Chapter Thirty Seven- Changes and Requests
THREE MONTHS LATER
Anuli tucked her blanket under her mattress and laid her stuffed leopard doll on her pillow, thus completing her bed-making process. She did a quick tuning of her guitar and piano as she prepared for the day, dressing in red pants and a black long sleeved shirt under a snow-white vest. Her long, straight, red-streaked black hair was pulled into a ponytail that rested on the nape of her neck. She brushed out her fox tail to make it soft and a little fluffy. She took a look around her room to make sure everything was in order before joining her father in the den. She found him there, lying asleep next to the fireplace, now burned out.
The morning after Oogway's visit to the palace, Shifu gave the news to everyone about Fenghuang and Junjie joining them. The Five and Po were a little hesitant, but accepting nonetheless. Aurora added a small house for Fenghuang near the barracks. She made another house to fit both Junjie and Anuli to live in. In that same day, she managed to bring some of Anuli's things from the human world to her new home. Anuli didn't ask for much, of course; certainly not any of her technology. Aurora still brought over a lot of things from Anuli's house, such as her scrapbooks, her leopard doll (she had it since she was born), and all of the girl's instruments. Since joining the Jade Palace, Anuli could often be found playing one of her instruments in her free time. Many of the boys found themselves listening in as the fox/human hybrid played her other worldly instruments and sang, completely mystified.
It had been months since then. Now, everyone was preparing for the Moon Festival that was just tomorrow. Everyone was supposed to help get ready. Chao and Ren were coming down from the Sacred Onyx Council to join them. So when Anuli found Junjie snoring louder than a herd of stampeding elephants, she simply rolled her eyes and knelt to the fox's eye level.
"Baba…." She said in a sweet, soft voice. "Whatcha doin'?"
Junjie snorted a little, but kept his eyes shut. "Sleeping…"
"Aren't you supposed to be helping us prepare for the Moon Festival?" Anuli asked in that same, innocent tone.
"Five more minutes." Junjie grumbled.
"Ok." Anuli nodded. There was a pause, and then Anuli leaned in close to Junjie's ear. "Wake up whiskers!" she shouted.
Junjie jumped high into the air and latched himself to one of the rafters above him. A second later, he fell to the ground, Anuli laughing all the while. She laughed so hard she had to hold her aching sides.
"That was five seconds!" Junjie snapped.
"Five minutes, five seconds, same dif." Anuli shrugged. "Now come on!" She pulled her surrogate father along as she ran off to the kitchen, where everyone would wait for further orders.
"Shouldn't you treat a Grandmaster with more respect?" Junjie noted as they ran.
"You're my dad." Anuli giggled. "I respect you enough as it is."
Junjie muttered something in audible, but Anuli ignored him. They made it to the kitchen just as Po was finishing breakfast. Aurora also had to expand the kitchen a bit in order to make room for everyone. Shifu, Fenghuang, and Junjie sat at the head of the table.
"Now, we still have a bit to do today." Shifu announced.
"What more can be done?" Siren yawned.
"For one thing," Fenghuang noted as she ate. "I know a certain raven/human hybrid that needs to clean her room before her parents and grandfather arrive."
"When did you become my mother?" Siren grumbled. She had the urge to stretch her wings, but she remembered the last time she did that in the kitchen, and Siren knew Po didn't want another face full of hot soup. She reached up to scratch her feathered head. It had taken her almost a month to get use to brushing feathers instead of hair, but it had become manageable. She even figured out how to pull her feathers, which were half the length of Shen's tail feathers, into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.
Ignoring Siren's comment, Shifu continued. "Po, your father needs help baking the moon cakes again this year."
"And this time, make sure Scorpion doesn't poison us again." Monkey said.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever!" Po scoffed. "I could use a little help, anyone want to come?"
"And bake moon cakes?" Mantis raised an eyebrow.
"It'll make it go a lot faster." Po chuckled uncertainly.
"I'll come." Siren offered. "I need some air."
"I'll come, too." Anuli agreed. "And so will Baba."
"What?" Junjie almost spit out his food. "I can't cook!"
"You can now." Anuli said. She wiped her mouth and hopped up from the table. "Come on!" She dragged Junjie with her as she followed Po. Siren raced after them before Fenghuang could remind her about her room.
