What to Say?
By Suz aka Patria M

**Author’s note: All characters are (unfortunately) copyrighted Disney. This is for entertainment purposes only, yes? It’s not as if I’d go and sell copies of this thing, so no sketching pencil throwing, Disney people….unless it really is that awful. Yes, the lyrics are from the song (duh) “True to Your Heart” by Wilder and Zippel. And yes, the other characters….it’s not entirely coincidental that these are like real life people…well, actually, they are. But there is a logical reason for this. (Okay, really long author’s note) The idea for this fanfic was one of those that won’t leave you alone until you write it down……but unfortunately, that was a day I had a mountain of homework to do…..so I was being impatient how slowly writing this was taking…..so I found the perfect way to speed things up……not to mention I couldn’t resist the idea once it had come to me…..*g* So enough with this and enjoy!

As Mulan approached him, Captain Shang forced himself to breathe. She smiled up at him expectantly. “Tell her,” he thought. “This is your chance.” “You…” he heard himself say. You what? I love you, you’re beautiful, you saved my life - thank you, you…. “…you fight good.” You fight good?!? What kind of asinine compliment was that?? Great going. You just blew it. Amid his mental self-flaying he heard her voice, “Thank you.” Thank you! She said thank you! There’s still hope! But Mulan mounted her horse and rode off without a backward glance. He sighed. Forget it. She didn’t even look back. Why was I so stupid? I could have said something more intelligible, more-

The Emperor cleared his throat. “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all,” he stated gesturing with hands.

“Sir?” asked Shang, hopeful and confused. Huh? What is that supposed to mean? Suppose he’s saying…no…that’s not possible.

“You don’t meet a girl like that every dynasty.” The Emperor gave him a stern look for his slow thought processes and strode back up the stairway. Shang turned and smiled at the leaving figure upon horseback. Yes! He did mean it… Then his smile faded. What do I do? Just follow her? I need help. Looking back, he saw Ling, Yao, and Chien Po looking around, a bit lost about what they were to do now that the adventure was over. “And what will you do now, soldiers?”

“Wipe off this ridiculous makeup!! How can women wear this??” exclaimed Ling.

“No, I meant, where will you go, now that the war is over?”

Yao shuffled his feet, uncertain. “We really don’t know.”

“What were you planning to do, sir?” asked Chien Po.

“Well, if you three didn’t have anything better to do, I was thinking maybe we could go visit Mulan.”

Instead of the jeers and snickering that Shang expected, the threesome lit up.

“Yeah!”

“Why not?”

“Good idea, Captain.”

*****

Captain Li Shang paced nervously back and forth on the hill constantly giving nervous glances to the village below while his companions sat resting, in the grass. Abruptly he stopped and turned towards them. “Are you sure this is the village she said she was from?”

Ling sighed, Yao rolled his eyes, and Chien Po replied, “Yes, we are quite sure. This is the seventeenth time you have asked us this question.”

“Well, I just don’t want to go down in there and wander around to find out we’ve came for nothing. Not to mention the trouble we would have leaving.” With each passing village it had taken longer and longer to get through. Word had spread of the defeat of the Huns, and there were many unmarried maidens available. Shang cringed at the memory of the village they had to spend the night at. The matchmaker there had actually listed a name of candidates for each soldier, introducing them to as many girls as possible. Ling was encircled by a group, as was Yao. Even Chien Po had a constant companion. Shang, for the first time, had felt very uncomfortable and out of countenance. All those giggling females holding on to his arms, and all those questions. It was a miracle that none of them had ended up betrothed to a village girl. Glancing over his shoulder, Shang frowned irritably. And what is so fascinating about my cape? It’s just a piece of cloth….

“Remember, once we get in the village, we don’t stop for anything. Anything at all.”

Ling looked disappointed while Chien Po looked hesitant. “Uh, sir?”

“What is it?”

“Wouldn’t we need to get directions to Mulan’s house?”

Oops. He hadn’t thought about that. Shang winced.

Ling brightened visibly. “I’ll ask!”

“No.” If he did, they’d never be able to leave. “Chien Po will ask for directions.”

“Aww,” sulked Ling. “I never get any fun.”

“Why don’t you ask,” suggested Yao. “Or is Mr. Tough Guy scared?”

Ling snickered while Shang glared at Yao. Then he turned away and began pacing again. He knew it had been a bad idea to tell his companions the purpose of his coming here. Well, maybe not Chien Po, but the other two teased him unmercifully day and night. “What do I say to her?” he heard himself speak.

“You could give her flowers…” suggested Chien Po.

“Poetry. Flattering poetry. Women always fall for that….. ‘Oh goddess, pale as the moon, beautiful as the cherry blossoms….” recited Ling.

