Hey all, Silva here! Sorry this one took a bit too long, I wanted it to be good, since after all we're introducing the new students! Hope I did them justice, they're all so good. Anyway, stay tuned for next Chapter, which will be the thrilling conclusion of the Kung-Fu Chapter. As always, FAVORITE if you like the story, FOLLOW if you want updates on when it's posted, and REVIEW to give me feedback! Anyway, sit back, relax, and LIVE.

Lei groaned in utter and sheer boredom. There was absolutely nothing to do in the old man's hut, and now that he was out there was nothing to do. He had told her to 'continue the training without him', but after 5 minutes she couldn't stand it. Never before had she been under such physical stress while training under the old man. Every day, they practiced their punches, meditating, and kicks to their very limit before they collapsed at night. She didn't even have a comfy bed to rest on, just a sheet in the main room of the hut to sleep on.

"Well, it's the only damn bed I've ever had, so I can't complain." she grumbled, twirling her braid as she waited. She still hadn't learned one of the old man's techniques, and she'd already been there a week. Every time she would ask for him to teach her one of his techniques, he would spit a proverb about 'the patient crane watches the river steadily'. She wondered if all he talked about was proverbs since it seemed to be what he said whenever Lei slipped up in training.

"One of these days he has to teach me, then I'll strike once he lets down his guard…who am I kidding, he'll see that coming from a mile away." Lei had to admit that she was out of her league. After all, the old man had both kicked her ass to the ground and out tiger'd a tiger. She needed to get more powerful before she took her revenge.

The door to the hut creaked open as the Shifu returned, taking off his still broken doulì as he took off the basket strapped to his back, loaded with some kind of herbs.

"Ah, Lei! Have you been keeping up with your training while I was gone?"

Lei glanced at her propped-up feet on her table and her lounging demeanor.

"...Yup. Sure have, gramps. But where have you been? Back in that forest?"

"Yes, yes. I've collected a large collection of Nature's Providence." He says, motioning to the herbs in his basket.

"Oh, those thingies. I used to snack on those when I had nothing to eat. Not very filling, but they were food nonetheless. What the hell do you need those for?" Lei inquired, sitting upright.

The Shifu walked past her, heading to his personal room at the back of the hut. "Ah, you shall soon learn, Lei. For you are coming with me to Wong Village to the south." he mused, missing Lei grinding her teeth.

"Why're you heading there? These things won't sell for much. Trust me, I've tried."

"No, not for trade. There's a sickness going around the village, and those herbs can cure it. Many couldn't go due to treating the sick and needy." the Shifu called, trading his dirty beizi for a clean one that looked exactly the same as the one he was wearing.

"Huh. So, how much they payin' you?"

"They are not paying me at all."

"So…why are you doing it then?" she asked the Shifu as he came out, strapping the basket to his back again.

"The majestic lion helps and cares for his pack. For if he does not, he is no lion. Come, we must be off." Without another word, the Shifu exited the hut, not waiting for Lei to follow him. Once he was gone, Lei uttered an exasperated sigh.

"Damn geezer, acting like I'm his disciple. Count your days, old man. I'm coming for you, I swear…"

She went back to lounging, defying his words…but not even a minute passed before she was out the door following the Shifu. After all, she was greatly bored.

Wong Village was as bustling as ever as the Shifu and Lei entered. Many carts littered the streets with people milling about, short and stout houses lining the streets. Merchants were about, not as many as Yunfa Market, but still abundant. The Shifu had not been here in many months, and he found it comfortable to be here once again. If not for his kung-fu way of life, the Shifu wished he could live here.

Lei, of course, had differing opinions.

"Let's be quick about this, I shouldn't stay here long. Don't want anybody to recognize me."

"Bad times here, Lei?"

"If by bad times you mean I had to kick a guy's ass because he stiffed me on 50 cash, then yeah I had bad times here. Don't need him or his pals recognizing me, so let's hand out those herbs fast, old man." Lei muttered, rubbing her arm through her sleeve. She was still decked in the same ratty clothing she had worn since…well, since that passed-out drunk chick didn't notice when Lei stole them off her.

"Hahaha! As you wish, Lei. If you would like to follow me as I go about my mission…"

"Eh, no thanks. Watching you stuff grass in other old geezers' mouths doesn't sound like a fun time. Come find me when you're done." She turned promptly and walked off, leaving the Shifu to nod to himself and go about his mission. Lots of people had the sickness, but luckily he had lots of Nature's Providence.

"I should have stayed back at the damn hut. There's nothing to do in this damned village! All I'm doing is weakening my legs for when the old man makes me do kicks." Lei whined as she strolled through the streets, hands held into fists as she stomped angrily. Her angry demeanor made passersby steer clear of her. Lei probably would have jumped away from herself too if she caught her reflection.

"Well, at least it beats sleeping in a tree…but just barely. Just gotta keep holding onto my plan. When the old bastard doesn't expect, I'll strike and get him back for how he embarrassed me! Yeah, that's what I'll do! That's what I'll do…." Lei muttered, holding a fist to her heart. After all, the Shifu had disrespected her in a forest for all the trees to see after she tried to mug him. She figured she was justified to a little revenge.

