Sorry of r the long wait.... I have been sick, h/w, and I wasn't sure what to write for the next chapter...well I hope you like what I decided to let happen next!? Thanks for all the reviews! I hope to hear more from you guys soon!

Chapter 23: Hidden Truth

Mulan had to force herself to sleep on what had happened and what was still going on. She felt alone and confused still. She needed the help of both Mushu and her family. So many wold ideas like running away forgetting them both became options to her. But she knew that it was impossible and so many people would go out looking for her. It seemed so hard, yet so easy. It seemed like her world was falling into pieces right in front of her, and all she could do was watch, because she had no idea what to do, what to stop it.

Bao was gone, he had been sent back to the Emperor for business, and she figured that Bao was going to say something about Shang to the Emperor and forbidding the two of them to talk. At that time she did not care, all that mattered was her journey to her ancestors.... Or at least Mushu. She got dressed in a casual light green dress, and threw a coat on; she packed some food, water and other small items that she may need onto Khan. She hopped on Khan and before going began to stare at the house that she lived in with Bao. Her hair flew with the wind; fall was here, so the wind was colder. It cared her hair almost like slow motion. As she stared at her house, it seemed perfect but didn't feel that way, she wasn't one of those girls who really pictured a house and her life in it, but at this time she did, it almost seemed like something was missing. She turned her head and headed off.

It was sad that now she could no longer talk or see her parents, when she really needed them the most. It hurt so much to think that just because of her, that fact that she is titled HERO was something that every mad man wanted to get ride of. To destroy to the hero and the hero's heart. Her heart felt like it had been spit so many ways, that there was no telling if her heart would ever be the same.

After hours of ridding she made it to the ruins of her old house, it instantly brought tears rolling down her cheeks. Memories, dreams she had were all becoming present again in her head. She could see her parents almost walking with her towards the shrine, she called out to them but no answer, the tears still came. "Help me...." she whispered. "Please help me...," she said again. She was now in the shrine; it seemed to be the same way as whence she left it. It seemed so perfect and unharmed that she felt safer. She got down on the ground, kneeling on her knees and began to prey. Within minuets her friend appeared Mushu.

"Hey...." He whispered. Mulan looked up and smiled, tears still formed in her eyes and would drop once in a while after getting too heavy.

"Hi Mushu....oh...am I so glad to see you..."

"Before you even start by telling me whats been going on..I already know.."

"I kinda figured that....What do I do?"

"You already know..."

"Uh....no...?"

"Do you want to talk to your parents?"

Mulan's eyes lit up. "You mean I can talk to them?"

"Hey you're talking to the famous, the handsome MUSHU!" Mulan giggled. "Plus I think you need to hear what they have to say...."

"How do I talk to them?"

"Mulan......"

Mulan slowly turned around and saw her family standing there, her father was in the middle, her mom on the left and Grandmother on the right. Tears flowed even more down her face "Baba, mama, Grandma.....I've missed you so much....I'm so sorry...."

"For what?" Fa Zhou asked.

"Everything...If it wasn't for me you would still be here....and..."

"That was not your fault my child.... We are so proud of you. But right now you have to make up your mind.... You can't keep doing this to both Bao and Shang.... Shang has changed yes.....But he still the same man that you once knew, He still loves you with all his heart. Bao took care of you and fell in love, he still does but to see you with Shang makes his heart ache and he wonders what to do." Fa Li explained.

"Mulan...As we speak Bao talks to the Emperor but he accuses Shang of rape, With that the Emperor will have to sentence Shang to death." Announced FA Zhou.

Mulan lowers her head, "What have I done?"

"You have done nothing wrong.... You've done so much good...and you still can." Said Grandmother Fa.

"How? After all that has happened, that I have done? How can things be fixed? I don't know what to do? I don't know what I want?" Mulan cried out.

"First loves are always true love." Said Grandmother Fa. "You fell in love with Shang you never stopped loving him, neither did he for you. But when Bao came he kinda took Shang's place to fill in your broken heart and he did so much and showed you so much love, but Shang was never out of your heart or mind. Bao now has you as his wife and yes as tradition that can not be broken, but what you need to do is do what your heart deep down inside says." She finished.

"But...how do I?"

"Sh.....just close your eyes....let your mind and mostly your heart decide that for you." Her father placed his hand over Mulan's head as she closed her eyes. Her thoughts traveled what seemed to be empty space, but she could hear her ancestors chanting to her, she couldn't understand them but she listened. "What do you see?" Her father asked.

Mulan thought hard, searching for something a sign, anything.... Suddenly the chanting became softer, a dark figure in the background became present in her mind, she tried to see if she could get a better look but nothin...."I see a figure...but...." and with that red flashed in her mind, but it was cloth?

