Chapter 8-Another Unexpected Turn
Disclaimer: Mulan and her fellow characters do not belong to me. Loong Fai belongs to me (whichever way you interpret that)
A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews, guys! It has encouraged me very much! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Just to let you know, my computer's back and raring to go! So, updates will be here before you know it!
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Loong Fai needed five days to wrap things up with his business so Shang and Mulan stayed in the village longer than they expected. Fai met Mulan in a very different manner. She had gotten into the habit of waking up early (amazingly) and decided that since she could get up earlier, she might as well continue training. Dressing as 'Ping' Mulan went into the courtyard and went through the martial arts moves by herself.
At that point, Fai was just arriving. He paused to watch the new 'guy'. He isn't bad, thought Fai. But I'm better. He decided to introduce himself. Fai came up to Mulan in a haughty walk. "You call those martial arts?" Mulan kept silent. "My grandmother could do it faster!" Mulan's anger rose but she ignored him. "And you call yourself a soldier at that size! You'd probably fall at the slightest breeze!" That was it. She'd had enough.
Mulan straightened up and stared Fai in the face. It was pretty hard to do since Fai stood about a foot taller than her. "Before you judge people, sir, I suggest you have proof that you know what you're talking about. I challenge you to hand-to-hand combat." Fai smirked as he took a fighting stance. Minutes went by and Fai's respect for Mulan was rising. Her speed and agility more than made up for her size. Before he knew it, Mulan's foot landed heavily on his jaw, throwing him to the ground.
Shang's voice suddenly rang out across the courtyard while Mulan smiled triumphantly. "Ping! What're you doing?!" Fai's eyes nearly popped out as he slowly stood up. "Ping? You are Fa Mulan?" He knew she was good but good enough to throw him to the ground? Mulan's eyes widened in fear and surprise. Shang walked up to them. "He knows who I am! How?"
Shang took a look at his friend and grinned. "Beaten by a woman. I'm ashamed of you, Fai!" Fai could only grin sheepishly. Mulan frowned. "Don't forget, I threw you to the ground as well. Now, explain who he is and how you know him." Shang told her as Fai stood there wondering how on earth such a petite woman could beat the formidable Shan-Yu.
Mulan bowed to Fai with a wink. "You forget the age old saying to never underestimate your opponent." Fai rubbed his jaw that was slowly turning black and blue. "I never will again." Mulan smiled and excused herself, leaving the two men staring after her. "I can see why you've fallen for her." Shang just kept silent. "You know, since you may not be telling her you want her to stay, could I..." Fai didn't get to finish. Shang had punched him in the stomach making him fall to the ground again.
"I'll take that as a no," said Fai in a strangled voice.
*********
Eight days went by before the trio finally set off. Mulan on Khan, Shang on his white stallion and Fai on a bay horse he called Chun. Mushu and Cri-Kee still were nowhere to be seen. Mulan fervently hoped they were all right. Fai and the villagers had had a heart-rending goodbye
Along the way, Fai still hadn't understood the plan completely.
"If we don't want Mulan to get married to Sour Plum, why are we still heading for the Imperial City?"
"Because the emperor ordered me to escort her to the Palace."
"But I thought you didn't want to go to the city and get married." This was directed at Mulan.
"I don't. But Shang won't be accused of treason since he's obeying orders. We're just taking an especially long time to get there."
"Oh...then why do you insist on wearing those cloaks?" Shang sighed. Just trying to explain it all made his head ache. This was the worst plan he'd ever come up with. It was also the most desperate. He finally answered Loong Fai. "We're wearing these so any Imperial guards or messengers won't recognize us."
Fai shook his head. "I bet the war wasn't this confusing. And to think YOU were our strategist in the academy!" "I think it's because you haven't done any thing NEAR strategizing for the past four years." "Hey! My skills, I'll admit, have gotten a bit rusty but my mind," Fai tapped his head for emphasis. "is still as sharp as before." "So you're saying that you STILL think egg rolls are made for stuffing into your ears?" Fai scowled. "It was dark and I was seven!" Mulan laughed helplessly, nearly falling off Khan. As night fell, the lights of the city could barely be seen as the trio made camp. The lights served as an unwanted reminder that they were dangerously close.
With Fai around, silence no longer prevailed. Mulan smiled as she watched Fai laugh with Shang by the fire. It was all so confusing, Shang's feelings. Mulan knew he loved her but was the only reason he didn't want to take her to the Imperial City straight was because he didn't like Ming Kei? She shook her head to clear it. A night's sleep would probably help her understand things better. Mulan didn't bother wishing the two men goodnight; they had a lot to talk about.
