Ping, no, Mulan, looked so different from when Jasmine had first seen her. Now, she no longer held herself behind false smiles and fancy sword tricks. Her armor was sprawled out on the floor, and her sword untouched on her back. Dark hair covered part of her face, but it could not hide the worry in her eyes or the ever deepening frown on her lips.

Jasmine reached a hand out and brought it to her shoulder. She met Mulan's eyes, looking past her trembling lips and the lines of worry sketched across her face. "Thank you," she said, doing her best to keep her voice from shaking, to sound like the royalty she truly was, "for telling me the truth."

Mulan's face morphed to one of shock, her mouth opening and eyes widening.

The truth, Jasmine had to admit, was the last thing that she had ever expected to hear. Though she had admired this "prince", who was not as cocky or selfish as other suitors had been, she had always expected "him" to mess up in some way and quickly lose her favor. When a private chat with the princess had been requested, her father had been thrilled and Jasmine had already been planning ways of seeing her suitor off.

It was not every day that one of her suitors admitted that they were really a woman, and then gave Jasmine an abridged version of their life story (which Jasmine had to admit seemed much more exciting and adventurous than hers).

"No one ever tells me the truth. They either hide it behind pretty words or do not tell me at all. I am a princess, but I feel as though I know nothing." Jasmine looked across her garden, to the distant tops of the castle's stone walls. "I do not even know what the world outside of this castle is like." She motioned towards the fountain, and the two both sat on the edge. Their faces reflected back at them from the water.

Rajah sat at Jasmine's feet, though he was stretched out and looked to be nearly asleep. He too liked Mulan.

"That sounds horrible." Mulan's frown returned, though she placed her hand over Jasmine's own and squeezed it. Her hand was large, warm, and covered in calluses - so different from
Jasmine's own soft and smooth brown hands.

"Believe me, it is." Jasmine traced her other finger along the cool water's surface. "When you first arrived, I was afraid that you would be conceited and vain - so many other suitors were. But you're different, and I like that."

Mulan's face turned red, and she looked away, until all Jasmine could see was her dark hair reflected on the pond's surface. Still, their hands stayed together, fingers entangled together.

"I'm glad that you like me - the real me,"

"I can't understand why anyone would not like you, Mulan. You're incredible."

Jasmine leaned forward, meeting first Mulan's eyes and then her lips. The kiss was sweet and slow. Mulan wrapped her free arm around Jasmine's waist and pulled her closer.

When it ended, both were silent. Mulan's warm hands remained on Jasmine, and she closed her eyes and let herself enjoy the feel of her touch.

The sun was setting.

"Mulan?"

"Yes?"

"Do you promise to continue pretending to be Ping? I will be the only one who knows your secret, and I won't reveal it to anyone." She leaned forward, though she did not meet Mulan's lips this time. "Please ask my father to marry us. He will be so excited, and surely will say yes."

Mulan nodded. "I promise to do it for you, Jasmine."

Jasmine smiled, and looked up to the stars that were coming out to sprinkle the sky.

Mulan stood up and picked up her armor. She put it on quickly with practiced ease. Jasmine could not help but admire the hard, well defined muscles in her back.

She only needed Mulan to keep up this lie a little longer, and then things would finally be right - the way that they were supposed to be.