Always Beside Me
By Roguefan212000
Mulan belongs to Walt Disney.
Author s notes: Thanks for all the kind reviews. Please tell me what you think of my original characters. ( Bao Gung , Daode and Hua ) I hope everyone enjoys chapter 4.
Mulan felt a gentle tug at her hair. She ignored it and rolled over. Once again she felt a another tug. Mulan groaned and settled deeper into her blankets. This time her hair was pulled much harder. "Ouch", she cried. Mulan rubbed her sleep clouded eyes and sat up." Mushu ", she moaned. "Couldn t you have tried a gentler way to wake me up."
"I tried everything, but you couldn t hear me over your own snoring", he replied. "Man… I don t know how Shang can sleep in the same room with you".
"I don t snore", Mulan said defensively. Mushu grinned widely. "Tell that to Shang."
Mulan only rolled her eyes. " Hurry up and get dressed", he ordered. "You dont want to be late."
Mulan silently obeyed . She didn t bother to ask how he came to be here. Mushu always found a way to track her down.Mulan stood in front of the mirror. She carefully steadied her reflection. Mulan couldn t believe how far she had come. She used to think that she would never be anything , but a clumsy peasant girl.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Mushu. "Yes… Your beautiful . Now , can we please go to breakfast?", he asked. " Alright… Let s go", she said.
Mulan scooped up Cri-kee. The little creatures hid in their usual spot.A male servant lead Mulan to the dining hall. She and the emperor were about to enter at the very same time. Mulan slowly approached him. "Good morning, your majesty", she said , while bowing. He nodded in return. "Was the room to your liking?", he asked. "Yes… Thankyou. "
Mulan turned to look at the members of the royal consul. They were dressed in fine robes. Every man s head was held high. The consul members didn t seem to notice Mulan. They all appeared to be stuffy and arrogant.
"If it pleases your highness, I would like to share my meal with the child." If the emperor was surprised by Mulan s request, he didn t show it. "Of Course…As you wish", he answered.
Mulan was relieved to know that she wouldn t have to be in the presence of those stuffy consul members. Above all, Mulan truly wanted to help this boy. In her heart, she didn t believe he was a spy.
"The cure is with my son ", said the woman. "The soldiers that took him were heading for the imperial city."
Bao Gung glanced at Shang . He was becoming very pale. "It will take us a few days to get there. I hope the general will be able to hold up until then", he said solemnly.
"Do these herbs grow anywhere within this region?", Bao Gung asked hopefully. The woman shook her head. "The herbs only grow in the mountains of my homeland," she answered. Bao Gung could barely control his temper. He forced himself to remain calm. "Woman … Does he have a fever ?", Bao Gung asked in a harsh tone.
The woman was riding Shang s horse. She managed to hold him up and guide the horse as well. " My name is Hua," she answered coldly. "Yes…He does have a fever. I can give him something for it ,but the relief will only be temporary".
"Fine", Bao Gung grumbled. "Do what you can . Your life will become worthless , if he dies".
"I will keep that in mind", Hua snapped .
Bao Gung ignored her comment. He wanted to hope for the best, but doubt still lingered in his heart. Bao Gung sighed deeply. This is going to take a miracle, he thought sadly.
Mulan quietly entered the room. The boy sat in a corner. He hid his fear behind a mask of defiance. Mulan could feel the tension in this place. The boy carefully guarded his sercets as well as his heart. She knew this was going to be a challenge. Mulan walked forward with boldness .
" I mean you no harm, "she said gently. "I can only imagine what you must feel right now. I would like to help you , if you will only let me."
"Why would you want to help an enemy?", he asked with disdain. "Do you think I m foolish enough to fall for these tricks?"
"I don t believe you are my enemy ," she said calmly. "I m not here to question you, but to offer my friendship."
Her words surprised the child. Mulan placed a basket on a small wooden table. The lid suddenly swung open. Cri-kee hopped out of the basket. He chirped loudly. Mulan could tell that he was angry .Mushu came out too. His face was covered with bread crumbs and fruit juice. Cri-kee cast Mushu an accusing glance. " What… I was hungry," he shouted defensively. Mulan only shook her head.
She gathered the remainder of sweet rolls and fruit to spread out on the table. The boy slowly approached. The child stared at Mushu in amazement ."What are you?", he asked. Mushu rolled his eyes. Mulan could tell that he was about to make a sarcastic remark. She quickly shoved a large piece of fruit into his mouth. "He s my guardian", Mulan answered. She smiled at the boy. "Are you hungry?" The child nodded. He shyly accepted the food .He was beginning to let his guard down.
"You said you could help me, but how are you planning to that ?", he asked.
"Im going to prove your innocence", Mulan answered.
"Your probably the only one, who doesn t think I m a spy", he said sadly. "I was traveling with my mother , but we were separated . I hope she is alright".
Mulan placed a comforting arm around the boy s shoulders. "I will try to help you find her", she said softly.He smiled at her. "Oh… I never told you my name.," he said shyly. "I m Daode." Mulan smiled in return. "I m Mulan."
His eyes widened in shock. Daode sprang to his feet. He was filled with rage, sorrow and confusion . "You're the one that killed my father," he cried. Mulan was speechless. "Yes… Shan-Yu is my father.," Daode shouted .
He wanted to hurt Mulan. He wanted to see her suffer. Daode fell to his knees. " I couldn t kill you , even if I wanted too.", he cried in despair . Daode looked down at his hands. " I m too weak. I could never be a great warrior like him." Tears filled his eyes. " I was never good enough", he sobbed. " I only wanted him to love me."
Tears streamed down Mulan s cheeks. " Daode … I m so sorry. I wish I could take away your pain. I don t blame you for hating me", she sobbed . Daode only looked at her . "I can not hurt you, but I know my mother will, " he whispered .
To be continued…………