The next few days were filled with such energy, Aurora began to learn new things about traveling, hunting, and even the little things that Mulan smile. For instance, Mulan broke out into a small smile every time Aurora got her shawl stuck on a nearby bush or low branches from trees. She smiled every time, helping the Princess unready the thin shawl from the brush. Another thing that made Mulan smile was when Aurora friendly joked with Mulan while she meditated. Aurora would try to ask a million questions at once, sometimes, even just imitating Mulan as she meditated. Aurora would breathe loudly and say the 'Om' as she meditated, Mulan would always correct her and say she wasn't a Buddhist. Aurora would giggle every time. One thing Mulan noticed while try spent these days together was Aurora didn't have any nightmares, she wouldn't scream out in the night calling for her, anymore. She didn't have these dreams, only when Mulan was nearby. Mulan pondered the thought on why Phillip couldn't help the poor girl with these dreams. But, she also knew that in a few hours Aurora would be reunited with her Love, Phillip. Aurora and Mulan walked to the forest edge, seeing the town just up ahead. "There it is..." Mulan spoke out. "There it is..." Aurora's tone was sad, she didn't want to leave the Warrior so soon. Mulan took the first steps until Aurora graves her arm, some force possessed Aurora for a minute, wanting to tell her how she felt. "Mulan...?" Mulan looked into Aurora's eyes, seeing the sadness that matched her voice. Aurora and Mulan just stared at each other for a few seconds until Aurora spoke, "You love me...?" Mulan was set aback from Aurora's boldness. Of all the things to be brave about Aurora chose this. "What?" Mulan tried to be even tempered, but her heart was pounding in her chest, ready to pound its way out. Aurora took a deep breath before continuing, "You're in love with me"
"I vowed to protect you, to keep you safe. Nothing more." Mulan tried to compose herself, but the seams of her were coming undone. Mulan pulled her arm away from Aurora's grasp having her back toward her.
"Deny it all you want, I know love when I see it!" Aurora felt a stinging in her eyes, she didn't want to cry, but something in her heart felt like breaking in half. "You're wrong" Mulan said in a strict, harsh tone. She couldn't have known...I made it unknown..didn't I? Aurora stared at her hand that was once touching Mulan. Why do I feel like crying, why does my heart feel undone? Mulan began walking away thinking what made Aurora see it? Maybe she didn't. Maybe she is just saying things? Mulan's mind was a mess. Aurora walked close behind, but it still seemed there was large distance in between them. She wanted so badly to close the awful gap that separated them, but judging from Mulan's rash reactions, she was in no place to do anything but walk behind Mulan like a shadow. I should have told her...how I was feeling, how I feel..How my heart aches for her... Aurora glanced up, watching the silk, black hair sway back and forth on Mulan's cape, the cape that she offered for her, to keep her warm, to keep her safe. Whether or not it was Phillip's vow she kept, Mulan still sacrificed herself, even in the littlest ways, for her.
Mulan and Aurora approached a small Inn, sitting down at the first seats they could find. Mulan sat on edge, she couldn't help but think if Aurora and what she ment by her words. I can't, she's a Princess betrothed to a Prince, Phillip...I can't take away that life for her, especially when she can't have a life with me, ever. Mulan felt Aurora's sea blue eyes on her, looking through her every fiber in her body, but she will not look, she couldn't. Aurora sat silently watching Mulan, hoping she would look her way, but cane short of her hopes. Mulan broke the silence telling Aurora she will ask around for the whereabouts of Phillip and Belle, not even giving a small glance to Aurora, busying her eyes elsewhere. It only took a few short minutes until Mulan knew where the rest if the party was staying, taking Aurora outside they saw Phillip and Belle near the marketplace, buying supplies. Phillip looked up seeing Aurora and Mulan safe and sound, his eyes gleamed with happiness, overwhelming with joy. "Aurora!" Phillip ran toward her with open arms, kissing her and embracing her, like a lover should be. "Phillip!" Aurora smiled at him, touching his face, trying to be familiar with him. He twirled her around, still hugging her. Aurora hugged back, but saw Mulan look away, sad. Aurora couldn't help but feel sad to her Warrior, the tough armor couldn't protect a broken heart. Belle and Mulan exchanged friendly smiles and hugs while Phillip and Aurora were talking. "I knew you would be fine." Belle smiled touching Mulan's arm in a sign if friendly affection. "It was hard, but we managed." Mulan still kept he composure even though Phillip could not stop beaming his flashy smile. "So, what now?"
"Go back to my village, find some other adventure." Mulan shrugged, not really knowing the answer. "What about Phillip an Aurora?"
