Chapter 12

It only seemed like yesterday when Jian had come to terms with everything he had been feeling the past few weeks. Looking back at it now, everything was right there in front of him like an unwanted guest, and he tried everything in his power to avoid them, to shut that door, to push them away, but they would always come back, and he would push harder, until they pushed back, until the door blew open, and they waltzed in without wiping their feet.

Or maybe it was a high wall he was trying to climb, to get to the other side where Tigress was waiting for him, but the wall was covered with thorns that he had to avoid puncturing his skin at every reach, and he couldn't get past on his own...

That was until a rope was thrown down.

The outcome of it was unavoidable- he didn't want to talk about it, but someone was going to find out- but the aftermath was what he didn't expect; the others tried to keep his mind off of everything in their own little ways; Crane would invite him to do some calligraphy, Monkey would share his fresh batch of almond cookies, Mantis would sit with him and do some studying, and Viper would join him for meditation and tai chi, while Tigress would be awake, or would wake up to sit with him on those sleepless nights, and with a cup of tea, he was in good company. Something must of been mentioned to them, even though Tigress swore she had said nothing to them.

"Are you sure you didn't tell them anything about our talk?" He asked her one sleepless night.

"When have I ever lied to you?" That he couldn't argue with; she never did, and he wasn't sure if Oogway and Shifu ever found out about their talk at the peach tree, but Shifu started leaving him alone. He wasn't constantly on his case, or picking at every little thing he did wrong, but anytime they were in the room together, they would rarely talk- but that was nothing new.

When he grew tired of the same four walls, he would go to the village, every day. Tigress made sure he went on his own, and told the others it was something he needed to do, and no one would argue with her, which he was grateful to them for listening. Shifu never seemed to grow suspicious of his outings, but maybe it just meant he wasn't in the way, and it worked out in his favor too. He would spend his time in the Noodle Shop with Po on his break, or they would wander the Valley together, whether it was talking about Azure's foretelling, or just joking around and enjoying each others company. Over time, they had become closer, and always looked out for each other, and he could confidently say Po was a close friend.

Mr. Ping was delighted; every few days, Jian was on patrol in the early hours of the morning before the gong, Po would be up and have the kitchen set up for him, while making sure there was breakfast for him and Jian to enjoy before he went back for training, and when Mr. Ping would come downstairs, the place would be pristine, and everything would be in place. It took time before he took a liking to Jian for just his personality, he was a pleasure to have around, and he always came to check on him and Po when he was out and about.

However, the past few days Jian was nowhere to be seen, and when Mr. Ping asked Po about it, he told him that Jian was going on his first mission; he was seventeen now, and Shifu finally allowed him to go with Tigress and the others. "Will he be alright?" The goose asked worriedly.

"Of course Dad! This is Jian and the Furious Five we're talking about!" Mr. Ping was reminded of the battle of the weeping river as Po swept the area, and how it was a major success.

"Will it be something similar to that?"

"I'm not sure dad... but he'll be fine!" Mr. Ping waved his wing in dismissal, and turned to go back into the kitchen.

"If you say so son!"


Elsewhere...

Tigress motioned with an open palm, and the others joined her behind several crates, close to a building that reeked of danger. A cry for help came from a the wife of a constable in the neighboring village of Xitang Water Town. A collection of Ox's attacked the town, taking several hostages; some political representatives, and to prove a point, they took the Constable's daughter, and threatened to harm her if a ransom wasn't paid. The Constable promised a payment would be given, and while scrambling some funds, his wife made contact with the Masters.

"So what's happening?" Mantis asked as his eyes scaled the streets in front of them. There was nothing but silence all around, apart from several guards that stood by the doors.

"The Ox's have the hostages inside," Viper explained. "We have to sneak past them, and get everyone out safely... any ideas?"

Tigress watched looked ahead as the other tried to formulate a plan. Jian was kneeling beside her, copying her. His heart was pounding hard against his chest, and he almost felt like he was about to vomit, so he hadn't eaten in days, despite being warned that it wasn't a healthy habit. "Nervous?" She whispered, watching a smile sketch across his face briefly.

"A little," he replied, before shaking his head quickly. "Why am I excited about this?" He almost punched himself. This was serious! I shouldn't be feeling excited about this!

"I think you're confusing excitement with adrenaline."

"Ah, that explains it..."

"There's that, or that this is your first mission with us, and you want it to go right."

