Dear friends, readers and reviewers,
This chapter is funny, I recall laughing while I wrote it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Once again a million thanks to:
Jeanine (thank you so much for the award it was very nice from you, and thank you for reading this first).
Sue (Good Luck on your tests!)
Phoenix Feather (thanks for the roses…would you like some chocolate?)
ToughSpirit (No, Mulan doesn't stink but you know Mushu loves to tease…thanks for reading this first too).
Lady1Venus ( There will be kissing in this fanfic, and yes, it is easy for Shang to keep an eye on Mulan).
AD (I'll try to post the next chapter sooner).
Kashke (A whole new chapter for you to read).
Zoonamoonlight (I'm so happy to hear you're interested).
Cuteness 7 (Ok, Mulan's hair is short but not as short as she cut it in the movie. She leaves her hair loose so she can look more sexy to for Shang, she'll tie a bun in the battlefield so she looks like the rest.)
All of you are the best reviewers in the whole wide world!
Chapter 4:
The New Mission Begins
The next morning, Mulan found Shang pacing back and forth outside his tent. She wondered what troubled him this time, for he looked so concerned. Mulan wished she could do something to take away his worries and make him forget about the struggle he had to think of, at least for a couple of minutes. He was very responsible indeed, and he deserved to be promoted to General; but yet he was too young to put up with such responsibility he held on his shoulders.
"Good morning, Shang," Mulan managed to say.
His features somehow softened with her greeting, he even grinned at her. "Good day, Mulan."
"Why are you awake so early?" Mulan asked.
"I couldn't sleep at all last night," Shang answered. It was so easy to open himself to her and speak about his problems. "I was thinking all night." Still Shang held such an intriguing mystery inside of him, a mystery that attracted her towards him in a way she couldn't resist; it was a mystery she wanted to uncover above all things.
"They say that when a person can't have a peaceful sleep it means that there's something troubling the person."
So she could read his mind?
Shang sat on the ground and patted the spot next to him, inviting Mulan to sit with him. They could give themselves some minutes to have a little talk; it was too early anyway to start training and almost every soldier was still asleep.
"You can tell me about it," Mulan said hesitating, she didn't want to sound intrigued, "Sometimes it helps you feel better when you talk." She'd give the world just to know what he hid so deep inside of him, and if there was anything she could do to make him happy, she was determined to do it. She realized she had grown fond of him, maybe she was in love, but she was unsure if he had the same feelings towards her.
Mulan inspired trust to Shang. He knew she wasn't going to repeat what he'd tell her. "I can't sleep knowing that the Huns have already crossed the border, the Chinese population is in danger," Shang went on, "I want to leave but I must leave someone in charge of the new people here. They won't last long if they are not properly trained."
"I could stay and take care of the training…" Mulan offered, "But only if you allow me to."
"It was one of my options," Shang replied, "I know I can trust you, but I'm not very sure if I can trust you to the other men."
Mulan smiled to herself, he had just showed her that he cared for her, and she wouldn't mind joining him.
"Anyway, you can be my second in command at the battlefield, just in case something happens to me you'll know what to do," Shang said, "You are trustworthy enough."
Her cheeks flushed and her eyes enlightened like the moon in the dark night sky. "Do you think there's a problem with that?"
"Not at all," he answered, "Although you deserve much more than that."
"I just want to help," she said in a modest voice. Honestly that was the truth, she had joined the army again because she wanted to serve her country and honor her family, careless, she wanted no money, no ranks; just the satisfaction of knowing she had done something to save China.
"If I could give you the rank I would, but Chi Fu, as you know has a lot of influence in court and he will never allow it because you are a woman," Shang explained.
Anyway, it was enough reward for her to have his trust, and his friendship; she really didn't need to complain and demand for a rank.
"We will leave tomorrow morning, before dawn," Shang announced getting up, "The sooner the better."
Children were playing outside the streets of the village, while their mothers talked between them, and prepared dinner. Another normal day for the village. It seemed to be a peaceful afternoon.
The sky started to get dark and the first stars appeared in the sky. Most mothers called their children inside their homes and have dinner together. The kids eagerly obeyed. Hopefully, their parents will read them a bed time story before they went to bed.
The streets got empty. Eventually, the lights went off as the villagers blew off the candles to sleep. Everything was so quiet and silent, except for the chirping of the crickets but it was part of the night.
