(This is a BL)
To save his father's life and prove his worth Fa Ping takes his father's place and joins the army. This was a choice that would bring many difficulties and perhaps, even death.
Fa Ping expected that, but what he didn't expect was to...
The fire was found to be an accident. The soldiers couldn't find any matches or flints near the cart to start the fire, meaning that perhaps one of the canons had spilled some powder and resulted in a small explosion.
But Ping knew better.
The next morning after Mushu's interruption (to which Ping could feel his ears burning whenever he remembered it) he found the small dragon preparing himself a breakfast of field mice and rice.
"Morning, Pingy boy!" Mushu greeted in his usual cheery and sarcastic way. "The chef mad tofu noodles for breakfast today! You better hurry before that big boy Chien-Po gets to the pot!"
Ping just stared through narrowed eyes. Mushu stopped sprinkling spice over his mice and met his eye.
"Something wrong, Fa Ping?"
Ping held his stare steadily. "Nothing at all, Guardian Mushu."
Ping grabbed his tunic and under armor and got dressed outside his tent. Everything seemed to go normal—tents were being put away, carts stocked up and supplies accounted for—when the farmer's younger sons came running up the dirt path, waving their arms.
The farmer and Shang went to meet them just as a small group of people—soldiers, by the looks of their armor and helmets—came moving up the path. Intrigued, Ping gathered around the Captain with the other men and listen to the twins boys talk in excited voices.
"It's the Jin Zai! The Jin Zai!"
"They're scouting around, looking for—"
"More volunteers for the war against the Mongolians and—"
"We were wondering if—"
"No," came their father's firm reply. "Both of you are too young. And your older brothers are already serving, remember?"
"The Jin Zai?" Ping asked Shang with raised eyebrows. Shang smiled and made Ping blush too easily.
"The Jin Zai is a group of soldiers put together by the traveling merchants of China who have been victimized by the Huns. They are quiet capable. They may be a valuable asset to us…"
He looked away as his talk faded, view focused thoughtfully on the approaching men. Shang's own men arranged themselves in formation and awaited their arrival. The group consisted of ten men, with one tall male out in front, a helmet covering his face.
Shang met them with a slight bow. The group came to a halt and the man in front stepped toward him and gave a lower how back. As he straightened up he removed his headdress, revealing dark, curly hair and bright green eyes.
Ping gave a start.
"Captain Shang, it is an honor to meet you. I am Fuujin Toji. My men are scouting this area for more recruits…but our efforts are failed, I'm afraid. Where are you off to?"
"My men and I are need out on the front. It seems our troops are being overwhelmed by the Hun forces. Where is your next station?"
Fuujin shook his head. "Our entire force has settled north, outside of Rin village. We are indecisive on our next move." He took out a rag and wiped the sweat off his brow. Ping studied his features extensively, noting his sharp chin, covered in stubble, how broad his face was and how his ears still slightly stuck out. "Personally, I'm all for heading out to the front…but there are three other captains to deal with."
Shang tapped his chin. "Do you think that a few words from me might convince them otherwise?"
Fuujin grinned. "I think that would serve to be an impassable argument for them."
"I've never seen the captain hit it off with someone so quickly," Ling commented, startling Ping.
Ping shrugged. He felt the need to greet a long-lost friend conflicting with his shy attribute, feeling a strange sense of nervousness. What happened between Fuu and him was a long time ago, and yet Ping felt the betrayal and loneliness rising back up.
He made to get away right as Fuujin lifted his eyes to scan the men and landed on Ping, watching him from afar.
Ping watched as his expression went from confused to surprise to absolutely overjoyed. Ping felt rooted in place as Fuu pushed past Shang and exclaimed, "Ping!"
The boyish smile he was sporting made Ping smile back and take a few steps forward to meet him. He waved sheepishly. "H-hello, Fuu."
He was not prepared for the running tackle that came after that.
Fuujin lifted him up in a bear hug and talked fifty miles a minute as Shang and the other men watched, jaws dropped.
"Fuu, FUU!" Ping yelled as he laughed. Fuu had gotten much taller. "Put me down, you idiot!"
When he finally did, indeed, place Ping back on the ground, Shang had quietly joined them. "So you two know each other?" He asked dryly, earlier friendliness gone. Ping felt unease at the captain's tone.
"Ping and I go way back," Fuu informed him brightly, his eyes never leaving Ping's face. "We lived in the same village for a while before I moved away and…oh, never mind that! So tiny Ping joined the army, hm? Well, captain, how is he as a soldier? He always had great aim when we threw rocks at the fish. And the heights this boy could climb to, amazing! He made the birds jealous!"
He would have kept chattering if one of his men hadn't stepped forward awkwardly to say, "Er, sir, the others are expecting us by nightfall…we should leave soon…"
Fuu waved his hand impatiently. "Yes, yes. You're right." His silly smile had vanished and he turned to Shang with the same air of aloof authority as before. "Well then, Captain Shang, shall we head off? We know how to get back to our base without passing through the slow towns and farming fields."
Shang's voice was tight as he replied, "Lead the way, Captain Fuujin."
"Please, call me Fuu!" He winked at Ping. "We'll have to catch up later, Ping."
He turned and walked away, calling out orders. Ping heaved a big sigh. "Suddenly I feel very tired," he remarked with a smile. He turned to look at Shang and found the older man watching him with an inscrutable expression. "W-what?"
Shang lowered his shoulders and gave his head a quick pat. "Nothing."
He too walked away, leaving Ping feeling confused and overwhelmed. He heard a chuckle from his tent and saw Mushu smirking, giving a small wave before disappearing.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
