22Behind tiger eyes
Summary:In exchange to save her father's life, Xiu Ling was cursed. Not wanting to endanger her father, she left in hopes of looking for a way to break her curse and find a purpose. She met the Qiao sisters, the only people to understand her. They took her in and she vowed to protect them with everything she had. Having give up hope in her curse being broken and finding happiness, Xiu Ling decided to devote herself in watching over her precious people, however will moving and joining Wu will open possibilities for her in her curse breaking and finally finding happiness?
A/N: Hey everyone! AncientHeartlessKai here with another DW fanfic! This will follow the DW7 with some 8 in it which I am also slowly incorporating in my first fic 'The Legends of Lijuan Ai'. I couldn't resist adding the DW8 new characters and some of its ideas. X3
This story starts at the same time as 'The Legends of Lijuan Ai'; I also plan on writing another this time on Shu's story which also is at the same time as this and my first fic. It's a 'this is what was happening with them while the other event was happening' kind of thing.
Anyway my OC here is Xiu Ling. I'll put her in the cover photo once I get a picture of her and again, I created her via DW7 empires. :3
There is a lot of pairings here obviously but the main is Sun Jian X Xiu Ling. I have to admit that Sun Jian is pretty good looking but then again practically everyone in that game is. Anyway the guy died too fast and so this story was born and I think he deserves some attention too. XI
DW belongs to Koei not me. Xiu Ling and story are mine. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1 – Xiu Ling, Guardian, Protector and Mother figure of the Qiao sisters
"Ling!" Xiu Ling looked up from her nap in time to see Xiao Qiao, who was followed by Da Qiao, dive onto her side.
"Xiao Qiao, be careful! You could seriously injure yourself!" Ling scolded; Xiao Qiao pouted and only curled up closer to her side.
"I can't help it though, you're so warm! And your hair is really soft Ling!" Ling sighed but nuzzled Xiao Qiao making her giggle as Da Qiao sat at her side as well, leaning on her.
"Now then, I believe you have a reason for coming to see me and interrupting my nap?" the two sisters looked at each other nervously.
"Um…do you remember Lord Zhou Yu and Lord Sun Ce?" Ling raised a brow.
"Yes…why?" she asked suspicious. Xiao Qiao rubbed the back of her head as Da Qiao fidgeted.
"Well…they asked for our hand in marriage…and we accepted." Ling tensed.
"What?" Xiao and Da winced at the growl that came along with her answer.
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you…" Da Qiao apologized. Ling was silent before she chuckled confusing the two.
"I had a feeling that you would accept. I knew that they were courting you, I am happy for you both." The two smiled in relief.
"Though I wish both of you would tell me things like this before I find out by myself." The two girls laughed weakly and Ling was again curious.
"What is it now?"
"Well…They'll be coming here…as well as Lord Sun Ce's family. They want to personally welcome us to the family. We want to introduce you to them as well." Ling's eyes narrowed.
"And when are they coming?" they two girls once again laughed nervously.
"T-Tomorrow?" Ling sighed, resting her head back down.
"I had a feeling you were going to say that. Fine, I'll meet with them…do they even know about me?" her only reply was a nervous smile.
"What am I going to do with you two?" she sighed.
= The next day =
"It's time to wake up!" Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao jumped at the wake up call and looked to see Ling up and about.
"Wah…it's too early Ling!" Xiao Qiao whined, trying to hide under the covers but Ling went to her bed side and pulled off the sheets making Xiao Qiao squeak at the sudden coldness, Da Qiao was already up and about fixing her bed.
"You need to get yourselves ready, your future husbands and the Sun family are coming remember?" That got Xiao Qiao moving, quickly fixing her bed and afterwards all three headed to the baths.
= Later =
"Oh I hope they'll like us." Da Qiao said in worry as beside her Xiao Qiao fidgeted on her seat. Ling, who was beside them, huffed.
"Of course they would, I don't think they would go through the effort of asking for your hand dear. Besides if they don't, I'll deal with them myself." The two sisters smiled and calmed down somewhat.
"You always take such good care of us Ling." Ling smiled.
"You are family to me and that is what family is all about. Taking care of each other." The two sisters hugged her. Just then a handmaiden came; she smiled at the scene before clearing her throat to get the sister's attention. Ling had heard her come in already and was waiting for her to speak.
"The Sun Family and Lord Zhou Yu have arrived." Again the two sisters were nervous but a nudge and smile from Ling had helped them.
"Let's go." Xiao Qiao said determined. Da Qiao nodded and the sisters headed out, head held high. Ling chuckled and calmly followed them.
As they reached the large doors to the meeting room, Ling slowed and settled herself a few steps from the door which caused the sister to pause.
"Ling?" she smiled.
