Mulan
Runaway's:
Mulan and her brother Ping have always made mistakes in their lives continuing to dishonor the Hua name. Mulan was always the girl for adventure while Ping was the man for peace and calm. When they hear word of the war springing up Hua Zhou being the man he is decides he will go. Ping crushed by his father not trusting him on going decides to leave trying to prove he can be a warrior like his father was. Mulan not wanting to be left for the shame she has brought goes with Ping after he decides it was the best choice for all of them.
Quick Note: At the matchmaker there will be some changes.
Main Pairing: Hua Mulan/ Li Shang
Chapter 1
Promises were meant to be broken
Seeing the sun rising Ping awoke stretching from his bed. scratching the back of his neck he jumped off the bed ready to start the long-awaited dreadful day. Today was the day both he and Mulan saw the village's matchmaker. Ping knew he didn't want a wife, but tradition was everyone saw the matchmaker at the respectable age of fifteen. Often men waited till they reached a much older age, but in this village it was fifteen.
Dreading the day he got ready before leaving. Wearing his old shirt, slippers, and pants he fixed his hair before going outside. Walking to the garden he stopped as he caught sight of his twin sister. Her gracefulness always surprised him as she kept herself well balance as she hopped on the bridge railing. Sencing him she smirked flipping through the air landing gracefully in front of him.
"Ping you're awake," She whispered.
"So are you Mulan," He responded.
Mulan looked very much like he did only more feminine. There differences were only of a few. While he had a light tan his sister had a lovely pale complexion. Her feet were smaller than his, but most don't notice. His hair only barely reached his shoulders while her was long falling to the tip of her finger tips. His voice was of course deeper, but not overly like most men she had her curves and certain "developments". One other difference between them were of their strange birthmarks. Mulan had a magnolia liliiflora shaped red birthmark on her shoulder while he had a small red shaped dragon on his left arm. Everything else was the same eyes, mouth, nose, height, even most of the time their thoughts were the same.
"Perhaps we should start on those chores," Ping said.
Mulan frowned then said "But we don't have to be at the village for another four hours,"
"One actually." Mulan's eyebrows shot up. "We are to get ready there remember?" Of course not Ping remembered more when to comes to these things.
"Oh no then let's hurry I still need to serve baba his tea," Nodding both set off to finish their chores as quickly as possible. During the feeding time Ping noticed Mulan showing a few of her kung fu moves to little brother. Smiling at her he joined her only to fail miserably by falling at the pond. Both laughing then seeing the time they realized they were running late. Getting the tea for baba Mulan served him while Ping explained they were just leaving right after.
Wishing them luck they quickly hopped on Khan to arrive at the village. There Mama and grand mamma were waiting for both. Mama was staring at them as if they should know better.
"Wow what happened here?" Ping asked looking at the ruckus.
"Ask your grand-mamma," Mama said pushing Mulan into the building where they will be bathed for the special day.
"Ah...Do I even want to know?" Ping asked his grandma.
"Just testing a lucky cricket for your sister," She said before going in. Ping went in too seeing as him and Mulan have seen each other naked many times already.
"This is what you give me to work with," A short plum woman said looking at Mulan's hair. "well honey I've seen worse," She quickly took Mulan's clothes off pushing her into the water.
"Brrr its freezing," She complained.
Ping chuckled at his sister earning a look from his mama.
"It would have been warmer if you were here on time," Mama said. "And Ping I wouldn't laugh you're next,"
"Huh?"
"We're going to turn this sow's ear into a silk purse," The lady said. Ping not realizing she was behind him quickly pushed him into another room where her husband will take over.
"We'll have you, washed and dried primped and polished till you glow with pride just my recipe for instant bride. You'll bring honor to us all," Jingjing said to her washing her hair. similar words were heard from the other room.
Fa Li quickly scrubbed her daughter's skin making sure every mark was off of her. "Mulan what's this?"
"Ah notes In case I forget something," Mulan replied before her mother scrubbed it off her.
"Here hold this. We're going to need more luck than I thought," Grand mamma handed the cricket to her daughter in-law before leaving their building in search for some things.
Fa Li took her daughter out bringing her to Mei and Park to work on her hair.
