After Dinner: Chapter Four

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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Fa Zhou shuffled out the door after breakfast the next morning to pray to the ancestors. After wiping his mouth, Shang jumped from his seat to follow him.

"Honorable Fa Zhou, I'd like to ask you a question," Shang said as he approached him.

"Anything you would like, Captain." Shang looked at him, still wondering for what reason he called him that.  Shang didn't ask; he knew he had much more important things to say.

"Fa Zhou, when I realized just who your daughter truly was, I knew I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. I just wasn't sure if she felt the same way. Then... You all said she did, and I don't know…I really care about her.  I care about her with all my heart.  I want... I want her hand...her hand in marriage." Shang took a deep breath, suddenly realizing he had let all his feelings out. He felt like a huge weight had been taken off his shoulders, then he suddenly realized Fa Zhou still had to say yes. His whole head felt heavy, and he suddenly felt dizzy.

"Shang," Fa Zhou said softly, "I'm very sorry, but I cannot accept on behalf of Mulan." Shang's mouth dropped open.

"Why not?" Shang asked incredulously. After I chalked up all my courage, he says no?

"Captain, it isn't you."

"Then what is it?"

"Shang, when Mulan arrived home, there was something that had changed about her from before she left. Before she left for the war, she was unsure of herself, and she didn't know where she fit in. She was ridiculed for speaking her mind, and acting different than the others in our town.

"At first I thought they were correct, that Mulan was a woman, that she shouldn't have an opinion. She had dishonored me before she left, and I felt I was right in this belief.  And then she left. There were all those young women in the town, those empty-headed young women. I realized in Mulan's absence that she was right.  She should be able to speak her mind, to act as she feels fit.  I respect her more than I did before, and I love her for who she is now, not who I wanted her to be. She is my daughter, my beautiful magnolia flower."

"Sir..."

"She has the respect of the emperor, and she has my respect as well. Under my roof, she will be able to speak her mind, and act as she feels fit. And... she will be able to make her own decisions." Shang looked at him, stunned.

"Sir, I agree with you, but, I can't-"

"Can't is such an unpleasant word. Think of what you can do instead."

"I- oh, I can't admit that to Mulan. She's oh, I." He closed his eyes, imagining the conversation.

"Why can't you?" Fa Zhou asked carefully.

"Fa Zhou, Mulan, I-"

"Do you have fear of what her answer may be?"

"Well... No, I don't think so. It's just, I don't think I'll be able to do it."

"It is better for her to give her answer than for me to give mine. My answer may not be the same as hers."

"Oh." Shang said softly.

"I have faith in you, Captain. I am sure you will be able to ask her."

"I don't think so."

"Faith is an important thing Captain. Faith is a very important thing. If you care about Mulan, ask her. If you do not, do not." And with that, he took his cane, hobbled towards the house, and left Shang to his own thoughts.

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