The Power of Love: Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I don't own Disney's Mulan.  I'm not making any profit by writing this story.  I do own Ta-Ni, Yi-Pek, and Ma Ti.

By: Susan

Summary: Mulan is kidnapped from her wedding in order to save the honor in Shan Yu's family. Can she show Shan Yu's brother what true love is? Will she still marry Shang?

A/N: This is a sequel to my story, After Dinner, although you don't really need to read it in order to grasp the concept of the story ;)  Enjoy. ;)

xxx

Shang woke up for the fourth time, though this time it was morning. His nerves were awful, and thoughts kept running through his head. His soon to be father-in-law, Fa Zhou had stayed with him that night in his home in a nearby town. Shang's father and mother were both gone, and he had no siblings. He was grateful for Fa Zhou's help in his preparation for the wedding. He sat up to Fa Zhou's smiling face above him.

"How did you sleep?" he asked softly, handing him a cup of steaming tea. Shang gave him an odd look.

"Awful," he said, sipping the tea.

"And why is that?"

"I'm just so...nervous, and..."

"Frightened? Unsure?"

"Oh, no, I'm never been so sure of anything in my life. I mean, Mulan, she's...she's one in a million."

"I believe you," Fa Zhou told him.

"Thank you so much for being here for me. I wouldn't have had anybody here if it wasn't for you," Shang told him.

"I know," Fa Zhou responded, "That's part of the reason I'm here."

"Part of the reason?"

"The other part is because I care about you, like a son. And because I think Mulan needs one last day of womanly influence. She won't be seeing her mother or grandmother for quite some time."

"Why do you think that?" Shang replied, drinking some more tea, "You don't think that my wife and I will come to visit?"

"I've foreseen that most newlyweds like to spend the beginnings of their days together alone," Fa Zhou replied, sending Shang a wryly smile. He blushed, but nodded. "You see, I am correct."

"Mulan and I will come to visit, don't worry," Shang told him confidently.

"I believe you," Fa Zhou said, "Just not right away."

"Maybe," Shang said.

"Maybe it's time for you to bathe and dress?" Fa Zhou asked him.

"All right," Shang agreed, standing from the bed. Fa Zhou motioned to take the empty teacup from Shang, who handed it to him.

"I've filled the bathtub in the next room. There's a towel hanging on the side next to it. I'll lay your wedding robes on the bed for when you come out."

"Thank you, honorable Fa Zhou," Shang bowed to him and backed out of the room. He let down his dark hair, undressed himself, and climbed into the hot water of the bath. He massaged himself with the soaps, and cleaned his hair with the bottle of fine shampoo. After a while, he rinsed his body once more and rose from bath. He toweled his hair and body dry, then left the room and walked into his own. A pair of fine red robes made by Fa Li was upon the bed. They fit nicely.  The pants were made of expensive, loose fitting crimson silk, with a matching cape that fell to the floor, yet did not drag. The outfit was completed with a silk sash and red slippers, and his hair was tied back with a red ribbon. Fa Zhou turned the doorknob and walked inside, smiling at Shang.

"They are wonderful," he told him simply.

"Don't tell me you had to wear this for your wedding," Shang said, cringing, "I feel like a giant...red...thing."

"Do you?" Fa Zhou straightened Shang's cape. "You look like a giant red thing. And, it's bad luck to criticize ancient Chinese customs. You do want today to be a good day, don't you?"

"I don't like this one bit," Shang grumbled, "I just hope Mulan looks better than I do."

"Ah, she does," Fa Zhou said, "She does."

xxx