"You know what to do..."

"But.... That would mean...and I...."

"Choices sometimes have to be the hardest, but made for the best reason." Mulan nodded in understanding then sighed; she looked over to her horse Khan then at her family. "Thank you...I love you guys so much...."

"We're always here for you, wherever you go..." With that promise made, they disappeared, knowing that they were with her she felt more confident and secure that her family was right with her every step of the way. She knew what she had to do; it was just doing it that would be the hard part.

Back at the palace the Emperor was seated down in his royal chair both talking and listening with Bao. The plans were set and ready for the upcoming days. "Gerneral Li Shang and Wang will be accompaning you during the whole training, they too are great men who I believe will bring their greatness and skills to the men." announced the Emperor.

"Sir...if I may I believe that with recent actions these men are not suited to be out there training our men....they are a disgrace....to the army, to China even to you my lord. I think that the best thing to do is for them to stay away." Said Bao stating what he believed but more what he wanted.

"Those men are great solders, though you might not believe it still is what is because I say it is....unless proven otherwise."

"Wang...fine....but Shang No. He came to my house and is hugging Mulan, I can't have this sir....I wont allow it!"

"What do you mean he was at your house hugging your wife?" The Emperor questioned.

"I don't know what happened exactly but they both tell me nothing happened, I believe Mulan but Shang I don't. I think it would be better if he stayed far away so I know for a fact that he's not running over to my house, trying to get with Mulan."

"Bao I told you before...I did nothing with her!" A voice came in marching his way up to the Emperor and Bao. Bao just glared and was about to continue but the Emperor silenced him. "Your majesty....I see no reason to go around 'his' house trying to find Mulan, that night only happened because I was wet and cold so she let me in to get warm, she was upset and she simply needed a shoulder to cry on. She missed her family." Shang continued.

"What ever then......I still see him as a failure to the army and I believe that......"

"I'm not going." interrupted Shang.

"Wait.....What?" Bao seemed confused. He wasn't going?

"What do you mean? I granted you this....you deserve it."

"Being General at this time....is not the place for me....I've decided to take leave."

"Leaving as in?....."

"As in not going to be, setting off on journey." answered Shang.

"I don't understand Shang.....You did so much to get back here...and now your leaving?" The Emperor seemed as confused as Bao was.

"I did nothing sir....it was Mulan who got me back here and I thank her for that, but with all that is going on I don't see myself here, and being General is an honor and all but I need time for myself sir." explained Shang.

"Didn't you get a break....for 3 years?!" Bao reminded.

Shang sighed and rolled his eyes; Bao just was not going to stop. "You know what...I have had enough of you and when I'm gone I hope I never have to see or hear you again.....Casue you're a pain in the ass!"

"Alright, alright...." the Emperor paused waiting for them to be silent. "Shang....if that is truly what you wish then go for it....I'm not stopping you...and Bao you got what you wanted so stop complaining and making this worse. You're dismissed."

"Yes sir...." both said, then bowed. They got up and walked together out the doors. As the doors shut....Shang walked a different direction so Bao of course stopped and went after Shang.

Shang stopped near his horse and began to get him ready for his ride, "What do you think your doing?" Bao asked sharply.

"Uh....leaving...." he said matter of factly. He rolled his eyes and continued to get his horse ready.

"Do you really think that leaving is going to make everything better? Why can't you just find some girl to marry and be done with it?"

"Why does it matter to you what I do with my life?"

"Because we both know that if you leave Mulan will find out and she will go looking for you!" Shang continued to get his horse ready even though in his mind he mentally stopped, he was right, sure he figured she might do or say something but if she left it would cause more trouble.

Shang sighed, "Just make sure she doesn't find out..."

"Oh...and what am I suppose to say when she asks me where you went?"

"I moved on and I'm starting my new life with the girl that she saw me with....." Shang paused and mounted on his white stallion. "She'll know what I'm talking about...." Shang clicked his heels and made his horse go trotting off out of the stalls in the palace.

Bao watched as Shang left, though he was happy to hear that he was leaving and even seeing him leave made it all the better, he was unhappy, he felt that things were going to get bad, yet he hoped that what Shang told him to say to Mulan would actually work! Yet even thinking about it...after all that had happened and the threats he got from Shang....why was he leaving? Was it a joke? Was he actually giving up and leaving?

So.....What do you think? Yea I know the whole spirit thing was a little weird but I couldn't help it.... I think there will only be a couple more chapters then I'm done....or at least I hope! Well hope you liked.....Hope to hear from you soon!