After the whole commotion, Mulan and Aurora were back in the back of the cave, where the Yaoguai lived. Finding a small place where fresh air was found through a small opening at the top of the cave. Mulan couldn't risk their lives making a fire from the lack of oxygen in the cave, so they sat in the cold, silent. The moon lit through the small opening, giving the girls some light to be able to see what they were doing. Mulan saw Aurora shivering under her thin shawl, I'm surprised that thing is still intact... Mulan stood, taking her proud cloak off and setting it over Aurora's thin shoulders. "This will keep you warmer Princess."
"But now you'll be cold." Aurora tried to say those words smoothly through the chattering of her teeth, to show she was fine. "If you were to catch a cold I think Prince Phillip would go hysterical." Mulan smiled from the joke she made. Aurora giggled seeing Mulan lighten up from her normal serious attitude. Mulan smiled more, knowing no hard feelings were made She's so beautiful when she smiles... Mulan couldn't help but stare at Aurora's beauty, her eyes were swollen from all the tears, but the color, it was mesmerizing. Deep, sea blue, crystal clear eyes showed comfort and love. Aurora noticed Mulan staring deeply, turning red she tried to busy herself with the hem of her shawl, "Do you pray?" Aurora stopped right after She immediately noticed the inappropriateness that came with that question, "I'm sorry, I was just-" Mulan stopped her from blabbing on an excuse. "I do pray, but probably not the same way you do." Aurora looked at Mulan curiously. "I pray to the ancestors that keep me safe, and the great spirits as well." Mulan didn't find any awkwardness with the question, being able to freely speak about her spirituality. "Phillip always talks about praying to God and I was just wondering if you did the same."
"Phillip has different... beliefs than me. I pray to ancestors he prays to a God, but there's one thing in common."
"What's that?" Aurora stopped with her shawl distraction and looked up at Mulan. "They keep us safe." Aurora thought deeply of what Mulan said, beliefs really did keep people safe, whatever you believed in, the sense of hope helps. Mulan's wise words got to Aurora, the pit of her stomach churned, not from hunger but from inspiration, from excitement. I never thought Mulan would be this wise...and different. Mulan looked up at the crack in the cave wall, it was officially night time. "You should get some sleep now, we have long days ahead of us if we want to find a way out." Mulan stood, moving some rocks away to make a clearing for Aurora. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience..." Mulan muttered as she cleared rocks. "It's not your fault..." Aurora tried to protest, but it went nowhere. Mulan felt that all this was her own fault, blaming herself for Aurora's choice to stay. Aurora laid where Mulan cleared, laying her hens on her arm trying to make it comfortable, Mulan's cape acting as a blanket. She looked up at Mulan, who was staring off into the darkness, her eyes filled with alertness and intensity, as always.
Aurora was sitting in the corner, huddled behind her knees. The room burned from intense flames, engulfing the room. Aurora breathed heavily, all the oxygen was deprived from her lungs, all she could breathe in was smoke. She coughed trying to protect herself from this fiery hell. The walls were crimson, like blood. The flames became hotter, deadly, moving around like tentacles of an octopus. They were coming closer to Aurora. Beads of sweat trickled down her face, she didn't even know if it was from the heat or shear fear of the flames. Mulan! Mulan! she tried to yell but her chest heaved from the black smoke that clouded her lungs, she felt the hands of Death squeezing the life out of her. Suddenly, Aurora awoke with a startle, "Mulan!" but her cry echoed into the silent cave. She trembled from fear, breathing heavily trying to catch her breath. "Mulan...?" she spoke out more scared from the silence than her dream. "Aurora?! Are you okay?!" She heard Mulan's distant cry, filled with worries. She saw Mulan run to her side, making sure he wasn't hurt. "What happened?!" Mulan's eyes were frantic searching Aurora's eyes for an answer. "It was...just a dream.." Aurora whispered knowing the Warrior would be angry. Trying to hide her face, she tried looking downward at the floor. She felt Mulan's hand on her should, "Are you alright?" she heard worry than anger, surprised she looked up. Mulan's face screamed anxiety in Aurora's eyes. "Just...a dream." Aurora tried to leave the thought if her nightmares. It's always the same...flames and that room... Mulan felt Aurora shudder, she didn't know how to comfort the Princess and felt annoyed with herself. Should I just speak with her...oh ancestors above help me. "Try to sleep again...I won't leave your side this time." Mulan spoke reassuringly, trying to show every emotion of care into her words. "Promise...?" Aurora began to lay her head on Mulan's leg, like she did the night before. "Promise." Aurora soon drifted off to sleep knowing she was safe in Mulan's hands.
