Sorry it took so long I had to work extra hours. But I know that you guys will absolutely love this chapter!

Chapter 22: A Rainy Night

Mulan and Bao had finally came home from the long celebration. Mulan felt her eyes get heavy, sleep would come to her easy tonight. She couldn't get the image of Shang and the mysterious girl who he was kissing out of her mind. How could she be so foolish into thinking that he was telling her the truth? She knew the consequences of thinking that way...about another man like that. It was not allowed in their society. "Mulan...." Bao waved her down, trying to get her attention. Mulan snapped out of it and stared at Bao. "I think you're a little tired." Bao chuckled. Mulan smiled.

"I'm going to go to bed now...." Mulan paused with what she was going to say next only because Bao seemed to be looking for something, "What's wrong?"

"I forgot to get the papers from the Emperor, it's the new assignment I have."

"Can't you go back tomorrow morning and get them?"

"No cause the Emperor wont be there he has a meeting with some of the advisers from the south. I'm going to be right back ok.... I should be home in the middle of the night, I promise no longer."

"Ok...." Bao gave her a kiss, then was out the door. Mulan figured that this could give her some time to herself even though she was dead tired, she decided that she needed to get clean before she hopped into bed. So she prepared herself a warm bath, for her to bath in. As she got the warm water into the tub she found the soap and placed it by the tub and she even put some candles in all around. It lit the room enough for her to see the floor and the water. She undid her clothing and placed her feet one at a time in the water the slide herself down into the water so only her head and shoulders were above water. She sighed heavily enjoying the warmth of the clean water, and the fact that it made her feel relaxed. She leaned her head back and listened to sound of the rain as it softly hit the roof, then got harder. She loved the rain on nights like this, she felt so comfortable and cozy.

Something then hit her window, Mulan jumped at first at the sudden impact of the sound, then she heard it again. She quickly got her towel and got out of the water, she leaned against the wall that the window was on and made her way to it, to see who was there. She peeked out to see a figure, a familiar figure, she sighed, "Shang...." she said under her breath. She opened the window and put her head out. She looked up and saw him he ran over to the window, when he stopped he only was a couple inches far away from her. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I came to see you since you never did come by the gardens this afternoon."

"Gees, I wonder why...maybe it was because you were with someone else, Kissing?"

"You mean you saw that?"

"Yeah...."

"Ok.... Let me explain.... She thinks I was in love with her and she just started kissing me.... I moved and told her that I couldn't because I love someone else."

"It looked to me like you were kissing her back..."

"Mulan...." he called out, as if apologies in his head to her. Begging her to forgive him.

"Shang.... I...." Mulan sighed, not knowing what to do or say. "I have to finish taking my bath now, then I'm going to bed.... I can't talk ok.... Plus Bao could be home anytime soon."

"You and me both know that he wont be back till very early morning, it's almost a three hour run there and he still has to come back." Shang said proving his point that they had plenty of time to talk. "Aren't you cold just being in a towel? Would you like me to come in so you can either finish taking you bath or just get changed, so we can talk?"

"No....we're going to finish this conversation right now.... Then I want you to leave."

Shang smiled and began to laugh, "No you don't..."

"What do you mean I don't?"

"You don't want me to leave...."

"How would you know?" She asked.

"Because I know you.... And I know that you want me to stay one because I'm soaking wet from standing here in the rain. Second, you love me.... And you don't want Bao anymore...."

"How dare you.... How dare you say that about Bao and me.... I love him NOT you." As she spoke Shang made his way closer and closer to her, he stared at her with passionate eyes, he wanted to be with her and he knew she wanted to be with him to. Once she was done yelling at him she stopped and stared at him, he looked so innocent and handsome standing out side. They were close even though she was inside and he was out. Her heart began to pound with more and more of a rhythm. And as he brought his hand up to her face, she didn't say a word, she leaned her face into his hand and found herself leaning towards him. Now being only an inch apart Shang brought his lips to hers, they both were breathing heavily with the passion of the kiss. They both finally parted and were backing up a little.

"Told you...." Shang said breaking the silence. "I'll let you go finish your bath now...." As he began to turn away and head out, Mulan called out his name.

He waited for her, watching her, waiting for what she had to say next. "Don't leave...Please..." she begged.

"Ok...." he said with gentle words.

"Just don't come in here, ill be quick I promise.... I'll just finish then get dressed. You can enter from the back door way and wait in the sitting room if you would like." Shang nodded and Mulan nodded after he did. She got back into the room and shut the window. She sighed, she felt happy but knew that it was wrong, she knew that she was disobeying every law there was but she didn't care.

She washed herself as quick as she could then put on her simple night gown that flowed down all the way to the ground, it was long sleeved and was thinner then her usually dress wear. She stepped out of the room and went to the sitting room where she found Shang looking around. Mulan coughed catching his attention, as he spun around he smiled, then moved closer to her with no emotion or smile on his face, he just seemed to be calm as he approach her. "You're soaking wet.... We should make a fire...." She gathered up some wood and began to build a fire, Shang asked if she needed some assistance but she told him that she didn't need any, so he just watched as she got a fire going. "Do you need anything?"

"No...I'm fine. What about you?"

"Things have been ok.... Confusing, like now." She lowered her head.

"Why are you confused?"

