Disclaimer: Other than Keepa Keys, I do not own the cartoon/franchise Yin Yang Yo! All copyright and ownership go to Bob Boyle II and Jetix/Disney XD.
It has been two days since Roger had begun his delivery mission, and he was already tired. Normally he would Teleport to wherever he needed to go... teleportation was a simple enough spell that even a 'brute-type' like himself could use it well. However, he knew the reason Master Yo had sent him on this quest. The transport itself could have easily been done by a delivery boy! The enchanted acorns that were abundant in Dave's side of the woods may have been pricey, but not difficult to find if you wandered there on your own, also considering how kind the trees could be when it came to giving directions. Someone with his particular set of skills isn't needed for something so simple. Yo knew that Roger needed time away from it all...even if Roger himself hated to admit it. Being around everyone that KNEW the emotional distress that he went through didn't help with the healing process. If anything, it had just made it harder to forget about that forsaken cat...
The dispatch of the acorns went smoothly. The city the clients resided in was fairly average, and that's saying a lot. Though there weren't any skypscarpers to speak of, there was certainly an abundance in large houses and modern decore. From what he recalled, this was the largest city around for the next 200 miles; similar with the retirement aethetics with his home. You'd think there would be life-threatening danger somewhere, right? Yet here he was, no attacks that he needed to handle. The last villain that appeared a month prior already rotting away in a jail cell, according to the local residence. It was almost more stressful to Roger seeing nothing more to be done! The clients were kind enough to offer a place for the night; with it being autumn, the days grew dark much faster than what he normally realized. Heading home seemed like the most difficult part, but he knew that it was better to move on as quickly as possible. Not being the kind of warrior to avoid his obligations anymore, he took his leave after the payments have been made.
He couldn't help but reminisce about what had happened only a month prior, combining Yo's advice only drew events more clearly to him...he was embarrassed, humiliated even. He liked Keepa, a lot more than he should have let himself feel as quickly as he did. The Skelewog let his emotions and attraction to the poor cat get in the way of his judgement. She wasn't obligated to stay if she didn't want to, so he had absolutely no right to be upset with her! Well, in a way he did. She let his interest in her persist while she spent time with him; and never informed his a mere clue about what she was feeling...what she thought of him. Yet, they both had known better. It wasn't just Keepa that caused his getting upset, he also dealt his own hand in the situation. What made Roger the angriest was how he had yelled at her for simply trying to do the right thing by not telling the truth... Master Yo was right, she had much more on her plate than he did, and he ridiculed her for it. In a way, the depressed monster only wished that he could take back his words or at least apologize for the way he acted.
Sighing, Skelewog passed the vast apricot fields on the way back to his home town. Their ripening smells nearly made him drunk with hunger, tempting his senses for such a taste. However, tardiness isn't as acceptable as it used to be at his dojo; especially in his situation. Though it might relieve the Panda if Roger took his sweet-time coming home, there was always the chance that he wouldn't take Roger seriously when he says that he wants to practice Woo Foo again. Entering the wood was the trademark for home, only several hours left until his travel time is over. The sun had already tucked itself in by the time the first oak came into view, so a campsite would have to be set. Though his town was safe, that didn't mean the woods were... stumbling around in the dark could easily land him into unnecessary trouble. He gathered the tinder easily (though politely asking the nearest tree if they were cool with it), and lit it aflame with a small spark from his maw. He began to rant to himself while he set up a small campsite.
"What I did to Keepa was messed up, even for me. Dammit, I shouldn't of been so hard on her! She had it hard enough as it is! I liked her a lot, and she lied to me...lead me on. But she had more bullshit on her plate, and I made her feel bad for it. I'm just such a stupid jackass! ...Well it's done and over with, but I promise this. I promise on this whistle that I'll find a way to make it up to you Keepa. I may not trust you anymore, but what I said wasn't right. The next time we meet Keepa...i'll be there like you would for me."
"This is just so STU to the PID! At this point I could've waited back at the farm for Jr! Instead I gotta chase my friend ALL the way out of town just to turn right back around with that stupid whistle? PULEEASE, this is just so stupid!" The aqua canine ranted to herself as her travel through the forest became more dull over time. Everyone from the army had been through such extensive forestry before, Dave being their tour-guide. Almost all of the trees looked the same from an outsiders perspective, but the time spent conversing with the sentient trees and acorns made finding their location much easier. Their kind and courteous nature also gave an ease when it came to asking for direction, cutting time from point a to b that much quicker. Huffing her way towards the end, an orange glow in the distance caught her attention. Not one of the trees had an adverse reaction...no screams for mercy or help? With relief, she finally found Roger.
"Boy I hope he's dead asleep. I'm not coming all the way out here for nothing!" Creeping towards the light lead her to his cramped campsite. His tent was empty, and the fire-pit gave out a small, non-literal cry as it kept itself alive. The dead log that Roger used as a pillow was withering away from the elements, his eyes glued shut while he slumbered away. If that was what she only saw...
Accompanying him was the cat from before! A deep velvet version of the dress that the scowling dog had seen before, it began to attract the dust and dirt from the forest floor as she sat next to the sleeping beast. Why doesn't she go beat her ass now and drag her back? She could heal herself right? Confident that she could, Lina nearly got out of position before Keepa began to speak. Figuring that it'd be better than blowing her cover, she perked up her ears with a little Woo Foo to get clearer reception.
