Disclaimer- Look, let me get it straight. I absolutely have no ownership of Kung Fu Panda or anything related to it.
Nestled between a flower shop and a small restaurant, the Lonely Moon Tea Shop was hardly noticed. Yet the tea shop was the reason some travelers entered the Valley of Peace. The neighbors never thought about it or questioned it. The Lonely Moon was just there and it really didn't matter to them.
On a tiled roof, a figure crouched. A few police passed by and it jumped down with a silent landing. It avoided well-lit streets and kept to the shadows. It wore a silk vest and a matching scarf. The stranger seemed nice enough, on the outside anyway. Beneath the stolen vest was an array of throwing knives, its left boot concealed a spiked whip, and its satchel contained a blowpipe and darts. The mysterious figure kept walking down the muddy street and stopped at the Lonely Moon. It checked the streets for anyone nearby, and entered when it was satisfied no one was around.
The bell on the wooden door emitted a small chiming noise as the door opened. The cashier, Fu, looked up and smiled to the visitor. "What can I help you with?"
"I'd like to request a special." the customer said, presenting Fu with a silver charm in the shape of a lotus.
"Very well Lotus, you're not the only one who came tonight. Was it you at the pagoda?" Fu remarked.
Lotus shook her head. "I wish. I rarely have the time for things like that."
Fu led her through a back door and down a flight of stairs. The sound of talking and chattering could be heard now as they descended further and further. They heard a bell ring from upstairs and Fu hurried up to tend to it. Lotus ended up at a metal door which she knew was chained and bolted. She rapped on the door and the conversations inside ceased.
There was the clinking of metal chains and a small slide was opened up. An eye peered at her as a voice asked, "Password?"
"I hate passwords, let me in." Lotus scowled and revealed the same silver water flower earlier. "Do you doubt me?"
The door swung open and a snow leopard beckoned her in. "Sorry, standard precautions." If any syllable uttered by Lotus was any different, she would have been locked out and not permitted in. Lotus entered and talking began again. They all knew her. Underneath the Lonely Moon, was the Valley of Peace's black market. It sold stolen items, weapons, and most importantly information. They settled down at a secluded table and began to chat.
"What brings you here? You haven't been here in a while." The spotted grey feline sat back in her chair.
"I need information, and quickly. Look Saga, do you need any persuasion?" Lotus heaved a large sack of money onto the table.
Saga smiled wryly. "Not anymore; what do you want to know?"
"I heard there's a new assassin in the valley. He's been, well, irritating. I want him finished."
The criminal fence glanced around. "Not here. Let's go to my place."
She stood up and began walking towards a corridor. A few others looked at them when they got up, such as a red cat with an immaculate outfit and a fox with a large scar over one eye. Lotus obliged and followed.
The basement of the Lonely Moon was like a maze, twists and turns always leading you to new places. Saga turned down one hallway with five doors on each side. She unlocked the second door on the left wall and pushed it open. She let Lotus in and quietly shut the door after her guest.
The room was sort of like an office. It was not small, and had a desk with chairs on opposite ends. Saga sat in the chair with her back facing the bookshelves on the far end of the room.
The snow leopard clasped her paws and began, "Why do you want to know?"
"He's taking my targets. " Lotus said bitterly.
Saga pulled out a thick paper scroll and unrolled it. "This is a recording, made by the local police, of who enters and exits the valley. If this assassin is new, he either entered illegally, which I highly doubt, or was recorded here." The Valley of Peace put up stone walls at least fifteen feet high and had the bridge and front door closely monitored. Lotus took a quick glance at the inked words and pointed at one in particular. "I think this matches his description."
"From North. Merchant. Red fur, green eyes. Scar over one eye. Safe to enter." Saga repeated."You've seen him?"
" Sort of. It was dark and I was too busy trying to catch him."
"Anything else you want to know?"
"Who he has been working for and why he's here, I want it as soon as possible."
"That wil-"
"Yeah, I know, cost me more." Lotus interrupted. "I want it in two days."
"That's not possible."
"I know it is. Stop lying or I'll turn you into the police, along with the rest of Lonely Moon." She glared at Saga with steely eyes.
"I have so many other customers, I can't just forget them."
"I believe you can." Lotus reached into her satchel and pulled out a shiny figure. She set the shape of a lion carved in jade on the table.
Saga's eyes grew wide and she hastily nodded as she greedily snatched the prized jade sculpture. "I can do two days. I won't let you down."
"Good. I return back to you to see what you've got." Lotus gave the sack to Saga and headed out the door. Saga quickly hurried over to open the door for her client. She bowed to Lotus and escorted her to the door. They wove their way around tables and the snow leopard waved goodbye to her high-paying visitor. Lotus left the Lonely Moon and breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't been caught. Yet.