The Concubine's Cannon

Chapter 4: New Additions

Shang had watched her take out all of the supplies for training last night. She had continued with the small amount he'd shown her the first and only night of training. To make a long story short, she wasn't that good. Not without his attention at least. Her form was off, she could barely get not to mention keep the water on her broom, and the whole time she was sweating miserably. He was close to helping her, and he would've if he wasn't blushing the whole time. At one point he even laughed at her failed attempt at climbing the pillar. That got him aloud, "WHAT", and questions for her. Ping. Ping was the best name she could come up with as if that wasn't the biggest clue in that she was female.

He shakes his head at the thought of last night. He really should've helped but she got herself into it. "She's only a girl... Well..woman." He flushes at the thought of her calling herself a woman. What he had known about being referred to as a woman was that it meant you've had it before. He didn't know he was insulting her. Is that why she was mad? He ponders the questions in his head. He takes a step towards the door in front of him and peers in.  Never in his life has he's seen someone so happy. He smiles at the giggling girls, Mulan being amongst them. He'd asked earlier where she was and was pointed in this direction. He sighs and continues back to walking left to right, wondering why it had to be this hard.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry? I'm sorry!" He paces around the halls as he repeats the line. How does one apologize for ignorance? He holds his head in his fist as he still questions why. "I've fought, I've worked, and I've seen things. Why is helping with treason so difficult!" He covers his face with his hands and lets them fall. "Why is apologizing so hard?" The voice rings out and again he covers his face with a hand. "Mulan," the name seems to roll off the tongue. He doesn't even humor the idea of turning to face her. He hadn't realized they had finished doing whatever they were doing. Or maybe he was just too loud? "I... I mean. I'm so.. I'm." He gets interrupted by the pat of the back.

"You were right." She rolls her eyes at his astonished look. "It was hot. I should've listened. I'm sorry. But I still want to train." He nods his understanding. The lump in his throat seems to disperse. "I'm sorry. I'll stop calling you a girl, even if I keep the idea in my head." He gets a punch of the arm and he chuckles. "I think that's the first time I've heard you laugh." He rolls his eyes playfully and she laughs.

"Well, I didn't know you could dance before." With a teasing smile, Mulan's cheeks go blood red. "You saw." She forces down gulp. "I was just guessing. I mean is this not where the dancers practice?" She sighs in relief, an awkward chuckle washing over her. "It is. Why are you here?" She regains her confidence allowing him to be the flustered one. "I.. um. Sorry?" He gives her an awkward smile and burst out in laughter. "I know. I heard you. Just wanted to make sure it was real." She nudges him and he visibly relaxes.

They smile as the silence dawns over them. Even if it's just for a moment.

"RADICULOUS! THESE GENERALS ARE RADICULOUS! General Li...." The rat hisses as he storms over to the two, simultaneously ruining the moment. "Thanks a lot," they both seem to think, even the girls watching them think it. "Why are you dilly-dallying! Wasting time with these creatures!" He points to Mulan. She has to pull out her fan just to keep herself from screeching at him.

"We thought it would be a good idea to get a general's opinion on our sword dance." One of the younger girls pipes up. "Don't you girls know the difference between work and play!" The snotty man flutters his arms around. "Don't you know how to not interrupt people!" One of the middle-aged concubines insults him, shaking her fist around. "Don't make her get the emperor on you!" The girl from before laughs and soon the rest of the girls in there are laughing. The councilmember takes the insult with a huff. He takes his leave not before reminding Shang of the meeting that day.

"What does he mean by meeting?" Mulan raises her brow in the same mannerism she saw Shang yesterday. "It's another council meeting. We need more supplies but I think it's dangerous to try and get it from another village." She nods in agreement. "Though they're most likely in the south, they could possibly be in another direction. It would be smart to send scouts before going."

"If they don't suspect anything then they would have no reason to though..." The idea is played with before Mulan finally speaks. "While I want them to actually listen to me for once I don't think a hun ambush is the solution. Let's talk more about this during the meeting." With a nod, Shang departs.

"COME BACK AGAIN!" One of the VERY young girls waves him, letting a dreamy sigh escape. "Stop that, he's Mulan's man." Her sister hisses at her, making her fake a cry. "All of you stop it." The same older woman swears at each of them. "Let's get back to work. We have to get that sword dance down somehow." Girls giggle and the door shuts closed behind Mulan.
                    _________________

Similar to the day before Mulan and the rat walk-in behind the emperor, Chi-fu to his left and Mulan to his right. The difference is that Mulan goes straight to the table. The emperor sits down and the arguing begins. "I think we should send a party before we get the supplies. Maybe one or two soldiers. We aren't 100 percent where the Huns are, it's the best choice if we want to avoid an ambush." Shang brings up their idea before anybody can have the first word. The idea is easily shot down.

"It will take more time if we send scouts. We don't have that time," one of the men declares.

"They will already be here by then," another, chimes.

"They won't listen. They won't even consider what we say." She whispers under her breath at the irritation in her head. How could such powerful people be so foolish? Shang looked down at her. She's clearly upset, body tense, face rigid. Without even realizing it he places a hand on her shoulder, it calms her just a little. A little. "Baba. You are wise, what do you think about it?" She calls for her father who is beside them. He simply shakes his head. "Idiots," he mutters.

"Why don't you speak? Surely someone will end up believing you." Mulan a raises to the quiet comment. Does he not realize her father is here? "I am rarely allowed to speak aloud. But I have considered the idea, I rather not use my powers in that way though." "Powers?" His brows raise. "Would you like to see them? Of course, I can not show them in public though." His brows rise again and he quickly pulls his hand away from her. "It was a joke. I have said it before I do not enjoy partaking in those sorts of activities. If it can save people though...." Her voice trails off and the room grows silent.

"It is decided. To save time we shall not send scouts but we will survey the area near the day before." The emperor sits back down after the decree. He has the power to make the last decision and yet he rules with the majority. Even he does not trust in Mulan's plan. He dismisses the matter and they continue with the meeting.

"I'll do it. If it gets more people on our side then I'll do it." Both men stare at her. One stares with confusion while the other stares with fear. "We need more people anyways." With a cheerful smile, Shang nods solemnly, the same feeling courses within her, but as if she'll allow anyone to see it.

Author: Fun fact! Mushu and cricket will be coming up soon! What do you think of the dancers? This chapter is mostly filler to connect ideas together but what do you think the girls are up to? Sorry I forgot to post I have no good reason not to post besides for I'm lazy and forgot to copy and paste the text.