As the moon rose higher, the fire had died down. All were in tents asleep. Suddenly, Mulan awoke. Someone was calling her name from outside. In her training outfit, Mulan groggily walked out. A voice spoke. "Mulan, it's me!" Drowsily, she tried to place a name. "Loong Fai?" "Yes, yes! Shang's hurt! He's in the forest!" At Shang's name, Mulan didn't stop to question how. She just ran. The tall man grinned evilly as he followed her.
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As he awoke with a yawn, Fai spotted a shadow pacing back and forth outside his tent. He walked out and saw a very upset looking Shang. "I know that walk. What's happened?" Pain showed on Shang's face. "Mulan's gone." Fai's eyes snapped fully open. "What do you mean, gone?" Shang clenched a fist. "Gone, vanished, what other words are there?" Fai looked sadly at his friend. "You seriously don't believe she ran away?" Shang turned away and stared into the distance. "If she wants to go, I won't stop her."
Fai put a hand on Shang's shoulder. "She never wanted to marry Ming Kei. I may not have known her as long as you have, but I know love when I see it. Mulan loves you. The least we can do is trace her." Shang looked at his friend out of the corner of his eye and nodded. Fai smiled and ran off following the prints on the ground. As Shang ran behind Fai, something came to him. There were two sets. Mulan's smaller ones were followed by larger prints. She hadn't been alone.
"Fai, you haven't been..." Fai gave him a look. "Shang, if you even think I've been running around with Mulan, you've got to be insane. I barely said anything about Mulan the last time, and you were already beating me up! Would I DARE lay a finger on her?! I don't think so!"
Shang grinned in spite of himself. It had been a dumb thought. "Then who could have she been running from?" Fai looked ahead. "I don't think she was running from anyone, Shang." He pointed a clearing just in front of them. Signs of a big scuffle and trampled bushes were seen. Shang's eyes widened in understanding. "She was probably tricked then kidnapped. We've seen this far too often not to know."
Shang first burned with fury, went cold with fear then finally formulated a plan all within ten minutes. As they ran back to camp, Shang told Fai what to do. "Ride to the city. Tell them she's been kidnapped and we need soldiers to help." Fai arched an eyebrow as he tossed things into his bag. He asked Shang a question to which he already knew the answer. "And you are?" Shang mounted his stallion. "I'm going to find her."
Fai shook his head but swiftly mounted Chun. Before he went, he tossed Shang his sword. "You'll need this. Good luck, old friend." Shang tied the sword to his side. "Good luck to you as well. We'll meet back here." The two friends galloped off. Shang to the North following the prints, Fai to the South and the Imperial City. Both of them hoping and praying they would be in time.
Disclaimer: Mulan and her fellow characters do not belong to me. Loong Fai belongs to me (whichever way you interpret that)
A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews, guys! It has encouraged me very much! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Just to let you know, my computer's back and raring to go! So, updates will be here before you know it!
************************************************************************
Loong Fai needed five days to wrap things up with his business so Shang and Mulan stayed in the village longer than they expected. Fai met Mulan in a very different manner. She had gotten into the habit of waking up early (amazingly) and decided that since she could get up earlier, she might as well continue training. Dressing as 'Ping' Mulan went into the courtyard and went through the martial arts moves by herself.
At that point, Fai was just arriving. He paused to watch the new 'guy'. He isn't bad, thought Fai. But I'm better. He decided to introduce himself. Fai came up to Mulan in a haughty walk. "You call those martial arts?" Mulan kept silent. "My grandmother could do it faster!" Mulan's anger rose but she ignored him. "And you call yourself a soldier at that size! You'd probably fall at the slightest breeze!" That was it. She'd had enough.
Mulan straightened up and stared Fai in the face. It was pretty hard to do since Fai stood about a foot taller than her. "Before you judge people, sir, I suggest you have proof that you know what you're talking about. I challenge you to hand-to-hand combat." Fai smirked as he took a fighting stance. Minutes went by and Fai's respect for Mulan was rising. Her speed and agility more than made up for her size. Before he knew it, Mulan's foot landed heavily on his jaw, throwing him to the ground.
Shang's voice suddenly rang out across the courtyard while Mulan smiled triumphantly. "Ping! What're you doing?!" Fai's eyes nearly popped out as he slowly stood up. "Ping? You are Fa Mulan?" He knew she was good but good enough to throw him to the ground? Mulan's eyes widened in fear and surprise. Shang walked up to them. "He knows who I am! How?"
Shang took a look at his friend and grinned. "Beaten by a woman. I'm ashamed of you, Fai!" Fai could only grin sheepishly. Mulan frowned. "Don't forget, I threw you to the ground as well. Now, explain who he is and how you know him." Shang told her as Fai stood there wondering how on earth such a petite woman could beat the formidable Shan-Yu.
Mulan bowed to Fai with a wink. "You forget the age old saying to never underestimate your opponent." Fai rubbed his jaw that was slowly turning black and blue. "I never will again." Mulan smiled and excused herself, leaving the two men staring after her. "I can see why you've fallen for her." Shang just kept silent. "You know, since you may not be telling her you want her to stay, could I..." Fai didn't get to finish. Shang had punched him in the stomach making him fall to the ground again.
