As promised, here is the usual weekly update, a couple days in advance. Tomorrow's Thanksgiving, and I need to be on the road at O-Dark-Ugly in the morning in order to make it home on time for dinner. I will not have access to a personal computer until Sunday evening, much to my chagrin. Enjoy the chapter!


Memoirs of a Master


Chapter 9


While Tigress was still infirm with her cold, Crane had taken over training until her recovery. As the jokingly self-proclaimed "den mother", who found himself responsible for quelling tempers and keeping the peace amongst the group, he seemed as the second-most logical choice to keep everyone in line while Shifu was gone, after Tigress of course. After the few days the Five and Po had been reading their master's memoirs, he began to feel the effects and sluggishness of an extended period without training. So, he took it upon himself to rouse all but the currently frail feline early the next morning, and whip them back into shape…if only for a few hours.

Truth be told, he was just as curious as everyone else about where their master's story would go. So far, it seemed that Shifu's life story had taken many turns in just his first twenty years of life, and the bird wondered how many more curveballs he could take. It was heartening to know their master had such close and compassionate friends, but it saddened him to think what might have happened to them.

For one, if Dong Li and Li were in fact the same person, why did he move so far away from his oldest and closest friend? Why had Shifu never mentioned Song? Or why he had never mentioned Zigsa? Had the snow leopard gone down the same dark path as Tai Lung? It seemed possible, and in Crane's mind, it was also entirely possible that Zigsa was in some way related to the crazed (and likely deceased) Master of the Thousand Scrolls. But was he his father? He had no idea.

These same questions had to be burning in his comrade's minds as well. Training provided a way to clear their minds, but they were still clearly distracted. They trained from well before dawn until mid-morning before he made the executive decision to return to the bunkhouse. It was unusually cold that morning, and the sky had filled with the light-grey clouds that threatened to bring yet more snow. In Crane's experience, it looked like a near-blizzard was coming their way. When the first flakes began to fall, he called a halt to the training session; there was another reason too: he was beginning to feel sore. He was sure everyone else was as well, and rather than overextend themselves (like Tigress would have done), he decided rest was the best course of action.

Besides, he wanted to continue Shifu's story.

Once they had awoken Tigress, bundled her up and sat in the room they had come to call "The Reading Room", Crane took up the next scroll, opening it slowly and began to read the next chapter.


We made excellent time. By the next morning after breaking camp, I began to see landmarks I was familiar with. Soon after dawn, I recognized rice paddies in the distance, the tiered terraces on the steep hillsides verdant with the young sprouts. Thankfully, it looked like the violence had yet to reach my village. The fate of the other villages was yet to be known.

We slowed our pace, the six of us, after I reminded them how strangers were so feared. If we had come in a flurry of activity and made a show of force, shock and awe wouldn't be the only reaction from the villagers; some might turn violent. Having Ochir and Zigsa there didn't help, and neither did Ren's presence; I'm afraid his very species put him at a disadvantage.

Before long, we noticed villagers coming from their homes. They spotted us, regarded us fearfully, until one, a ram and his family, recognized me.

"Good heavens, is that Tzu's boy? Land sakes, you're the spitting image, only much taller!"

I smiled, "Yes, I am. I'm Fu, his youngest, these are my friends; we just came from the Jade Palace, in the Valley of Peace…"

"So far! Why, it must have taken you weeks to get here!"

I tried hiding the self-satisfied smirk, "You'd be surprised. How is my family?"

"They are well; which is why I'm surprised to see you. There have been no deaths or sicknesses, thank heavens, and we are in no immediate danger from bandits…"

My friends and I shared a significant look. Did the villagers not know the danger they were in? Zigsa looked ready to inform the ram of the dire situation, but Song elbowed his lower ribs to keep him quiet; it would not do anyone any favors to worry them. As much as we feared what would happen if the Huns entered the Zhou villages, spreading panic would only exacerbate the situation.

After wishing him well, we continued further into the village, catching stares from others, who whispered amongst each other. I saw Zigsa smirking, and I asked, "What are they saying?"

He chuckled, "They think I'm here to take a soul into the afterlife."

"Be serious."

"You think I'm not?"

Song shook her head, "Once they know why we're here, they'll warm up to us…"

"Doubtful," Li snorted. "I have a feeling they'll panic."

"Better safe than sorry," Ochir muttered.


Before long, my house came into view. I remembered it clearly: the vegetable garden in front, the wind chimes hanging from the front eaves, the lattice windows and the pungent odor of the spicy foods the region was known for wafting on the air. As we got closer, I saw two women I did not recognize, red pandas like myself, watching a young child playing in the grass. One of them looked up, spotted us, and grabbed the other's arm. The other immediately grabbed her yearling tot, holding him to her breast.

It took me a minute, but I realized these had to be my sisters-in-law and nephew. I approached first, "Hello, my name is Fu…"

The younger one, a pleasant-looking female with a dimpled smile, greeted me warmly. I figured her to be Second Brother's wife; she and Second Brother must have just gotten married. I was a little miffed I hadn't been invited. The slightly older female regarded me suspiciously; no doubt as to what Elder Brother had told her about me.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"I came to visit."

"On what grounds?"

"Why do I need a reason?"

I could see the unspoken words in her eyes: you're not welcome here. Well, perhaps I wasn't welcome by Elder Brother, but the rest of my family shouldn't be so bitter. At least I hoped not.

Then my mother appeared in the doorway. She let out a shout and ran towards me, embracing me tightly, "Thank the gods! I was so worried!"

