Chapter 9: The surprise
It had been two weeks now, everything was almost back to normal. Shang was promoted as General and had to leave Mulan, to go to a variety of places. Mulan was still sore from the wound. She did write to her parents tells them that she was doing fine and would be home soon.
She laid in bed thinking about Shang, Was he going to come back? Even when they did tell each other that they that they felt love, what if he didn't feel that way any more? She shook her head to get away from that thought.
A servant came in with a tray of food. She smiled brightly at Mulan, "How are you doing madam Fa? I brought you some breakfast."
Mulan sat up in a sitting position, "I'm doing fine thank you." She set it down in front of Mulan and watched her eat.
"Word is out that General Li Shang is coming back." Mulan then almost nearly chocked on her food.
"Huh...What?"
"Shang is coming back.... Aren't you happy?"
"Of course!...I mean...He is a good friend of mine and I am grateful that he is coming back." The servant rolled her eyes and bowed down to Mulan and made her way out of her room. Mulan sighed to herself and continued eating.
Mulan had finished her breakfast and began to get dressed. The servants were in there helping her get for General Li Shang's return. The Emperor was going to have a feast for Shang and his men's return.
Mulan was all dressed up and ready for the feast. She walked along the banks of the small little river that flowed through the back of his palace. She sat on a fancy bench that was placed right under a beautiful willow tree. Right next to it was the calm blue river that flowed quietly with the wind.
Mulan sighed at her reflection, she had that stupid makeup on again. It made her face itch every time. She hated it, It hid the real her. The tree's branches hanged low blowing with the soft warm wind.
"Hey, Mulan!" Mulan turned around and saw the little red dragon, it was Mushu. She should have known. She giggled and went towards him and gave him a hug.
"What are you doing here?" Mulan asked with excitement.
"I came to see how you were doing.... Oh and I got a little surprise for you but you have to come with me." Mulan raised an eyebrow but followed Mushu.
"You didn't have to get me anything, Plus where are we going?"
"You'll see, just come on...." She followed Mushu. He stopped and looked at Mulan. It was just an open field full of wild flowers and tall grass.
"This is it?" She asked but yet amazed at the beauty.
"No...Look over there...." He pointed to a little forest, but what caught her eye was a big dark red head pointing out of it. She was breathless. Could it be? She rubbed her eyes with her hands. It was it was Ho Chi. He walked up to her and all she did was give him a huge hug.
"How did...How?" She mumbled for the words.
"Well I went to go to the spot where he had fallen and he wasn't there. So I asked some of the other dragons and basically another caught Ho Chi while he was falling and took him to a peaceful place where all the dragons live. He got better and wanted to see you again." Said Mushu. Mulan looked up at Ho Chi, it was him for sure. He still had those same innocent eyes.
"Thank you." She said as a tear fell down her face of joy and happiness. Ho Chi roared and bent his head down. Mulan was confused, did he want her to get on him? She shrugged her shoulders and began to climb on top of him. She held on tight to him. He slowly lifted his head up and spread out his large bat like wings into the air.
"Come on Mushu." Mulan yelled to him from below her. Mushu scrambled up on top of Ho Chi and sat in front of Mulan. Ho Chi pushed off the ground and flapped his wings up and down. Before they knew it they were in the air flying high. Both Mulan and Mushu giggled, Ho Chi roared in the air to join in their fun.
~*~*~*~* Inside the palace~*~*~*~*
"Your majesty is there anything else that you need?" One of the servants asked. The Emperor nodded his head was about to say something when he heard the flapping of wings from outside. He rushed to the window, the servants right behind him. Then like a flash Ho Chi with Mulan and Mushu on, passed by.
The servants ducked down but the Emperor stayed standing watching them. He chucked to himself, "No, everything is fine."
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Ho Chi was going solo now, just gliding with the wind. "Wahoo....." Screamed out Mushu as if on a roller coaster. Mulan giggled and shook her head. She enjoyed the how the wind blew through her hair. She had Ho Chi back, all was well.
Mulan looked down below them and saw a group of men on horses, it was Shang and the troops, and the gang was also there riding beside them.
"Let's go down and fly next to them." Ho Chi shook hi head and swooped down flapping his wings harder and harder to catch up to them. Mulan could see them know, Ho Chi got closer until he was right next to Shang.
All of them including Shang turned their heads to Ho Chi. He roared at them. "Hey guys." Mulan said as she waved to them and began to giggle.
They all smiled and watch Mulan as her dress flowed with the wind. She looked like an angle on Ho Chi. "Yeah....." The men screamed out. They hollered, in excitement and joy that Mulan was doing well and Ho Chi was alive. Mulan looked at Shang who was smilling at her. She returned the smile.
She turned back to Ho Chi and patted his neck "Let's go!" Ho Chi raised up into the sky and flew like never before. He was quick with the wind. Leaving Shang and the men behind them. "That was awesome!" She said to Ho Chi, patting his neck.
"Rar..........." He roared in response.