"At least that's taken care of." Shifu chuckled. "Monkey, Crane, and Mantis, there's a package that needs to be picked up from the edge of town."
"Why can't they bring it here?" Mantis asked.
"The cart's too big." Fenghuang explained. "They don't have anything smaller and they can't spare anyone because they want to get their rounds done in time for the festival."
"Just go to the edge of the village and find them." Shifu instructed. "They'll have the package and you can bring it right here."
"Yes Master." The three of them bowed.
"Be careful with it!" Shifu called as they ran off. "There's very delicate china in that box!"
"Thirty Yuan says they break it all." Fenghuang smirked.
"Fifty says the china is intact but the three of them are out of breath and a total mess." Shifu countered.
"You're on." Fenghuang accepted.
"I didn't know you two gambled." Aurora said.
"Only on the most trivial matters." Shifu answered in a masterful tone.
Fenghuang rolled her eyes. "Right…" She picked up her bowl and downed the last of its contents before rising. "I suppose I'll go meet Chao and Ren now. I'll see you all back up here. Ta!" Shifu's eyes widened towards the owl.
"Not out the-!"
CRASH!
"-window."
Aurora laughed. "Shall I fix it again?"
"No." Shifu groaned. "I'll have Fenghuang do it when she gets back." Aurora raised an eyebrow. "Fine, go ahead."
Aurora smiled and snapped her fingers. The broken wood floated into the air and stuck together; in a matter of seconds, the window was whole again.
"Show off….." Shifu muttered.
Aurora only laughed and kissed his cheek. "Well, I'm off to go grocery shopping. We're having dinner as a family tonight." She looked to Shifu when she said "family" as she walked out. Lately, Aurora had been complaining that the members of the Jade Palace never ate together often enough. True, they always ate breakfast together before going off to their normal activities. But lunch and dinner breaks were taken whenever they were hungry.
Shifu sipped his tea calmly. When he looked around the table, he noticed that everyone had left except for Shen, who sat at the other end of the table. The peacock was in robes just like his silver ones, but these were emerald green with gold trim and made of cotton. The former prince, now considered "Master" rather than "Lord", stared at his empty bowl. Shifu knew from experience that Shen's bowl had most likely been empty for who knows how long. But Shen was waiting for orders; permission to move even an inch. At first, Shifu commended Shen for the peacock's sincere desire to change; but it was getting out of hand. At one time, Shifu respected Shen as a prince. Though Shen gave up his lordship, Shifu still respected him for many reasons besides that. No matter what Shifu did, he couldn't get Shen to see that.
"Shen." Shifu spoke. The peacock didn't answer; just continued to stare in his bowl. At least, that's what it looked like to Shifu. "Shen?" Still no answer. Shifu had seen Shen like this a lot recently. Staring at something he held in his wing but wouldn't let anyone see. Shifu carefully snuck over, being as silent as possible to not startle Shen. That and the Grandmaster was curious as to what exactly Shen was hiding. Shifu never liked it when secrets were kept in the palace. Shifu practically held his breath as he approached Shen, looking down at the object in the bird's "fingers". When he saw it, his eyes widened.
It was a necklace. The silver chain was small but looked strong. Encased in silver, heart-shaped mold was a beautiful jewel that was a deep violet color. Shifu couldn't help but stare as Shen rubbed the jewel with his "thumb".
"Shen."
The peacock jumped and hid the necklace as he turned to Shifu. He bowed low to the Grandmaster. "Yes, Master Shifu?"
"Where did you get that?" Shifu asked.
"Get what?" Shen asked. Shifu raised an eyebrow. Shen sighed and pulled out the necklace. "I got it the last time I was in the marketplace. It's a gift."
"It's very nice." Shifu nodded. "Is this an amethyst?"
"No, a sapphire." Shen explained. "When outside, it's blue; when inside, it's purple."
"Interesting." Shifu nodded. "Who's it for?"
Shen stared at the ground. He held the neck close before tucking it away. "No one…"
Shifu sighed. "Shen, walk with me." The peacock immediately obeyed and followed the red panda out the door. He stayed at least three steps behind Shifu until the Grandmaster ordered Shen to walk beside him.
"Shen, I want you tell me the truth." Shifu explained calmly as they approached the Peach Tree. "I won't panic or freak out if that's what you're worried about."
