Xia Pi - Recollection

[MythicalYoko]

Cai laughed at his use of words before letting herself fall silent, though a smile remained on her face. But at his voiced opinion about thieves and the such quickly made her smile fall. She felt a little stupid about forgetting about that. There she had been, wondering what do because the soldiers didn't need help, when the people that she was supposed to be fighting for were obviously in need and she'd looked directly over them. She kicked herself and stuck a deep nail in her mind to never, ever, forget about those people again. How could she?

His next story poked at something inside of her chest. Cai didn't know if it was pity or not- just some sort of a sadness. A reminder to her about what people had to go through. Her lips twitched briefly upwards as Ning spoke about how she was becoming strong like her father. She could only look at her father and pray dearly that she was going in the correct direction. She believed that, though she may never earn that same monstrous strength, she could try as hard as possible. After all, anything could happen, and she could not know until she gave it some effort.

"I'm glad that you don't think so." She stated with a small nod, adding just a little power to her words. "Homesickness is something that you should feel, and I'll be sure that you do! When you join the Shu army you become part of our family. We are about bonds. That's what keeps us all together. It isn't about blood that makes a family- my father and uncles are the greatest example." Xing Cai took a small step forward, making a movement with her head towards the peasants. "Come on! Let's go help them. I am sure that they are suffering just as much as the soldiers are."  

[lronik]

"And I am so happy to be a part of Shu now, you don't know how welcome I feel right now, to have just joined one day and instantly be cared for by someone like you. It's wonderful, I feel great, invigorated! You've made me feel better, stronger, you're an inspiration to me now. I just wanted to say that." he said, nodding and giving a patented Ning smirk. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go see what we can do, ya!" he pumped his fist in the air and smiled, feeling like he was on a cloud, yes, it was obvious now, this girl was special. Very special. He'd treat her right, that was the least he could do for someone that made him feel welcome in a strange place.  

[Shidobu Cloud]

Guan Yu nodded sharply at Zhou Yu. He smiled and said, "I'm sure there is room here for part of your advance force and we can use the help mending the gate. But I just remembered one thing that I heard on my way in from the battle. Our scouts spotted your base camp on our borders. I'm not saying it's bad that you're there, but I just figured you'd use that as your base of operations. Either way you are welcome to stay here as long as this threat exists. With your mind our the might of your soldiers we should have no trouble keeping the enemy at bay until we can plan an offensive assault." The bearded giant shifted his weight a little into a more relaxed position. He looked around and spotted Gan Ning and Xing Cai speaking with one another. A smile a little before he turned back to the Wu visitors. "Since there is little for you to do here now you should gather up your forces and bring them here. We'll keep a look out for you."  

[lronik]

Zhou Yu listened to everything Guan Yu was telling him. "Ai, our camp, but it was just a mere starter for our current relocation, if you don't mind. We shall go round up our troops and meet back here. I'm sure your gate troops will recognize us upon seeing. This base shall surely be able to withstand all further attacks before an offensive do to the combined strength of Wu and Shu." he now turned to Zhou Tai, "Come, we round up the troops!" he said, spurring his horse, which turned him around and riding out of the open gate.  

[Shidobu Cloud]

Guan Yu nodded in response and turned around. He called one of the guards over and said, "Be sure to be on the lookout for the Wu army. They will be arriving shortly." The guard saluted him and dispersed to transmit the message to the rest of the guards. Meanwhile Guan Yu continued to saunter around the city to make sure that things were getting done right. He came across a street that was blocked up with rubble and the soldiers were having a hell of a time clearing it away. He thrust his weapon into the ground leaving the blade to stick straight up into the air and then made his way over to the pile of giant rocks. The soldiers obviously needed help and all he said was, "Come one men, put your backs into it, like this!" He grasped ahold of one of the largest rocks in the pile and lifted it up with ease. He hoisted it over his head and hurled it off to the side where they were placing the discarded rocks. The men marveled at his strength and tried also to work as hard as the legend with the beard.  

[MythicalYoko]

Cai couldn't help but flush at Gan Ning's words. She couldn't help it. She'd never been... well, it was rare when she received such high praise before. "Please! You are part of Shu now," she released his hand and turned herself around just a bit. "There is no need for such words like those. I am more than happy to have welcomed you into our kingdom and I always will." With a small nod to firm her words down in her own mind she started walking. "Right then, lets go!"

