Final Showdown
*~*~*~*~*~*
Thunder sounded, lightning struck, and that is when the monsoon had taken over. People, mostly farmers and vendors, rushed to their homes to get warm and comfy and out of the rain. People were running here and there, scrambling to get to a safe place. They were ignoring the sinister figure, who was ramming people out of his way, carrying an unconscious woman, and letting them land in the mud.
" Watch it!!!" he scowled at them, not turning back.
He turned at a corner, and met a man in black robes, his face hidden by the hood. " Did you get her??" he demanded in a hushed voice. The soaking wet man nodded. " Knocked out like a light." He whispered. The hooded man smirked. " Perfect." He hissed. He grabbed the woman's chin, and studied her face, very carefully. He then took off his hood, allowing the rain to soak his head. He revealed to be none other then Mao, the scar face.
" I couldn't conquer China, but, at least I can kill the woman who destroyed everything precious to me." He let go of the woman's head, and let it drop. " C'mon, the dragon won't wait. Move your butt Kublai." He ordered, walking towards a forest. The man nodded unquestioningly, and followed Mao.
*~*~ Back at the palace*~*~
" Hold on Kun, you idiot!" Ray muttered hoarsely, clasping Kun Li's shivering hand in his own. " Don't give up." He added, in a barely audible whisper. People were running here and there, and the emperor was still yelling for the doctor.
" It was just a simple scratch!!" Lin Lei cried, trying to stop the bleeding, which wouldn't cease. " Why won't the bleeding stop?!?" Something suddenly dawned on Ray, and his apprehensive expression quickly turned grave. " Ray??" Lin Lei said, looking at him.
Ray bit his lower lip. " He-he's a bleeder." he mumbled. Lin Lei stared at him, in shock. " A what??!" she exclaimed. " Bleeder, he can die from the smallest cut. He was somewhat pale when I first met him. And right now, he won't stop bleeding." Ray explained, looking graver by the minute, and lowering his head. Lin Lie looked at his face, concerned.
" How did you know??" she asked, wiping off the bangs from his face. Ray lifted his face. " When I was 15, I worked as a physician in my village for 6 years, I knew and saw almost every disease imaginable." He replied, squeezing Kun Li's hand. " It was a sorry sight. I saw people suffering, I hated it."
Lin Lei placed her hand over Ray's. " Ray, don't worry, he can make it." She said, also glancing at Kun Li, who's condition seems to have worsened. " Hang on!" Ray said, letting go of Lin Lei's hand, and grabbing another paper towel, since the other one was already damp with blood.
*~*~ Outside palace*~*~
Yueh swiftly walked outside, taking long and graceful strides. He disregarded the hard and heavy rain pattering against his head. The flaming determination and fury inside him wouldn't die, so easily.
" Yueh! Don't do this!!" Pei cried out, running after him. She finally caught up with him, and tightened the grip on his arm. " Please don't!!" she added, looking at him with her face wet with water. " I have to. It's my battle." He replied coolly. She looked at him, resolute. " I won't let you go." She whispered.
Yueh was now glaring at her, he then did something most astonishing of him. He slapped Pei in the face. " Sorry." She heard him whisper, without turning back, as she fell down from the slap, and landed on the muddy ground. She watched him leave, and go through the gate. A neigh sounded, he had found a charger somehow, and she heard galloping noises.
He was gone. He had gone after her mother for her.
She placed her grimy hand on the cheek where he struck her. " Yu..eh.." she whispered. Ryo then came running out of the palace, and rushed to his fallen sister. " Pei!" he said, trying to shield her from the rain. " What happened?? Where is he???" he asked.
Pei let out a weak sigh. She pointed to the open gate. " He..went after Mao.on a.horse.." she muttered. " Year of the tiger, we gotta go after him!!" Ryo exclaimed. He lifted his sister to her feet, she was slightly shaky though. " Let's go!" He heard a high-pitched squeak, and saw chi Ryu flying towards them, anxious to join in.
" No. You can't come, too dangerous, stay behind." He ordered firmly. Chi Ryu stared at him for a while, then he understood, he soared back inside.
He ran outside, with Pei right beside him, she had come back to her senses, thanks to a little bonk on the head, courtesy of Ryo. Ryo had just exited the gate, when he saw Khan, looking bored and grumpy due to being tied to a post and the rain. " KHAN!!" he yelped with joy. He ran to the black horse, who seemed happy to see him. " Wanna go for a ride Khan??" he offered, untying Khan's reins. The horse grinned at him, and nodded with a satisfied snort.
