Author's note: I don't own Kung Fu Panda (No matter how much I want too) it is only by Dreamworks. I only own Mei Wen (Ligress), and my other OCs. Please no flames and leave a review. Enjoy! :D
Ps. The Village of Dai-Ming is my OSA (Off screen Area). OSA is a little something I made up and anyone is free to use it. Not the Village though, the area is mine. Dai Ming means Shining Path.
Warming: May contain some strong language.
Ch. 2 A new Journey
On the same morning Takami could not stop thinking about the mission he and some of his friends were going to do. Soon Zeng the Messenger Bird waddled hastily towards him and was somewhat out of breath while standing in front of the teenage tiger in-trainee.
"Good morning Zeng, do you have something for me?" Takami asked. When the goose finally finished panting heavily he looked straight into the tiger's eyes and said, "Master would like you and your team to meet him in the Hall of Warrior."
Takami nodded at his announcement, thanked him and ran off to the Hall of Warriors. While watching the tiger leave, Zeng just fell straight of the floor and said, "I'm getting to old for this." then fell asleep not caring that he was on the going. Some people can't really blame him though; he does run and fly around all over the place.
Now entering the Hall of Warriors Takami noticed that his friends and the Furious Five and Po and Song were all in a horizontal line in front of the old Grand Master red panda. Takami then rushed over and stood between Faith and Ryo. Ryo then gave Takami a quick fist bump and paid back his attention.
"Welcome Takami, now that you finally present I can begin my announcement. Now, Takami already knows this as we discussed this a while ago but now I would like to discuss this with everyone else and the people who will take part of it. There's a village not too far from here called the Village of Dai-Ming. A friend of mine that passed away told me if anything happen to him he wanted me to look after his daughter and take her in as a student. Her name is Mei Wen and she need to be brought here safely. Now for the in-trainees; the escort team will be Takami, Faith, Hope and Kaizer." Shifu explained in clam tone.
Everyone was tremendously surprised of the news. Normally this particular mission would go to the Furious Five and Po or turn into a two-man mission. But hearing this had them blown away mentally.
"Master Shifu, are you sure you want them to begin their first mission now. Their only teenagers they can't do this on their own." Tigress commented thinking more about Takami. The Grand Master expected that response from Tigress know that she was worrying more about Takami.
"I'm well aware of that, so to keep an eye on them, Viper and Crane will accompany them, to keep them safe if anything happens." Shifu assured. Viper and Crane nodded and bowed to their master of his orders.
Tigress didn't like that one bit but kept a straight face and said, "Master I know I can protect them all by myself, just let me..." She was cut off when Shifu raised his hand.
"Tigress, the team arrangement was requested by Takami himself." Shifu stated still in a calm tone. Tigress then glance at the teenage tiger, who just looked down bummed that he made the wrong request and disappointing his main teacher. Tigress saw his expression and then looked back at Shifu.
"Don't worry Tigress; they'll be fine I promise. Crane, Viper, will do whatever it takes to protect your comrades and the girl." Shifu ordered. The feminine serpent snake and avian bowed again and said 'Master'. She then looked at Kaizer and walked towards him.
"Kaizer, for you. Once you and the others acquired the girl, I want you to keep an even closer eye on her, and never leave her out of your sight. That is my request to you, I want you to get to know her. That will possible help you in future mission I will give to you later on during your long stay. Understood?" Master Shifu told him.
Kaizer didn't like this request, but he was still on the lookout list and in order for him to stay he had to live in the Jade Palace and protect the villagers of the Valley of Peace without disrespect. He softly scolded at first then said, "Yes, Master."
"Very good, know that you're still being watched on high alert. So no funny business or being sneaky." Shifu stated.
"I understand, plus, I made a promise that I will protect the villagers anyway I can." Kaizer said. Shifu nodded at that response and walked back in front of the small pool.
"That is all; your mission will start tomorrow. As for now, you may do whatever you please, I'm feeling a bit generous today. I'm going to head to my room and meditate for a few hours. Also whoever keeps making that flapping sound, please quiet down. " Shifu said walking away. Everyone then turned their attention to Crane at Shifu's remark.
"What!" Crane exclaimed. Everyone just shuck their heads and proceeded to exit out the Hall of Warrior leaving Crane in his annoyed state just standing there.
"It's not me!" Crane exclaimed even louder. Everyone ignored the annoyed avian and continued walking out. Kiba just leaned on Ryo's arm and whispered, "It's so him" as they proceeded to their rooms. Takami went to his room as well to get his stuff together. He sat both the separate black and white swords next to the paper wall sat on the bed. Later a knock on the door was heard.
"Uh, come in" Takami answered. The door opened and revealed it to be Tigress. She walked in and closed the door. She then stood in front of Takami looking into his eyes.
"We need to talk. May I sit down?" She asked.
"Oh yeah sure" Takami answered in a nervous tone. Tigress noticed again that her young apprentice was acting nervous again and just nudged him with her shoulder.
"Come Takami, I just want to talk is all. I'm not about to hit you or anything." Tigress stated.
'Though that statement can change real fast when it's comes to something you don't like to hear.' Takami thought to himself looking at Tigress and said, "Okay, what do you want to talk about?"
Tigress paused for a moment looking into space deep in thought of what to say. There was so much to say, but one stuck the most to her. She then turned her attention back to Takami and said, "Why didn't you ask Master Shifu for me to go with you instead of Crane and Viper?"
Takami didn't expect that question to come out right away but knew it was about to be brought up sooner or later. He then thought later would have been better.
