Pet
Liu Bei gave a withering sigh as he stared down at his bowing general. Yun had done so much for himself, and for Shu, that he had great difficulty even giving him a disapproving stare. Perhaps it was the dragon in the general, but he was fiercely loyal and has never disobeyed an order. But why the princess of Wei of all woman? "Yun," Bei started slowly and the general looked up. "I… She is… Lady Zhen Ji then will be your responsibility."
"Of course my lord!" Yun said, his lively eyes brightening. "I would have it no other way."
Bei nodded slowly, giving another long sigh, giving a weary smile. "Go, before she says something to set of Fei. I would rather not have him attacking an injured woman." While he said it jokingly, Yun became very serious and nodded. He quickly left the tent. Entering shortly after him was Shu's strategist. Zhuge Liang, an ancient dragon, had sworn to work his knowledge in favor of Shu. Although magical beings in their own right, Dragons had little control over the essence. The only reason he had a human form was because of his wife, the witch. The reason Yun had a human body was still unknown. Bei never remembered to ask the general.
The witch came in behind her husband, making Bei straighten somewhat. While she looked anything but dangerous, even in her true form, she still unnerved the lord. Her current form, the one to her liking, was far less exotic then her natural one. The brown hair had soft curls, falling to her shoulders. She was taller then usual women, with skin darker then her husbands. But she still held the unnatural, magical, dark eyes. Almost black, but with certain thoughts they would glitter green. Her name was Yue Ying.
"Yun has found himself a new pet?" Liang asked, pulling at his inky goatee.
"Pet?" Bei's eyebrows rose. "Sometimes I forget you dragons are ageless and are simply fighting beside me for entertainment for the century."
"That is not so, my lord. We fight to change the world. Not simply for entertainment," Liang smiled.
"I find that somewhat hard to believe, but am grateful none the less. Do you think it is wrong of me to let Lady Ji stay?" Bei noticed, at the name of the woman Ying gave a scowl.
"I believe… it is a treacherous road no matter what you had chosen. This road simply is more agreeable to your conscience and for Yun." Liang turned his head to look out the flap of the tent. "In any case, the land is ours, my lord."
Ji, while still angry, was happy to see Fei leave the medical tent. The glaring contest between her and him had started to become almost tiresome. Almost. Besides, Yun was nicer on the eyes. It was easier to stare, and glare, at him then it was that stout drunkard. Yun had discarded his jacket, his green shirt bringing out his eyes more. Crossing her arms, refusing to let such thoughts, like she noticed that show, she gave a huff.
"I trust the medic took care of you, my lady?" he asked, giving a disarming smile. Or it would have, if his teeth weren't so damn sharp.
"What are you going to do with me?" Ji demanded.
"I planned on putting you in a tent and getting you another set of clothes to wear," Yun said thoughtfully, and Ji almost thought she heard a teasing, flirting undertone. But no. This was the honorable, insufferable Zhao Yun of Shu. She had obviously been mistaken. Stupid green shirt and its sexy abilities.
"Why? Just kill me in this. I rather like my purple over any green, thank you," she said, intensifying her glare.
"Kill you? My apologies if that is what you were looking forward to my lady, but that won't be happening." While he still smiled, there was definitely a dangerous undertone there, Ji thought, loosing her glare to shock. "I shall try to find something other then green for you though, my lady." He scooped her up, again catching her off guard, and carried her out of the tent.
"Damn it! I can walk! Stop touching me," Ji hissed, regaining her vicious glare. He ignored her, still smiling as he held her bridal style. She thought about yelling, and struggling, but the landing was sure to be disastrous. Between being in a dress, that had admittedly seen better days, and all the men in the camp, it was better just to endure him. "Damn you," she muttered, wanting her dignity back.
Curious
"So you want me to find a slave girl, who was in here, burnt herself, and ran away screaming? Why do you want to bring her back when she has obviously been through enough?" the elegant man said, picking an apple off of the plate he had brought in.
"Because I need something new," the demon said, reclining on some of the many pillows. He watched as his friend plopped down with as much grace as any other movement. Which in his mind was a useless talent, but amazing none the less. Plopping usually wasn't graceful.
"Ce. I understand being locked in here is tedious, but to bring a young girl into this?" The other man sighed. "Besides, am I not enough?"
"You know I'm thankful for you not abandoning me, Yu. I'd definitely be insane if you'd left. But… she was new."
"I'll bring you somebody."
"I want her."
"Why her? All you saw of her was gaping, screaming, and flailing. That's not a good first impression, for either of you." Ce shrugged, grabbing one of the grape stems. "Wonderful."
"I'm spoiled and picky." Ce laughed.