Mulan was in the same spot she was in last night, with the Princess sleeping soundly. Mulan awoke just before dawn, just watching over the Sleeping Princess. It was morning now, the sound of birds in the distance could be heard from within the cave. Mulan sat straight, her arms resting on her free leg, meditating. She took slow breaths in and out, thinking of nothing, trying to think of nothing. Her mind was clouded with Aurora, thoughts of her and her gentle face. Mulan could see every facial feature that Aurora possessed. Mulan opened her eyes, unable to concentrate. Oh, ancestors above. This isn't right, what I'm feeling, she is with a Prince. then in her mind, she could hear a spirit talking back But, you love her?
yes.
Then why is that a problem?
because, she is with a Prince already, and I am a woman.
You are a Warrior, are you not? Didn't those men laugh when you went off to war? And how did you show yourself then? A strong Woman, a strong Warrior. isn't she what you are fighting for? Then, Mulan felt Aurora stir under her, her trance was gone. "Were you praying?" Aurora asks, her eyes curiously looking up at Mulan. The voice spoke again, Isn't she Something worth fighting for...? the fleeting voice finally went silent, "sort of." Aurora stood, handing Mulan her cape, Mulan pushed it back into her arms, "wear it for now, it's still cold," Aurora smiled at Mulan's kind gesture, putting it over her once more. "We should head off now, we will be more dehydrated and hungry if we stay here any longer, and from scouting the cave last night, I think I have found another way out." Aurora smiled at Mulan's intricate mind, her constant planning and duty was inevitable.
It took many hours in the cold cave, but finally both girls found the way out. The sun radiated on their skin, Aurora sat on the soft ground as soon as she exited the cave. She smiled, soaking in the warm sun. Closing her eyes she sat and hummed to herself, unaware of Mulan at the moment. Mulan stood nearby waiting for Aurora, also enjoying the sun. Suddenly, branches. Began crackling from all over. Mulan quickly unsheathed her sword, standing next to Aurora, who was still on the ground, scared now. "What's that noise...?" Aurora choked out in a whisper. She saw Mulan shaking her head, unsure as well. A stampede of men on horses rode around the two girls, circling them. Bandits... Mulan eyed each and every man on the horse, three...four...five... there were five ill dressed, raggedy men hooting and calling toward the women. "looky here boys! A girl dressed as a man, as a solider even!" the men began to snicker at the one man's comment. Aurora's blood boiled from aggravation, she didn't like these men, and throwing these harsh comments and snickers at Mulan made her despise them even more. Mulan was even tempered still, even though these men degraded her in her face. Stay calm, no one ever won with a troubled mind... It was no use telling herself this, Mulan began to grit her teeth, "You men, leave us from your useless efforts, we have nothing." Aurora glanced around, these men looked scruffy and poor, but they looked strong as well. Aurora stood up, clasping onto Mulan's armored shoulder. "Oh, darling, we don't need much..." The man snickered, making the other men hoot out as well. Mulan's lip quivered, her grip tightened on the sword, the pulses in her head and neck began to ache. "I will tell you one last time..." Mulan's tone was menacing and filled with hate, "Leave!" she put up her sword, making herself even more intimidating. The men laughed, taking out their swords and clubs, showing they weren't going anywhere without a fight. Mulan breathed in, focusing all her strength, then a one man charged his horse toward seining his club at Mulan. she quickly slid herself under the club, slashing at the horses legs. It whinnied out in pain, falling on its side with the man falling off as well. He dashed toward Mulan club in hand. Mulan slashed at him and he fell to the ground hurt. He was bleeding from his side. "I like'em tough" A man with a sword approached Mulan with two men behind her. "Nowhere to turn" one of the men behind her said smirking. Mulan shook her head from their ignorance. The men charged at Mulan carelessly, she quickly ducked, having the men swing into each other, both men fell from their horses hurt as well. "Mulan!" Aurora shrieked, darted her eyes for Aurora's voice, seeing the last man holding a knife at Aurora's neck. "Let her go!" Mulan screamed holding her sword up at the man. Her eyes filled with fury, anger, hatred. "Now, now, not so much a Warrior, little girl?" the man teased holding Aurora still. "Don't worry, I won't hurt her too much." a disgusting sly smile crept onto the man's face. Mulan shook with anger, her hands gripped the sword like she was squeezing the life out of it, she clenched her jaw showing the whites of her skin. Under all her anger she saw Aurora carefully grab a rock from the ground, she stared at Mulan, holding the rock in her hands. Mulan nodded her head slightly, letting her know to strike. Aurora bashed the rock in the man's head, feeling his grip loosen she ran for Mulan's protection. Mulan kept her sword up, "men like you shouldn't be able to live." Mulan said through her teeth, still fuming with anger. Mulan walked toward him, he was helpless now. Mulan peered into his very soul, "If I ever see you again," Mulan crouched toward him, grabbing his collar, her voice went quite, "I'll kill you." she threw him back and walked away, her eyes were filled with fury still. Mulan's body was hot and her muscles were tense, "Let's go." Mulan helped Aurora up and both walking away from the group of hurt men. "Also, I'm a woman." Mulan called out before leaving these men behind.
