The snow was falling at a faster rate now that I had left the noodle shop. It was starting to cover the ground and would probably continue to snow for an hour at the least judging by the heavy snow clouds above.
I made my way over to the market place. The reason being that I decided to buy the five and Po presents. At least I could then say I joined in with the festivities even if I didn't really want to. Plus, I suppose this was also a good way to say thanks to everyone for being so friendly. Even Tigress at one point who kept me from leaving. Unfortunately I tried to leave a few days later and broke the trust between us. That would take time to heal.
Once I had made it to the first few shops, I walked around, trying to find the best gifts I could find that weren't too expensive.
Within the first ten minutes, I had done well. For Po's present, easy, I got him a book on dumpling recipes. For Crane, I managed to get my tail on some fuzzy slippers. I noted how he hated the cold and snow on his talons earlier today. Monkey, I struggled with. But I found something he would appreciate. A joke book. I remember how he always told stories on pulling pranks on everyone, mostly Po, so I'm sure that would come in handy. Mantis, an acupuncture kit and Tigress, a stress ball. I even got Shifu a meditation mat. I didn't see him as a gifts type guy so I imagined that a mat would satisfy him.
Now that's almost everyone... Who is still left? Oh right, Viper. I checked the stalls to find something that may suit Viper or please her. However, I couldn't find anything, always something about the last thing on the list being a pain in the ass to do.
This finding gift thing wasn't working out too well at the moment. I had to check everything, books, accessories, food, clothing, nothing. The only thing that was left was jewelry. I sighed at my last choice. This was going to be expensive.
2 HOURS LATER
Fifty five yuan spent on Viper's gift alone but I didn't have a choice. Besides I was sure I would be safe. Girls like jewelry right? Anyway, I had all the gifts in a bag and instantly made my way up to the Jade palace, coiling a small section of my flexible body around the bag in order to get a proper hold of it while slithering up the stairs. Once I had made it to my room, I put the bag of gifts under the bed and decided to leave them until the next day, the winter festival.
THE NEXT MORNING
This morning came with both good news and bad news. The good news was that there was no gong, what with it being the day of the winter festival so there was that. The bad news was that instead of a gong, I was awoken by a knocking at my door, and I could swear that the knock came at the exact time when the gong was meant to sound off, so there wasn't any difference in when I woke up. At least I had gotten used to it otherwise I would be very moody.
I got to the door and opened it, my line of sight was quickly overcome with black and white fur as Po rushed into me by accident.
"HAPPY WINTER FESTIVAL"! Po yelled in excitement, oblivious to the fact that he just knocked me over like a bowling pin. I saw him look down at me as I lay on the ground in a comical fashion.
"Wow, you must be tired, sleeping on the floor like that".
I kept my mouth shut lest I said something I would regret.
"Come on, we're all waiting on you"! He said like a little impatient child on Christmas morning, technically he was. I was grabbed my Po and before I knew it, I was in a wooden chair next in the kitchen with everyone else.
I saw several wrapped presents being exchanged amongst the five, once noticing me, I received a bunch, even from Tigress! I excused myself to get the presents I brought, as I didn't have a chance to get them from under bed thanks to one impatient panda. I returned just as quick with the bag and handed them out to everyone one by one. Everyone was happy with their presents, Tigress, well she seemed to like it once she squeezed it as she tried to curl it into a fist for my face. Hopefully the stress ball will come in handy for both her and myself.
I then handed out the last of my presents to Viper, you know the one that cost more than everyone else's present combined. Still, as long as she liked it I suppose it was worth it. I watched as she opened the small box that contained the gift. I saw her curious look quickly turn into a smile, a big one at that. Now this is just a stab in the dark, but I think she was happy with what I got her.
I watched her take the gift out of the box, lifting it up for everyone else to see. Two lotus flowers, like the ones she wore on her head, only these ones were golden! What she did next, I was not prepared for. She slithered over to where I was sitting and when I was expecting a "Thank you", she hugged me, wrapping most of her body round my own.
