Chapter 3 up. Feedback would be appreciated- i feel as i am writing a load of stuff and that it doesn't make sense. Well it does to me, but you know what I mean :D

This should be the last of the boring chapters- action and intrigue coming up!

"Hey, Ping!"

It took Mulan a couple of seconds to realise that she was being addressed. After being Fa Mulan for so long, her new name was still taking some getting used to. She paused at the entrance to the mess tent and turned to see Yao, a short, stocky recruit with a squished-in face and thick facial hair, sat at one of the long wooden benches, squinting at her through his bruised eye.

"Come sit with us".

Mulan eyed him warily. Since she had joined the army and caused the recruits to spend their first evening clearing up the campsite, she had immediately been branded an outcast. Subsequently she had taken to taking her small bowl of rice outside and eating among the trees by herself. If she was honest, she liked the seclusion. It felt safer than being among so many people.

"Oh...er, hi guys."

Yao patted the seat next to him. "C'mon, we don't bite". He was flanked by two other soldiers that Mulan remembered, but not with relish. Ling, a tall gangly man with an awkward, clumsy manner had put a bug down the back of her robes during the first week of training, and caused her cannon to misfire into Chi Fu's tent. The other was Chien Po, a quiet, placid recruit with a shaven head who was perhaps three or four times the size and weight of Mulan. He did have an extraordinary appetite- he often daydreamed during training- Mulan often thought-but not unkindly- that it could only be about his next meal.

She reluctantly made her way over to the table and sat down opposite them, fingering her chopsticks nervously.

"I know we were jerks to you before...so let's start over". Ling said frankly. He extended a hand for Mulan to shake. She obliged uncertainly.

Ling laughed. "No need to look so worried!" He popped a morsel of rice into his mouth and swallowed. "Nice job with the arrow by the way".

"Oh, right...it was nothing" Mulan laughed nervously, clearing her throat. It was a miracle she was still there, really. She had felt sure her time was up- she still shuddered when she thought of Shang's harsh dismissal of her two nights ago. She knew the only way to save herself would be to accomplish what no one else had been able to. And she had done it. Hurling the arrow at the Captain's feet had been what she considered her proudest moment to date. And so far, there had not been many of those.

Chien Po spoke up. "You've certainly set the standard for the rest of us, Ping", he said quietly. Mulan was taken aback. She had never imagined anyone in the army would look up to her-

Yao interrupted her thoughts. "Look busy. Pretty boy's comin'". A low murmur then a hush fell upon the tent. All of the soldiers suddenly became very alert upon Shang's arrival, ceasing their jokes and conversation. The Captain often walked through the mess tent at mealtimes to check for rule breaking or general trouble. It was remarkable what an effect such a young man could have on the men, but with one look Shang could silence a dragon. His very persona exuded a natural authority which few people possessed. Mulan noticed that he did not eat with the recruits, but disappeared into his own tent after training.

Perhaps, she thought, he feels as distant from these men as I do.

Shang stalked down the gaps between the benches, an unreadable expression on his face. When he reached the four of them- he gave a stiff nod in Mulan's direction, then carried on.

Ling gave a low whistle. "Well" he remarked. "Looks like the worst is over for you eh, Ping?" Yao snorted. "One arrow and suddenly it's like the porridge incident never happened".

Mulan flushed. She had just about forgotten her disastrous first night at Wu Zhong. Yao noticed her embarrassed expression and slapped her on the back. "Only kiddin'. But you gotta tell me- what's your secret?"

If only you knew, Mulan thought with a pang. Guilt and regret washed over her- deceiving people was not something she was used to. Especially when it came at such a high cost. Shang and the three recruits' shift in attitude towards her should have brought relief and pride, but instead a different feeling gnawed away at her. Whatever admiration and friendliness they felt towards her was not truly hers, but Ping's- an imaginary man who did not exist. They wouldn't want to know Fa Mulan. She was beginning to realise that more she lived as Ping, the more aware she was of her own unworthiness, and how she saw herself. It was a terrible thing to admit, but if she had succeeded in passing the matchmaker's test, and had she been admired and respected in the village, instead of being a tomboyish loner- would she have been as willing to take her father's place?

She loved her father fiercely, and protecting him was her main reason for being in the army. But deep down she hoped that with her leaving he would see her as being a worthy daughter, and erase the dishonour she brought to her family.

Even if it did mean, once again, hiding the real Fa Mulan from the world.

She could feel Yao, Ling and Chien Po looking at her expectantly. "Well, er..." she cleared her throat and smiled sheepishly. "Got lucky I guess?"

Angrily, she tried to brush the thoughts from her mind. She was being selfish. So much more was at stake. She could not afford to be discovered. So long as she was here Ping lived, and Mulan did not exist.