It was a warm morning in the earlier part of summer. The sun would be rising in a few minutes to wake the early birds and send the crickets back to their homes. The tranquil silence was broken only by Yang's obnoxious snoring, which was soon accompanied by an unnecessarily loud BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!
Yang groaned in irascibility at having his natural sleeping pattern disrupted and turned over to press the snooze button on the alarm clock, albeit without opening his eyes. He couldn't find or reach it, and the noise was getting unbearable. Already Yin was sitting up, still clad in a loose night gown, yelling.
"Yang! Shut that thing off!"
"GLADLY!" he shouted back, reaching under his bed. He pulled out his sword, effortlessly sliced the clock in half to silence it, and promptly turned back onto his side and closed his eyes again, yawning.
His sister was wiping the sleep out of her eyes as she pointed out smugly, "You know you're gonna have to buy a new alarm clock now, right?"
"Good," her brother retorted irritably, pulling the covers back up over his shoulders. "Maybe the next one won't be so dang loud. Why did Master Yo have to set the stupid thing to go off so early anyway?"
The slightly younger rabbit put her palm to her face hopelessly. "Yang, don't you ever listen?" 'That's a dumb question,' the thought came to mind right after she realized what she'd just asked. 'Of course he never listens.' "Master Yo said we'd have to be up early today to start our test."
"What test?" Yang groaned, less than enthusiastic to take yet another test he knew he was bound to fail anyway.
"The one we're taking today, smart one," Yin jeered, already up and getting dressed.
Master Yo was lounging lazily in his favorite armchair in front of the T.V. as usual when his two young students entered the room, yawning.
"So what kinda test is it this time, Master Yo?" The marine-furred rodent asked halfheartedly. He really couldn't have cared less anyway. He'd already decided he wouldn't even attempt to pass it. 'Haven't we taken enough stupid tests already anyway?'
The elder panda stood up before them to answer in his somewhat ragged voice, "This will be a test of survival. You will both pack a few basic supplies, leave, and live off the land for exactly one week. During that week, you will hunt and forage for food and shelter." He paused to scratch under his bearded chin. "If you come back here before the test is over, you fail," he finished, giving both his young pupils a stern look to emphasize the importance of this test.
Perhaps for the very first time in her life, Yin wasn't the least bit interested in taking a test. Not even close. She didn't at all enjoy the idea of sleeping outside for a week, let alone possibly without any hair products. Her twin, however, was much more enthusiastic.
"So it's gonna be like camping?" he beamed, violet eyes sparkling.
"Well, I wouldn't-"
"Awesome!" Yang cheered, not allowing his teacher to finish, just before dashing back to his and Yin's room to pack up any supplies he thought he might want or need. Yin sighed in utter despair, dragging her feet back to their shared bedroom. 'This is going to be a long week...'
Author's Note: Yeah so I'm gonna go back and revamp this little old piece of carp. I won't be putting TOO much effort into it, though…