Disclaimer: I do not own Disney's Mulan or its characters, plotlines, etc.

Thank you for all of the reviews! I really appreciate feedback. This is the final segment; sorry that it's short, but it's what I felt was the best version. Enjoy!

Epilogue

Ka-Boom!

Mulan let out a whoop of delight as the violet firework burst. Several white ones followed it, sparkling like stardust before finally fading. These fireworks gave way to scattered blue and green spirals. It was breathtaking...not quite as dramatic as the last time she'd witnessed fireworks here, but wonderful, nonetheless.

Mulan blinked away the afterimage of the next explosion. For a moment, she thought she caught a glimpse of a strangely-garbed young man and woman, snuggling on the rooftop next to a Persian rug. How weird, Mulan thought. Maybe the bursts of light are affecting my vision.

"Which ones do you like best?" asked Shang's voice from behind her.

She hid a smile as he approached her. "I like the ones that have two colors, one inside the other. It's like an exotic bloom, don't you think?"

Shang grinned. "I suppose I'd never thought about it that way."

Teasingly, she said, "Of course, not as exotic as those dancing girls."

"Mulan!" he exclaimed. It was fun to see him turn dragon-red at her words. "I never...I thought you would know that I'd never..."

She threw back her head and laughed. "It's all right. Grandma told me about what you really meant. Of course, I'm not convinced that your 'yes' was followed by the thought, 'I would much rather gaze at you, my lovely blossom.' But then, I'm used to Grandma's selective memory."

Shang hesitated. "Did...did she tell you anything else that I said while she and I were talking?"

Mulan turned to face him. "No. Why?" When he refused to look at her, she stepped closer. "Shang. What did you say?"

Meeting her eye, Shang merely said, "It was a private matter between your grandmother and myself. I shouldn't discuss it without her permission."

"Hmm." Mulan narrowed her eyes at him. "I shall have to wheedle it out of her."

"Oh, no." Shang shook his head. "If she hasn't told you by now, I'm pretty sure that she won't. Which is a bit of relief, all things considered."

Mulan nodded, trying to conceal her disappointment.

A warm hand squeezed her shoulder. "You'll know someday. I promise."

"You'd better tell. I don't want to string you up by your thumbs..." She paused, grinning. "But I have been known to set fire to certain chambers."

"You..." He tried to put her in a headlock, and she was just dodging him when there came a summons from the inner chamber.

"Captain Li, your presence is required."

Mulan beamed proudly. "Your promotion awaits. Good luck!"

Shang looked flustered. "I would gladly serve under you. Truthfully, you were the one who made me captain."

"And you made me Fa Mulan, heroine of China."

Shang shook his head. "You found that strength within yourself."

"And you didn't?"

"Are we going to argue about this, now?" asked Shang good-naturedly.

"Nope." Ever so carefully, Mulan guided his stance until he had turned around. "Because if we do, you're going to be late."

Shang looked left and right, realizing that he had again about-faced without his knowledge. "It must run in the family," he said under his breath, but Mulan heard him. Aloud, he added, "You're right, I should go." His eyes glinted in her direction. "Though I would much rather gaze at you, my lovely blossom."

He was gone by the time she had realized the implication of his words. Which was just as well, because after that, Mulan was rendered incapable of speech for quite some time.

"Well," cackled Grandma, who had eavesdropped on the conversation from behind the curtain, "at least someone has made Mulan hold her tongue. Too bad it took a conspiracy, a soon-to-be general, and a meddling grandmother to make it happen."

She watched as the Emperor presented Li Shang with his new rank and then waved him out. Not to her surprise, the Emperor came to stand beside her. He, of course, had known she was there the whole time.

"I rather like that she speaks her mind," remarked the Emperor. With a twinkle in his eye, he added, "Honesty speaks of a strong character."

"Oh, it's not her openness that bothers me," said Grandma. "It's the timing. You see, it's much better to let prospective husbands think that you're sweet and compliant before you marry, and then, wham! You can control their every movement before they find out they've been usurped as head of the family."

"A fine strategy," commented the Emperor soberly. His mustache twitched slightly. "It seems to have worked well in some families, at any rate. Still, I doubt the General will need much convincing. Though goodness knows, it was like pulling teeth to get him to go after her with that helmet. Poor boy...hasn't had much experience with romance, I'm afraid."

Grandma snorted. "Think Mulan's any better? You wouldn't believe how hard she insisted on wearing that blasted armor."

On and on they went, each trying to top the other with stories of the reluctant couple. The Emperor was surprisingly easy to talk to and showed a wonderfully wry sense of humor. Meanwhile, servants poured them tea and crowded the table with all sorts of delicacies.

"It's too bad we just have to leave them to it, in the end," sighed Grandma. "We've had more experience with life...we could help them avoid all of the nasty pitfalls."

"They'd avoid the adventure that way, also," said the Emperor. "I think both them would be bored by a sweet, bland relationship."

"Mmm." Grandma had to agree.

"Besides." He winked. "If they're too shy to declare their love, there's always a marriage by Imperial order."

The two shameless matchmakers grinned from ear to ear.

What a terrific man...and kind of attractive, too, thought Grandma, as she toasted the New Year with her tea.

The End