Xia Pi - Recollection

[MythicalYoko]

Warm... there was warmth. Cai's eyes opened, very slowly, just enough for her to take in where she was. Her room? No, this wasn't her... ah, but it was, at least while she was in Xia Pi. Xing Cai sat up and looked around, and realized that she felt incredibly sore. She flinched lightly as she sat up, and when she looked down at herself Cai saw that she had bandages on her body. It was then that Cai recalled what had just happened.... Oh no! She'd fallen over, unconcious, right in front of her uncle! Her face grew flushed but quickly regained herself, standing up and then limping over to her closed window. She heard a surprised yelp behind her and looked and spotted a maid.

"Oh! Lady Xing Cai, you shouldn't be out of bed!" She gasped, running over and bowing to her before making movements towards her mat. "You still need rest!"

"If I can stand then that means that I am healed." Cai stated, though she said it in a gentle tone. The maid sighed before turning around and grabbing something and then setting it over Cai's shoulder and wrapping it around her. A robe?

"Well, if you're going to look out the window, you may as well be dressed fully, at least a little." The maid nodded before walking over and pulling the window open. Cai didn't really like the maid doing everything for her, but she doubted that anything that she may say might make the older woman back down. So she wobbled over and then looked out the window, the wind ruffling her untied hair. Everything... had been so badly damanged. While her face remained clear her eyes lowered as a sense of sadness swept across her. However... at least the city had been safe. The peasants who were inside had been protected. She released a sigh and left her window before sitting down in a chair. Cai motioned for the maid to leave and she did so, leaving her to herself. Once she felt that she was alone she reached and grabbed a book that was laying on a nearby table. She opened and looked at the pages, changing them with gentle fingers. Cai, however, could not read it. Soon she closed it and merely looked at its cover, her face and eyes unclear of the thoughts that were running through her mind.

'...Guan Ping... I... miss you.... I haven't seen you in quite a long time now. When you first came to Shu you were so lonely, like me. And then we met, and we were inseperable.' Cai turned the book that she was holding over, gazing at its back. 'We did everything together. You never left my side until you were old enough to go to battle. I remember how excited you were, so I was excited too, but only so you wouldn't worry about me once you were gone.' Her soft brown eyes moved, looking out of the window and up towards the peerless sapphire sky. 'Once you were gone, I felt left behind. I trained harder everyday so I could follow you to the battlefield and see your face again. You've been gone for too long. And I know that it's very selfish of me to want to see your face so badly again, but I can't help it. And now, more than ever, I miss you, so terribly. There's a lump, right here, inside of me, and you're the only one that I trust enough to hear what I want to say, and I want to hear your pains, too.' Cai set the book back down on the table and then stood up and limped over to where her clothes were. She picked them up and then started dressing, slowly, as to not hurt herself. 'Even when I'm around everyone else, your father, Uncle Bei, my own father, and everyone else in Shu, I feel like there's a hole in it all.' Her thoughts haulted until she was finished dressing, and now she was sitting down, carefully brushing her hair. 'I have to wonder if you miss me at all. I wish that I could write to you, so that way we could talk, and still know each other. I know that I have changed, so much after my first battle. I can't even begin to imagine how much different you must be now. But that doesn't change how much I care for you.'

Cai tied the last ribbon into her hair, and then set the braid in place with the golden ornament. She grabbed a pin and pushed it into her hair, then used a hand to smooth her hair down before standing up and walking out of her room, much to the horror of the maids who were standing there. They persisted that she stay inside and rest but she merely shook her head and continued forward, showing that even though she was gentle that she was just as stubborn as her father was. Finally she reached outside, and walked a distance until she sat down, her body begging for rest. She watched as a few children ran by, giggling as they chased after each other. Xing Cai smiled to herself and then started playing with the small pink flower that was sewed onto one of her gauntlet.

'I miss you, very much, Ping. Please come back to me soon.'