"I'll take that as a no," said Fai in a strangled voice.
*********
Eight days went by before the trio finally set off. Mulan on Khan, Shang on his white stallion and Fai on a bay horse he called Chun. Mushu and Cri-Kee still were nowhere to be seen. Mulan fervently hoped they were all right. Fai and the villagers had had a heart-rending goodbye
Along the way, Fai still hadn't understood the plan completely.
"If we don't want Mulan to get married to Sour Plum, why are we still heading for the Imperial City?"
"Because the emperor ordered me to escort her to the Palace."
"But I thought you didn't want to go to the city and get married." This was directed at Mulan.
"I don't. But Shang won't be accused of treason since he's obeying orders. We're just taking an especially long time to get there."
"Oh...then why do you insist on wearing those cloaks?" Shang sighed. Just trying to explain it all made his head ache. This was the worst plan he'd ever come up with. It was also the most desperate. He finally answered Loong Fai. "We're wearing these so any Imperial guards or messengers won't recognize us."
Fai shook his head. "I bet the war wasn't this confusing. And to think YOU were our strategist in the academy!" "I think it's because you haven't done any thing NEAR strategizing for the past four years." "Hey! My skills, I'll admit, have gotten a bit rusty but my mind," Fai tapped his head for emphasis. "is still as sharp as before." "So you're saying that you STILL think egg rolls are made for stuffing into your ears?" Fai scowled. "It was dark and I was seven!" Mulan laughed helplessly, nearly falling off Khan. As night fell, the lights of the city could barely be seen as the trio made camp. The lights served as an unwanted reminder that they were dangerously close.
With Fai around, silence no longer prevailed. Mulan smiled as she watched Fai laugh with Shang by the fire. It was all so confusing, Shang's feelings. Mulan knew he loved her but was the only reason he didn't want to take her to the Imperial City straight was because he didn't like Ming Kei? She shook her head to clear it. A night's sleep would probably help her understand things better. Mulan didn't bother wishing the two men goodnight; they had a lot to talk about.
As the moon rose higher, the fire had died down. All were in tents asleep. Suddenly, Mulan awoke. Someone was calling her name from outside. In her training outfit, Mulan groggily walked out. A voice spoke. "Mulan, it's me!" Drowsily, she tried to place a name. "Loong Fai?" "Yes, yes! Shang's hurt! He's in the forest!" At Shang's name, Mulan didn't stop to question how. She just ran. The tall man grinned evilly as he followed her.
********
As he awoke with a yawn, Fai spotted a shadow pacing back and forth outside his tent. He walked out and saw a very upset looking Shang. "I know that walk. What's happened?" Pain showed on Shang's face. "Mulan's gone." Fai's eyes snapped fully open. "What do you mean, gone?" Shang clenched a fist. "Gone, vanished, what other words are there?" Fai looked sadly at his friend. "You seriously don't believe she ran away?" Shang turned away and stared into the distance. "If she wants to go, I won't stop her."
Fai put a hand on Shang's shoulder. "She never wanted to marry Ming Kei. I may not have known her as long as you have, but I know love when I see it. Mulan loves you. The least we can do is trace her." Shang looked at his friend out of the corner of his eye and nodded. Fai smiled and ran off following the prints on the ground. As Shang ran behind Fai, something came to him. There were two sets. Mulan's smaller ones were followed by larger prints. She hadn't been alone.
"Fai, you haven't been..." Fai gave him a look. "Shang, if you even think I've been running around with Mulan, you've got to be insane. I barely said anything about Mulan the last time, and you were already beating me up! Would I DARE lay a finger on her?! I don't think so!"
Shang grinned in spite of himself. It had been a dumb thought. "Then who could have she been running from?" Fai looked ahead. "I don't think she was running from anyone, Shang." He pointed a clearing just in front of them. Signs of a big scuffle and trampled bushes were seen. Shang's eyes widened in understanding. "She was probably tricked then kidnapped. We've seen this far too often not to know."
Shang first burned with fury, went cold with fear then finally formulated a plan all within ten minutes. As they ran back to camp, Shang told Fai what to do. "Ride to the city. Tell them she's been kidnapped and we need soldiers to help." Fai arched an eyebrow as he tossed things into his bag. He asked Shang a question to which he already knew the answer. "And you are?" Shang mounted his stallion. "I'm going to find her."
Fai shook his head but swiftly mounted Chun. Before he went, he tossed Shang his sword. "You'll need this. Good luck, old friend." Shang tied the sword to his side. "Good luck to you as well. We'll meet back here." The two friends galloped off. Shang to the North following the prints, Fai to the South and the Imperial City. Both of them hoping and praying they would be in time.