Chapter One: Meditation
Meditation, or the act of finding peace through complete and total silence with the aim of a religious or relaxation purpose, was one of the most important things that any respected member of Furious Five undertook on a daily basis. For most of them it involved five minutes of silence, in which they allowed themselves to reflect. They were instructed not to think about any troubles of the world or training, they were only to focus on themselves and their purpose in the world.
Tigress, for her session, used a combination of chants and rapid arm movements, allowing herself complete and total awareness of her surroundings in the event of an attack. Although her methods were less than orthodox, on personal level seeing meditation as something for the weak minded, Tigress constantly defended that it was sincere, and so was allowed to continue the practice. Mantis and Monkey, who always seemed to do their meditation together, took the liberty of balancing themselves on their heads, adding the challenge of balance and the accompanied physical endurance in order to push themselves to their upmost limitations. It should also be noted that between them it was also something of a contest to see who was able to last longer-usually with Monkey turning out the victor.
The only exceptions to the rule in this case were Viper and Crane, the former constantly restless and the latter, the exact opposite when it came down to meditation. Viper would weave in and out of the high grass that surrounded the temple and attempt to the best of her ability to balance herself on the lower half of her body, stretching as far as she would allow in an effort to reach the sun. Crane, in contrast, would roost in one spot, his favorite place being a large tree that rested just inside the walls of the temple. From this position he was able to see most of the Valley, gaze on the people below going about their lives and their daily business and reflect on the things that he deemed important. Mostly Crane thought about nothing particularly interesting, taking the words of Master Shifu to heart and focusing on clearing the mind but occasionally, for no particular reason at all, Crane would focus on the paddy fields and wetlands of Southern China; leagues from the Valley where he currently lived. He wondered if any of his family remained, and if they did if they cared about him at all; and if he would have stayed would he have been happy. These questions of existentialism were not bad or impeding thoughts, for they did not hound his duties as a warrior, monk and protector of peace, but to say that they did not happen at all would be to deny what humanity Crane considered himself to possess.
Breathing for the sake of breathing Crane looked out on the city, trying to see if he recognized anyone, for he took the time to memorize faces and browse the streets for names, the bird noticed for the first time that day that he was hungry. He laughed casually to himself at his negligence, having skipped breakfast in favor of an early sparring session, and took flight down his tree to the courtyard whereupon he found Monkey and Mantis right themselves and return to the sparring room.
"Ha!" Mantis exclaimed boastfully, "I got three minutes, a new record!"
Monkey huffed indifferently and shook his head, "Whatever" he replied, "Still two minutes shorter than me, at least I can last the whole time. You're done before I even start!"
Mantis couldn't help but laugh, somehow finding Monkey's statement hilarious; Crane, who heard most of their conversation, in part because his mind was still clear and thus heightening his senses and in part because both Mantis and Monkey were terrible whispers, knew that Mantis was laughing because of the sexual undertones that certain words carried and the way that they were said, which taken out of context could easily be mistaken for something else entirely.
"Will you two knock it off?" Crane asked, passive aggressively, as was his nature, "Show some respect for yourselves. Meditation isn't supposed to be a contest, it's supposed to be a time for reflection and inner peace."
Monkey and Mantis nodded, seeing wisdom in Crane's philosophy while still holding to their own. They had little reason to meditate, ironic in Mantis' case being that his species was practically known for the art, much preferring action over contemplation.
"Listen" Mantis began, trying to sympathize, "We're not like you. We can't just stare out into space and think about things. The world is changing and we have to change with it. People don't care about tradition, they care about progress."
Crane shook his head, for such thoughts, although practical, fitting his pragmatism, went against everything he was taught, which was a stronger force in the bird's being. He believed that in order for the world to continue it had to look back on the past and to learn from the mistakes, to improve, slowly, while still maintaining a connection to the natural, physical world.
"Master Shifu always tells us to be an example" Crane began, slightly chastising, "How can we do that if we jump on the forward progress bandwagon? Just because things are changing doesn't mean they always should. Some things should stay as they are."
Tigress and Viper appeared, one from the other side of the courtyard, and the other from the base of Crane's tree. Each of them appeared tired and worn, as if they hadn't slept in days. In truth they all needed rest, having trained constantly under Shifu in order to prepare for an exhibition for the people the following day.
"What's going on?" Tigress asked, curiosity getting the better of her, "You guys seem upset."
Monkey laughed sarcastically, slightly annoyed and gestured towards Crane, who in turn looked down, embarrassed and ashamed.
"Just another lecture from By-the-Book himself" Monkey answered, "He thinks that we should be conservative and avoid progress."
