CHRISTMAS DAY IS FINALLY HERE!!! Well, for Musaki of course! LOL Enjoy!
Chapter 11: Christmas Day
It was early in the morning and it's Christmas Day in the Jade Palace. Musaki slowly opened his tired, blue eyes and yawned softly. He sighed sleepily and got up out of bed and then, opened the door to the hallway and closed it behind him, as he sleepily walked towards the hallway of the bunkhouse and when he got past the kitchen, he didn't see a red panda standing in front of the Christmas tree, that suddenly woke him up in a quick second.
He froze and then, walked backwards and saw Shifu standing in front of the tree. Shifu could definitely hear the creaks and squeaks of Musaki's footsteps from across the hallway with his ears. He chuckled slightly and asked, "Up a little early for Christmas morning, aren't you, Musaki?"
Musaki came in the kitchen and asked, "How'd you know it was me?"
"One, I have ears and second, I am most familiar with the little patter of footsteps you made."
Musaki chucked and said, "I'm thinking you got me all figured out."
"Yes, I do."
Musaki stood by him as he looked at the tree with all the decorations, lights and gifts there. Shifu marveled at the tree and its miraculous beauty and asked, "Isn't that beautiful?"
"It is beautiful from a standpoint to know that it is Christmas."
"Looks as though it'll be a Christmas memory that will never forgotten, right?"
Musaki didn't want to say anything about his first Christmas memory when he was younger, because he has now relived it. So, he turned to Shifu and said, "Right. It won't be forgotten. At least I hope not."
"It won't. I can assure you that it will stay with you forever."
"You make it sound like you're so sure."
"Oh, I'm pretty sure. I'm very sure it will be something you will tell your children about."
"Yeah, probably."
"Good morning, guys! And a Merry Christmas to you, Musaki!"
Musaki turned around and saw Po standing there. He chuckled and said, "Same to you."
"Good morning, master Po."
"Morning, Shifu."
"You seem like you're in a good mood today."
"Uh, hello! It's Christmas, duh!"
"Mr. Ping told me this is his excited, giddy phase whenever it's Christmas. Can't seem to disagree with him." Musaki said.
"Since when do you listen to my dad?"
"When it comes to you, he knows everything about you and there's no secret he can dish out."
"Morning, guys."
They all turned around to see Jo the only one standing here. Po quickly wne to him for joy and hugged him tightly, saying, "Merry Christmas, Jo!"
"Merry Christmas to you, too." he said, voice strained.
"Let him go, panda!" Shifu exclaimed.
"You're choking him!" Musaki said.
Po suddenly releases Jo and he lands on the floor, trying to catch his breath. Po chuckles embarassed-like and said, "Sorry, buddy."
"That's okay. Just hug me gently, please."
"Seriously, though."
"Yeah, I mean we know you're big, but don't hug so hard. It might want to...lose their last breath of air."
They all turned around and saw Ichi, Kaguya and Fu awake. Kaguya chuckled and said, "Merry Christmas, guys!"
"Merry Christmas to you guys too." Musaki said.
"This tree is awesome." Ichi said.
"Thanks. We all decorated it before you all showed up."
"It definitely looks like the most beautiful tree I have ever seen before." Fu said.
"It's the only tree you've ever seen before." Ichi said.
"Well, doesn't it anyway?"
"So, who are we waiting for?" asked Kaguya.
"The Five. Hopefully, we can get started."
"Good morning all and a very Merry Christmas to everyone here. Peace on earth and goodwill toward men. I give Christmas to all and to all a good night." Tigress said.
Mantis groaned and said, "Okay, we get the fact that today is Christmas. Just do not repeat the same thing throughout the rest of the day."
"Where's your Christmas Spirit, Mantis?"
"It's still here and I'm hoping that it won't go away because of what you just said."
"Oh, don't be such a Scrooge. It's Christmas."
Musaki started laughing and saw Tigress looking kinda silly and then, he asked, "Okay, who the heck are you and what have you done with Tigress?"
"She's enjoying the Christmas spirit." she answered.
"Looks like you're overdoing it." Monkey said.
"Now that's funny."
"Okay, let's get started here." Shifu said.
"Okay, then." Po said.
Everyone gathered around the kitchen and Shifu sees everyone together for the entire Christmas holiday and just about everyone is getting into the holiday spirit, even Musaki. Shifu closed his eyes and then, opened them and said, "This is a wonderful, wonderful experience to be with you all on this Christmas holiday. As we all know, this holiday is more than getting gifts, it's about receiving and showing how much we care about the person as well as one's self. But for the first time in this holiday, we're turning our attention to the one who's celebrating it for the first time, Musaki."
