This is a continuation of the flashback chapters! thanks for that generous review aquamarine! it was really nice :)! know that because your review was supportive, this chapter is going up so soon :)! anyway! read and enjoy :)!

Chapter 3- Dinner for Two

Seven Months Ago-

Sun Ce was staring.

"Here's the plan of attack brother! First we will get her to come eat with us for dinner... then I will have to suddenly leave on urgent matters, leaving you two alone. This is perfect! A brilliant strategy!"

Sun Ce couldn't believe what Zhou Yu was telling him. For one thing, Zhou Yu was talking about this dinner with Da Qiao as some sort of battle. 'Is trying to date a girl like a battle?', Sun Ce thought to himself. 'Are all these strategies necessary? Oh God, I hope he isn't trying to kill her with some sneak attack or something.'

"Zhou Yu... You know this is just a dinner right? I hardly think we need to have a plan of attack."

"Oh but brother! I want this to work out perfectly for you! Plus you've never really eaten with a girl before..."

"That's not true! I've eaten with my sister plenty of times!"

"Yes, but your sister is family..."

"Yeah well, I've eaten with girls during meal time as well!"

"Yes, yes. But brother, when you were with these girls, have you ever had an interest in one of them, and attempted to take it further?"

Sun Ce looked away, breaking eye contact with Zhou Yu for the first time since this whole debacle started.

"Well no but-"

"Exactly brother! Trust me, I know what I am doing. I know more then just battle strategies! I also know the way to a girl's heart as well. You listen to me, and she will fall head over heels for you."

All this talk was starting to make Sun Ce nervous. Sun Ce then smirked and thought, 'I know one day that I will have to lead all of Wu, but this dating thing is ridiculous compared to that!'

"Alright brother. It seems as if it is time for my class. I shall speak to the lady on your behalf. I shall see you afterwards! By your leave."

Zhou Yu bowed and walked out of Sun Ce's room. Sun Ce was all alone now. Perfect. He enjoyed solitude. This is not to say that he wasn't a very sociable or likable person. It was quite the opposite. But being alone meant that he could have time to sort out his thoughts, and think about the "battle" that he would soon be participating in.

The Sun was now setting. It was evening and time for the people of Wu palace to eat their evening meals. The dining hall was packed with people as usual. The remnants of the evening sunlight still shown brightly through the brilliant stained glass, bringing an aura of peace. The dining hall always shown with a brilliant red color in the evenings. Sun Ce would love coming to the mess hall just for the atmosphere. The quality of the food was an entirely different matter. Sun Ce had arrived earlier then usual, and it was all because of this "date". He was certainly nervous. He just had to make a good impression on her.

Sun Ce was sitting alone for a good ten minutes until he heard a familiar voice.

"Ah, there he is. Oh Sun Ce! I have arrived with the young lady!"

'What? They are here already? Alright, I have to be calm... I can do this. This is no different then any other battle... except I'm not supposed to hit her...'

"Oh Zhou Yu! Da Qiao! It's so good to see you two! How have your days been since lunch?"

Zhou Yu spoke first.

"Oh, brother, it was a good day indeed. My classes have filled me with so much knowledge! I certainly feel enlightened! But I mean, it could never compare to your great knowledge!"

Sun Ce was confused. 'Ok... either he's being sarcastic there... or he's genuinely praising me.'

Da Qiao spoke next.

"Oh my! Sun Ce! Are you really smarter then Zhou Yu? That is impressive! I thought Zhou Yu was the smartest man in Wu!"

Sun Ce tried to reply to this, but Zhou Yu would not let him.

"Oh yes! He is a very intelligent man! He is very smart, but also a very strong warrior! Do you know that when we spar, I rarely defeat him? I think I only defeat him because he lets me! Oh what a kind brother he is!"

"Alright Zhou Yu, I don't know what you are getting at bu-"

Zhou Yu put his meal down on the table, and covered Sun Ce's mouth. Then he moved his mouth close to Sun Ce's ear to whisper.

"Brother! I am doing this to make you appealing in her eyes! Believe me this will help you out immensely. You trust me with your life on the battlefield's of war, now trust me with your heart on the battlefield's of love."

Sun Ce had to digest what he had just told him. 'Battlefield's of love...? That has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard. But he does have a point, he has yet to fail me in an actual battle, I guess I should trust him with this aswell.'

Zhou Yu stood back up.

"Now where was I? Oh my, it seems I have been keeping you at your feet lady Da Qiao, how rude of me! please take a seat."

Da Qiao nodded.

"How very kind of you."