As she walked down the street, she couldn't help but people-watch a small bit. A couple was walking down the street arm in arm holding hands, a merchant hawking his wares to those who passed by, a kid pickpocketing said merchant, three boys fishing on a bridge into a small stream…

Hold on. Lei physically stopped as she stared at said kid. He looked to be a bit younger than her, with a blue bandanna wrapped tightly around his head and wearing a tattered vest that didn't even have a shirt underneath, exposing his bare chest. He stealthily snaked his pocket into the merchant's robes, quickly pulling out a pouch of money before retreating into an alley, the merchant none-the-wiser.

Lei let out a small whistle, impressed. She never was a good pick-pocketer. The few times she had tried she'd been found out quickly and had to get the hell out of dodge. Maybe it was because her hands shook too much when she was excited…Nah, must be just dumb luck.

"Well, hope the kid got away," Lei mumbled before walking away, hands drawn into her sleeves. She knew all too well the fear of getting chased after taking something, and she wanted to know one else to know that. Of course, no one else could catch her anyway. The officers that tried to tackle her, the ticked merchants that tried to get their merchandise back, they couldn't catch her no matter what. She sometimes even liked the chase, feeling exhilarated when she managed to get away, but the danger overtook the adrenaline.

"Ah, Lei, there you are." the Shifu called out, standing near an old woman hunched over. "You'll be excited to know I've finished sharing Nature's Providence with all those that had the sickness."

"Yes, and I can't thank you enough, Shifu. You've done a great deal for the village. Is there anything I can provide you with? I have some money stored away…"

Before Lei could speak up that yes, the old woman should give them money, the Shifu shook his head. "No, no, none of that. However, your crafting skills might be of use. You see, my student here-"

"I'm not your student!"

"-Has caused a great deal of damage to my doulì. Is it possible you could patch it up? I'm afraid these hands of mine are unable to do it themselves."

"Oh, Shifu! Your fists can split rocks in two as if they had been struck by lightning and you're saying they can't patch a simple hat?"

"Well, even if I could, my craftsmanship would not be as respectable as yours!"

"Oh, Shifu!"

Lei stared blankly at this sight, starting to become utterly repulsed. Were they…flirting? Ugh, she was going to be sick. Something needed to break them up so she wouldn't vomit up over the pair.

Luckily, the universe took pity on her for once. A sudden blur passed by the Shifu, bumping his shoulder as the blur stopped. It was the pickpocket Lei had seen earlier, brown eyes wide and nervous

"A-Ah! S-Sorry!" he uttered before turning and bolting away, bandanna flapping behind him like wings. Lei cocked her head as the boy hurried away. What was that all about? He could have easily avoided the old man, in fact, it seemed like he went out of his way to bump into him…

"Oh, that boy…I'm terribly sorry, Shifu. That was my grandson, Yuan. I've been looking after him ever since he lost his parents. The sickness had unfortunately gotten to them when he was very young, and the poor child had taken it hard. As he grew, I thought he had gotten over it…but he's been acting strange. He leaves every day when the sun rises and I barely hear from him until day's end." Yuan's grandmother told, shaking her head. "I just wish he's staying safe. There have been lots of thieves about lately, and I would hate for Yuan to cross one of them."

The Shifu nodded sagely as Lei winced. Yikes.

Damn, the poor woman doesn't know her grandson's the one picking pockets. Should I say something? …No, it's not my place. If the kid wants to say something, he'll say it. I'm staying out of it. Lei thought.

The Shifu bid farewell to Yuan's grandmother, and Lei was relieved they could finally leave this boring town and get to training and learn some techniques from the old man himself. But once they were a distance away from Yuan's grandmother, the Shifu held up a hand to stop Lei.

"What the-What is it this time, gramps? I didn't trip up in training, and if you're gonna spit another damn proverb at me I swear-"

"You know that boy is a pickpocket, do you not?" The Shifu bluntly asked, Lei blinking at the sudden question. How did he know?

"Wh-What? No, I don't know that he's a thief! Better yet, how the hell do you know?" she accused. The Shifu tucked a hand into his beizi pocket, fiddling around before pulling out…nothing.

"I put some Nature's Providence into my pocket for later…and now it's gone. I suspect he thought that there was money in there." The Shifu noted, rubbing at his chin. "...We're going to find that young man and have a chat with him."

"What?! Listen, gramps, being a wise old man must be fun and all, what with sharing the knowledge and whatever, but this is none of our business. Let his grandmother deal with it…of course even telling her would break her little heart."

"Precisely, which is why I should talk with the young man myself. Committing to this life, even if it is for a noble cause, would not help you in the long run. Come, he went down the street." The Shifu called to Lei, once more making his way without making sure she was following. Of course, she followed hesitantly. Lei knew the rules that all criminals knew; keep to yourself and mind your business. The Shifu was breaking both rules simultaneously. She could tell him that this was a terrible idea, but it was the Shifu. He'd already set his mind to it and he wasn't going to take no for an answer, or listen to Lei for that matter. All she could do was make sure he didn't get himself killed. After all, she still needed to get her revenge…right?