"I just... I was so excited that I was going on our first mission that I hadn't thought of including you. Plus Viper and Crane are great with patrolling areas and they would make the best Masters for the job. Viper can slither through things undetected easily and Crane can fly above area and can spot if we're getting close to our destination. I'm sorry for not including you Tigress." Takami apologized bummed out.
"*sigh* don't worry about it. Look, just promise me one thing. Even if you fail this, promise me 'you' will return safety. I don't know what I would do if I lost you." Tigress said. Takami smiled at Tigress concerned attitude.
"Don't worry Tigress, I got this in the bag. I'll return with this Mei Wen girl with both of us without a scratch, Believe it!" Takami said joyfully. Tigress concerned attitude soon went away and slightly smiled.
'Takami and Po both have their ways of somehow making me smile; those two are really rubbing off on me.' Tigress thought smiling. She then stood up and opened the door.
"You better keep that promise you made, otherwise you'll have to deal with me, you hear" Tigress said then exited the tiger's room and closing the door. Takami just sweatdropped at Tigress's response and shuck his head.
"Oh Tigress, something tells me you'll never change" Takami stated.
Back with Ligress
Ligress was walking frustrated passing by people of the village ignoring what they're saying about her. While on the moved, Ligress was thinking about what happen a few minutes ago with Shang.
'What a freak, I should have made him eat dirt of what he told me. He's lucky I'm not in the mood.' Ligress exclaimed in thought. After walking trying to clear her head, she decided to head back to her house. She reached the front door and pulled out her keys for the door. She unlocked it the door and walked in. but to her surprise an adult lioness that looks to be in her thirties wearing a dark shade of red with long sleeve vest with black spots on it, and black pants sitting down on the sofa and appeared to be waiting for her.
"Auntie Yunxu! What are you doing here?" Ligress exclaimed in shock.
"I'm just checking up on you, like I do every month Mei. I did tell you by letter that I was dropping by when I finished my meetings and eras." The lioness said.
"Oh that's right, I'm sorry yima(Aunt) Yunxu" Ligress bowed respectfully.
"There's no problem. Now, sit, I have something to say." Yunxu said. Ligress sat down on the sofa next to her aunt and paid full attention.
"Now for the next few days I want you to stay inside, it's not safe for a beautiful young girl like yourself, it's not safe at this time." Yunxu tried to say motherly.
"Why, I can take care of myself just fine" Ligress replied.
"No, I want you to stay inside at all times. I have my reasons so don't ask why. Am I understood?!"
"But yima-Yunxu."
"UNDERSTOOD?!" Yunxu exclaimed. The sudden burst of yelling surprised Ligress and she merely nodded in defeat of the talk.
"Good, I also don't want you exploring the mountains that you do constantly all the time. We've been having intruders trying to climb over into Dai-Ming village, am I understood" The adult lioness said in a softer tone. Ligress nodded again and Yunxu's facial expression changed.
"Good, all I care about is your will-being and safety. Remember, years ago I promised that rasie you as my own." Yet again Ligress nodded again and Yunxu stood up and headed to the front door. Before opening the door she turned back at the female liger.
"I'll say this once more, stay here. I'll be gone again for a while with my associates. You're free to walk around the neighborhood but not towards the mountain okay" Yunxu said once more to be sure.
"Yes aunt Yunxu, I understand" Ligress said while crossing her fingers behind her back secretly.
"Goodbye Mei" She said then walked out and closing the door behind her.
'You better not disobey me you little brat' Yunxu thought. Standing in front of her was another lioness how appeared to be waiting for her.
"Is everything situated Yunxu"? The lioness servant asked.
"Yes, Mei Wen is staying inside and I have hidden birds and spies watching her as well." Yunxu explained to her follower.
"Then shall we get going Master?"
"Yes" Yunxu said then they left, Unknown to them Ligress was peeking through the window. But she couldn't hear the conversation.
'Yeah right, like I'd listen to you. I do what I want and not even you can tell me otherwise. I go through the mountains to get away from this village and the people. I can't wait to get out of here someday.' Ligress thought.
Back at the Valley of Peace: Okami's house
Back in the Valley of Peace Takami and Hope along with Ryo wanted to tell their parents about their big trip. Both adult Gray wolf and white tigress were sitting down at the table with the three teenagers. Takami explained everything to his mother and Hope explained timidly to his father nervously smiling at his dad.
"So all of you are going?" Akio asked looking at Ryo. Ryo shuck his head meaning no at the question.
"No dad, it's only me, Takami, Faith, and Kaizer on this one. This is also my very first mission." Hope answered.
"Minus Hope because he's the Phoenix Warrior, this could be a big chance for us to move forward to become a Master someday." Takami added in. Okami thought about then stood up, walked around the table to her son and placed her paw on his shoulder.
"When this is over come home safe okay, and don't get into trouble...or at least too much trouble." Okami told her son. Takami chuckled at that then nodded.
"That goes for you too Hope. Good luck out there kiddo." Akio added playfully punched his shoulder. Hope smiled and rubbed the back of his head. While this was going on Ryo was feeling left out of this of the separate family moments between Hope and Akio, and Takami and Okami. Without showing the emotion Ryo was slightly jealous but then realized the time.
"*ahem* Guys, I'd hate to break the family moment, but it's time to get back to the palace so you guys can get packing for tomorrow." Ryo announced. Takami and Hope agreed then stood tall towards their parents and bowed to them.
"Well bye dad, and tell Roxie I said hi." Hope said as they proceeded to the door. They then headed back the Jade Palace for Takami, Hope, Faith, and Kaizer along with Viper and Crane to start their journey to find the mysterious girl.
That's it for the second chapter of this story. I hope you liked it so far. The next chapter Takami and his friends will start their journey. Until the next chapter, bye! :D
"Yima" means aunt in chinese.