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The Brave Coward	By : Kerianya Category: +A through F > Dynasty Warriors Views: 1457 -:- 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
- 1-The Brave Coward
- 1
The Brave Coward.

Warning(s): This story contains a minimum of seven original characters. I've put a list of them under this warning so you know a bit about them before you read on. This also contains brief yaoi references (force of habit) between several characters. However, these are restricted to kisses and cuddling because otherwise they'd get in the way of the main pairing. Swearing throughout and probably some sex. This is an A/U so don't expect historical accuracy at any point. If I can't remember the names of half the characters how can you expect me to remember what they did? This proves I don't own the characters.

Original characters:

Lu Bu Jr: Second and favourite son of Lu Bu and Diao Chan. Also the unifier and first Emperor of China.

Lu Kikina: Wife of Lu Bu Jr and first Empress of China

Lu Jin: First son and child of Bu Jr and Kikina.

Lu Mao: First daughter of Bu Jr and Kikina. Also the star of the story!

Lu Mai: Youngest daughter and child of Bu Jr and Kikina and current master of the daisy chain!

Mai Ying: Lu Mao's best friend and bodyguard.

Zhan Kai: Lu Jin's lover and fellow strategist.

Sorry for the delay. On with the story!

Chapter one: Memories wrapped in Daisy Chains.

Being a princess was a surprisingly hard task, Mao thought as she ran her dark hair through her hands. She was fourteen when her father had united the divided kingdoms of the land into a single kingdom. She had helped, against the better judgement of her parents and then sixteen-year-old brother Jin. It had been in those conquering battles that she had earned the title of the most terrifying woman in China. Her father and mother had been proud, in a way, although not nearly as proud as her grandfather, Lu Bu, had been. The living legend had practically thrown her into the heavens after hearing the news; despite having previously believed that she couldn't hurt a fly!

But the whole campaign to unify the land had not been without its sacrifices. Her father's best friend, Huang Su, had been killed in battle moments before the fight was over. Mao remembered the look on her father's face at the sight of his lifelong friend's huge lifeless body. At the funeral, she had wept with her mother, older brother and four-year-old sister Mai. It was then that, for the first and only time in her life, Mao saw her father cry. For weeks after, when not in battle, her father was lost in his own private mourning. Even Zhang He, who had made no secret of his unrequited desires for the warrior since they had first met years before she was born, stopped making useless and embarrassing advances towards his lord. It was widely believed that this respite was the chance Xiahou Dun had been waiting for, considering that within a week of Su's death the two announced they were together. Their relationship was still strong two years later, much to the relief of her parents.

Huang Zhong had also died, but peacefully in his sleep, five days before Bu Jr became the Emperor. This had been a massive blow to Kikina, Mao's mother, who had been friends with the old warrior since she had come to China from her homeland Japan. She had first joined the Shu army under Liu Bei and since then the majority of Shu were her friends and closest allies. Huang Zhong in particular was a close friend, almost like a father figure for a girl who knew nobody in a strange land.

Xiao Qiao had also disappeared, although she had been such a nuisance during the unification of China that it had been no loss to anyone, except her older sister Da.

During a brief allegiance with the Wu army, Kikina had noticed the chemistry between Sun Ce and his best friend, Zhou Yu. Not knowing that either man were married, she worked to get them together. Her plan worked at the same time as she discovered that they were married to the Qiao sisters, by which time it was far too late to stop events from happening. It turned out that Da Qiao and Sun Ce had married for mutual security, both being gay. This way they could see the men and women they desired without shaming their respective families. Kikina had found out about Da Qiao's sexuality after the youthful woman had made a pass at her, leading to her discovery about her marriage to her husband. Fortunately their friendship helped them maintain their happy couple image, as Sun Quan was the only one who didn't know. Da was delighted that her husband was finally with someone he could spend his life with.

Sadly, Xiao Qiao did not share her sister's delight. She had married for love, or rather like, with Zhou Yu, and so she could stay close to her sister. Despite the fact that they had slept in separate beds and even rooms every night since their wedding, she believed that their marriage had been healthy before Kikina had turned up. It was on that day, the future Empress made a lifelong enemy of the younger Qiao.

