Chapter 4- New Journeys

Jiminy was torn. He watched on the rooftop as each girl would walk in and out with beaming smiles. It hadn't taken the Matchmaker long to get over what had happened and she continued her 'matchmaking' for the rest of the day. Jiminy couldn't get over his complete sense of failure. He had promised Mulan to help her and instead had ruined her future. He had idled with the idea of trying to apologise in some way but he wasn't sure if that was appropriate seeing that she would probably never want to see him again. With a heavy heart Jiminy managed to find the field in which he had napped in yesterday morning. For the first time in years he wished that he wasn't a cricket. Wished that he could be a man and sort out the mistakes he kept making. He returned to Gepetto's traveling cart and found him scribbling on a parchment.

'I'm back Gepetto.' He said sorrowfully hanging his umbrella on the usual hook.

'Jiminy! There you are, I was worried about you. I searched around for you but…'

'It's alright now Gepetto I was kind of bug knapped.' He explained.

'Again? Who was it this time? They didn't try and preserve you in that liquid again did they? I got there just in time before poured it on you the last time.'

'Oh yeah don't remind me...' Jiminy huffed a small laugh but it still didn't make him feel any better. 'No it was an old lady this time hoping that my cricket luck would help her granddaughter.'

'I didn't know crickets were lucky, they are certainly helpful though I grant you that!' His best friend assured him with that warm smile. 'I don't know where I would be without you Jiminy.'

'That's it though. Crickets aren't lucky and I messed up Gepetto. I ruined a young girl's future today and I can't help but feel I need to do something about it.' He fluttered to land on a varnished clock; the soft ticking vibrations soothing his nerves.

'I wish I could help Jiminy I really do but we have to get moving. The Emperor of this land is going to war and we can't get muddled in their affairs.' He said sincerely scrunching up the parchment.

'War? Not the ogres surely?' Jiminy gasped. If there was one thing that Jiminy despised it was war. It cost too many innocent lives just for the struggles against those in power. He had always tried to ease and advise away from such measures. Some instances however, just couldn't be helped and he understood that.

'No not them but some rebel has raised an army, not quite sure on the details but apparently they are enforcing a man from every family to join in aide of their cause.' He explained, drawing his fingers across the white bristles of his beard.

'What about families without? I never saw Mulan's father... unless he is unwell. Mind you I only visited one room and that was only for a moment.'

'Mulan? The young girl?' Gepetto asked curiously.

'Indeed. In this land also it seems some women are forced into marriage. It just disgusted me the way she looked at them and measured them,' He frowned with a sad shake of his head. 'I shouldn't have got so angry…' Jiminy felt the guilt once more and looked at Gepetto. He had tried to make up for his past mistakes so why not this one?

'Gepetto. Do you think I should put this right?' He went to the man who had become a brother to him over the years. When he couldn't advise himself, he went to him.

'I don't know Jiminy. It is going to turn very dangerous in this land very soon. However, I know that you will never forgive yourself if you don't. Do what you can for this Mulan. I'll wait here for two days before travelling home and I expect to see you as soon as you can come back.'

'Are you sure, I mean what if I don't make it back…'

'Don't think like that Jiminy. You taught me always to think positive and so you must! Here take this. A merchant give this to me in exchange for a small clock that wasn't my best.'

'What is it?' Jiminy replied staring at an onyx pebble that encased another jewel he didn't recognise inside.

'I have no idea but I thought it very beautiful so I accepted the trade. I just have a feeling that it is more than it seems. Maybe it will bring some use to you.' Jiminy thanked him profusely and after a brief dinner they had a heartfelt goodbye before Jiminy in the cold of night took to the skies in search for Mulan.

He ached after a few miles but the pure light of the moon comforted him and as he saw Mulan's house he quickened to set things to rights. He could sense that something was wrong before he even reached Mulan. He saw a man in the yard. He held a stick of bamboo in his hand and ran it through his palms. His black hair was streaked with grey and a rolled parchment was tucked into his blue tunic. He was clearly injured by the crutch that was on the floor next to him and his eyes tired and wearisome. From the corner of his eye he saw a shadowy figure watch him from inside. The man suddenly shouted and in a rage swung the bamboo effortlessly and skilfully in the air but a wrong step caused him to holler in pain. He fell to his knees and grasped his leg. The figure in the window rushed from view. Retrieving his pride but angst and worry etched into his face he picked up the crutch but didn't use it to walk. He limped back into the house with his head held high; the bamboo left discarded on in the dirt. The lighted house darkened an awash of gloom seeming to blanket them. Jiminy dashed to cover under the Fa Family's roof and tried processing what had happened.

'That was Mulan's father. He must have been called to war despite his injury. He's going to be killed.' Jiminy concluded to himself and was horrified of what that could mean for the rest of the family. His failure seemed to have more effect on him now. What had been one simple event had clashed and injured so many lives in the space of one day. There must be something he could do. Maybe if he explained to that ghastly woman… Jiminy was lost in thought and was interrupted by another figure walking out of the house. It was dark now that the lights had been blown out and he could only make out the bulky clad armour. The figure was too short to be Mulan's father and she had no brother that he knew of. The figure startled the black stallion that reared when he saw it. Jiminy flew closer and saw the figure calm the horse and then mounted. Closer now he could see a sword at the belt and a rolled scroll beside it.

'Come on boy. I'm not going to let father die. Let's go.' The figure whispered to the horse and Jiminy instantly recognised the voice as Mulan's! Not quite believing what he heard he jumped onto the hind of the horse and into the saddle bag. Mulan is going to take her father's place in the war to prove that she is worthy. This is entirely my fault. Jiminy sought help from the stars but gained nothing. He knew that what Mulan was doing must be illegal otherwise they would have accepted anyone into the army and not just the men. If she was caught she could face even worse charges. More than that if she succeeded she could die. This was war not a game. He sure hoped that Mulan knew what she was getting herself in for and more so he hoped he knew what he was doing. He bounced in the saddlebag anxiously awaiting the journey ahead for the both of them. He was going to do whatever it took to save this girl. He sent out a thought to Gepetto before he succumbed to the rhythm of the beating hooves.