Bright Star Over the Calm Mountain Pass

By Indigo Siren

Disclaimer: Dynasty Warriors is © to Koei. This is a non-profit story created for entertainment purposes. My ideas are my own but I do not own the characters and ideas from the game. All rights reserved.

A/N: The title is based on the meaning of the names of the two main characters. They may not be a hundred percent accurate, but then again, I was just going roughly by what I sourced. I've heard many variations but I'm not putting too much into it, and besides, the title doesn't add anything to the story, besides giving it a fancy name. Go figure! The idea is just a small one shot that brings one of my favourite couples together. A simple short story getting right to the point; though I'm hoping I haven't made Xingcai seem to act too oddly. We always get a sense that she's a calm and clever young woman, but I'm sure she gets annoyed and jealous, and is not completely passive to everything.

Additional note – this story has been updated as of 2017 to correct any errors and make for smoother reading. The content has also grown by just over 1,000 words, though it still pretty much reads the same as before, just with some extra touches.

Lastly, no flames. If you don't like, don't review.

The soft covers pressed tightly against her, brushing her cheek like a feathery kiss. Nuzzling slightly against the silky bedding, Xingcai sighed, enjoying how comfortable she felt. Or to be more accurate, how 'cosy' she felt, which is what her waking mind acknowledged as she stirred, her warm body entangled in rolls of cotton atop a plumped bed. She curled up, quite content with her position, not wanting to get up just yet. She absorbed herself in an uncommon feeling of bliss, tinged with great satisfaction.

Satisfaction?

Uncertain as to why she'd feel this way, she allowed her eyes to open to the sharp golden rays of daylight glaring through a thin gap in the front flap of the large tent. Her head began to throb excessively, not just from the harsh early morning light, but from the after effects of a drinking binge the night before. It was her own fault for becoming so caught up in her emotions…

But why was that again? She couldn't quite remember. Events were blurry, fogged over by drowsiness and lashings of wine still loitering in her system.

She slowly sat up, bringing up a hand to brush her tousled hair from her face. A yawn slipped out silently, which she quickly covered over before nudging her fingers against her still sleepy eyes. She was usually a morning person, up to the greet the day with vigour, but today she was far from ready to welcome in a new felt sickly, her body heavy from head to toe. Something was tempting her to just lie back down on the welcoming mattress-

-But something about it didn't feel right. Why did the bed feel so strange?

Of course it was strange. It wasn't her bed.

Any thought of sleep instantly disappeared as she forced her mind to take in her situation with seriousness. It was then that everything in her addled brain fell into place with a crash and her spine became rigid as her eyes took in this foreign space.

This definitely wasn't her tent. The only items that belonged to her were her clothes clumsily scattered across the floor. She slowly looked down, peeling the covers from around her to discover that she was in fact completely naked. Aghast, she clamped the covers back to her chest, memories of the night before coming back into her mind like an invisible slap.

Movement beside her caused her to jolt slightly, and she bit her bottom lip anxiously as she slowly turned around. And right there, still asleep, was Guan Ping, wrapped up cosily in the same sheets. Though, from how the covers had become twisted between them, part of his tanned, chiselled chest peeked out from beneath the covers. She was quick to deduce that his state of dress – or lack thereof – was the same as hers.

Her jaw dropped in abject horror, not helped when a twinge in her most private of places confirmed certain things had happened. She flopped back onto the bed, staring up at the roof of the tent, which rustled slightly from the most miniscule of breezes. A lamp swung slightly on its chain from the centre pole, long since blown out. She turned to look at him once more, sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of her shock and dismay.

She closed her eyes, turning away, her thoughts fully encompassed by the stark realisation of what had happened the night before. Something she hadn't actually expected to happen. Admittedly, she didn't feel especially guilty despite her shock. She just couldn't believe that one such as herself – always in control of her emotions – had actually let go completely. She had been harbouring feelings for quite some time, not that she had wanted to speak them out loud; but it had taken for her to become caught up by such emotional events the day before to finally express herself. And thus the results of that had ended up with them in bed together.

She began to recall the events of the previous day, so clear in her head...

The day before...

"Welcome back, Lady Zhang!"

Warm voices echoed around her as a group of common-folk gathered around with smiles and praise.

Xingcai brought her horse to a halt as servants within Shu's main camp came over to help her with her belongings and her steed. She dismounted swiftly and let them do their duty. The crowd bustled about her joyously, but she didn't feel much like making idle conversation.

