Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, I had final projects and essays to hand in, which somehow scared away my inspiration. Anyways I'm back. Once again I want to thank you for taking time to read my story and posting your reviews.
Oh, just a reminder, I know that the last chapter was kinda crazy because Shang called Mulan his wife and then she said that she would marry him. Remember Chapter 4? When Mulan and Shang married each other before in Mulan's Ancestors' Shrine? Nevertheless, they agreed they would also have the official wedding according to tradition. ) That's why she says that when he wakes up they will get married.
Ok, here is the last Chapter of the first part of The Struggle of Yin and Yang.
A Warrior's Life
Li Shang's unconscious body lied inside the rickshaw were the cannons usually were carried. On the journey back to the Imperial City, Mulan silently prayed he would recover his health. Her friends insisted on cheering her up, but she could not let go from her present worries. She deeply regretted the late arguments, and it was until then that she finally understood the reason why Shang rushed their marriage. He was a General, and his life was bound to be risked, and it would always be the same. She would always have the fear of losing him in the same way he had lost his father. Moments later, Mulan tortured herself with the thought of could have been. She wondered if she had remained home assuming her conventionally established role as a woman, then maybe Shang's life wouldn't be in the verge of extinction. 'If it wouldn't have been for me, he wouldn't have risked his life to save mine,' she thought.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a groan coming from inside the rickshaw.
The soldiers ceased their march, and the medic examined the young general's health. He had caught a fever, and as a result he was deliriously calling out for Mulan. She wanted to be by his side, but the medic claimed it would be best if she let him continue sleeping.
"Will he live through this?" inquired Mulan.
"I already gave him some herbs for the fever," replied the doctor, "the bleeding on his back has stopped, but he will be in constant observation for internal damage."
"Internal damage?" Mulan repeated, "Where?"
"The arrow was close to his kidneys," the medic explained, "however, the ceasing of his bleeding might be a good sign. He is delirious for the herbs and the fever."
"I need to talk to him."
"He needs to focus his energy on his recovery," insisted the doctor annoyed by Mulan's stubbornness, "besides his head is not clear enough to talk."
But Mulan needed to be with him, and see for herself how Shang was. She walked past the medic and made her way inside the rickshaw.
There laid Shang. His skin was drenched with sweat from the fever.
"Mulan?" he called out groggily.
"I'm here," she announced as she knelt next to him and stroked his head gently.
Shang closed his eyes and dozed off to sleep. He did not hear when Mulan thanked him for saving her life.
Two days passed. General Li Shang's health began to stabilize. The medic declared he was allowed to walk short distances, and instructed him to continue taking the medicinal herbs to heal his wound.
As they made their way to the Imperial City, they stopped for a night's rest in a small village. The place was peaceful. Children were chasing each other around in the front yards, and the street vendors were selling their goods. It was as if there had been no war at all, and somehow these ordinary situations relieved the soldiers from what they had experienced the previous days.
But the sudden relief was banished when one of the soldiers announced that this was one of the deceased soldier's hometown, whose name was Ho Cheung.
"We should notify his relatives about his death," added Lieutenant Shui solemnly. "You knew him?"
"We met when we joined the Imperial Army. He was an honorable man. He gave his life to save our General."
When these words reached Shang's ears, he could not help feeling guilty for this man's death. Indeed he was grateful, but it was inevitable to feel responsible for his death. Mulan sensed he was feeling troubled, and she did not know how to soothe him. So she simply reached for his hand and squeezed it as a sign that she was there for him.
"I will pay my respects to Ho Cheung's family, and return this necklace."
Mulan nodded.
It was before sunset when Shang, Mulan, and Lieutenant Shui stood before Ho Cheung's modest home. Shang took the lead and knocked on the door. A few moments later a plump yet beautiful lady revealed herself from behind the wooden door. She silently bowed her head to salute them.
"Is this Ho Cheung's home?" Shang began politely.
The woman nodded. Her almond shaped eyes revealed her fear. It was not common for officers to visit their recruits' families. She gestured them to come inside, and her current condition became evident for the three of them. She was expecting a child.
Mulan bit her lower lip, feeling compassion for the lady.
