A/N: I know, I know, my net is still down and I'm home sick with a high
temp. (Excuse the lack of my creative skills that may be caused by this
situation) So . . . yeah . . . nothings happened . . . ok I'm going to shut
up now. Oh wait! Before I forget I would just like to make a note: Hua Wan
was given her mother's sword, but she already had one of her own of course.
So she has two basically. Just so you don't get confused.
Hua Wan, Daughter of Pirates
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Chapter Two: It Starts
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Last Time:
"Can you meet me here same time tomorrow?" he asked looking hopeful.
"Yes! But what if someone who doesn't . . ." I trailed off.
. . . . .
I laughed, "Aye. I'll be here."
"Good! . . .you're a very beautiful girl Hua Wan," he said before disappearing off into the many shadows of the setting sun.
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((Gan Ning's POV, evening [yes, he's back everyone, you may applaud]))
"Grr . . . no one hurts Gan Ning's little girl!" I yelled.
I was now back in Diao's and my bedroom, and ranting as I paced the floor. Hua Wan was in her room talking to her brother, and Wan was in here listening to my ranting and raving.
"Honey, if you don't calm down your going to pop a vein," she said.
I looked over at her. She was sitting on the edge of our bed and looking at me in that if-you-don't-chill-out-I'm-going-to-make-you-chill- out look. I sighed, there was no more of her listening to me rave anymore.
"Ok, you win. BUT! You would have pounded the living-"
"Ning, our children are in the next room."
"I KNOW, WAN! I mean, I know. Sorry. But you would have pounded the living snot –there that better than what I was going to say?- out of them too if you had been there. The slimy little-!" I bellowed.
"Ning . . . don't even think about it. Yes, much better, and yes I would have too. BUT she can handle herself and from what I heard, she did. So chill out honey and relax," she said.
She patted the spot next to her on the bed, beckoning me over. I smiled and came over and sat down. I laid back and stared at the ceiling.
"Wan, am I a good father?" I asked.
"My answer is the same as the other 599,999 times you've asked me that question. Yes!" she said.
"Am I a good husband?" I asked again.
"Heck ya! . . . don't tell me this is one of your ask-my-wife-twenty- questions-that-I've-already-asked-before rants?" she asked me.
"Unfortunately for you, yes it is."
"Oh Lord have mercy on my old and tired soul."
"Wan!"
"Xingba!"
"Yes, my honeysuckle of happiness?"
"STOP IT!"
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, you have no choice."
"I LOVE this woman!"
She laughed and hit my arm playfully. I loved it when she smiled. She used to be so unhappy and lonely, and now smiling was all she ever did. I sat up and kissed her, but my lack of gracefulness made us hit noses instead.
"Twenty-four years, and you still can't get it right?" she teased.
"Hey, twenty-four ain't that long!" I pleaded.
"That is the lamest excuse I have ever heard out of you yet, Gan Ning," Jiang Wei said as he entered, "Well, anyway! If you 'newlyweds' want to break apart for a moment there is an event going on that you don't want to miss."
"And what is that, Wei?" Diao Wan asked laughing.
"Well it's a long story, but to make it short: Zhao Yun was talking to Yue Ying. Zhuge Liang mistakes him for flirting, and gets enraged. Zhao Yun gets into a 'yo mama' fight with Zhuge Liang, and its an all out war," Jiang Wei said.
"What in the seven hells is a 'yo mama' fight?" I asked curiously.
"I have no idea, but it sounds cool. SO LET'S GO PEOPLE!" he yelled.
"Ok, cool with me!" Wan said and ran out.
"Same here!" I said, wanting some fun.
So the three of us ran to go find them before all the good stuff was over at top speed.
((With Hua Wan and Gan Li Wu, Hua Wan's POV again))
"So Dad gave them the 'ol one-two-kick-you-till-your-dead?" Li Wu asked.
"Nah, more like (in a nutshell) the ol' one-two-kick-you-airborne- into-the-palace-wall," I said before bursting out with laughter.
I had arrived home, dragging in my cursing, yelling, ranting, enraged, disgusted, and steamed Father. He was one unhappy camper. Li Wu and I had immediately run off into my room to leave my father's temper to Mom. If anyone could calm him down, she could. I had just finished telling all that I was willing to tell about this afternoon, for Li Wu was one of those persons who didn't like the lower class people. Yes, he grew up with Mom and Dad's army, but their army was men of middle class or higher. He had just assumed that people of a lower class than he, were in fact, 'dirty'. Unclean to be in his presence, for he, being the only son of the famous Gan Ning of the Silken Sails, was of higher standards and was 'clean'. So, I dared not say anything more about Zhou Lin than how he distracted everyone for me so I could get free.
