Unfortunately the time came when Yinshen had to return to Gongmen city. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, this was meant to be a short visit after all. Still, I do wish that myself and Yinshen could have had more time to talk, but there'll always be another time right? It didn't stop me from walking her, as well as the superintendent and guards, to the front entrance of the Valley of Peace. It reminded me a bit of when she first left to fulfill the role meant for her, but at least this time she didn't walk away with several injuries. Just a smile on her face. We were maybe halfway through the village center when she decided to bring something up.
"You know, with all the excitement of my visit, I almost forgot to give you something".
I looked up at her as I traveled alongside her.
"When did you become the giving type"? I smirked.
"Meh, just a sudden change of heart I guess. One second".
I watched as Yinshen walked over to one of the guards carrying a rucksack full of supplies before asking to retrieve a certain item inside. I continued to watch as she reached into the bag and eventually pulled out something that remained hidden from my view since Yinshen kept them behind her as she walked back up to me. I felt a bit of worry from what this "gift" was going to be. Knowing her, it could be anything.
"Hope you like it".
She revealed the item behind my back. I honestly didn't know what to say as I looked at it. Staring right at me with lifeless painted on eyes was a miniature wooden version of myself. It looked a lot like an action figure. Was that what this thing was supposed to be?
"... It's... nice"? I questioned, finding it hard to use the right words to describe it as I awkwardly pulled it from her hand and stared at it. I suppose it was kind of cool seeing how it was based on me, humorous even. Especially since it came with a detachable toy tail blade. Heck, it even had the inscription on my back. Whoever made it had certainly given the figure a lot of detail and craftsmanship.
"Don't get too excited". Yinshen laughed as we continued our walk.
"Seriously though, thank you". I smiled back.
It didn't take that much longer before we reached the village edge. Seemed like it was time to depart again.
"Well, hopefully you won't forget to write, will you"? I teased.
"Oh don't worry. You can't get rid of me that easily".
I smiled and wrapped my tail around Yinshens shoulders before pulling her into a hug, which she was quick to return.
"Come on already! I'd prefer to be back at Gongmen city BEFORE next week"!
Yinshen and I glared at the superintendent. You'd have thought after everything, he would have learned to be at the least a little nicer. Clearly not.
"I still bloody hate that antelope". I whispered so the superintendent couldn't hear.
"No argument here".
Yinshen broke the hug.
"Farewell Master Mike".
And with that, the figures disappeared into the bamboo forest facing the front of the town. The only thing I had to remind me of her visit was the action figure she gave me which I still held in my tail. I finally left when I could no longer see sight of Yinshen or her convoy, retreating back up the steps, turning my back to the sun as it begun to set past the distant mountains.
It didn't take long before I was preparing to get some sleep. I needed a couple extra hours rest because of said visit, and I carried no doubt that Shifu was going to make us all train for twice as long since I was the only one who had to impress Wu. Speaking of which, he had granted me a permanent stay at the Jade palace. Though he didn't really have a choice in the matter since I had technically followed his orders to the letter. I only hope that I don't have to deal with him for a long time. For now however, I just yawned and slithered onto the soft bed in my room, happy with the outcome of the day. But even so, forty minutes had passed before I was interrupted by Viper slithering into the room. Judging by the look on her face, she was surprised to see me trying to get to sleep so early.
"Feeling sleepy"? She asked.
"A little, yeah. Anything I can help you with"? I replied, raising my head off the pillow.
"No, no thank you, I'm fine".
"... Are you sure"?
"Of course. Is there any reason why I shouldn't be"?
I wasn't too sure. The way her bottom lip quivered slightly showed me that there was something on her mind. Especially if you listened to her voice, you'd find that it didn't sound as enthusiastic as it normally did. You had to listen very closely to detect it, but it was there.
"I don't know. Is there"?
"... I... just guess I'm still a little anxious from earlier today".
"With Wu"? I snickered. Which proved to be a bad move on my part as a pillow flew into my face.
"It's not funny Mike"! She snapped, effectively shutting me up. "You could have been fired, and you're still treating it like a joke"!
"Viper"... I spoke up, becoming that much more serious, yet sympathetic. "... It's over now, and I'm still here. You've nothing to worry about".
