Chapter Fifteen - The Hidden Truth
Gan Ning stood, leaning against the wall of the bridge as Lu Xun walked up the bridge. He lazily raised an eyebrow at Lu Xun.
"So, whatcha want Lu Xun?"
"I need to talk to you about the soldiers training schedule" Lu Xun began as serious as ever, "just as soon as Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao get here. Where are they?"
Gan Ning shrugged while he waited impatiently, wanting to carry on what he'd begun earlier.
Lu Xun hated everyone's relaxed approach to everything. It seemed to him that he was one of the only few who took being a Wu officer seriously.
"Do you reckon I should look for them?"
"Sure" Gan Ning answered, combing his fingers through his spiked bangs.
There was a sound from the other side of the bridge, a shocked Xiao Qiao running on it. Her eye's looked past Lu Xun' angry gaze to Gan Ning who she ran over to. He noticed that she was short of breath.
"Gan Ning! Oh my god, you *have* to come down to the main hall right now! It's Sun Ce..."
Gan Ning's mind raced. What had he done now?
"Why? What's going on?"
"It's all over Wu camp, Sun Ce's been..." she paused, taking a deep breath before carrying on in low voice slowly, "he's been accused of raping Pei Lin."
Gan Ning blinked, the words washing over him.
"What?" was the only thing he could think to say, his thoughts buzzing around his head chaotically.
"We have to go *right* now." Xiao Qiao said, urgently tugging on Gan Ning's arm, "Come on Lu Xun, we can talk later!"
She pulled Gan Ning with her, the two of them leaving Lu Xun dazed and alone.
**************************************
Sun Ce sat alone in a secured room. His mind was filled with anger, confusion and a lot of fear. He hadn't done anything wrong; he hadn't laid a finger on Pei Lin so why was she accusing him of rape of all things? She was so easy that she'd probably consent anyway. Not that he'd want the hussy. Hell no. But what was going to happen to him if they found him guilty? How could they find him guilty?
Gan Ning drifted back into his thoughts. What if Gan Ning thought he was guilty? Would Gan Ning think that? He'd got mad at Pei Lin before, what if Gan Ning thought he'd lashed out again? He didn't care what everyone else thought as long as Gan Ning believed him.
He sighed, scuffing the toe of his boot on the floor.
***************************************
Gan Ning and Sun Ce ran along the halls. Huge groups of soldiers and officers were gathered on either side of the narrow corridors leaving little room to move. Throughout the murmur Gan Ning could pick out pieces of conversations, all of them to do with Sun Ce. Xiao Qiao had to restrain him when he almost lashed out at a soldier who said that he reckoned "that scum bag" had definitely done it. Xiao Qiao squeezed his hand tightly.
"Don't worry, we'll go to Lord Sun Jian."
Gan Ning nodded. His mind was a mass of confusion. What if Sun Ce had done it? He cursed himself mentally for doubting Sun Ce. The probability that he'd decide to go out and rape his ex-girlfriend was very, very small. The idea was stupid. But why would Pei Lin lie?
It suddenly became very clear. Gan Ning was even more determined to speak to Sun Jian. They pushed through the crowds to get to the main hall. Xiao Qiao turned to face him, her face showing what he felt. He knew that look, the one of complete understanding. She was one of the few people who did.
"Come on Gan Ning, Lord Sun Jian will listen to us."
They walked down the corridor to the large oak doors of the main hall. They were locked. Xiao Qiao walked over to the door and knocked.
"Yes?"
"It's Xiao Qiao, my Lord..."
Sun Jian sounded like he had a lot on his mind and his voice had a rougher edge than usual, "I'm busy right now. Come back later."
Sun Ce hesitated, looking back at Gan Ning's desperate expression before talking again.
"But my Lord, this concerns Sun Ce."
There was a long pause before Sun Jian spoke again.
"This had better be important. Let her in."
The guards unlocked the massive doors. They pushed them open and walked over to Sun Jian's desk slowly.
"My Lord, I'd like the opportunity to speak to Sun Ce please." Gan Ning said quietly.
Sun Jian looked at him curiously "Why?"
"I *know* how I can prove his innocence. Please my Lord."
"And why would you want to do that?" Sun Jian asked, bemused.
Gan Ning became stuck for words but Xiao Qiao interrupted.
"He has his reasons."
Sun Jian thought for a moment, he wants his son to be proved innocent as well.