Sudden neighing from horses warned the villagers that their lives were in danger. The Huns had reached their village. People looked through the windows and doors of their houses and reassured their guesses. The Huns were there ready to attack them. Mothers woke up their children, hurrying them so they could escape. Was there really a chance to get away and survive?
The new Hun leader, Wuzhumuxin yelled the cruel words, "Let the party begin." He was Shan Yu's younger brother. He had survived the avalanche Mulan caused; he had been with his brother in the transgression of the Imperial Palace, but he ran away to get more men. By now, he had completed his army with thousands of greedy men.
The barbarians stormed into the houses, stealing the cattle and burning their plantations. Children cried while the Huns showed no mercy. They burned their homes, the homes of people who worked hard building them with their very own hands. They hanged their victims to kill them, or they dove their swords into their bodies leaving them bleeding to death. There was no discrimination of any kind, they killed women as well as they killed men, they killed old people and children who were barely beginning their lives. This was the end of so many lives which were not fully lived; they destroyed the dreams and plans these people had. They took away their lives like savage beasts hungry for meat. The villagers screamed and cried for help, but it was all in vain…no one could hear their screams miles away.
Yumei frantically dug a whole in her backyard; she was making a hideaway to save her baby girl and her six year old son, Tsien. The woman was crying madly but she continued with the digging. Maybe there wasn't going to be time left for her to hide but at least her children would survive. Was it the last time she was seeing her children? She wished her husband would've been here, but he had joined the Imperial Army like many other men did.
"Mama, don't cry, the Baba and the other soldiers are on their way and they will fight the bad guys," said Tsien, trying to comfort his mother. She had said that to calm him down, poor innocent child.
"Get into the hole, Tsien," The young mother ordered through her sobs, it was breaking her heart to realize it was the last time she'll ever see her gifts from heaven. The little boy obeyed his mother. "Listen," Yumei placed her hand on the boy's shoulder, " You don't come out of there until you hear complete silence." She rocked the little baby and kissed her forehead; afterwards she handed it to her son. "Take care of you sister and be a good boy."
Tsien nodded, "Yes mama."
The woman kissed her son and placed a wooden table above her two children. Then she covered the hole with mud. Her heart was torn apart.
As Yumei ran away trying to save her own life, Wuzhumuxin grabbed her arm.
"Now, where do you think you're going?" He demanded.
"Please let me go," Yumei begged weakly.
"I'll let you go," Replied Wuzhumuxin with an evil laugh. He delivered a blow on her face making her vision unclear. The man thrust his sword into her heart. Yumei screamed, then she breathed her last breath and died. Another unfair assassination.
Training was exhausting, and Mulan hated the feeling of being dirty, especially when Shang was around. So that night, a couple of hours after midnight, she made sure everyone was sound asleep and allowed herself to enjoy a quick bath at the lake. Mushu had guarded the places around, so no one would find Mulan.
Mulan looked around the place; she sighed with relief and made her way back to her tent as quietly as possible. She thought it would be safer to get dressed inside her tent, just in case.
As usual, Shang was lying on the ground covered with the blankets looking up at his tent's roof. He tried to force himself and fall asleep but it was totally useless. He heard the sound of footsteps coming near. Who could it be? Shang kicked the blankets off and carefully peeked his head outside his tent so he wouldn't intimidate the intruder…who was only Mulan returning towards her tent with only a towel wrapped around her body, allowing him to look at her bare shoulders, her perfect little legs and her graceful tiny feet. What was she doing dressed like that in the middle of the night? He guessed she had gone to take a bath; it was the only time she could do it. She looked one more time at her surroundings to make sure no one was seeing; immediately Shang hid his head. He couldn't help himself, and looked out again, but she was already inside her own tent. He slapped his forehead…what was he doing? Mulan was one of his subordinates and he was the General; still, she was a woman and he a man. That made a big difference. He was not supposed to see her that way; she was a soldier like the rest of them. "A beautiful soldier" he reminded himself. Why did she have to be so beautiful? It was so hard to keep his eyes from her when she was so amazing, and he couldn't take the image off his head.
Mulan was making a comfy place to rest when Mushu arrived.
"It seems I'm the one who'll have to protect you from Li Shang." Mushu teased, "Wasn't he the one supposed to protect you?"
"Well, yes. He's fulfilling his promise," Mulan replied, "But why must you protect me from Shang."
Mushu crossed his arms and answered, "I caught him spying you a few minutes ago."
Mulan opened her eyes wide as her cheeks flushed red. "When?"