She picked up her pace, ignoring the pain coming from her wounds as she moved. She could do this. She had seen her father and her mentor walk tall and strong even with the deepest wounds. Hers were nothing compared to the ones that they had suffered, therefore, she had to be strong just like they always were. 'I'll make you proud, Father! I promise that I'll do everything I can do this. You as well, Uncles- and Zhao Yun. Ping... there are so many people that I can look up to. And I always have! Therefore... I must become stronger. So that someday I won't be looking up to you but at the same level.' However long that would take, she would work towards it until the day she died.

Cai slowed her pace down as someone yelled out to her. She paused and looked around, stopping once she saw a messenger running towards her.

"L-Lady Xing Cai!"

"Please, take a moment to rest." Cai motioned for him to sit down but instead he shook his head.

"Lady Xing Cai, do you know where Master Guan Yu is? I have a message to give him from Lord Liu Bei."

"I can give it to him as soon as I see him."

"Lo... Lord Liu Bei," the man took in a few deep breaths before starting again. "Has requested that some of the forces and officers, such as yourself and Guan Yu, return."

They would be able to go back home? Despite her usual self-control Cai couldn't stop her eyes from lighting up with joy. Without paying attention to what she was doing she bowed to him and answered: "I will tell him right away. Ning!" She turned around on her heel and immediately set off in search of her uncle. The promise of returning to her father and the rest of her family numbed away the pain of her wounds. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spotted her uncle at hard work with the other soldiers. She stopped and couldn't help but take a moment to stare in awe. Even after being in a raging battle, he was able to work with such vigor? "Uncle Yu! Lord Liu Bei has sent message for some of our forces to return home."  

[lronik]

Ning looked around, this place was quite ruined after such a fierce battle, however, Shu was here to rebuild this fort and stop whatever forces tried to take it over again, and Wu was a welcome ally at the moment as well. Quite a turn of events. As the young pirate scanned the wreckage, his eyes turned back to what they had numerously caught in the past, and the lone beautiful thing in this bleak and grim picture: Xing Cai.

It was refreshing to have such a likable and capable ally that was only getting better and tougher, who was maturing before his and everyone else's eyes. As he looked at her from head-to-toe, he noticed that she looked none the worse for wear even after such a fierce battle, and her usually paleish tone was cast aside for a look of bright red and afterglow. But then he noticed it was caused because of her blush, did she do that in response to me....?

"I am a part of Shu, but I still respect all those in it." he lamented, thinking about the power of this particular kingdom, and how it could spring forward ever much so. "I thank you then, Cai. May we be allies till the end." he finished before putting his best smirk on and rushing forward, surveying the wreckage intently and thinking of a course of action.

But after a few moments he noticed that his friend was not behind him, he spun around quickly and noticed a messenger talking to the woman, it was must be important news! He dashed back, not nearly out of breath and politely waited for them to stop talking to say anything. "Right!" he said to himself, following her until they got to the destination sought after, Guan Yu working hard. He stayed quiet though and let his niece do the talking.  

[MythicalYoko]

Xing Cai smiled warmly and then turned her head to look back at Gan Ning. She nodded to him and then looked back at her uncle, bowing and shuffling a bit on her feet. "Excuse me, I will go check on the horses to be sure that they are ready to go!" She bowed again before turning on her heel and jogging over to where she knew the stables to be. She slowed down once she reached their gates, pausing and looking around at the animals. Many of them were injured or resting. Not a single one had been spared, most likely. She stepped in and looked around, frowning and shaking her head before walking over to one of the stables. She knew that she shouldn't try to do anything due to the fact that she wasn't a person who knew how to treat animals. She sighed and stepped away, walking slowly through the busy stables but coming to a stop to a particular animal who was alone in their stable. She paused and looked at it, her own honey brown eyes softening as she watched the animal. She fiddled with the small lock it had until it opened and then walked in. She tilted her head and then held her hand out for the horse to smell. It did so and she patted its nose, then moved to gently pat its cheeks and scratching its ears.

"You poor thing," Cai told the creature, rubbing its neck and lowering her own eyes. "You tried very hard, I am certain. Without animals as brave as you, we would never be able to do some of the things that we are able to do now." She paused and stroked the horse's head, listening as it snorted contently. "We owe you quite a bit... the least that we can do is allow you to have some rest. It must become very tiring, always having to be in battle or pulling heavy things. Even so, you do your work well." She smiled and patted the horse's back, leaning over and whispering something into its ear before walking out of its stall. She looked down the rest of the stalls and sighed before walking out. She tilted her head up to look at the sky, listening to the wind as it trickled by.

