Captain Li Shang blinked against the bright sunlight that entered his room as he drew open the shades of his bedroom window. Leaning on the window sill, he admired the surrounding view. The crystal blue waters of the South China sea stretched out to the great beyond in the distance. Shang sighed. Ever since his father had purchased this home, when Shang was only the mere age of 13, this had been his favorite place. He came here to think on many occasions, usually when something was bothering him, or when he just needed to be alone and ponder the wonders of life.
He turned from the window and began to prepare for the coming day. Today was the first day of planning for the wedding of his youngest sister. Shang had always thought that he would marry someday, but so far, no woman he had every courted had been right. Somehow, they were all missing one thing inparticular. What it was, he didn�t quite know, but one thing was sure. When he found it, he would know. His mother had begun to fret that he would never marry, since one of his sisters had wed 3 years before and his other now engaged. He had assured them all that if it was meant to happen, it would all in good time.
In the midst of all the wedding thoughts, Mulan�s face flashed in his mind. What the cause was, he had no earthly idea. True, she was different from any other girl he had ever met before, but it was in a good way. True, she could find a way to push his buttons the right way with her stubbornness, but she also had earned his admiration with all of her courageous acts. True she wasn�t strikingly beautiful, but she possessed a rare refinement and poise that gave her a beauty all of her own. She was special and unique. Is that why he felt a queer attraction when in her presence? Was it possible that she returned his feelings, very new, but very definite nonetheless?
Shang sat down on the bed and placed his head in his hands. How he wished his father were here to give him advise. Despite the tough general exterior he often displayed, his father had been wise in matter�s of the heart as well. He would know what to do in this situation. �I could never be what she needs.� Shang mumbled to himself. �She deserves so much more than what I can give her.�
�I don�t know what you�re mumbling about, but quit before you bring us all down.� came a voice from behind him. Shang turned to see his youngest sister standing in his doorway with a smirk on her face. Shang shook his head. Leave it to his sister to show no mercy to a man in despair. Li Song was a lovely girl with long ebony hair and lively dark eyes. She was a s spunky as the came and never shied away from a debate. She had taken marshall arts training along with Shang and could almost match his performing ability although she was three years his junior. Despite the tough exterior, Song, like her father, was sensitive to matter�s of the heart and had a good head on her shoulders. It was those qualities that had helped to chose the right man to spend her life with.
�Give me a break, will you?� Shang asked. �I�ve just come home from war. You try fighting, then you�ll have every right to mumble now and then.� Song laughed as she made her way over to sit next to her brother. �I�m sorry.� she said. �I just miss teasing you like I used to.� �Which if I remember correctly, was and still is one of your favorite things to do.� Shang smiled wryly at her. She shrugged. �Sure. Why wouldn�t it be.�
Shang smiled as he shook his head. �I�m never going to get you to leave me alone am I?� he questioned. Song smiled. �Not a chance.� He shook his head again before turning to face her once more. �So, is Ruo coming to escort you to town today?� he inquired as he stood and stretched. Song shook her head, �No, he had a previous engagement. Frankly, I�m surprised that he hasn�t asked you to help him with his affairs yet. You, being his best friend and all.� Shang shrugged. �I�m sure he will� was all he said.
Shang had been goods friends with Ki Ruo as long as he could remember. When they were boys, the two were inseparable. As the years passed, they had been able to maintain a strong friendship. Even when Ruo had begun to court Song and the protective older brother in Shang began to emerge, he was careful not to lose his temper at the risk of losing a good friend. Now that they were engaged, they would be able to keep in touch fairly easily and would be able to visit more often.
�So if you�re not going to the market with Ruo, then where pray tell are you going?� he asked. Song looked at him and rolled her eyes in annoyance. �It�s really none of our business, but if you must know, I�m going to a friends house to tell her my news.� �Sorry.� Shang said in mock defense, holding up both of his hands. Song glanced at him once more, rolled her eyes, slung her purse over her shoulder and walked out the door.
Once again, Shang sat down on his bed and placed his head in this hands. For the first time in years, he seriously pondered his future. What if he never did marry? The thought fell upon him like a great burden. He didn�t want to be single forever. Mulan�s face flashed though his mind once more. For a spilt second, he pondered the thought of Mulan as his wife. Yes it would probably be wonderful, but once again he doubted that she could eve r love him. She deserved so much more than he could ever give her. Inside he blasted himself for even considering the idea. At this point, there was nothing he could do. Trying to dismiss all thoughts of her from his mind, he made his way downstairs to begin his daily routine, all the way still clinging to the one shred of hope that maybe, just maybe, someday Mulan would be able to return his feelings