A/N: Thank you to the Author who gave me ideas and examples of how to start my chapter off, helped me to get my chapter up and running. And also a shout out to my friend who shall remain unnamed because He gave me confidence. Thank You, You know who you are !
The wind crept gently into the cold room extremely quiet. It blew the soft velvet curtains apart, therefore bringing in the beautiful heat and light of the bright glowing tango sun, slowly beginning to rise within the distance of the palace. The wind circulated the room, gently bringing a slight cold breeze upon Fan Luhua's light soft pale skin where her skin gently glowed with the sunlight. The light of the rising sun beamed through the cracks of the curtains, onto Fan Luhua's body where she gently laid upon the light surface of the soft silky bed, gently dipping into the soft bed where her body was waiting to recalibrated back into life.
Light fluttered into Fan Luhua's vision as she slowly blinked her way into consciousness. The subtle dulcet sounds of the gentle bluebirds tweeting whilst they sat on their tree broke the sounds of the wind as the sounds flowed into Fan Luhua's ear. Luhua's head twitched slightly to the response of the subtle sounds as her soft small eyes fluttered lightly as they still remained shut. Whilst she knew that the illumination of wherever she was wasn't that intense, she narrowed her eyes, as the glare almost stung. Her vision gradually moving into focus, she opened her eyes wider, and allowed them to adjust. It was then that she became aware of a throbbing discomfort in her forehead. She groaned, and raised the back of her hand to her brow, tentatively feeling for soreness. It didn't sting, so she reasoned that the wound, or whatever it was, was not external.
"I'm sure your head must ache after losing so much blood." A gentle male voice glided into Luhua's senses, and, too fatigued to retaliate, she groaned a little in response to the young male's gentle words. The young man, who owned the voice, laughed softly as he leaned in slightly.
"I'll take that as a yes." There was a creaking noise as the young man stood up, and his footfalls could be heard as he moved away for a moment, before coming back and being seated once more.
Fan Luhua winced minutely as a cold dampness appeared on the edges of her slightly hot forehead, but soon relaxed as she realised that the young man was simply attempting to ease her horrible fever with a moist cloth. As much as the coolness was soothing, part of her fatigued mind couldn't help but wonder why this stranger was so keen to help. She relaxed slightly as she continued to allow the young man to pat her hot forehead gently with the cold damp towel.
"Wh-who are-" Luhua cut herself off as she coughed hoarsely, her throat extremely dry and sore from exertion. A calming hand was laid on her shoulder, and her breathing became more regular and more calm now.
"My name is Zhao Yun, my Lady. I promise you, you will be safe here." Luhua again fought for words as she tried to speak, but failed slightly. She coughed and hacked loudly as the sounds were so hoarse and dry, she rose her hand up to her lips to cover such an ugly sight, she groaned gently as the cough was excruciatingly painful.
"B-but-" This time she was cut off by Zhao Yun, who moved a finger across to her wet red lips.
"There is no need to worry, my Lady. You shouldn't stress yourself by trying to speak." Luhua couldn't help but be silenced by the gentleness of the young man's words, she closed her eyes gently and lingered onto the moment, her lips touching the softness of his finger upon her lips, although his willingness to tend to her put her a little ill at ease. She wrinkled her nose in a slight frown, and again came that soft, genuine laugh.
"You should get some rest." With that the young man stood up, Luhua opened her eyes, revealing her beautiful sage green eyes, almost like a grass like colour, this was allowing Luhua to see the features of Zhao Yun more clearly. Warm brown eyes looked down on her gently resting body, and they were edged with fronds of shiny brunette hair, the length of which was tied in a loose ponytail. His hair hung down over his eyes with a kind of youthful nonchalance, but his serious, caring gaze upon Fan Luhua's gentle face betrayed his maturity and responsibility as a person. It was the type of face truly befitting of a hero.