“Mulan won’t go for that - she’s not like any other woman. She’s trained with us, sweated to death with us, and even…..” Yao broke off abruptly, an unpleasant thought came to his mind. He turned deathly pale and hid his face in his hands. “You three go on without me – I don’t think I’d be able to see her again.”

“What?” Shang noticed that the other two’s eyes had grown wide. He was missing something. “What do you mean?”

“You don’t think she saw…..” Ling trailed off.

“I think we were adequately…..covered…Yao on the other hand…maybe….no, I don’t think she looked.” replied Chien Po.

Yao looked up from his hands. “Are you sure?”

“What are you people talking about?” When there was no reply, Shang turned and started pacing again.

“What will you say to her father?” asked Chien Po, a few minutes later.

“I…I’m not sure. I – wait. How about this? ‘Honorable Fa Zhou, I am Captain Li Shang. I was a comrade of Mulan’s and I wish to see her again, if you will permit?’ No – that won’t do. What if I see Mulan instead first? What will I tell her?”

Yao grinned. “Pray that you meet her father first.”

Shang glared at him. “That doesn’t help me any.”

Ling was digging through his knapsack. “Here.” He threw something at Shang who caught it. “Tell her you came to give back her helmet.”

“But…” Shang hesitated, “…is this really her helmet? I mean, won’t it make me seem, well, desperate?”

“Aren’t you?” muttered Yao.

“It is.” Confirmed Ling.

“Does it really matter as long as you see her?” asked Chien Po.

“No – yes – I mean, I don’t know!!” He gave the village a glance. “This was a stupid idea. I never should have come. I should go.” Shang turned towards his horse.

About to mount, he heard Ling, “Fine, if that’s the way you choose it. Who knows? Maybe I’ll ask Mulan to marry me…….”

Instantaneously, Shang spun on his heels and approached Ling. “WHAT?”

Unconcerned, Ling drew in the dirt with a twig. “Just checking to see if your hearing still works – your brain seems to have frozen.”

“If you really like her,” Chien Po added, “why don’t you just go see her?”

“Exactly. Why are you so worried?” questioned Yao.

“ ‘If you’re unsure, why fight the tide? Don’t think so much, let your heart decide!! True to your heart, you must be true to your heart-‘ what the heck am I singing???” Ling looked as shocked as the others that the words had come from his mouth.

Shang blinked and shook his head. Maybe he wasn’t getting enough sleep. Maybe – something whacked the back of his head and he heard a very odd-accented voice say, “Just go down there and see her you dope!!! Stop moping around, I’ve got other things to finish!”

“Huh?” Rubbing his head, Shang turned around to see a girl glaring up at him. She was of the same build as Mulan’s but there was an expression in her eyes that made him feel as if she knew something he didn’t…..and her clothing was so odd! Her top had no sleeves and she had some sort of rough textured blue pants - except they didn’t even cover her knees! Scandalous! The girl then smiled and pursed her lips while examining him approvingly.

“Of course, if there was a way to take you with me…” she murmured.

The girl’s expression and her state of dress – or undress, he felt, was a bit too much…he could feel his face turn the color of his cape while his companions snickered.

“Suz, what the heck do you think you’re doing??” Shang’s eyes widened as another girl appeared. She was taller than the first, bone-thin, and she had a slightly better accent. Her outfit was similar to the first’s but thankfully her pants reached her ankles. She turned to Shang, “Sorry, sir, to disturb you. It won’t happen again. I promise.” She then dragged the first off to one side where they began a heated discussion. Shang could hear a few words and then looked at his companions who shrugged in unison. They had no idea what was going on, either.

“I was just….” Whinned the first

“…you crazy?” asked the second.

“But….”

“Wait a minute.” The second took out a sheet with some sort of scribbling on it and frowned after looking at it. “Did you make Ling sing that song??”

“No, no.” insisted the first. “That was Diana.”

Unbelievingly, a third female appeared. “You called?” she asked.

“Do you know what kind of anachronisms you two are creating???” exclaimed the second.

“Aw, c’mon. We’re just having a bit of fun.” With that, the first and the third turned to look at Shang. He looked for a place to hide when the first smiled suggestively and the other waved at him.

“…….just a cartoon!!!!” exclaimed the second one. “Now let’s get out of here.” With that the second female dragged the other two away and they suddenly disappeared.

Shang, not knowing what to think, turned to the others. Chien Po sighed hopelessly as he thought about the taller one. Yao stared wide-eyed at the space where the girls had been while Ling shrugged. “Might as well do what that girl told you,” he suggested. Shang shook his head. Perhaps he had been hallucinating.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

*****

The rest of their journey to the village occurred without incident though Ling and Yao were giving Shang a harder time than before. When they arrived, Chien Po received directions from a passerby and the group made haste to Mulan’s house….except for Ling who winked or waved at every female he saw.