"I was in a little bit too much of a hurry." She murmured to herself, lowering her gaze to watch some of the people go by. "It is too early for the horses to be ready to go back home after such a stressful battle...." She should have known better- but she'd been so ready to just run back home that she hadn't even thought about it. She mentally cursed herself and looked down at the ground, ashamed with herself. 'I should have thought about the animals before I came running over here so eagerly. Despite having won my first battle, I am still very much like a child.' Even if they could ride, it would be better for them to have rest. Tomorrow would serve well for them to return, wouldn't it? Her uncle was a strong ruler but he also had a warm heart. Surely he, out of anyone, would understand that the horses would need to regain energy after such a harsh fight. Her mentor Zhou Yun, she was certain, would understand just as well. 'It would, after all, be a better decision to wait at least one day before leaving. We are in need of repair and it would only make sense... hopefully Lord Liu Bei is not in danger.' She let her thoughts trail off and began blinking to snap herself out of her stupor. And, with her energy high gone, the effects of her wounds were starting to take their tolls again. She knew that she had to be strong, but she was also well-aware of the fact that pushing herself too hard could lead to unwishful consequences. 'But I must persevere! I have to make my father and all of Shu proud... I must never give up. These are only flesh wounds.' She took in a deep breath, laying a hand on her cleavage in an attempt to help calm her nerves. "Ning?" She looked around, cursing herself yet again for not paying attention. It wouldn't do well for him to get lost, especially when he didn't know the city particularly well.  

[lronik]

(I tink I stick wit green, Ning is in Shu after allz)

Gan Ning cocked his head at a bit of an angle, Surely she....Nah, and if so....she'll learn... He nodded to the statement, knowing that his new friend would learn a little bit for what was about to happen. She was perhaps slightly green behind the ears, but being such a rookie gave her untapped potential and vigor in combat, it was an easy trade-off for sometimes being absentminded shortly afterwards. But just like her uncle, Cai herself would soon learn all there was to know. She learned from her mistakes and was astute in that manner, and he could always be at her side helping her if she needed it, which he doubted would be too much at all.

With all these thoughts about a woman he just met consuming him, he shook his head clear and bowed to Guan Yu before dashing off in the general direction she had gone, sure, he had no idea how to get around this city, but he could remember a house here or a landmark there and find his way around. Pretty soon, stables were all around him, and Ning patiently waited for a woman with armor out to come out of one of them. He sighed, looking into the sky, this kingdom was meant to be on top, he could see it in the heavens. But his thoughts disappated as he noticed a form walking out of one of the doors. He smiled from his position, leaning up against a door with both hands over his chest and a smirk on his face, letting her question his location before moving from his spot.

"Xing Cai, there you are..." He muttered as if he'd gotten lost, when in fact, he was all but lost. "We must wait, is that what you garnered?" he looked back and forth, inside the stables at some of the horses and knew that must be the case. "Rest will do us all good, the sun is beginning to go down, and I believe we need to get you some ointment, yes?" he wasn't trying to make her out to be weak, so he hoped she didn't take that from his comments.  

[MythicalYoko]

The daughter of Shu smiled at Gan Ning, although it faltered a little when he mentioned the ointment. "Is it really that obvious?" She asked him, her smile slowly falling as she let out a soft sigh. "Well then," she perked up and waved her hand in a motion for him to follow. "Come on! We should head back before the sun sets." With that said she turned and started walking to where the officers had their sleeping quarters. The sun was getting lower and lower in the sky, signaling that night was almost coming. Cai couldn't help but turn her head to look over to where their battle had just taken place, wondering if there would be a third attack. It couldn't be helped- after all, they had had a second attack with little to no warning.

Soon they were back and the sun was nearly gone. She led Ning over to one of the rooms and sat down at a table. She grabbed a bowl and set another out in front of the fire headed pirate. Just a moment later a maid walked in quickly and set down a large bowl before scampering back out. Cai removed the cloth from the top of the bowl to reveal cold white rice. She took out a scoop and the grabbed a pair of chopsticks, whispering something underneath her breath with her eyes closed before taking a clump of rice and sticking it into her mouth.

