As she walked Mulan couldn't help noticing all the different glances she was receiving. It was hard not to notice the shots of skepticism mixed with curiosity and, at times, a bit of anger, that were being fired in her direction. However she pointed ignored them, not allowing them to unnerve her.

The camp looked almost identical to the way she remembered it, except for the position of her tent. Instead of being on the outskirts Mulan was a person of status, so she would be positioned much closer to the center of the camp. At least she would have to worry a little less about being late, but only a LITTLE less.

"Fond memories, eh?" Mushu popped out of the collar of her shirt.

Anybody else might have jumped in surprise, but Mulan found herself getting used to the sudden appearances of the little dragon. "What's you're definition of fond?" she retorted quietly so that Shang wouldn't hear.

"Aw, c'mon, it wasn't all bad," Mushu replied. ". . .But, you know, speaking of those few bad instances, I'm warning you right now, bighting anymore butts is out of the question! If you want to go doing anymore of THAT you're on your own."

Mulan couldn't help herself and burst out laughing, inadvertently attracting Shang's attention.

"What?"

"Uh, nothing," she replied quickly, Mushu having long since disappeared. "I . . . was just remembering the last time I was here."

Shang raised an eyebrow.

"What?" She demanded innocently.

He just shook his head and changed the subject, he knew better than to pursue a subject that wasn't going to get answered, especially with Mulan. "Are you ready to address the soldiers tomorrow."

"Yeah," Mulan replied, trying to sound confident despite the worries in the back of her mind.

"Helpful hint: set an example and don't sleep in!" Shang teased; Mulan had always been the last to rise in the camp.

She rolled her eyes. "Point taken."

"Oh, and," Shang was suddenly serious and sounded slightly nervous. "You do remember the stuff you're going to be teaching. . . Don't you?"

"Yes!" Mulan exclaimed, tempted to take resentment, but then changed her mind when she remembered the tiny note of nervousness that had been in his voice. "You're still just soar because I can beat you in hand to hand combat."

"What? When?" He asked incredulously. "Are you crazy?"

She shrugged, "That's what people tell me. Anyway, while we're on the topic, do YOU remember the stuff YOU'RE going to be teaching? Just thought I'd better check, can't have any misguided soldiers."

"OK," he said after a pause, "I deserve that."

"Damn right he does," a muffled voice sounded in the back of her collar.

Mulan smirked. "Hey, I'll still be doing training in the mornings - "

She received an extremely skeptical look form Shang.

"OK, so maybe tomorrow mourning and then in the evenings," she corrected herself. "You can join me if you like. Besides, I could do with some extra training on how to be a Captain."

"Tomorrow MORNING?" Shang continued to look doubtful. "EARLY?"

"Yes," she retorted. "Will you be there?"

"I - uh, I mean, yeah. Of course," he smiled down at her. "Wouldn't miss it."

"Great." She smiled back at him and, for a brief moment, their eyes met. Almost immediately both looked away sheepishly, feeling the fool.

Shang cleared his throat. "Are you hungry?"

"Starved," she replied gratefully.

"Did I hear someone mention food?" A hopeful Chien Po stuck his head out of a tent near by, followed quickly by Yao and Ling.

"C'mon, lets go," Yao said, leading the way out of the tent in response to Mulan's affirmative grin. "I could eat a horse!"

"Yeah, where is Kahn when you need him?" Mushu wondered aloud, receiving a playful, but not un-painful, whack from Mulan.