Disclaimer: I don't own it.

[Author's note] hehe, you know, I'm glad you're faithfully reviewing this story even though you've already read it. Long live die hard Mulan fans!!!

Chapter four.

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They reached the stable. Once they retired Shang's horse, they each sat down on an opposing bale of hay. "Everything will be fine, Shang. Don't worry." Mulan comforted him after they had finished discussing Shang's plan and how they were going to carry it out.

"I hope so, Mulan. I-- I'd uh, hate for… forsomethingbadtohappentoyou." Shang said uncomfortably. He wrinkled his forehead in anticipation of Mulan's reaction. Nothing. Mulan rose from her bale of hay. The lighting in the stable made it seem as if a halo were encircling her head. She moved toward him, and knelt down by his knee, putting both hands on his right leg. She looked up sweetly at Shang, who was REALLY uncomfortable by now. He leaned forward a little, his head inclined toward her as if she were about to tell him a secret.

"Shang," she began softly, "Look at me." It was hard, but Shang finally brought himself to look her in the eye. Mulan smiled to herself. He really was nervous. She calmly lifted up her right hand to cradle the side of his face. "I trust you." She looked into his eyes. He wasn't that nervous anymore. He began to stand up, as did Mulan. He raised his left arm out to catch Mulan's right hand. She looked at him curiously when he caught it. Shang sighed deeply, turning his head slightly to the right. He looked down and around nervously, but finally met Mulan's questioning gaze with his own confident one. He gently took her left hand in his right.

"Mulan, there's something I need to tell you," Shang told her, searching her face for some sort of a response. She halfway smiled.

"Yes?" she asked, softly biting the inside of her lip. His nervousness returned.

"I-- the um.. well," Shang took a deep breath. "I have never met a woman as.. brave- and spirited and sweet--and.. beautiful-- as you. Every time I see you, or even hear your name--it's like- I feel like.. I get this weird feeling in my stomach.. it's.."

"I make you sick?" Mulan asked, smiling. Her heart was racing. She knew she loved Shang. He was like her other half, somehow. He quickly began again.

"NO--no.. I mean, when you are around, or with me, I feel my heart light up. The idea of something happening to you is like.. looking on the face of death." He looked at Mulan. Tears were starting to form in the corners of her seemingly perfect eyes. "Mulan," he continued, letting go of her left hand and raising his right hand to run his fingers through her short (but growing) hair, "My mother and father always taught me to follow my heart," he had a glint of determination in his eyes now, "And.. Fa Mulan," Mulan's mouth opened slightly as she looked up at the handsome Captain, "You…" he -sort of- quietly * gulped *, " ARE my heart," he told her softly. He looked into her eyes with such concern. He gently wiped away her tears of happiness. She let go of his left hand and hugged him around his waist, her head resting on his muscular chest, her face looking up at his.

"Thank you, Shang." Shang could barely hear her whisper.

"Now, come on. Let's get out of here. This place does not give me a pleasant feeling," he told her. Encasing her petite waist in his firm left arm, and holding her left hand in his right, they headed to the door of the barn. Mulan departed (reluctantly) from Shang, and opened the stable doors to exit. They walked side by side towards Mulan's house, smiling at the beautiful, cool day, and smiling at their good fortune of finding eachother.

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*sigh*