Da Qiao took the seat immediately parallel to Sun Ce and began to eat her meal. Zhou Yu then sat to the right of Sun Ce, giddy and eager to give Sun Ce tips on how to win Da Qiao's heart. There was a strange silence. No one was speaking. It was Sun Ce who decided to break the silence after nearly five minutes of no talking.

"So Da Qiao, how were your classes today?"

"Oh my classes? They were okay. Nothing really exciting happened. I guess the only exciting thing was Zhou Yu inviting me to have dinner with you guys!"

"Is that so? Seems like an ordinary day to me."

Sun Ce then give a quick smirk. 'Let's make this day un-ordinary now...'

"So Da Qiao have yo-"

Zhou Yu suddenly stood up.

"Oh my! Just look at the time! I completely forgot I was supposed to beat Sun Quan and spar with him! I must go to him posthaste! By your leave brother, Da Qiao."

Zhou Yu bowed and quickly scurried away.

Sun Ce knew it was time. He decided to take advantage of the situation that Zhou Yu had so perfectly prepared for him.

"Well that was weird! It looks like it's just us two huh Da Qiao."

"Yes, yes it does. Oh well, I've been wanting to get to know you better anyway."

Sun Ce was speechless. 'She wants to know me better? She wants. To know me. Better? Oh Zhou Yu, this is going perfectly!'

"Oh is that so? Well it just so happens that I wanted to get to know you better too."

Just then, Da Qiao noticed a commotion on the left side of the dining hall.

"Oh Sun Ce look! They are giving out henna over there!"

"Henna? What's that?"

"Oh you don't know? Sorry I'm well traveled, I tend to forget not everyone knows what I do! Henna is sort of like a tattoo, except that it goes away after a few days. Let's go get some henna!"

"Uh, sure! Sounds like um... fun!"

Da Qiao stood up, and grabbed Sun Ce's arm, bringing him to his feet.

'Zhou Yu what is this? I sure hope you planned on this happening, because otherwise I'm in the dark...'

The two walked over to where the henna was being distributed. There was a line, and it seems that Sun Ce was sixteenth inline and Da Qiao would be seventeenth.

'This gives me time to learn about her! Let's see what I can do with this situation.'

"So Da Qiao, you said you've done henna before?"

"Oh yes, quiet a few times actually. It's fun to do! And it's not permanent so you don't really have to worry about what you choose!"

Sun Ce then tensed up. 'Alright Sun Ce, you can do this.'

"So tell me about yourself Da Qiao! We have a lot of time to kill until it's our turn, might aswell learn about each other right?"

'Smooth'

"Well actually. I'd like to talk about myself, but I have a more pressing matter on my mind."

'A more pressing matter huh? Maybe she's madly in love with me and just doesn't know how to ask me out!'

"Oh a pressing matter you say? What could possibly be on your mind?"

"Well over the past few months, my friend and I, we have been sending letters back and fourth to each other."

'A friend? I hope she doesn't mean boyfriend...'

"I see... Go on."

"Yes well, last I heard from her, she was very ill, and it seemed that her parent's, especially her mother, seemed to be ignoring her symptoms. They believe she is faking! Can you believe that?"

'Her! Okay! this is good! Wait no no bad! Parent's ignoring their child's illness?'

"Faking an illness? How could parent's possibly be so cruel!"

Da Qiao's voice for some reason began to quiver, and tears formed in her eyes.

"Oh but it get's worse! It could be a terminal disease! Her mother has always been mean to her! It's just not fair! It's only because she is the younger sister!"

"Da Qiao... this is terrible! When was the last time you've heard from her?"

Da Qiao was almost sobbing at this point.

"Well the thing is... I usually receive a letter from her every month! But this month... I haven't received anything! Its almost been two months now! I keep sending her letters, but no replies! I hope all is alright with her!"

Sun Ce saw an opportunity to quell the crying girl. And He extended his arm out and put his hand delicately on her shoulder. Da Qiao then made a noise that sounded like a squeek.

"EEEEEK!"

Da Qiao threw Sun Ce's arm off of her.

'Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt her?'

"I'm sorry Sun Ce! It's just that father told me never to let a man touch me unless I am married to them!"

"Oh, sorry Da... I understand. It's no big deal! And I'm sure your friend is doing fine!"

Before Sun Ce could continue, someone called out.

"Number sixteen! You're up!"

"Oh I'm sorry Da Qiao, but it seems to be my turn! Please excuse me!"

Sun Ce went up and proceeded to get a henna tattoo of the terms, "Loyalty", "Trust", and "Hope" on his right arm. Once Sun Ce was done he came back and showed Da Qiao. She was delighted to see the henna, and proceeded to go up for her turn. Da Qiao decided upon getting a rose on her right arm. The two were enjoying each other's company. They talked some more and learned more about each other. After an hour or so, they decided to leave.

