Chapter 8: Uncle Han Sui

The grudge between me and Ma Chao has smoothed so we're on good terms now. These quarrels happen a lot. What do you expect? We're siblings. But what he did then...was just so stupid! Can't stop myself screaming at him, teehee.

The two opposing forces faced off again, but this time, the Wei army had fewer people. Cao Cao had returned from his escape, intent on revenge.

"We're going to win this aren't we? Look at the amount of people they have!" exclaimed Ma Dai.

"Oh come on, don't exaggerate, we have more people, but not by that far," said Yun Lu. "Although I do think we're gonna win this."

"Watch out for his little schemes," advised Pang De.

"You'll help us look out for them, right, my friend?" asked Han Sui. Pang De smiled.

"Of course I will."

Ma Chao waited for Cao Cao to make the first move. But instead of sending the army charging, he sent a lone messenger.

"Generals, my lord, Cao Cao, wishes to speak with General Han Sui," announced the messenger.

"What? Why?" asked Han Sui, confused.

"You should go uncle. Cao Cao probably has something to say about our battle," suggested Ma Chao.

"If the cow wants to talk about the battle, why is he requesting Han Sui instead of Ma Chao?" Yun Lu asked Ma Dai.

"Oh yeah, now that's a good point," replied Ma Dai, which wasn't very helpful.

"Come with me general," said the messenger and Han Sui followed him.

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"Ah, Han Sui my good old friend," welcomed Cao Cao warmly. He and Han Sui were left all alone in the middle between the two armies.

"Ahem, we're enemies now. Say what you have to say," Han Sui said firmy.

"No, no. Let us talk about our good times. Set aside our swords and chat," Cao Cao sheathed his sword.

"What are you playing at?" Han Sui said and muttered, "So shifty." The two had once been good friends and he knew Cao Cao was a shrewd man. Just what did this Cao Cao want?

"Nothing, I just merely want to chat."

"Don't be ridiculous. Our forces are waiting for battle!"

Cao Cao ignored the comment.

"Remember those times when we fought together, side by side?"

Many thoughts ran through Han Sui's head at that time. Their old friendship, Cao Cao being shifty, the fact that he could kill Cao Cao right now on the spot, if he should ignore the enemy commander or comply with his wish for a chat.

Han Sui sighed and sheathed his sword. He decided to play along, on behalf of the fact they they were, once friends.

"Why, of course I remember, Mengde."

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"I'm getting so bored," said Yun Lu, observing the two generals who seemed to be chatting away like old friends who haven't seen each other in a while. (which is true)

How long do they take? God, they are so slow.

"You know, maybe we should've got Uncle to pocket a little dagger so that he can kill Cao Cao on the spot," said Yun Lu.

"We don't' use underhanded schemes here. Anyway, I want to be the one who kills him," replied Ma Chao.

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Some time had passed, which Han Sui had just noticed for he had actually been quite enjoying the talk of their past times.

"Hahahahahahaha." Cao Cao and Han Sui laughed at a humorous memory. Then Han Sui decided to get serious again.

"What do you want?" he asked plainly. Cao Cao smiled contently to let out what he was aiming for in the first place.

"If you ever want to fight with me again, just tell me! You are welcome to do so, I will be pleased." He turned his horse and returned to his army.

"I can't and will not defect. For Ma Teng, Ma Chao's sake…and my own, I will not switch sides!" Han Sui said to himself before galloping back to Ma Chao.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Uncle, uncle! What did the cow have to say?" asked Yun Lu eagerly. Ma Chao and Ma Dai's looked at Han Sui eagerly as well.

"We talked about old times…"

"WHAAAA?" cried the siblings and cousin in unison. Han Sui felt extremely awkward.

"Uh…yes, that's what we talked about," he repeated, not very firmly.

"Not possible. Not a single thing about the battle?" asked Ma Chao.

"N-nothing at all." Han Sui was perfectly aware that stuttering was not helping him at all. He also decided not to tell them about Cao Cao's offer. He wasn't going to accept it anyway, it would only cause more suspicion.

Ma Chao breathed out heavily and turned away.

Obviously he's not accepting what Uncle's saying. Well, neither am I as a matter of fact. Whey the heck would they go out and have a petty little chat? It's not making any sense.

"Mengqi?" asked Yun Lu, seeing her brother in deep thought, away from Han Sui.

"Oh, hey, Yun Lu," replied Ma Chao.

"So…do you think Uncle is…lying?"

"I really hope not, but…I'm don't know…"

"But Uncle is dad's bestest friend! He won't defect that easily! Didn't he say that we we're like the children he never had and that he would take care of us, in place of our father?"

Ma Chao looked at his sister.

"You didn't know this, but they used to be good friends, Uncle and Cao Cao."

Woah, that's new. First time I've heard of that. Them friends? No way.

"Are you freaking serious?"

"And that's why I'm worried about Uncle's allegiance. Their friendship could've rekindled, Cao Cao could've persuaded him to switch, because of they used to be on the same side.

That completely changes things. They were friends! Kinda amazed that Cao Cao actually has friends…heh. Anyways, would Uncle really betray us? We're…family!

"What happens then? What are we gonna do?" asked Yun Lu quietly.

"For now, we should be wary of him. Let's not jump to conclusions too soon, but we can't let him on important mission, just in case he really is on the other side," answered Ma Chao. "I really don't want to do this." He let out a sigh. "Let's go, this battle has been left lingering for too long."

Lols, too much battles now. TT_TT

I'm not a fan of writing battles, but it's unavoidable. Someone hit me, I'm always not bothered to update. I've like written 15 chapters in my notebook but typed and posted only 8 *sigh*

Anyway, please R&R and tell me about anything wrong or bad. Criticism is welcomed warmly with open arms and so are any comments! Thanks for reading =D