"But I'm with you guys... of course it will go right. I'm still reeling from the Battle of the Weeping River." Tigress shook her head at him, smiling. It was the talk of the village when they returned. "Sorry, I'm rambling, back to the mission." He looked around, trying to put a word in, and noticed there was a board walk that railed around the top of the building. "Maybe we can sneak in up there?" The other Master's looked up to where he was pointing, and saw one of the guards entering the building through a hatch in the roof.

"Well," Mantis said after a moment. "Waltzing through the door could mean trouble, so there's our entrance." Score. "But, we need to distract the guards outside..."

"On it," Monkey reached into his pocket, and took out a red jewel. "I asked Shifu if we could bring it, in case it came in handy..."


The guards rose to attention when they saw two shapes moving in towards them. The only light was over the doors in which they stood, so they couldn't see who it was. "Stay back," one of them said gruffly, as they rose their spears. But the shape moved in closer, and closer... a bunny? Downed in rags, pushed forward by another one of their henchmen. "What do you want?" One spat, looking down at the frightened rabbit, while the other two laughed at him.

"I have a message from the constable..." the rabbit ushered in a shaky tone. The Ox's could almost taste the fear in his voice, as he shakily rose his paws, which has a roll of parchment sitting in his palms.

With a rough swipe that nearly knocked the rabbit over, the Ox unraveled the page while the other two that stood on either side of him leaned in to read-

Swipe! Pounce! Thunk!

The trio was wiped out, hitting the ground with a thud. The rabbit stared on in shock as Monkey, Tigress and Jian moved off of their target, with Viper, Mantis and Crane moving into frame. "Run for cover, and stay safe." Viper whispered gently, to which the rabbit nodded and made a break for it, and she watched him vanish into the shadow's curtain as Monkey held a tight grip on the jewel, and was morphed into one of the guards, while Tigress and Jian dragged the unconscious scoundrels into a near-by bush. When they returned, Viper slithered onto Crane's back. "We'll see you two inside," she was speaking to Jian and Monkey, and he nodded at her quickly.

Mantis smiled at Jian as he leapt onto Tigress' shoulder. "You'll be fine kid, get those acting skills ready."


As Tigress and the others climbed onto the roof's balcony, Jian and Monkey stared at the door. It was so thick that they couldn't hear the state of the prisoners inside. He felt the hoof of Monkey's persona tapping his shoulder. "Sorry about this," and before Jian could ask why, he felt his whole body flying towards the door. Despite the surprise action, his arms were quick to raise and shield his face as he fell through the floor, elbows catching the wood, and tumbled inside as gracefully as it would be made possible.

Several rolls later, he could hear shouting, laughter, and grunts of frustration as he landed on his back, with pain vibrating through his muscles. Jian could almost hear Monkey's abrupt and quickened apologies, before he reopened his eyes, to reveal the leading Ox hovering over him.

"What do we have here?" Jian tried to roll away, but as he turned over, the Ox had him by the scruff, and threw him up onto his feet. "What have you brought us Bao-Jin?"

"The boy was poking his nose where he shouldn't be!" Monkey- or Bao-Jin, replied with spittle rolling carelessly off of his tongue. Jian's vision adapted to the dimly lit atmosphere between him and the leader. He was a revolting thing to capture in the eyes of the beholder; large bulbous green eyes, an equally large poisonous boil on the very front of his nose, and brown twisted horns to contrast his lighter shaded, portly body. Jian staggered back a few steps, nearly falling over as he rose both fists, ready to fight, before he noticed he was surrounded by many other Ox's, who jeered and cackled at him.

Jian's breathing became more shallow and he took a brief moment to study his surrounded, while playing off as the frightened victim. Prisoners loitered the place in shackles, makeshift cages, or bounded at tables by their wrists and feet. They all watched him in hopeless fear, all of them were animals of a wide variety; Pigs squealed at the sight of fire that they were teased with, geese and ducks clung onto each other desperately, and the few felines present tried to be brave and protect the others from their kidnappers that stood above them...

One of them being a petite, female snow leopard, downed in the finest jewelry and richest bright red and purple silks. Her arms were bound behind her back, her shoulders held firmly by two Ox's. The fear in her steel grey eyes were clear as day, but her face remained neutral through it all. The room's volume seemed to have fizzled out...

