After Dinner: Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I don't own Disney's Mulan.  I'm not making any profit by writing this story.

By: Susan

Summary: "Would you like to stay for dinner?" "Would you like to stay forever?" Whatever happened during Shang's dinner with the Fa family? Was it a quick meal or something a bit more drawn out?

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"Guardian Mushu, Awaken!" The oldest ancestor called. Mushu's stone figure slowly came to life, and a mystical smoke erupted from it.

"Look, Mr., whatever your name is," Mushu said loudly, "What the heck is the point of letting me sleep if you're just gonna wake me up the day after. Why even put me to sleep?" He sighed and shook his head.

"Are you done Mushu?"

"Yeah, I guess. What do you want, anyway?"

"Li Shang-"

"No." Mushu said frankly, turning his back on the spirit.

"Mushu, at least listen to me..." He pleaded.

"Look, I don't do love. I got my place back here, and I care about Mulan, but what do I look like? The Matchmaker?" The ghost opened his mouth, but Mushu was too fast for him, "Don't you dare answer that, ancestor-man."

"You need to persuade Li Shang to ask Fa Zhou for Mulan's hand in marriage."

"Why can't he do it by himself?"

"He doesn't feel as if Mulan returns his love."

"What an-"

"Mushu..."

"So I gotta go and get them married?"

"Yes Mushu."

"And what's in it for me?"

"Not much," the ancestor replied.

"You know, what's the point of this? I get nothing in return for my services. I'm tired, I just made the hero of China who she is, and I want a nap."

"Don't you care about Mulan?"

"Of course I care about Mulan, I care about Mulan more than-" Mushu looked at him suddenly realizing. "You're trying to make me feel guilty, you little sneaky spirit, you." He sighed loudly. "Alright, I'll do it."

Shang and Fa Zhou walked slowly into the Fa home in silence. Shang was given Grandmother's bed, and Grandmother slept on the floor of Mulan's room. Mushu appeared, Cri-Kee by his side, in Grandmother Fa's room doorway. Shang had just collapsed on the bed in silk robes.

"Hey, Shang-" Shang jerked around, startled.

"Wha- Who?" He swiveled his head around, looking for the source of the voice.

"Hey, down here." Mushu walked over to him and jumped on the bed. Shang blinked and rubbed his eyes in amazement.

"A talking lizard?" Mushu gave him a look.

"Dragon!"

"A talking dragon?" Shang asked.

"Yeah, and I'm here to talk to you." Shang pinched his arm.

"I'm dreaming, right?"

"Uh, NO!" Mushu replied, rolling his eyes.

"Ok, so if I'm not dreaming, why are you here to talk to me, Little Dragon?"

"Mushu!"

"What's Moo-shoo?"

"That's my name, ding-dong! I can't believe Mulan wants to marry you!"

"Hey!" Shang protested, then interested, he asked, "You know Mulan." Mushu looked at him as if he was dumb.

"Uh, yeah, of course I know Mulan.  She sure wouldn't have gotten anywhere in the army if it wasn't for me."

"Somehow I doubt that," Shang said, "but, who are you?"

"I'm a Fa family guardian," Mushu said simply, "and yeah, I realized you sure ain't a member of the Fa clan, but suddenly I'm lending my talents to the world."

"Talents?"

"Look, Mr. Shang. I give good advice, and I helped Mulan save China. Ever wonder who set of that rocket thingy? Well, I'll give you a hint. It wasn't Mulan,"

"Was it you?" Shang asked doubtfully.

"Yeah it sure was. And my buddy Cri-Kee here helped."

"So, you're here to talk to me. What about?"

"Let me see. Maybe Mulan? You're a quick one," Mushu said, and Cri-Kee chirped something at him. "Why should I stop being rude?" he asked, then looked back at Shang.

"What about Mulan?" Shang asked curiously.

"You like her," Mushu said straightforwardly.

"You're a quick one," Shang said with a smile.

"Hey, shut up," Mushu said, silently admitting Shang wasn't as bad as he had thought.  At least he's got a sense of humor.

"Look, I'm here to get you two married."

"Married?" Shang said incredulously, "You- She- I-"

"Now there's the old Shang. The stuttering Captain who couldn't say more than three words in a sentence. I was wondering what happened to him."

"Married?" He gaped at Mushu. "Listen, Little Dragon, I'm afraid that's not happening."

"My name is Mushu, and it sure is. Mulan likes you, you like Mulan, sweep her off her feet and take her away, so I can have my nap."

"Mulan doesn't like me."

"You don't know Mulan very well, do you?"

"I know she doesn't like me."

"Don't say that again. Trust me, she does. She thinks you're cute." Shang turned bright red.

"How do you know?" Shang asked embarrassedly.

"I just do." Shang looked at him, still refusing to believe.

"Okay, okay, remember that night that annoying scribe dude was telling you that your troops were terrible, and Mulan said, "I'll hold him, and you punch?"

"Yes." Shang said, eying Mushu.

"You walked away and she got this ridiculous dreamy look on her face," Mushu shook his small head, "I sent her to her tent right away. I was afraid she's give away the secret if she flirted anymore."

"Really?" Shang asked. "Are you sure?"

"She was so upset when you told her she fought good too. She didn't say anything about it on the way home, but anytime you were mentioned in a conversation, she looked away sadly. Shang, I'm not usually this honest or serious. But Shang, Mulan wants a relationship. And she wants it from you." Finally believing someone, Shang sat up straighter.

"What should I do?"

"Ask Fa Zhou for her hand in marriage. Tell him you love her, and from what everyone says, she cares for you in return."

"What if he says no?"

"You're such a pessimist," Mushu said. "Just ask. I'm sure he won't."

"Thanks Little Dragon," Shang said fondly.

"My name is Mushu," he said, annoyed.

"I know," Shang replied, then settled into the bed, finally content.

xxx