Jade P.O.V.

The wedding went on as planned. Huifang was a bit self-conscious given the fact her gown was practically destroyed in the attack. To make her feel better, I had the tailor alter my gown to closely resemble hers. As we shared our first kiss as a married couple, I could tell that we both felt such elation at the feeling. The honeymoon was just as romantic as we had anticipated. Luckily Jun and Nan were willing to watch Bai. But, it didn't matter, as Huifang and I finally had the family we wanted, even if a little earlier than we anticipated.

Xin was discovered to have survived her fall. Once handed over to authorities, she was transported to Chor-Ghom Prison. While there, the wounds she had received grew infected, she fell into a coma, and died.

Shang was sentenced to death for her crimes after her so called "loyal followers" offered testimony against her in exchange for a lesser sentence. Unfortunately, the day before her execution, by unknown means, she had managed to gain access to a fast acting poison. She took her own life later that night. But it was a relief, no matter how she met her end, for it meant the reign of Jindiao was finally over. Now, we could live our lives as we saw fit.

The Poison Clan managed to rebuild, now welcoming other animals into our ranks, not just water deer. The Pika monks from the Plum Blossom Temple relocated to the village, building a new temple in a lot of land graciously offered by Li Shan.

Master Po returned to the Valley of Peace, where he started a relationship with his fellow master, Master Tigress. They married the following spring, and the year after welcomed two cubs into the world; a boy who greatly resembled his father, and a little girl who could have very easily been mistaken as a smaller version of their mother. Born to fight like their mother, and, well, we all know what their father is like.

Jun and Nan continued to be the proud parents of Jiao. As soon as the little fawn was old enough, she began to express interest in Kung Fu, which earned her lessons from her "Aunt Jade." She was a natural. The year after she became a big sister to a little girl.

The Four Constellations continue to serve those in need, traveling across China, and even the uncharted regions of the world. They have even been given positions in Empress Xiao's personal guard, even at times working closely alongside the army regiment lead by Huifang's uncle, General Hanfang, who I had come to find out upon first meeting him was the kindest buck anyone could meet. From what I have heard, Xiao and Fan Tong, having become quite smitten with each other since their first meeting, have married, with a new heir to the throne on the way.

As for Huifang and myself, we are now not just the proud parents of a snow leopard, but also a small doe we had adopted from the Bao Gu Orphanage when visiting Master Po and his family in the Valley of Peace. Our family is an odd one...and I would have it no other way.

(Ten Years after Shang's Attack)

Standing on a cliff, amber eyes overlooking the beautiful valley before her, stood a water deer, clad in a red, long sleeved tunic with golden trim and black trousers. Her clothing, as well as her shoulder length mane, tied in a ponytail, with a few stray locks dangling in her face, billowed in the wind.

The rays of sunshine that cascaded from the sky glimmered off of a small stub of jade peaking from under lip where a prosthetic tusk was was, as well as a golden mayoral pendent, which had been bestowed upon the doe after the original holder decided to retire, so as to spend more time with his son and grandchildren.

Feeling a small paw take hold of her hand, the doe looked down into a pair of emerald eyes, and smiled at the young snow leopard dressed in grey trousers and a green vest, which actually reminded her of a certain, self-centered panda.

Looking behind her, she took in the sight of her wife, one emerald eye visible as the other was concealed by a long lock of fur, which she thought would make her look as cute as a certain friend of hers, if not cuter. In her arms was the form of a toddler water doe, innocently sucking her thumb as she had her other arm wrapped around her mother's neck.

Smiling at her wife, who returned the smile, Jade took one last look at the sunset before guiding Bai back to Huifang and Mei, the blended family walking back to the Village Sanctuary together. Yes, this was Jade's life, and it would be, forever.

~*THE END*~

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*And As Always*

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