Disclaimer: I don't own any Disney characters...blah blah blah. I own Fung and some others. :D
CHAPTER FOUR – Tao
A/N: Yay, reviews! HUGE thanks to narfgirl, pepe ok, sumayyah, Angel452 and Dragon Spirit Fighter! You guys are really good reviewers, and I'm really grateful! Just remember to review this one too!! By the way, in case you're not clear, when I refer to the Gang, I mean Chien-Po, Yao, Ling AND Fung. Thanks!!
Okay, here you go, Chapter Four!!
Shang entered the eating tent. It was early in the morning, most of the recruits were either still asleep or in the slow process of getting up. The Gang were sitting at their usual table, with their usual amounts of food in front of them.
Chien-Po had the largest portion of porridge. Yao followed him, Ling came next and then Fung. Fung ate the littlest out of all of them, his food was about a third of Chien-Po's.
Shang went over and sat down at the head of the table.
"Where's Mulan?" He asked.
"I haven't seen her this morning. She's probably still asleep," Chien-Po answered. Shang sighed then got up, picked up a bowl and helped himself from a big vat of porridge that was standing in the serving hatch. Lin Wen, the cook, nodded to Shang through the serving hatch. Shang nodded politely back, his mind still on Mulan. He sat back down, spooned up some porridge then let it drip back into his bowl.
A loud burst of chatter brought Shang back to his senses. The recruits were filing in. Shang scanned the crowd for Mulan, but didn't see her. He frowned.
Ling noticed his frown. "I'll go get Mulan," He offered. He left the tent and went over to Mulan's tent.
It was empty. Ling looked around and noticed that Mulan's bed hadn't been slept in. All her possessions were there, her clothes and personal belongings. Ling left the tent at a run. He burst into the eating tent, the Gang and Shang looking up at him.
"I don't want to worry you, but I think Mulan's been kidnapped," He burst out. Everyone looked up at him. Silence drifted around the tent.
"What?" Fung cried, shocked.
"I said, 'I don't want to worry you but I think Mulan's been kidnapped'," He repeated.
The Gang looked at each other, then they ran out the tent with all the recruits at their heels. Shang sat inside the empty tent, stunned. Even Lin Wen had rushed to Mulan's tent. The word 'kidnapped' kept spinning around Shang's head. He got up and marched outside, where he was greeted with the sight of utter panic, confusion and sadness.
Most of the recruits were running around like headless chickens while the older recruits were talking in low voices, huddling in groups. Yao and Chien-Po were standing outside Mulan's tent, Chien-Po looking grave and Yao was on the verge of tears. Shang passed them and laid a reassuring hand on both of their shoulders. Then he turned and went into Mulan's tent.
Ling was sitting on her bed, close to tears himself. Fung was shifting around stuff, to see if there was any sign of struggle. It was a pointless task because the tent was spotless.
"What have you got?" Shang demanded. Fung glanced up and shook his head.
"Nothing. No signs of a struggle, nothing," Shang nodded. Silence.
"What are we going to do?" Ling asked him.
Shang didn't answer his question. "I just need to think for a bit," Both Fung and Ling nodded. Shang left the tent and wandered aimlessly before entering the forest. He sat down on the grass and sighed.
"Mulan's been kidnapped. Mulan's been kidnapped. Mulan's been kidnapped. Oh yeah, saying it over and over in your head is going to bring her back! What am I meant to do? I can't go and look for her because I have to train these stupid recruits!" Shang punched a nearby tree in anger, causing his hand to ache in pain. He ignored it. "If I stay and train them because of all the Huns, she might die!" Shang sighed and then became of someone behind him. He turned quickly to see Fung.
"I kind of want to be alone right now Fung," Shang said. Fung ignored it and sat down next to him.
"Shang, we've been friends for since we were little kids. I know what you're thinking, so let's talk," Fung began.
"I don't want to talk," Shang stubbornly answered.
"Yeah, you do. You just don't know what to say," Fung replied. "I know you're worried about Mulan. We all are. Do you have any idea of what's going to happen?" He asked gently.
"I don't know Fung. I honestly don't. If I go after her, I'll be abandoning the recruits who still need a lot of training. The Huns are going to come, Fung, and I think Mulan's kidnapping is a big part in their plan to conquer China. I want to go after her, Fung. I do. But I can't. She might die or be tortured if I don't go and save her. But I can't," Shang broke down and allowed a few tears to drip down his cheeks. Fung didn't say anything, he knew very well that men weren't meant to show weakness, they were required to be tough at all times. But he made this an exception because Shang was really worried about Mulan and Fung had seen him cry before.
