A day of Mourning (Ying Xiang)

[Zhou Yu]

After every ecstatic day of victory came an equally sad day of mourning. It was the way of war that you celebrated the night before and after thinking only of yourself and your survival there after. The next day you mourned those who had not been so fortunate even the enemy. After all not all men who served and evil cause where in turn bad people. Zhou Yu mourned everyone who had given there lives to make victory of yesterday possible even those that had tried to prevent it. He was a deep thinker and although he was not one to cry over spilled blood he did regret it. Rather that he would be a capable minister in times of peace than the canny strategist in times of war. Although he stood to make a name for himself he thought he would prefer to live in a more peaceful time.

At the moment he watched the funeral of one warrior who had served there lord his oath brother Sun Ce with rare distinction. Around was gathered his friends and family and people of note. Zhou Yu made sure to make a personal appearance at the funeral of every Wu officers who gave there lives. It was the least he could do. He looked down at his feet as he composed himself his white funeral robes blowing in the gentle wind around his boots. It was time for his own lament. He clutched in his hand a silver flute his instrument of choice.

"I would like to pay my final respects to Ying An. Although i knew him not well personally his sacrifice i shall pay respects too him with this tune." Zhou Yu said so saying stepped forward and brought the flute to his lips. It would not be fair to say he had a talent for music he was a true master. In Wu it was often said if the tune be in error 'Zhou Yu' take notes. So he played his in promtue song for Ying An the music swelling in his throat and expressing a deep emotion and loss. Many thought music was just playing well but a master like Yu knew it was in expressing emotion and conveying it to your audience by music. This was a skill he had. He played well with a song of great sorrow until the end he stopped and stepped back into the crowd his lament over.

[Ying Xiang]

Ying Xiang was at the grave of her father. She was crying at her father and started to say to herself that she needs to make sure that her father would get his wish of her finding someone that will be able to help her get a few child's to help Wu in the future of china was in stake. She hears the music of Zhou Yu that was playing making her look at him seeing the handsome man that was playing music making her feel warm inside a feeling she never felt before. She knew she should not think in these way at her father funeral but she did need someone to talk to might be better then nothing at all for him. She waits that the man stop playing music before going next to him slowly and she was really shy.

The music was finally stopped and she took his hand with both of hers trying to take him behind a tree so she would not feel as ashamed then if she would of talked to him in front of the grave of her father that she becomes quick friends with the man she just feel more respectful being away. They were behind the tree and she sits down under the tree looking in Zhou Yu eyes trying to see how he was inside but could not so she decided to just talk. "Hi I am Ying Xiang the daughter of Ying An. I am sorry if I disturbed you but I kinda wish to know if you knew him since your song was so beautiful." Tears in her eyes she stopped talking and looked at his eyes.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu backed away expecting the rest of the ceremony to pass in silent remorse but was surprised to see a young women walking in his direction. By her appearance he would guess she was maybe a year or so younger than himself. But her appearance took his breath away any way, he was stunned pointedly into mute silence in appreciation of her striking beauty. He stood still and followed her to the side as seemed her wish, usually a charming fellow he could not think quite what to say. He settled for analyzing her instead. She seemed to be quite distraught more so that anyone else had been so he could tell she was related to Ying An by that if not her looks alone. No doubt this was a hard day for her also. He sat down with her and heard her out staring intently into her eyes, lost in there death. He pulled himself out he was better than this, it was a funeral he wasn't here to be distracted by the first pretty girl he saw even this one.

"Ah so your are his daughter, my condolences for your most sudden loss. I am Zhou Yu sworn brother of Sun Ce. It is to my current and continuing sorrow that i did not know your farther well. We served in different capacities and i now i will never have the chance to know him. Although i understand he was a remarkable man and he died for our cause. Hence it was the least i could do to honour his memory with a song. Although i fear i have moved to tears such was not my intention, prey is there anything i can do for you?" Zhou Yu said drawing a hand up to delicately wipe a tear from her eye. He knew it was hard to lose a parent his mother had died early in his own life. Still although such loss was becoming common place he found it hurt him deeply to see her suffer in this way. Why not he thought it just showed he was still human while men like Cao Cao had become dead inside. He found he wanted to provide what comfort he could for her.

[Ying Xiang]

She looked at him sensing that he thought she was cute that was enough for her to want to be with him comfortable for now. She places her right hand on his waist softly and the other was behind his head and she goes to kiss you but stop and backs away crying. She wanted to kiss him for her father having a chance to get her family known but she could not kiss the man so soon after his death even if she likes the man from the second she meet him she knew it was disrespect full. She was crying a river that goes on the ground and go through the grass that was on the ground.

