God, I thought I was having time to update sooner, but you know how school
is.
I received really nice reviews, and I'm thankful to have such nice
reviewers that support me. For now, I'd like to thank the following
persons : Traum, AD, Amb3r (I will email you soon), Jedi Prophetess, Angie,
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Cherri Mizuki, and Jeanine.
Chapter 13: The Great Celebration
After a few hours of rest, Shang and Mulan left the Imperial City, heading to Tanni's village. Mulan was eager to see Tsien and little Mei Hyung; she needed a distraction to clear her mind from all the things that had occurred only hours ago. Shang, as well, was willing to spend some time away from his duties as the General. Still, they had to assist to the victory parade. At least, the child would be happy.
Both were very quiet during the journey back to Tanni's hometown. Before they arrived, Shang was the first to start a conversation, "I feel ashamed for killing that man."
Mulan turned to him with a serious expression. "So do I," she began, "He was an evil person, but I guess we also behaved like barbarians."
"You're so right," He replied, "but that's how a warrior's life is."
"I do not want to go to the parade," Mulan confessed, "I don't feel like celebrating."
"Neither do I, Mulan, but we must fulfill our job,"
Mulan nodded. She knew perfectly well that the emperor considered her a national heroin and that he would be really disappointed if she'd decide not to go to the celebration. She didn't feel like a hero at all. Shang was the true hero, she thought.her true hero.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Shang asked, "So what's after here?"
Mulan shrugged. The question was hard to answer, actually she had no idea of any plans she had in mind for herself. She hadn't given much importance to that thought lately.
Before she could say anything, her guardian dove in, "How about getting married?"
Mulan blushed, and shot a glare at Mushu. How could he be so nosy? Why did he had to say the most embarrassing things in front of Shang?
The young man let out a nervous laugh, while Mulan shook her head. "Don't pay attention to him."
"Hey!"
They arrived to Tanni's home and it looked exactly as it was when they left. That was a good sign.
Once she dismounted Khan, Mulan asked Shang with certain hesitation, "How's your wound?"
"It's fine, thanks to the woman who treated it," he answered.
Mulan smiled. Then, she playfully and flirtatiously chided him, "You weren't supposed to get out of bed."
Shang chuckled and replied, "Yeah, but you weren't supposed to go all by yourself to fight the Huns, young lady."
Mulan's eyes brightened with his words. She thought he meant he had risked his life and health just to rescue her, but she shook those thoughts away when she remembered her father had asked him to watch over her, so maybe he was just doing his job.
"Somebody had to protect you," Shang added.
Mushu grinned mischievously and inquired, "You were worried about her, right?"
Shang turned red and managed to say, "Of course."
Mulan shook her head and hissed, "Mushu!"
For a moment, Shang turned to Mulan and she looked up at him, as if they wanted to communicate something important to each other, but then Mushu interrupted them with another of his antics, "I've got an idea! Why don't you two get married?"
"Mushu, enough is enough!" Mulan said furiously. She chased after him while he sang "Mulan and Shang sitting on a tree."
Shang just stared at them, and couldn't help himself to let out a laugh. Cri-kee stood right next to his foot and observed him with confusion.
Finally, Mulan caught Mushu and put her hand on his mouth before he could say more embarrassing thing. He didn't last for long like that, he bit her hand and she let him go.
Shang knocked on the door, and Tsien was the one who opened it. The boy jumped to his arms, like a son to his father. "Tsien are you ready to go to a wonderful parade at the Imperial City?"
"Yes!"
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Hundreds of people of all ages gathered up at the Imperial City to celebrate the victory of the Chinese empire. The streets were embellished with ornaments painted of all colors, and bright lanterns. Tsien watched the parade in the front row, with Tanni and Mei Hyung. Jugglers, costumes, kites and fireworks were something new he had never seen before. The boy was amused by the majesty of the parade.
The pleasant sound of men playing their flutes, and the Qin, accompanied by the pounding of the gongs, filled their ears.