She swallowed and then looked up at her eating partner, eyes twinkling. "We certainly have been busy," she stated and reached up to tuck back a stray hair into place. "Hopefully we will all be back on track soon. I certainly hope that we will all be able to return home safely. After all, I have a good feeling that Lord Liu Bei wants to see how his newest officer has been doing." She giggled and took another mouthful of rice, waiting until she swallowed to speak again. "You did wonderfully out there on the battlefield! I wish that my cousin and best friend Guan Ping was here to see you, I know that he would have been amazed as well. Do you think that... maybe you could show me some of what you did on the battlefield again? I would be honored- of course, I would not be offended if you declined."  

[lronik]

The loquacious pirate just smirked and gave a hearty chuckle to the girl. "No, silly. I'm just very perceptive." he said in a somewhat serious tone, to relay the point that she wasn't weak at all. He heard the sigh and instantly felt sorry that he had said anything about it, maybe he had just wanted to start something, to maybe ease her sorrows with a pirate massage....? Sometimes he couldn't even control his own weird thoughts, but he brushed past it and shook it off rather quietly. "Right behind ya, princess..." he said in a cheeky tone and with a giant smirk plastered on his face, she must have been some kind of princess of Shu, right?

Night crept over the fort, yet Ning was awfully hyper for the moment, he was always somewhat jittery, to an extent, and battle was where he could release it all into a meaningful goal, perhaps one of the few reasons he still fought as an officier. He sat down at the table his friend sat it, smiling as he saw the bowl placed in front of him. "How'd you know I was starving?!" he said with an air of satisfication. He grinned wider as he saw the rice, yes! He scooped a big chunk of it into his bowl and began to viciously go after the rice in dragonball fashion (Hopefully you'd understand if you watched it, and I kinda dun know how to describe it....sooo....heh)

But as soon as he started, he stopped just as fast when the woman talked to her, blushing as he had forgotten his manners big-time. But he tried to avoid it by answering her comments. "That we have...don't worry, Cai, we'll be back home soon enough. Can't wait to see our leader!" Ning said excitedly, he had heard stories of Liu Bei's extreme kindness to everyone. He chuckled at her small giggle, she had the cutest little laugh, that he knew would drive most men wild. "Ah, is that Guan Yu's son? He must be a fighter then!" the pirate responded in admiration. But with the next request, he felt dumbfounded for quite a few seconds before speaking up, "What do you mean, Xing Cai?" he tilted his head in a quizical manner to indicate that he didn't really understand what she had meant.  

[MythicalYoko]

Cai nodded at what he said about Ping, lowering her eyes to look at her bowl of rice. "Yes, he is a great warrior." She looked back up and tilted her head at what he said next, chuckling. "I mean how you fought, silly! Your fighting style is a bit different compared to everyone else's here at Shu."

Cai ate more of her rice, which made her realize how hungry she really was. She'd eaten earlier before she'd departed to go outside... apparently moving around while wounded took a harder toll than she thought. She set her chopsticks down beside her now empty bowl, taking in a deep breath and patting her chest. 'I ate that a little bit too quickly.'

"And you are correct about our Lord Liu Bei. He is a very kind ruler indeed." She gently wiped her mouth and then set her hands down on her lap. "It is why his people love him. His compassion is something that can be barely matched. I do feel that it is his greatest strength. I suppose that I can only hope that it will not be his weakness. People who are compassionate are always wonderful, but every so often they can lead to their own downfall..." she sighed and rubbed her forehead, shaking her head. "But I should never say things like. After all, it is the duty of Shu's officers to protect him, is it not? Although I am still learning, I know that that duty is clear to me. Our lord is surrounded by good people such as my father and uncle... and to think that we are uniting with Wu! I can hardly believe it... in the face of new danger old enemies suddenly become new allies." She laughed and set her bowl off to the side in order to put her full attention on the man sitting with her. "What do you think Lord Sun Ce is like? And his wife Da Qiao is supposed to be the most beautiful woman in all China along with her sister Xiao Qiao. I wonder what she looks like, and Lord Sun Ce too... I have heard that he is a mighty warrior. What do you think, Ning?"  

[lronik]

The lovable pirate gave a chuckle, "I knew it, strength is always passed down through generations, since he is your uncle, you also have that unbridled strength deep within you that surfaces in battle, it is what makes you strong, and yet graceful and elegant, like my good friend Guan Yu. He was one of the main reasons I came to Shu, we've always been good friends, and Zhang Fei used to be a big drinking buddy of mine. Therefore, I feel a big tie to this kingdom, and I'll help however I can!" he finished his passion-laden speech, coughing afterwards as he took a few more bites of the rice before standing up and smirking. "I'm faster, that's what it is, right? Well, I haven't gotten a reputation as the fastest man in China, and I won't dispute that one..." he said in a bit of a boastful manner. "What exactly did you want to see though? I, like many warriors, have a wide array of moves." before sitting down he did a backflip into a frontflip to show how athletic he was.