"I'm fine, Mama, I didn't travel alone."

She spied my friends, smiling, "No you most certainly didn't. How are you all? Li, you've grown so much! Song, you just grow lovelier each time I see you. And Ochir…dear me, you look too big to be anyone's son! Er, if you'll pardon my rudeness…"

Ochir laughed, "Not at all ma'am; you'd be surprised how often I get that."

Then she looked at Zigsa and Ren, and her face paled a bit, not that I blamed her. Both warriors looked quite intimidating. "I know your faces," she said. "But for the life of me, I can't recall your names…"

"I'm Jian Ren, son of Master Jian Qiang; we met at the tournament five years ago," Ren explained. "This is Zigsa…he's harmless."

"Overgrown kitten," the snow leopard joked, though a little unconvincingly. But my mother didn't seem to notice, or at least it didn't bother her as much as I feared it would.

"Of course, please, come in, I'll send someone to fetch your father…you have much to discuss."

I pulled her aside and asked, "Is everything alright?"

She sighed, and I knew it wouldn't be good news. "We've heard reports from the north…I'm quite fearful."

"I know, that's why we're here."

"You can't mean to fight them! Son, you'll most surely be killed!" she exclaimed quietly, not wanting to alarm her daughters-in-law. The youngest still looked anxious, and the elder was grim-faced; I didn't entirely like the look of her, while she was pretty, she had a look of narrow-mindedness about her. A perfect match for Elder Brother, I thought bitterly.

Not all of us could fit inside the small house, but it was a nice enough day to sit out under an eave, drinking tea and talking with my mother and getting to know my sisters-in-law. I got to play with my young nephew, the tot only a year old, and my niece—Elder Brother's firstborn, two years old—played not too far from me.

I confess I paid more attention to my niece; heaven knew that in the country, she would have a harder life. You see, part of the reason, I later learned, why girls are considered inferior is that families essentially raise them for other families. There is no economic gain from having a girl, since she would just move out upon marriage and her family would have to provide a dowry. My two female cousins had been married out by then, and from what I learned later, their husbands' families sent goods to make up for the loss of a worker in the home; trading rice and salt for a sentient being. After spending so much time training with a woman, I felt this was a terrible way to look at femininity. I decided that day that, should I ever marry and have a daughter, I would treat her as I would treat a son. She would marry for love, I decided, not money.

I came to love my younger (and most recent) sister-in-law almost instantly. She had a pleasant demeanor that reminded me much of Second Brother's easy-going nature. She smiled a lot, tittered at the jokes we told, and was fascinated by the stories we told of our training and life in the Valley of Peace. I could tell from her expressions how she wished to visit, but she probably thought it would be improper to say so; the wedding must have been a very short time ago. Both sisters-in-law were fascinated by Song, who made no secret of her derision for how women were treated as commodities.

We heard a shout, and I saw Second Brother running up the hill to our house. He had a wide grin plastered on his face; Father and Uncle were right behind him, and, as expected, Elder Brother was at the end of the line, as stony-faced as the last time we saw each other.

Second Brother threw his arms around me, giving me a squeeze. "I can't believe it! We sent word just last week, and here you are! Didn't you rest?"

"Somewhat," I confessed. I watched him lean down and kiss his wife's cheek, and she blushed shyly from the open display of affection; that warmed my heart more than I could ever say. They looked like happy newlyweds.

Elder Brother paid no attention to his wife or children, but continued to glare at me. "You dragged us from the fields for this? Over a stupid rumor?"

Father berated him, "Rumor or not, something this serious is not to be taken lightly! And you will show respect to your brother!"

Elder Brother shut his mouth. Father was still the person with the highest rank in our family, and disobeying him was tantamount to treason. This wouldn't make our reunion any easier.

Mother excused herself, taking the two women and the children into the house, leaving us time to talk. The men of my family and my friends sat in a circle by the garden and exchanged news. They asked us of the Valley and the Palace, and how our training was progressing. I didn't have the heart to tell them that I might not be named a master because I disobeyed my master, and that my friends had taken the same risk. In addition, they told us that growing concerns of invasion had expedited Second Brother's wedding, and the couple had been married only a week; they didn't want to risk anything happening to the bride before her wedding day. Song and I shared a look, and we knew what nonsense that was. The real reason was that an unmarried girl who died before her wedding was supposed to become a hungry ghost upon death. My heart went out to the poor thing.

Finally, we got to the most pressing matter.

"What have you heard?"

Father sighed wearily, sharing a look with Uncle. "It is not good news. A scout came from the camp of two masters…Jian and Red…something…"

"Jian Qiang and Red Claw?" Song offered.

"Yes, that was it. The Huns are closer than we expected."

"How close?" Zigsa asked.

"Two days, maybe less."

I felt my stomach lurch, "And you haven't evacuated?!"

"Lower your voice!" he hissed. "It won't do to upset your mother and sisters-in-law."

"You have to be mad," Song scolded. "They'd be more upset if they woke up tomorrow with the Huns at their door!"

"What would you have me do? The village headman won't do anything."

"Damned idiot," Zigsa swore. "If you stay here, it's certain death. Anyone without training in battle will die."

My father's face paled, and my brothers were silent on the matter. Uncle spoke up, "So what should we do?"

"Evacuate," Ren said. "There has to be someplace you can go."

"Where?" Elder Brother challenged. "Did you see any safe havens around here? Traveling with women and children would make us an easy target."

"We're an easier target if we stay," Second Brother pointed out. "I agree. We need to leave."