"Poor Roger. I put you through so much pain through my lies...and now you are here. You are still hurt, but I cannot heal such deep wounds. I can, however, heal the rip on your arm." Surprised for such modesty, it nearly took away from the open wound that Roger did indeed have on his bicep. How did she not notice that? Better yet, how did he get that and STILL fall asleep? Scoffing at her claim to heal such a deep wound with just magic, Lina started to fight staying place as she watched Keepa do her work. Closing her green orbs to concentrate, her delicate paws began to glow a bright blue; the same color that pure Woo Foo had. Lightly placing her adorned paws on his bicep, the magic began to weave into his body right before Lina's violet eyes!
Several minutes had passed before the blood-soaked pads had pulled away. Even with the darkness that surrounded them, Lina could tell that the injury was indeed gone. A small smile crept onto Keepa's face as she looked down at Roger; whom was dead still throughout the entire process. She leaned in for a small peck on his cheeks, only to pull away immediately and got up onto her two hind-legs.
"This is the least that I can do you. Oh Roger, I truly did enjoy your company... I truly did consider calling your small town home. I cannot remain knowing that I had caused you the pain that I did. I only hope that one day, we can reconcile under better circumstances. Farewell, my hero." Finished with whispering her good-bye, the disheartened cat turned to find an angry canine a foot away. Enlarged paws grabbed her torso as Lina repressed the urge to slam her against the nearest tree. She took her 20 feet away from the campsite before she started spit-balling questions.
"Giiiiirl you got a lot of explaining to do. Okay first off, why the hell are you here?" A firm grip kept Keepa in place, though she had shown no attempts of escape. Keepa had figured that squirming or trying to force her way out of her grasp would get her nowhere. She replied with a calm disposition.
"I had offered to work for the apricot fields that are not far from here. They did not need my help, so I came this direction to find a map. I do not know this area so well. Then I had smelled blood that had split. I followed the trail that Roger had left behind to find him recovering with rest." Ms. Keys could find Lina's martial art move lessen in its grip as she responded, but the stress in Lina's face kept the cat from coming to ease.
"Well that's just convenient, isn't it? You've got us worried sick about our fellow warrior! Why did you lead him on girl? He really liked you!" To Lina's surprise, a faint blush spread across the cat's face, made even more obvious by the white glow of her fur. Clearing her throat nearly had Keepa stuttering.
"W-well I honestly did not expect his affection. I at first thought it was out of curiosity, but then it turned into something more...it was my mistake for not leaving sooner. I did not wish to hurt his feelings, he had saved my life! I wanted to return the favor by spending time with him, if that is what he wished of me. I, I broke his heart by not knowing how to admit the truth. It would not have been right for him to care about me with the circumstances I was under." A few tears began to form in her eyes when Lina finally decided to dissipate her powers. Fully letting go, the cat would not feel relief just yet. The dog went from anger to sympathy as she heard her story, but was still non-the less irritated that it happened to begin with.
"...Man, you people really ARE dedicated with this whole tradition thing! If you were worried about hurting him from the get-go, why didn't you just tell him from the very beginning? At least he would've known and not feel guilty!" Her temper was beginning to rise again, but sat her anger back down before Keepa could answer.
"It was because I had bothered with so many others before. There are many others like me out there, Woo Foo Warrior. Unlike myself, most tend to use more hidden and manipulative tactics. You see, many would not even reveal the truth until they had already wooed their heroes home...blackmail, guilt-tripping such men and women into coming back to their home country. Even before I had left, I had vowed to never become like them..." Small dots of liquid finally dropped onto the ground below, clearing her throat once again to prevent a full out cry.
"I was honest with the heroes that had saved me. Like the other nine that had saved my life, I planned on letting Roger know about my dilemma. But then, I had seen the band he wore across his forehead. The symbol for Woo Foo is an honorable symbol, it had shown me that his life was already determined. I did not wish to take such a life away, or have him feel any obligation to help me. That was why I did not tell him about my true intent with my travels... So instead, I tried to prevent such things by lying. Roger has such a kind heart, and I ended up breaking it in the end." Snuffling, Keepa looked to Lina for further direction. Lina herself wasn't sure where to turn either, both surprised and guilty for harshly accusing Keepa for being a selfish woman for what had happened. She knew it was justified, but that still didn't help out the regret she felt. She reached out for her shoulder, giving her an apologetic hug.
"I-I'm so sorry for being so harsh on you like that. Y'know what they say, family sticks together! Haha, you're alright Keepa. I actually came out here because we needed to find you." For once in the past week, Lina felt lighthearted about the entire situation. Baffled, Keepa could only ask.
"Wait, you had needed me? What is it that you would like from me?" Courteous and polite, another trait that the army was in serious lack of. With that thought in mind, Lina began her explanation.
"We know that you practice Woo Foo, and I just saw that first hand Keepa. We found a way to bring your Master to our dojo!" Nearly squealing from excitement, even Keepa's face lit up like the stars; she was in pure disbelief.
"...Y-you mean I can see my Master Chang again?"
"Haha, yeah! We'll have to Fooportate back with lump on a log over there, but we can get back in no time! By now, Yin and Yang would have gotten the Woo Foo Well back up and working. I'll dish out the rest of the details once we get back to the dojo, it'll be awesome! So there's just one question... Keepa, how would you like to join our Woo Foo Army?"
Authors Note: I apologize for not putting this note in my last chapter, but I felt it had to be said. The last chapter was MUCH too short for my own liking. I wanted to combine these past two chapters...but I couldn't think of a good seg-way from chapter 10 and this one. ('') If anyone has some impute, I'll definitely look into it.