Chi Fu walked in front of the Imperial soldiers. Showing pried a false pretense of superiority, he didn't even glance at the crowd, as if he had actually done something else than writing silly reports.
Right after him, were Shang and Mulan riding next to each other.
Mulan tried to ignore the eyes of disgust and the fingers pointing out at her; she saluted and smiled at the little kids who waved at her. She wore a beautiful silk lavender dress with a purple sash on her waist; it was a gift from the emperor for the celebration.
Shang rode with confidence, saluting the people. He was wearing his armor and nice clean clothes. He looked just as handsome and charming he always did.
Mulan noticed that most of the girls at the parade were drooling over him. It annoyed her more than anything. Mushu had seen her frown a couple of times. "You have to defend what's yours," the dragon whispered.
Yao, Ling and Chien Po, came behind the General and his Second in Command.
"Look at all those people," said Yao.
"Check out the ladies," Ling replied, "I bet they admire me for my courage, since I'm a Captain now."
The short man burst into wild laugher. "Honestly, Ling, you're just an ugly little stick."
"Oh yeah," Ling said irritated, "and you are just a fat dwarf!"
They started to punch each other, and Chien Po had to separate them. "Is this the kind of example you want to give the little kids?"
Tsien waved and screamed excitedly when Shang and Mulan passed by him. To everyone's surprise, General Li Shang stopped and asked the boy if he wanted to ride with him. Naturally, the boy accepted with a smile.
"So, what do you think of the parade?" Shang inquired.
"I like the fireworks and the dragons," Tsien answered with enthusiasm.
"That's great," Shang said.
Mulan silently listened and watched them talk. They made a good pair together, Shang acted like a father and Tsien looked up at him as one. Her intuition told her he'd make a wonderful father someday. Shang was the only man she wanted as a father to her children.
When the parade was over, the colorful explosion of the fireworks began. Mulan, Shang and Tsien joined the crowd and reached for Tanni. Shang carried the boy on his shoulders so he would get a better view of the firecrackers, while Mulan took Mei Hyung in her arms. Suddenly, they heard someone calling Tsien's name. They turned around and saw a man, who was part of the Imperial army; they supposed he was the children's father.
The boy's eyes brightened and his smile widened as he exclaimed, "Baba!"
Shang put Tsien down. Immediately, he ran to his father and hugged him. Tears slipped out of the man's eyes and he said, "I thought I wasn't seeing you again, my son."
"Baba, Mulan and Shang rescued me and my sister," Tsien explained, "and we stayed at Tanni's house when they went to war."
"Thank you very much," The man offered.
"You're welcome," Mulan and Shang replied.
The man got near his daughter. "She looks bigger and more beautiful." He caressed the baby's forehead and looked up at the sky thankfully, "How can I pay you all that you've dome for my children."
"There's no need to pay," Mulan spoke up.
Tsien had left Shang to be with his father, their separation had been quite long and all he cared for that moment was to enjoy the celebration with his baba.
Shang understood. He reached out for Mulan's hand and held it with his own. She turned to him confused. Handholding was considered a sign of affection between couples among the Chinese. Shang smiled at her nonchalantly and gave her hand a light squeeze. "I need to speak to you," he whispered.
"Ok," she replied.
"We'll be right back," Shang announced.
"Come on Cri-kee, we won't miss this," said Mushu pulling the cricket from his antennae.
Shang was leading Mulan to a private spot where they could talk, but Yao, Ling and Chien Po spotted them before they could get there.
"Where are you two going?" Ling asked eyeing them suspiciously.
Shang let go the grip of Mulan's hand.
"We were looking for you," Mulan replied.
"Are you sure?" Yao teased.
"Indeed," Shang raised his brow and crossed his arms, "What else could we be doing?" He let out a chuckle and swallowed hard. Everything was working according to his plans until those three appeared.
"I thought you two were going to elope or something," Ling said and burst into giggles. He stopped when Shang glared at him with cold stone eyes.
