Dear Readers,
I want to apologize for not updating in the past three weeks. It has been a long time, and it is not easy to live knowing all of you are waiting for the next chapter to come. I had exams this week and I couldn't even glance at the computer because I had a lot to study. At least your waiting has been worth it.this is a 9 page document in word. ( Ok, thank you very much for your patience and your reviews: Sue, jynkang, Crazygurl06, sovereign, Jeanine, Kayley, AD, Wyle-CornFlake, Amb3r, Toughspirit, YunCyn, RowenaR, and everyone who reads this later on.
Jeanine, Amb3r and Toughspirit: I will try to email you guys today. I haven't checked my inbox the last 2 weeks.
Enjoy.
Chapter 9: Compliments
The fact that Mulan had rescued Shang was a little ironic, since her own father had asked the young General to watch over her. Instead, she had been the one chosen to save his life.for the third time. Honestly it didn't bother him much, he was grateful it was her instead. Amid his delirium while mounted on Mulan's black horse, Shang wondered if he would have one day the chance to save this woman's life.not just protect her.save her. He wondered if she would allow him to do so.
People in the village continued their lives doing their normal activities except for working in the rice fields. They were too frightened to even get near.
Mulan and the half asleep young man passed by Tanni's home. She thought for a moment that maybe this graceful girl would be her only hope; yet it was not easy to go on intruding into other people's houses. It was against her principles. Hopefully, she could go and knock on her door with the excuse of saying hello to Tsien and Tanni would allow them to stay. Well, it didn't matter if Mulan had nowhere to spend the night; she could fix that herself.but Shang. With a deep sight Mulan tied Khan's reins on a tree nearby and asked Mushu to take care of Shang.
She could swear Mushu was reading her mind. "Nice strategy, soldier!" The dragon put his two thumbs up and winked an eye at Mulan. Cri-kee broke into laughter.
There was no real need to knock on the door, since Tsien had seen Mulan through the window. Immediately he ran to greet her. The smile on his young features could hardly conceal the joy he felt to see his dear friend. Only a few hours had gone by, but he was so used to her that they seemed like days. As soon as he reached her, the boy embraced Mulan with the same love a son would embrace his mother. She lifted him up and spun him around with glee. Giggles escaped from the child.
"Did you miss me?" Mulan asked breaking away.
"Yes," Tsien replied, "Where is Shang?"
"He's right there on my horse," Mulan pointed out.
The boy walked towards Khan and noticed Shang was asleep while his clothes were stained with thick red blood. Was he dead? He wondered as he stared at the motionless body of his number one hero. "Is he ok?" Tsien asked with a slight hesitation in his voice.
"Yeah," Mulan answered, "He just needs to rest."
They hadn't noticed Tanni was there behind them, watching and listening to every single word they spoke, until she offered humbly, "He can stay here until he's healthy enough to continue on to the Imperial City."
"I don't come to give you any more trouble," Mulan said, "You have done a lot by taking care of these two children."
"I don't cause much trouble," Tsien complained.
Both girls burst into laughter. Tanni turned serious again and said, "It won't be much of a request. You soldiers fight to protect us all, and we have to pay you somehow." "Are you sure?" Mulan asked quite embarrassed.
"Certainly," The girl answered, "It is an honor to serve China's first heroin."
Mulan couldn't help but to smile fondly at Tanni. So she didn't hate her for breaking the law and joining the army. Now that she thought of it, not everyone hated her.her family was proud of her, Yao, Ling and Chien Po were very good friends, Loushen wasn't afraid of getting near to her, Tsien and Mei Hyung didn't show the smallest or simplest signs of wrath towards her, Tanni had been very kind, and of course Shang didn't hate her. So why worry about other peoples' opinion as long as she had people who cared for her? "Please," Mulan addressed Tanni with modesty, "I am just a girl like you are."
"Well, it is not good that he sleeps in an uncomfortable position," Tanni referred to Shang.
"You're right."
Mulan walked to him and shook him slowly to wake him up. Shang carefully got down the horse and walked into the house leaning on Mulan's shoulder. Tanni watched the pair walking together. The way Mulan helped him get down the horse and how concerned she was about the General's health, the way Shang leaned on her shoulder so easily with no hesitation, allowed the girl to think they were something more than friends. She led them into a room where Shang lied down on a warm comfy bed. Tanni walked out of the room to let them talk in private, she didn't even let Tsien in.
Mulan checked his temperature again. His forehead was very hot and so were his wrists. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Much better thanks to you," he answered, "I'm ready to leave to the Imperial City tomorrow."
