Dangerous Wolf


Po looked around as his crossed legs bounced on the ground. His fingers formed rings on his lap, but he still felt on edge sitting in the Hall of Heroes. The glossy floors cooled Po's fur, but not his anxious twitching. Sitting beside him, Shifu opened his eye a little. "I'm sorry!" Po exclaimed, "But I thought we were going to... you know... train. You know, weights and running and stuff like that. Don't you like torturing me?" Shifu glared at the panda. "I mean... don't you want to... train me?" Po sheepishly grinned.

"Panda, strength is like an umbrella... actually that's not the best analogy," Shifu stroked his beard. "It's like making a dish. There are different ingredients, all having different tastes. It's when they're combined that they have the best outcome."

"Woooooww! You totally just blew my mind," Po said in awe. Shifu smirked and closed his eyes again.

"From what I've heard," He continued, "You've already taken it upon yourself to train your body physically. If that's the case, your body needs rest. It needs to heal."

"Which is why we're doing this?" Po asked. Shifu nodded.

"Meditation helps with emotional strength. Our thoughts are often charged with emotions. Taking control of our emotions helps us better understand our thoughts and ourselves."

"Awww man!" Shifu's eyes shot open, looking at the upset panda. "So I have to be like Tigress? Totally devoid of emotion?" Po asked in a huff.

Shifu cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... I don't mean that Tigress isn't caring or has feelings. H-her anger definitely shows it," Po nervously chuckled. "I'm just saying that... other than a small smile or a pat on the shoulder, she's your star pupil on controlling feelings, right? No emotion or earthly attachments? So I have to have no feelings, too, right?"

"I never... does she tell you this?" Shifu asked incredulously.

Po rubbed the back of his neck. "Not in... not with... words. I mean, sure she's awesome and hardcore as ever, but... Okay, great example. I asked her whether it's okay for masters to like each other or be a relationship."

"Like Crane wants with Viper?"

"Yes just like," Po's head snapped to his master. "WAIT! You knew! HOW?"

The red panda chuckled, "Po, I'm not blind. I can see when someone's in love."

"Are you sure? Because there are times when I pass by and you don't see me coming." Shifu narrowed his eyes and gave a small grunt. "But but but but! I was just saying uh..."

"What does this have to do with Tigress?" Shifu recovered.

"Well, she... she said it would be a distraction. That it would put the people they love in danger and that people... change if they're in a close relationship with someone," Po sighed, staring at the ground. "So... she said it would be better if they just focused on Kung fu and not on 'earthly attachments'."

"I didn't know she thought that way," Shifu said, making Po look at him.

"Really? I thought you taught her that."

"Maybe," Shifu breathed out, "Maybe I taught her without explicitly saying those words." The red panda sighed heavily. "Po, you're going to have emotions either way. Meditation helps you to look AT your emotions, not be attached to...not to let them control... ugh, this is hard to explain for you."

"Master?"

"Let's say it like this," Shifu bounced back, "Meditation doesn't help you make bread without mistakes. It helps you to make the bread without caring about the mistakes. It helps you focus on serving the customer instead of caring what the customer is saying for you, about you, or against you. It doesn't control your emotions. It allows your emotions to be while you aren't affected by them. So you can feel hunger, but not be driven mad because it's just a feeling. It comes and goes."

"So... I can still be happy."

"Po," Shifu chuckled, "You decide what emotion you choose to indulge in. That's control. And meditation helps to... give a new perspective on how you relate to your emotions. Something I don't know if Tigress has learned fully." His words landed heavier than he intended. While Po studied his master's face, Shifu shook out of his fretful mind. "Now, let's try and get back to meditation."

"O-Okay." The two were doing fine until a thought came into Po's mind that made him bounce his leg again.

"Po, what is-"

"It's about the wolf."

Shifu tore his eyes open and snapped his head to the panda. He quickly cleared his throat. "Po, I'm sure that the prisoner is-"

"Not that. I'm talking about the guards. Mr. Three and Mr. Four should have been here by now."

"Maybe they weren't there. Or maybe the guards gathered reinforcements. Either way, you shouldn't be worried."

"But it's been a whole week since we got attacked by Sho. We should have heard something by now."

"They should be-" Shifu stopped and glared into a dark part of the room. "I'm sorry. I've been... What I mean is they should be coming any minute."

"Are you okay, Master Shifu?" Po asked. "You're more twitchy than me."

"I've... I've been hearing noises ever since the prisoner came here. Even Mantis has noticed it."

"Maybe you're just overacting."

"I hope so, Po," Shifu sighed. "I really hope so."

The night sky slowly fell on their side of the earth, and Po was walking past the Hall of Heroes when he heard a low groan.

No, a howl. "That can't be good." The panda rushed into the Hall of Heroes and followed the howling. "Only one person can make that noise." Po bolted down to the dungeon where he found Mantis resting against the rocky wall while the wolf anxiously flinched in his sleep. His legs kicked the air as he rested on his side. His teeth glistened in the gloomy torchlight. His growls turned into whimpers and whines. Po quickly grabbed a blanket and a stick and poked the wolf's leg. "Come on, come on doggie, doggie. Wait, am I really saying that to this guy?"

