Despite her best attempts, Mulan couldn't sleep for too long. Everything hurt, and after getting a few hours of hard sleep, she just had to get out of bed. When she came into the living area, she saw that nobody else was awake. Most of the town was probably asleep after the events of the night before. She heard the soft murmur of voices from the soldiers' room and walked quietly over to tap at the door. Ling opened it, his expression tired and drawn with pain, but he smiled.

"How about a walk around our garden to loosen up?" Mulan asked softly.

"That might help," Ling said. He turned and asked the other two, and they all came out. Chien-Po was fully dressed, but the other two had their shirts off. Mulan didn't even spare them a second glance. She gestured for them to follow them led the out back. The chickens came barreling over, jumping at her.

"Guess we forgot to feed them," Mulan said. "Give me a moment."

She fed them by hand this time, knowing Little Brother would wake half the village with his barking. The chickens pecked at the feed, happy to be fed. She gave Little Brother a bone then led them out into the garden. Chien-Po looked around with great pleasure.

"This place is so beautiful."

"Grandma and Mama tend it themselves," Mulan said.

"They have done a marvelous job," Chien-Po said.

They walked around to loosen up their stiffness and didn't speak for awhile. It wasn't awkward, but there was some tension. Finally Ling sighed.

"Guess this is as good a time as any to talk about it?"

Mulan didn't answer.

"We're sorry we left ya, Mulan," Yao said.

"It was only proper," Mulan said. "If he'd killed me, you would have done the same thing. I just wouldn't have gone home."

They all cringed. Mulan made her way to a bench beneath a beautiful tree, sitting down with a sigh. She rubbed her shoulder, and the three men stared at her, taking in her black eye and bandaged wrist. She wore the same kind of shirt as earlier, sleeveless but tightly wrapped around her chest, and a pair of trousers. Her hair was down and framed her face, and it was so obvious now that Ping had not been a man. The things he had done in the camp, his odd mannerisms, his lack of basic knowledge in doing everyday things like shaving, and so much more were now glaring proof that Mulan had been there all along.

They approached her and sat on the grass. "Could you tell us why you decided to do it?" Ling asked.

Mulan shrugged. "You've heard of what my father did in his time of war. You've seen his cane. Yet the emperor called for one man from every family to serve China. So he was going to go."

There was a long pause then Yao spoke. "You know he would've been sent back home as unfit for combat, right?"

Mulan sighed through her nose. "I figured that out a couple of weeks after I got there when I heard some other men talking. When it came down to it, I almost went home the night Captain Shang told me to." She smiled. "He said I was unsuited for war and told me to leave. I almost did."

"Why didn't you?" Chien-Po asked.

"I never did liked men telling me that I was unfit, and they would do it all the time for me back home. I was never quite right, and the men of the village… well, you've met them. You've seen."

"Heh. Yeah." Ling flushed. "I kinda thought that guy asking 'So was it yours? We have a bet,' was a little strange. I asked what they were talking about and they did this." He rounded his hands over his stomach. "And they said your name. I didn't have time for foolishness because I had to send that letter to the captain, so I got a little testy with them and snapped at them that they'd better scram. They did awful fast, laughing and congratulating each other."

Mulan laughed. "To them, that just confirmed the rumor. Apparently they know better now."

"If they don't, we'll teach 'em," Yao said, punching his palm.

"Thanks, Yao," Mulan said fondly. "But I'm used to it."

"Guess that's why we didn't bother you," Ling said.

"What do you mean?" Mulan asked.

"We thought your ability to face the entire camp's displeasure and angry talk so well to be rather astounding," Chien-Po said when the other two hesitated. "The three of us agreed at one time that we would have asked for a transfer to a different camp to start over completely. But you didn't. You stayed and came to training every day, no matter what we did or said to you."

