The Help

I figured out exactly what Demi meant by "Help". And to say the least, I wasn't prepared for it. Three days since my arrival here, I was already teaching Tigress my fighting techniques. It mostly consisted of Earth style fighting. It's a very stable, highly defensive, but slow moving technique. I did this one first because Tigress is more of a fire type so it is a complementary element. We were training in the hall when Zeng came in. "Master Lion, Master Tigress, Master Shifu needs you in the Hall of Heroes." So we went into the Hall of Heroes to see the others in a line. Standing in front of them were two people. One was a short fox lady that was about Shifu's height. I thought it was his ex-con-girlfriend, but on closer inspection I figured out it wasn't. Then there was another person, a young female tiger. She was shorter than Tigress and shorter than me. She looked about 5'7". She was in a lovely red dress. Her arms seemed a bit smaller than Tigress's and her head a bit smaller than hers. Also, her eyes were black. Her orange colors were a lot richer than Tigress's. I think that just came from variation in different cats. Now, because I am a guy, though I'm ashamed to say that I noticed this the first time I saw her, I did note that she had a bigger chest area than Tigress. I brushed the perverted thought out of my head. I also saw that the tiger seemed very shy. She must be scared to come here. I thought she was probably going to be staying here to train with us.

"Hello," Master Shifu said, "It's been a long time since I've seen you." The fox smiled.

"It's been awhile Shifu," She replied.

"Master Shifu," Viper spoke up, "Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend here?"

"Oh of course. Students, this is my old friend from long ago. She and I use to train together under Master Oogway. Her name is Jun," Master Shifu explained. "However, I am curious of why you are here?" I saw the tiger wince a bit.

"Well, that is on account of who has sent me here," Jun said.

"Who sent you," Shifu asked.

"His friend," She said pointing to me. Everyone turned their heads and I was the show monkey.

"Me," I stuttered, "Who sent you to me?" I didn't know anyone here.

"Your friend Demi."

"Oh no," I muttered, "Why did he send you?" The fox smiled.

"To give you your help," She replied. For a split moment, I felt relieved. But then she said, "You are to marry my daughter, Krystal."

"What!" Everyone exclaimed.

"Waitwhoawaitwhoawaitwhoawaitwhoa WHAT!?" I exclaimed like a broken record.

"Demi told me to give you my daughter as your wife and helpmate. You will accept, won't you," She said in a demeanor that would rival Tigress's death glare.

"Yes," I said sheepishly. Now before you judge me on what I just said, hear me out. In certain cultures, most of them in the Old World, if the man rejects, sometimes the family members of the daughter can do unspeakable things to you. So I was scared that I would lose my life over this. What about my Lion powers? I didn't want to kill or hurt anyone, so I was bounded by society. It would only be until after I returned home that Jun would tell me that I had a choice. Everyone, except me and the female tiger, was excited.

"Then I pronounce you husband and wife," Shifu said.

"Wait, don't you need a ceremony or something," I asked. I was really hoping I would get some more time.

"Not always. Under certain circumstances, the parents just have to announce a wedding to some high official and they are married." Then why the heck did Po nearly get married to that goat girl, Lu-shi, and then didn't! He had some time! I thought to myself. "Now don't worry, we'll have your house built near the palace so you don't have to be cram in your room. That and we do want to give you some (ahem) needed space." I glared at Monkey, Mantis, and Po who were snickering. I shifted the ground underneath them to make them stumble and shut up. Of course, Shifu looked sternly at me, but I think he knew they deserved it. Jun brought the girl in front of me. I looked shyly and nervously at her. I could sense her shaking.

"Now, I'll leave you two in private," Jun said. Then she hugged her daughter, saying something to the effect of, "It's alright. I know he's a good person. Don't worry." I had special hearing after all. Then she left.

"I trust that you will help Mrs. Krystal get comfortable here Lion," Master Shifu more commanded than implied. I led her to my room with the angriest look on my face. Once we reached the room, I muttered.

"I'm...going...to kill...Demi." I struggled to keep my temper down. Then I remembered the person in the room. I could see fear and nervousness in her. I was so selfish! Here I am thinking about my situation and there is someone who's been thrown into the fire with no say or direction in it and is probably shaking in their shoes. I smiled kindly at her as I scratched the back of my head nervously. "Look, you don't have to worry or be afraid. I won't do anything that you don't want to do. I know this can be very...difficult for a lot of people." She stayed silent for a while. "We'll just try to get to know each other. What did you say you're name was?"

