Chapter 3: Rise and Shine
Ancient China
Kara slept soundly, snuggled in Mulan's arms. She had never dreamed that her favorite legend was so close.
Mulan, however, was awake at all hours. Mushu's words still ran through her head: Take it slow and see where it goes. What if it went nowhere?
Before she could get drowsy, the sun came up. Kara's eyes blinked open at the sudden brightness.
"You didn't sleep?" guessed Kara.
Mulan shrugged. "My mind wouldn't be quiet."
Kara took a deep breath. "Mulan, there's something I want to tell you. I…"
"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!" Mushu bounced into the room. He landed on Mulan's knee.
"We're awake, Mushu…"
"Your granny has breakfast going for you lovebirds."
"Mushu!" Mulan and Kara couldn't believe the dragon's audacity.
Mushu sashayed off, singing in a sour falsetto:
"No chance no way I won't say it, no no
You swoon you sigh why deny it, oh oh
It's too cliche I won't say I'm in love…"
Mushu was out of earshot soon enough. Kara snorted.
"You think it's funny now…" Mulan grumbled.
"It is, though." Kara couldn't erase her grin.
Mulan let out a sigh. "Well, let's get breakfast…"
The two went into the main part of the Fa compound. Mulan's grandmother, Fa Nainai, was ready with breakfast.
"Good morning, Mulan, brought your new girlfriend to breakfast?"
"Nainai...!" groaned Mulan.
"Oh, don't think I don't know you swing both ways. Must I remind you of Meilin?"
"Who's Meilin?" asked Kara.
Mulan buried her face in her hands. "Nainai, please no..." This was probably an embarrassing childhood story.
"Lemme guess," Kara interrupted, "Meilin was Mulan's childhood crush."
"It's not my fault the boys were idiots with male superiority issues." Mulan had finally looked up. "Now, can we eat?"
Nainai waggled her eyebrows at Mulan, eliciting a shared grumble from Mulan and Kara. The two locked eyes… and somehow could read each other's thoughts!
If she asks me "would you like to stay forever," I'm going to die laughing.
And I'm going to die of humiliation.