(Gan Ning's Tent - Two Days Later - Gan Ning POV)
I lay on my back in bed, gazing at the cloth ceiling of my tent. The sun shown through, brightening the inside with its warm rays. My head rested on my hands, and the blankets scattered all over the place from my restless sleep. I usually sleep so soundly that my guards literally have to pry my eyes open to get me awake, but that hasn't been the case lately. I lay in bed all night, turning and tossing, trying to sleep, but all I can think about is her. Sounds stupid really, no girl has ever made me act like this! Seriously, not even the Lady Sun, and I'm around her all the time! Ahh! This is insane! I'm losing my sleep over a girl I just basically met, and hates my stinkin guts! What am I gonna do! The memory of that kiss, the feel of her in my arms as I carried her, the way she yells back at me when I tease her. It comes to my eyes just as I drift to sleep, making me wide-awake once more. Will this torture ever stop! I can't even eat without her face drifting into my mind, and it doesn't help that she sits right across the table (not that I mind really)! I pulled my left hand out from under my head and sought for the bottle of sake I came to rely on for escape. I quickly stopped, even when I'm dead drunk I think of her. Plus, who knows what I'll do once I'm drunk anyway, and there's the hangover to deal with. Darn! Now I can't even drink without thinking of her! That's just perfect, I've reduced myself to a lovesick ex-pirate that is obsessed over the last girl on the planet, anyone would have expected. Oh well, I guess I should go and report to Sun Quan, I was supposed to be awake two hours ago. I pulled out my right hand and pulled myself up. I swayed a bit, but caught my balance on one of the poles holding up the tent. I opened the tent flap and walked out into the blazing sunshine. It was hot today. It had been for a while. I walked along the path that was made by the many tents set side-by-side. Now where was Sun Quan's tent? I searched my memory and I found I had no idea! Oh! Just great Gan Ning, this is what happens when you get involved with a girl. I looked around for clues, and retraced my steps a little. Oh man is this embarrassing! I soon came across Zhou Yu, who was walking with Zhuge Liang and discussing some battle plan that probably involved me arriving in the nick of time to save the day. Yeah I wish, but it could happen! Zhou Yu saw me out of the corner of his eye and smiled.
"Good Morning, Gan Ning! Have a nice sleep? It sure was long enough!"
"As a matter of fact, Zhou Yu, I hardly slept at all!"
"Ah yes, very sorry. I lost sleep as well when I first met my wife, Xiao Qiao. How about you Zhuge Liang?"
"Of course! Yue Ying, may not be that much to look at, but she was in my eyes."
What are these guys talking about? I'm not married! Oh yeah, I forgot, some idiot blabbed and the whole camp knows about my feelings for Diao Wan. Now, I know how she felt. Well, maybe not exactly, because she does hate me. Better say something, even though I don't mind that much. I grabbed the two strategists and pulled them in close.
"Ok, first of all, I have no idea what your talking about. I'm not married, nor pledged to marry anyone. I don't have feelings for any girl. Are we clear?"
"Oh sure, Gan Ning, you expect us to believe that after you kiss Diao Wan!"
"Oh shut up! Do you guys know where Sun Quan is?"
"I believe he is with Sun Jian, along with Liu Bei. When are also on our way to meet them. Follow us."
I released them and followed about two steps behind them. Sun Jian and Liu Bei had arrived two days ago and had agreed with Zhuge Liang's plan to form alliance in order to destroy Wei. The meeting had also included a huge screaming fight between the two emperors. They literally had to be held back to prevent them from brutally slaughtering one another. Now, they talked and laughed like old friends. Sheesh! I wonder what this meetings about? Probably about some attack plan to use on Wei. Ooo, fun.