"That must be one heck of a big nutshell, sister," he said.
"Aye, but who cares?" I asked.
"No one. So want 'ta go see if Dad has killed anyone in his rage of terror?" Li Wu asked.
"Sure, sounds fun!" I said.
And so we went off to find our parents, and when we did . . . we discovered more than just our father's temper. Before our eyes was the WEIRDEST, most defiantly ODD, and the STRANGEST fight I have ever had the chance to lay eyes apon. Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun were engaged in a fight that, 'in a nutshell', made no sense. And I'm supposed to be a prodigy according to Lu Xun.
"Well, yo' mama so fat she put Meng Huo to SHAME!" Zhao Yun yelled.
"Tsk! Yo' mama is so obese they had to give her the table to sit on instead of the chair!" Zhuge Liang shouted back.
"Well yo' mama so fat they had to close down the Country Buffet and took out the all-you-can-eat menu," Zhao Yun bellowed.
"Well yo' mama so UGLY she makes Dong Zhuo look like Diao Chan's twin sister," Zhuge Liang snapped.
A gasp emerged from the crowd of silent listeners.
"Y- yo- you went too far that time," Zhao Yun whimpered.
"I'm sorry, Yun," Zhuge Liang said.
"I forgive you . . ." Zhao Yun murmured.
Zhuge Liang approached Zhao Yun and patted him on the back. Zhao Yun sniffed in sadness.
"Your mother isn't that bad looking, Yun," Zhuge Liang reassured.
"That bad looking? You saying she still looks bad?" Zhao Yun yelled.
"Umm . . ." stammered Zhuge Liang.
I rolled my eyes. This was pathetic . . . beyond all reason in the world, but it was down right hilarious. So I kept watching.
"Well? What do you have to say for your self," Zhao Yun snarled.
"I'm sorry Yun-Yun," Zhuge Liang stammered.
I had to raise an eyebrow at this. Yun-Yun? Okay, that was a little freaky and sad at the same time. Some people need some therapy . . . lots of therapy. Getting bored of the fight I decided to go and get some rest for tomorrow. I really couldn't wait to see Zhou Lin again. I sighed and started to walk back to mother's rooms, until I spotted my mother and father whispering to the side. I knew I shouldn't, but I did it anyway. I went as close to them as possible without them spotting me, but I could at least hear what they were whispering about.
"But Xingba . . . would it be fair to move them this quickly, and without sending word to Sun Quan," Mother whispered.
"It's for the best. The sooner we get out of Shu the better. They're not on the best terms with Wu, they never have. Even after you and I, along with Liu Bei and Shang Xiang, got married. They don't want me here, isn't it obvious," Father said.
"No that's you being the paranoid pirate you are, but I do agree they never have been on good terms with Wu. We should leave here as soon as possible and return to our home in Wu," Mother responded.
"Aye, my love . . . but do you think that Hua Wan will be upset at moving again so quickly?" asked Father.
"No, I don't think she would. She'd probably be happy to go back to Wu," Mother said.
"Aye, love. Your probably right," Father said.
Oh no! This was bad! I wouldn't mind going back to Wu usually, but what about meeting Zhou Lin? Hmm . . . guess it all depended on when we were leaving. I did hope that it wasn't anytime soon. I wanted to listen in more, but they started walking away. So I decided I'd go and get some sleep. Maybe I could recognize Zhou Lin in the market and meet up with him early. I wondered down the hall into Mother's rooms and went into the small adjoining bedroom I slept in. I went behind the dressing screen and undressed. I picked up my sleeping robe and pulled it over my head. Then, I slowly went and crawled into my bed, pulling the blankets around me tightly. I would never of told anyone this, but I had always longed for someone to love, and for them to love me. I wanted what my mother had, a true love. One that would always love her, and one that would do anything for her. Mother said she could never believe that she could ever have hated my father. I lay there and stared at the side of the wall until my eyes could no longer stay open, and I gradually fell asleep.
((Morning))
I awoke to the sound of yelling, as I bolted up, awoken by a loud slam. Frightened, I acted on impulse and grabbed my sword and leaped out of bed and into Mother and Father's bedroom.
