Chapter Six: Cherry Blossom and Childhood

"This was a bad idea. A bad, bad idea. Travelling at night?" Mushu looked around, hiding on Shang's shoulder.

"Actually, this area is known for being quiet. And we've made excellent time-it'll probably only be one more day after this one." Mulan pointed out.

"Yeah, well, I'm still staying with the man who's got the sword readily available."

Mulan laughed softly. Shang had grown to love that laugh, it gave him all sorts of feelings he couldn't even begin to describe.

Things had become more comfortable since that afternoon. Conversation had flowed more easily, as if the air had been cleared. Shang had seemed to relax, as if he was no longer carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Whilst he knew he was not over any of the death in his family, nor would he ever truly be, he did know that there was support. Silently he made a vow-he would marry Fa Mulan or no woman.

"Oh, Shang, look at all the lights..." It appeared that Mulan had become a younger version of herself from the childish lilt to her voice. She went ahead with Kahn. "I forgot...the festival...how could I forget the festival...!"

Shang looked lost, although he had to admit the tiny village they were approaching looked wonderful-every house had a lantern, and there were little tea lights on the streets, as well as lanterns like those in the Imperial City hanging on strings connecting the houses. Many of the lights were brightly coloured.

"When I was a little girl, my father would take me to this festival."

"What is it for?"

"There is a legend that this village was attacked by a Demon of Darkness on this night, but a Dragon of Light and Fire named Caustos appeared and fought the Demon for the sake of the village. After defeating the Demon, Caustos cast a spell over the village-so long as they spend one night a year in celebration of light and fire, they will be kept safe. Which is why the area is so safe."

"So what happens at this festival?"

"Feasting, games for children, dancing, general celebration..."

"Well then, let's go." Shang grinned.

She tipped her head. "It's not on the route."

"We gonna be even later? Dayamn, I'm never gonna get my pedestal."

"Oh, you will, it'll just be a bit later..." Mulan smiled broadly at Shang as he caught up with her.

He smirked. "Race you."

She laughed, and eagerly followed, going as fast as she could.

Mushu (now with eyes tightly shut and holding onto Shang's horse) privately wondered if they'd ever get bored of this.

Shang won, beaming proudly. "What do I win?"

Mulan smiled, dismounting and tying Kahn to a near tree. Shang did the same, and they walked down to the village together. It was filled with lights, and the people at this late hour were mostly couples or families, holding small children who had fallen asleep. Mulan made a slightly broody noise, startling Shang (but at the same time giving him a somewhat broody feeling-much as he could be)

"I know what I win. A dance."

She smiled. "Very well. Can you dance?"

"I don't know...Let's find out." He grinned, escorting her down to where other couples were spinning and twirling.

She raised her eyebrows as his arms fit around her-one on her waist, the other holding her hand. "I never thought I'd see my commanding officer dancing...much less be the one to dance with him. Are you feeling alright?"

He smiled. "I feel better than alright." In a blur of lights they were just another couple dancing, enjoying themselves and the light. The entire town was like a narcotic, addictive, bringing a high that they'd never felt before. Mulan was reliving her old memories of playing around in this village as a young girl, and Shang was enjoying making his own memory of this place.

The music slowed slightly, and Mulan lead her forehead against Shang's as they spun. He let go of her hand and placed it on around her waist. "I've worked out what I want as my prize for winning earlier." She whispered softly, throwing all caution to the winds.

"And what's that?" Shang whispered as her arm snaked around his neck.

"Escuse me!"

Mulan looked at the little girl who was tugging on her dress, causing Shang to miss her lips completely and kiss her cheek (although it was more like her jaw). Mulan seemed to miss this. "What is it, little one?"

"Have you seen my dollie? I think she ran away or SOMETHING..."

"Do you know where your parents are?"

"My Mama always told me that I should ask a nice lady if I was lost. But I'm not, they are! You think they're with my dollie? Is this man your husband?"

Shang bit his lip in order to stop himself from snapping "Not at this rate."

Mulan (removing herself from Shang's arms) shook her head and knelt down before the girl. "Would you like me to help you find your Mama and Baba?"

She nodded. "My name is Sakura."

"Wow, that's a beautiful name." Mulan picked her up. "Now, come on, let's find your parents. My name is Mulan."

"Like the war hero? Wow! She's the coolest, I want to be like her... And she got to fight, and POW! I want to fight."

Shang grinned. "This is the war hero."

"WOW!" Sakura grinned, and hugged Mulan's neck. She couldn't have been more than six, but she seemed to have a boundless energy. "So who are you? No one mentioned her having a pretty boy to take her home..."

