Limitless

by

TheWritingKat

Loosely based on historical events, events in novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Koei games. All characters belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 1 - (The Dragonfly and the Huang)

Alone Looking at the Mountain

All the birds have flown up and gone;

A lonely cloud floats leisurely by.

We never tire of looking at each other -

Only the mountain and I.

By Li Bai

A tranquil spring warmth fills the area of Henei *, in the late Han period. Elsewhere, the newly instated commander-in-chief, Cao Cao safeguards the Han emperor, Emperor Xian. Having control of the emperor Cao Cao had the emperor move the capital, from the ruined city of Luoyang to Xuchang, which was declared, by some to be a grab for power. Only time would tell of his true intentions. The year, is 194 and amidst a political upheaval, a little girl wanders the outskirts of Henei. A very curious, rebellious, young girl bent on catching a certain dragonfly.

"Zhang Chunhua! Come back!" Voices shouts from a distance.

The brown-haired girl, paying no heed to the voices continues her journey along the river bank chasing after a dragonfly. Large brown eyes fill with childish delight, as purple robes sway in the spring breeze as she runs along; giggles blending in with the chirps of birds and sounds of nature. The bells and ribbons in her hair match the beat of her quick movements. She truly has no care in the world.

Yet, elsewhere in China, warlords fight throughout the land for different reasons: in the name of the late Han emperor; there are those who fight for their paradise; some fight for their land; and even those who fight for a new era. None of that mattered to the girl of five. Taking her time now pacing along the riverbank, pondering how far her winged friend would travel before needing a rest. Fearful she is not of the growing panic and chaos, only of the eventually consequences for her running away from her parents.

This was her life - nothing else in the world mattered to her. But that was the world of a child, much more simplistic and innocent than reality should ever be. Sadly, like the dragonfly eventually stopping to rest, this world of hers would be swallowed up by reality. And just as predicted, the dragonfly finds rest atop something. Pausing momentarily, she watches as her winged-friend rests atop what appears to be an old man sitting peacefully under a newly blossomed tree.

"Good evening, old man!" The brown-haired girl chirped, loosing all interest in the dragonfly.

Titling her head she waited for the old man's reply, but he makes no reply. The only sound is the churning river bank and birds. Not giving up the young girl places herself in front of the old man and peers at him with childish interest. She noted that atop the odd man's head is a large white bushy hat where the dragonfly now resided. Even more she noted his curled mustache and long beard. She recalled seeing men dressed like him around town on special days - marriages, fortune telling, and matchmaking. Her mother called them Taoist monks, she seemed to remember.

"Old man? The youth of this era…" The strangely dressed man muttered suddenly startling the girl. Having opened his eyes, she noted his glassy eyes and smile betraying his seriousness. His voice was wary, fragile, and soft - just like newly crushed spring leaves.

"And who might you be, little bird?"

"I am Lady Zhang Chunhua!" The girl announced, straitening into a more lady-like posture. Unforunately, she ended up looking even more silly.

The old hermit scoffed. "Hmm, lady you are not. What a world we live in where little birds are ladies," he teased, studying the girl. The child stomped her foot, pouting indignantly.

"I am not a little bird! I am a human and Lady! My father is prefect of Suyi, that makes me a lady." *

"I see, little one. You are no great goddess Nu Wa * more like a fledging phoenix trying so hard to spread her wings," he continued, unmindful of the girl's confusion, but at the word phoenix her interest peaked.

"Do you know any phoenixes, old man?" He laughed, shaking his head, from the movement the dragonfly flew off the old man's hat away from the two.

"Not until today, my little one." With a giggle the girl of five sat down in front of the elderly man, giggling at the strangely-dressed man for no particular reason.

"I'm not a phoenix… I am Zhang Chunhua," she said again, taking sudden interest in the designs on her robes.

"I see what an auspicious name you have," the old man mused, stroking his beard, watching the pretty little girl smooth out her long sleeves.

"Hmm. Perhaps the young lady should not be out here by herself." The little girl of five stopped her actions, peering up at him hesitantly.

"Hmm, what's your name, old man?"

