Chapter 9: finding new places, finding a new friend
The rain was coming down hard along with lightning. I stood there staring at the stone tablet. Regret, blame and loneliness was bombarding me. At that moment, I felt like my life was over. The only person I loved and depended on was gone. I'm felt empty and completely devoid of life. The worst part of it is...it's my fault. This all could have been avoided if I had just grown a pair and stood up for myself. But I didn't. And now I've lost the only person who cared for me. I brought my hands to face and fell to my knees. Why? Why did did have to happen?! I couldn't hold in my emotions any longer. I began crying loudly, begging for this just to be a nightmare. Suddenly, the dirt in front of the grave began to move. I jumped back and landed on my back as a rotten hand exposed itself from the dirt mound. My eyes widened and my mouth opened ajar. Another hand burst out of the ground, planting itself on the grass. They both then pushed against the ground lifting itself out of the ground. I began breathing rapidly and was to scared to even move. A rotten corpse pulled itself out of the ground and stood up straight. Various parts of its body was had skin missing, it's hair ragged and dirty and his upper lip ripped off, exposing what was left of its upper teeth. They began to stumble towards, groaning.
"You...caused...this," it spoke with a raspberry tone. It came closer, "You...CAUSED...THIS!" it lunged forward and I screamed at the top of my lungs.
I shot up straight breathing quickly. I felt a cold sweat running down my face. I looked around the room and noticed I was still in the Jade Palace. I shook my head, violently and brought my hands to my head. Not again. Not again! Why now?! Why wouldn't it just leave me alone?! I might have something good going here and and just when it seems like it, that memory would have to play in my mind wouldn't it?! I sighed and buried my face into my hands. My eyes widened when I remembered about the morning gong. I jumped out of bed, grabbed my vest and waited by the door for it to ring. I then faceplates myself when I remembered it was Saturday. Which, according to Viper, is a day off. I open my doors and peeked outside. The first thing I saw was Tigress's door open and Tigress herself, sitting with her legs crossed and eyes closed, most likely meditating. I should try to sneak out of the barracks, so I wouldn't disturb her.
"I see you've finally dragged yourself out of bed." I heard her say. Not even five feet out of my room and she caught me. She's good.
"Yeah uh...I'm kind've a heavy sleeper." I said, rubbing the back of my head.
"I suggest you start training your body to wake up more early. Especially for training."
"Yeah, I'll try, thanks for the advice. I'm..I'm gonna now. I guess I'll see you later," she didn't respond, but instead just closed her eyes and continued meditating, "Alright then..." I then headed down the hall and stepped outside. Once again, the sunlight shun brightly but only provided a fraction of warmth. Regardless I still felt pretty warm with just my vest and pants. My thoughts began to form around Tigress. Why did t she want a friend and why does she seem to distant from the others? Master Oogway mentioned something about her and Shifu having a troubled past. Maybe she had a bad experience with a friend or something and that's why she doesn't want another. After being in thought for a while I realised I had a whole day ahead of me and didn't have anything to do. Well I could go explore the Valley and see what else in has to offer. But I wasn't sure about going alone. The animals did spend half the time staring at me. I could put my hood up and try to ignore them. I pondered for a bit before throwing up my hood and heading down to the Valley. After heading down the steps, I took a deep breath and began walking through the Valley. Some animals started, others just continued with their own business. I just ignored the ones who stared and began to walking through the streets, exploring. This place was pretty amazing. I had already mentioned that it was full of life so I won't repeat all over again. I walked with my hands behind my back, observing the animals going about their business. One noticeable little attraction was a puppet show that seemed to be going on. Children sat down watching and laughing as the puppets began to playfully hit one another. I released a small smile and continued walking. I must have dazed away because I wasn't watching where I was going and seemed to have bump into someone.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." I said, returning back to reality. As my eyes fixed onto the person I bumped into I realized it was Hua-Ling.
"Oh that's quite alright," she said, dusting herself off before raising her head, "Oh it's you! How have you been?"
"Oh, I'm doing fine. And yourself." She released a smile.
"Just fine, thank you. I was just on my way to pick up some shopping, but I bumped into you."
"No, it was my fault, I bumped into you. I wasn't watching where I was going, sorry." she giggled.
"Oh don't worry about. But I'd you're truly sorry, I'm sure you can make it up to me by helping me get some groceries back to shop."
"Uh, sure. You'll have to lead though, I'm not quite sure where everything is."