(Outside of camp - Diao Wan's POV)
'Great! Guard duty! Being a minor officer sucks. Oh well, at least I didn't have to listen to Liu Bei and Sun Jian pretend to like one another.' I was on the back of Storm Runner, my horse. I was fingering fingered his flaxen mane in between my fingers. I was circling circled the camp about twenty yards away watching out for any sign of enemy soldiers or scouts. I got up early today and was put on watch by Zhuge Liang. He was really paranoid about Wei attacking us, I guess Sima Yu is to blame for that. 'Why is it so hot?!' My clothes were damp and sticking to my skin. Storm Runner's usual reddish coat was darkened with sweat. The only relief from the sun was the occasional shadow from a cluster of trees and maybe a breath of cold air off the distant mountains. I had been out here since early morning, and it was now mid-afternoon. 'I hope my replacement comes soon.' I looked around for any sign of life, and the answer was the same as it had been all morning: nope, nada, nothing. I urged on Storm Runner with a nudge of my heel. I went on, doing what I had been doing for the last five hours, patrolling. I heard an approaching horse, and turning my head in the direction of the sound I spotted Ling Tong of Wu. He was trotting up to me. I halted and turned Storm Runner around towards him.
"Lady Wan! I am to relive you!" he shouted, still several yards off.
"Finally! Took Zhuge Liang long enough," I muttered to myself.
I gave Ling Tong what I had seen that morning: a bird, two hawks, a rabbit, sky, bushes, the occasional tree, three rocks, and tons of flies. He laughed and rode off, leaving me to go back to camp. I dismounted, preferring to walk, after my five hours in the saddle. Just as I was half way to camp I heard the low thunder of many horses galloping. I looked around, nothing. I mounted Storm Runner, and trotted him around. The noise got louder, but I couldn't see at thing. I heard another horse on my right. I loosened my sword in its sheath, this could get ugly if it was who I thought approaching. I swung around, and met a very surprised Ling Tong.
"Ah! Lady Diao, I heard distant thunder, but not a cloud streams the sky!"
"Yes, Sir Ling that is not normal thunder. 'Tis the thunder of hooves. Go warn the others, it may be Wei."
"Good Idea, but won't you be facing them alone?"
A giant dust cloud could be seen the distance now, approaching us form the west. Someone needed to warn the others. Ling Tong had the fresher horse, but Storm Runner is the swiftest. I should go, besides I needed my bow.
"Ling Tong, hold them till I return. I will go."
"WHAT! ME!"
I turned and galloped away, not bothering to answer. Wei was vastly approaching, good thing Ling Tong came when he did. 'May the Lord be with you now Ling Tong, and may speed guide the legs of my horse!' Storm Runner was now at top speed and had reached the outer part of camp, he was running and dodging soldiers like his life depended on it. In away, all our lives depended on the speed of my horse right now. I reached the small tent in the middle of the camp, jumped off Storm Runner and plowed through the closed tent flap. The surprised faces of many of my fellow officers as well as Wu greeted me. Zhuge Liang rushed over to me, looking at me questionably.
"Wei is attacking to the West. Ling Tong is holding them off. My horse was fastest," I gasped.
Immediately understanding, they all grabbed their weapons and ran out of the tent to gather their own horses and troops. All that remained was Gan Ning. He walked over to me.
"Show me, I'll follow you," he said as he walked out the door.
He mounted my horse and pulled me up after him. I pointed to the huge cloud of dust that was now right next to the camp. He kicked Storm Runner into action and set off into the mass chaos of the camp. We plowed through, having to dodge and go through a maze of tents before reaching Ling Tong. He was warding off about twenty units and having a hard time of it. Gan Ning jumped off and drew his sword. He was going after the troops that had avoided Ling Tong. I pulled up Storm Runner and looked for the nearest officer. I didn't see of them, that's funny. Usually they come up and try to slice my head off, it was almost as if the troops had acted on their own. I looked one last time, then turned around and followed Gan Ning in stopping the units that were headed for camp. I drew my sword and slowed down Storm Runner. Got to give him a rest. I let my sword clear a path, helping out Storm Runner. These Wei troops are harder to fight than the pirates and sailors I was used to. Fighting on ground is a lot easier than on a boat thou, so it wasn't too much of a disadvantage. I heard shouting to my left and turned to see that Zhuge Liang had finally got some troops out here to help. Gan Ning was having more fun than difficulty. He injured each one, knocking them dead or unconscious with his huge Pirate Sword. Personally, I disliked the bigger swords, limited flexibility, movement, and speed. I had my Phoenix Sword. Its handle was carved into the shape of a head and wings of a phoenix. The blade was etched lightly with flame like designs. It once belonged to Captain Tamahori, I sort of borrowed it after he died. It never let me down.