"Cause I'm married to Bao, I love him and I don't feel right that's all, and I know it's because of you and every time I see you and talk to you I'm happy. But I can't be with you because I'm married and I know that I love him and well I..."

"So your confused because you want both?"

"I guess.... But then I saw you with that girl and I don't know?" Mulan said feeling so confused that she felt herself go to tears. And as the tears rolled down her cheeks Shang noticed and began to comfort her and hold her tight. "I thought all this time you were dead but a part of me knew that you were alive and when Bao came along he was the greatest thing that happened to me then.... I feel in love with him. But when you saved me, I felt I was dreaming that you came back from the dead to be with me. I was so happy beyond belief." She paused and cleared her throat. She looked up at Shang, and looked deep into his eyes. "I thought I would never get to see you again, to have you hold me in your arms, to have you kiss me like you did...I thought that I would just have to move on with my life and forget all about you.... And Bao helped me through that...I just...." Mulan was silenced when Shang placed his finger on her lips.

"I know..." he leaned forward and began to kiss Mulan again. The kiss went on and on, Shang began to lean Mulan down onto one of the couches while continuing to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he made his way to her neck and softly kissed her neck and then her shoulders. But she felt as if it was not right.

"Shang...." Shang stopped and looked at her while he took her hand and kissed it softly, each finger then her palm. He stared at her in curiously noticing that she did not look comfortable.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"We can't do this..."

"Why?" he asked acting dumb and blind about the situation.

"Bao." she mumbled. "I can't...." Shang put her hand down and continued to stare at her, he then moved the stand of hair that was covering her face and after moving her hair he kept his hand on her cheek. "I'm sorry..." she apologized.

Shang sighed, he knew that she was right and that if they did go any further that it could cause serious consequences. His heart hurt, he wanted to be with her so badly, to feel her skin to be close to her made him seem like he was in heaven a heaven that he never wanted to leave, He loved her and she loved him and they were meant to be together. "I love you so much...."

Mulan began to cry softly again, the warm tears were streaming down her face, this was what she wanted but she was a married woman, Bao's women. She was not allowed to be with Shang. "I will always love you...." She cried harder. Shang who was still on top of her got up and brought her up with him and held her close to him. Allowing her to cry on his shoulder.

Shang then heard footsteps coming from the hallway. He knew it was Bao. Mulan looked up and then looked at Shang and with eye expressions gave him the signal to go. He shook his head. "Go...." she whispered.

Shang just shook his head again. Bao came into the room and found Mulan in Shang's arms, "What the hell is going on?" Bao took out his sword.

"Bao no." Mulan yelled. She got in front of Shang who was now standing up. "He didn't do anything...Please put that away Bao."

"I come home to see him in OUR house...Oh and I found the paper work in the pocket of the saddle that's why I'm home a little early. So I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything with you and my wife!" He yelled being all sarcastic about it.

"Bao nothing happened.... He was wet and needed to rest because of the storm and...."

"So that's why you're in his arms?"

"I was crying!"

"About what?" Bao demanded an answer.

Mulan had to think about something fast, "My family...I miss them. Please Bao...." She pleaded still in hopes that he would put his sword down.

"Shang!" He looked at Shang dead in the eyes, with rage written all over, "What are you doing here? And tell me the truth." He paused. "Did you sleep with my wife?"

"No....No I did not..." Shang paused. "I told you before...." Shang moved Mulan aside and got in front of her, "I love her...And if I have to fight you to win her back.... Then so be it. But tonight...is not that night...we have the battle fields." Shang threatened.

"Is that a threat Li Shang?"

"The hell it is...." Shang smiled.

"Oh and if I find out that you kissed her or even touched her...Your head is mine."

"Bao, Shang stop it!" Mulan cried out.... Going in between them. "I will not have you two fight like this...Bao" she turned towards him, "There is nothing going on you don't need to do this...." She turned and faced Shang, "Shang.... Please.... If you ever cared you will not do this.... You won't hurt him.... You'll leave...." Shang stared at Mulan she wanted him gone.

"Alright...I'll leave...." Shang walked out of the door and never looked back. Mulan cried until she felt weak in her knees, she fell to the ground and began to cry. Bao looked at her and wanted to help but he was mad, frustrated, upset, and mostly disgusted with her that he left her alone to cry.

As time grew Mulan made it to their bed and found Bao with his back towards her, she frowned, she got into bed and got under the covers. She was tired but now could not sleep; she was scared of what was going to happen. She softly tapped Bao on his bare shoulder. "Bao...." she whispered. Bao turned around to face her.

"What?" he asked harshly.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered.

"I thought you loved me? I thought that I made you happy.... But no it's Shang. How could you do this to me?"

"I do love you."

"Then why was he here?"

"I told you."

"I know that wasn't the true reason, he came to see you and you let him in, why?"

"He was soaking wet."

"Good...."

"Bao...."

"Don't Bao me.... I know the way he looks at you and the way you look at him you still love him and I know for a fact that he loves you. I wanted to make everything better for you, I wanted to give you a great home, give you kids, be happy together."

"I know..."

"What do you want, Mulan?"

Mulan felt so overwhelmed with pressure, she heart and mind were two different things, telling her two different sides.

Soooooooooooooo what do you think? I know it took forever to post up I have been busy and I was still debating on what I wanted to happen.