Art of Grace (Zhang He)

[Lu Xia]

The sun that had bathed the land in light over the course of the day, now dimmed in it's setting, leaving a glow in the sky for all to see. Lu Xia decided to spend this late afternoon out in the training yard, lighting the lanterns all around so that when the sun finally dipped below the horizon, she would be able to see. She lit the last lantern with a small torch and left it in a burning brazier. Then, she stepped down into the sandy arena, picking up her fans from where she had left them. Lu Xia would look over the beautiful metal weapons, reminiscing about their creation. The initial memory brought on more, Lu Xia recalled the day she entered into Cao Cao's service. Had it truly been eight years now? She was so very young then, fresh and untrained. And ever since the great Governor came to her household and brought her under his wing, she realized how her dreams had come true. Lu Xia became the warrior she wanted to be. Although being separated from family and friends for so long, she was doing something meaningful, becoming strong and swift, agile and even growing more beautiful in maturing. Besides, she had made new friends in coming to Cao Cao's territory, Cao Cao himself even began to feel like family.

Her mind was drifting along with the memories and thoughts, in the midst of them, she began waving the fans about. What started as a few simple steps and waves became a graceful dance. It was something she enjoyed on these quiet afternoons when alone. Lu Xia smiled softly to herself, all was peaceful, it seemed so perfect. Like a meditation in motion, she would continue to dance, highly focused on her moves. Watching her fans, Lu Xia was reminded of a butterfly's wings. While these were weapons and dangerous at that, they had a certain grace and beauty about them that just couldn't be ignored. The idea stuck in her head... Not really about the weapons, but the insect itself. It was then that Lu Xia was reminded of Zhang He, the so called 'butterfly General'. Indeed, he was as graceful as the living creature, but like her weapons, ever more deadly.

In her eight years here, Lu Xia was often instructed by him, like special training sessions meant only for her. Of course, Cao Cao had treated her very well the whole time to the present, more than just any agreement with her father. But Lu Xia couldn't help the feeling that Zhang He watched more than her footwork. It wasn't that she minded, even as he came to her door with Cao Cao that fated day, she watched him in return. But things like fear and uncertainty clouded her way, made her avoid the man in some cases. Lu Xia had never been in love, never been close with someone. While Zhang He made her heart pound, Lu Xia was afraid to let it be anything more than that. What if he was to die in battle? What if he was to become imprisoned by the enemy? Or worse, what if he fell for another woman? There were just so many worries that prevented Lu Xia from even speaking more than a few sentences at a time to the general.

Lu Xia was just too afraid of being hurt in one form or another. It just didn't seem possible, no matter how much she wanted it to be. In all this time, while Lu Xia confided in her lord, Cao Cao, she'd never spoken a word about it. Perhaps it was obvious already. Or maybe it was too foolish to speak of. Eight years and she was still thinking like a teen... Lu Xia stopped dancing, noticing the sun's complete absence in the sky. It was dark, but the lit lanterns burned brightly enough. The moon was hidden behind clouds, but it seemed like it would break through soon enough.

At least there was the comfort of peace and quiet, the solace helped a bit. Lu Xia sighed, watching the sky as she folded her fans.

[Zhang He]

Eight years.

Much had changed in that time, at least in Zhang He himself. His appearance had become more eccentric, to say the least, as Cao Cao seemed not to mind if his general's dressed oddly, so long as they served him well. Indeed, Zhang He had served Cao Cao well, he refused to be anything but excellent in his lord's cause. The standard he held himself up to was necessary in the general's eyes, especially after the failure to protect his former lord as those years ago.

That life was in the past, Zhang He was a different man this day. Proud and driven, though his taste for blood had cooled somewhat since the end of the Yellow Turban rebellion. That did not make him any less capable in battle, Zhang He was just as, if not more, passionate when it came to serving his lord as he was when it came to exacting his vengeance against the Yellow Turbans. China's turmoil was not ended, times were still difficult, but Zhang He had faith in Cao Cao's ability to change.

"General Zhang He!"

The man bowed, and Zhang He returned the action. His eyes glanced around the room for a small movement before landing back on the soldier.

"Where is Lu Xia?"

"The training yard, sir!"

Zhang He nodded, thanking the man and changing his direction accordingly. Lu Xia, an unexpected addition to Cao Cao's army, had intrigued Zhang He since the day he had met her. He would have courted her by now, if it were not Lu Xia's apparent hesitation. He could not determine if she reserved her affections for some greater reason, or simply because she held no feelings for him to begin with.

Matters of war and service consumed Zhang He's time like wild fire, but many hours had been spent with Lu Xia, though for the purpose of training. He had given her the tools to improve upon her grace and skill, and indeed she had become a beauty in battle as she was in appearance.