"What happened?" I yelled.
Mother was sitting on a chair close to the windows, scowling and staring at my brother's room. Father on the other hand was standing in front of his door, yelling like a madman.
"LI WU! I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT! BUT DID YOU LISTEN? NO! YOU DIDN'T! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DISAPOINTED AND ANGRY I AM RIGHT NOW, BOY?" Father was bellowing.
Li Wu's door opened with a whoosh and he was clearly just as mad as both of my parents were.
"WHO CARES! I DIDN'T HURT ANYONE!" he said and slammed the door, letting me locate the noise that had awakened me.
I walked over to mother and pointed at Li Wu and Father's direction.
"What happened?" I asked.
"He set off firecrackers in the hallway," she replied.
"Oh . . ." I said, trying to muffle a laugh.
((Even later, sorry trying to keep this the page limit))
I sat on the wall outside the palace grounds again today. I was anxiously looking for Zhou Lin, and was dressed today in more royal looking clothes, as not to get in the same situation as last time I ventured out here. I looked all over, but he was no where to be seen. So I stood up and looked farther away. Still no Zhou Lin, so I decided to hop down and go into the market, maybe someone there would recognize his name and direct me too him if I did not see him himself. I walked towards the market and walked around, trying to avoid the market venders who would do anything to have you buy something, which was particularly hard because they knew I had money. So I kept repeating a sentence my father had always told me for cases such as this: "If the enemy is crazy, act crazier. It confuses them." It didn't help the situation, but it did give my mind something else to think of. I walked my way through the main street, looking around for him everywhere, but he was nowhere to be seen. I then decided it might be best to ask someone if they knew him, so I turned to the little old lady next to me trying to get me to buy some of the food she sold.
"Well, I'm not really hungry, just had lunch, but could you tell me if you know anyone by the name of Zhou?" I asked politely.
"Zhou? Well, you don't get many families by that name in these parts, mainly in Wu, but I do think there might be a family near here," she said, "Here, ask my son-in-law, Han Qi Lan."
She pointed to a young man at her stand, which was cooking up some fried rice. So I walked over and he turned to me as I approached.
"Yes, would you like something?" he asked.
"Nothing food-wise, but your mother-in-law said you could help me," I said.
"Well then ask away," he said.
"I was wondering if you know anyone by the name of Zhou, mainly a Zhou Lin?" I asked.
"Hmm . . . name is familiar, but I can't seem to recall anyone or any face. Oh yes! The stable boy, over at the horse rentals, name is Zhou! I don't know if his name is Zhou Lin, but I do he's from a Zhou family," he said.
"Thank you so much, sir!" I said before running off to find the stable.
I ran up to the stable and walked inside. I stopped for a moment to let my eyes adjust to the dark. I looked around for any sign of life that wasn't equine. I then saw a dark hair head from behind a horse's flank. I walked over to the horse's stall and peered in, and sure enough there he was.
"Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice, but you have a piece of straw in your hair," I said.
He looked up at me in surprise, but his face made a smile as he saw me. He was kneeling and tending the horse's hoof. He stood up and came around towards me.
"Well long time no see," he said removing the piece of straw.
I smiled up at him. He has such handsome eyes.
"Come all this way to find me, eh? How did you anyway?" Zhou Lin asked.
"I asked an old lady's son-in-law in the market. Said he had remembered someone by the name of Zhou working here," I said.
"Well, he was correct," he said.
"Good thing too. Hope you don't mind me coming early, I mean, you did kinda tell me to meet you tonight," I said timidly.
"Not at all. Glad you did, but I do have work to do," he said.
"I'll help you then," I said, "It'll go faster."
"I'd like that," he said.
So we talked and did some work at the same time. We groomed several horses and mucked out a couple stalls. I felt like I really had connected with him, and felt myself getting ever fond of him.
"Well, I have two younger sisters and my parents run their own little business down by the docks. They repair boats, nothing special." He was saying.
"Well, according to my father, anything to do with boats or anything with water at that, is too be extremely cherished," I said.
"Oh that right! Wasn't your father a famous pirate in his past?" he asked.
"Aye! Gan Ning of the Bells, or Bandit of the Silken Sails," I answered.
"Haha, and you go his pirate-ish accent too," he teased.
We both laughed. It was true. I was sitting on the stall door of a frisky little mare that was about two months with foal. She poked her head around and shoved it into my shoulder, begging for a pet. I smiled and petted her cheek.
