Blossom So Fair

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Summary: Starts at the end of the movie. Shang is trying to figure out how to make things go into his favour.

Author: KuroiNeko-ou

Ratings: K '--will most definitely change later up - except that it won't, I've got other stories for that stuff. : 3

Disclaimer: I so do not own Mulan.

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Chapter One:

Show Me a Lantern to Your Heart

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You don't meet a girl like that every dynasty.

He cursed inwardly at the thought of how stupid he had acted.

He had to go and correct his mistakes, and then introduce her to the idea of marriage to him. For undoubtedly, she had many admirers and would be otherwise soon taken. How would he prove to her that it was at her best interests to marry him and none else? For starters, he was of a high rank. And that seemed to be the end of it also. Because he had rank he had wealth, honour and manners. Although her father had been once of high military status he wasn't so anymore. Mulan should be pleased to be able to marry someone higher.. But the problem was that she was also the most honoured hero and saviour of China, acknowledged by the emperor himself, whilst still being from a farmer-family. It was more than complex for him. He didn't know whether he could use his position in ranks to have her favour him. And maybe, he silently mused to himself, it didn't even matter to her like it usually did, as she was not quite a usual woman.

He let out a pained sigh as his thinking started to grow out of his comfortable ability area.

But he really couldn't leave the subject alone, so he assaulted it with renewed fervour.

It could be easier at a different angle? Worth a try.

One. Mulan wasn't your average woman.

Two. As a result of this he didn't know just what she considered as a passing groom candidate.

Three. After all these things it was her father that had to approve. Fa Zhou was widely known as an honourable man and Shang couldn't believe anything else after all his father had told him. But as the daughter was unordinary, how far had the apple fallen from the tree? As unusual it would be in general, it was on this occasion very much possible that her father would regard his daughter's opinion. If he didn't, would he really want to.. force this marriage upon her? What a strange way to describe a perfectly normal way of doing things, but as this was about Mulan it seemed suiting.

Mulan was intelligent. Brave and beautiful. She had a warrior's spirit. And she was kind. Bit shy. Oddly greatly honourable. All these traits in a woman proved that she was one of her own kind. She was free somehow, and it would certainly affect her if she was forced to marry him. A woman was supposed to learn to love his husband after the marriage, but in some way he wanted to secure that Mulan would definitely be doing so. Better yet, if she would love him before the ritual.. Yes, now he was on the track! He had never before actually had to think of things as mentally complex as these.

Next question; if not by rank, then how, should he gain her approval? Woo her by his charms?

Y-you fight.. good.

Or not.

He shuddered at the memory of those oh-so-well-placed words.

By gods he would be doomed.

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...At least he was well-built and handsome if other people's comments were anything to go by.

Maybe she wanted her husband to be like her? Even when traditionally Yin and Yang complemented each other by their differences, just like a husband and wife should. But traditions could be flushed in rivers if it meant that he would get her willingly as his bride. And what a pretty bride she'd make! Off track again.

So, he should try being kinder. Not be so tongue-tied. He was already a warrior. And as much as he was intelligent, it was important that he appeared to be so also. Just because he was around Mulan it shouldn't turn him into a stuttering idiot.
Recalling the unfortunate event, he could at least have used proper grammar. No, even better: if only frogs would fly out of his mouth it would be best to keep silent altogether.

And he should always be honest. Not that he had ever not been- well except once.. when he hadn't been honest to himself.
He hadn't wanted to see Mulan's great deeds as anything else but a disgrace, and he hadn't wanted to admit that he liked her. He should never deny himself his attraction to her nor her abilities. That kind of honesty was in order for the rest of his life.

As a last resort, he could try humour. Despite being a stoic man, he did joke inside his head and had made jokes with his father, if only bit. Maybe he should try to expand his knowledge in that particular area. It would be nice to be able to make Mulan laugh. He remembered her laugh sounding clear and nice. And it had made him feel good.

And then, for a very short moment he wondered if he was maybe being slightly too desperate, but let it pass.