Mulan bit back a laugh. "This is Shang, he's a friend of mine. He was the Captain who trained me."

"You were trained by a pretty boy?"

"...why does everyone think I'm a pretty boy?"

"Because you are." Sakura said flatly, looking around.

Shang rolled his eyes. "You should show more respect..."

Sakura raised her eyebrows. "Why? Because you're a man?"

"I was actually thinking because I'm one of the Heroes of China..."

Mulan smiled broadly. "You should respect Shang. He's a good man. And a great soldier."

"I bet you could beat him..." Sakura commented fervently.

Mulan and Shang exchanged glances. "Probably." Mulan smirked.

"No, you're good, but you're not THAT good..." Shang frowned.

"I've beat you before."

"That was training."

"And I was the only one to actually hurt you."

"It didn't hurt that much."

"Yeah. Right."

Sakura grinned. "Are you gonna fight?" Mulan shook her head. "Awwwww...HEY! LOOK! MAMA! BABA!"

"Which couple?"

"The ones looking worried with the little boy in the lady's arms."

"Is that your little brother?"

"Yeah...He fell asleep earlier, what a baby!"

They went towards the couple, who smiled gratefully. "Thank you, miss. Sakura has a tendency to run off." The father sighed, receiving the child. "You realise how worried you made us, don't you young lady?"

Sakura looked at her feet. "I didn't mean to...I got distracted. And I lost my dollie!"

"You didn't lose it, I've got it." Sakura's mother smiled tenderly. "I am sorry if she caused any problems."

Mulan shook her head. "It wasn't a problem. She reminded me of myself."

Shang, again, bit his lip to stop himself from muttering something about a little Mulan going around ruining perfectly romantic situations that could allow even men as inept at romance as himself to make his feelings known.

"She's FA MULAN! The Heroine of China!" Sakura smiled in a slightly manic way. "And that man is...something SHANG!"

"Li. Li Shang."

The father of the family bowed. "I served under your father once. He was a great man-you look a lot like him, and from what I've heard you act like him."

Shang smiled, inclining his head. "Thank you."

"And you, Fa Mulan, we are all in your debt. Thank you for all that you have done. We would be honoured if you would take a token of our thanks and respect."

"I..." She looked at her feet, blushing a little.

"Please." The mother removed her hair ornament, causing it to fall down across her shoulders. Mulan smiled and nodded, allowing the mother to pin her hair up. The ornament was striking-steel shaped into a lily. "It was formed from the sword of a man my husband killed. It represents the beauty and cost of combat. I believe you understand this more than most."

"Thank you, it's...it's beautiful. But why do you have it? Not to cause offence, but it is an odd trinket..." She said softly.

The woman smirked. "Do not think you were the first woman to be able to fight. Whilst I did not go to war as you did, it was I who helped to make my husband the great warrior he is today."

Mulan smiled. "Thank you..."

The woman beamed. "It is little credit, considering what you have done for China, and for my daughter."

Sakura hugged Mulan's legs. "You're the coolest, Mulan."

"You'll have to come and visit me one day. I'll teach you everything I know...and then your mother can teach me everything she knows."

In the meantime, Shang had been talking at length with the father of the family, from the looks of things exchanging sword techniques.

Sakura and her mother smiled. "I think that would be a most wonderful idea." She looked over at the two men.

"Shang is pretty." Sakura affirmed as she leant against her mother.

Mulan laughed a little, just as he looked over. They exchanged smiles, turning back to conversation. Sakura's mother giggled. Mulan raised her eyebrows. "What?"

"You would make a handsome couple, you and him. And you would have the most honourable and militarily skilled lineage in all of China."

Mulan blushed. "It's...it isn't like that..."

"Perhaps it should be. Forgive an older woman for meddling in your affairs, but it would be a most wonderful match if you were to marry."

"I suppose it would." Mulan sighed. "Thank you for the gift. You must visit me; you know where the Fa Manor is?"

"About a day's travel from here, yes. That would be a great honour. Goodbye, Fa Mulan. I implore you, follow your heart in all you do."

"I will, I promise. Goodbye, Sakura. Maybe you'll be China's next heroine."

Sakura, who was looking tired, grinned widely. "I hope so!"

Mulan went over and caught up with Shang, and they went off, arm in arm. Sakura's mother sighed slightly as her husband reappeared at her side. "Such a lovely couple."

He nodded. "Their story will be told for a long time..."

As far as I know, the story of the village is a complete fabrication…If it's similar to a real story, then I obviously don't own it…I fear they're slightly OOC in this chapter... ah well. I hope you enjoyed it anyway...