"You silly little girl! Two months and your still ornery!" I said to the little mare.
"Yes, nothing dampens that one's spirit. She's the same little spirited filly who almost took out two men when we caught her wondering stray on the outskirts of town," he said.
"Two men? How in the world . . .?" I asked.
"She reared up and came down on top of them and wouldn't get up off of them either," he said, "So we don't ride her much. The owner of the stable said she had some good blood in her and her spirit would come in handy in breeding, so he just has us use her as a brood mare."
"Who's the owner?" I asked.
"Dunno, never seen him. He lives up at the palace . . . name of Chao I think," he said.
"Lu Chao?" I asked.
"No, something else. Darn, can't think of it. He's supposed to be an excellent horseman," he said.
"Ma Chao! I know him! Excellent indeed! He's helping my mother's old war horse, Storm Runner," I said.
"No kidding?" Lin asked in amazement.
"Nope, I know lots of people in the Shu and Wu palaces," I said.
"Like who?" he asked in curiosity.
"Um . . . Lady Sun, both Lady Qiao's, Lord Liang, His majesty Sun Quan (who practically raised me), Lord Xun, Lord Chao, Lord Zhao, Lord Jiang, and much more," I said.
I swore his jaw dropped in amazement, but I didn't blame him. These people weren't everyday commoners you see on the street, they were the high generals and rulers of two of the countries of China. The other country was Wei, I didn't know any of those generals, but Sun Quan said my father did. My mother only knew who Zhen Ji and Zhang He were. She fought against both of them with my father in their first fight together. I've always wanted to ask them about it, but I guess I just keep forgetting.
"Hey, what do you say to coming with me after we finish here?" I asked.
"Sounds great!" he said, "After we groom this charming little mare here, I'm off," he said.
"Wonderful," I said and grabbed a brush.
I hopped down and went into the stall. Zhou Lin also came in and tied the mare to a rope with a makeshift rope halter. I started grooming over her neck and down to her flank, following the path of the hair. Zhou Lin took a comb and groomed out her tail and mane. It was just a matter of minutes till we were finished and we unhooked the mare and let her loose in the stall.
"So shall we be off?" I asked.
"Yeah sure," he said.
So we walked to the entrance gate to the palace grounds. The guards at the gate looked at Zhou Lin for a moment and immediately put up their pikes.
"Halt! I can not allow you passage. What is your business?" asked one of the guards.
"I am the daughter of Gan Ning of the Bells, Bandit of the Silken Sails. This is Zhou Lin, and he's with me. You do not need to ask further," I said with authority in my voice.
"Yes, milady, but we still can not let him pass. He is but a commoner to our eyes," said the guard.
"Aye, I understand, but your assumption is wrong. So let us pass," I ordered.
The obeyed and opened the gate. Zhou Lin looked reluctant, but I gave him a smile and a tug on the arm and he gave in.
"So where would you like to go first?" I asked.
"Uh . . . dunno," he said.
"Hmm . . . oh I got it! I'll introduce you to my father.
So I dragged him in to find my father, who was still probably yelling at Li Wu, but that was beside the point.
((Gan Ning's POV))
I had just finished yelling my head off at Gan Li Wu. Setting off firecrackers! Funny, but wrong. I was sort of proud my genes for rebellion and love of setting off pranks had passed on to my son, but being a father, it made it a bad thing as well. I exited the room and decided to get a breath of fresh air and head out for an hour or two. I walked down the hall and took a deep sigh. I was starting too feel old now, and not as young with so much endurance. I headed around a corner and ran straight into a young lanky fellow who was slightly tall. I would have immediately liked the boy, until I saw Hua Wan with him . . . and she had her arm hooked to his. That's when my fatherly instinks kicked in to full gear . . . so I think I overreacted just a bit.
"HUA WAN! IF HE TOUCHES YOU HE'S DEAD! AND SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE!" I blurted.
"Um . . . Dad . . . your overreacting again," she said calmly.
"Hehe, sorry . . . yelling at your brother all morning got me out of my normal calmness," I said trying to cover up.
"Normal calmness? Gan Ning you are never calm, even when you sober," said a voice from behind.
We all looked to see Liu Bei himself along with his son ((see I told you I was going to make him and Shang Xiang have kids!)) Liu Shin walk up. We all bowed in respect and rose up slowly.
"How's it going, Bei?" I said.
"Don't touch me, Ning," Liu Bei said with a forced smile.