"Don't worry, he just saw you when you were walking back here," Mushu tried to calm her, "I told you not to be so noisy."
Well, at least she was wearing a towel on. Besides, he just saw a pair of legs and feet… and her bare shoulders…big deal. "Was he the only one."
"I checked every single tent and all of the men were asleep," Mushu assured.
"Thanks."
Mulan lied on the blankets and closed her eyes.
"Do you like him?"
"Like who?" she replied.
"The General of course."
"No, it's impossible," She denied soon enough. She sat up.
Mushu's intuition knew she was hiding her true feelings. Obviously she was sweet on him, he noticed it long ago even when she was disguised as Ping. "Yeah right, you're always uneasy when he takes his shirt off," Mushu teased, "I guess you're all sad because he doesn't do that so often now."
Mulan giggled nervously. Was she too obvious? "I wouldn't mind if he's always wearing his armor." She failed again.
"Right, because you think he looks handsome and distinguished." He always knew how to take her words the wrong way.
"Mushu, I think you really need to have some sleep," She said patting the little dragon's head.
"Stop it, you're messing my hairdo."
Mulan lied back again and covered herself with the blankets.
"Back to the subject," Mushu continued, "I think he likes you too."
"Can't we talk about it tomorrow? I have to wake up early."
"You don't wake up early even if you have enough sleep."
Mulan glared at him.
"Ok, just because tomorrow you're gonna have a hard time waking up." Mushu inquired, "Just one more thing, I think you cast a love spell on him with your charms."
Mulan slapped Mushu. He just couldn't quit bugging. This made Cri-kee burst into laughter.
The more experienced soldiers left Camp Wu Zhong the following morning. Shang left Yao, Ling and Chien Po in charge of training the new recruits although he was quite unsure the first to would behave like officers.
As they marched through the path that led to the Imperial City, Shang was riding his tall white horse ahead of everyone, leading the way. The rest of the soldiers were talking about their usual subjects and complained for having to wake up early. Meanwhile, Mulan stayed behind, being completely ignored as she pulled Khan and the kart with the cannons and other supplies. Since Khan was her horse she offered to take him. Mulan wasn't really bored at all, Mushu had been talking with her all the way along.
"I think you should talk to Shang," Mushu suggested, "Both of you are apart from the other soldiers."
"I can't," Mulan determined, "I have to move this thing out." She continued her way.
Mushu climbed to her shoulder and insisted, "Maybe you should ask one of these lazy and useless men over here to replace you."
"They won't listen to a woman, least of all me," Mulan reminded.
"Ok, but maybe they can listen to the General."
Mulan narrowed her eyes at Mushu. "Don't you dare."
But Mushu wouldn't listen. It was so unlikely from him to do what he was told to do, just in emergencies, and when he was threatened. He rushed towards Shang and hid under his horse's saddle.
"Li Shang," The guardian called in a fake ghostly voice.
Shang turned back and all the soldiers were sunk into their own conversations. "I guess I need to rest," he whispered out loud and shook his head. For a moment he thought he was imagining someone was calling him.
"No, I'm real!" Mushu said irritated as he appeared before his eyes.
Shang rubbed his eyes, a rare creature…what kind of creature was that red thing?
"What the… who are you?" Shang asked. Maybe he really needed to get some sleep right away; he was seeing mythical creatures.
"Don't freak out, you're a big boy," Mushu said.
"I'm not panicking," Shang replied, "I'm not scared of lizards."
"Lizard!!!" Mushu exclaimed, "How dare you call me like that?"
Shang was confused, he had never met animals that could talk before; this situation was quite weird to him. "Aren't you a lizard?"
"Of course I'm no lizard!" Mushu snapped, "Do lizards do this?" The little dragon expelled a little flame from out of his mouth. Shang's saddle started to burn.
"Ok, ok, I get it," Shang said as he tried to put out the fire by spitting, "I believe you."
"Great," Mushu spoke up, "Now where was I?"
"What exactly are you?"
Mushu took a deep breath thinking. "I'm the powerful, the pleasurable, and indestructible Mushu," he announced.
"I didn't ask your name, I just want to know," Shang demanded questions all at once, "What are you? Who sent you here? What are you doing here?" That dragon was making him lose his patience.
"Easy, easy," Mushu replied, "I have the authority to punish you if I desire." He didn't think of a good excuse to tell Shang, he couldn't just tell him that he was Mulan's guardian because then he was going to figure out she had sent him.