" Right. Hop on Pei!" Ryo called, looking at his sister. Pei smiled, still covered in mud. " Yeah!" she said, in an excited tone, as she jumped on Khan's back. Ryo smiled at her, then also jumped on Khan, he took the reins.
" See those horse tracks Khan??" Ryo said, pointing at some slightly imperceptible horse tracks. Khan nodded. " Follow 'em!" Ryo instructed. Khan let out a loud neigh, and Pei circled her arms around Ryo. " Hang on!!" he said, as Khan galloped off, following the tracks.
*~*~ Forest*~*~
" I hate it when it rains!!!" Tsi Xiang moaned, still trying to unlock the collar around the black dragon's neck. " I always loose my fire power when this happens!!"
" Just try to get her loose!!" Mushu exclaimed, tugging the dragon's collar. " 's no use, the scar-face has the key to this.." the dragon mumbled weakly. " Darn!" Mushu cursed snapping his claws. Voices were suddenly heard over the rain, approaching them. " It's scar-face!!" the black dragon exclaimed wearily. " Get the heck outta here!!" she hissed, turning to Mushu and Tsi Xiang.
" What about you??" Tsi Xiang asked, concerned, as she patted the dragon's massive head. " I can take care of myself dear." she replied, smiling, weakly. " Just-take care.of my son.." She turned her head, and listened to the voices, who seemed to be getting closer, and louder. " Now go!!!!" Mushu and Tsi Xiang looked at each other, then at her, hesitantly. They sighed, and scooted to the nearest bush.
The dragon rested her head on her claws, and waited for the men. She glanced up, when she saw Mao towering over her. " Tie the woman up, and we can go." He ordered, looking at his companion. She looked at the cohort now, who was tying up a woman, she recognized as..Fa Mulan.
" It's Mulan!!!!!" Mushu hissed, looking at the new arrivals from the safety of the bush. " You sure??" Tsi Xiang asked, throwing a glance at Mushu. " Positive." " What do we do??" Tsi Xiang asked, panicked. " I don't know."
" Hurry up Kublai! Time isn't on our side." Mao said impatiently. " I'm already done!" Kublai growled in reply. " Finally!!" Mao said, in an exasperated tone. Kublai looked at Mao with evident irritation. " Well, put her on the stupid thing!!" he ordered, kicking the dragon on her side. She roared in pain as the silver tipped boot came in contact with her soft underbelly.
" Aye aye sir." Kublai muttered under his breath. He lifted the now bound and gagged Mulan unto the dragon's back. " Now, unlock her!" Mao instructed, throwing Hong the keys to the dragon's collar. He nodded.
Approaching the dragon, he bent forward, and fumbled with the lock and key a bit, before the collar finally came off. Kublai then grabbed the dragon's head, and slipped some reins over her face.
" Where can we go??" Mao asked, boarding the dragon. " To the mountains. You can hide there for a while." Kublai replied. Mao nodded. Kublai then carried Mulan over to the back of the dragon, and lifted her up, placing her right behind Mao.
Suddenly, as Kublai was just about to board the dragon, an arrow came sailing from the trees, and struck Kublai in the chest. " Gaaahhh!!!" he screamed, blood immediately came gushing out the wound. " Kublai!!" Mao exclaimed, as he jumped off, and rushed to Kublai's side.
" You're bleeding badly!! We gotta get you out of here!!!!" he said urgently, lifting Kublai. " noo..Leave me.." he groaned, wriggling out Mao's grasp, and landing on the muddy ground. " I'll just be a burden.." Mao glared at him. " You idiot! I'm not leaving one of my best men!!!" he snarled in protest.
" Don't forget me." Came a cold voice. Mao turned around, and was glaring furiously at an arrow and bow-wielding figure. Yueh, his own brother. " How could you do this?!?!?" Mao hissed angrily at him, supporting Kublai. " Me??" Yueh hissed back, pointing his bow and arrow at Kublai. " How could YOU kidnap Pei's mother??" he demanded.
Mao glared at him, burning. " she destroyed your life!!!" he snarled, clenching his fist. " She made my life better!!!!" Yueh protested, lowering his arsenal. " How??? With that pathetic little good-for-nothing woman??" Mao scoffed, putting Kublai on a rock, out of danger. He reached into his cloak, and unsheathed a sword.
