A/N: I do not own KUNG FU PANDA or any of its characters, locations, etc. Their respected owners are the people at Dream Works. I only claim my OC's. So no stealing!

I would like to thank everyone for the awesome reviews! You guys are what keep me motivated to continue this story.

*I will be writing companion drabbles/deleted scenes for this fic. Please read "Obsidian Blade: Drabbles, Deleted Scenes" for more infromation. (You'll be able to find it on my profile.)*

Short chapter, I know, but I predict that you readers are going to flip out anyway! MUAHAHAHAHA!

Sick, Twisted Mind

Cong sat anxiously in the waiting room of the local doctor's office in one of the chairs that sat in the room. He leaned forward with his elbows resting against his knees, and he twiddled his thumbs nervously as the silence dragged on. His foot was tapping rapidly against the floor as he awaited news on Rui's condition.

The elderly raccoon hadn't exactly been in the best of health when Cong had left him in the doctor's care, an old goat with a constant twitch in his right eye.

"What in the name of—!" The goat had exclaimed upon seeing the soaking wet mountain cat bursting through the front door of his office, "Do you have any idea what time it is?" He shook his hoof towards the feline. "We're closed!"

"He needs help!" Cong had said frantically, revealing to the goat the unconscious elderly raccoon he held in his arms.

"Oh my!" The goat rapidly stood up from his desk, immediately making his way over to the raccoon and checking on his vital signs which were dangerously weak.

"Can you help him?" Cong asked the goat in a frantic tone.

"Bring him this way!" The doctor urged, and he led Cong down a long hallway and into an empty room with a bed, a single chair and a night stand that stood next the window. "Put him on the bed!"

Cong obeyed and he gently laid Rui on the soft bed before the doctor immediately began checking over the ailing raccoon.

"What in the world has this poor fellow been through?" The doctor glanced up towards the mountain cat curiously.

Cong didn't hesitate in answering; he had after all been fabricating a good excuse for Rui's current condition since they had escaped the prison. "I think he's a beggar, most likely been living on the streets for years. I found him on my way home yesterday, but when his health didn't improve, I brought him straight here." Cong then went into explaining Rui's other symptoms to the doctor.

"It seems to me that he has some sort of infection of the lungs." The doctor replied upon hearing the mountain cat's story.

A stab of panic twisted in Cong's gut, "Will he…recover?"

The goat twiddled with his beard for a moment in deep thought, "I believe I have just the remedy for it, but let us hope that it is not too late to administer the cure to him."

It had been nearly three days since Cong had left Rui under the doctor's care, and since that time he had been forced to go into hiding. Since the Warriors from the Valley of Peace had recognized him, he now had to be extremely careful not to get caught; he knew the penalty would be death if he were to be captured again, and that was something that he wasn't exactly looking forward to if someone were to find him. Only now after he had managed to slip past the security was he finally able to visit Rui, hoping that he had pulled through.

Cong twiddled his thumbs with worry. His green eyes staring blankly towards the wooden floor beneath his feet as he waited for the doctor to emerge from Rui's room.

Finally, his large brown ears detected movement, and he looked up from his chair to see the doctor making his way towards him.

"Is he…?"

"He's awake, you can see him now." The goat replied.

Cong stood up so suddenly that he caused his chair to tip backwards. "Thank you!" The mountain cat tried not to run, but he couldn't help but rush down the hallway and into the room where Rui was resting.

The elderly raccoon was sitting upright in his bed, propped up by several pillows. He had obviously bathed, because his matted grey fur now had a silky clean smoothness to it, and he was no longer wearing tattered rags for clothing, for they had been replaced by white medical robes. His lifeless arm had been set into a new sling, and he seemed to look much healthier compared to the last time when Cong had seen him last. The mountain cat gave him a relieved smile; of course his smile didn't last long, as it was shot clean off his face when he received an icy glare from Rui.

"Is something wr—"

"I told you," Rui began, "that I couldn't leave that prison." His voice was steady, but threatening in tone. "I told you that the lives of my family would be at risk if I were to escape!"

Cong's eyes narrowed, "Look, it's not like I was just going to leave you there! If I had, then you would most likely be dead right now!"

"You had no right!"

"I had every right!" Cong said defensively, "I really don't see why you're so upset about this, you're alive and on the mend; did you really want to die in that cell?"

"If dying there would mean keeping my family safe from Shadow Dragons, then yes!"