"K-Krystal," She said softly. I sighed and gently took her hand her.

"You don't have to be scared. Why don't we just try to get to know each other, okay?" She just nodded. "So, you're Jun's daughter?" She nodded. "How did she find you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, quite frankly you're not a fox so I was just going on a limb here," I joked. She lightly chuckled. "So how did she find you?"

"She told me...that I was given to her from my parents because there was a disease in my region and they didn't want me catching it. They planned to come back, but they didn't make it," She replied sadly.

"I'm so sorry that happened," I said empathically.

"So, mom-I mean, Master Jun took me in and showed me all I needed to know in Kung Fu. But I never thought that I would," she fell silent.

"You didn't think you would have to give up your freedom to get married to a complete stranger," I guessed. She looked ashamed. "I know it's hard to deal with and quite frankly ridiculous. I didn't think Demi would do something like this."

"Who is this 'Demi'? I've never seen him in person," Krystal said. I could understand that. Demi did have the power to appear to anyone he liked. But I was a little...sarcastic about describing him.

"He's more of...person that you wish you wish away from you, but he gets more annoying every time you see him. He's also some kind of powerful magical person," I replied.

"So...what am I suppose to help you with," She asked a little scared to know.

"Well, there's a spot on my back I just can't scratch would you mind getting it for me," I asked turning around. She looked at me strangely as I smiled. "No, that's not it. There is something I want some help with, but I think we need to get to know each other before I tell you." Hey, it was a valid concern! I needed to be able to trust her if I was going to tell her my purpose here.

"Fair enough," She said. "So, what about you?"

"Me?"

"What's your name?"

"My name is Lion," I said. Then I thought about it. "Actually, if I tell you something, do you promise not to tell anyone." She nodded. "My real name isn't Lion, but I've used the name Lion because I don't like my other name and I've only been here recently. Just like you, I was dumped here and I don't know what to do."

"So, what is your name," She asked. I smirked.

"That is for me to know and you to figure out," I smiled. Krystal seemed to pout a bit, but that maybe just me interrupting something wrong. Then she became nervous again.

"So...I'll be sleeping...with you then," She asked looking at the bed. I don't know if black people or lion people blush, but if they did, I certainly knew what it felt like.

"No, no, no, no! Um...I'll sleep on the floor and you'll sleep on the bed. When Shifu finishes the house, I'll make sure that he adds a separate 'guest' room." She smiled very cutely at me.

"Thank you, Master Lion," she said.

"Please just call me Lion. And...you're welcome," I smiled. Then the awkward silence came. "I'll...go and see how the others are doing. Why don't you get yourself comfortable?"

"Sure," She replied as I left her and went to the kitchen. She seemed nice. I have no idea what she's like when she's not nervous, so I couldn't tell what she's really like. From what I could tell, she seemed to be like the happy, excited, optimistic type. I could see Po and her getting along well. Actually, I can see Po getting along with anyone. I walked to the kitchen to see Po and the Furious Five sitting there and eating lunch. I passed them to get to the plates in the pantry. I could feel their smug smirks looking at me. I turned around to see Po and Viper with an excited smile and Monkey, Mantis, and Crane with a smug smile. Tigress just kept quiet.

"Okay, let me try and pull a Tigress," I said calmly putting the plates down for a moment. "You guys mention any of this in any teasing, laughing, or any other kind of tone, and I will personally skin all the fur off of you, chop your heads off, tan your furs, and then wear them as a coat. And don't think I can't pull it off, cause I can," I threatened. They all seemed to straighten up. But Po spoke first.

"Nice impression of Tigress," he commented.

"Thanks, I've been practicing," I said.

"I do not act like that," Tigress protested. Po and I looked at her with unbelieving looks. "Okay, but I don't do it like that." I sighed as Po rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, what are you going to do now that she's here," Po asked.

"I have absolutely no idea. Demi, the blinking jerk, set me up with this thing. However, I do know what I'm supposed to do here," I answered.

"What's that," He asked.

"I," I had to be careful about how I phrased this. Then an idea came into my head. "I am to teach Po and Tigress," I said with a smile. Po just dropped his spoon and his mouth dropped out. Then it turned into an open-mouthed smile. He pumped his fist in the air.

"That is AWESOME!"

"Why just Tigress and Po," Viper questioned.

"I honestly don't know. There are only a few things I can teach them, but I do know of other things I can tell you and teach you. For Tigress, what I teach her will probably be okay for her. But for you, Po, they will be hard."

"Why are they hard for me," Po asked, thinking that it was unfair.