"Okay, I will give you some time" he pointed to a soldier, "Show them the way."
The soldier led them from the room, closing the door behind them before taking them where they emerged in a dark twisting corridor. At the end of the corridor was a room where two men stood on either side. They opened the door and Gan Ning walked in, gesturing for Xiao Qiao to stay outside.
The room was dark and pretty small but in the corner he could make out the shape of his lover, sitting on a wooden bench. His head was hung low and to Gan Ning he couldn't look more defeated. Sun Ce heard the door shut and turned his head, his eyes lighting up.
"Gan Ning..." he said weakly "You don't believe them do you? I'd never do that..."
Gan Ning sat next to him and Sun Ce felt strong arms wrap around him.
"No, course I don't. And I know how to prove it."
Sun Ce gave him a questioning look but Gan Ning simply smiled back faintly.
*************************************
Gan Ning and Sun Ce stood opposite Sun Jian's desk. The main hall now was full of people; Pei Lin was crying and being consoled by Da Qiao and Sun Shang Xiang on the left-hand side of the room, Taishi Ci, Lu Xun, Zhou Tai, Xiao Qiao and Lu Meng stood on the right and Huang Gai, Sun Quan and some guards stood by Sun Jian. Gan Ning was rapidly losing his nerve.
'Come on, you can't back out now. If you don't do it you can't clear Sun Ce's name...'
"Go on Gan Ning, what information do you have in Sun Ce's defence?"
Gan Ning cleared his throat and turned to Sun Jian.
"My Lord...well I can say where Sun Ce was this evening."
Sun Ce's body tensed visibly.
"Do tell us then." Sun Jian said.
Gan Ning sensed that it wasn't going too well and swallowed before continuing.
"He was...he was with me."
"Can anyone else testify that he was with you?"
Gan Ning looked desperately around the room, his eyes resting on Lu Xun.
"Lu Xun can, he knew Sun Ce was with me."
The former pirate in question went a faint shade of red.
"I see...And what were you and Sun Ce doing?"
Gan Ning paused, noticing that every set of eyes in the room were on him. He looked to Sun Ce whose eyes seemed to beg him to shut up. He took a *very* deep breath.
"Before I answer that question I'd like to inform you of something." he paused and took Sun Ce's hand in his own, "Sun Ce and I are...we're gay." He said slowly, pausing before painfully continuing, "And I've been seeing him for several months now."
Sun Ce's free hand was on his forehead and he was looking down at the ground, mumbling something under his breath. Zhou Tai, Xiao Qiao and Lu Xun were exchanging nervous glances. Sun Jian looked straight at Gan Ning.
"Why are you lying for him Gan Ning? I cannot tolerate liars."
"I'm *not* lying" he said in a determined voice before turning to face Sun Ce. Sun Ce looked back at him nervously.
Gan Ning's hands found their way to Sun Ce's waist and the back of his neck. He closed his eyes and leant into a deep kiss. Sun Ce's eyes opened wide, shock evident on his face but a moment later his arms were wrapped around Gan Ning's body, pulling him closer. A moment later they untangled themselves from each other and turned back to face Sun Jian. Gan Ning looked around the room; everyone's jaw was hung low and the shock was clear to see. Pei Lin's expression was of shock and revulsion. Sun Ce tried not to look at the eyes, which bore into him.
"We'll... we'll discuss this l-later. Da Qiao, I want you to take Pei Lin to your place" Sun Jian said, his eyes never leaving the pair on the other side of his desk.
Da Qiao nodded hastily, taking Pei Lin out of the room. The others left the room under Sun Jian's orders. Everyone except Gan Ning and Sun Ce.
"I'm sorry that I doubted you my son about Pei Lin but this is even.... " He stopped for a moment. "...I want you both back here in a while so I can decide how best to handle the situation."
Gan Ning nodded solemnly and led Sun Ce from the room.
*************************************
The three officers were sat around Lu Xun' dining table in his quarters when they heard the knock on the door. Xiao Qiao answered it to find Gan Ning and Sun Ce, looking equally depressed. They sat down with the others in silence. Nobody spoke.
Gan Ning's mind was full of panic. What would happen to them? Why did he kiss Sun Ce in front his ex-girlfriend, his fellow officers, the guards and Sun Jian for God's sake? He put his head in his hands. Why was everything always so difficult? It was like he couldn't win, no matter how hard he tried.
After a very long while Xiao Qiao hesitantly said, "I think it was very brave of you to do that."