"Wait and see, when we're through" Mei started.
"Boys will gladly go to war for you," Her sister Park finished.
Tieing her hair up Mei continued speaking "With good fortune-"
"And a great hairdo," Park finished showing Mulan a mirror.
"You'll bring honor to us all. A girl can bring her family great honor in one way by striking a good match and this might be the day," Both sisters said to Mulan.
Mulan was rushed out to have her clothing ready. Ping came out at the same time as she. Both walked behind their mother only stopping at a game played by two elder men. Ping placed a black piece from the game Xiangqi to give the man an advantage. Mulan placed a red piece from the other man winning the game. Hua Li realized her children stopped so went back for both. Pulling them around they went into another building where again they were placed in separate rooms.
Another plump lady came out taking measurements while her partner placed the article of clothing on her.
"Men want girls with good taste," The plump one said.
"Calm," The other said.
"Obedient," Mama told her.
"Who work fast-paced," The thin women also reminded her.
"With good breeding," Hua Li truly couldn't wait till her children brought grandchildren.
"And a tiny waist," The plump women plus her mother tightened her heongsam/qipao a special kimono for this special day.
"You'll bring honor to us all. We all must serve our Emperor. Who guards us from the Huns. A man by bearing arms. A girl by bearing sons," All tried to help her remember her duty as a woman.
Taken again for her last touches of make up she met up with Le another friend of her mothers. "When we're through,You can't fail. Like a lotus blossom, soft and pale. How could any fellow say, "No sale"? You'll bring honor to us all!" Mulan stared at herself in the mirror deciding to have a curl to finish up.
"There you're ready," Her mother placed an orchid come for style on her hair.
"Not yet! An apple for serenity," Grand-mamma came in giving her a snack.
"A pendant for balance," She did the same to Ping placed the pendent where her silk scarf is tied.
"Beads of jade for beauty," Placing a beautiful necklace around her granddaughters neck she continued "You must proudly show it. Now, add a cricket, just for luck, and even you can't blow it!" Mulan thought it was strange to have a cricket placed there, but she knew she needed the luck.
Both Mulan, and Ping stared at each other wishing each other good luck.
Ancestors, hear my plea, help me not to make a fool of me and to not uproot my family tree. Keep my father standing tall. Both had similar thoughts. Mama quickly handed her the umbrella the watched her daughter go along with Ping. A tradition going back many generations the siblings walk together on their day.
"You look good," Mulan told her brother.
"You too," Ping grinned at his beautiful sister. Ping wore a special Kimono all in the colors of white, red and two shades of blue with their families symbols on the back.
"Scarier than the Undertaker,"
"We are meeting our matchmaker!"
"Destiny, guard our girls,help our future as it fast unfurls please look kindly on these cultured pearls,"
"Each a perfect porcelain doll ..."
Whispers could be heard from everyone around almost all worried for their daughters and not their sons.
"Please bring honor to us,"
"Please bring honor to us,"
"Please bring honor to us,"
"Please bring honor to us,"
"Please bring honor to us all!" Everyone who was to see the match maker all prayed right before the women opened their umbrellas to kneel while the men kneeled with one leg right next to their sisters.
Doors opened revealing a huge woman. The women took her pen out of her hair reading her board. "From the Hua family Ping and Mulan,"
Mulan's POV
"From the Hua family Ping and Mulan,"
Hearing our names we both said out loud "Present!" Causing many to wince.
"Speaking without permission," Clicking her tongue she turned motioning them to follow.
"Oops," I said while Ping looked like he already predicted his future.
Walking in the doors shut loudly behind us, but before I thought I heard grand-mamma say "Who spit in her bean curd?"
The matchmaker motioned us to separate facing each other about ten feet away. Walking around me she shook her head saying "Too skinny ... not good for bearing sons," She turned facing Ping. I motioned a fist at her making Ping chuckle.
Raising her eyebrows at him she faced me then him again walking around "Too short...very little muscle or none at all...not good for protecting China," What is this an interview for the war?
Seeing a flash I saw the good luck cricket trying to run off. Giving a silent "Eep" I tried catching it then quickly placed him in my mouth as the matchmaker faced me again. Ping seeing the thing was trying to hold in his laugh. Giving a quick glare at him I pulled my fan out trying to spit the bug out.