"I am sorry, I just want to make sure that my father wishes came through since he really wanted me to find someone to love and have children with so the kids could help with the war." Her eyes was still watering the ground it was obvious she liked you but feels guilty that she tried to do something even if he wanted it she could not do it before he was buried. She signal Zhou Yu after that she could be better company to him and to get to know each other.

[Zhou Yu]

It was moments like this that tour Zhou Yu’s heart to the core. He could not quite escape the thought that he was in a small part responsible for her father’s death after all he had helped plan the attack that ultimately lead to this conclusion. It was an unavoidable outcome of war and although he knew it was not his fault he could not help but empathise with her loss. He wished only that, well there were a lot of things he wished, he cleared it from his mind again. He wanted to try and consol her but what he could really say nothing could what had happened to her alright. Fortunately in that clever mind of his a few words eventually came to mind.

“Your father would wish for nothing more than your happiness. It hurts but be strong in life we must suffer much and find joy where we can.” Zhou Yu said holding her hand tightly while she cried. He got the feeling that she just needed someone at the moment. Instead of speaking more he plied his flute again playing a gentle melody to sooth her tears more than anything else. He had thought for a moment before that would kiss him. He found himself disappointed that she had not but also at the same time glad he could see she need time after all she had enough emotion going on at the moment.

Back over the clearing Zhou Yu could see that most of the mourners for Ying An had finished speaking and lamenting his demise. It would be time for his family to pay their final respects before Ying An was sent off into the afterlife. He knew not where Ying An would end up, but he decided to make sure he had a hand in were Ying Xiang ended up.

[Ying Xiang]

Her tears were going down rapidly seeing that her father had past away in this awful time and awful day. She did not want to see when they bury him under the ground so she stayed behind the tree and pushes Zhou Yu down on his butt just to be able to rest her head on his shoulder she was obviously in a big amount of emotional pain. She was still holding his hand while she cried on his shoulder. She lost both of her parents now one from disease and now one from a battle to protect his lord by risking his own life. She knew her father name will be written as a great man in the stories that people will tell there child's later own but that was not enough for her to make it feel alright again not even for a long shot to work.

They were done saying there good byes and they were finally burying the man that risked his life for the land of Wu to be continued being under there great lord Sun Jian. The other child of the brave Ying An were moving in with there uncle but Xiang was not. She did not want to do like them she wanted to make sure her father name was known and she wanted to help that happened as well as she could. She was not a fighter but she will make sure the grandchildren of Ying An will be the reason that Wu will be victorious to get the land in peace. She knew that will help him and she promises her self that she will do what she can to make this happen or her name was no longer going to be Ying Xiang.

After the body was buried Ying Xiang lift up her head and looks in Zhou Yu eyes knowing that he liked her and she knew that in a relationship that was all that matter that the man loved the women and the women opinion was barely any value at all but she did feel the same way so that was not the situation her and her father was not there to reject the man she decided to love in her heart and soul will always belong to this man and she needed to make sure that he knew this. She pushes away his flute and with one hand holding his she placed the other behind his head and pushes softly his lips toward hers and kiss him softly and long to make sure he feels what she was feeling.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu sat with her in silence as she cried into his shoulder mourning her terrible loss. Knowing words were unnecessary he simply held her and stroked her hair trying to calm her down. It would be little consolation to her that her father had died nobly against a cruel enemy or that they had won. He was dead and buried now never to see the light of day again and she would have to go on without him. Perhaps not alone however she seemed a wonderful girl and he could not imagine never seeing her again, the very thought pained him. Women like her were few and far between. Yet all he had done so far was bring her pain. No that was not his fault it was just a tragic occasion yet he knew his music conveyed sadness, then again it was not the time for a joyful tune exactly. Yet more than anything at this moment he wanted to see her with a smile across her face instead. He sighed deeply perhaps that was a task beyond even him. He could read and move men easily almost without trying, he could undermine nations with a simple scheme but could he make her smile. If he could not then he did not think the rest was really worth anything.

He looked deep in her eyes as she pushed his flute away. Having spent too much of his childhood absorbed in books he was naive and saw not for a moment her intentions until her lips meet his. His mind raced for a moment, was this right, did he want this. In the end he decided to stop thinking for once and do exactly what his heart told him. He could feel her and he understood her completely. Gently at first he returned her kiss then with somewhat more passion. He did not want her to think he did not like her for nothing could be further from the truth. He did not care what was going on around then or if anyone else might be watching. He was oblivious to all else but the women in his arms. In the end he pulled away at last after a long moment, his heart beginning to beat again painfully as he realised it had for a moment paused. He ran his fingers softly threw her hair as he asked.