"Yes, sir," I responded immediately.
((to be continued))
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed it, sorry bout the short cutoff but it was getting really long and my creative skills need a break so yeah. Thanks fer reading!
Hua Wan, Daughter of Pirates
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Chapter Two: It Starts
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Last Time:
"Can you meet me here same time tomorrow?" he asked looking hopeful.
"Yes! But what if someone who doesn't . . ." I trailed off.
. . . . .
I laughed, "Aye. I'll be here."
"Good! . . .you're a very beautiful girl Hua Wan," he said before disappearing off into the many shadows of the setting sun.
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((Gan Ning's POV, evening [yes, he's back everyone, you may applaud]))
"Grr . . . no one hurts Gan Ning's little girl!" I yelled.
I was now back in Diao's and my bedroom, and ranting as I paced the floor. Hua Wan was in her room talking to her brother, and Wan was in here listening to my ranting and raving.
"Honey, if you don't calm down your going to pop a vein," she said.
I looked over at her. She was sitting on the edge of our bed and looking at me in that if-you-don't-chill-out-I'm-going-to-make-you-chill- out look. I sighed, there was no more of her listening to me rave anymore.
"Ok, you win. BUT! You would have pounded the living-"
"Ning, our children are in the next room."
"I KNOW, WAN! I mean, I know. Sorry. But you would have pounded the living snot –there that better than what I was going to say?- out of them too if you had been there. The slimy little-!" I bellowed.
"Ning . . . don't even think about it. Yes, much better, and yes I would have too. BUT she can handle herself and from what I heard, she did. So chill out honey and relax," she said.
She patted the spot next to her on the bed, beckoning me over. I smiled and came over and sat down. I laid back and stared at the ceiling.
"Wan, am I a good father?" I asked.
"My answer is the same as the other 599,999 times you've asked me that question. Yes!" she said.
"Am I a good husband?" I asked again.
"Heck ya! . . . don't tell me this is one of your ask-my-wife-twenty- questions-that-I've-already-asked-before rants?" she asked me.
"Unfortunately for you, yes it is."
"Oh Lord have mercy on my old and tired soul."
"Wan!"
"Xingba!"
"Yes, my honeysuckle of happiness?"
"STOP IT!"
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, you have no choice."
"I LOVE this woman!"
She laughed and hit my arm playfully. I loved it when she smiled. She used to be so unhappy and lonely, and now smiling was all she ever did. I sat up and kissed her, but my lack of gracefulness made us hit noses instead.
"Twenty-four years, and you still can't get it right?" she teased.
"Hey, twenty-four ain't that long!" I pleaded.
"That is the lamest excuse I have ever heard out of you yet, Gan Ning," Jiang Wei said as he entered, "Well, anyway! If you 'newlyweds' want to break apart for a moment there is an event going on that you don't want to miss."
"And what is that, Wei?" Diao Wan asked laughing.
"Well it's a long story, but to make it short: Zhao Yun was talking to Yue Ying. Zhuge Liang mistakes him for flirting, and gets enraged. Zhao Yun gets into a 'yo mama' fight with Zhuge Liang, and its an all out war," Jiang Wei said.
"What in the seven hells is a 'yo mama' fight?" I asked curiously.
"I have no idea, but it sounds cool. SO LET'S GO PEOPLE!" he yelled.
"Ok, cool with me!" Wan said and ran out.
"Same here!" I said, wanting some fun.
So the three of us ran to go find them before all the good stuff was over at top speed.
((With Hua Wan and Gan Li Wu, Hua Wan's POV again))
"So Dad gave them the 'ol one-two-kick-you-till-your-dead?" Li Wu asked.
"Nah, more like (in a nutshell) the ol' one-two-kick-you-airborne- into-the-palace-wall," I said before bursting out with laughter.
I had arrived home, dragging in my cursing, yelling, ranting, enraged, disgusted, and steamed Father. He was one unhappy camper. Li Wu and I had immediately run off into my room to leave my father's temper to Mom. If anyone could calm him down, she could. I had just finished telling all that I was willing to tell about this afternoon, for Li Wu was one of those persons who didn't like the lower class people. Yes, he grew up with Mom and Dad's army, but their army was men of middle class or higher. He had just assumed that people of a lower class than he, were in fact, 'dirty'. Unclean to be in his presence, for he, being the only son of the famous Gan Ning of the Silken Sails, was of higher standards and was 'clean'. So, I dared not say anything more about Zhou Lin than how he distracted everyone for me so I could get free.