Her mood was sour, the reason for which was just coming into her line of sight. Guan Ping, now entering the camp not far behind, received an even greater reception. Bashfully he accepted the praise and spoke accordingly to the common people as another group of servants relieved him of his luggage and horse. The kind warrior had meant well, to stand up and protect her despite her protests, but she couldn't help but feel in his doing so, he had overshadowed her with his need to overachieve, making her appear quite incapable.

The whole time they'd been out fighting, he'd been lingering somewhere close to her position in the field, treating even the most minor of problem she was embroiled in as something dire, not really taking into consideration that she could deal with these things herself. Despite them both having played a big hand in clearing the path towards the enemy's main camp, it was Ping who had took it upon himself to lead the charge to quash their foes, and as such, was the one receiving the majority of the praise for his efforts. Though she had received some praise, it was done so with such passing regard. Some even seemed to whisper with uncertainty about her position in the army, as if she wasn't good enough to stand with her peers. She was incensed they would brush aside her contributions because she hadn't made such a flashy show of her skill. Some even seemed to think that the well spoken woman versed in the martial arts was a misguided girl forcing her way into a man's world.

How dare they question my ability to fight! She thought with withheld disgust. I fought just as hard as everyone else; even more so than others!

Tired of it all, Xingcai marched scornfully away, a scary calmness sitting over her. Her face was tight, eyes dark, her anger buried below the surface. Unlike her father who regularly lost his temper and became violent, she didn't allow her emotions to readily surface, instead choosing to bury her feelings into deadly silence, which would usually resurface at more useful times.

Xingcai, the calm before the storm – which her soldiers could see quite clearly and steered a wide berth. She was a walking black cloud, the thunder and lightning just below the surface, ready to strike anyone down who got in her way.

Of course, Guan Ping, as naïve as he was at times, couldn't see her foul mood. He offered her one of his warm smiles before being drawn away to receive praise from his father and 'uncles'. Where was the praise from her own father? Sorely lacking she noted. Where was her credit for helping to achieve victory? She would be left wanting if she expected much more than she had already received. She didn't spend much time relishing in jealousy, but she certainly felt upset and disheartened by how things had turned out. She wanted to be appreciated as an equal in the army. More than most she desired to be accepted.

Beneath her beautiful features was a disciplined soldier and an intelligent mind most could only dream of.

She'd be damned if common peons would underestimate her abilities; better yet, she was adamant that she wouldn't allow Guan Ping to continually treat her like a delicate flower needing to be protected. They weren't children anymore; she didn't need him to play the part of her saviour anymore. The fun and games had long since passed, making way for the harsh reality that lay before them. Why was he so constantly determined to undermine her? Why did he continue to treat her with unnecessary softness?

Determined to get the whole situation out of her head, she decided she needed to do some extensive training. And that she did, with an unbridled fury. She keenly practiced the teachings that Zhao Yun had instilled upon her a long time ago, fine-tuning those movements along with the move set she had acquired from her time in the field. These well versed movements usually brought her calm and focus, but today she felt her emotions pierced by agitation. Though she managed to loosen the tension from her shoulders, she couldn't quite shake her despondency. Despite her mood she kept practicing, every thrust and strike against the training pillar a little harder than it needed to be, but she was glad to be able to vent in such a manner.

"Ah, there you are!" Her father's voice echoed not far behind her. She slammed the training spear down in the weapons stand and heaved out a heavy sigh. "Come join us for drinks!"

She wasn't really a big drinker and usually avoided the social drinking scene, but for once she decided to throw away her usual candid disregard and accept the invitation. "Alright," she said, much to her father's surprise, though he was greatly overjoyed to be able to drag his daughter away from the training ring and to the camp fire that had been erected a short walk away. It was surrounded by Shu's high-ranking officers all partaking in the merriment of drinking.

A drink was quickly brought to her and she sat, sipping the contents surrounded by the mirth of her fellow comrades as the sun began to set, bathing the camp in a beautiful twilight glow. Soon enough, Guan Ping had joined the group and had taken up a seat beside her, not that she was particularly happy about it, knowing there was still much praise waiting to be steeped onto her comrade that she would prefer not to hear. He was in very good spirits, allowing his cup to be refilled by a passing attendant. She was apprehensive the whole time she sat cradling her drink, not sure if she was enjoying it or not.

"I don't think anyone was in doubt of our returning victorious," he said, swallowing back almost half of the contents of his cup. "Everyone worked so hard out there. I'm so glad we were chosen to be a part of the main force."