"Because you have commitment issues and usually you like learning things the hard way," I said bluntly. Po sat back pouting. "Am I wrong?"

"No," He murmured.

"Don't worry, Tigress will have some difficulty as well. Of course, she is used to that," I smiled. Po enviously looked at a smirking Tigress.

"Yeah sure," Po muttered. Then Krystal shyly came inside.

"Hello...everyone," she said.

"Hello," Everyone said in unison. Krystal stayed silent. Tigress got up from her seat and smiled at her.

"Let me introduce you to everyone. That's Po, the Dragon Warrior."

"Hi," Po said.

"That's Master Viper and Master Crane."

"Hello," Crane said.

"Glad to meet you," Viper said.

"That's Mantis and Monkey," Tigress said in a lower tone.

"Hey," Monkey replied.

"How's it going," Mantis smirked. Viper slapped him up the head.

"And you've already met Lion," Tigress smirked.

"Hehe," I lightly chuckled nervously.

"Why don't I show you around," Tigress offered, kindly. Krystal smiled.

"That would be nice," she said. As they went out, everyone in the kitchen was confused.

"Um...that's weird," Po mumbled out.

"What," I asked not understanding their bewilderment.

"I've never seen Tigress that friendly with a complete stranger," Viper stated. I chuckled.

"Trust me, it's okay. That's just how they are," I laughed.

"How do you know that?" Mantis asked. I knew from books in my other world. Tigers are actually very friendly when they meet each other. Though they are seen tussling with each other, that's just the way they are. They play rough. So it was no surprise to me that Krystal and Tigress get along so well. I smiled.

"I just know," I said confidently.

"So what's my first move that I learn," Po asked excitedly. I yawned.

"Not now. It's been a long day. Why don't we just call it a day," I said rising up from my seat and going out the door, but I stopped. "But Po, the exercises I have for you and Tigress are very...different. You'll be learning more about yourself, not your moves."

"O...kay," said Po slowly. I went out the door leaving the others confused. I decided to visit the Training Hall. There I saw Krystal learning from Tigress about some moves. I smiled.

"I see that you and Tigress are learning together," I said. Krystal looked at me with the biggest smile I've seen her with today. She nodded excitedly.

"I've always wanted to train with Master Tigress! It's like a dream come true," Krystal exclaimed. I smirked at Tigress.

"Looks like you have a fan of yours," I remarked. Tigress just looked away. "But I am glad that you are getting more comfortable here. And Tigress, I'll be alternating between you and Po from day to day. For now, why don't you help out Krystal with her training? I'm going to meditate." I really meant sleep.

I went to my room and made a comfortable place on the floor. Well, this was just a fine howdy-do for me. I was married, pissed off, and got a new roommate all in the same day by the same person. I really was contemplating what I would do when I get my hands on Demi. But for now, I wrote in the journal again. If I wasn't so focused on the book, I would have noticed the time going away. I also would have noticed Krystal in the room.

"What are you writing," She asked curiously. I jumped out of my seat.

"AHHahaha!" I yelled. I calmed myself down when I realized who it was. Krystal couldn't help but giggle. I was glad that she was a little less shy.

"Sorry, I scared you."

"Nah, that's okay," I replied. "Um...here's a weird question? How old are you?" She immediately seemed offended.

"Hasn't your mother ever taught you manners? You should never ask a woman her age."

"Yes, because she'll lie about it and give you fake ones," I answered with a smirk. She seemed to pout. "Are you at least around my age?"

"How old are you," she asked still a little upset.

"19."

"Really?" I narrowed my eyes are her.

"How old did you think I was?" She seemed a bit nervous.

"Um...40?"

"Glory! Do I look that old?" I exclaimed while looking into a mirror. She laughed.

"No, no, I was just joking," She said resting her hand on my shoulder. "I thought you were about 23."

"Still a little older than I wish," I murmured. "Sorry about that last comment. I don't really get out much, so there are certain...social cues I don't get." I didn't have a disorder or anything. Social trends just weren't on my top five.

"I guess it's okay," She replied. "So what about the book?"

"Oh, that's...that's just recording my life here. It's...kinda like a private journal," I said as she was about to grab it. I swiped it out of her hands. "Emphasis on the 'private'." She huffed in annoyance. "But seriously. It's a personal thing."

"So Demi has told you what to do? And I'm to help Po and Tigress with their training?"

"I guess. This is all new to me," I yawned. "Well, I'm going to 'meditate'. Good night." I said sleeping on the floor.

"Good night," she replied.

to be continued.