"That must be one heck of a big nutshell, sister," he said.
"Aye, but who cares?" I asked.
"No one. So want 'ta go see if Dad has killed anyone in his rage of terror?" Li Wu asked.
"Sure, sounds fun!" I said.
And so we went off to find our parents, and when we did . . . we discovered more than just our father's temper. Before our eyes was the WEIRDEST, most defiantly ODD, and the STRANGEST fight I have ever had the chance to lay eyes apon. Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun were engaged in a fight that, 'in a nutshell', made no sense. And I'm supposed to be a prodigy according to Lu Xun.
"Well, yo' mama so fat she put Meng Huo to SHAME!" Zhao Yun yelled.
"Tsk! Yo' mama is so obese they had to give her the table to sit on instead of the chair!" Zhuge Liang shouted back.
"Well yo' mama so fat they had to close down the Country Buffet and took out the all-you-can-eat menu," Zhao Yun bellowed.
"Well yo' mama so UGLY she makes Dong Zhuo look like Diao Chan's twin sister," Zhuge Liang snapped.
A gasp emerged from the crowd of silent listeners.
"Y- yo- you went too far that time," Zhao Yun whimpered.
"I'm sorry, Yun," Zhuge Liang said.
"I forgive you . . ." Zhao Yun murmured.
Zhuge Liang approached Zhao Yun and patted him on the back. Zhao Yun sniffed in sadness.
"Your mother isn't that bad looking, Yun," Zhuge Liang reassured.
"That bad looking? You saying she still looks bad?" Zhao Yun yelled.
"Umm . . ." stammered Zhuge Liang.
I rolled my eyes. This was pathetic . . . beyond all reason in the world, but it was down right hilarious. So I kept watching.
"Well? What do you have to say for your self," Zhao Yun snarled.
"I'm sorry Yun-Yun," Zhuge Liang stammered.
I had to raise an eyebrow at this. Yun-Yun? Okay, that was a little freaky and sad at the same time. Some people need some therapy . . . lots of therapy. Getting bored of the fight I decided to go and get some rest for tomorrow. I really couldn't wait to see Zhou Lin again. I sighed and started to walk back to mother's rooms, until I spotted my mother and father whispering to the side. I knew I shouldn't, but I did it anyway. I went as close to them as possible without them spotting me, but I could at least hear what they were whispering about.
"But Xingba . . . would it be fair to move them this quickly, and without sending word to Sun Quan," Mother whispered.
"It's for the best. The sooner we get out of Shu the better. They're not on the best terms with Wu, they never have. Even after you and I, along with Liu Bei and Shang Xiang, got married. They don't want me here, isn't it obvious," Father said.
"No that's you being the paranoid pirate you are, but I do agree they never have been on good terms with Wu. We should leave here as soon as possible and return to our home in Wu," Mother responded.
"Aye, my love . . . but do you think that Hua Wan will be upset at moving again so quickly?" asked Father.
"No, I don't think she would. She'd probably be happy to go back to Wu," Mother said.
"Aye, love. Your probably right," Father said.
Oh no! This was bad! I wouldn't mind going back to Wu usually, but what about meeting Zhou Lin? Hmm . . . guess it all depended on when we were leaving. I did hope that it wasn't anytime soon. I wanted to listen in more, but they started walking away. So I decided I'd go and get some sleep. Maybe I could recognize Zhou Lin in the market and meet up with him early. I wondered down the hall into Mother's rooms and went into the small adjoining bedroom I slept in. I went behind the dressing screen and undressed. I picked up my sleeping robe and pulled it over my head. Then, I slowly went and crawled into my bed, pulling the blankets around me tightly. I would never of told anyone this, but I had always longed for someone to love, and for them to love me. I wanted what my mother had, a true love. One that would always love her, and one that would do anything for her. Mother said she could never believe that she could ever have hated my father. I lay there and stared at the side of the wall until my eyes could no longer stay open, and I gradually fell asleep.
((Morning))
I awoke to the sound of yelling, as I bolted up, awoken by a loud slam. Frightened, I acted on impulse and grabbed my sword and leaped out of bed and into Mother and Father's bedroom.
"What happened?" I yelled.
Mother was sitting on a chair close to the windows, scowling and staring at my brother's room. Father on the other hand was standing in front of his door, yelling like a madman.