"We better get going back." He nodded his head, and flapped his wings and went back to the palace.
Ho Chi and Mushu stayed in the back of the palace while Mulan was inside with the Emperor and everyone else. "Mulan!" She whipped her head around to see the gang coming towards her. She ran to them giving a group hug to them all. "Hey nice flying...I thought he was gone though?" Mentioned Yao. She shook her head and began to tell them what happened.
When she was done with her story they all began to head towards the food section. A hand placed on her shoulder stopped Mulan. She turned around to see Shang looking at her with a huge smile. "So you don't say hi to your Captain...I'm hurt." He said sarcastically. They both began to laugh.
She jumped into his arms almost making him fall. But he caught her and held her tight. "Don't you mean General?" They separated and began to laugh even more.
"I'm sorry that I was gone so long, I just had......" Mulan stopped him by putting her finger against his lips.
"It's ok really..." She said in almost a whisper. He grinned, "You look beautiful." He began to turn a little red.
Mulan felt her checks get warmer, "Thank you." He then coughed and gestured his arm out for her to take it. "Shall we?" She smiled and placed her hands around his arm.
The whole time at the festival Mulan, Shang, and the gang and other friends joined into long conversations. Every so often Mulan and Shang's eyes would meet and stay that way for a while. Love was surly in the air that night.
The party was near the end and people began to leave. Mulan and Shang decided to take a stroll through the back of the palace in the garden. "I'm glad you are feeling better." Shang said turning to Mulan.
"I thought I was going to lose you...." She stopped and stared at Shang. Her heart raced. "Here...sit down." They sat down on a bench facing each other. Shang held Mulan's hands in his in a tight grip. He stared into Mulan's eyes admiring the beauty.
He took a deep breath, "Mulan"
"What is it Shang?"
"All right I just have to come out and say this straight forward ok." Mulan nodded. "Ok, remember when we first kissed and I told you that I cared for you?" She nodded once more the memory of them kissing passed through her mind. How could she forget that day.
"Well....When I saw that you were shot I didn't know what to do...I felt like I was about to the lose one thing in life that mattered to me the most.....You." Mulan blushed a deep red. " I love you Mulan, and I was wondering if I could have you hand in marriage?"
Her heart raced faster and faster, "Yes...." Shang smiled and took her into her arms and held her tight. They parted and looked into each other's eyes. Shang took his one hand and placed it under her chin lifting. He then brought his lips to hers and enjoyed the warm touch of her lips sliding back and forth against his.
The parted at the same time for the lack of air. Smiling at each other, Mulan leaned her head against his chest. He rested his head on top of Mulan's and sighed of happiness.
"What do mean I won that game far and square." Pronounced Mushu. Ho Chi was right behind them as they entered out of the forest. Mulan and Shang's attentions immediately went towards them.
"Oh hey guys what are you doing?" Mulan asked caching both of them off guard. Mushu exclaimed to both Mulan and Shang what they were doing. Ho Chi bended down to Mulan. Mulan had an idea. "How about we go for a ride." Shang's eyes merely popped out.
"I don't think so...." Mulan looked at him and took hi hand and placed it onto Ho Chi's nose.
"See nothing to be afraid of." He felt the warm of Ho Chi's nose as he breathed in and out. He looked at Ho Chi, he didn't look harmless. He turned to Mulan and smiled. "If it's ok with Ho Chi." She jumped up and down. Ho Chi bent down and Mulan and Shang got on. Mulan sat in front of Shang. Ho Chi got ready and lifted himself off the ground. Making Shang hold on tighter to Mulan.
They were in the air gliding. Shang began to get use to it. "Are you ok?" Mulan asked looking back at Shang.
"I am now." They smiled at each other and enjoyed the scenery below them. Mulan leaned back on Shang feeling secure and loved. The whole time Ho Chi kept his speed slow and steady. Mushu got on top of Ho Chi's neck and whispered into his ear.
"I told you they would hit it off." Mushu said. Ho Chi chuckled to himself and continued flying through the sky. He lead them through towns and open fields admiring the beauty of Chin from high above.
Can't you see?
There's a feeling
That's come over me
Close my eyes
You're the only one
That leaves me
Completely breathless
No need to wonder why
Sometimes a gift like this
You can't deny
'Cause I wanted to fly,
So you gave me your wings
And time held its breath
So I could see, yeah
And you set me free
There's a will
There's a way
Sometimes words
Just can't explain
This is real
I'm afraid
I guess this time
There's just
No hiding, fighting
You make me restless
You're in my heart
The only light that shines
there in the dark
'Cause I wanted to fly
So you gave me your wings
And time held its breath
So I could see, yeah
And you set me free
When I was alone
You came around
When I was down
You pulled me through
And there's nothing that
I wouldn't do for you
'Cause I wanted to fly
So you gave me your wings
And time held its breath
So I could see, yeah
And you set me free
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Once again I got this song off the internet, It's by Michiel Branch, The song's title is "You set me free." So please don't sue!
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