Mulan grinned, and gazed at the piece of cloth on his stomach. She carefully removed it to see if he had a scab. In fact he had one and a really big one. The view didn't appear disgusting to her at all. "Are you joking?" He was starting to sound like her stubborn own self. "You have a terrible fever and if you force your body to keep fighting it will only get worse."
Shang reached for her hand, took it in his own and caressed it with tenderness. Mulan felt a chill ran down her spine with his touch, although it was so wonderful the way he touched her. A sigh escaped from her and he was curious to know the reason. "What are you thinking?"
"If something happens to you I simply won't." She was interrupted by Tsien storming into the room.
"Shang, are you sick?" The boy asked with a worrisome look upon his young features.
"No Tsien just wounded," the man replied putting his hand on his forehead to check his own temperature.
"How did you get the wound?" Tsien asked with the same curiosity to learn he always used when he spoke to him.
"A Hun did this to me," Shang explained, "See, that's why it's dangerous to be a warrior."
Not paying much attention to Shang's last words, Tsien sat on the bed and pulled the blanket off Shang. "I want to see the wound."
"It's covered with a bandage, so you won't see much," Mulan said patiently. He took a sneak peek at the blood stained bandage and said disappointedly, "Ok."
"Tsien, I think it's time for you to go to bed."
"But it's quite early, and it's been a long time since I saw Shang," the child replied.
"Yeah years," Mulan said with sarcasm.
The boy fixed his eyes on Shang hoping he would contradict Mulan. Instead he said, "Do what Mulan says."
Leaving him no choice, Tsien said, "All right, I'll go to bed, but" he made a pause to make his request loud and clear, "I want her to tell me a bedtime story before I sleep."
Mulan turned to Shang and he shrugged in response. "Ok," she agreed.
Tsien led Mulan into the room where he was to sleep. Mei Hyung was lying on the bed playing with her little hands and making soft baby sounds. Mulan approached to her saying, "Hello pretty one." The baby chuckled; she looked adorable when she laughed.
"She's laughing!" Tsien exclaimed clapping his hands together.
True, that Mei Hyung could sense the tension around her even if she was too young to care about the war her country was being put up to. Despite her lack of experience, she noticed right away that the woman she saw everyday, the woman who gave her birth, and the woman who would sing her a lullaby to sleep was gone. The baby reflected the longing for her mother day after day by never laughing. Now, Mulan, the woman warrior, had inspired her trust and affection and returned the smile on her face. Maybe because of the way Mulan treated her, with love, care and patience made Mei Hyung think she was something like a mother too. The child was glad to see Mulan again.
Mulan lifted the baby and said, "You look even more beautiful when you laugh."
Tsien got into the bed and Mulan sat on the edge with little Mei Hyung in her arms. The boy reminded impatiently, "Mulan, the story."
"Oh, yeah," She began, "Not very long ago there lived a little red dragon named Mushu who worked as a gong ringer in a family." The story about her guardian appeared to be funny and interesting to the boy's point of view that he didn't fell asleep until Mulan got to the end of the story, where the ancestors accepted Mushu back as a guardian in that family. Mulan kissed the boy goodnight. Tanni quietly observed the way she cared for both children. Mulan rocked Mei Hyung and whispered a lullaby she remembered her mother sang to her when she was a child, and stopped when the baby drifted into the world of dreams. She could sense someone watching her, and she simply tried to act nonchalantly. She placed the baby next to her brother and covered both with a warm blanket. A sigh escaped from her mouth as she wondered if she would have her own children someday. Mulan caught Tanni staring at her, but she said nothing; it was her house, and she had the right to visit whichever room she wished to.
Aware that the other woman had seen her, Tanni offered an apology, "I'm sorry. I couldn't help but to admire your natural grace with children."
Mulan smiled; strangers rarely mentioned or spoke about her virtues, especially after she failed the matchmaker's test. She didn't want to sound presumptuous or anything of the sort; that's why she remained silent accepting the compliment with modesty.
"Oh, is there anything you would like?" Tanni asked, "I suppose you must be very hungry and tired."
"No thanks. I'm fine." Mulan answered.
"But you haven't eaten anything and you've been going from here to there all day long," Tanni replied, "Come on, I won't take a NO for an answer."
Leaving her with no choice, Mulan followed the lady into the kitchen. "May I help you?" she offered.
"Oh, no, you just sit there," Tanni said, "Anyway the food is already ready."
Nodding, Mulan took a seat on the floor in front of the table. Afterwards, Tanni placed a bowl of rice and vegetables on the table.
"Sorry but these are the leftovers from lunch," Tanni excused herself, "We usually eat them at dinner, because we don't like to waste. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Mulan replied immediately with a mouthful of food. She was definitely not a princess and obviously not discourteous. Besides, she had grown in a humble farm too, why should she ask for more? Mulan swallowed the food and added, "We do that back at home too."