"LI WU! I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT! BUT DID YOU LISTEN? NO! YOU DIDN'T! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DISAPOINTED AND ANGRY I AM RIGHT NOW, BOY?" Father was bellowing.
Li Wu's door opened with a whoosh and he was clearly just as mad as both of my parents were.
"WHO CARES! I DIDN'T HURT ANYONE!" he said and slammed the door, letting me locate the noise that had awakened me.
I walked over to mother and pointed at Li Wu and Father's direction.
"What happened?" I asked.
"He set off firecrackers in the hallway," she replied.
"Oh . . ." I said, trying to muffle a laugh.
((Even later, sorry trying to keep this the page limit))
I sat on the wall outside the palace grounds again today. I was anxiously looking for Zhou Lin, and was dressed today in more royal looking clothes, as not to get in the same situation as last time I ventured out here. I looked all over, but he was no where to be seen. So I stood up and looked farther away. Still no Zhou Lin, so I decided to hop down and go into the market, maybe someone there would recognize his name and direct me too him if I did not see him himself. I walked towards the market and walked around, trying to avoid the market venders who would do anything to have you buy something, which was particularly hard because they knew I had money. So I kept repeating a sentence my father had always told me for cases such as this: "If the enemy is crazy, act crazier. It confuses them." It didn't help the situation, but it did give my mind something else to think of. I walked my way through the main street, looking around for him everywhere, but he was nowhere to be seen. I then decided it might be best to ask someone if they knew him, so I turned to the little old lady next to me trying to get me to buy some of the food she sold.
"Well, I'm not really hungry, just had lunch, but could you tell me if you know anyone by the name of Zhou?" I asked politely.
"Zhou? Well, you don't get many families by that name in these parts, mainly in Wu, but I do think there might be a family near here," she said, "Here, ask my son-in-law, Han Qi Lan."
She pointed to a young man at her stand, which was cooking up some fried rice. So I walked over and he turned to me as I approached.
"Yes, would you like something?" he asked.
"Nothing food-wise, but your mother-in-law said you could help me," I said.
"Well then ask away," he said.
"I was wondering if you know anyone by the name of Zhou, mainly a Zhou Lin?" I asked.
"Hmm . . . name is familiar, but I can't seem to recall anyone or any face. Oh yes! The stable boy, over at the horse rentals, name is Zhou! I don't know if his name is Zhou Lin, but I do he's from a Zhou family," he said.
"Thank you so much, sir!" I said before running off to find the stable.
I ran up to the stable and walked inside. I stopped for a moment to let my eyes adjust to the dark. I looked around for any sign of life that wasn't equine. I then saw a dark hair head from behind a horse's flank. I walked over to the horse's stall and peered in, and sure enough there he was.
"Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice, but you have a piece of straw in your hair," I said.
He looked up at me in surprise, but his face made a smile as he saw me. He was kneeling and tending the horse's hoof. He stood up and came around towards me.
"Well long time no see," he said removing the piece of straw.
I smiled up at him. He has such handsome eyes.
"Come all this way to find me, eh? How did you anyway?" Zhou Lin asked.
"I asked an old lady's son-in-law in the market. Said he had remembered someone by the name of Zhou working here," I said.
"Well, he was correct," he said.
"Good thing too. Hope you don't mind me coming early, I mean, you did kinda tell me to meet you tonight," I said timidly.
"Not at all. Glad you did, but I do have work to do," he said.
"I'll help you then," I said, "It'll go faster."
"I'd like that," he said.
So we talked and did some work at the same time. We groomed several horses and mucked out a couple stalls. I felt like I really had connected with him, and felt myself getting ever fond of him.
"Well, I have two younger sisters and my parents run their own little business down by the docks. They repair boats, nothing special." He was saying.
"Well, according to my father, anything to do with boats or anything with water at that, is too be extremely cherished," I said.
"Oh that right! Wasn't your father a famous pirate in his past?" he asked.
"Aye! Gan Ning of the Bells, or Bandit of the Silken Sails," I answered.
"Haha, and you go his pirate-ish accent too," he teased.
We both laughed. It was true. I was sitting on the stall door of a frisky little mare that was about two months with foal. She poked her head around and shoved it into my shoulder, begging for a pet. I smiled and petted her cheek.
"You silly little girl! Two months and your still ornery!" I said to the little mare.
"Yes, nothing dampens that one's spirit. She's the same little spirited filly who almost took out two men when we caught her wondering stray on the outskirts of town," he said.
