Surprise!

So we went to the Hall of Heroes where the masters had yet to arrive. For some reason, Tai-gee was there along with Nelon. "What are you two doing here," I asked.

"We were called here by Zeng. This person wants to have everyone here including us," Nelon answered.

"Where's Mei-Ling and Saber," Po asked. Tai-gee looked around uncomfortably as Nelon smirked. "Oh."

"Anyways," I continued, "Where is Master Lu?" Tai-gee stepped out of the way to present the crane. I was a little shocked. I didn't think she would look this pretty. Her legs were like Crane's, maybe a bit smaller. She had a simple white robe on with a pink strap around her waist. Her white feathers had blackish rims around them, and the two single feathers on her head were a lighter black as well. She was just as tall as Crane, probably about half an inch less. Her eyes were crystal blue as well. Her demeanor was shy and she seemed a little timid. I bowed before her. "It is an honor to meet you, Master Lu. I am Lion, this is Tigress, Po, the Dragon Warrior, Nelon, and Tai-gee. Both are Master Swordsmen." She bowed as well.

"It is an honor to meet you all. Especially you, Lion and Tai-gee," She said in a kind silky smooth voice. Then Master Shifu, Viper, Mantis, and Monkey came in.

"Where's Krystal," I asked Shifu.

"She went down to Mr. Ru," He answered. Then he addressed the crane. "You must be Master Lu that I've been hearing about. It is nice to meet you."

"You too, Great Master Shifu," Lu replied with a charming smile.

"Now, what is it that you have from Demi," I said with anger in my voice. I regretted that because she seemed afraid of me. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be angry with you. The one who's sent you is who I'm angry at." She seemed to buck up the courage.

"He told me to tell Master Shifu... that Tai-gee is Tai-Lung." We all gasped because she said it not because we were surprised. We all looked at Master Shifu, who was still and looked paralyzed. I'm going to kill Demi I thought to myself. I saw Master Shifu going to Tai-gee. Before I could get to him, Tigress blocked his way.

"Master, please. He has changed," She said. I could tell Shifu was surprised.

"You knew," He quietly asked. I could tell there was a sense of betrayal between the two. So I spoke up.

"Actually, everyone knew. We just didn't want you to know because we think didn't you would accept him." Shifu was silent for a moment. Tigress still stood in his way. Tai-gee made her get out of the way.

"Whatever I've done, I deserve to take by myself," Tai-gee said as he took off his mask. Shifu stood in front of the big snow leopard. "I'm sorry for deceiving you Master Shifu, but not only my safety was at stake but my family's was also."

"You're in the Master Swordsmen, saving people daily, and made a family. I couldn't be happier that you deceived me. I'm proud of you," Shifu smiled. Tai-gee bowed before him. Tigress stood next to him. "You even got Tigress on your side." Tai-gee bowed again.

"Thank you, Baba," He said.

"But you're going to have to keep the mask on for the village. They are not likely to receive you with open arms," Shifu instructed. Tai-gee nodded.

"Is there anything ELSE that you want to cause mass chaos, Master Lu," I retorted. She shook her head. "Why would Demi want to tell us that?"

"He said if you wouldn't be the prime mover of the situation, he would," Lu replied. I groaned. That meant that I would have to speed up or push people into situations in order to make things work. I didn't like doing that. Then something occurred to me.

"Where is the bird," I asked.

"I'm here," Crane said coming from the front door. "Had to get-" He stopped short when he saw Lu. Lu saw him and blushed.

"Oh no," I sighed.

"What's the matter with them," Tigress asked. I quickly told her. "Really? You mean he had someone else?"

"You're surprised," Po noticed.

"Well, yeah. I mean... Crane is... Crane," Tigress said. I knew she was really surprised because Crane dated her and he didn't tell her anything.

"Hello um... Lu," Crane stuttered.

"Hhhahaahallo," Lu stumbled. "It's good to see you, Cra...Master Crane."

"Um... I think I agree with everyone when I say you two need some alone time," I smiled. I could tell Crane was nervous. Lu wasn't much different either. "Or not."

"Come Lu," Master Shifu called, "Why don't I show you around the place?" She quietly nodded as she took one last look at Crane before going out the door. Crane sighed.

"She's just like you remembered," Tai-gee asked.

"No, she's more beautiful and better than I remember her," He sighed lovingly.

"You never told me you dated someone else," Tigress said.

