Chapter 11 Hardships

Shang's life had come to an end. Mulan lay broken. He picked her up and cuddled to her. The bruises on her petite body were brutal. She had on nothing; he grabbed a blanket and covered her. The tears cascaded down his cheeks. He had only Spring now. He felt Mushu come up behind him. But he didn't register his words. His focus was only for the love of his life.

'Mulan, no don't leave me. Don't leave me, I can't make it. No!' He rocked her back and forth, trying to block the memories that were flooding his mind.

Flash Back

He saw his family dying before him, the riot was loud, and the flames were burning his skin. The smoke made it hard for him to see, but he saw his brother jump in front of him and protect him. But then, his brother's weight fell on top of him.

He started to cry. His mother ran toward her sons, unaware of the arrow streaking toward her. She fell in front of Shang. He screamed. He tried to wake his brother up, but there was too much blood.

He felt a strong pair of hands grab him from behind and he fell into a cellar. He sat there, alone for a long time, crying for his mother and brother. He didn't know where his father was. He just rocked himself, worrying.

End Flashback

He felt something, but he must've imagined it. He heard something, but he wasn't paying attention. It was the coughing that got his attention.

He looked down and saw the most beautiful eyes. He couldn't believe it.

'Mulan? Oh baby, your back.' He hugged her tightly to him.

'Shang?' She said quietly. She blacked out again, but she was breathing.

Mushu grabbed Shang's and blew a little fire, starting the chain reaction. Shang held Mulan close as he ran to the ridge.

He was unaware of the chaos around him. The Huns were running in different directions, but Shang didn't care. Mushu was on top of Mulan, covering her body more protectively with the blanket.

Once they reached the ridge, Mushu left to cover their tracks. Shang started a small fire and placed Mulan by it. He took out a tent and set it up. He set up the cot and placed Mulan on it, covering her with many blankets.

He sat there, just staring at her. She had been through so much. He didn't think she would be this bad. He was disgusted with himself. He listened for the return of his soldiers, but he heard nothing. He lay down on the floor of the tent, watching her. He wanted to be there when she woke up.

Finally, about two hours after he retrieved Mulan, Ling and Yao came into camp. They came in to see her. All they saw was her face and they were thirsty for revenge. Shang knew exactly how they felt. He wanted to find Shan-Yu and kill him.

Mulan twitched and all here of them held their breath. Mushu came in when Mulan woke. She was disoriented, but she started to freak. Mushu shooed Ling and Yao out while Shang tried to calm her down,

'Mulan its ok, you're safe. Mulan look at me.' His calm voice quieted her a little bit. When she saw who was talking to her, she cringed away. He didn't understand.

'Mulan, it worked; you're going back to the Troop.' He said. Her eyes didn't lessen in size; she just looked around the tent. He reached out for her but she cringed away again.

'Mulan, can you tell me what's wrong? I'm not Shan-Yu; I don't want to hurt you.' At the words, 'Shan-Yu,' she started to cry. He reached out once more and she still wouldn't go to him. He said quietly. 'I don't care about what he did to you, I still love you.'

She basically jumped into his arms, bawling like a baby. Tears started going down his cheeks as well. He spoke quietly to her, telling her that she was safe in his arms and that he wouldn't hurt her. Her crying started to quiet and he kissed the top of her head. She relaxed into him.

'Better?' He asked her. She nodded. He took her hands in his and kissed them. He didn't want to let her go. Her arm was covered with bruises. He didn't want to do this, but it had to be done.

'Mulan, I'm sorry, but I need to check you. You look like you have several broken bones and I need to know if we need to take you somewhere to get more help.' He spoke quietly, but she moved off of him, covering herself more tightly with the blankets.

'Mulan, I won't hurt you. I just need to check. Please, I won't hurt you.' She still didn't give in. He sighed, 'Do you want Mushu to check you?' She shook her head.

'Do you want to be checked at all?' She once more shook her head. He didn't know what to do. 'Mulan, will you promise to let me look at your injuries tomorrow, since you won't let me tonight?' She shook her head. He didn't want to get mad, but he was loosing his patience.

She moved to lie down again, but cried out. He was by her side in an instant. 'Mulan, are you ok? Talk to me please.' She just shook her head. Pushing his hands away, she rolled away from him.

He gave up. 'I love you Mulan, don't forget that.' He walked out after that. He heard her crying but she wouldn't let him help her.

He sat next to Ling, who patted him on the back. All three of them looked murderous. Ling was the first to talk.

'What did the beast do to her?' He asked darkly. Shang looked at him.

'What do you think Ling? Well, from what I saw when I grabbed her, she was laying on the floor, apparently dead. She wore nothing, bruises over her entire body. Shall I go on?' Shang didn't mean for his voice to be so harsh, but his anger over the past week was coming out at once.

Yao looked like he wanted to kill something. Ling almost looked the same, but he had a look of a scared boy. Shang didn't know what he looked like but it probably wasn't pretty.

Shang looked over at Mushu. Mushu had guilt written all over his face. Shang didn't understand until Mushu cried out so suddenly, it made Yao fall off of his log.

'I'm sorry Shang! I should've told you how bad she was. When I first saw her, she didn't even notice me. She hadn't spoken in days. She only smiled once when I was with her. She was so scared but she didn't give in. She didn't want to speak so she wouldn't give out any secrets.' Mushu was upset, but the information made Shang admire Mulan even more.

She was so brave. She didn't want to give out any of the secrets of the Troops plan, so she was beaten for answers. Tortured, his Mulan was braver than him.

It was time to turn in so they could head out in the morning back to the camp. Shang told the guys that he would take the whole watch. He kept his ear out for anything. He heard distant shouts of the Huns who were still trying to figure out what had happened. His eyes traveled to Mulan's tent. He knew she wasn't asleep, so he went in.

She was sitting in a corner, with a vacant look on her face. His heart ached. He kneeled in front of her, speaking softly.

'Hey, are you ok?' Her eyes locked onto his in an instant. He held her gaze. Her eyes looked so pained. She reached out and swiped at his cheek. He was crying again.

'Shang, I'm scared.' Those three words cut him deep. Her voice was scratchy and hoarse. He held his hand out and she took it.

'Don't be scared, I'm here, no one is going to hurt again. I vow that I won't hurt you.' She nodded her head. He leaned in and rested his forehead on hers. They cried together.