"They are safe! I made a promise to you that I would protect them, and I did with a little help! Even as we speak, they're being guarded by the soldiers of this city!" Cong was surprised by his own forceful tone; he was even more surprised when Rui didn't continue to argue with him. The raccoon simply stared towards Cong with an expression that he couldn't place.

The two of them were silent for quite some time before Rui bowed his head in submission towards Cong; his body seemed to shudder as if he were cold. "My apologies Cong…I—I didn't mean—" Tears suddenly sprang from Rui's brown eyes and he lifted his shaky hand to cover his face in shame.

Cong was taken completely by surprise, not expecting Rui to break down like this. But then who could blame him. The mountain cat settled himself in the chair next to Rui's bed and reached a paw forward, placing it gently atop the old man's good shoulder. "Rui…"

"You have my eternal gratitude Cong." Rui answered in a shaky voice, "Not only did you save my life, but you protected my family when I could not. I—I'm sorry for my outburst; I should have had more faith in you."

Cong didn't answer; instead he patted the raccoon's shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile as the old man looked towards him.

After a few minutes, Rui was finally able to compose himself before addressing the mountain cat, "So, did you manage to warn my son of the danger?"

Cong's brown ears lowered, and he regretfully recounted his encounter with the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five. "Then they recognized me, and well…"

"I see." Rui brought his hand to his chin, combing his thin black fingers through his greying beard in deep thought.

"I had to clear out of there before the General and his soldiers arrived, otherwise I would have been sent to that prison again." Cong paused, "I'm sorry Rui."

The old man shook his head, "You do not need to apologize Cong; I understand your actions."

"But how are we supposed to warn your son?" Cong asked, "I mean with all of the increased security in the city, it will be harder to get to him, or any of the Warriors from the Valley of Peace; especially after what happened at the academy with their master."

"What happened at the academy?" Rui asked. Cong then elaborated on how the Shadow Dragons, led by Shì xiě, had attacked the academy tower and nearly killed the Grand Master.

"The General arrived just in time to rescue him from Shì xiě before killing him." Cong shuddered at the thought, and the words he spoke next left a bitter taste in his mouth. "It makes no sense; why did he kill him? There's no doubt that he fabricated the whole attack. Shì xiě was following his orders. Why would he kill his strongest supporter? Why would he order the Shadow Dragons to kill Shifu if he was just going to prevent it from happening?"

"Probably to make it look convincing." Rui answered, "If he saved Shifu from certain death, then any doubts that Shifu or anyone else would have of him would most likely be shattered."

"But why is he taking his time with this? He's had plenty of chances to kill Shifu. What's the point?"

"No doubt he's waiting for the right moment to do it. He likes to keep his targets guessing," Rui answered. "He loves to watch his victims squirm. I suppose it would be equivalent to playing with one's food before eating it."

"That's despicable!"

"He's a despicable person, yes. For years he has been wearing a mask, and anyone who sees past it, he disposes of." The old raccoon lifted his arm and unconsciously rubbed at his lifeless shoulder.

Cong eyed him very carefully, "You found out about him didn't you? That's why he imprisoned you in that cell."

Rui slowly nodded his head, "Yes…"

"What happened that night?" Cong asked. "How did you figure it out?"

The raccoon lifted his gaze towards Cong, "You really want to know?"

The mountain cat nodded in response.

Rui gave a deep sigh before answering, "Very well then. You may as well know…"

A/N: CLIFF HANGER!

Well, was I right? Did you readers flip out?

For those of you readers who were suspiscious from the beginning, give youselves a pat on the back and commence with the rotten tomato throwing (Or anything that you so desire) towards the EVIL ONE! For those of you readers who have just gotten the rug pulled out from under you, please take a moment to heal your aching wounds. And for those of you who have absolutely no idea who Cong and Rui are referring to...well that's your problem. (I thought I made it quite clear)

As for my reaction: "DIE! DIE! DIE! YOU TRAITOROUS SCUM OF THE EARTH! YOU NO GOOD DOUBLE-CROSSING LIAR! YOU DESERVE A VERY SLOW AND AGONIZING DEMISE! YOU WILL PAY!"

*Ahem*

*Announcing in a low, ominous voice* "All will be revealed...stay tuned for the next chapter!"

I'll try not to make you readers wait too long for an update.

R&R please, I would like to hear your reactions to this revelation!