They traveled further through the village, passing over the bridge before halting at a small courtyard. This must have been where the villagers parked their carts, as there were dozens around the small yard. As the Shifu and Lei got closer, they noticed a gaggle of young men lounging in the courtyard, one standing by a cart as some kind of lookout. Just as the Shifu thought, Yuan was among the crowd, a tan young man looking down at him. Before they could get closer, the lookout's gaze drifted towards them, so Lei smartly grabbed the old man and the two hid behind a cart, listening in.

"Don't keep me waiting, weakling. Show me your haul. Now." The largest young man said, looking down at Yuan. He had a tanner complexion than the others, and the tattoo of a snarling tiger was etched on his back.

Yuan gulped, reaching into his pockets quickly as he fumbled. "O-Okay…this is all I got…" he mumbled, pulling out the money pouch from the merchant, a few spare cash, and the tuft of Nature's Providence that he had stolen off Shifu. The supposed leader sneered at the offerings, glaring even more at Yuan. The boy shrank back in fear as the leader took a step forward.

"Is this a damn joke? You bring me a few meager scraps and some damn weeds? You're useless!"

Yuan held up his hands, fearful if he struck out. "B-But that's all I could find! And I don't know where the grass came from, I just got it from an old-"

"I don't care! You're gonna learn to choose your targets carefully, or else you'll end up on my bad side. No go back out there and make yourself worthwhile, weakling." the leader waved his hand dissimilarly, Yuan lowering his head to the ground as he turned away. Every time he tried to appease him, it was never enough. He wasn't enough. He went out and risked himself to bring back something for the leader, and what did he get for it? Insults and diminishing returns. Yuan didn't know why, but today was different.

Yuan stood his ground.

"No," he uttered, loud enough for the leader to hear. He looked up at the wavering boy, flashing his teeth.
"What did you say to me, weakling? Get your ass out there if you know what's good for you instead of standing there like a statue." He scoffed, bringing up a fist. Yuan flinched briefly before looking up, defiant brown eyes almost sparkling.

"N-No! I took orders from you because I was too scared! Too scared to speak up or not go through with it at all! But enough is enough. All these people I've stolen from…there trying to help others, their families! I was doing this all for my grandmother…but even you twisted that. You made me steal from her! No more. No more I say! I'll not spend the rest of my life a laboring slave to a-a bastard like you!" Yuan nearly screamed, shifting his foot in case he needed to run away. But two lackeys came up next to him as the leader's snarl slowly morphed into a sinister smile.

"So the weakling decides to be a man for once. It's almost cute. Almost. I'll give you a chance to apologize since I was amused…"

Without hesitation, Yuan shook his head. "N-No! I meant what I said! I will not let you control me any longer!"

The leader's snarl returned, as he cracked his knuckles as he and the two lackeys approached Yuan. "Insolent whelp! I show you my own pickpocketing techniques and you turn against me! I'll show you what happens to disrespectful brats that double-cross me!"

Nearby, the Shifu exhaled as he stood up, Lei letting go of his sleeve. Had she been holding on the entire time? She hastily got up to follow, before the Shifu glanced behind him at her.

"Lei, I intend to have a talk with those young men. Would you please deal with this guardsman here? I promise I won't be long."

Lei didn't even get a chance to object before the Shifu quickly dashed and sidestepped the lookout, shocking him as he looked behind.

"Wh-What the hell?! Hey, you old bag, get the he-URK!" he choked on his words as Lei quickly sent her knee sharply into his back.
"Should have kept your eyes on the pretty lady. Be quick old man, this guy won't be much of a fight." She grumbled, before decking the lookout across the face as the Shifu approached the boys.

"Excuse me, young man." The Shifu raised his voice, gaining the attention of the able-bodied young men.

"What the-How did an old guy get through here? Dammit, if Yang is slacking off agai-"

"Tell me, young one," the Shifu continued, hands collapsed behind him, "Do you believe yourself stronger than this boy?"

Yuan glanced at the Shifu in confusion, narrowing his eyes. Was the old man blind? It was fairly obvious. The leader puffed out his chest, grinning. "Ha! Your eyes must not be too good, old man. I'm a hundred times stronger than this whelp. A thousand times, even!" he laughed, his lackeys joining in. Yuan let his head drift back down, sighing. Even an old man was making fun of him.

"I see…and yet, you must realize that this boy is truly stronger than all of you combined, yes?" the Shifu asked. The young men all widened their eyes in shock, Yuan included. This old man truly was blind!

"What nonsense are you talking, geezer? Look upon me, the great Sun Tzu Wang, the Tiger King! I'm stronger than this weakling, he's like a damn bug compared to me! I don't even know why I have to tell you this!"