"Lady Diao! Where are you?" someone called over the noise.
"Over here," I called back.
Mei, Mei Mei, and Li came running up beside me. They had their swords drawn and their armor on. I smiled down at them, and nodded my thanks. Storm Runner slowed his stride in exhaustion. He was getting tired. I decided it would be easier on both of us, mainly him, to dismount and fight on the ground. Pulling him to a halt and jumping off, and landed on an unsuspecting private from Wei. I was soon attacked by Aa massive amount of troops soon attached me., which aA quick jump and a several swings quickly took care of that thouthem. While defending and delivering blows, I looked around for the other officers. I saw that almost every officer was here was now mobilized and defeating Wei. The Wei officers still hadn't shown. This was extremely odd. I fenced off and defeated a Wei Captain whose unit was attacking me, my bodyguards finishing off the privates. Turning around, I spotted Zhuge Liang several yards to my south. I started making my way over to him, which became easier the farther I went. The combined forces of Wu and Shu were easily driving back Wei. I reached Zhuge Liang and he looked down at me questionably.
"What brings you over here, Lady Diao?" he asked.
"Well Sir, I have noticed that none of the Wei officers are present. Do you have any idea where they might be?" I replied.
He turned his gaze away from me and looked out onto the battlefield. He squinted, as if trying to see something far off. I followed his gaze, but I didn't spot anything suspicious. He turned to me. He had a confused look on his face, like when you get stumped on a question on your math test.
"Lady Diao, sadly I do not know either," he confessed.
"Do you want me to do anything?" I asked.
Suddenly, I heard a loud crash behind me. I whipped around to find the farther end of camp on fire. Zhuge Liang noticed this as well.
"Lady Diao, get as many men as you can to put out that fire! I just found our missing officers!" he ordered.
"Aye!" I replied, running to find another officer, and something to carry water.
(Gan Ning's POV - about ten minutes later)
"TAKE THAT WEI SCUM!" I yelled as I kicked an enemy private in the gut, sending him several feet away on top of his comrades.
'This is so much fun!' I was having loads of fun. I always did in a fight. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and turned to see Diao Wan. She removed her hand and pointed behind her. I followed her gesture to see half the camp on fire.
"We need to move quickly, Wei has set the camp up in smoke," she ordered.
"Well, I think that's stating the obvious. Let's go boys!" I said to my men.
She turned on her heel and ran full speed away, and I quickly followed her. Apparently, she had already had gotten Zhao Yun and several of his men to help her put out the fire. Buckets filled with water where being dumped onto the raging flames that were feeding they're way throughout the camp. I picked up my pace and came along stride her.
"So, I guess that's where the Wei officers are?" he asked.
"Good guess," she snapped back.
"Have you spotted any?" I asked.
"No, unfortunately, that's what I ran and got you for. Zhao Yun can handle the fire, but I'm not going into that smoke alone," she said as she ran through the chaos of the fire.
"So you want me to be your backup?" I asked.
"Right on target. You where the closest officer to the camp, it would of taken too long to get anyone else," she sighed.
"I feel so special and loved. So where do we start?" I asked as we entered the chaos of the flames and the debris of the camp.
She stopped and shielded her eyes of the heat with her hand. She looked around searching for any sign of an enemy officer, or any enemy for that matter. The blazing heat of the fire surrounded us, the white tents that had been there this morning where now black with smoke and ash. The roar of the fire was almost deafening.