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Fan Luhua's sore, dry bright sage green eyes stalked Zhao Yun's tall slim body out of the room. Her eyes followed each step he took out of the room, as each foot stepped gently onto the dry wooden floor as it gently creaked to the pressure of Yun's foot. She sighed as she threw her light brunette head back into the soft plump pure pillow. Zhao Yun turned his strong body around slightly to see her laying there, almost depressed like. He took a few steps back into the cold but bright room and he looked upon the young girl. He walked towards her carefully as he held his strong wide hands behind his back, standing tall. He knelt down beside the soft bed, he took one hand from his back and he held Luhua's small pale hand within his own and he held on tight.
" Will you be okay ?" He spoke out softly, whispering quietly into her sensitive ears. Fan Luhua opened her rouge mouth but all that exerted from her mouth was a bellowing cough. Zhao Yun placed his other hand upon her back and patted gently. She coughed lightly now as the patting was helping her, soothing her pain. All she could bear was a nod. She tipped her head towards the young man. He curled his lips and smiled lightly. Zhao Yun lifted up her cold pale hand which seemed to flop into Zhao Yun's huge hand. He placed his gently lips upon her hand and kissed gently.
" Get some sleep my Lady" He spoke out as he placed her pale hand gently back onto the bed. He took his hand and placed it within the other and bowed towards Luhua. He turned around, not even waiting for Luhua to respond back. He strode very proudly out of the room into the bright proud gardens outside of the gloomy palace.
She sighed as she thought to herself " Why is he helping me, why is he calling me " My lady", does he even know who I am ?". So many curious questions ran through Luhua's already aching and painful head. She sighed as she gently rested her head into the pure white pillow. She glanced into the distance through the window where she spotted Zhao Yun sitting alone by a blossom tree in the beautiful bright gardens. She closed her sore red eyes as she began to drift off into the subconscious mind to the mixed sounds of the light wind whistling into the room and the Bluebirds singing their songs within the early morning. Her head leant to one side as she began to sleep lightly.
As time passed on during Luhua's sleep. Guan Yinping began to creep into the room. Each step she took into the room, she gently placed her foot down onto the wooden floor, trying not to make an inch of sound. She placed her foot down onto a wooden slat where it creaked exceedingly loud. Yinping looked ahead and winced slightly. Luhua mumbled and turned over to face the window. Yinping sighed as she continued to tiptoe into the room. She finally reached Luhua where she gently sat down into the chair next to the bed. She sighed as she watched Luhua sleep.
Fan Luhua mumbled slightly as she whimpered. Her eyebrows rose as she became restless. She mumbled the words " Fan Ai". The name of her brother who died. Guan Yinping tilted her head slightly in confusion as she continued to watch Luhua dream. Luhua became more restless by the second. It reached a moment where Luhua became extremely restless, whimpering in her dream slightly as she began to sob slightly, the clear tears running down her pale scared face. Luhua could not dream any more. Her weak body raised up quickly and swiftly from the bed as she screamed loudly, panicking. Yinping leaned forward quickly as she held Luhua's hand and placed her other hand on her shoulder, gently hushing Luhua down. The hushing was quiet yet very soothing.
" Hey !, You're okay, everything is fine, it was just a dream" Her sweet sorrowful voice broke through to Luhua immediately.
"Just a dream..." Luhua spoke out softly. Yinping nodded as she hugged Luhua tightly.
" Nothing more" Yinping spoke out soothingly. Luhua calmed down slightly as she looked at her surrounding and realised it was nothing more than a dream, a nightmare. She sighed as she flopped her legs out of the bed, throwing the covers away. Her legs seemed to still be bloody slightly, but she looked upon the wound on her thigh,as she gently touched the scar on her thigh. She put her hands to her face and rubbed as she groaned. She stood up gently, wobbling slightly. Yinping took a hold of her back to help lean her upwards. Luhua just gently shook her head at Yinping. She looked down at her body to see her bloody underclothing. She sighed as she walked slowly out of the room, not caring an inch about her appearance to the others as she tightly gripped her right arm as she shudders at her horrid dream that she had.