"Recite the Final Admonition," She told me.
"Mmm-hmm-hmm," I tried to get the flavor out.
"Well?"
Seeing Ping he tried catching the bug while I said it "Fulfill your duties, calmly and ...," I tried to remember when I saw Ping mouth the next lines "Um, reflect before you ... snack. Act! This shall bring you honor and glory," I fanned myself faster trying to ease my nerves.
Suddenly grabbing my arm she looked at the fan trying to see if I was cheating. Nodding her head she then asked Ping "Recite Xun Zi on man,"
Ping gulped holding his hands behind his back clearing his throat "If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward..." This time I mouthed the words to him "through which he opens the way to instruct others,"
Nodding at him she turned to the table "This way. Now, pour the tea. To please your future in-laws, you must demonstrate a sense of dignity and refinement. You must also be poised," I walked to the table while Ping stood seeming awkward.
Pouring the tea like mama showed me I then noticed the cricket in the tea. Facing Ping he stared at his hands seeming to notice the bug wasn't in his hands.
"Um, pardon me ..." I tried only to have her glare down at me.
"And silent!" She told me rudely.
"Wait Miss shouldn't the man drink first," Ping said.
"Not you the in-laws now silence," She also glared at Ping sniffing the cup. "Ahh"
"Could I just take that back? One moment ...," I tried to grab for the cup. She struggled with me causing the tea to fall on her and the cricket hopping in her dress.
"Why, you clumsy! ... Oh! Ah! Woo!" Staring wide-eyed at her both Ping and I snapped back in to help her with her dress smoking as she fell on coal. Looking around I used my fan to help her cool down, but the dress burst into flames. "AHHH!"
Running out she screamed "Put it out! Put it out! PUT IT OUT!"
Ping came out along with me throwing the tea on her. I had my sleeves covering my face in embarrassment with Ping nervously asking "So did we pass?"
Mama and grand-mamma came to us when the matchmaker started screaming "You two are a DISGRACE! You may look like a bride, and you may be Hua Zhou son, but the two of you will NEVER bring your family honor!"
Ping's POV
Grabbing Mulan's arm I rubbed her shoulder while we walked back to our families farm. On the way I grabbed Khan deciding to just walk home. Mama and grand-mamma walked right behind us in silence too.
At home Baba was outside giving us a smile expecting us to return it being humiliated both of us just went into the stables. Petting Khan Mulan kneeled next to his water staring at her reflection.
"Look at me ... I will never pass for a perfect bride," I shared a look with Khun before following Mulan out. She took off grandma beads continuing "or a perfect daughter," Mama came home talking to baba most likely telling him of our disgrace. Walking to the garden together "Can it be? I'm not meant to play this part? Now I see," Mulan said sadly looking down. I knew I felt the same to her I wasn't meant to be a Hua I disgrace the name every time. She released the cricket walking to the bridge "That if I were truly to be myself I would break my family's heart," She demonstrated by jumping on top like she had done this morning. I helped her down shaking my head not saying a word knowing our twin telepathy will tell her she will always be in my heart. She repeated my movement silently saying the same thing.
"Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me. Why is my reflection someone I don't know?" Her words said so much. We walked by The Great Stone Dragon our ancestors have built. Flashbacks of when we were tinier came to mind. We always tried to climb on him having Mulan only succeeding, and me when we were both over four feet tall although she always gave me a helping hand just like I've done to her.
Walking up to our family's ancestors memorial. Gazing at our reflections on the stones "Somehow I cannot hide who I am," We both bowed to our knees in respect "though I've tried when will my reflection show," Sitting back up Mulan took off half her make up "Who I am inside?" Giving my sister a small smile I helped her remove the other half "When will my reflection show who I am, inside?" We walked in silence back outside to the garden sitting on a stone bench.
Baba came from the house sitting next to us staring at the tree above us "My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year. But look, this one's late. I bet when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all," He placed the orchid come on her hair then turned to me "Many bloom late, but they will always show," I knew he was trying to cheer us up.
Mulan and I smiled, but it quickly disappeared as drums were heard.
"What is it?" We asked our baba.