It was already sunset and the girls weren't even halfway to town. "It's going to take longer than I expected..." Mulan's voice was still cold and tense from the battle with the men. "It's fine..." Aurora kept her head down, not trying to say much, sensing Mulan's agitation. Mulan made a small fire and shuffled some leaves and vegetation making a makeshift bed for the both them. After everything was done, Aurora noticed Mulan was a little antsy and pacing around the fire. Is she still worked up from those men...? Aurora tried to find words to comfort Mulan, but nothing came to mind. Then, Mulan stopped from her pacing, she began to take off her armor, gently setting it near the fire, all was left was the white cloth she wore underneath. It was thin and raggedy, but she made it look beautiful none the less. Aurora stared blushing, she couldn't help but watch the strange woman undress. Mulan sat on the ground straightening her back, her arms resting on each leg and just began to breathe in and out. Slowly and calmly. Aurora sat quietly just watching this woman be from angry to calm in just a matter of seconds. Mulan seemed unaware of her surroundings because she didn't notice Aurora was still awake, until Mulan called to Aurora. "Don't mind me,"
"but I am minding."
"why?"
"Because it's so interesting...you were completely angry and now you're, calm. Centered." Mulan nodded. Aurora came closer to Mulan, sitting next to her. She looked Mulan up and down and tried to sit exactly like her, putting her arms to her legs, breathing slowly like Mulan. Mulan's eyes were closed but she could sense Aurora sitting next to her. "are you mocking me?" Mulan asked playfully, still concentrated. Aurora closed her eyes and began to concentrate. She could hear her heart beat, the flow of air through her lungs, she could hear the distant breeze blowing through the branches, and also a very subtle sound of a nearby river. Aurora opened her eyes in wonder. Wow...that was... "are you ignoring me?" Mulan asked still playfully. "I-I was just- oh, no! And no I wasn't mocking you..." Aurora whimpered, she was still trying to grasp the meditation and the idea of it. Aurora looked at Mulan who peered out one eye, grinning. When she was spotted she closed her eyes pretending she wasn't watching Aurora. Aurora snorted and closed her eyes, peeking at Mulan every chance she could take. She's...wonderful...
of course she is!
Mushu! I'm trying to concentrate!
On Her?
Stop! Mulan's face colored a bit from his comment.
Well, excuse me if your subconscious is louder than an Chinese Gong! Mulan smiled at herself. She heard no more talking from Mushu. she really is something though... Mulan opened an eye to look at Aurora, who was very concentrated in the meditation, smiling, she closed her eye to be One with her Self a little bit longer.
After the very relaxing, and enlightening meditation, Mulan made a fire again, for the first one burned out, and both girls huddled near the fire for warmth in the darkness. Mulan noticed how close Aurora was to her, how their bodies were touching, how she felt an energy every time she was near this girl, this Princess. Mulan felt that urge again, to touch Aurora's face, feel her soft, delicate skin. How would it feel if my lips just... "Mulan?" Mulan shook her head, snapping out of what she was thinking. "I think I understand why you meditate." Aurora smiled from the new knowledge she gained from Mulan. Mulan didn't interrupt the girl as she spoke, every word, every sentence was a ballad in a beautiful melody. Mulan shook her head again, she couldn't help it. All her thoughts, all of her mind was about Aurora. I can't...she won't understand... Aurora sat quiet for awhile, then her countenance became serious. "how long will it take to get to town?" Aurora asked more crestfallen then joyous. "about four days...because of our little mishap...why?" Mulan searched Aurora's eyes but couldn't tell if she was pondering the traveling or thinking if Phillip, still she wanted to know what was bothering Aurora. The Princess sighed, of all things, "I was just wondering...how much... Phillip probably misses me." Mulan felt a jab at her heart, she didn't want to be selfish, but she couldn't help her heart's desire. "He will be overwhelmed with emotion when he sees you, don't worry, he loves you." Mulan broke out a jagged smile, hoping Aurora wouldn't notice her emotion. Aurora nodded slowly, still thinking hard. Hours later both girls laid near the fire, Aurora was staring into the colorful flames before succumbing to sleep. I hope he will be overwhelmed...because... Aurora closed her eyes, I'm not... Aurora couldn't help but have tears fall from her cheeks, she couldn't help her emotions, something was changing in her heart, and she didn't know what.