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"Are you sure you want to help? You are 8 months pregnant," Mulan rolled her eyes as she bumbled along on top of Khan. "Yes, Shang, I'm fine," She sighed. "I just don't want you to be in pain. We both know how you were last time," Shang said as he placed his hand on her own. Mulan sighed in resignation. "Yeah... I know... I don't think I am though, I've got no pain and no swelling. I should be ok,"
For context, when Mulan was pregnant with their daughter, Mei, she was a mess. Morning sickness dominated her life for the best part of 6 months. Her feet grew so large she couldn't fit in her shoes anymore, and her back ached like nothing else before. At around 7 months, her body decided to scare the awaiting parents by throwing some false contractions her way. Mei eventually arrived, and that was a hassle in itself.
"You promise you'll say something if you hurt?" Shang asked as he looked into her eyes. Mulan couldn't say no: Mei gave her the exact look when she was in trouble and didn't want to be yelled at. She sighed and smiled instead. "I promise. It's not like I have anything to prove here, is it?" She laughed.
~
"Shang, my shirt doesn't fit anymore," She whined. "What do you mean?" Her husband asked, pushing the tent flap aside. She glared. "Exactly what I said," She snapped. He put his hands up in defence. "Sorry," She sighed. She glared at the crumpled shirt. "I don't understand! This fit me when I was pregnant with Mei!" She cried. "Well... you're carrying differently, sweetheart," Shang said as he sat next to her. "With Mei, you carried quite high... but this one is quite low," She smirked at him. "You know a lot about how ladies carry, has my mama been talking to you?" She asked. Shang laughed. "No, but my aunt has had many children. I spoke to her when you were very ill. Plus, she saw you in the field last week and said about it,"
Mulan snorted. "Ugh, what am I gonna wear?! I can't just walk out with my chest binding on!" She yelled in frustration. Shang took her hands and kissed them. "Listen," She took a breath and bit her lip. "You can borrow one of mine, and we will get you fitted at the next village we come across. Ok?" He smiled. "Is there any point in getting fitted for another shirt? I didn't think we were having anymore after this one," She frowned. Shang laughed, "We said that after Mei,"
~
Morning came around and Shang found himself awake long after the sun rose. He let a smile grace his face. Ever since Mulan fell pregnant with Mei, they were always up earlier than the sun thanks to her morning sickness, and just after the sun rose when Mei was born. It was a rare luxury to be in bed after the sun. He reached for his shirt but found it wasn't there.
Neither was his wife. His pregnant, irritable, short-tempered wife. Shang's eyes widened and he flung the tent flap open, desperate to locate his partner of 2 years. He jogged down the length of Whu-Zhong Camp flicking over every tent. Not a single person was in it.
Oh god.
He turned his jog into a run but halted abruptly when his sights came upon a disorganized line of men. He watched with a frown as Mulan paced up and down. A small smile wormed onto his face at the sight of her in his shirt. Ordinarily, it would have drowned her, but it fit perfectly over her large stomach. He took a few steps closer and listened.
Some of the men were grumbling and challenging her authority. That was a mistake: if Mulan didn't stand for injustice, she didn't stand for anything. She pulled her fingers to her lips and whistled loudly. Shang winced as did many of the other soldiers. Her glare was enough to send an entire army into hibernation! "Are you quite finished acting like wild animals!?" She yelled. Shang frowned as more of the soldiers tried to challenge her. She squared her shoulders and focused her glare on the unruly 4 that tried to challenge her. “I can assure you, that despite being 900 months pregnant, I am MORE than capable of sending your sorry behinds back to preschool!” She rested a hand on her swollen bump and glared down the line of disobedient soldiers. Shang watched as 2 of the original 4 step back into line with sheepish expressions. She fixed her glare on the remaining 2. "Is there a problem... soldier?" She hissed. Shang decided he had enough and began slowly making his way over.
It was one thing to disrespect a woman (not that he agreed with it, but some men were utter scum) but it was another thing to disrespect a commanding officer, who also tripled as the generals' wife and heroine of China. "I don't understand why you are here. You aren't my officer!" The bigger of the 2 hissed back. Shang quickened his pace. It wasn't because he was worried for Mulan, he knew she was more than capable of holding her own. It was what she would do to the soldier that worried him. "Wrong! I am your commanding officer! Your Captain!" She yelled. "You will respect me as you would another captain!" The soldier took a step forward.
Mulan did too.
Shang's speed increased. People began to whisper. "Lung, back off man!" One of the original 4 hissed. "Back down, Lung. Or I will make you sorry," Mulan whispered. Shang watched as, with wounded pride, Lung took his place in line again. He stopped and listened. "As punishment for challenging your commanding officer, you will fight me," She finished with a smirk. The line began to whisper. Shang didn't like this. She was risking their baby at this point. "If you think you're so big to verbally challenge your commanding officer, then surely you won't have a problem fighting me?"
Lung began to babble excuses. "Why? Are you worried that you messed up? That you've made yourself a fool in front of your fellow troops?" She egged on. Shang knew what she was doing: he did it to Yao when he challenged his authority. "You're pregnant, I can't fight you!" Lung exclaimed. "Oh, but you can get mouthy instead? Uh uh, not happening,"
Lung sighed loudly but stood opposite her. Shang stood at the end of the line, next to a small soldier. The latter gaped. "Shush, I'll step in when I need to," He whispered.
Mulan stood in a defensive crouch. "No throat jabs, and no belly jabs," She warned. Lung stood in a... pose. Shang raised an eyebrow at the poor attempt at a defensive stance. Mulan was going to wipe the floor with him. Not worrying as much, Shang crossed his arms over his chest.
Somebody whistled, and the fight began.
Shang watched as Mulan, despite being 8 months pregnant, kicked her leg out with the same grace as she did before she was pregnant. Lung dodged and Mulan kicked out at his legs. He dropped to the ground but rolled into a crouch. She swung her arm at his face and when he dodged again, she delivered the same kick that landed Shang with a bruised jaw and black eye for a week. Lung groaned loudly. Mulan kicked his leg gently. "And you would be dead. Get up," She snapped. She flicked some hair out of her face and placed a hand on her bump again. Shang couldn't help the smug smile.
Lung stumbled up and blinked at her. "Now, for disrespecting me earlier, you can do 10 laps round camp. Go!" She yelled. Lung immediately stumbled off into a job.
Shang stayed hidden at the end of the line and watched as she composed herself with a smile. "Right, now he's been taken care of," She looked down the line of... what could best be described as scared soldiers with the same grin Shang held.
He walked forwards, making himself known. She grinned at him. Shang placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to the line. “Pick a sparring buddy and I’ll show you some defensive stances,”
The line began to mix and Shang leant to her ear. "That was very attractive," He whispered. Mulan blushed and turned with a frown. "What, putting a soldier in his place?" She asked. He shook his head, "No. Putting him down... with that authority." He chuckled. She smiled at him.
"I am glad I could be of service to you... but I need you to do something for me," She whispered. Shang nodded. "Yeah, what is it?"
Shang watched as her eyes seemingly brightened. "Take me to the nearest medical hut. My waters broke,"