Yong takes a turn for the worse, leaving Shang reeling in the sudden realisation that he may lose his father. Mulan mourns her mother, which unknowingly helps Shang begin to face the truth.
3rd person POV of Shang & Mulan unless stated otherwise.

Shang woke early the next morning, as per usual. He noted Mulan was not in her bed, and wondered if he'd woken up later for a change. But upon glancing out of the small window next to her bed, he was greeted with the sun just barely rising. He sat with a frown, listening for anything. It sounded like some quiet mumbling from across the hallway. Shang hauled his shirt on, and followed the sound. It lead to his fathers room, of which only a sliver of light crept out from underneath. Shang pressed his ear close to the shut door.

"I worry, Mulan," Shang frowned. What was she doing there? "Do you think he will worsen?" Her voice asked back. There was a shift, as if someone was moving. It didn't sound like his father talking, nor did it sound like Zhou. Perhaps it was in the in-house doctor? "Perhaps... he is in... almost lěngmò, at the moment. Neither living nor dead, so I cannot say," The doctor said quietly. Shang's heart dropped.

His father was dying?

"Well... is there anything that can be done to ensure he lives? I don't think my father could take losing his best friend... especially after losing mom," How about me!? Shang wanted to shout. "Potentially," The doctor sounded hesitant. Shang's ears pricked. There was hope! "What can we do?" She asked. "At the minute, all we can do is keep him hydrated, cool and fed. His wound, at the minute, does not carry infection, although I do not like how red it is. I will clean it every four hours as well, hopefully warding off the possibility." Shang sighed deeply as Mulan did in the room. "Well... I shall go and prepare some clean water for you then, Wei,"

Shang began to step away when Wei spoke again: "I have already acquired clean water, Mulan. Go, rest. Your body needs it. If I need help, I shall call upon the captain," Shang stepped back into the room just as Mulan breezed past, towards the front of the house.

Shang watched as she shrugged on a shawl and slip on some shoes, shutting the door softly behind her. "Who are we eavesdropping on?"

Shang jumped at the sudden voice. Ju, Mulan's grandmother, cackled. Shang felt very embarrassed. "Don't worry, my boy. I won't tell anyone you were ogling her as she left," She teased. Shang felt his face heat up: whether in embarrassment or anger was unknown. "I was not!" He proclaimed, standing up straighter. "I was simply curious as to where she is going at this time of the morning,"

Ju gestured with her wrinkled finger, and Shang followed her to the front of the house. She led him to a large window. "She watches the sunrise every single morning, without fail." Ju said softly. Shang bent down to watch. Mulan was stood on the bridge, watching as the son rose, her hands held in prayer. "Why?" He asked, equally as soft. Her body slumped forwards as she dropped her head into her hands. "Her mother took her, simply put. It is where Mulan feels closest to her,"

Shang could empathise with her on that. He, too, missed his mother greatly. She died when Shang was 16, just before he was deployed for the first time. His sister, Xia, was only 14. He went away for his typical seasonal time at the academy, a few weeks before his 16th, with her being alive and well.

He came home to Xia sat with their aunt, and a pyre with his mothers favourite flowers decorating its structure.

Shang was never the same after that.

"Ju..." He began. She hummed. "Do... do you mind if I ask how Li passed on?" He asked hesitantly. "No, I don't mind," Ju smirked. Shang blinked. "I'm teasing. Loosen up a little, it'll do you good in life."

She took a seat, still watching her granddaughter on the bridge. He sat next to her. "Li knew she was unwell for quite some time." Ju began. "She grew fever after fever, cough after cough," Shang stayed quiet. He was a little glad he didn't see his mother wilt away in front of his eyes. "She grew so thin, I had to stuff her hanfu's with extra clothes so Zhou and Mulan wouldn't notice. Mulan, of course, did." A mist overcame Ju's eyes, and with a shock, Shang realised it was tears.

"Mulan made her father find her a suitable family to marry into so her mother could watch and walk her to her husband, something Li had always wanted to do." Ju chuckled softly. "She surrendered her happiness just so her mother could live out her wish,"

Shang stared at the young woman outside. She truly intrigued him. "Li died a month before Zhou was called away," Ju continued. "Mulan lost her mother to illness, then her father-in-law and husband to war all in the span of a year," Ju sighed. The pair stayed in a comfortable silence, watching the young girl mourn her mother on the bridge.

Ju suddenly chuckled quietly. "Here I am, spilling all of Mulan's secrets to a man who's lost just as much, I apologise," She said without turning her head. Shang immediately waved his hand in dissmissl. "No, don't be sorry." He said firmly.

They stayed in silence for a few beats, watching the sunrise from the small window. Shang's thoughts drifted to his father. Would he become an orphan? Is his dad truly dying? The doctor didn't seem certain that he would pull through. Would he have to fight wars alone, with no family by his side? His heart felt heavy, knowing this was a very likely reality that was going to happen soon.

Mulan let a few tears fall. The sunrise was brighter than usual, a sign her mother was listening. "I don't know what to do, mama," She whispered. A bird tweeted from the blossom tree. "I just... I want baba's friend to get better. He cannot bear with another loss, not after losing you," She sighed and rested her face in her hands. "I miss you, mama. I wish you were here," She said softly. The baby in her belly wriggled around, letting her know she was awake. Mulan placed a hand on her bump. "I wish you could see us both," She whispered brokenly. A warm breeze danced through her hair, lifting it and caressing her neck.

