Reviewer Responses:

Jade Stellar: Thanks, I must admit I was worried about writing in a cartoon

fandom.

Lynn: We all need guys like him. ;-)

StarTraveller: Thank you kindly.

ToughSpirit:: You know, I may have to do that. I mean, I may have to deal with a plot and stuff. ;-)

Impressed: I get the toes too? Wonderful!

Summary:

On his way to return the helmet, Shang thinks about the woman he's going after.

Disclaimer:

Nope! Not mine! Blah, blah, blah. I'm sure you all know the drill.

Archive:

I prefer to know where, but I'm not going to object. Even if it is a MSTing victim.

Rating:

G

Author's Notes:

This will probably have one more chapter, and then a possible sequel. I also am an admitted review hog, so feedback (positive or negative) is appreciated. ^-^

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dinner was a wonderful experience, if surprising. For someone with such a fiery temper, Mulan was rather quiet. And she blushed every time I tried to compliment her actions. She spent more time relating her training experiences, the more humiliating the better.

And she ignored my presence as much as possible, and referred to me as Captain Li when she could not. I couldn't help but notice the puzzled glances Fa Zhou kept sending my way, but I was as confused as he. She had greeted me as warmly as could be expected, and she was the one who invited me to dinner.

When we were finished, I stood and took my dishes to the kitchen. I overheard Fa Li scolding her daughter quietly.

"You are being quite rude Mulan. Do not expect me to believe that you learnt humility, when everything I've heard points to something different."

"Captain Li was my commanding officer, mother. I will not bring shame to this family by treating him like an old friend."

A sound that sounded like a comforting murmur came next, and then, "You have not brought shame to this family, my daughter. And if you saw the way that boy looked at you, you'd know he's not here as your captain."

"Don't be ridiculous. Shang has no life outside his command, whether or not I like it."

"Aha!" cried her grandmother. "I knew it. Mulan, if you do not speak with him, you will regret it."

"I will regret nothing," she hissed in reply. I couldn't be that torturous to talk to, could I?

By the time I came back, she was gone.

"I'm sorry, Captain Li. Mulan said she was not feeling well and retired early. Please spend the night here, it is very late. And if you have come all the way from the capital, you must be tired indeed." Fa Li's face was strained as she made her invitation.

"It would be an honour," I smiled, lying to rest her fears I was insulted by Mulan's behaviour.

We talked quietly for the rest of the night, and I told the family the unabridged tale of Mulan as I saw it. More then once I was tempted to skip parts, how close she came to death, how I had shamed just as I shamed any recruit. But somehow I knew that they would know. And I did not want to lose any respect they may have for me.

The moon was past its peak in the sky by the time all was said, but I could not rest. I thought a walk around the garden would calm my nerves, and headed out the door.

~*~*~*~

She was sitting on a bench, silent sobs shaking her lithe frame, but they quickly dried when she noticed my presence.

"What are you doing here?" Her words could have made ice seem warm.

"I was taking a walk; I did not mean to intrude." I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me. It was still not friendly by any means, but it had lost some of its chill.

"There's no need to run off Shang, I was leaving."

She stood, and headed back for the house. As she passed, I couldn't help but notice how she shied away from me, even at 3 feet away.

"Mulan!" I called after her, and she stopped. "Back at the palace…why did you cut the rope instead of running? The emperor was safe and Shan-Yu cornered."

If I lived for all eternity, I could never forget her next words.

"I wouldn't run the risk of losing you."

And ran.