The Shifu scratched at his chin, humming. "I won't deny that your physique is good…but relying on that is not true strength. For you see true strength does not flow from just muscles. It also flows from your heart, your mind, and most importantly, your soul. That is why this boy is more powerful than all of you."

Yuan couldn't believe what he was hearing. This old man…was praising him? Telling him he was strong? Even though it must have been the inane ramblings of an old geezer, Yuan couldn't help but feel his heart grow firm and pound harder. Sun Tzu couldn't help but sneer.

"Really? Well, I don't see it. And I think you should beat it old man, with what little life you have left." The Shifu sighed once again, shaking his head.

"You really don't understand…well, allow me to enlighten you." Just like before, he moved so fast he dashed right behind Sun Tzu without anybody noticing, delivering a swift kick to the back of his head.

"I shall show you true strength!" the lackeys quickly dove in to restrain the master, but he fled from their sights, appearing above one's head to deliver another kick before dashing to the other and knocking his knee into his back. Sun Tzu slowly rose to his feet, rubbing the back of his head. His eyes were lit with fury as Yuan hid behind a cart, watching the two cast looks at each other.

"Big mistake, old man! Now you're gonna die nice and slow! I'll make you pay!" Sun Tzu threw himself at the Shifu, bringing his full body weight to crush the old man.

The Shifu merely shook his head at the poor technique. "Tsk, tsk. You strike with no purpose. With no heart, nor spirit, nor mind. I'm afraid I must humble you. For when a tiger and dragon work together…" the Shifu quickly brought his hands together, before completing a complex form of hand movements so quickly Sun Tzu was still in the air. He brought his hands together again before pushing them outward, the palms striking right at Sun Tzu's heart.

"They shall rebuke you!" Sun Tzu was sent reeling back, crashing into a cart loaded with flour and straw. The ingredients were dumped over him, shaking from the attack the Shifu gave him. It seemed to cause his whole body to lock up, halting his movements. Yuan's jaw dropped open as he witnessed what he thought was impossible. Sun Tzu Wang just got his ass kicked! Never had he thought Sun Tzu would get his comeuppance one day.

"D-Dammit! H-how the hell could an old man…" one of Sun Tzu's lackey's got up, and his eyes filled with horror when they landed on Shifu.

"I-I remember now! That's the Shifu of Xin Shan Quan; The Earthen Heart!"

"Wh-What?! He's a Shifu?" Sun Tzu cried. He flopped onto his stomach, hands clasped together. "Please, forgive me, Shifu! Forgive my ignorance! FORGIVE MEEEEE!" he cried as he hardly rose to his feet and dashed away, limping slightly as his lackeys glanced at each other then hastily made to follow them. "B-Brother! Wait!"

The lookout Lei had long since messed up dragged himself along with the two lackeys, Lei yawning as she walked up to meet the Shifu.

"You done, yet? And what the hell was that new technique? How many times do I have to say it, teach me shit like that!" Lei angrily shouted, the Shifu shaking his head and laughing.

"When the time is right, I shall. Now…Yuan, was it?" hearing his name called out, he tripped climbing over the cart, coming to a stop at the Shifu.

"A-Ah, Shifu…I'm sorry. I stole your things…and I'm sorry."

"...Think nothing of it. You should be proud, young man. You showed true strength today. The strength of the heart is one of many strengths. And you have shown it considerably. Remember that." the Shifu looked down at the boy. He could tell, even though now he was weak physically, he could tell just like Lei, he had great potential.

"...Yuan, I wish to ask-"

"PLEASE TEACH ME YOUR KUNG-FU! LET ME BE YOUR STUDENT!" Yuan cried, dropping to his knees and bowing profusely. Lei took a step back, alarmed at his begging.

"J-Jeez, even I'm not that desperate. Old man, do you really think-"

"Of course." The Shifu bluntly replied. Both Yuan and Lei looked at him in shock. "R-Really?! Him?"

"R-Really!? Would you take someone like me?"

"Of course. You have shown true strength, and I sense great potential in you. I will gladly take you on as my first student.

"What the-You stupid old man? I'm your first student!"

"Really?" the Shifu smirked. "I quite remember you saying that I am not your Shifu, and you won't be my student," he replied, taking great humor in Lei's blush.

"Sh-Shut up old man! I'm going back to the hut! Gah, this is what I get for coming to damn Wong Village…" she angrily muttered, kicking a rock as she hurried down the street. Yuan rose up, looking at the Shifu in awe.

"Th-Thank you, Shifu. I promise you won't regret it!"

"I know I won't, Yuan. Of course, you must first tell your grandmother what you have done with your past few days.

"O-Of course. I'll tell her everything. Then, I'll be Yuan Jou, martial artist studying The Earthen Heart! I can hardly believe it…"

The Shifu smiled again, walking back to the village. "Well, start believing. You're going to have to get settled into training, after all." Yuan eagerly followed, nodding along to the Shifu.

"O-Of course!...w-what exactly does training involve?"

