The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

70. Broken

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"I'll stop the world and melt with you."

~Modern English~

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70. Broken

'I don't care about your breath.'

Mulan barely catches the words before Shang's mouth crashes against hers, hungry and mad and a little bit sloppy. It's too much, and it's not enough, and as he kisses her, Mulan feels like Shang's trying to crawl into her veins and become the marrow in her bones.

When he pulls away, he looks like he's been through hell.

'How long?' asks Mulan. She's afraid of the answer, but she needs to know.

'Seven weeks,' says Shang. He's leaning in to kiss her again, tears on his cheeks. 'Fifty-one days, three hours, fifteen minutes. I thought I'd lost you.'

'It's not that easy to get rid of me,' she smiles.

It's weak but it's the best smile in the world.