Now, it was Yueh's turn to glare. " Her name is Pei! Don't you dare call her that!!!! She's a wonderful person, sweet, kind, and she can kick butt!!! She's nothing like what you said!!!!" he growled. " Really??" came the familiar femme voice.
Yueh almost fainted from humiliation when he turned around and saw who heard him. Pei herself. She was with Ryo, soaked, and surprised at what he had said. Ryo was grinning slyly while nudging a blushing Pei at the ribs. " I-is that true??" Pei asked, stepping forward. Yueh swallowed hard, and nodded sheepishly.
" Well, isn't this sweet???" Mao said in sarcasm. Ryo immediately went into a fighting stance, pushing Pei backwards and joined Yueh in glaring at him. " Reunions, they just make me wanna.barf!" he muttered, throwing Yueh a sword he got from beneath his cloak.
Yueh could only stare at the weapon. " What's this for??" he demanded. Mao smirked. " For fighting little brother. You're going to go one-on-one with me." He replied. " Why should I??" Yueh snarled, Ryo tightened his fists. " If you want 'Pei's' mother back, a.k.a the witch, you have to fight for her."
Pei stared at them, then looked over her brother's shoulder, catching sight of Chi Ryu's mother and.. " MOM!!!!" she exclaimed at the sight of her bound and gagged and unconscious mother. Ryo was startled by her sudden scream, but soon, he also caught sight of his mother. " If you want her, fight." Mao sneered at the two men.
" MOM!!!!" Pei cried, sobbing slightly. She ran forward, in desperation to reach her mother. Ryo grabbed her wrists, and pulled her back. " MOM!!!" she repeated helplessly. " PEI!!! Calm down!!" Ryo hissed soothingly. He hugged his trembling sister, and turned to Mao, eyes burning. " I'll fight you." He growled.
Yueh immediately thrust his arm out, blocking Ryo's path. " What are you doing??" he snarled, now glaring at Yueh, who was looking calm and serene, yet deadly and hungering for blood. "Weren't you listening to what I said??" he hissed. " I fight MY battles." With that, he punched Ryo in the face, knocking him down, along with Pei. They could only stare in shock, as Yueh slowly picked up the muddy sword, and grasped it tightly.
" Let's get it on." He hissed. Mao nodded, and the fight started.
Ryo stared, dumbfounded at the sight. The brothers were moving with amazing accuracy, and grace. Mao went first, thrusting his sword towards Yueh, who easily evaded it, jumping out of the way. Mao, not about to land in the mud, immediately plunged his hands forward, and saved his upper body from mud. He growled and got back up. He came face-to-face to Yueh, who was about to slice his brother in half, if he didn't use his sword to shield the blow. The brothers glared at each other fiercely, and pushed each other, back and forth, using their weight to force the other to retreat back and stumble, unfortunately, since they were both very strong, neither fell down.
They finally broke off from each other, and landed backwards. Recovering from the separation of swords, they were shook a bit, but quickly regained their balance, and were in their dueling stances once more, and the fight continued. With the both of them, charging at each other, then evading the strikes, and shielding themselves with their swords.
From the bushes, Mushu and Tsi Xiang could only stare at them. " Woah, they are both good." Mushu muttered, captivated by the dueling siblings. " Go master!!!!" Tsi Xiang cheered.
The fight continued, neither getting tired. Finally, Yueh was able to catch Mao off-guard, and he took advantage of it. He used his sword against Mao's, and it soon went flying out of his hands. Ryo and Pei could only gasp, as Mao stumbled back, looking shocked, and Yueh was towering over him, his sword threatening to cut Mao's throat.
Mao was looking up at his furious, and tired brother with shocked and concerned eyes. " Why..why are you doing this??" he asked quietly . Yueh sighed, and he lowered his sword, and let it slowly drop to the ground. Tsi Xiang and Mushu edged closer, to see what would happen next.
Yueh's eyes slowly softened, and he dropped to the ground. He turned to his brother. The rain continued to pour, as the brothers shared a moment. " Why am I doing this?? Why did you kidnap my girl's mother??" he repeated the routine from before, solemnly. Mao stared at him. " I had to!!!" he growled, waving his arms in frustration. " She-she destroyed your life!!!!" he added, lowering his head, ashamed.
Yueh stared at his older brother. " You mean, you did it..because you cared??" he asked, wiping the bangs off his brother's face. Mao's eyes met Yueh's, and he soon he realized that.Mao..was.crying..