“Are you sure this is what you want. I am but a poor strategist, while you I think are something special.” Zhou Yu said with perhaps an overtone of overdone modesty yet he spoke with merely an comparison for it was what you were judged against that mattered.

[Ying Xiang]

She looks at him with a sparkle in her eyes. Her hand was still behind his head and she slides to place her whole body on his legs. She was trying not to do anything to offend him since she was trying to give him her heart and soul for him and him alone until the moment her heart stops to move it will be his to keep. She has a last tear going down her face for her father and it hits her love armor and then slides to the ground from his body. Her arms were around her neck and behind you head you see her two hand holding each other like a loving pose. Her hair was going crazy cause of the strength of the wind that was blowing in to it.

"I am sure that I want you as much as your strategies are important to your lord. My heart and soul will always be yours and I knew it from the moment I meet you that my father was making me want you even more from the heavens. Please do not reject it or I do not know what will happen to my heart. It will be bleeding until the choice is made by you and my soul is leaving at the same pace please make your decision quickly and make sure you make the right one or you might be torturing us both."

The time was people leaving they were the only two left in the grave yard. Then sun was coming down and it was finally night time. The crows were doing noise as they normally do. She was obviously feeling tired of the night having a long day was not surprising that she had trouble keeping her eyes open. She was falling asleep in your arms.

[Zhou Yu]

He held her close; he could feel her body against him even threw his armour, which was pretty light in fairness. He had never favoured the heavy armour of a warrior; it sacrificed far too much agility. Now he was glad of the choice. Who would have thought he would come to a funeral and these find the girl of his dreams. Fate had a funny of sorting things out that was for sure, yet otherwise would they ever have meet. Then perhaps she would have been fated to find someone else. Now he was not quite sure how he felt, perhaps he was just over thinking things, although part of him found that concept ridiculous. Was it that his heart and brain were at odds, no it was just he was complicating things as usual.

“This is all very sudden I fell like my heart has been pulled from calm waters and thrown into the turbulent sea. My mind can’t quite keep up but my heart would rather go faster and become lost in your love. I confess that I am shaken but I don’t think I could do anything to hurt you either lady. I think then that I can say only for certain that I love you.” He said squeezing her hand and not sure why he knew he loved her only that he did. He did not know when it had happened only that it was the truth. All he really knew was that he cared for this girl that he held in his arms as darkness was starting to come down onto the city. He could read from her eyes that she was tired she had a very long day.

“Ying Xiang it’s getting late and its getting dark. Perhaps you would come back with me to the Palace. I am accorded some status there as Sun Ce the lord’s son is like a brother to me. I would like to make sure that you are cared for properly and perhaps you will join me at a banquet they are holding tonight. You must be starving by now?” He inquired returning his flute to his waist pocket. He would have like to stay there holding her in his arms forever. But the magic moment had to end some times and he fancied seeing her in a pretty dress perhaps. Although he might pretend to a poor or modest man he was extreamly well off as one of the most powerful men in the south.

[Ying Xiang]

She is now trying to get up to find a good way to accept the inventation without sounding like she did not eat in the last few days well since her dad died in the battle anyway. She smilled and almost falls down being a bit weak in the legs from the hunger but she was also tired so it was looking normal in a sence. She needed obviously help to get up. She was homeless girl that needed a frind and that friend might be the one that love her the same way that she loves him. She signal him for some help and waits while he gets up. She obviously accept the inventation and could not wait to meet the friedns of Zhou Yu.

"I cannot wait to meet your friend's."

Her legs were worst then pasta in the sence of the strenght since its all shaking. She was up on her two own feet not wanting to wait on him and make him carry her the whole time they walk to the palace. She was trying to grab his hand if he let her and she walked beside him knowing that she had his hand just in case that she needed support during the day that she probably needed the most support. She was able to see the palace now with her own eyes never saw it in her life before and it brung a small smile on her face knowing that her father fought to protect this place and now she is able to enter it without any problems.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu took her hand in his own as he lead the way to the palace suspecting she may not know the way there. In truth he had only been there once yesterday at the height of the fighting and it was not a visit he cared to recall certainly not in such company. He could feel threw the contact that she was weak, perhaps from exhaustion, lack of food and emotional trauma. She had certainly been thrown around lot recently. Well he was not about to let that happen or to allow her to embrace herself. He put one arm around her slim waist to give her support as they approached the palace gates. There was no need for identification the guards of course knew him on sight and would not block there lords finest strategist from entering.