Viper sighed.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. But next time, you shouldn't let insults about yourself get to you like that".
I frowned.
"Well to be honest Viper, I didn't throw that pie in his face because he insulted me per se".
"What do you mean"?
I rubbed the back of my head. "... I did it because he insulted Po and the five".
"... I don't think I follow".
I slithered off the bed and moved on over next to her with a half saddened expression on my face, mostly because of what she just said, about her not understanding.
"Look, Viper, I know that when I first came to the Jade palace I wasn't seen as the most lovable python. But, since time went on, you and the guys have been so... good to me. With you, something more, but that is truly how I feel about all of you. You guys gave me a roof over my head, gave me food to eat, a bed to sleep on, and more importantly, you even accepted me for me. The real me. And... that's something that I could never forget. You guys are more than just my friends. You're like a family to me".
"Woah... Mike, do you mean that"?
My eyes darted up to see Po peeking in through the doorway... Had he been there through the whole of that miniature speech of mine? Even so, I said nothing. Not until I slithered over to him, smiling as I did, placing my tail over his pudgy shoulder.
"How can I not? Especially when it comes to you Po. You have helped me more times than I can count". I stated truthfully, earning a heart warming smile from the lovable panda. "Besides, if you think about it this way, if you hadn't become enemies with Hundun, he would have never run into me and forced me towards the Jade palace all those months ago. So that means, in a way, you're the whole reason my life is the way it is now".
Po pondered upon this for a moment.
"Hey, you know, that is kind of awesome"! He exclaimed.
"Yeah. Hey, now that I think about it, I never really asked your perspective on why Hundun is so persistent on seeking revenge on you. Why is that"?
"Oh, well, do you know Tai Lung"?
I snorted.
"Oh believe me, I know about him".
"Well Hundun was one of a thousand guards meant to keep Tai Lung imprisoned. I... don't really know how it is he escaped, but in the end, he broke out of Chorgom, then, long story short, I bravely defeated him! After that, Chorgom was... sort of closed down, forcing Hundun out of a job".
"In which afterwards he tracked the Dragon Warrior down here at the Valley of Peace where Po taught him kung fu as well as the Five's weaknesses". Viper added with a small glare towards Po who tried his hardest not to meet her gaze.
"Anyway... after I stopped Hundun, his attack on the Valley of Peace was enough to convince the villagers that Chorgom was still needed, therefore reopening it".
"So wait, if he wanted to stop you, how is it you where able to teach him kung fu"?"Well at that point, he didn't really know who the dragon warrior was"..
"Which he strangely didn't catch onto until hours later since it was Dragon warrior day". Viper added in once more.
"So just to clarify". I spoke up. "The only reason Hundun wants revenge on you is because you defeated Tai Lung"?
"Well... Yeah"?
I have no words.
"I see".
A second of awkward silence passed.
"So... Guess I should... go now"... Po half smiled as he began to back out of the room, closing the door behind him, then finally disappearing out of sight, leaving me and Viper alone once more.
"So, Mike". Viper began with a small blush on her face. "If I recall correctly, you said I mean something more to you than the others. Do you mind telling me what that means"?
I smiled. Viper was a friendly and generous snake. But when she showed her pride, it made her seem somewhat out of character of which I found slightly amusing. Even so, I grasped her tail with mine. I found no hesitation when delivering my answer.
"Of course not Viper. To me... You are the reason why I get up in the morning, the reason why I fight. Every moment I spend with you are the moments I'll cherish forever. Even standing right here next to you makes my heart beat faster. Viper... you are my everything".
I had to admit, I was never really the romantic type, at least verbally, but it was clear that my words had touched her heart, She was smiling and... was she crying? Oh my God, she was. My words must had more of an impact than I had expected.
"Mike"... She barely choked out.
"Aw... come here Vipes".
I carefully pulled her into a hug and held her as she responded with the same motion, only tighter. Her head rubbed itself along the back of mine. At that moment, it felt as though we would have kept this embrace up for the rest of time. But the hug had to end, and it eventually did after what I was sure was a few minutes. When I smiled and looked back at Viper. It was clear that at least two tears had rolled down the sides of her face.
"Do you really mean that Mike"? She spoke after a moment of gazing into my eyes.
