Disclaimer: no.

[Author's Note] Oh man, I'm really really really sorry, you guys. And you have been all good with reviewing. I'm so sorry. I just had my senior recital, and am dealing with grad school applications, and midterms, and ugh. Yeah. Anyway, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Sooo sorry.

Chapter eleven.

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Shang woke up. It was late morning, just before noon. He lay there, shocked that he slept in that late. The last time he remembered sleeping in was years ago. He jumped out of bed, quickly bathed, got dressed, and ate. He had to tend the yard today. The grass was getting overgrown, and the trees needed to be pruned.

He quickly got to work, executing his job with ease. Mulan crossed his mind more than once that morning. In fact, that's what gave him the quickness he needed to do his chores. He would visit her tomorrow. Apologizing wouldn't be easy, but he was sure it would be worth it.

"Care for some water?" His mom held out a glass of water to Shang.

"Thanks." He took the glass, and drank steadily until the water was gone. Li Mei watched her son. He turned out to be a fine young man. She knew by the lightness of his attitude that he realized it wasn't his fault for hurting Mulan. He was wearing work clothes, which were stained green on the knees and elbows from the vegetation. She still thought he looked better in his uniform. He handed her back the glass, smiling, a twinkle in his eyes. Li Mei remembered him as a child. She turned, moving back to the house, thinking of when Shang hit his first bull's eye, got his first toy, made his first friend.. and now she knew that she just witnessed him fall in love for the first time. He hadn't been exposed to girls much, but he knew tradition, and she was sure he would make a perfect husband. He was honest, trusting, fair, smart, strong, polite, and handsome. She wondered to herself what this Fa Mulan was like as she entered the house, and returned to doing her housework.

It was nearly five in the afternoon, and Shang hadn't taken a single break, save lunch. He finally got through with all his yard work and came inside, hot and dusty, but not at all tired. He quickly bathed again, this time changing into his uniform (Hey, it was comfortable). He just about stepped out of his room when he heard someone approaching the front of the house. He peeked around the corner to see who it was. This was something he had done ever since he was a little boy. His mother answered. He couldn't hear her, but he watched her invite the stranger in.

He watched as he saw a young maiden of about sixteen enter the house. She had on a blue and red kimono, with a pink sash. Her figure moved sweetly into his living room. He ducked back into his room, breathing just a little heavier than before. Her short hair gave it away. It was Mulan.

Shang quietly crept down the hallway until he was within earshot of the two women.

"It is nice to finally meet you, Fa Mulan." Li Mei smiled. She seemed a good match for her son. "Shang should soon be out for dinner. He just finished tending the yard."Mulan smiled and nodded, processing Li Mei's information. She glanced up and around at her surroundings.

"I love your house. It's so beautifully decorated, and the colors here are so lively."

"Thank you." Li Mei accepted the compliment. "So, what brings you here?"

"Well, actually, I was hoping I could speak with Shang."

"I hear you live a ways off.. you are welcome to stay for dinner, and we have an extra bedroom if you would like to stay the night."

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Li." Mulan accepted the invitation.

"You are always welcome here. Anyone whom my son is familiar with is a worthy guest." Li Mei bowed her head. "He is the head of this house, now." She said solemnly.

"I am sorry." Mulan said, placing a hand on her shoulder. A tear slid down Li Mei's cheek. Mulan knelt forward to give the woman a hug. They embraced eachother for a short while.

"So.." Shang's mother wiped away a tear. "Tell me about yourself, Mulan."

Shang knew he had to come in sooner or later, and it might as well be sooner. He took this moment as his oppportunity. He walked slowly into the living room where his mother and Mulan sat. He nodded silently to both women, and then turned to his mother.

"So.. what's for supper?" he asked, smiling, breaking the stiff silence.

"Why don't we find out?" answered his mother mysteriously, who then got up and walked to the kitchen.

"Let me show you to our dining room." Shang said to Mulan. He held out his hand to help her up. She took it gratefully. Was this the same Shang who left her yesterday? He seemed better.. like the Shang she knew before. She smiled as he helped her up. Shang, still holding her hand, led her to the dining room. The sat down at the table. Soon, Shang's mother came in with their dinner.

"Sweet and sour pork!" Shang smiled, jumping up from his kneeling position. He gave his mother a huge hug. This was his favorite meal ever since he was ten years old. He turned to Mulan, who raised her eyebrows in surprise. "It's my favorite dish" he shrugged at her. She shook her head once, smiling at him. Dinner was served.

"Shang," Mulan was never one for the 'don't speak until spoken to' tradition. "I came because--"

"Wait a minute. Before you say anything, I want to apologize for what I did to you. I left you and your family without saying goodbye. I was not polite, and did not display a gentleman-like attitude. I'm sorry." He bowed his head slightly to her, and did not look up until she spoke to him.

"It's alright." He looked at her. "Everything is okay." They all commenced eating dinner, and soon, all the rice, vegetables, and pork was gone. "Dinner was spectacular. Thank you very much." Mulan said to Li Mei.

"Thank you" she said, standing. She began to collect the dishes, and Mulan stood up to help her. "No need to help, my dear. You are our guest here. Perhaps Shang would like to show you around?" She looked at Shang, hoping he would pick up on her hint.

"Come on, Mulan," Shang said, wiping his face and hands, "Let's go for a walk." Mulan also wiped her face and hands, set the napkin on the table, and stood to join him. They walked outside into the cool night air.

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[Author's Note] Yay! Well, I will try to get the next chapter out sooner. Really sorry!!! I hope you liked this chapter.