It truly wasn't fair. Reizo knew the thought was a childish one, but it came all the same. He kicked at the dirt irritably, before flopping into the earth with resignation. It was summer, but the early mountain air chilled Reizo to his bones. He gazed out across the valley that indented the mountain range. It was peaceful, and unpopulated. Lush green grass carpeted the ground, and an azure river sliced across the valley, disappearing into the mountains, travelling towards the sea. Above the small, quiet valley, indigo mountains towered, kissed by phantasmal clouds. At the highest peaks, snow still clung, as white and pure as the moon.
Reizo had lived all his life here. He'd even romped in the valley when he was younger. The creek was too frigid to splash in for an extended amount of time, but Reizo had often waded in it when he was bored. As the Kishu dog had grown older, his father, Wei Long, had taught him the art of Kung Fu in the valley. Days upon days had passed, and Reizo had trained alongside his father until sweat broke out upon his back. He'd become skilled with the staff, though it had taken months upon months. His knuckles had been broken or bloodied numerous times by his father's strikes and blows. He'd gone to sleep to escape the soreness in his body, only to wake up hours later to train harder and faster.
Why his father had insisted on teaching him Kung Fu, Reizo had never understood. Wei and Reizo had lived in the mountains since Reizo was a pup. His mother had perished in childbirth, after a difficult and long labor. The closest village was located in the Valley of Peace and Wei had forbidden Reizo to go there. The valley was a hard two days walk to the south, and Wei was convinced that Reizo was too young to go alone. The boy had always longed to travel there, though. He yearned to see another living creature that wasn't related to him. The Valley of Peace was also the birthplace of the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior. His father had told Reizo many stories of them- how the Furious Five had battled the Dark Ninjas of Hiroshima, how the Dragon Warrior had trained until near-death and defeated the villain Tai Lung.
The legends fascinated Reizo. He severly wished his father had never told him of the fates that had befallen the Masters and the Five. Several years before Reizo's birth, the Dragon Warrior had disappeared, and was presumed dead. The Furious Five had been shattered with the deaths of Monkey and Mantis, combined with Viper's resignation. Tigress and Shifu had remained at the temple, to train other students in the art, hoping beyond hope to rebuild the Furious Five with younger and more agile creatures. They had little luck, and slowly the Valley of Peace had succumbed to chaos, confusion, and often violence. At least, that was how the situation had been standing when Wei Long had taken his wife and newborn son to the mountains in a bid to shield his son from the evils of the valley.
Years had past, seventeen of them, and Reizo wanted to see if anything had changed. But Wei Long remained adamant that neither he nor his son ever returned to the Valley of Peace. Which was why, when a small, gray goose had flown over the ridge and demanded to speak to Wei Long, chills had crawled across Reizo's spine. The goose, who'd introduced herself as 'Ling' had flown in from the south, and was wearing the golden imperial robes that signified Ling was from the Jade Palace in the Valley of Peace. Drool had spilled from Reizo's mouth as he yapped questions at the goose.
"How is Master Shifu? Did the Dragon Warrior ever return? Did Master Viper return? Have the Furious Five been rebuilt?"
Ling had looked bewildered, and narrowed her eyes at him disapprovingly, before reiterating her demand to see Reizo's father. Reluctantly, Reizo had called to Wei, and had promptly been kicked out of the house. Wei insisted on talking to the newcomer in private and curiosity was killing Reizo. He was an adult, and was responsible enough to know why a messenger from Jade Palace was contacting Reizo's father.
Shoving himself to his feet, Reizo dusted off his haunches and sent a glance back at the house. He chewed ponderingly on his lip. If he stood downwind, and near the window he'd broken a couple weeks ago, it was possible he would be able to hear the conversation. Why not? Who knew when another animal from the Valley of Peace would contact Wei again? The knowledge of what was being said behind closed doors outweighed the fear of any punishment Wei could think up. Besides, Reizo mused, he's already punished me for the window; what more can he do? Strengthened, Reizo slipped along the earth, keeping low, nearing the house on quiet, cautious paws.
He neared the window. It was less of a window now and more like a gaping hole in the side of the house. Reizo's right paw still ached from the glass he'd cut it on when he'd destroyed the casement. He'd been furious when his father had told him there would be no journey to the valley that night, and the pane had been the closest thing to annihilate. Wei had taught Reizo to hide his emotions, to prevent any opponent from seeing fear or anger. Reizo, however, had noticed that his anger simply seemed to bottle up inside of him and then explode at inopportune moments. Reizo had felt terrible for destroying the window- it would take weeks to replace the glass and until it was fixes, Wei refused to teach his son any more kung fu maneuvers.
