Author's note: I don't own Kung Fu Panda (No matter how much I want too) it is only owned by Dreamworks. I only own Mei Wen (Ligress), and my other OCs. Please no flames and leave a review. Enjoy! :D
Ch. 9 Almost Home
On a bright and sunny day in the Valley of Peace, Okami the white tigress and her young daughter were both washing dishes in Mr. Ping's Noodle shop. Mr. Ping was going back and forth severing food to the usual everyday hungry customers. After carefully passing a dish to her mother, Kaila let out a bored sigh. At that moment, Okami noticed the joylessness in her eyes.
"Kaila, what's wrong sweetie?" Okami questioned, cleaning the plate she was handed. Kaila motioned her eyes over to her mother then lowered her head down.
"I-I miss my big brother Takami." She retorted. Setting the dish back into the sink, Okami wittily shuck her head with a smile.
She too let out a sigh and embraced her daughter with a motherly hug then said, "I know. I miss him too. But don't worry, he'll be back before you know it. Who knows, maybe he's on his way back right now."
hearing her mother's statement, it erased all of Kaila's worries of Takami. She then showed off a toothy wide grin. Okami was delighted that her daughter was happy again.
"Plus, Tamaki is still here you know." Okami added. Kaila shuck her head and said, "Nah, Tamaki's a great big jerk."
"Hmm, you know, that great big jerk might be feeling the same way you felt a second ago." Okami said further.
"Nah, I doubt it." said Kaila. With that statement both mother and daughter continued to wash the dishes.
At the Peach Tree Hill, Tamaki was looking the Valley of Peace. Feeling completely distraught with crossed arms and overlooking the Valley, Tamaki tried his best to hide his frustration from the others of his younger bother's departure. He wasn't just upset, he was miserable.
'Come on brother, come on. Come home' Tamaki thought worried. Quietly, a certain someone was observing him. His ears perked then said, "I know your there. There's no point in hiding."
"I guess my cover's been blown." The individual spoken up. He revealed himself to be Chronos.
"Chronos, what are you doing here?" Tamaki questioned. "What, I can't see my good tiger friend on my day off?" Chronos joshed.
"No it's not that, I just didn't expect you to be up here." Tamaki explained. Chronos then lend on the almost revived Peach tree. "Okay, I know that look. So, what's eating you Maki?" Chronos asked. Tamaki sighed fully faced the dark furred wolf.
"I miss my brother" Takami replied. "Oh" said Chronos pulling off a peach off the tree and taking bites of it.
"It's just, before I was never really there for him. He had to grow up by himself because of my maniac of a father, Kamikaze. At first, when I was growing up, he wasn't like that. But he changed when Takami was born. Now, I want to be there for Takami, and never leave his side." Tamaki explained.
"Hmm, I know how you feel believe me. Me and Ryo were also separated. But the only thing that matters now,\ is we're together again. Same goes for you Takami, and that you know that he is coming back." Chronos encouraged his friend.
Listening to the wolf's statement, Tamaki smiled and said, "Yeah, thanks Chronos. I, feel a bit better now."
"Good, you wanna spar? I took a day off of work, Zack's covering for me at the shop." Chronos asked finishing off the peach and getting into fighting position. Tamaki chuckled then gotten into position as well.
The outskirts in the forest
Within the outskirts of the forest, Takami and his group alongside the Wu Sisters continued to travel to head back to the Valley of Peace. With new found affections Faith and Hope's new relationship was going great.
Affectionately, Faith devoted herself into Hope's arm, laying her head on his shoulder. Layla was doing the same on Takami's arm. Wu Sisters gagged at the sudden affections. Faith and Layla choose to ignore their response and continued on.
Crane and Viper stayed close as always, secretly liking each other. Ligress was side by side with Kaizer, both dead silent. Neither feline dared to say a word.
To gain Kaizer's attention, Hope cleared his throat. Hinting him to talk to her. Kaizer rolled his eyes then turned towards her.
"Uh, I'm pretty sure when you arrive to the valley you'll like it there." Kaizer started. Ligress lifted up an eyebrow from his out-of-nowhere declare.
"Okay... good to know." She said slightly weird-ed out. Hope face-pawed and as a result Kaizer shrugging his shoulders.
"So, how longs is it going to take when we arrive at the Valley of Peace?" Ligress asked.
"If we keeping going without stopping, we should make it there in a day in the evening." Viper answered.
"Awesome, I get to hang and train with Po again." Hope said cheerfully. Faith then tugged oh his arm cuddling his arm and said, "Also don't forget, when we get back we can have a little 'us time' too." Faith told Hope. Hope heard those two words before, knowing what she meant he started blushing.
