All men on the battlefield knew that the sound of bells on the battlefield could only mean one thing;

The pirate, Gan Ning, was going to come take their life.

It was a moment of fear when you would hear those bells.

But for one other, those bells meant complete joy.

Xi Shi would hear those bells and grow excited. It meant her husband was nearby.

If it were on the battlefield, she'd know he was near. And she knew exactly why. If a man ever came close to her, with killing intent or not, if they were an enemy, Gan Ning would end them there and then. She felt safe when she could hear those bells so close by.

Even when she wasn't on a battlefield, hearing those bells filled her heart with glee, especially if he had gone to battle that day.

It meant her husband had come home perfectly unharmed. She always welcomed him home with open arms, rewarding him for a hard day's work with soft kisses and hugs (and even the occasional night of love making). And he would happily accept these rewards as he rested on her lap, relaxing as she gently stroked the nape of his neck, playing with his dirty blonde locks.

"It looks like you worked extra hard today."

"Damn right…I just wanted to get home to you. I don't like it when you're not there with me."

"Hehe~! Well, next time I'll see if I can convince Master Lu Meng and Lu Xun to let me come with you."

But, if there was one thing she dreaded…it would be the day when she wouldn't hear those bells. The thought made her shudder, letting out a sad whimper, sparking the curiosity of her husband, who had happily lay himself on her lap, once again (it seemed to be his favourite place).

"Hey, what's up?"

"A-Ah…it's nothing…I'm just thinking too much…"

The man raised his eyebrows at his gentle wife, noticing she wasn't looking him in the eyes. Lifting himself up to sit next to her, the bells around his waist jingling as he moved, making Xi Shi relax a little, he wrapped his muscular arms around her waist and pulled her in close to him.

This wasn't exactly something he hadn't done before, so the action didn't shock her very much. In fact, she ended up quickly getting comfortable in his arms, wrapping her own around his muscular form and shuffling into his lap.

"And? What are you thinking about that's making you sound so sad?"

"It really is nothing. Xingba, you don't need to worry. I'm just thinking of dumb stuff."

He was definitely raising his eyebrows at her now…looks like she'd been caught out.

"You only call me by that name when you're sad. Spill the beans!"

"W-Wait, no! D-Doooooon't~!"

He began to tickle her ferociously, taking the breath out of her as she fell back onto the bed, Gan Ning jumping on top of her as she was practically tearing up with how much she was forced to laugh.

"N-Noooo~! Ah~! Not there~!"

Sadly, he knew all of her soft spots. Well…sadly for her, anyway.

"Okay~! Okay, okay, I'll tell you~! Just stoooooop~!"

Grinning in triumph, he stopped his assault on her, but left her laying on the bed with him straddling her hips as she quieted herself down, beginning to breathe again.

"So…what's bothering you, Shi?"

"W-Well…"

She couldn't help but look away sadly…with the tips of her fingers, she reached to his waist, patting the bells around it, forcing the jingling out of them, sighing.

"I was…thinking about bad things…"

"Bad things?"

"Y-Yes…You know I get excited when I hear those bells…it always makes me feel better when I'm sad. Because I know you're there…but…"

"Buuuuut?"

"…I thought about the day when I won't hear your bells again. I…I don't want to ever have a day when I don't hear them…"

He couldn't help but frown. That was really a horrible thought for her. She was usually so positive and happy…thinking about things like him not coming home was a shocker…

"You know…yeah, there will be a day when I might not come home. But that is years from now. Until then, I will come back to you every day and make sure you know I'm here."

Xi Shi couldn't help but blush, still looking a little sad…he really did care for her. He'd never leave her and he'd never die on her. She could be sure of that.

"But…Xingba…"

"Don't be sad. I know a good way to cheer you up…"

She looked a little confused before he pressed his lips against her own, running his hands up her sides, fingering the under sides of her breasts a little.

That night, he made sure to remind her that he loved her and would always come home.

And he would make sure to remind her every night he could.