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Guard My Heart	By : Landri Category: +A through F > Dynasty Warriors Views: 2860 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dynasty Warriors, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they are based off of historical figures that now belong to Koei, and the Dynasty Warriors series.

Summary: A young warrior girl seeks employment in the armies of Shu, earning a place as one of Lord Liu Bei's personal body guards. But will she earn more than that from the virtuous Emperor of Shu? And what will it cost her when he discovers the secret she has been hiding from him?

Guard My Heart

Chapter 4- Preparing for War

�He�s up to something, I just know it!� Yue Ying muttered pacing in the small space in agitation.

�What makes you say that?� Sun Shang asked distractedly from where she sat. The princess had been mulling over the past few weeks she had spent guarding her emperor. It was odd, but since that night when Liu Bei had announced his acceptance of the alliance marriage they had not seen each other alone. Somehow someone was always there with them. Sun Shang wasn�t sure if it was because Liu Bei didn�t want her to get the wrong impression from that night and was trying to discourage any more personal discussions. Or maybe it was because she hadn�t been able to tell him the truth. He had said that he had been trying to trust her, but what if she had messed everything up more by not telling him that night? What if he didn�t trust her to guard him now?

�He�s acting so bloody normal, almost like nothing happened! Except every once in a while he stands too close, or �accidentally� touches me. It�s innocent, and harmless when he does though. That�s why,� Yue Ying announced crankily.

�If it�s accidental then what difference does it make?� the red head cocked her head to stare up at the blonde in confusion.

�But it�s not something he�s ever done before! He�s only touched me like this since that day by the lake, but he�s still so� impersonal towards me!� She crossed her arms over her chest. �He�s obviously up to something.�

Sun Shang shook off her thoughts to try and process the logic of that remark. �Uh, Yue? Are you sure that means he�s up to something? I mean, won�t you feel just the tiniest bit silly if he really doesn�t realize anything happened? Or what if he just wants to keep things normal and so he�s pretending nothing happened?�

Yue Ying froze, head whipping around to pin Sun Shang Xiang with a searching look. �Is that really what you think Lord Liu Bei is doing?� Of course Shang Xiang had told Yue Ying of the kiss, just as Yue Ying had spoken of her husband�s moments of closeness.

�I don�t know Yue. I honestly don�t,� the princess muttered in a disheartened voice.

Just great. She had been brooding about it so long that she was starting to push her fears off onto her friend. She couldn�t decide what was worse; things really meaning nothing to their men, or both of them reading more into their lords� actions than was truly there.

�I�ve got to go. I�m standing guard over our Lord today while he meets with Cao Cao. Apparently it was decided that he needed a body guard but they don�t want to insult the Wei Lord with having an obvious one.�

�They want you to look cute and unthreatening so Cao Cao doesn�t feel insulted by your presence, is that it?� Yue Ying asked in amusement.

�Yes, and yes again.�

�Well good luck with that,� the Shu general murmured doubtfully.

�Hey, what�s that supposed to mean?� Sun Shang demanded with a frown.

�Only that you�re one of the most dangerous women I know, and if Cao Cao can�t see that then he doesn�t deserve to rule all of China.� The Wu princess stared up at her.

�That was the nicest compliment I�ve ever heard anyone say about me!� she jumped up to hug her friend.

Yue Ying disentangled herself gently with a wry smile. �You should go �Lian Jing�. Our master awaits your presence.�

�Ok. I�ll see you at supper?�

�Count on it.�
~~~~
�I understand that Wu has recently offered you their strength, Liu Bei.�

Dark, deep set eyes stared over the edge of a cup. Those eyes took in everything from the sweeping arches of the trees that swayed against the edges of the gazebo to the lithe female that stood at attention at the foot of the stairs. Cao Cao�s gaze lingered over the delicate curves of her body appreciatively. He didn�t miss the spark of resentment that flared in his old friend�s eyes at his display of pleasure in her form.

Was Liu Bei taking servant girls now? He had always frowned on lord�s abusing their authority to gain the attention of the women in their care. He must be starved for affection since the unfortunate demise of his wives indeed to be breaking that particular rule of his.

Or perhaps the girl was a bastard child of his? It wasn�t unheard of for men of power to give their offspring positions that could keep them close. It would be just like Liu Bei to want to guarantee that any children of his were well off, even if he refused to acknowledge them.

That could explain why the Shu lord had sent her to stand apart from them when Cao Cao had expressed his interest in her� Oh yes, and her presence at their meeting. If she was his daughter, then perhaps he could use her connection with Liu Bei to his advantage. If she wasn�t� bedding a former strumpet of Liu Bei�s would be almost as satisfying as running him through.

Damn! But why did the man have to cling so fiercely to his morals? This was a war; its people needed leadership, not sugar coated ideas, spun from the lips of a romantic. He wasn�t a bad fighter, but Liu Bei wasn�t the best or the strongest. Certainly his virtue alone would not be enough to master the land. And Sun Jian�s whelps were clever enough to realize it.

That was why Cao Cao was here. He would dissuade Liu Bei from falling into the trap that Sun Quan was doubtlessly planning for him. If that happened to prevent them from uniting against his own ambitions, then so much the better. Cao Cao turned his head to catch his advisor�s sharp gaze. He flicked a look at the girl in a silent message that the young man seemed to understand. The slender, robed man tipped his head the slightest bit in acknowledgement.

Cunning eyes fixed on the green and white clad girl in a very predatorily way. Cao Cao decided that he had chosen his newest advisor well, as he also seemed to realize that there was something about the girl standing near the steps that led back inside the palace. Cao Cao would not need to worry about her. Sima Yi would keep an eye on her during this meeting. And on everything else as well. Cao Cao was free to turn his attention to the green clad ruler that sat opposite of him, content in the knowledge that Sima Yi would be sure to find out what there was to know about the servant girl.

And if she wasn�t anything to Liu Bei then perhaps he could make an offer of his own. After all, there was always plenty of space in his personal pavilion.

�Sun Quan has offered his assistance should I require it for anything,� Liu Bei agreed easily.

Too simple really. The man had no craftiness or dishonesty in his body. It was almost enough to make the visiting lord cringe at how open his host was about everything.

�And what is the cost of this assistance he has offered you?� Cao Cao allowed a bit of a sneer to enter his words. It was time to make the illustrious one doubt the intentions of his new �ally� before he could accept.

�Price?� the other man looked confused, as if the thought had never entered his head. �They extend to me the hand of their princess in an offer of peace. There is no price that they have demanded of me.�

The Wei ruler felt his advisor stiffen behind him as if he�d been struck. Cao Cao cast a questioning glance at his strategist, but the young man avoided his gaze. Narrowing his eyes a bit he dismissed the other man�s reaction, making a note to ask him about his response later when Liu Bei wasn�t sitting right there.

�No price? My friend, this doesn�t strike you as odd? The fact they offer assistance without any request or demands in return. They offer you their princess, whom I have come to understand is thought of very highly by the people of Wu despite her oddness.�

�Oddness?� Liu Bei asked with interest. �What have you heard of the Lady Sun Shang Xiang? I have heard nothing about her except that she is unlike other women of high station within the Wu kingdom.�

Cao Cao nearly ground his teeth, frustrated that the other man was missing the point. On purpose most likely. He always did act like an idiot when a subject that he wished to avoid came up. He decided to humor the other man though so that when he dragged the conversation back in the direction he needed it to go, then he would be unable to change the subject back.

�I have heard very little about her myself, my lord. I understand that she is skilled with the bow, and holds a very unfeminine interest in martial combat. It is spoken that she is very mannish in appearance, and is rumored to be rather plain. It must be very difficult to find a suitable husband for such a tomboyish and unattractive female. Perhaps that is the price of their aid. They are that desperate to find someone to take her off their hand.�

Cao Cao smirked a little as he continued, �Or perhaps they plan to marry you off to their little Amazon in the hopes that she will kill you.�

Liu Bei laughed lightly, dismissing the idea with a wave.

�Even if the Suns would be so dishonorable as to try such a trick-which they wouldn�t- my guards would never allow me to come to harm.�

�Your faith in your guards is that complete?� Cao Cao murmured thoughtfully, stroking his black beard. �How trusting of you.� He thought he heard his strategist softly mutter something that sounded like, �That�s an understatement.�

He ignored the comment, hoping that Liu Bei hadn�t heard the man speak.

�You plan to marry this manly female and more firmly establish your empire then?� Cao Cao asked with feigned polite interest.

�I am getting on in years Cao Cao. We both are,� Liu Bei smiled depreciatingly. �I have no desire to die alone.� Cao Cao stared at the man who sat before him, resenting the remark about getting on in years. Late thirties, neither of them were truly that old. Even if he were nearly forty Liu Bei had the countenance of a much younger man. A younger man who was evading the issue that Cao Cao was trying to bring to light.

�Sima Yi, would you please join Liu Bei�s servant over there?�

�Your will, Lord Cao Cao.� Sima Yi bowed politely to them both and excused himself. Liu Bei�s eyes followed him anxiously. Cao Cao watched the expressions on the other lord�s face. The Shu leader really didn�t want anyone near that girl. Such� possessiveness from such a normally relaxed man. Thoughtfully Cao Cao allowed Liu Bei to pour him some wine.

The silence stretched between them.

�There are maybe two heroes in this land Liu Bei. Would you happen to know who those heroes are?�

�I don�t know that I am wise enough to make that decision,� the Shu lord looked down as he spoke before raising his head to meet Cao Cao�s eyes.

~~~~

Sun Shang Xiang stared at the three men who were within the garden gazebo; her lord, Lord Cao Cao and Cao Cao�s newest advisor, Sima Yi. The two emperors sat facing each other in discussion, while the dark strategist stood at Cao Cao�s back. Liu Bei had asked her to stand some distance away so that they could speak privately, and Sun Shang eagerly gave him the space he asked for.