"I'm used to it," Mulan repeated with a shrug, her expression tight. "It wasn't the same words, but it was the same attitude. I'd lived and breathed it for years already. Who it was doing the taunting didn't matter to me. It was just more of what I was used to, so I kept going. And when Shang told me to go, I had a moment where I thought. 'Why should I? I'm dressed as a man and can do as I please.' So I looked over and decided that before the day dawned, I would get that arrow off the pole. And I did. Not quite before dawn, but I was close. And I proved that I could do it if I wanted to."

"That's when your training took a turn," Chien-Po said knowingly.

"Yes," Mulan agreed. She sat very still then looked up at them. "I forgive you for leaving."

"Why?" Ling asked sincerely.

A small smile lifted Mulan's lips. "Because I know you won't do it again. You were the only ones besides Shang who listened to my idea, who trusted my ideas despite the fact that I'm a woman. On the mountain? You would have done it for anybody there. At the palace, you would have only done it for me."

Yao smiled a little. "Yeah. Can't see anybody else getting me in a dress. But I figured if you could pretend to be a man for several months, I could pretend to be a woman for ten minutes."

Mulan nodded. "I appreciate it. Everybody else stayed back and looked to Shang for the answer. You three didn't hesitate to follow me."

"Oh, there was a smidge of hesitation," Ling said. "If the other two hadn't agreed, I don't know what would have happened. I couldn't have done it alone."

"And the fact that you did so for so long is truly admirable, Mulan," Chien-Po said. "You have my respect." He placed his hands together and bowed a little. The other two grinned and followed suit. Mulan could feel the blush warming her cheeks, and she reached up her good hand to brush her hair out of her face.

"You're too much," she said.

They straightened then Yao and Ling began stretching. "Oh, man, I hurt all over. Those Huns sure kicked our buns. Ha! Get it?"

Mulan laughed as Yao rolled his eyes. "Hey Ling. What does Atilla say when he walks in the house?"

Ling raised his eyebrows. "What?" he asked, his voice already edged with delight.

"Hun! I'm home!" Mulan called.

Ling broke up into a fit of laughter and Chien-Po chuckled to himself. Yao scoffed. "Ugh, you're as bad as him."

"Hardly," Mulan said. "I have a sense of dignity."

That one made the other two crack up as Ling gasped for breath and waved his hands in surrender.

"Mercy," he wheezed. "Please. You win."

Mulan grinned and they heard the clattering of hooves. The four soldiers stood up. "Guess the captain's here," Ling said. "We'd better get a bit more presentable."

"Agreed," Mulan said. As they started back toward the house, she spoke again. "By the way, I won't tell anybody what happened at the lake."

There was silence, and she glanced back to see they were fully interested in other things. She grinned. "Besides," she added as she ducked inside and headed into her room. "I saw just about everybody naked that night, not just you. I'm just thankful for the snake or things would have been very different. Now go get ready."

After pulling on a shirt, Mulan padded out to the living area to wait. Ling, Yao, and Chien-Po came out soon after. Mulan hesitated then went to the door to her parents' room.

"Bàba?" she called. "I believe the captain's here. We're going out to meet him."

"I'll be there shortly," Zhou called sleepily.

Satisfied she'd done her duty in this matter, she, Ling, Yao, and Chien-Po headed outside to the gate. When they came out into the street, all they could see were horses milling about and soldiers looking around in wonder. Ling tapped one man's shoulder and asked where the captain was. The soldier dismounted and led the four of them through the army. They saw Captain Shang standing beside his white horse, talking to a few men. The villagers went silent as Mulan approached and stared at her with big eyes. Captain Shang frowned then turned.

"Ah, Ling, Yao, and Chien-Po." He paused and took in Mulan's appearance and smiled. "You were the cause of whatever happened last night, weren't you?"

"Guilty as charged," Mulan said easily. She could feel many of the soldiers on horses staring at her, but she wasn't bothered at the moment. "But what do you know about what happened?"

"Not much," Shang admitted. "We woke up in the middle of the night to what felt like an earthquake and saw fire streaming into the sky. We thought we were too late to save this village."