Ochir was scanning the landscape. "You might have a chance in the mountains."

I winced; the four other red pandas were immediately up at arms. "You're mad!"

"We'd freeze! Or starve!"

"There's no way we could survive!"

Zigsa interrupted. "What mountain is the one closest to the village?"

"What?"

"What's the name of the closest mountain?"

"Tai Lung Shan," my father answered. "Mount Tai Lung; legend has it there's a dragon that lives there, in a fortress of gold and milk-white jade…"

Zigsa grinned, flashing his sharp white teeth, instantly frightening my family members. "Oh don't worry…I know what's really up there."

Song smirked, "You've got a plan."

"I do have a plan. We'll evacuate alright, because I know what really lies up there…"

"How?" Elder Brother asked.

"Because he's a snow leopard," I pointed out. "He knows mountains better than anyone."

He turned his face to my father, "Damn what your headman says, tell the villagers that the Huns are coming, and they need to leave everything. I can take you to a safe haven, a place the Huns will never go."

"You're taking us to our graves," my father warned.

"Not yours, no…" Zigsa said cryptically. "Not yours at all…"


"Okay, what the hell did you mean by 'not your graves'?" Song berated him later. It made sense they butted heads: she was water, he was fire. They were purely incompatible. But I was pondering the same question. Whose graves was our feline compatriot referring to?

We were eating a mild meal that the female red pandas had provided; it wasn't much, but we were grateful for it nonetheless. Zigsa shoveled rice, black beans and pickles into his mouth, then answered after swallowing,

"I know the stories of almost every mountain in this range. I was born not far from here, on Mount Hua Zhou."

"So what's the story with this place?" Ochir asked.

"The story about the dragon, for sure, but that's not what's really up there," he took a long drink of water. "There's a fortress about halfway up Mount Tai Lung. It used to be a stronghold for a snow leopard clan that has since been decimated, some say completely destroyed. Its lain deserted for over a hundred years, but it's the perfect place to keep them." He smirked. "If there's one thing you can count on with Huns, it's that they're very superstitious. If they think the place is haunted, they're not going anywhere near it."

I smiled hopefully, "So they really will be safe up there?"

"They should be—I'm going with them."

We all stared at him. Li gulped, "But…you're one of our best fighters. You're the only one who knows how to fight Huns."

"Li's right, we'll need you on the battlefield…" Song said worriedly.

Zigsa sighed, "Like it or not, I've got to keep my priorities straight. I think you'll agree that the welfare of these villagers is a little more important…"

"Then let me take them up," Ren pleaded with him. "I'm not as skilled as you are. Li's right, that if you have experience fighting Huns, you should be there. I can watch over the villagers…"

"No, you won't know the way up to the fortress."

"No offense," the wolf pointed out, "But you're, ah…visually impaired."

"So?" he challenged.

"So how would you find your way on a mountain you've never visited?"

"I've got my ways. I'm not blind. I just can't see."

I shared a look with everyone else; it was pointless to argue with him. With that fire personality, he was dead-set on going through with this, and wasn't budging. But secretly, I think we were all glad he wasn't going into battle with us. I knew I was happy. I didn't want to know what kind of a fighter he was, or how brutal he could really be.

"Is there any other reason why you're not joining us in battle?" Ochir asked. "At least, any reason we should know about?"

"I have my priorities straight," he answered curtly, "and that's all you need to know."


"I'm worried about him," Song confessed to me later. I was showing her around the village, while the others rested and prepared to go rendezvous with Jian Qiang and Red Claw. I was nervous, I admit, being in such close proximity, and alone, with her. We were catching stares; because we were unmarried, everyone thought it incredibly improper, and I could only imagine the things they were thinking about her…and, consequently, me.

But the villagers right now were not what most concerned us.

I sighed, "Am I the only one who notices he seems more distant lately?"

"It's because he's not a master, Fu. We both know how deeply that affects him."

"But he's not ready, none of us are. I think Master Oogway just wants us to be prepared for the challenges of becoming masters, or is at least waiting for us to prove ourselves worthy."

"That's what bothers me," she said, her blue eyes gazing into mine. She looked truly worried for Zigsa, and I couldn't blame her. "If he wanted to prove himself so badly, he would come with us to battle. How else could he prove himself?"

I thought about that. Why else would Master Oogway keep him from…then I remembered what my master had confided in me.

"Master Oogway has been worried about his soul," I told her. I felt a little guilty for confessing something my master had told me in confidence, but I needed someone level-headed to talk to, and she was the most level-headed of any of my friends. "He's been worried for a long time. He thinks that he's got a lot of darkness in him. Maybe…" I considered aloud, "Maybe Zigsa thinks he can't prove himself to Oogway in battle, but through peaceful means…"

"You mean, his protecting the villagers is his way of proving himself?" she sighed, her brows knitted with concern. "You know what that means, right?"

"No, what?"

"Fu, it's a suicide mission."

I stopped short, "What?"

"Think about it: he's leading these villagers into the mountains, alone. I don't think he expects to come back alive."

"He wouldn't take them if he didn't think it was safe!" I paused. "Would he?"

"No, he's too honest to risk their lives like that," she smiled…almost fondly. "He wouldn't do something like that; it would be dishonorable."

Song was right; he wouldn't allow anything to happen to the villagers. As for himself…well, the potential for his martyrdom was now a concern.

"Someone else should go with him," I stated. "If one of us is with him, there's one more person protecting the villagers, and him, too."

She nodded, then delivered the blow: "I'll go."

