Reuniting (Gan Ning)

[Nohime]

Nohime had arrived in Wu for the second time a week ago. She had decided to set up a permanent residence here...that is, at least as soon as she could afford a home. For now, she had to make do with a tiny tent. Not a night when by that she didn't think about the man she loved. She still couldn't believe that she had fallen for him in that one night. There was just something about him...she couldn't put her finger on what it was. She retrieved the note that he had left her that morning. She had read it at least once every night before she slept. She hoped that Gan Ning would arrive in Wu sometime soon and pledge his allegiance to this kingdom.

There was a doubt in her mind, though. What if he had fallen out of love while he was gone? What if he found someone else? She hoped to the Gods this wasn't true. Before she knew it, she began to hear chatter outside her tent. It was people speaking of someone en route to Wu. Could it be Gan Ning? Her heart began to beat faster. Quickly, she combed her hair and put on her formal outfit. She wanted to see him and see him soon.

Quickly, she exited her tent and wondered through the main camp. She was trying to find the best vantage point to try and see who it was that was coming here. She began to panic in anticipation. She had to see him arrive, she just had to!

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning traveled far to get back to his love. He made a few stops, but they were necessary. He had to get whoever (if anyone) was following him off him. He couldn't bring back someone to his love, it would be hard. He soon came across the encampment and walked on, he would find his love. He wore a dark cloak, luckily the weather was alright and the hood was down. Only his face was showing.

Gan Ning had thought about Nohime every day. She was always on his mind. How could he feel about this way, he often asked himself. He really didn't know. His heart just felt right with her. The night they had, wasn't just sex, but it was connecting. They didn't talk as much as he would have liked, but what they learned of each other, he grew to love her.

He walked along the road to Wu quietly, he smiled, soon, he thought, soon I will be with her again. I'll ask her to marry me. He smiled at the thought and grinned widely, I hope she says yes. His heart pounded, he was going to see her again.

[Nohime]

Finally! Nohime thought to herself as she found the vantage point she would need. Well, it was a little different than that. As she had been walking around, looking frazzled, a soldier had asked her what she was doing.

"I'm looking for some way to get a view of the road that leads here," she told the soldier. "Do you know of any place that I can get to?"

The soldier appeared to think for a moment. "Come with me, I'll take you to the lookout post. That's were we pretty much watch for anything suspiscious." With that, he ushered her along until they came to a slim set of stairs. They quickly climbed to the top where they could look over the edge. Nohime's eyes looked all around, desparate to find any trace of Gan Ning. Eventually, she spotted a cloaked man. He was walking alone, making a direct path down the road to the main camp.

She felt like her heart was about to leap out of her chest. Was it him? Truly? Was Gan Ning coming here now? After a second or two of debating with herself, she ran down the steps and wondered close to the entrance to the camp, but also far away. She didn't want to seem too eager, especially if it turned out that it wasn't Gan Ning. She tried to blend into the small crowd, but she couldn't. She kept glancing at the entrance, trying to see if the man was getting any closer. Boy was she in for a surprise.

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning entered the camp but immediately he felt someone's eyes on him. He grew paranoid, did they know? He looked around without acting suspicious and but didn't see where the look was coming from. He however didn't see Nohime. He continued forward slowly, his hand swaying to his sword.

After he arrived in the middle of the camp he stood quietly and looked around. A guard asked him, "Excuse me sir, are looking for something?"

Gan Ning shook his head, "I am only observing." He wanted to see if Nohime was here first. He didn't want to be too crazed to find her. Or did he? He didn't know but his heart was pounding. She should be here. He thought, what if she didn't love him? What if she left? What if she got tired of waiting? His heart ached, he needed to see her now. It had been too long.

[Nohime]

Nohime watched as the cloaked man entered the camp. She couldn't see his face, but he did seem to be looking for something. Then a guard came up to him and said something. She couldn't hear them. She was too far away. She shook her head. How was she going to get anywhere in life if she didn't take the initiative? She quickly walked away from the crowd and close to the cloaked man. Soon she was in his line of vision, but she still couldn't see his face. She decided to try her best to play it cool. She briefly glanced at the man...and quickly learned she couldn't keep her cool. She sighed.