As the soldier had told Zhang He, Lu Xia was standing in the training yard, though the sun's light had faded. Instead the area was illuminated by several torches, which caused shadows to play along Lu Xia's delicate figure.

"Greetings."

Zhang He offered Lu Xia a bow, for he held no small amount of respect for the woman as a fellow officer.

"It appears that I have come too late to witness your dance."

[Lu Xia]

Lu Xia turned to leave, ready to retire to her quarters for the night, when she saw Zhang He.

"It appears that I have come too late to witness your dance."

He had bowed to her, as always, in respect. The first thought, Lu Xia couldn't help, was how handsome he appeared even in torchlight. But it made her blush ever so softly, a combination of his comment, his gaze, and just his presence in general. Lu Xia hoped he wouldn't see, not in this lighting. It would be embarrassing should he comment on that too...

"Forgive me, General Zhang He. I was not aware you were coming. Would... You like me to continue? I hope my form isn't off."

She tried her hardest not to be awkward. It was strange, how he affected her so. Perhaps it was just that she was caught off guard, and had been thinking about the general quite often lately. Lu Xia found it difficult to keep still, she felt the urge to leave. She knew it wasn't appropriate, wasn't right to be so rude. But he just... Had so much sway over her thoughts. So much so, that it was a bit scary. How could she handle this anymore? Lu Xia tried looking down at the ground, maybe not looking at him would help a little.

It didn't.

Perhaps going to see Cao Cao and confiding in him about the matter was a good idea. Speaking to someone about it might help, she figured. But how could she deal with this moment right now? Lu Xia felt a little tension, but she wasn't sure if he did too. Perhaps the great, graceful Zhang He didn't mind such things, didn't notice them. That was a silly notion, though, of course he could. She just had to get her thoughts straight... It was so hard.

"Or... Would you prefer that I left the sanctity of this place to your use?"

Stupid! Stupid thing to say! But she just had to say something...

[Zhang He]

Zhang He smiled as the girl responded, offering him to continue. He remained silent for the moment, noticing that Lu Xia's disposition was slightly... Off. She did not normally appear to be so awkward, but perhaps his sudden arrival had come as a surprise to her. He shook his head slightly, a delayed response to her first inquiry.

"There is no need."

Witnessing Lu Xia's grace was one of the reasons the general so enjoyed her presence, but he had come with another reason in mind that night. Eight years since Cao Cao had gained Lu Su's support and accepted the strategist's daughter into his army, and since then Zhang He had periodically taken part in her training. He knew she would be beautiful in battle, just as he knew that she would be beautiful in appearance once the years brought her maturity.

War, as well as handling the aftermath of the Yellow Turban rebellion, had preoccupied much of Zhang He's time. That paired with Lu Xia's reluctance made it difficult for Zhang He to attempt to bring them closer together. He had suspected in the past that perhaps she was simply not interested in him, but Zhang He had seen her looking. He knew that she admired him as much as he admired her, it was unmistakable.

Eight years was too long, and Zhang He would not allow another eight to elapse before Lu Xia was no longer hesitant.

Lu Xia offered to leave, to allow Zhang He to have the training yard all to himself, but training had not been the general's attempt. He took a slow step forward, attempting to close some of the gap between him and the woman.

"No, I did not come here to practice technique."

Zhang He took another step forward, placing him within arm's length of Lu Xia. He reached out tentatively, brushing his fingertips slightly against the woman's arm.

"I came to see you."

[Lu Xia]

Lu Xia's eyes widened slightly as the beautiful general stepped forward, to profess that he came to see her, and even dared to touch her. The touch wasn't offensive or anything of the kind, but it struck Lu Xia in a way that made her feel nervous. Not nervous in the sense that she thought he'd harm her, but that she'd fall in under the pressure. That fear of falling for the graceful Zhang He, it kept her at bay all these years. But it seemed now that he would finally take the initiative, that he would not stay quiet any longer. The thought that he would pursue her made Lu Xia feel... Stuck. It drew in all kinds of worries, she couldn't bear any of them.

"General Zhang He... I..."

She wasn't sure what to say next. Should she deny him and be done with it, and bear the pain of never knowing love with him, or give in?

"I... Don't know what to say."

The young general struggled to find the right words. She wanted things to go over smoothly, no matter which direction they went in. Temptation to tell him how she really felt was intense. But would he understand? Or would he just dismiss it as crazy worries? Maybe they were, maybe it was all just too much paranoia. Whatever it was, it stood between them like a wall. And here Zhang He was, trying to tear it down. He was doing pretty good so far, tempting Lu Xia as he did.

"Forgive me."

Lu Xia took one last look into Zhang He's eyes, longing to be close to him. But she didn't want to be hurt... She needed time to think. Lu Xia turned to leave, with haste.

