Thanks so much to Veasse for pointing out my error! I could never keep the spelling straight! You're right and I'll correct it when I get a chance. Thanks to everyone else who reviewed! Is there anything specific that anyone wants explained about the horse talk?

Disclaimer: not mine.

Last time:

Suddenly, she was cold again, and shivering. She wanted so bad to go back to the warmth, but something told her that that warmth wasn't good, so she obeyed and allowed herself to follow the frantic voice.

Mulan slowly opened her eyes again. She found herself lying in the snow. Shang was kneeling over her, his arms bracing on either side of her. It took a few seconds for her vision to clear and she could see the fear in his eyes. Mulan shook her head as her eyesight again blurred and focused.

"Oh Mulan..." Shang whispered with relief. He lifted her torso off the ground in a tight hug. Mulan pressed her cheek against his in the best hug she could give with her arms bound to her sides by the blankets. "I though I had lost you."

"I could hear you..." Mulan's voice was hoarse. Her eyes widened as she felt a slight wetness on her cheek. She lifted her head a little and saw the tears falling from Shang's eyes.

"We should keep going." He said suddenly, standing up slowly and lifting her with him.

"How much further?" Mulan asked.

"I'm not quite sure." Shang answered her, looking around. He didn't want to tell her that he didn't know exactly where they were because it might scare her. He was pretty sure they were on the right track, or at least he hoped so. The wind was now very calm and he could clearly see his surroundings. Mulan noticed him looking around and followed-suit.

"What's wrong?" She asked slowly. She couldn't see a whole lot because her vision was still blurred.

"Nothing," Shang replied.

"Are you sure?" Mulan asked. Khan was standing near them. Suddenly, he started tossing his head and snorting. He walked a few steps and then came back. He repeated this several times and Shang's stallion followed him as well. The stallion stood where Khan turned around and kept looking in that direction.

"What's he doing?" Shang asked Mulan, referring to Khan.

"I think...he knows the way...back." Mulan answered slowly.

"Think so?" Shang wondered. Mulan nodded. Shang returned her nod and lifted her to her feet. "I'm going to unwrap some of these blankets so you can ride easier." Shang told her. He held her up with one arm as he began taking the blankets away from her legs with his other hand. Shang left one blanket but gave her enough room so she could sit comfortably on Khan's back. He also loosened the blankets around her torso and freed her arms. The blankets he had taken from her legs were wrapped around her shoulders like a shawl.

Mulan gave a weak whistle and Khan came and stood calmly next to her. Shang lifted her onto Khan's back and then climbed up behind her. He rested her back against him. Mulan picked up the reigns and handed them to Shang. Khan didn't even have to be asked to move. The second he sensed that they were ready, he started off at a brisk trot. Shang's stallion was quickly passed by and Shang looked back to make sure he was following.

Soon, Mulan was vaguely starting to recognize the path they were on. It wasn't the one she had taken to get away, but she had used it before. All of a sudden, Khan gave a small buck and began to canter. Both Mulan and Shang knew they were almost back because horses always try to go faster when they get closer to home. Both horses' ears suddenly turned forward and Shang's stallion passed Khan at a full-out gallop. The bags were bouncing erratically but stayed in place.

Khan stretched his neck out, pulling the unsuspecting riders forward. He pulled at the bit, wanting to go even faster to catch up with the white horse that was now was ahead of him. Shang allowed him the slack and Khan thundered forward. Shang was surprised at how fast he caught up because horses Khan's size were not build for speed, and he was carrying two people.

To Mulan, it felt like Khan's hooves never touched the ground. Instead, he seemed to be flying, but it just wasn't fast enough. She wanted so badly to stop shivering and have something warm to drink.

Just as suddenly and Khan had started cantering, he stopped, dropping to a trot then a walk. Again, Shang and Mulan were forced to lean forward, this time due to momentum. Khan's walk was brisk as he was still eager to return home. Shang's stallion was still galloping and was way ahead. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to Shang. When khan reached the spot where the stallion was, they found themselves on the top of a hill looking down at the camp.

Shang's stallion reared with excitement and plunged through the untouched snow down the hill. Khan went about descending the hill a little more carefully. The stallion, having reached flat ground, crossed a small clearing and galloped straight down the center isle between the tents.

At hearing the horse's hoof beats, Deng came out of his tent in time to watch, dumbfounded, as the horse made it to the corral. He frowned and scratched his temple before turning around at the sound of people yelling. The first thing he saw was the black figure of Khan barreling across the field. He was a bit dismayed at first, but then he saw one, then two people on his back.