Another attendant topped up Xingcai's cup before it even got halfway down. She stared at the ruby contents absentmindedly. "Yes," she said agreeably. "It was quite the battle." If she could focus on being reasonable the evening wouldn't go quite so badly. But she could feel herself getting wound up by the laughter of the other generals, back-slapping each other with copious amounts of praise for their exploits.

Don't get too mad at Ping... As much as his actions had irked her, he had only been doing what he thought was right. She should have been firmer with telling him to mind his own position and let her handle herself, but she hadn't, she'd made idle complaints but nothing to deter him. She'd come off as rather ungrateful more than anything. How was he ever going to learn if she was never straight with him? It wasn't as if he could read her mind after all.

Sat on Ping's other side was his father Guan Yu, who raised his cup to his son. "You did tremendous work. I am very proud of you. Your bravery paved the way to our victory."

The young man blushed. "Thank you, father." He self-consciously focused on his cup, unable to meet his father's grand smile.

Zhang Fei was quick to join in on the praise, grinning from ear to ear. "You sure showed the enemy who was boss! And you protected my little girl for me as well!"

Xingcai's hands tightened around her cup and she quickly gulped back the contents, ignoring the acidic taste as it burned down her throat and reached for a pitcher of wine that had been left close by, refilling her cup to the brim. She held her tongue, choosing not to respond to what her father had just said.

Little girl... She inwardly huffed, gulping back the next cup load, starting to feel the blissful effects of the alcohol working inside her body. If she could numb the irritable feelings, all the better to carry on drinking.

"Yes, it was a courageous effort that you went to Xingcai's aid in the heat of battle," Guan Yu lavished further. "You had a great command of the battlefield."

Xingcai bristled, prompting another refill of her cup.

Guan Ping glanced at Xingcai from the corner of his eye. "I was just doing my duty for a fellow comrade."

Zhang Fei chuckled. "You're too modest! I'm glad I can count on you to protect my girl! I can't have her running around with all the dangers out there without someone watching her back!"

Her face might have been calm, but her knuckles had turned white from gripping the base of the cup so hard.

Ma Chao, who was sat on her other side, leant over to her. "Are you finished with the pitcher?" He asked cautiously, noting her rather stiff visage.

She drained her cup, refilled it and shoved the pitcher into his hands. "Take it," she said with restrained ire. She stood sharply and left the congregation at a brisk pace, not looking back.

I DO NOT NEED PROTECTING! Was what she wanted to shout, but she just kept walking, drinking from her cup with vigour – the taste no longer registering in her brain – as she strode across the camp. Once emptied, she handed it to an attendant within range and strode on, not sure what direction she was going in. Curse you, Guan Ping! Why did you sit by and let them paint me as a pathetic weakling?

It hurt to feel so left behind; that he seemed all too happy to further his own career at the expense of hers. What stung the most was that ever since they were children she'd had a deep rooted affection for him. When Guan Yu had first adopted him he'd been a shy boy who'd clung to his 'father's' robes relentlessly. He'd had the will to fight, but socially he was still learning how to deal with the people around him, men with daunting physiques and reputations. She'd been there to help him however she could, offering him her hand when he was unsure of himself. But now he was all grown up, ready to show off how great a warrior he had become. Maybe it was just him trying to repay the favour of her support but he just seemed to want to be there to hold her hand despite the fact she was quite capable herself as a soldier. She had never been a damsel in distress, so why was he treating her like one?

She was sick to her stomach, and not just because of all the alcohol she had downed that night. She glanced about her, wondering which way her tent was. Why did it suddenly feel like the camp was stretching out for miles before her?

"Xingcai!" The call came from behind her, and she stiffly turned to see Guan Ping stop a few paces before her.

"Are you alright?" He asked with concern.

"No," she responded flatly, wondering why the flag pole nearby looked all wonky. Or was she the one that was wonky?

"What's wrong?"

She looked away. "It doesn't matter."

His hands gently took her shoulders. "You can tell me."

She slammed her hands against his chest, shoving him back sharply. He stepped back, alarmed by her reaction. She took a deep breath, trying to remain steady, almost hearing her heartbeat inside her ears.

"Xingcai?" His voice was filled with concern.

She raised a hand to him pointedly. "Stop it." The words were calm and flat.

Confusion crept into his features. "Stop what?"

"Stop protecting me... Just… Stop it." She kept her tone even, her dark eyes finally locking with his uncertain ones.

He couldn't understand why she was suddenly so upset. "What do you-"

"I'm not a little girl," she told him sternly. "My father is wrong. I grew up a long time ago. I can take care of myself. So you can stop following me around, leaping out all heroically when you feel like it."

