Pursuit
Chapter 3
By Yukira

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. (Disclaimers are pointless, because if there are stories at FanFiction.net, you know that the characters don't belong to you.)

Author's Notes: Hahaha! It is I, Yukira! And I've returned from the brink of insanity (but am I still crazy? Yes!)! Well, the usual. This is Chapter 3 and I realize that I've been neglecting my other fanfics but I'll update those soon as well.

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Sun Ruan buried her face into a pillow that was inside her room.

"I don't really belong here." She thought. "Zhang He was only going easy on me, and the sword doesn't belong to me. Zhao Yun's fighting strategies don't either. I'd better leave now."

Sun Ruan was in the hall way and was about to go see Cao Cao until she heard a loud splashing sound from the room next to hers.

Sun opened the door and saw a small girl of about 14 years desperately trying to mop up a puddle of hot water. Sun crouched over and began to help her.

"You should be joining her," interrupted a haughty voice. Sun Ruan turned around to see the female officer smirking at her. "That's all you're good for, anyways. Maybe not."

Sun stood up and turned around to face the officer. "And who might you be? Another maid?"

The officer just frowned. "How dare you speak to me like that!? I could get your ass kicked out of here anytime I want!"

"So who the hell are you?" demanded Sun Ruan.

"Zhen Ji, wife of Cao Pi, the heir to Lord Cao Cao's throne." She promptly answered. "And who are you?"

Sun just ignored her. Zhen Ji walked away.

Sun Ruan shifted her attention back to the girl. "Is she always like that?"

The girl grinned at Sun. "Yeah. She slaps us too. But I've gotten used to it. We even get revenge."

"Does she ever catch you?"

"No." replied the girl. "She's too stupid."

When the girl left, Sun saw a large tub filled with hot water. Locking the door, she removed her clothes and began to bathe.

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Sun got out of the tub and wrapped herself with a small white towel. She folded her cheongsam and slid it into a drawer.

Sun Ruan sneaked into her room and closed the door. Sighing she was about to drop her towel until she heard the door open.

Zhang He stood timidly at the door, blushing. "Sorry, I didn't mean-I should've knocked! Sorry!"

Sun Ruan turned around, still clad in nothing but a towel wrapped around her.

Sun blushed as well. "Uh, that's okay, really. It was an accident."

Zhang He handed her a small scroll. "Our strategist, Sima Yi told me to give this to you."

Sun Ruan took the scroll and opened it up. She read silently: New recruit, please attend a meeting taking place tomorrow morning.

Sun laughed. "Why couldn't he just tell me in person?"

Zhang He grinned. "He is a pompous idiot, but an average strategist."

Sun Ruan laughed at this and handed him back the scroll. "See you tomorrow morning."

Zhang He made a parody of a salute, then walked back to his room down the hall.

Sun Ruan closed her door and changed into one of her silk robes behind a silken screen. Suddenly, someone opened the door.

"Zhang He?" called out Sun from behind the silken screen.

Sun looked out from behind the screen. The person was none other than a fuming Zhen Ji.

"So what? You think he actually likes you? Well you're wrong!" screamed Zhen Ji.

Sun Ruan glanced at her curiously with one eyebrow raised. "Zhang He liking me? He just dropped of a scroll, that's all. Hey! I thought you were married already? What's the deal?"

Zhen Ji stood there, her mouth open in terror. "You-you don't understand!" she cried and with that, she slammed Sun's door shut and ran.

Sun Ruan sat on her bed for a moment. Confused from Zhen Ji's actions, she lay on her bed until she finally fell asleep.

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The morning light shone from the window and woke Sun. Sun Ruan looked in the mirror and stared at her face. Her eyes were filled with tears, as if she'd been crying for a while. Sun gently wiped them away with her sleeve and changed into a blue cheongsam.

Sun walked into the hallway after closing the door to her room.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!" laughed a man's voice, scaring Sun Ruan.

Zhang He dropped to the floor in laughter and Sun stared at him, faintly annoyed.

Sun Ruan walked past him. Zhang He caught up with her. "The meeting room," he said, "is this way. Follow me."

On the way to the meeting room, which was far away from Sun's room, Sun Ruan spoke up. "So is this your way of greeting new recruits?"

Zhang He pretended to look thoughtful. "Yes and no."

"I don't get it."

Zhang He laughed. "Me neither."

Zhang He opened a door. This was the meeting room. At a large, narrow table, only Sima Yi and Cao Cao were seated.

"New recruit-" began Sima Yi but Cao Cao elbowed him.

"Err, I meant Mai Li. Uh, well, we are going to engage in battle with the Wu forces very soon and-"

"And?"

"Well, we were wondering if you would mind sharing a tent with General Zhang He, we are running out of material to make tents."

"No," replied Sun Ruan. "I don't mind."

Behind them, Zhen Ji burst into the room. "WHAT!? I can't believe you!" and with that, she stormed off.

Zhang He looked surprised. "Uh, well, that was certainly.weird."

Sun just stared curiously at the spot where Zhen Ji had stood.

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A bit short, no? Just Review!