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o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

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The rest of the journey went quite blankly. He found himself at the port of (hopefully) her family's manor, and saw two women discussing.

"Excuse me, does Fa Mulan live here?" he found himself asking. The women looked stunned and made quick hand signs showing the way inside where in the garden Mulan's father sat under a handsome magnolia tree.

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"Good day honourable Fa Zhou.. Mulan!" Shang hadn't noticed her. "I- I came to return your helmet.." and hastily turned to her father, "uh actu- wel- actually your helmet, isn't it?" So much for not being tongue-tied.

Mulan took the helmet from his hands and asked:"Would you like to stay for the dinner?"

"Would you like to stay forever?"came a cooed sound from somewhere.

He smiled.

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"Dinner would be great."

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o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

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His cheeks held a healthy rosy tint which didn't go unnoticed by Mulan.

"Grandma!" she hissed feeling embarrassed.

The elder Fa woman was hinting continuously about marriage affairs. And it was so see-through.

"Why don't you two go have a stroll in the pretty gardens?"

It had actually started to get so irritating to hear her grandmother's baits that Mulan seriously considered taking up on the offer.

"Thank you for the entertaining meal. It was really good. Mulan, would you honour me with your company?"

It was her turn to blush.

"I'd be glad to. Pa, ma, thanks for the dinner." They bowed and left the room.

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o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

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Once in the gardens, Mulan let out a tired sigh.

"I am sorry that you had to endure all that. My grandma really means no harm, but.. it's good to get some fresh air", she finished somewhat lamely.

Shang didn't miss a pace and covered for her.

"Yes. It's really nice after it has rained. The wet blossoms of that magnolia tree over there smell refreshing, do they not?"

"Ah, you're right. We could go sit under it."

"Yes."

He made a move for her hand.

A warmth spread across her whole body as Shang's large hand clasped hers. She almost hummed contently at the pleasurable feeling, as they walked together to the tree holding hands.

At the moment, traditions could go rot in hell for all he cared. He'd be damned if he couldn't show his feelings to her. He would go mad.

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"Shang, I- it would be nice to see you again. I know that you must be busied with your tasks at the position of a general, but if you could find time to visit sometimes.. Am I asking too much?"

"No, no. Of course not! Mulan, I will visit you again, I promise you. I, I must tell you something. More than.. ahaha.. 'you fight good'."

Her rich laugh filled his brains.

"Umm, that was really terrible wasn't it?"

"Yes. That experience was unmatched", Mulan said playfulness in her voice.

The right atmosphere had gone, but he decided to build it again.

"I really wanted to say lot more. Mulan, I think you are unmatched. You fight well, but more than that, you're brave and brilliant. And kind and loyal." Her soft eyes were glued to his.

"A person so amazing as you, I've never met before."

Mulan made an inaudible gasp.

He tucked a stray strand of Mulan's hair behind her ear.

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A feeling of warm haze filled them.

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And then he tried so hard to get out few simple words but no matter how much he struggled they would not come out. You are beautiful.

He said instead:"We shouldn't be so close."

Yet again there was a look of hurt crossing her features, caused by him.

He hastily added:"As umm you know we're unmarried."

This wasn't supposed to be how it went.

He wanted so desperately to fix his two earlier sentences, but the damage was already done.

He stood to leave. "I guess I'll be going now, but.. I'll definetely come to see you." As he didn't know what else to say, he left for his horse and thanked the man and the lady of the house before galloping off to the main road.

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End of chapter one

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Oh-so-fluffy. What will Shang do next time he pays a visit?

Special thanks to lady Araeph for reviewing and helping me out with some parts. :3

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Good grief! I need to use some f'''in dots in order to get the spacing right! Is it because I used Word? So sorry for not having, what was it.. Open Office or the other program(?). I'm so not going to pay for any new programs. Is there some staff out there to which I can send my remarks?

Oh. So Open Office is free. But I'm used to Word, I've used it almost my whole life. : /