(Sighs) Let's just get this over with-deeps breaths, deep breaths!

Disclaimer- I do not own Jade Empire-in any way that's humanly possible. That's all Bioware and I'm happy they have it because I got nothing but love for 'em.

Whew, that's done with. Now we can get down to business.

Wow, you know after playing Jade Empire for the hundredth time, I finally thought: "Huh? Maybe I should write a fic for it." So, here I am hoping to write a little something, something for you JE fans out there.

I took a little lookie loo at the Jade Empire section and saw that there weren't that many stories, in the first place, with romances with that loveable Silk Fox character and even less with her paired up with Monk Zeng. (If at all any) Now, this of course could be because some people didn't get the edition that had him in there for extra credit if you beat the game for the first time, but he was cutest one in there to me, so that's the one I'm gonna use for this story. I'm also gonna have Zeng be on the Open Palm path because simply, the Closed Fist gives too much power and everybody would die if I did so just like when I played the game and I don't want them to die…This time.

So, anyways, back to the plot: This fic starts where the whole group is in the Marvelous Dragonfly headed to the Imperial City because that's when the fun begins with those two and then continues from that point. Alright, I'm done here-R&R please and thanks!

(Oh, little side note. If anyone here has played the game N3 (Ninety-Nine Nights) for the Xbox 360, I'm here to spread the word that there is now a section to write for it. Enjoy and hopefully, I'll see you there!)

Anything for Your Empire, Everything for You

Chapter 1

Monk Zeng shivered slightly as goose bumps decorated the exposed skin that his monk attire didn't cover from the frigid air of the atmosphere, while the Marvelous Dragonfly gracefully zoomed towards its destination of the Imperial City. Kang was at the controls, despite the consistent fear that he had instilled in all of his companions with those ideas that showed you how he earned his title of "Mad", and controlled the knobs and levers like clockwork; never missing a single beat. Their eccentric pilot had suggested that everyone get a bit of sleep before they actually reached the City since he was sure that they would be extremely busy, it would be a while before they would make it there, and no one could talk over the noise of the craft anyway.

It was no surprise when most everyone agreed being that they had all woken up at the crack of dawn. Zeng yawned a bit himself, but smiled as he saw his other companions sleeping…and snoring soundly in the cramped interior.

Dawn Star was next to him; naturally trusting all of the others they had gathered on their journey because it was her nature, but still most comfortable around her best friend as her head rested against the wall of the flyer, Sky was across from her grinning about something lecherous no doubt, little Wild Flower was curled into a small ball as she used her hands for a pillow-the demon in her was also a bit more relaxed, Sagacious Zu held his deadly staff in his hands and was more in a meditative pose than one of any actual comfort and Zeng had to wonder if he was really in repose at all or just in an immobile state, Henpecked Hou seemed to be, Zeng chuckled softly, praying about something concerning his wife, and lastly, The Black Whirlwind took up the entire back space and would scare even the most renowned demon with his ferocious, animalistic snores.

This moment was precious, if not a simple, common occurrence for any other, but seeing the dangers that all of them had already and would soon face, it was beautiful to have this brief event of pure carefree thought that was given from rest.

Monk Zeng had tried to join his friends in their well-deserved slumber, given their noble actions in Tien's Landing, himself, but he just couldn't seem to shake off this growing excitement he had.

It was true that he was very concerned for Master Li's safety, but he had never thought his eyes would grace the scope of the Imperial City, especially not under his current circumstance, but heaven shinned upon him for this occasion and even though it was his Master's kidnapping and Death's Hand which brought him here, there where definitely far worse locations that they could have traveled. But…there was something else that he could not deny: The extreme curiosity he harbored for this Silk Fox woman. She had told him that a friend of hers would meet them when they arrived and he was not sure if he was too eager to meet the friend of such an arrogant woman.

Zeng knew neither if she was an ally or a hindrance, but knew that one as…rash as her should not be entirely trusted. A gentle scoff escaped his lips, so to not disturb his companions, as he remembered their first meeting-if one could call such that.

"More like an ambush…"

---------------------

"Stop where you are!" A woman clad in black and veiled ordered as Monk Zeng and Dawn Star looked at her with absolute bewilderment from her leap of a high bolder to them. "Death's Hand should know better than to send his minions out alone. It is clear that you are one of his hirelings, or perhaps one of Gao the Greater's marauding pirates. You will pay for the crimes you have committed." She ended resolutely.

"Crimes?" Zeng questioned with an irritated confusion. "You know nothing of which you speak. Both Death's Hand and Gao hold no influence over me or my friend."

