A/n- Thanks for the reviews! I'll try to cut down on the 'unnecessary info', and feel free to tell me if you think I'm overdoing it with the descriptions again.

Chapter 2

That night, Mulan laid wide awake in bed, thinking. She was in a chamber the emperor had lent her for use for the night she'd be staying in the palace. The room was quite large and gorgeous, as to be expected. However, it was also gloomy and chilly, and Mulan shivered in the still cold air within the chamber. She stared up at the ceiling, though her mind was miles away from the smoothly golden exterior covering it. Beside her, Mushu and Cri-Kee lay sleeping soundly, unaware of the going ons inside their female friend's mind.

Mulan closed her eyes, not to welcome sleepiness, but to remember more clearly of her conversation with the emperor and Li Shang. Just the thought of his name set Mulan's young and inexperienced heart beating faster. She didn't understand this reaction to him when she saw him earlier that night, and she doesn't understand it now. Mulan sighed. She can worry about Li Shang later. Right now she should consider what His Majesty had told her.

The emperor had explained to her about unusual happenings over in the forest some way from the palace. At night, sometimes strange and peculiar calls could be heard inside. No one is sure whether it's the voice of animals, humans, neither, or both. At first, in the mornings some would go investigate. However, many of them never did return. Those few that did, found out nothing and are just as clueless as before.

The emperor feared that a secret clan of some sort rests within the forest, and claim the land as their own. Or perhaps it is a group of wild beasts that has yet to be discovered. Mulan was rather confused, but she did offer to explore the grounds for him. It turned out that the emperor did believe of an organization living in the forest, and wanted Shang and Mulan to find out more about it. He also wished to know about the welfare of the people that earlier went to explore. He felt certain that they are still alive, and some negotiation done on his most trusted companions' part could soften their heart, possibly resulting in the release of the soldiers.

Mulan wasn't too sure about the emperor's theory. It didn't seem logical to her that someone as educated and reasonable like the ruler of China would just jump to a mere conclusion and send people to comply his guess. It appeared as if he was sure that a clan existed inside the forest, and they have kept his people hostage. But how could he know for certain? Mulan mused. Is there something that he isn't telling me?

Nonsense. Mulan shook off that thought and frowned to herself. There would be no reason for him to hide anything from Shang and her. He is trusting them to do this right, so he of course would have told them all he knew. If he believes a secret clan resides in the forest, then he must have a good reason for it.

That's what she had been telling herself when she agreed to the mission. From the sound of it, it will take approximately a week if all goes well. If something goes wrong, then there's no telling if they'll even make it back alive, much less how long it'll last.

I can't think like that, Mulan muttered silently to herself. Everything will be fine, this assignment will only take several days to complete, and soon I will be back home again, working with my father side by side. Suddenly Mulan became a little nervous, wondering if her father is all right, and if her mother had managed okay with her gone. It's not even one whole day apart from her family yet, and she's worrying about them already. She sighed, and consoled herself with memories of the past, how strong and sturdy her father had been back then. Perhaps he'll regain that strength in the days that I'll be away, she told herself.

Perhaps…

Finally, still thinking about her earlier encounter with the emperor, and the memories of her childhood father fresh on her mind, Mulan fell asleep. Her last thought before she entirely gave up to unconsciousness, however, was the image of Li Shang's face when she saw him again after one whole year…

Morning soon arrived, and Mushu was the first one up as usual. He jumped over to the windowsill, where a thick red curtain hung from the top. Sneaking a look into the lights of a brand new day, he then jumped back to the bed, where Mulan and Cri-Kee still lay. They both were sleeping so soundly, but Mushu couldn't resist waking them up with one of his old tricks.

He lovingly snatched Cri-Kee up from her position on the pillow. Cri-Kee moaned, and proceeded to go back to sleep. Mushu hastily entwined Cri-Kee's wings together several times. He watched in amusement as his bug friend's eyes twisted around to spell his discomfort. Soon, he released the hold on his intertwined wings, and held it beside Mulan's ear. The ringing sound had Mulan quickly sitting up on the bed, eyes roaming the room as if not sure where she is.

"Now, that's a reaction I was not expecting," Mushu commented. "Miss Lazy Bones waking up so quickly without complaint? Going to war that time may have improved you after all."

Mulan rolled her eyes and flopped back onto the bed, diving under the covers. "Mushu, what time is it? I wouldn't put it past you to wake me up if it's only five in the morning."

Mushu regarded her with a feigned look of disapproval. "You wouldn't want to be late for the emperor now, would you? I'm sure he would want to see you when it's so bright and early."

Mulan peeked out. "Mushu, no one excepts farmers and maybe you arises this early in the morning. If you would stop talking for a moment, you'll learn that this castle is dead quiet. Why? Because everyone else is still sleeping!"

With that, she groaned and tried to go back to sleep. Cri-Kee chirped, and bounced over to sit beside Mushu. Mushu looked at him for a minute, trying an intimidating look on him. When Cri-Kee merely tweeted happily again, he sighed and turned back to Mulan. Mushu waited for ten whole seconds, then swept the covers off of her. Mulan shivered and her hands patted the space near her, searching for the blanket. When she couldn't feel it, she finally opened her eyes fully and glared at Mushu.

"You don't have to make this exactly like that first morning at camp during the war, you know," She said, sitting up on the bed.

"Hey!" Mushu protested. "Last night you weren't sleeping on the cold, wet ground, so don't you be complaining."

"All that's missing is the porridge…" Mulan mused, ignoring Mushu's comment and staring at him pointedly.

