Author's Note: You will notice on this story that I have started posting new chapters every day instead of every other day like I normally would (when I am ahead). There is multiple reasons for that. The first is that the story had been done for about a week now. I actually didn't start posting till after I finished. The second reason is that I'm looking at the reviews, the favorites and the follows. Despite this being a prequel to Once Upon A Slayer and being referenced in the last chapter to be posted of that story. I am seeing very little in regards to reviews, favorites and follows. While OUAS doesn't have much more, at least it does have reviews. If I were seeing reviews or a steady increase in favorite and follows I would follow my normal upload schedule. So that's why this story is being uploaded quicker than normal for me.

Chapter 4: Training Part 2

The barracks were, for once, quiet. Buffy and Mulan sat on the edge of their sleeping platform, pulling on their boots. They hadn't spoken much about Mulan's revelation that she was attracted to Buffy. Mulan understood why, Buffy had to sort her own feelings out first. It was then that they heard the front flap of the barracks swish open. Looking up, they saw Honghui enter. Spotting them, he smiled broadly. Mu

Honghui walked over and threw himself down on the sleeping platform beside them. "Don't let them bother you," he said, putting his arms behind his head. "Especially that donkey Yao."

Buffy and Mulan smiled.

"Are you two matched?" Honghui asked. "Can I ask?"

"Yes," Mulan answered without hesitation looking at Buffy.

"No," Buffy answered thinking about Angel and Riley. "I was but it didn't work out."

"Lucky you, Mei Chi," Honghui said, his voice quiet.

They sat there for a moment, his answer hanging in the air.

"I'm matched," Honghui said, answering her unasked question. "And I'm hoping she's courageous. And funny, and smart." He paused and his eyes grew distant. Then he added, "Because she looks like a man. I mean," he went on, "how do you even begin to know how to talk to a woman, let alone be married to one?"

Mulan answered, "Just talk to her like you're talking to us now."

"Jun is correct," Buffy agreed.

"I wish it was that easy," Honghui said. He paused, and his expression grew uncertain. "What…what if she doesn't like me?"

Buffy glanced at Mulan for a few moments and then nodded. "She will," she said.

Slowly, Honghui looked over. He saw Buffy staring at Mulan.

"Chi means, that we think she will," Mulan said, covering for Buffy. "You never know with women…" she added with a shrug and a conspiratorial look.

Honghui didn't say anything, though he did sit up. Swinging his legs over the side of the sleeping platform, he inched closer. And then he recoiled. "You both should really consider skipping guard duty and take a shower," he said. "You both stink." Then, standing up, he slapped first Buffy and then Mulanr on the shoulder and left.

"He's right," Buffy said with a sigh. "We really need to take a shower. It's a wonder Qiang and Tung haven't said anything.

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What had started with Mulan's revelation in the dining area and Buffy's revelation in the sleeping tent had caused a shift in their relationship.

On the training ground, the relationship took a different shape. It was becoming clear, to the sergeants and the soldiers, that of all the conscripts, Buffy and Mulan showed the most potential. No one was surprised by Buffy. She had the obvious strength and knowledge of a warrior, despite her height and build. But Mulan was a surprise. She was never the first or the fastest, but she always accomplished her tasks, and she did so with a quiet dignity that made others stop and take notice. As the days passed, she grew stronger, too.

Standing in the middle of the parade grounds one morning, Buffy held a spear out in front of her. The conscripts had graduated from their earlier training, when their weapons had been sticks, and were now being paired up to practice one-on-one combat with the real thing. Instinctively, Mulan and Buffy gravitated toward each other. When Sergeant Qiang gave the nod, they lifted their spears.

And then they began to fight.

Attack. Block. Attack. Block. Each move Buffy made, Mulan anticipated, lifting her own spear in a steady, smooth rhythm that Buffy met. The tempo built as they moved faster and faster. Mulan spun out of reach as Buffy kicked. Buffy blocked as Mulan came at her with her own attack. Back and forth it went, their movements oddly beautiful. They met each other with equal intensity, their eyes locked.

Unaware that others had stopped their own fights to watch, Mulan and Buffy continued to go at each other. Harder, faster, fiercer they fought, each determined to make the other one falter. Soldiers cheered on the pair. Hearing the commotion, Commander Tung emerged from his tent and came to stand beside Sergeant Qiang. They exchanged looks before the commander focused on Mulan and Buffy.