"Why don't you go after her?" Fung asked. Shang looked up, red-eyed.
"I can't leave the recruits. If the Huns attack, there's no way we'll beat them. It was because of Mulan that we managed to defeat most of them at the Tung Shao Pass," Shang sighed and turned his head away from Fung. "It would be the second time that I would have to give up my honour for her," Shang continued.
Fung was silent. He knew about the Tung Shao Pass incident. He also knew how it still haunted Shang's mind.
"I'm going to let her go," Shang said, determinedly. Fung's mouth dropped open.
"Are you kidding? This is Mulan we're talking about!" Fung cried.
"I know it's Mulan we're talking about," Shang said, still quiet and subdued. "I can't lose my honour for her again. She might be all right on her own," Shang's voice got quieter with each word.
"I don't believe what you're saying! Are you going to give her up for your stupid honour?! What happens if she gets killed? You'll never be able to live with yourself if it does happen!" Fung yelled. He got up and stormed out of the forest. Shang watched him go, his eyes filling up again.
"I don't want to leave her," He whispered after Fung. "I love her,"
×××
Mulan's eyes flew open. She saw a grey ceiling.
"Ah, my lovely tent. Oh my god! I'm late! I promised Shang I'd get up early!" She lurched forward, only to find herself thrown backwards.
Mulan looked to see what had stopped her getting up. She was being held down onto a bed by a pair of leather straps, two on each arm and leg. Her head was throbbing with pain and exhaustion. She struggled to get her head up. She glanced around.
She was in a tent, a small one. Next to her was a bucket, a stool and a pile of bandages. She couldn't see outside, but she could tell it was morning. She moved slightly to look to her left when she felt a sharp pain shoot through her arm. Twisting around, she saw she had a wound, which had been dressed with a thin bandage. It wasn't a good bandage, blood was still seeping through.
"Wait...how did I get wounded? Oh, that arrow!" Mulan's eyes grew slightly wide. "Where the hell am I?" She shifted around to try and look outside but with no success. "It's probably Huns. Stupid Huns," She sighed and looked back at the ceiling, ignoring the worry and fear that was building in her chest.
"How are you feeling?" A voice came over to Mulan. She sat up suddenly only to be pulled down again. "I wouldn't try to move," the voice said again. A man came into view. He was obviously a Hun, he had the same grey skin, furs draped around his shoulders and a large sword was swinging at his side. His face told a different story though. He had the usual stern mouth, sharp noise and a strong chin but he had coruscating eyes. (A/N: coruscating means 'sparkling' or 'glittering' for those who don't know)
"He can't be all that cruel then," Mulan reasoned. The man smiled. "Definitely not that cruel,"
"I'm all right," She answered. He was still a Hun, so she didn't add anything more.
"I'm Tao. I know who you are," Mulan raised her eyebrows.
"Where are we?"
"I'm not really meant to tell you," He said, drawing himself up. Mulan grinned. This man didn't seem like a bad Hun.
"Yeah, all right then," She paused. "Are you a Hun?"
"No, I'm a fluffy pink bunny," He said. Mulan's grin grew wider. "Yeah, I know I'm not a funny guy. I am a Hun though,"
"Great,"
"You're surprisingly upbeat about all this kidnapping malarkey," Tao pulled the stool over and sat down on it. It creaked slightly.
"I guess. But people will come for me soon...hopefully," She said. Tao nodded.
"I'm your guard. So I'll be seeing a lot of you,"
"All right, all right, whoa back. You might be a nice guy, not a funny guy, but you're a Hun. Basically, I hate your guts. So just go away and don't talk to me for a while," Mulan snapped. Tao nodded. He stood up and left the tent.
Mulan heard him go out and felt her heart sink. She was scared. That was the truth. She wanted someone to whisk her up in their arms and run far away where she would be left alone, a place with no war, no Huns and no army. She wanted...Shang.
"He'll come for me soon. I know he will," With that reassuring thought, Mulan fell asleep.
×××
Mushu woke up by Cri-Kee shaking him. They had both fallen out of Mulan's shirt when she had been hit by the arrow. Mulan had fallen on top of Mushu, knocking him out. Cri-Kee had managed to drag Mushu away as Mulan was taken away by a bunch of Huns. Since then, Cri-Kee had been trying to get Mushu back from unconsciousness.