"What!" I stared at her.

She looked back at me and shook her head, "Oh, don't look at me like that…you, Li and Ochir are the best fighters…"

"No, you are the best. You've always been the best. Ever since you knocked out my teeth when we were five, you've been the best." She giggled at the memory. "You might not be as strong as Ochir, or as swift as Li, but you're still amazing!"

"Fu, I know my abilities," she sighed, "But I'm the only one Zigsa will listen to. I have to go, it can't be anyone else."

I winced. She was right. The snow leopard was so stubborn at times that only Song could reason with him. She used her water personality to control the fire in his.

"You're still the best wielder of the pudao I've ever known."

She smiled, but in a suspiciously smug way. Like she was hiding something.

"Song?"

"Yes, Fu?"

"Is there something I don't know?"

"We brought weapons with us."

"Yeah, I gathered that, but is there…"

She was smiling, but also looked at little embarrassed. "Well, before we left, we…ah, we kinda raided the Sacred Hall of Warriors…"

Oh no.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, "What did you take?"

"Li took the ninja equipment made by the father of Lady Lotus Blossom, you know the story, the one Master Dog saved? Ochir took the twin hammers of Master Ox, I got the Golden Spear and Zigsa took the Golden Shield from the Legendary Battle of Fire Monkey Pass…"

I should have been appalled that he had swiped the only physical proof of a battle fought long before our time, and that it was so sacred a relic. Instead, I asked, "Just a shield?"

"Have you seen his claws?"

"Good point."

"And we also swiped the Sword of Heroes…for you."

Now, I was scandalized that they had stolen—stolen!—mystical weapons from right under our master's nose, but I couldn't help being strangely touched that they thought so well of me as to bring such a remarkable weapon for my use in battle.

"You…you took that sword, for me?"

She blushed a little, "It was my idea. I know you're the best of the best when it comes to fighting with a staff, but…well, this is war, and wars aren't won with staves. I'd feel better if you took that sword into combat. And you've proven to be very good with a butterfly sword; and a warrior's only as strong as his weapon, right?"

Not true. It was—and still is—the other way around.

"But what about you?"

"I'll keep the lance for protection," she explained. "Zigsa might be confident that we won't be bothered up there, but I have a bad feeling something could go horribly wrong."

"Song," I reasoned, "Two warriors, even if it's you and Zigsa, if Huns were bold enough to climb the mountain…"

"Then lets not think about it, okay?" she soothed. "It's too nice a day to be worried about stuff like that."

I was feeling worse than when I'd first set foot over the threshold of my father's house that day. Part of me was glad she was staying out of the battle, where she ran the danger of being captured, killed, or worse, considering she was a woman. I think I understood the rationale for keeping women out of the military. Now, it may not have been right, but I could respect that men wanted to protect the women in their families from the shame of violation and death by an enemy's hands. I knew from Song that a woman could be just as good at fighting as a man—probably better, in certain circumstances—but the thought of her being picked up and carried off by a Hun to be used for his own perverse intents turned my insides upside down. Hopefully, she would forgive me for being glad she was staying out of the fight.

"Fu!"

I turned and saw Second Brother running towards me; he looked frantic. "Fu, there are two men, scouts, a wolf and a tiger, back at the house!"

"Where did they come from?" Song asked.

He pointed, "Over the mountains…" he looked ashen as he gasped out. "They say the Huns will be here by dawn."


We ran back to the house, noting that Ochir, Li, Ren and Zigsa had already started getting everyone ready to evacuate. While the villagers were initially suspicious of the snow leopard, his reputation had preceded him. Apparently "Zigsa the Reformer" was more well-known than even he knew. Rhino and snow leopard continued on with the task of preparation.

"Take only what you can carry! Leave your valuables here!" Ochir stopped a sheep from trying to tug a cart out of the mud. "Leave it! Your lives are more important!"

"Li!" I called. "The hell is going on?"

He and Ren shared a look before he answered. "Master Jian Qiang and Master Red Claw…they're here from the front."

This wasn't good.

"Why are they here?" Song asked. "Shouldn't they be fighting?"

"They had to fall back," Zigsa said, hurrying a family of rabbits along. "Once we get the villagers ready, I'll take them up…"

"I'm going with you," Song spoke up.

"No, you're staying here," he said sternly.

"No, I'm coming with you."

"Song, I'm not going to argue with you," the snow leopard frowned.

She crossed her arms, "If you're not going to argue, then shut up."

Li bit his lip to keep from laughing. Zigsa scowled. "You're a stubborn little wench, you know that?"

"I'm probably worse than you."

Zigsa turned to me, "She's not going to back down, is she?"

I shook my head, "I tried reasoning with her. Trust me, its futile. She's going with you."

He contemplated it for a moment, then sighed in defeat. "Fine, we're meeting at the village gates." He turned to me, Li and Ren. "Grab Ochir and get over to the headman's house. The masters are there, and they want to talk battle strategy with you."

"What makes them think we know anything about that?" I asked.

He shrugged, "Beats the hell out of me."

"Why aren't you going?" Li asked him.

Zigsa was uncharacteristically silent on the matter, and walked away without answering him.


The headman's house was the largest in the village, but that wasn't saying much. It had maybe five rooms, with a kitchen in a separate building from the main house. But it was the ideal place for kung fu masters and disciples to stake out and draw up battle plans.