Ling laughed. "Nah, the Huns never stood a chance against us! Not with Mulan behind the plan."

"It wasn't all smooth sailing," Shang noticed, staring at Mulan's black eye.

"No. I also had a dislocated shoulder and sprained wrist," Mulan said. She held up her bandaged hand as well as she could. "But it wasn't as bad as Shan Yu's strike. I'll be fine, captain. "

"That's good to hear. Now how in the world did you do what you did?"

A hand settled on her shoulder, and Mulan turned to see her father with Khan's reins. "Take him out to see the damage," Zhou said, passing her the reins. He looked tired but serene.

"Captain?" Mulan asked.

"If you don't mind."

Mulan stepped up and swung onto Khan's broad back then reached out for Ling. "Yao, why don't you and Chien-Po help Bàba to rouse the villagers?"

"Sounds good to me," Yao said.

Mulan knew Yao wasn't a big fan of riding horses due to his size, and Chien-Po would have to ride an ox if he were to ride anything at all. Ling was just fine around horses, so he gladly went with them down the road to the bog.

They rode out with several other men, who openly gazed at Mulan as they trotted along. A haze was over the bog land, and when they got there, Shang and the others dismounted. Ling's relaxed grip on Mulan's waist fell away and he leaned back to watch. There were singed bodies everywhere, and very little had survived the blast. Shang looked around and shook his head.

"How'd you do it?"

Mulan explained sitting astride Khan, too sore to keep getting up and down. "We never worked in the bog because of the gasses," Mulan said. "They can poison you and they're flammable. So we freed as much as possible then lit it up. And you saw what happened."

Shang shook his head. "I can't believe this. This is the second time you've taken down an army of Huns. Are you sure you don't want to work for the emperor?"

Mulan was about to say no then thought about it. "It depends on what I'd be doing," she said.

Shang brightened and Ling clapped her shoulder with excitement. "I'll discuss things with him once I get back to the capital," Shang said. "I'm supposed to go there once I finish eradicating the Huns."

"Well, she helped you along quite a bit, eh, captain?" Ling asked.

"It wasn't just me," Mulan argued. "Ling, Chien-Po, and Yao helped. And the villagers."

"Some of the villagers," Ling said pointedly.

"Yes. Some of the villagers," Mulan said, keeping her voice even. Shang narrowed his eyes, but he turned away and sent the soldiers out with scarves just in case the haze was more gas.

"You two can head back," Shang said. "This will take awhile. We need to check in as far as we can.

"We made it about halfway to Chiangdu, I think," Mulan said. "Though it was so dark, I can't be sure."

Shang nodded. "You four better rest. That eye looks bad, Mulan."

"I've had a worse black eye from you," Mulan said, tossing her head as she smirked. "We'll see you when you get back. Be careful with breathing, and try not to spark anything. It could catch fire again."

Shang nodded, and Mulan turned Khan as Ling wrapped one arm lightly around her waist. They didn't speak for a minute then Ling couldn't stand the silence.

"So, you might actually work for the emperor?"

"I see no reason why I shouldn't," Mulan said. "As long as Bàba doesn't mind, and I don't think he will."

"It's quite the honor," Ling admitted.

Mulan nodded, and she urged Khan a little faster as they approached the village. The others must have roused the town because there were people milling about. There was a noticeable lack of energy, but it appeared most of the town was up and waiting. Mulan and Ling rode Khan through the villagers until they got to the horses of the army. They dismounted, and Mulan led Khan forward, weaving through the men and animals until they got home. Li and Grandma stood at the gate, and Li took Khan in and led him back to his stall while Mulan and Ling began to search for Yao and Chien-Po. They spotted the latter standing and chatting with somebody, and as they got closer, they saw Zhou and Yao beside him. Chien-Po spotted them and waved.

"How did it go with the captain?" he asked as they stopped beside him.

"Pretty good," Ling said. "He was impressed."

"Who wouldn't be after a show like that?" Yao asked, his lips twitching.

