Chapter 16: Sleeping Beauty and Yellow Roses

I skipped the showdown because I'd have to go over it word for word (I'm a stickler like that) and that would've dragged the chapter on for too long. And yes the chapter is short, but I did say a while back that there's no word limit for these stories. I'm the type who'll write a couple thousand words, and this chapter is a couple thousand. So please, no complaining.

By the way, I used the original version of the The Princess and the Pea. It's quite interesting.

Valerie felt like she was the princess of the story The Princess and the Pea. Whatever she was sleeping on felt like twenty beds stuffed with goose feathers, an absolutely luxurious feeling. Unlike the story, she couldn't feel the pea underneath all the mattresses. If Valerie were actually in the story, she would have been revealed as a commoner.

She snuggled deeper into the softness, letting it completely envelop her…then she heard a funny whining sound. It was getting louder and louder. She frowned and tried to go back to the sweet darkness that was sleep, but she was losing it. The overstuffed mattresses were getting harder and harder-maybe there was a pea underneath…

"…al….up…wake…up….Val wake up!"

Valerie forced her eyes to open a crack. Bright light filtered through the sleep cloud that covered them, and she forced them shut. She blinked a few times, her vision clearing. She shifted her head so that she was staring into five concerned faces.

"She really did have a head injury," Jermaine said disbelievingly.

"No shit Sherlock," Valerie mumbled without any bite. She was too disoriented.

"Need any help getting up?" Clay asked, since he was the gentleman of the group.

"…no…"

"…Then why aren't you getting up?"

Valerie flipped over to the side and huddled into a ball. "Don't wanna."

"Val, you're on the ground," Kimiko pointed out.

"It's comfy."

"You're on the ground in New York."

""'s comfy…."

"You're on the ground in Queens," Jermaine piped up.

Valerie turned her head and glared at them. "If I get up, can I go to sleep?"

"We'll discuss that when you get up," Raimundo chided her, giving her a patronizing look. Muttering vile Spanish curses under her breath, Valerie got up, brushing the dirt off her.

"Happy now?" she snapped.

"Yeesh, girl's gonna bite," Dojo joked. "Don't worry, you'll be back at the Temple soon." He was enlarging himself, turning into the ferocious transportation dragon he was.

Jermaine's jaw dropped slightly. "That's freaky."

"You get used to it," Valerie said flatly as she climbed onto Dojo. The pain in her head was coming back sharper than ever. She was wincing, every little sound echoing in her head. Sweet Lord, this was painful! Why weren't they going back to the Temple? Almost everyone was on Dojo by now.

…Everyone except Omi. Ah. He wanted to say goodbye to his new friend. That made sense. But the pain in Valerie's head felt like a woodpecker was hitting her brain, so she really didn't care. Why couldn't she go back to sleep already?

Valerie closed her eyes and begged for darkness.

When Valerie opened her eyes, she was in the Temple's recuperation center tucked into a warm, clean, actual bed.

…Huh.

She tried to get up, but the sheets she was tucked into restrained her movement. It was like trying to get out of a straight jacket. Valerie flumped back onto her pillow, blowing air out a nearly closed mouth. Well, this was annoying.

"Oh, you're up?" It was Chan, the temple's resident nurse. Except she was only wearing Xiaolin monk robes, so she didn't look like a nurse at all.

"I'm up," Valerie said, her voice scratchy from sleep. "Who won the Showdown?"

"We did. We got a lot more Shen Gong Wu now. You probably didn't know that, since you were unconscious and all."

Valerie gave the nurse a look. "What happened afterward, anyway?"

"You fell asleep and the others tried waking you up." Chan gave a sardonic smile. "What they didn't know is that with concussions you're supposed to let the injured person sleep it off. Especially if they have only a slight concussion like you."

That would explain the minimal amount of pain. "What happens now?"

"You take some painkillers and take a day off to rest. That's all you really need." Chan held up a glass of water and two aspirin tablets.

"Where did you pull those out of?"

"Shut up and take your medicine." Chan put the pills on Valerie's mouth. She then lifted her head and put the glass to her lips. Valerie drank, swallowing down the aspirin easily.

Once the glass was mostly empty, Valerie asked, "What day is it?"

"Oh, it's the same day, just a few hours later." And then Chan left, leaving Valerie to fall asleep again.

