your throwing technique is horrible.

Find me when you feel the need to

correct it so that the expense of

these daggers is not wasted on

mediocre talent.

"That is the worst love letter I have ever read!" Anli burst out, unable to restrain herself.

Zhi gave her a withering look. "And how many love letters have you read?"

"Shut up, Zhi, you know what I mean. Look at you! You should see the sappy smirk you have plastered on your face! It's pathetic and adorable at the same time!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Zhi replied haughtily, while trying to stop grinning. She unwrapped the bundle and stopped short.

"Oh. These are lovely." She had expected a set of standard throwing knives. The set she found instead was of the highest quality metal, utterly devoid of adornment, and perfectly weighted for her hands. The Anli looked over Zhi's shoulder and shrugged.

"They look pretty plain to me."

"That's so they don't go off target when you throw them, half-wit," Zhi said as she finished braiding her hair back for practice, "It takes more skill to customize them to a particular person than it takes to tack on some gaudy gems."

Anli only smirked, so Zhi jerked the tie closed around the end of her braid and stalked out of the room. She smiled a bit to herself as Anli's delighted giggles followed her through the door.

"So is it true?"

"Is what true?" Zhi asked distractedly through clenched teeth as she strained against Xiahou Dun, their practice weapons locked.

"You and..." he lowered his voice, "…Dian Wei."

"You have to be joking!" Zhi snarled, wrenching her wooden stave from Dun's with a jerk and a smattering of splinters as her weapon broke in half. The commotion drew the attention of Xu Zhu and Xiahou Yun; they both ambled toward her with interested, identical grins.

"Asked her did you, Dun?" chuckled Zhu.

"How does everyone seem to know about this?!" Zhi practically shrieked in frustration.

"So it IS true!" crowed Yuan. "I knew it! Zhu you owe me – pay up!" The bigger man ignored Yuan and peered interestedly at Zhi.

"You see, Dian Wei is a normally stoic sort of fellow," he said, "and well…" Zhu looked at Dun for assistance.

"Well, he…" Dun looked at the other two men, shrugged, and leaned in toward Zhi, as if he were about to make a grave proclamation.

"He fidgets lately." They all nodded sagely and made male noises of assertion. Zhi stared at all three of them in consternation.

"He... fidgets?" Skepticism and sarcasm dripped from her words.

Zhi actually felt the urge to throw her hands in the air. Anli she could understand; the girl had seen them exchange glances, but Sima Yi and now the other lieutenants seemed to know everything. Xiahou Dun noticed her stricken expression.

"Don't be embarrassed, girl, we all think this is fantastic," he said.

"Yeah," Xu Zhu nodded energetically, "You see, there's never much opportunity to find a weak spot of Dian Wei's, and, well…" His words died off and Zhi turned on her heel and left the practice yard. Her muttering could be clearly heard by all three men who all grinned when they deciphered her monologue.

"Mouthy one, isn't she?" observed Xiahou Yuan.

I've barely confirmed this relationship for myself, but everyone else seems to have figured it out and are sure this is real.

She found him in one of the lesser used practice courtyards and entered silently through a grey stone archway. The courtyard was open to the elements and smaller than the common yards. Stone weights were stacked neatly along the far wall and the open area was dotted with apparatus of the like she had never seen. Dian Wei was there, in the middle of a seemingly endless set of pull-ups.

Zhi did not make her presence known; indeed, she watched him in unabashed envy as he effortlessly pulled himself up in fluid movements. She was transfixed by the interplay of his back, shoulder, and arm muscles as they bunched and lengthened in synchrony to make his movements seem easy and seamless. He reached the end of his set and dropped to the ground. He shook his arms out, went through a short series of stretches that targeted the muscles he had just worked, then jumped a bit to reach the bar and begin another set.

She seemed to have gone into a daze, for she never did interrupt him; he must have eventually sensed her presence for he stopped in mid-raise, biceps swelling, before he dropped to the ground and turned to face her. Without taking his eyes from her, he reached for a nearby scrap of cloth and ran it over his head, arms and chest before draping it around his shoulders. Neither of them said a word. Zhi could feel herself trembling, a result of the tenseness of her muscles as she remained under his scrutiny.

She choked back a laugh as she recalled Xiahou Dun's words – fidgeting indeed – the man before her was a pillar of reserve.

Or perhaps she made her judgment too soon for suddenly he was stalking toward her. Startled, she backed up awkwardly, bumping hard into the courtyard wall just as he reached her. He placed his palms flat on the wall near her head and leaned in. The speed at which he moved was somewhat intimidating.

"So here we are again," he whispered, bringing his forehead to hers and closing his eyes. Zhi found that she was having trouble catching her breath.

"Throwing daggers," she managed to wheeze as her thoughts scattered. His husky chuckle of reply sent her heart into overdrive and she seriously wondered for a moment if her racing heartbeat might cause her to faint.

"Be quiet, milaya," he murmured as he bent his head to brush his lips across the sensitive skin on her neck. One of her hands came up to drape languidly over his shorn scalp. Damn thing.

"Dian Wei," she said hoarsely as his lips skimmed over her pulse, trying desperately to remember why she had come, "I am frightened."

He paused, and then slowly raised his head to gaze at her.