"He found her..." He whispered, and then he said more loudly, "He found her!" Soon, he was yelling it over and over.

Mulan could hear people cheering before she could see them.

"We're here, Mulan!" Shang couldn't keep the happiness out of his voice. All Mulan could do was grin. It fell quickly, though, because she was sure that Shang would return to his cold self the second he was with the troops again. She found herself wishing that they weren't back only because he was kind.

When they reached the edge of the encampment, Khan slowed to a walk. The recruits surrounded them, happy to have their General back. Deng pushed his way through the crowd and pulled on Khan's reigns, leading him over to the medical tent.

"How is she?" Deng asked Shang, not sure if Mulan was speaking condition.

"Fine..." Mulan answered, surprising him

"Let's get her into the tent." Deng said and Shang got off Khan's back. Shang lifted Mulan from Khan's back and carried her into the tent. He laid her on the bed and waited for Deng to say something. Deng pulled away the blankets and felt Mulan's face and neck. He sighed and removed the gloved to find white fingers. He nodded and moved to her boots. He removed them and was relieved to find no black skin.

"Well?" Shang urged.

"She's very cold." Deng answered. "Luckily, there is no frostbite, but we need to get her warm."

"How can I help?"

"Start a fire and place rocks in it. Let them get warm but not too hot. Bring them to me when they're ready. Use this blanket." Deng instructed.

Shang nodded and left the tent immediately. He started a fire and gathered some rocks that were a little larger than his fist. He placed them at the edge of the fire and waited. Soon, they were warm and he carefully removed pushed them out of the fire with a stick. He then picked them up using the blanket that Deng had given him and took them back to Deng. When he got to the tent, Deng had changed Mulan's clothes and she was shivering again.

"Place them here." Deng lifted Mulan's blanket and Shang placed the stoned, still in the blanket, against Mulan's body. She opened her eyes slightly and gave him a weak smile before her eyes closed again.

"Is there anything else I can do?" Shang asked worriedly.

"No, now we just wait." Deng answered, and then paused for a moment. "Actually, you can go get a bowl of rice for yourself and her." Shang nodded and, again, left the tent. Mulan opened her eyed again as the tent flap shut.

"Where...?" She asked lethargically.

"He went to get some food." Deng assured her. "He'll be right back." She calmed down and he rearranged the rocks around her body to spread the heat out more. Shang soon returned with two bowls of rice and two sets of chopsticks.

"Mulan?" Shang said quietly. Her eyes opened slightly at the sound of his voice. He reached forward and cupped her cheek with his hand. "Are you hungry?" She nodded slowly. Sang looked at Deng and said, "Let's sit her up a little." Deng nodded and rolled up a few blankets. Shang lifted her up and Deng placed the blankets under her back and head to prop her up. Her eyed had closed again and she seemed to be fighting sleep.

"Please, Mulan." Shang said quietly to her. "You need to eat. It'll help you warm up." He plucked a lump of rice from the bowl with a set of chopsticks and held it out to her. She opened her mouth a little and he gently placed the rice inside. After seeing that she had swallowed, he held out another lump. They carried on like this until the bowl was gone.

"Thank...you, Shang." Mulan whispered before drifting off to sleep.

"You're welcome." Shang smiled. By now, his own rice had gotten cold, but he didn't care. While Shang was making sure Mulan had something to eat, Deng went and heated more rocks. He replaced the ones around Mulan with the new ones and took the others back to the fire. When he returned, Shang was just finishing his bowl of rice.

"I need to check you for signs of frostbite."

"I don't have any frostbite." Shang replied.

"I need to check just to make sure." Deng snapped. "Now sit down." Shang sighed and gave in. He sat in the chair as Deng directed and removed his boots. Just as he had said, there was no frostbite.

"See?" Shang said. Putting his boots back on and standing up.

"Good." Deng nodded. "Now I can tell you're exhausted, so go get some rest." Shang opened his mount to protest, looking at Mulan, but Deng interjected before he could say anything. "I'll come get you if anything happens. Just go!" Deng pushed Shang out of the tent. Shang had no choice but to give in again and retire to his tent.

I know... short again, but I've not had much time to write because I'm taking a college class as a high school junior. It's really stressing and takes up a lot of my time, but I'm trying! Review and tell me what you think!