I'm sorry that I haven't written in a long time, I was stuck on what to write next and didn't have a lot of time as well. Well I hope you like this chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 21: Window of opportunity

Shang woke up and stretched in his bed, he made his way out of the bed and began to get dressed. All of a sudden he heard a loud thump coming from outside his room, with only pants on he opened the door and saw Chi Fu sleeping by his door. Shang sighed and rolled his eyes, he figured that Wang and his friends had something to do with, this gave him that conclusion only because he saw Chi Fu holding a beer bottle, and Shang knew that Chi Fu was not a heavy drinker or one at all. "Shang!" Shang looked up and saw Wang. "I guess Chi Fu didn't make it all the way to his room." Wang began to laugh.

"Wang.... You know, you shouldn't have done that, we could be re- banished."

"It was just a little bit of fun that's all." Wang admitted.

Shang glared. "Ok, ok it won't happen again."

"Help me take him back to his room then." Said Shang, as he took Chi Fu by the shoulders and lifted him up. Wang sighed but agreed and took Chi Fu's feet.

"I'm surprised you didn't want to come party with us, you usually are the one that is the first to come, besides there were girls there."

"I was just tired that all.... Needed sleep."

"I beat you dreamed of Mulan..." Wang said batting his eyes and making kissy faces to Shang making him and Shang laugh. As they got to Chi Fu's room they placed him on his huge bed then left the room and began to go back to Shang's. They got into his room and Shang began to put on his loose shirt.

"So.... What are you going to do now that we live here?" Wang asked.

"I'm not sure...." Shang opened his door and waited till Wang was out so he could close his door. They began to walk through talk on the way through the hallways.

"I'm surprised that you're not going to see Mulan. Even though your really not suppose to now...Bao would kill you if he saw you with her."

"Wow...ok tell me something I don't know."

"Ok.... Yesterday night guess who was there looking for you."

"Who?"

"Mai Tang the girl that has a thing for you, you have a thing for her, well at least you did when we were banished. See was looking for you.... She said that she needed to talk to you about something but she didn't tell me."

"What did you tell her?"

"I just said that you were here in the palace, sleeping. She found it kinda weird when I told her that." Shang sighed heavily and shook his head.

"Why did you tell her."

"Because I thought I was doing the right thing, for her and you.... I thought you liked her."

"I did, but.... She wants me to be with her, and I can't be."

"Shang, you got to let Mulan go.... She's married; you can't be with her. I think if you give Mai Tang this chance, you'll fall in love with her again."

"It's not that easy.... See I think when I was banished I found her and figured that she would be the one to get Mulan out of my head. I think I used her, I don't love her not like I love Mulan."

"Well you better tell her that cause I think she's going to come see you today."

"Yea I know."

"Oh and by the way I met these three guys yesterday night who are going to be here again, Ling, Yao and Chien Po. They were saying to me how they knew Mulan and how she was also going to be coming in today to see the Emperor but I don't think that she'll be alone."

"Really?" Shang thought that maybe this would be a good opportunity for him and Mulan to talk, hopefully.

It became later in the day and many honorable solders came through the huge doors, it was a celebration and even Shang and his men were invited. Everyone was going to be there. It was just the solders, captains, and generals, hero's that were going to dine with the new Emperor. Everything was decorated, and cleaned. The solders wore their finest wear, as did the ladies, that some brought along with them. Shang was in his gray black pants and shirt that was red, black and gold. He suddenly got hit in the back, he turned around defensively and saw a short man with one black eye, it was Yao. "Hey man...How have you been? I heard the whole story well so did Ling and Chien Po and we were stunned but were grateful that you're back."

"Well thank you...."

Then appeared Chien Po and Ling, with drinks in there hands. "Looky, looky, It Shang back from the dead...." Ling laughed. Shang smiled. And all bowed to one another in respect.

"Good to see you Captain." Said Chien Po.

"Good to see you guys to. How have you guys been?"

"Well Yao just got married and both me and Ling are engaged to beautiful women." Explained Chien Po.

"Announcing General Bao and his wife Mulan." Said the man at the door getting everyone's attention. Shang, and the others looked up and saw the fine General in good but light armor and his wife by his side, Mulan. Who wore a beautiful light blue and white dress, it was long and trailed behind her the sleeves came half way to her arms and stopped where her elbow was, her hair was put up in a bun, with little curls coming down beside her face, she wore no makeup. As she walked down the stairs with her arm around her husbands, she casually smiled down at everyone who bowed as they passed. Bao looked up with pride and strength, feeling like he was the million-dollar prize.

"You think our Mulan is truly happy with him?" Asked Yao.

"Why wouldn't she be?" Asked Ling.

"Well she just doesn't look like it."

"But she's smiling." Commented Ling.

"Yes...but it doesn't always mean she is happy in the inside.

"What do you think Shang?" Asked Chien Po. "Shang?" He got no respond; Shang was staring at Mulan the whole time watching her every move, every blink of her eyes. Her smile, her smile was making him smile. He suddenly snapped out of his gaze when Yao snapped his finger in front of Shang.

"Are you ok?"

Shang coughed, "Yeah.... I'm fine.... I was just."