"Bàba?" Mulan asked.

"Yes, my blossom?" Zhou asked, reaching over to smooth her hair.

"If the emperor wants me to work for him, I believe I will," she said. "But only if I can stay here. I don't mind leaving every so often for the emperor, as long as I can stay home the rest of the time."

"That sounds more than acceptable," Zhou said. "Now what are the captain's orders?"

"They're exploring the ruins," Ling said. "And it's probably going to take awhile."

"Then why not have the village prepare a feast for tonight?" Mulan asked. "We can feed all the soldiers and we can eat as well."

"And celebrate your victory, of course," Zhou said. He smiled. "That is most important."

Mulan looked down as she smiled, and Zhou excused himself to spread the word so the women could start making plans for the food. She stood there with Ling, Yao, and Chien-Po and looked around at the villagers. Many of the men were staring openly at her and talking in low voices. Mulan didn't mind. Let them talk. They always did. But at least now she'd given them something to talk about.

"Well, what do you want to do?" Ling asked. "There's no getting back to sleep now."

"Mm, I want some of that tea that helps with pain."

Agreeing on that, soon they were gathered around the Fa family's table as Grandma brought in a big pot of tea. Mulan thanked her then looked at Yao.

"You still haven't managed to correctly pour a single cup of tea. Would you like to try again?"

"Eh, yeah, why not?" Yao asked.

"Show me then."

This time, when Mulan corrected Yao, he didn't balk or complain. It took five minutes, but he eventually filled all four cups properly before he set the pot down. He took a deep breath and downed his tea. "My sister might have had a point. But she never could get out of the lessons. I guess I owe her an apology."

"I guess you do," Mulan said, drinking her tea. "But I will tell you, after being both a man and a woman, I can say that neither is easy. Women may have weaknesses, but they also have strengths, just like men. They're simply different. You men have a heavy burden on your shoulders, but please keep in mind that women do, too. We just bear them differently."

"That is very wise, Mulan," Chien-Po said. "And something that will not be so easily accepted."

"I know," Mulan said. "And not everybody will accept it. I know there will be people who won't approve of me even if I am in the emperor's service simply because I am a woman."

"More's the pity for them," Ling said. He poured himself another cup of tea, though it wasn't properly done. "But hey, since we've got time, you never explained to us what happens for women at the matchmakers."

"Oh, you want to get into that?" she asked. A smile hovered around her lips as a pink tinge rose on her cheeks. "It was a bad, bad day for me."

"How bad?"

"The matchmaker ended it by yelling at me that I am a disgrace and will never bring my family honor," Mulan said.

"Wait, what?" Ling asked, setting his cup down with a thump.

"To be fair, she was on fire at one point," Mulan admitted, her face turning redder.

"On fire?!" the three men asked in wonder.

"Oh, you don't want to hear all that."

"As king of the rock, I'd say it's only fair," Yao said.

Mulan snorted. "Fair enough, I suppose."

So she began to tell of the day that changed her entire life to her three friends. The smell of food wafted from the kitchens and the chatter of the soldiers and villagers out in the streets could be faintly heard under their talk. While Mulan talked of the matchmaker, the villagers were talking of her and what she'd done to the soldiers. She didn't care. There were far more important things to focus on.

Tonight would be a feast in their honor, and tomorrow would bring some changes to the small village. But for the present, Mulan was content with the way her adventure had turned out. She couldn't wait to see what would happen next, especially now that she'd agreed to possibly work for the emperor. Whatever it was, she was sure Ling, Yao, and Chien-Po would be up for it. Because for the first time in her life, Mulan had people to share things with, and she realized that they were no longer just her fellow soldiers. They were her friends. And that was something worth celebrating. Come what may, she now had friends to face it with, and that was an honor she had never known before. It was better than she'd ever dreamed.

And that's the end of this little story. I hope you enjoyed reading and let me know what you thought. Thanks so much for reading. God bless. :)