"... Yes. I really do mean that". I repeated. The next thing I knew, her lips were locked onto my own and she kissed me. She didn't seem to have any reason to be letting go just yet, so I just relaxed and kissed back. Though she seemed to do it a little more... lovingly than I had expected as her tail slithered across my back, pulling me closer, forcing my chest to be pressed up against hers. I was even sure I heard her moan to my surprise. When she broke it, her tail kept holding me in place as her head remained only an inch away from mine. That's when she spoke again.
"Mike"?
"Yes Vipes"?
A small blush appeared on her face.
"I... want you".
I smiled.
"I know you do Vipes. I want you in my life forever too".
I was surprised to see Vipers smile fade for a fraction of a second before returning. Next thing I knew, she slithered forwards. Her tail still surrounded me so I was forced into going the same direction as she did.
"No Mike, I mean"...
*BUMP* I looked round to see that I had just bumped into the side of the bed.
"...I WANT you".
Okay, now I was confused. What did she mean she wants me? And why is she talking in that sexy seductive voice, an- ... Oh...
...
OH!
Oh wow!
"Uh, Viper, are you sure about this? I mean... are you sure you've thought this out"? I asked gently, unsure whether to be for or against this... idea of hers. My response got Viper to make her grip on me tighten more.
"I have Mike. And I've never been so sure of anything in my life".
I looked in her eyes seeing nothing but determination and the respect held for me. I knew that if I said no, she would have respected my wishes and let go. But... if I'm to be honest to myself... I... Kind of wanted this to happen. It was only a matter of time after all. Six months together and we were still together. I suppose in hind sight, there really should be no reason why we can't... celebrate it. Right? So as nervous as I was, I put on the best smile I could muster and nodded.
Within seconds, we pulled each other up onto the bed and I gently removed her lotus flowers from the top of her head. While my chest remained pressed onto hers, I could feel her heart hammering against her rib cage, telling me that she was just as nervous. I don't know whether it was some kind of animal instinct or the adrenaline pumping through my body, but once I put her flowers under the bed, I drew closer to her mouth and kissed her on the lips.
At least I would have if I hadn't twitched, forcing me to shoot backwards.
The heck was that supposed to be?
I tried to gently lean in again, but... I couldn't. I literally couldn't! Something seemed to have me frozen in place! I felt as though ice was flowing through my veins. The only time I could remember feeling so cold was within that dream...
"Wha-"- *ACK*
I couldn't even speak. Right now, Viper had noticed that something was wrong. Something very very wrong!
"Mike"?
I begun spazzing. Or maybe I felt so cold I had begun shivering, I didn't know. And that feeling returned, the feeling that something was forcing its way up my throat. Vipers grip on my loosened and I fell off the bed, banging my head on the floor. I couldn't even exclaim in pain. I was just... the feeling, I felt so cold, the pain I felt was near numb. It did nothing to stop my spas/shivering. If I had any feeling of my mouth I could have sworn I was drooling, disgustingly enough...
So cold...
"MIKE"!
I couldn't move my eyes in her direction. I could only hear her yelling my name again and again, until she tried something else. How I wished I could have talked back, tell her what's wrong with me.
"J- Hold on, I'm going to get Shifu! Just, please hold on"!
Vipers form slithered past my eyes and she left out the front entrance. From there, as though her departure had done something, my body rose again, but not by my own accord.
"Two warriors of the Jade palace, in love with each other, have already succumb to such foul and dishonorable measures... Do you now see how far you have fallen? Paying loyalty to the ones you believe you care for will always lead to severe consequences"...
That voice! That was the same voice from a few days ago! My body turned to the window behind me, and I begun slithering towards it, despite how hard I tried to stop myself! What the hell was happening to me?
I opened the window.
"Come little python, let us go and... discuss the path towards your true destiny... Let me show you the role you are meant to take within China... For what the future holds for you shall leave you speechless, that I promise"...
...
Most of the last few paragraphs were inspired by a terrible cold I received today. Don't know whether to be happy or sad about that ^^
Anyway, in case anyone is wondering after reading this chapter, when is "A stitch in time going to be continued", I will start working on it again when I'm not feeling as though I'm dying, hopefully in a few days ^^ but until then, cheerio :)