A/N: Final chapters up! Thank you all for the kind reviews, especially Angel452, Clueless Angel and Niky13 for submitting reviews all the way through the process and encouraging me to continue.

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Chapter 14: Questions Answered

Mushu returned with information before the sun came up, as promised. According to what he saw, the numbers were about twenty to twenty-five and they were armed with swords and with bows and arrows. All of them were still approaching from the east, along the forest path. He had checked the roads and forest paths leading to the other entrances, but found no one there.

"What about Jia-Nin and Su-Tan?"

"I didn't find them. I don't know where they went."

Mulan frowned, disturbed at that.

"All twenty-five or so in the group are riding together?"

"Yes."

"And they had no cannons at all?"

"No. They're on horseback, and there are no supply wagons. They only have what they can carry on horseback."

"How far away are they?"

"About a day and a half on horseback if they ride without stopping."

"Thanks, Mushu."

"What are you going to do?"

"I have to talk to Shang. The Emperor decided that he wants a group to go out and try to intercept the rebels, but he also wants the eastern entrance to the city heavily guarded, with a small guard at each of the other three entrances. Twenty-five is not a large number. I think that they were expecting the Emperor to be dead by now and for there to be chaos in the city. Chances are they won't come in twenty-five at a time. They may split up to different entrances. I have to let Shang know all the details."

"He's going to ask how you know."

"I know. And I'm going to tell him everything."

"Even about me?"

"Yes. I'm going to be marrying him, Mushu. I can't continue to keep secrets from him. That's no way to enter into the marriage. Besides, he already sort of heard you and saw you."

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In the morning a servant brought Chen to the Emperor. He was going to arrange for Chen to stay in the palace, but in one of the hidden rooms. He didn't want Chen to be out on the road with the messenger until this was over. And Mulan suspected that the Emperor knew that Chen's unusual talent might come in handy.

Chen smiled when he saw Mulan. But she had to leave to talk to Shang. She told him she would be back and went to the room where Shang and Chen had stayed overnight.

Shang kissed her, then took her hand and led her into the room. They went out to the balcony together.

"Chi Fu had told me that he killed the Emperor. He didn't realize that it was Shen-Li that he attacked."

"He stabbed him in the back, Shang. I don't think he ever saw his face."

"No, I'm sure he didn't. He wouldn't have the guts. Has Xin been found yet?"

"No. And the woman and the girl are out in the forest somewhere, we think. We're not even sure about that."

Shang sighed. "Chen is very worried about her. He was talking about her this morning and was very upset, but I couldn't get him to explain why. He just kept saying that she's going to be hurt. But I don't know what I can do for her without any information."

"They became friends. I'll see what I can do."

"All of the men will be armed with swords, but if I can arrange to have my best archers positioned, it may not have to come to hand-to-hand combat. They will be positioned at the eastern entrance and along the road. I will lead the group going to intercept the rebels. Chien-Po and Ling will remain at the eastern entrance as leaders and Yao will lead the group of archers. A few of the men from Wu Zhong will be posted at the north, south and west entrances. It should take longer for the group to get to the other three entrances if they're going there, since they're coming from the east, but precautions should be taken."

Mulan agreed that his plan was good, but gave him the additional information that she had received from Mushu.

"Mulan, how can you possibly know all of this since last night?"

"Because of Mushu."

"Mushu," Shang repeated. He raised his eyebrow, looking slightly annoyed at hearing that name again.

"Yes. Shang, a lot of what I'm going to tell you is going to seem unbelievable, but just listen, okay?"

He looked at her and nodded.

Mulan took a deep breath and began. "Shang, I have a guardian. A small dragon, sent by my ancestors to watch over me when I joined the army in place of my father. And he has been here during this whole adventure. Mushu is my guardian."

Shang stared at her. "Mushu is a guardian."

"I had assumed that he was invisible to other people; but I really had no idea how other people perceived him until I found out that you saw him as a stuffed animal."

She looked at him, nervously. He just nodded, indicating that he was listening and that she should continue.

"Anyway, I hear and see him as a live being because he is my guardian."

"Okay. I guess that makes sense."

"But there is something else you must know. The thing is…" she hesitated.

"Yes?"

"Chen can see and hear him as a live being also."

"What?"

"I'm not sure if you realize how gifted your little brother is. He is aware of things that nobody else is aware of. He senses things. He can read thoughts. And he is aware of things that are going to happen before they happen."

She began to explain everything that she knew about Chen now and everything that had happened since the banquet. When she finished, he was silent for a long time, staring at her, and she began to get nervous and uncomfortable. Then he finally spoke.

"He always seems to be able to read my mind. I always knew that Chen was unique and insightful. I never realized how much…I guess I never paid attention."

"You believe me?"

"Yes."

He was silent for several minutes again.

"That dream I had…it wasn't a dream. Mushu was there, talking to me."

"Yes. And he left the cloak for you. I needed your help and he was the only hope I had of reaching you. I wasn't sure if he would be able to make you hear him."

"I saw him, too. I thought I was dreaming. It was still dark in the room. But I saw an outline of a small dragon talking to me."

"That was Mushu."

"And he stayed with Chen the whole time?"

"Except when he came to report to me. I didn't know how to tell you. I would have had to tell you how I knew, and you were already so worried about Chen. I was afraid you'd be more worried if you knew he was in the middle of everything. Mushu helped me to save Chen's life. He put himself between Chen and the knife, and he distracted Chi Fu enough that he dropped Chen and it gave me a clear shot."

"I'm glad you told me about this."

"Are you angry?"

Shang stroked her face gently. "No. I'm not angry. I just…I wish I knew before all of this happened."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you."