Kung Fu Wolf: Rising of the Moon
Chapter four: A plea for help.
Hiro's P.O.V.
We all gathered in the Hall of Hero's to listen to the Panthers story. While I was down seeing if I had anything left to do, which I didn't, I saw Marcus wandering around asking people if they could help him out with something. He seemed distressed about whatever it was that was bothering him, so I asked him what was up, he told me and I brought him to the Jade Palace.
What did he say, you might ask?
I'll let him tell you that.
"I need y'alls help to find my sister."
Y'all...
That's a funny word.
"You see, my sister and I aren't from around here." Obviously. "We're from the jungles of a land a long ways from here." Which would explain the odd accent. "After that, we moved to another place by sea, where I learned to use this big sword." He pulled it out as a visual aid. The handle was about a food and a half long, and the blade was around five feet, and slightly curved. Looked dangerous to anyone who would be on the receiving end of that had boy.
"What had happened was that there was a large gang of bandits terrorizing the place, so my sister and I decided to come here to China. But there was some mixup and we ended up on separate ships." How the hell does that happen? Seriously, how dense do you have to be to realize your sibling isn't on the same ship as you?
"How did that happen?" Viper asked, her heart already going out to the panther. I looked around and saw in everyone's eyes that they were already planning to help. Don't get me wrong, I wanna help this guy out too, but like I said before, how did they get separated?
"The bandit gang was attacking the port city, so we had to get out in a hurry, and we weren't the only ones who had the idea. Half the city climbed on the ship's to get the hell out of dodge, and in all the confusion she and I were separated."
Ahh. Well that'll do it. I now apologize for my previous statements.
"So I went around from town to town asking for help, and no one would even listen to me. Then today, I ran into this her wolf feller. He was the only one who took the time to hear me out."
Feller? Yeah, it's gonna take a while to get used to the way he talks.
Shifu cast a quick glance at me and nodded.
Looks like it's time for a new adventure.
Yay!
Tigress's P.O.V. five minutes later
I'm starting to think I'll never have my fight with Hiro. First it was the mandatory bedrest, then it was the Sapphire Palace masters visit, now this. I sighed to myself, and scowled at the scene before me. Not five minutes after Master Shifu accepted Marcus's request an argument broke out on who would be the one to go on this little quest. The Jade Palace or the Sapphire Palace.
Chin started the argument saying the Sapphire Palace ought to take care of this since they came here to help right Tai Lung but lost their chance. Not really our fault. Then Mantis pointed out that Marcus came to the Jade Palace for help, and it went back and forth like that ever since. The only ones who stood quietly were the grandmasters, Master Zoyo, Hiro, who was now standing next to me, and myself. Masters Shifu and Bi Long stood there with disapproving looks on their faces. Who know what Zoyo's expression was under that outfit of his. I was getting more annoyed by the second by their childish bickering. Hiro looked on and seemed interested in what was going on.
Hiro leaned closer to me and whispered to me, his breath on my ear sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't understand why. "Is it always like this when they come to visit?" He asked, referring to the Sapphire Palace masters. I recovered from the weird feeling I got when Hiro whispered to me, and answered.
"More or less. They all have the titles of masters, but they can act like children sometimes." Then as the argument before us got more heated I added. "Our own group included." I really expected better of Crane and Viper, they're better than this. Monkey and Mantis, however are living up to my expectations.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, and looked up to see Hiro smiling at me. Suddenly I felt weak in the knees. What the hell is going on with me? "Don't hold it against them. Both sides have valid points." True. "Come on, let's go." He said and made his way to the door.
"Let's go where?" I asked him but still started to follow. He turned his head and exchanged a nod with Master Shifu, and turned back to me.
"We're getting ready to go." He said, still smiling. Now I'm confused.
"Go? How do you know we are going to get this job?"
"We're not, we'll not just us anyway. It's going to be a Jade and Sapphire collaboration mission."
"How are you so sure about this? Did you talk to Shifu when we Weren't looking or something?" I asked, stepping through the doorway and into the midday sun. We beelined it to the barracks, Hiro looking over his shoulder as he explained it to me.
"Think of it this way, the Sapphire Palace masters came here to help fight against Tai Lung, but lost their chance when I kicked his ass, right?"
"Yeah..." Still doesn't explain how he knows what's gonna happen.
"Well since they lost their chance, and since Marcus came to the Jade Palace, it's only fair that both teams participate in this little adventure." He finished as we stepped into the barracks.
I thought about it for a moment and realized he was right. Besides, the mission has a better chance of a successful end if both teams work together on this. That is if they stop arguing first.
He stepped into his room and closed the door, I went to mine and grabbed a small coin purse Viper got me for my last birthday. I don't usually like celebrating my birthday, but it's still nice that someone remembers. I stepped out and shut the door behind me, then waited in the hall for Hiro.
When he stepped out he changed out of his training outfit and into something new. He now wore a black shirt almost similar to mine with a Dragon embroidered in silver thread on the side. He wore loose dark grey pants with a white sash tied around it. He had the leather holster for his hanbo on his back, complete with the wooden weapons. And finally a white bandana with a black dragon on his forehead.
He looks good.
He smiled at me again and said. "You ready?"
I nodded and we both exited the barracks and made our way to the now quiet training hall. We walked through the doors and saw everyone lined up at attention facing both grandmasters. At least some order had been restored while we were gone.
Our return gained the attention of our master, who addressed us as we approached. "Good to see you're ahead of us wolf, I trust you're already aware that both the Jade and Sapphire Palaces will work together for this mission?"
Hiro shrugged and said. "Lucky guess."
"Well, the rest of you, get ready. You leave in five minutes."
