Chapter Three: Awakening

Mulan woke up with a warm pair of arms around her waist and a lot of hair that was not her own on her shoulder. There was also a large red thing covering her and something else, something broad and warm.

Oh. Right.

Her eyes opened properly, and she saw that Shang had fallen asleep with his arms around her. She didn't actually remember when he had placed his arms around her, but also didn't really care. His cloak must've fallen down.

"So he doesn't like you." The red dragon raised his eyebrows, standing in the doorway.

"Mushu! Shh! He's asleep!" She hissed.

"I can see that. Y'all looked real cute like that, wish I have an opposable thumb-then I coulda drawn you." Mushu extended his claws and examined them casually.

Mulan lifted his arm from her, and wriggled away from him. She had to admit, he looked adorable asleep. Hard to think this was the same man who had almost sent her home for not being strong enough. He looked especially cute when he pouted a little to find that his teddy bear was gone.

She ran a few fingers through her hair in an attempt to make it look vaguely human, but didn't really succeed. Pulling her clothes on over her undergarments, she left the tent and Shang to rest. Mushu went with her, scampering up to her shoulder.

"How about breakfast? Oh, girl, you got so many split ends..."

"Mushu!"

"I'm bookin' you an appointment with the salon when we get home."

Mulan rolled her eyes. "Breakfast, Mushu." She placed him near the fire. "Go on. Fire."

"It's not exactly instant..."

"You're a dragon, Mushu." She stretched, and went looking for something for breakfast.

"You're a dragon, Mushu..." Mushu mocked, wandering over to the fire. "Meh meh meh, what does she want next, me to guard some treasure? Or fly?"

Cri-kee was laughing at him.

"...yeah, well, I've heard that cricket makes a good meal. Whaddya mean that isn' funny? Who's joking?"

Shang rubbed his eyes. The little red lizard thing was talking. Why was the lizard talking? He was obviously more tired than he thought. Or sick. He could be sick. He looked around, and realised Mulan was gone.

"Lizard...where's Mulan?" Shang sat down. The world spun a little. He was talking to a lizard.

"I ain't no lizard! I don't do that-oh, snap." Mushu put his head in his claws.

Shang frowned. "...Did you just...what are you, then?"

"I'm a dragon."

"Do you breathe fire?"

"What is it with dragons and fire! Not all dragons breathe fire! O' course, I can, I just don't want to..."

Mulan sighed. "Mushu, who are you-oh. Good morning, Shang..." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I, uh, got some rice, from some women in the fields. For breakfast. And I also found some fruit."

Shang frowned. "Who's Mushu?"

Mushu and Mulan exchanged glances.

"Is Mushu the lizard?"

"DRAGON! I-AM-A-DRAGON!" Mushu leapt up and down. "Do I have to show him the tongue thing I don't do?"

"Oh. That's Mushu." Shang said blandly. "Could you explain what he does?"

"I'm her guardian. I look after her, I do what I can, I helped save China! And all without credit." He went over and stood on Shang's foot. "I'm just that good."

"Mulan...?"

"It's true, he's my guardian. He's part of the reason I'm here."

"Part of? I am the reason you're here!"

Mulan rolled her eyes and began poking at the fire. She pushed her hair behind her hair, letting Shang see the concentration and thought that went into this process. She sat back on her haunches, a triumphant look on her face as she prepared a makeshift frame over the fire.

"...thank you." Shang whispered softly to Mushu, who smirked.

"Ah, all part of the plan." He winked.

"I...I meant cause...she helped save China...and-"

"Suuuuuuuuuuure you did."

Mulan grinned. "Perfect. Rice will be ready soon, take some fruit."

"Who knew she could cook?"

"She can't. I'm much better. She didn't add any cinnamon, or-"

"SHE is right here. And Mushu, if you can find any cinnamon, you can add it." Mulan placed her hands on her hips and glared. She briskly touched Shang's forehead.

He pouted a little. "Last night I got a kiss..."

"Last night I wanted you in the tent. Your temperature is down."

Mushu's eyes widened. "Excuse me!" He leapt up onto Shang's knee, then to his shoulder, glaring right at him. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY LITTLE BABY? DID YOU CORRUPT HER? I demand you make an honest woman of her! Mulan, sweetie, you alright? I'll look after you, I promise, even if this...man...runs out on you. You and me, together till the end-"

"Nothing happened, Mushu." Mulan sighed. "Practicality. Why can't two people share a tent!" She shook her head and went to pack. "Mushu, take care of the rice."

"...I told her it was a bad idea." Shang admitted lamely. He sighed and massaged his temples. "How is it I always manage to say the wrong thing?"

"It's not the wrong thing...it's just...You get shy around the ones you're attracted to, don't you?"

