"... You know who Oogway is"?
"Of course. He was my master".
Oogway was Shifus master? I really need to catch up on the history of this place. But still, it would have helped if Oogway had told me all of this before! Would have helped a lot. Shifu took another look at the long staff he held in both arms before smiling and looking back up to me.
"And there is no doubt that I miss him. More than anyone. But I still like to think that he is watching over us in the jade palace".
My mind clicked back to the peach tree when I heard Oogways voice in my head. The voice that got me to think that leaving was the best choice for myself? Well I suppose that was my own fault. But all the same, I hope to at least go back to England, even if it is for a short amount of time it would still be worth everything to me.
"Trust me Shifu, I know that he is".
Shifu nodded in understanding.
"Yes, I suspected that you were able to contact Oogway some time ago. Only a powerful spirit can raise a connection with the living by pulling them into the spirit world for a short amount of time. Usually when the chosen soul is sleeping or... deseased".
Yeah, I figured that part out myself. Wait. Shifu... knew that I had met Oogway already?
"How did you"...
"While I don't know for certain how you came to meet Oogways spirit, I've learned that one who comes and goes from the spirit world comes back with an unusual smell based on the spirit they meet". Shifu then smelled the air around me and smirked.
"For example, you still smell of peaches. I'd recommend showering to get rid of it".
I suppose that explains how Shifu knew how I met Oogway and how he also knew that the spirit was indeed Oogway, thanks to my... stench.
"I suppose that is why you offered me to train at the Jade Palace in the first place"?
Shifu nodded up and down once. I did the same and continued.
"Even so, I still apreciatte what you've done for me. Even if it is out of pity. Master".
I bowed and took my leave through the big wooden doors, stopping once to look back at Shifu who was now placing Oogways staff back back where he had got it from. I wasn't sure whether to tell Shifu about me originally being a human. Would he even know what a human was? I haven't exactly seen any wandering around since I entered the Valley of peace for the first time. Maybe another time. Shifu then cranked his neck upwards to view a painting of Oogway in some kind of fighting stance. Amazing how portraits show the personality of who they are based on I thought to myself upon seeing the painting for the first time. I then left, and my mood was quickly ruined upon remembering who was on the other side of the door.
Once I was out of the way, Tigress walked in at once, not even bothering to look at me, and shut the door behind her. Viper and Crane remained at the entrance. We said nothing to each other until Crane decided to break the awkward silence.
"Sooo... how did it go"?
I looked up to Crane.
"I'm still given permission to train here so that's a good start".
This seemed to relieve the two a bit as their faces became less tense.
"What about... you know? England? I doubt that you've forgotten about that"?
"I haven't, and I'm still going to make it a life goal to make it there".
Crane and Viper exchanged looks, unsure whether to support me or argue against it. I didn't honestly mind which they decided. Soon enough they looked back at me and nodded. I got the message.
"Thanks".
I then left. Unsure what to do now. I guess I should just wait until lunch and see what follows afterwards.
I spent the next few hours doing nothing other than showering to rid myself of the peach smell, which I'm surprised I never noticed. Maybe it's only other people who can tell. The rest of the time, I stayed in my own room, waiting until I could eat again. Travelling always made me hungry. When the lunch bell finally rung, I slowly got up and hesitated to enter outside of my room. I sighed, clearly there was no way to avoid what happened even if I do decide to stay in the room. I opened my door and went to the kitchen.
When I entered, I found no one but myself in the kitchen. Perhaps they were just as nervous about facing me after what happened, though I found that unlikely. Eventually I heard footsteps from outside walking up to the barracks. The door opened and in walked Po. He seemed to have something occupied on his mind. I quickly learned that as he walked straight past me without a Hi or a wave or anything. He headed straight over to the kitchen and started munching on... someone else's food. I got off of my chair and went to see what was going on.
"Uh, Po? What are you doing"?
Po turned round in surprise with a face full of dumplings making me yelp in surprise.
"Oh... uh... Immf oingh umptin imorhanf".
"...What? Speak properly mate"!
Po swallowed the dumplings, well half swallowed, some fell from his mouth and into his big fluffy hands. A little disgusting.
"Hey Mike, didn't see you there". He spoke happily. Then, he realized who he was talking to.
"MIKE, YOU'RE BACK"! Before I could react, Po had already picked me up and hugged me. Tightly. Very tightly. Jesus, this bear has a hell of a grip!
"Po...".
"It's good to have you return buddy"!
"Po..."!
"I thought you had left us for good"!
"PO"! I barely yelled, catching the big panda's attention before he could continue.
"Can you perhaps stop squeezing the life out of me"? I wheezed. Being the python you'd think I would be the one crushing him. That's irony I suppose.
Po put me down and I continued to gasp and cough a little while longer until I felt satisfied that my ribs weren't crushed into dust. I then spoke.
"Now that that's out of the way, what was on your mind earlier"?
"Huh, What are you talking about, I... I wasn't thinking of anything, why are you asking"? Po said nervously. It was easy to tell that he was lying. But instead of pushing for answers I let it drop. I doubt that it was important to me anyway.
"Okay, I guess it doesn't matter. Where is everybody else? You're the only one who's come in here within the last ten or so minutes.
"Oh, right. I guess I should have told you... Everyone is at dad's noodle shop. We always eat there on Saturdays". He chuckled at this as though it was an important matter.
"Then how come you're here eating, in the barracks"? I asked.
"... I... had other things on my mind".
I sighed and left the barracks, not having either the time or patience to deal with Po or his mysterious secret. I left the barracks and after some quick thought. I decided to head down to Mr. Pings noodle shop. I needed to eat something and Po is busy "Cleaning out" the kitchen as I speak, so eff it. It's not like I'm going to get a second black eye.
Again I made my way down the stairs to the valley and remembered the way to the noodle shop easily enough. I passed the archway, the place was crowded. Much busier than it was the first time I came to see it. I noticed four members of the Furious five eating away at the table closest to the window hatch, three guesses on who didn't show up. I made my way over to the table, interested on how Monkey and Mantis would react as they were the only two who didn't come looking for me.
Halfway to the table, Monkey took notice of me and budged Crane next to him and pointed at me. I sat down, eveybody on the table looked at me. God knows what they were thinking. I tried to break the ice.