She walked down the halls carefully, as she gripped her arm tightly, digging her nails into the flesh of her pale cold arm. She shuddered as she tried to expel the thought of the dream out of her pained mind. She groaned as the throbbing pain within her head would not leave. She raised her right hand and rubbed her pained forehead gently, wishing to herself that she had the moist cold soothing cloth against her hot head. She walked alone in the warm hallway as the strong light from the sun broke through the barriers of the cold and the dark within the hallway. She blinked in retaliation to the strong light. She shuddered as the sunlight began to warm her up gently.
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Time seemed to grow longer and longer as Fan Luhua felt more alone than she had ever been. The loneliness brought back memories of her brother, the day when she became truly alone. She though dawned her mind for a long time. But then the thoughts quickly emptied her head when as quick as a flash. A giant figure apprehended her. He took her by her small pale throat and slammed her against the nearest wall next to him. Luhua's head bashed into the wall, causing the wall to crack slightly as the force put upon her was so great. She groaned loudly as she tightly gripped the man's arms, digging her nails in deeply as hard as she could. But the sharpness of the nails did not affect the man whatsoever. She could not be released by the man at all. She began to turn a slight red colour as she began to choke. She tried to breathe as the man began to wrap his hands around her neck gently, he began to crush her neck gradually. But as he nearly finished her off, Guan Yinping comes running into the corridor, yelling loudly.
" Father ! Let her go !" She strode up to her father, nudging his shoulder gently to make him let go of Luhua. He shook his head and turned away from his daughter.
" She is the one who took our lords from us" Guan Yu yelled out, crushing her throat even further. Luhua's eyes opened slightly, peering at the man crushing her. She saw the giant bulging muscles appearing from his armour, his long black beard running down from his face, his hurt cold eyes sneering and peering at Luhua's face. She continued to hit and punch his arm to try and get him to release her, but to no success, he continued.
" If you kill her, we will lose our only information on finding Lord Liu Bei" A subtle but true voice spoke gently as he carefully approached Guan Yu crushing Luhua's neck. She gasped as she all supply to oxygen was being cut off by Yu's great hands. Zhuge Liang placed his hand upon u's great muscular shoulder.
" Let her so, she is of value to us" He whispered into Guan Yu's ear. It took Guan Yu to think about his response for a moment before he released his giant hands from Fan Luhua's throat and growled. Luhua fell to the floor coughing. Guan Yinping bent down. She took Fan Luhua's hand and placed it around her own shoulder to help Luhua up from the floor. Luhua coughed and spluttered violently as her airways were now available to take air once more. She sighed as her eyes peered up darkly at Guan Yu. Zhuge Liang walked up to her carefully, looking and studying her face gently.
" You are the girl that took Liu Bei from us, now you can lead us to him" He spoke out softly towards the girl. Luhua failed to look at Zhuge Liang, Her eyes glanced off into the abyss as she though about her actions, and what she had done. Zhuge Liang sighed once more.
" You regret your actions, I know, but we have to forgive and atone your acts" He spoke out gently, he placed a single hand upon her bruised and hurt shoulder. She sighed long-fully as she tipped her head and nodded gently. Zhuge Liang chuckled slightly in his throat.
" We shall leave you be for the time being" Zhuge Liang spoke out before gesturing to Guan Yu to leave the area. Yu grunted as he stormed off into the distance, Zhuge Liang soon followed in Yu's footsteps and left the area. Fan Luhua sighed as she growled slightly in her sore throat. She pushed Yinping out of the way and stormed off back to the room where she was being treated for her injuries. She slammed the hard wooden door behind her as she locked it, turning the key and then taking it out and throwing it onto the table where it made a slight 'clunk' noise. Guan Yinping ran to the door and slammed her fist upon it.
" Come on Luhua, let me in" She called out gently. Luhua shook her head in disgrace as she hurried over to her armour where she placed all of her clothing back onto her body. She then placed all of her body armour on her body.
" I have to leave, I am not welcome here" She called out as she hurried to put her shining silver thigh high boots onto her legs. Yinping sighed.
" You are ! Just give people time, you have already been accepted by me and Zhao Yun" She called out as she continued to slam her fist against the door. Luhua sighed as she continued to place all clothing back on. She placed her green gloves back on and clipped the silver metal armour on top of the gloves. She took up her buckle and put it on her waist and attached both the Cross Halberd and Balaban onto it.
