Always Beside me
By Roguefan212000
Mulan belongs to Disney.
Author s notes: I m sorry I took so long to update. I was busy with school. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys chapter 6. Thanks for all the reviews. This chapter is going to be much darker than all the others.
The night air was chilly . The endless sky was without stars. A fog of misery smothered the night. Bao Gung swore softly as he attempted to start a meager fire. His efforts were rewarded . The young soldier sighed with pleasure at the sight of the golden flames. " At least , something is going right ," he said sourly. He hated to stop, but the dense fog prevented further travel. Bao Gung glanced at Shang . He was getting worse. Shang looked very pale. He murmured words that didn t make sense . He waved his arms at enemies that only he could see. Bao Gung turned away . He couldn t bear to look at him.
Hua warmed her hands by the fire. She was unmoved by Shang s suffering . Bao Gung looked at her with disgust. " Why have you done this evil?", Bao Gung cried in frustration . " A harder man would have killed you on sight , but the general took pity on you . The emperor will never accept your bribe . He may spare your son , but you will not go unpunished ."
" Daode s life is the only thing that matters," Hua said calmly " I don t care what your emperor does to me. Even if the general dies, the end will be the same."
"I hope your suffering is greater than his ," Bao Gung said bitterly. Hua ignored him. She smiled at the flames. Daode was coming for her. She could feel it. Hua grabbed a fistful of black powder and tossed it in the fire. An image rose up from the smoke . Bao Gung tried to speak , but words escaped him. He could only stare in awe. Hua saw a dark horse carrying Daode and a young woman. " Let me speed your journey, " she whispered.
The winds swiftly died. The mist faded like a forgotten rainbow. Mushu climbed onto Mulan s shoulder . " I have a bad feeling about this ," he whispered. Khan became nervous . He could sense the danger . Three cloaked figures slowly approached them. Mulan had her sword ready. " We have come for the child", said the warrior.
" What is your business with him?", she asked boldly .
" That is none of your concern, little maid . Give us the boy and be on your way."
" I will do no such thing," Mulan snapped.
The warrior pulled the hood off his head. His skin was pale and his eyes were gold. "They are spirit warriors , " cried Daode. Mulan pulled the reins , but the warriors blocked her path. " Put down your sword," said Mushu. " Trust me .You don t want to make a spirit warrior mad. Do you know what they do to people ?"
" Its alright ," said Daode . " I will go with them. I think my mother sent them."
"No, Daode," Mulan cried. " You can t go alone."Mulan glanced at the spirit warriors. " If you take him, then you will have to take me too," she said stubbornly.
" Very well, little maid," said the warrior." You must leave your sword and horse behind." Mulan nodded. She patted Khan on his head. " Everything is going to be alright", she whispered. The spirit warriors chanted a strange tune. A shining white portal appeared before them. Mulan , Daode and Mushu followed the warriors into the portal.
The spirit warriors vanished. Mulan was glad to be on the ground again. " I never want to do that again", said Mushu. Daode ran to greet his mother. She hugged him tightly. " Mulan helped me gain my freedom, " said Daode. " The debt has been repaid. Why can t we live in peace?"
Hua glared at Mulan . She was holding Shang in her arms. Hua saw the love and pain in her eyes. " Its time for you to keep your promise," said Bao Gung. Daode walked towards Mulan. " Your heart has become soft", Hua said bitterly. " I will never be at peace. My husband is dead and our tribe has lost it s greatest leader. You have become weak, Daode."
"Compassion is not a weakness", Daode replied . " Mulan has shown me that." Daode took off a beaded necklace. He crushed the beads with a small stone . Moon flower herbs spilled out of the broken beads. Daode put the herbs into a bowl. He quickly mixed it with water and handed the bowl to Mulan.Shang slowly drank the strange mixture. Daode gently touched her shoulder. " He is going to be fine", he said softly. Mulan smiled at him . " Thankyou, Daode."