Author's Note: Hello again! I just wanted to let everyone know that some things in this story, like the last chapter are based on the Chinese live action movie that was released in I believe 2009. Anything that you recognize from that movie obviously does not belong to me. Also, none of this is meant to be historically accurate. Please enjoy and be sure to leave a comment! Constructive criticism is appreciated, but hate is not.

Chapter Twenty Two: Guilt

'As good and trustworthy as you.' The words continue to echo in my head while I run back to camp. 'Why does he have to trust me so much!?' For a minute, I wish that Captain Li Shang hated me. At least then it would be easier to lie to him. Finally, I make it to tent two and push the flap open. I see that all of the men are fast asleep, which makes sense considering the day we have all just had. I make my way to my sleeping mat and begin to take my armor off.

"Took you long enough." I jump and stifle a scream. Mushu sees this and begins to chuckle softly. I let out a string of words I have learned from the men that would probably make my mother have a heart attack if she ever heard them come from my mouth. "Hey there! Watch that mouth, little miss!"

I roll my eyes. "Yes, Mom," I reply sarcastically. 'As good and trustworthy as you.' No matter how hard I try to stop them, the words continue to plague me. The feeling of guilt begins to clench my stomach again. Mushu notices my change in mood immediately.

"Hey, what happened?" he asks gently.

"It's just, I don't know how much longer I can do this. I don't know how much longer I can lie like this." I keep my voice down to ensure that anyone who might still be awake doesn't hear me.

Mushu gives me a look of confusion. "What are you talking about?" he whispers back. "You're doing great! I doubt anyone suspects a thing!"

Mushu is a great friend, he really is. He is kind and sweet and loyal to the end, but at times, he can be a little… insensitive. Usually, I just kind of overlook this trait, but today, it makes me snap. "You don't understand! You don't understand how terrible it feels to lie to someone who trusts you!" Mushu gives me a sympathetic look and tries to place a hand on my shoulder in consolation. I pull away. I don't need him to calm me down! Mushu retracts his hand and begins to question me gently.

"What happened at the pond?"

I take a deep breath; I need to talk about this with someone. "To be honest, I don't really know. The captain was asking me all these weird questions and then, as I was leaving, said that he was glad there was someone as good and trustworthy as me in the army. It made me feel so guilty. I've been lying to his face for nearly a year now and he has no clue! He has no clue that I'm nothing but a fraud!

"You're not a fraud," Mushu states calmly. I give him a look of disbelief.

"How can you say that? Look at me!" I retort, trying hard to remain quiet.

"I am looking at you, and do you want to know what I see? I see a person who is fighting hard to protect their country and their family. I see a talented, intelligent individual. Tell me, is your talent fake?"

"No."

"Is your intelligence fake?" Mushu continues.

"No."

"Then how can you say that you are a fraud? Maybe your identity is fake, but what you're doing is all you."

I give a small smile. Maybe in a small way, Mushu is right. "I still feel so guilty," I admit.

Mushu thinks for a moment before responding. "Sometimes, doing the right thing is difficult, but in the end, it is what needs to be done."

At first, I think that I must have misheard Mushu. "You-you think I'm doing the right thing?" I question. "When I first came here, you told me that I was crazy and should go home."

He gives me one of his signature smiles. "True, but, while I am still questioning your sanity, I now see that you were right; your father couldn't have survived this. This really is what you needed to do." With that, I finally let Mushu comfort me, and he pulls me into a hug.

"Thanks, Mushu," I whisper.

Mushu pulls away and looks me in the eye. "Of course. Listen to me: You have nothing to be ashamed about. Now, let's hit the hay. I'm exhausted." I nod in agreement and slump down onto my sleeping mat. Within seconds, the world fades to black.