Previously on A General's Son (in case you forgot )

"…Just answer me one question and we'll be even." Chan nodded, taking in her serious tone. "Go ahead," he said, bewilderment showing on his face, "Ask your question." She took a deep breath, hoping she would be able to say this.

A General's Son

Chapter 10

"How do you feel…about me?" Chan's confused expression was now gone, replaced with surprise at the unexpected question. Sun continued, trying not to loose her nerve. "When we were young, I know you didn't like me. But now…I just don't know," she finished, her voice just above a whisper. He sighed and his face became guarded, no discernable emotions showing.

"I would think it quite obvious," he said simply, turning his head to look at the girl next to him. Sun returned his gaze, and looking past his calm countenance, saw the wistful look that his eyes could not hide. She opened and closed her mouth several times, not knowing what to say to such a bold declaration, even an unspoken declaration at that.

But Chan had another silent declaration to make that night.

As Sun looked at her feet and attempted to respond to the answer he had given her in that look, he gently placed his hand under her chin and lifted her head up to look at him. Her eyes were wide in surprise, but they closed as he bent to kiss her. Their lips touched softly, Chan's hands still cupping Sun's face. Sun wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her.

Chan silently thanked all the ancestors a hundred time over, and the Emperor most of all. He slid his hands from Sun's face, down her shoulders, until they encircled her waist. They slowly broke apart, but did not release their tight hold on one another. Which was a good thing, because as Sun looked into Chan's eyes, she felt her knees give out.

"Are you all right?" asked Chan, holding her even tighter to support her.

"Yes," she said softly, tracing the side of his face with her slender fingers. "It's just…I always wished, but I never thought it would actually happen-"

"What did you wish?" he said, smoothing her hair tenderly.

"That you…and I…" she murmured, looking into his eyes once more. Chan understood and raised his eyebrows.

"For how long?" he said, curious. "Since we were young," she confessed, blushing slightly.

"That long?" His eyebrows were raised even higher. "I would never have guessed…"

"I didn't even know I felt that way," explained Sun, " until a few weeks before you left for the academy. I realized that I would miss you…and not in the same way I would miss my brother."

"Is that why you were acting so weird? Right before I left?" asked Chan. He had remembered that time, and instead of bothering him like she usually did, Sun had avoided him. Sun nodded.

"I hoped that if I left you alone, you would miss me when you were away. So I waited for you to come back, never loosing hope that one day you might see me as something other then your best friend's sister. And then when you came back, and you looked at me…" she lowered her eyes, reddening at the very memory.

"You looked beautiful," said Chan. Then he leaned in for another kiss. "Thank you for waiting," he added, before becoming enveloped in another passionate embrace.

The curtain to the balcony was raised and someone stepped through the doorway, but neither of them noticed. If they had bothered to look and see who it was, they would have seen Xiao. He had stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, only to find the balcony was occupied. He looked closer and, to his horror, saw that the girl being kissed was his sister. It didn't occur to him to discern the identity of the man, because whoever he was, he was not supposed to be kissing Sun.

Xiao lunged forward and pried them loose, whirling Sun behind him to protect her, and sending her "attacker" flying into the railing.

"Xiao! What-no!" gasped Sun, trying to move from behind Xiao back to Chan.

"It's all right Sun, you're safe now," said Xiao, ignoring her pleas. He launched a fresh attack at the man, but found his blows being blocked by expert hands.

"Xiao, stop! It's me!" shouted Chan, trying not to injure his friend but protect himself at the same time.

"Chan?" gasped Xiao, finally realizing who it was.

"Yeah, it's just me," Chan said, relieved. He lowered his hands, only to receive a hard punch to the stomach.

"What are you doing!" yelled Sun, watching Chan fall to the ground, the wind knocked out of him.

"How could you!" Xiao yelled to the temporarily stunned Chan, "You were my friend! How could you betray me! You attack my sister-"

"I what?" wheezed Chan, clutching his stomach in pain.

"You attacked my sister! I was right here, I saw it!" he repeated, still yelling.

"No," said Chan firmly, rising from the ground and facing Xiao. "I did not. I kissed your sister."

"What?" asked Xiao, the anger gone from his voice. Now he was just confused. "Why?" Chan looked past Xiao and into Sun's eyes.

"I couldn't help myself," said Chan softly, "Just look at her." Xiao stood silently for several seconds, observing the looks of intense feeling that passed between his best friend and his sister. He turned on his heel towards Sun and took her hands in his.

"Sun," he asked, "is this what you want?" She looked from her brother's face to Chan's.

"Yes," she said, unshed tears glittering in her eyes, "it is." Chan moved towards her, wanting to take her in his arms again, but he stopped. He looked towards Xiao, wondering if he would go off at him like before. Xiao sighed.

"She's made up her mind, so I guess she's stuck with you," he said, smiling slightly as he stepped from between them. Sun flashed her brother a huge grin, then squealed excitedly and practically jumped into Chan's arms. As they kissed and spoke softly to one another, Xiao's thoughts whirled in his head. Chan and Sun, who would've guessed? Not me, he said to himself. But I suppose mother will be thrilled, and Mulan. And well, everyone. Xiao wasn't sure what he thought though. I suppose I'm glad too, he finally admitted, although only in the solitude of his own psyche. Out of anyone Sun could have picked, I'm happy it was Chan.

"Come on you guys," said Xiao, feeling rather awkward, "Let's get back to the party. Everyone's probably wondering where we went." Chan and Sun followed him back into the ballroom, though rather reluctantly.

The celebration was ending, and the guests were leaving. The sight of Chan's arm around Sun's waist caused many people to stare in amazement. Of course those people were mostly Yao, Shang and the rest of Chan's extended family.

He he he! Yay! I'm so happy this chapter is finally posted. It's my very favorite (so far ;) for obvious reasons. I hope the suspense of the last chapter was worth it. But of course now you all want to know what happens next…and after that…and after that…so I suppose it's a vicious cycle of cliffhangers! I'll be sad when this story is over…but there shall be a sequel! It's floating around in my brain right now…it will be awesome! Anywho…tune in soon for the next chapter…and remember: review or else the monkey in your closet will eat you…(hehe family guy)