She received a quiet thank you from Gan Ning and a silent nod from Sun Ce.
"It's time."
Gan Ning and Sun Ce stood up and left the room.
"What do you think Lord Sun Jian's gonna do?" Lu Xun asked quietly.
"I don't know" Zhou Tai replied, "but I doubt it will be good."
**********************************************
"Take a seat, both of you."
Gan Ning and Sun Ce lowered themselves silently into their seats. Sun Jian spoke first to his son.
"You were wrongly accused and I am sorry that I doubted you, but you both know as well as I do that the Wu camp has a strict policy regarding same sex relationships. They are a sign of weakness..."
Weakness? Did being in love with Gan Ning make him weak just because he was a man? It was too much, having everyone turn against him because of the way he felt...
"BULLSHIT!" Sun Ce shouted angrily, banging his fist on the table as he stood up, "have I been fighting any worse since I've been with Gan Ning? No! You wouldn't even have noticed!"
"SUN CE will you sit down and shut up!" said Sun Jian loudly and Sun Ce sat down, his hands in tight fists. His blood boiled. Gan Ning just looked on, seemingly oblivious to his lover's actions.
"If you'd let me finish I would have told you by now that due to both of your amazing fighting abilities I am willing to overlook banishing you out of the Wu's camp, even my own son."
Sun Ce exhaled loudly. The knot that had been forming in his stomach had gone and he felt great relief, after all like he'd said to himself before; what was he without Wu?
"Thank you, my Lord." "Thank you, father." They both chimed in unison.
"But...I have made some decisions. Sun Ce is to go to Wu's East main camp and you, Gan Ning, are to stay here." Sun Jian said, his voice sounding weary.
"WHAT?!" Sun Ce exclaimed.
"You have no choice. The arrangements have been made. A month ago, Zhou Yu went there and he will be expecting you to be there by three days. I will be sending him a message soon. You're both dismissed."
Gan Ning was frozen to his chair. He'd found the love of his life and they were to be ripped apart. He felt like he would explode with the amount of anger and sorrow that bubbled up inside him. He felt Sun Ce's hand on his shoulder and he stood up shakily, not looking back at the man had ruined everything that mattered to him as he left the room.
Gan Ning stood, leaning against the wall of the bridge as Lu Xun walked up the bridge. He lazily raised an eyebrow at Lu Xun.
"So, whatcha want Lu Xun?"
"I need to talk to you about the soldiers training schedule" Lu Xun began as serious as ever, "just as soon as Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao get here. Where are they?"
Gan Ning shrugged while he waited impatiently, wanting to carry on what he'd begun earlier.
Lu Xun hated everyone's relaxed approach to everything. It seemed to him that he was one of the only few who took being a Wu officer seriously.
"Do you reckon I should look for them?"
"Sure" Gan Ning answered, combing his fingers through his spiked bangs.
There was a sound from the other side of the bridge, a shocked Xiao Qiao running on it. Her eye's looked past Lu Xun' angry gaze to Gan Ning who she ran over to. He noticed that she was short of breath.
"Gan Ning! Oh my god, you *have* to come down to the main hall right now! It's Sun Ce..."
Gan Ning's mind raced. What had he done now?
"Why? What's going on?"
"It's all over Wu camp, Sun Ce's been..." she paused, taking a deep breath before carrying on in low voice slowly, "he's been accused of raping Pei Lin."
Gan Ning blinked, the words washing over him.
"What?" was the only thing he could think to say, his thoughts buzzing around his head chaotically.
"We have to go *right* now." Xiao Qiao said, urgently tugging on Gan Ning's arm, "Come on Lu Xun, we can talk later!"
She pulled Gan Ning with her, the two of them leaving Lu Xun dazed and alone.
**************************************
Sun Ce sat alone in a secured room. His mind was filled with anger, confusion and a lot of fear. He hadn't done anything wrong; he hadn't laid a finger on Pei Lin so why was she accusing him of rape of all things? She was so easy that she'd probably consent anyway. Not that he'd want the hussy. Hell no. But what was going to happen to him if they found him guilty? How could they find him guilty?
Gan Ning drifted back into his thoughts. What if Gan Ning thought he was guilty? Would Gan Ning think that? He'd got mad at Pei Lin before, what if Gan Ning thought he'd lashed out again? He didn't care what everyone else thought as long as Gan Ning believed him.