Xiao made it three times more difficult for the Emperor to unify the land. Eventually abandoning her "pathetic and spineless" husband to Sun Ce, she went out of her way to ally herself with any enemy forces that were due to battle Lu Bu Jr and Kikina. Mao had encountered her often on the battlefield, and had made jam out of her every time. The only thing that stopped her from knocking the whiny head from those tiny shoulders had been her mother, who had forbidden Mao from killing her. Now she had disappeared, possibly forever, and Zhou Yu and Sun Ce could breathe a sigh of relief.

Jin had been lucky in Mao's opinion. Both of them had met their boyfriends at the same time whilst in battle for the land with their parents. Jin had met a beautiful young man called Zhan Kai. Long, wavy brown and crimson hair framing golden eyes set in a delicate face. This topped a delicate, almost womanly frame, and the overall image was beauty personified. Kai also seemed to have a perpetual blush, which Mao found annoying and Jin found cute. He was also a strategist like his lover, and his wisdom was accentuated by his delicate silvery voice. Kikina, who wasn't human herself, said that anyone so perfect could not possibly be of fully mortal origin, and welcomed Kai into her family as she would have if Jin had fallen for a woman. Although slightly disappointed, Bu Jr did the same, as surprisingly did Lu Bu and Diao Chan.

They would have all done the same for Mao's boyfriend too, if things had worked out�

Mao hadn't really been interested in boys, and even less in girls, when her mother had approached her. By her side was a shy young man from Shu, who she was told she was to take under her wing for a while. His name was Guan Ping, the adopted son of her mother's friend and ally, Guan Yu of the shiny beard. He was pretty strong, and kind of cute in a sort of man way. She'd been impressed, and personality-wise he was on her wavelength. She respected that. As their time together passed, respect was quickly joined by like, and they became fast friends. Gradually though, both Mao and Ping began not notice things were�changing between them. Ping would get embarrassed if they brushed together accidentally for any length of time, and if he smiled Mao would find herself looking at her shoes. For Mao, at least, like had turned to love. Once she admitted this, both to herself and her very best friend Mai Ying, she found it took every last bit of her vast amount of courage to tell Guan Ping. To her great delight, and considerably greater relief, Guan Ping told her that he felt the same way and had been trying to pluck up his own courage to tell her so.

So they had begun their relationship, and for three wonderful months, things were perfect for the blossoming couple. Both Mao's parents and Ping's father were delighted, if somewhat surprised by the news. Jin approved of Ping as being worthy of his little sister, Mai, who was four at the time, thought Ping was amazing and demanded to be bridesmaid straight away, and Diao Chan was very vocally delighted. Even Lu Bu could find no fault with his granddaughter's choice of man, although he did manage to grumble something about his precious Mao being "far too young for this courting lark" before telling her so.

However, if Mao's pride would ever have allowed her admittance to having faults, she would have said her greatest was her short temper, particularly in battle. On that fateful battle in the Nanman territories, not long after Huang Su's funeral, she had almost been beaten by some pathetic troops, who hardly knew which end of the weapon they were supposed to hold! She later blamed that embarrassment on the fact that the majority of her pursuit had been through the poisoned waters of the land, and by the time she'd caught up she was disorientated. As she lost her footing for the sixth time on the slippery ground, she saw red and attacked viciously. Her attack had been powerful and deadly to anyone it caught, but had also been clumsy and without any distinction between foe and ally. Her spear had hit enemy, ally and most importantly, Guan Ping before the red rage cleared and she could stop. She'd wiped out the enemy troops, but had killed five of her own, seriously winded Mai Ying and had gashed Ping's chest and broken three of his ribs. She did not know this until the battle was over, because as she surveyed the disaster she'd created, her boyfriend was nowhere to be found. When her best friend had regained her breath, she'd told Mao that Ping had run away in terror as she cut a path through human flesh.

The battle was over shortly after that, Mao and Ying meeting up with Jin and Kai just as their mother and father defeated and forced Meng Huo and Zhu Rong into a reluctant surrender. It was then that the healers told Mao the full extent of the damage she had inflicted on her boyfriend before he'd fled. He'd been too ill to see her that day, and the next morning she had been approached by a visibly nervous Guan Yu. He'd handed her a note that had made her world crumble around her. It was from Ping, telling her he didn't think things were going to work out for them.