"Erghh....argh...um..." Mushu mumbled. Suddenly, he sat up. "Where's Mulan? Where's my baby?" He demanded of Cri-Kee.
"She got taken by the Huns. Remember? She got hit by the arrow!" Cri-Kee explained. (A/N: I know Cri-Kee speaks in chirps, but I'm gonna be a translator and write in English for those who don't understand chirps!)
"Oh my god! Why didn't you stop them? Why? Why?" Mushu picked Cri-Kee up by the antennae. "Answer me lucky bug!!"
"I couldn't! Who the hell do you think I am? Superbug? I'm a cricket! I'd be trampled on!" Cri-Kee snapped.
"Okay, so what direction did they go in?" Mushu asked, calming down a bit. Cri-Kee pointed to the right.
"Are we going to go after them?" Cri-Kee asked Mushu. Mushu looked towards the right, where Mulan had been taken, then to the left, where Wu Zhong was.
"No. We're going to go get Shang, Fung and that lot. They'll probably give us a hand," Mushu answered.
"You're not meant to reveal yourself to anybody who isn't a Fa," Cri-Kee pointed out. Mushu looked at him.
"Listen here lucky bug. Mulan is my best friend, besides you, and I care a lot about her. I'm not going to sit around and let her die or whatever. I'm going to get people to help me save her. I don't really care if I lose my place as a guardian, I care about Mulan! I'm going to reveal myself so DEAL!!" Mushu snapped. Cri-Kee nodded.
"Finally! Mushu is thinking about others, besides himself!" Cri-Kee smiled.
"But if she comes back safe and sound then that's fine too. Mulan's fine and I'm still a guardian! Everyone's a winner!!" Mushu grinned and scampered off.
"Who am I kidding?" Cri-Kee smiled and then hopped after Mushu.
×××
Fung was pacing around the eating tent. The Gang were sitting at their table, quiet and downcast. The recruits were outside, they all understood that the Gang needed a bit of time to grieve.
"Why isn't Shang going to do anything?" Ling asked Fung.
"He said that he'll be losing his honour by leaving the recruits when the Huns are coming and going after her," Fung said flatly. The Gang looked up, open-mouthed.
"What the hell?!" Ling and Yao yelled.
"I'm going to go see him," Ling stormed out the tent, the Gang following.
"Ling! Ling!" Fung called, running after him. "You can't! He'll freak!"
"I don't care! Mulan's my friend!" Ling snapped back.
Ling burst into Shang's tent. Shang was sitting, cross-legged, on the floor, staring into space. He looked up when Ling and the Gang came in.
"Are you crazy?" Ling yelled, not bothering to keep his voice down. "Why aren't you going to go after Mulan? You can't leave her alone! She might die!!"
Shang didn't answer. This made Ling more angry.
"We care for Mulan as well! We don't want anything to happen to her! If something happens to her, I'll never forgive myself knowing that we just sat here on our butts, doing nothing! I want to find her!" Ling bellowed. "You obviously don't care for her!"
Instantly, everyone knew he had touched a nerve. Shang's head jerked up and then he stood up.
"What are you talking about? It's because I care for Mulan, that's why I'm not going after her! I have no idea where she's been taken to, I have no idea where to start looking for her! There was no one there when she was taken, so I don't have any help to start to find her!" Shang shouted, twice as loud as Ling. But once Shang was in his stride, it was hard to stop him. "How could you think I don't care for her? She means more to me than anyone I've ever known! Believe me, if anything happens to her, I would NEVER forgive myself. The memory of when I was going to kill her at the Tung Shao Pass hurts more than you would know! I still can't forgive myself for what happened then, though nothing did. Can you even imagine what I'd feel if something did happen to her, now? You don't know how much I really love her!" Shang yelled, before he realised what he had said.
Surprisingly, the Gang didn't say anything. They were all ashamed, ashamed that they had thought Shang didn't care for Mulan and was prepared to let her go to save his honour. Ling flushed bright red. Yao shuffled his feet while Chien-Po and Fung just stood there.
Shang collapsed. His feet gave way and he toppled back on to the bed (A/N: Strategically placed bed, heh heh). The Gang ran forward while Shang recovered and sat down properly on the floor. The Gang sat around him. No one said anything.
"Um..." Ling started. "Shang...I'm sorry about the whole yelling thing. I was wrong to think you didn't care about Mulan," Shang nodded.