"Really?" the girl asked amazed. She always thought Mulan was one of those rich girls sick and tired of the every day routine and all crazy about having adventures.
"Yes." Mulan answered. She wondered why would they think she was spoiled when all of her life she had been a modest person. "We had years of hardships but we were happy."
"People in here say you are the daughter of a rich merchant," Tanni confessed, "Others say your father is a wealthy retired soldier." Her biography had been altered depending on the place they told the legend of Fa Mulan.
Mulan chuckled politely with a hand on her mouth, "Gossip, never take it too serious."
Tanni didn't get the meaning of her words, everyone swore she was all that. She turned to Mulan with confusion.
"Honestly," Mulan explained, "My father got retired from the Imperial Army when I was a baby but he's not a rich man. He has a farm he inherited from our first ancestors."
Tanni nodded and stood up. The tea was ready so she gracefully poured some tea into her guest's cup.
"Thank you," Mulan said taking a sip of the warm tea. She put the cup back on the table and asked a bit embarrassed, "Would you let me take some tea to Shang?"
Tanni let out a giggle. The woman warrior was a bit shy when asking a favor to a stranger, no wonder she was a farm girl also. "Of course you can," she answered, "I can prepare him some more if he wishes."
"Well, a little cup will do for the moment."
There was a short pause of silence when Tanni thought about Mulan and Shang. She wondered if they were married or at least betrothed. "I don't like to meddle in affairs that are none of my business, but you to are a very cute couple, in my opinion a heaven-sent match."
Mulan's embarrassment showed right away as soon as a crimson red blush crept on her cheeks and ears. She giggled nervously to hide her feelings and said, "You mean Shang and me? Oh, no. The general and I are just friends."
"Oh," Tanni repeated disappointedly, "Friends." Was it just she the only one who noticed certain fondness between them, something like chemistry to be more exact. No, this had to go somewhere else other than friendship.
Mulan inquired with hesitation, "What makes you think there's a relationship between us?"
The other woman found funny the way a smile spread across the warrior's features when they mentioned the handsome General. She cleared her throat and simply answered, "You two seem to be pretty close."
"Actually, we are close, but only as close as two friends." Yeah right, as if she were convinced and satisfied by the fact they were just friends. Tired of talking about herself, Mulan decided to end this once and for all, "I think we've talked enough about me. Now I'd like to know about you."
Tanni looked down at her tea and answered, "Honestly, there isn't much to say. I am a peasant girl who works in the rice crops every day to ensure there's food on the table for my mother and me."
She didn't want to intrude in other's life but Mulan decided to ask, "And your father?" Well there had to be some trust now, Tanni had asked her about Shang first.
The girl let you a sigh, "He died when I was a child. He caught a sickness that slowly killed him and left us alone."
Pursing her lips, Mulan said, "I'm sorry." She couldn't imagine her life growing up without her dear Baba, it was impossible when he had taught her lots of things and shared so many great moments together.
"It's ok. My mother taught me that life must go on no matter what."
After finishing her meal and her tea, Mulan went into the room where Shang was spending the night, carrying a cup of warm tea in her hands. She expected him to be asleep by now. Instead, he was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling. He sat up as soon as she saw her coming in.
"You shouldn't be awake," she chided him.
"You know I'm restless all the time. I never sleep," was his excuse.
Mulan chuckled softly.
"I brought you some tea," she said, "It'll do you well." She handed the cup of tea to him.
"Thanks." He took a sip and questioned, "Did you prepare it? It tastes well."
Mulan crossed her arms to her chest and replied, "What do you think?"
"I thought you did, but now that you come with that question I guess Tanni was the one who did it."
"Right," she said.
Shang patted a spot next to him inviting her to have a seat, nonchalant if it was improper to do such. He gazed at her for a brief moment as she sat on the edge of the bed. She was wearing her short black hair loose, falling over her shoulders with grace. He had fallen in love with the tiny lady before his eyes since, he'd been aware of her natural beauty when she landed next to him after jumping from the roof of the Imperial palace. He couldn't tell if it was irony or awkwardness but her soldier comrades were wearing make up when they pretended to be concubines to save the emperor; while Fa Mulan wasn't wearing anything, except for that natural blush on her cheeks. She didn't look like a concubine in the first place; she was too innocent to be compared with one. And somehow, that innocence had attracted him. Now Shang realized he had been too blind and stubborn to admit he loved her.
"What?" She asked, and he turned his gaze to another direction. "Just thinking." He felt like a fool. Ok, it was now or never, a little compliment would hurt no one. "You . you.should wear you hair loose more often." He trailed off knowing he could've done better.
