Chapter Twenty Four: You're Not Dead!
When I finally get back to my tent, it is dark outside. I open the tent flap and yelp in surprise when I see Mushu sitting on my bedroll.
"Hey, you're not dead!" he cries upon seeing me.
"I told you to get out!" I growl in frustration, ignoring his comment.
Mushu stands up and shrugs. "And I did get out. But, after five minutes, I got worried and came back to wait for you."
"I swear, it's like I brought my mother to camp with me," I say as I roll my eyes and begin to take my hair out of its bun.
Mushu chuckles and then begins to question me. "So what happened? Was it good or bad?"
"To be honest, I'm still deciding on that last part."
"Well, what happened? Tell me!"
I stand face to face with Mushu and take a deep breath. "The captain wants me to be his second in command. I'm a lieutenant."
Mushu gets excited. "You're a lieutenant! That's great!"
"I know, but-"
"Oh no!" Mushu cuts me off, suddenly realizing the reality of it. "You're a lieutenant!"
"Exactly! Being promoted is good though, right? Because that means he doesn't know. But, at the same time, if someone were to find out, I wouldn't just be a soldier who is a woman, I'd be an officer who is a woman! I couldn't decline, though, because then it would be suspicious!" I plop down onto my bedroll and put my head in my hands. "I'm so confused," I grumble.
Mushu sits next to me. "The great Mulan! Confused! It can't be!" he states in sarcastic surprise. I laugh and he continues on a more serious note. "You know what, I say we just forget about the risks and the stakes; just for a minute, let's enjoy the fact that you have been promoted. I mean come on! You have been promoted!" I look at Mushu and smile. He's right, I should take a minute and just be happy. I can worry about how this makes everything harder later.
"Fine, you're right."
Mushu smiles. "I'm always right." I roll my eyes and chuckle. "Hey Mulan, we'll get through this together. Mulan and Mushu, remember?" he states, putting his fist out. It's been so long since I have heard that that, I've almost forgotten about it. It might be dorky, but as little kids, Mushu and I made up "Mulan and Mushu" as a sort of motto to say that we have each other's backs. I take my hand and fist bump Mushu.
"Mulan and Mushu." I return.
"That's what I'm talkin' about! Now let's go tell the other guys! Everyone has been so down lately, we need something to celebrate." With that, I let Mushu drag me out of my tent. I make a mental note to give him a good talk about privacy later though!