"Well to you, my child, my name is 'old man,' but I do go by another name."

"W-will you tell me?"

He laughed. "Call me what you will, little bird."

She watched as the man closed his eyes once more, not minding a pair of eyes watching him intently. All that was heard were the birds chirping in the trees and the sound of soft rushing water. If not for her childish nature she too would have followed the examples of the old man and shut her eyes for rest.

"Are you a fortune teller, old man?" She questioned finally. He laughed opening his eyes.

"I am just an observing old man, little one."

"What do you see?"

"I see many things others do not."

"Like what?"

"Inquisitive, little child, aren't you?" He mused, laughing lightly. "The wonders of innocent youth. How I envy you."

"I guess…" It was obvious she was growing bored of the conversion, so much so she started picking through the grass and dirt.

"Very well… I see into a people's heart," he answered.

"Hearts?" Her face scrunched into disbelief, and then back to fascination. "What do you mean, old man?"

"Allow me to see what lies in your heart, little one," he spoke, with a kind smile.

The strange raises his right hand, as she watches in awe as three cards appear in his hand. Flipping over the cards he peers at them, not allowing the girl to see. Ever interested the girl scoots forward, uncaring of her now dirty robes, trying to catch a peek.

"What does it say?" Noticing the old man's eyes lit up as he peers at the cards she moves closer.

"Your eyes burn with hidden ambition of a Huang that have yet to be awaken. You have great things in store for you my child." His eyes and face turns serious.

"What is it?" At the words the old man snapped out of his trace.

"It appears you have a most interesting destiny, my dear. Maybe one day you find your dragon that will match your ambition, but until that time…," he lowered his cards letting them disappear in a black puff, "…You will change from an innocent little bird to a flaring phoenix."

She giggles at the cryptic words. "You're funny, old man. I wouldn't mind being a Huang."

"Lady Zhang! Where are you!" She instantly stood up, smoothing out her now filthy robes.

"Good bye, old man!" She chirped, waving her oversized sleeve at him running back the way she came.

"Hmm, so much rests on that young bird…. Perhaps through her is the end of chaos," he mused. Turning his back he began to walk away.

"If she can even spread her wings through the chaos to come… No doubt she will change in coming years…"

"We shall meet again, until then, little bird." And so with a wave of his sleeve he was gone - petals falling where he once stood.

Author Note:

It should be noted Zhang Chunhua, the female character of this story is the eventual wife of Sima Yi. Still it should also be noted that there is little to no information of her in either the novel, Romance of Three Kingdoms, or the game. So anything to do with personality from this point is based on my own imagination. Most of where I get my information is; or, obviously, the Dynasty Warrior series.

I want to apologize ahead of time if there are any major inaccuracies in the history, culture, or what have you. Please, tell me if anything is majority wrong and I'll be all too happy to fix them. As for grammar mistakes, I'm also sorry to say will more likely than not be seen throughout this story. A thousand pardons ahead of time! If anyone wants to Beta my stories I would be delighted!

Also I realize my story starts off a bit campy and, quite frankly, boring. But I want to give myself a large contrast in the next chapter between young girl to young woman. Besides I wanted to experiment and just post this story to say I had the nerve to finally post a story on this site. So review if you want. Any feedback good or bad would be nice.

Brief History Summary:

By this time in history, 194, Dong Zhuo has been slain by Lu Bu. Shu has not been established and won't be for awhile. Sima Yi is now fifteen, being that he is ten years older than Zhang Chunhua.

1. Henei in modern day is located north of Henan (According to wikipedia.) Still while looking at a map of Three Kingdoms Era I found a place called He Nei (Huai) located near Hu Lao Pass. Still there are no records of where Zhang Chunhua actually lived, but Henei is listed as her birthplace.

2. Zhang Chunhua's father was named prefect of Suyi (According to wikipedia.) I'm not quite sure where that is on a map.

3. Nu Wa is the Chinese creation goddess. She made an appearance in Dynasty Warriors and other Koei games.

4. Huang is the female phoenix in the Chinese culture. Whereas Feng is the male phoenix. Fenghuang is probably the more correct name for a phoenix.