"Gazing at Mulan." The gang began to laugh.

"Your still in love with her aren't you?"

"Wow that obvious?"

"Yea...." All answered.

Shang sighed, "But she is in love with him, she married him, not me."

"Lets go say hello to them shall we." Suggested Chien Po.

All made their way over to Mulan and Bao; Mulan was just standing there silent as Bao talked to one of the councilmen. Ling tapped her shoulder and waited for her to turn around, and as she did she smiled and jumped into each of their arms and hugged them each tight. Bao turned and watched as she greeted her friends. He then saw Shang and glared at him, But Shang did not look at Bao, his eyes were set on Mulan the whole time. As she got to Shang she looked up and smiled, "Shang.... Its so nice to see you again...I didn't think you would be here."

"Me and my me are not banished any more...."

"Really?"

"Mulan.... Come we have more people to greet." Said Bao.

"But Bao I haven't seen these guys for years..."

"And you can talk to them again...I wish for you to accompany me."

Mulan frowned, and kissed Ling, Yao and Chien Po on the cheek each and when she got to Shang she smiled at him and gave him a hug, then whispered into his ear, "Its so great to see you...." Shang didn't want to let her go. But had to. She joined Bao and they continued to walk, and as Bao looked back he stared at Shang, he glared at him almost as if daring for Shang to come near Mulan again, He then looked away and continued walking with Mulan. "What's up with him?"

"He saw me...." Said Shang.

"And I take it that's not a good thing is it?" Asked Ling.

"Lets just say that on their wedding day I interrupted and made a promise."

"Ouch.... Not good..." Said Ling.

"So let me guess your going to kill him?" Asked Yao, as he made a fist and punched his other hand with it, "Cause I'll help." Shang laughed.

"What did you promise?" Asked Chien Po.

"I didn't say it directly in these words but I pretty much said that I was going to do anything and everything in my power to get her back in my life and out of his."

"You must be careful with what you say.... All we need is for something bad to happen to you again." Explained Chien Po.

"I know..."

"Hey guys...what you up to?" Said Wang as he came over, with a beer in his hand. "Oh...by the way everyone is heading to the other room for lunch...."

"Thanks..."

"No problem man...I'll see you guys there."

All began to make there way to the hall way and to the other room. As Shang walked he could not stop thinking about what Mulan said, looked like and everything about her. He then saw her in front of him, she was still with Bao but once again he was talking to other people and not her. He then noticed that she was looking at him and the gang. She stopped where she was and began to walk backwards towards the crowd. She then walked up to Shang and began to walk with him and the gang. "Hi guys.... Sorry about last time..."

"Its ok..."

"You should of told him to back off and if he didn't you should have hit him..." Yao laughed at him self.... And then noticed no one else was laughing with him, "What?" Mulan shook her head and smiled.

"So...anything new with you guys?"

"Yao is married and both me and Ling are engaged." Said Chien Po.

"Cool. And what about you, Shang?"

"Uh...Well.... Like I said I'm not banished, I'm still finding somewhere to live but as for now the palace is my home."

"How did you get him to say yes?"

"I just told him what happened and that I thought me and my men deserved another chance and then he said ok."

"That's good."

"Yea."

"Are you going to try to settle down and find someone special."

"I don't need to...." He caught Mulan's attention and their eyes meet for some time. "I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look right now.

"Oh...thank you..."

"Mulan?" Called out Bao.

"I should get going...."

Shang grabbed her arms; she looked back and stared at his eyes, "Meet me after lunch near the pond..."

"I don't know if I can..."

"Please...."

Mulan became hesitant and looked back at Bao who was still calling out her name, "I'll try ok..." With that her arm was let go and she quickly got back over to Bao.

"What were you doing?" Bao asked.

"I was just talking to my friends that's all."

As lunch was severed, Shang kept a close eye on Mulan, and Bao as well. He noticed that Bao was still paying little attention to her, and when he did it wasn't for long, it only be if they were talking about her or if he was showing her off to the other men. Shang could tell that she was not liking it, or enjoying her time there. As lunch ended he made his way to the pond and waited.

"Shang?"

Shang turned but frowned it was Mai Tang. "Mai...What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing here? I'm here to see you."

"This isn't the time.... I'm waiting for someone...."

"Shang we need to talk...."

"Can we talk later?"

"No..... Shang please listen to me when I say.... I'm in love with you and I know that you must feel the same way about me too.... After all that we have been through and..."

"Mai Tang.... I'm sorry ok..."

"For what?"

"I can't be with you.... I love someone else...I always have..."

Mai Tang backed away and looked at him with teary eyes. "But? I thought..."

"I'm sorry...."

"How could you?" She cried. "I love you.... Hell you said you loved me...."

"I know I did...."

"So what you didn't mean it?"

"I just..."

"You what?" She paused. "I love you...." Mai Tang threw herself at him and began to kiss him, but as she was Mulan was about to go out when she saw Shang kissing another girl. She frowned and sighed, "Yea.... You don't have to look cause you found her."

Shang pushed her back and said he was sorry then began to leave.

So what do you think? Did you like? Next chapter you guys I know will LOVE! Hehehe.