"That's all right. At least it's all out now," Shang replied. He smiled at Ling.
"Even the love part," Yao added. Shang just nodded.
"Are you going to say it?" Fung prompted him.
"I love Mulan. There, happy now?" Shang managed to smile. Fung grinned back.
"Aaw, we knew you did," Yao thumped Shang on the back.
"What are we going to do now?" Chien-Po asked.
"I don't know. I've failed as a general," Shang said miserably.
"No, of course you haven't! You're a good general, it's just that Mulan is clouding your vision," Chien-Po said.
"Chien-Po, my eyes are fine," Shang said, insulted.
"No, I mean you aren't thinking clearly because you're worried about Mulan," Chien-Po explained.
"Oh right," Shang said. Silence wafted around the tent for a little while longer.
"Are we going to go after her?" Yao asked.
Shang shook his head. "How can I? I have no idea where she was taken. I don't even know what direction she was kidnapped in,"
"Yes, we do," A voice said. They all turned to the tent flap, where Mushu and Cri-Kee stood.
"Snake!!" Ling yelled. He leapt up and ran to Chien-Po and hid behind him. "ARGH!!!"
"Oi, oi buddy!" Mushu snapped. "I'm not a snake! Nor am I lizard!" He glared at Fung, who had opened his mouth and was about to say 'You're a lizard, right?'. "I'm a dragon. A dragon guardian actually,"
"Neat," Yao said.
"I'm Mushu," Mushu introduced himself. He walked into the middle of the circle, in which they were sitting. "This is Cri-Kee, he's my best friend and is the gong ringer of the Fa family,"
"You know Mulan?" Shang instantly said.
"Duh! Dude, I'm her guardian. I was there when she was kidnapped. Well, I was actually knocked out,"
"Knocked out?" Ling said. He had ventured out from behind Chien-Po but was still keeping a safe distance from Mushu.
"Yeah, the full story is that last night Mulan went for a walk in the forest. She spent about five minutes in there, before she started to go back. Then she was hit in the back by an arrow-," Mushu said before Shang interrupted.
"She got hit by an arrow?" Shang yelled.
"Dude, calm down!" Mushu snapped. "Let me finish my story then you can freak out," Shang nodded and blushed. "Then, after she got hit by the arrow, she fell and I happened to be knocked out when she hit the grass. But Cri-Kee managed to get out before we hit the ground and saw that Mulan was dragged to the East of this camp,"
Silence greeted the end of Mushu's story.
"Okay, so we know where she was taken...so now do we go after her?" Yao asked.
"Yes, we can, because we know where she was taken. It was Huns, wasn't it Mushu?" Chien-Po said, turning to Mushu. Mushu nodded.
"You know the Huns, they trample so their tracks are easily visible and they slash the plants and all that," Chien-Po added.
Shang nodded. "What about the recruits? One of us will have to stay behind," He said.
"No way!" The Gang called out.
"Mulan's my friend!" Ling yelled.
"Mine too!" Chien-Po and Yao yelled back.
"I want to help you find her too," Fung said.
"Leave Huang Wong in charge. He knows the exercises and he is the best," Fung said to Shang.
"Not a bad idea," Yao said.
"Hmm," Shang said. "I could...but can I trust him? I don't want him causing trouble in my camp,"
"Shang, do you remember the first person who was causing trouble in your camp? It was Mulan! Look at her now, she became the best recruit in the camp and one of your best friends! Give Wong the responsibility and he'll do it," Chien-Po said. It made perfect sense.
"All right," Shang agreed. "I'll give Wong the job," He paused.
"He needs a rank, right?" Fung said, reading Shang's mind.
"I can't leave the camp to anybody. The person needs a rank," Shang sighed.
"Well, give it to him!" Ling said, impatient as always.
"I can't! Only the emperor can give them," Shang explained. Ling swore.
"Can't you just leave the camp to him? Come on people! Mulan's life is at stake here!" Mushu snapped.
Shang shook his head. "I can't. It's a death penalty should you leave your camp without proper supervision of the recruits,"
"Dude, you said a bunch of stuff I didn't get. What?" Mushu said. Shang sighed again.
"I'll be killed if I leave the recruits,"
"See? That's much more easier to understand," Mushu grinned.
×××
"Lunch," Tao said, coming in. Mulan, still tied to the bed, looked up. Relieved to see it was just Tao, she grinned.