Mulan involuntary stroked her hair and placed a lock behind her ear. It was weird; Shang had never said anything about her hair. Actually, he had never said a thing about her physical appearance. Uncertain whether to think if he liked the way she looked with her loose hair or if she appeared too ugly to him with a bun. She could imagine the silliest things sometimes.
Shang had expected a smile or a thank you from part of her, but instead he could only see her face full of confusion. He knew it was not enough.
Things got a little clear when a hesitant general completed, "You look even prettier."
Mulan could feel the heat spreading across her cheeks. Why had he said that? Did it mean something? Just a little clue of his feelings; she'd give anything to know what was going through him head that very moment. She managed to reply with a clumsy "Really?" but she slapped herself mentally for being so silly. Couldn't she take a compliment with no questions; especially a compliment coming from her beloved Li Shang? She wondered, why did she have to act like that in front of him? She cursed herself in her thoughts. All she wanted was to impress him and she felt like she did exactly the opposite, although things weren't that bad. It was something about her, something she was so used to do that she didn't consider wrong to hurt herself with her own negative conclusions. Her thoughts were interrupted when he heard Shang's voice calling her name.
"Yes?" she replied.
Scratching his head, Shang said, "How many times have you saved my life?"
It was a funny question to her point of view. She shrugged, it wasn't as if she would charge him someday the times she had generously saved his life.
"I need to pay you someday."
His comment made her giggle. "Shang, I'm not asking you to pay."
Ignoring her, he insisted, "Ok, it was the time you saved me during the avalanche, and then when you threw a shoe at Shan Yu when he tried to kill me, after that, you saved the whole country from Shan Yu, and today you rescued me."
Mulan let out a long, heavy sigh. "I was the one who caused the avalanche, so it wasn't that heroic, then when I threw a shoe at Shan Yu it was my job to prevent him from killing you, besides I had to make it up to you for sparing my life."
The memory had haunted him for so many nights, mostly by the thought of what he could've done. As matter of fact he never intended to drop the sword before her and least to kill her; but the only way he could think of sparing her life in that moment was that, leaving her in the cold mountains. He was so regretted about that day mostly for abandoning her and threatening to kill her when he really wasn't going to do it. "Sparing your life was never enough to pay my debt"
Mulan bit her lips, she had tried to forget the way Shang had looked at her when he found out he had been betrayed by his most loyal soldier. For as much as she tried, she couldn't forget his cold stone glare but she had forgiven him long ago. They were friends now.
"Oh and that day in the palace," She went on with her explanations, "It wasn't just me who saved China and probably today was the first time you can assure I saved your life."
"Ok, you just please let me repay my debt when the time comes."
She couldn't argue about that. Actually, it would be wonderful if he'd rescue her someday. "Deal," she said with a smile.
The subject was changed all of a sudden by Mulan, "When I went to see Mei Hyung she was laughing. I hadn't seen her laughing before today."
"It is something about you," Shang said, "I bet you'd make a great mother someday."
Stammering her fingers on her lap she replied, "Probably a good mother in some way, but I doubt there is someone willing to let me be his wife."
"Why do you say that?" he asked intrigued. So, he had her all for himself despite of the wonderful woman she was.
"Well, the matchmaker said I am a disgrace and not exactly the kind of woman men would want."
Mulan wasn't a disgrace to Shang; she was different indeed, but the way she differed the other girls was amusing and extraordinary. She was very smart and he couldn't deny she had good looks too. "Not all of us want a wife that knows how to cook and please her husband. There are more important things than graceful beauty and pleasure." He had spoken with no hesitation this time, expressing his thoughts and opening his hear to her. There was her clue revealed. His words were wise and she had fallen in love with his wisdom from the very beginning. They stared into each other's eyes for a minute but their gaze, hypnotized. Anyone could swear they were about to kiss, but their gaze fell apart when Tanni came into the room asking if there was something they needed before she slept.
"It's ok," Shang said.
Tanni turned to Mulan and she said, "I can sleep in the same room the children are sleeping. I'll just borrow a blanket and a pillow." She stood up and said goodnight to Shang.
Mulan couldn't sleep that night thinking that the Huns could reach the Imperial City before them. She had to do something to keep them from getting there. Shang had said there weren't many barbarians alive; maybe she could manage a couple of men, she had finished off thousands before, after all.
She got into the room where Shang was peacefully asleep (at least he pretended) and walked to his bed. Mulan planted a kiss on his forehead and tiptoed out of the room.
When Mulan was out, Shang opened his eyes and smiled to himself. He had found it hard to sleep also.