Musaki felt surprised that Shifu called his name and made him feel like he's part of a family for so many reasons. Suddenly, all eyes were on Musaki and he felt as if that this is something he will definitely get used to on the holidays. Shifu turned to Musaki and told him, "I'm gonna start this off with giving my present to Musaki, since you've been living here, I thought you might need something from me."
Musaki came over and Shifu gives him the present and he asked, "Is this really mine?"
"Open it and find out."
Musaki chuckled and then he ripped open the entire box and inside of it, there's a red and black headband and his eyes widened up in surprise. He tries it on and it definitely fits him. Shifu asked, "You like it?"
"Are you kidding? I love it! Thank you so much." Musaki said.
"I was hoping you would. It even has your name on the center."
Musaki took off the handband and sees his name 'Musaki' on the front. He was so happy to know that this is his. He said, "Hands down, the best gift ever."
"Thank you."
"Thank me? Try thank you."
"Well, Po, give him your gift."
"Well, it's not much, but I did give you something that would be completely cooler."
He unwrapped this gift and noticed that there is an action-figure of Musaki in there. His jaw dropped open and asked, "Is that me?"
"Yep. The guy that makes the Furious Five action figures wanted to make an action-figure of you, because they've heard of your story and every adventure we've been on and they like you so much, that they wanted to make an action-figure of you. I picked up the very first one before it even came out."
"Dude, thank you so much. I love it."
"Anything for Lil' Saki."
Po rubbed his head and Musaki chuckled softly. Sooner or later, The Five gave him some super awesome gifts. Mantis gave him a diary, so he can write his thoughts on the world, Viper gave him a yoga mat to do some yoga in, Crane brought in snow globe of the Jade Palace, which is supercool, then Monkey gave him some art stuff, so he can do some drawing and Tigress brought him a Tai Lung punching bag as a way to release his anger in.
"So, you guys bought me all these gifts? You shouldn't have, but I'm glad you did anyway." Musaki said.
"Thanks."
"I kinda like the Tai Lung punching bag the most for two reasons. First, to take out all my anger on this thing and also, just for fun to beat the crap out of him for what he did to my parents, just in case if I get bored, you know."
"Glad you liked it. Now, it's Ichi's turn."
"Well, I completely understand your feelings a lot, so I brought this gift to you."
Musaki opened the gift and inside of it, a notebook. He chuckled and said, "That's a great present."
"It's just in case you want to write your feelings and everything." Ichi said.
"Wow, thanks, Ichi."
"You're welcome."
"I hope you like my present." Fu said.
Musaki opened the present and inside of it, a blanket and some gloves. He chuckled and said, "Wow, this is nice. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
"Now it's my turn. Hope this present will make you happy." Kaguya said.
He suddenly opened Kaguya's present, which is a wood-craved blue and red flute. His eyes widened and said, "Great present. I think Shifu and I would do some serious flute-playing pretty soon, of course it'll sound better though."
"Oh, we'll see about that." Shifu said.
"Is it my turn?" asked Jo, innocently.
"Go ahead, Jo." Po said.
Jo came in and brought in his present and told him, "I hope you like my present, Musaki."
"Thanks, Jo."
Soon, Musaki unwrapped his present and inside of it are two notebooks. Musaki gasped and felt completely surprised that these are two notebooks. Jo explained, "Well, this is for songwriting and poetry writing, in case if you want to do one."
"This is awesome! I've always wanted two notebooks to write songs and poems. That's cool! Thank you!" Musaki said.
"Po told me that there's several more in his room and he wants to give them all to you."
"He did?"
Musaki turned to Po and told him, "I always did admire you a lot."
"I get that sometimes."
"Well, thank you all for these awesome gifts. Now it's my turn to return the favor. I'll start with my gift to Shifu."
Musaki gave the gift to Shifu and when he opened it, he gasped in surprise to see an new wood-carved flute. Shifu looked at him and said, "This is amazing. Now you and I can play it whenever, wherever."
"Sweet. These three gifts are from me to Ichi, Po and Jo."
"Give me a hold of these gifts!" Po exclaimed.
Musaki gave out four gifts to Po, five to Ichi and three to Jo. They all opened the gifts and to Po and Ichi's surprise, are all manga. They looked at Musaki and they hugged him tightly.