[Zhang He]

She didn't flinch at his touch, nor did she shrug it off, but Zhang He could see the apprehension in her eyes. Something was holding her back, some fear that Zhang He could not understand. Was it that they were soldiers, destined to most likely die on the battlefield? If anything, the ever present threat of death made him want a passion with Lu Xia even more. Life as a general brought enough fulfillment and satisfaction all on its own, but that did not mean it was all he desired.

Zhang He remained silent as Lu Xia stumbled over her words, having been stunned by his sudden confession. The process ended in her asking his forgiveness and then leaving, though his hope was not crushed. The final look Lu Xia had given him was unmistakable in the emotion in portrayed, longing. It was colored with confusion, which was the reason eight years had passed while the spark between them remained silent.

He left the training yard, seeing no purpose in the empty grounds, and moved to his personal quarters. Zhang He briefly regretted that his bed would not be shared that night, but the possibility of tomorrow stilled his mind.

[Lu Xia]

A few hours had passed, Lu Xia lay awake in her room, simply unable to sleep. Her mind had been abuzz with all her thoughts, centered on the general Zhang He. She was weighing her options, up until the point where she decided on something final. The once frightened young girl had to grow up. She was older now, it meant making choices and being bold. Lu Xia wouldn't be afraid anymore, she didn't care enough anymore about what could go wrong. She wanted the chance to be with him. Whatever would happen from now on, Lu Xia would learn to handle.

Now, she would follow her desires.

Lu Xia rose from her bed, dressed in her silken nightgown. She had a mission in mind now, one very important. She would go to see Zhang He, hoping that she had not ruined her chances for being so hesitant before. Slipping out into the hall, Lu Xia went undetected, heading for his room. Perhaps only a servant running late night errands would have noticed her, most of the guards were probably off getting food and drink. It wasn't long before Lu Xia reached Zhang He's door, placing her hand gently on the surface. Perhaps he was sleeping... She wondered whether or not it would be appropriate to disturb him. To hell with it, she then thought. Did it matter?

Looking to her left, then right, making sure no one else would notice, Lu Xia opened the door silently. It was true, he didn't lock his door at night. The general was too widely feared by most men to bother. Once opened, Lu Xia quickly slid inside and closed the door behind her. Her heart pounded within her chest, being so daring as to intrude on a fellow general's slumber, in his own room. But she just had to. She had to tell him how she felt.

Lu Xia looked around, everything was rather neat and tidy, prim and proper. The furniture was far from simple, the entire room decorated with great taste. But then the bed caught her eye, where Zhang He himself slept. As Lu Xia slowly approached, she noticed how serene and handsome he was, in his softened state. His hair, usually kept pinned up, was free and flowing among the pillows. She came to the bedside, smiling softly to herself. Lu Xia couldn't help herself, she bent over him, brushing hair from his cheek. Then she kissed him on his forehead with a certain gentleness that she hoped wouldn't wake him... Not yet.

How bold, how informal... It wasn't something that anyone would really dare to do, until now. It seemed like something out of an ancient and mythic romance, so much so it was almost ridiculous. But Lu Xia would do as she pleased now, take control of her fears and show Zhang He how she felt.

"Forgive me... For I have wronged you for so long. It... Was torture to be afraid, to deny us both a chance at anything."

Lu Xia watched over him, rather enchanted by just the sight of him sleeping.

[Zhang He]

Zhang He's sleep was peaceful, Lu Xia's rejection had not cheated him of good rest, though it had taken slightly longer to close his eyes than it normally would. It was in this bed that he found the most comfort, after having spent many nights in tents with cushions that were sometimes more uncomfortable than the ground itself. He prided himself on his taste, but even Zhang He had been forced into unwanted accommodations.

While he allowed himself to take a greater pleasure from the soft embrace of the bed, Zhang He was no fool. He may not know who, but the general was certain that he had collected enemies in the past, no man's victory came without a price. Sleep left him as a figure approached his bedside, though Zhang He kept his alarm internal. His eyes remained shut, his body motionless, as if he continued to sleep. The intruder was silent, to have made it this far into his room without awaking him was evidence of that.

He waited until the moment to snap into action, when surprise would be most effective against the intruder. Instead of the sound of a sword or dagger being raised into the air, Zhang He felt the breath of the intruder on his face. Their scent reached his nose, and Zhang He knew then that this was not assassin.

Lu Xia's lips softly touched his forehead, and still the general remained silent. She spoke softly with her sweet voice, expressing what Zhang He had suspected all along. He opened his eyes, a faint smile on his features, and sat up, reaching a hand out to touch Lu Xia's hair.

"Let us not speak of it."

Zhang He pulled her down gently, touching her lips with his.