"I have told you before never to fear me."

"I don't fear you, I fear us."

"Believe me when I tell you that no repercussions will come of our being together; in any event, Lord Cao Cao will likely be all the more delighted that you have formed yet more ties to his cause," his voice became bitter.

"I apologize for that," he said, stepping away from her and bringing his hands up to clench in the towel draped over his shoulders.

"You have no reason to apologize," she replied, not liking the way his eyes narrowed and his jaw became rigid. She moved closer to him and stood on tiptoes to hesitantly brush her lips across the tautness of his jaw, balancing herself with her palms on his chest. When he did not respond, she sighed and slid her arms around him, laying her cheek against him at the level of his heart. She felt right holding him like this, lulled by the steady rhythm of his heart.

"I never expected you to forgive me for my part in your abduction."

The statement was abrupt and Zhi's arms tightened about him as a wave of pain stemmed from the unknown fate of her brother swept over her.

"I never expected to either," she answered hoarsely, closing her eyes to ward off the emotions that began to assail her. Something in her voice or her touch affected him and his arms came around her. Abruptly, the anguish receded, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I promise you," he said, his voice fierce, "That no harmful repercussions of our relationship will fall on you because of Lord Cao Cao."

"How can you promise that?" she asked, her voice muffled from within his embrace.

Dian Wei smiled humorlessly over her head.

"You forget I have been serving him for over ten years. I have observed much of his character and I know him well. We are both valuable weapons in his employ."

When he Zhi did not respond, he continued.

"I don't think it is Cao Cao that you fear."

She could not voice her fear about the complication of her powers. Her voice was small as she answered him,

"Actually, I would feel better if I could go spar."

He laughed.

"I'll have to remember that with you, violence is the ultimate solution."

They entered the common courtyard. Dian Wei's larger body completely blocked out her slighter form behind him as he moved into the open area and initially no one noticed her beside him. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan stopped sparring long enough to shout greetings. Dian Wei selected a heavy practice stave long enough to be a broadsword. Zhi retrieved a wooden stave that was a fingersbreadth longer than she was tall. Entering one of the marked practice circles, the two faced off.

Neither man nor woman noticed as the shouts of the courtyard quieted and stopped completely as officers and soldiers alike noticed the odd pair regarding each other gravely from opposite sides of the circle. Indeed, it was almost laughable to see the huge bodyguard in the circle with the admittedly tall, but comparatively small woman.

Zhi executed a series of moves designed to stretch and warm up the muscles of her wrists, forearms and shoulders as Dian Wei hefted his wooden sword experimentally. Some unspoken word passed between them and they suddenly charged each other. Every man in the courtyard expected Dian Wei to hold back on his swings but the big man surprised them all when he swung his sword straight at Bai Zhi with unrestrained power. Zhi deflected the blow and grunted in pain as the vibrations in the stave hit her palms like a hammer. Her teeth actually seemed to vibrate in her mouth as she attempted – and failed – to absorb the blow. She backed off hurriedly and circled him as he settled into his fighting stance, a menacing hulk that nevertheless managed to move gracefully.

Aha! she thought in sudden understanding No wonder I have had such a hard time fighting the men in sparring circle – Sima Yi was right, I cannot try to outmuscle a man.

What should have been obvious from the beginning was now embedded deeply in her mind. She thought it appropriate that it was this man who finally got the point across to her. Using her speed as an advantage against the big, slower moving warrior, she darted into his weapon's range and was able to match him blow for blow; the resulting mock battle was a fine display of pure strength against speed and timing.

Breathing heavily, her muscles taut, Zhi attempted to twist Dian Wei's practice sword from his hand. Unfortunately, she miscalculated her timing and his hand strength and the answering blow from him snapped her stave into two uneven pieces. Using her momentary surprise to his advantage, Dian Wei, brought one of his feet behind her ankle, used a palm strike on her opposite shoulder, and unceremoniously dumped her to the ground. The longer of the two pieces fell from her hand as he pinned her wrist with a knee and laid the 'edge' of his sword at her throat.

He was slightly taken aback when, instead of calling yield, she grinned up at him. From all around them a collective gasp of male consternation arose. For Zhi still clutched the shorter wooden piece, approximately the length of her forearm, with the point held mere inches from what would be – for a man – a very painful and incapacitating injury.

She giggled at the expression that crossed his fierce countenance as he came to that realization. He abruptly backed away from her. Laughter and good-natured jeers commenced as he held his hand out to help her to her feet. With animated conversation, soldiers returned to their practice. Xiahou Dun stepped out of the crowd.

"She's getting to be quite good," he commented in an aside to Dian Wei as Zhi went to the racks to find a different staff. Dun watched the big warrior in interest as Dian Wei followed Zhi's movements with an unreadable expression.

"Yes she has," the big warrior said quietly. He turned to Dun, expressionless. "And I suppose it was you or your cousin that taught her that trick?"

Dun held his hands up defensively.

"Wouldn't have had to teach that trick to a woman, my brother! They're born knowing that one." As both men turned back to watch her, they shuddered in unison.

Zhi returned to her rooms later that evening, only to be beset by Anli, who was fluttering about, waving a piece of paper.

"You're leaving next week for Si Shui!"