Mulan was in her room, raiding her wardrobe. Ming-Su looked at her with raised eyebrows and asked, "What about the green one?"
"No, it makes my skin look splotchy."
"Then how about the pink one?"
"No, it's too pink."
"The blue one?"
"No, I look like a curtain."
"For god's sake Mulan just choose something!"
"Sorry, Ming-Su, it's just that…" How could she explain without giving herself away? "It's just that tonight's really important."
"How so?"
Mulan desperately cast around her thoughts for a good lie. "It might be the night I get pregnant."
Just as she suspected, Ming-Su jumped up in jubilance. "Oh! Mulan, I'm so happy!"
"Shhhh, I just have a feeling," Mulan explained quickly. "If all goes well tonight then he might be able to plant his seed and this time it will grow."
"Oh, I hope so, Mulan," Ming-Su said fondly as she cupped her face in her hands. "I've been waiting so long. I'm such an old woman now, I would at least like to bless my grandchildren."
Suddenly, she felt guilty for lying to her. The poor woman just wanted grandchildren. She couldn't blame her. But the only person she ever thought of having children with was Shang…and he might possibly be alive.
"So how about this violet one?"
"What am I going to wear!" Jade cried dramatically.
"Why can't you just wear what you're already wearing?" Shang asked exasperatedly, trying desperately to have patience.
"Because it's a rag!" She screamed. "It's awful, it's ugly and I absolutely refuse to wear it! It's embarrassing!"
"You're wearing it right now," Thien replied, bemusedly.
Jade gave a frustrated scream and stomped off to her room.
"She'll be fine." Thien said reassuringly.
"I hope so," Shang replied anxiously. In truth, it wasn't Jade for whom he was feeling jittery for. He wanted to see Jeeki's bride again. She was truly the most exquisite creature he had ever seen and he hoped to meet her in person.
"What are you thinking about?" Thien asked.
"Jeeki's bride," He replied truthfully.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were infatuated with her."
"It's weird," Shang said softly, making sure Jade couldn't hear. "But remember when I told you about that girl that I keep having visions of? The girl that's the missing piece to my memory?"
"Yeah."
"That's her. Jeeki's bride is the missing piece. I'd recognize her face any day."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"I told you I was some sort of leader of armies before my accident, remember?"
Thien gasped. "Whoa…that's… that's pretty serious, Shing."
"I know," He replied. "That's why this is important. I have to see if she really is the missing piece to my past."
"What about Jade?" Thien asked quietly.
Shang waved that thought aside. "Oh, she'll be too busy flirting with Lord Jeeki to notice anything."
Thien smiled. "You know, most men would feel intimidated when another man is more attractive than them to their wives."
"Well most men are in love with their wives." Shang replied cynically.
"Fine!" Jade cried dramatically as she burst open the doors from her room. "I will suffer and wear this…this…dingy rag!"
"Okay, let's go, then." Shang grasped her wrist and dragged her down the hallway to the grand dining hall.
Upon entering, they bowed to Ming-Su, Lord Jeeki and Mulan. They gave deep nods as the knot in Shang's throat tightened and his heart beat faster as he saw Mulan. He took his place next to between Thien and Jade, Thien being the closest to Ming-Su and Jade being the closest to Lord Jeeki.
"My Lord, it is an honor to be dining with you this evening," Thien said in his deepest, most diplomatic voice.
"I'm sorry that we could not listen to your request earlier, due to the unfortunate health of my wife." He eyed Mulan with pride written on his face. "Are you well now, dear?" He asked, his voice dripping with tenderness.
Perhaps it was just his imagination, or maybe just what he hoped, but he could have sworn that he saw her flinch slightly. Nevertheless, it was but a moment and she looked back at him sweetly and said, "Yes, I'm fine now."
Jade cleared her throat rather loudly and intrusively and said, "So my brother, can we please get on with the requests?"
"Jade!" Shang reprimanded her. He turned apologetically to the couple, his eyes mostly on Mulan. "I'm sorry for my wife's behavior tonight."