" I didn't want you to experience the kind of life I had!!!! I tried to make your life perfect!! But since mom died, it turned upside-down!!! I failed!! I did the only thing I could!!!! I tried to get my revenge on the one person who destroyed the life of my brother!!!!" he cried, pointing at Mulan. Still unconscious.
" I did it all, because I love you!!! You're my baby brother!!!! I want to make you happy and see you smile!!!!!!" Mao sobbed, feeling so ashamed for crying in front of his brother, who always imagined him as cold and unemotional.
Suddenly, Yueh's hands wrapped around Mao's neck, and Mao felt himself leaning against his brother's chest. He stopped crying, and looked at his brother's face. Full of pity, care and understanding.
" Mao. don't you get it?? That woman created the thing that makes me happy and smile." Yueh whispered. He turned to Pei, who was still in Ryo's arms. " That's MY happiness." He added.
Mao lowered his head. " I-I guess if that makes you happy." he muttered. Yueh smiled at him, and wrapped Mao in warm, brotherly embrace. Mao, shocked at first with the gesture, smiled weakly. He shed a few tears, before returning the embrace, under the rain.
Tsi Xiang and Mushu, from their hiding place, went " Aww.."
Pei was crying from sheer happiness, and Ryo smiled. The rain suddenly began to slow, and finally, it stopped. While the moment lasted, Ryo suddenly looked up, and saw a flash of lightning hit a huge tree branch, causing it to fall onto the brothers, flaming. " LOOK OUT!!!!" he screeched.
Mao looked up, and saw the flaming bush. He growled, and pushed Yueh out of the way. The branch instantly landed on top of Mao, pinning him to the ground. He couldn't move. Yueh recovered from the rolling, and saw his brother, trapped under the flaming branch, which had set the other bushes and trees on fire.
" MAO!!!!" Yueh screamed, running towards his brother. Tsi Xiang and Mushu stared at spreading flames, and at each other. " We gotta lead Chi Ryu's mom outta here and save Mulan and her!!" Mushu cried frantically. Tsi Xiang looked hesitant at first, she looked at her struggling master. " But, my master." she muttered. " Come on!!!" Mushu growled, dragging Tsi Xiang towards the huge black dragon.
Yueh struggled to get the branch off his brother. He couldn't. It was a big branch, and it was burning his hands, but he didn't care. He had to save his brother. " Don't worry Mao, I'll get you out!" Yueh said reassuringly. Mao looked at him, then at the flaming environment. He bit his lower lip, thinking of the important decision he was going to make.
" Leave me!!!" Mao cried. Yueh stopped, and stared. " Excuse ME?!?" he demanded. " Leave me here!!" Mao repeated. " No way!!!" Yueh protested. Mao glared at his brother. Yueh noticed it wasn't the usual cold glare, but a concerned and loving one. " Go." He hissed, the flames beginning to engulf him. " Why?!?!"
Mao sighed. " I just want you to be happy." He muttered. " Yeah, I know! But what does that have to do with this!?" Yueh growled. " I almost destroyed your happiness, I want you to be happy. Leave me." Yueh was stunned by these words.
" Let's go!!!!" Ryo cried, grabbing Yueh by the wrist. " Go man!! Before you burn like barbeque!!!" Mao hissed. Ryo looked at the villain. " You really are a good brother." He muttered. Mao smirked at him. Ryo then ran off, dragging along a stunned Yueh with him. " Let's go!!!" Pei screeched urgently. They looked around, they were completely surrounded by flames.
" What'll we do??" Ryo groaned. " We need a miracle!!!" Pei said, praying. " Did someone ask for a miracle!?!?!" came a chorus of voices from above. They looked up, and saw Chi Ryu's mom, with their mom, Kublai in her claws, and Mushu and Tsi Xiang were grinning down at them. " Come on board!!!!" they said, as Chi Ryu's mother quickly flew down, and let Ryo, Pei and Yueh climb on her back. " Put some power in those wings girl and fly!!" Mushu said enthusiastically. Chi Ryu's mother nodded, and she flew out of the forest.
They flew over the nearest village, and saw several people throwing buckets of water at the fire, desperately trying to put it out. Yueh finally came out of his trance. He shook his head, and stared at the flames. " Mao," he whispered, collapsing on Pei. Pei blushed. " Yueh!" she cried, trying to hide her blush. She lifted him onto her chest, and felt a sudden wetness on her dress. She was surprised, and looked at Yueh.
He was crying.