"Mulan. Ping. Stay inside," He walked out.
"Ahem," Turning we saw grand-mamma pointing to the roof. Looking at each other we nodded. We jumped on the roof hiding while we see.
"Citizens! I bring a proclamation from the Imperial City! The Huns have invaded China! By order of the Emperor, one man from every family must serve in the Imperial Army," I thin rodent like man came riding a horse. His lasts words shocked me one man from every family must serve in the Imperial Army I shook in fear. Our father wasn't fit for battle no more and I never was one for the war.
The man took out a list reading out loud for each name "The Chow Family! The Yee Family!" He read the names. I knew Mulan prayed he wouldn't say our families name.
I saw Qing Yuan the son of Mr. Yee come forward "I will serve the Emperor in my father's place," He bowed taking his scroll. I instantly felt guilty I didn't want to go to war while he did. His father still could walk normally without a cane while mine did. I knew I had to accept to go in my father's place.
"The Fa Family!" I felt myself freeze in fear while Mulan screamed "No!"
I heard arguing while i was frozen in place. Grand-mamma woke me from my shock to hear baba telling Mulan she dishonored him. Mulan came running in I quickly hugged her shushing her while our baba walked in the house. Quickly following him grandma handed us a candle light. Poking our heads in we see him practicing his movements. At first he was graceful like a pro, but then he fell catching something on his way down. The guilt came to me again.
Later
At dinner it was full of silence. The only sound was the tea being pored and the sipping of it. A loud bag was heard then "You shouldn't have to go!" Mulan protested.
"Mulan!" Mama scolded her.
"There are plenty of young men to fight for China!" She continued.
"It is an honor to protect my country and my family," He dead pinned.
"So you'll die for honor," Mulan cried out.
"I will die doing what's right," He wanted to end it, but the guilt was eating me inside.
"What if I go in your place baba," I stared at the table as silence was all around.
"No," Baba said.
"No?" I asked looking up to him. Mulan stared wide eyes at me tears in her eyes. Baba would not meet my eyes.
"No you are not properly trained,"
"But the camp will train me!" I stood along side of my sister.
"You will dishonor me," He said not meeting my eyes. I choked on a cry that my own father can't even believe in me. "Now promise me you will not go,"
Looking down I nodded.
"Now it is time both of you know your place," he stared at Mulan the hardest.
Blinded by tears she ran out with me following her as my own tears threaten to fall. I followed her to our stone dragon. She sat between his legs while I sat on the floor. It was raining with loud thunder heard, but we could care less.
"He doesn't believe in me," I whispered.
"I don't want to lose baba or you," Mulan said. "You also promised baba,"
"Maybe if I go I'll be able to learn to be a warrior," I told her. "Besides promises like those were meant to be broken,"
"I don't want to be alone Ge Ge," She let a small sob out. I know mama, baba, and grand-mamma would be here if I go, but we have never been separated for a long period of time in fact we've always been together. The shame we have brought will have the village to gossip and with her alone I couldn't support her. Deciding on the best choice for us not realizing what I was actually doing I told her we will leave together tonight...right now.
Standing I helped her down we walked to our small temple to give a prayer to our ancestors soaking wet we lit up a golden dragon above the head stone of our first known ancestor. Running out I went to grab the armor while Mulan grabbed the scroll. While putting on my clothing I told her to grab some of our belongings. The armor along with the blade were very heavy I couldn't even imagine what the helmet would feel on my head. Mulan came back with clothing similar to my training one. Helping me then we ran to the stable to get Khun surprised at me he got scared to he realized it was actually me wearing this and Mulan was leaving with us.
Hopping on we both rode out in the rain to our destination: Moo-Shung Camp.
Once we were outside the village we started to speak trying to come up with a plan for us. I knew it was going to be hard, but some how I will need to hide Mulan since they prohibit women from coming. Some how I knew this might have been a mistake, but I couldn't bring myself to regret this decision. When you're close to someone like I am to Mulan you will realize to how much you can not leave them behind.
By early sunrise we arrived outside the came.
You like?
I haven't seen Mulan in such a long time then when I started seeing it again I had so many possibilities running through my head.
Give me a review I'm already half way done with Chapter 2!