"Why do girls always hafta take so long just to get dressed?"

Ling, Yao and Chien-Po were in a clothing store, waiting for the three princesses to try on clothes that were more civilian-like, so as to avoid detection. While Chien-Po was patient, his comrades were not quite as patient.

"I'll normally take, like, two minutes to get dressed," the thin soldier commented to his shorter friend, "Maybe five to change, but that's it."

"Oh, hush, Ling!" Ting-Ting cried out in annoyance behind the curtain of the dressing room, able to hear what the men were saying. Su joined in, also able to hear them, "Yeah, you guys try putting on a dress!"

The soldiers froze, remembering when Mulan had them disguise themselves as concubines to get into the Emperor's palace. They had succeeded in their rescue and saved China, but shuddered at the memory of the heavy make-up and tight kimonos with fruits lodged in them.

The sound of footsteps interrupted their thoughts and the men quickly turned around. The three girls definitely appeared to be... well, girls. They had changed their elegant, silk robes for simple, cotton dresses, their hair in buns. All three girls wore the same dress, but in their corresponding color preferences.

Mei was the first to speak, "So? What do you think?" she asked, flashing a flirtatious grin at Yao. The shortest soldier stepped forward, taking her hands in his.

"You look just as beautiful," he answered with a grin.


The small group left the store and began walking through the small village. Today was the third day of their trip to Qui Gong, and the day they were supposed to arrive at the palace.

The princesses had decided they would make peace between the kingdoms, even if they had to sacrifice their growing relationships with the soldiers. It may not have been what they wanted, but they had to do what needed to be done.

Of course, that didn't mean they weren't tired from travelling there.

"May we stop to rest for a while?" Mei asked. Yao answered, "Sure thing, Mei." They continued walking until Chien-Po spotted an inn. The sign above the entrance read: Nuan's Inn. "Perhaps we can rest there."

They entered the building to find it deserted, with the exception of slight commotion down one of the hallways. Ting-Ting rang the bell on the front desk, but no one came. She rang it again. Nothing.

Before she could ring a third time, a middle-aged woman rushed out and positioned herself at the desk. "Forgive my tardiness," she said, slightly bowing her head, "I'm slightly busy right now."

Ling looked over to the empty lobby. "Yeah, we can see that," he stated sarcastically. The woman shook her head, "No, not with business," she explained, "With a patient."

"Oh, my. Are they okay?" Su asked in concern. The woman nodded, "Yes, she's alright," she answered, "In fact, would you like to meet her?" The group was slightly surprised. Why would this woman want them to meet an injured girl?

"Don't you think we should let her rest if she is injured?" Chien-Po finally asked, the others quietly agreeing. The woman shrugged slightly, "Well, I suppose so. But if you'd like to meet her later, I'm sure she'll be happy to make your acquaintance," she answered with a grin.

Ting-Ting smiled in return, then pulled out a small purse. "Is this inn still open?" she asked, "We would like to rent two rooms for the night."

"Ah, yes. Of course," the woman replied, quickly reaching under the desk before taking out a small book. While she sorted through it, she introduced herself, "My name is Nuan, and this is my inn." She placed the book on the desk before opening a drawer and taking out two keys, each with a tag on it. "Two rooms, one night," she stated, handing the keys to Ting-Ting.

"Thank you," the princess replied with a smile, taking the keys. "How much will that be?" she asked as she began to open her purse. Nuan shook her head, "You can pay tomorrow morning," she explained with a shrug of the shoulders, "... just in case."

"Oh! Um, thank you," Ting-Ting said, returning her purse to its respectful pocket. Nuan stepped back from the desk. "Follow me, please," she motioned towards the hallway as she began walking, the small group following behind.

As they walked, they noticed there were many rooms. But one room in particular captured their attention. Being so full of people that nearly spilled into the hallway, who wouldn't notice it? Before they could wonder what was going on, someone ran out of said room.

"Mama!" the boy ran up to Nuan and began tugging on the skirt of her dress, "Mama, come quick!" he cried with excitement. The woman reached down and patted his head, "Lok, Honey, I'm busy," she said with a slight chuckle.

"But, Mama!" he persisted, pulling Nuan into the room. The mother laughed out loud, before looking back, "Your keys have numbers on them," she said, motioning down the hall, "Just find the rooms with the same numbers," she explained to them before being whisked away by her son.

"Miss Fa is telling us the story about when she was in the army! I don't want you to miss it!"

The princesses and soldiers became shocked at the words of the little boy. Could he be speaking of their friend?

Mei was the first to take action and sprinted to the overcrowded room. She tried to get a glimpse of the storyteller, but to no avail. As her friends followed suit, Mei tried to make out what this person was saying amidst the crowd of people...

"I was just trying to bathe without anyone noticing, but it was like those guys were always in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Mei couldn't be too sure she recognized the voice of the female, not with far too many other people laughing and talking among themselves.

The storyteller continued, "I tried to hide myself, but they noticed me almost immediately." At this point, the sextet of soldiers and princesses had crowded around the door, trying to listen.

"That was when I was first formally introduced to them," the speaker explained, "I don't remember who it was," she said with a chuckle, "... but one of them claimed themselves as 'King of the Rock' that night."

"Hey! That was me!" Yao exclaimed, recognizing his self-given title. Suddenly, all eyes were on him, Mei giving him an odd look. He shrugged, "Well, it was."

"Yao?"

As the small group looked up, the people in the room began stepping back, creating a clear path from the door to the center of the room. And at the center...

... was Mulan.


A/N: Well, I updated a little quicker than I expected. I actually got most of this chapter done in one sitting, so I think I shouldn't take TOO long to update again.

Also, when I realized where in the movie I started this story, I realized it won't be a long story.

But I do have an idea how to finish it, so don't worry about that.

Please leave a review! I'd really like some ideas before I get to the bigger parts of the story that are unchangeable.

~Pizza