He sighed, scuffing the toe of his boot on the floor.
***************************************
Gan Ning and Sun Ce ran along the halls. Huge groups of soldiers and officers were gathered on either side of the narrow corridors leaving little room to move. Throughout the murmur Gan Ning could pick out pieces of conversations, all of them to do with Sun Ce. Xiao Qiao had to restrain him when he almost lashed out at a soldier who said that he reckoned "that scum bag" had definitely done it. Xiao Qiao squeezed his hand tightly.
"Don't worry, we'll go to Lord Sun Jian."
Gan Ning nodded. His mind was a mass of confusion. What if Sun Ce had done it? He cursed himself mentally for doubting Sun Ce. The probability that he'd decide to go out and rape his ex-girlfriend was very, very small. The idea was stupid. But why would Pei Lin lie?
It suddenly became very clear. Gan Ning was even more determined to speak to Sun Jian. They pushed through the crowds to get to the main hall. Xiao Qiao turned to face him, her face showing what he felt. He knew that look, the one of complete understanding. She was one of the few people who did.
"Come on Gan Ning, Lord Sun Jian will listen to us."
They walked down the corridor to the large oak doors of the main hall. They were locked. Xiao Qiao walked over to the door and knocked.
"Yes?"
"It's Xiao Qiao, my Lord..."
Sun Jian sounded like he had a lot on his mind and his voice had a rougher edge than usual, "I'm busy right now. Come back later."
Sun Ce hesitated, looking back at Gan Ning's desperate expression before talking again.
"But my Lord, this concerns Sun Ce."
There was a long pause before Sun Jian spoke again.
"This had better be important. Let her in."
The guards unlocked the massive doors. They pushed them open and walked over to Sun Jian's desk slowly.
"My Lord, I'd like the opportunity to speak to Sun Ce please." Gan Ning said quietly.
Sun Jian looked at him curiously "Why?"
"I *know* how I can prove his innocence. Please my Lord."
"And why would you want to do that?" Sun Jian asked, bemused.
Gan Ning became stuck for words but Xiao Qiao interrupted.
"He has his reasons."
Sun Jian thought for a moment, he wants his son to be proved innocent as well.
"Okay, I will give you some time" he pointed to a soldier, "Show them the way."
The soldier led them from the room, closing the door behind them before taking them where they emerged in a dark twisting corridor. At the end of the corridor was a room where two men stood on either side. They opened the door and Gan Ning walked in, gesturing for Xiao Qiao to stay outside.
The room was dark and pretty small but in the corner he could make out the shape of his lover, sitting on a wooden bench. His head was hung low and to Gan Ning he couldn't look more defeated. Sun Ce heard the door shut and turned his head, his eyes lighting up.
"Gan Ning..." he said weakly "You don't believe them do you? I'd never do that..."
Gan Ning sat next to him and Sun Ce felt strong arms wrap around him.
"No, course I don't. And I know how to prove it."
Sun Ce gave him a questioning look but Gan Ning simply smiled back faintly.
*************************************
Gan Ning and Sun Ce stood opposite Sun Jian's desk. The main hall now was full of people; Pei Lin was crying and being consoled by Da Qiao and Sun Shang Xiang on the left-hand side of the room, Taishi Ci, Lu Xun, Zhou Tai, Xiao Qiao and Lu Meng stood on the right and Huang Gai, Sun Quan and some guards stood by Sun Jian. Gan Ning was rapidly losing his nerve.
'Come on, you can't back out now. If you don't do it you can't clear Sun Ce's name...'
"Go on Gan Ning, what information do you have in Sun Ce's defence?"
Gan Ning cleared his throat and turned to Sun Jian.
"My Lord...well I can say where Sun Ce was this evening."
Sun Ce's body tensed visibly.
"Do tell us then." Sun Jian said.
Gan Ning sensed that it wasn't going too well and swallowed before continuing.
"He was...he was with me."
"Can anyone else testify that he was with you?"
Gan Ning looked desperately around the room, his eyes resting on Lu Xun.
"Lu Xun can, he knew Sun Ce was with me."
The former pirate in question went a faint shade of red.
"I see...And what were you and Sun Ce doing?"
Gan Ning paused, noticing that every set of eyes in the room were on him. He looked to Sun Ce whose eyes seemed to beg him to shut up. He took a *very* deep breath.