But now the window provided a medium for Reizo to learn why Ling was visiting his father, and for that, he was grateful. He approached the window, taking care to make no sound that Wei could detect. He adeptly remained downwind, sidled up to the opening, and pricked his ears to tune into the sound of his father's voice.
"Why now, Ling?" Wei was, as always, patient and his deep voice was even and tranquil. "It's been years and… Shifu and I were not on the best of terms when I departed."
A trim, sharp voice trilled in reply, "Why do you think, Master Long?! We have no options! If Tai Lung is truly going to return, it will take an army to defeat him- an army we must build quickly, if we are to be prepared. You were one of the best! You cannot turn your back on us now." The last sentence was more a plea than a statement. Reizo quivered with excitement and trepidation. Tai Lung? How could he return? And his father was needed?
Wei was silent for a moment, and Ling rustled her feathers with impatience. Finally, Wei spoke. "You have spoken with Feng Sho?"
"Yong Li is with him as we speak." Ling snapped.
Wei paused again, his breathing steady. "Well," he finally breathed, his voice tremoring above a whisper, "Master Sho is stronger than I ever was. He must lead this army you speak of. Not I."
A strangled honk escaped Ling's throat. "And if he refuses?! He is a stubborn bear, Master Long- an excellent teacher, but stubborn all the same! He is set in his ways, and- What about your son? He looks old enough to battle! I assume you have taught him our ways, why not allow him to achieve the honor you once had."
Reizo's heart began to flutter rapidly. Ling had said battle… against Tai Lung? A mixture of emotions assaulted the Kishu, and his eyes sparked. It was all he'd ever dreamed of- he could travel to the Valley of Peace, and train under Masters Shifu and Tigress. He could become a kung fu master himself, he could save lives, protect the innocent, vanquish the evil, attain honor and respect for him, his father, his mother-
Reizo's thoughts were dashed with his father's next words. "No, Ling. I refuse to allow my son to fight such a war. He is not ready."
A small snarl edged at Reizo's lips and anger flooded his mind and body. He was ready! He'd proved it thousands of times! How many times in the valley had he defeated his father in a duel? His father! A kung fu master! If Reizo could do that, surely he could help defeat the greatest wickedness that the Valley of Peace had ever seen. Seething, Reizo attempted to calm himself with a soothing inhale, and in that breathe, he realized that Ling was speaking once more.
"- been training him since he was a child, I'm sure! How long do you intend to keep him up here, sheltered from reality? He is growing into a man, and this is no way for him to live! You are inhibiting his development as a worthy citizen and a warrior! Is that any way to-"
A loud bang shot from the small house, and Reizo jumped. "Do NOT tell me how I should parent my own son, Ling!" Reeizo jumped, and his ears flicked with alarm. Never in his life had his father lost his temper like that, much less shouted or pounded the table with his fist. His father was a steady rock of emotional stability. Reizo had never heard such a wrathful tone enter Wei's voice, and it struck terror into his spine. Even Ling seemed shocked into silence.
Wei gave a deep, slow sigh, and regained his composure. When he spoke, he kept his voice low and placid once more, and Reizo had to learn further to catch the words that were being spoken. "Ling, you surely remember the events that caused me to leave the Valley of Peace in the first place, yes?" The was no verbal response, and Wei continued, "I cannot expose my son to any of that. I assume Kaemon is still dwelling on the edges of the valley? And… Kaori as well. Do you ask me to put my son in the presence of such…" Wei couldn't seem to think of a word that full encompassed his disgust. "Ling, I left for a very good reason, a reason that outweighs my desire to return. I'm sorry, but neither Reizo or I will return with you. Extend to Master Shifu my sincerest apologies, please."
There was another pause, and Reizo silently pleaded with Ling to speak up and insist that they must come. This seemed to be his only chance to leave the only place he'd ever known and every bone in his body ached to leave. He stood immobile as he waited for Ling to respond. If only she would beg some more…
"Very well, Master Long." Her voice was cold and embittered. "I will tell Master Shifu."
And with that sentence, Reizo felt all his desires shatter into a million little pieces.