The Next Day

Valerie no longer felt like the princess in The Princess and the Pea. In fact, she downright hated sleeping on overstuffed mattresses. They were hard to get out of in the morning, and since she slept through the aspirin, Valerie felt groggy waking up.

Chan was there at the desk, writing something. "Oh, you're up?" she asked blithely. "Good. Your day of bed rest is over. Get your butt out of bed and get ready for lunch."

Valerie blinked; she slept that much? The medicine must have really knocked her out. She looked over to the side, where her monk robes were. "Do I get a shower?"

"If you can make it back to the dorms, yeah. Oh, and if you still experience any head pain, come back here. Some more aspirin should do the trick."

"You're not a very good nurse."

Chan snorted. "Please, you think my personality is refreshing."

"I wouldn't know. I don't go to hospitals often."

"I didn't ask for your life story. Are you leaving or not?"

Valerie got out of bed-when did she change into her pajamas? - and left. She didn't see her friends anywhere; they must have been in the morning classes. If she hurried, she could meet the others for lunch and enjoy the short afternoon break with them.

Showering did wonders for her-Valerie could feel the effects of the painkillers gliding off her. She felt refreshed putting on her uniform. She even used her own hair dryer for her hair.

Valerie walked to the mess hall while braiding her hair-it saved time that way. She was giddy to see how the others would react. She knew obviously; smother her in hugs, as was there nature. Still, after her stint in the Temple's hospital, it would be nice to be loved like that.

Master Fung was the only one at the table when Valerie arrived. "I see you are well again, Valerie," Master Fung said calmly. He was smiling though.

"I feel like a million bucks," she said happily, plopping into her usual spot. "Where are the others?"

"Right now they should be washing up," the master said. "They were most worried about you. They will be happy to see you out of bed."

"I bet it'll surprise them to see me up." Valerie smiled.

"I'm sure it will."

At that exact moment, there was a sound like a herd of elephants marching. Valerie cringed. Did she and the others sound like that when they came in for meals? The sardonic look on Master Fung's face said yes.

The door burst open and the Xiaolin monks-in-training poured in. They all stopped short when they saw a healthy Valerie sitting at the table.

She waved. "Hi."

Instantly they were on her, giving her a big bear hug from all sides. "I CAN'T BREATHE!"

Instantly they let go, sheepish looks on their faces. "Valerie! I am most pleased to see you awake!" Omi trilled happily.

"Yeah, girl, you missed a rousing session of math this morning," Raimundo said in mock seriousness.

"We were wondering if you were ever gonna wake up," Clay admitted.

"We started calling you Sleeping Beauty behind your back," Kimiko revealed without a trace of malice. Dojo, draped over her shoulders, said:

"We were about to draw straws on who'd get to wake you up."

Valerie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I bet Eric would approve of that."

"Don't bring Ironman into this," Raimundo said, shuddering.

"While I am glad you are healthy once more, I am rather disappointed in you," Omi admonished her. "You missed a most exhilarating Showdown. Jermaine has the potential of becoming a great Xiaolin Warrior."

"He was okay in the Showdown?" Valerie asked rhetorically. It made sense, now that she thought about it. Jermaine had said he was good at basketball, and Jack's challenge had been a basketball match.

"Boy was great!" Clay said, not getting the rhetoric part.

"Valerie will still be here after you eat, young monks," Master Fung said loudly, pointing out something important.

Thoroughly admonished, Omi said for everyone: "You are right, Master Fung. We will tell Valerie of my amazing b-ball skills later."

At afternoon break

"Rai, why are you putting milk into Clay's hat?" Valerie asked as she flicked through her Robin Cook novel.

"Because."

"…Seems like a silly idea if you ask me."

"Ah, but I didn't ask you," Raimundo pointed out as he continued to pour milk into Clay's cowboy hat. "Therefore, the idea isn't silly."

Annoyed at the logic, Valerie went back to her book, vaguely overhearing what was going on.

"Raimundo, are you sure Clay wants us to put milk in his hat?" Omi asked guilelessly.

"Of course," Raimundo lied. He threw the empty milk jug with the other empty glasses. "Remember, if the hat doesn't hold ten gallons, he gets to return it for a free one." Valerie snorted through her nose. It was so easy to trick gullible Omi.

Omi took a look at the liquid inside the hat. "But why does it have to be milk?"