Chien Po said softly and patiently, "Ling that's none of your business."
Mulan said at the very same time sarcastically, "Very funny. Ha, Ha, Ha."
"If you two weren't holding hands we would believe you," Yao excused him.
"He was just holding me because everyone was pushing here!" Mulan was getting really tired of their stubbornness.
"All right, but if it were a lie, I wouldn't get so huffy," Ling replied.
"Uh, huh," Yao agreed.
Shang just stayed quiet watching them argue.
Mulan let her arms fall to her sides. "Why is it so hard for you to understand?"
Ling and Yao were about to reply, but Chien Po silenced them by putting a hand on their mouths to stop the senseless argument.
Mushu addressed Cri-kee, "And she calls us nosies." Cri-kee shrugged in response.
The group stood there watching the fireworks and kites. Shang was desperate to talk for it was something extremely important, and he had to get it out.
The show got to an end a few minutes later and the crowd started moving to different places. It was then, when Shang came up with and idea to get rid of Yao, Ling and Chien Po. "Mulan, we must hurry," he said loud and clear for them to hear, "The emperor is waiting for you."
Mulan turned to him confused. As far as she knew the emperor had not appointed her for an audience.
"We're going to the banquet too," Ling said.
This time, it was Shang's turn to invent an excuse, "Yeah, but his majesty wishes to have a word with her in private before the banquet."
Ling raised his brows and Yao dared to say, "His majesty or you?"
Mulan rolled her eyes. The young General replied stuttering, "He.he.wants.to erm.g.give her.a.a.a military rank or something."
"Oh," Ling said disappointed.
Although Ling and Yao were not quite satisfied with Shang's answer, they just acted like they had actually believed his little lie.
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Shang had taken Mulan to the beautiful and lonely gardens of the Imperial palace.
"I suck at telling lies," he commented.
"That's good for one thing," she assured him.
They took a seat on the edge of a fountain. Silence remained in the atmosphere for a couple of minutes. Mulan noticed Shang's fists were clenched tightly and he looked stressed.
"I'm going to miss Tsien and Mei Hyung," Mulan started.
"Yeah, me too," Shang replied, "but we will have our own children someday."
She fixed her eyes on him and repeated, "We?"
He sighed and said, "That is if you want to." He stood up and continued, "I mean, I know I don't deserve you but I can't keep this feeling from growing more and more each day."
Mulan was puzzled; it was hard to tell what he meant when he spoke so fast.
"Look, no one taught me about love, the love you feel for a woman," He began pacing back and forth nervously, "And at the beginning I had no idea of what was going on with me." He made a pause and went on, "I was unsure if what I felt was true love or just a fondness towards a comrade."
To this point, things were a little clearer, though somewhat blurry still.
"I guess.no, no, no," Shang shook his head, "I know that what I feel for you is love, because there's no one in this world that makes me feel the way I do. You are a wonderful goddess of mercy, wisdom, and love."
Mulan smiled and interrupted him, "Just one thing, I am not a goddess. I'm just a lucky little peasant girl who enlisted in the army to save her father."
Shang sat back next to her. "I'm sorry for what happened with the poem, it's just that I wasn't ready to tell you the truth and I was uncertain, and I was conscious that I could never be enough for you." His words came from the heart, and he spoke the truth humbly.
"Shang, you are an awesome, wise and strong General," She went on, "Why do you say you're not enough?"
"Because your qualities go beyond other girls'," was his answer.
"Honestly, Shang, you deserve something more than me."
Shang covered his face with both hands and shook his head. Why was it so hard to get to the real point? "I was hoping you could let me be your husband," he said quickly, but she had heard every word perfectly. He lifted his face, and gazed at Mulan as if begging for a yes.
Mulan simply said, "Close your eyes."
He obeyed right away.
She cupped her hands around his features and her lips touched his, eventually her arms were wrapped around him. "Did you read my poem?" She whispered, "I want to be your wife." She closed her eyes to share a kiss with her beloved General.