"Two men? How in the world . . .?" I asked.
"She reared up and came down on top of them and wouldn't get up off of them either," he said, "So we don't ride her much. The owner of the stable said she had some good blood in her and her spirit would come in handy in breeding, so he just has us use her as a brood mare."
"Who's the owner?" I asked.
"Dunno, never seen him. He lives up at the palace . . . name of Chao I think," he said.
"Lu Chao?" I asked.
"No, something else. Darn, can't think of it. He's supposed to be an excellent horseman," he said.
"Ma Chao! I know him! Excellent indeed! He's helping my mother's old war horse, Storm Runner," I said.
"No kidding?" Lin asked in amazement.
"Nope, I know lots of people in the Shu and Wu palaces," I said.
"Like who?" he asked in curiosity.
"Um . . . Lady Sun, both Lady Qiao's, Lord Liang, His majesty Sun Quan (who practically raised me), Lord Xun, Lord Chao, Lord Zhao, Lord Jiang, and much more," I said.
I swore his jaw dropped in amazement, but I didn't blame him. These people weren't everyday commoners you see on the street, they were the high generals and rulers of two of the countries of China. The other country was Wei, I didn't know any of those generals, but Sun Quan said my father did. My mother only knew who Zhen Ji and Zhang He were. She fought against both of them with my father in their first fight together. I've always wanted to ask them about it, but I guess I just keep forgetting.
"Hey, what do you say to coming with me after we finish here?" I asked.
"Sounds great!" he said, "After we groom this charming little mare here, I'm off," he said.
"Wonderful," I said and grabbed a brush.
I hopped down and went into the stall. Zhou Lin also came in and tied the mare to a rope with a makeshift rope halter. I started grooming over her neck and down to her flank, following the path of the hair. Zhou Lin took a comb and groomed out her tail and mane. It was just a matter of minutes till we were finished and we unhooked the mare and let her loose in the stall.
"So shall we be off?" I asked.
"Yeah sure," he said.
So we walked to the entrance gate to the palace grounds. The guards at the gate looked at Zhou Lin for a moment and immediately put up their pikes.
"Halt! I can not allow you passage. What is your business?" asked one of the guards.
"I am the daughter of Gan Ning of the Bells, Bandit of the Silken Sails. This is Zhou Lin, and he's with me. You do not need to ask further," I said with authority in my voice.
"Yes, milady, but we still can not let him pass. He is but a commoner to our eyes," said the guard.
"Aye, I understand, but your assumption is wrong. So let us pass," I ordered.
The obeyed and opened the gate. Zhou Lin looked reluctant, but I gave him a smile and a tug on the arm and he gave in.
"So where would you like to go first?" I asked.
"Uh . . . dunno," he said.
"Hmm . . . oh I got it! I'll introduce you to my father.
So I dragged him in to find my father, who was still probably yelling at Li Wu, but that was beside the point.
((Gan Ning's POV))
I had just finished yelling my head off at Gan Li Wu. Setting off firecrackers! Funny, but wrong. I was sort of proud my genes for rebellion and love of setting off pranks had passed on to my son, but being a father, it made it a bad thing as well. I exited the room and decided to get a breath of fresh air and head out for an hour or two. I walked down the hall and took a deep sigh. I was starting too feel old now, and not as young with so much endurance. I headed around a corner and ran straight into a young lanky fellow who was slightly tall. I would have immediately liked the boy, until I saw Hua Wan with him . . . and she had her arm hooked to his. That's when my fatherly instinks kicked in to full gear . . . so I think I overreacted just a bit.
"HUA WAN! IF HE TOUCHES YOU HE'S DEAD! AND SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE!" I blurted.
"Um . . . Dad . . . your overreacting again," she said calmly.
"Hehe, sorry . . . yelling at your brother all morning got me out of my normal calmness," I said trying to cover up.
"Normal calmness? Gan Ning you are never calm, even when you sober," said a voice from behind.
We all looked to see Liu Bei himself along with his son ((see I told you I was going to make him and Shang Xiang have kids!)) Liu Shin walk up. We all bowed in respect and rose up slowly.
"How's it going, Bei?" I said.
"Don't touch me, Ning," Liu Bei said with a forced smile.
"Yes, sir," I responded immediately.
((to be continued))
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed it, sorry bout the short cutoff but it was getting really long and my creative skills need a break so yeah. Thanks fer reading!