Mulan swung, catching Buffy off guard. The Slayer stumbled back and for a moment, it seemed Mulan had the advantage. But in one smooth move, Buffy swung back around and knocked her spear to the ground.

Buffy took a step back and smiled. "Pick it up," she said.

Mulan reached down and grab the spear again. With a shout, she went after Buffy. The Slayer and Mulan were an even match for one another. Then Buffy made a slight motion with her hand and Mulan nodded in understanding.

Letting out a shout, Mulan ran at him and jumped. She then brought her spear whipping down. There was a loud crack as spear met spear, and then Buffy's weapon was sent flying from her hand. It twirled across the parade ground, end over end. The men would have cheered but they had seen what kind of warrior Buffy was.

Buffy leapt and spun into a roundhouse, her foot meeting Mulan's spear. She kicked the blunt end of the spear, breaking the spear in two and sending the blunt end hurtling through the air with speed and power. It slammed into the side of a pole with a ping and stayed there, embedded deep in the wood.

Buffy landed and then she and Mulan went at each other in hand to hand combat. When they were finally done with their sparring silence assaulted their ears. Behind them, the rest of the men watched, shocked into silence. They had known about Buffy's skill, but what Mulan had just shown was easily equivalent.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Everything alright?" Buffy whispered to Mulan as they laid on the sleeping platform.

"I keep replaying our fight," Mulan admitted. "And how shocked the men looked."

"While you can't match my strength," Buffy said. "It was only a matter of time before you matched my skill. Especially when I have been personally training you everything I know." It was then that her body odor assailed her nostrils. "We need to bathe."

"I know," Buffy said.

Swinging their legs over the platform, they grabbed fresh clothes and tiptoed past the other soldiers out of the barracks.

The encampment was quiet and empty, all of the soldiers retired to their tents for the night, so Buffy and Mulan were able to move quickly. Their footsteps barely made a sound as they made their way toward the lake at the edge of the camp. A bright moon in the sky above illuminated it's still surface.

Taking a quick peek over their shoulders to make sure no one was looking, Buffy and Mulan undressed. Dropping their clothes in a pile, they slipped into the chilly water. The water washed away the dirt that clung to their skin. Mulan watched as Buffy sank beneath the surface, letting the silence envelope her. She did the same. They floated there, suspended between the murky lake bottom and the surface above for a long moment.

They returned to the lake's surface where they felt the air dry the water on their cheeks. Their hair, heavy from the liquid, made their scalp hurt and Buffy and Mulan both reached for their topknots, eager to let it loose. But just as their fingers touched the long black strands, they heard a voice call out over the water.

"Hua Jun! Mei Chi!"

Buffy and Mulan looked toward the shoreline, they spotted Honghui.

"We need to talk!" he shouted as he took off his own clothes.

Buffy and Mulan looked at each other. This was not an ideal situation. If he got close enough even in the dead of night he would see they were women.

Honghui shed his clothes quickly and with no shame.

"We came to here to be alone—" Mulan called out. Desperately, she and Buffy looked around for something, anything, to cover them.

Honghui ignored the protest. Jumping into the water, he swam toward them. "What was that today?" he said as his arms sliced through the water. "You two were incredible." Stopping a few feet away, he treaded water. He looked at Buffy and Mulan with curiosity.

"It is a family secret," Buffy told him. "I had to ask special permission from my father to teach Hua Jun. It was why when we were conscripted, I was with Hua Jun's family. I had just started his training. I am sorry I cannot teach you. Please I am going to ask you to leave."

"Why?" he asked. "I thought we were friends."

"We're not your friend!" Mulan shouted.

Honghui's confusion turned to anger. "Then look me in the eye and say that," he demanded. "I'm not leaving here until you look me in the eye and tell me we're not friends."

Mulan and Buffy looked at each other knowing that Honghui meant it. He would stay there for as long as it took to get them to turn to him.

Then Buffy and Mulan saw a flash of white moving along the surface of the water. Lifting their eyes, they saw the Phoenix. The bird folded its wings and dove toward the water's surface. She pierced the water behind Honghui with a SPLASH!

Hearing the sound, Honghui spun around. He peered into the water, trying to see beneath the surface. But the Phoenix's plunge had stirred the lake bottom and turned the water murky. "What was that?" Honghui asked, nervously scanning the water's surface. "There's something down there!" Then his eyes grew wide and he let out a shout as the Phoenix nibbled at his legs. Not waiting to see what was biting him, Honghui turned and began to swim frantically to the shore. When he reached dry land, he grabbed his clothes and raced away, not even daring a glance back.

