Notes: My apologies to my readers: my brain has been dull recently, at least in regards to this story. Not much really happens here...I'm not all that fond of this chapter. Not really. However, those of you who wanted to know which member of the Five would be joining our "heroes" are about to get your answer...I thought I made it obvious, but, with so many people asking, I suppose I didn't. Now...
Chapter 10: Unsteady Beginning
It was four more days before the search party found any trace of Sangatsu. The new lieutenant of Giao Xun was finally reported as being seen by a family of rabbits. The panther had left the city, and, along with three other cats, had behaved "suspiciously" in the eyes of the commoners.
Since there were no panthers in the Valley – aside from one very special one inside the Jade Palace – it was obvious who these cats were.
Apparently the panthers had ventured to Din Mang Village, far away from the Valley...the cab they had boarded had taken them to the docks, and from the docks they departed for Din Mang.
Riding a ferry with a lunatic on board was risky, but there was no other choice.
Shen found Maddohatta inside the training grounds...the panther was facing the immense training machines, used to test only the highest level students. Shifu had reluctantly given him access to the training facility at the suggestion that the assassin's skills might be dulled from lack of practice and his still-healing form.
The panther's sword sliced through wood and iron as the spikes and traps snapped and slammed around him. He leaped and spun and ducked with infinite grace. At one point he dashed through a passage of fire-spitting dragons...without even singing his tail. He took the knife from his belt and sliced his way through a barrier of spinning, spiked poles, and kicked away a basket of iron weights that fell towards him as he slid out.
He paused, smiled, and sheathed both blades.
"Well, that was fun," he purred. "Anyone for Peking duck?"
He laughed.
"I see you're feeling better," Shen observed calmly.
"Quite," said the panther simply. "So, any news on the subversive who tried to assassin the assassin?"
"If you mean Sangatsu, yes...he's heading for Din Mang, far off from here."
Maddohatta grinned wider.
"So we follow him?"
"Yes, we follow him."
"Perfect!" the panther almost squealed in delight. "I can't wait to squeeze the life out of him! Yes," he then hissed, talking to himself, "that's it! I'll wrap my claws around his neck and just twist and squeeze until he stops squiggling around...I love the color their faces turn when I do that..."
"Er...yes," Shen said, finding that thought quite disturbing, and cleared his throat, "anyway, I'm here to tell you a few other things."
"Shoot! But not literally, of course," purred the cat in the hat, leaning on his cane.
"If we are going to be working together, I need you to make me one promise..."
"Yes? Don't keep us in suspense, Sheng Li!"
"You can't. Hurt. Anyone."
The panther tilted his head slightly.
"What about Sangatsu?"
"Well...he's different. But his men, and anyone else we meet, you leave alive: no killing allowed. The soldiers we can question, and the bystanders are..."
"Innocent?"
The panther spoke the word as if he didn't believe it existed.
"Yes. Exactly."
The panther sighed dismally.
"Well...it isn't really me...but I suppose that if my partner commands, I must obey!"
Here he bowed, sweeping the top hat from his head elegantly, then standing again and just as swiftly and smoothly replacing it.
"Anything else?"
"Yes. As I told you before, three others will be joining us..."
"The Wolf Boss and the kitten are among them, I trust?"
"Yes."
"Knew it!" laughed the panther, snapping his fingers triumphantly. "And the member of the Five you mentioned?"
Shen clenched his beak hesitantly.
"Tigress."
Maddohatta's eyebrows shot up, but he did not look fearful, nor even surprised.
Delighted was the better choice of description.
"Really?" he purred, in a voice that sounded too innocent to be true. "How did she get the part?"
"Grandmaster Shifu brought the Five together and asked them which would prefer the duty...Master Tigress was the first to step up, and the other members, and the Dragon Warrior, all agreed she'd be the best candidate to help...supervise you."
The panther chuckled.
"I knew it would work," he muttered darkly.
Shen raised an eyebrow, but thought nothing more of the matter.
"Our boat leaves in less than two hours. Whatever you need, pack up. I'll meet you outside the Palace in exactly twenty minutes."
Maddohatta sighed.
"Always in such a hurry."
Then he giggled.
"Well," he said softly, "this should be an interesting trip..."