I hope you enjoy my point of view about the way things should have gone. While I do enjoy a slow build I promise quality smut in the future. There will be no 'fade to black' teasing nonsense. I try to give every aspect of a relationship equal attention. So let me know what you think. Leave me comment love. $$$$

The Way It Should Have Been

Chapter One

It seemed as though they had been running forever. In truth, it had been but four long, grueling days. A sort of panic seemed to have seized Ruby's feet spurring them on as though the devil were on their heels. Mulan valiantly pushed on never complaining no matter how her legs ached or her lungs burned. The first two days of this trek Red was positive of the scent she was trailing. It had started to fade, however. So over the next few days, she pushed harder, trying to catch up to the smell and reestablish the trail. She just had to! They had been so close. Red had been through this disappointment once before, but then there wasn't someone else involved. If she couldn't pick up the trail would Mulan be disappointed? Would she feel like she had wasted her time? Would she leave? That last thought put a fire to her steps driving the she-wolf forward.

Dark eyes followed a voluptuous form keenly. As always Mulan kept a watchful eye for signs of overexertion, injury or exhaustion. As of yet not once had the lady flagged. The other woman's constitution was enviable, to say the least. And yet the warrior worried. Something didn't feel right in her gut. It was nothing she could name, just an ominous feeling. "Red, slow down," she shouted over the sounds of snapping foliage. Tossing a concerned look over her shoulder, Red searched for signs of distress. The warrior looked fairly exhausted but uninjured. "Why," she asked breathlessly. Panting roughly the warrior stubbornly pumped her legs in time with the wild-haired beauty. "We should rest, fill the canteens, get our bearings." As much as Red wanted to grant the logical request, the further behind they fell the closer she came to failure and not seeing the exotic beauty again. No! She wouldn't allow that to happen. "Just a little further!" As she shouted back over her shoulder Red lost sight of the trail. She did, however, see Mulan's eyes widen. "Red, stop!"

The words of warning came too late. Red was flying through underbrush when suddenly all footing abandoned her. A deep ravine loomed below. Twisting her body midair she reached out desperately for the cliff face. The lip of the ledge lay within inches of her grasp. Hope began to fail as the edge faded from view. For a moment the she-wolf feared it would be her last, done in by her own foolishness and impatience. Then just as suddenly a leather gloved hand found hers halting her descent. As her body crashed against the cliff face pain raced up her leg. After a quick hiss of pain Red looked up at her rescuer. She had known Mulan was a warrior, but braced like that, cape blowing in the breeze, she looked every inch a champion. "Are you alright?!" The warrior's concern made the maiden's heart flutter. "Yeah, just a little banged up. I'm sure it's nothing," Ruby assured her with a gentle smile. Worried that her stubborn lady companion would injure herself on the climb up as well, Mulan decided not to give her the opportunity. With a mighty heave, she managed to lift the lady to a little over half of her height. Dropping her own weight back the warrior pulled her lady to land. One moment Ruby was dangling above death, the next she was flying through the air. As she crashed toward the ground something that was both hard and soft broke her fall. Lifting herself on pale arms the she-wolf laughed at the sense of déjà vu. "We have to stop meeting like this," Ruby quipped playfully.

The reference was lost on Mulan. All she knew was how beautiful Ruby looked floating above her haloed by the setting sun, crimson lips panting. The warrior's heart found voice before her mind had a chance to edit it. "Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't mind if it continued. Became a pattern even." The she-wolf chuckled cheeks pinkening. A wild, dark curl fell to disguise the blush. A black leather gloved hand raised to tuck it back as Mulan continued, "It does have a certain charm." Even as she blushed, Ruby glowed at the affection. Cupping the hand the porcelain beauty purred softly, "It certainly does. Oh and thanks, for you know, saving my life and all." Mulan radiated a tender warmth from her soft smile. "My pleasure," the exhausted soldier panted. "And an honor as well." The natural, unabashed chivalry was completely disarming. Ruby found it secretly thrilling that Mulan had said pleasure before honor. Was there anything Mulan would put before her honor? Was it possible that she herself could be that something? Certain that imagination was getting the best of her, the she-wolf dismissed the thought. The lady knight's surprised expression drew the maiden's eye to the jagged tear on her thigh. "Oh, yeah. That," Ruby remarked casually to disguise her true reaction to the angry wound. It certainly looked much worse than it had felt originally.