I want to apologize for not updating in the past three weeks. It has been a long time, and it is not easy to live knowing all of you are waiting for the next chapter to come. I had exams this week and I couldn't even glance at the computer because I had a lot to study. At least your waiting has been worth it.this is a 9 page document in word. ( Ok, thank you very much for your patience and your reviews: Sue, jynkang, Crazygurl06, sovereign, Jeanine, Kayley, AD, Wyle-CornFlake, Amb3r, Toughspirit, YunCyn, RowenaR, and everyone who reads this later on.
Jeanine, Amb3r and Toughspirit: I will try to email you guys today. I haven't checked my inbox the last 2 weeks.
Enjoy.
Chapter 9: Compliments
The fact that Mulan had rescued Shang was a little ironic, since her own father had asked the young General to watch over her. Instead, she had been the one chosen to save his life.for the third time. Honestly it didn't bother him much, he was grateful it was her instead. Amid his delirium while mounted on Mulan's black horse, Shang wondered if he would have one day the chance to save this woman's life.not just protect her.save her. He wondered if she would allow him to do so.
People in the village continued their lives doing their normal activities except for working in the rice fields. They were too frightened to even get near.
Mulan and the half asleep young man passed by Tanni's home. She thought for a moment that maybe this graceful girl would be her only hope; yet it was not easy to go on intruding into other people's houses. It was against her principles. Hopefully, she could go and knock on her door with the excuse of saying hello to Tsien and Tanni would allow them to stay. Well, it didn't matter if Mulan had nowhere to spend the night; she could fix that herself.but Shang. With a deep sight Mulan tied Khan's reins on a tree nearby and asked Mushu to take care of Shang.
She could swear Mushu was reading her mind. "Nice strategy, soldier!" The dragon put his two thumbs up and winked an eye at Mulan. Cri-kee broke into laughter.
There was no real need to knock on the door, since Tsien had seen Mulan through the window. Immediately he ran to greet her. The smile on his young features could hardly conceal the joy he felt to see his dear friend. Only a few hours had gone by, but he was so used to her that they seemed like days. As soon as he reached her, the boy embraced Mulan with the same love a son would embrace his mother. She lifted him up and spun him around with glee. Giggles escaped from the child.
"Did you miss me?" Mulan asked breaking away.
"Yes," Tsien replied, "Where is Shang?"
"He's right there on my horse," Mulan pointed out.
The boy walked towards Khan and noticed Shang was asleep while his clothes were stained with thick red blood. Was he dead? He wondered as he stared at the motionless body of his number one hero. "Is he ok?" Tsien asked with a slight hesitation in his voice.
"Yeah," Mulan answered, "He just needs to rest."
They hadn't noticed Tanni was there behind them, watching and listening to every single word they spoke, until she offered humbly, "He can stay here until he's healthy enough to continue on to the Imperial City."
"I don't come to give you any more trouble," Mulan said, "You have done a lot by taking care of these two children."
"I don't cause much trouble," Tsien complained.
Both girls burst into laughter. Tanni turned serious again and said, "It won't be much of a request. You soldiers fight to protect us all, and we have to pay you somehow." "Are you sure?" Mulan asked quite embarrassed.
"Certainly," The girl answered, "It is an honor to serve China's first heroin."
Mulan couldn't help but to smile fondly at Tanni. So she didn't hate her for breaking the law and joining the army. Now that she thought of it, not everyone hated her.her family was proud of her, Yao, Ling and Chien Po were very good friends, Loushen wasn't afraid of getting near to her, Tsien and Mei Hyung didn't show the smallest or simplest signs of wrath towards her, Tanni had been very kind, and of course Shang didn't hate her. So why worry about other peoples' opinion as long as she had people who cared for her? "Please," Mulan addressed Tanni with modesty, "I am just a girl like you are."
"Well, it is not good that he sleeps in an uncomfortable position," Tanni referred to Shang.
"You're right."
Mulan walked to him and shook him slowly to wake him up. Shang carefully got down the horse and walked into the house leaning on Mulan's shoulder. Tanni watched the pair walking together. The way Mulan helped him get down the horse and how concerned she was about the General's health, the way Shang leaned on her shoulder so easily with no hesitation, allowed the girl to think they were something more than friends. She led them into a room where Shang lied down on a warm comfy bed. Tanni walked out of the room to let them talk in private, she didn't even let Tsien in.
Mulan checked his temperature again. His forehead was very hot and so were his wrists. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Much better thanks to you," he answered, "I'm ready to leave to the Imperial City tomorrow."