*~*~*~*
TBC
*~*~*~*
*~*~*~*~*~*
Thunder sounded, lightning struck, and that is when the monsoon had taken over. People, mostly farmers and vendors, rushed to their homes to get warm and comfy and out of the rain. People were running here and there, scrambling to get to a safe place. They were ignoring the sinister figure, who was ramming people out of his way, carrying an unconscious woman, and letting them land in the mud.
" Watch it!!!" he scowled at them, not turning back.
He turned at a corner, and met a man in black robes, his face hidden by the hood. " Did you get her??" he demanded in a hushed voice. The soaking wet man nodded. " Knocked out like a light." He whispered. The hooded man smirked. " Perfect." He hissed. He grabbed the woman's chin, and studied her face, very carefully. He then took off his hood, allowing the rain to soak his head. He revealed to be none other then Mao, the scar face.
" I couldn't conquer China, but, at least I can kill the woman who destroyed everything precious to me." He let go of the woman's head, and let it drop. " C'mon, the dragon won't wait. Move your butt Kublai." He ordered, walking towards a forest. The man nodded unquestioningly, and followed Mao.
*~*~ Back at the palace*~*~
" Hold on Kun, you idiot!" Ray muttered hoarsely, clasping Kun Li's shivering hand in his own. " Don't give up." He added, in a barely audible whisper. People were running here and there, and the emperor was still yelling for the doctor.
" It was just a simple scratch!!" Lin Lei cried, trying to stop the bleeding, which wouldn't cease. " Why won't the bleeding stop?!?" Something suddenly dawned on Ray, and his apprehensive expression quickly turned grave. " Ray??" Lin Lei said, looking at him.
Ray bit his lower lip. " He-he's a bleeder." he mumbled. Lin Lei stared at him, in shock. " A what??!" she exclaimed. " Bleeder, he can die from the smallest cut. He was somewhat pale when I first met him. And right now, he won't stop bleeding." Ray explained, looking graver by the minute, and lowering his head. Lin Lie looked at his face, concerned.
" How did you know??" she asked, wiping off the bangs from his face. Ray lifted his face. " When I was 15, I worked as a physician in my village for 6 years, I knew and saw almost every disease imaginable." He replied, squeezing Kun Li's hand. " It was a sorry sight. I saw people suffering, I hated it."
Lin Lei placed her hand over Ray's. " Ray, don't worry, he can make it." She said, also glancing at Kun Li, who's condition seems to have worsened. " Hang on!" Ray said, letting go of Lin Lei's hand, and grabbing another paper towel, since the other one was already damp with blood.
*~*~ Outside palace*~*~
Yueh swiftly walked outside, taking long and graceful strides. He disregarded the hard and heavy rain pattering against his head. The flaming determination and fury inside him wouldn't die, so easily.
" Yueh! Don't do this!!" Pei cried out, running after him. She finally caught up with him, and tightened the grip on his arm. " Please don't!!" she added, looking at him with her face wet with water. " I have to. It's my battle." He replied coolly. She looked at him, resolute. " I won't let you go." She whispered.
Yueh was now glaring at her, he then did something most astonishing of him. He slapped Pei in the face. " Sorry." She heard him whisper, without turning back, as she fell down from the slap, and landed on the muddy ground. She watched him leave, and go through the gate. A neigh sounded, he had found a charger somehow, and she heard galloping noises.
He was gone. He had gone after her mother for her.
She placed her grimy hand on the cheek where he struck her. " Yu..eh.." she whispered. Ryo then came running out of the palace, and rushed to his fallen sister. " Pei!" he said, trying to shield her from the rain. " What happened?? Where is he???" he asked.
Pei let out a weak sigh. She pointed to the open gate. " He..went after Mao.on a.horse.." she muttered. " Year of the tiger, we gotta go after him!!" Ryo exclaimed. He lifted his sister to her feet, she was slightly shaky though. " Let's go!" He heard a high-pitched squeak, and saw chi Ryu flying towards them, anxious to join in.
" No. You can't come, too dangerous, stay behind." He ordered firmly. Chi Ryu stared at him for a while, then he understood, he soared back inside.
He ran outside, with Pei right beside him, she had come back to her senses, thanks to a little bonk on the head, courtesy of Ryo. Ryo had just exited the gate, when he saw Khan, looking bored and grumpy due to being tied to a post and the rain. " KHAN!!" he yelped with joy. He ran to the black horse, who seemed happy to see him. " Wanna go for a ride Khan??" he offered, untying Khan's reins. The horse grinned at him, and nodded with a satisfied snort.
