Burning Ambition

5. Guandu/Xuande's Plight

~~~ It's been a long time since I updated. I apologize for that and I hope this finds you all well. This chapter was hard to write since I got major writers block half way through, but I hope you guys will still enjoy it. Anyways, thanks for sticking around, and thanks for reading this story. Love you. ~~~

Time: 200 C.E.

Cao Cao sighed, annoyed that it was Yuan Shao who stood in his way of conquering the Central Plains. It wouldn't have bothered him so much if Xuande wasn't there, or if he never knew that he was there, but he knew and felt the pain of it in full force. He vowed not to let anyone hurt Xuande, whether they were from his own army or Yuan Shao's, and made up his mind to take part in the battle himself. Sure, it was unrealistic of him to hope that he could prevent any and all harm from befalling Xuande, but he didn't care so long as he managed to keep him safe. His thoughts were interrupted when Guan Yu walked into the room, wearing an outfit that looked a little too tight and stiff.

"I don't think this fits." Guan Yu stated, his arms stuck in the air from how tight the outfit was.

"We'll have another one made, then." Cao Cao casually replied, distracted by his thoughts.

Guan Yu noticed and decided to say something about it. "I know that you're worried about my brother, but I'm sure he's fine. You shouldn't stress over it too much."

Guan Yu had a point, but how was he supposed to face Xuande when he was in love with him? He tried to reassure himself that it was for the good of the land, that he could fight against Xuande without hurting him, but his thoughts were running rampant and he didn't know what to believe. 

He knew Guan Yu would also leave him for Liu Bei when he found him, and his fears became even worse when he received word that Yuan Shao had made his move and was headed towards Guandu for a showdown to determine who would rule the Central Plains. He immediately told his troops to move out for the fight against Yuan Shao, and he quickly set off with them in hopes of finding Liu Bei before anyone could hurt him.

A while after they arrived, Mengde heard reports from several soldiers that defected to his cause about Liu Bei's whereabouts. They all informed him that the man he so desperately sought was positioned near Wuchao, which also happened to be Yuan Shao's supply base, and he had very few, if any, of Yuan Shao's men to support him in the case of an attack. From this information, it was obvious that Yuan Shao was using Xuande as a pawn, something that he could easily discard, and Cao Cao didn't like it one bit.

Deciding to act on the information, Cao Cao immediately set out towards Liu Bei's position to try and speak with him, hoping to bring him back to Xuchang and convince him to change his mind about joining his cause. Within twenty minutes, Cao Cao arrived at the man's location and forced his horse to stop.

"Mengde?" Liu Bei questioned in disbelief as his brother protectively jumped in front of him, weapon drawn.

"Zhang Fei, put your weapon away. I am here only to speak with your brother." Cao Cao stated, dismounting his horse.

Xuande began to internally panic as Mengde set his eyes on him. Why is he here? Is he going to kill me? He wouldn't do that, would he? He said that he loved me, now he stands before me with those eyes that never fail to draw me in. Oh, what am I to do? I can't stop my legs from feeling numb under his stare.

"Xuande, please come home with me. I know my presence here must hurt you, and I would be a liar if I said that your presence here doesn't bring me pain. Please, if you don't want to be with me, then just flee this battlefield, I don't want to see you get hurt or worse." Cao Cao said earnestly.