Suddenly, the wolf jolted up, shifting his head around. Panting, his eyes focused on Po. "Hey, hey, easy. It's just me. I heard you howling, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay." The dog was still gasping for air. His breathing eased as Po gave him the blanket. The wolf's eyes widened. He sniffed the blanket and then deeply inhaled it. "It's not the warmest thing, but..." The wolf rubbed his face against the blanket. A small smile grew on his face, and he snuggled in it. He looked at Po with that smile. Somehow, Po nodded, knowing that he was saying thank you. "You're welcome." He looked back at Mantis, still snoring in his corner.

Po sighed and sat down. "I need to know something. Well, a lot of some things, actually." The wolf slowly nodded. "Is there a reason why you're a criminal?" The wolf looked at the stone ceiling in thought and shook his hand in the air. "So so?! That's not an answer. Ugh, fine. Okay, what about your strength? Why do you want me to keep a tight lip?" The wolf tilted his head and rose his eyebrow. "I mean, why did you save us?"

Wolf stood up, grabbed an imaginary hammer, and lifted it onto his shoulders, taking large steps. "Uhhhhhh... Sho! You want to protect us from Sho?" The wolf nodded. "Wow, that makes sense. I guess. If he knows you're here... I get it. Okay, then... who are you? I mean dah! Right, can't answer those questions. Wait, can you talk?" Wolf nodded. "Okay...why don't you talk?" The dog sighed with a small sideways smile. Po facepalmed himself. "Right. Right. Ugh... I wish I could figure out who you are." The wolf shook his head. Then Po's eyes lit up. "Wait! You're a mysterious criminal, right?" The wolf slowly nodded. "We have records of bad people down in the criminals' records, I could figure out there and-"

The wolf vigorously shook his head.

"Why not?" Po asked. The wolf pointed to the slumber bug. "Mantis?... My friends." The wolf nodded. The panda narrowed his eyes. "But I have to know TO protect my friends. I can't protect them if I don't know anything."

"Grrr," The wolf warned.

"Guh! Why does everyone keep secrets from me?" Po grumbled. "I'm the Dragon Warrior. I'm supposed to know stuff!" The two glared at each other, each trying their best to get the other to understand. And each miffed that they couldn't. Po sighed, "Alright fine." The wolf nodded and laid down to sleep. "But just the fact you're here already means we're in danger." The wolf didn't move. "You know that."

"Hrm," He was right. The wolf couldn't deny that. The dog rolled over to face Po.

"What should I do?" Po pled. The wolf shut his eyes, probably picturing something from a far-off past. Or maybe he was trying to picture himself in Po's shoes. The panda couldn't tell. Once Wolf opened his eyes, he pointed to Po's arms. "My arms? You mean... get stronger?"

"Hm," Wolf nodded. Though blinking in confusion, the panda slowly nodded back.

"I will."

"Hma han? Where're the lemons?" Muttered the sleeping bug. Po sighed and shook his head.

"I have to go. Sleep tight, Wolfie. Oops! I didn't mean to... is it okay if I call you Wolfie?" The wolf smiled easily and nodded. "Nice! Alright, see you." With that, Po shuffled up the stairs and nearly got past the kitchen when he heard a small voice.

"Po."

"Huh? Tigress?" Po looked inside. The tiger had her hands folded in front of her mouth, and she peered into Po's flabby soul. The panda's eyes darted around the room and would not meet the tiger's. "W-what are you doing up so late?"

"Where were you?"

"Uhhhhh why do you ask?" Po grinned nervously. Tigress gave a long sigh.

"I know you were with the prisoner, Po."

"Oh... wait how long did you-"

"I heard your voice when I was patrolling. All I heard was, I will." Her amber eyes burned right through any disguise that Po hoped to have. She stood up and walked towards the stiff panda, crossing her arms. "So... what were you talking to the wolf about?"

"N-Nothing. He just... he just looked cold and," He finally sagged his shoulders as he told the truth. "He was howling and... I went down there to make sure everything was okay."

"He attacked Mantis?"

"What?! No! Of course not!" Po said. "You think I would be this calm if he did?"

The tiger held her tongue. "What was happening?"

"He was... having a nightmare," Po gave off a small chuckle. "I can relate."

"What does that mean?" Po lifted his head and squarely looked at Tigress.

"Tigress, why are you so worried?"

"I...I don't want the prisoner to harm you, Po." It sounded practiced and stilted, almost like a child reciting a poem. The panda crossed his arms.

"You're hiding something."

"I could say the same for you."

"You know I don't hide stuff very well."

"Hm." Tigress couldn't argue with that. But, "There's always a first."

"Geez, Tigress!" Po exclaimed. "I'm not doing anything. And you don't have to worry so much about the wolf." Tigress blocked his way.

"Then why do I not believe you?"

"I don't know," Po argued, "It's been a theme lately...Oops."

Tigress's eyes widened only to narrow into angry slits. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I...I... I didn't mean to-"

"Are you saying that I don't trust you?"

"I... well... do you?" Po asked timidly.

"Of course, I do, Po." Her teeth flashed in the dim light. "Why would you think I wouldn't?"

"Because it doesn't seem like anyone trusts me to do the right thing here," Po said in a small temper. The tiger fell silent. "If you trust me, why do you guys act like I'm the baby here? Do you think I don't know how dangerous this guy is? Of course, I do, Tigress! I don't want anyone of you to get hurt!" Po glared at the floor. "And I can't believe you don't even trust me."

"Po-"

"I'm... I'm going to bed." The panda walked right to his bedroom without another word.

Continued...