" Please Luhua, I know exactly who you are" Yinping whispered through the door as she gently placed her hand flat up to the door. Luhua turned around as she went to climb out of the window onto the tree next to the window. She sighed as she ignored Yinping and climbed out of the window, onto the tree.
" Luhua...?" Guan Yinping called out softly, but she realised she was not in there any more. She quickly turned around and ran quickly outside of the palace, to the courtyards.
Fan Luhua quickly hustled down the tree, regardless whether she was getting scratched by the spiking branches or not. She got to the last branch but her foot missed the branch and she slipped off the tree. This did not stop her strength at all. Her agility increased as she ran as quickly as she could to try and escape. She continued to run through the courtyard where Zhao Yun's soft brown eyes quickly rose from his book. He glared at Luhua quickly but quietly running through the abandoned courtyard. He frowned slightly as he rose his tall firm body from the ground and hurried to stop Luhua.
" My Lady, where are you off to ?" He spoke out with such a gentle tone and manner that it caused Luhua to stop and to turn around to find the source of this gentleness. She turned around to see Zhao Yun standing there, she saw how handsome he was, his hair gently flowing down his back, his eyes so caring towards her. Zhao Yun glanced at her so such a long while. His eyes staring within her sage green eyes. He finally got a proper look at Fan Luhua as she stood within the sunlight. She appeared to be like an Angel in Zhao Yun's eyes.
" I have to leave, I have no choice" she spoke out softly towards her Hero. Zhao Yun shook his head and walked up closer to her as he continued to look within her green eyes. He gently held her face.
" No you do not, you are more than welcome here, even if you are a deadly assassin" He spoke out with such a soothing voice. Fan Luhua looked at his hand upon her face. She gently wiped his hand from her face and shook.
" I have no place in the world" she spoke out softly. Guan Yinping quickly ran up towards the two standing together.
"Y-yes you d-do" Yinping spoke out breathlessly.
" Just give it time" Zhao Yun spoke out, tightly gripping Fan Luhua's shoulder. She sighed as she nodded her head gently towards Zhao Yun.
" Fine" She whispered quietly to the two young adults
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Fan Luhua was still slightly confused on what purpose her empty life serves or more to the point, where she belonged in the huge world. She walked back towards the peaceful and beautiful courtyard, limping slightly on her right leg. She saw a singularity that stood out to her. She slowly walked up to it, trying to relieve all pressure from her leg as she stood by the beautiful tree in front of her. The tree seemed to be decaying slightly, the old branches seemed to dip in towards the ground. The perfectly curved pink petals all fell gracefully from the dead branched onto the fresh green grass. She sighed as she placed her sore back against the tree and gently slid down it, until she reached the ground.
Luhua hid her head within her knees which seemed to be bruising slightly. She placed her soft green covered hands behind her aching head and relaxed. The sun gently touching the tips of her skin, warming her up slightly, but not burning her to a crisp. She sighed as she glared at the kingdom, in pain. She looked around to see many members of the Shu faction confused and yet doing so well to cope without a brilliant mind to lead them all, even Zhuge Liang was struggling to cope slightly as she saw him pacing back and forth from each spot. Xing Cai was sitting by her own, carefully sharpening her sword. As Xing Cai glanced up from her sword. She saw Fan Luhua sitting by her self, relaxing slightly. Cai growled as she got up and walked towards Luhua, gripping her sword slightly. Zhao Yun stood up in front of Luhua, holding his spear at Xing Cai.
" You will not harm her, she is an asset" Zhao Yun spoke out softly. Every time he spoke, it soothed Fan Luhua's pain and calmed her down, it was almost like he was her cure. She thought to herself because no-one was ever able to calm her down, only her brother was able to do such a thing. She was surprised at the though as she looked up at Xing Cai and scowled, smirking slightly within a smiled such as hers. Xing Cai growled as she turned her back and walked back to her previous spot. She sat back down crouching over slightly as she continued to sharpen her already shining sword. She continued to sharpen as her eyes did not fail to look away from Fan Luhua, she continued to glance and stare at Luhua.