Her parents were comforting, her brother sympathetic in his way, Guan Yu apologetic, remaining so even now. She had publicly snarled and declared Ping a coward for running away. Such a man was not worthy to even be one of her troops, let alone be by her side�

But they all knew that wasn't true, for all her bravado. The first time she'd said it, she saw Zhang He close his eyes and sadly shake his head from the corner of her eye. Her father had frowned, and her mother had put an arm around her already trembling shoulders before leading her to her room.

In the privacy of her mother's company, she had collapsed into her comforting arms and sobbed until she could no longer stay upright. Her mother had stayed the rest of the day and the following night. She heard her daughter declare eternal hate right through to admitting her deep and real love for Ping. Amidst sobs and broken breath, she'd insisted on blaming herself, claiming her temper drove him away. When her mother had refused to accept this, she'd shown her the letter. Kikina had read it, then read it again, and a third time. But she still refused to accept what Mao saw as the simple truth�

She hadn't seen Ping again, so it was easy for her to keep up the public veil of anger she hid behind at the mention of his name. But at night she cried and thought of him regardless of whether she slept or remained wakeful. She had kept that letter with her every day since, reading it when she was alone, like she was doing now.

She smiled as she noticed the careful handwriting; Ping could write but didn't get much chance to practice. She knew the words by heart, but read them again:

My dearest Mao,

You must forgive me for deserting you like I did. I am much weaker than you could ever have been. You know how I am in awe of your strength, both on the battlefield and in mind. You are the most incredible woman no, person I have ever met. I am not worthy of your friendship, and even less, your respect and affection. I have let you down and I can't forgive it no matter how hard I try.

It is because of my shaming you that I don't think it a good idea for us to continue our relationship. You deserve someone special, a braver and more worthy man who can be worthy of your love.

I don't deserve your forgiveness for anything I have done, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive me in time, I will be in debt to you until my dying day.

Forever your humble and undeserving servant,

Ping

Mao sighed, and looked at the paper. She had unfolded it, read it and re-folded it so many times that the paper threatened to fall apart in her hands. The ink was faded now, but still readable. Ping's handwriting was carefully neat, and he chose his words so delightfully. However his punctuation left much to be desired�

A high-pitched giggle dragged Mao reluctantly from her daydream. She looked out onto the palace garden to a scene that was so cute she had to smile even in her dark mood.

Lu Mai, her now six-year-old sister, was sat on the soft, lush grass amongst patches of cheerful daisies, with Wei Yan, her mother's former bodyguard from her days in Shu.

Mao remembered that the day before, her sister had spent a sunny morning with her and their grandmother in the garden. Diao Chan had quickly taught her daughter how to make a chain of flowers, and considering that they surrounded them, daisies were the flowers they used. Mai had looked so happy; watching with amazement as her grandmother made the picked blooms become a long string. The concentration on her face when it was her turn was the most adorable sight imaginable. Mai's large green and blue eyes narrowed in concentration as she threaded the flowers together and then sparkled in triumph when she realised she had done it. She'd immediately run into the palace to show her mother, and that was when it began to rain, ruining Mai's plans of making herself a whole set of floral jewellery that very afternoon.

However, this morning it was sunny again, and having made herself some lovely jewellery, she had chosen Wei Yan, a favourite playmate of hers, as her new jewellery mannequin. So far Yan had a daisy tiara, three daisy necklaces and several daisy bracelets on both arms. By the looks of it, he was in the process of being fitted with a new daisy belt.

When she had joined the Shu ranks, the first three people Kikina had befriended had been Huang Zhong, Wei Yan and Zhao Yun. She had been one of the few people who refused to treat Wei Yan as anything less than equal, and had earned the large warrior's eternal respect and loyalty as well as his friendship. He had been the most powerful ally to her and her growing family as they began to take over the land, and had remained one of Kikina's closest and most loyal friend as she ruled the land by her husband's side. He was also a friend of the Emperor Bu Jr and their children, and had willingly been a regular playmate for Jin and Mao as they were growing up. He'd been an explorer with Jin and Zhou Yu and a pirate with Mao and Gan Ning. Now with Mai he was everything from a mannequin for her to dress up and decorate to a patient when she wanted to play healer. He'd tried her attempts at baking and so far hadn't been poisoned despite being fed numerous sweet treats. Apparently Mai was now keen to learn to make his favourite food: steamed pork buns. She was telling Wei Yan her plan happily as she worked on his belt.