"Excuse me, sir," she called out. "Could you please remove your hood. I'm sure we would like to see whom we are speaking to."

She hoped so badly that this was Gan Ning. The anticipation was driving her crazy. Her heart was beating and her blood was racing. Please be him... she hoped silently. Please...be him.

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning's heart jumped, without removing his hood. He turned and embraced her, giving her a hug and a kiss. His mind was full of joy. His heart leaped. He let go and looked her in the eyes, he took down his hood and smiled, "Hey viper." And he kissed her again.

It was so good to be around her again. There in teh middle of the camp he kissed her. He was so glad to see her agian. His heart jumped with joy. His mind was filled with happiness. He broke the kiss and put his nose to hers and inhaled like he did the first time they met. He kissed her softly again and smiled, "Hey, my sweet viper. I missed you so much my love."

[Nohime]

Nohime gasped as the man suddenly turned around and hugged her. Then he kissed her! Those lips...that kiss. It was him! He lowered his hood, just to prove her correct. She almost screamed with joy when he smiled at her. She jumped slightly, wrapping her legs around him and wrapping her arms around his neck, supporting herself off the ground. She kissed him back, savoring this moment with every fiber of her being.

This moment was so exhilirating, she just couldn't believe it. She hoped to the Gods this wasn't a dream. It would be a cruel trick if it were. She then felt Gan Ning's nose touch hers and then he inhaled once again. She trembled slightly as it brought back sweet memories. This was no dream; there was no way that it could feel this real if it were. She smiled widely as he spoke.

"I missed you too, Gan Ning," she replied, her voice quivering with joy. "I thought about you every night, hoping you would return to me...no, knowing you would return." She pulled him in for another kiss. She almost felt like she couldn't stop. She pulled away again, looked into his eyes, and stroked his spikey hair. "I was so lonely without you...I felt empty. But now, I feel whole again."

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning smiled as well, totally oblivious of the scene they were making. His heart was complete again, "I missed you too my viper. Every moment I was not with you, I was incomplete, unwhole, alone. I felt dark. But now with you, my heart is happy, I believe now that we are together again, we can do anything." He truly believed that. He didn't think anything could tear them apart.

Should I do it now, he asked himself. But he shook his head. It was too short of a time. But... he couldn't live without her. Being away from her for two weeks proved that. In one day he had completely and utterly fell for her. And he hope she with him. Gan Ning whispered in her ear, "I love you, and I can't live without you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He took a deep breathe and kissed her before he said anything, "Will you marry me?"

[Nohime]

Nohime gasped when she heard his question. Would she marry him? Did he really have to ask? Without a second's hesitation, she pracitcally screamed "YES!" She then attacked his lips with another kiss. She was so happy that he had finally proposed to her. She embraced him tightly. Now they would be together forever. She then finally broke their kiss again and gently laid her head against Gan Ning's forehead. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths.

She then opened her eyes slightly and saw that they had gathered quite a few of onlookers. She couldn't help but giggle slightly then look back into Gan Ning's eyes. "Um...I suppose I should...get down," she laughed as she slide her feet back to the ground. She was still hugging him, reluctant to release him for fear of losing him somehow. "So...how did it go?" she asked, hesitantly. She didn't want to bring up what he had done, but she was a bit curious.

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning laughed happily and spun her around. They were going to to be together forever. He kissed her and smiled. However, he too saw the scene they were making. Gan Ning chuckled, "Yeah my viper."

When she asked him how it went, he smiled darkly, "It was a success. I must say it was due to an unexpected help from a stranger that I was able to do it so cleanly and easily." He pulled her close and kissed her forehead, "I am sorry I left you like I did. I regret it. Now I will say this too you again, I love you. I really do." He kissed her gently.

"Umm why are you out in the camp instead of in the city?" Gan Ning asked curiously.