Zhao Yun shook his head at Xing Cai and turned his body around and crouched down to Luhua's level and placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder where he gripped slightly.
" Are you okay ? I know people hate you with a passion, but we are benevolent, give it time, and all will accept you" He spoke out gently as he looked deeply into her sage green eyes. She sighed as she broke the link between eye contact as she tipped her head down slightly, nodding towards him.
" What will make you better ?" He asked her softly. His voice still being as soothing as it has been all this time. She sighed as she knew what she was about to say sounded crazy bearing in mind her place and loyalty within the Shu faction.
" If we train" She spoke out minutely, trying her very best not to be heard by Zhao Yun. He blinked a couple of times but then he rose his body from the ground and held his perfectly formed Dragon Spear tightly within his right hand.
" As you wish my Lady" he called out, smirking slightly. He held out his left hand to Luhua. She blinked a couple of times
" Wait what !?" she yelled out slightly, coughing gently within her speech. Zhao Yun smirked.
" You wish to train, we shall" Zhao Yun called out, still holding out his firm hand towards Luhua. She gently placed her slim hand within his. He gently pulled her up from the ground, her body leaping to the air, then her feet landing back onto the ground. He pulled her up with such a great force. She wobbled slightly as she landed. Zhao Yun placed a gentle hand upon her back.
" You okay ?" He asked her as she stopped wobbling. She chuckled slightly as she smiled and nodded.
" Let's go then" He said as started to walk out from the courtyard. She lagged on behind a bit, watching Zhao Yun as he spoke to the guards about letting them go out for a while. She thought to herself " I like him ?" She questioned her feelings for him. She thought it was just child's play, or maybe it was something more. Zhao Yun waved at her, gesturing for her to walked over quicker.
" We can go in the fields for a while" He spoke out calmly. She nodded.
" Thank you" She said. After she spoke, she blinked a few times. She had never said thank you to anyone before. She kept doubting herself of her feelings. She ran slightly, almost tripping up her own feet, trying to catch up with Zhao Yun striding ahead into the fields. He chuckled as he saw her trying to catch up with her.
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Zhao Yun stopped walking in the fields. He sighed as he closed his eyes, having the bright sun glow on his face subtly. Luhua came to a halt as she stopped behind Zhao Yun, she glanced over his huge shoulder, stepping on her tiptoes to see over his shoulder, to see if there was any threat, to her surprise there was not threat. Zhao Yun sighed as he turned around to see Fan Luhua's face glowing within the sunlight. He chuckled.
" Let's train shall we ?" He spoke out softly holding his spear tightly in his right hand. She chuckled and nodded as she took her Cross Halberd and split it into two single Halberds. She stances with them carefully as she snarled at Zhao Yun. She swung her Halberds at him fast. He quickly jumped back dodging the Halberds. Yun threw his spear down onto the floor.
" No no no, hand combat" He spoke out shaking his head at her. She sighed as she turned around and walked towards a small plant in the field. She gently placed her weapons down by the small colourful and blooming flower. She sighed as she took the Balaban off her belt as well and placed it down by the flower. She turned around to face Zhao Yun who stood there, with his hands clenched behind his back. He brought them out and held them up lightly towards her. She chuckled as she held up her hands to him and clenched them into a ball like shape.
Zhao Yun threw the first punch, which luckily, Fan Luhua dodged by ducking and crouching down quickly. As she crouched down, she threw out her fist, punching him in the knee, causing him to bend over slightly. She pushed her foot outwards, making her slip through the gap between Zhao Yun's legs. She came out through the back of Zhao Yun's legs. She lifted up her thin leg and kicked the lower part of his spine. He groaned in agony as she lifted up her body and punched the back of his legs. Zhao Yun failed to respond. He was losing on purpose.
He groaned as he laid on the ground, in agony as he continued to allow Luhua to win. He knew she needed to take out her anger on something. She lifted up her hefty metallic boot and forced down onto Zhao Yun's shoulder blade. As she continue to kick him repeatedly in his shoulder blades. She thought for a slight second. She stopped kicking him and put her foot back down next to her other leg. She sighed.