My first impressions of Master Red Claw were, I admit, not kind. He hardly looked Chinese judging by the way he carried himself. He had a rounder face than most tigers, and a great hulking body frame that could have been confused for a rhino rather than a feline. He had to have been as muscular as Ochir, but with a pair of thin slits for eyes, jet black and carrying the sharp edge of flint. His fur was almost white with age, but the dark brown stripes were still clearly visible, and yet his body was remarkably clear of battle scars. The tiger's eyes were set close together, denoting narrow-mindedness, but it was the sharp tongue that surprised me most as he barked out to some villagers to hurry along. Master or no master, if he had given my family an order, I would have taken him out.

Master Jian Qiang looked much the same as I remembered him, with salt-and-pepper fur, more white than grey now, making him appear much older than he actually was. He also looked quite exhausted. Clearly the last battle had not gone well. He was relieved to see his son, embracing him close, and embracing Li as well. Li was as grateful for his former mentor's well-being as the wolf was for him.

"Praise to heaven that you all made it here safely," the lupine master said. "We were afraid the Huns had gone around…they seem to prefer those pincer movements."

"Is it true the Huns are that close?" Li asked. Master Qiang sighed, "Yes, unfortunately. They're relentless, even for Huns. I've never seen them fight like this. Usually they know when to quit, but they fight like maddened men! I can't understand it…I've never seen anything like it."

"Its Khan," Red Claw snorted. "Their 'illustrious leader' and so-called Mongol Emperor, the fool thinks he can create a Mongolian Empire that makes China pale in comparison, and look, he needs to invade us in order to realize this dream!"

Such propaganda was normal; most Chinese had very little love for the peoples of the Steppes. Part of it had to do with them being strangers, and the suspicions of any stranger to our lands, but there were also those who looked down on them for being nomads. Surely no civilized culture lived in tents. This was what Red Claw—and most Chinese—believed. This is what I believed for the longest time. But even such cultures that leave behind no monuments are still cultures. And in the case of the Huns, theirs was not a culture easily ignored. How and why they fought so ferociously now was beyond my understanding. Qiang was right: from the stories we'd heard from Zigsa, most Huns knew when to give up, and the ones who didn't had nothing to live for anyway.

Red Claw turned to the doorway of the main living room when Zigsa stepped in to announce, "I have all the villagers waiting at the gates, we're ready to depart."

"Everyone's accounted for?" I asked.

"That I know of…"

"I'll help you out in a minute…" Song said.

Zigsa made a face, "A minute? Song, we barely have time as it is…"

"Zigsa?" Red Claw asked suddenly.

I saw my comrade freeze, a stricken look on his face. Immediately he turned towards the sound of the tiger's voice and kowtowed, knocking his forehead against the floor, "Master! Forgive me, I had no idea…"

No idea? How could he not know the tiger was there? Even if he were blind, Zigsa could still sense someone's presence…at least I thought he could.

The tiger scoffed, "That's the whole point: not letting your opponent 'see' you until the moment is right. You've changed very little since I saw you last, Zigsa…" his round face broke into a smile. "But, that name probably doesn't apply anymore, does it? So, what name has Oogway bestowed upon you?"

Li, Song, Ochir and I held our breath. Ren and his father exchanged a look, and Qiang looked concerned when he got the implication. Zigsa was silent, but Red Claw ignored it, or at least did not acknowledge the snow leopard's silence as guilt.

"Come now, there's no need to be humble about it. What name do I call you, Master?"

Zigsa sat up a bit, hanging his head, biting his lip nervously. "I…I'm not."

The tiger was silent. "Excuse me?"

Zigsa bit down on his lip harder, speaking up, his voice wavering slightly, "I'm not a master."

Red Claw stared at him, then started chuckling humorlessly, "Ah, I see, this must be some sort of joke, isn't it? You know, jokes are intended to be funny…"

"Master Oogway has not named me as a master," Zigsa said with mock calm; he looked so nervous, I swore I could hear his heart hammering in his chest.

The stillness and the silence in the air reminded me of a graveyard, with all the gravity of one as well. Red Claw's expression was unreadable for a moment, then he looked enraged, roaring, "WHAT?"

"Easy, Red," Qiang said calmly. "None of them are masters yet. Song is not yet nineteen. Perhaps Oogway is waiting until she reaches the age of twenty, then will name them all masters then, just like he did with Terbish, Li and I."

"I should have never sent you to that crazy old codger," Red Claw seethed. "How dare he slight my student!"

Qiang narrowed his eyes, "He's not your student anymore. He stopped being your student the moment you left him in Oogway's care!"

"I trained that boy to be the best fighter for decades! He was ready to be a master when he was fifteen! And now what? He's twenty-five…"

"Twenty-four, sir," Zigsa corrected quietly.

"…and still is just a student!" he continued his rant, ignoring his former student.

"Red, it is not your decision to make," the wolf said sternly. "If Oogway doesn't think Zigsa is ready, then he's not ready, and we need to respect that…"

"Bull!" the tiger roared. "That old coot wants proof, does he? He'll get it! Once he hears how many Huns that boy has killed in battle, he will be the glory of China, right?" he directed the question to the snow leopard.

I'm fairly certain that the five of us were inwardly screaming loud obscenities over the ringing in our ears, but Zigsa's had to be the loudest by far. The snow leopard couldn't even raise his head as he confessed, "I'm not fighting."

Red Claw sneered, "What did I tell you about jokes needing to be funny?"

"I'm not joking, sir. I'm not fighting. I'm taking the villagers to safety."

The tension was so thick, I doubt even the Sword of Heroes could have cut through it. In the next moment, we knew why Zigsa was so nervous around this tiger.