"Hey guys".
The response was... unusual. Mantis frowned and gave Monkey a small bag. Monkey smiled and patted me on the back, confusing the hell out of me.
"What was that about"? I asked the primate.
"Just a little bet we made on you being gone for good. Right Mantis"? He mocked.
"Aww shut it Monkey boy"! Was Mantis's reply. I rolled my eyes. Maybe Mantis should lay off on betting against me. I shook it from my head and looked at the table. There didn't seem to be any plates or chopstick placed before them.
"I take you've yet to be served"? I asked. Everybody nodded and responded with yes. Crane then spoke up.
"We were still waiting for Po to arrive. I take it he's eating in the kitchen again"?
"Yep".
Judging by the looks on their face, this was an average thing from Po. Before anyone could say another word, I saw Mr Ping walk through the door to the kitchen. He walked up to our table, smiling as he noticed me.
"Ah, Mike. So glad you could make it"! He said happily.
"Really"? I couldn't help but ask, surprised that he was so friendly after last time.
"Yah huh, other wise I wouldn't have been able to charge for full use of the table".
Ah. So much for friendly. Ish. I face palmed myself and tried to order.
"So what's on the menu for today Mr. Ping"?
"Well, there's Noodle soup, bean buns and dumplings for the Lunch rush today".
Not exactly much choice.
"I... guess I'll have the noodle soup please".
"Ah, good choice".
Everyone else ordered the same thing and Mr. Ping left us. I felt a little uncomfortable to talk about leaving the Jade palace with Monkey and Mantis. I just hope that they wouldn't ask about it. But it did raise another topic from then.
"Say, Viper".
"Yes Mike"?
"You remember how you mentioned that well that the villagers built for you"?
"Yeah I remember".
"I'd like to see it sometime".
"Oh, well"...
"Yeah, you may be a little dissapointed buddy". Mantis butted in before holding back a laugh. He was quickly silenced with a whack to the back of his tiny head from Monkey.

"What do you mean? They didn't tear it down did they"?
"Nononono. Just, you know. Size may be a factor".
"Look who's talking".
Everyone gave a laugh at my comment. Mantis became quickly embarrassed and kept his mouth shut. Before I could continue with the subject, Mr. Ping brought out several bowls of noodle soup.
"Order up".

...

Sorry for the short chapter everybody, I've spent a lot of my time looking after my Gran who fell down the stairs a few weeks ago so there may be a small delay with the next chapter as well.

Moving onto a brighter note, thank you everyone, this story has now reached 1000 views! Wooo! I only hope that it can raise higher as I continue the story, so big thank you everybody, and I hope you enjoy this short chapter. Cheerio!