"That was too close," Buffy admitted.

"I couldn't agree more," Mulan said as she breathed a sigh of relief.

The bird surfaced in front of them. Preening herself, the Phoenix shot Buffy and Mulan a satisfied smirk, as if to say, 'There are worse ways a bird could spend its time'. Buffy and Mulan laughed. "Thank you," they said. The bird lifted into the air and, with one last conspiratorial wink, flew off, following Honghui back toward the camp.

"That Phoenix is a boon to us," Buffy said.

"More than that," Mulan said. "I think it's chasing away potential matches from us both."

"I think your right," Buffy said as she smiled at Mulan.

"You know you never said what you find attractive in a woman," Mulan said with a sly grin.

"I think you already know," Buffy replied.

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It felt as though Buffy and Mulan had only just closed their eyes when they heard the shout to wake up. They pulled themselves up. Around them, the other soldiers were throwing on their clothes and armor, lacing up boots and grabbing their various equipment. Spotting Honghui, Buffy and Mulan refused to meet his gaze. They knew they had ruined the friendship, but their secret was more important.

Heading for the row of boots, they heard Sergeant Qiang's voice boom through the barracks. "Hua Jun! Mei Chi!" he shouted. Buffy and Mulan snapped to attention and looked over. "Report to Commander Tung."

Buffy and Mulan walked out of the tent and they made their way across the campground toward Commander Tung's tent. While his rank afforded him lavish sleeping quarters, the commander had kept his space simple and modest. As they entered, Buffy and Mulan noticed that the furnishings were bare, and it appeared as if the sleeping platform had never been used.

Sitting at his desk, the commander looked up as he heard Buffy and Mulan approach. He gestured for them to come closer. Then, setting his writing utensil down, he put his hands flat on the desk. "I've watched you both," he began. "You both train hard—your spirit is evident." He paused, as though weighing his next words and their impact. "But something holds you both back. It seems…you've both been hiding something."

Mulan and Buffy looked at each other, had their secret been discovered? "Commander…" they started to say.

The commander held up a hand for silence. "I sensed it the moment I met you two. But now I am sure," Commander Tung continued. "You see, I have a secret as well…." The commander looked directly into their eyes. "I know your father."

"My father?" Buffy said.

"It was a clever lie, Mei Chi or should I call you Hua Chi, but no one with family name of Mei was conscripted. You care for your brother," Commander Tung explained. "So, you volunteered to fight at his side. Hence how Hua Jun picked up your fighting style so easily. Now as I was saying Hua Zhou and I fought together. He was a great soldier. In you both I see the shadow of his sword. Perhaps this shadow falls heavy on both of your shoulders."

Buffy watched as Mulan bowed her head. She was sure Mulan was trying to hide her true feelings from the commander. She knew Zhou's love weighed heavy on Mulan, not his shadow.

Commander Tung went on. "You both can't allow your father's legacy to hold you back. You need to cultivate your gifts."

Mulan looked up, confusion replacing her sadness. "Sir?" she asked.

"Your chi, Hua Jun," Commander Tung answered. "Is as powerful as Hua Chi's. Why do you both hide it?"

Buffy and Mulan glanced at each other. "I am Jun's adopted older brother," she said deciding to give a form of the truth. "I was a foundling. You can see that just by looking at me that I do not look like Jun. It is why we gave a different family name for myself. Not many would believe me to be Jun's brother by looking at me. But a family friend, that was more sellable. Anyways Jun was actually the one who came with me. I was set to leave when Jun stopped me. He refused to let me leave. I understand why of course. I am his only brother. So, his chi has been a work in progress as I trained him."

Commander Tung nodded. "Then you should continue to train your brother. Allow his chi to bloom. And yours should be brought out as well, Hua Chi. The truth never hurts as much as the exposure of a lie." With a nod, he dismissed Buffy and Mulan.

Slowly they left.

"At least he doesn't know our secret," Mulan said.

"But he knew I wasn't who I said I was," Buffy replied with a sigh. "How he connected me to you, who knows."

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The morning after their conversation, Commander Tung called the conscripts out to the parade grounds. Arranging them in a circle around him, he moved in a series of slow, intricate motions. As he moved, he spoke. The conscripts watched, mesmerized by the way the commander's body seemed to be one with his weapon. His sword became an extension of his arm; his legs, like roots of a tree, were firmly planted on the ground until they lifted and appeared to become light as feathers. He signaled to them, and Mulan and the others began to mirror his moves.