"Mulan and Shang sitting on a tree!" Mushu exclaimed with glee. "Or is it Mulan and Shang sitting on a fountain?"
Chapter 13: The Great Celebration
After a few hours of rest, Shang and Mulan left the Imperial City, heading to Tanni's village. Mulan was eager to see Tsien and little Mei Hyung; she needed a distraction to clear her mind from all the things that had occurred only hours ago. Shang, as well, was willing to spend some time away from his duties as the General. Still, they had to assist to the victory parade. At least, the child would be happy.
Both were very quiet during the journey back to Tanni's hometown. Before they arrived, Shang was the first to start a conversation, "I feel ashamed for killing that man."
Mulan turned to him with a serious expression. "So do I," she began, "He was an evil person, but I guess we also behaved like barbarians."
"You're so right," He replied, "but that's how a warrior's life is."
"I do not want to go to the parade," Mulan confessed, "I don't feel like celebrating."
"Neither do I, Mulan, but we must fulfill our job,"
Mulan nodded. She knew perfectly well that the emperor considered her a national heroin and that he would be really disappointed if she'd decide not to go to the celebration. She didn't feel like a hero at all. Shang was the true hero, she thought.her true hero.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Shang asked, "So what's after here?"
Mulan shrugged. The question was hard to answer, actually she had no idea of any plans she had in mind for herself. She hadn't given much importance to that thought lately.
Before she could say anything, her guardian dove in, "How about getting married?"
Mulan blushed, and shot a glare at Mushu. How could he be so nosy? Why did he had to say the most embarrassing things in front of Shang?
The young man let out a nervous laugh, while Mulan shook her head. "Don't pay attention to him."
"Hey!"
They arrived to Tanni's home and it looked exactly as it was when they left. That was a good sign.
Once she dismounted Khan, Mulan asked Shang with certain hesitation, "How's your wound?"
"It's fine, thanks to the woman who treated it," he answered.
Mulan smiled. Then, she playfully and flirtatiously chided him, "You weren't supposed to get out of bed."
Shang chuckled and replied, "Yeah, but you weren't supposed to go all by yourself to fight the Huns, young lady."
Mulan's eyes brightened with his words. She thought he meant he had risked his life and health just to rescue her, but she shook those thoughts away when she remembered her father had asked him to watch over her, so maybe he was just doing his job.
"Somebody had to protect you," Shang added.
Mushu grinned mischievously and inquired, "You were worried about her, right?"
Shang turned red and managed to say, "Of course."
Mulan shook her head and hissed, "Mushu!"
For a moment, Shang turned to Mulan and she looked up at him, as if they wanted to communicate something important to each other, but then Mushu interrupted them with another of his antics, "I've got an idea! Why don't you two get married?"
"Mushu, enough is enough!" Mulan said furiously. She chased after him while he sang "Mulan and Shang sitting on a tree."
Shang just stared at them, and couldn't help himself to let out a laugh. Cri-kee stood right next to his foot and observed him with confusion.
Finally, Mulan caught Mushu and put her hand on his mouth before he could say more embarrassing thing. He didn't last for long like that, he bit her hand and she let him go.
Shang knocked on the door, and Tsien was the one who opened it. The boy jumped to his arms, like a son to his father. "Tsien are you ready to go to a wonderful parade at the Imperial City?"
"Yes!"
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Hundreds of people of all ages gathered up at the Imperial City to celebrate the victory of the Chinese empire. The streets were embellished with ornaments painted of all colors, and bright lanterns. Tsien watched the parade in the front row, with Tanni and Mei Hyung. Jugglers, costumes, kites and fireworks were something new he had never seen before. The boy was amused by the majesty of the parade.
The pleasant sound of men playing their flutes, and the Qin, accompanied by the pounding of the gongs, filled their ears.
Chi Fu walked in front of the Imperial soldiers. Showing pried a false pretense of superiority, he didn't even glance at the crowd, as if he had actually done something else than writing silly reports.