" Right. Hop on Pei!" Ryo called, looking at his sister. Pei smiled, still covered in mud. " Yeah!" she said, in an excited tone, as she jumped on Khan's back. Ryo smiled at her, then also jumped on Khan, he took the reins.
" See those horse tracks Khan??" Ryo said, pointing at some slightly imperceptible horse tracks. Khan nodded. " Follow 'em!" Ryo instructed. Khan let out a loud neigh, and Pei circled her arms around Ryo. " Hang on!!" he said, as Khan galloped off, following the tracks.
*~*~ Forest*~*~
" I hate it when it rains!!!" Tsi Xiang moaned, still trying to unlock the collar around the black dragon's neck. " I always loose my fire power when this happens!!"
" Just try to get her loose!!" Mushu exclaimed, tugging the dragon's collar. " 's no use, the scar-face has the key to this.." the dragon mumbled weakly. " Darn!" Mushu cursed snapping his claws. Voices were suddenly heard over the rain, approaching them. " It's scar-face!!" the black dragon exclaimed wearily. " Get the heck outta here!!" she hissed, turning to Mushu and Tsi Xiang.
" What about you??" Tsi Xiang asked, concerned, as she patted the dragon's massive head. " I can take care of myself dear." she replied, smiling, weakly. " Just-take care.of my son.." She turned her head, and listened to the voices, who seemed to be getting closer, and louder. " Now go!!!!" Mushu and Tsi Xiang looked at each other, then at her, hesitantly. They sighed, and scooted to the nearest bush.
The dragon rested her head on her claws, and waited for the men. She glanced up, when she saw Mao towering over her. " Tie the woman up, and we can go." He ordered, looking at his companion. She looked at the cohort now, who was tying up a woman, she recognized as..Fa Mulan.
" It's Mulan!!!!!" Mushu hissed, looking at the new arrivals from the safety of the bush. " You sure??" Tsi Xiang asked, throwing a glance at Mushu. " Positive." " What do we do??" Tsi Xiang asked, panicked. " I don't know."
" Hurry up Kublai! Time isn't on our side." Mao said impatiently. " I'm already done!" Kublai growled in reply. " Finally!!" Mao said, in an exasperated tone. Kublai looked at Mao with evident irritation. " Well, put her on the stupid thing!!" he ordered, kicking the dragon on her side. She roared in pain as the silver tipped boot came in contact with her soft underbelly.
" Aye aye sir." Kublai muttered under his breath. He lifted the now bound and gagged Mulan unto the dragon's back. " Now, unlock her!" Mao instructed, throwing Hong the keys to the dragon's collar. He nodded.
Approaching the dragon, he bent forward, and fumbled with the lock and key a bit, before the collar finally came off. Kublai then grabbed the dragon's head, and slipped some reins over her face.
" Where can we go??" Mao asked, boarding the dragon. " To the mountains. You can hide there for a while." Kublai replied. Mao nodded. Kublai then carried Mulan over to the back of the dragon, and lifted her up, placing her right behind Mao.
Suddenly, as Kublai was just about to board the dragon, an arrow came sailing from the trees, and struck Kublai in the chest. " Gaaahhh!!!" he screamed, blood immediately came gushing out the wound. " Kublai!!" Mao exclaimed, as he jumped off, and rushed to Kublai's side.
" You're bleeding badly!! We gotta get you out of here!!!!" he said urgently, lifting Kublai. " noo..Leave me.." he groaned, wriggling out Mao's grasp, and landing on the muddy ground. " I'll just be a burden.." Mao glared at him. " You idiot! I'm not leaving one of my best men!!!" he snarled in protest.
" Don't forget me." Came a cold voice. Mao turned around, and was glaring furiously at an arrow and bow-wielding figure. Yueh, his own brother. " How could you do this?!?!?" Mao hissed angrily at him, supporting Kublai. " Me??" Yueh hissed back, pointing his bow and arrow at Kublai. " How could YOU kidnap Pei's mother??" he demanded.
Mao glared at him, burning. " she destroyed your life!!!" he snarled, clenching his fist. " She made my life better!!!!" Yueh protested, lowering his arsenal. " How??? With that pathetic little good-for-nothing woman??" Mao scoffed, putting Kublai on a rock, out of danger. He reached into his cloak, and unsheathed a sword.
