BPOV

Before I knew it, Christmas was over and Alice and I were getting all our affairs in order so we could go away for the training camp at the end of the week. It was Alice's idea to announce we were going away on holiday in the next couple of days; as per usual her parents fell for her dimpled smile and flawless charm. Ben however didn't take it very well at all.

"You're going where!"

"Adelaide," I resisted the urge to roll my eyes in frustration, "Ben the plans have already been made, in fact they were made before Christmas. Alice and I are going no matter what you say!" His chest puffed up immediately, "Ben," I said softly, walking up to him in our small kitchen, "I've had a hard time over the Christmas period, and so has Alice. We just need to get away from everything, even if it's only for a little while" For obvious reasons I hadn't told him what happened after the dance, Ben was a great bloke, but he was my brother first.

His shoulders deflated and I knew I had won the argument, "How long is the trip for?"

I jumped up and hugged him, smiling so big it hurt my cheeks, "Only a couple of months, but it could be shorter depending how bad the water is over there," I grimaced and he laughed at me, letting me go and ruffling my hair as he walked to his room.

"well then I hope the water is terrible and you come back on the first day," he said jokingly, he turned back to me fully serious, "I just don't like the idea of having you and Alice travelling alone. The world isn't that nice for two young girls to be by themselves."

This time I did roll my eyes at him, "Ben both Alice and I have done self-defence classes, you would know you were there, and you have taught me how to handle myself in a fight, and were going to be dressed as guys, and-"

"Yeah ok! I've got it, you're a bad ass little sis," he smiled fondly, "It's hard to remember that though when you're so small," all of a sudden he ran at me and picked me up, tickling me the whole time. I couldn't help but screech out like a galah, after a bit I started on my own attack. Ben was already holding me up so it was easy to reach up and hold my hands behind his neck, with one are looped under his armpit. I then cinched my legs around his waist, and used my core strength to come behind him, doing a really bad impression of a piggy back.

The whole time we were laughing incessantly, and didn't notice Alice or Angela until they started coughing. Ben and I looked up from the ground, as during the struggle he had attempted to fall on me, and had failed epically.

Alice raised an eyebrow, "Are you two done yet? As Bella and I need to go shopping for our upcoming trip."

I sighed, and started pushing Ben off me, "Hey Alice, Angela." Ben jumped up quickly, seeming nervous in front of Angela, dusting himself off and such. I contained a giggle, "Come' on Alice, we better go and leave these two alone." I looped my arm through Alice's, and as we walked through the front door I waggled my eyebrows at Ben, who to my outright pleasure blushed a deep crimson.

Alice and I walked in silence for about twenty metres before we looked at each other and started laughing. "I cannot believe the colour he turned," Alice chuckled, "I thought it was only you that blushed in the family"

"No, he does too, but it takes a bit of embarresment for that to happen," I smiled, "He must really like Angela."

"Well that's good, coz Angela really likes him, and they belong with each other," I looked at Alice, "Hey, I just have a feeling!"

"One of your psychic feelings again Alice, or a feeling based on the fact they can't stay away from each other at all… ever?"

She smiled at me, "both." I laughed in response.

"So are we actually going shopping or was that just a ploy to save me?" I asked hopefully.

She snorted, "As if I would joke about shopping."

"If only miracles happened," I muttered darkly.

"Huh? What was that?"

"Nothing!" I said perkily, "so what are we shopping for exactly?"

She gave me a look and lent in to whisper, "To the Army supply guys, I don't know about you but I don't exactly have camouflage uniforms in my closet."

I looked at her in confusion, "Don't they hand out uniforms on the day?"

She gave me a dumbfounded look, "So you want to go in, first day there strip off in front of all the blokes and find out there isn't a size small enough for you?"

I thought about that for a second, "Do guys really undress in front of each other?" I asked, slightly unbelieving.

"You're the one that lives with a brother, you tell me."

Without realising I shuddered, there have been many a time that Ben has simply started removing clothes for whatever purpose, whether as a victory lap at beating me, or on his way to the shower from the dining room of all places. "Yeah ok," I agreed, "Let's go have a look, but we should get a couple of sets so they won't try and push things onto us."

Alice nodded in agreement, "but first things first," she said, "We need to look the part." She gave me a grin that I am sure was meant to be amorous but I saw right through it. I translated that into 'make-over'. But before I could protest she had dragged me into a hair salon, pushed me down onto one of the overstuffed chairs, and started telling the hair dresser what 'I' wanted. Soon enough my long hair was getting chopped off, and styled into a short messy… thing. I really couldn't describe it, it wasn't quite a bob, but it was around ear length, with a side cut fringe and heavily layered.