The looks the two men were giving her gave her chills, although each for different reasons. Cao Cao�s gaze was filled with� hunger perhaps? Whatever it was in his face, it made her feel dirty. She avoided his eyes.

Despite how creepy she found the Wei Emperor she found the presence of the strategist much more disquieting. She had run into Sima Yi before. Sun Shang was terrified that he would recognize her and remember that encounter.

Whatever Liu Bei just said made Sima Yi stiffen. His head whipped around, odd lavender eyes pinning her to the spot. Sun Shang�s breath caught in her throat at the lack of expression on his face.

He knows something!

More words pass between the visiting nobles. Cao Cao turned his attention to Sima Yi and gave a command. Sima Yi bowed at both of them before turning and slowly stalking toward her. There was a strange glitter in his eyes as he approached her that set her on edge. Whatever he was planning she was certain she wouldn�t like it.

Dread coiled low in her stomach and she began to tremble slightly.

~~~~~

Yue Ying had been working on a strategy that incorporated the information she had garnered from the stars the previous night when a messenger had announced that her husband wished to speak with her in their chambers. She had left her study to seek out the exasperating man. When she reached her chamber doors she nervously smoothed her robes and lightly twisted the knob to their bedroom.

He wasn�t there.

She tilted her head slightly, looking around the room questioningly. That didn�t make any sense. Why would he summon her to their chambers if he wasn�t planning on being here?

�Are you there Yue Ying?� Zhuge�s voice floated into the room.

�I�m here, Zhuge.�

�Excellent,� he walked into the room as he spoke, and Yue Ying had to fight to keep her jaw from hitting the floor. Her husband was wearing nothing but a pair of white trousers. His hair was slightly damp and fell down his shoulders in a dark waterfall that clung to his chest and shoulders. He had clothes cradled in his arms, which left only the top half of his body visible, except for his bare feet which poked out from underneath the trailing material.

�You summoned me, husband?� Yue Ying questioned quietly, averting her eyes.

The man walked over and dumped the bundle of clothing on the bed. He began to rifle through the material, speaking with his back to her.

�Our lord needs to impress Cao Cao while he is here. To this end Lord Liu Bei had new clothing created for all the officers that are going to be present at tonight�s banquet. Part of this is yours.�

Since his attention was focused on the clothes that he was separating out for the both of them she allowed her eyes to linger. His muscles bunched and flowed beneath his pale skin as he sorted out their clothing. Her eyes trailed over the lines of his body, down the soft dip of his spine, over the curve of his-

�Yue Ying, are you listening to me?� Zhuge �s exasperation cut through her daze. Yue Ying closed her eyes, fighting off the blush that rushed over her face at being caught not paying attention. Worse was the realization of why she was not paying attention to her husband�s words.

�I�m sorry, I was� thinking of something. What were you saying?� she fixed her eyes firmly on the floor.

�Quickly, you need to change into your new robes.�

He handed the new garments off to a bemused Yue Ying. She took the soft silk in her hands.

�I was saying I need your help in keeping an eye on the Wei entourage. You need to stay close to Lian Jing tonight as well.�

Yue Ying snapped to attention at that.

�What do you mean?�

�I spoke with Lord Liu Bei earlier about his meeting with Cao Cao. Apparently both Cao Cao and his new advisor have taken an unnerving interest in her. Since our lord cannot stay at her side to keep her safe he wishes that someone else stay with her at all times until Wei leaves our kingdom. Here, come help me with this, please?� he asked rather plaintively.

While he spoke he had finished separating the final pieces of their individual outfits. He had his undershirt pulled on, but was having difficulties because some of the lacings of the shirt actually extended along his arms. She moved closer and helped him tie the strings. Then she stepped back.

Zhuge pulled the top robe on and began to fasten the sash. He turned around, presenting his back to her.

�Can you� Ah, thank you,� he cut himself off when she took the hint and finished tying his sash. In order to tie the slippery material she had to wrap it around him one more. Her arms went around his slender waist, and she allowed herself to press fully against him for a brief second before reluctantly pulling away.

He turned around started to tug on the ties to her armor. Yue Ying gaped up at her husband in shock for a nanosecond before her mind caught up with her mouth.

�What on earth are you doing?!� her eyes bugged out and she stumbled back a step in surprise. He made an impatient noise, but dropped his hands.

�Then out of your armor and clothes without any help, but be quick about it. We need to be there before our guests so that we can properly ensure that both Liu Bei and Jing aren�t left unprotected.� Zhuge turned away and stalked to the mirror with every intention of adding his final accessories and tying up his hair so that he could tuck it under his new cap.

Yue Ying stared, quite unsure of what to make of his behavior. Silently she crept behind the screen in the corner of the room and changed, except for the pieces that she couldn�t put on without any aide. Nervously she slipped from behind the screen to ask for her husband�s help in tying the complex piece.

Once again she found herself staring, entranced.
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Guard My Heart