6.

Overall they decided that maybe then wouldn't have been the best time to play a practical joke on Chi Fu, though the very idea gave them a good laugh anyway. Plus it was something to talk about, which had almost the same affect that a practical joke might have had on Chi Fu when he returned. He was more than displeased to find the woman he had taken as one of his enemies acting so chummy with the boy he had been beginning to consider his young charge.

Much to the pleasure of Mulan and Yin who talked cheerfully for the larger part of the rest of the ride Chi Fu sat looking furious and fuming silently.



With the talking the time seemed to pass a lot faster, for Mulan and Yin anyway. Next thing they knew they had not only spotted little white tents in the distance, but were pulling up to the first ones.

Heads peered out tent flaps to survey the new arrivals and as they did jaws dropped. However if Mulan noticed this she made a point of ignoring it.

"MULAN?!" A few familiar voices exclaimed.

In one quick, graceful movement Mulan was off her horse and almost immediately swept into a group hug of sorts.

"Nice to see you too," she laughed as Chien Po set them down and Ling and Yao released her. "How long has it been?"

"Too long," Ling grinned.

"I'll second that," Yao agreed.

"I see you've met my brother," Chien Po said, sending a smile up to Yin and, with amusement, drawing attention to the fact that Chi Fu had already departed.

"Oh yeah!" Mulan exclaimed, snapping her fingers. "Yin, do you know Yao and Ling?"

Yin shook his head.

"Well, Yin. . . Yao, Ling. Ling, Yao. . . Yin." She said cheerfully, gesturing at everybody as she said their name. "I take it you know, Chien Po."

Yin grinned, getting off his horse as well. "No, no I don't believe we've met," he said holding out his hand.

"Nice to meet you." Chien Po laughed, a deep rumbling noise, and shook his hand, pulling on it to bring his brother into a quick hug.

"So," Yao turned to Mulan, "whatcha goin' by today? Ping? Mulan? Maybe Captain?"

"Can't be Mulan," Ling replied, "She's not wearing a dress."

"I just knew that I could never compete against the beautiful image of you two gorgeous concubines." Mulan retorted. "Besides, Ping, Mulan," she weighed the two names, "it really doesn't make a difference, they can both take you."

"Oh yeah?" Ling demanded, both he and Yao drawing themselves up to their full height, (despite the fact that Mulan still pretty much towered over Yao, but then again so did most people).

She made a face at them, "Yeah."

"Be calm," Chien Po said peacefully. "Save your energies for training and the enemy."

Yao, Ling and Mulan exchanged quick glances.

"Ah," Yao threw his arms up in exasperation, "you still aren't worth my time chicken-boy."

"Whatever makes you feel better, limp-noodle," Mulan replied, the memory of the fight that had ensued the last time those names had been used still fresh in her mind.

Yin looked confused, but he shrugged it off quickly. "Alright," he said, changing the subject. "Where are the stables? I'll take your horse, Mulan, you better go check in with the other Captain before Chi Fu finds grounds to get you thrown out for insubordination."

"Insubordination," Ling scoffed, "Chi Fu probably doesn't even know what that MEANS."

Yao cocked a skeptical eyebrow at him. "And YOU do?"

Mulan rolled her eyes and turned to Kahn with a strict look. Butting her forehead gently against his she looked him directly in the eye. "No biting!" She ordered sternly.

As she withdrew Chien Po took his reins instead of Yin and began to lead the way to the stables, followed closely by Yin and then Ling and Yao, all talking emphatically.

Shaking her head Mulan turned and made her way through the various tents, aiming for one larger, more prominent one at the center.

Silently approaching it she drew back the flap to peer in, hoping against hope that Chi Fu wouldn't be there, waiting to ream her out. Luckily he wasn't. All she could see of the occupant of the tent was his broad back bent over a desk, examining something.

Taking one step into the tent she crossed her arms, letting the flap fall back into place. "Captain Li Shang I presume."