Right after him, were Shang and Mulan riding next to each other.
Mulan tried to ignore the eyes of disgust and the fingers pointing out at her; she saluted and smiled at the little kids who waved at her. She wore a beautiful silk lavender dress with a purple sash on her waist; it was a gift from the emperor for the celebration.
Shang rode with confidence, saluting the people. He was wearing his armor and nice clean clothes. He looked just as handsome and charming he always did.
Mulan noticed that most of the girls at the parade were drooling over him. It annoyed her more than anything. Mushu had seen her frown a couple of times. "You have to defend what's yours," the dragon whispered.
Yao, Ling and Chien Po, came behind the General and his Second in Command.
"Look at all those people," said Yao.
"Check out the ladies," Ling replied, "I bet they admire me for my courage, since I'm a Captain now."
The short man burst into wild laugher. "Honestly, Ling, you're just an ugly little stick."
"Oh yeah," Ling said irritated, "and you are just a fat dwarf!"
They started to punch each other, and Chien Po had to separate them. "Is this the kind of example you want to give the little kids?"
Tsien waved and screamed excitedly when Shang and Mulan passed by him. To everyone's surprise, General Li Shang stopped and asked the boy if he wanted to ride with him. Naturally, the boy accepted with a smile.
"So, what do you think of the parade?" Shang inquired.
"I like the fireworks and the dragons," Tsien answered with enthusiasm.
"That's great," Shang said.
Mulan silently listened and watched them talk. They made a good pair together, Shang acted like a father and Tsien looked up at him as one. Her intuition told her he'd make a wonderful father someday. Shang was the only man she wanted as a father to her children.
When the parade was over, the colorful explosion of the fireworks began. Mulan, Shang and Tsien joined the crowd and reached for Tanni. Shang carried the boy on his shoulders so he would get a better view of the firecrackers, while Mulan took Mei Hyung in her arms. Suddenly, they heard someone calling Tsien's name. They turned around and saw a man, who was part of the Imperial army; they supposed he was the children's father.
The boy's eyes brightened and his smile widened as he exclaimed, "Baba!"
Shang put Tsien down. Immediately, he ran to his father and hugged him. Tears slipped out of the man's eyes and he said, "I thought I wasn't seeing you again, my son."
"Baba, Mulan and Shang rescued me and my sister," Tsien explained, "and we stayed at Tanni's house when they went to war."
"Thank you very much," The man offered.
"You're welcome," Mulan and Shang replied.
The man got near his daughter. "She looks bigger and more beautiful." He caressed the baby's forehead and looked up at the sky thankfully, "How can I pay you all that you've dome for my children."
"There's no need to pay," Mulan spoke up.
Tsien had left Shang to be with his father, their separation had been quite long and all he cared for that moment was to enjoy the celebration with his baba.
Shang understood. He reached out for Mulan's hand and held it with his own. She turned to him confused. Handholding was considered a sign of affection between couples among the Chinese. Shang smiled at her nonchalantly and gave her hand a light squeeze. "I need to speak to you," he whispered.
"Ok," she replied.
"We'll be right back," Shang announced.
"Come on Cri-kee, we won't miss this," said Mushu pulling the cricket from his antennae.
Shang was leading Mulan to a private spot where they could talk, but Yao, Ling and Chien Po spotted them before they could get there.
"Where are you two going?" Ling asked eyeing them suspiciously.
Shang let go the grip of Mulan's hand.
"We were looking for you," Mulan replied.
"Are you sure?" Yao teased.
"Indeed," Shang raised his brow and crossed his arms, "What else could we be doing?" He let out a chuckle and swallowed hard. Everything was working according to his plans until those three appeared.
"I thought you two were going to elope or something," Ling said and burst into giggles. He stopped when Shang glared at him with cold stone eyes.
Chien Po said softly and patiently, "Ling that's none of your business."
Mulan said at the very same time sarcastically, "Very funny. Ha, Ha, Ha."
