Hey guys! So after "Childhood," I decided to post a few more short stories so I hope you enjoy them! They will just be under this story since they will be just one chapter or so, so thank you for reading and I really appreciate it!
This one takes place after Shang's troop sees the massacre taken place by the mountains and right before they fight the Huns (avalanche scene). I hope you enjoy it! (:
After discovering the carcass of a town that burned to ashes, and mourning after the loss of his father, Shang decided to gather up the determination of finally defeating Shan Yu and his army altogether. "Move out," he demanded strictly.
Mulan stayed behind briefly to offer her condolences to the shrine Shang made in the grief of his father's heroic death. Gently she laid the stitched doll resting on the blade of the sword, thrust into the snow by Shang, resting the General's helmet upon the hilt.
"So… Captain…" Ling felt the density surrounding Shang, and found within his humor to cheer him up whatever method necessary.
Shang glanced behind him. He quickly saw the walking men trudging through the terrible conditions of the mountain, which was heavily coated in a fine blanket of snow. Multiple footprints followed his steed as well as the rest of the troop he led. "Speak soldier."
Twirling his fingers in caution, Ling looked down to sympathize with his captain. "What kind of girl do you think is worth fighting for?"
In the distance behind, Mulan leveled her head, eavesdropping upon their conversation. Quite interested and curious as to what Shang's answer could be intrigued her, and she slowly paced herself to catch up in order to better hear.
"Ling…." Yao and Chien Po trailed Ling's name, and they all looked at each other. "I don't think now is a good time for that" Chien Po said in a soft whisper towards Ling.
Realizing both Shang's personality would not allow him to answer trivial questions and the gravity of such a question when discovering that their captain's father had passed away bravely made Ling lower his head in fear. "Ca-Captain I apologize," he said woefully.
"It's quite alright Ling," Shang grabbed the reins to his horse strongly. "Women and marriage are not topics that I usually think about," his eyebrows furrowed deeper and his glance descended as he confessed.
Yao, Ling, Chien Po, and Mulan all dropped their mouths in astonishment to their captain's embarrassment. However, internally Mulan let out a sigh of relief in happiness and touched the chest of her armor.
Chi-Fu grabbed the soft fur of his hood and wore it upon his head. "Surprising, captain," confessing that he had overheard their conversation as well. "To think that no woman crosses your mind" he slyly grinned, attempting to hear the captain's opinion as well.
"I uhh… well…" Shang blushed in embarrassment, "I suppose it's not entirely true." He slid his hand over his mouth and released a sigh. "How about you Ping?" and he turned over to Mulan, who was loyally following by his side. "You've been awfully quiet. What kind of woman do you think of?"
Mulan's eyes shot wide open. In war, it was common for men to fantasize for the touch of a loving lady, due to the amount of time they spent without them. "Uhhmm…" she disguised her voice with a lower pitch. The words couldn't form properly. The thought of them finding out who "Ping" really was terrified her, but to seed the thoughts of woman within her mind displeased her as well.
"Ping here likes an outspoken girl," Ling slung his arm over Mulan's shoulder, avoiding the laugh about to form within his chest. Yao and Chien Po also restrained from bursting into laughter. Chi-Fu descended a look of disgust towards Mulan, thinking why he would be so interested in a girl like that.
"Strange" Shang replied.
Looking around nervously, Mulan released a chuckle and pointed behind him. "I must check on my horse real quick," and she turned around to dash off back to Khan's safety. She rubbed her forehead with the back of her palm and the anxiety was swept away.
Shang kept his focus in front of him. "Strange… Ping and I have similar thoughts." His masculine voice of confession shocked those surrounding him.
"What!?" Chi-Fu exclaimed in disagreement.
"Captain?" Yao, Ling, and Chien Po eagerly leaned closer towards Shang in astonishment.
In response, a slight chuckle was released from Shang's system. "Women these days, even the most beautiful or the fairest, the ones most obedient and most mannered all are respectable and marriageable…"
"Ah yes, those are the women that know their place," Chi-Fu smiled and thought of his so called woman fondly.
Shang looked at Chi-Fu, who was smugly cuddling to himself the thought of woman fitting that sort of description. "It is a duty for a woman to act as such. It is mine to stay focused on this mission." Finally directing his thoughts back onto the objective he commanded his team to follow his orders. "Concentrate soldiers, and keep your eyes open for Shan Yu's men!"
"Yes sir!" Ling, Yao, Chien Po and the rest of the troop saluted the captain and followed his directions. Soon after they forgot about the ordeal and dispersed from the captain's horse.
"I don't suppose you are married then, Captain" Chi-Fu asked in a condescending manor. He as well brushed off the conversation and trudged forward, leaving Shang in alone in the front of the troop.
Clenching his fists together with the reins within them, Shang gazed down onto the back of his hands. He could feel the touch of his rough fingertips, knowing that they will be empty of a woman's touch. "To marry a girl that is true to herself. One who is challenging and complex yet fulfills her duties…" Deeply thinking he glanced back at Ping, who copied his expression and led Khan with the reins in his hands as he walked alongside his steed. "Maybe we're both lunatics," and Shang sighed continuing onwards.
Suddenly a small train of smoke and the smell of sulfur exploded into the air as a cannon escaped the carriage Mulan was in charge of, which then burst into the sky like a firework, revealing their troops spot in the pass.
"What happened?!" Shang yelled, and soon after unraveled the terror and heart-racing battle between the Huns and Shang's small army.
Thank you so much for reading!