"Another fantastic day of training! Lei, don't you agree? That tree we had to wear down with our kicks was tough work, but when we worked together-"

"Yuan…please…shut up." Lei groaned, flopping on her back. Another week had crawled by as Yuan was shown the ropes of The Earthen Heart. She had to admit, he was a quick learner. He didn't gripe when he was tired, and she could see just how much potential he had for the Shifu's art.

She hated it. Of course, she wasn't mad that Yuan was going to upstage her, no. She was infuriated that the Shifu might teach him all his techniques while he still hadn't shown her one. Yuan wasn't as fast as her, but he sure had determination and hidden strength, and Lei could see how much the Shifu admired that. Still, she couldn't help but seeth a small bit.

"O-Oh. Sorry…b-but I've got a lot to learn from you. After all, you've been here longer and are so much better than I am. It's amazing what you can do." Yuan smiled small, Lei snorting in soft laughter.

"Tch. Whatever. Just don't get in my way next time. I don't need a new guy like you getting in the way of what I'm doing. Got it?"

Yuan awkwardly nodded, the hostile girl nodding to herself as she turned away. Served the kid right. He had only been here a week and he was already trying to one-up her by being humble. She definitely wasn't jealous or anything. Nope. Not a bit.

"Greetings, students." The Shifu spoke, walking into the hut. Yuan immediately sprang to his feet to bow respectfully while Lei continued to lounge on the floor.

"Your training has gone well, I see. I hate to leave you unattended, but I have errands to attend to." He retrieved his trusty beizi and moved towards the door again.

"What do you n-need to do there, Sh-Shifu?"

"Get tea, of course. I seem to have run out after that hole suspiciously found its way into here…"

Lei groaned. "I told you, it was an accident! Damn old man holding grudges…" she murmured, smoothing out her clothes. Maybe she should head to Yunfa too to get some new threads. She had worn these for far too long and they stank of sweat and were stained with grass and odd splotches. Of course, that's what made them lucky.

"Welp, I've got nothin' else better to do, so I'll come with. But I can't stay there long, I owe some cash to someone in Yunafa. I ask him one favor then he expects a horde, sheesh…" Yuan, eager not to be left out, raised his hand.

"I-I wish to come as well! I've been to Yunfa quite a lot! I-If it's okay, Sh-Shifu." he stammered, bowing again. Lei shot a look to Shifu that read 'Really? Him?', but the Shifu just smiled and nodded.

"The more the merrier. The wild dogs know together they are strong. Come, let us go. I hope they haven't run out of my favorite kind…" he murmured, Yuan and Lei following him as they exited the hut. Yuan stopped to turn around, looking up at the drabby home.

"Piece of shit, huh?" Lei piped up, folding her arms as she looked it up.

"W-Well, it is not in the best condition…but it's where I'm learning Kung-Fu! I wouldn't c-care if it's a hole in the ground. You've been here far longer than I have, Lei. You and the Shifu must have some secret skills that not even I have learned yet." Yuan spoke, looking up at Lei with glimmering eyes.

She shrugged, scratching at her X-shaped scar. "Eh, the old fart's been holding off on me. Right now I'm just copying what he does, but once he finally shows me some good shit…" she suddenly jabbed out her fist, stopping it an inch from Yuan's nose.

"I'll be sure to pay him back. C'mon, we don't want him to get lost." Lei smirked, striding away as Yuan stood there in shock. The connotations of what Lei said flew past him as he hovered his hand where Lei was.

"W-Wow…I love this place."

Yunfa Market was as bustling as Lei remembered, even more so than Wong Village. Laundry hung above the street, vendors hawked their wares, baskets filled with fruit and clamor coming from bars even though the sun was still high. She'd go and have a drink, but that would mean attempting to persuade the bartender and last time that didn't work well.

"Ah, the bustle of the market. Long have I forgotten this feeling. While I strive to be alone, I too like to bathe in the comfort of my fellow man." he murmured. Lei wondered what he was on about until a man dropped his basket, spilling cloth onto the street as he pointed a finger at the three. Lei was just about to run like hell when he exclaimed; "It's the Shifu! Hey, everybody, it's the Shifu!"

All members of the market suddenly dropped their wares, surging forward to greet the Shifu, calling out to him.

"Shifu! It's been so long!"

"Shifu, you've returned!"

"Shifu, you don't look a day over 50!"

Lei's mouth nearly dropped open. The Shifu was popular?! She looked to Yuan to see if he was surprised as well, but he was simply alarmed by the mass swarming of the crowd.

"Yes, yes, my friends. I'm sorry to have been gone for so long, but it was necessary. You see, I had to gather my disciples, as you see right here." He motioned to his two students. Yuan was fidgeting and anxious, constantly adjusting his bandanna while Lei simply stood there with her degraded clothing and permanent glare. The crowd held their tongues. They didn't want to be on the Shifu's bad side.

"Now, I've come here for some tea, green if you would be so kind. That aroma is so soothing and the taste is just so relaxing." At once, the tea vendors dashed, hurrying to grab the leaves for the Shifu. Lei leaned down, weirded out by these strange events.