{{What should I do with Tsukiko? x_x Should I post as them still fighting or her retreating and looking for Yukimura?}}  

[Shidobu Cloud]

((Personal opinion, I think that Yukimura should do one of two things: Chase down the Takeda Army, or enter Xia Pi for a rest. As for the kunoichi's fight, I really couldn't tell you.))

Guan Yu made his way back to the castle after helping clean up some of the large messes. A large boulder had fallen from the wall and landed on someone's house and he alone was able to move it for them so that they may retrieve any good that were still in tact. He entered the castle and found his way to Cai's room, just in time to see her standing outside her room. "Ah, Cai. Are you feeling better?" He asked warmly, "You did really well today. I am proud of you and I'm sure your father would be proud too."  

[MythicalYoko]

{{Ah well, thanks. ><}}Cai was taken away from her thoughts when she heard heavy footsteps approaching her. At first she didn't react, instead she merely continued to look at the flower on her glove, but then the person coming towards her spoke. Uncle? Xing Cai looked up before standing, her cheeks slightly red for the praise that she was receiving. Appearantly what she'd said earlier to him, about failing to keep Xia Pi from harm, had been forgotten. Either that, or her uncle simply didn't care. She gave him one of her soft smiles, tilting her head just a bit. "I am happy to be able to have helped." She responded, removing her hand from the flower. She hadn't even noticed she was still holding onto it.

"I feel well, thank you." Xing Cai lied, nodding as she took a step forward, being sure not to limp. "Are you alright yourself, Uncle?" She spoke in the way as if she wasn't finished and paused for a minute before finally giving up and speaking again. "Uncle Yu... when is Guan Ping coming home?" Cai questioned, turning her head and looking over at a few people that passed by the gates of the castle through a window. She let her eyes linger on them for a few moments before looking up at the legendary warrior in front of her. "He has been gone for quite a while. Is he going to come back to help us here with the invaders and the recent alliance with Wu, or will he come later?" Despite the urgency to know her voice remained at the same level, neither slowing nor growing faster. "I would expect that Uncle Lord Liu Bei would want him back home. We are stronger together, aren't we, Uncle?"  

[Shidobu Cloud]

"I am doing well. As for when Ping will return, I think it is up to him, honestly." Guan Yu said with a smile. "He was given command of his own unit and is probably off somewhere doing good deeds for Shu. If the time comes we will bring him back, but for now we have to wait it out." The giant man stroked his beard slowly as he spoke of his adoptive son. "Now that Xing and Zhao Cang have returned we are that much stronger. So tell me, I saw many people who are not from this land fighting against the samurai, did you happen to speak to any of them? I saw a man with golden hair, a man in red armor, and some other man who seemed to be quite tall and ruffled in appearance. I got to fight alongside the red warrior. He was pretty amazing. It's the other two that I am interested in, though."  

[Lu Feng Xiaan]

Benkei and Yoshitsune's weapons were confiscated from them and they were taken to the jail cells. As soon as the guards had left them alone in separate cells adjacent to each other they began searching for a way out. Benkei looked at the doors to the cell and grinned, "These cells are quite primative. Breaking out will not be a problem."

"Good," Yoshitsune said, "I doubt that they will be too harsh on us. Let's wait to see what they do. If anything we'll just escape on the way to the executioner." Benkei nodded with a grin and sat back in his cell. Yoshitsune paced around thoughtfully as he awaited for something to happen.  

[filipino_dragon21]

((I was hoping to get a reply from Zach before posting... but oh well))

==Tadakatsu/Minamoto==

They were defeated, yet not demoralized. They knew now how to beat them, and they knew who to watch out for. Tadakatsu kept his eye on his soldiers, worried that the injured may slow them down and the chinese would give chase. No matter, that would just mean that he would have to strike back with the cavalry and defeat them that way. Tokugawa would be dissapointed, but Tokugawa would rather his army not be demolished.