"We need to see to that immediately," Mulan insisted springing to action. Despite her exhaustion, the soldier sprang to her feet retrieving supplies from her pack. As much as she loved adventuring and exploring new lands, moments like this she cursed her lack of familiarity with the land. Had they been in her land the exotic beauty would've known which plants around might help with the infection. Angry red lines like veins were already beginning to spread from the wound. "I think there was something in that root or whatever struck you," she informed her companion before giving the skirt a sharp yank to spread the tear into a slit. Ruby gasped at the sudden exposure. The rough rending of clothing made the porcelain maiden's heart hammer and her head spin. "It does look kind of angry doesn't it?" The warrior immediately set about cleaning the wound with a rag dampened by the last of the water in the canteen. "What I wouldn't give for alcohol or anything to purify the blood," the soldier all but cursed in frustration. Mulan had never been good at losing and she wasn't about to start with Red.

"Well I might be able to help you out there," Ruby offered trying hard to focus on the conversation rather than the tempting sensation of Mulan's now bare hands on her thigh. Reaching into her belt pouch the wild maiden withdrew a flask. The soldier brightened endearingly at the sight. "That will help," the warrior praised gratefully taking the offered hope. Removing the cap the soldier playfully quipped, "What else have you got in there?"

"Oh, you know, just the basics- the crown jewels, the Titanic, Atlantis and Jimmy Hoffa," Red chuckled. Mulan understood less than half of those things, but she knew her distraction was working. With Ruby laughing at her own joke the savvy soldier poured alcohol over the wound. The lady let out a yelp of pain. "I know. I know. I'm sorry," she soothed tenderly stroking the shaking leg. Ruby was about ready to jump out of her own skin until Mulan started petting it. Red honestly didn't know which side of herself appreciated the gesture more- the lady or the wolf. And truth be told, she didn't care. Letting the peace it and the soft humming of an exotic folk tune offered in, the patient relaxed under the ministrations. With a contented sigh, she inquired, "What is that lovely tune?" Mulan froze mid stroke face flushing in embarrassment. She had not realized she had been making the sound out loud. "It was a song my mother used to sing to me when I scraped myself up or fell ill." Ruby replied with good-natured ribbing, "I bet that was fairly frequently." It was easy to imagine Mulan as a rough and tumble tomboy always getting into scrapes. "Well…" The warrior's confession was open-ended and yet punctuated by an impish chuckle. Ruby flinched at a fresh pour. "Sing it to me," she asked sweetly. Logically Mulan rationalized that it would be a good distraction, but truth be told she could not deny a request in that kind tone. Warm brown eyes held grayish green orbs as a soft, exotic melody poured from full pink lips. The words may have been foreign to the maiden, but the soft, sweet, lilting notes held her blissfully hypnotized. By the time the entrancing champion had completed her song the wound was clean. Once more taken by the surprising depths of the warrior's beauty, Ruby praised, "What a lovely song."

