(A/N): Hey people! Sorry I cut the last part off, it was getting long and not even in the middle yet, so I decided to put 8 into two different parts. I'm feeling a bit like Diao Wan right now, I had surgery on my foot and I'm on crutches (yes my arms hurt like heck). I'm taking forever to make this chapter, so I'm sorry. Ok, before I go: Greetings to my Neopian Friends may your many sword fights be none boring! All right I'm gonna shut up and get on w/ the chap now.
Chapter Eight: Fight for Life and Love/Part 2
"…He didn't show it at first, but he loved her the first day he met her. Now it grows for some odd reason. Here it comes ... another question. It's like telling the screeching howls of the wind at night to stop. They don't ... will his questions haunt him forever? He closes his eyes and replies, "They'll soon quit," but will they? Yes ... they must. There is always at least one answer to bring an exposition to a resolution. He remains tackling the questions awfully slowly, one by one. Just look for the light at the end of the tunnel ... there will be a day they'll all be done." – togr8foru
(Diao Wan's POV – Middle of the place once known as the campground)
I looked around for any signs of life, friend or foe. I had lost my way in all the smoke and debris. Gan Ning was next to me, waiting for my next move and decision. Everything looked so unfamiliar that I had no idea where I was. Gan Ning put his hand on my left shoulder, sending a sudden prickling down my spine. I turned to look at him with a curious glance. 'Is he trying to make a move on me?' He said something I could not hear over the roar of the fire all around us. I motioned to him that I didn't hear.
"I think we should go that way!" he yelled while lifting his hand off my shoulder to point.
I followed his hand with my gaze to where he was pointing. I saw a small pathway between the remains of two tents that headed in the direction we needed to take. I nodded my thanks and made for it, Gan Ning following just behind me. We walked cautiously into the opening and walked along it, watching for enemies and large pieces of debris. The fire was becoming less dense and quieter as we went on. He turned his back to mine and walked backwards in order to watch our tail. He pressed his back into mine, and that prickling feeling came again. This time it was more of a happy, warm, and soothing prickle, instead of the ones that stood your hair up on end. I slowed my pace unknowingly, as if hypnotized by his touch. Gan Ning flung a confused look in my direction for a brief moment. I quickly jerked away and resumed my pace. I could have sworn I saw Gan Ning shake his head and chuckle.
"So warming up to me Diao?" he asked teasingly.
"In your deluded dreams!" I snapped back.
A mischievous twinkle came to the corner of his eye as if he was laughing to himself.
"Diao, you do know your redder than a Wu uniform at the moment, don't you?" he said drawing out the last two words in a sing song voice as he teased me.
I whipped around in front of him and grabbed him by the collar of his vest. I pulled on his collar forcing his 6'7'' of height down level to my face. I looked him straight into his surprised brown-yellow eyes.
"Gan Ning, may I strongly suggest you shut your howling screamer before I shove your sword down your own throat," I said as I glared at him in my most serious face.
I released his collar and pushed him out of the way, my temper slowly rising to the bowling point. He stumbled out of the way in complete surprise, confusion mounted on his face. I smiled slightly, snickering to myself over his sudden embarrassment and loss of his already large ego. I looked forward resuming my position when I saw it, a flash of a shadow, which was followed by a muffled yelp. I quickly jogged in the direction of the yelp and shadow, suspecting a Wei officer. And that's exactly what I found.
Before me was a coughing and cursing Zhang He, who at the moment had no idea I was behind him. I jumped behind a pile of non-burning debris and watched for a moment of opportunity. Zhang He looked around, obviously lost as we had been and not used to the smoke yet, was swiping blindly at everything with his golden claws trying to find his way. He turned his back completely away from me. This was my moment of opportunity. Just as I was about to spring out and attack, Gan Ning jogged up noisily making Zhang He turn around. I quickly grabbed Gan Ning and pulling him out of view by the back of his vest. Spinning around in a 180-degree turn, he lost his balance and fell on top of me, knocking me down as well.
"I almost had him you idiot! Now we have to wait again," I yelled in a whisper.
"Its only a couple lost minutes, no rush here!" he whispered back.
I was just about to make a comeback, when I suddenly realized the position I was in. I was on my back with my legs folded out to my side. My arms where rested on his back from when I pulled him down. He was kneeling on his hands and knees, straddling me between his arms, while his legs where on my other side. I looked into his eyes, which were expecting me to slap, hit, or whack him any moment. I just couldn't help myself…I moved my hands to the back of his head and kissed him straight on the mouth. Surprised, he jerked back a little, but kissed me back. He then used one arm to balance himself, while the other wrapped around my upper back. I suddenly didn't care that Zhang He was there. That I was in the mist of a burning and collapsing camp, or that Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, and all the other officers from Shu and Wu were in the mist of battle with Wei. As long as Gan Ning was there…. I didn't care one bit. Nothing but him was on my mind anymore. I didn't even care that he killed Tamahori so long ago. At the moment, it seemed as if nothing ever happened or existed, past present or future. I-I…was in love.
"As beautiful as this moment might be for you, It is not for me. Which is saying a lot considering that I am, Zhang He," said a distant voice from above me.
Gan Ning slowly pulled away from me. I looked up to see Zhang He had his Golden Claw to Gan Ning's throat. 'No! Not now! Why now of all times!' my mind yelled. I started to move and draw my hands away from Gan Ning's head, but stopped when Zhang He pressed his claw harder on his throat, drawing blood.
"Not one move Diao Wan, or he dies," Zhang He whispered to me as he leaned down on one knee next to me. "You have excellent taste Gan Ning, I can see why you fancy her."
He then stroked his hand over the side of my cheek. He motioned for me to sit up, and I obeyed. I had no choice. Gan Ning's life was at stake. Gan Ning, my love.
A/N: MUHAHAHA! Aren't I just so evil? Yes, Smeagol the Evil! More to come, I hoped you liked the chapter. Sorry it took so long to update, but you know how school is! Homework is insane!