"Do not waste your last breath on lies. I didn't get there in time to rescue anyone, but I saw you leave the massacre in Two River's." Her eyebrow's furrowed and her brown orbs filled with a burning anger. "Death's Hand went too far in ordering its destruction and Gao sought to profit from it. My retribution will end with them, but began with you."

The woman suddenly sprung on Zeng before he could further defend himself in her eyes, but he quickly blocked her strike with his monk spade. She tried to force him back with her sword, but was nowhere near his match in strength as he instead propelled her backwards.

"You are not my enemy." The man stated composedly, not deterred in the least by her attack besides the fact that they were wasting time that could be spent searching for their Master. "And I will not fight you when you have been misled."

"Yes," Dawn Star urged desperately, "Stop this senseless vendetta, so that we can explain ourselves."

"Explain what? More lies of how you didn't kill all of those innocents when you were the only ones left who walked away from such ruin?" She charged towards Dawn Star this time. "Death's Hand and Gao's training methods are lacking if these are the tactics you use to avoid a fight."

His childhood friend was about to brandish her own sword for security, but Monk Zeng met the woman once again as he flipped his staff and hit her with the blunt side in her stomach hard enough to knock her down, but not actually mortally damage her. He swiftly flipped his weapon again as the woman attempted to get up and held the blade a few inches away from her face.

"I do not wish to kill you, but if you try to endanger my friend's life again; I will have no choice but to do so." He warned, a stern expression staring back at her.

Their attacker glanced at Dawn Star and then studied Monk Zeng's hazel eyes with an expression that had caught him off guard as it was filled with some sort of…fascination?

The woman then used her hand to easily swat his staff's blade away, much to Zeng's immense surprise.

"That's enough." She responded, as if almost bored with this whole situation, as she lifted herself off the ground and dusted her padded clothes off. "The way you move seems odd…a flaw I cannot see, perhaps?" She scoffed. "But you are…better than I expected. You might have even beaten me if I allowed such insolence."

If she allowed? He thought flabbergasted at her pure audacity.

"You are too skilled to be just a hireling." The woman in black continued. "Death's Hand would view such ability outside of his assassins…dangerous, and Gao the Greater prefers his servants docile."

"You could be hard of hearing, but I will repeat myself. I am not in league with those two."

"Hm, so it would appear. You lack their branding…but if you are not one of them, who are you?" She questioned in a frustrated manner. "A monk? A mercenary? A bandit?"

"Try an impatient traveler who is being heckled by some woman who jumps off of cliffs and attacks at random."

"Well, traveler, you chase a great evil…larger than you may realize. Leave and you may survive. Others have tried to face Death's Hand but were destroyed as Two Rivers was."

"And that is why I must face him:" Zeng responded firmly, "to avenge those who died from such a dastardly act."

"The students of our home did not deserve such a fate and neither does our Master." Dawn Star added. "We could not save them, but it will not happen again."

"Your honor sends you toward peril, but you do not flinch from it." The attacker remarked to Monk Zeng in a slightly surprised, but pleased tone, "Hmph, a trait of fools…and perhaps the occasional hero. I also seek answers from Death's Hand and his minions."

"Then we are allies, are we not?" His friend asked her.

"You have too grand an opinion of yourself-the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend, but…if you truly oppose him, you will need to find your way to the Imperial City. Of course, all of the Lotus Assassins can come and go as they please, thanks to Gao."

"So how is it that any of them get there?" Zeng inquired.

"Travel routes by land and water are blocked, but they use wind maps and flyers to further their goals here and in the surrounding forest. Perhaps, if you are capable, we will meet again." One of her eyebrows rose. "I wish you good luck, but you will need far more than that to survive."

"Considering my luck, I doubt that I need any more of its influence."

"Hm, farewell."

The women in clad black effortlessly leaped back on to the cliff she descended from and disappeared from both his and Dawn Star's view.

---------------------

Monk Zeng yawned again as his eyes had begun to droop. She is definitely hard to understand and seems to love manipulating people into doing her bidding. What could have caused such a woman to be so crass and narcissistic? He sighed internally from his thoughts. Maybe it was not the best idea to give her information of our journey in the first place. I should have just run away the second time she popped out of nowhere…and Sky certainly didn't help matters.

----------------------------

Zeng and Sky were at the giant rock with the painting of a fish, heading for the dam site when they were suddenly intercepted by the woman in black again.

"You have managed to survive." She commented as she eyed Monk Zeng appraisingly. "I suppose someone of your skill cannot be so easily dissuaded."

"I could say the same of you seeing as this is your second ambush." He smiled brazenly. "You barely managed to escape the last time."