I automatically blushed, embarrassed a bit because of the fact that all the other masters who looked at me, either shocked or, worse, holding in their laughter.
"You're welcome"... I spoke out, looking away. I then looked back to see her take off her own pink flowers and put on the new golden ones. They suited her well in my opinion. Once the happiness and laughter had died down, I opened my own presents which had already been wrapped up, making me feel a little cheap for not doing the same with my own.
I got a blanket from Monkey, a jar of sweets from Mantis, a small box of scented soaps and fabrics from Crane, a hammock from Po, three throwing stars from Tigress, and from Viper, an interesting gift, some kind of red paint. I had no idea what I was expected to do with this, I would have to ask about it later. For now, I had fulfilled my promise and was about to leave with the gifts I had been given until Po stopped me. I turned up to look at him and saw a smirk on his face, I didn't like the looks of where this was going.
"Not so fast speedy, there's still one more thing we have for you".
"Which is"?... I asked, curiously.
"You'll find out this evening". Tigress spoke, getting the point across instantly, which I frowned at. Damn. The next thing you know they'll be making-
"Which means you'll have to do what we ask of you if you want it".
- Demands. I sighed in frustration. I really didn't want to agree to it but the prize must be worth a few hours suffering.
"I... accept". I hesitantly spoke.
This brought a smile to everyone's faces which made me that much more uncomfortable. The next thing I knew, I was being led out of the room by Crane. I had a feeling they were going to use me in turns like children would do with a popular toy.
I was taken into Crane's room, where I noted that unlike everyone else's room, there was no bed placed in the center of the room, just a mat. I think I read somewhere that some birds slept standing up, especially with long legs.
"So what do I need to do for you"? I asked at once hoping to get this torturous exercise over and done with as soon as possible.
"Well, as a Crane with allergies-"
"Who sneezed on me and infected me with a cold". I added in, still a little upset about the incident.
"- I find it hard to sleep in a dusty room, I think you know where I'm going with this"?
Indeed I did.
"Fine. Where's the broom"?
Crane handed over a broom in a flash which I snatched out of his wing. He then wished me luck and left. I began to sweep.
This wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. It was only dust after all, and compared to my old bedroom, this was much better. Hell, Po's room is much cleaner than my old one! I swept the dust to the side slowly, trying not to breathe any of it in. Once I had all the dust collected, I had to simply just scoop it up with a scraper and put it in the bin outside. It took a few trips but it was done, thank God. One down... five to... go. My happiness was quickly drained as I found Monkey smirking at me from behind. In his hand, he had some kind of pie.
"What are you planning on doing with"-
SPLAT
Ask a stupid question. I bloody bet he had learnt how to make the pie in that pranksters book I got him! I wiped the contents of the ruined pie from my face. I was going to suffer for this one.
HALF AN HOUR LATER
I think I am safe to say that this was the worst thirty minutes of my life. Being used as prankster bait for not only Monkey, but Mantis as well! The only upside about it was that it counted as Mantis's turn as well. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. Mental note, never use that expression around Crane.
Tigress, she was much worse. She used me as target practice for several weapons including crossbows, nun chucks and some kind of weird break apart stick thingy called a tri bo yau. I hated it so much. I'm not joking. I. Effing. Hated. It. At least it only lasted a short while after nearly having my head taken off with a "Defective" bow and arrow.
Po was easy enough. All I had to do was feed the guy dumplings while he lazed about. I didn't complain however, this one was much better than being attacked with dangerous weapons or being a prank monkeys victim. A couple of times he asked to be fanned which I did with an unfolded scroll, a blank one luckily or Shifu would have my hide to mount on his wall.
Finally the last one was Viper. I was on my way to find her with the idea that she wouldn't make me do anything too harsh. At least I hope not, I was close to breaking point. It took a few minutes until I found her waiting in the barracks just outside my own room. With her was the can of that paint like substance she gave me. My guess was that she was going to give me a makeover. That's the only reason I can think of. An embarrassing thing to endure, but tolerable. Time to earn that special gift.
"Hey Viper". I greeted, catching her attention.
