Special thanks to PJeanScribbles, for giving me the motivation to continue on with this story! I'm trying to slowly but surely come back to writing fanfics, but don't expect a regular posting schedule, at least not for a while. Anyways, something is better than nothing, right?

I do not own Mulan.

Kai trailed after his sister and Bao as they chattered, jumping from topic to shallow topic like crickets on a hot tin roof. His stomach churned as he imagined Holea suggesting that he might fancy Daiyu instead of Bao. As much as he put on a 'devil-may-care' attitude, he was acutely aware of the quiet inner workings of his family. His parents and sister ran a tight ship. They slaved to gain as much honor for the Lin name as possible. Now that his father was away fighting, his mother and sister were already basking in the honor that him returning from war would bring.

If he even did return.

The news of the massacre had sent Kai reeling. He didn't understand how his sister and mother could be so optimistic.

Truthfully, though, it wasn't that they were being optimistic about the risk; they were simply blind to it. The Lin family had to be undamaged. Solid. Whole. It would seem defiant of the heavens and the ancestors themselves if the family was devastated by losing their patriarch. Kai would be pushed into adulthood and forced to take over the family, marry Bao, and uphold the Lin legacy. He wasn't ready for that. His plans were to shake off the name and chains of his family as soon as possible and join the army. He'd settle down far away once he'd won his own glory instead of having merely reflected that of his predecessors.

His dismal ruminations ceased when Holea pushed open the door to their house, deluging him with festival sensations. Family members wearing bright colors were chatting, laughing, and cooking all around him. A brilliant spray of flowers rested on the table. Holea nudged her way through the throng and laid her basket down next to where their mother was cooking. "Here you go, Mama. Also, we ran into Bao at the market, and she was wondering if she could come over for a little bit."

Kai's mother smiled. "Of course, Bao! We'd love to have you if your parents have said it's okay."

Bao grinned. "Thank you! Let me just take this basket back home and I'll be right over."

Holea departed to talk with a few cousins, and Kai's tension dissolved. She wasn't going to bring up Daiyu; not yet anyways. Still, it would do well to get on his mother's good side. "Can I help you, Mama?" he asked.

"Thank you, Kai! Will you make the dumplings so I can steam them?" His mother pushed a small bowl of water at him and directed him to where the finished dumpling skins sat near a bowl of the meat filling. Kai began to fill and pinch the skins closed, observing his mother's mood. She was talking jovially with her sisters as she prepared the sweet, sticky rice balls for their soup. A genuine smile lit up her face. If Holea did choose to bring up Daiyu, his mother would hopefully be more receptive of the matter.

Not that Kai was actually going to do anything about it. Staying here, in this little village - even if it was with the prettiest girl there - was not in his plans.

However, if he wasn't so determined, Daiyu could be a good enough reason to entice him to stay. He smiled a little as he thought of her warm brown eyes, the soft double buns she wore on the sides of her head, and the moles on her face that only elevated her subtle charm. Although Holea was considered the beauty of the village, her allure was more regal, as if fit for a queen. Bao was also seen as beautiful, but in a stylish, saucy way. If Holea was a lily and Bao was a rose, Daiyu was an azalea blossom - girlish, sweet, and simple. In looks alone, Holea and Bao completely outshone her, but Daiyu's sweetness and reserve were infinitely more attractive to Kai.

After Kai finished with the dumplings he went outside to chat with his male relatives. Then came dinner, and more conversation, until everyone had gone to bed, and it was time for the Lin family to clean up. Kai was about to excuse himself when Bao, who was apparently staying the night, looked at Holea significantly. Holea grinned, raising her eyebrows before opening her mouth. "Mama, do you want to know who we met in the market?"

"Who, dear?"

Kai stood rooted to the floor, unsure of whether he should flee or stay to defend himself. He took a couple steps towards his sister, crossing his arms and glaring at her. She smiled coyly before continuing. "Fa Daiyu."

"Really?" Kai could see that his mother was uninterested, and hopefully she'd stay that way. "How are she and her family doing?"

"I'm sure they're all right. Daiyu had abandoned them to run around in the marketplace, and when Bao mentioned Mulan, Daiyu snapped at her."

"It wasn't like that," Kai began to protest, but Bao cut in.

"Yes, I'm not sure if she's doing too well."

"That's a shame. I hope her sister gets well soon."

Holea cleared her throat. "Kai was flirting with her."

Kai winced as his mother raised her head, her eyebrows shooting up. "Lin Kai!"

"What? I wasn't! Bao was being mean to her, so I stuck up for her." Kai had wanted to keep on Bao's good side, but if he was going to get in trouble anyway, he'd go out with a bang. Bao's eyes widened, and she pressed a hand to her chest. She had a way of plucking on one's emotions, Kai would give her that, but with absolutely none of Holea's subtlety.

"Kai is always spending time with her," continued Holea. "He touched her elbow today, and I saw him hide the little dragon shadow puppet she gave him for guessing her riddle." Kai grimaced. Nobody was supposed to see that; hence the act of hiding it. His mother put her hands on her hips.

"Lin Kai, you know you shouldn't even be speaking to her, much less flirting! She is far below your social standing, and you know you're going to marry Bao one day."

"What if I don't want to?" Kai muttered. He'd meant for the utterance to go unheard, but his mother's expression showed that hadn't been the case.

"You are the only son we have, Kai. You are going to be the one to uphold this family and preserve our line. Bao is the only girl with sufficient status and beauty in this town. She will be an excellent wife and mother, as well as a credit to your family name. Our family name."

"Daiyu is beautiful!" Kai blurted. Everything he'd wanted to keep inside was spilling out. He wasn't complaining; it was rare he had the courage to speak his mind, and it felt good. "She's much prettier than Bao, she has a lovely personality, and her family is kind. Her father almost died fighting for our country! If that's not honor, I don't know what is. And anyways, I'm not marrying anyone here! I'm joining the army as soon as I can and going as far away as possible!" As he said it, there was a bittersweet twang in his heart as he considered both the adventure of going as well as those he'd be leaving behind.

Holea and Bao were both pressing their hands to their mouths. His mother's face had darkened. "Well then. I see you're a foolish, selfish child with no thought as to what is best for your family. If we can't take care of the last part of your little outburst, we can fix the first. I'm going to have a little talk with the Fa family tomorrow."