"Xingcai, I-"

"You made me look insignificant," she snapped, her voice rising somewhat as she took a step towards him. "No matter how well I did, you were always there to undermine me. Now everyone thinks I'm incapable, even undeserving to be a part of army. Who wants to give respect to a pathetic woman who always needs to be helped, to be saved... well I DON'T!" She took a deep breath, feeling somewhat shaky from her outburst. The floor felt strangely squishy underfoot all of a sudden, despite the ground being firm and dry. "Today you were praised for all your deeds and I was looked upon as a burden."

"You're not a burden, Xingcai," he assured, reaching out to her again, but she stepped back out of reach. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to undermine your abilities."

"But you'll keep doing it anyway," she said, starting to walk away. "Just stay away from me, Guan Ping."

But he followed her after her. "Xingcai, listen to me! When I see you out there on the battlefield, I'm... well, compelled to be at your side. I don't want anything to happen to you. I just don't want to see you get hurt!"

"It's war, Guan Ping! People get hurt!"

"Please wait..."

"Stop it! Just stop..." With each step she noted that squishy feeling was becoming more and more predominant. She felt like she was sinking, that the darkness of the night sky was starting to collapse down on top of her.

"Xingcai!" She heard his voice, maybe even felt a hand on her arm, but she didn't react. She felt light, like she was floating. It seemed like her eyes were filled with stars. She tried to figure out how that could be possible, but thinking seemed to be the last thing she was able to do. She could feel a breeze touch her cheeks, and she closed her eyes. A warmth wrapped around her and she found herself reaching out for it, taking hold of the tangible element that came to hand.

The whole experience had seemed to last no more than a minute before she regained her senses, opening her eyes to find herself staring up at a tented ceiling glowing from the light of a lamp dangling above. Sitting over her was Guan Ping, his face fretful as he reached out to touch her cheek. She was quick to realise she was resting inside his tent.

What had happened to her? Had she fainted?

"Are you alright?" That same question again.

She scowled, sitting up a little too quickly for her body to handle. Her head began to swim and she buried her face into her hands.

"I think you drank too much a little too quickly," he needlessly informed her.

"You did it again," she said, her voice just above a whisper.

"Did what?"

"Saved me!" With whatever strength she had left, she shakily climbed to her feet. His hands came to support her unsteady frame but she would have none of it, trying to push him away. "Don't!"

"Would you have preferred it if I'd simply let you fall over?" He asked, not letting go of her elbow as she staggered, trying to get away. "You might have hurt yourself!"

"Maybe the scars might have given me some sense of worth," she said bitterly. "That I can fall down and get back up on my own."

He frowned. "Of course you have worth!"

She yanked her arm free, steadying herself. "I am independent. I am a warrior! I don't need a protector!" She said pointedly, looking directly into his eyes. "I don't need you."

"Well… I do…" He admitted. She gave him a confused look as his expression became increasingly awkward. "You don't know how much I need you. Just having you near me... it makes me stronger." His voice wavered into silence for a moment, before he spoke again in just above a whisper. "I love you."

Xingcai was taken aback by this admission. She searched his face, trying to find a lie hidden somewhere, but his face only showed the truest of feelings. His cheeks flushed red, his eyes unable to meet her gaze.

For reasons she couldn't explain, she burst into tears, coming to rest her face against his robe-adorned chest. Sobs spilled from her lips and she struggled to swallow them back down. How quick the humiliation surfaced within her. She was a pitiful, emotional wreck.

A hand carefully ran over her glossy obsidian hair tentatively. He murmured soft words to her, like a mother would to a child, trying to hush her tears. It was soothing… wonderful...

Managing to find her voice again, she spoke slowly and calmly, more akin to her usual character. "I'm so glad..."

Before she knew what she was doing, she tugged on his robes, pulling him towards her to lock her lips passionately to his. Her motion wasn't gentle as she kissed him feverishly, but he was a soldier, and he'd faced many a rough battle. This may have been something new to him, but she was sure he would give just as much as he got. Of course, he didn't resist her, enveloping her in his powerful arms, pressing her body to his tightly. His fingers became entangled in her hair as he drank greedily from her sweet mouth.

They became so caught up in their fervent embrace that they'd almost forgotten to breathe. After what seemed like an eternity, Xingcai broke the kiss, inhaling sharply. She didn't take her eyes off of him. His gaze was soft albeit wanton in return.

"Need me..." She almost begged. "I don't want anything else..."

"Don't be afraid to need me too," he told her, running the backs of his fingers gently down her pale cheek.