"Go. You need to face them on your own." The two sisters looked at each other frowning. She chuckled.
"Don't frown like that. It ruins your beauty, I'll be here waiting. You two can do it." she encouraged, the two nodded slowly before entering to see The Sun Family and Zhou Yu. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu smiled at the sight of their soon to be wives.
"Da Qiao! How are you?" Sun Ce asked as he and Zhou Yu approached the sisters. Da Qiao blushed.
"I-I'm doing fine Lord Sun Ce."
"I'm so happy to see you again Lord Zhou Yu!" Zhou Yu chuckled as Xiao Qiao hugged him which he returned.
"I'm happy to see you too Xiao Qiao."
"Ahem." They pairs turned to see the remaining Sun family smiling.
"Oh right! This is my father Sun Jian and my sibling Sun Quan and Sun Shang Xiang." Ce introduced. Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao bowed.
"It's an honor to meet the Tiger of Jiangdong and his family." Da said.
"No need to be so formal! You can call me father; we welcome you both in our family." Sun Jian said happily; Da and Xiao Qiao smiled as they continued to get to know their in-laws but on their minds was Ling. No doubt that once wed, they would have to go and be with their husbands but they didn't want to leave Ling behind.
'We have to ask our lords about it...' both sisters thought determined. It must have shown as Zhou Yu noticed immediately the change in their demeanor.
"Is something wrong?" Zhou Yu asked worried, all attention went to them.
"Lord Zhou Yu since my sister and I will be going back with you…would it be alright if we brought someone along with us?" Xiao Qiao asked serious. Zhou Yu and the other were a bit taken back at her seriousness as the whole time they had seen of Xiao Qiao, she was carefree and cheerful.
"And who would this someone be?" Ce asked curious.
"We call her Ling, she has been with us for years and has looked after both Xiao Qiao and I. She is happy that we are to be wed but…she'll be lonely and we don't want to leave her behind. Please Lord Sun Ce, let us bring Ling with us!" Da bowed as did Xiao Qiao.
"Whoa! No need to bow like that, it's fine! You can bring this Ling with us after you introduce her to us." Da and Xiao straightened and exchange smiles which confused them.
"I'll go get her!" Xiao Qiao ran back to the doors and out.
"Ling!" she called
= With Ling =
I watched as Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao entered the meeting room. I'm so proud of how they've grown and now they were to be wed; I couldn't help the sadness that I felt that they would be leaving me now. A part of me wished that they didn't have to go but I couldn't be selfish.
I could never find happiness now at my current state but at least, to those that I have cared for and protected. They had found happiness of their own and once they leave to be with their husbands, I too shall depart and continue to find some purpose in this world.
I'm sure there is something out there for me…
I sighed.
I suddenly felt so very lonely again.
I looked up to the sky, the birds flying freely and without a care in the world.
I wish I was like that but I couldn't…not with such a heavy burden in me.
Perhaps I should leave now…
Or leave a message which would be quite difficult.
I sighed again.
"I'm sure they'll be fine…they're strong girls. They have their husbands now and a new family. They don't need me anymore." I smiled sadly as I stood and turned to leave when suddenly the doors slammed open, I turned at the ready and-
"Ling!" I blinked as Xiao Qiao approached me, a large smile on her face and immediately I felt guilt eat at me.
"What is it Xiao Qiao? What are you doing here? Don't yell dear and don't run or you'll slip." She giggled despite my scolding.
"Come meet them!" I blinked again.
"Pardon?" she laughed.
"You'll be coming with us Ling! There's no way Da and I would leave you all alone here! You're family too!" I felt my heart swell and felt like crying. What was I thinking? Leaving suddenly just as Xiao Qiao would come looking for me…they would be hurt and would consider it betrayal. I even told them that I would be waiting…I'm the worst.
"I…Xiao Qiao…" she grinned and pulled me.
"Come on! I can't wait to see what they'll think of you!" I sighed as I followed a skipping Xiao Qiao.
Xiao Qiao entered as all turned to her, Da Qiao who had turned to Sun Ce and the others was first to see their reaction as Ling entered behind Xiao Qiao.
"HOLY-!" Sun Ce exclaimed as he and the others pulled out their weapons.
"Stop!" Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao ordered causing them to freeze as the two sisters stood in front of an unimpressed looking Ling which unnerved them.
"Wha-But Da it's-" Da shook her head as Xiao Qiao huffed.
"This is Ling! She's our guardian and protector! She's has been taking care of us for years!" Xiao huffed. Jaws dropped.
"Ling is…A TIGER?!" was their joined exclamation. Da Qiao sighed as Xiao Qiao laughed at their faces. Ling watched on amused yet unimpressed.
'This is going to be interesting.' Ling mused.