"It does seem to do the trick," Mulan humbly tried to dodge any reaction, good or bad, to something so dear to her heart. As she prepared a bandage gentle words prodded for more. "What's it about?" Mulan's gut tightened at the question. As she sought to sate her companion's curiosity the soldier kept her eyes focused on her task lest they betray her thoughts. "It's called 'Mo Li Hua.' It means Jasmine Flower." Taking a spare strap from her armor Mulan carefully wound it around a pale thigh to secure the bandage. "It describes the thrill of natural beauty and the perils wrought with trying to possess it. For any plucked blossom will eventually wilt." Unable to resist warm brown pools lifted emphatically. "Best to leave it as it is if you truly care for it. Real beauty is meant to be wild and free." The she-wolf's heart clenched painfully in her chest at the poetic depths in those soulful eyes. It nearly distracted her from the electric charge crawling up her thigh. Was it possible that someone so disciplined could accept much less appreciate the wild side of her own nature? "I love it," Ruby cooed earnestly. The warrior blushed profusely eyes darting away shyly. "I can see why you find the song so charming." Thinking of charming things and natural beauty reminded the warrior to fold the torn skirt back over the temptation of long shapely legs. "Yes, well let's hope neither of us has need of it again soon," Mulan gently closed the subject. Ruby nodded her agreement with a kind smile. "For now I should see about refilling the canteens and catching us some dinner."

"And I'll…" The maiden attempted to stand but her words, as well as her progress, were halted by firm fingertips on her collarbone. Swallowing over the growing lump in her throat Ruby gazed up at the insistent beauty. "You'll stay right here and mend. I still don't like the look of infection in that wound. If you want to keep that pretty leg you won't move from this spot. We make camp here for the night-no arguments." An emphatic finger pressed the point home as the warrior stood to take her leave. Ruby was so stunned by the compliment her voice was lost until her champion had nearly crested the tree line. "But what should I do while you're gone?" A devastating crooked grin over stoic shoulders met the question. Mulan snatched a few fallen tree limbs to quickly place at the she-wolf's side. "Build a fire." The maiden tossed the warrior a sour look. Mulan knew full well that holding still wasn't in her lovely companion's nature. "I won't be long," she vowed compassionately. Ruby smiled softly satisfied by the promise.

The valiant hero made short work of her to do list. Setting a trap she scaled a tall tree to lay eyes on the nearest water source. By the time she returned from filling the canteens the trap had snared a small hare. Cradling its head the sweet soldier tried to soothe its final moments. "Your sacrifice gives strength and may even save a life." With that knowledge shared she snapped its neck quickly and cleanly. "Thank you, my little friend. Go in peace." As she approached camp the scent of a roaring fire drew her in. Stunning green eyes brightened to greet her. "Hey, you." Ruby could not disguise her glee to see her companion once more. Two things she did not do well were alone and still. The fire had been a temporary distraction quickly leaving her to her own thoughts and a few sips off of the leftover rum. "Hey," the champion returned the simple greeting with a warm smile. Emptying her hands Mulan noted with some concern raised color in pale cheeks. Crouching at her companion's side she checked for signs of fever worriedly. "How are you feeling?"

"Better after a few nips of this," Red confessed waving the flask invitingly under the warrior's nose. She silently hoped the playful explanation would soothe her champion's fears. Chuckles released under breath told her that it did. "Maybe after I get dinner going. For now, try drinking this." Mulan punctuated the sentence by handing Ruby her canteen. The warrior carefully checked beneath the bandage. The infection's spread had slowed dramatically from the first cleaning, but it was still slowly gaining ground. Perhaps a good meal would give her friend the strength to fight it off.

Mulan turned to her kill mentally berating herself for not dressing it before returning. In her worried rush, the warrior had forgotten that many maidens were squeamish about seeing the faces of their food. In silent atonement, she made quick work of skinning the little beast. "I hope you're hungry." The sympathetic beauty's concern shifted to bewilderment as she met a pair of glowing golden eyes. Something raw and primal reared up within the prone woman. It seems even her inner wolf was taken with the exotic creature before her. Few things pleased her wolf like a good chase or fresh rabbit. "Are you alright?" Mulan's query was accompanied by a subconscious glance skyward to determine the moon's position and fullness. Shaking her head with a few rapid blinks Ruby shed the primordial scales from her vision. "Yeah, just hungry," she explained nervously. The answer seemed to please the Asian beauty. "Well, that's a good sign." Thankful for the maiden's stalwart appetite Mulan made short work of running a makeshift spit through the beast and setting it over the fire. Though relieved for her own sake that Red wouldn't be shifting tonight, the warrior wondered if that would aid or exacerbate the wound-a question for another time perhaps.

