I warn Mulan and Shang were on pretty good terms until the discussion with the emperor. That discussion happened shortly after Mulan saves China so, you can see the small amount of time they got along for. So basically throughout this they have to find a way to rekindle. Ok, so please read and hopefully enjoy ^.^ feel very free to send a review *hint, hint* and if you like it I'll write some more =)
CHAPTER 1
I'll Make an Army, out Of You
Mulan came back from war a hero, yet some people still kept their opinions stale and bitter, they still only saw her as a woman who was stepping out of her place. Two days ago there was a Council meet where Mulan, Shang and the emperor (along with his advisors) were present: they decided that Mulan should not be punished, as her actions resulted in the safety of China. Yet, she would have to refrain from imposing her…outspoken nature on the citizens of China unless for good reason.
Understandably a strongly worded debate struck out and resulted in harsh words and mountain louds of hidden insults. Mulan eventually broke when one of the advisors proclaimed that "-Women have no place in war, they are incapable. I really cannot comprehend how you survived; all I can say is that you are very lucky your commanding officer was able to keep you alive all that time". Mulan did not need anyone to protect her, and she acted from her heart; it hurt her that someone had made such a comment as that and her attitude had turned defensive.
"Women are equally capable, if not more so and what's more-" Shang had then turned and argued her point and so on and so forth.
In the end it was decided that Mulan would have 6 months to train a group of female warriors, and they shall be compared with a group of warriors Shang would train for the same amount of time. No trainees could have any former training.
Mulan's father didn't really know what to say, he didn't want her in danger but her doing this seemed to be aggravating the situation. Her mother just hoped that her spirit wouldn't destroy her and her grandmother…well, let's just say that she hoped that she and Shang would notice their differences were what made them so compatible.
"Really father, everything will be fine"
"I'm not to sure, you were lucky last time Mulan"
"But father-"
"Listen to him Mulan, he has a point. You should be more cautious, not everyone's on your side out there" Her mother warned softly, taking her hand in comfort,
"You have to be aware of that" She added.
"I know mother, but it isn't right. Women have just as much will power as men!"
"And you're living proof of that…" Mushu muttered from outside,
"I'm going to start an enrolment campaign, I'm sure there are plenty of women who would just love the opportunity to prove themselves!"
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"Anyone?" Mulan let out a sigh, no one even considered signing up. She had been stood at the sides of various roads in the hope someone, anyone, would sign up. Maybe everyone was right, maybe she was in over her depth.
"Do none of you want to protect your country?" A tap on her shoulder made her turn round,
"Yes?" A stocky man glared down at her, her own eyes squinted in challenge,
"Give up, women can't protect China"
"I beg to differ, not everyone is suited for the rage of war, but some bloom in it" Mulan stood tall, representing externally the strength of a raging fire, the force of a great typhoon.
"We'll see, even if a woman does want to sign up to your little camp, I doubt her family would let her" the man begun to walk off but Mulan slipped in front of him, stopping him in his tracks.
"Any woman who has the mildest urge to join will surely have the strength to battle against her family's wills to join me, and once under my instruction there is no limit to the growth and inner exploration she will subject herself to, she will reveal parts of her character she never knew, but those very parts are what make up the person that tradition and rules have locked away; she will find herself" the man huffed in her face and walked away, grumbling as he did so. Mulan let out a controlled breath and turned round slowly, eyes closed in an attempt to calm herself. She could feel the dust from the road lift as a cart went by and thought it best to open her eyes if she didn't want to get trampled on soon.
Mulan lifted her head to see a line of women standing behind her, sheepish smiles on their faces. It seemed like she was finally getting somewhere, and passed down the scroll to which the women were to add their names.
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"You wouldn't even believe it father! They were all just there!" The older man smiled fondly at her,
"I meet with them tomorrow in the field, to finalize arrangements and such"
"Do you feel prepared?" Not in the slightest she thought internally, after all I only know what Shang taught me and I doubt he taught us everything he knew; so he has tricks still up his sleeve. So I'm already a step behind, a gigantic, mammoth step behind…
"Absolutely" Mulan nodded, trying to confirm it in both her fathers and her own mind.
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"I don't care what got you here, all that matters is that you are" Mulan paced with her arms locked behind her back as she spoke to the group of 60 or so women.
"By signing up now you have made a commitment to yourselves, me, and China" Mulan stopped pacing and turned to face the group of women, their faces a mix of anxiety, sadness and fear.
"We have six months, by the end of which we will be competing against another Army" Several jaws dropped,
"We have to actually fight?"
"They'll pulverize us!"
"Can I go home?"
Several other comments resembling those flew around the field.
"Oy!" Mulan silenced the group in much the same way she remember Shang doing, but she knew flaws in his teaching, flaws which she intended to fix.
"By the end of the six months you will be ready to fight. I had much less than that and all it takes is determination, Now there are a few way this could be done" She saw several of the women noticeably relax as she proposed a less imposing way of speaking. The trick was the show that you weren't always stern, you could also be fair.
"We could split up the six months to give non-stop on a particular skill until perfection…" Several faces pulled into objection in the crowd so she quickly moved on.
"From the start we could do all the activities and build up strength equally throughout them all, baring in mind you will find every activity hard to begin with" more faces showed optimism towards this idea, this gave Mulan a little move conviction to the task she was undertaking.
"Or we-" a horn blew loudly in the near distance and white horses galloped over the horizon, Mulan sighed as The obvious crest of the emperor was held high by a guard and several snide looking men.
"Can I assist you in any way?" Mulan asked curtly as one man demounted from his horse.
"So you're the hero of China?" The man asked, obviously sceptical.
"What were you expecting?" Mulan shot back, hands instantly defensively crossing over her chest. A few gasps were heard from the women now behind Mulan, as she had turned her back to talk to the man.
"Just about that amount of attitude" Mulan narrowed her eyes,
"What do you want" She didn't not question, she merely stated, irritated that he had the audacity to come in here and act like a typical cocky male.
""The emperor has a message for you" The man offered Mulan the scroll and she took it tentatively.
It read:
Dear Mulan,
I know this will be hard for you, but don't loose hope. Though there are many people who are still sceptical and act as barriers to your task, do not let them faze you; many people are on your side, and are acting as support.
I entrust you with my daughters, they are here to train with all the other courageous women who are undertaking your training. Keep them safe please.
Mulan was more than a little shocked, but just as she was about to shake herself out of her stupor the royal carriage stopped behind the group of women; everyone turned to look and watch in astonishment as the carriage door opened and three princesses behind different coloured fans emerged.
Everyone bowed for a few seconds before the princesses came forward and gave a swift bow to Mulan,
"It is an honour to be under your training" the said in unison, handing her their fans with looks of determination on their face.
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So, what do you think so far? Let me know and I'll write a little more if you want me too ^.^ oh, and for those who celebrate it, Merry Christmas, I'm so excited =) you'd think I'd have grown out of it by now…but nope ^.^
Anyways, please review! And have a great holiday,
Sasha