Tigress glanced at Crane and then at Monkey, she knew in her heart that Crane, being a pragmatic, found it difficult to talk about subjects involving faith and inner peace, areas that he struggled in despite his personal beliefs. She also knew that Crane was insecure and incredibly sensitive, speaking only when absolutely necessary, often keeping to his own thoughts.
"Whatever he said he's right" Tigress declared, automatically siding with the bird, "Our traditions are sacred, to abandon them means to lose everything we have."
Monkey nodded, for the moment accepting it, if only because it came from Tigress, whom he respected slightly more than Crane due to her status as the appointed leader of the Five. Mantis, who during the conversation began to have a change of heart after much personal deliberation, casually jumped on top of Crane's head and peered down, staring directly into the bird's eyes.
"No hard feelings?" Mantis said, apologizing, to which Crane immediately gave a small smile and a nod, unable to bring himself to stay too broken hearted about the affair; knowing that both of them meant the best of intentions.
"Don't worry about it" Crane replied, "There's no need to cause rifts between us with so many people trying to kill us on a daily basis."
Monkey laughed and slapped his knee over-dramatically, for the statement could not have been more accurate. If it wasn't training at the temple it was on patrol duty of the Valley, something that carried its own dangers, particularly in the Wards section, where the most crime tended to occur. Although the local guards and watchmen did their best to keep the peace when it came to local matters, some situations, mostly of the delicate nature, required the expertise of trained professionals. During the most dangerous of situations, the task usually being the prevention of a political assassination or the collapse of society, Tigress and Monkey took care of the heavy work, charging directly into battle with absolutely no care as to the consequences of their actions while Mantis, Viper, and Crane in particular, relied on stealth and clandestine methods to complete the objective. Thankfully, these times were few and far between, making Crane's statement of constant death and Monkey's over-dramatized laughter an overstated exaggeration.
Viper chuckled in turn, hers more playful and inviting than Monkey's, which was more of a howl. Crane preferred this, for it's subtly spoke volumes that only people who liked the company of themselves and their own minds better than the company of others understood. It was a laughter that he had heard one other time, in another life at his distant home. He could not remember the face to the laugh or its significance other than the fact that it was sweet and soft. He assumed that it did not matter, for it was enough to carry the memory and make his heart lighter. Without another word, the group entered the temple, Monkey, Mantis, and Tigress going one way, Crane and Viper, the other.
"What are you thinking about Crane?" Viper pried as she entered the common room, "Something on your mind?"
Crane shrugged indifferently, failing to see why he had to air his problems in front of everyone; if it was one thing the bird respected it was privacy, especially his own. He did not talk about himself and if he did it was only minor details, most of which were public and general common knowledge. He talked about the paddy fields and the wetlands, but not to the extent that it warranted an equal conversation about the jungles of China, which the others hailed from, their population in great numbers in comparison to Crane's people, which were dwindling.
"Nothing to concern yourself with" Crane replied, "My business is my business. I'll leave you to yours if you leave me to mine."
Viper raised her eyebrows curiously, noting Crane's tone, which was somber than usual; normally the bird being slightly more upbeat.
"Well something must be bothering you" Viper continued, refusing to allow Crane to shut her out so easily, "Your tail feathers are sagging, whenever your tail feathers sag something is wrong."
Crane, aware of this physical cue, said nothing and simply made his way to the kitchen, slightly off to the side of the common room, adjacent to the training area. They were expecting to remodel the temple within the coming weeks, in which they would receive actual living quarters instead of having to sleep and eat in the main hub. Taking his food, a rice cake, from the small makeshift table in the corner of the room, and taking flight to his place in the rafters, Crane began once more to clear his mind of distractions.
Viper entered as quietly as she could, behind her was Shifu, who was just about to tell the Five of their duties for the evening. The red panda, who was old and wise beyond his years, glanced up at Crane, who ate with little purpose, and smiled, for he had seen this before. Crane's face was that of one who was searching for answers without questions, who constantly sought but never found, and who strove for peace but despite their best efforts, never fully obtained it. It was the look of a wanderer, of a dreamer and a hopeless romantic. Walking into the room, his cane tapping the floor with every other step, Shifu gave a long sigh, after which he waited for a few seconds, having developed a sense for the dramatic, and began his piece.
"Do you know of the Legend of the White Crane?"
Crane said nothing, for he was deep in thought and almost in a meditative state, his food all but forgotten. Shifu continued despite this, knowing full well that the bird had retained consciousness.
"It is an old legend. It tells of Qiniang- you know of the great crane?"
Crane nodded, for the legend was a common one among crane chicks, the exploits of Qiniang being popular for their tales of heroism and wisdom without much in the way of strength. Crane had often dreamed of meeting Qiniang, if only to thank her for inspiring him to follow the teachings of kung-fu, but given that Qiniang was almost seventy years before his time that was an impossibility. Shifu, taking Crane's nod, continued without interruption, trying to get to his point as quickly as possible.