With everything set, there was nothing to do but wait for it to cook. Noting the pause Ruby patted the ground next to her with an inviting smile. Undone by the shameless beauty's unabashed charm Mulan obediently relocated. "Here," Ruby offered the flask to her champion. "You deserve a reward for taking such good care of me." While Mulan accepted with a smile, part of her silently wished that she could've chosen her prize. Even if she had been given the opportunity Mulan doubted she would've had the courage to ask for what she truly desired. A simple drink was truthfully the better option. After a quick slug, her face pinched at the sweet, spicy burn. "Oh, gods! What is that," she asked wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Just some rum Hook gave me as a going away present. I guess he was right about not adventuring without it," the maiden giggled taking another slug. The potent brew warmed both their cheeks as they shared a laugh. "Well I'm certainly grateful for it," Mulan greeted the passed flask before taking a brave swig. "I like your legs the way they are," she confessed hoping it sounded more innocent than she felt. Ruby blushed wildly at the compliment as the memory of skilled hands on her skin rampaged through her mind. "Thank you," she whispered softly before taking another shot to steady her nerves. The warrior nearly turned down the pass of liquor. The realization that Ruby had seen the compliment for what it was accepted or not, seemed to raise the flask of its own accord. The liquid burned through the soldier weakening her mind and freeing her tongue.

Noticing the sway in the soldier, the maiden took advantage of the situation. So what else do you like about me?" Warm brown eyes swam up to caress porcelain features. "I like how you are brave but still a lady." Ruby flushed to be seen so. No one had ever called her a lady before. "I like that flash in your eyes when you're being stubborn, even when you drive me crazy." Both women laughed together at the charming sincerity. "Most of all I think, I like how you never give up. Now that's something I can understand and admire," Mulan confessed. Her words both pleased and tormented her companion. Much as Ruby enjoyed seeing herself through her lovely champion's eyes, the last compliment sunk her heart like a rock. Persistence, a trait she would need now more than ever with this setback. Noting the crestfallen look on her lady's face Mulan offered charmingly, "I'm also rather fond of your smile." Unable to resist plush lips curved at the compliment. "There it is," the suave soldier remarked exuberantly. "Definitely your best feature by far." Ruby chuckled at the praise eyes darting away demurely. The gaze returned glowing as the soothed she-wolf offered, "Do you wanna know what I like about you?"

"Oh, I don't know," she replied nervously. "My cheeks are already burning from your strange spirits." Mulan leaned towards the fire to turn the spit. "I don't know how much more they can take." Ruby chuckled at the endearing humility. "Maybe another time." Grateful for the reprieve the dashing dame tossed a smile over her shoulder. In that blink of an instant, it became apparent one thing her lady appreciated as the warrior caught the other woman's gaze fastened to her derriere. True to her word Mulan blushed profusely. The breeze that had billowed her cape seemed to have rattled Ruby's bones. The gallant soldier checked her lady's temperature once more. It had spiked a bit. "Here." With the word, the chivalrous woman shed her willful cape to drape over Ruby's lap. "Allow me." Ruby would've denied her noble lady knight nothing at that point. Although she felt certain Mulan would be polite and respectfully with only her best interests at heart, unfortunately. As strong hands began gingerly tucking the cloak around her legs a thrill ran through the maiden warming her all over. "Is that better," concerned chocolate pools inquired. With a hard swallow a breathy, "Yes, thank you," is all Ruby could muster. Pulling her own cloak tighter around pale shoulders she admired the unencumbered view of her lady knight as she added logs to the fire. A combination of the view and the roaring blaze warmed the wild woman's bones. The smile that met Mulan's gaze as she peered over her shoulder was encouraging. The way the warrior glowed in the firelight all firm posture and supple curves stole the she-wolf's breath away. A part of her wondered if Mulan's heart was still broken. While another raged against the idea that someone hurt the warm-hearted beauty before her. "Mulan, can I ask you about this person who broke your heart?" The soldier visibly stiffened desperate to avoid the topic. "Can I ask you about the boyfriend you ate?" The look of torment and shame on the wounded beauty's face broke the warrior's heart. Instantly she regretted the words, but before she could form an apology a fragile reply graced her ears. "Maybe after another shot or two." Mulan softened. Whatever Ruby wanted to know it must be important enough to face her own painful past. The least the lady knight could do was to show the same sort of courage. "Very well." The warrior sat at the porcelain beauty's side once more. "Ask me anything." Ruby brightened at her champion's tender relenting. "I know it can't be easy to talk about. That's why I didn't ask sooner, but I just can't imagine how anyone could ever reject you." The fact that the concept boggled the mind was clear on the she-wolf's befuddled visage. Mulan chuckled wryly. High dusky cheeks colored humbly. "Well it's more complicated than that," she replied. That kind, pale face waited patiently for greater detail. With a deep sigh, the warrior took the flask from her lady's lap. A good hard belt helped gird her for what lay ahead. "I was helping a friend return to his one true love. All seemed well at first. His kiss broke the sleeping curse she had been under." The knowing nod from her lady told the warrior that she was not unfamiliar with such circumstances. "Then something terrible happened. He had to leave to protect her from the evil coming for him. He trusted her to my care knowing I would defend her to my last breath."