"She's quite the perfect little princess, ain't she, yer highness?"

Mao jumped and looked into the amused eyes of Gan Ning. Despite herself, she grinned. The former pirate had been her first crush, possibly because he looked so much like a naughty version of her father with that spiked up hair wrapped in a bandanna. Her father's hair was pretty much the same except at the front it was slicked back. They were the same height and the same build, although her father was considerably healthier due to him not smoking and drinking only when the occasion allowed it rather than when he needed to get out of his bed on an afternoon. Lu Xun and Lu Meng, with whom Ning was having a bizarre relationship that she could not understand, often despaired at his refusal to choose a healthier lifestyle. But Mao liked him like that. With his unique smell of tobacco, alcohol and sweat combined with his detailed tattoos all over his body and his mischievous smirk topped with his gruff voice, Ning was the very definition of adventure.

"She was four years old when she became a princess, Ning-kun." Mao replied. "She would be perfect at whatever my parents had brought her up as."

That smirk again graced his face. "Guess yer right," he grunted, "as always."

Mao treated him to her own smirk. "Tell me, Ning-kun, is there a reason for you entering my bedroom without knocking?"

Ning's brows drew closer before he slapped his forehead. "Oh yeah! Forgot for a minute there. You've got guests wantin' to see ya, yer highness."

==================================================================

Guan Ping swallowed hard as he followed Lu Xun to the Emperor's audience chamber. His father walking beside him did nothing to ease his growing nerves.

It had been two months since he had been injured by and abandoned his beloved Mao in the battle for the Nanman territory. He'd made a decision that he had regretted once the delirium of the poisoned waters and pain had worn off, but by then it had been too late�far too late.

Ever since then he had worked hard to become a man that Mao would be proud of. A strong man who could at least stand by her even if he could not protect her. He had changed dramatically over the two years, deciding to change his silver metal armour for the baggy trousers and over-shirt he wore beneath his black metal armour, which currently were the same colours as his father's. He had scrapped the idea of the helmet and had grown his raven hair longer, until it could be bound upright by an emerald green bandanna. He'd even gone so far as to change his weapon to a large thick sword. Although it resembled something of a spatula, it was large, heavy and powerful. He had got so used to using it that he now had the strength to not only leap into the air with it, but also to pin and hover in the air for several seconds. If he slammed it to the ground with all his strength, it created a shock wave that travelled for over five hundred yards, disabling and even killing any enemy in its path. He was particularly proud of that.

Now came the hardest part of his ambition. Though he had talked to and regained the respect and approval of her parents, her brother and even her legendary grandfather, he was as yet to talk to Mao. He wanted to explain how stupid he had been, to abandon her because of his own fear. He wanted to tell her that he had never stopped loving her, and most importantly, beg for her forgiveness and maybe even another chance.

But facing the woman who was the most terrifying in the land, no matter how great his passion for her, was a daunting prospect. What if she refused him, or even worse, laughed at him? What if she was with somebody else? She had always liked Gan Ning, perhaps something had happened after he ran away�

"Son?" Ping looked up at his adopted father as Lu Xun continued to walk silently ahead. Xun seemed annoyed about something.

"Yes, father?" His large brown eyes glittered with questioning. Yu stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"I do wish you would stop brooding, my boy." The older man sighed. "You've spent over two years worrying about this day, and by the looks of it now this day has found you worrying about whether it should be the day you speak to Mao. Am I correct?"

Ping sighed; his father could always read him like a book. "Yes father." He sighed. "Although I'm not so much worrying about whether it's the right day but what Mao will say."

"What Mao will say is what Mao wants to say, Ping. Even if what she says isn't what you're hoping for; you must respect her decision. I'm afraid that sometimes that's the only thing a man can do."

"I know father," Ping sighed, "She doesn't exactly have much of a reason to forgive me for what I did. But I need to tell her how I feel if I'm ever going to begin to forgive myself�"

"I'm sure that whatever Mao says, she'll respect you for actually explaining yourself, even if it did take you two years. She knows her reputation well."

The doors to the audience chamber loomed before them. Lu Xun opened them dramatically and let them inside.