"Cowboys, cow milk."

"Yep, makes perfect sense Rai," Valerie said sarcastically from the corner. Raimundo stuck his tongue at her.

"Milk comes from cows too?" Omi asked incredulously. "We get ours from mountain goats here."

"Hey fellas!" the familiar voice of the resident cowboy called out. Valerie busied herself with her book so Clay wouldn't think she had anything to do with the prank.

Clay gave a shout; he must have seen the hat. And then Omi said, "Only nine and a half gallons! You get a free hat!"

At that point, Valerie had to look up from her book.

Clay pointed a righteous finger at Rai. "Raimundo!" he snarled.

"Think fast!" Raimundo threw the milk hat at Clay. He caught it, splashing cow milk on him. He growled as Raimundo set off running with one angry cowboy after him.

Valerie marked the page of her book and shut it. "Wanna see Clay tear Raimundo to shreds?"

"Clay can tear people apart?" Omi asked bemusedly.

"It's an expression, Omi," Valerie said. "Basically, Clay's gonna beat Rai up."

"Oh, I get it!" the little monk said cheerfully. "That would be a most suitable revenge."

"Come on, let's go!" Valerie and Omi ran after Clay, who was huffing and puffing and yelling mean things at Raimundo. They could see the Brazilian boy running on the ceiling and landing. And then they saw Raimundo throwing flowerpots at Clay.

"When does the beating up start?" Omi asked when the two stopped. At that point Raimundo crashed into Master Fung-how the master didn't fall was beyond Valerie- with Clay catching up.

…For some reason, Clay was wearing a bamboo skirt with a green leafy plant over his head. Valerie was pretty sure lipstick was on him too.

"Sweet yella rose of Texas, boy!" Another cowboy had appeared, only this one much older than Clay. He was dressed in cowboy boots, jeans with a large tan belt and an oversized belt buckle. He had on a crisp white button up with a blue vest and a bolo tie with a star on it. Like Clay he had a cowboy hat on his head, but instead of a baby face he had a brown handlebar mustache. He looked disapprovingly at the blonde, who stared at the older man in disbelief.

"Daddy?"

"Say what?" Raimundo asked from the floor.

"We're having another parent episode?" Valerie asked out loud. When no one answered, she added, "Yeah, sure, why not. It'll be interesting."

During the tour

Walking through the gardens, Master Fung said, "We are most honored to have such a famous cattleman visit the Xiaolin Temple."

Omi turned to Mr. Bailey and happily asked, "Do you know they make milk from cows?" Kimiko, who was right next to him, had a slightly disgusted look on her face.

"Uh, yeah," Mr. Bailey said slowly, "I reckon I did." He turned to his son. "It's a mighty pretty Temple, Clay, but it don't look like the kind of training I had in mind when I let you come here." He gestured to some of the elder monks who were doing Tai Chi in a corner of the garden.

Valerie raised an eyebrow. "No offense Mr. Bailey, but the Xiaolin Temple is in the heart of China. What other kind of training would there be?"

"Something other than Tai Chi," Mr. Bailey answered politely.

"Daddy, there's more to it than-"

Mr. Bailey interrupted his son. "I think its high time Clay went back to the ranch." He looked at the blonde as if daring him to object.

"But the quest of the Shen Gong Wu is important!"

"More important than listenin' to your daddy?"

"Yeah, I'd say so," Valerie piped up.

Mr. Bailey slowly turned to her and said, "You're a pert young lady, aren't ya?"

She crossed her arms and cocked her head. "If it makes you listen to what others have to say, then yes."

Everyone sucked in a breath-except for Master Fung and Mr. Bailey, who looked at her with a single eyebrow raised. Valerie looked coolly at Mr. Bailey; she wouldn't be cowed by this overbearing father figure. She hated adults who thought that just because they were older they could control anyone younger than them. Her parents had strung her along like that all her life; there was no way she was going let Clay be controlled like this by his own father.

"Didn't your parents ever teach you manners?" Mr. Bailey asked in an amused tone.

Valerie shrugged. "No, my uncle did. He also taught me to stand up to people like you."

"Stand up to people like me?" Mr. Bailey parroted back. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She blinked. "Seriously? You can't see it?"