The volume returned abruptly as Jian felt himself being shoved towards this girl. The Ox's that had hold of her had let go, and before he knew it, Jian had his arms around this complete stranger, and he saw the confusion on her face as they hit the wall, much to the entertainment of the rest of the room. Stiffened rigidly, her face was hidden from them thanks to his height, but it granted them a chance to speak.

He said quickly, his awkwardness barely hidden under his concern. "Are you the constable's daughter?"

"Yes," she replied softly.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine." He let go and took a step forward, kept his arms in front of her protectively, looking back at the leader, with Bao-Jin behind him, clearly panick-struck. Jian briefly glanced upwards, to see a spiral where lights hung higher and higher as the steps climbed up to the hatch the other should've came through... was that a pair of eyes he saw up above? In that moment, the leader sucker-punched him in the jaw, which threw him against the wall again, the girl moving out of the way.

"Little Romeo has no time to rescue his Juliet." The leader cackled. The rest of his men laughed while Jian steadied himself. "No word from her Daddy Dearest, we will get what we want... one way, or another." He was swift to move forward, but Jian got back in his way, before the fiend could grasp the girl's throat. He stepped back a little, slightly taken aback. Jian's golden orbs narrowed almost dangerously, tail flickering. All the men in the room rose their weapons towards the young man, while the hostages pleaded not to hurt him.

"You will not harm her." Jian said bravely, and the men all laughed once more.

"Ha! Well then." AWK! Jian felt his clasp around his neck. Jian's eyes shrunk, and he felt paralyzed as the pressure became much heavier, and his breath only managed to crawl out of his mouth. "Stop me."

"He's just a child!" Someone pleaded, but his vision was getting blurry. "You can't hurt him!"

"Watch me!" This seemed to have frighten the damsel, but ignited her to leap for the leader. Bam! He stumbled back as Jian leaned back against the wall to steady himself.

The leader was caught by Bao-Jin, who in turn, and much to the other men's shock, spun him by the armpits, and struck half of them in a single clump, knocking them out instantly. The hostages watched in shock, yelling out when another handful were sacked to the ground by Tigress, Crane, Monkey, and Viper dropping on them, while Mantis hopped over the dazed bandits, and opened the doors. "Get out, quickly!" The hostages were on their feet, and running for their exit. Jian got his focus back, and he was up, grabbing the Constable's daughter by the paw briefly, ushering her to hurry. He watched as she ran ahead, out to where there was now a crowd of people waiting for, or with their loved ones to come out safely from the dimly lit building.

Monkey had knocked out the rest of the remaining bandits, and Crane gathered them up by chaining their wrists together. "Viper, you and Mantis make sure everyone's okay, and get medical attention to anyone whose been hurt." The serpent and bug both nodded and left, while Tigress, Monkey and Crane turned to Jian, who looked around uneasily as he stopped in front of the door, hearing the cheers coming from outside. "You okay?" He set his gaze back to them, with Crane's question still lingering in the air.

"Yeah... think that adrenaline's kicked in again." He had a hand around his throat almost ten seconds ago, everything just turned so quickly. He wasn't sure what the Ox was going to do to the girl, but it disturbed him at the thought of what he could've done if he didn't step in.

"But you did well," Tigress said. Her head tilted slightly while she waited for Jian to meet her gaze. When he did, his heart was still hammering painfully fast against his chest.

"Yeah!" Monkey added, surprised by the sound his voice. Everyone looked at him, almost forgetting he was still disguised as a Rhino. "Oh wait-" he gripped the stone, and in a flash- back to himself, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Not bad for your first mission. Be proud Jian!"

Jian smiled weakly, but soon noticed that Tigress' face suddenly dropped into a look of alertness. Jian was just about to ask what it was, but a sharp pain etched into his shoulder; the pain ripped across his shoulder blade, and in fight or flight mode, he round house kicked whoever was behind him; the leader was knocked clean out, with the force catching him square in the mouth, but the words in Jian's throat were starting to choke him as he hit his knees hard on the floor. Tigress ran for him, while Monkey leaped for him and caught him before his fell forward.

"Don't move!" Jian froze stiffly at Tigress' voice, but his muscles tensed and he grunted, only to roar with pain as Monkey took the dagger out. The pain rose like a high tide, and it quickly starting to grow too much for him.

"I got it! I got it!" He heard the primate cry, the knife dropping to the floor with a metal clank, but Jian's eye lids started drooping, and he felt someone cradle his face, and Tigress was in his line of vision.