"I love these books! Thank you so much!" Po said.
"Seriously, thank you!" Ichi said.
"You're welcome."
Jo opened his presents and they're notebooks. Jo smiled and looked at Musaki and said, "These are so cool. How'd you know?"
"Well, just in case you run out if you have room for more poetry."
"Aw, thanks, man."
"You're welcome. Now for the Five, I've got some gifts for you as well."
"Wonder what did he brung us." Crane said.
There were many gifts; nine for Crane, four for Viper, eight for Mantis, seven for Monkey and six for Tigress. Most of them were amazing gifts and several others were cooler. As soon as they opened their gifts, the kid inside of them got released.
"That is so cool!"
"Just what I always wanted!"
"I always wanted one of those!"
"I love it!"
"How did you find these?"
"Well, do you like them?" asked Musaki.
"Are you kidding? We love these things!" Viper said.
"Thank you."
Soon, Musaki gave Kaguya and Fu gifts as well. There were two for Fu and three for Kaguya and most of them are dolls, hair accessories and notebooks.
"Thank you so much, Musaki!" Fu exclaimed.
"I love these!" Kaguya said.
"You're very welcome."
"Master Shifu!"
Shifu turned around and saw Zeng entering the room. He smiled and said, "Merry Christmas, Zeng."
"You too. Anyways, I've got a surprise for Musaki."
"For me?"
"Yep. It's from the Bao Gu Orphanage. They said you left something there just after you left."
Zeng brought in a little teddy bear from his old room and he was very familiar with the teddy bear, black eyes, orange and brown fur and a silver necklace with little marks on it. He gasped silently and said, "Sparky...."
"Who's Sparky?"
"He's my teddy bear. I haven't seen him since I was so young."
"Well, the caretaker, Ms. Fay wanted me to give that to you."
"Aw, thanks, Zeng."
He hugged the little teddy bear and embraced it back. He smelled it and he knew it was the same aroma that was familiar to him and he petted him. He looked at Zeng and said, "It was really nice of you to come all the way here and bring this for me."
"Well, she's been telling me a lot about you and the past orphans that you didn't meet, but wished they could've wanted to give you this as a Christmas present."
He saw the gift and opened it and inside was a picture of his parents. He gasped silently and said, "That's my mom...and my dad."
"They knew how much you loved them, so they wanted to bring a picture of them, so you won't forget them."
Musaki got misty-eyed and said, "Thank you so much."
"You're very welcome. Well, Merry Christmas to you all."
"You too, Zeng." said Shifu.
Zeng walked off in a flash and Musaki felt completely surprised and happy to know that this became the greatest Christmas ever. And behind it, was a note. It reads,
"Musaki, this picture is the one that will always stay with you no matter what and if you feel alone again, don't forget to see this picture and think of us. I know that you have grown into such a sweet, kind and caring young panda that I know we would be proud to have you as a son. Just remember that we will always be there for you and you can always count on us regardless of what your life will be. Also, know that you are never alone because we will be right here with you, no matter what. Also, please reminisce your very first Christmas that you had and hope that many more Christmases will come and be the most memorable. Love always, mom and dad."
A few tears fell down on Musaki's face and he held the picture close to him and it feels as though there's a connection that's been returned. Po looked at him and said, "They really love you."
"Yeah, they do."
"What did they mean when they say your 'first Christmas?'" asked Kaguya.
"I didn't remember my first Christmas when I was young, but I had a dream about it that seemed like reality, then I was so young and it was the first time I had Sparky and my necklace. They were the two gifts that I ever got when I was a year and a half old. I always thought that it would be memorable, but it faded when I was so depressed at the Orphanage. With that dream coming back to me, it's like I can actually remember it all over again, almost like having my childhood back. That's pretty much my bonus gift." Musaki said.
"That's wonderful. It seems as though you got the Christmas Spirit in you and it shows." Shifu said.
"It has. And it's because of you guys that made my Christmas the best one ever." Musaki said.
"All we can say is..."
"Merry Christmas, Musaki." everyone said.
Musaki chuckled and said, "The same to you, including my friend, Jo."
Jo looked at him and said, "Are you sure?"
"Like of course. We're friends. This is your First Christmas after all, the same as mine."
"Yeah, it feels like I have a family."
"We're always family...always." Shifu said.
That was so sweet! It's a Christmas to remember! Stay tuned for the grand finale!