AVP5: Thanks for the review. Wow, you certainly don't waste any time, do you? I must admit that I'm enjoying mixing both worlds together, but it is sort of challenging in a way, since AC is much more violent and adult-oriented than Disney's Mulan is. I'll see what I can do on the next chapter. Thanks again!

Slytherin Studios: Thanks, I'll update ASAP!

Cossacks250: It's awesome that you are getting into my story, and I'm really thankful for readers like you! I meant for this chapter to rely on getting into Alaric's psyche, and how he feels about Mulan going down a road which he can't bear to see her go, because he's been there himself. The end is close at hand, and I'm really curious to see how I am going to do this. Thanks for everything!

Chapter 13

"Bugger! You don't waste any time, do you?"

Both Mulan and I were able to find Arthur before he got within five miles of Imperial City, with Shang's messenger preceding us.

"I'm not saying that you can't handle things by yourself, but things are going to go mad with the Emperor, and I cannot risk it." Alaric said, with Mulan nodding in agreement.

Arthur shook his head. "Come now, Allie! I know how to handle a few Templars, in case you haven't noticed!"

Mulan sighed, as Alaric's hackles rose. "Yeah, I've noticed, dammit! But this is different, and with more at stake than you know."

Arthur grasped my arm. "I'll call you if I bloody need it. Until then, I can handle myself. I know what I am doing. Since when have you ever had a reason to doubt me?"

Mulan sighed, as Alaric tensed. She needed to calm these two down and fast. "This arguing is getting us nowhere, guys. We don't need this useless bickering that you two get into much too often."

Mulan then looked at Alaric, wanting him to calm down and take command.

He nodded, after a few seconds of silence. and turned to his uncle. "If it means that much to you, I'll leave you to it."

Arthur ruffled my hair affectionately. "Good man! You are needed somewhere else, and there's one hell of a scrap coming our way, and all the politics and shadow-work is what I do best. Unlike your father, I never excelled in open conflict."

I smirked. My father always loved a good fight, that was for sure. "I wish I could do more to help you, Uncle."

Arthur frowned. "For Minerva's sake, lad, get your head on straight! I'll do whatever it takes to win, and so will you. You are helping me all ready in everything that you do. Now take good care." Arthur gave them both a kiss to the forehead in farewell, and continued his way to the Imperial City.

Mulan laid a hand on Alaric's muscled forearm. "Come on, dear. We have work to do."

She was surprised to see a smile on Alaric's face. "Aye, we do. But the Emperor is in good hands, the best we can ever ask for."

The affection between the two men so powerful at that moment that she could almost touch it. Despite both men's egos and arguments, they had a strong affection for each other.

There was love there, however faint.

Mulan smiled up at her lover. "You really do love him, don't you?"

An embarrassed Alaric said nothing, shifting from foot to foot.

Mulan giggled, patting her Assassin on the cheek. "You're such a dear, my love!"

Blushing, he remounted his horse. "We'd better get back, luv."

Mulan, still beaming, did the same.

Alaric didn't really care to leave his uncle by himself, but he wanted to go at it alone, and Alaric knew better than to argue.

Besides, he trusted him most out of all his fellow Assassins, aside from Phaedra, and he seemed completely convinced that he knew what he was getting into, so Alaric left him to it.

Mulan was right: he did love the man, but Alaric just didn't know how he loved him. Arthur had always been very clear that he would never take the place of Alaric's father, and had stood by that. Alaric still regarded him as more than a brother and superior.

It was a strange relationship, granted, but he loved him in his own way.

No matter how concerned Alaric was for his safety, He probably would be safer than anybody, if the enemies' troop movements were anything to go by.

They were getting closer, and war was rearing its ugly mug!

Shang was surprised when he heard that both Mulan and Alaric had returned. "That did not take you very long."

Alaric shrugged, he and Mulan joining Shang and Phaedra at the center of camp, at a large table with a battle map laid out on it. "He has it under control, and he assured us that our help wouldn't be needed. Besides, you need all the fighters you can get."

Shang frowned mightily. "I realize that you have due respect and admiration for the man, but I do not trust him with the safety of our Emperor. I strongly suggest that you-"

Phaedra cut in, more to save Shang's skin than to defend her former superior, as Alaric's face darkened dangerously at Shang's presumption. "I trust Arthur tae protect the Emperor, General."

Shang turned to her, and she held his gaze before he changed the subject. "Very well, but it still doesn't change the fact that the battle that will come soon will be no easy affair."

Mulan looked down at the battle map. The enemy forces were substantial, but so was China's. "Numbers do not win a battle," She said, and Phaedra nodded in agreement.

"Aye, that be true. Those bastards are fighting in China's homeland, and we have trained our lads the best we could. We may not have the numbers, but we damn sure make up for it in other ways."

