Chapter 2: The Fugitive

"See, I told you I'd warn you if I heard people. You don't have to worry about stopping to get sleep when you need it," Mushu said as they rode on, continuing south through the forest.

Mulan winced at the throbbing pain that she'd woken up with. It was right at the site of the wound she'd received from Shan-Yu's sword in the Tung Shao Pass, and she was praying that it hadn't opened up again.

"Thanks, Mushu," she answered him distractedly, concerned about the wound. She would have to check it next time she stopped; but for now she had to keep going forward.

"Man, I can't believe it, Mulan! You saved every one of those people from Shan-Yu and the Emperor still wants you executed. You saved his sorry hide, too!"

"Like you said, Mushu, I'm a girl again," she sighed, sadly.

"Yeah, but still. After everything you did…" he trailed off, seeing that he was doing nothing but depressing Mulan even more.

"I don't know what is going to become of me. Maybe I would be better off dead."

"No. What good would that do anyone? Your family would be dishonored and you would be dead."

"My family is dishonored, Mushu. As are every one of my ancestors."

"But at least you're alive. There is always hope when you're alive."

"I can't see any hope. Everything I did was for nothing. I've ruined everything for everyone."

Mushu didn't know how to answer her.

She was silent, deep in thought for a few moments. "But I guess I really don't want to die," she said, finally.

"We'll be with you every step of the way, Mulan. Me, Cri-Kee and Khan."

"Yeah. I'm glad that I at least have three friends in the world. Even if they aren't humans."

Mulan continued on, riding as fast as Khan could go; she didn't know if the Emperor would have bothered to send a search party after her, but she wasn't going to wait to find out.

"So, any idea where we are going?" Mushu asked.

"I don't know. I'm heading south, where it's warm. If I have to live outside for the rest of my life, at least I won't freeze to death if I can get to some place where there is no winter. I'm sure there will be Imperial messengers sent through the provinces to advise everyone about a female fugitive. Maybe I should leave China completely."

"And go where?"

"I don't know. Right now I just need to get as far away from the Imperial City as possible."

xxxxxxx

Shang was exhausted after riding all night and then all that day. At sunset he decided that they should finally stop and rest.

Chi Fu whined that she would get away. Shang sighed and patiently reasoned with him that she would need to rest as much as they did and wouldn't be able to go forever either.

The councilman agreed, visibly relieved that they were stopping.

Chi Fu had not gone through the training as the others had and as the Emperor's council, he also felt that he shouldn't have to cook for himself. Shang therefore had to catch fish for both of them and cook for both of them. They ate in silence, much to Shang's relief.

Shang was grateful to be able to crawl into his tent and have some time for himself. Chi Fu had pretty much harangued him through the entire journey and Shang had a headache from spending two days alone with the scrawny councilman.

He woke up before the sun was up in the morning and emerged from his tent, calling out to Chi Fu. They had breakfast quickly and then took off again.

It was light and easy to see Khan's hoof prints. At one point, something caught his eye as he rode on staring at the ground. It was a miracle that he had seen it.

He stopped his stallion and stared. The ground was still hard and solid from the cold. And he could see several drops of what looked like dried blood in the dirt. It could have been from any animal. But he strongly suspected that Mulan's wound had re-opened during her fight with Shan-Yu in the Imperial City. He was sure that this was her blood.

"Why are we stopping, Captain?"

"Huh?" Shang turned to Chi Fu, who was looking at him questioningly. "Oh. This way."

Shang started forward again. Chi Fu shook his head, perplexed, and followed after him.

xxxxxxx

Mulan traveled at night to avoid being seen and only stopped when she needed to eat and rest. Fortunately, she was way ahead of any Imperial messengers that would be coming through the towns making announcements about the female fugitive. She pressed on, pushing Khan as much as she could, only stopping when she absolutely had to.