Shang hid his face in his hands. "I didn't think I was that bad..."

"If I'd only ever seen you around Mulan, I'd just think you were geeky."

"...geeky!"

"But since I saw you around 'Ping' as the captain-there's a big difference between you in authority and you around her." Mushu smirked a little. "And I'm not the only one that has noticed it."

"She knows!" Shang looked up, concern etched in his features.

"She knows something is up with you. And I was actually talking about Cri-Kee."

"Cri-Kee?"

"He's a lucky cricket."

"...a cricket? A cricket has noticed!"

"Well, he is a very perceptive cricket..."

"I...I just can't help it. I was alright before, but now...I don't understand how I could act so calm around her before, how I didn't realise...And I was so hard on her! If I'd known she was a woman, I'd've been more lenient..."

"And she wouldn't be as good as she is now. You helped make her what she is now."

"I still feel awful about it...and when I found out...She really thought I was going to kill her, didn't she?"

Mushu nodded. "O' course, I knew you wouldn't."

Shang looked over at her. "I could never hurt her." He whispered, standing. "Look after the food, Mushu."

Mushu raised his eyebrows. "Uh, ok..." He watched Shang approach Mulan, saw them exchange a few words and then going on to pack the tent and everything else. It seemed that they were alright like that, engaged in work and left to just brief conversation. Mushu smiled, Shang hadn't said the wrong thing...yet.

Oh. Spoke too soon. She was pushing him-no, wait. It seemed that they were acting playfully-he'd made a joke. Li Shang had made a joke. Mushu shook his head. Things had certainly changed. Maybe it was the absence of war, or the lack of need to be serious. It seemed like they were just boy and girl-around the right age to be courting. Anyone who saw them would've just assumed they were a couple messing around-young people in love.

"HEY! Lovebirds! Rice is done!" Mushu got the distinct feeling that this was becoming rather like his old gong job.

Mulan raised her eyebrows. "Lovebirds?"

Shang forced a laugh. "Well, I guess I am walking you home..."

She smiled. "If saving China was your idea of a first date-"

"So that's why you joined the army! It was all a plan to get you a date with me..." He grinned. The more he did this, the easier it got...

"You?" She placed her hands on her hips.

He gasped theatrically and put his hand to his forehead. "You wanted Chi-Fu, didn't you? I'm just a-"

"Don't even joke about that...ever." She gave him a death glare.

Oops. Maybe not. (Besides, what was it with him? Was Chi-Fu just the easiest joke material? Shang decided to work on that one.)

"Lesson number one: know when to stop making jokes." Mushu commented darkly as he sat down.

"...I know that now..."

"I didn't even know you could make jokes."

"I can joke! I'm a funny guy!"

"I am!"

Mulan sighed. "I never should've let him find out about Mushu." Cri-Kee made a sympathetic noise. "I swear, all they've done is guy talk... Cri-Kee, you're a guy aren't you?" Cri-Kee nodded, and Mulan made a frustrated noise.

Shang looked up. "What is it!"

"Nothing." She ate some of the rice. "Mushu, where did you find ginger!"

"I have mah ways." Mushu smirked. "A magician never reveals his secrets."

"It's good...Really good." She smiled.

Mushu beamed. "It's a gift."

Shang finished his rice and stretched widely. "We should probably get going...Everything is packed."

"Apart from these bowls." She pointed out. "You go and rinse them in the river, and I'll clean up here?"

He nodded, and took both bowls with him.

Mushu smirked. "Oooh, you got him whipped."

"I do not."

"He does all you ask of him..."

"It's a compromise, Mushu, it's not me dominating him..."

"Uhuh."

After a few last minute checks, Mulan was waiting on Kahn, with Mushu on her shoulder. "Where is he!"

"Don't worry, he's jus' takin' his time. Cause he's WHIPPED."

"I am not whipped." Shang showed Mulan the bowls. "Is this good enough?"

Mulan nodded, trying to ignore the "whuchee, whuchee" whipped sound that Mushu was making.

(Hope you enjoyed that one-it's surprisingly difficult to describe that "whipped" sound…;; According to one of my friends it is in fact "Whu-pah!" but I don't believe her…and that's only partly because it makes me think of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (no, I don't know why)

Anyway, there should be another update in the next week or so, tweaking is still going on as I'm not completely happy with the ending... But I promise, it will be finished.

Incidentally, I have no idea about what they'd actually eat. But Mulan is eating rice in the movie at breakfast time, so it should be ok, ne?

Oh, and in case it isn't clear, I ain't Disney and I don't own these crazy kids…they're just such fun to play with! Oooh, you know what'd be great? Mulan and Shang plushies…)