After Dinner: Chapter Eight

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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"You can't just leave!" Mushu said, grabbing Shang's cape.

"I sure can," Shang replied angrily, thrusting Mushu off and picking up his pack. Mushu slipped inside it, trying to hitch a ride.

"You can't go, Mulan really likes you!" Shang looked at him as if he was insane.

"Well, she's got a fine way of showing it, running away from me and crying," he yelled.

"Oh, Shang, give her another chance, she's got to get herself together."

"Forget it," he took a deep breath and looked at Mushu again, "You lied to me," he said, his voice shaking, "You told me she liked me, you told me she cared...I feel like a fool." He looked at Mushu in remorse.

"Oh, Shang, she does," Mushu said, I don't know how to explain it, but she does."

"Look, Mushu, I'm going home, I lost my chance. Mulan doesn't want marriage, or love, or...me..." He looked at the ground sadly. Mushu noticed how upset the captain was, but he was extremely angry with everyone, Mulan and Shang especially. If only Shang knew what he knew...

"You can't just give up," Mushu pleaded.

"Yes I can..." Shang mumbled.

"Look, Shang, I dunno how to tell you this, but I learned from Mulan not to give up." Shang ignored him, and began sifting through this pack.  "If she had given up in the army when you told her to go on home, and she left, what would've happened?"

"Mmmm," Shang mumbled.

"And, if you had given up when your father died, where would you be?"

"On a snowy mountain wallowing in my self pity."

"And if Mulan had just given up when she tried to warn you about the Hun's in the imperial city?"

"China would..."

"Yeah, let's leave that to the imagination," Mushu sighed.  "Shang, look, right now, I just want you guys to get married. It isn't because I want to get back in the temple, or because of my nap, right now I just want to see you two happy. The only way you guys are gonna be happy is if you get married. You love each other." Shang looked at him wistfully.

"I-"

"Stay tonight and tomorrow, and if nothing happens by then, go on home... Wallow in your self pity. But Shang, if you ask me, you're gonna be grateful you stayed."

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