Master Fung chose that moment to step in. "I believe what Valerie is doing is voicing the consensus of the group. They do not want Clay to leave. But the Xiaolin Temple has always taught the young to respect their elders, so if you wish for Clay to leave, then-"

"Watch it, we got a hot one!" Dojo came slithering through with the Ancient Scroll in his hands. When he saw Mr. Bailey, he said, "Nice thing-a-ma-bob." He pointed to the star emblem on his bolo tie.

"That's the Lone Star of Texas," Clay explained proudly. "Been in the family for generations."

"It's been passed from daddy to son," Mr. Bailey continued.

"You know, it looks kind of familiar," Dojo said. "I think I've seen one just like it."

"Dojo, the Shen Gong Wu," Master Fung pointed out.

"Huh? Oh, right." Dojo opened the Ancient Scroll and the swirling blue window appeared.

"Ah, the Orb of Tornami," Master Fung said. The stick figure had a little ball in its hand. Water began pooling out of the ball and flooding the picture. "A small mouth packs a mighty flood."

"How do you make that little cartoon feller move like that?" Mr. Bailey asked puzzled.

"Magic," Valerie said. Mr. Bailey turned to look at her. "I'm not kidding."

"This is perfect!" Clay said excitedly. "Daddy can come along for a Shen Gong Wu roundup! Then you'll see why I gotta stay here."

"And you can teach me the ancient secret of making milk from cows!" Omi said cheerfully to Mr. Bailey. The older man looked at him strangely before turning back to his son.

"When do we leave?"

"As soon as we can!" Everyone turned to run back to the dorms. Valerie was going to, but Master Fung put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. Mr. Bailey went to follow his son, leaving the two alone.

"I do not think it is wise for you to go on this Showdown, Valerie," Master Fung said. "You have only recently gotten out of the hospital. It would not do to send you back so quickly."

Valerie rubbed her head sheepishly. "I guess I got caught up in the moment."

"Also, there is the matter with Clay's father," Fung said seriously. "You have a good heart, but it would not help Clay if you fought his battles for him. Only he can overcome his father's wishes."

"Did you see Clay? He'd never stand up for his dad," Valerie pointed out.

"Then he must learn by himself."

"But that's so stupid," Valerie said thoughtlessly. "Every time someone realizes that they have to stand up to someone, they do it too late and there are a bunch of bad feelings afterward. If someone would just tell Clay or at least show him-"

"You may be able to tell him, but only he will choose to listen," Master Fung said sagely. "If he does not wish to argue with his father, then he will not. It is all up to him."

"And until then, his dad pulls him out of the Temple," Valerie huffed. "Do you want to see Clay leave?"

"Clay is a promising student," Fung said, "but only time will tell us if he stays. Now come with me young monk. You may have left the hospital but that does not mean you can put off your training."

One of the great things about Master Fung was that even if you were injured, if you needed to let off some steam, he'd help you by putting you through training. He would insist that you do something easy so as not to disturb your injuries, but he wouldn't stop you from actually moving around. This was what Valerie was doing as she ducked the flying dish aimed at her head. It hit the wall behind her with a loud shatter.

"You must keep calm under all circumstances," Fung pointed out as Valerie was bombarded with small dishes being projected at her. She back flipped, front flipped and cart-wheeled out of the way, her vision swimming. A shooting pain was searing through her head-her concussion was acting up again.

The projectiles stopped coming. Valerie sunk to the floor holding her head. "I need meds," she moaned pitifully.

Master Fung helped her up. "Did Chan not give you any medicine?"

"No, when she was kicking me out of the infirmary she told me I'd have to come back for it."

Master Fung gave a long suffering sigh. "Chan does have a way with words."

"She said her personality was refreshing."

"And we will see more of it when we get to the nurse's office." They strolled over to the Temple village, walking at a slow pace so as not to further disturb Valerie's head injury.

Suddenly, outside the dorms, monks were spilling out carrying boxes and suitcases. "Who's moving out?" Valerie asked dread filling her stomach like lead. They saw one of the monks carry a familiar saddle out of the building.

"It seems Clay is leaving the Temple after all," Master Fung said as calm as ever.

Everything I said in this chapter about concussions is mostly true. You need to sleep it off and only bed rest and painkillers will cure it. I don't know about the recuperation time-there were too many sources saying different things- so don't quote me on that.

So, thoughts anyone?