*****

“Okay. I’m ready.” Shang took a deep breath. Then he paused. “Aren’t you guys coming with me?”

Yao shook his head.

“You can do it. We will wait.” Encouraged Chien Po.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” Said Ling, eyes following a maiden who was walking across the street.

This is it. Shang took another deep breath and walking in, where he saw two women. The elder was muttering something to the other. “Excuse me,” the two women turned towards him “Does Fa Mulan live here?” Eyes wide, they pointed. I suppose that means yes. Shang saw a venerable man underneath a tree. That must be Mulan’s father. Okay, this is it.

“Honorable Fa Zhou? I…” he trailed off as he spied… “Mulan! I…uh….um…” Mulan! What do I say? What did they tell me? Poems? No…..Ling…helmet…that’s it…. “You forgot your helmet.” He finally blurted out. “Actually, it’d be your helmet….isn’t it….sir.” No, no…damn. …quick! Think of something else….

Mulan took the helmet from his hands. Smiling, she asked, “Would you like to stay for dinner?”

Shang heard another voice asking, “Would you like to stay forever?”

Looking at Mulan’s face, he thought, Yes, forever would be nice……”Dinner would be great.”

*****

(Author’s comment: Actually, that’s the intended ending. But only if this was a serious fanfic. I kinda like how it ends, don’t you? But this isn’t supposed to be that serious. So read on!)

After Mulan had introduced Shang to her family, they stood alone in the garden. He took her hands and looked into her eyes. “Mulan,” he began, “there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you…” He paused. Was that muffled laughter in the background he heard?

“What is it?” asked Mulan.

Shang frowned at the wall. “Alright.” He called, “you can come in now and stop laughing!”

“Who’s there?”

“Some other friends of yours.” At that moment, Yao, Chien Po, and Ling with a blackened eye appeared in the archway. Of course, in such a reunion, there were hugs to be had. While Mulan greeted Chien Po, Shang turned aside to Ling. “Where did you get that black eye?”

Ling gave him an innocent look. “I just offered this young maiden help to carry her baskets…”

“Yeah, ‘cept the maiden didn’t need any help.” Chortled Yao. “If fact, she insisted.”

Ling gave Yao a sour look.

“Yao, do you still have powder on your face?” exclaimed Mulan, glancing at his forehead.

“Um…..I…guess….”

“Guess you’d better go…” Ling snickered, “….wash it off, King of the Rock!”

*****

Epilogue

(Written at the suggestion of Diana *g*)

Suz sat back in her chair and turned to her companions. “So, what do you think, ladies?”

Diana grinned and said, “I think we should congratulate ourselves on a job well done.” while Des muttered. “Is there something you don’t like, Des?”

“Alright, alright. I have to admit, it was rather cute…. except for those tricks you two pulled.”

“What?” Suz gave Des an innocent look. “Why, whatever do you mean?”

“Face it, the two of you need help.”

“Hmph!”

“You know you’re not supposed to go around popping into stories whenever you feel like it!”

Diana murmured to herself, “I wish I could remember how I did that……”

“Look,” explained Suz, “I was in a hurry. I’ve got so much homework. So think of that excursion as a little break. Besides, do you know what kind of agony I’m going through right now? I haven’t seen the movie for 23 days! I’m dying!”

“Suz?”

“Yeah?”

“Get help.”

:P

“Oh come on, you can’t blame her, Des.” Interjected Diana.

“Really? You’re as crazy as she is. Don’t deny it, I know all about that plush toy comment.”

“Who me? Why would I ever say such a thing?”

“You have and you know it!”

“I was on a sugar high….I didn’t know what I was saying….”

“Yeah, sure. Uh-huh.”

“You know,” commented Suz, “My Mandarin must not be as bad as I thought it was…..they could understand me!….despite the fact that I had to look half those words up beforehand.”

“Well, what are you two going to do now?” asked Des apprehensively.

“I was thinking…” said Diana, “…maybe we could work on our calligraphy so then we could go around and write Shang’s name all over the place without people knowing what it is!”

“Hey, cool!” exclaimed Suz. “Why not? C’mon, let’s go!” She and Diana abandoned the word processor without further ado.

Des sighed. “You don’t find crazy Asian females like those two in every household.”

(So that’s it! I don’t plan to write any more of this unless I am struck with a sudden bolt of inspiration…or if my sister bothers me so much about it that I’ll do anything to shut her up….not likely. Feedback, of course, is welcome Patria2HML@aol.com )

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