Chapter 6

I woke up, and smiled as I felt Mulan's sleeping form pressed against me, her naked chest rising and falling in sleep.

"You are mine, and I am yours." I said, gazing at her near-divine figure.

Mushu peeked into the tent, and promptly turned green. "Did y'all really do what it looks like you did?"

I smiled, remembering every second of our actions. "Aye, Mushu, we did. Is that a problem?"

Mushu sighed, and shrugged. "Not really, but dude, it is a big step. Well, I bet you already figured that out before you took her."

I nodded. "Of course I did. I would not have taken such a step otherwise."

Mushu shrugged. "Duh, I figured that. So, what's our next move?"

I looked at him, frowning slightly. " I am surprised that you don't know. The Emperor and my uncle have called us to the Palace for some reason I would like to know more about."

Mushu reached his clawed hand out, and I gave him the summons.

Just then, Phaedra came into view. "Get yer things on! There are Chinese horsemen coming!"

A few minutes later, I stood outside of the tent, the two girls on either side of me, all swords drawn. After a short time, the horsemen came into view, and I gave a cry of surprise as I realized I knew one of them, which happened to be wearing ornate armor worn by Generals in the Chinese Royal Army.

"Shang? General Shang!" The young man smiled, and waved to us.

He had not changed much, carrying himself with the same stoic nature, strong body, dark eyes, and noble bearing.

"It's been far too long, Alaric." The former Captain said, as he drew abreast of us, guarded by two soldiers on either side of him.

He dismounted, and Mulan threw her arms around him, as I grasped his hand, our swords returning to our sheathes before this. He patted her gently on the back, smiling slightly.

"It's good to see you too, Fa Mulan. And you as well, Master Assassin. And this must be your former pupil?" He continued, looking at Phaedra, and kept looking.

Phaedra's face was red under her hood, as she stared unblinkingly at the young General.

In a breathy voice, she spoke at least half a moment later, "General Shang, Ah'm Phaedra MacPhearson."

The general gazed into the young woman's eyes, a vivid green, her hair the color of gold, her body slight and volptuous.

Phaedra stared at the tall, clean-shaven, almost sinfully handsome general. By the Saints, what a sight for sore eyes!

A strong chiseled body, a broad face, dark eyes, and short black hair with a pony-tail.

Both of their days had just gotten more interesting!

I frowned at Phaedra, not used to her acting like a love-struck teenager, and I wasn't too sure that I liked that!

I felt Mulan press herself against me, and I looked down to see her watching the silent pair, a pleased but contemplative expression on her face. Uh-oh!

"Much as I would hate to break this up, but we have to leave." I said sharply, not liking the tension between the former Captain and my little girl.

Mulan looked at me reproachfully as we started to prepare to leave. "What was that for, Al?"

I frowned at her, glancing back at the couple, who were helping each other pack the horses.

"You know all too well."

She nodded. "So they are attracted to each other. Is it any different from us when we met?" She whispered, and I gritted my teeth. "I suppose it isn't."

She touched my cheek. "You're protective of her."

I thought about it.

Besides Mulan, Phaedra was one of the very few that I allowed into my heart after my parents died.

My uncle and I never really had a father-son relationship, more along the lines of a Commander-underling bond.

"I suppose I am." I said, with a sigh.

Mulan giggled, and patted me on the check. "You're pouting."

I chuckled, and kissed her on the cheek. "You know me so well. I should not be surprised."

Shang glanced down at the young woman, as she strapped the last of the blankets onto her saddle.

He could see her muscled but feminine arms frame ripple with her movements, and found it very hard not to stare.

"Ya know, General, it's usually considered rude to stare, but donnae let that stop ya!"

Shang blinked, blushing slightly before looking away. "You are correct that it is rude to stare. I apologize." He said, and she snorted. "Don't be so stiff-arsed! If I'm pretty, just say so."

He regarded her with surprise. Almost every girl were reduced to giggling messes in his presence, something that he did not understand.

This one, similar to Mulan, treated him differently. But whereas Mulan was companionable and respectful, this girl was blunt and flirtatious, something that threw him completely off balance.

"You are quite attractive, but-"

I looked over as I heard Phaedra giggle like a girl closeby, alarmed. "What the hell is going on over there-MMPH!"

I was interrupted by Mulan grabbing me by the collar, and pulling me into a deep and ravenous kiss.

Mushu looked sick, and dissapeared before he could start barfing in disgust. This romance nonsense was not what he had planned for when he was appointed the Family Guardian!

Cri-Kee and Kahn exchanged a look of resigned acceptance, and rolled their eyes.

Shang's officers were too busy watching their superior.

Phaedra, relieved of the distraction of her surrogate father caused by her friend's ingenuity and mentally noting to thank her later, pressed herself against the General. "Flattery ill-becomes your station, General. Perhaps you would like to prove how attractive I am, eh?"

Shang, taken completely aback by her forwardness, stammered.

She sighed, pretending to be dissapointed. "Perhaps another time, handsome. We'd better get on our way, since yer Emperor and my Master are expecting us!" She said the last sentence loudly, and Mulan and I broke apart, breathing heavily.

"Yes, Phae, you're right." I said, taking a moment to regain my breath and re-arrange my clothing, Mulan doing the same.

With that, we mounted our horses, and followed Shang and his two officers, the latter sniggering at the former behind the former's back.