Old Author Notes:
Hey, here is another chapter. It is slightly longer, but I am gonna make my newer chapters longer. I feel so guilty about making you wait so long for such short chapters! I'm sorry! I will make it up to you though.
Disclaimer:
By the way, as you already know I DO NOT OWN Mulan, DISNEY DOES!
Chapter 4: The Aftermath Of The Arrow Test.
Ever since that incident, the troops have been working better. I have a feeling that we are on our way towards becoming a top class army… well, maybe. We have had the odd mishap both those are growing to be few are far between, and despite my best efforts many soldiers are not physically fit (not pointing any fingers of course…) But on the whole we are quickly improving and I believe it was Ping who catalysed the whole process. His determination spurred the troops on and won their trust. I was even inspired by how, even after I informally dismissed the boy, he had faith in himself and, well I felt a sense of pride in the fact that he had proved me wrong, because a part of me wanted him to stay. It seems strange, but what I mean is also that many boys nowadays wouldn't mind giving up and saving themselves from a war, even if it meant dishonour. Ping however remains faithful to tradition and doesn't want to bring dishonour to his family. So he stayed and despite the fact that I was so uncaring and cold in front of him, he still sat there and smiled at me.
"Captain Shang, I hope this means I don't have to leave." I remember him saying nervously after he clambered down from the pole. I almost smiled but made sure I showed no clear favouring emotion. I simply told him sternly,
"No, you can stay. But if I don't receive as much effort as that in all aspects of your training you can pack your bags and leave for good."
The boy looked disappointed that this was all I said, but I couldn't give in to my emotions. If I were to show that I admired him even a little, it would be unfair on the other troops and they might grow to resent the boy whom I have grown to care about so much.
So training improved. And so did Ping. I remember teaching the troops martial arts, and Ping, whose clumsiness has almost melted into agility (almost), was able to avoid my blows and punch me in the jaw. He wasn't very strong, but I shouldn't expect much more from someone of his build.
It's growing harder to ignore him. He shines amongst the other troops. He catches my eye with his almost feminine mannerisms and humorous attempts at trying to fit in and pretending to be macho. I'm not sure, but I think he likes me. I'm not sure though. I mean, he may just admire me, after all I am the captain. He may see me as an older brother-type figure. Part of me hopes not though. But it may be that I am misreading him. I see the way he glances over at me all of the time and looks me in the eye when I am not looking, averting his gaze when I catch him. Maybe I am imagining the pink tinge on his cheeks?
I hope not. No! I hope I am! I don't want him to like me! I need to rid my thoughts of him. I am a man! He is a man, (well, almost)… It is wrong! No matter how feminine he seems, he is still just a boy and I am not falling for him! Even though he has every personality trait that I want in a partner- he is just a boy and we are not destined for one another. I hope…
Old Author Notes:
OK. Another chapter up. Another week till the next one. I will make the chapters better for next update day. Promise. Till then though, remember to keep checking out my bio for updates and news on my stories.