Mushu gave his enormous eyes an exaggerated roll. "You're a guest at the PALACE, girl. What, you think they're not going to serve you a nice and healthy breakfast?"

"Fine," Mulan mumbled, and got out of the bed. She changed out of her night clothes, and then headed for the door.

She paused before turning the knob. "Coming?" she asked her animal friends.

"Now, are you absolutely certain that you'll be ready to face whatever bad beast it is that'll be waiting for you in the woods?" Mushu asked, suddenly seeming semi-serious. He folded his arms across his chest, waiting patiently for an answer. Cri-Kee's head bobbled up and down quickly, him wanting to know the reply also. (A/n- Is Cri-Kee a he or a she? I just assumed he's male for this story, since I don't think they mentioned in the movie. If you know, then please tell me.)

Mulan stilled. Mushu and Cri-Kee had been right there when the emperor had spoken to her and Shang the night before. They had heard and understood every word, but she didn't think they would bring it up first thing in the morning. She turned around, and fiddled with a stroke of her hair before responding.

"I'll be fine." She finally said simply, not offering any more information based on her part.

"Promise me you won't do anything too rash," Mushu said, sounding a little suspicious. He knew that sometimes Mulan's actions are caused by her overpowering emotions, and that can get them in trouble. Sure, he liked spontaneous escapades as much as the next person, but he of course had to put his friend's safety first. And Mulan is a girl you're only going to meet every dynasty –if ever-, and Mushu didn't want her hurt on account of his adventurous nature. She can decide for herself, and even then, her choices must not be on the edge of extreme.

"I can promise, but I don't know if I'll be able to keep it," Mulan shrugged. "It's hard –sometimes even impossible- to keep a promise if you can't predict the future."

With that, she opened the door, the force staggering her backwards. She scowled, regained her balance, and then swept out of the room.

"Well, Cri-Kee," Mushu boomed, training his eyes on his friend. "I don't know what exactly she meant by that, but we'll have to keep a close eye on her. At times, Mulan can be quite intuitive."

Cri-Kee's reply was yet another joyful chirp.

Later that morning, Mulan stood silently beside Khan, her horse. She was waiting for Shang, who was saddling his horse. The emperor had given them some advice and directions for this task, and also some good luck words to keep in mind. Mulan sighed, and tilted her head up to let the warm sunshine wash all over her. She shivered from the sudden change of body temperature, but it was a nice feeling.

Not too long later, she heard the sound of foot and hoof steps approaching. Glancing in that direction, she felt her pulse accelerate as she took in Li Shang in all his glory. She knew she was staring again, just like the night before. Averting her eyes before Shang catches her watching, Mulan thought back to their encounter yesterday. He had seemed surprised to see her there also. But after the shock was processed, in his face was replaced with something that Mulan did not recognize.

Was it confusion? She asked herself now. Or could it be guilt? Or perhaps even… joy?

None of them seems that much likely, she finally decided. She doesn't really know Li Shang, so assuming something intimate like that would not be right.

Anyway, after they made the proper introductions and a little polite conversation here and there, the emperor had them thinking about the happenings over at the forest.

"Mulan?" Mulan heard a voice calling her, and she realized that it was Shang. While she was reminiscing yesterday night, Shang had reached her and was already sitting on his horse. She glanced up, and saw that he was looking at her expectantly. She quickly climb onto Khan's glossy back, and then turned to Shang. Mushu and Cri-Kee both were perched on Khan's head.

"Ready?" Shang asked her.

Mulan nodded, and gave a little nervous laugh. What's there to be ready for? She asked herself silently. It's just like any other thing that soldiers do every day. It'll be over and I'll be home again before sun down.

Together they trotted toward the forest. From where Mulan was, it seemed small, and the trees looked no larger than bushes. She focused her gaze upon it and watched in fascination as everything slowly came into view.

Mulan suddenly became aware of the silence between Li Shang and her. They had not spoken at all since Shang asked her if she was ready. She gradually grew uncomfortable as the silence continued on with their journey. Why isn't he saying anything? She wondered. Better yet, why can't I think of anything to say? Almost as if compelled to make conversation, even if it's about the weather, Mulan opened her mouth and spoke.

"Did you have- "

"How have you- "

Mulan clamped her mouth shut just as she heard Shang spoke. He, however, did the same thing and looked over at her. She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, and coughed to hide her embarrassment of being watched by Shang.

"You first," Shang said carefully, turning his eyes back on the road.

"Um, did you have a good, um, night's sleep at the palace?" Mulan asked, the question sounding lame even to her own ears.

"I did, thank you." Shang answered, nodding. "And you?"

Mulan thought back to the rude awakening of her reliable friend Mushu, and the corners of her lips tugged up slightly. "It was peaceful," She lied.

Shang nodded again. "So how have you been this past year?"

Mulan wondered if she should take the time to explain, or should just go with the easy answer that also happens to be another lie. "Fine," She replied.

Proper girls aren't supposed to complain, she told herself. And Shang doesn't need to know your whole life story.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Shang said, looking at Mulan again with a smile on his handsome face. She blushed once more, and ducked her head avoided his gaze.

After that, they were both quiet for the rest of the way to the forest. Some time around noon they finally arrived, and they both stood at the edge for awhile, as if waiting for something to beckon them in.

"Well, I guess this is it," Shang remarked. "Coming?" He called back to Mulan as his horse moved onto the land of the forest.

Mulan held his gaze. Those eyes seemed familiar, yet foreign at the same time. Do I really know Shang anymore? Have we both changed in ways that no one can understand?

Knowing that this isn't the time for twenty questions, she gave the dark and uninviting outline of the forest one last look before following Shang into the wilderness.

A/n- Review, please?