"You're running away," he said coldly.

"Sir, I'm taking the civilians to safety, out of the way," he covered, desperately grabbing for something placate the tiger's temper.

There was a hard edge in the tiger's voice, thinly slicing away at Zigsa's resolve like an obsidian knife through flesh. "I trained you to be the best of the best. You learned seventy-five different ways to kill someone with one finger! You could take on the Great Khan himself without losing a single hair on your body, and instead of proving your worth as a warrior, you're running away like a spineless coward?!"

"I am not a coward," he said evenly, but it sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else.

"You'd rather run with women and children and weak men than prove your worth?!" the tiger roared.

To this day I don't know what possessed me to do what I did next. I stood up and snapped, "Don't you dare call my family weak! I am not going to sit here and listen to you insult my ancestral home. And my friends and I, all of us, we're not going to tolerate you insulting Zigsa either!"

Red Claw froze, narrowing his eyes at me, but I stood tall. I took on Tiny the Gorilla five years before, and my kung fu had improved by leaps and bounds since then. But I won't deny that I was intimidated by this tiger.

"What did you say to me…punk?" The tiger jumped back when Ochir stood, blowing air through his nostrils.

"What're you, deaf?" Ochir asked, getting in the big cat's face "I think he was pretty clear. And by the by, stop acting like Zigsa ain't in this room."

"Really, now?" he mocked. "Fine, if that's how you want it…" he grabbed Zigsa by the collar of his robe and dragged him forcibly to his feet. He brought him within a whisker's breadth of his face and hissed, "You're an embarrassment, do you hear me? You are a disgrace."

"ENOUGH!"

Everyone jumped when Master Jian Qiang snarled savagely. He stood between the tiger and his former opponent, acid on his tongue as he lashed out at the tiger, "You're the embarrassment. You embarrass me, and you embarrass yourself."

"This doesn't concern you, Jian," the tiger growled. "You should mind your own business."

"Bite me," he snarled. "I'm not looking the other way. Not this time."

"You dare challenge me?"

"Are you really that conceited?" he challenged, "Or am I just lucky?"

Red Claw hissed at him, "Don't forget, Jian, I own you. You owe me too much."

"My debt was repaid a long time ago. I don't owe you a damn thing, cat," he spat out words like a serpent's venom. We all expected the tiger to completely lose himself, but instead, he took a few deep breaths (anger management, I assumed) and glared at the wolf.

"How I deal with my student…"

"Maybe Ochir's right—you are deaf." Qiang gritted out the next words, enunciating each one. "He is not your student. Now back off."

I thought he was suicidal; had to be. But to my surprise, the hulking behemoth of a tiger backed down. Out of the corner of my eye, both Li and Ren looked pale, the canines gripping each other's hand. Then I saw why.

Jian Qiang's eyes were flashing dangerously with a dark light I had never seen before. Even though there was a thin smile on his lips, it was those eyes that scared—terrified—me. It is not often there is a bloodless war. That was what Master Oogway had said about Qiang. But I was right in my initial assessment; he was slow to anger, but when he did get angry…

But I was surprised. Zigsa had almost killed him, so why was the wolf standing up for him?

Red Claw backed down, snarling and fled from the room. Master Qiang closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming himself down.

"Dad?" Ren asked calmly, and yet a little fearfully. "Are you okay? Should we leave?"

"No," he answered quickly, and he was back to his usual sunny self. "No, everything's fine. I'm just a little testy, being under so much pressure…" he turned to Zigsa, who still looked utterly destroyed by what Red Claw had said to him. I may have had my doubts about Master Jian Qiang's character, but in that moment, he earned my respect forever.

"Just ignore him, he's an old blowhard," he said to the snow leopard. "You might not care what I think, but I think it's admirable that you would help these people instead of killing…that takes courage."

"But I'm not fighting…"

"But that doesn't mean you've surrendered. There are different kinds of fights, lad, and not all of them require knowing how to stop someone's heart with a nerve attack."

It took a while, but a smile slowly tugged at Zigsa's lips; Qiang had forgiven him.

"I'm really sorry about…"

"The tournament? Don't worry about it, I probably deserved you handing me my ass."

"I almost killed you."

"If you had, it would've been my mistake too. I let my guard down. I didn't think Red Claw had taught you everything he knew…" he rested his hand on the snow leopard's shoulder. "But in this one case, I'm glad you didn't listen to every lesson he taught you."

Zigsa sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging. I couldn't reason with what I had seen, I don't think any of us could. We were used to the snow leopard hiding his emotions under a thick cloak of bravado and what I assumed was conceit. In that instant, as we saw Red Claw strip away the protective barriers to the snow cat's heart, we realized that day that the cloak was as much to protect us as to protect himself. For many years, I thought that Zigsa most closely resembled Tai Lung, but upon my most recent reflection, he is most like Tigress, who, to my regret, slaved for years to gain the acceptance and love I had purposefully withheld.

Song was the first to make a move, stepping forward to lay her hand on his, "We'd better get going. We might be able to travel quickly, but all the villagers won't."

He took another deep, shaky breath and stood a little straighter, murmuring distractedly. "Okay. Okay, you're right. Yeah, let's go."

Before he made it to the door, Ochir stood in his way. Having witnessed that scene, something had changed in the dynamic of their relationship, but I would not know the entirety of this change until many years later.

"For what its worth," Ochir said, "I think you're the most honorable warrior of the five of us."

There was the flicker of a smile on the feline's face, but just as quickly, he was back to strictly business. He turned back to us, "Remember, no mercy. The Huns won't give you such an advantage, don't allow them the same."