Alaric smiled at the two girls, his girls. What would he do without them?

Shang looked at the three of us. "All you say is true, but what lies before us is how to plan for the battle."

Phaedra snorted. "A battle? They will likely beat us in open battle, so why should we do what they want?"

Shang frowned at her. "Open warfare is inevitable."

Phaedra smirked at him. "Aye, but we can fight a large-scale battle when it suits us, not them. Since the Templars are out of our hair, our enemies will seek a quick victory so that they can avoid infighting. What we need is a long, drawn-out conflict, where we make them wait until the infighting becomes too much, and then engage them in mass numbers."

Shang tilted his head to one side, considering his future lover. "You are suggesting we postpone conflict until the odds are in our favor." She nodded, winking at him.

Mulan grinned suddenly. "Phaedra, you're a genius!"

Alaric nodded in agreement, but raised a finger. "If we are to avoid them, we need to make sure to keep them from the Chinese people, in order to keep the public safe."

Mulan sent him a glowing look. Given two years back, Alaric would never have said this, would never have given a damn about her people! She remembered one meaningful conversation they had shared while Alaric had trained her for Shang's army.

"Good. Again." Alaric said, as she parried a blow from his sword.

"We've been doing this for at least an hour." Mulan complained.

"True, but I have given you at least five minutes worth of breathers. Your enemy will not be so lenient. Your people will not be impressed if you cannot hold your own against the best your Huns can throw at you."

Mulan sighed, wiping sweat from her forehead. "They probably won't care, since they'll kill me if I'm ever found out."

Alaric sneered. "You'll learn sooner or later that people will never thank you for saving them."

Mulan rolled her eyes, temper flaring. "What have you got against people?"

Alaric shot her a cold stare. "Besides the fact that they are notoriously ungrateful, and are ready to betray those who do their very best to help them?"

Mulan stepped forward, until they were inches apart. He tensed, as she gave him a shove. "And what gives you the right to judge, huh!? Who do you think you are?"

I glared at her. "I'm a man who lost his parents who served the very people who did nothing to save them in return, that's who!"

There was a long pause, then Mulan touched his cheek. "I would have helped them, if I had the chance."

He smiled sadly. "There is no one like you, Mulan. I'm tired of serving those who do nothing to earn my service. It's too much to ask, and I just don't see any point."

Mulan bit her lip, pained at the raw emotion in his voice. "Then let me help you see the good in them," Mulan whispered.

After a moment, he gave a small nod. "Get some rest, Mulan. We will continue later." With that, he left her tent, leaving her to wonder just who or what this man truly was.

As Mulan was thinking of their past conversation, Phaedra nodded, smiling at her former mentor. "So all that is needed is tae find somewhere we can lure them into, and keep them bottled up until we shove our collective sword down their throats!" She ended by pounding the table the map was placed upon, jostling the figures indicating troop numbers.

Alaric shook with silent laughter. Still my same darling little fire-brand. She got her spirit and her battle planning from her father!

Shang, although somewhat chagrined at the disruption of his map, only cared about where exactly to trap their enemies at the current.

Besides, her fire excited him! "Now, all we need to figure out is where to take our enemies. Alaric's concern for the people is valid...and appreciated."

Alaric nodded in acceptance of his appreciation, and Shang continued. "To that end, we must lure them somewhere where the terrain is to our advantage and the people scarce."

Mulan nodded. "Then we will go north."

Shang returned the nod, smiling. "Yes, we will."

Before we could leave, there was one loose end we had to take care of.

"Chi Fu, you are hereby accused and condemned for the betrayal of your fellow countrymen, and for the attempted murder of your Emperor." Shang said.

Chi Fu was situated in the midst of the Chinese army, kneeling and bound, Shang standing next to him, his sword at the ready.

Alaric, Mulan, Phaedra, and his officers stood nearby, watching justice being served.

"You can't do this, boy! You are not my equal!" Shrieked the traitor, but he was only delaying the inevitable.

"I condemn you to death!" Shang said, and cut down his former countryman.

"Thus ever for traitors!" Shang shouted, pointing at the slain man.

There were no cheers, and no one spoke. Shang's duty as commander demanded that he kill the traitor, and the lesson was learned in the most obvious and morbid way possible.

After a long moment, Shang called. "To your stations, men of China. We ride north!"

And that will do for now! What did you guys think of this one? It's a bit shorter than my other chapters, but I thought this was a good ending point.

Anyway, I thought this chapter did well in showing the bond between Alaric and Arthur, as well as Alaric's progression in his feelings toward his fellow humans. I also enjoyed writing about Phaedra's battle planning, but this story would be nothing without your reviews, so let me know what you guys thought of this chapter, sil vous plais!