"Every time the farmer would attack with his stick Qiniang would counter with pecks and strikes with her beak and claws, never once taking the initiative to attack, her only concern protecting herself."
Crane glanced towards Shifu, for he knew the story differently. His version involving Qiniang taking the stick and throwing it in the woods, not only countering but completely disarming her opponent; and then, even so, incapacitating him further by grappling him into submission.
"What's your point?" Crane said, throwing his food, not caring where it went, "That I should only be concerned with myself? That's rather selfish isn't it?"
Shifu nodded, for it was indeed selfish to think only about oneself, ironic considering that was the purpose of the earlier meditation; still, that was not his point.
"I'm saying that you have something that no one else has" Shifu clarifying, "It is easy to know when to attack, it is much harder to know when not to."
Crane stopped listening the minute Shifu opened his mouth; he did not want to hear about his style of fighting and the legend that came with it. He wanted to be told that he mattered, that he had purpose and that it was clear; that he would find happiness and know security.
"Forgive me Teacher" Crane exclaimed as he flew down, landing in front of the Master, "But frankly, I don't care. There is more to life."
Shifu nodded and smiled once again, knowing that would be his answer. Grasping his cane, the Master turned around and slowly made his way out of the room. Viper smiled and embraced Crane as best she could, trying to take away the pain; it did not work, but Crane smiled anyway, appreciating the effort.
"Thanks" he said softly, resisting the urge to cry, "It's nice to know that I have at least one person who doesn't think I'm a complete waste of time."
Shifu walked back at this; it was steady and gentle, his face mirroring it, glowing with warmth and affection. Viper, at seeing Shifu once more, broke away and casually moved aside. In a way she already knew what he was going to say, for she was seconds from saying it herself; she did not however, instead letting Shifu take the initiative. Taking his hand and placing it on Crane's chest, for that was the highest that he knew he would be allowed to go, Shifu looked up at his pupil and with the voice of a father to a son began another piece, this one more personal and devoid of unclear metaphors and needless symbolism.
"You have a heart that is as big as your wingspan; you preach peace and harmony with nature and people, and you think that is a waste of time? Crane you are many things, but a waste of time is not among them."
Crane bowed his head respectfully, recognizing that he was being complimented. The bird was expecting to be blessed by way of Shifu's staff, as was tradition in the temple when given praise. Instead of this however, Crane received nothing, Shifu standing before him, motionless yet never losing his smile or the rosy cheeks that he now possessed.
"You do not need a blessing" Shifu declared, "You are blessed already. Promise me that you will never lose your passion for helping and protecting others, the world could use more of that."
Crane smiled in turn and nodded, "Thank you for speaking so highly of me Master" he answered, "I will not fail you."
Shifu shook his head and chuckled to himself, for it was just like Crane to try and aim to please.
"You would be failing yourself" Shifu corrected, "Walk in the Way and you will find victory with every step."
With this the Master took his leave, leaving Crane with Viper, each of them saying nothing, both pondering the meaning of his words, if they had any at all to begin with.
"What happens now?" Viper asked, hoping against hope that Crane would pull himself out of the hole that he dug himself into if he had not climbed out already, "Do we pick up where we left off?"
Crane did not respond, not because he did not hear; he most certainly did, rather because his mind, which was once clear of distraction and worry, was now clouded with questions. There was no time to wonder or to dream, there was no time for promises of the past or hope for the future; there was only time for the present and the uncertainty that came with it.
"You promised me" Viper continued as Crane made his way back to his perch only to look out the small window on the other side of the room.
"I still think it's ridiculous" Crane declared, "But since you do so much for so little, I will do what I can."
Viper slithered around in a circle, unable to contain her excitement; to which Crane could laugh in amusement.
"Thanks Crane!" Viper declared as she made her exit, "You don't know what it means!"
Crane casually went for his hat, only to realize that he had lost his a few weeks before; recovering by rubbing the feathers on top of his head, Crane nodded, immediately looking out the window towards his tree. The idea in and of itself was something that he could not comprehend. He had never heard of a viper wanting to fly before nor had he seen any kind of reptile having similar aspirations; as far as he was concerned until he was proven wrong through facts, logic, reason, or experience, vipers were strictly land creatures.
"Flying vipers" Crane said, "What a ridiculous notion. Gliding perhaps, but not full flight."
As he thought about Viper's request, the sun slowly began to set, the twilight hours coming on. It was the perfect night for meditation, and so, with this in mind, Crane stood, strutted towards the window and took to the air for his tree.