[Nohime]

"I'm glad you succeeded and I love you too," Nohime replied softly before kissing him lightly. "Also, don't worry about how you left. I'm a big girl, I can handle some things." In all honesty, she still remembered that morning when she woke up without him beside her. It scared her and made her feel empty, but that was before she found the note. The note was all she needed to tide her over until Gan Ning returned. She then thought for a moment, then felt somewhat ashamed. "Well, I can't really afford a home at the moment, so I've simply made my home in the main camp. After all, it would make certain things simpler, such as waiting for you." She giggled slightly, then continued. "But yes, I can't afford a home yet and also, Lord Sun Jian probably doesn't even know I'm here."

Slowly, Nohime's hand glided down to Gan Ning's hand. She held it tightly. "So, where do you want to go today?" she asked him. "Do you want to go into the city? Or do you want to wander around here for a bit?"

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning smiled as she told him her situation, "I see. I cannot afford anything either. Hahahaha" He said laughing loudly. He wasn't sure why he was happy. He hated it when he had no money. But being with Nohime... was intoxicating. He smiled, "Soon we shall go to Sun Jian together."

Gan Ning squeezed her hand slightly, "I wish..." his face fell a little, "I wish to see the seas again. I miss the sight." He in truth smelt the salty sea are as he come upon the camp, it broke back memories of old, of a life he might not ever return to again. Gan Ning looked at Nohime and smiled, "Then we should go into the city."

[Nohime]

Nohime smiled at Gan Ning. She felt bad for him. He wanted to see the seas again, but she knew it was more than that. He missed his previous life on the seas. He wanted to be able to do what he did best again, but he...Wait, there was a possibility he could return to the sea, just not for pirating. Before she could speak, he suggested they go into town. "Of course," Nohime replied, then continued again. "You know, every kingdom needs a navy. I'll bet Sun Jian is looking for just the right person to lead one. What luck he must have to have a former pirate in his midst."

She looked up at him, her eyes glistening as she began to formulate a plan. They were going to go to the town and look around, possibly for a home in the near future. Eventually, Nohime would have to track down the Tiger of Jiang Dong and inform him of her idea to make Gan Ning the head of the navy. Surely the Menace of the Seas would be happy to do what he used to do again, only this time for a more noble cause. But what if he didn't? Just to keep his options open, Nohime added "Of course, if you'd rather not, I don't have to tell him anything."

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning smiled slyly, he picked up his love and kissed her tight, "You are beautiful and smart." Gan Ning smiled and let her down, he grabbed her hand, and looked at her, "You really are the perfect woman for me." He kissed her once more, "I believe the sea is this way."

They walked for am=n hours in mostly silence, but Gan Ning held her hand as if she was the only thing he ever wanted, and she almost was. He only needed her and a ship. Those are the two things he needed. Then, Gan Ning looked back ahead and saw the sea in front of him. It was not far off. He smiled, the beach just ahead of them. He turned to Nohime and he smiled, throwing off his cloak and his shirt and ran forward, right over the sand and he jumped into the water. He laughed and yelled, "Come on in Nohime! The water is great!"

[Nohime]

Nohime was glad that he seemed to agree to her little plan. She then pick her up and kiss her tightly. It was a nice feeling. When he set her down, he grabbed her hand and led her to the shores of Wu. Eventually they arrived there and before she knew it, Gan Ning had thrown off his cloak and shirt and ran into the ocean. She smiled as she saw her fiancee enjoying himself in the water. However, it was at that moment he offered for her to join him in the water.

"Oh, I don't have anything to swim in," she said to him, giggling slightly. But then she thought for a moment. She did have her undergarments. Eventually she shrugged and disrobed herself, leaving on a golden silk brassiere and underwear. She folded up her dress and set it on the beach and stepped out of her sandals. Slowly, she walked into the water. It was surprisingly warm. "Oh my, the water is nice." Finally, she got in so the water was shoulder level. She slowly began to swim to Gan Ning. "I'm not the best swimmer..." she then admitted with a smile.