Now, it was Yueh's turn to glare. " Her name is Pei! Don't you dare call her that!!!! She's a wonderful person, sweet, kind, and she can kick butt!!! She's nothing like what you said!!!!" he growled. " Really??" came the familiar femme voice.
Yueh almost fainted from humiliation when he turned around and saw who heard him. Pei herself. She was with Ryo, soaked, and surprised at what he had said. Ryo was grinning slyly while nudging a blushing Pei at the ribs. " I-is that true??" Pei asked, stepping forward. Yueh swallowed hard, and nodded sheepishly.
" Well, isn't this sweet???" Mao said in sarcasm. Ryo immediately went into a fighting stance, pushing Pei backwards and joined Yueh in glaring at him. " Reunions, they just make me wanna.barf!" he muttered, throwing Yueh a sword he got from beneath his cloak.
Yueh could only stare at the weapon. " What's this for??" he demanded. Mao smirked. " For fighting little brother. You're going to go one-on-one with me." He replied. " Why should I??" Yueh snarled, Ryo tightened his fists. " If you want 'Pei's' mother back, a.k.a the witch, you have to fight for her."
Pei stared at them, then looked over her brother's shoulder, catching sight of Chi Ryu's mother and.. " MOM!!!!" she exclaimed at the sight of her bound and gagged and unconscious mother. Ryo was startled by her sudden scream, but soon, he also caught sight of his mother. " If you want her, fight." Mao sneered at the two men.
" MOM!!!!" Pei cried, sobbing slightly. She ran forward, in desperation to reach her mother. Ryo grabbed her wrists, and pulled her back. " MOM!!!" she repeated helplessly. " PEI!!! Calm down!!" Ryo hissed soothingly. He hugged his trembling sister, and turned to Mao, eyes burning. " I'll fight you." He growled.
Yueh immediately thrust his arm out, blocking Ryo's path. " What are you doing??" he snarled, now glaring at Yueh, who was looking calm and serene, yet deadly and hungering for blood. "Weren't you listening to what I said??" he hissed. " I fight MY battles." With that, he punched Ryo in the face, knocking him down, along with Pei. They could only stare in shock, as Yueh slowly picked up the muddy sword, and grasped it tightly.
" Let's get it on." He hissed. Mao nodded, and the fight started.
Ryo stared, dumbfounded at the sight. The brothers were moving with amazing accuracy, and grace. Mao went first, thrusting his sword towards Yueh, who easily evaded it, jumping out of the way. Mao, not about to land in the mud, immediately plunged his hands forward, and saved his upper body from mud. He growled and got back up. He came face-to-face to Yueh, who was about to slice his brother in half, if he didn't use his sword to shield the blow. The brothers glared at each other fiercely, and pushed each other, back and forth, using their weight to force the other to retreat back and stumble, unfortunately, since they were both very strong, neither fell down.
They finally broke off from each other, and landed backwards. Recovering from the separation of swords, they were shook a bit, but quickly regained their balance, and were in their dueling stances once more, and the fight continued. With the both of them, charging at each other, then evading the strikes, and shielding themselves with their swords.
From the bushes, Mushu and Tsi Xiang could only stare at them. " Woah, they are both good." Mushu muttered, captivated by the dueling siblings. " Go master!!!!" Tsi Xiang cheered.
The fight continued, neither getting tired. Finally, Yueh was able to catch Mao off-guard, and he took advantage of it. He used his sword against Mao's, and it soon went flying out of his hands. Ryo and Pei could only gasp, as Mao stumbled back, looking shocked, and Yueh was towering over him, his sword threatening to cut Mao's throat.
Mao was looking up at his furious, and tired brother with shocked and concerned eyes. " Why..why are you doing this??" he asked quietly . Yueh sighed, and he lowered his sword, and let it slowly drop to the ground. Tsi Xiang and Mushu edged closer, to see what would happen next.
Yueh's eyes slowly softened, and he dropped to the ground. He turned to his brother. The rain continued to pour, as the brothers shared a moment. " Why am I doing this?? Why did you kidnap my girl's mother??" he repeated the routine from before, solemnly. Mao stared at him. " I had to!!!" he growled, waving his arms in frustration. " She-she destroyed your life!!!!" he added, lowering his head, ashamed.
Yueh stared at his older brother. " You mean, you did it..because you cared??" he asked, wiping the bangs off his brother's face. Mao's eyes met Yueh's, and he soon he realized that.Mao..was.crying..