“I am certain they shall adore you, even if they don’t I shall continue to do so.” Zhou Yu assured her as he led her up the palace steps. He tried not to let it show how weak she was in his body language. Although they were neither dressed for the occasion he suspected in the turbulence of the day neither was anyone else so he lead the way to the banquet hall. No doubt this would be in honour of those who gave their lives and to celebrate their victory. Zhou Yu pushed open the door and lead her in to meet the lords and ladies of Wu.

[Sun Jian]

After the successful diplomatic expansion thanks to the works of Zhou Yu, Sun Ce, Lu Jun and his son, Jian Ye was under his control and being the bigger city, Sun Jian made it his capital. His vision of uniting Jiangdong was close at hand. While getting used to his new surroundings and raising morale through Jian Ye so people could adjust to living under Sun Jian, which is not so bad, since he is a kind ruler, he heard two sets of footsteps enter the Palace. Bigger City. Bigger Palace. Bigger Echo's. So he left his chamber to see who it was. He needed an excuse to take a walk anyway before he meets new officers from Jian Ye.

Once he left, he saw Zhou Yu with a young woman beside him. He also noticed they were holding hands. A smile appeared on Sun Jian's face, "Welcome back Zhou Yu. So whose this?", he said as he turned to the woman. Looking closer, he noticed she looked similar to an officer who had died at Jian Ye. "Ah, you must be the daughter of Ying An! So sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man and will be missed. If only others were like him. He will surely be a great example for people to look upto", he paused as he bowed his head, then looked back up and held his hand back towards the council, "Please, come into the chamber, we have some food prepared", as he stood back to allow them through first. He could wait. He didn't mind.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu felt some blood rush to his face in a small flush of acute embarrassment. He was absolutely certain that Sun Jian had noticed the way he looked at her or the way they touched. He did not mind really but he was not as used to this as he would have liked to claim. Well what did it matter in some ways he suspected Sun Jian looked at him like an adopted son. Of course the bond between them was lord and vassal and could never really go beyond that he knew. Still the kingdom of Wu was more relaxed about that than may others. Here he could be who he was and who he was loved the girl at his side.

“Astute as always my lord you have guessed her identity correctly. This is Lady Ying Xiang, I meet her today at her father’s funeral. I of course passed along our most sincere regrets that a fine man and officer has passed away.“ Zhou Yu said giving her hand a gently squeeze. He had known that Sun Jian would like her almost instantly. She seemed to be just a lovable kind of person, or so he had clearly found at least. He was quite smitten with her already. He held her hand as he followed Sun Jian into the room. He held out a chair for her to sit knowing her condition then he took a seat nearby and sighed deeply as he relaxed into it.

[Ying Xiang]

Ying Xiang nervous meeting the great lord Sun Jian not knowing how he knew who she was it spooked her a tiny bit. She was holding on of his best officers hand so that she knew that could not help him guess who she was. She decided to smile bow infront of him after Zhou Yu decided to introduce her without her saying a word. "I am Ying Xiang as he said and I am glad to know that he will not be forgoten by the people of Wu." She was really happy that he was not going to forget her father but even do with that was not enough for her to be happy. She had her goals in her head and she has the special ingredient next to him to make the ultimate respectfull move to her father by being with the man that she fell in love with at first sight.

They were following the lord and reaching the table she noticed that Zhou Yu had pull her chair she sat down and set the chair close to the table to make sure when she eats that she does not make a mess all over the floor. She was there quietly kinda nervous not knowing the people that much except Zhou Yu which she read in his eyes. She then pushed her chair closer to Zhou Yu to place her hand on his leg letting him know that she was nervous without saying it in words. She then kissed his cheek while whispering in his ear softly.

"Who are these people are they all soldiers of Wu like yourself or are they just people that Sun Jian invited?"

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu took her hand gently rubbing the top with his thumb in a reassuring kind of way as he lent in a little to hear what she was saying. An able actor and performer as well as a musician he was able to whisper back to her without making it look like he was doing so. He smiled even he did not know everyone around. Some of them would be officers, or ministers some even would have been there enemy a few days ago but joined when there lord surrendered to Wu. He would endeavour to know them all, that was his job but for the moment he had a greater concern and interest and he was sitting next to him kissing his cheek gently.

“The man to Sun Jian’s left is Wei Huan and on his left Sun Jing. Both of them serve Sun Jian personally. Sitting next to you on your other side is a friend of mine, the warrior Zhu Huan. Dont worry he is gently really. The others are Wu officers and ministers but not all. The man at the far end of the table is Liu Yao. He used to rule the city until yesterday when he surrendered. Blame him not for your father’s death he was not personally responsible and he is a good man at heart I think.” Zhou Yu said describing them to her in a way that meant he did not have to point so no one would know what he was telling her. He raised her hand and kissed her finger gently before letting it sit back on his leg. He started to eat but not much his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.