"Because you loved him," Ruby interjected certain she could divine the direction of this tale. Mulan sighed deeply eyes fastened to the ground. Never had she spoken of her true feelings about this to another. The assumption was natural, but painful forcing her to correct it. "Actually because he was a good friend, whom I had helped escape his own curse. But when he was marked for death once more and it seemed he would not return, that was when I let myself begin to feel…." Wounded soft brown pools lifted bravely as she finally confessed, "…for Aurora." Realization stole Ruby's breath away. In an instant, her heart soared with possibility even as it ached for what the proud beauty had endured. If only the she-wolf had known sooner, she never would have gushed about how happy they were. No wonder her proud warrior had looked so pained. "I'm so sorry," the maiden gushed placing an empathetic hand over the gallant woman's. A fragile smile met the kind gesture. "It's alright. It's not your fault." A weight she had not known she had been carrying lifted from the soldier's shoulders to have the truth out finally. "I'm the fool who let myself fall for someone who was unavailable."

"I don't believe that," Ruby interjected fiercely protective. "We don't decide who to love." Mulan glowed under the affection. Never before had someone protected her. It was a strangely pleasant sensation. And something in her gut told her that given the chance her lady would fight to defend her champion's heart tirelessly. "Well by the time I had worked up the courage to tell her, she and Phillip were well on their way to their happy ending and expecting a child." With a dismissive shrug, the soldier took another slug of the curiously strong drink.

"And?"

Mulan looked at her baffled. "And what?"

The pale beauty groaned in frustration desperate for the answer that spurned her asking in the first place. "What did she say when you told her?!" Mulan half sputtered half chuckled at the absurd suggestion. "She was already happy with a family. There was nothing left to say." Ruby's jaw dropped dramatically. "So you never told her?!" The stoic beauty chuckled wryly to herself. "I hadn't told anyone until just now." The knowledge floored the wild wonder. It certainly answered her question. Love unspoken could not be denied, or accepted. More than that, the information that not only had Mulan fallen in love with a woman, but that Ruby was the first person she had told was almost too much at once. Honored by the confession the maiden tenderly held her champion's hand. "Thank you very much for sharing that with me." The kindness and acceptance colored the exotic beauty's cheeks. "Thank you for being so understanding. You don't know how much it means to me." In that moment Mulan swore a silent vow to always protect this noble beauty before her as Ruby had done for the soldier's own heart. "It was my pleasure really," the other woman cooed. Not forgetting their earlier pact, Mulan passed the flask back and broached the subject hoping to be able to provide the porcelain beauty the same peace. "So about this boyfriend….." Ruby groaned accepting the alcohol. She had half hoped Mulan had forgotten about that. No amount of rum could numb the pain to come, but she gave it a valiant effort. After several swallows she offered, "What do you want to know?" Mulan instantly regretted the asking. The pain stretched across that sweet face made her heart ache. "Only what you feel up to sharing." Her champion had been so brave, baring her soul, coming out. How could she possibly respond with any less courage? "We were childhood sweethearts in a small town plagued by a fearsome beast," she began with all the strength she could gather.