"Ah good, I had a feeling you wouldn't show up".
"I didn't want to but hey, I've come too far to give up at the last hurdle. So what is it we are doing"? I asked, waiting for the obvious answer.
"Simple, I'm helping you with your personal poem".
"... My what now"? I asked, confused as hell wondering if I had heard right.
Viper sighed and turned round so that her back was to me. I noticed several Chinese symbols on her back at which I had no idea what it said.
"Like mine. To care and protect, to love and serve friend and family alike". She quoted for me. Just as well because Chinese wasn't an easy language for me to understand. In fact the only reason I knew how to use the crossbow of all knowing when I was evil was because it was an instruction scroll. It covered several different languages including English... Wait, does this mean that I'm speaking Chinese to Viper right now? Or has by some weird curse, Oogway has made it so that they speak English? I don't know. I best just shut up before my brain overloads from figuring out pointless shit.
I just nodded slowly, understanding what she was asking for but, I expected something more... humiliating.
"Why would you want to do that when you have the chance to do anything to me"? As much as I hated reminding her of that rule, I couldn't help but wonder.
"It's what all snake warriors have, to show their mark as a true warrior who have trained under great masters such as Shifu. You've been training here for some time, I think it's safe to say you've earned it".
"By running away twice and having an evil version of myself nearly kill Tigress"? I spoke blankly.
"A warrior isn't seen for the mistakes he may make, but by the good deeds that he performs".
I smirked. That seemed like something that Oogway would say.
"Very well. Lets do this". I spoke with confidence, glad that I wouldn't have to suffer this time. Unless this turned out to be a lie and she was up to something else but Viper didn't seem like the type to lie and trick others.
I slithered into the bedroom and allowed her to enter with the bronze can of red liquid.
"So how are we going to do this"? I asked.
"Just lie down on your stomach and I'll write what you tell me to from the base of your head to your tail".
I nodded and put thought on what I wanted to be written. I only had one chance so I needed to be certain on what I wanted. A minute passed until I thought of the best sentence that would suit me.
"To remember the importance of life and enjoy it, no matter the pain you endure". I stated once I had come up with it.
Viper nodded and I put my head down on the floor and waited for the inscription to be written. It tickled but it was a small price to pay. It reminded me of getting a tattoo, only this one didn't cause searing pain. In only a few minutes, the tickling stopped and I was free to move. I turned my head to see my back. Sure enough, the words were written in Chinese symbols, standing out like the sun on a cloudless day.
"This won't wash off will it"? I asked with a little worry.
"It won't. It's not paint okay"?
Then what the hell is it?
"Okay"...
"So, looks like you've earned that gift you wanted so badly".
The gift! I nearly forgot!
"Ah of course. May I have it"?
"Yes".
My face beamed up.
"This evening". Viper finished
I groaned in frustration and cursed to the ceiling above.
"Of course! It HAS to be this evening! Silly me"! I ranted as Viper let out a small giggle at my overreacting.
"So, would you like to come and see the Valley of Peace? It's always a beautiful sight with all the decorations scattered all over the place".
I looked down for a second and was about to say yes until I saw Shifu's present still lying under the bed.
"Perhaps a little later. I've still got some errands to attend to".
"Oh, okay". Viper spoke softly, somewhat a little disappointed.
"I'll only be a few minutes. Ten at the most".
Her smile returned for a little while before nodding in understanding and leaving. But before she did...

"Mike"?

I turned to look at her.

"Thanks".

"You already thanked me for the golden lotus's Viper. Think nothing of it". I replied cheerfully.

"I'm not thanking you for the gift. I'm thanking you for putting in some effort to enjoy the holidays".

I then watched Viper leave with a smile before I had the chance to speak back. Once she had left, I grabbed Shifu's present and before leaving, I looked at the newly written symbols on my back, knowing that they would now be there forever. I seemed happy at this. At least I now knew where I belonged. I then tore my gaze from the mirror and headed off to find Shifu's room.

...

Fifteen chapters done already? How time flies. Thanks for the support everyone!

P.s. I've no idea what the Chinese writing on Viper's back actually mean so I made it up. I tried to find out online but with no success. Hope you don't mind. Cheerio.