"Stay with me Jian," her voice came out in a wisp, a bubble in the surface of water as he conscious state began to wither away. He felt his body being gently moved, before being suspended evenly...


When his eyes slowly fluttered open, the pain was more bearable. His head hurt, his body felt heavy. Rolling his head to the side, he glanced down to find himself alone in a hospital room; nothing fancy, just his bed, a dresser with a washing basin and jug against the wall. A cabinet was on the other, and the sun shone brightly through the open window, and onto his paw that lay limp by his side. He tried to sit up, but that pain was back again, but not as horrific as it was before. He eyed his shoulder to see it, and his upper chest mummified. Confusion was written across his face briefly, before his brain reminded him of what occurred before he passed out.

But where is Tigress and the others? He thought to himself as he stared down at his lap. Did the hostages make it out okay?

"You're up." His angled his head, and exhaled softly with relief, he could barely notice his breath as it passed his lips. Tigress and Crane peeked in through the door. Crane was almost week with relief to see him trying to sit up again, but Tigress, with her thoughts well wrapped up, made a move towards the bed to help him sit up. A groan echoed from his throat as he tried not to strain his muscles, and swung his legs over the side of the cot.

"I'm breathing." Jian tried to make a joke. "I'm assuming Shifu wants me around a little longer then?"

Crane laughed, before leaving on the account that he would let the others know he was okay. When he was out of an earshot, he turned his attention onto Tigress, who marched back over to the door. "It's going to leave a scar... right?"

"Most likely..." closing the door, she prompted a question- "are you worried it will?"

Jian moved the shoulder that wasn't bandaged up in a shrugging motion, keeping a neutral facade. "Maybe." It was on the back of his shoulder, so he wouldn't have to see it. Maybe his fur will grow over it and it can hide it; but maybe it'll be cool to show off to the villagers when he got home; to show Po how the mission went. A weird flex, but what else would be its purpose? "You okay?" He asked after the silence grew.

Tigress' nodded as she closed in on him again. "Yes... but you're the patient. I should ask you that."

Jian cracked a smile as she sat on the chair by his bed. "I'm just keeping you on your toes." They both laughed, before he felt his mouth fall back to a flat line. "Did you tell my mom? Does she or Az know?"

"Not yet. Viper's writing a letter-"

"Don't."

"Why not?"

"I don't want them to worry about me." His mother had sent many letters following any other injuries he had; a dislocated shoulder here, a broken leg there... the usual, but she would nearly pass out with worry. He wasn't willing to talk to her unless he absolutely needed to- this was something she should be told about, but he can tell her in person, "and I don't want her blaming someone else for my screw up."

"It wasn't your fault." He glared a her softly.

"But it isn't yours either," anytime he took a tumble, or hurt himself in training, he made sure that everyone knew it wasn't her negligence that caused it; he was always to blame for his own mistakes.

Tigress was about to reply, but a abrupt knock invaded their conversation, and Tigress got up again to open the door, taking whatever she was going to say with her. Jian leaned forward a little as the door opened. His heart hammered hard against his chest, and he could feel it pulsing through his head...

It wasn't his mother, nor his sister. It was the Constable's daughter. Cradling a small parcel in her arms, she thanked Tigress softly, before looking at him. Gosh, in the daytime her eyes were prettier then ever; they were bright, and her pupils protruding the iris, almost done delicately, like the line carved into the design of... maybe he shouldn't think of weapons right now.

"I wanted to thank you Master Jian," she said, walking towards him. Tigress had walked out the door, arms crossing over one another behind her back. The girl must of requested a moment with him- alone. Shoot, why did Tigress agree? Jian, who was still bewildered, observed as she bowed to him, her knees slowly touching the floor, and pressed the gift onto his lap. "For protecting me, and the villagers." Jian watched as she kept her head down, before he reached down to open one of the parcels. When she looked back up, he was unfolding the pile of dark blue silk, to reveal a robe. Outlined in black, and tied together with a white silk belt to match.

"My lady..." he breathed.

"Please take it," she smiled gracefully. "My father would appreciate it greatly... as would I." She stood up, and then added softly, "and there's not need to call me that."

Jian smiled back, his brain going into panic mode. What should I say? "Then can I get your name?"

Her smile became more... alluring. "Xiu."

...