"Sure. What you got?"
"Actually, not much. I'm not meant to give you food. So I sneaked it from my plate," He held out two egg rolls. "Not alot, I'm sorry,"
Mulan grinned. "It doesn't matter, I haven't eaten since last night's dinner," Tao broke the egg rolls into quarters and dropped a piece into her mouth because her arms were still tied down.
"What's the point of these stupid ties?" She asked Tao as he sat down on the stool.
"To stop you escaping," He dropped another piece into Mulan's open mouth.
"You're joking right? How could I escape with all the Huns around here?" Mulan remarked, chewing her egg roll. Tao shrugged.
"When you're done I have to escort you to the leader," Tao said. Mulan nodded, her fear mounting higher and higher until she could taste the bitter flavour in her mouth.
Mulan finished her egg rolls quickly. Tao reached over and undid her straps. He took her by the arm and marched her to the entrance of the tent, then he stopped.
"What?" Mulan said, turning to him.
"You better try to struggle. Or look upset. Remember you've been kidnapped,"
"Right," Mulan said. She hung her head, looking downcast.
"Much better," Tao commented from above. He opened the tent and frog-marched her out. She glanced up and took in a breath.
The Hun camp was situated on a high cliff, overlooking a valley. It was easily the most beautiful place Mulan had ever seen. Flowers grew around the trees and grass was springy under her feet.
"Why did the Huns stop here? It's hardly a very Hun-y place," Mulan thought to herself. Tao dragged her past a lot of Huns who wolf-whistled at her. She glared at them.
"In here," Tao whispered. Mulan tore her eyes away from the beautiful valley to look at a large grey tent. Tao pushed her inside.
The tent was twice the size of Mulan's. A bed was on the right side, a table, with maps and papers strewn across it, was on the left. Swords and other assorted weapons were scattered all over the tent. Mulan's gaze was instantly drawn to the Hun sitting at the table. He got up when Tao and Mulan entered.
"Leave Tao," The Hun rasped. Tao left. Mulan stood there, looking directly ahead. The Hun got up and started circling her, like Shan-Yu had to the Emperor.
"You don't know who I am, do you?" He asked her.
"You're going to tell me, aren't you?" Mulan answered. The Hun began to laugh, a deep hollow sound.
"You're right. My name is Lao Ren. I am not related to Shan-Yu, but I was his inferior when he was alive," He hissed. "I plan to get my revenge on you and your precious emperor. Your armies are outnumbered. You don't stand a chance," He paused to see Mulan's reaction. He was quite surprised to see she had a blank face. "I'm still stuck with what to do with you. I could either use you as a hostage or bait...both seems interesting. Maybe I'll use both,"
"How are we outnumbered? You only have fifty or so men here," Mulan asked, politely.
"My dear, I have three armies hidden in places around China. Each army consists of more than a thousand men,"
"Really?" Mulan's eyebrows shot up. Lao Ren wavered.
"Maybe not a thousand. But at least five hundred in each army. I plan to take over China, forcing your emperor off his throne. I shall have every person in China bowing to me," Lao Ren spat at Mulan. She didn't say anything.
"Tao!" He called. Tao entered, relieved that Mulan had not been hurt. "Take her back to her tent," Tao nodded. He grabbed Mulan's arm aggressively and forced her out the tent.
×××
"This is getting ridiculous!" Yao said. "I can't believe we have to go to the Imperial City to get a rank for Wong, and then go find Mulan. It's starting to sound like a joke!"
Wong couldn't be left in charge without a rank, so they were going to ride to the Imperial City to get Wong's rank, and then go look for Mulan. The Gang found this ludicrous. Fung and Shang knew it was necessary otherwise they could both be for it.
Wong was ecstatic that he was getting a rank, even if it was only because the Gang and Shang wanted to go rescue Mulan.
"We don't have any choice," Shang said. They were in the paddock, saddling up their horses.
"I know. It seems so stupid though. We were all really scared for Mulan and now we're making a two day trip to the Imperial City to get a silly rank for stupid Wong and then we have to ride back to find our way from here," Ling said scornfully. Shang turned away from them.
He wanted them to know that no one was regretting the delay of the rescue more than him. He was so worried about Mulan and he found it infuriating that it could be held up by four days. He wondered if Mulan could hold that long.
"Okay everyone. The earlier we start, the quicker we can leave," Fung said, on top of his horse. Shang got on to his horse too and so did Wong, Yao and Ling. Chien-Po was staying behind to look after the recruits.