"I don't care…would you just tell me what the…"
"Alright, I'm a …kind of like a guiding spirit," Mushu lied, "Actually, I'm your conscience in person."
Shang asked, "Could you make this quick?"
"Oh yes, patience is a virtue young man," Mushu twisted his mustache on his finger patiently and went on, "There's this woman warrior behind and I've noticed she's tired of walking and leading her horse all the way." Mushu made a pause. "I was wondering if you could lend your horse to her and ask someone to replace her just a few hours."
"Is that all?" Shang asked arching his brow.
Mushu nodded. "Do you want to do something else?"
"Why didn't you say it sooner, I would've done it a long time ago."
Shang pulled the right side of his horse's reins and forced him to turn back. He moved towards Mulan.
When he reached her, she was looking down at the ground trying to pretend se had no clue of the reason why he had come to her.
"Aren't you tired?" Shang asked, "You've been doing this since we left Camp Wu Zhong."
Mulan raised her eyes and looked at the handsome General, still she tried to avoid to look into his eyes, somehow she seemed to get hypnotized when she looked at his dark black eyes. "Oh, no," she lied.
"Come on," Shang insisted, "Your arms must be sore."
Mulan smiled with self-satisfaction, she liked it when he insisted, even if it was just about some silly thing. "Not really," she continued.
"I'll ask someone to take care of the kart."
"Shang, there is no need for you to do this."
But he wouldn't listen, he knew she was trying to be modest; Mulan didn't want to be a problem to him. Shang called, "I need someone over here to take care of moving the kart. Fa Mulan is tired and she deserves some rest."
The soldiers burst into laughter, they were tired as well. Shang had been wrong when he expected another response from part of them. After laughing, most of them started to complain.
"Sir, with all due respect," One man began, "We are as tired as she is."
"Thank you for volunteering Peng," Shang declared with a smirk. The man couldn't refuse to obey the General's commands, so he did as he was told, though cursing all the way.
"Would you like to ride my horse?" Shang offered.
"Shang, I don't want to cause any trouble…"
He cut her off, "Chi Fu is not here to write reports for the emperor."
Mulan grinned and agreed, she just couldn't say no to him when he was such a gentleman. "Ok, just for a little while, my legs are killing me."
"See?" Shang observed, "And you insisted on walking."
"Speaking about Chi Fu…" Mulan inquired very intrigued, "Where is he?"
"The emperor sent him to inform the other provinces about the Hun threat," Shang answered. Mulan noticed a smirk on his often serious face.
"I'm glad he's not here," Mulan declared, but once she heard herself say the words she didn't want to sound too eager about it, he might've not find it so proper after all. "I mean…I"
"It's ok, I'm glad he's not here also," Shang interrupted, "You have seen the way he's always telling me what to do." Mulan blushed with this comment of his. Was she too obvious? Had he actually noticed she had been following him at times because she cared?
"I wonder what he will say when he finds out that we are already heading to battle."
Maybe he was as clueless as any other man would be.
"He will say," Mulan feigned Chi Fu's squeaky and annoying voice, "General, you have to talk things over with me before making decisions the emperor is not going to like this….and then you know he's gonna write all the gossip and tell the emperor when we reach the Imperial City."
Shang laughed a little madly; he didn't remember laughing so hard before. Then again, Mulan was a good imitator. Obviously Mulan joined him a few seconds later.
Mushu hid inside Mulan's handkerchief and whispered, "Great job."
OBVIOUS (Performed by Christina Aguilera)
Can't you hear it in my voice?
Was it something I let slip?
Does the whole world know?
Isn't it obvious?
I'm the one who's in control,
Now I'm acting like a fool
Do my feelings show?
Is my face aglow?
Isn't it obvious?
That I don't know what I'm doing anymore
I'm feeling quite like a little girl
Caught up in emotions I'm out of control.
Isn't it obvious?
Can't you see my hands they tremble?
Wonder why I can't look in the eyes
Don't know how long I can keep this inside.
Isn't it obvious?
That I don't know what I'm doing anymore
I'm feeling quite like a little girl
Caught up in emotions I'm out of control.
Isn't it obvious?
Oh, suddenly these emotions control up my mind
Can't you see it in my eyes?
Every glance, every smile, must keep me away
I feel so cold I can let go.
I don't know what I'm doing anymore
I'm feeling quite like a little girl
Caught up in emotions I'm out of control.
