I think this might be the first Wei story I've written, but I will try because of a beautiful message I received. I must say this is the first request I have ever done, so I hope I don't disappoint. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Son of a General

In a country plagued by war there was no sense of security or safety among the people. Simply, you lived in a world where you could trust no one, and no one could trust you. At only the age of 17, Cao Pi Zi Huan was no ordinary boy. Unlike his brothers who were well versed in either the artistic or military arts, Pi always knew that one day he would be Emperor. He saw the path his father was walking, and he knew he had to gain the trust of him and his advisors. "Where are you heading to?" asked his mother, Lady Bian, "Zi Huan? Why do you have your bags?"

"I need to do some travelling."

"You will do no such thing! What would your father say?"

"Father is too busy right now, he will not know if I'm gone if you do not tell him."

"Zi Huan!" Lady Bian pleaded, but knew there was no use. She could never control this son of hers, he was too much like his Father. "How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know." He slung his travelling pack across his soldiers, "Take care of yourself, Mother."

There was another reason why Pi wanted to leave the city as hastily as he did. His father had put both him and his brother in charge of defending Xu Chuang. Unlike his brother Zhi, who spent most of his times reciting poetry and drawing, Pi was going to take matters into his hands. His father needed land now, and pictures of mountains and rivers were not going to help them. Pi decided he would go to Guan Du, the city where his father's enemy, Yuan Shao resided in. It would be a long travel, but he was prepared to make the trek with the clothing on his back and the little change he had in his pockets.

-
About three days into his trip, Pi checked himself into a small inn along the highway. It was one of the nicer areas to live in; compared to all the abandoned temples and homes he suffered through the past few days. There was food, a warm bed and a beautiful hot spring located in the back of the inn for a bath. It was deep into the night when Pi checked in, so he thought it would be best to visit the infamous springs. After undressing, he got into the spring and felt all his muscles relaxing right away. The various days of walking up and down foot hills took a toll on his body, even thought he was such a fit young man. "Ahh." He closed his eyes and prepared to take a quick nap when he heard the sounds of splashing. "Who is it?"

"Ohno!" he heard a reply as a slim figure disappeared into the water.

"Who are you?" Pi shouted, trying to reach for his sword but not being able to grab it. Knowing it would be unwise to get out and retrieve it; he simply reached into the water and grabbed the figures arm. His fingers easily grasped around their small wrist as he pulled upwards. Suddenly he was face to face with a girl his age, her face turning bright red as they both realized that they were unclothed.

"Unhand me!" she shouted using her free hand to strike at the side of his head. Pi easily dodged it by was suddenly side swept from under the water as he fell deeper in the pool. By the time Pi got up, he could only see the figure dash away back towards the inn. Quickly, he got out and dressed himself noticing a small talisman on his path back to his room. "Is this?" he smirked, putting it in his pocket, "Till we meet again."

-
The next morning, Pi went down to the restaurant part of the inn to pick up some breakfast when he noticed a young girl serving the patrons of the inn. There was something familiar about her, but he could not pin point it. His hand approached his waist where he had tied the talisman, trying to remember the face of the young woman last night. Too bad it was pitch dark, and the moon was blacked out by all the trees surrounding them. With a grin on his face, he approached an empty table and sat down.

"How was your night?" someone said as he turned around to be faced to face with her. Her long hair tied back into a bun as she looked fatigued from her hustle and bustle. "What can I get for you?" she asked, obviously having no re collection of who he was either.

"I had a good night," he smiled, "What do you suggest?" she sighed as if she did not really want to go through this small chatter.

"We have buns."

"I'm sure I'll have some of yours!" There was some cackling as a group of older men teased from behind. Pi's hand reached for the hilt of his sword when there was a loud crash on the ground. The young woman had picked up the teaser by the arm and practically threw him across their table.

"What is this?" The injured mans allies all stood up, their swords drawn. "Do you want to die little girl?"

"I will not have this garbage in my inn." She replied, not realizing the fact that she was unarmed.

"Stupid woman, I'll teach you to show me disrespect!" They ran towards her. The young woman grabbed whatever she could to dodge them, but when one of them approached her from the side, Pi quickly had to step in.

"You truly are a stupid woman." Pi scoffed before quickly slicing down the stranger. At the sight of one of their accomplices injured, the other men quickly picked up their things and scattered out of the restaurant.

