Chapter 2:

Word is out

It was quiet and peaceful at the Li's house. Mulan and Shang were still in bed sound asleep. Mulan woke up with Shang's arms around her. She smiled at the sense of love and secure.

She got up slowly so not to disturb her sleeping husband. She went to the kitchen to fix breakfast. She made eggs, and some rice. Shang woke up with the sent of his wife's wonderful cooking. He stretched and placed a loose shirt on and headed to the kitchen where his wife was making their meal.

He went up from behind her and placed his arms around her petite waist. "Good morning beautiful." He kissed her on the top of her head.

She turned around and began to giggle, "Good morning." And placed a kiss on his lips. She then went back to making their breakfast. Shang sat down at the table waiting patiently for his breakfast.

Mulan brought over their food, and placed a plate in front of Shang. "Thank you, it looks good." He said as he took a bite of the scrambled eggs. "Hum, it's good."

"Well I hope so..." She responded from the compliment with a giggle.

As the day went by Mulan and Shang worked together in the garden and on their martial arts moves. They moved swiftly together, as kicking and punching was being blocked by both of them.

Mulan brought her leg in the air to kick him down, but was blocked by his arm. Mulan quick to react lifted her other leg, making her lift off the ground and hitting Shang to the ground, because she was off the ground she also landed hard on the soft grass.

Shang rubbed his chin and looked up to see that Mulan was also on the ground next to him. "Nice move." He complimented. Mulan took a deep breath, "Thanks."

Shang got up and took Mulan's hand to help her off the grass. "I'll be right back, I'm going to get some water for us ok." Shang said as he headed inside to get the water.

As Shang got in the cups out, he poured the some water in each.

There was a sudden knock at the door. Shang looked up, "Who could that be?" Shang murmured under his breath.

Shang approached the front door and opened it slightly to reveal, Captain Ta Sang. "May I help you?" Shang asked with a risen eyebrow.

"Good day General Li." He bowed down to Shang to show respect. "We have news from the Emperor, he wishes to speak to you."

"What for?" Shang opened the door all the way allowing him to come in. As the young Captain came in, Shang looked outside to see about twenty or so solders outside on their horses.

"Well........" Sang stopped when he saw Mulan enter from the back door way. He bowed quickly, "Honorable, Mulan."

"Hello....who may you be?" She asked with uncertainty of what was going on.

"I'm Captain Ta Sang, I'm sorry if I was interrupting something." He apologized to the Li's for he did not want to seem rude to them.

"No, not at all." Replied Shang in an honest matter.

"What's going on?" Asked Mulan as she looked at Shang and the Captain. Shang went towards his wife and took her hands in his.

"Mulan, I have to go to the Emperor's he wishes to speak to me...." Shang was interrupted by Ta Sang.

"Um...I hate to be rude and interrupt you but it wouldn't be safe for Mulan if she stayed here." They both turned to each other in worry.

"What do you mean she wont be safe?" Shang asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Well you see Chi Fu has escaped and we have not found him yet, but we are still looking for him....." Shang stopped him from going on by placing his hand in the air.

"Why does the Emperor want to see us then?"

Sang took a deep breath, "Sir, Chi Fu can reason with men and ask them to kill Mulan or even China, he wants to make sure that you two will be safe, So if you please come with me, and me and my men will take you to the Palace."

"Mulan looked at Shang in worry, he could see it in her eyes. Even though she could easily defeat Chi Fu she was scared that another war would start because of her. To comfort her, held her in his arms tight. Mulan stayed close.

"Thank you, just give us a few minuets to pack a few things." Shang responded in a soft tone. Sang bowed and left the room closing the door behind him.

"Shang what's going to happen?" Mulan asked concerned.

Shang stroked her cheek with his one hand, he sighed. "I don't know."

Mulan and Shang were packed and ready to go. Mulan approached Khan and patted his neck. Shang walked to her, with his stallion's reins in his hands.

"Are you ready?" Shang asked in almost a whisper. Mulan turned around to face him.

"Yeah I just have to mount Khan and we can get going." As she took the reins into her hands.

"Do you need any help getting up?"

"Um...Sure." Mulan gathered up on her reins, while Shang put his reins through his arm and placed his hands underneath her arms. She placed her foot in the stirrup and hoped on up on Khan's back, with the help of Shang.

She got situated while Shang mounted on his white, calm stallion. Ta Sang was outside on his horse like all the other guys.

From the corner of his eye he could see them approaching him. He turned his head and bowed his head down, to show respect of the two.

"Are you ready?"

"We're ready." Exclaimed Mulan.

"Let's go then." They all pressed against their horses and made then gallop. Mulan and Shang were placed in the middle surrounded by the solders so no one would get near them, as if they were the king and queen. Ta Sang didn't want to take any chances.