"I am afraid we bear bad tidings," Shang began. He was not used to deliver this type of news, and seeing the pregnant lady was not making it any easier on him.
"I understand," said the lady fighting to remain composed, but soon tears rolled down her eyes, and she wiped them away.
"Your husband was one of the most loyal soldiers China has seen," Lieutenant Shui assured, "I'm sure the gods will repay his loyalty." The lieutenant handed the lady the sword that once belonged to Ho Cheung.
The lady took the sword in her hands. "May he rest in peace," she whispered, "he always said he wanted to honor and protect his country."
Shang reached for the golden necklace and gave it to the lady. She thanked the young general and hung it on her neck.
"Is there anything we can do for you?" Shang offered.
"Thank you, General," the lady replied, "it has been a terrible loss, but my husband had prepared me for this moment, and you have done what you needed to do."
Shang nodded, and got on his feet. "If you ever find yourself in need, please remember that I will forever be in debt with your family."
"Thank you, General."
Mulan and the Lieutenant followed Shang.
Night fell. Most of the soldiers gathered at the local taverns to drink their troubles away. After the visit to Ho Cheung's home, Mulan noticed that Shang had been distant and she knew perfectly he was blaming himself for Ho Cheung's death. She wanted to let him know she was there to support him, but it seemed as if he was avoiding her. For the first time in those weeks she felt her body demanding her to rest, so she decided she would give Shang some space and she would allow herself to sleep.
Mulan lied on the sleeping mat. She was about to blow out the candle, when she saw Shang's shadow exiting the room next to hers through the rice paper walls. A few steps later he entered her room. Bearing his weary soul he stood before Mulan silently.
"How's your back?" she broke the silence.
"Better now, but I still can't sleep on it."
"Shang, I'm deeply sorry," Mulan apologized, "it's my fault this happened to you."
He took a seat on the floor next to her and reached for her hand without pronouncing a word.
"I promise I will leave the army if that is what you wish me to do."
"Nonsense, it has been an honor to fight alongside you. You have always been an extraordinary soldier," Shang went on "reckless. . . but extraordinary."
His words brought a smile upon Mulan's features as she recalled those training days at Wu Zhong and their silly quarrels.
Once again, Shang's features turned serious as the image of Ho Cheung's wife . "Forgive me, Mulan. I was blinded by my selfishness and I neglected the reality I was dragging you into."
Mulan turned to him confused.
"My lifestyle," he explained, "no matter what I do my life will always be at risk, and it can be too much of a burden for a wife. It was for my mother, and it is for my stepmother. And I wish it wouldn't be for you, so maybe I should back away."
"Don't be a fool," Mulan replied, "I don't care how hard it gets. I love you, and I will always love you."
"But Mulan," Shang protested, "I don't want you to suffer. I don't want you to go through what Ho Cheung's wife is going through. Maybe you will be better off with another. . ."
"Don't you dare say it, Li Shang," she cut him off, "I believe in us. And if it is possible for a country girl to defeat Shan Yu, then certainly we can weather future storms together. I know it's not going to be easy, but it's not impossible either."
"I don't want you to be miserable."
"Miserable? Misery would be surrendering. Hey, it's always about fighting for what you believe in." As she pronounced these words her eyes were looking into Shang. He could see the spark in them induced by the strength of her love for him, and he realized her love was deep, deeper than he had ever expected, deeper than he had ever felt.
"Mulan," Shang went on, "sometimes I fear I don't have as much spiritual strength as you do, and I fear that could be an issue in the future." He sighed as Mulan squeezed his hand affectionately. "But, perhaps you could train me like I trained you to become a warrior."
And for the first time in days of distance, Shang embraced Mulan, and breathed in the scent of her dark hair. Suddenly all his grief ceased to exist, and he was there holding on to his beloved Mulan. He was thankful she was there with him completely unharmed by the war and willing to love, and he was also thankful for the opportunity the gods had given him to live.
END OF PART ONE
Author's Note: So what do you think? Please let me know. The story will continue, and I will also make some minor corrections on the previous chapters. Well thanks for waiting and for reading. Reviews will be really appreciated ) And I hope to have next chapter pretty soon.