Wait, how long has it been? Whoops...I think I forgot about this story for a while...But, I'll be trying to do more of it. I'm just struggling with which characters to write for, seeing as I have to look up historical information, rather than just running around on the KOEI wiki and hoping it tells me more stuff.

I'll try my best, though!

Gan Ning IV ~Violence~

Xi Shi knew what she was getting into when she married the former pirate, Gan Ning. She knew everything he had done wrong and she would never condone such things. But, she knew he was a softie at heart, but he would never admit such a thing.

Even with all of these things he had done, Xi Shi still managed to fall for him. Yet, everyone was always shocked that she had married him. They figured it was a silly crush and she'd get over it. But, they didn't count on Gan Ning falling for Xi Shi and even proposing to her.

Mid battle, Xi Shi hated to admit that she found it fascinating to watch her husband fight, enemy after enemy. She struggled to keep her eyes off him, even with the mindless violence happening around her.

There were always new things she noticed about him during every battle. Well…during their entire marriage.

For starters, Gan Ning was a very loyal and protective man, especially during a battle. Xi Shi had gotten herself into a lot of trouble over the years and Gan Ning was always there to save her, even before they were married. If ever she was in serious trouble, Gan Ning was always sure to slaughter them for even touching his wife. She grew used to watching him spilling blood to protect her. It became a twisted way of life for her.

She felt almost sad, knowing that the sight of her husband killing another human before her very eyes felt so natural. She used to feel sick at the sight of blood (especially if her husband has the blood of his enemies splattered across him), but now she could practically shrug it off like it was nothing.

Seeing death wasn't a bother, anymore. Weirdly, Gan Ning was the one who made sure of this.

Others claimed that he stole her innocence (but she knew she wasn't exactly 'innocent'), but she would say that it was a relief. In a time of war, she knew she wasn't allowed to have emotions. She was thankful that she had Gan Ning to lead her through the war. She felt like she'd be useless without him.

"What's with all the day dreaming?"

"Uwah!"

The young woman jumped as her husband gently placed his chin on the top of her head, practically head-butting the former pirate, thought he didn't seem so fussed about it, just chuckling at her reaction. Well, he always did like sneaking up on her.

"Gan Ning!"

"Can't help myself. But, seriously…you keep day dreaming, lately. Not a bad thing, but it's a pain when I want to, y'know…talk to my wife."

"Sorry…I didn't realize-"

"Don't go apologizing. I just wanna know…c'mon, what the hell ya thinkin' so much about?"

Humming a little, Xi Shi turned herself around so she could look up at her husband, a small smile on her face as she pulled him into a soft embrace, even confusing the man before her as he just blinked at her sudden affection (especially after he decided to sneak up on her).

"I'm thinking about how thankful I am to you. Gan Ning, you're the best~!"

"No, seriously, where is all this coming from?"

"Nowhere. I just like reminding you how great you are for everything you do for me~!"

"You don't need to remind me, I know how great I am."

Now she couldn't help but roll her eyes, but she couldn't hold back a giggle as she looked up to her husband, smiling.

"A-Ahh…D-Don't…"

Shaking, as she tried to back away from her attacker, Xi Shi was terrified. Yes, she had always been scared in this war, attempting to hide it, but her life had never been so in danger. Now, a group of men stood before her, outnumbering her as they whispered amongst themselves about how to be rid of this 'nuisance' who was trying to crawl away in the dirt.

"Leave me alone!"

Her scream acted like a trigger, as she was thrown into shock, practically curling into a fragile ball when the men seemed to fall to the floor, blood flowing around her small feet as it was spurting from the bodies of the men who had once had her surrounded.

"Xi Shi…!"

Looking up, the young woman blinked, her terrified eyes adjusting to the man before her, recognizing him as; "X-Xingba…"

Gan Ning knelt down, his hands softly on her shoulders, worry etched onto his face as he looked down at her shaking form, before he jumped when she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her thin arms around his muscular form, whimpering into his collar, not caring that she was leaning her body into the fresh blood that was on his tanned skin.

"Hey, hey…its okay, I'm here now. You don't need to worry about anything, anymore."

"I-I'm sorry…I…I didn't know what to do-!"

And now, neither did Gan Ning. He wasn't a man who could comfort someone very well, especially not a woman. But, this was his wife and he wanted her to feel comforted. To know she was safe now, in his arms. Yet, all he could do was hold her, softly stroking her hair, just allowing her to sob into his well sculpted chest.

"Hey! You're day dreaming again!"

"Uwaaaah! I'm sorry~! W-Wait! No! Don't tickle-NOOOOO~!"

The memory she was thinking of disappeared into the abyss of her mind when her husband threw his arms around her, keeping his hands under her arms, tickling her in that sensitive area, moving from there to her thin sides and around. He just chuckled as she squirmed under his touch, giggling like a child, attempting to swat away his hands, to no avail.

Maybe she was a little weak, especially in comparison to him, but he never minded that. He loved her for it. He prayed she never stained her soft hands with as much blood as he had.

He wished that she could stay away from battles, in general. But, Xi Shi was a determined woman. She wouldn't be swayed away from a fight so easily.

Just another reason why he loved her.