The seconds that followed felt like years. Sing dropped the chopsticks that she held and stared at her son as if he had grown another head. Seng never looked up from his book and Shang just continued to stare at his breakfast. The silence was overwhelming and he wished that this was just a bad dream, one from which he could awaken and the world would be right again. But this wasn't a dream. It was reality and in his training as a solider, he had learned that reality could be very cruel. However, that didn't mean that he had to put his mother through the same thing.

Shang finally mustered the courage to face his mother. What he saw broke his heart. Her head was down, and her small frame was shaking from the silent sobs that she didn't want her boys to see. Shang said nothing, but stood and went to his mother. He took her into his arms and held her as she cried. When her arms encircled him in return, he wanted to break down with her, but knew that he couldn't. He was all that she had now and he needed to be strong for her. For his family.

After a few moments, he felt his mother relax and he released her. She lifted her head and allowed her oldest son to see her tear stained face. "When?" Shang shook his head. "I'm sorry, mother. What did you say?" Sing wiped her eyes dry. "When, Shang? When did this happen?" Shang pulled away and stepped back. "About five weeks ago." Sing turned away again. "Why wasn't someone sent?" she said, anger laced into her voice. Shang shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "Usually they do send someone. Mother, I hate seeing you like this, in pain. I promise you that I will do all in my power to find out the cause of their negligence, even if I have to go to the emperor myself." By this time Shang's fists were clenched at his sides in anger. How dare someone allow his mother to suffer just because they didn't feel like making the journey. His father had been a general for crying out loud! Why would they forget to send someone with the news of the death of a general, and the emperor's top general at that!?

Seng's soft voice interrupted his brother's mental rampage. "You don't have to go anywhere, Shang." Shang narrowed his eyes and went to kneel next to his brother. "Seng, I must. The emperor should have sent someone to deliver the news about our father. I can't stand to see mother suffer like this and I must find out why no one was sent." He spoke the words softly, yet the young boy's eyes brimmed with tears. "Someone did come, Shang." Shang sat straight up when he said this. "What do you mean someone came?" The sniffles started. " A man came to the house last week. Mother was in the garden. The man asked if I could deliver a message and I agreed. He told me that baba had died and to tell my mother. I tried, Shang, honest I did. I just couldn't let mama be sad. She was already worried about you. I'm sorry."

All of the anger that Shang was feeling until that moment melted away as he looked into his brother's large dark eyes and saw how he was trying not to cry. Although emotions had never been openly showed in his family, there was an exception to every rule. Shang gathered the small boy into his arms as he cried, finally breaking the final barrier between them. Shang looked up at his mother, who had come to place a comforting hand in her youngest's shoulder. The tears were gone and a solemn expression of understanding crossed her face. It was only the three of them now and despite the tragedy that had occurred to their family, somehow, Shang knew that they would be fine.

……..oooooooooo…..

Mulan made her way back into the house and out to the front gate to see who had come. When she got there, no one was in site. Confused, she peeked outside the gate, but with no avail. Thinking her mother must have made a mistake, Mulan shrugged and turned back to go inside. Before she could take another step, she heard an all to familiar voice. "There you are. You're getting harder and harder to find these days!." Mulan whirled around and was met by the smiling face of one of her best friends.

"Song!" Mulan shrieked in such a way that she was certain if the matchmaker had heard, she would disown her for good. Song smiled and returned the tight hug that was given to her. "I haven't see you in at least nine months. How are you?" After they released, the two friends made their way to the garden, stopping to greet Mulan's family on the way. Mulan had been friends with Li Song for as long as she could remember. They had met in training classes for the matchmaker five years earlier and had been friends ever since. Both had despised the woman and dreaded the day that they would have to face her. Unlike Mulan, Song had been able to put on a face and charm her way into passing with flying colors.

When they reached the garden, the two friends sat in the shade of the magnolia tree. Once again Mulan voiced her question to her friend. Song's eyes sparkled. "I'm doing very well actually." she said. "Although my father was killed some time ago." Mulan gasped. "Oh, Song. I'm so sorry. How is your family taking it?" Song shrugged. "My mother doesn't know. Someone came to the house to tell us and mother was in the garden. My younger brother came into my room crying. I asked him what was wrong and he told me that father had been found dead. He asked if we should tell mother, but we both decided that she enough to worry about with my brother being gone as well. I just hope that she can forgive us when she does find out the truth."