"Where's that warrior?" Tadakatsu asked.

"What warrior?" asked one of the officers next to him.

"The one in red, the No Dachi."

Not too long afterwords, the warrior, Minamoto Uesugi, was brought over to him. "How did you fair in battle?" Tadakatsu asked.

"Not as I wished," he said. "Just as I was going to strike one down, another arrived. Then, as I was going to strike him down, a soldier came in and sacrificed himself, on purpose or accidental, I do not know. Either way, they have some powerful warriors."

"Yes, yes they do. Which is why I wanted to speak to you," Tadakatsu looked down at the man who was slightly limping. "You're hurt."

"Yes," Minamoto said with a slight wince. "The warrior was fast and got a hit on me. I thought it was blocked by the armor, but apparently not. I'll be fine though."

"That's good, I have plans for you in the future, anyways," Tadakatsu canged his subject. "Can you describe to me the stronger warriors?"

Minamoto nodded. "Well, the first I came to was the female, who apparently defeated Lord Date Masamune apparently. There was also a younger man, but he seemed ill experienced. Yet, I have a feeling that there is promise behind him. Then, before I could finish him, another one came along. This man was the one who struck me. He was fast, faster than I had expected and used a rather large one handed sword. He was a strange man for he didn't wear armor, revealing the scars of his past battles and a few painted designs upon his arm. If I would guess, he was once a pirate, if he wasn't one still. Then, before my blow could come in on him, another man came in. He was a dark man with a black and bushy beard. He had great strength as he was able to push back my charge. But then, I went to trick them both, feinting attack on the bearded man and headed for the half naked one. But a chinese soldier got in the way and died... which is when I retreated."

"Hmm, I will keep an eye out on them," Tadakatsu remarked. "Well, you are dismissed."

Minamoto bowed and limped away.

((Exits left. Alright, they'll arrive on the Nobunaga thread where Tokugawa will make his new strategy on conquering China))  

[filipino_dragon21]

==Guan Xing==

Guan Xing watched as the Japanese warrior walked off before turning his own direction back to the city. Xia Pi was being torn to shreds with this battle, and many of the people have fled to nearby cities. Guan walked into through the gates where there was dead all around, and into the city where there were even more. For now, he guessed, he would just go back to the castle and speak with his father.

==Zhou Cang==

Zhou Cang eyed the warrior as he ran off so suddenly. The chinese man who he had cut was nearly in two, only held together by a thin piece of flesh. He was dead, thankfully saved from a long and painful death. Zhou looked over at Gan Ning and big grin appeared on his gruff face.

"Fun times eh?" he then bellowed out in laughter.  

[Shidobu Cloud]

Keiji Maeda had barely even bloodied up his weapon before Honda's army began their retreat. He stopped for a moment to look back and see if any of the other officers from Wu had followed him there yet. From what he could see, none were in his line of sight. He shook his head and said, "But I'm not done yet!" Aiming his voice to the Japanese. He kicked Matsukaze's sides and decided that he would persue the Japanese army. With a plan in mind on how to take on Tadakatsu's army he gave chase and figured he'd eventually return to Wu.

((Filipino, I want to have Keiji cause some havoc in your army, but we'll take it to outside Oda's camp for now and just say that he couldn't catch up until after out of Shu's territorial range. Sound good? I'll wait to have him attack until after your post in the Oda forum.))  

[MythicalYoko]

{{Zach has disappered. ;_;}}

"Okay." Cai nodded, hiding the disappointment in her voice. She couldn't let that thought drag her down too much. She was also slightly worried that maybe Ping had... well, forgotten about her.... She hoped that this wasn't so. Hearing his question Xing Cai shook her head, feeling a bit dizzy. "No sir. I didn't see any of them arrive until after you came. I was fighting Date Musamune through most of the battle, so I wasn't able to watch them very closely...."