"Before I answer that question I'd like to inform you of something." he paused and took Sun Ce's hand in his own, "Sun Ce and I are...we're gay." He said slowly, pausing before painfully continuing, "And I've been seeing him for several months now."
Sun Ce's free hand was on his forehead and he was looking down at the ground, mumbling something under his breath. Zhou Tai, Xiao Qiao and Lu Xun were exchanging nervous glances. Sun Jian looked straight at Gan Ning.
"Why are you lying for him Gan Ning? I cannot tolerate liars."
"I'm *not* lying" he said in a determined voice before turning to face Sun Ce. Sun Ce looked back at him nervously.
Gan Ning's hands found their way to Sun Ce's waist and the back of his neck. He closed his eyes and leant into a deep kiss. Sun Ce's eyes opened wide, shock evident on his face but a moment later his arms were wrapped around Gan Ning's body, pulling him closer. A moment later they untangled themselves from each other and turned back to face Sun Jian. Gan Ning looked around the room; everyone's jaw was hung low and the shock was clear to see. Pei Lin's expression was of shock and revulsion. Sun Ce tried not to look at the eyes, which bore into him.
"We'll... we'll discuss this l-later. Da Qiao, I want you to take Pei Lin to your place" Sun Jian said, his eyes never leaving the pair on the other side of his desk.
Da Qiao nodded hastily, taking Pei Lin out of the room. The others left the room under Sun Jian's orders. Everyone except Gan Ning and Sun Ce.
"I'm sorry that I doubted you my son about Pei Lin but this is even.... " He stopped for a moment. "...I want you both back here in a while so I can decide how best to handle the situation."
Gan Ning nodded solemnly and led Sun Ce from the room.
*************************************
The three officers were sat around Lu Xun' dining table in his quarters when they heard the knock on the door. Xiao Qiao answered it to find Gan Ning and Sun Ce, looking equally depressed. They sat down with the others in silence. Nobody spoke.
Gan Ning's mind was full of panic. What would happen to them? Why did he kiss Sun Ce in front his ex-girlfriend, his fellow officers, the guards and Sun Jian for God's sake? He put his head in his hands. Why was everything always so difficult? It was like he couldn't win, no matter how hard he tried.
After a very long while Xiao Qiao hesitantly said, "I think it was very brave of you to do that."
She received a quiet thank you from Gan Ning and a silent nod from Sun Ce.
"It's time."
Gan Ning and Sun Ce stood up and left the room.
"What do you think Lord Sun Jian's gonna do?" Lu Xun asked quietly.
"I don't know" Zhou Tai replied, "but I doubt it will be good."
**********************************************
"Take a seat, both of you."
Gan Ning and Sun Ce lowered themselves silently into their seats. Sun Jian spoke first to his son.
"You were wrongly accused and I am sorry that I doubted you, but you both know as well as I do that the Wu camp has a strict policy regarding same sex relationships. They are a sign of weakness..."
Weakness? Did being in love with Gan Ning make him weak just because he was a man? It was too much, having everyone turn against him because of the way he felt...
"BULLSHIT!" Sun Ce shouted angrily, banging his fist on the table as he stood up, "have I been fighting any worse since I've been with Gan Ning? No! You wouldn't even have noticed!"
"SUN CE will you sit down and shut up!" said Sun Jian loudly and Sun Ce sat down, his hands in tight fists. His blood boiled. Gan Ning just looked on, seemingly oblivious to his lover's actions.
"If you'd let me finish I would have told you by now that due to both of your amazing fighting abilities I am willing to overlook banishing you out of the Wu's camp, even my own son."
Sun Ce exhaled loudly. The knot that had been forming in his stomach had gone and he felt great relief, after all like he'd said to himself before; what was he without Wu?
"Thank you, my Lord." "Thank you, father." They both chimed in unison.
"But...I have made some decisions. Sun Ce is to go to Wu's East main camp and you, Gan Ning, are to stay here." Sun Jian said, his voice sounding weary.
"WHAT?!" Sun Ce exclaimed.
"You have no choice. The arrangements have been made. A month ago, Zhou Yu went there and he will be expecting you to be there by three days. I will be sending him a message soon. You're both dismissed."
Gan Ning was frozen to his chair. He'd found the love of his life and they were to be ripped apart. He felt like he would explode with the amount of anger and sorrow that bubbled up inside him. He felt Sun Ce's hand on his shoulder and he stood up shakily, not looking back at the man had ruined everything that mattered to him as he left the room.