"Oh my HEAVEN! What happened here?" the owners of the inn finally rushed into the lobby, "Mei Hai!" Pi expected the girl to get in trouble, "Are you okay?" they quickly ran towards her. "Look at you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She swiped her bangs from her face and turned to Pi. "Thanks…" she started to say when her eyes grew wide. "Your…your leg is bleeding!"

-
"You really don't have to." Pi told her as she was attending to his wounds.

"You are hurt because of me, it is the least I can do." She pulled tight at his bandages.

"OW." He jerked forward, his head smashing right into hers.

"Holy." She fell back, her hand over her head.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes." she murmured, shaking off the pain. "I wouldn't be able to survive in a crappy hole like this if I found that painful." Pi laughed. "So what's your name traveler?"

"My name?" He considered using his real name but decided against it, "Li Kun."

"You can call me Mei Hai. So where are you heading to Mister Li?"

"Ah? I'm heading to Guan Du to see my…brother."

"Guan Du, that's not far from here, but unfortunately your leg might be set back a bit."

"Really?"

"Yep, I wouldn't walk on this. They almost got a tendon," she gave it a light slap.

"How do you know these things?"

"You don't grow up in an isolated part of the highway during the war and not see your fair share of injuries." She packed up her supplies, "Stay and sleep for now, I'll come back with some medicine."

"There's an apothecary near here?"

"Of course not." She grinned, "But look around us, we're surrounded by medicine. Remember, do NOT walk on your leg." She smiled and left the room.

-
Pi did not know whether it was from the 'medicine' Mei Hai gave him, but the next few days at the inn were very serene for him. He spent most of his days in his room, constantly seeing Mei Hai when she changed his bandages and massaged his leg. He felt a little awkward whenever she came, but he would miss her whenever she left. "I'm being such a Zhi." He groaned, watching her leave the room to get his dinner. "I need to get better and get back…"

"There's trouble! There's big trouble!" Mei Hai suddenly burst into his room, "There's terrible news Kun!"

"What are you talking about? Are those men back?" he panicked, reaching for his sword, "I'll protect you!" he said loudly before catching himself mid sentence. "Oh gosh."

"Oh Kun," she was teary eyed as she approached him, "Guan Du has fallen! Yuan Shao has been defeated! Your family, oh your family." Pi had forgotten why Mei Hai was so emotional but remembered all the fabricated stories he told her. About his brother who lived in Guan Du as an administrative officer for Yuan Shao. So any destruction of Guan Du meant that his family was in danger. "I am so sorry." Mei Hai continued, her arms suddenly wrapped around Pi. "I know what it is like to lose family to that monster Cao Cao."

"Cao Cao? He…he took over Guan Du?"

"Yes, we all know what that monster has done around these parts." Every word of hers suddenly seemed to be with so much venom and hate. "If I could kill him, I would." Pi held onto her hand as there was no other way he could commute to her. She was talking about his father, someone that he admired more than anyone else in the world. If she ever found out whom he was…

He paced around his room the entire night, now that his leg was definitely better. Pi knew that it was time for him to return home, but how was he going to break it to Mei Hai? She believed he had no one now, and had even suggested he stay with them in their inn. "What am I doing?" he turned to look at his sword. The proud emblem of the Cao family etched on the hilt. "I am the man of my family, I am the heir to the throne." He looked down at his belongings where Mei Hai's talisman was buried deep within his extra clothes. The only memory he would have of this place would be through this small ornament. "Sorry Mei Hai," he said, "I'll have to keep it for now."

-
Mei Hai walked around the lobby, serving the group of soldiers wine and food. "Where are you all headed?" she asked sadly, after identifying that they were scattered soldiers of Guan Du.

"We will be heading to Xu Chang and aid the army there."

"What is in Xu Chuang?"

"Cao Cao's family."

"You are going against Cao Cao's family?" her eyes lit up, "I know of someone who would love to join your cause!"

"Any extra soldiers are always helpful."

"I will get him! Wait right here!" she ran up the stairs and threw open the doors. "Kun! Great news! Kun?" she looked around to see an empty room. All that was left was a piece of paper on the table, along with an unfamiliar talisman on top. Mei Hai¸it said, I'm sorry.