Mulan grinned, and gazed at the piece of cloth on his stomach. She carefully removed it to see if he had a scab. In fact he had one and a really big one. The view didn't appear disgusting to her at all. "Are you joking?" He was starting to sound like her stubborn own self. "You have a terrible fever and if you force your body to keep fighting it will only get worse."
Shang reached for her hand, took it in his own and caressed it with tenderness. Mulan felt a chill ran down her spine with his touch, although it was so wonderful the way he touched her. A sigh escaped from her and he was curious to know the reason. "What are you thinking?"
"If something happens to you I simply won't." She was interrupted by Tsien storming into the room.
"Shang, are you sick?" The boy asked with a worrisome look upon his young features.
"No Tsien just wounded," the man replied putting his hand on his forehead to check his own temperature.
"How did you get the wound?" Tsien asked with the same curiosity to learn he always used when he spoke to him.
"A Hun did this to me," Shang explained, "See, that's why it's dangerous to be a warrior."
Not paying much attention to Shang's last words, Tsien sat on the bed and pulled the blanket off Shang. "I want to see the wound."
"It's covered with a bandage, so you won't see much," Mulan said patiently. He took a sneak peek at the blood stained bandage and said disappointedly, "Ok."
"Tsien, I think it's time for you to go to bed."
"But it's quite early, and it's been a long time since I saw Shang," the child replied.
"Yeah years," Mulan said with sarcasm.
The boy fixed his eyes on Shang hoping he would contradict Mulan. Instead he said, "Do what Mulan says."
Leaving him no choice, Tsien said, "All right, I'll go to bed, but" he made a pause to make his request loud and clear, "I want her to tell me a bedtime story before I sleep."
Mulan turned to Shang and he shrugged in response. "Ok," she agreed.
Tsien led Mulan into the room where he was to sleep. Mei Hyung was lying on the bed playing with her little hands and making soft baby sounds. Mulan approached to her saying, "Hello pretty one." The baby chuckled; she looked adorable when she laughed.
"She's laughing!" Tsien exclaimed clapping his hands together.
True, that Mei Hyung could sense the tension around her even if she was too young to care about the war her country was being put up to. Despite her lack of experience, she noticed right away that the woman she saw everyday, the woman who gave her birth, and the woman who would sing her a lullaby to sleep was gone. The baby reflected the longing for her mother day after day by never laughing. Now, Mulan, the woman warrior, had inspired her trust and affection and returned the smile on her face. Maybe because of the way Mulan treated her, with love, care and patience made Mei Hyung think she was something like a mother too. The child was glad to see Mulan again.
Mulan lifted the baby and said, "You look even more beautiful when you laugh."
Tsien got into the bed and Mulan sat on the edge with little Mei Hyung in her arms. The boy reminded impatiently, "Mulan, the story."
"Oh, yeah," She began, "Not very long ago there lived a little red dragon named Mushu who worked as a gong ringer in a family." The story about her guardian appeared to be funny and interesting to the boy's point of view that he didn't fell asleep until Mulan got to the end of the story, where the ancestors accepted Mushu back as a guardian in that family. Mulan kissed the boy goodnight. Tanni quietly observed the way she cared for both children. Mulan rocked Mei Hyung and whispered a lullaby she remembered her mother sang to her when she was a child, and stopped when the baby drifted into the world of dreams. She could sense someone watching her, and she simply tried to act nonchalantly. She placed the baby next to her brother and covered both with a warm blanket. A sigh escaped from her mouth as she wondered if she would have her own children someday. Mulan caught Tanni staring at her, but she said nothing; it was her house, and she had the right to visit whichever room she wished to.
Aware that the other woman had seen her, Tanni offered an apology, "I'm sorry. I couldn't help but to admire your natural grace with children."
Mulan smiled; strangers rarely mentioned or spoke about her virtues, especially after she failed the matchmaker's test. She didn't want to sound presumptuous or anything of the sort; that's why she remained silent accepting the compliment with modesty.
"Oh, is there anything you would like?" Tanni asked, "I suppose you must be very hungry and tired."
"No thanks. I'm fine." Mulan answered.
"But you haven't eaten anything and you've been going from here to there all day long," Tanni replied, "Come on, I won't take a NO for an answer."
Leaving her with no choice, Mulan followed the lady into the kitchen. "May I help you?" she offered.
"Oh, no, you just sit there," Tanni said, "Anyway the food is already ready."
Nodding, Mulan took a seat on the floor in front of the table. Afterwards, Tanni placed a bowl of rice and vegetables on the table.
"Sorry but these are the leftovers from lunch," Tanni excused herself, "We usually eat them at dinner, because we don't like to waste. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Mulan replied immediately with a mouthful of food. She was definitely not a princess and obviously not discourteous. Besides, she had grown in a humble farm too, why should she ask for more? Mulan swallowed the food and added, "We do that back at home too."