Isn't it obvious?
(
This chapter is funny, I recall laughing while I wrote it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Once again a million thanks to:
Jeanine (thank you so much for the award it was very nice from you, and thank you for reading this first).
Sue (Good Luck on your tests!)
Phoenix Feather (thanks for the roses…would you like some chocolate?)
ToughSpirit (No, Mulan doesn't stink but you know Mushu loves to tease…thanks for reading this first too).
Lady1Venus ( There will be kissing in this fanfic, and yes, it is easy for Shang to keep an eye on Mulan).
AD (I'll try to post the next chapter sooner).
Kashke (A whole new chapter for you to read).
Zoonamoonlight (I'm so happy to hear you're interested).
Cuteness 7 (Ok, Mulan's hair is short but not as short as she cut it in the movie. She leaves her hair loose so she can look more sexy to for Shang, she'll tie a bun in the battlefield so she looks like the rest.)
All of you are the best reviewers in the whole wide world!
Chapter 4:
The New Mission Begins
The next morning, Mulan found Shang pacing back and forth outside his tent. She wondered what troubled him this time, for he looked so concerned. Mulan wished she could do something to take away his worries and make him forget about the struggle he had to think of, at least for a couple of minutes. He was very responsible indeed, and he deserved to be promoted to General; but yet he was too young to put up with such responsibility he held on his shoulders.
"Good morning, Shang," Mulan managed to say.
His features somehow softened with her greeting, he even grinned at her. "Good day, Mulan."
"Why are you awake so early?" Mulan asked.
"I couldn't sleep at all last night," Shang answered. It was so easy to open himself to her and speak about his problems. "I was thinking all night." Still Shang held such an intriguing mystery inside of him, a mystery that attracted her towards him in a way she couldn't resist; it was a mystery she wanted to uncover above all things.
"They say that when a person can't have a peaceful sleep it means that there's something troubling the person."
So she could read his mind?
Shang sat on the ground and patted the spot next to him, inviting Mulan to sit with him. They could give themselves some minutes to have a little talk; it was too early anyway to start training and almost every soldier was still asleep.
"You can tell me about it," Mulan said hesitating, she didn't want to sound intrigued, "Sometimes it helps you feel better when you talk." She'd give the world just to know what he hid so deep inside of him, and if there was anything she could do to make him happy, she was determined to do it. She realized she had grown fond of him, maybe she was in love, but she was unsure if he had the same feelings towards her.
Mulan inspired trust to Shang. He knew she wasn't going to repeat what he'd tell her. "I can't sleep knowing that the Huns have already crossed the border, the Chinese population is in danger," Shang went on, "I want to leave but I must leave someone in charge of the new people here. They won't last long if they are not properly trained."
"I could stay and take care of the training…" Mulan offered, "But only if you allow me to."
"It was one of my options," Shang replied, "I know I can trust you, but I'm not very sure if I can trust you to the other men."
Mulan smiled to herself, he had just showed her that he cared for her, and she wouldn't mind joining him.
"Anyway, you can be my second in command at the battlefield, just in case something happens to me you'll know what to do," Shang said, "You are trustworthy enough."
Her cheeks flushed and her eyes enlightened like the moon in the dark night sky. "Do you think there's a problem with that?"
"Not at all," he answered, "Although you deserve much more than that."
"I just want to help," she said in a modest voice. Honestly that was the truth, she had joined the army again because she wanted to serve her country and honor her family, careless, she wanted no money, no ranks; just the satisfaction of knowing she had done something to save China.
"If I could give you the rank I would, but Chi Fu, as you know has a lot of influence in court and he will never allow it because you are a woman," Shang explained.
Anyway, it was enough reward for her to have his trust, and his friendship; she really didn't need to complain and demand for a rank.
"We will leave tomorrow morning, before dawn," Shang announced getting up, "The sooner the better."
Children were playing outside the streets of the village, while their mothers talked between them, and prepared dinner. Another normal day for the village. It seemed to be a peaceful afternoon.
The sky started to get dark and the first stars appeared in the sky. Most mothers called their children inside their homes and have dinner together. The kids eagerly obeyed. Hopefully, their parents will read them a bed time story before they went to bed.
The streets got empty. Eventually, the lights went off as the villagers blew off the candles to sleep. Everything was so quiet and silent, except for the chirping of the crickets but it was part of the night.
