Chapter 1

Mulan was reciting the notes that she'd painted on her arm. Today was the day she'd go to the match maker and possibly set up an arranged marriage. However, Mulan never felt like she was meant to be in an arranged marriage. In fact, she had always felt like she was meant for more.

Unfornately, she was a woman. If she was a man, she'd have far more opportunities. Despite her feelings on the matter, she wanted to be a good daughter. She wanted her family to be happy, and if that meant marrying a man she didn't know, then so be it.

That was when she heard the rooster let out his morning call. "I'm late!"

She leapt up and called out to her dog as she ran outside. "Little Brother! Little Brother!"

Her dog ran over to her, barking excitedly. "There you are," Mulan greeted him as she kneeled and pet him. "Do you want to help me with my chores?"

As if to answer, Little Brother barked. She then tied a rope attatched to bag full of seed and tied a stick dangling a bone. Little Brother barked and ran off, trying to grab the bone. As he ran, the bag left a trail of seed, and the chickens started eating.

That was when Mulan went inside the house and made a cup of tea. She then went back outside and went to their ancestoral shrine where her father was praying.

"Ancestors, please, help Mulan have a sucessful meeting with the match maker today."

"Good morning, Father," Mulan greeted him as she kneeled beside him.

"Mulan, you should be on your way to get ready by now."

"I know, but I had a feeling you didn't have your morning tea, and the doctor said you have have tea in the morning and evening."

Fa Zhou chuckled as his daughter handed handed him the cup of tea. "Thank you, Mulan, but you must go now before you're anymore late."

"I will. Wish me luck."

"Hurry," he urged as Mulan left the shrine. Once she was gone, Fa Zhou sighed placed the cup down.

"Ancestors, I once again thank you for blessing my daughter with such great intuition. Ancestors, hear my prayers. Should Mulan have sucess today, please, grant her a husband who will treat her with dignity and love."

Meanwhile, Hua Li was anxiously pacing outside a building in town. "Of all the days to be late..."

"Oh, don't you worry," Grandmother Fa reassured her daughter-in-law. "She'll be here."

"I don't doubt that, Grandmother. I just don't want Mulan to be late for such an important day."

"Ah, here she comes."

Mulan rode her horse Khan over to them and hopped off of him. "I'm here!"

Hua Li gave Mulan a stern expression. "What?" Mulan asked. "You should've half an hour ago."

"Sorry, Mother."

Hua Li sighed and said, "Come on. We mustn't be anymore late."

Mulan followed her mother inside and started the process of getting ready. It was a process that took place in multiple locations and took up to two hours to complete.

By the time they were done, Mulan looked like a completely different woman. In fact, she didn't even recognize herself in the mirror. She looked like the perfect soon-to- be bride.

Instead of feeling happy or reasonably anxious, Mulan felt a deep pit in her stomach. She felt fake like a porcelin doll. Something inside her wanted to wipe the carefully applied makeup off and run. Despite the urge to do so, Mulan forced a smile as her mother smiled proudly.

"You're ready."

"Not yet," Grandmother Fa stated. She walked over to her granddaughter and put a necklace of jade pearls on her. "The jade is for beauty, and..."

She pulled out a cage with a cricket in it and attatched it to Mulan's belt. "The cricket is for luck. Use those sharp instincts of yours and you'll find a husband in no time."

"Thank you," Mulan replied. I don't want to do this.

"Here," Hua Li said as she handed Mulan her umbrella. "Now, don't forget to keep your chin up, alright?"

Mulan nodded with a strained smile. I want to leave.

"We'll walk with you to the match maker. If we leave now, we'll get there in time," Grandmother Fa stated. Mulan nodded again and followed them outside. This isn't right.

As they walked, Mulan quietly prayed.

"Ancestors, please, hear my prayer. Help me not to make fool of myself and keep my father standing tall." I can't do this. I want to go home. This isn't for me.

Before she knew it, they stood in front of the match maker's house. There were four other women dressed like Mulan, patiently waiting for their turn.

"We'll be over there," Hua Li informed her daughter. She and Grandmother Fa walked away and stood off to the side. Mulan stood with the other women and clenched the umbrella.

I need to leave. This isn't going to work. I can't get married. I'm not ready. I want to choose my partner, not have a match maker choose for me. I can't go through with this. I can't. This will end badly. Why can't I pull myself together? I can't bring dishonor to my family, but I can't do this either. I'm meant for something else. I don't know what, but at least it'll feel right.

The match maker finally stepped outside and called, "Fa Mulan."

"Present!" she called, waving her hand in the air. "Speaking without permission," the match maker noted with irritation. Mulan cringed as she followed her inside.

Once inside, she examined Mulan and noted, "A little skinny." Mulan swallowed hard. "Recite the rules of a wife, please."

Mulan did as she was told, reciting it perfectly. Each word, however, felt wrong for her to say. "Good. This way."

The match maker led her over to the table with a teapot and two cups. "Now, pour the tea," she instructed as tgey sat across fro. each other. "Pouring tea the right way is a sign of dignity."

Mulan nodded as she picked up the teapot. This isn't right.

Mulan poured the tea carefully into the match maker's cup. This needs to stop.

Once the cup was filled, Mulan started filling her own cup. Stop. Stop. Stop!

That was when the match maker yelped in pain as she jumped up, revealing that her dress somehow caught fire and was spreading, burning into her skin. Mulan jumped up as the older woman ran outside.

Acting fast, Mulan grabbed the pot of tea and chased her outside. Everyone stared in shock and confusion as the woman yelled, "Put it out! Put it out!"

Mulan then threw the tea out, soaking her in tea and put the fire. Even though the fire was out, the tea was still steaming, and burned her more. She let out a hiss in pain as Mulan asked, "Are you okay?"

"Of course, I'm not, you wretched girl! I don't know how you did this, but you are clearly bewitched!"

"Don't you dare talk to my daughter that way," Hua Li growled as she and Grandmother Fa stormed over to them.

"Then control her because something is clearly wrong with her!"

"I'm not going to listen to this. Come on, sweetheart. Let's go home," Hua Li said. Mulan nodded in agreement, and the trio walked away from the still enraged woman. Little did they know, this was just the beginning.