"Bye Chien-Po!" Yao and Ling called. Chien-Po waved. He watched them trot over the bridge and then disappear over the horizon.
×××
"Okay, how long till we get there?" Yao asked Shang. They had stopped for a break as they had been riding for five hours non-stop. Ling was complaining that his thighs were hurting something chronic, so they stopped.
"A day,"
"A day? What?" Yao said, mad.
"Unless we ride through the night," Fung said, while petting his horse. "Then we'll get there in about twelve or so hours, instead of like twenty-four,"
This was complicated math for simple people like Yao and Ling, so they took his word for it.
"Okay. If everybody's ready, we'll ride through the night and shan't stop till we reach the Imperial City," Shang declared.
"Sure," Yao nodded. Ling nodded too.
"That's fine," Fung said, getting back on his horse.
The four riders rode off, Mushu and Cri-Kee sitting on the back of Shang's horse.
×××
"How you doing?" Tao said, peering inside. Mulan looked up.
"Awful. I'm getting cramp in my leg," Mulan complained. Tao sniggered.
"You have been tied up for like a day. I'm surprised you didn't get it earlier," Tao said. Mulan grinned.
"Yeah, I got it a few hours ago but I thought it would go. But it didn't," She waggled her foot helplessly.
"Aaaw cheer up," Tao said, sitting down on the stool.
In the few hours that they had known each other, Mulan and Tao had become fairly close. She told Tao all about her first time in Wu Zhong, her friends, her family and her feelings. Tao talked to her too, but not about his family. Tao could really sing as well. Mulan had taught him a few songs that Fa Li had taught her and Tao taught her the few songs that he knew.
Mulan didn't really know her feelings for him. She was still aware that she felt strong affection for Shang, but because he wasn't there and Tao was, she began to feel close to him, in a different way that she felt close to Fung, Ling, Yao and Chien-Po.
Tao was stuck too. He didn't know whether he was in love with Mulan or just because she was a woman and he had not had any woman companionship since...well, he couldn't remember any. He liked Mulan immensely, he found her funny, bubbly, out-going and fairly pretty as well.
When Tao left, Mulan looked back up at the ceiling and thought about Shang.
"Why hasn't he come to find me? Does he really not care? Even if he doesn't, what about Fung, Yao, Ling and Chien-Po? Why can't they come and find me?" Mulan thought miserably. She had spent the first two or three hours waiting for them, but when she didn't hear horses, slashings of swords or calls of her name, she gave up and found herself not caring whether they came for her or not.
Then, the tent flap opened. Lao Ren came in and smiled.
"Look at you, all tied up like a helpless animal," He came over and stared down at her. "We're moving out now sweetie. You will be riding with Tao,"
"Where are we going?"
"To our future home,"
"What?"
"It's called a treaty sweetheart. Once I've used you as bait, I'll declare our marriage and with the two greatest warriors at the throne, no one will dare attack China again,"
"What?!" Mulan cried.
Lao Ren glared at her. He walked out of her view and she heard him say "Get her ready," to Tao before leaving the tent. Tao walked over to her view.
"You're going to marry him?" Tao sniggered. Mulan would have slapped him if she had her hands free.
"Okay, okay, you can laugh now, but when I employ you as my servant, you won't be so cocky then," Mulan grinned. Tao grinned back and started to undo her bonds. Mulan swung herself of the bed and stretched. She stood up and almost fell. Tao caught her.
"Cramp?" He asked her.
Mulan nodded. "Just a bit," Tao gripped her arm and forced out the door, just for appearance sakes. He actually was holding her quite loosely and it didn't hurt at all.
Tao's horse was called Feng, meaning Wind. She was a brown mountain pony, but had evil eyes. Tao pushed Mulan up, then got up himself. She wound her arms around his waist to make sure she didn't fall off. Tao didn't know what to think of this.
"Just to make sure I don't fall off. Remember I'm to be married when I get to the palace," She said from behind him. Tao smiled to himself.
Then the whole pack of fifty Huns began to move out. Lao Ren was at the front, Tao next to him as Lao Ren wanted to keep an eye on Mulan, and Lao Ren's 'commander' (A/N: The Huns don't have ranks) , Kai Bo, was on Lao Ren's other side.
"Ready?" Tao whispered. Mulan nodded, fear rising in her chest.
"Ready,"