"Really?" the girl asked amazed. She always thought Mulan was one of those rich girls sick and tired of the every day routine and all crazy about having adventures.
"Yes." Mulan answered. She wondered why would they think she was spoiled when all of her life she had been a modest person. "We had years of hardships but we were happy."
"People in here say you are the daughter of a rich merchant," Tanni confessed, "Others say your father is a wealthy retired soldier." Her biography had been altered depending on the place they told the legend of Fa Mulan.
Mulan chuckled politely with a hand on her mouth, "Gossip, never take it too serious."
Tanni didn't get the meaning of her words, everyone swore she was all that. She turned to Mulan with confusion.
"Honestly," Mulan explained, "My father got retired from the Imperial Army when I was a baby but he's not a rich man. He has a farm he inherited from our first ancestors."
Tanni nodded and stood up. The tea was ready so she gracefully poured some tea into her guest's cup.
"Thank you," Mulan said taking a sip of the warm tea. She put the cup back on the table and asked a bit embarrassed, "Would you let me take some tea to Shang?"
Tanni let out a giggle. The woman warrior was a bit shy when asking a favor to a stranger, no wonder she was a farm girl also. "Of course you can," she answered, "I can prepare him some more if he wishes."
"Well, a little cup will do for the moment."
There was a short pause of silence when Tanni thought about Mulan and Shang. She wondered if they were married or at least betrothed. "I don't like to meddle in affairs that are none of my business, but you to are a very cute couple, in my opinion a heaven-sent match."
Mulan's embarrassment showed right away as soon as a crimson red blush crept on her cheeks and ears. She giggled nervously to hide her feelings and said, "You mean Shang and me? Oh, no. The general and I are just friends."
"Oh," Tanni repeated disappointedly, "Friends." Was it just she the only one who noticed certain fondness between them, something like chemistry to be more exact. No, this had to go somewhere else other than friendship.
Mulan inquired with hesitation, "What makes you think there's a relationship between us?"
The other woman found funny the way a smile spread across the warrior's features when they mentioned the handsome General. She cleared her throat and simply answered, "You two seem to be pretty close."
"Actually, we are close, but only as close as two friends." Yeah right, as if she were convinced and satisfied by the fact they were just friends. Tired of talking about herself, Mulan decided to end this once and for all, "I think we've talked enough about me. Now I'd like to know about you."
Tanni looked down at her tea and answered, "Honestly, there isn't much to say. I am a peasant girl who works in the rice crops every day to ensure there's food on the table for my mother and me."
She didn't want to intrude in other's life but Mulan decided to ask, "And your father?" Well there had to be some trust now, Tanni had asked her about Shang first.
The girl let you a sigh, "He died when I was a child. He caught a sickness that slowly killed him and left us alone."
Pursing her lips, Mulan said, "I'm sorry." She couldn't imagine her life growing up without her dear Baba, it was impossible when he had taught her lots of things and shared so many great moments together.
"It's ok. My mother taught me that life must go on no matter what."
After finishing her meal and her tea, Mulan went into the room where Shang was spending the night, carrying a cup of warm tea in her hands. She expected him to be asleep by now. Instead, he was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling. He sat up as soon as she saw her coming in.
"You shouldn't be awake," she chided him.
"You know I'm restless all the time. I never sleep," was his excuse.
Mulan chuckled softly.
"I brought you some tea," she said, "It'll do you well." She handed the cup of tea to him.
"Thanks." He took a sip and questioned, "Did you prepare it? It tastes well."
Mulan crossed her arms to her chest and replied, "What do you think?"
"I thought you did, but now that you come with that question I guess Tanni was the one who did it."
"Right," she said.
Shang patted a spot next to him inviting her to have a seat, nonchalant if it was improper to do such. He gazed at her for a brief moment as she sat on the edge of the bed. She was wearing her short black hair loose, falling over her shoulders with grace. He had fallen in love with the tiny lady before his eyes since, he'd been aware of her natural beauty when she landed next to him after jumping from the roof of the Imperial palace. He couldn't tell if it was irony or awkwardness but her soldier comrades were wearing make up when they pretended to be concubines to save the emperor; while Fa Mulan wasn't wearing anything, except for that natural blush on her cheeks. She didn't look like a concubine in the first place; she was too innocent to be compared with one. And somehow, that innocence had attracted him. Now Shang realized he had been too blind and stubborn to admit he loved her.
"What?" She asked, and he turned his gaze to another direction. "Just thinking." He felt like a fool. Ok, it was now or never, a little compliment would hurt no one. "You . you.should wear you hair loose more often." He trailed off knowing he could've done better.