Unknown Tower: Somewhere near Dai-Ming
"She's what!" Yunxu exclaimed slamming her fist on the table.
"Affirmative, A scout-bird informed me she's left the Village of Dai-Ming with a group unknown people, who we believe that comes from the Valley of Peace." the Lioness explained standing tall.
Yunxu continued to pace back and forth snarling. "That disobeying little brat. She should be punished. You said she's going to the Valley of Peace? I'll drag her back here and harshly teach her what happens when she ignores my instructions. She cannot know the truth!" Yunxu exclaimed.
Outskirts of the Valley of Peace
Standing on the hilltop the gang finally made it overlooking the valley of Peace. Aside the Wu Sisters, the group was overjoyed by the fact that they we're almost home. But, it was getting dark and as they planned to get there before sunset failed. So, they decided to return early in the morning.
They group then made one and last campsite. As usual, the Wu Sisters separated themselves away, mysteriously disappearing for the time being. Crane and Viper went off to keep watch of them and with each other. Kovu and Borko went into Takami's and Layla's tent. Ren was off somewhere, same goes for Hope and Faith. The only two that were around was Takami and Layla.
The two lovely couple entered Layla's tent and sat down together. Layla then carefully grasped Takami paw affectionately and looked into his crimson eyes. Takami stared back looking into her deep purple irises and to him it felt like he was loss in her's. She then felted unease of the thought she was having. Takami then noticed that she had unease look.
Takami slightly tilted his head asked, "Layla, what wrong?" She then turned her eyes away from his and said, "I've just been thing."
"Thinking about what? Come on, you know you can tell me anything." He insisted. She then made eye contact again grasped his other hand now holding both his paws.
"Takami, I was think about us. About our future." She told him. Takami was baffled and take back. With the tilt of the head restated, "Our, Future?"
"Yes. Taka, you are the one I care for the most in this world. Whenever we're in a jam, or in a big fight, I get worried and concern. But when I look at you, the worry disappears as if it was never there. I see you as my knight and crimson armor. Your my hero. You gave me the strength to actually fight. And so, I want to be by your side forever. You might not think so, but I'm glad you accidentally tackled me the first day we met." She explained.
Hearing this from her really taken him back. "And our future you spoken of?" He questioned.
"T.K, in high hopes when we get older, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You always make me feel special, and I want that to last forever." She clarified. Takami was beyond flabbergasted and was completely stunned.
'Oh no, what did I do? I said the exact words that most boys would run away from. Now he might think I'm too clingy or insecure. I'm such an idiot' Layla thought shutting her eyes tightly fearing the worst. In seconds felt that she was being embraced. She reopened her eyes and saw it was him.
He then removed his arms and said, "Layla, I'd be more than happy to be with you forever. You really are a cool girlfriend." He said.
"Takami." Was all she could say. He then dug through his pocket and pulled out the seashell-ed star she made, showing it to her.
"You, you still have it?" She questioned. Takami nodded and said,"Yeah. On this shelled star I vowed to protect you and be by your side. I'll treasure this forever."
Layla then fell into Takami's arms in a loving embrace inside the tent.
Outside in the fields of grass, Hope and Faith were walking along side each. The couple was walking and talking among each other. On they're walk Hope spotted Renixang leaning against a tree, looking at the night sky deep in thought. Slightly concerned, Hope and Faith made way in front of her. somewhat startled, Ren saw the bear and cheetah in front of her.
Hope waved and said, "Hey Ren, right you okay?" Renixang nodded then relied, "Yeah, I was thinking."
"About what?" He asked curiously. Renixang blinked a few times then answered, "A lot of things. One of them is I've become quite...frustrated, that I haven't found my target yet. I was told I'd find the women in Da-Ming. But, I ran into a dead-end. They thing that keep me from leaving , was you, Hope. I feel, that I made a connection with you. I haven't made many friends, because I use to push them away. But with you, your somehow...different. Only If you want, I humbly wish to be your friend. Do you accept?" She explained then held out her hand.
Hope chuckled then said, "Ren, I always saw you as a my friend on they first day we met. And if you absolutely need an answer. I'd say yeah. Your totally a cool person. Also if you plan on staying with us, they Valley of Peace is a great place" Hope assured accepting the handshake. Renixang smiled happily and lowly said, "Thank you."
"Me too." Faith added. Renxiang agreed to Faith's friendship as well. Ren then suggested that they go back to the campsite so they can wake up early in the morning.
That's the end of that chapter. The gang is almost there or there already, just not in the valley yet. Stick around for more awesomeness!
