The Wu family had always valued the importance of family, whether they be of blood, of oaths, through marriage or through friendship. Family was what made Wu strong, made Wu special, made Wu unique.

Sun Shang Xiang didn't know what to feel at the moment other than immense devastation, intense pain and internal conflict. The letter she held in her hand was stained with tears. Not just from her but also from the writer, the messenger and everyone of Wu.

It wasn't supposed to change this quickly, this wasn't what was meant to happen. This isn't what the heavens had planned, but she knew the heavens could be very cruel. But this was a low blow, one she hadn't expected.

Sharp, lethal and red chakrams hung on the wall, her hand moved from the crumpled up letter to to trace the sharp edge of her favourite weapon. Unique, unorthodox and unsuspected to be as lethal as they were.

Those traits suited her. She was unique in the fact that Shang Xiang was a warrior princess, a princess of Wu and now the wife of the Lord of Shu. A woman didn't fight, especially one of her social status.

Unorthodox because women weren't meant to be trained as fighters but not only was Sun Shang Xiang a lady trained in the skills of martial arts, her attendants, all females had been trained as well.

Many didn't expect her to be as capable in battle as she was either. Talented enough with the bow to earn the nickname Bow-Waisted Princess and lethal enough to be respected as a general.

One question weighed heavily on her mind. She was a wife, she was a member of the Sun family, she was a warrior. But could she be a leader? Could she give up a happy life with the man that she loved? Could she say goodbye to the man that she had left her family and her home for?

Her fingers fidgeted with the green skirt of her outfit. Green, what was once the enemies colour, what was once her allies colour and what is now her colour. But inside she was still red.

Sun Quan was dead, a fact that had led to her to tears. Had led to be a crying mess on the floor. Had crippled her to such an extent, she was now only many hours later to have any feelings or thoughts that weren't grief.

Sun Jian, her dear father, had been taken from them so early. A sneak attack, an arrow, it was unbecoming for a man as might as him.

Sun Ce, her brother, had led them on the path to recovery, had conquered his way into laying down the foundation of the Wu Army. Gave them the strength to carry on but was killed but a vengeful sorcerer.

And now, Sun Quan, her dear brother who she said goodbye many years to marry Liu Bei, had shared their family's fate and fallen to a cheap death, unworthy of his talent. Sun Quan has built the Wu kingdom, made their family strong and grow. Assassinated by a man suspected to be loyal to Wei.

Would such a fate befall her?

Would she be able to live in her father and brother's footsteps?

Would she let down her family?

Family or love, Wu or Shu, leading or living. Her mind was made up. Green and orange were removed, replaced with familiar but forgotten red and white.

The princess would become the Queen but not the same as she envisioned. Not the same as she hoped or prayed or wanted.

Wu needed her. Sun Quan needed her. Her family needed her.

"Lord Liu Bei, you always move forward, with an unwavering heart of virtue." Her husband would understand, she knew Liu Bei would do the same. She knew if he was in her position, this is what he would do.

Tears splattered along the floor, some splashed onto her red and white dress. Sun Shang Xiang was raised to be a amazon. A warrior woman.

And she would rise to the occasion, she would avenge her brother, protect her family. Even if it meant defying all expectations, leaving the life she loved so much behind.

Strong, unwavering and confident arms reached and pulled at the chakrams. A determined stance as she started to make her way out of the Shu palace.

Gold, green with jade dragons, gold accents and many memories. The palace was a wonderful place. Perhaps she would see it again. Wu and Shu would remain allies with her as the head of the Sun Army.

"Who says a woman can't rule a kingdom?!" Sun Shang Xiang faintly smiled, a woman ruling and commanding an Army was unheard of, probably never even happened before. Quan would be proud of her. She had to be strong for him. For Liu Bei. For her family in Wu.

As she made her way out of the palace, she found her teary blue eyes looking at steely, determined ones. Xing Cai stood before her, sword and shield in hand.

"My lady. I'm sorry for your loss but I've think you've gone far enough." A battle stance, Xing Cai couldn't let the princess leave.

Sun Shang Xiang twirled before pointing one of her chakrams at Xing Cai, ready for a battle. There was no ill will, after all Xing Cai was doing her duty. The ruler's wife couldn't just abandon her kingdom, she always expected some obstacles on the road.

"I have to go now, Xing Cai. My family will be worried." And with that the two moved into action, the sound of clangs and cries filled the air.

Sun Shang Xiang knew she had a long journey home to Wu. But she would make it back. She was an amazon and she would prove it but saving Wu and the land.

I'm remaking this story because I wasn't particualry satisfied with how I started it last time. This one didn't have much action or dialogue but it's more for background content and to set the scene. Most of the other chapters will be longer, roughly 2 000 words or more.

This chapter and most of them, take place in 216 in which Sun Quan has been killed. Forcing SSX to retun to Wu, despite her marriage to Liu Bei.

Plus after playing Dynasty Warriors 9, with some of the character redesigns gave me some needed inspiration aha.

Each character that appears will use their DW9 appearance and overall persona.

Hopefully you all will stick around to see Sun Shang Xiang's journey to Wu and becoming the leader of the Wu Kingdom