A General's Son

Chapter 3

As he opened his eyes, Chan wondered why he was sleeping in the middle of the day. He also wondered why his bed was so hard…and cold. Rolling over, a sharp, musty smell assaulted his nostrils. Confused and fully awake, Chan tried to sit up. However, his throbbing head and a firm hand on his chest stopped him.

"Easy, just lie back now," said a soft voice next to him. Chan turned to see who was speaking, ignoring the stars dancing in front of his eyes. As his vision adjusted to the darkness he saw Sun's concerned face looking at him. Just then Chan remembered. The fear he saw in her eyes and the scream, it must have been her.

"Sun! What happened? Where are we? And –ah" he cringed, "why does my head hurt?"

"Shhh," she murmured, "one thing at a time. You're in pain now because someone hit you over the head."

"That would've been my first guess," Chan said, feeling the large, painful lump forming on the top of his skull. "But I guess the better question would be who hit me on the head."

Sun sighed. "It was-well I still don't know who it was but I can tell you what I know." Chan nodded. Anything she knew was still more then what he remembered. " We were in the village and I heard a noise behind you. There was a man behind you, a sword in his hand. He raised it over your head and I screamed, unable to do anything to change what was about to happen. He brought the butt of the sword down on your head and you collapsed. Someone grabbed me from behind and dragged me to the edge of town. You were already tied to the back of a horse, your horse, by then. I was thrown into the saddle and then they started off. All I could do was hold on; they were going so fast."

Chan scowled. The thought of his beautiful horse being used to aid and abet a kidnapping sickened him.

Sun continued, " After a time, I don't know how long, we arrived here.

"And what is here?" asked Chan. " Just a small house in the middle of nowhere. I think we're in the cellar now. I didn't see much before…" Sun looked away as if it pained her to go on.

"Before…" Chan prompted. Sun looked down at her lap and began to wring her hands nervously. For the first time Chan noticed that her robes were torn and dirty and there were several large scratches running down her cheek. Chan gave a sharp intake of breath. "Sun," he said, instantly agitated by her disheveled appearance, " did they hurt you!" He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him.

" No," she murmured, " but they tried." She closed her eyes against the memory, tears escaping down her cheeks. Suddenly she felt strong arms wrap around her, and found her face resting against a broad chest.

"Oh Sun," Chan whispered into her soft hair, "I'm so sorry, I should have been there… I would do anything to protect you." Sun pushed herself up in order to look into his face.

" Really?" she asked, a slight smile on her lips.

"Really." Chan answered, wiping away the tears that had spilled from her eyes. " Besides, before you know it we'll be far away from here. I promise I'll get you out." He looked down at Sun only to see that she had fallen asleep, her head resting on his chest and her arms wrapped around his waist. Chan smiled and brushed away the hair that covered her face. Yes, he would get her out, but for now he was content to stay like this.

Sun woke up the next morning, cramped yet oddly happy. She wondered why, until she opened her eyes and saw Chan's arms wrapped around her. She must have fallen asleep while he was holding her. She snuggled in closer to him, not wanting to wake him up. However, it seemed Chan was already awake.

" Good morning Sunshine," he said, shaking her gently. " I know you're not sleeping."

" I am too," said Sun, though her voice was rather muffled by the fabric of his shirt. Chan grinned.

" Caught you," he said. Looking down at the girl that lay in his arms, Chan continued. " You know this wouldn't be a bad way to start the day under normal circumstances." Sun scrambled to disentangle herself from him, blushing while she did so.

" My arm feels like it's about to fall off," said Sun, " I think you were laying on it." Chan shot her an apologetic look.

" Sorry, but if it's any consolation my neck hurts too. It was probably from sleeping slumped against a wall." Now it was Sun's turn to wear the apologetic look.

" Oh…sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep…well, on you."

" That's all right," he said, looking at Sun, " I think the pain was worth it." Her eyes grew wide in surprise at his bold statement.

But before she could respond, the door into the cellar was thrown open. Chan and Sun were blinded by the sudden burst of light, so they couldn't make out the figure standing in the doorway. The figure moved swiftly into the darkened room, followed by several more men.

" Outside," they ordered gruffly, placing swords into Chan and Sun's backs to further motivate them. As they stumbled outside, Chan saw they were surrounded by a group of armed men. So much for escape. He instinctively moved closer to Sun, not knowing what they planned to do. A tall man with cruel eyes stepped forward. He seemed to be their leader.

" Don't get to close to that one, boy. She's a fighter. You should've seen what she did to poor Gedde. I'm afraid to say he'll never be the same," the tall man said with smirk. Chan glared at him.

" Who are you? Why are we here?" he demanded. The man chuckled darkly.

"Yes, I suppose introductions are in order. I am Kane, your captor, and the leader of band of outlaws. You are here because of who you are. Or rather, who your parents are." Seeing the shocked looks on his prisoners faces, Kane continued. " Yes, we know who you are." He pointed lazily at Chan. " Li Chan Ping, 17, only son of General Li Shang and Fa Mulan, the so called " hero of China", recently graduated from the Imperial Academy I hear. I'm sure daddy's missing his little soldier," he said in a voice thick with false sweetness.

Chan clenched and unclenched his fists, straining to keep his anger in check. Kane had turned his attention on Sun. " Well, what have we here boys," he said to the group of men, " a direct descendent of the Emperor. We are honored that the most noble Sun Yu has graced us with her presence."

Sun stood with her head held high as the man spoke, sarcasm dripping from every word. Kane walked a circle around her, trailing his fingers over her shoulder. With disgust on her face, Sun turned and slapped his hand away.

Kane continued to speak to the crowd of outlaws. " Ahh, I see this one's feisty. We should have fun with her," Kane said, licking his lips.

Unable to hold his anger in any longer, Chan lunged at him. He had no sooner taken two steps then he was grabbed from behind by two of Kane's goons. Apparently Kane often caused this reaction. As Chan struggled against the men that held him in their grasp, Sun shot him a pleading look. A look that Chan knew meant not to resist. A look that meant she wanted him to live another day.

Author's Note: The mystery solved! I know you were all DYING to know what happened, so I decided to put my note down here instead of at the top. Does anyone even read these anyway? Didn't think so. As long as you read the story at least, I am happy. Now make me even happier and give me a nice long review :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Mulan. I do not own Mulan. I do not own Mulan. Why do I feel as if I'm being punished? I do not own Mulan...