"The chi pervades the universe and all living things. We are all born with it," Commander Tung said. "But only the most dedicated will connect deeply to his chi and become a great warrior. Tranquil as a forest," he said. "But on fire within." Buffy and Mulan were sparring as they listened. They trained through the afternoon and then later, as they stood guard. When their shift was over, they made their way back to the lake, where they practiced under the light of the moon.

Buffy smiled as she watched Mulan practicing. She wasn't sure she believed in Chi. But as she watched Mulan, she could tell the younger woman was growing stronger.

Over the days that followed, the conscripts' training intensified. It was a subtle shift at first. A few more minutes tacked onto the end of each session. A bit more bark—and bite—from Sergeant Qiang as he shouted orders. Tensions rose as it became clear that they were no longer practicing for a possible battle but for an actual one.

"The Rouran enemy is vast," Sergeant Qiang warned as Buffy, Mulan and the others went through a series of martial arts movements. "They're ruthless and unpredictable. Yet physical force need not be met with equal force. The warrior yields to force—and redirects it." He stopped in front of Buffy and Mulan.

Their constant practice and intense focus did not go unnoticed. Buffy and Mulan felt Commander Tung's and Sergeant Qiang's eyes on them more than on the others.

But there was still one challenge that stymied Mulan.

"Four ounces can move a thousand pounds," the sergeant said as Buffy, Mulan and the others approached the steep steps. They all paused, their eyes lifting in unison to the challenge in front of them.

"You ready?" Buffy said as they and the other soldiers grabbed their buckets.

Mulan nodded. "Yes," she said. She knew she was stronger but the challenge was not in strength but endurance. She and Buffy started up the steps.

Ahead of them, the other conscripts' steps slowed. One by one, they began to fall. First Cricket, his face wet with tears, sank to the steps. Then Po, who threw his buckets aside and simply lay down, defeated. Yao was the next to fail. Filled with rage, he threw his buckets, the wood shattering against the rocky cliffs.

Buffy smiled as she and Mulan continued. She could tell that Mulan had gone far as the younger woman's steps were steady, her shoulders still. They moved past their fallen comrades. Soon the only other conscript left was Honghui. A few steps ahead of them, his forehead was beaded with sweat and his buckets were sinking closer and closer to the ground. His steps were heavy and his breathing ragged.

Buffy and Mulan kept moving. Step by step, higher and higher, gathering strength until they caught up to Honghui—and then passed him. They felt his gaze on their backs as they continued.

Behind them, Honghui's body gave out. He sank to the steps. Now, it was only Buffy and Mulan left. As Honghui, Commander Tung, Sergeant Qiang, and all the others watched, Mulan and Buffy kept climbing. Step by step, higher and higher, until…they reached the top.

"You did it," Buffy said as she smiled at Mulan.

"Thanks to you," Mulan said as she returned Buffy's glance. She so wanted to kiss Buffy in that instance, but she knew with the others watching, she couldn't.

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Commander Tung's thoughts swirled in his head. He had no doubt that Hua Chi could do it. That he had been holding back waiting for Hua Jun to do it. In all his years training soldiers, he had only seen a handful of men accomplish the task. And none of them had done so with the grace and focus Hua Jun and Hua Chi had demonstrated. Turning away from the steps, the commander walked toward his tent. Sergeant Qiang fell into step beside him.

"Hua Jun and Hua Chi are true leaders," the sergeant observed. He, too, had been impressed by their success.

Commander Tung nodded. "Yes. They have the same spirit as their father—a warrior." He paused; his face thoughtful. "But I sense something still holds them both back."

"Perhaps in time they'll overcome the obstacle," Sergeant Qiang said after a moment.

The commander's steps stopped, and he turned to look at his second-in-command. "We're out of time," he said. "The enemy advances. We deploy at first light."

He didn't need to say more. With a nod, Sergeant Qiang turned and ordered the soldiers to the parade grounds. Despite their exhaustion, the men jumped to attention and made their way over as fast as their tired legs could take them. Buffy and Mulan arrived last, having had to climb down.

