Chapter 3 Even More Problems

As Oogway and Faith or 'Xinyang' as Oogway had taken to calling her, were finally getting to the Valley of Peace Oogway suddenly stopped in a very small village. Faith didn't understand why he was stopping again for she figured he would want to get home. Especially considering what he had told the Bao Gu Orphanage Head Caretaker.

flashback

The caretaker pulled Faith away from the door that kept the 'monster' locked away.

"You foolish creature! That is the most dangerous monster ever! I shudder to think about what it will be like as a full grown version of what it is! It will probably be as murderous as that traitorous snow leopard Tai-lung!" the Caretaker exclaimed as she was trying to guide Faith away from the door.

Faith managed to pull out from the hold of the sheep, or was it a goat? It didn't really matter, she was outraged by the phrases and wording of the creature. If she had talked even slightly reasonably Faith would have talked as respectfully to her as she did Oogway. But as it was, the words she used brought Faith's anger to the forefront. Faith hoped Tigress would be able to hear her. (though she only heard what could be considered the worst like the word 'monster' for instance)

"No one is a monster unless you make them into one!" Faith shouted as the Caretaker was still taking her away from Tigress's room. "Why don't you try to help her with her problems so she can find a home?!"

"What are you doing here anyway?" The Caretaker asked beginning to eye the stranger suspiciously. "Oogway says your harmless, but I don't know. I have never seen a creature like you before. For all I know you could be even more dangerous than theTigress in that room!"

Faith thought about what the Caretaker said. It was true that people could be extremely dangerous. Not only to animals but to other humans. Not just physical but emotional. If she stayed in the world of Kung Fu Panda long enough, would she go through any physical changes? Probably not. But emotional and spiritual changes were definitely more than likely.

It was at that point Oogway had caught up with the two vocal combatants.

"Ah there you are Xinyang. What in the world have you been up too?" Oogway asked this in quite his normal voice however, Faith couldn't help noticing a suspicious gleam in his eyes. Had Oogway known about Tigress all along and arranged for Faith to meet the young cub before Shifu? If so, why?

"Your traveling companion was just needlessly risking her life!" The Caretaker said in exasperation. "Honestly I don't know why you're even traveling with such a strange creature. For the life of me it seems you and your student decide to take pity on the most peculiar creatures, why is that?"

"Every creature deserves a home. And of course, a chance to prove themselves." Oogway said in a gentle voice. "Have you really tried everything to help that young tigress child?"

1Before the Caretaker can answer Faith blurts out:

"Whenever the child manages to break out of the room, everyone runs and hides. Including her! No adults have come to adopt for awhile because fear breeds fear. If you," Faith said pointing to the Caretaker. "Are afraid of a poor little girl, then not only will the other children feed off of that fear, but so will other adults. That is what is causing some major problems here." After giving her pronouncement Faith crossed her arms still holding the newly made cane Oogway had given her waiting to hear the Caretaker give some sort of rebuttal.

The Caretaker was not only surprised by Faith's knowledge of the situation when no one had told her those confidential matters, but by the blunt and frank way in which she spoke.Oogway himself was surprised by Faith's outburst as well. During their journey Faith was respectful to him. She never questioned (at least, not to this extent) any of his decisions. He was also surprised at how quickly the Caretaker recovered from Faith's reprimand. And by the Caretaker's next words.

"Whoever or whatever you are, you don't know anything. That thing is stronger than most of the adults working here." The Caretaker said poking Faith's chest despite the dirty clothes still on her. "She could probably kill you in less than a minute since you have no fur or claws yourself.Why do you feel the need to stand up for her anyway?"

Before Faith could answer that question, Oogway stepped in with his solution. "I will send Shifu once he is properly healed to help the child with her strength. Also Xinyang will return as well to help her with any emotional problems the child may have."

At those words both the Caretaker and Faith were surprised. And pretty much for the same reason. Shifu was an obvious choice for helping the young creature given his past with Tai-lung, but Faith?! There was nothing special about her that would make her qualified to help the child. At least, not in Faith's eyes or the Caretaker's. But neither one wanted to argue with Oogway on the matter. After giving the Caretaker a rough estimate of when Master Shifu and Faith would come to help the child. Master Oogway and Faith took their leave. And the Caretaker of the Bao Gu Orphanage was more confused than ever.End of flashback

As Oogway and Faith were putting some distance between themselves and the orphanage, there was a question nagging at the back of Faith's mind that she just had to ask.

"Why do you want me to go back there Master Oogway?"

"Let me ask you a question Xinyang." Oogway said as they were just reaching the outskirts of the Valley of Peace. "Why did you lose your temper when the Caretaker said those things about the young tigress? Granted I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments and also agree that no child no matter what sort of creature it is, deserves to be treated in such a manner when they done nothing wrong. But you seemed to the matter personal, why is that?"

"Because of my physical disabilities I have always been treated like a freak." Faith said keeping her eyes away from the grandmaster. "When I had to get eyeglasses it was even worse. people treated me as though my problems were something that they could catch. Some beat me up because I couldn't walk normally. Others did it because I was smart despite my disabilities. And please don't ask how I know about Tigress's plight, I just do. But it reminds me so much of what I went through that I couldn't just let the Caretaker bad mouth the child."

"I see. If I had gone through half of what you say that you went through, I probably would have reacted the same." Oogway said sympathetically. "But you do need to control your temper. Even with your gift of mimicking other animals if you pick the wrong person to do a verbal fight with, the next time it may not just be bad words exchanged. And I will not always be there to bail you out. You need to find an outlet for your emotions and I think I have just the thing. But now, it's getting late. I suggest we stop at this inn here and rest up for the night. Tomorrow we'll reach the Jade Palace and I will have to inform Shifu of the young child's problem. And of course, your special situation."

Faith was going to ask Oogway what he meant, but decided against it. She would find out the meaning of his words sooner or later. The inn was called 'The Red Dragon Inn.' It was actually kind of fancy. So much so in fact, that Faith was absolutely positive that if Oogway hadn't been with her they would have turned her away. There were velvet curtains and chairs in just the lobby alone! And almost everything seemed to be overlaid in gold! But once they saw master Oogway there was no bartering or arguments about sleeping arrangements, let alone food and new clothes.

After the pair had been shown their room, Faith immediately hit the tub. It felt good to get a bath after traveling so long and not being able to take one. Meanwhile, Oogway was in the main part of their two bedroom place doing something to Faith's necklace which would it special. All the while worrying 'I hope that The Soothsayer is right about this. The girl is so innocent I hate to put her in danger.' That night Faith got to sleep in a bed for the first time in weeks and in fresh pajamas. New clothes were laid out for her to wear in the morning. And she fell asleep blissfully unaware of Oogway's worries. Her only worry was what Shifu would think of her when he saw her the next day.

A/n I had planned to Shifu in this chapter but then the idea for the flashback came into my head and I just rolled with a. But he is definitely going to be in the next chapter for sure. If you haven't already reviewed please do, as any constructive criticism is appreciated and helpful. Special thanks to Heart of Demons and Footrot Flats. Both of whom have reviewed every chapter and made this story possible. stay safe everyone.