"Shit, you're pretty popular around here, gramps…and since when did you have cash? You said you didn't have any when I came at ya'" she whispered.

"Ah, yes…perhaps I was simply remembering wrong…or perhaps I was lying through my teeth. Heh heh heh…" he chuckled, Yuan not understanding what Lei meant. Coming at him? They must have meant training. He still had so much to learn from them.

"Tch, typical. Whatever, not like I care anymore." Lei lied through her teeth. Of course she cared, she was still bitter that the old man had bested her.

"W-Wow…I have no idea what you two m-mean…" and it didn't help that Yuan was sucking up to the Shifu like a stray dog. Lei sighed to herself as she folded her arms. At least that's all she had to deal with. It's not like the old man would look for anymore-

"STOP! STOOOOP! STOP THAT THIEEEEF!"

…students.

Bursting from a ramen restaurant, slurping up as many noodles as he could, chopsticks moving quicker than the eye could see, was a large and rotund young man. He was shirtless apart from the blue vest around him, with patchy pants with a red cloth tied around it, and footwear similar to Yuan's and Lei's. Thieves must like that kind.

An equally fat chef barreled out of the restaurant, charging at the thief with a knife.

"STOP, THIEF! YOU'VE STOLEN FROM ME FOR THE FIRST AND LAST TIME! TAKE THIS!" the chef rocketed forward, slashing at the thief. Unbefitting for his size, the thief dodged with surprising dexterity, making the chef knock over a basket of peaches. He still slurped the noodles as he fled, faster than one would think.

"STOOOOOOP!" Another slash from the chef, another dodge from the thief, and another fruitful harvest on the streets dirtied. Lei admired the thief's agility, his size seeming to help somehow. He had to have guts to pull this off where dozens of people were out.

"AAAARGH! THAT DOES IT! ANYONE WHO CATCHES THAT FAT THIEF WILL GET A FREE MEAL, NO CHARGE!"

…Or not. Immediately, several passersby pounced on the thief, knocking the noodle bowl from his hands. Surprisingly, he finished the meal quickly before the bowl shattered, the few traces disappearing into his mouth. He let out a whine that was drowned out by the crowd around him. The Shifu stood still as he simply watched, Lei letting out a low whistle.

"Damn, hate to see it. Coulda' gotten away too if that fatass didn't entice the crowd. Oh well." she shrugged. Yuan nervously rubbed his thumbs together, looking up at Lei.

"Wh-Whats gonna happen to him now that they've got him…?"

"I've got a wife and a whole horde of kids to feed, and here you go snacking up all my livelihood! I'm gonna cut you open to get back all those noodles you took from me!" the restauranter shouted, jutting the butt-end of the knife on the thief's pudgy belly.

"He'll do that," Lei stated matter-of-factly, not noticing Yuan's alarmed expression, tears ready to waterfall down his tears.

"Sh-Sh-Shifuuuu! You have to do something! Dash in and carry him out, kick all their butts, do something, please!" he begged, gripping the Shifu's sleeve like a lifeline.

"Yuan, it's none of our business what happens with this guy. This is just what happens to dine-and-dashers. Be glad, I know a guy who went to this far-off land, and came back with his hand chopped off. That's what they do to petty thieves and-" in her argument, Lei looked around to notice that the Shifu had vanished, right under their noses.

"What the-DAMMIT OLD MAN! GET BACK HERE AND MIND YOUR BUSINESS!" she cried, charging into the crowd, Yuan attempting to follow close behind.

"But…" the thief murmured, grabbing at his stomach where the wooden end of the knife hit him, "I'll need that to eat…"

"OF COURSE YOU DO, IDIOT! WHICH IS WHY I'M ABOUT TO SLICE IT OPEN!"

"But I can't help it…i-i'll wash bowls, clean stools…just don't do that…please…"

"HA! Seeing you fumble with that bowl told me well enough! Your hands are too fat to hold anything, much less a washcloth. NOW STOP WASTING TIME! I'm about to make a deep incisio-"

"Pardon me." The thief, restaurateur, and the whole crowd looking down, the Shifu gazing back up, the brim of his straw hat covering his eyes.

"O-OH! Shifu! You shouldn't be here to watch this, a man of your age watching this THIEF get what is coming to him!"

The Shifu stroked his chin, looking at the frightened young and portly lad. Despite his size, Shifu saw how quick and nimble he was. He might even be nearly as fast as Lei. And with all that weight, his body would absorb hits, and retaliate with much more force…

Shifu saw great potential in him.

"Please, please…I understand what this man has done, but we must learn to forgive but never forget. This young man is obviously down on his luck, and he might only get a meal by doing just this. Yes, he shouldn't have stolen, but you punishing him with something so severe…it's frightening. Tell you what…"

The Shifu suddenly took up a stance, everybody in the crowd backing away.

"I shall teach this boy the consequences of his actions, and you will not slay him."

The thief would much rather be cut. He had heard tales of the Shifu from the village, and none of them were kind. He heard the Shifu could split rocks just by extending a finger. He heard he could silence a storm with a stare. He heard his robes were forged from the whiskers of mighty dragons!