"It wouldn't be proper." Shen replied, staring at the ground.
"Shen, sit down and tell me." Shifu told him. The two of them sat down beneath the sacred tree.
"Even if I told you, it's not like it can happen." Shen said.
"You're avoiding the question." Shifu snapped, a hint of impatience in his voice. Shen said nothing. "Very well."
Shen looked up, but Shifu wasn't there. He looked all around and found the red panda standing behind him, next to the cliff edge. The sapphire necklace was in his land, dangling in the open air.
"What are you doing?" Shen demanded, his eyes wide.
"If you don't tell me what's going on, I'll drop it." Shifu threatened.
"You're bluffing." Shen narrowed his eyes.
"Try me." Shifu challenged. He let some of the chain slip from his fingers. Shen lunged, but Shifu held him back with the crook of Oogway's staff. Shen glared, but gave up.
"It's for Siren." Shen admitted.
"I thought so." Shifu nodded. "Now, why are you giving it to her?"
Shen looked hesitant, but Shifu let a little more chain out. "I had a request of her! I wanted to….." He mumbled something inaudible.
"What?" Shifu asked.
Shen sighed in defeat. "I wanted to marry her."
Shifu froze, giving Shen time to glide out, snatch the necklace, and glide back to solid ground. Shifu was still staring at him.
"Marry her?" Shifu repeated.
"Yes." Shen huffed. "I know; it's silly. I'm a prisoner; a criminal. She'd never marry someone like me. Besides, neither you nor her parents would allow me."
Shen jumped when Shifu started laughing. "Shen, are you serious?"
"What is so funny?" Shen demanded.
"Shen, you haven't proposed to Siren because you think you're a bad person?" Shifu chuckled. He saw Shen's serious face. "Shen, you're not a criminal. You've proven yourself when you helped us defeat Mei. Not only did you fight for us, you saved most of our lives. True, you had a criminal past; but you left that behind. If you ask me, getting crushed to death by a smoldering hunk of metal seems like a worthy punishment."
"But what about my house arrest?" Shen asked.
Shifu looked around, like someone was listening. "Between you and me, that house arrest was just to get Ox off my back."
Shen laughed at this. "So, you hold no ill will towards me?"
"Of course not, Shen." Shifu smiled.
"Then, do I have your permission to marry Siren?"
"I think you need to worry more about whether Chao will accept or not."
Shen nodded, smiling. "I have one last request."
"And what's that?" Shifu asked.
"Traditionally, the parents of the bride and groom must sign an official document to legalize the wedding." Shen explained. "My parents have been dead for years. In knowing that," Shen bowed to Shifu. "Would you do me the honor in signing for my family?"
Shifu stared at him. "Why me?"
"I want to make this as official as possible." Shen explained. "Completely legal to keep Ox off my back. But without my parents signature I can't. Another person from my family can sign for them, but there's no one to do so. I would be deeply honored if you would sign in their place." Shen's head dipped lower to the ground.
Shifu stared for a moment, but smiled. He bowed back to Shen. "Very well. But you have to do me a favor."
"What's that?" Shen asked as he straightened.
"Stop bowing so deeply to me." Shifu said. "I'm a master of students, not slaves. You are a student to me. So bow to me as the Five and Po do, but only when the situation calls for it."
"Yes Master." Shen nodded, resisting another urge to bow.
"Good." Shifu nodded. "If you find a way to convince Chao, then you must be a lucky man." Shen smiled and nodded before walking off. The former prince couldn't stop smiling all the way down. But he had one more thing to do before even asking Siren's parents for permission to marry their daughter.
STAR STAR STAR STAR STAR
Chao, Ren, and Zhan Shi arrived around noon, escorted by Fenghuang and Siren when the raven/human girl saw them pass the noodle shop. Shifu met them at the top of the steps, smiling when he saw Chao laughing along with his family at a recently told story. It had been years since Shifu had seen Chao laugh like that. From the moment Ren had left for the human world, the desert monitor had always been stoic and solemn. Very rarely could you get him to even smile. Siren could only lessen the pain. Obviously, having his family whole again had greatly improved Chao's emotional health. Zhan Shi had the energy of a young boy, despite his graying muzzle and wrinkles. His solid black pants could be seen now and then as the bottom of his deep blue silk robe swished. Ren was in a long-sleeved, ruby red cheongsam.