"So what do you think?" I turned to look at Alice, who was also getting her hair done.

"I actually like it," I said.

"Really!" She asked excitedly.

I looked at my reflection again; it looked like the lady had put darker tints through the lower layers, which made it look like the sun had bleached the top of the hair. The way the fringe was cut meant it could be split into a shaggy look or swept aside, either way it helped hide my high cheek bones and it made my eyes look smaller. I smiled, "I really do Alice." She glowed with happiness, "By the way, what are you getting done?" I shouldn't have asked, it all came out in a blur and to be honest I only grabbed little bits of the explanation. "So you're getting it shorter?" I finally asked.

She rolled her eyes, "Yes Bella, I guess that's the gist of it."

I shrugged and stood up, automatically running my hands through my hair, surprised when I ran out of hair. I think that will take some getting used to… Still feeling my hair, I went over and paid for my cut, then sat down waiting for Alice. She was finished soon after me, and after she paid as well she dragged me down the street and into another store.

I looked around the store, unsure of what I was looking at. "Alice, why are we in a wig shop, after we had our hair cut?" I asked.

Instead of answering she pulled me to the back of the shop, where a small display of stick on beard could be seen. "We are here," dramatic pause, "for these!" she exclaimed while gesturing wildly in the general direction of the beard things. "Oh and by the way, until we leave, do not shave your legs." She grinned.

I must have had a blank look on my face as she turned away and called an attendant over, again I had no idea what she was saying to the poor man but somehow he agreed to let us try some on to buy. I had a little look over the display, there really wasn't a lot and I needed something similar to my hair. With a sigh I pointed to the least expensive brown stubble thing, and Alice had the man pull it out. After I put it on a little mirror was brought over, and I had to stop myself from falling over. I looked like a man. Gone were my even remotely feminine looks, instead of a soft face girl was a rough cut stubble guy. I looked up from the mirror to burst out laughing. Alice was trying on a French style black moustache.

She looked up, "What? Too much?" She asked innocently.

All I could do was nod, "Oh ok," she sighed "I'll just go for the marmite smear, would maybe make me less inconspicuous." She then turned to the assistant again, "Have you got more of these two styles out the back?" He nodded and ran off to retrieve them.

"Hey Alice," she turned to me, "What did you end up saying?"

"Huh?"

"As to why we are buying beards?"

"Oh that," she grinned manically, "I told him you and I were together, but we liked one of us looking like a guy whenever we went out."

"Oh my god Alice!" I whisper shouted, "You didn't!"

"I most certainly did, so play your part," she winked as the man came back with his hands full of packets, "Perfect darling! Let's go pay for these," she linked her arm through mine like we normally did, but she leaned in really close. The guy gave a knowing look and ran up the bill, which Alice paid. She didn't let go of my arm until we were out of the assistant's sight.

I immediately jumped away from her, shaking my head, "never again Alice, never EVER."

"Yeah ok, calm your farm," she rummaged through the bag, now quickly put on your beard and let's get some clothes!" So after replacing our fake beards she walked off, obviously expecting me to follow.

"Alice, how is it that you know where all these shops are?"

She shrugged, "I know where all the shops are Bella." She then pushed open the door to what would, hopefully, be the last store.

As soon as I walked in I was pulled sideways into a rack of clothes, and a hand was clamped over my mouth to stop me shrieking. I turned to see Alice, who mouthed be quiet to me, I nodded and she let go of me. I raised an eyebrow, silently asking what was wrong. In response Alice jerked her head over to the other side of the store. Frowning I peeped over the rack, and almost immediately I dropped back down.

"Alice, they're here! Why are they here… they shouldn't be… the training thing… is what, two days away? Why are they here of all places…" a hand clamped over my mouth.

"Bella, we are in disguise, at least act like a man." I nodded, and the hand was removed once again.

We straightened up and mentally shook ourselves, and after giving each other a nod we walked around to the uniform area, grateful we both looked like guys. It had been a while since I have seen him, but all the feelings came rushing back. I could literally feel my knees start to wobble, and all I could do was stare at him. He turned and saw me, a small smile pulled his lips up, "Hello Albert, Brian." He nodded to each of us.

"Afternoon sir," I said almost breathlessly, to which I coughed and lowered my voice, "What are you doing in town so close to the training?"

He looked away, and I saw a flash of hurt cross his face, "I came to see someone, but they are not here… "Either way I leave tonight."

I nodded "So do I." A silence started up, one that stretched for ever. I looked for Alice, only to see her talking to Jasper. I turned back to Edward, avoiding his eyes, and looking around him. He chuckled at me, "Sir?" I asked.

