A/N - This update was a lot quicker then any of my other ones, but I just couldn't stop writing, this is the last chapter before the Battle of Chi Bi. It's basically just summing up all the feelings I want to expose in the next couple of chapters. DO enjoy! And feel free to send me reviews! Thank you to those who have sent me comments, they are very much appreciated as always. Much love CagedFreedom xxx

CHAPTER SEVEN: Wedding Ceremony

ONE WEEK LATER

Gan Ning sat alone at one of the several tables in the main garden, his body leant forward with his arms resting loosely over his knees, closing his eyes he took another gulp from the goblet of wine in his hand, letting a few dregs of it drip from his lips as he sighed appreciatively. He tried to keep his eyes to the ground but he couldn't help but look solemnly upwards at the two figures ahead exchanging fake vows. Both Liu Bei and Shang Xiang then turned to the priest in front of them who read through the last stages of their union. Gan Ning's eyes kept fixated on Shang Xiang, she looked so beautiful. The white gown that she wore exemplified her figure perfectly. It had long white sleeves that were made of a kind of white veil material, the bodice was an ivory mixture of satin and lace, leading down to a long flowing satin skirt that rippled down onto the wooden steps behind her, she just had a simple crown of white roses atop her head and for the sake of actually becoming a married woman she decided to not cut her hair to its usual boyish manner; instead it near enough passed her shoulder line but still very much remained quite short. Liu Bei simply wore a smart green suit; the jacket went all the way down to his the top of his thighs and ended in an upward 'v' shape at the bottom.

Gan Ning sat alone due to no one wanting to be near him and his drinking habit, most of the wine vases on his table were empty and toppled to the side; most people knew the reason for his behavior, after all Shang Xiang and Gan Ning weren't the only ones who'd realized how close they had got over the months Gan Ning had been in Wu.
Shang Xiang stole a quick somber glance over her shoulder, her soft hazel eyes making direct contact with Gan Ning's. He looked down again unable to look happy for her.
His talk with Zhou Yu at the conference last week hadn't gone well, he'd promised Shang Xiang he'd find out what the big secret was behind the marriage, but Zhou Yu simply acted as if the whole idea for the marriage was the solid alliance between Shu and Wu. Gan Ning had never really had much skill in picking up on people's emotions, but he could tell that Zhou Yu was hiding something from him. He hadn't brought it up in public, having being told by Shang Xiang, that not even Sun Quan had been informed of Zhou Yu's and Lu Meng's plan yet. Having no news for Shang Xiang when he spoke to her next, it seemed there was nothing for her to do but to carry out her duty and marry a man she did not love.
It also seemed that Shang Xiang was hiding something from Gan Ning when he had next spoken to her; she avoided eye contact with him and mainly looked at the ground. He hoped that she was just apprehensive about having to marry and that he actually hadn't done anything wrong. He'd decided he would talk to her again tomorrow, since tonight was her wedding night and he didn't even want to think what she would have to be doing instead of talking to him.

Gan Ning didn't even look up as he felt someone sit beside him; he twisted the cup in his hand and just stared at it absently, although there was no distinct pattern or meaning across the object. In his hazy state he wanted to try to take his mind off things even if it was a pathetic attempt.

Su Fei leant forward in the same manner trying to get down to his friend's level, his hands clasped in front of him he watched the ceremony a moment before speaking.

"The princess looks lovely." He said, waiting for some sort of response.

Gan Ning said nothing and continued to stare at the cup twirling in his hand. Gan Ning was happy that Su Fei had been put to join Wu instead of being executed like Huang Zu. Gan Ning had stepped in on the execution, worrying he was too late since him and Shang Xiang had lost track of time when talking in the oval garden. Sun Quan had respectfully listened to Gan Ning's high appreciation of Su Fei, and Quan being one of only a few that knew Gan Ning had served under Su Fei; pardoned the general's execution and allowed him to become an officer of Wu.
Su Fei and Gan Ning hadn't really had a chance to speak since then; due to the fact Gan Ning had spent a majority of his time drinking in the large dining hall.

Su Fei looked down at Gan Ning, "Talk to me, my friend. Tell me what bothers you." As if Su Fei didn't full well know already.

Gan Ning sighed and squinted as he looked up and around the garden, "Oh a number of things really." He paused, only a very slight slur to his voice. "For one, I'm nearly out of wine." He said gruffly whilst depositing the cup to the ground.

"And the other things?" Su Fei prompted.

"What was the other thing?" Gan Ning said slowly and sarcastically to himself. "…oh yeah! The fact that the most amazing and beautiful woman I've ever met is getting married to a low and vile pile of…"

"I'd be careful what I say if I were you Gan Ning." Su Fei said softly. "It seems even the strands of grass have ears in this place."

