Mulan discreetly watched Philip and Aurora kissing as she prepared dinner. Ever since they had managed to retrieve his soul from the wraith, Philip had spent every moment at Aurora's side. He was always touching or kissing her, but something was different. Mulan thought back to when Philip first woke Aurora. Their love was almost tangible. It exuded from both of them. Now it seemed that the love was only coming from one of them. Mulan saw that Philip's love for Aurora was bouncing off of the princess as if she were a brick wall.
She was jealous of Philip. Every time she saw him talking to Aurora, touching Aurora, kissing Aurora, a voice in her mind whispered to her saying it should be her. She couldn't take it anymore. Aurora had hinted that she had feelings for Mulan, but Mulan didn't believe her. Aurora was just feeling attached because of the time they spent together and Mulan was certain that she was having the same issue. If she left, everyone would be better off.
The three sat down to eat, and, as usual, Philip talked his of plans for their future, careful to include Mulan. Aurora sat listening and periodically glancing at Mulan, who kept her gaze downcast so as to prevent locking eyes with the princess. When they finished, Philip volunteered to wash the dishes in the nearby stream.
Once he disappeared into the woods, Aurora began idly speaking, "Finally, I thought he would never leave me again!"
Mulan looked up and spoke as if she had not heard Aurora. "I'm leaving."
Aurora laughed, "Oh? And where are you going to go."
Shaking her head, Mulan answered, "I don't know, but you and Philip no longer require my services. It is time for me to move on."
Aurora sat up as it dawned on her that Mulan was serious. She blatantly, almost commandingly, said, "No."
The warrior cocked her head to the side in confusion. "What?"
"You heard me, no."
Mulan only continued to be confused. "You have Philip back. You belong with him. He will protect you from now on."
Aurora didn't back down. She had always been stubborn. "Why can't you continue to protect me?"
"Philip is more than capable. He loves you."
Mulan watched Aurora as her word sunk in before the princess quietly said, "And I love you."
Closing her eyes, Mulan explained her theory. "You have confused your feelings. Philip woke you, you belong with him."
Aurora stepped closer to Mulan. "Well, there is only one way to test my feelings."
Before Mulan knew what happened, Aurora wrapped her arms around the other woman's neck and pressed their lips together. Aurora pulled back with love in her eyes until she saw Mulan's. The warrior had felt nothing in that kiss. The lack of love was evident in her eyes and Aurora must have seen it plainly, because her face fell in sadness.
"You didn't feel anything, did you?"
Mulan simply shook her head.
Aurora turned away. "Very well."
Mulan collected her things and started walking. Just before she was out of earshot, she heard Aurora crying. She did not stop. She did not turn around. She did not go back. She simply continued walking. Philip would be back soon. The prince would comfort the princess. After all, she belonged with him.
