Wow, thanks for the feed back, you lot pointed out some important facts I missed out so I've gone back and changed some of this original chapter in hope of making more sense why Shang and Mulan were so quick to drop their relationship before it started. Just bare with me if it still seems clueless, I shall hopefully have the matter sorted. What I might do is finish the story and if there is any flaws you lovely people identify, I go back and change them so it flows smoother - agree?( p.s if any of you know how to get rid of those awful demonic symbols in my last chapter, please do tell me cos I certainly don't recall typing those in!!!

Sometime later, Shang found Mulan in the emperor's private courtyard. The sun was setting giving them enough undercover darkness to slip away. Mulan was busy tying their supplies to their horses which pranced around as she tried to work.

Shang walked up to his white stallion and gave him an affectionate pat, he heaved his bundle of his armour onto his stead and strapped it securely.

They were going to leave the city in rags but keeping their swords close by for trouble if there was any.

He looked across at Mulan, noticing her eyes which refused to look at him, her lips were pressed tightly together. Khan neighed loudly when she yanked the strap securing her supplies a bit too hard, confirming to Shang she was angry.

He sighed, he didn't like this no more than her but at least he didn't act like a spoilt child about it. Swinging onto his mount and pulling the hood of his rags over his top knot, he was ready to go.

Mulan, she could cool down with the long journey they have ahead of them.

Mulan was close to tears, she tried to swallow that hard lump in her throat for the countless time to no success.

Why did he drop her so quick?

What was said between the emperor and Shang?

And why was there a look in his eyes that told her he regretted it?

She remembered her words, "It doesn't matter, it was a mistake. A one off. It wasn't your fault."

What made her say it?

Deep down she knew she would never amount to a proper lady but that once made her feel so loved and cherished. But did Shang realised in the aftermaths of that moment she wouldn't make do?

she was a misfit of society, did he know she would not make him a perfect bride?

Not since she went and broke traditions that the people of China remained so adamant to uphold.

She looked down for a moment, she knew why she said those words, she knew that if she disapproved of herself, what would Shang think?

She was not fit to be called a woman. That what he would think.

For three days and nights, they travelled, camping under the stars. Silence reigned between them, only words exchanged were those of bare essential.

Neither felt like speaking and the strain was evident on their faces.

Mulan's anger grew, why he kissed her?

Why was he so quick to drop her after it happened?

What was wrong with her?

She silently watched Shang return from the bushes where he went to do his business.

Sure he was handsome but he was a fool. Playing round with women's emotions like that. She resumed her activity of cleaning her sword, delighting herself with thoughts of sticking Shang onto it.

By the forth day they arrived at a village near the great wall that survived the attack of the huns. Shang's visits to the local pub revealed that the huns were not far away and would come every once in a while to gather supplies.

They found shelter under the roof of a couple who owned a farm which needed extra workers. This gave them a perfect cover up as they gathered information.

Posing as man and wife much to Mulan's irony who snorted when Shang told her of his plan, they were shown to the modest room, furnished with a bed, table, chairs and a fireplace.

Both Shang and Mulan flopped on the bed, the travels made them too weary to worry about formalities. Mulan started undressing in front of him, much to his surprise.

"What are you doing?!" he snapped, jumping off the bed and turned away from her.

"Changing, what does it look like my sweet husband?" Mulan said sweetly.

Shang spun around, his face crimson with rage. How dare she! His mind too full of anger to comment back to her, spying a screen in the corner, he grabbed his change of clothes and stomped over behind it.

Yanking his shirt off, he halted changing when he realised there was a gap between the folds of the screen, meaning he could see Mulan.

He couldn't help it, holding his breath he watched her wearily sit down on the bed.

She sighed and shook her head sadly, reaching out for Shang's sword which he dropped on the bed, she stroked it once and to his sadness wiped a tear from her eye. She placed it back down on the bed and stood up, starting to take off her clothes.

He should really look away now, he had no business spying on a young maiden like this but the beautiful body on the other side of the screen wouldn't let him look away, he heard the dull thud of her trousers hitting the floor as she stepped out of them.

He watched her reach up to pull off the top, exposing her taunt buttocks, pale like the moon.

She let the top drop to the floor as she stood with her back to him naked, he leaned closer to the gap, mesmerised by the sight.

She turned around and Shang swallowed, not believing how beautiful she was. Her small breasts jutted away from her proud body which was smooth and nimble like a boy but with provocative curves which made Shang short of breath.

She reached up and let her hair down, that thick black curtain of it.

Shang suppressed a groan. He was a fool!

He watched Mulan bend down to rummage through her bag for her sleep wear, transfixed by her body as if she knew he was watching her and flaunting at him.

He watched her pull a shirt on, concealing her beauty from him.

Resuming getting changed, he looked down in horror at how aroused he was. Cursing himself he took his time getting changed, allowing him to return to his state of normality.

He stepped back out, not looking at Mulan who was sitting in bed. He climbed into bed and blew his candle. In the darkness, he laid there thinking.

"I'll sleep on the floor." He said sitting up. A hand out of the darkness grabbed his wrist and a firm voice snapped. "No I'm not wasting time, just sleep here but keep your hands to youself."

"Thanks wife." He retorted, his anger brewing inside him, he felt Mulan shrug up under the covers as he snuggled down.

Secretly Shang was grateful, he grew tired of sleeping on hard cold grounds and the bed was more than welcoming despite the woman who laid in it.

Trying one last time to be polite, he wished Mulan good night not expecting a reply.

"Goodnight Shang." Mulan yawned as she closed her eyes, they both slept on their side of the bed, careful not to collide in the middle.