Mulan involuntary stroked her hair and placed a lock behind her ear. It was weird; Shang had never said anything about her hair. Actually, he had never said a thing about her physical appearance. Uncertain whether to think if he liked the way she looked with her loose hair or if she appeared too ugly to him with a bun. She could imagine the silliest things sometimes.
Shang had expected a smile or a thank you from part of her, but instead he could only see her face full of confusion. He knew it was not enough.
Things got a little clear when a hesitant general completed, "You look even prettier."
Mulan could feel the heat spreading across her cheeks. Why had he said that? Did it mean something? Just a little clue of his feelings; she'd give anything to know what was going through him head that very moment. She managed to reply with a clumsy "Really?" but she slapped herself mentally for being so silly. Couldn't she take a compliment with no questions; especially a compliment coming from her beloved Li Shang? She wondered, why did she have to act like that in front of him? She cursed herself in her thoughts. All she wanted was to impress him and she felt like she did exactly the opposite, although things weren't that bad. It was something about her, something she was so used to do that she didn't consider wrong to hurt herself with her own negative conclusions. Her thoughts were interrupted when he heard Shang's voice calling her name.
"Yes?" she replied.
Scratching his head, Shang said, "How many times have you saved my life?"
It was a funny question to her point of view. She shrugged, it wasn't as if she would charge him someday the times she had generously saved his life.
"I need to pay you someday."
His comment made her giggle. "Shang, I'm not asking you to pay."
Ignoring her, he insisted, "Ok, it was the time you saved me during the avalanche, and then when you threw a shoe at Shan Yu when he tried to kill me, after that, you saved the whole country from Shan Yu, and today you rescued me."
Mulan let out a long, heavy sigh. "I was the one who caused the avalanche, so it wasn't that heroic, then when I threw a shoe at Shan Yu it was my job to prevent him from killing you, besides I had to make it up to you for sparing my life."
The memory had haunted him for so many nights, mostly by the thought of what he could've done. As matter of fact he never intended to drop the sword before her and least to kill her; but the only way he could think of sparing her life in that moment was that, leaving her in the cold mountains. He was so regretted about that day mostly for abandoning her and threatening to kill her when he really wasn't going to do it. "Sparing your life was never enough to pay my debt"
Mulan bit her lips, she had tried to forget the way Shang had looked at her when he found out he had been betrayed by his most loyal soldier. For as much as she tried, she couldn't forget his cold stone glare but she had forgiven him long ago. They were friends now.
"Oh and that day in the palace," She went on with her explanations, "It wasn't just me who saved China and probably today was the first time you can assure I saved your life."
"Ok, you just please let me repay my debt when the time comes."
She couldn't argue about that. Actually, it would be wonderful if he'd rescue her someday. "Deal," she said with a smile.
The subject was changed all of a sudden by Mulan, "When I went to see Mei Hyung she was laughing. I hadn't seen her laughing before today."
"It is something about you," Shang said, "I bet you'd make a great mother someday."
Stammering her fingers on her lap she replied, "Probably a good mother in some way, but I doubt there is someone willing to let me be his wife."
"Why do you say that?" he asked intrigued. So, he had her all for himself despite of the wonderful woman she was.
"Well, the matchmaker said I am a disgrace and not exactly the kind of woman men would want."
Mulan wasn't a disgrace to Shang; she was different indeed, but the way she differed the other girls was amusing and extraordinary. She was very smart and he couldn't deny she had good looks too. "Not all of us want a wife that knows how to cook and please her husband. There are more important things than graceful beauty and pleasure." He had spoken with no hesitation this time, expressing his thoughts and opening his hear to her. There was her clue revealed. His words were wise and she had fallen in love with his wisdom from the very beginning. They stared into each other's eyes for a minute but their gaze, hypnotized. Anyone could swear they were about to kiss, but their gaze fell apart when Tanni came into the room asking if there was something they needed before she slept.
"It's ok," Shang said.
Tanni turned to Mulan and she said, "I can sleep in the same room the children are sleeping. I'll just borrow a blanket and a pillow." She stood up and said goodnight to Shang.
Mulan couldn't sleep that night thinking that the Huns could reach the Imperial City before them. She had to do something to keep them from getting there. Shang had said there weren't many barbarians alive; maybe she could manage a couple of men, she had finished off thousands before, after all.
She got into the room where Shang was peacefully asleep (at least he pretended) and walked to his bed. Mulan planted a kiss on his forehead and tiptoed out of the room.
When Mulan was out, Shang opened his eyes and smiled to himself. He had found it hard to sleep also.