Sudden neighing from horses warned the villagers that their lives were in danger. The Huns had reached their village. People looked through the windows and doors of their houses and reassured their guesses. The Huns were there ready to attack them. Mothers woke up their children, hurrying them so they could escape. Was there really a chance to get away and survive?
The new Hun leader, Wuzhumuxin yelled the cruel words, "Let the party begin." He was Shan Yu's younger brother. He had survived the avalanche Mulan caused; he had been with his brother in the transgression of the Imperial Palace, but he ran away to get more men. By now, he had completed his army with thousands of greedy men.
The barbarians stormed into the houses, stealing the cattle and burning their plantations. Children cried while the Huns showed no mercy. They burned their homes, the homes of people who worked hard building them with their very own hands. They hanged their victims to kill them, or they dove their swords into their bodies leaving them bleeding to death. There was no discrimination of any kind, they killed women as well as they killed men, they killed old people and children who were barely beginning their lives. This was the end of so many lives which were not fully lived; they destroyed the dreams and plans these people had. They took away their lives like savage beasts hungry for meat. The villagers screamed and cried for help, but it was all in vain…no one could hear their screams miles away.
Yumei frantically dug a whole in her backyard; she was making a hideaway to save her baby girl and her six year old son, Tsien. The woman was crying madly but she continued with the digging. Maybe there wasn't going to be time left for her to hide but at least her children would survive. Was it the last time she was seeing her children? She wished her husband would've been here, but he had joined the Imperial Army like many other men did.
"Mama, don't cry, the Baba and the other soldiers are on their way and they will fight the bad guys," said Tsien, trying to comfort his mother. She had said that to calm him down, poor innocent child.
"Get into the hole, Tsien," The young mother ordered through her sobs, it was breaking her heart to realize it was the last time she'll ever see her gifts from heaven. The little boy obeyed his mother. "Listen," Yumei placed her hand on the boy's shoulder, " You don't come out of there until you hear complete silence." She rocked the little baby and kissed her forehead; afterwards she handed it to her son. "Take care of you sister and be a good boy."
Tsien nodded, "Yes mama."
The woman kissed her son and placed a wooden table above her two children. Then she covered the hole with mud. Her heart was torn apart.
As Yumei ran away trying to save her own life, Wuzhumuxin grabbed her arm.
"Now, where do you think you're going?" He demanded.
"Please let me go," Yumei begged weakly.
"I'll let you go," Replied Wuzhumuxin with an evil laugh. He delivered a blow on her face making her vision unclear. The man thrust his sword into her heart. Yumei screamed, then she breathed her last breath and died. Another unfair assassination.
Training was exhausting, and Mulan hated the feeling of being dirty, especially when Shang was around. So that night, a couple of hours after midnight, she made sure everyone was sound asleep and allowed herself to enjoy a quick bath at the lake. Mushu had guarded the places around, so no one would find Mulan.
Mulan looked around the place; she sighed with relief and made her way back to her tent as quietly as possible. She thought it would be safer to get dressed inside her tent, just in case.
As usual, Shang was lying on the ground covered with the blankets looking up at his tent's roof. He tried to force himself and fall asleep but it was totally useless. He heard the sound of footsteps coming near. Who could it be? Shang kicked the blankets off and carefully peeked his head outside his tent so he wouldn't intimidate the intruder…who was only Mulan returning towards her tent with only a towel wrapped around her body, allowing him to look at her bare shoulders, her perfect little legs and her graceful tiny feet. What was she doing dressed like that in the middle of the night? He guessed she had gone to take a bath; it was the only time she could do it. She looked one more time at her surroundings to make sure no one was seeing; immediately Shang hid his head. He couldn't help himself, and looked out again, but she was already inside her own tent. He slapped his forehead…what was he doing? Mulan was one of his subordinates and he was the General; still, she was a woman and he a man. That made a big difference. He was not supposed to see her that way; she was a soldier like the rest of them. "A beautiful soldier" he reminded himself. Why did she have to be so beautiful? It was so hard to keep his eyes from her when she was so amazing, and he couldn't take the image off his head.
Mulan was making a comfy place to rest when Mushu arrived.
"It seems I'm the one who'll have to protect you from Li Shang." Mushu teased, "Wasn't he the one supposed to protect you?"
"Well, yes. He's fulfilling his promise," Mulan replied, "But why must you protect me from Shang."
Mushu crossed his arms and answered, "I caught him spying you a few minutes ago."
Mulan opened her eyes wide as her cheeks flushed red. "When?"