" This is wrong, I should know better" She quietly whispered to herself. She heard Zhao Yun groan in pain. She sighed as she knelt down next to his body. She placed her hand upon his face to see the bright red blood dripping from his forehead, leaking down the side of his face, she took a piece of ripped cloth from her clothing and used it to help clear up the blood from his face. She lightly dabbed his face with the dry cloth. As it soaked up the blood, his face started to become more clear to her. He did not wince at the pain of the blood. His eyes was so fixated on her face. Her fringe slightly covering one side of her face, she looked up as she cleared up the blood around the wound.
" Thank you" He said lightly as he lifted his gentle hand up and placed it on her shoulder. She looked up and sighed.
" You are welcome, you let me win" She spoke out softly as she looked into his deep brown eyes. She tipped her head down as she felt shameful for what she had done to him.
" I am sorry, for what I did" She said minutely. Zhao Yun placed his soft hand underneath her chin and brought her head up to face his. He looked deeply at the features of her face which defined her as who she truly is, not just an assassin but a beauty. Her incredibly pale face, her skin cold as snow. Her lips red like a rose. Her sage green eyes were the prettiest feature of her face. He took his other hand and placed it upon her hand which held the bloody cloth. He took her hand away from his head.
" I know the great amount of pain you are in, and all I was doing was to help you" he said softly, leaning in closer to her face. She sighed as her heart beat started to beat a little faster as the adrenaline of Zhao Yun laying a hand upon her face got to her. Her breathing increased a little as nerves got to the assassin. She had never felt like this before about anyone she had ever known. Feelings had finally taken over the assassin. Luhua often found feelings were a sign of weakness but for some unknown reason, her feelings for Zhao Yun were making her stronger in both mind and body. She battered her eyelashes slightly as she continued to look down. She began to scratch her hands because her nerves were getting to her. Zhao Yun touched the top of her hand lightly as shook his head.
" Please stop that" He whispered gently and he continued to move his face in closer to hers. Fan Luhua's breathing became shallower.
Zhao Yun used his hand underneath her chin to bring her pale cold face closer towards his own. He tilted his head slightly. Luhua's breathing became quiet as her heart was beating like mad. Her adrenaline made her become extremely shaky. Zhao Yun closed his eyes as his lips moved closer towards her own. Fan Luhua could feel the heat from Zhao Yun's lips because their lips were so close together. She could feel his breathing become more shallow. He moved forwards slightly and placed his lips gently upon Luhua's red lips. He moved his hand from her chin to her neck where he gently held her soft snow like skin. Luhua suddenly felt a sense of warm from Zhao Yun's kiss. All she could do is deny her feelings no longer. She passionately kissed back onto his warm lips.
Zhao Yun released from the passionate kiss. He opened his eyes to see Fan Luhua blushing brightly, her cheeks red as a rose but the rest of her skin pale as snow. She opened her eyes to look at Zhao Yun, smiling at the sight of her blushing deeply. She lifted up her extremely shaky hand and gently touched her warm red lips. She had never felt this warm in years. She had always felt cold and dark. But she felt light and warm. And she smiled lightly as she placed her hand on Zhao Yun's hand.
" Why did you do that ?" she asked, speaking very softly. Zhao Yun chuckled.
"I could not hold back my feelings for you, when I first saw you, you appeared as an Angel to me, regardless of whether you are an Assassin or not" He spoke gently whispering quietly so only him and Luhua could hear. She smiled lightly as her heart throbbed for him even more. He went and leaned into her face to kiss her again, but before their lips could touch once more, a voice called out from the distance.
" Fan Luhua, Someone has asked for you" A young voice called out, she walked up the steep and curved hill, the top of the hair revealed to be black, covered in green ribbons.
" Who Guan Yinping" Fan Luhua called out very quietly as she turned around to look at Zhao Yun. All he did was shrug his shoulders slightly as he did not know who this mysterious person was.
" Her name is Diao Chan".