"I don't know anymore Su Fei. It seems whenever I really and truly try to belong somewhere…to fit in…or even to belong to someone. Someone else steps in my way."

Su Fei gave a small chuckle, "Well, do what you usually do when someone gets in your way Gan Ning…cut them down!"
Gan Ning shook his head, "This is different, old friend, too different. I have no control over what happens now." Gan Ning glanced over at the other tables around him in desperate search of more wine. "So I shall just drown my pitiful sorrows with wine…lots and lots of wine." Gan Ning stumbled to his feet as soon as his eyes locked onto a jug on the table that Ling Tong, Lu Xun and Lu Meng had huddled around. Strangely, upon glimpsing at Ling Tong; Gan Ning recognized the same bitter and grim expression across his face as his, one full of envy and disgust. Ling Tong's eyes too had never left the ground only for a mere few seconds to gaze upwards at the wedding; something too plagued his mind as it did Gan Ning. And he couldn't help but think that he and Ling Tong probably had more in common then they expected.

Before Gan Ning could even make it to the table, he felt a pair of strong hands on his shoulders directing him completely away from the wedding altogether. Gan Ning shifted aggressively under Su Fei's hold as he led him further out of the garden.

"What the hell do you think you are playing at?" Gan Ning snarled as they were a safe distance away.

"Saving you from a swift execution."
"What are you talking about?" Gan Ning said gruffly before plunking himself down on one of the wooden benches along the palace wall. "Go and fetch me some more wine!"

"I think you've had enough." Su Fei said calmly.

"Who are you? My father! I will tell you when I've had enough…well actually probably won't be able to tell you since I drink until I pass out."

"No, I'm not your father Gan Ning, I'm your friend. And if you'd made a bad commotion back there, Quan…a brave loyal warrior that you are or not…would have you executed. Don't you understand Gan Ning? You think you may rule the roost. But you have to obey the rules; you can't just destroy the important union of two dynasties just because you may have a thing for the bride."
Gan Ning glared at Su Fei, "How dare you be so informal about her!"

"Stop acting like a child!"

"Then stop treating me like one!" Gan Ning huffed before getting to his feet, a very unwise move of course since as soon as he shot up his drunken state disallowed him from moving more then two steps before flopping down again. Gan Ning hit the floor hard, he grunted slightly before finding the position strangely comfortable.
Su Fei sighed and pulled his friend to his feet, finding it very hard to do since Gan Ning repetitively slipped out of his hold.

"Look I'm only trying to help you, you saved my life. And now I want to save yours. If you care at all for this woman you'll stop drinking right now and prevent making a damn fool of yourself! I mean what kind of condition are you going to be in for Chi Bi if you can't stand? We leave in 3 days or don't you remember?"

"Yes! Of course I remember."

"Then do us all a favor and sleep on it. In the morning you will see how this marriage is going to be better for everyone. For Shu, for Wu and maybe even for Shang Xiang."
Gan Ning shook his head viciously. "No...No way. She's hated this idea from the beginning!" Gan Ning bellowed, "I was there when Quan told everyone about it. I've never seen her look so…." Gan Ning paused his voice lowering as he thought about her. "…look so helpless."

Su Fei looked at Gan Ning for a while before speaking; he knew there was nothing worse then a man in love, especially a drunken jealous man in love. He didn't know what he could do to help the man that had so often helped him.

"Then help her." He said simply, "Help her by not being like this. Don't you think it's bad enough for her already then without her closest friend totally abandoning her for pointless drinking?"

"She'd do the same in my position!" Gan Ning said trying to defend himself.

"No she wouldn't." Su Fei said directly, looking Gan Ning straight in the eye.

Gan Ning held the gaze for a moment and as he did his deep feelings began to show. He groaned as he leant forward on his knees again. "Oh god…What am I doing?"

Su Fei placed a comforting hand on his back. "You're doing what any man would do in your situation, turning to drink. It's not wise, especially when the woman you're doing it over most probably has feelings for you too."

"Pssht!" Gan Ning huffed, "I don't think so. What could she see in me?"

"Well she does tend to see you a lot; you are constantly in each others company and even now at her wedding..." Su Fei looked ahead as the crowd of people began to make their way into the large glass conservatory, in the middle of the vast garden, for the wedding buffet. "…she looks for you."
Gan Ning looked up and could see in the distance the white beautiful figure standing alone looking searchingly around the garden. It wasn't long until they had some distant gaze on each other and Gan Ning could only really imagine the look upon her face. Their hold upon each other was soon interrupted by a green figure ushering his new wife inside.

"If you won't let me drink, let me sleep. I don't think I can stand being awake tonight knowing what will be going on in Shang Xiang's room."

