The Concubine's Cannon

Chapter 16 (FINAL): Forever and Always Goodbye

With one more slash, the now limp body falls. He draws his sword out from his opponent. All of a sudden a white flag was being raised. They were halfway through killing their army. Had they finally given up? No. His eyes widen as a smiling girl walks in through the southern border. With sword in hand she raises it high, the head of Shan Yu on top. "How?" He feels a lump grow in his thought. How could such a small girl kill such a big man and smile about it? "This is why I worry about you." He walks beside her, their steps in line. "This is why shouldn't worry about me." He chuckles and shakes his head, a smile forming on his lips. "So how'd you do it? How did you kill the great Shan Yu?"

"Well...." A smile softens as she recalls the events of minutes ago.

"I'm going to see if they need any help at the southern entrance." The troop of soldiers nod then salute her. What they don't know is, it's just an excuse to check on Shang. She runs past the still-burning forest and it lights up her path. Though the sun had raised a long time ago it felt like her day was just beginning. Then she sees him. Even bigger than Shang, bald spot on the top, and a falcon on his shoulder. "Shan Yu." She sucks in a breath as he draws near, not too sure if she could pull the same stunt with him. "I presume you are the woman killing off my troops." He stands an inch away from her. The feeling of impending doom rages through her. She takes a fighting stance. She knew she wouldn't go down without a fight.

"Funny girl." He chuckles and goes for her throat barehanded. She quickly ducks and aims for a kick. He catches her foot and throws her back. She stumbles and rolls back to her feet, sword still in hand. "Let's get this over with already. I'm tired of you getting in my way." He growls at her and is ready to stick the sword into her ribs. She ducks and runs past him. She sees no opening. He attacks again and again she ducks. Still no opening. No opening. No. The bird. Her eyes narrow onto it. He aims his attack and this time. She pulls his arm down when he attacks. He falls to the ground not without leaving his mark on her. She winces and aims for the bird. If she could get a hostage then that could be her leverage. Or even better. She draws her hand around and pushes him to the ground. With his back to her, he growls and tries to push her off. Her sword is held to his back. He stops moving.

"Say your prayers." She stabs him in the back though he continues to fight. In her shock, he throws her off and the bird swoops down and hits her shoulder. This causes her to fall back. She makes a quick recovery only to be met with a sword to her heart. "Say goodbye." He raises his sword. She could hear her heart pounding. Budum Budum. She lifts her arm to shield herself. The glimmer of the sword comes to light. Without having to think she strikes. Their swords meet but she's still on the ground. How could she get out of this? How! Her head bangs against itself. He kneels down to bring the sword closer to her neck. An opening. Lifting her leg she kicks him in his thing. He rears up in pain and soon stumbles down. Without a moment's notice, she gets up and stands above him. Silently she cut his head.

"Ahem." The cough silences their talking. Immediately they bow to his majesty. "Sir, I can explain...." He raises his hand to Shang. Mulan draws forth and bows her head. "I've heard a great amount about what you did Fa Mulan. You lied to me and many others. You deceived many people. Blackmailed many people as well. You brought people into this and endangered their lives. You refused to have me and my child. You committed treason. AND!" His head draws up at this. She winces ready for whatever he was about to say or whatever punishment he was about to give. "You have saved us all." The councilman soon rushes out ready to yell at her when the emperor bows. He falls to the ground and bows. Shang gets on his knees next. By this point in time, she had already gotten up. Turning around she sees the soldiers she fought with bow to her.

After a while, the emperor stands up and beacons to Chi-fu. "Chi-fu. See to it that this woman is a member of my council." He waves his hand to her. "Yes, yes very well. WHAT! I mean.... There are no council positions." He smiles to himself and strolls off to the side, scribbling something on his board.

"Very well. You can have his job." He points his thumb to Chi-fu and he passes out with a thud. "With all due respect your majesty. I think I've been away from home long enough." He nods his head with understanding, a soft smile on his lips. "Then I shall make arrangements. But take this." He picks up the dropped sword and hands it to her. "And this." He takes off his crest and puts it around her neck. Her jaw drops with a smile. She throws her arms around him.

"Is she allowed to do that?" The gruff voice of Yao sounds behind the general. He and the other two soldiers just shrug. They themselves get their own hug as she's ready to leave for the stables. She escorts herself over to the general with a smile growing on her lips. "General." She nods to him. "You," he has no idea what to say, so many things roam his brain at his amazement in her but none are caught, "you fight good," is all he's able to say.

Her head pops up then lowers. "Oh...thank you." Did she mean nothing to him? He promised marriage but maybe after seeing this. "I hope to meet you again." She grazes past him and the soldiers clap. Despite the celebration, she can't give a real smile. She saddles up Khan, her father's old horse, and takes her leave. She'll come back to settle things only after she's able to hug her grandma and mother again.

Shang sighs at the sight of her leaving. It was only hours ago where he was still pinned down to guarding her. Now that he was out of everything he wanted to be in it again. "General," the emperor notices his strange behavior. "Sir." He bows to his majesty but the old man raises his hand. "She bloomed a long time ago." He looks up at him. "Sir?" This time his voice is more curious. "The flower that blooms in adversity, is the most rare and beautiful of them all. You don't meet a flower like THAT every dynasty." He plops his hat on and turns around. "Oh, by the way. She's relieved of her concubine duties and ripe for the picking." He chuckles at himself and Shang flushes, but smiles.
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A sigh escapes the aging woman's chambers. How she's missed her daughter, and now her husband was off at the palace. "Is something wrong?" The voice sings and a hand is placed o top of hers. "Zhou! But..." Her words are interrupted by the touch of the cheek. "I'm here," he whispers and she touches his hand. A contempt sigh escapes her. "Is Mulan..." As if her words are magic she's there. She rushes to bow in front of her mother, her head lowered. "Mama. I'm sorry I left to be a..." Her words are cut off by a hug. "As if I care about that. I'm just glad you're here." A single tear drips down her cheek and she's embraced into another hug.

"So she brought home a sword. If you ask me she should've brought home a man...." The old woman's words are cut off by a voice. "Excuse me. Does Fa Mulan live here?" It's an innocent question from a handsome man. In shock, she simply points in the direction of the cherry tree. He thanks her and walks off. "WOO! Sign me up for the next war!"

"Honorable Zhou. Mrs. Fa. I... Mulan!" He jumps right as the girl pops out from behind her parents. He goes limp and forgets everything he was about to say. All he's able to do is hand out a saddlebag and mutter odd rambling. "I um.. You. You forgot about your clothes. Your training clothes I mean... I..." She takes the bag and smiles warmly at it, then at him. "Would you like to stay for dinner?" She leans closer to him. "Would you like to stay forever!" The old lady at the door yells and Mulan burst out laughing. "Forever would be nice." She stops laughing and he just looks at her funny, as if he said something wrong. She smiles. "Forever would be nice." Taking his hand in hers she leads him to the house. Her mother's face looks just as shocked as Shang's if not more.
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"Forever really is nice." He leans into his new bride's ear. He had been getting better at flirting by the day. "May I?" She smiles at him softly and he nods. "I don't see why not. No one's here." She fakes a gasp, trying not to hold in her laughter. "How scandalous!" He laughs. "Aren't you a concubine?" Their minds travel to that night. It had been an argument back then, now it is just loving banter. "No. I'm your wife." She whispers in his ear and kisses his neck. "Forever and always, Mrs. Soldier." "Forever and always, General."

Author: Run over to the next update for a look inside my brain. If you don't want to look then I'll leave you with a thanks. Goodbye!