Shang awoke to the sound of an arrow piercing the thin pole support of his tent. Shang leapt out of bed at the sound, his military training taking over. When he spotted the arrow, he found himself a bit disturbed. The arrow was dead center on the thumb wide support, still quivering from impact. Attached to the arrow was a small scroll, of which read the following:

To Captain Li Shang,

Or is it General Li Shang now? It's nice to see you again Small One. My sentiments about your late father. My father just heard the terrible news, and wanted me to see how you were doing. Of course, I already know how you are doing. I've been watching you. Don't think that since she's gone I haven't noticed how withdrawn you've become. My father would not be...happy if he found out about your "goodbye" with the little major. Major Fa, isn't it? She's a sweet one; I'm sure my father would love to acquire her. And don't think that our arrangement is off...yet. However, one more transgression and the deal is off, and you know what that means for your pitiful little crush. I'll discuss business with you at sundown in Grasshopper Cove tonight. Don't be late.

Love,
Tigress

Shang shook with fury as he crumpled the note in his hand. His hands shook, his eyes closed, his body tensed. After so many years, he had to hear from her again.

Tigress, as she was now called, was a the daughter of a wealthy noble. Her influential family had made many a bargain with his father, and the emperor of China. An arranged marriage between Shang and the woman had been discussed casually by both families, and was never formally agreed upon. The Li family had assumed the idea old and forgotten, and never thought that the Chang family would take it seriously. Her notes had ceased since he was fourteen years of age.

He had never truthfully met the woman, only received letters and avoided her at social gatherings. From his comrades, he had heard she was a beautiful woman, the ideal shy, traditional muse that was highly prized by members of the court. However, he knew what she really was, and feared too much what she was capable of. She was pretentious and manipulative, and had too often demonstrated her power when people she disliked mysteriously disappeared. His cousin, Li Yung, had fallen because of a misunderstood comment.

No, Shang could not anger the woman, no matter what power she could hold over him. His decision to meet her left no trace on his sharp features, and only left the slight trembling of his hands.

Then he stepped out into the day.

Mulan awoke her usual way: slowly. She languidly stretched on the bed, feeling more rested than she had in months. She had become accustomed to the hard earth, then the slightly better mattress, but nothing compared to the lush cushioning she had slept on the night before. She rolled from side to side in the bed like a child, silently thanking the ancestors for letting her sleep in for once. There was no urgent news from either the general or the emperor. Mushu was accompanying Khan in the stables. Something about intelligent conversation.

There was a loud knock on the door. Mulan checked to see if she was decently dressed, then opened the door. A muttering Chi Fu stood before her, bristling at the task of having to deliver a message.

"The emperor wants to see you." Chi Fu narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Although I don't know why he would." Satisfied with his insult, Chi Fu left Mulan to change and find her way around the palace to wherever Emperor Tang was.

Mulan rolled her eyes, then sighed, resigned to change her clothing and find someone to help her find Emperor Tang.

"Excuse me, sir, where is Emperor Tang?" Mulan looked up to the face of a stony sentry who pointed in the direction she had just come from.

"Thank you," she muttered, picking up her skirts and walking down the staircase. The room at the top of the staircase was the throne room, but Emperor Tang wasn't there. Mulan had been looking for the regal man for most of the morning, and had managed to get lost in the most intricate of passages.

She wandered for a while longer, stopping only to ask the conveniently posted guard for directions. Mulan was surprised when Emperor Tang tapped her lightly on the shoulder. Mulan quickly recovered her composure, bowing respectfully before saying anything.

"Good morning Your Excellency, I am sorry that I was not prompt," Mulan said, feeling a bit sheepish at losing herself in the palace.

"Good morning my child," the old sage greeted, motioning her gently to follow him. "Come with me, I have something to show you."

Obediently, Mulan followed him, curious as to their destination. She was surprised when he led her to a room full of birds of all colors and shapes. A large bird with small, unusable wings walked to the corner; a small yellow bird twittered on its branch; a bird made of all the colors of the rainbow screeched, clucking its tongue. Lush plants native to faraway forests lined the pathway through the room, creating dappled splotches of shade on the grass. Small, sharp eyes watched the two intruders from behind green leaves and from high branches. Scurried movement, and the constant murmur of a thousand quiet voices presided over the open roofed room.

Mulan was awed by the sight, vivid and dull, fierce and gentle, quiet and loud; a chaos surrounded her, full of exotic animals she had never seen, and probably would never see anywhere again.

"This," the emperor's voice broke through her wonderment, gesturing to the room as a whole, "is the aviary."

"It's wonderful," Mulan enthused, "but it's also so sad."

The emperor raised an eyebrow at her, returning his gaze to the birds in residence. He nodded for her to continue.

"These birds, so beautiful, yet they live caged, never free," Mulan mused softly, almost to herself, as the yellow bird landed on a nearby branch. She tentatively reached for its small form, offering her hand to the small creature, careful not to startle it. Mulan wondered briefly if the bird was made of gold or sunshine, so bright and fragile that it shied fleetingly away from her lithe fingertips.

"They never asked for this," Emperor Tang confirmed, his golden robes brushing the ground softly as a white dove graced his shoulder. "But they have nowhere else to go."

Mulan sadly agreed, watching a bird with a hooked beak spread its massive wings and fly towards the sun overhead. "Nowhere else to go but up," Mulan said, a bit lightened by the majestic sight of the predator bird in flight. She watched the raptor glide for a few more moments, its glossy dark wings gleaming in the midmorning sun, before it descended to perch somewhere in the high branches in the room.

"Ah, yes, just like you, Fa Mulan."

"Your Excellency?" Mulan asked, curiosity and confusion apparent on her heart shaped face.

"That bird that you have been watching was the first gift I received as emperor, as all of these birds were gifts from distant lands." Emperor Tang's eyes glazed a little while recalling the memory. "But this bird, she is strong, wise, and can see what others of her kind cannot." As if on cue, the large bird flew down to land on the emperor's arm, stirring up air and rustling the nearby foliage. Emperor Tang stroked the bird's face affectionately. "She is like the sun, hiding behind the clouds, yet glorious in her splendor." The bird's clear eyes met Mulan's, deep and warm, like the sun.

"What is her name?" Mulan asked, forgetting formalities.

The emperor smiled nostalgically, noting the drop of pretense. "Her name is Tai, the Sun," he replied simply.

After a long moment, the emperor gestured for Mulan to meet Tai. The gold headed bird seemed to bow her head as Mulan pet one wing softly. "Nice to meet you, Tai," Mulan said quietly.

"A person who regards a humble beast as you do knows that all life is precious." He paused reflectively, his eyes crinkling while he smiled.

Suddenly, he broke the news to her.

"I know you will bring peace to this empire, General Fa."

Mulan stilled at his words, shocked and incredulous. "General? General Fa? Me?" It took most of her willpower not to hug the emperor, more because of the large bird resting on his arm rather than protocol.

"You are a woman who deserves to be below no one," Emperor Tang said in his soft, noble voice, his wise eyes twinkling with a secret. "The moon must have a counter," he added cryptically. "Nothing is above the moon's counter. Nothing."