The Emperor Lu Bu Jr and his Empress Lu Kikina were already there, but Lu Mao was not. Ping didn't know whether to be relieved or frustrated at his love's absence.

The Emperor was an impressive sight. Even though he now ruled the entire country, he still wore his white bandanna to tie up his black hair, a white, sleeveless jacket over his bare chest, a white silk collar and white baggy trousers with a black sash around his rear. It was easy to see the resemblance to Lu Bu in his face, but he was a lot more handsome than his father. Keen intelligence glittered in his dark green eyes. His muscles were still as perfect as they had been during his campaign to conquer the land. He smiled at Guan Yu and Guan Ping as they entered the hall.

His wife was possibly the most stunning woman in the land. She wore her traditional gold Japanese armour and gold thigh boots. Her wrist guards were black. Two thick strands of her shiny chestnut hair fell on either side of her face whilst the rest was gathered up into her trademark high ponytail. Her emerald green eyes glittered with her mage powers, mischief and delight at seeing her old friend and ally Guan Yu. She stood up and greeted him with a warm smile and a hug.

"Guan Yu," she smiled, "I'm so happy to see you again. Guan Ping, I'm glad to see you too." She reached over and kissed Ping on the cheek. She chuckled as the sixteen-year-old blushed furiously. He was really mature for his age, altering everything about himself to impress her daughter and maybe earn her forgiveness at least. However he was still a teenager, and she had to keep reminding herself not to be surprised when he blushed from the kiss of an older woman.

"Mao should be coming down any minute." She continued, then frowned. "That is, if Gan Ning is not so hung over that he is unable to remember the message."

"Ping-Chan!" Princess Mai bounced into the room with a daisy chain in her hand, her shoulder-length brown hair glittering in the sun. A daisy-decked Wei Yan, who seemed relieved that the chain was not intended for him, followed her. Bu Jr chucked at the sight.

"I don't think the daisy look is good for you, Yan."

"Me�neither�" Wei Yan rumbled, before nodding to Guan Yu.

Meanwhile, Ping had knelt down so Mai could give him a cuddle. She'd always been very fond of Ping.

"Looky, Ping-Chan, I learnt to make daisy chains! Grandma taught me!" She squeaked, proudly showing him her handiwork.

"That's really pretty, Mai-kun. Did you make all those that Wei Yan is wearing too?"

Mai nodded proudly. "Yep, and I did them all by myself. You must wear this one!"

Ping knew he didn't have much choice as Mai tossed the chain over his head.

"Thank you." He smiled.

"I'm here!" A loud, confident voice froze Ping where he knelt. This was the moment he'd been waiting for and dreading. He looked up, trying not to shake at the doorway as Mao strode through.

She was even more beautiful than when he'd last saw her. Now she was sixteen, she had almost completely blossomed into womanhood. Her long black hair, normally tied up into tight twin buns atop her head, was flowing loose until the tips reached her mid back. Her large green eyes glittered in the same way as her mother's.

She was wearing a tight, sleeveless white top and a scarlet pencil skirt over black leather leggings. She looked beautiful, especially considering her curves had�grown a good deal since he'd seen her two years ago. She may have grown up, but in a way, she hadn't changed at all. There was still a general aura of raw power around her, and her eyes as always were ready to defy anyone standing in her way.

Those eyes were now on Ping as she continued to walk into the hall. He could tell by the way her whole face had frozen that she recognised him. Her eyes slid away as she nodded to his father, then they were back on him.

Mao had recognised Ping as soon as she'd set eyes on him. He'd changed a lot, but his eyes were the same. So was the shy expression on his face when said eyes had spotted her. He'd been working out too, by the looks of things. She liked his hair as well; it reminded her of Ning�

But before she spoke to him, she had to maintain her public image.

"Ping." She said, standing squarely in front of him. In typical form, he blushed and treated her to a shy smile.

"M-Mao�" he stuttered "You�you look fantastic�"

Mao smiled slightly and nodded before becoming serious once more.

"Thank you. So do you."

As he blushed Mao smiled, then grinned before punching him squarely in the face.

Well, there we go! The first chapter of my first DW fanfiction. Hope you enjoyed it. If you did, let me know like Vchan does. If you didn't, let me know why. Provided you're nice about it I won't be offended�honest.
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The Brave Coward