"They probably have some separate adventure as well." Mulan snapped at Belle, not meaning to, but she didn't want to talk about Aurora or Phillip at the moment. Later that day, while everyone was having a comfortable meal together, for the first time in days, Belle couldn't help but notice the glances Aurora was making toward Mulan, how her eyes yearned for Mulan's attention, who was giving her none. Even, when Phillip was talking about a future to Aurora, she still glanced toward Mulan. Belle smiled to herself, catching in quickly of what was going on. Mulan made an excuse to step outside for some air, Aurora insisted on going with her but Mulan declined. Phillip unaware of the girls' moods. As soon as Mulan stepped out Belle told them she was going to step out as well, leaving the couple to talk on their future plans some more. Belle stood next to Mulan, who leaned against the wall if the Inn, fidgeting with her sword and its holster. A smile crept across Belle's face, "you love her? Don't you?" Mulan eyes darted up at Belle the second she uttered the words 'Love'. Mulan was silent, but her eyes screamed the answer as clear as day. "Does she know?"
"No."
"why not?"
"because Phillip is her true love, I can't go between their love, it is not in my Honor to do so." Belle nodded understandingly but persisted with the questions anyways. "Why don't you just tell her how you feel, what if she-" Mulan stood straight, he eyes full of fury "She's a woman Belle! My Duty and Honor was to protect her, nothing more. Besides, my Honor, what I worked for since I was a girl, is what matters to me more!" Mulan's reply was a bit harsh, but it was showing the torment she was going through. Love was a battlefield and Mulan was just a solider taking hit after hit. Love never came easily for Mulan, and Belle knew the reasons behind them. "I'm sorry...it's just that," Mulan sighed, "She can't have a life with me. It's unimaginable, women who live together can't have Normal lives."
"Well, if this counts, you are not normal woman. You're a brave, honorable, courageous Warrior." Belle squeezed Mulan's arm and went back inside to tend to Phillip and Aurora. Mulan leaned against the wall, pondering what she had just said. Oh, ancestors above, please show me what it right an true...
The day quickly went to night, the town was silent for the exceptions of some inns and pubs. The whole party were walking through the town still talking about their journey. Phillip seemed more curious of what Aurora and Mulan did in the forest, and how they managed to not be hurt. Mulan told him it was a safe journey, not telling about the bandits they dealt with, and especially not what Aurora said to her. Aurora could see the strain in Mulan's words as she spoke of their journey. Not telling Phillip what really happened, seeming like it was nothing. Why can't I get myself to speak to her? Why must my heart weigh upon me so much? Mulan brought the party to a small Inn telling everyone that this is where they will sleep for the night, before she and Belle walked away into town. Phillip began to take Aurora's hand to walk with her to her room, but Aurora slipped out of his friendly hands and told him she will meet him in the room, telling him that she wanted to talk with Mulan and Belle before sleeping. He smiled, kissed her and walked alone to the room, unaware of how she was acting. Mulan and Belle were walking away from the Inn until both women heard Aurora call out for them. Mulan looked behind her shoulder, seeing Aurora walk toward her rather quickly. Mulan sighed, looking back to Belle. "Tell her I have to go get some supplies." Belle looked at her shocked, "But..She-" Mulan raised her hand, showing she was in no mood and left Belle to stand there. Aurora stopped where Belle stood, staring at Mulan who was walking away, without a glance back. "Hey Princess." Belle tried to sound happy, knowing both women yearend for each other. "W-Where is Mulan going?" Aurora didn't take her eyes off of Mulan, who was in the distance now, disappearing from her sight. "She, needed to get supplies. Did you need to talk to her?" Belle tried not to sound for Aurora's sake, but she defiantly understood Aurora's feelings. "I-Uh..No." Aurora looked at Belle smiling, trying to keep her smile. "Sorry if Mulan seems...Distant. She's just been a little weary." Belle tried to give some excuse for Mulan's behavior. Aurora was trying to talk with Belle, to try and stall for Mulan to come back. The hours went by and Mulan didn't come back, finally Aurora was defeated by weariness and sleepiness. She thanked Belle for their talk and went back to Phillip.
The next morning Aurora awoke with such sickness and weariness, she didn't sleep very well last night, for her dreams came and haunted her through the night. Phillip's comforting was useless and she knew he felt guilty. Aurora told him the dreams would pass overtime, but deep down she knew the one and only person who could stop these dreams was leaving her life forever. Aurora and Phillip greeted Mulan and Belle, by the entrance of the town, seeing that Mulan and Belle were ready to leave. Aurora looked at Mulan one last time, as she mounted the horse, putting her arms around Phillip. Their eyes locked for a few seconds before a Goodbye from Aurora's lips escaped. Her heart felt heavier, it felt weak, thumping low and without pattern. She was a wreck, but she didn't want to show it to Mulan, or Phillip. Mulan saw in Aurora's eyes, the sadness, but she couldn't. She couldn't. She will forget me soon enough... Both parting from each other, with whispered Goodbyes their lives forever separated. As Phillip's horse disappeared into the distance, Belle asked Mulan, "You're just going to let her go?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because, Love is Sacrifice..." Mulan motioned for Belle, both girls mounting their horses and leaving the town, and memories behind. Love is Sacrifice...because... Mulan couldn't think of any answer to her own thoughts.