Thanks for reading!
This is a oneshot-type fanfiction based on the moment in Mulan's childhood where she encounters Shang. I estimate both are like 10/12 years old but I don't know how old that would make Khan in the actual movie of Mulan then.
Regardless, I hope you enjoy it! (:

The early sun peeked through the beautiful scenes that China could offer. Gardens glistened as the beautiful flowers bloomed beyond a beauty imaginable, the water shimmered where the water flowed its course, and the rural countryside suspended its peace compared to the hustle and bustle of the towns nearby.

In the premature daylight, one young child named Mulan attempted to harvest experience with a new horse she was given as a way to aid in her obligations around the Fa Family household. A beautiful black baby horse was born a few years prior to rewarding his ownership to Mulan, giving her the responsibility to train it. The growing colt was not accustomed to Mulan's touch, resulting in a suspicious loyalty between the two, and tempered actions. Mulan ventured outside their manor every morning in order to teach herself how to ride a horse, however, in most cases of failure would end with Khan, the horse, to gallop crazily and speed in any direction. "KHAAAANNNN! KHAAAAAN!" Mulan tried to ease Khan, but he continued to rampage around the countryside. His speed got the better of Mulan, and her screams to calm her horse were in vain.

A young boy entering the town nearby happened to witness the child in help. As quickly as he could he safely dropped his belongings and saddled up to the horse he brought with him. "HYAH!" escaped his mouth as he slashed the reins to make his steed build momentum.

As he caught up to Mulan, he extended his arm with all of his strength, in which she responded to desperately grasp onto. He grabbed her arm, slinging her over. "Wait here," he said rapidly and jumped off the horse onto Khan once Mulan settled herself comfortably on his horse.

"Wait! That's dangerous!" Mulan pleas were caught in failure, as she reached her arm out to stop the boy from risking his life.

However, gracefully he landed on the young horse, grabbing its reigns and caressing its ebony hairs carefully as Khan slowed down. "Good horse," he said gently.

Mulan plopped to the ground to meet this mysterious boy who saved her. "I-Incredible, how could you do that?! I've been trying to teach Khan forever now!" An excited Mulan showed her gratitude with gleaming eyes and a bright smile.

"Uhh…uh I uh…" he cleared his throat, unable to form the words in response to the compliment that he received, "It's uh dangerous for you, especially a girl, to be out here doing dangerous things like this." He stepped back, trying to maintain dignity and poise.

In slight embarrassment Mulan cowered, grabbing her hair and stroking it with her hands. "I wanted to show my family that I raised Khan properly, but it seems like he still won't listen to me. But you, you seem really capable of horses!"

The boy smiled slightly, gazing at Mulan's smile. He shook it off and petted Khan once more, feeling his hairs tickle his rough fingertips. "My father taught me, you cannot be fearless. You must act diligently in the face of danger, because they can sense fear. Then again, you must be gentle and tranquil, and act as one with the forces around you." He let Khan lick his hand, which tasted salty and sweaty, like hard work.

"That doesn't really make sense" Mulan said in confusion.

The boy pondered, "Hmmm… well that's ok. You just need some practice. I'm sure that he's just scared because this is a new environment for him."

Mulan raised a finger to her chin, and with that same hand formed a fist which she pounded into her open palm. "That's true! Khan's always been inside our farm, so that makes sense! He just needs a lot of love and comfort! Thanks a lot!" and a giggle escaped her system.

He stammered, "I uhh, no problem…." The boy began to walk away and return to what he originally was tasked to accomplish.

"Wait! Who are you?" Mulan exclaimed and stretched out her arm curiously to know. "I don't think I've seen your face around town before."

The boy turned back around, responding to Mulan's call. "I'm here to deliver some shipments like farm tools and crops. Just passing by town, you could call it then."

"By yourself?" Mulan quickly asked.

Shang scratched the back of his head. "Well my mother's tending to our household because my dad's serving the Emperor in the Imperial Army…"

She asked, "As a soldier?"

"Well… he's a General. Mother allowed me to run the deliveries and such which allow me to tour the countryside as well as visit new places and train. Someday, I'm going to be just like my father." He balled up his fist and held it to his chest, smiling brightly. "I'm going to be a hero of China one day."

In amazement, Mulan's mouth dropped and her eyes sparkled with admiration. "You must be so brave!"

The boy's eyes opened in astonishment. Color rushed to his cheeks as Mulan's compliment rung in his ears. He stuttered, "I uhh… hmm… well… thank you." He cleared his throat once more. "You're quite a strange girl."

"And what do you mean by that?" She placed her arms on her hips and raised an eyebrow.

"You definitely are not like other girls," he chuckled. "You're very outspoken."

Mulan sighed in disappointment. "Don't remind me. Mama always tells me to act more like a lady so that when I meet the matchmaker in a few years I wouldn't dishonor our family. I must not raise my voice in the presence of a man, I must bear as many children as possible, and most of all, I must maintain the honor of our family."

"If it is your duty, then you must fulfill it." He said wisely.

Again Mulan sighed, "I suppose you're right. It just doesn't feel like me."

He grabbed her shoulder, and looked into her eyes very confidently. "Well, we're still kids. I'm sure it becomes clearer that our duty becomes important when we become of age" and he smiled towards her slightly, assuring her that everything will be alright.

"Thank you," and she looked up, returning the expression tenderly.

Mulan's expression caught the boy off guard, as he examined her carefully. She definitely was not like other girls. Her hair was entangled with hay and dirt clumped around her body. However her face was fair and she did seem slender. Once he caught himself staring he looked away nervously.

The sun beaded down on the land, shining its rays into a calm daylight.

Mulan covered her eyes to obstruct the sunlight from blinding her view. She came to realize how much time had passed and how the sun rose without her attention. "AYA! I'm in trouble now! Father and Mother will definitely be looking for me!" She ran over to Khan and jumped on top of him, and she was able to control him properly. Grabbing the reins, Mulan turned to face the boy that saved her. "Thanks for today it was fun meeting you! It's too bad I couldn't get your name! See you around here again sometime!" And without hesitation she petted Khan and slashed the reigns, which made him gallop in high speed.

"Ah…" he reached his hand to the girl galloping away before him. Before he knew it, she had already escaped out of sight. He looked down in disappointment of never knowing her name either but smiled fondly at the memory of her. "It's… Shang."

He stared in the distance for a few moments before finally gathering his composure and returning to fulfilling his duties.

…

I-It's her… Shang's eyes shot open that before him was the same woman whom he met so many years ago, pretending to be a man in the Imperial Army, bandaged up in a medical tent.

Hope you enjoyed it! More to come (:
I do not own Mulan