"No problem. On the way to the store, I can list out a few point of interests"
"Alright then lead the way." I then followed her as she headed down a street. On the way to the store, she began pointing out various stores and other points of interest. This place definitely was bigger than it looks.
"...over there is Mr Pings noodle shop and over there is a candy store. Just for those with a sweet tooth." I looked around and smiled. This place just really is amazing.
"This defiantly seems like a good place to live." I said.
"It certainly is. And a wonderful place to set up shop. Anyway we're here." she announced. We both stood outside a shop that seemed familiar. And then it hit me. This was the store where I first met Crane and Viper. As we stepped inside, I noticed that the place was much more in order that it was when the bandits tried to rob it. The shopkeeper was humming a tune to herself as she stacked items on shelves. She must have heard us approach to counter because she had stopped humming and turned towards us.
"Ah, hello Ling and...hey, I remember you. Yes, you helped deal with the bandits! Thank you again." she said. I rubbed my head.
"Heh, no problem." I said with a smile.
"Anyway, what can I help you with?" she asked. Ling pulled out a list from her pocket and handed it to the duck. The duck read the list, "Ah, alright I shouldn't be too long." she then took out a brown paper bag and started to fill it with items that were on the list. She then handed the bag to Ling and Ling then handed the duck a small pouch with contained coins.
"Thank you, Ruby." she said.
"No problem, have a nice day." she waved. We then turned and and left. When we stepped outside, I noticed Ling seemed to be having trouble holding the bag. I wouldn't blame her though, she did buy a lot of things.
"Here," I took the bag from her, "I'll help you with that."
"Why thank you. I should have you come shopping with more often." We both shared a short laugh. We began idle chat on the way to her shop until we walked past a couple of guys hanging out by a shop.
"Hey, hey! How you doing Hua? You're looking fine" one said.
"Don't I always?" she asked.
"You free this week for a date?" another asked.
"Sorry, but being home alone would seem more engaging that a date with you." she said. I just watched in amusement as Ling began putting the men in their place. After she had crushed their hopes of ever getting a date with her.
"I see you're very popular with the males" I said.
"It's my burden to bear. I've been asked out by just about every man in the Valley. Some were even single," I left out a laugh as she sighed, "If only they knew, no man would peek my interest."
"I'm sure there's some guy out there good enough for you." My words seemed to have brought confusion upon her. She then let out a nervous laugh.
"I may have used the wrong words there. What I meant was...even if one of them were the last man on earth...I still wouldn't go out with him." Her words puzzled me for a brief moment until I pieced it together.
"Oh! You..you mean..you're..you're a-"
"A lesbian, yes. I hope that doesn't bother you."
"What? No, of course not. I-I just..didn't know." he rubbed her arm.
"Well it's not exactly something you go announcing to the world."
"Hey, I have no problem with your sexuality. And even if I did, it wouldn't matter. If it's what you feel most comfortable with, what's wrong with that?"
"I'm glad you can be do open minded about it. Others can be too, but there's still people who believe there's something wrong with it." she averted her gaze, frowning.
"Hey, come on now. It's not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. You're still you. Nothing's changed. You're not cashing any harm to anybody else. And if anyone else sees it differently, to hell with em'" she smiled on again.
"I suppose you're right. Thank you, Ben." I smiled.
"No problem." We arrived at her shop and I set the bag of supplies down on her counter.
"I guess you'll be heading off now. Unless you'd like to stay for some tea?" she asked.
"Well, I do have a day off and I don't really have anything else to do, so sure." she smiled and ask me to follow her. I did and she led me upstairs. We then her kitchen and she ask me to sit down on a chair near a table. She then put a kettle over a stove, got to cups and placed a tea bag in each one. She then sat down opposite to me.
"This is handy. A house on top of your shop." I said.
"It certainly can be. There's no rush to get the shop open in the morning and it's just cozy in general," she then smiled, "Speaking of being cozy, you certainly seem comfortable in them clothes." I looked down at my vest dusted it off.
"Yeah, you certainly know what you're doing with clothes."
"That's why I have a shop. I've always been kinda girly, unlike my sister." she said, getting up to take the kettle of the stove.
"You have a sister?" I asked. She began pouring the hot water into the cups.
"I do now. Well, what I mean was I didn't have a family before. I was left at an orphanage when I was just a cub. When I was six I was adopted into the Ling family. I finally had a family. A mother, father and of course a loud adventurous big sister," she then turned to me, "Maybe Crane mentioned her name to you?"