Mulan nearly fainted for the second time that day.
Wife? He's married? She thought desperately. No! He lied! I thought he loved me!
Like you should talk, the logical voice in her head answered cynically. You got married too, you shouldn't accuse him of anything.
But then again, it might not even be him. His physical appearance has certainly changed. He looks more…tired. Stressed. He looks like he's matured against his will.
"Excuse me, sir," She asked politely. "I'm sorry, I don't quite know your name or the name of your wife." She eyed the bulge in the woman's clothes apprehensively.
The snotty woman sitting on the opposite side of her husband said in a whiny voice, "My name is Xian Jade. I am the remaining mistress of the Xian household."
"My name is Shing," The other replied.
"Oh." Mulan said, as she slunk back, disappointed.
Thien, the leader of the group gave her an amused look. "Were you expecting something, My Lady?"
Mulan looked up and quickly denied it. "Oh, no. I thought just for a moment that you reminded me of someone that I knew."
Is it me, or did he just seem hopeful for a brief moment? Mulan asked herself as she saw a light flicker across the man's face.
"So, Jade," Ming-Su said excitedly. "When is the child coming?" Mulan felt her eyes well up.
"In five more months," Jade replied. "I cannot wait! Hopefully, by then Shing will remember everything."
Jeeki watched her curiously. "What do you mean?"
"Unfortunately, my brother-in-law suffers from long-term amnesia," Thien explained. "We found him just outside one of our rice patties unconscious and we took him in."
"Yes, Jade took great care of me." And he gave her a (in Mulan's opinion) strained smile.
She blushed immodestly and said, "It's my natural mothering instincts."
Mulan raised her eyebrows but nodded graciously.
"What does long-term amnesia mean?" Ming-Su asked, fascinated.
"It means that I have a memory loss." Shang explained. "I can't remember anything before the incident that caused my amnesia. It could take anywhere from six months to six years until I can regain my memories."
"And how long has it been already?" Mulan asked.
"Two years."
Mulan had retired from dinner early and wandered into the exquisite gardens. It was much more beautiful and ethereal at night, under the blanket of black sky sprinkled with stars. The heavy perfume of the exotic flowers hung in the night air, and a feeling of melancholy and loss washed over her.
"A lady such as yourself shouldn't be walking around by herself on a night such as this."
The deep voice startled her. She whirled around to find none other than "Shing", the man she had mistaken for Shang. "I'm quite, alright, thank you." Even around this Shang-look-alike, she still couldn't breathe. Her heart beat painfully, reminding her of the sensations she felt coursing through her body every time he came near her before.
He was doing so right now. He gave of a heady scent—clean, and ruggedly masculine. He approached her closer and closer until there were only a few inches of space left between them. She began to feel the dormant feelings that she once felt two years ago stir inside her again.
"You seem so familiar to me, Mulan," He whispered. His breathing was shallow and intense. "I wonder what would happen if I were to kiss you."
She said nothing, for fear of breaking the spell that had been cast upon them. She merely waited with eager anticipation as his lips were brought closer to hers.
They finally met, in a soft, tender kiss. A few moments of this tenderness passed, and he put his hand gently on her neck, bringing him closer to him and deepening the kiss.
Mulan could barely breathe. Explosions of bright fireworks set off in her mind. She felt sparks being sent throughout her body, as tingles flowed down her spine.
"I've found you," Shang whispered against her lips. "I've finally found you."
"Mulan!" A voice from the palace called. It was Ming-Su. Despite how much she didn't want to leave, she knew that she must.
"I must go," She whispered back. It was torture; knowing that she had finally found him, she had to leave him moments after their reunion.
"Will I see you again?" He asked, his voice passion driven.
With tears in her eyes, she tore herself away from the man she so deeply loved and ran into the protection of the palace.
A/N- Haha! I betcha wanna know what's gonna happen, hmm? Well, if you'll look really carefully, there's a clue in the chapter! ( cough>bolded letters cough>)Hee hee, be sure to review!