"W-Wait-"

"EXCELLENT idea, Shifu! Get ready for a beating you won't forget, thief! Take it away, Shifu! Show that cur who he's messed with!" the chef backed away, leaving a large crowd observing the Shifu shift his stance, causing the enlarged thief to shriek. Lei and Yuan burst from the crowd, getting front-row seats to the fight that was about to happen.

"Oh, great! We leave him for not 5 minutes, and already he's fighting a rock with a stomach! Yuan, this is why you always have to keep an eye on gramps."

"I-Is he really going to fight the thi-thief?! Just thinking of what he did to the Tiger-er, Sun Zhu Wang, and now he's going to battle him?"

"As I said, always have to watch him."

The plus-sized thief took on a stance of his own, though it was a mockery compared to the Shifu's. He was quivering in his shoes, sweat dripping down his face as the Shifu made not a single move. Would this be his end? Felled by a master of masters over a simple meal, having never accomplished anything in life.

…Actually, that sounded kinda cool.

And before the thief could react, the Shifu reached out like a snake, poking a single finger into the thief's belly. He screamed, falling on his backside and waving his limbs like a stuck turtle. The crowd couldn't help but explode into laughs and chuckles, a few even calling out words; "Pig!" "Fatso!" "I think he caused an earthquake!" "Now finish him!"

A sharp glare from the Shifu silenced them as he bowed to the East. "The lesson has been taught. You shall harm this man no longer, is that clear?"

The chef hopped up excitedly. "Yes, Shifu! You can eat for life at my restaurant, free of charge!" he leaned down to the thief, snickering in his ear. "Be sure to thank the Shifu, THIEF! He's quite merciful!"

With that done, the crowd dispersed, some following the restaurants bolstering they were the ones to first catch the thief, so they should eat for life. The Shifu's students came to stand with him, towing over the large thief that was still knocked on his back. His limbs continued to flay before they pathetically flopped on the ground.

"Please…no more…oh…my stomach…" Lei grimaced as the boy, no older than her, clutched at his belly, and an audible rumbling emanated. "Sheesh. We sure this guy ain't some rich noble? He has the physique of one.

"He…does seem to be quite large…should we leave him like this?"

"Of course not. The poor boy has suffered enough. Help me lift him up." The Shifu uttered, grabbing the thief's hands and pulling back, groaning at the weight of the boy.

"H-Hold on, Shifu! I'll help!" Yuan grabbed around Shifu's waist, pulling tightly to help lift the tubby dine-and-dasher. It barely helped at all.

"Yeah, you guys got it. I'll stay here offering moral support. Go team…that I'm not a part of, by the way," Lei uttered, leaning on a lone cart as the old man and nervous wreck attempted to lift up the thief. This was going to take a while.

Awhile Later…

"One…m-more…PULL!" Yuan pulled back one more time, the portly thief finally standing upright after so long of pulling.

"It was 2 minutes." Lei sighed, looking up at the sun. The thief steadied himself on his feet, his brow furrowing as he patted his stomach.

"Oh…th-thank you…but why did you help me? You're the one that defeated me in the first place…" he murmured, the Shifu taking off his hat.

"...Tell me, young one. Why did you steal? Do you not have any money to pay what is due?"

The boy flinched as if striking a nerve. His face fell as he groaned.

"I…I cannot pay because I have no job. No one will hire someone like me. I have no skills, no talents. My words are broke…"

Yuan scuttled forward, raising a hand. "U-Uh, don't you mean your words are poor?"

The thief swiveled its head at Yuan, his large stature frightening the smaller student.

"N-No, my words do not hold money, so they cannot be poor." he responded matter-of-factly before looking back at Shifu. Lei and Yuan glanced at each other. This guy had the body and brain of an ox.

"But…my body…it hungers. It craves food nearly all the time and I feel like I am starving if I go not long without eating. So I must steal food, leave without paying. It's the only way I can survive." the boy's brows furrowed into a frown. "I hate this body. It's caused me so much trouble, I can't do anything because of it!"

The Shifu shook his head, reaching up to place a hand on the boy's shoulder. "No, young one. Your body is a gift. It holds much potential." The thief's eyes widened in surprise.

"P-Potential? You think I have potential? B-But this body is why I steal! People call me names, mock me! How is that a gift?"

"I've seen men move slower than you do, and you are twice their size.. How did you get so fast?"

"Tr-Training. I have to be fast to not be caught. But I still don't understand-"

"Even though you have that body you curse, it helps you. You use it to your advantage. And I could help teach you more about how to use it…if you so choose."

Now it was Lei's turn to react in shock, stomping up to the Shifu. "J-Just wait here, old man! We've already got Yuan here, and now you're going to ask this guy? He'll eat us out of house-"

"E-Eat? What do you mean?" The thief piped up at the interest of eating, and Lei realized she had dug her own grave.

"Yes. If you come with me, I can train you how to use your body properly. Think of it as a job. And for a job, you must be compensated. You'll eat your fill as long as you train with me." The Shifu responded, ignoring Lei's indignant groaning.

