Chapter 4 up. I find it really hard to not be too descriptive and actually get something happening but yeah, this will move things on a bit :)

I do not own Mulan, or any of the characters in the film.

The night was warm and the moon was bright, bathing the camp in a pale milky glow. Shang waited until the hour was late before he made his way down to the lake. The recruits would have bathed hours ago, and would be resting their exhausted limbs before their next ordeal began. They were yet to adjust fully to army life, however, they had done well. Most tasks they could complete with average competence.

Except Ping.

As the Captain strode through the woodland, his thoughts turned to the young soldier. Ping's rapid improvement had both stunned and impressed Shang. He could now outperform all of the soldiers in every task, with the exception of himself. From starting out as a bumbling, clumsy idiot, he had now mastered every task Shang threw at him with an awkward grace that no other soldier he had ever seen possessed. However his shyness and reclusiveness he had kept. Except for training and the odd mealtimes, he kept mostly to his tent. Indeed he was a strange and fascinating character to know.

The lake came into view, moonlight dancing across its rippling surface. Cool and inviting, it was exactly what he needed after a long day of training. He enjoyed having the cool waters to himself, to unwind and bathe with only his own thoughts for company.

Except on this occasion there was somebody already there.

Ping's slight figure was visible through the long grass as he appeared from the opposite side of the wood and prepared to undress. Clearly he had the same idea as Shang about choosing a quiet time to bathe. Shang watched with amusement from behind a tree- well, it was time he broke the young soldier out from his constant solitude. Communication, as well as fighting skills were essential in battle. It would not do him good to distance himself from the others. Shang made to step from behind the tree, and opened his mouth to greet the soldier-

-but his voice died in his throat and he drew a sharp intake of breath. For stepping out of the heavy training robes was no man.

The willowy figure shrugged off her garments- the moonlight making her pale skin shimmer like the blade of a sword. For a moment Shang stood transfixed, then, remembering the impropriety of watching a young woman unclothed, snatched his gaze away. He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his hand to his head. A thousand thoughts passed through his head. He had to be seeing things. He had trained too hard today. Removing his hands from his face, he stole another glance through the trees. The girl untied her hair from her topknot, her sleek black hair cascading around her face. She was hauntingly beautiful.

"Hulu jing," Shang breathed. A fox spirit who took the form of a woman. Shang was not one to be superstitious, but what other explanation was there?

And yet... there was a familiarity in the way she moved, scooping up her clothes and hiding them in the undergrowth. That delicate awkwardness he had observed so often in Ping. But it couldn't be. Ping was man.

Even as the thought entered Shang's mind, doubt niggled at him. Ping's slight, short form. His initial weakness and lack of stamina in physical tasks. His high, wavering voice. And his secretiveness. It all made sense. But..it couldn't be.

He watched as she stood at the shore. She looked quickly around her, then stepped into the lake. Her lithe body seemed to melt into the water, her skin so pale, almost translucent. He was reminded of Lo-Shen, goddess of the river. This creature could not be human.

As she raised a thin arm to wash, he saw the dark bruises blossoming under her skin on her ribs. She winced, and he gasped quietly. Shang had fought Ping in one-on-one combat earlier that day, and struck a hefty blow to that very same place. Not bearing to look at the ugly marks any longer, he looked away.

He had not been aware of the flush that was creeping over his body, and his quickened heartbeat. Quickly he turned away and cursed his weakness. A severe crime had been committed under his watch. High treason. Anger and humiliation rose up inside him. How dare she insult and seduce him with her deception? For a woman to be in the army was unthinkable- an unspeakable dishonour. Not to mention a poor reflection on him and his father. He knew the consequences and as captain it was his duty to carry them out. The Imperial Army did not tolerate disobedience of the law, and neither would he. He must act quickly, before anyone else discovered her and all hell broke loose.

Shang turned to leave, glancing quickly back at her to make sure he had not been seen. Then he stopped. She looked so vulnerable, so small, hugging her shoulders as she shivered in the water. A sudden image from his past flashed across his mind. A painful memory that he had buried long ago was resurfacing. The last memory of his sister.

As he looked at the girl, the horrors of that day began to unfold once more. He sank to his knees and covered his face with his hands until the memory faded, slipping as suddenly out of existence as it had come. Only this girl remained.

He gazed at her and his anger towards her faded. He felt powerless. For all Shang's strict army upbringing, his rigorous training and dedication to his position he knew that he could not carry out his duty. Ever since that fateful day years ago, he had dedicated his life to the army, so that one day he could protect the vulnerable from injustice and defeat those who carried it out. he knew though, that his emotions could weaken him, and so the sudden chaos of feelings that were coursing through him were disconcerting. He was aware of only one thing.

He could not harm her.

He could not kill a woman.

That inconceivably left him with a difficult situation. If her secret were to be discovered, Chi Fu would have a field day. Shang knew who would get the blame, and it would mean the troops would unlikely see battle. That conniving councillor had had it in for him since day one, and was desperate to humiliate Shang in front of General Li. It also meant that Shang would have no option but to execute her, without breaching the law himself. His best option would be to dismiss her, before anything happened. Coming up with a reason would be difficult- Ping was his best soldier. If there was a reason why his troops should join up with the Imperial Army, then he- no- she was it.

He sighed. This was not going to be easy. However, one thing was clear in his make a deicision, he needed to find out more about this girl. After all, it wasn't every day that a woman went to war.

Ok... so let me know what you think :)

Will explain more about his sister later on. Realised him comparing Mulan to her might sound dodgy if they were at all to have a relationship later, so am thinking about that one..._