"You'll keep safe?" I asked. There was more to it than what I had said, but Zigsa apparently understood where my true concern lay. He turned his head slightly in Song's direction, then nodded, "Don't worry. Everyone you care about, I will make sure they're safe. For their sake, stay safe too."

With that parting, he and Song left, sprinting along down the path to the village gates. For the briefest moment, as I watched them go, Song turned around and looked back at me. She looked forlorn and worried, but still offered me a hopeful smile, then mouthed, "Good luck."

I only waved. My arm felt as heavy as the rest of my body as the gravity of the situation sunk in. in the distance, over the mountain peaks, I saw black smoke wafting on the wind. Zigsa was leading the people in the other direction, towards Mount Tai Lung. I little knew the significance that mountain would have on my life, but for now, it was the haven necessary for my family's survival. I depended on it for strength. I needed to believe that everything would be all right. But as is often the case, sometimes dread and worry overtakes common sense.

Li rested his hand on my shoulder. "She'll be fine. Zigsa won't let anything happen to her."

I sighed, "I know. I just can't help but…"

"I know. We're a team. It won't be the same."

Master Jian Qiang quickly ushered us out of the house, "Come on, kids, we don't have much time. We need to get to the front."

Li turned to the wolf, "Is it as bad as we fear?"

The wolf looked like he wanted to lie, but instead, he sighed raggedly. "It's worse."


We plodded along to the front lines, the five of us, Master Jian Qiang and Ren leading the way. I kept stopping to look back. As dusk neared, we could see lights on the side of the mountain, a long string of gold flecks like fireflies on a summer's night. The villagers had made good time, and I was sure Zigsa was taking them at double the pace to ensure they were safely out of harm's way. I wondered about my family, how they were holding up. I wondered about Song, if she was struggling to keep calm whilst showing off a mask of strength so as not to alarm the very people she was trying to protect.

I didn't think I would ever be as strong as she was. Had it been me, I would never have been able to hide the agitation I felt.

Within the span of an hour, we saw the combined armies of Qiang and Red Claw, but to our delight, we also saw very welcome banners.

Ren let out a whoop of celebration. "The Imperial Army!"

Qiang let out the breath he'd been holding, "Thank heaven. Come on, we need to get down there, quickly."

We hurried down the slope of the mountain path, and upon reaching the foothills, we progressed quickly through the camp, warriors and soldiers of every shape and species making way for us. The General was not difficult to find. He was a tiger, the brother of the Emperor. It was not unusual. Brothers of the emperor were made kings and princes of various provinces, and some, like this one, were made into generals. But this tiger was different. Smaller in stature than Red Claw, but there was a streak in him that I recognized. When he saw me, we shared a knowing look: we were both small, but crafty.

"Master Jian Qiang, it has been a while," the General said formally, in a diplomatic way that was so unlike the direct approach of most military men.

"Too long indeed. We didn't expect you to make it," the wolf replied, embracing him like a brother.

"We couldn't risk the Huns getting any further. My men are ready to fight with dawn's first light."

"Will the Huns wait that long?" Ren asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine. I have scouts assessing the situation. I should hear back soon enough."

"Sir," I asked. "What are our chances?"

"Who may I ask…?" the General asked Qiang.

"These three are students of Grandmaster Oogway. Ochir is Master Terbish's boy, and Li here is the son of the late Hu Shan. The red panda, Fu, is here to protect his natal village and family."

"Defying his master's wishes to serve his filial duty," the tiger smiled thinly at me. "I thought there was something I liked about you."

"You don't doubt my abilities?" I asked.

"Son, what kind of General would I be if I believed that numbers alone won wars?"

"I bet they help," Ochir muttered.

"The Imperial family puts all their trust in Grandmaster Oogway, and any and all of his students," the General answered him coolly. "If the Son of Heaven believes in your abilities, then I believe in them."

Kind words, but I think Li, Ochir and I all wondered if that faith could be upheld.


I couldn't sleep. Neither could Li, who had snuck out of the tent we were sharing to spend some time with Ren, the two sitting in front of a fire, talking quietly amongst themselves. Ochir was off somewhere, I couldn't tell where. As for me, I gave up after hours of tossing and turning, deciding a walk would clear my head and settle my nerves.

I didn't walk far from the outskirts of the camp before I found Master Jian Qiang leaning against a tree, staring up at the stars. His ears flicked, catching my footfalls. I made sure to announce myself.

"Master?"

"Couldn't sleep either, could you?"

I shook my head. He patted the ground next to him. "Come sit, I would be glad for the company."

As I took my seat, I reached out to him, knowing I needed to speak to someone with wisdom. Perhaps I was worrying too much, and everything would be fine. Or perhaps, if Qiang couldn't sleep, it really was as bad as I feared.

"Do we have a chance tomorrow?"

"Khan comes with a hundred thousand strong. We have barely half that. The General may be confident we can win, but I have my doubts. Not all of these soldiers have seen battle before…"

"Like the three of us."

"I'm not holding that against you. I think Oogway sheltered you too much. The world is a harsh place, no doubt, and I feel terrible that your first battle is against the most formidable enemy China has ever faced."

"What is this Khan like?"

"Ruthless. He makes Red Claw look like a kitten playing with a ball of yarn," he answered wryly. As humorous as it was to imagine the terrifying Red Claw as a tiger cub entangled in yarn, that also bothered me a great deal, knowing that the Great Khan was worse. "Is that why you're worried?"

