A/N: Hello my faithful readers! I'm so sorry I have not updated any chapters in a very long time, but just know that this story is not on hiatus! School work's been pretty busy, and I have to apply for college on top of that too. Just as a warning, this chapter might be a little bland. But do not lose hope! More drama and romance is yet to come. So, without further ado, here is Chpater 5!
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Chapter 5
Shang was not amused. At first he thought he would enjoy pitting his best swordsman (or swords-woman as a more accurate term) against this Prince. During his adolescence, Shang frequently visited the Imperial Palace, which was where his father, General Zhao, worked. One time, a Prince from a neighboring kingdom decided to visit the palace. While the royal court was very gracious towards the guest, the Prince was downright snobby and rude. Based on his his experience, Shang felt that Phillip would behave just like him, which is why he ordered him to duel Mulan. He thought Phillip's pride would be severely weakened if she beat him, and would teach him to follow orders just like a soldier should.
What he did not count on was Phillip flirting with his soldier during the duel. Shang could understand why he would do so, Mulan was a very pretty girl. He was sure that if she was not a soldier, all of his subordinates would probably do the same. Nevertheless, Shang was incensed by Phillip's behavior, and by the end of the duel, his thin smile had turned into a deep frown.
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A minute after he appreciatively watched Mulan saunter away, Phillip reluctantly got up. The first thing he saw was Shang's frowning face. Worried, Phillip anxiously tried to compose himself. "What were you thinking soldier?" Shang said in a dangerously quiet tone. "Were you trying to be funny?" Phillip was silent. "Well? Answer me!" Shang barked. "It was my tactic for beating Mulan, sir," Phillip replied quietly. Shang suddenly punched his jaw, and the soldiers almost gasped. Shang rarely ever hit a soldier to discipline him. To everyone's surprise, Phillip barely flinched as his head was violently thrown to the side. "I suggest you do not do it again. You will learn Prince, that there are only ties of camaraderie between soldiers in the Chinese Army, unlike your disorganized hovel of an army back home. You have been assigned one week of kitchen duty, starting tonight," Shang said in a clipped tone. A muscle began to work in Phillip's jaw. Shang had just openly insulted his father's army, part of which he led! "The Captain might think he is high and mighty, but he has never had to direct troops before, while I have. I have been the Captain of the Cavalry unit for two years!" Phillip thought. As much as he wanted to talk back to Shang, he knew it was futile.
"Sir," one of the soldiers piped, "Where is the recruit going to sleep?" Shang was startled by the question. He had not even remembered where Phillip would set up his tent! While he did have a couple of spare tents in the supply pile, the only space available to set it up was next to Mulan's tent, which was near the edge of field. Shang frowned. He did not want to put Phillip there but it seemed he had no choice. "You will set up your tent next to Mulan's," Shang ordered, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he spoke, "If I learn you are flirting with her again, you will be kicked out of the army." "Yes sir," Phillip confidently replied.
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Mulan felt her body swell with pride after victory against Philip. "Time for payback," she thought slyly as she sauntered away back to her fellow soldiers, swaying her hips all the while for him to see. "Way to go Mulan!" Yao said as he, Ling, and Chien-Po clapped her on the back. The three men had become her best friends during her time in the camp, and she often thought of them as older brothers. Suddenly, everyone, including Mulan,fell silent when Shang barked at Philip. She felt a twinge of concern when Shang punched him, but was relieved that he could at least take the pain well. Secretly, though, she knew Philip would be mad at Shang because of the way the captain had openly insulted his army.
She resolved then and there to be Philip's friend while he was in the camp. After all they had done for each other, they could not turn their back on their friendship now. Plus, Mulan had a good feeling that Philip would really need some support to get through his time with Shang. Suddenly, she was startled when Shang ordered her: "Mulan, help Philip set up his tent!". "Yes sir," she replied. She felt like she had butterflies in her stomach from knowing that Philip would be right beside her at night, but at the same time she felt some dread at having to face a potentially awkward conversation between them. "An order is an order," she thought bitterly and she gracefully composed herself to carry out Shang's decree. She walked with Philip to the spare canvas pile and picked one up while Philip got the necessary supplies to stake the tent to the ground. The two trudged in silence for a minute. Finally, Mulan decided to break the ice. She asked Philip tentatively, "So, how have you been?"
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A/N: Please read and review!