Mulan placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm sure she won't be angry, Song. You were only trying to protect her. How about your brother? Did he make it home alive?" Song nodded. "Thankfully, yes. I heard that he had a hard time though and was almost killed several times." She chuckled. "You know, it's funny. My brother hardly ever tells me anything about the army. I usually have to hear it from father. He would always tell me what went on when my brother wouldn't. Now that he's gone…." Song's voice trailed off.

Mulan said nothing and the girls just sat in silence for as few moments. Finally, Mulan spoke. "You know, Song, now that you mention it, I don't think I've ever met your brother." Song shook her head. "It wouldn't surprise me if you didn't. While we were at 'matchmaker land,' he was in military academy and then he left with father to fight for China in the Imperial army." Mulan nodded. "What's he like?" she asked. Song watched her with raised eyebrows. "Are saying you would actually be interested in my brother? Mulan, you were the last person that I would think would be interested in marriage at this point." At Mulan's hurt look, Song stumbled for a recovery. "Not that I thought you would always be single, but I thought you said that you wanted to wait awhile before marriage. I'm sorry, Mulan. You know how my mouth gets me into trouble in the worst way."

Mulan managed a smile. "It's alright, Song. I faced worst criticism before." Song bunched her face. "Yes, I remember hearing about your matchmaker situation. Was it really that bad?" Mulan raised her eyebrows. "Before or after her rear caught on fire?" she asked. Song's eyes grew wide. "You're kidding." Mulan shook her head. "I swear. I have to say it was the most embarrassing moment of my life." Song watched as Mulan turned back to her. "Enough about my terrible ordeal. What's new in your life?"

Song beamed. "Well," she said "Guess who finally proposed!" Mulan jumped to her feet, grabbing her friend's hands. "He didn't!" she whispered. Song's eyes shone as she nodded. "He did. About two months ago!" "Song! Congratulations!" Mulan shrieked as she hugged her friend. "Ruo is a wonderful choice. I'm so happy for you!" "Thank you." Song smiled. "I can honestly say that I can't wait too." The friends shared a mutual laugh. "So.." Song started. "Will you help with the wedding plans?" Mulan stared at her friend. "Are you crazy? Of course I'll help. How often does your best friend get married?" Song laughed. "I was hoping you would say yes. Besides, now you can finally meet my brother." Mulan cocked her head. "Your brother is helping with the wedding? I thought men didn't really do that sort of thing." Song shook her head. "They don't normally, but Ruo is his best friend. Then again, my family has always done things a bit different."

Another few moments of silence followed before Song asked. "So what have you been doing these past few months." Mulan froze. How could she tell Song that she had trained with the new recruits, fought against the Huns, saved China, and to top it all off, was falling for her commanding officer. "Nothing." She answered, eager to change the subject. "When do the wedding plans begin?" Song immediately caught the bait. "That's one of the reasons that I came today. They were supposed to start this morning, but Ruo had some other things to take care off. They are now scheduled to start in two days. I was hoping that you would come back with me in the morning and just stay at my home while the plans are being made so you don't have to commute two hours everyday.

Mulan nodded as she considered the idea. "I suppose that would be alright." She answered. "I have to get my parents permission, of course." "Of course…." Song answered. "Let's go ask them now." Before Mulan could answer, Song was already to her feet and halfway to the house. Mulan shook her head. Song had always been impetuous, many times getting her into trouble, but she could also charm her way out of any situation. Getting to her feet, Mulan followed her friend inside.

When she found her, Song was already trying to convince her parents to let her come along. "…and we wouldn't even leave until morning." She heard Song finish. Her father spoke as she rounded the corner. "I understand your request, Miss Li, but Mulan's sessions with the matchmaker start soon and she must be there to attend." The statement didn't phase Song at all. "Don't worry about that. I'll help her. I passed the test with flying colors. I'm sure with my help, Mulan will do the same." Fa Zhou looked at his wife, who only shrugged. "Oh for heaven's sakes, Zhou. Let the girl go. Your best friend only gets married once!" her grandmother piped up. Fa Zhou glanced at his wife once more, then reluctantly agreed to let Mulan go. "The only condition," he stated, "is that Mulan must pass the test on the first attempt."

Song bowed politely. "I assure you sir, that won't be a problem." Fa Zhou seemed satisfied with her answer and the girls were dismissed with a word that they would be woken when the time would come to leave. Song gave Mulan a thumbs up, but Mulan merely smiled. Planning Song's wedding would be a lot of fun, she was sure of that. The one thing that she wasn't sure off. Would Song, her impetuous, outgoing, trouble-finding friend, Song. Would she really be able to pull off a matchmaker lessons? Mulan let out a sigh and followed her friend outside. She could only hope.