When all the conscripts were gathered, Commander Tung took his place in front of them. "Our training is not finished," he said. "But we live during a time of war. Therefore, we shift with changing winds." He paused to make sure he had everyone's attention. Satisfied the men were listening, he went on. "We leave to defend the Mountain Steppe Garrison."

The response was swift. Surprise, fear, and excitement spread through the men. Whispers and murmurs rose over them like a wave. Buffy and Mulan looked at each other. Buffy herself had been the lone soldier on the front lines of a nightly war for five years. But this war was like nothing she had ever fought before.

Commander Tung lifted a hand. The men grew silent once more. "You will now take the Oath of the Warrior, pledging fidelity to the Three Pillars of Virtue." The commander pulled out his sword. Mulan's eyes widened as she realized it was identical to her father's. Sensing her eyes on him, Commander Tung looked over and nodded ever so subtly in hers and Buffy's direction. "Without each one of these pillars, your vital chi is diminished."

One by one, the student warriors unsheathed their swords and held them high. As Mulan lifted her own, she saw the inscription glittering in the sun. Tung said the inscription aloud. "Brave!"

The soldiers, including Buffy and Mulan, echoed the word back to him.

"Loyal!" Again, after the commander's shout, the soldiers shouted back.

Buffy glanced at the younger woman next to her. She could see a sense of dread line Mulan's face. "What is it?" she whispered.

Mulan didn't get to answer as Commander Tung finished, "True!"

Around Mulan and Buffy, all the other soldiers yelled out the word, their voices full of emotion and pride. But Mulan stayed quiet.

The next morning, they marched out of the camp and toward the Mountain Steppe Garrison.

"You okay?" Buffy asked, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

"I don't know if I can do this," Mulan whispered back. "Neither of us finished the oath because we know we're lying to them."

By the time they stopped to make camp for the night, Mulan had made her decision. "We have to tell Commander Tung, Buffy," she said. She led Buffy over to the commander's tent. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself. "Commander Tung," she said, announcing herself and Buffy. "It's Hua Jun and Hua Chi!"

"You may enter, Hua Jun…Hua Chi." Commander Tung's response was quick and curt.

Entering the tent, Mulan and Buffy nodded at their commanding officer. His attention was focused on his sword, which lay across his lap. He was sharpening it with smooth, methodical strokes.

"Commander Tung," Mulan began. "There is something that weighs heavily on my heart. We both need to confess it to you." Her mouth grew dry as the commander looked up at her and Buffy. She opened and closed her mouth several times, trying desperately to make her tongue form the right words. "It has to do with the Three Virtues…." That was as far as she could get.

Commander Tung watched wondering why Buffy was letting Mulan speak for them both. Getting to his feet, he approached them. "There's no shame in being fearful before battle," he said, mistaking the reason for the visit. "In fact, it's a testament to your honesty that you both confess such doubt."

Mulan glanced at Buffy. She then shook her head, trying to get the conversation back on track and say what needed to be said. "Yes, Commander," she said, "but the other virtues—"

Commander Tung interrupted. "Hua Jun…Hua Chi," he said, his tone serious. "I've been doing this a long time. I stake my career on my ability to judge character. You two are good men. Perhaps one day you'll accompany me to my village, where I will introduce you to my daughters."

Buffy and Mulan looked at each other. They hadn't expected him to mention his daughters or what came next. "And our village matchmaker, of course," Commander Tung finished.

I'm afr…" Buffy started before Mulan interrupted her.

Mulan nodded her head. "It would be our great honor, Commander."

He smiled, relief on his face. "I'll look forward to the look on your father's face when you two give him this news," the commander said, bringing the conversation to a close.

Slipping outside the tent, Mulan let out a shaky breath. "That didn't go as planned," she said.

"No," Buffy agreed as they saw the Phoenix standing a few feet away. The bird had overheard the entire exchange. It gave them a look that clearly said, Really?

"Well, what were we supposed to do?" Mulan whispered.

The Phoenix shot them another look. This one was even easier to read. I don't know. Maybe agree to get married to Buffy instead.

Buffy chuckled. "Even the bird wants us together."

Arriving back at their tent, they had only a few hours of sleep before the soldiers were once again awoken and ordered to move out. They marched through the desert steppe, the dry, shrub-covered ground offering them little protection from the elements, or any potential enemy eyes. After a few hours' march, the land began to rise beneath their feet, the shrubs giving way to a rocky landscape. In the distance, the Mountain Steppe Garrison rose up, protected on one side by mountains but left vulnerable in the front.