A shiver ran down her spine. Her mind was already conjuring images of his rough hands trailing up and down her body. Gone was the serious girl who was always in control. This time, she was abandoning good sense just for his touch.

"Thank you for loving me," she said softly, drawing their faces close together again, "because I love you too." His eyes widened at her confession.

Her fingers worked their way through the opening of her robes and sought out the smooth, tanned flesh beneath. He gazed down to watch as she pulled apart the material, her fingers tracing the taut contours of his chest. He let her touch him with curious fingers dancing with a feather touch over his skin.

He was a fine specimen of a man, all the rigorous training paying dividends to his primed physique. How she wanted to see all of him, touch every piece of tantalising flesh, maybe even taste him-

He suddenly took hold of her wrist, drawing her attention with uncertain eyes. "We shouldn't... not while you're drunk. You'll only regret-" She placed a finger on his lips.

"I'd never regret being with you," she insisted. "Tomorrow we'll probably pretend that we'd never expressed our hearts. That's the kind of people we are; afraid to let others truly know who we are deep down. But nobody can take away what we do to each other tonight. I want to love and be loved, Guan Ping. You don't have to protect me here. Just be with me."

If he didn't have alcohol running through his own system, he might have hesitated further, but with such words enticing him, he gave up any ounce of reason he had left and let her guide him into another kiss. In the midst of their fervour, it didn't take long for the clothes to be shed around them forgotten as he backed her towards the bed...

Presently...

Okay, so she might have felt a little guilty for what had happened. She'd drank a little more than her usual tolerance and had let her zeal – a part of her that she usually kept locked away – take control. She initiated what had happened, given him all the permission he needed to have his way with her, so if there was any blame to take, she would take it.

And there he slept, his usually spiky tresses in disarray, flopping onto his face without the bandana to keep them out of the way. With sly fingers she moved them aside, barely touching his face. She smiled, finding herself inwardly chuckling over how innocent he looked while he was asleep.

Though, the slyness didn't stop there. Her eyes travelled the length of his sheet-clad body, stopping over a certain lower region all nicely covered up, though her eyes could just about make out a bulging shape amidst the gathered folds. Coyly her fingers went to work to peel back the covers from him without disturbing his slumber.

Just a peek... To refresh my memory...

It was so far so good as light tugs began to showcase more and more of his perfectly defined body, every little scar an almost exceptional touch to the work of art laid before her. She couldn't help but admire his golden tanned from long days training out in the sun. Her eyes travelled to his sharp hip bones and moved further down, just to where she could see the beginnings of dark curly hair. She was so close to her prize, mere inches-

SNAP!

His hand caught her wrist, halting her in her tracks just seconds away from peeping at his manhood. Her eyes flicked up to his drowsy gaze, which took her in with intrigue.

"What are you doing?" Huskiness permeated in his usually soft voice.

She gave an innocent smile before using her free hand to throw back the covers, baring him to the world. But she didn't manage to get the glimpse she wanted, as he was suddenly throwing himself over her, pressing their bodies together. She may not have been able to see but she could feel him against her thigh. It was enough to bring back memories of his very erect self back into her mind. The way he'd leant over her with yearning eyes, parting her legs with hands that trailed teasingly over her flesh, positioning himself keenly at her entrance-

"That wasn't very nice," he whispered, pulling the covers up around them to cast away the fresh morning chill.

"I'm glad you're happy to see me," she said, a blush creeping across his cheeks. He tried to splutter out a response, but she quickly hushed him with a kiss. "Just so you know; I don't regret what we did."

"Neither do I," he assured her breathily, his hand stroking down the shapely side of her body. "And I don't want to pretend it didn't happen either."

She nodded, hoping she wouldn't rescind on that later. Gods knows what was going to happen when their father's found out about this. But she'd worry about that later.

"I'm sorry for being angry with you," she apologised. "I was being petty about a lot of things."

"I understand." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "The way you must have felt... I can see why you reacted as you did, thinking that people were treating you so poorly. I will try not to be so overprotective in the future, though... I might not be able to stop myself wanting to rescue you..."

She rolled her eyes. "I guess I should accept that even I need rescuing sometimes... but don't tell anyone I said that."

"I promise." He moved off of her, though kept his front facing down, giving her a teasing glance as he hid his manhood from her gaze. She scoffed, shaking her head, drawing the covers up over her. "Should we go get some breakfast?"

She shook her head, shuffling over to press against his side. "Maybe some dessert instead?"

He rolled onto his side, drawing her back against him, stroking the delicate curve of her back. "So it's like that, is it?"

She purred, arching against him. "Oh it's definitely like that…"

The End