She scoffed haughtily. "You are better than I expected, but-"

"But?" Zeng further taunted with a widening smile.

"I rarely need to escape from anyone."

"Never. You just leap unto rocks and run away."

"No, I just had to…" The women hesitated, "step back…"

He placed an expression of mock understanding on his face. "Ah."

"That allowed me to see that you were not my enemy."

"All that with a single step?" Sky rejoined with a grin. "Just think what she could do with two, Zeng?"

"It would be a marvel to see."

The woman rolled her eyes. "If the two of you are done, I offer you an introduction. You may call me Silk Fox."

The man scoffed. "Alright, Silk Fox-you may call me Zeng."

"I apologize for my previous aggression, but I thought you were in league with an enemy of mine. I was clearly mistaken."

"Clearly."

"Yes, well, powerful forces are at work here. You are caught in great events that are beyond you. But…" Her eyes held a mischievous glint in them, "I may have use for someone as…impetuous as you."

He glared at her from such indignation. "You reduce me to the role of an errand-boy?-I will not be used like some common tool at your disposal. I have my own agenda."

"I do not seek a servant in you." The faint definition of a smile was slightly indented in her veil. "Although, that much fire in a man's spirit is…stimulating."

"And now compliments?" Sky questioned, amused by the whole situation. "Surprises with her never cease."

Zeng crossed his arms as his stomach was producing some sort of strange reaction to her comment. "Get to your point."

"I want nothing more than you to continue your journey. You seek the old man who was taken from Two Rivers, correct? Of course you do." Silk Fox answered for him knowingly. "He was taken by Death's Hand. I could tell you where his minions have gone…for a price."

"I expected no less from you. Name it."

"A simple trade: I tell you where the abductors are, and you tell me who that old man is."

He did not trust her anywhere near enough to be completely honest. "The old man is Master Li, my teacher."

"You mix truth with lies. He must be more for Death's Hand to keep him alive. Still, you've told me what I need to know. When you reach the Imperial City, you will need a helping hand. Someone with influence and cunning."

"You have someone in mind?"

"Yes, a…friend of mine will meet you. Follow her instructions and you will be on your way toward your goal. Your discoveries will be most…intriguing."

"Who is this friend? What is their name?"

"That's nothing you need to concern yourself with at the moment, just accept that you have an ally. The old man and Death's Hand will still be out of reach, but it is the best bet you have."

Zeng reluctantly nodded. "Alright, Silk Fox. Now that we are familiar with each other, who are you truly?"

"Do not presume familiarity with me. Our paths have crossed for a moment, but no more. I have matters of my own to attend."

"Again, I am not surprised."

"You nearly have everything you need to continue your quest for the old man, or your revenge on Death's Hand. My path takes me elsewhere. If you do reach the Imperial City, perhaps we will meet again. Stranger twists of fate have happened."

Silk Fox turned around and ran off once again as Monk Zeng just sighed as he shook his head.

"I can only pray that the Great Dragon does not make our path intersect for a third time."

"I agree that she is a bit spicy, but that's what makes this kind of adventure fun." Sky smirked. "I may be wrong in this, but I sense that she has an attraction towards you, my friend. She hardly paid attention to my presence as her eyes were glued on you."

"One such as I would not be noted from someone with such outstanding egotism." He snorted. "What you sense as favor is only her trying to bend others to her will and I will not be the one to fall for it."

"Hm, whatever you say, but it will be interesting to see what things transpire between you two in the future. I'm sure she'll find you again when we reach the Imperial City since you're so stimulating." The thief mocked.

Zeng only laughed. "Believe what you wish, but think and walk at the same time. We need to close this dam to help Tien's Landing and get that amulet piece that Hui mentioned."

"Right behind you."

--------------------------

Monk Zeng was almost completely in the grasp of sleeping until his eyes shot open from the sight of land with hundreds of tiny dots roaming around.

This was it! We've finally arrived in the Imperial City.

As the Dragonfly flew above a bridge, the warrior's eyes widened from amazement from the view of this gorgeous place. The architecture was simply stunning, the people dressed in clothes of such richness that denizens of his previous home would only be able to dream of them, and the whole City had such a buzzing energy about it that you just seemed to be sucked into it yourself.

Zeng felt the stirrings of Dawn Star and apologetically noticed that she must have been woken up from his excited movement to look out the window of the flyer. Her eyes opened slowly as her friend came into view.

"I'm sorry, Dawn Star. I didn't mean to wake you, but I just couldn't help to take in this incredible view."

Her eyes widened. "You mean?"

"Yes, after all our effort, we've reached the Imperial City. We're that much closer to rescuing Master Li."

THE END