Viper, Crane, Monkey and Mantis all bowed to Master Shifu and headed off to the barracks. Master Bi Long instructed her students to get ready as well, and headed off to the Hall of Heros. I noticed as they walked by, they took a moment to take in Hiro's new look. Kira Ni and Shu Lan nodded their approval, Di Foon started purring and, I'm not kidding, drooling. Chin Scowled at Hiro, I scowled at Chin, Hiro just smiled. Zoyo…
…
You're guess is as good as mine.
Hiro and I bowed to the masters and went to wait outside for everyone as we were already prepared. Before we got to the door to the outside training area we heard Master Shifu call to us.
"Be careful you two. I sense this mission will be more difficult and dangerous than it seems."
We both faced him and bowed once more.
"We will do our best Master." I said, not being able remember the last time he was so concerned before we left on a mission.
"Don't worry about us Master, we'll be fine." I heard Hiro say next to me. He sounded so sure of it too.
We left the training hall and made our way to the front courtyard and waited for the others to show up.
I looked around, the courtyard was completely empty of people…
But full of memory.
It was here where I got my first good look at the Jade palace in all it's glory. It was here where I first met Master Oogway. It was here where I first began my training in the arts of Kung Fu. It was here where I met my friends, and became a member of the Furious Five.
…
And it was here where I first met Hiro.
"Did you think it would end up like this?" I asked. He turned to me with a confused look on his face.
"What d'you mean?"
"When you first landed here, did you think things would turn out like they did? You defeating Tai Lung, becoming the Dragon Warrior, mastering an unfinished style of Kung Fu, training at the Jade Palace. Things like that."
He thought about it for a second and said. "Two weeks ago, if someone said I would be able to do all those things, I wouldn't be able to breath."
"Because you wouldn't be able to take in all the great things you would be able to do?" I guessed.
"No, because I'd be laughing too hard."
That little comment made me giggle before i had a chance to stop myself. And that got a smile out of him.
"Wow, never thought in a thousand years I'd ever get you to laugh. It really suits you, you know."
I felt heat rushing to my cheeks and turned away so he wouldn't see. "You shouldn't say things like that Hiro."
"Who's gonna hear us?" he whispered.
I turned back to him…
And our eyes met.
Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could ever turn myself away from his gaze. I just looked deeper and deeper into those forest green eyes until I felt lost in them. In those eyes I saw no doubt, no fear, but confidence, strength and something else I couldn't identify. A kind of sad longing.
"Alright let's go!"
We broke eye contact and saw the rest of our group coming down the stairs, with Marcus not far behind. All of them were prepared for the journey ahead.
My mind went back the the moment Hiro and I had. I still don't understand what happened, but a small part of me wished it could have lasted a little longer. I'll need to remember to ask Viper about this later. But for now…
"Yes, let's go."
Hiro's P.O.V. one hour later.
We stopped. not because we were tired or hungry. But because no one could stop arguing! But to be perfectly honest I wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention. I kept thinking about the fact that I was flirting with Tigress. I couldn't help it though, it was just me and her… all alone… just talking… one thing lead to anoth-
Why did I say that!?
I got one side of me saying way to go, dude! While giving me a thumbs up. Then I got another side of me saying what the hell were you thinking!? I always knew Tigress wasn't like other girls. If I were to ask any other girl out on a date, worst case is she turns me down. With Tigress I gotta be careful she doesn't take me down.
Still… it seemed like she enjoyed it. She didn't hit me, or get angry or anything. She smiled, she laughed!
Maybe…
The arguing got loud enough to where I couldn't ignore it anymore.
Here's what's going on. The ship Marcus's sister got on was headed for the port city of Shanghai. Now, the best way to get there on foot would be to use the Yangtze river, but with the rainy season starting, it was no longer an option. So everyone started throwing out their ideas...at the same time. I think I even heard someone say we should build a giant kite and fly over there. Now that's not a bad idea, if we could work out how to not crash when we land.
I have one idea, but It's a little crazy.
"Alright, enough!" Tigress looked like she was getting a headache. Can't say I blame her, all this arguing is enough to give anyone a migraine. "In case you all haven't noticed, this isn't getting us anywhere! The Yangtze river is out of the question, so we need to find a more sensible option to get us to Shanghai."
Well, here goes nothing.
"What about the Migong Canyon?"
All eyes were suddenly locked on me. I'm pretty sure the word "Insane" ran through everyone's minds. I can understand though, the Migong Canyon isn't exactly the safest route.
But it is the fastest.
"She said sensible, not suicidal." Chin cast another scowl my way. If this guy's looking for another ass-kicking, I'd be more than happy to oblige him. "Why would you even suggest that? No one can get through that deathtrap."
"Except… those who have already done so." Zoyo said quietly. Finally, someone on my side.
And just like that, the arguments begin again, but this time everyone is arguing with me.
Nice to know how many people trust me around here.
"Quiet!" And once again Tigress calls for order. "Hiro, can you really lead us through the canyon and out again in one piece?"
She's putting her trust in me…
I can't let her down.
I nodded. "I can."
She nodded back. "Then let's go."
A/N Hey I'm back! Y'all miss me yet?
Couple things I'd like to announce…
First the contest is over. And the winner is *Drumroll* Tigergirl713! Congrats! I'd like to thank those (very) few who participated, and hope more will take part in the next contest.
Second thing, I am going to continue the Okami Files, so don't think that after what that hater said, I'm gonna throw in the towel.
well that's it, like, review, but be honest.
Disclaimer. Characters from Kung Fu Panda belong to Dreamworks
Hiro, and the Jade Palace masters belong to me.
Marcus belongs to Mikat2
peace