"You sure were hungry! Hehee..." the fire-headed man chuckled loudly, looking at her empty bowl. "I'm glad, after a battle, eating is the best pastime to wind down!" she was surely full, as was he, and it was almost time to head to bed, he knew. But he didn't want to stop talking to this awesome woman! She just captivated his imagination, it was something about her that he couldn't avoid. She was so kind, yet such a fighter!

"Guan Yu has always talked of his brother in a high light. I've heard many stories of his kindness to all people, and the way he believes in equality. It will surely serve him well running a kingdom, he's the right man for the job...." he trailed off after hearing what she had said, it was saddening...but he didn't want to believe it. "We'll be sure to prevent that, yes! You catch on quickly, Xing Cai. You are quite a fighter already, and you are only getting better. I tell you what, once we get back to the home base, me and you can spar every day! I know I'm stronger, so I'll go a little easy on you, and we'll gradually build the hardness of it day after day. It'll be great to train!" man, Ning was just chock full of good ideas, eh? "Wu. They ere enemies against my former kingdom, but I do think they will be good allies. In these times of trouble, this is a good thing..." he sat, staring into the distance as he thought, before coming to his senses.

"The leader of Wu? I've heard that he's as fierce as tiger, and just as crazy as me. He'd be a worthy adversary, and is definitely a good ally. He's a little on the slow side, but I think he's altogether a smart leader. I've faced him in the past, or at least his officiers. His strategies are raw and untested, but his troops fierceness that comes from their leader is unmatched." he finished his thoughts about Sun Ce then thought of the other person mentioned. "Da Qiao? I have heard that she is the prettiest blossom in China, yes. I think..." he began to sputter, struggling to get out the compliment that he was about to give his friend, "I think....if she's half as beautiful as you, the stories must be true..." he smiled at her, not his usual, feisty smirk. But the look a small schoolboy would give to a grade-school crush across the room...  

[Shidobu Cloud]

Guan Yu had cleared nearly all of the rubble out of the pathway by himself even with the other soldiers giving it their all. They had a long way to go before they could be as strong as he was. As he wiped the sweat from his brow he looked back to see Xing Cai run up to him. She reported excitedly that they would be returning to Xiao Pei again soon. Of course, they would not be moving out until tomorrow. It was too late for them to move out and things here were still in too much chaos to just up and leave without his and Cai's leadership. As she ran off to check the horses Gan Ning followed after her. Yu smiled. It was typical for Gan Ning to chase after the ladies, and Cai was certainly a beautiful young lady. He didn't mind it, but he was curious to know how Fei would take the idea of Gan Ning chasing his daughter. In any case he quit working and turned to the soldiers. "Good work, men. Finish up here and reward yourselves with a hearty meal. Prepare to move out in the morning."

The soldiers saluted him and he made his way past toward the central castle of the city where the Prefect generally stayed. Though he was not officially the prefect of Xia Pi at the moment he was the highest ranking officer present and therefore could assume the position as it was vacant. He entered the dining hall and sat down as the servants began to bring food out to the giant man. He dug in, feasting on different types of fowl and rice, as well as a couple cups of wine. He had worked up a hell of an appetite and the fact that no one was present to eat with him he allowed himself to slip up in terms of manners and ate voraciously. Soon all the food and drink was gone and he sat back with his hands clasped over his stomach. The general feeling after eating a large meal set in and his eye lids lowered themselves half way. His beard, though long and easy to mess up in such a feast, remained clean and debris free as he had long since mastered eating without getting food in it. After a brief belch and a sip of water he stood up and stepped out onto the balcony of the dining hall which overlooked the city. It seemed that the troops here were as efficient with clean up as they were in battle and things were starting to look pretty good. All of the fires were out and most of the bodies and rubble had been cleared. The only smoke rising in the air was that coming from the different homes, as well as the burial pit in which they burned the bodies of those fallen in battle. It was unfortunate that such a fate would befall those brave enough to give their lives for Shu, but it was necessary to avoid disease.