The thief couldn't believe his ears. He was being offered a job by the Shifu himself and he was going to be fed? It was a dream come true.

"R-Really? Oh, th-thank you, Shifu! Thank you so much!" The thief cried, picking up the Shifu into a bear hug that could maybe even crush his strong bones.

"H-Hey! Let him down you big lug, you'll crush him! Lei cried, grabbing hold of the thief's arms and pulling tightly.

Wait, what am I doing? I want this old man to die, let the lug crush him! …But then I wouldn't get a chance to show him what. Yeah, that's it. She thought.

The thief let the Shifu go, who didn't look any worse for wear as he laughed heartily.

"It's quite alright. Now, what's your name, my student?"

"It's Sa-" the thief stopped, freezing in place as his mouth stayed open, before continuing to speak as if nothing happened, "H-Hong! Hong Hakka!"

The Shifu noticed the awkward pause but decided not to dwell. But the look Lei gave Hong was a clear sign of; 'I'm going to get to the bottom of that.'

"Well, let's go! I can't wait to eat! But, uh, first we have to train I guess, right?"

"Y-Yes, but don't worry! The Shifu is a great teacher! He's taught me so much and I haven't been here long! Lei is an amazing user of The Earthen Heart! Tell Hong, Lei!"

"I don't have to tell that guy nothing! He can figure it out for himself!"

"Don't worry, I will! …Except kicks…I can't do kicks."

"Oh, god."

As the Lei bickered and quarreled, Yuan attempted to diffuse the situation, and Hong responded dumbly, The Shifu couldn't help but smile.

This reminds me so much of back then…have I preserved your legacy? Will it survive the violent flow of time? I hope so…I pray so…

"Oh! Master, you must tell Hong one of your proverbs! He must hear them!" Yuan cheered as the three traveled back to the Shifu's hut. Lei sputtered out an argument.

"NO. No! We don't need to hear a stupid-ass proverb about snails and some crap! Keep it to yourself!"

"Um…what's a proverb?" Hong asked, twiddling his thumbs. The Shifu chuckled as he shook his head.

"Don't worry, it will be quick."

Lei huffed, crossing her arms. "It better."

The Shifu stroked his chin, thinking before he smiled softly, relaying what he thought to his students. He hadn't thought of that proverb in who knows how long, but it was a warm welcome.

"'Unto the Birds the Heavens, Unto the Fish the Seas." he said, watching as Lei groaned, Yuan's eyes sparkled, and Hong tilted his head in confusion.

"I…don't get it."

"Neither do I, b-but it sounds so wise!"

"It's dumb and it's just a bunch of words thrown together. He doesn't even know what it-"

"Tell me, what do you think birds do?" the Shifu asked, looking up. As if on cue, a flock of birds flew overhead, gaining the group's attention.

"What kinda question is that? Birds fly, old man." Lei replied. The Shifu glanced at a small stream next to them, fish swimming elegantly through the water.

"And what do fish do?"

"They swim…right?" Hong answered, earning a glare from Lei.

"Yes…the fish swim and the birds fly. They do much more than that, of course, but that is their main purpose. The birds were born to fly, and the fish were born to swim. They have a purpose. A destiny. If they do not swim or fly, then they would not be birds or fish." The Shifu explained. "At least, that is what I believe. I hope you understand what I am saying, my students." The Shifu smiled.

"I…I still don't get it." Hong muttered to Yuan.

"N-Neither do I, but that's just how Shifu's proverbs go. Aren't they wise, Lei? L-Lei?" Yuan called out, Lei not hearing. Her mind was focused on the proverb the Shifu had mentioned, the words replaying in her mind.

Born to do something? Is he saying…we were born to be his students? To be taught by him? How much of an ego does this old man have? I wasn't born to do anything. I'm destined to do what I want. She thought. Yet the more she thought about it, she couldn't help but also think of how if she wasn't a thief, she would have never met the Shifu. Was he right? Were they destined for this?

She sighed as they arrived at The Shifu's hut. The hut, though she would never admit it, was more of a home to her than anywhere she'd been.

Only time would tell.

The boy furiously pounded the tree, strikes hitting the bark like lightning at how fast he was going. Sweat poured off his body, teeth grit in determination. An elbow strike here, a kick there, and to finish it off…

He reeled back, a wave of great anger rising in him. His own fist seemed to glow…no, it became engulfed in flames as he punched the tree. A mighty crack echoed through the forest as the tree toppled, leaving a gnarled stump as the only evidence along with the toppled trunk. The boy dropped to his knees, holding his hand as he looked up at the sky.

"I did it…I can't believe I did it…then I'm ready…I'm ready! I know what you did, Indomitable Fist! Revenged will be mine! Father…"

He loosened the collar around his neck, showing a scar. A glowing cross-shaped scar etched on his neck that faded as the fire flickered away from his fist.

"In the name of the Na Bei family, to avenge my father the Indomitable Fist must die! This I swear!."