Su Fei shook his friend heartily, "Don't think about it, it will only tear you up more…Come on." He encouraged, pulling Gan Ning to his wobbly feet. "Let's get you inside."

The sun had only just set on the expansive Wu plain as the two warriors made their way inside, away from the loud bustle of celebration down the garden. It seemed that the beginning marks towards disaster were only just being placed.

Shang Xiang sat on the edge of the bed as Liu Bei stumbled into the room; in his drunken state it seemed he was trying to mumble some sort of romantic incantation to calm Shang Xiang down. He knew that the Princess of Wu was a virgin and purposely for the fact that he had got what he wanted out of the marriage he was going to use it to his full advantage. Except all that came out of his slurring mouth was rubbish that made no sense.

"Shang…flower…beautiful lady….of Wu" He paused and flopped on the bed beside her. "Woo woo woo!" He began laughing riotously, quite proud of his little joke.
Shang Xiang tried to smile but her expression came out as more of a grimace as she smelt the strong odor of wine upon his breath and the undeniable lust in his eyes. Within seconds he had pushed her onto her back, Shang Xiang gave out a small squeal at first. But she knew if she put up too much of a fight and denied him what was 'his'. She'd lose everything for her brotherQuan and for Wu. As she felt his hands roam over her body she tried to put her mind on other things, immediately her thoughts strayed to the wedding vows; she couldn't remember a time when she had said such lies. The promises to cherish and look after one another until they have passed on to the next world, none of it made any sense to her. She didn't want to marry for territorial gain and allegiance; she finally knew what the 'something more' that was missing in her life. It was love.
Which is why she remembered at that exact moment, that when the priest asked her finally if she agreed to take Liu Bei as her partner; upon saying ' I do' she thought of Gan Ning, her closest friend, and yet nothing more. Their friendship was a bizarre one at that; it wasn't usually likely that a man and a woman would be allowed to develop such a relationship especially as one of them was of royal blood.
Shang Xiang gasped as she was distracted from her thoughts to see Liu Bei ripping up the sides of the expensive wedding gown she still had on. She felt a small tear trail down her cheek; she'd never expected it to be like this. A drunken, violent act of love; with someone she despised.

"What are you doing?" She whimpered. Liu Bei made weird sickening panting noises as he finally managed to push her skirt up over her hips.

"That's better." He slurred. "Darling…" His eyes flickered back momentarily as he tried to stay focused. "I am merely…." He burped quietly. "….preparing you." He grinned almost instantly his smile was gone and he leant forward to claim Shang Xiang's lips. She could hardly respond to his sloppy weak way of kissing. Her face squinted as she could taste the alcohol and smell the rancidness of his breath. She mumbled in protest and pushed him backwards.

"Stop!" She cried, hitching her legs up.

"What do you mean stop!" He infuriated, suddenly gaining some sort of speech.

"I don't want to do this, you are drunk. You are not yourself"

"What?" Liu Bei bellowed. Shang Xiang felt the smack before she saw it coming, her head whipped sideways as she remained frozen in shock trying to comprehend what had just happened and why.
Liu Bei suddenly grabbed her shoulders and flung her properly onto the bed, she squirmed as he mounted on top of her pulling at her undergarments to come loose. Shang Xiang started whacking him forcefully aside the head, in an attempt to at least get him off her. But it was no use his huge frame was weighing down on her lithe figure.

Her arms flopped beside her tiredly as he smacked them down. "Now stop fussing and get what's coming to you."

"My brother will hear about this! He'll string you up like a side of meat!"

"Oh yes? And who is he going to believe?"

"Me! I am his sister! His blood!" She protested as he ripped away the only bottom clothing between him and her.

"Considering what I am going to do for your brother. He'd think twice about getting rid of me!" Liu Bei decided that was the end of the conversation as he pulled her hips hard up against him. His arms moved lethargically on account of the amount of alcohol pumping around his bloodstream. Suddenly Shang Xiang felt him slump on top of her. Closing her eyes shut she knew that this was it, resisting the urge to cry she just awaiting the blinding shot of pain that she knew was soon to come. But nothing came. Slowly she opened one eye and squinted downward.
Liu Bei's head was buried deep in her breast and he was snoring. Shang Xiang raised her arms up from her sides not wishing to touch him incase he woke up; she slowly edged out of the bed. His head plopped down on to the covers without even a murmur.

The past couple of minutes whirled through her head; she cupped her hand to her mouth as she realized what she could have gone through. She had to get out of that room quickly. The only place that she felt solitude was in the gardens. Quickly finding some fresh undergarments and shoes she ran out of the room.