"Don't worry, he just saw you when you were walking back here," Mushu tried to calm her, "I told you not to be so noisy."
Well, at least she was wearing a towel on. Besides, he just saw a pair of legs and feet… and her bare shoulders…big deal. "Was he the only one."
"I checked every single tent and all of the men were asleep," Mushu assured.
"Thanks."
Mulan lied on the blankets and closed her eyes.
"Do you like him?"
"Like who?" she replied.
"The General of course."
"No, it's impossible," She denied soon enough. She sat up.
Mushu's intuition knew she was hiding her true feelings. Obviously she was sweet on him, he noticed it long ago even when she was disguised as Ping. "Yeah right, you're always uneasy when he takes his shirt off," Mushu teased, "I guess you're all sad because he doesn't do that so often now."
Mulan giggled nervously. Was she too obvious? "I wouldn't mind if he's always wearing his armor." She failed again.
"Right, because you think he looks handsome and distinguished." He always knew how to take her words the wrong way.
"Mushu, I think you really need to have some sleep," She said patting the little dragon's head.
"Stop it, you're messing my hairdo."
Mulan lied back again and covered herself with the blankets.
"Back to the subject," Mushu continued, "I think he likes you too."
"Can't we talk about it tomorrow? I have to wake up early."
"You don't wake up early even if you have enough sleep."
Mulan glared at him.
"Ok, just because tomorrow you're gonna have a hard time waking up." Mushu inquired, "Just one more thing, I think you cast a love spell on him with your charms."
Mulan slapped Mushu. He just couldn't quit bugging. This made Cri-kee burst into laughter.
The more experienced soldiers left Camp Wu Zhong the following morning. Shang left Yao, Ling and Chien Po in charge of training the new recruits although he was quite unsure the first to would behave like officers.
As they marched through the path that led to the Imperial City, Shang was riding his tall white horse ahead of everyone, leading the way. The rest of the soldiers were talking about their usual subjects and complained for having to wake up early. Meanwhile, Mulan stayed behind, being completely ignored as she pulled Khan and the kart with the cannons and other supplies. Since Khan was her horse she offered to take him. Mulan wasn't really bored at all, Mushu had been talking with her all the way along.
"I think you should talk to Shang," Mushu suggested, "Both of you are apart from the other soldiers."
"I can't," Mulan determined, "I have to move this thing out." She continued her way.
Mushu climbed to her shoulder and insisted, "Maybe you should ask one of these lazy and useless men over here to replace you."
"They won't listen to a woman, least of all me," Mulan reminded.
"Ok, but maybe they can listen to the General."
Mulan narrowed her eyes at Mushu. "Don't you dare."
But Mushu wouldn't listen. It was so unlikely from him to do what he was told to do, just in emergencies, and when he was threatened. He rushed towards Shang and hid under his horse's saddle.
"Li Shang," The guardian called in a fake ghostly voice.
Shang turned back and all the soldiers were sunk into their own conversations. "I guess I need to rest," he whispered out loud and shook his head. For a moment he thought he was imagining someone was calling him.
"No, I'm real!" Mushu said irritated as he appeared before his eyes.
Shang rubbed his eyes, a rare creature…what kind of creature was that red thing?
"What the… who are you?" Shang asked. Maybe he really needed to get some sleep right away; he was seeing mythical creatures.
"Don't freak out, you're a big boy," Mushu said.
"I'm not panicking," Shang replied, "I'm not scared of lizards."
"Lizard!!!" Mushu exclaimed, "How dare you call me like that?"
Shang was confused, he had never met animals that could talk before; this situation was quite weird to him. "Aren't you a lizard?"
"Of course I'm no lizard!" Mushu snapped, "Do lizards do this?" The little dragon expelled a little flame from out of his mouth. Shang's saddle started to burn.
"Ok, ok, I get it," Shang said as he tried to put out the fire by spitting, "I believe you."
"Great," Mushu spoke up, "Now where was I?"
"What exactly are you?"
Mushu took a deep breath thinking. "I'm the powerful, the pleasurable, and indestructible Mushu," he announced.
"I didn't ask your name, I just want to know," Shang demanded questions all at once, "What are you? Who sent you here? What are you doing here?" That dragon was making him lose his patience.
"Easy, easy," Mushu replied, "I have the authority to punish you if I desire." He didn't think of a good excuse to tell Shang, he couldn't just tell him that he was Mulan's guardian because then he was going to figure out she had sent him.
