Mulan - Shan Yu Returns

Chapter 5: Wounds

Shan Yu took a bath after everyone was done with their bath or shower. He let out a deep breath as he dunk his whole body into the warm, soothing water. He looked at his own reflection of the trembling water, then it became calm. I wish my life becomes steady and smooth, like this water, Shan Yu thought. But, I must do what I have to do. Thanks to Fa family's support I have gotten very far. I can do this... Shan Yu gently splashed his face with a handful of water. As the warm water washed down the coldness out of his face, he let out one more deep sigh of relaxation. He let out a whistle out of momentary happiness. He knew he cannot be happy all the time, so he used this time to enjoy all the happiness he can.

When the water got cold, he decided to dry himself, change into new clothes, and head to his room to call it for the day. The pillow and blanket felt very smooth today that he drifted to sleep almost immediately. He did work hard today after all.

When he woke up, he seemed to be in the middle of the street and everyone was looking at him with fear flushed all over their eyes.

"Look! It's a monster! He's going to ruin everything around us!" One woman announced. All the villagers laughed at him.

"Get out of here, monster!" One man mockingly said.

"We don't want you here!" Another woman insulted.

Soon, people were throwing fruits, rocks, and other unknown things at him that made him feel unsanitary as they continued to laugh at him even louder. Shan Yu's heart was filled with embarrassment.

No, no, no! Shan Yu thought.

He woke up again, with a huge gasp. He was in his bedroom. He still had his clothes on. He sighed with relief as he realized that it was just a dream. I hope it's not a dream that predicts future... Shan yu thought. He closed his eyes to go back to sleep. Then his eyes flashed open. Instead of sleeping, he decided to take a walk in the town. It seemed to be the time just before the sunrise. He lit the lantern and carefully exited the house so he doesn't wake anyone up.

The air was moist, yet light. The wind was cold yet refreshing. The sky was dark yet starry. He loved the sound of his shoes rubbing against the road as he took a step, how the moon and stars shined upon him, and how his hair and beard fluttered in a breeze. Even the air smelled good to him. Shan Yu wished that he can feel this happiness all the time. How many times have I wished that after losing my memory? Shan Yu thought. He was only trying to preserve the happiness after the nightmare he had. He whistled for few seconds but then realized it was still bed time. He cleared his throat and continued to step gently along the road.

Then his footstep stopped. He remembered the dream he just had. He couldn't stop thinking about it. It was not only because the dream was horrible, it seemed very familiar to him. Was that dream about... my past...? Shan Yu thought as he froze. He couldn't help but thinking that the dream he had was talking about his past. The villagers in his dream looked nothing like villagers in this village. While he was thinking, a ray of the sun hit him in the eye, and he heard a rooster cry. He blew out the lantern and hurried went back to the Fa family's house.

When he arrived, Mulan was up, sitting in front of the stove. "Good morning," she greeted.

"Good morning," Shan Yu greeted back. "What are we having for breakfast?"

"About breakfast, I forgot that we used all the ingredients for the side dishes because of the festival for my grandmother yesterday," Mulan said. "Only thing we're going to have is rice, and soy sauce."

"Then we just need to cook rice, right?" Shan Yu made sure. "I can do that."

"It's fine, the rice is already being done," Mulan said. "Just help with serving."