The legend with the beard sighed deeply as the sun set and he looked up to the sky as the first few stars began to show themselves. "Lord Zhuge Liang... What can you see in these stars? What fate does Shu and Brother Liu Bei have in store? This new force is unlike any that we have seen before and if we do not have the right preparation it will be a difficult struggle." Guan Yu cast his words aside as he turned around. He was certain that no matter what happened he would fight to the end before the idea of Shu would fail. Using his long stride, a slow walk was actually rather quickly paced back to his room where he could finally let his armor out and undress into his evening robes. Of course, Blue Dragon leaned against the wall next to his bed, ready for any moment's notice of an attack. He lay down and slowly drifted to sleep, eager for tomorrow to come so that he may report back to his brother.  

[MythicalYoko]

Xing Cai lifted a hand up to hide her mouth while she giggled at the pirate's speech. She blinked at his somersault and then gave him a small clap to show her appreciation for it. "Well, I cannot say that I have his strength..." she looked off to the side for a few moments, thinking about something in almost a shy manner. "We are not related by blood. The bond of Shu is made almost entirely by spirit...." She lifted her eyes back up, tilting her head a little to deepen her thought. "But maybe that in itself is enough to make me stronger. To even be near him is an honor... he is my father's sworn brother, and they all share a bond that give each other strength. So maybe I get some of his strength through my father?" Her eyes lit up and the smile that was playing on the edges of her lips grew. "I hope so!"

She listened carefully to what he said next, eyes lowering as she concentrated on his words. He was right, after all. Then, at his next words, she sat strait up and felt her back crack. "Really? I would... I would really love that!" Her muscles were tense as she fought off the urge to stand up. "Oh? Yes, I am absolutely certain that they will be. They seem like very trustworthy people." She could still remember them, vividly, dressed proudly in their crimson clothes. That one man who had had the long hair had been very handsome... and pretty. She giggled at the thought and then turned her attention to what Gan Ning was saying, shaking her head and blushing at the words coming out of his mouth. "Oh, do not be silly! I doubt that I could even come close..." she blinked at his sputtering and then smiled shyly back at the way he was smiling at her. She was silent for a few moments, feeling her stomach twist and her skin prickle. Then she stood up, looking down at Ning and nodding. "Well! I must go to bed. After all, I am tired from my injuries and I want to be able to leave for home as soon as possible." She gave him a bow, careful not to open any of her wounds. "You should rest too. Thank you for taking care of me and eating with me. Have a good nights rest." She nodded and then turned around, leaving the room and heading over to her own. As soon as she was inside she closed her door and released a sigh, setting a hand on her cleavage.

'This is no good...' she shook her head for the umpteenth time that day and then walked over to her bed, laying down without even bothering to change clothes. She sat carefully on her side, pulling her blanket up to her chin and slowly lowering her eyes. So, so much had happened today- the arrival of a new officer, the battle, the sudden second attack, her dual, the damage afterwards.... Her heart sunk and ached in her chest, brows furrowing while she rolled painfully to her other side. 'We have so much trouble in Shu, and yet here I am, taking a fancy to someone that I... I hardly know.' It was true that she had been confused at first, but the feelings weren't unfamiliar. Even her mentor Zhou Yun had, for some while, been the focus of her adoration. Still today she was occasionally finding herself blushing or even fidgeting when around or talking to him. But, she knew that it was childish romance, so she normally let it roll off and ignore it. And yet it still persisted, and now she was starting to like the new pirate more than she should. 'He is charming. But... it will most likely wear off soon.' She let the idea sit, shifting on her side and closing her eyes, watching red designs twist and twirl underneath her eyelids. 'I have no time for something like that. Not for a time like this.' She was, after all, an officer. She had been raised in a way that was much, much different compared to most women. This had caused her to be disliked or scolded by a few women, but she had always held fast and followed in her father's footsteps. As she had gotten older she had realized that while she was being raised as a fighter, she was also going to be a woman. It wasn't easy to be a fighter but also a woman- it was something that she often had conflict with. But she still knew that no matter what, she was an officer of Shu before she was a woman. And so her fighting and protecting the people came before anything else- including romance. 'That is right... I mustn't allow myself to get distracted.' She sighed and finally laid down on her back, frowning in pain before relaxing. She needed to settle down or else she would never get any sleep. It took about an hour before she was able to drift off into slumber. Everything that had happened that day repeated itself in her mind and, even as she slept, slipped into her dreams.