I stopped breathing. I couldn't move, or even register what was happening. That was, until, she pulled away. Her face was bright red, and she stuttered, which was more than I could say at the moment.

"I....I'm sorry. I couldn't let you go without...." She blushed furiously and looked down. I just gaped, unable to regain my composure. When I failed to respond, she continued.

"And I know that you still have to go, and that we can't just forget about everything that happened between us, and-" I brought myself together, reaching up to stroke her cheek. It was an unnatural gesture for me, but it felt like the right thing to do at this moment. She stopped talking and looked up, surprised. I smiled.

"I know. I know we can't just solve everything now. But we can... we can at least try, right?" She nodded, smiling.

"So what do we do now?" I couldn't find an answer. She looked behind her, up the winding path. I wanted to make this work. I had to. She looked back at me.

"How long will you be gone?" she asked. I looked down at her. Her hair was being thrown in the wind. She was still panting from her run, and tears filled her eyes. Beautiful.

"I don't know." I replied. I wished I could say something reassuring. I wish I could say something comforting. But I couldn't. I was always honest, brutally so. She nodded sadly. "But I'll come back. As soon as I can. I will come back." I smile broke out on her face, and she threw her arms around me once again, pulling me into a hug. I froze. I had never been hugged before. After a moment, I relaxed and gingerly put my arms around her.

She pulled away and I saw the tears she had tried to hold back were sliding down her face. I reached up and wiped them away. Please don't cry! She laughed again and brushed her face with the back of her hand.

"Okay," she whispered, her face still shining with moisture. I gave a sad nod. I had wanted this ever since the night of the celebration. Maybe even before that....I thought of her being thrown into the snow by Chi Fu, the blanket wrapped tightly around her. And now I had to leave her. For maybe weeks. Two weeks of travelling, one or two weeks at the City. I sighed, bringing myself back to her.

"I....I have to go." Li Shang. Pulling away from every relationship I've ever had. She nodded and leaned in, kissing my cheek, and turned around, walking back towards her home. I felt empty. Alone.

"Mulan!" She turned her eyebrows raised. When I couldn't say anything more, she smiled, winked, and continued on her way. This time, not looking back. And I was left to wonder what had just happened.

I thought about her. Every step of the way. I had never felt this way before. I didn't understand it. At all. I replayed every movement in my head, wondering where I had missed it. That moment. The one where she showed a sign, any sign, that she felt the same way about me. The thought haunted me for seven days, until I rode into the Imerial City, where I forced myself into business once again. Business, at least, on the outside.

I entered the room and was immediately swallowed in red. The Emperor sat at the end of a highly polished wooden table. He gazed at me as I entered, his eyes as bright as ever. He looked much more rested than when I last saw him. More, relaxed. I took a step forward and bowed.

"Your Excellency." He motioned to a wooden chair on the side of the table. I made my way to him, bowed my head, and seated myself.

"I apologize for the, somewhat inadequate replacement room. Mine is currently being repaired. I suppose I have you and your troops to thank for that." I sheepishly looked down. The Emperor's laugh rang throughout the small room.

"Now. I will assume you recieved my notice. You will be promoted to General of the Imperial Army of China. Your position will be final in three weeks from today's date." I nod. He smiled back at me. "Then I must ask you to practise with some of your future troops."

"Yes, Sire." He nods, and I take that as my cue to leave. As I reach the door, I hear his voice ring throughout the room.

"I assume you found her, then?" I smile and turn to face him.

"Yes. Yes, I found her." I bowed to him and departed; a smile on my face.

I enter my room, the smell of smoke and fire still lingering on the walls. I drop my satchel on the stark mattress. I ached to talk to Mulan. I knew we hadn't solved our differences, but I wanted to put it all behind us. Not forget, but move on. I made my way over to the desk. It had been fully prepared for my arrival, pens, ink, parchment sat neatly on the surface. I sat on the wooden stool and dipped a quill into the ink.

Dear Mulan...

This chapter is a little shorter than my usual, but I have a bit of writer's block. So, hope you like it ;)