Gan Ning sat gazing into the large lake in front of him, the night sky had sent dabs of light across the water's surface and as the ripples moved along, the light danced in strange patterns. Gan Ning didn't know how long he'd been sitting there entranced by the night life but he sure as hell couldn't sleep. He couldn't get her off his mind, all alone with that sorry excuse for a human being. What she must be going through right now. It was no secret how much Liu Bei had got to drinking at his own wedding, Gan Ning had long since sobered up and even from his room he'd heard Liu Bei talking at the top of his voice in the dining hall. The party had moved when it had started to rain, the sound of the rain drumming against the roof of the conservatory was getting too much for people to stand, so the guests were moved indoors. This had only bothered Gan Ning further who couldn't get an ounce of sleep against the headache that he had developed.

All that had gone now though, he'd aided his throbbing headache with some herbal remedy that Shang Xiang had recommended when he was injured previously, now he felt he was going to have to ask permission to even look at her, let alone talk.

Su Fei's words ran over and over again in his head, maybe it would be better for everyone if this marriage went ahead. Of course there was no way that he and Shang Xiang could be together anyway, even if they shared the same feelings. Which he very much doubted, Shang Xiang just saw him as a good friend, it was only natural for her to be nervous around him because generally he did just get that reaction from people. But maybe this nervous was a different kind of nervous. Maybe she acted differently around him because she felt differently towards him. Oh, it was all getting to much to figure out, at least when he was drinking he could easily try to block things out. But being sober sucked; it meant everything came flooding back.

Gan Ning's train of thought was broken as his attention was drawn to the sound of rustling grass, sounding as though someone was running through it. He twisted around at his waist, not really wanting to get up. But as soon as he saw a white figure running across the length of the garden obviously crying, he immediately was on his feet.

She'd already passed into the next garden by the time Gan Ning got to running, it was really cold out and he suddenly was grateful that he wasn't in his usual pirate attire. The thick red jacket that Lu Meng had given him for Wu clung to him tightly as he ran after the fleeting figure.

He passed soon into the oval garden, and saw Shang Xiang crouched over the fountain with both her hands over her face. The first place that they'd actually spoken, it always seemed that here they could be themselves and somehow get away from it all.

"Shang?"

Shang Xiang near enough jumped out of her skin as she turned her solemn face around, her cheeks damp with the stain of tears, a sudden look of relief and hope shone across her face as she quickly got to her feet.

"Gan Ning!" She cried falling immediately into his arms, her face burrowed into his chest as her hands were placed just underneath her chin. "Oh god! It was horrible! Horrible!"

Gan Ning looked around cautiously still in shock by her sudden embrace; his arms gently cradled her as she sobbed. Suddenly the words she just said replayed in his head, he'd near enough missed them whilst reacting to her hug.

"What?" He suddenly erupted, pulling her back and holding her firmly by the shoulders. "What did he do to you?" He growled.

Shang Xiang sobbed out all the strain within her, "He had his hands all over me, and he was pushing me down on the bed. He was going too fast and I could smell the alcohol all over him every time he devoured me with his disgusting kisses!"

"He was basically taking you?" Gan Ning's eyes opened wide in his head, "Rape?" He whispered.

"Almost!" Shang wailed, "He slapped me right across the face when I refused to comply!"

"WHATTT!" Gan Ning growled through gritted teeth, his hands tightening around her shoulders in aggravation. "I'm not going to let him get away with this!"

"No Gan Ning you mustn't do anything! Quan will kill you if you screw up his chance of bettering Wu!"

"Where is he now?" He demanded, simply blocking out what she'd just said.

"No, Gan Ning!" She yelled pulling his arms off of shoulders, "I'm telling you, you can't!"

"I have to do something! He raped you!"

"I said he ALMOST did!" Shang Xiang rasped.

"What do you mean?"

"He fell asleep!" She said sighing, "The overdose on alcohol must have kicked in."

Gan Ning huffed, "Well he still had the intention!" He turned to storm off in pursuit of the drunken Liu Bei before he felt a soft hand on his forearm. He turned to see Shang Xiang looking helplessly up at him, her face still wet with tears.

"Please…" She begged, "…just stay here…I couldn't bear to see you at the hands of my brother." The pleading in her eyes made Gan Ning's heart melt. "Stay here with me…" She croaked, slowly moving toward him again and consuming herself within the warmth of his embrace. "You're all I have."

She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her shielding her from the cold. Her last words sent shivers up and down Gan Ning's back and that was not just because of the weather.

He rested his head upon hers as she nestled against him.

She sighed, "My god..."

"What?" Gan Ning piped up in a panic

"I've never felt this safe in my whole life." She sniffed, closing her eyes.

Gan Ning just smiled and held her tighter, sooner or later they wouldn't be able to have times like this together and he wanted to cherish it as much as possible.