"I don't care…would you just tell me what the…"
"Alright, I'm a …kind of like a guiding spirit," Mushu lied, "Actually, I'm your conscience in person."
Shang asked, "Could you make this quick?"
"Oh yes, patience is a virtue young man," Mushu twisted his mustache on his finger patiently and went on, "There's this woman warrior behind and I've noticed she's tired of walking and leading her horse all the way." Mushu made a pause. "I was wondering if you could lend your horse to her and ask someone to replace her just a few hours."
"Is that all?" Shang asked arching his brow.
Mushu nodded. "Do you want to do something else?"
"Why didn't you say it sooner, I would've done it a long time ago."
Shang pulled the right side of his horse's reins and forced him to turn back. He moved towards Mulan.
When he reached her, she was looking down at the ground trying to pretend se had no clue of the reason why he had come to her.
"Aren't you tired?" Shang asked, "You've been doing this since we left Camp Wu Zhong."
Mulan raised her eyes and looked at the handsome General, still she tried to avoid to look into his eyes, somehow she seemed to get hypnotized when she looked at his dark black eyes. "Oh, no," she lied.
"Come on," Shang insisted, "Your arms must be sore."
Mulan smiled with self-satisfaction, she liked it when he insisted, even if it was just about some silly thing. "Not really," she continued.
"I'll ask someone to take care of the kart."
"Shang, there is no need for you to do this."
But he wouldn't listen, he knew she was trying to be modest; Mulan didn't want to be a problem to him. Shang called, "I need someone over here to take care of moving the kart. Fa Mulan is tired and she deserves some rest."
The soldiers burst into laughter, they were tired as well. Shang had been wrong when he expected another response from part of them. After laughing, most of them started to complain.
"Sir, with all due respect," One man began, "We are as tired as she is."
"Thank you for volunteering Peng," Shang declared with a smirk. The man couldn't refuse to obey the General's commands, so he did as he was told, though cursing all the way.
"Would you like to ride my horse?" Shang offered.
"Shang, I don't want to cause any trouble…"
He cut her off, "Chi Fu is not here to write reports for the emperor."
Mulan grinned and agreed, she just couldn't say no to him when he was such a gentleman. "Ok, just for a little while, my legs are killing me."
"See?" Shang observed, "And you insisted on walking."
"Speaking about Chi Fu…" Mulan inquired very intrigued, "Where is he?"
"The emperor sent him to inform the other provinces about the Hun threat," Shang answered. Mulan noticed a smirk on his often serious face.
"I'm glad he's not here," Mulan declared, but once she heard herself say the words she didn't want to sound too eager about it, he might've not find it so proper after all. "I mean…I"
"It's ok, I'm glad he's not here also," Shang interrupted, "You have seen the way he's always telling me what to do." Mulan blushed with this comment of his. Was she too obvious? Had he actually noticed she had been following him at times because she cared?
"I wonder what he will say when he finds out that we are already heading to battle."
Maybe he was as clueless as any other man would be.
"He will say," Mulan feigned Chi Fu's squeaky and annoying voice, "General, you have to talk things over with me before making decisions the emperor is not going to like this….and then you know he's gonna write all the gossip and tell the emperor when we reach the Imperial City."
Shang laughed a little madly; he didn't remember laughing so hard before. Then again, Mulan was a good imitator. Obviously Mulan joined him a few seconds later.
Mushu hid inside Mulan's handkerchief and whispered, "Great job."
OBVIOUS (Performed by Christina Aguilera)
Can't you hear it in my voice?
Was it something I let slip?
Does the whole world know?
Isn't it obvious?
I'm the one who's in control,
Now I'm acting like a fool
Do my feelings show?
Is my face aglow?
Isn't it obvious?
That I don't know what I'm doing anymore
I'm feeling quite like a little girl
Caught up in emotions I'm out of control.
Isn't it obvious?
Can't you see my hands they tremble?
Wonder why I can't look in the eyes
Don't know how long I can keep this inside.
Isn't it obvious?
That I don't know what I'm doing anymore
I'm feeling quite like a little girl
Caught up in emotions I'm out of control.
Isn't it obvious?
Oh, suddenly these emotions control up my mind
Can't you see it in my eyes?
Every glance, every smile, must keep me away
I feel so cold I can let go.
I don't know what I'm doing anymore
I'm feeling quite like a little girl
Caught up in emotions I'm out of control.
Isn't it obvious?
(