"If you two weren't holding hands we would believe you," Yao excused him.
"He was just holding me because everyone was pushing here!" Mulan was getting really tired of their stubbornness.
"All right, but if it were a lie, I wouldn't get so huffy," Ling replied.
"Uh, huh," Yao agreed.
Shang just stayed quiet watching them argue.
Mulan let her arms fall to her sides. "Why is it so hard for you to understand?"
Ling and Yao were about to reply, but Chien Po silenced them by putting a hand on their mouths to stop the senseless argument.
Mushu addressed Cri-kee, "And she calls us nosies." Cri-kee shrugged in response.
The group stood there watching the fireworks and kites. Shang was desperate to talk for it was something extremely important, and he had to get it out.
The show got to an end a few minutes later and the crowd started moving to different places. It was then, when Shang came up with and idea to get rid of Yao, Ling and Chien Po. "Mulan, we must hurry," he said loud and clear for them to hear, "The emperor is waiting for you."
Mulan turned to him confused. As far as she knew the emperor had not appointed her for an audience.
"We're going to the banquet too," Ling said.
This time, it was Shang's turn to invent an excuse, "Yeah, but his majesty wishes to have a word with her in private before the banquet."
Ling raised his brows and Yao dared to say, "His majesty or you?"
Mulan rolled her eyes. The young General replied stuttering, "He.he.wants.to erm.g.give her.a.a.a military rank or something."
"Oh," Ling said disappointed.
Although Ling and Yao were not quite satisfied with Shang's answer, they just acted like they had actually believed his little lie.
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Shang had taken Mulan to the beautiful and lonely gardens of the Imperial palace.
"I suck at telling lies," he commented.
"That's good for one thing," she assured him.
They took a seat on the edge of a fountain. Silence remained in the atmosphere for a couple of minutes. Mulan noticed Shang's fists were clenched tightly and he looked stressed.
"I'm going to miss Tsien and Mei Hyung," Mulan started.
"Yeah, me too," Shang replied, "but we will have our own children someday."
She fixed her eyes on him and repeated, "We?"
He sighed and said, "That is if you want to." He stood up and continued, "I mean, I know I don't deserve you but I can't keep this feeling from growing more and more each day."
Mulan was puzzled; it was hard to tell what he meant when he spoke so fast.
"Look, no one taught me about love, the love you feel for a woman," He began pacing back and forth nervously, "And at the beginning I had no idea of what was going on with me." He made a pause and went on, "I was unsure if what I felt was true love or just a fondness towards a comrade."
To this point, things were a little clearer, though somewhat blurry still.
"I guess.no, no, no," Shang shook his head, "I know that what I feel for you is love, because there's no one in this world that makes me feel the way I do. You are a wonderful goddess of mercy, wisdom, and love."
Mulan smiled and interrupted him, "Just one thing, I am not a goddess. I'm just a lucky little peasant girl who enlisted in the army to save her father."
Shang sat back next to her. "I'm sorry for what happened with the poem, it's just that I wasn't ready to tell you the truth and I was uncertain, and I was conscious that I could never be enough for you." His words came from the heart, and he spoke the truth humbly.
"Shang, you are an awesome, wise and strong General," She went on, "Why do you say you're not enough?"
"Because your qualities go beyond other girls'," was his answer.
"Honestly, Shang, you deserve something more than me."
Shang covered his face with both hands and shook his head. Why was it so hard to get to the real point? "I was hoping you could let me be your husband," he said quickly, but she had heard every word perfectly. He lifted his face, and gazed at Mulan as if begging for a yes.
Mulan simply said, "Close your eyes."
He obeyed right away.
She cupped her hands around his features and her lips touched his, eventually her arms were wrapped around him. "Did you read my poem?" She whispered, "I want to be your wife." She closed her eyes to share a kiss with her beloved General.
"Mulan and Shang sitting on a tree!" Mushu exclaimed with glee. "Or is it Mulan and Shang sitting on a fountain?"