"Very fitting." Jian couldn't stop the words leaving his mouth, and could feel his cheeks burning. Was it getting warm in here?

Xiu laughed. "Thank you... again." That was when she leaned forward, and kissed him- oh so gently, on the cheek. "I hope to see you again soon." Her whisper hung above him as he watched her leave, thanking someone outside the room, before her footsteps padded down the hall. Jian paid no attention to whoever came in, but he stared down at the robe in his paws, caressing the fabric with both thumbs, smiling to himself... before he heard someone clear their throat, and he saw Monkey, Mantis, Viper and Crane, smirking alongside Tigress, whose eyebrows were arched in amusement.

"Shut up." He muttered.

Monkey shrugged. "Didn't say anything."

"Didn't have to," before they all laughed at him.


Two days later...

"Do you think something happened Shifu?" Oogway asked.

"No." Shifu felt the air enter his lungs as he kept an eye out for any messenger birds. Master Oogway stood a few metres behind him at the entrance to the Sacred Hall of Warriors.

The sun had long come out, a hung high above them on this fine day. Oogway received word that the mission was a major success; all the hostages made it out safely, but a report was made that Jian was injured, and at the time they got the scroll, he was recovering after being stitched up, no sign of waking up yet. Not that he should be alarmed, but he had heard no word of him coming around from his unconscious state. They should've been home almost six days ago...

Maybe something did happen? Shifu tried to shake off the thought. Don't be stupid, he thought critically. Everything's okay. Jian was okay, and Sying doesn't have to worry...

"He's not ready."

He was sure that it was too soon for Jian to go on his first mission, but Oogway had said that they should have complete faith in Tigress and the others that it going to be fine, and he was silly enough to believe it- it just meant that he was out of his way for a few days, nd if he were to come back hurt, it was surely nothing but a scratch compared to what the boy had been through before. He would've been told otherwise if it was life-threatening...

Then why was he so agitated?

"I hear someone," Oogway spoke in time, and he was right; there was a shuffling of footsteps gaining in on them. Shifu limped over to the first step; the anxiousness died instantly to see...

Tai Lung.

Tigress and Monkey close behind him, climbing up the last ten steps. What are they doing?

"Master." He looked back up sharply to see Crane landing beside him, with Viper and Mantis on his back. They bowed to both him and Oogway respectfully, but Shifu's gaze was straight back at his former pupil as they were soon eye-to-eye. They were on his side now, as Tigress watched on intently, as Monkey and the others glanced at one another.

Shifu could feel his chest tighten. Tai Lung was standing right in front of him, they had to warn the valley-

His mind was messing with him; Jian had gotten taller since he last saw him; now towering over him, those eyes pierced straight into his heart, but he couldn't look away, no matter how much it stung. He was looking more and more like his father everyday, whether he liked it or not. He was wearing a blue robe Shifu had never seen before, but it briefly distracted his attention from the three rows of bandages that stretched across his chest.

The red panda swallowed uneasily, but managed to remain poised as Jian dipped his head respectfully to Oogway, who was smiling from what Shifu saw in a quick glance behind him. Clearing his throat, he dismissed Tigress and the others, and left him, Oogway and Jian close together.

"First battle scar?" Oogway said with a small chuckle, to which Jian laughed at.

"Mantis said I'll be back at training in another few weeks." He stared back down at Shifu, whose eyebrows furrowed a little.

"The report was received by us during your resting period... well done on your first mission."

What surprised him next was the scoff that came from Jian's mouth, "and you said I couldn't do it."

"Inaccurate judgement on my part," Shifu replied bluntly. "You proved yourself."

"Which I solemnly swear that I will forever and always continue to do so." Jian glared at Shifu. "I can't rid of the reputation my father has graced me with, but I, now and forever, will wear this scar, and show this Valley, that you were wrong. I can do it." And with that, he turned on his heel, and walked back down the steps. He hadn't time to see Po and tell him how the mission went.

He had to rub his victory into Shifu's face first.


Xiu- fine, beautiful.

And here is chapter 12 at long last! Been off work this week and had intention to get this chapter wrapped up earlier this week, but I got back into reading, and had several books just begging to be finished.

Hope everyone's safe and sane during quarantine, and I hope you've spent the free time you have/had discovering new hobbies, enjoying some old ones, and most importantly, looking after yourself 3

Chapter 13 coming asap! Don't forget to leave a review!