Summary: Mulan, an Army woman comes home after two years of being in the battlefield. Throughout the two weeks, she befriends a local girl, Aurora. Loosely based off 'Dear John' MODERN AU: SLEEPING WARRIORS.

This chapter starts of with Phillip and Mulan in a relationship. You'll see why I made it this way in future chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. ENJOY.

Chapter 5: Father

FAST FORWARD. 8 MONTHS LATER.

"Wake up before they see us" Mulan threw a pillow at Phillip's face. Mulan sat up from the bed covering her naked body with the blanket looking at their messy clothes on the floor.

"It's cold, love" Phillip moaned as he kissed her back and drew Mulan's body close to him. "We should stay here and keep warm" Phillip ran a finger through her spine giving her shivers and close his eyes once again. Mulan laid down again and face him.

"Phillip, if we get in trouble, you're responsible for this" Mulan bit her lip and giggled, she kissed his neck slowly. "Mhkay?"

Phillip turned over and got on top of Mulan kissing her neck.

Dear Aurora,

I'm very into our relationship but somehow, it just doesn't feel right. I love him but he doesn't really love me as much as I do, we've been in a relationship for 3 months now, I already told him that I love him, since I do because I've been pinning for him for years now, but… his love for me isn't the same.

I'm sorry to be ranting on you for three months now, it's just, I'm happy to be with him.

Tell me about the man you've been in love with. You don't mention him at all in our letters. It makes me feel left out, as a friend, I should be there for you. Not physically but at least somewhat there for you.

Anyways, how's the job hunt? You don't even need a job, you're parents are rich and they send you money. Don't take that offensively. I've been requesting for a leave, a week or two would be nice.

I miss you lots, Mulan.

"Can you ask them to mail this for me?" Mulan handed over an envelope to Phillip, Mulan pointed at the men inside the helicopters who dropped off supplies.

"For your lady friend? You need to tell me more about her" Phillip smiled, "I'll get this mailed"

"Thank you"

Aurora was hurt and she still is.

Mulan talks about her boyfriend in their letters, she was jealous. This is the man Mulan had been wanting for years, she shouldn't interfere with that.

Aurora laid down on her bed and cried, she can never have Mulan.

It was 2 AM in the morning, she was in her pajamas watching movies on Netflix. It was such a cold night. Too cold, she felt alone again. No, everyday she felt alone, today… Something was missing.

There was familiar barking at the street, Little Brother.

Aurora was quick on her feet, she got up and opened the balcony window and looked outside, it was Little Brother barking in front of her house, calling for attention.

"Little Brother…" Aurora gasp. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong.

She didn't bother changing out of her lazy clothes, she made a mad rush to Little Brother. Little Brother already started running towards the Hua family's house. Aurora fumbled with the door, she grabbed the spare key hiding inside the plant pot.

Little Brother got inside first rushing upstairs, "Hello?" Aurora followed Little Brother upstairs and into Hua Zhou's room.

"Ohmygod" Aurora leaned down to the fallen elder on the floor, he was not moving, not breathing. "Mister Hua… C'mon, please… Please, talk to me"

"Shit. What am I suppose to do?" Aurora was shaking badly, she didn't know what to do. Aurora went to the nearest telephone and dialed 911.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"M-my neighbor, he-he's, I found him in his r-room, he's not breathing… You need to help me- I don't know what-what to do" Aurora's voice was rigid, not knowing the right words to say.

"Keep calm, ma'am, we're sending an ambulance there right now"

"Th-thank you" Aurora hung up, holding a fist full of her shirt by her chest trying to calm herself down. She could feel her heartbeat palpitating so fast. She can't. She just can't think anymore.

Aurora went back inside the room, he found Little Brother cuddling into its master. Aurora was crying furiously.

One person popped into her mind once again. Mulan.

Mulan was doing target practice with training dummies. Just a little bit away from camp. She just needed something to keep her calm. Nothing felt right anymore.

Bang. Right in the heart of the dummy. Bang. Right on the head of the dummy.

Mulan saw somebody at her side, she took off her protective glasses and earplugs. "Hey Phillip" she hung the gun around her shoulder.

"Mulan…" Phillip said unsure of how to say the tragedy that had just occurred.

"What?"

"Your father…" Phillip started, "He's gone. I'm sorry"

"I-I-" Mulan didn't know what to say. "What do you mean?" Phillip handed her an envelope, a release form to let her take a leave to see her deceased father.

Phillip could see the tears streaming down her face already. Phillip hugged her tight giving her a shoulder to cry on. Mulan hugged him tight needing someone desperately.

Mulan's legs couldn't properly hold herself, she slid down to the ground and Phillip just comforted her.

Mulan thought that going home was going to be a good memory. Coming home to see Aurora again, walk Little Brother around, days or weeks of not being around men and gun and fighting, coming home to her father's cooking.

It wasn't like that. It's different. She knew her life had turned around now that her father was gone. She was going to come inside her lonely home. Hell, should she even call it a home?

What makes it her home? Hua Zhou does.

Mulan waited for her bags at the carousel. Trying her best not to cry.

He's with mom now. Mulan whispers to herself.

This was probably the third time she missed her bag in the carousel. She stood there awkwardly in her uniform just watching her bag go around and around.

"I've been watching you stare at the bag go round and round" A voice said, the person grabbed the bag and handed it to the soldier.

Aurora.

"Aurora" Mulan whispered as she grabbed the bag with one hand "I… I just can't believe it" Mulan placed her hand in front of her face trying to show how strong she is by not crying, but she's weak.

"Shhh" Aurora gave Mulan a comforting hug. "I know. I know" Aurora said is a lull tone. "You're strong. You'll make it through"

R&R

Tumblr: Sleeping-warrior (Two dashes)

-SleepingWarriors