A crimson warrior? And getting praise from her uncle? Her curiousity was tugged! Who was this man? He must have been very brave and powerful. But, her uncle was interested in the other two as well. It was a bit peculiar that they were fighting against their own race, but that did happen during wars. But her head was pounding, gently, and the places where she was wounded felt like they had a heart beat. She needed to lay down again. Disappointing, but if she wanted to recover, she'd need to rest, as well. She had her chance to get a walk, if only briefly. "Thank you for your company." Xing Cai gave a bow before turning around and walking away just as normally would. Once she was out of her uncle's sight she resumed limping and took a moment to rest against the wall once she was sure that no one was watching. Then she continued on, entering her room sitting down. It had been rude of her to have just left that maid earlier, but she'd needed a breath of fresh air, if only little. Though the air had reeked of blood and smoke, or at least, it seemed like it.

"Lady Xing Cai! You've returned!" A maid declared as the door opened. She bowed on her knees and then stood up, her hands folded together. "Are you hungry, my lady?"

"Yes, quite." She answered, and watched as the maid excused herself and left. After a few minutes of gazing out the window Cai suddenly went into a coughing fit, and once it stopped she found that there was blood on her hand. 'Are my wounds truly this severe?' She asked herself, licking the blood off of her lips. '...I suppose that I'll be trapped her for quite a while, then....' Hopefully this didn't mean that she was getting a fever. That would most certainly be ill-wished.  

[lronik]

(Sorry peeps, I've been gone for a while, but I'm really back now)

Gan Ning returned the smile, "Yeah, nothing beats a good battle, I always say!" he turned around in a 360 to survey the battlefield, "Well, what say we get back to the fortress, eh? I'm sure they're missing us there for sure." he started to run towards the fort's doors, not waiting for a response because he knew this new fellow would be right behind him.  

[lronik]

(Thanks)

Zhou Yu looked around the large expanse, it seemed that the battle had already been over for quite some time. He turned to his cousin, "Hmm, we're too late, but the fort is still standing, it would seem that the Shu forces were able to drive the invaders out. Keiji galloped away, no? And Sun Ren with him. I'm sure he has a plan in mind, we'll see what he can come up with, we can trust him. You think we should head down to the encampment?" he always wanted to know what his officiers thought first, before going through with a plan or act.  

[Shidobu Cloud]

((Just so you know, Jenny, Sun Ren followed Keiji to Oda's camp.))  

[filipino_dragon21]

Jenny the Headcase

(Thanks)

Zhou Yu looked around the large expanse, it seemed that the battle had already been over for quite some time. He turned to his cousin, "Hmm, we're too late, but the fort is still standing, it would seem that the Shu forces were able to drive the invaders out. Keiji galloped away, no? And Sun Ren with him. I'm sure he has a plan in mind, we'll see what he can come up with, we can trust him. You think we should head down to the encampment?" he always wanted to know what his officiers thought first, before going through with a plan or act.

Zhou Tai gave a simple shrug. "It might be a good idea to let them know we came to aid," he said. "But you are the mind of Wu. You can decide."  

[lronik]

"Thank you, Zhou Tai. We shall go down and greet their army." he steered his horse towards the fort, and rallied it on in the direction of the entrance. Their was sure to be much rejoicing, and he could practically here it from here.  

[Shidobu Cloud]

Guan Yu was busy helping regain order in the city. Most of the fires were out by now and now he was helping move the injured. Suddenly he heard a guard shout out "There are two soldiers heading for our gate! They look to be officers of Wu!" Yu quickly finished up what he had been doing and made his way to the gate. It was almost dark out and he thought it to be strange that there would be someone visiting at this hour. "Open the gate for them," he said in his usual commanding tone. The gates swung wide open to allow the riders to enter. As they approached Yu could almost see who it was. One has long black hair and the other wore a helmet and cape. "Wu officers that fit this description... Must be Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai." He said to himself as he awaited their arrival.