Mulan rolled over, she was tired, so very tired and the bed was so warm.

She snuggled over a bit and her lips came into contact with something soft and warm. Jerking her eyes awake she realised her lips were touching Shang's.

praying he wouldn't wake up, she went to move away from him when he woke. Realising he was kissing Mulan in his sleep he bolted upright.

"What are you doing?" He snapped.

"You were kissing me!" Mulan retorted back.

"Well you were lying on my half of the bed!" Shang pointed at her, she looked around. Sure enough she was lying against him. She looked back up at him, cheeks burning.

"I'm getting up." He muttered as he climbed out of bed. She watched him grab his shirt and leave without saying a word.

She found him later out in the field trying to plough the field. Much to her annoyance, she watched him fascinated at how his body gleamed under the sun, soaked in sweat. She watched how his muscles moved fluidly as he reached up to brush loose strands of hair from his face.

He cursed as the ox refuse to move, Mulan sniggered. At least someone wasn't getting things right.

"Hey that's not nice, farm girl watching pretty boy struggling!" Mushu ribbed as he skittered up her shoulder.

"He deserves it." Mulan replied.

"He would have helped you if you were in difficulty." Mushu pointed out. Mulan heaved a sigh and made her way to him.

"Let me help you." She breathed, cursing Mushu mentally for making her help the man she hated.

Shang stopped and looked at her, "Do you know what you are doing?"

"Do you?" Mulan retorted.

Shang raised his eyebrow as he let her alter the plough.

"I was raised on a farm to answer your question." Mulan said, she looked up as Shang wiped the sweat from his temple.

Big mistake.

She found herself short of breath and her cheeks boiling hot.

Looking away she uttered "Th..this fellow won't move as you attached the harness wrong. He'll hit his leg every time he'll walk." she explained as she corrected his mistakes.

He watched as she straightened the plough and walked to the head of the ox to pat him.

"Take him down the field slowly so he can get use to his load then speed up when you feel him tug against the plough."

Shang pushed the plough as Mulan watched him, together man and beast started slowly and before noon nearly all the field was ploughed. Mulan followed behind him, dropping seeds into the furrows made by the plough.

The sun was setting when Mulan and Shang pulled the last of the water onto the field to water the new seeds and the freshly turned soil.

Mulan's skin was tinted bronze from the hot sun, welcomed the cool air as the stars came out. Shang was putting the ox away as she walked back to the house. The farmer's wife thanked them and gave them their supper.

The next few days were the same, during the days they toiled on the farm.

Mulan taught Shang how to do many jobs such as herding cows and cutting straw, he quickly learned despite coming from a military orientated family.

During the night they looked at maps and spoke of the enemy which they have seen no signs of.

It was during these days Mulan complained at not being able to bathe, Shang's jokes on her bodily odour didn't go down too well when he was attacked by cushions.

One evening when Mulan returned to the bedroom rolling her sore shoulder, she was greeted by a large tub of water which warm steam curled from it's bubbly surface. The smell of soap hypnotised her as Shang stood up from testing the water and handed her a towel. "Enjoy." He simply said and left.

"So how things with lover boy?" Mushu asked as he massaged Mulan's shoulders.

"Things with 'Shang' are fine." Mulan signed as the water eased her aching joints.

"So nothing more was said about the kiss?" Mushu paused his massaging.

"No..it was nothing."

"Don't give me that girl! Don't tell me it was nothing. You don't speak to me, Khan or Cric-kee no more."

"Because there is nothing to say." Mulan gritted her teeth, Mushu was sure getting on her nerves.

"Tell me how you feel." Mushu resumed his massaging again but slower as he leaned closer to her attentively.

Mulan's anger faded away as she heard herself tell him how her anger made her hurt inside, the torture of looking at him knowing there were unspoken feelings between them. Wanting to touch him but hating the very sight of him at the same time.

The frustration of not knowing what was said between the two men alone in the emperor's bedroom.

And what made Shang look as if he regretted it.

"Is it so wrong for me to feel so strongly for him?" Mulan turned her face to look at Mushu who looked close to tears. He wiped a fat tear from her cheek with his scaly claw and smiled.

"No girl, just keep in there, he feels the same for you but honour blinds him. He'll come around, mark my words." Mushu hugged her neck as she sigh a shaky sigh, it felt good to talk. She should do it more often.

"Mulan?" Mushu enquired softly. "I have to go away."

"What?! You can't leave me! I need you!" Mulan exclaimed, Mushu dropped his head looking so sad Mulan shut up.

The little dragon already felt bad she didn't need to go make him feel any worst.

"Why?" She asked quietly.

"Because I have been resumed to my old role as a guardian. I need to return to the Fa temple to restore my full powers from the guardians. They feel that since you got Shang to watch over you, you'll be safe without me for a while till I return by your side with my powers restored. I can be of more sue to you then." Mushu explained.

"Will Cric-kee remain here?" Mulan looked at the little Cricket which started crying.

"No, he been promoted to gong ringer. He'll have to return with me."

"Oh." Mulan looked from the little red dragon she so loved to his even littler side-kick.

"Go. I'll be ok. I've got Shang as you said. Go." Mulan said, she watched her two friends look at each other and nodded.

Mushu hugged her as Mulan gave her little cricket a kiss. She watched them scuttle on the floor in front of her. Mushu held out his hand for Cri-kee to jump into.

"We'll be watching you Mulan. We'll be close by." Mushu smiled as he slowly started to disappear in front of her.

Mulan felt tears sliding down her face as she watched her two special friends disappear from her side.

"Farewell." She whispered, looking at the spot on the floor where they stood moments before.