" I didn't want you to experience the kind of life I had!!!! I tried to make your life perfect!! But since mom died, it turned upside-down!!! I failed!! I did the only thing I could!!!! I tried to get my revenge on the one person who destroyed the life of my brother!!!!" he cried, pointing at Mulan. Still unconscious.
" I did it all, because I love you!!! You're my baby brother!!!! I want to make you happy and see you smile!!!!!!" Mao sobbed, feeling so ashamed for crying in front of his brother, who always imagined him as cold and unemotional.
Suddenly, Yueh's hands wrapped around Mao's neck, and Mao felt himself leaning against his brother's chest. He stopped crying, and looked at his brother's face. Full of pity, care and understanding.
" Mao. don't you get it?? That woman created the thing that makes me happy and smile." Yueh whispered. He turned to Pei, who was still in Ryo's arms. " That's MY happiness." He added.
Mao lowered his head. " I-I guess if that makes you happy." he muttered. Yueh smiled at him, and wrapped Mao in warm, brotherly embrace. Mao, shocked at first with the gesture, smiled weakly. He shed a few tears, before returning the embrace, under the rain.
Tsi Xiang and Mushu, from their hiding place, went " Aww.."
Pei was crying from sheer happiness, and Ryo smiled. The rain suddenly began to slow, and finally, it stopped. While the moment lasted, Ryo suddenly looked up, and saw a flash of lightning hit a huge tree branch, causing it to fall onto the brothers, flaming. " LOOK OUT!!!!" he screeched.
Mao looked up, and saw the flaming bush. He growled, and pushed Yueh out of the way. The branch instantly landed on top of Mao, pinning him to the ground. He couldn't move. Yueh recovered from the rolling, and saw his brother, trapped under the flaming branch, which had set the other bushes and trees on fire.
" MAO!!!!" Yueh screamed, running towards his brother. Tsi Xiang and Mushu stared at spreading flames, and at each other. " We gotta lead Chi Ryu's mom outta here and save Mulan and her!!" Mushu cried frantically. Tsi Xiang looked hesitant at first, she looked at her struggling master. " But, my master." she muttered. " Come on!!!" Mushu growled, dragging Tsi Xiang towards the huge black dragon.
Yueh struggled to get the branch off his brother. He couldn't. It was a big branch, and it was burning his hands, but he didn't care. He had to save his brother. " Don't worry Mao, I'll get you out!" Yueh said reassuringly. Mao looked at him, then at the flaming environment. He bit his lower lip, thinking of the important decision he was going to make.
" Leave me!!!" Mao cried. Yueh stopped, and stared. " Excuse ME?!?" he demanded. " Leave me here!!" Mao repeated. " No way!!!" Yueh protested. Mao glared at his brother. Yueh noticed it wasn't the usual cold glare, but a concerned and loving one. " Go." He hissed, the flames beginning to engulf him. " Why?!?!"
Mao sighed. " I just want you to be happy." He muttered. " Yeah, I know! But what does that have to do with this!?" Yueh growled. " I almost destroyed your happiness, I want you to be happy. Leave me." Yueh was stunned by these words.
" Let's go!!!!" Ryo cried, grabbing Yueh by the wrist. " Go man!! Before you burn like barbeque!!!" Mao hissed. Ryo looked at the villain. " You really are a good brother." He muttered. Mao smirked at him. Ryo then ran off, dragging along a stunned Yueh with him. " Let's go!!!" Pei screeched urgently. They looked around, they were completely surrounded by flames.
" What'll we do??" Ryo groaned. " We need a miracle!!!" Pei said, praying. " Did someone ask for a miracle!?!?!" came a chorus of voices from above. They looked up, and saw Chi Ryu's mom, with their mom, Kublai in her claws, and Mushu and Tsi Xiang were grinning down at them. " Come on board!!!!" they said, as Chi Ryu's mother quickly flew down, and let Ryo, Pei and Yueh climb on her back. " Put some power in those wings girl and fly!!" Mushu said enthusiastically. Chi Ryu's mother nodded, and she flew out of the forest.
They flew over the nearest village, and saw several people throwing buckets of water at the fire, desperately trying to put it out. Yueh finally came out of his trance. He shook his head, and stared at the flames. " Mao," he whispered, collapsing on Pei. Pei blushed. " Yueh!" she cried, trying to hide her blush. She lifted him onto her chest, and felt a sudden wetness on her dress. She was surprised, and looked at Yueh.
He was crying.
*~*~*~*
TBC
*~*~*~*