"I'm not going to bite, yet," he laughed, "Wait for Monday, and then you can be scared." He walked over to Jasper signalling he was ready to leave, and both of them walked out without a second glance.

Alice immediately came over, "Gosh that was hard," she sighed. All I could do was nod, I had really wanted to pick up where we left of before I cut him down, but that's a bit hard when you look like a guy.

"Let's just get this over and done with Alice, I don't think I would handle myself like a man if he came back in."

"Yeah, me too…"

We quickly gathered some uniforms and tried on sizes until we had enough, Alice also got long lengths of cloth, and simply pointed to her breasts when I asked her about it. When we got to her place we quickly packed her stuff, and surprisingly there wasn't a lot. Usually for one night away Alice would take her whole wardrobe but she only had one suitcase in this instance. We then went to my place, which was our final stop. As I was packing, Ben came up to say good bye.

"You know I won't be gone very long," I said as we pulled apart.

"I know… doesn't mean I won't miss you. After all, who would wash the dishes!" I rolled my eyes and punched him in the shoulder.

"Bella! The train will be there soon, we better get going!" Alice yelled.

I turned and picked up my single suitcase, as I turned to the door I tripped, automatically I put my arms out to brace myself but I was caught instead. Ben pulled me up so I was horizontal again, and gave me a sad smile.

I meant to give him a cheerful smile in return but it came out sad as well, I gave him one last hug before walking out the door with Alice.

"So Brian, are you excited?"

I chuckled, she was starting with the names early, "Not at all Albert, in fact I am quite excited to do some ass kicking!"

"Need I remind you Brian, this training is only for the Army reserve? We won't be doing any real ass kicking."

"Yes, Albert I do understand, but surely nothing is wrong with a little friendly competition every now and again?"

"No Brian, there is nothing wrong with that. Also Brian, why are we constantly saying each other's names?"

"Why I'm not sure Albert, perhaps we are actually both a little nervous and trying to make light of the situation?"

She looked at me, with a small smile, "Why Brian I think you are absolutely correct."

We had made it to the train station, and there were only a few tired looking men, most of them I recognised from the tournament. Including the huge hulking mass that was making its way over to us, I remembered him being pretty friendly though.

"Hey guys!" The mountain said, "Mind if I sit with you guys?"

"Sure Emmett, that's fine with us, after all we could use some comic relief on the five hour trip to… wait where are we even going?"

"Somewhere near Newcastle, can't quite remember the town name…" I said.

"Oh well, time to go!" and with a huge grin, that made him so very handsome, he bounded onto the train with 'Albert' and I following.

EPOV

The encounter with Brian and Albert had made me a little unsettled; I hadn't been expecting to see them until the train ride. Jasper and I had been camping on the outskirts of town, and every now and again we would see the two girls that had given us that wonderful and terrible night. I had spent many nights wide awake lying in bed, wondering what had really happened on that night. The conclusion I had come up with is that she had distanced herself for some unknown reason; after all, she had been drawn to me as I was drawn to her.

Today was the day I would go into town with Jasper, and confront her as to why she really pushed me away. I had made my way up to her front door and was about to knock when I heard giggling, I immediately froze. It sounded like her but I couldn't be sure, it had been so long since the dance at which I saw her. The giggling stopped, and it was replaced with a lady sighing, I strained my ears, "Ben, what are you doing?" she didn't sound fearful, but I felt jealousy spring up, and I went to the window near the voices.

What I saw hurt more than anything she could have said to me. There she was, her brown hair falling down her back, with a man's face obscuring her own. They were kissing. And she wasn't pushing him away. Hurt and confused I had pulled away from the window and walked back to the main street leading to the centre of town. I had met up with Jasper and gone to the uniform store to order a variety of sizes for the men who did not have their own when they all eventually turned up at the designated area.

There were men coming from all over Queensland and NSW to join our recruitment, thankfully there were also multiple captains and generals, each assigned to the particular group we arrive with. So while Jasper and I were waiting at the bus station, we went over the forms again to familiarise ourselves. By the time we were finished, most of the men had turned up, so we shepherd them into the carriages and told them to find people to room with for the journey.

Eventually everyone was aboard, I went at the end of the train, and Jasper went to the front. Each of us would find people to sit with for the duration of the trip, but also do rotational checks within each of our halves. While walking down the corridor, dreading who I would be forced to sit with, a door slid open suddenly next to me. I then felt something small, but surprisingly warm run into me, knocking me over. I held onto the object, only to realise it was a someone. A someone with warm brown eyes.

So things are swinging along, thankfully, and we should get to more stuff soon… Thank you to everyone who reviewed and/or is following the story, I appreciate it

Disclaimer: I own neither Twilight or Mulan, which this is loosely based around.