Ch. 30

Well its about frickin' time, neh? Sorry guys, the I-Don't-Feel-Like-It-Right-Now-I'll-Get-To-It-Later-I-Swear disease caught up with me again, plus, I had massive amounts of homework, so that's why me no type. Anyhoo, this'll be a Lu Xun chapter, because…well, because he's just so adorable, I decided to give him his own chapter.

Lu Xun: "That's right, I am adorable! I'm the cutest character in the whole darn DW series. Not even Xiao Qiao can compete with my cuteness!"

Providence Crow: "Hush, you! You're not supposed to be in my A/N! Shoo, or I'll sell you to a prostitution ring to become some creepy old guy's sex slave!"

Lu Xun: "You would not."

Providence Crow: "I would. And the creepy old guy would be Zhang Jiao, the insane Yellow Turbans dude."

Lu Xun: "MEEP!" ((flees))

That's better. Now, on with the fic!

Disclaimer: "I just wanna be loved, that's all! Just to be loved! Oh, and I also want to sacrifice small children to unseen forces of evil. IS THAT SO WRONG? HUH?"

Lu Xun yawned and rolled over, expecting to feel Gan Ning's warmth next to him. He opened his eyes when he found nothing.

"Gan Ning?" The pirate froze in mid-motion, pants only halfway pulled up.

"Xun," he said, "I…I didn't want to wake you. I was just…gonna get breakfast." The boy sat up, untangling himself from the sheets and crawling to the edge of the bed, settling in front of Gan Ning. He waited for him to finish pulling his clothes on before leaning forward and hugging him around the waist, pressing his face against the older man's tan, muscular, abdomen. He could tell that Gan Ning was startled at first, but after a minute, he felt a large, rough hand stroking his hair.

"You can wake me up next time, okay, Ning? I'd rather wake up early than alone." He looked up at Gan Ning and beamed, eyes shining with adoration. He felt sort of silly, like a schoolgirl fawning over a crush, but he couldn't help it-- he really liked the man. "Nobody likes to wake up alone, kid." The general ruffled Lu Xun's hair as he spoke, though his eyes seemed troubled, and he stared into space distractedly.

"Can we go to the dining hall together, Ning?" Gan Ning nodded, still staring over his head. Lu Xun was concerned, now; he'd just given up his virginity, and it seemed Gan Ning was already losing interest in him. He was terrified at the prospect of simply being used when he wanted so desperately to be loved. He clung tighter to the pirate's waist, feeling a hollow panic rising in his throat. "Can I sit with you while you eat?" His voice cracked with emotion, and finally, Gan Ning seemed to take notice.

"Sure, kid. Hey-" a hand gently tilted Lu Xun's chin upward, and Gan Ning stared into his eyes with warm concern. "What's wrong, huh?" The boy's lower lip quivered slightly as he whispered, "I shouldn't have slept with you. You aren't interested in a relationship at all, are you? You…you just wanted—" Gan Ning tried to cut him off with a kiss, but Lu Xun pulled away. "Don't, Ning. Please, don't toy with me." He was fighting tears now, and losing.

"Lu Xun, c'mon, don't be like that… I'm not gonna use you, all right? I respect you too much. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, you know that." He held out his hand, and the strategist stared at it mistrustfully. "Promise?" the young man asked, voice small and scared. Gan Ning smiled tenderly at him. "I promise," he said, and grinned as Lu Xun took his hand and threw himself at Gan Ning, wrapping his arms ardently around the tattooed neck. "Alright, kid, let's get you dressed and get some food in you. You had a rough night."

Lu Xun's only response was to sigh happily and hug him even tighter.

Ta-daa! That's it for this chappie! Cute, neh? The next chapter is Gan Ning's, and I think it will prove to be most interesting, as we'll get his perspective on the situation. Also, another major plot point develops, and more Sun family hilarity. Keep an eye out for Ling Tong, all-mighty lord of sarcasm. Good news for Shu fans—The guys and gals in green will definitely be showing up. Got some big parts for Jiang Wei and Yue Ying, and we'll definitely be seeing some Guan Ping + Xing Cai. Gonna see if I can somehow work Wei Yan in there, if only because he amuses me. Shout outs: KisakiQueenie and Desdemona321, as well as all my regular reviewers, of course. Man, there sure are getting to be a LOT of you guys! Thanks for showin' your love, people! Wanna know something weird? I wrote this chapter while listening to German techno…Oo

P.s.- Don't worry I didn't sell Lu Xun into sexual slavery…yet. If he interrupts again, though, I just might…Any prospective buyers out there? And yes, Kisaki, Sima Yi was rather cute in the previous chapter. In a very…odd…anti-social sort of way.