"Wha…But…How in the…" Sun Ce stuttered stupidly, lowering their weapons at being caught off guard. Da Qiao chuckled and turned to Ling, who stood tall and proud.
"Ling, this is Lord Sun Ce. He is to be my husband." Da Qiao said, gesturing to Sun Ce.
"And this is Lord Zhou Yu, my soon-to-be husband!" Xiao Qiao chirped happily. Ling looked at the two men; they tensed as Ling walked around the Qiao sisters, stopping in front of them and looked at them intensely.
Ling was definitely the most beautiful and elegant tiger they had ever seen and also the biggest. She was quite large and could probably be a perfect mount in battle; her fur was clean and beautiful which meant she was well taken care of. She had some gold and red armor on her legs and sharp blades fitting her sharp claws, she also had armor around her neck, chest and lower back. Oddly enough, she had some gold hoops earrings on as well. Over all, she was the most deadly yet elegant looking tiger they had ever seen.
"Uh…" Sun Ce and Zhou Yu didn't move as Ling looked at them with her piercing eyes, but then she gestured to the two Qiaos making them blink. Zhou Yu took a guess and answered.
"Yes." They all turned to Zhou Yu.
"We will take good care of them. We promise you, right Ce?" Zhou Yu said smiling, Ce blinked before nodded, smiling at Ling. Ling stared at them before they heard a rumbling sound and was shocked except for the sisters to see Ling, a tiger, was actually chuckling. Ling turned to the sisters and nodded.
"I approve of them. They are strong and will no doubt take good care of you." They smiled happily as Xiao Qiao laughed.
"She approves of you! Yay! Thank you Ling!" Ling nodded again to the others surprised. They only heard growls and such after all but Xiao Qiao acted as if she understood her.
"Wow, she's…really big and smart." Shang Xiang couldn't help but comment. The sisters beamed.
"She is. She's like a mother to us, she takes good care of us and always protects us. That's why we just couldn't leave her behind. She can still come right?" the two Qiao's turned pleading again. They all chuckled.
"Sure, she is quite smart. Just make sure she doesn't cause much trouble." Sun Ce said, he jumped as Ling snorted and shook her head.
"I'm the one stopping trouble." Ling said as she looked at Xiao Qiao, who pouted. Everyone noticed immediately.
"I'm sorry ok, I'll try to behave." She replied as Ling nodded in approval; Again, the Sun family and Zhou Yu were floored at how intelligent and graceful Ling was.
"Wait…she understood me?" Ce asked surprised.
"Yes, she is very intelligent and can understand us. She's practically human." Da Qiao answered happily. They looked at Ling in awe then Da remembered that she hadn't introduced the rest of Lord Sun Ce's family.
"Oh! That's right! Ling this is Lord Sun Ce's sibling's Lord Sun Quan and Lady Sun Shang Xiang." Sun Quan was a bit nervous at Ling but Shang Xiang fearlessly approached Ling.
"Hi Ling! Nice to meet you!" she said, Ling chuckled and nodded at her. it stunned Shang Xiang but an excited smile broke from her lips.
"She understood me! This is so cool!" Shang Xiang gushed as she took a step back.
"And this is Lord Sun Jian, the tiger of Jiangdong and father of Lord Sun Ce." Ling stared at Sun Jian which he returned.
'How…odd.' Ling pushed the slight pull she felt at the side for now and approached a bit to Sun Jian before bowing. They blinked in surprised before Sun Jian chuckled.
"Nice to meet you as well. I have never met a tiger such as yourself. We welcome you to the family as well." Ling looked up stunned as the two Qiao's smiled and approached her.
"I knew they would like you too Ling!" Xiao Qiao beamed. Ling composed herself and chuckled, smiling; the others were quite in awe to see a tiger smile for the first time.
"This tiger is really something. It's almost human." Quan had to admit.
"I have a feeling everything is going to get exciting from now on." Shang Xiang said excitedly, Sun Jian though couldn't help but stare at the tiger. There was something…different about it. He just didn't know what but he had a feeling he would find out soon enough.
End of Chapter 1
And yes, Xiu Ling is a tiger but this story is not humanXanimal thing/bestiality. No. That is just weird and unusual. Ugh. XP
All will be explained soon why Xiu Ling is a tiger and the bold caps are her speaking. However only Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao can understand and hear her while others would only hear growls, mewls and roars. Again that will be explained soon in the future but for now only the Qiao's will be able to hear her. Though the story might be shorter than Lijuan Ai, it depends on how the story progress'...XD
I hope you liked this new story of mine! I'll do my best to update my stories! I just have so many ideas right now that I need to post it and get it out of my head before I explode XD til next time! And Again Reviews will be appreciated! (*W*)b