"That was fun Da Qiao! We must do something like this again!"

"Oh yes Sun Ce! I would very much like that!"

The two were about to exit the dining hall until Sun Ce saw Sun Quan and Taishi Ci together.

Sun Ce was expecting Quan to call out to him, but something else entirely happened.

"Oh look, it's Da Qiao! Taishi Ci, meet Da Qiao. She is a very pretty lady, and a very single lady!"

Sun Ce and Da Qiao both stared at Sun Quan, astonished by what he said.

'Sun Quan! Can't you see that I am with her! Why would you say something like that!'

Da Qiao felt the need to break the awkward silence.

"Aha.. Um yes... It's nice to see you too Sun Quan... but I was just on my way out... so bye!"

Da Qiao quickly grabbed Sun Ce and jerked him away from Quan and Taishi Ci. The two left and walked towards the main entrance to the palace.

Da Qiao and Sun Ce reached the entrance of the palace. It was a gigantic room. The walls were teal with green streaks breaking through the color. Red rubies adorned all of the many columns. Everyone remarked on the fantastic craftsmanship that went in to the many columns. 'How many columns were there?' Sun Ce thought. Ever since he was a kid, he would count the columns on his way back to the palace. there were fifteen columns. These columns were all put up in December. Many people referred to the main entrance as 12/15. The twelve signifying the month, and the fifteen signifying the amount of columns. But these columns were not in his or Da Qiao's mind. She was furious.

"The nerve of that Sun Quan! He could have just said hello to me, or introduce me to that man... but no! He had to mention that I am single!"

Sun Ce saw an opportunity to gain her favor.

"That was! It's not his right to be going around recommending you to other men!"

Da Qiao nodded.

"I completely agree! It's not like I'm looking for a boyfriend anyway!"

'This is it... This is how I will get her to date me'

"Yeah. You've probably had plenty in the past anyway!"

"The past... Actually, I've never dated anyone before."

'Never dated anyone before? Could this be anymore more perfect?'

"Oh really? You're so pretty, I can't believe you've never dated anyone before? Were you just not interested in anyone?"

Da Qiao looked away for Sun Ce.

"It's... Well... I mean... It's not that I haven't had interest in anyone... It's just father... He won't allow me to date anyone even if I wanted to."

Sun Ce stopped breathing. 'No.. NO NO NO! This can't be!'

"Oh... That's too bad."

"I mean it's not all that bad! I mean sure I have liked a guy here or there. But I've never really loved any, so It could be worse! Don't feel bad for me!"

'Alright Zhou Yu. Way to tell me this beforehand... What kind of tactician are you if you can't even get your intel right? I thought you knew her.'

Da Qiao looked back at Sun Ce. She looked straight into his eyes as if it were piercing his heart, piercing his soul.

"Sun Ce. You seem like a great guy. I've gotten to know you a lot this evening. The problem is... Almost every guy that I become really close to always tries to date me. And quiet honestly, we've become very close, very fast. Promise me you wont."

'This can't get any worse... What do I say? Do I agree? Do I decline? What would Zhou Yu do! You know what, forget what he would do! He's the one that got me into this situation in the first place!'

"Uh... Sure Da Qiao! I promise you!"

"You're not the first to say it like that...The last person that said it like that ended up falling in love with me too, and he eventually asked me out..."

"Hmm, how about I swear that I wont? Anyone say that?"

"Yes... and they fell in love with me and tried to date me too..."

'I've got an idea...'

"Alright. How about I show you."

"What do you mean show me?"

"I'll prove it to you. I'll show you that I wont fall in love with you."

"Well no one has ever said that before... Alright Sun Ce! I'll let you 'show' me!"

"Not just that Da Qiao. How about you become my sworn sister as well? Zhou Yu is my sworn brother! We could all become really good friends!"

"Oh do you truly mean it Sun Ce?"

"Of course I do! You've become such a good friend Da Qiao. It feels like I can really trust you..."

With hearing that statement, Da Qiao gave a gorgeous smile.

"Oh my, it is nearly time for me to sleep! I have classes early in the morning! Goodnight... brother!"

Sun Ce smiled.

"Goodnight sister!"

And with that, Da Qiao left. Sun Ce was alone...

This chapter ended up being longer then I thought it would be! I bet I tricked some of you readers there. After reading chapter one, you guys probably thought Da Qiao and Sun Ce just fell in love with each other and started dating. Well now you know that you were wrong haha! Sun Ce is in quite the predicament now isn't he? Keep reading to see if he can win her heart or not! Rather, how he does! Til next time!