"Grandmaster Shifu." Ren bowed graciously. "Thank you for inviting us to your humble palace."
"Humble?" Siren scoffed.
"Hush now." Chao scolded gently.
Shifu only chuckled. "I'm glad you all could make it. Especially you, Master Zhan Shi."
"No need for formalities." Zhan Shi bowed. "It's been a long time since I've been here, and I'm happy to come as a friend."
"Well, our Dragon Warrior should have dinner ready." Fenghuang noted. "Hope you're all hungry."
"Starving!" Siren laughed. She suddenly jumped and flew off to the dining room. "Race you there!"
"You don't get a head start!" Fenghuang called as she flew after her.
"Ai-ya." Ren shook her head. "Such a child."
"The owl or your pup?" Zhan Shi laughed.
"Both." Shifu groaned as he led them to where the girls had flown.
Dinner was full of laughter and good food. Aurora had set up the dining room usually reserved for the Winter Feast, in order to suffice the need for more room. Anuli and Zhan Shi had a long discussion about Anuli's fire bending skills. Fenghuang, Ren, Siren, and Viper talked about all the shopping they wanted to do; and their desire to drag Tigress along. Monkey, Crane, and Mantis arrived halfway through dinner with the package. The china didn't have so much as a crack on it, but the boys were a mess: fur/feathers ruffled, scorch marks, a monkey with a black eye, feathers missing from the top of a bird's head, a bug with sesame seeds glued to him with honey, etc. Shifu sent the boys to clean up while Fenghuang grudgingly pushed a bag of fifty Yuan in the red panda's direction.
When dinner was over and bedtime was declared, Shen held back.
"I would like to speak to the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior alone, please." Shen requested. Shifu noticed Shen fingering with the necklace in his sleeve pocket. He nodded and left, the others following. The Five and Po remained at their seats, waiting patiently until everyone was gone and Shen was ready to talk.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Po asked. He was the first to be truly accepting of the peacock, much to the surprise of the Five. Tigress especially couldn't fully shake the fact that the bird before them almost killed their friend….four times.
"I have something I want to do." Shen started, trying to swallow his nervousness. "A request I want to make." He pulled out the sapphire necklace to show the others, placing it gently on the table. Everyone stared at the beautiful pendent in wonder. "I want to ask Siren to marry me."
The Five and Po stared at Shen. Tigress was the first to look away, her eyes darting as her thoughts raced.
"That sounds…..nice…." Crane chuckled nervously.
"Yeah." Mantis nodded uncertainly.
"Um…." Viper cleared her throat. "What did she say?"
"I haven't asked her yet." Shen admitted. "I understand you all care about Siren. I do too. I want to care for her in the best way I can. I've never loved someone like I do her. My problem is I can't marry her until I know you all trust me."
"Why do you need us to trust you?" Monkey asked.
"You're her friends." Shen explained. "If the residents of this palace are considered a family, I want to know that I'm accepted into your family. It makes things a little awkward if I was to marry her and none of her friends liked me."
Po and the Five (minus Tigress) exchanged looks. Po smiled. "Shen, you have my ok."
"Really?" Shen asked incredulously.
"Yeah!" Po laughed. He gave Shen a good-hearted slap on the back. "Having you officially a part of the Jade Palace family makes things less awkward. You have my forgiveness and my trust."
"Ours too." Viper nodded. "You can't be so hard on yourself."
"You're a changed man; you've proven it to us all." Mantis agreed.
"Shifu says you saved his, Siren's, and many others' lives." Crane noted. "If that's not proof, I don't know what is."
"Good luck getting past Master Chao." Monkey laughed. "You'll need his permission too."
Shen nodded, thanking them. He looked towards Tigress. "Master Tigress? Is there anything I can do to convince you?"
Tigress looked over at Shen, her fiery orbs boring into Shen's red ones. She calmly stood up and walked over to the group.
"Tigress….." Po tried to say, but Tigress held up a paw to stop him. She knelt down to be at Shen's eye level. Shen stared expectantly. He waited for her refusal.
Instead, he received a punch to the face.
"Tigress!" Viper cried as Shen went flying, hitting a pillar.
"Now you have my approval." Tigress smiled. "Welcome to the family."
Shen rubbed his sore beak. "Gee, thanks."