Mulan smiled softly, walking off the bridge she used to love as a child.

She walked through the front door and shut it behind her quietly. She gasped upon seeing a figure sitting at the table. "Oh, you gave me a fright," She breathed out. The figure didn't say anything, but if the scarlet cape around his shoulders signalled anything, then it was the captain. She wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders. The outfit (top) she was wearing was a little too casual for guests in the house, let alone a captain of the army. "Sorry," He muttered quietly. Mulan frowned. She kicked her shoes off and put her slippers on. She moved to the table and eased herself down with a low, quiet groan. God, she was gonna be glad when her nǚ yīng made her arrival.

In the corner of her eye, she caught the young captain watching with concerned eyes. She couldn't help the small chuckle. "Do not worry about me," She sighed. "I was made for this," She gestured to the bump. She met his eyes. In the mesmerising chocolate brown pools lay kindness, curiosity & unshed tears.

Wait...

"May I call you Shang?" She asked nonchalantly. He clearly wasn't expecting this. "Uh-d-uh s-sure?" He stuttered. Mulan smiled. A few men over her lifetime were embarrassed to meet her, what with being the daughter of an honoured war Major.

Plus her beauty helped.

"Shang..." She began. "Are you ok?" Again, the question threw him. "Pardon?" He frowned. She repeated. "Oh... um, yes. My arm no longer hurts, and my concussion is gone. Thank you," He answered stiffly. Mulan laughed. "No, silly. That isn't what I meant," He blinked. Mulan rolled her eyes. Then, with a sudden thought, she grinned. "Come with me," She eased herself up right, hauled on her shawl and kicked off her slippers. "Come on!" She repeated. This seemed to snap the captain out of his daze, as he leapt up, shrugged on his cape, and followed her out of the door.

She almost giggled as she ran through the grass of her garden, bare foot. "Where are you taking me?" He panted behind. "Just follow me!" She laughed.

She ran to the edge of the garden, and stopped at a wall. "Why are we at your wall?" Shang asked, confusion all over his face. She faced him, panting. "I need a leg up," She nodded. Shang frowned. "Um... should you be doing that?" He asked. Mulan rolled her eyes, "I'm pregnant, not disabled, leg up!"

He raised his eyebrows but a small smile ghosted his face. He cupped his hands, and Mulan put her bare foot in. His hand was warm, and gentle. It was very different to Lao's, who's was always cold and tough. Pushing away the thoughts (she was a married woman, for gods sake!) she swung an arm over the wall, followed by a leg, followed by the rest of her body. She leant backwards and extended a hand. Shang stared at it. "Well, are you gonna grab it?" She teased. He looked up and smiled, properly at her. He grasped her hand and pulled himself up.

They sat on the wall in silence, save for the birds chirping. "Why're we sat here?" Shang asked quietly. Mulan shushed him. "Just wait for it," She assured.

The warm breeze tickled her neck and wrapped around her body once more. She leant back slightly and sighed in bliss. "This is my second favourite spot," She said quietly.

3rd person POV: neither one in particular.

What Mulan didn't know, is that Shang was gazing at her closed eyed form. The gentle breeze blew the hair away from her face, leaving the slight morning light to illuminate her un-makeover-ed face. "Yeah?" He asked quietly. "Next to the bridge, but that's on the other side of the garden," She continued quietly. "That's the best for sunrise, but this follows close behind,"

They sat in silence. Shang almost left: what was he doing here, when he could be with his dad?! But then... the sun broke the distant horizon. Bands of orange, red, pink and purple rippled through the sky as the yellow sun woke for the day. Shang found himself enthralled. Mulan opened her eyes slightly and smirked at the sight of the "tough captain" enchanted by such a simple thing as the Earth rotating. She shut her eyes again and allowed the sun to warm her face.

Shang finally broke his gaze from the sun. He suddenly felt angry: what on EARTH was this woman doing?! Why was she speaking to him as though they were friends?! He was a CAPTAIN of the IMPERIAL ARMY for crying out loud!

A feeling of calm washed over his body, dousing the angry fire of rage when his eyes came upon the daughter of Fa Zhou. He remembered his conversation with Ju, no less than an hour ago. She too lost someone she deeply cared about. Maybe... maybe she was trying to distract him, so he wouldn't fall into the same pit his father did when his mother died.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" She suddenly asked. Shang couldn't help but agree. He never saw the sunrise to this extent before. Usually, he was already training, or in a meeting, or on the battlefield. "Indeed it is," He said back. "Though, I must ask you this, Fa Mulan," He began. She twisted her body to face him. "Why? Why show me this?" He asked, curious. Mulan visibly paused, thinking through her answer. "Well... when my mother died, all I could do was wish she didn't," She said. "We used to watch the sunrise every morning... and I have done every morning since she passed on..." She sighed. "I guess what I'm saying is... just in case... find something you and your dad have in common, and continue doing it. Even if he is alive... believe me, it helps," She said in a serious voice.

Shang didn't say anything. Maybe... maybe she was right... maybe he should prepare... just in case.

TRANSLATIONS:

lěngmò - Limbo
nǚ yīng - baby girl