Disclaimers/Notes: I don't own Mulan or any of the characters that inhabit her world. Also, this story features LGBTQ+ themes, if you have issues with that, keep the bigotry to yourself. There may be mature content later on; you've been warned. Without further ado... on with the story.

Introduction: The Heart Breaks

Ancient China

Mulan's life was set for the better. She had saved China. Her family was proud of her. A handsome Captain loved her for who she really was, and was dropping hints (rather obvious ones) that he was planning to marry her. Everything was going smoothly.

But the hero's path is never smooth for long.

Today's weather was clear and sunny, with no wind. Mulan stepped outside in her training uniform. She grabbed her bow and a quiver of arrows. "Perfect archery weather," she thought as she set up her target in the fields.

Some of the townspeople were still rigid, and thought that Mulan should be content to rest on her laurels. Mulan disagreed. After all that training, she was not going to lose her skills. In the fields, nobody could see her. Her family always covered for her by saying "Mulan is doing her chores."

She drew her bow, and was about to shoot. Then she heard a male voice call her name - Shang was here.

"Shang!" Mulan ran up to her beloved Captain, arms open. Her arms dropped to her sides when Shang didn't reciprocate the gesture.

"Shang? What's wrong?"

Shang was never one for subtlety. He was direct (something Mulan admired) but also awkward (something Mulan figured she'd have to put up with). The former was clear in his expression.

"Mulan, I don't think this can work out."

"What?" Mulan's normally sure voice faltered. "What are you talking about?"

"I thought I could settle down with you. But obviously you're not one for settling."

"Are you accusing me of infidelity?" Mulan's words flew from her lips like a gunpowder missile. "Because I promised you…"

"Not like that." Shang cut her off.

Mulan wasn't dull. She was sharper than any sword, and she knew what was going on. "Shang," she began, "I love you. I thought you loved me."

"That doesn't mean I'm right for you."

Mulan's heart cracked. She set her face like stone. "Good luck, Captain." She bowed to him and turned to the archery target. Tears blurred her vision as she loaded an arrow. But she focused on the task. She would never let anyone see her cry.

When she looked back, Shang was gone.

Norfolk, Virginia, USA

Present Day

Kara had graduated college, found a job that correlated with her communications major, and moved out. She had a boyfriend who lived nearby, a sweet young man named Ben. They were planning to get engaged soon.

Today was bright and sunny, and Kara decided to go for a walk.

She saw Ben. But he wasn't alone. Another girl was on his arm. Kara recognized her as Brooke.

Brooke went to the same college, and wrote for the school newspaper alongside Kara. Kara was a skilled proofreader, and had a certain flair to her feature writing that Brooke couldn't match. The professor favored one over the other. Brooke was jealous and tried to undercut Kara any way she could. Now, after graduation, she had managed to do just that.

"Ahem!" Kara cleared her throat. Her boyfriend, Ben, turned around.

"Kara, I can explain!" Ben panicked.

"Sure you can." Kara put her hands on her hips. "I don't think you can spin the story here." Whenever Kara and Ben used journalism talk, it was to code strong emotions. But these emotions weren't the kind she normally felt towards Ben.

"You're right, I can't spin it." Ben bowed his head. "I felt sorry for Brooke right before we graduated. I was helping her with her writing, but it turned into something more."

"You forgot about the fact you already had a 'something more,' " Kara used air quotes, "something more with me." Her heart was breaking, but she tried to hide it with anger.

"Kara, I don't think we can work this out." said Ben.

"Goodbye." Kara turned away. When she saw Ben and Brooke walking away, she ran back to her apartment.

In her apartment, Kara went to her bedroom. She slammed the door and flopped on her bed, suffocating her sobs against the pillow.

TO BE CONTINUED...