"Wait, you mean Mei?"
"That's the one."
"Yeah, Crane told me he was friends with her. I didn't know she was your sister." Ling put milk and sugar it each cup, gave one to me and sat down with her own.
"You can defiantly see the difference between us. I wanted to create clothing to bring out the beauty in people...and she wanted to punch things," I laughed at her comment, "Still, her tomboyish nature did seem to come in handy. When we were kids, I used to get picked on. And when Mei found out, she used her 'unique charisma' to make sure it didn't happen again."
"Sounds like a sibling can come I handy." I said.
"You don't have any brothers or sisters?" I shook my head.
"I was an only child. I never really had any friends. And because of that, I was an easy target for bullies." I frowned.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. It must have been hard. But it's all in the past now. Now, you have friends, you have the honor of training at the Jade Palace and you have a bright future ahead," Despite her kind words, I still felt pretty down. She then placed her paw over my hand, "Come on now. It may have been bad, but you've got something better now. So about a smile?" After a short moment I released a smile. So Hua and I continued to talk for almost an hour and a half. I finished my tea and was standing at her doorway.
"Well its been great speaking with you Ling."
"You as well. I hope to see you soon."
"You too." suddenly, she wrapped her arms around me and placed her head on my chest. I then placed my hands around her and hugged her backed.
"Thanks for a great day." She said.
"Heh, no problem. Goodbye, Ling."
"Farewell, my friend." she said, waving and closing the door behind her. I looked up to the sky I noticed the sun was setting, so I decided to head back up to the Jade Palace. I made my way up to the Palace and headed for the kitchen. Usually about now, dinner is being cooked. After entering the entrance to kitchen, the sound of cooking could be heard. I then entered the kitchen itself and saw Viper cooking dinner, alone.
"Hello, Viper." she turned and noticed me. She then smiled.
"Oh hello! I figured you'd gone with Mantis and Monkey to the bar."
"I didn't even know they went to a bar. I woke up late, headed down to the Valley to get a feel of the place and bumped into Ling. I spent the day with her."
"Oh, you did? How did that go?"
"I guess it's safe to say I've made a new friend."
"Thats great! So tell me...did she...mention anything particular about herself?" She asked. I knew exactly what she was talking about.
"Yeah, she told me."
"And what did you say?"
"I said that I have no problem with her sexuality and that whoever did, should learn to deal with it." Viper smiled.
"I'm glad you're supporting her. She told me as well a week after I met her. I've tried to convince her to be more open with it, but she's so afraid of what others might think. So far, only Me, her sister, her parents and you know."
"You should give her time. I'm sure she'll open up when she feels most comfortable."
"I hope so. I just want her to be happy." Viper continued to stir the soup until we heard someone else enter the kitchen.
"You're drunk, Mantis." I heard Monkey say.
"Wha? No! I'm just really tired and dizzy, I sear." Mantis slurred. The two then entered the kitchen. Mantis seemed to be clinging onto Monkeys fur, trying not to fall off.
"Oh really?" Monkey raised three fingers, "How many fingers are my holding up." Mantis narrowed his eyes and tried to focused on the hand that was literally right in front of him.
"Ehh...seven."
"No. It's official: you're drunk." Mantis fell off his shoulder and onto the table.
"No...y-you're drunk!"
"I think it's beddy-time for you Mantis." Viper suggested.
"No! No beddy-time. I just..just." Mantis was unable to finish his sentence and he just flopped to face down on the table and began snoring. We all just laughed.
"He really should try and drink less." Viper said.
"Why? It's not like it's brain cells are doing him any use." Monkey said. Viper and I started to laugh. After some time the rest of the guys returned from wherever they were and began having dinner. A debate commenced about wether or not to draw crude drawings on Mantis as punishment for coming in drunk. I didn't take part in and just listened and laughed. Dinner had finished and we all headed for the barracks. Monkey had to carry Mantis to his room, he threw him on his bed and closed his doors.
"No...five more minuets, please." Mantis slurred. I returned to my room, removed my vest and laid down on my bed. Today certainly was a good day. I got to explore the Valley and most importantly I made a new friend. I remembered what she about having a bright future. Maybe I do, I really hope so. I also hope that...I can forget about my past. It then returned, the memory from this morning. I shook my head violently. I just...I just needed to forget and I'll be okay. I'll be okay...I'm gonna be fine. I closed my eyes and prayed that I could wake up easy tomorrow.