"I'm worried because I've never seen fighting like this before. I knew Huns were not afraid of death, but I would think they usually have something to live for. In the last few moments, before death, I see regret and fear in their eyes. Not this time. This time, they go to death with no fear…it makes me wonder what changed. Or have I changed? I don't know the answer." After a pause, he confessed, "I wish your friends Song and Zigsa were here."

"You do?" I asked, surprised.

He nodded, "Song is the best wielder of the pudao I have ever seen. She surpasses her mother…" he said with sadness in his tone.

"I know Song's capable…but I'm glad I won't see Zigsa fight. The way he talks…I'm afraid of what he becomes when he goes into battle. Master Oogway said there was darkness in him…" I confessed.

Qiang sighed and shook his head, "I think I know what Oogway was talking about. The darkness inside him is not vice, or anger, but desperation. You see, the only thing holding Zigsa back is his yearning for approval from Red Claw. Red Claw is never going to give him what he wants, no matter what Zigsa does. Oogway probably didn't want to make him a master yet because of Red Claw."

"So, this whole time…all he wanted was for his master to be proud of him?" I asked.

"I'm sure Red Claw was proud at one time, but the years had made him bitter; it is my hope Zigsa doesn't give in to that darkness."

"But Zigsa fought for justice…isn't that a good thing? Shouldn't that make Red Claw proud?"

"Justice is always a good thing. The problem is that it can overrule itself. Do the ends really justify the means? Can there be injustice in the way to meet justice? It doesn't matter the circumstances; someone is always going to be slighted."

I thought this over, but I was more curious now. "I think I should confess…we overheard you and Miao Li arguing that night, five years ago."

Qiang smirked, "I thought that was you. Oogway told me you had a habit of that. Its okay, I don't mind, at least not as much as I did then."

"Do you still love her?"

"Fu, I loved her the minute she first socked me in the mouth." He chuckled, "Song reminds me so much of her. You're a very lucky young man."

I blushed, "Uh, actually, we're not…"

He smiled knowingly, "Not yet, you're not. But if and when you do take the plunge, just keep in mind that whatever you two may have may not be forever. It will seem tough to remember that, but I'm telling you this for your own good. Don't fall in love with Song. Matter of fact, don't love anyone. Love is like a fine wine..."

"It gets better with age?"

"Well, yes, but that's not what I was going for… Love is like wine, because if you take too much of it, you feel great at first, but take too much, it will make you do things you will eventually regret. Too much of it can kill you. You're better off avoiding it altogether."

"But Master Oogway says that love is the most powerful force in the universe. Shouldn't that count for something?"

"It would, if love didn't also hurt you. Like any power, it corrupts, and is a double-edged sword. Love never lasts forever. Once it's gone, you crave more and more of it, until you're nothing more than a raging addict desperate for a hit. Love can uplift, but it can also destroy. I'm telling you now, you're better off without it."

"But I love Song."

There, I had admitted it. It was out in the open, and that thought alone terrified me.

Qiang hung his head and sighed heavily. When he looked up, he looked me right in the eye, "Then I hope for your sake that love is enough motivation to live tomorrow."

"Am I going to do things I will regret?" I wondered.

"Its war, Fu, everyone does something they aren't proud of. I've done things I'm not proud of. Zigsa, from what I've heard, has done things he's not proud of."

"What about Master Red Claw?"

He laughed bitterly. "Him? He has nothing left to regret. He doesn't frighten me."

"What did he mean earlier, when he said…"

"He seems to think I owe him something," he cut me off, not wanting to go into it. "I repaid my debts to him years ago, and he no longer has any hold over me. He has no hold over my family, and he sure as hell has no hold over my loved ones. You ignore him, Fu. If he gives you an order, defy it."

"But…"

"I'm telling you this for your own good. If you want to live to see twilight, you will defy every order he gives you. Do you understand?"

I didn't, but I nodded anyway. Whatever Red Claw was planning, whatever his motivation, I worried what effect it would have on tomorrow's battle. The tales heralding the tiger's exploits now seemed like total and complete lies. I felt cheated, and wished desperately that Master Qiang was the one calling the shots and leading us to victory.

But for a moment, as I looked back in the direction we had come, I also took back my earlier wish of not having Song and Zigsa there. I fervently wished they had come, especially Song. She was the only one who could calm me, reassure me, but she was miles away.

If I was to survive, I needed to depend on myself.


"Well, he obviously lived," Mantis reasoned. "So maybe that pep talk did something."

"Let's hope so," Monkey said. "But what about Song and Zigsa? I'm surprised they didn't go into battle."

Po spoke up, "Can you honestly say you wouldn't have done the same thing if you were them?"

No one said a word.


That's it for this chapter. The battle takes place next chapter! Please read and review!

Oh, and yet another sign I'm a total nerd: Li's full name, Hu Li, is a pun. Those who know Chinese probably have already picked up on it. The word hu-li in Mandarin means "fox". Song's surname, Miao, is also a pun. Say "Miao" out loud…sounds like "meow". Also a play on the Chinese word "mao" meaning "cat". (Interesting tidbit, did you know the Chinese word for "panda" literally translates as "bear-cat"?)

Yes, I'm a total and complete nerd, but God knows there's going to be more puns before this thing's over. (I still have no clue what Tai Lung's name actually means, and Chinese/English dictionaries are not very helpful. Any takers?)

To my American readers: have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, especially if you are traveling to see your family. To my international friends, have a great weekend! To all, take care of yourselves. Until next time… - Luna