"So I've learned." Yu let his head fall back to stare at the ceiling. To a point it was understandable. Ce had not seen another being besides himself and a few family visiting in a few centuries. It was not that hard to fathom why he wanted to see the first stranger again. But it was dangerous. Not only for himself, but for the slave as well. Of course though, Ce would hear none of that.
"Who would know anyway? Nobody'll listen to the slave, nobody talks to me anymore. So unless you plan on telling the world, it'd all work out."
"Why would she even want to return?" Yu lifted his head. He took out a chunk of the apple, one eyebrow raised.
"That's your job to figure out. You're the smart one. You're the one who's watched the world go by. You should have figured woman out by now."
"Your belief in me is encouraging, but no. I have yet to figure out woman. Though I assuredly know more then you," Yu said, grinning haughtily.
"That's what I just said." Yu glared at him. "So, can you do it for me?"
"I don't know if I can. But I can try. It could take a while, though, Ce." Yu caved in, tossing the core of the apple back on the platter.
"That's fine. I've waited centuries for entertainment. I can wait longer. Though I fear if you don't make it in time," Ce said with a smirk.
"You mean you can get worse then this?"
"I might get cryptic. Or speak in riddles."
"I shall try to be quick, dear dear friend." Yu laughed. He was cut short though by the sound of a click. Both heads swung to the door. Yu gave a sideways glanced to Ce, who was sitting much straighter. "What?"
"I smell it."
"It?" Yu hissed.
"Flowers and sunshine." Ce closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "So much better then cinnamon or dust."
A girl's voice interrupted them. "Come on Da! I just want to see. If we don't go in, we'll be fine. He didn't chase you, so I bet he can't leave. I want to see the demon. You didn't have to come."
"I'm not letting my little sister come see a demon on her own!"
"Well then shush. We'll both give the door and big push, and it'll swing open, and we won't even have to enter, okay?"
"Xiao. This is entirely unnecessary. I told you everything."
"Well, I want to see it. I didn't believe, but if you saw something, it's true. Besides, if it's a guy, it's our rightful duty to save him."
"But he wasn't just a guy. He was-is a demon!"
"Are you going to help me or-" She was cut off there. Yu opened the door wide, and stared down at the two with a raised eyebrow. She glanced up, mouth forming an almost perfect 'O'. Besides her was the girl Ce had obviously been talking about. She jumped back, looking ready to run. "Maybe he can leave…" Xiao said quietly, voice full of fear and awe.
"He… that's not him…"
"You were right. He's definitely not human-wait! There are two?" Xiao squeaked.
"Hello, ladies," Yu said, in a way he hoped was none threatening.
"He's pretty," Xiao whispered to Da, and the muscle in Yu's jaw twitched. Da grabbed her forearm and pulled Xiao behind her. Which to Yu was laughable. She was no shield, barely any bigger then her sister. But it was a noble move, none the less.
"Please," Da mumbled, "let us be. We shall leave you in peace."
Yu considered playing with her. Toying with her fear. He was a demon, and it had potential. But the fact of the matter was Ce wanted this human for himself. It would serve no other purpose then to anger Ce to scare her off. Sighing, he held his hands up in the universal sign of peace. "I have every intention to leave you entirely whole, good maidens."
"What?"
"Yes, you shall be free to go. Except, my good friend has a need of you. If you two fine young ladies would be so kind as entertain his musing for but some little time, you are welcome to leave."
"And if we don't want to?" Xiao asked, holding onto Da's shoulders.
"Then you are free to return to the upper levels of the castle. No harm shall befall you by my hand. Or his, since he has a good need of you."
Xiao glanced at Da, who was chewing on her bottom lip. Mulling over the idea, Xiao nodded. "Okay."
"What?" Da hissed, and started to spin around. But remembering the demon, she stopped. She would not give him her back.
"They promised they wouldn't harm us," Xiao said, as if that solved all the problems. "And we... or I wanted to know. Isn't it curious that there are two demons down here?"
"No. Not at all. We should forget all about this and return to our chamber."
"I… don't make me do it alone Da," Xiao gave a small whine, pouting.
"… Fine." Da turned to face Yu, her glare impressive for a woman of her short stature. Yu simply smiled in return, and stepped to the side with a sweeping bow.
Happy Thanksgiving! I think I butchered Pet but I sort of wanted to continue the last piece a little. And since I got such a good review on Names before, I thought I continue it a little. Kind of as a little Thanksgiving gift. As a thank you for the reviews and all you know? In any case, I am mulling over the idea of continuing it, to get back into writing. But I need help. Who should the royalty be? I have no idea who is should be. Obviously, if you read the first one, one of the princesses needs to be a b*tch. So obviously Zhen Ji came to mind, since she is the worse of the girls. But I'm not totally sure I like that idea. It wouldn't need to follow canon (like I don't mind making Zhen Ji, Diao Chan, and Xing Cai sisters if needs be ya know?) So, I'm looking for help here.