"You?"

Mulan's educated guess was spot on if a bit anachronistic. With a playful swat at the warrior's arm, she mock-scolded, "Don't get ahead of the story." Mulan chuckled at the adorable admonishment. It warmed her heart that somehow in the midst of this pain she could still inspire a smile in her lady. "Besides, I didn't know that back then," Ruby bravely continued. "In fact, I did a little investigating and all signs pointed to Peter being the wolf. But I had heard legends of the children of the moon. So I thought I knew enough to keep us safe in a new town where we could start a new life."

"Wait," Mulan interrupted astounded. "You thought he was the wolf and you still stayed with him?" The soldier immediately regretted her clumsy words. She had been stunned by the maiden's devotion but feared she had accidentally deepened the other woman's guilt. "Well, I knew he wouldn't knowingly hurt someone. And I was right. He never did." Her words echoed from the hollowness within. A gentle hand covered her own encouragingly. "Your heart saw the truth, just not all of it," the warrior soothed. Green pools rose appreciatively. "Yes. We thought we were being safe and careful when we chained him up. But as it turned out he isn't the one we should have worried about."

"I'm so sorry you went through that." With a deep breath, Ruby turned her mind from the past. "Well, it's because of that that I learned to control it." The trip down memory lane had been bracing and the maiden was ready to move on in more ways than one. "You must have cared for him very much." Mulan tried to keep her words steady and caring, but she couldn't help but feel a bit of jealousy. This Peter may not have lived long but he had lived in the light of Ruby's love. That alone was a wonder the warrior could not begin to imagine.

The kind-hearted soldier seemed truly wounded by the she-wolf's pain. Eager to soothe her savior Ruby offered, "Well yes, but honestly, it was a childish crush. I believe that my one true love is still out there somewhere." Hearing hope once more in her lady's voice charmed the champion. "Well then, we better keep you fit." Mulan turned to carve their dinner. "You never know when he might appear." Ruby's gaze caressed the supple form seeing to their supper. "You never know," she agreed.

Dinner had passed with relative ease. It wasn't long after however, that Ruby began to shake. Her fever had taken a turn for the worse. Adding wood to the fire didn't help this time. Mulan was becoming desperate with worry. At her wit's end, she offered, "I have an idea if you're comfortable with it." Certain that Mulan's plan may step on the toes of civility Ruby truly doubted it would be terribly distressing. "I'll try anything," she shivered through chattering teeth. The wounded maiden was curiously surprised when her champion stood to shed her armor but left her leather clothing in place. "When we fought the Huns the soldiers would huddle for warmth after removing their cold metal armor," she explained. A dreamy smile lit porcelain features as her champion returned to her side. Lost to fever and leaning toward slumber the shivering beauty curled beneath her lady knight's chin. Impossibly warm arms encircled her tightly pulling her firmly against a taut body. Ruby sighed deeply as the chill left her bones. Stretching an arm over Mulan's waist the maiden held tight as slumber closed around her. The warrior's worry faded with the tremors that left her charge. Mulan had feared that knowing what she did that Ruby would be frightened to be held by her. The soldier had never been so happy to be wrong. The familiar way that the beauty melted against her flooded the soldier with a peace she had never known. As Ruby cooed happily in slumber nuzzling into her neck, Mulan was flooded with warmth, pride at the trust placed in her and something else she couldn't quite name. Allowing herself the simple indulgence of breathing in the exotic scent of her lady's curly hair the noble warrior allowed sleep to claim her.