"Why should he? It was his private business," Her brother said innocently. Tigress side glared at the big snow leopard.

"The point is that she's here. Now what are you going to do about it," I asked Crane.

"I don't know," Crane said nervously stuttering and honking again. "I... I'm a nervous wreck around girls I like." He saw Tigress's stare. "Some girls I like. Others are different." I rolled my eyes. The thing these two had really started to bug me. "What am I going to do?"

"Just be yourself," I advised. Crane groaned.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"Look, no one wants a fake person who tries to be cool and confident just to snag somebody. They want the real person. That doesn't mean some people will like it, but it will be genuine," I replied. Crane sighed.

"You're right."

"Isn't he always," Monkey mentioned. I patted Crane on the back.

"You'll be fine," I smiled. With that, he and the others went out, except Tigress. "Are you really that amazed that he had someone else?"

"No, it's not that," Tigress replied quietly. I looked at her until she spoke. "It's... it's the thing I wanted to tell you, but I don't think I'm comfortable saying it."

"Just take your time. Remember I'm always here," I replied. My sore mood came on as she left. It was what Demi said. He would be the prime mover if I didn't step up my game. I didn't like pushing or dragging people into things, especially if it's for their own good. I sighed. If I was going to make any process, I would have to do that which I hate. I went back to the house. I opened the door and Krystal showed me a wrapped gift and handed it to me. "For me? Why?"

"Can't I just give a gift to the people I care about," She said.

"Yes, but this is a first," I mentioned. She just shoved the present into my chest. I held it. It was pretty heavy. We walked to my room, where I rested the present and undid the bow. It was a beautiful flat glazed clay portrait of me with a bo-staff. It was pretty accurate. I was careful to put it on a stable flat surface in my room. "Thank you so much. You've given me this but I haven't given you anything," I said as she and I rested on my bed.

"You don't have to give me anything. This is in appreciation of everything you've done for me. You've taken care of me, protected me, and comforted me when I'm in need of it. This is just for what you've already given me," She said, hugging me. But I wasn't moved.

"You still want a gift, don't you?"

"Yes please," She innocently smiled.

"Greedy."

"I like to think it as 'human'," She replied.

"Oh no! Don't you start that!" I laughed.

"So what happened while I was gone," Krystal asked. I told her what happened with Po, Lu, Tai-gee, Master Shifu, and Crane. She was shocked and surprised. "You go down the mountain for one moment and everything goes screwy!"

"By the way, why did you kiss me in front of Tigress," I asked, a little irritated. Not about the kiss but the fact she did it in front of Tigress.

"Because," She simply stated. I was honestly waiting for more but she didn't seem to continue.

"That's it? Just because" I asked. Then she smirked.

"Got to keep you on your toes," She said. I rolled my eyes. I smiled, though. "What?"

"You're really beautiful. I sometimes forget that" I replied. She lightly pushed me as she blushed.

"Flirt."

"No I mean it," I said.

"Anyways, what do you plan to do for the two birds?"

"Nothing, my job isn't to them. It's with Tigress and Po." I replied.

"Oh come on. You mean to tell me that you can just let these two be and just act as if nothing is happening?"

"Yes," I stated. She rolled her eyes.

"Okay, let's just see how long you hold out," She teased. I smiled.

"But thanks for the gift. I'll have to figure out what to give you." She smiled happily and rested her head on my shoulder.

"Don't worry about it, I know that something will come out of that airy head of yours," She smirked. I shook my head, but that gave me an idea.

"That's it!" I stood up, letting Krystal's head drop to the mat. "Sorry honey, but I have to see if I can do something," I said as I rushed out of the house. I remembered something that the Lion Warriors could do. I rushed over to the coal stash for the fire needed to heat the baths. I took a big chunk of the coal and began to do something very complicated. I remembered that Lion Warriors could also manipulate the atoms, electrons, and protons in things. So, "Almost got it." I struggled to apply the needed pressure and heat. "Finally!" So I rushed down to the house and ran into the room where Krystal still was. I presented the gift. She was shocked. It was a huge diamond. She gently held it.

"How did you get this," she marveled.

"I made it," I said proudly.

"How?!"

"Lion Warriors can," I had to say this in a way she would understand. The study of chemistry hadn't been invented yet. "Lion Warriors can make diamonds out of coal."

"Oh, so you can manipulate the complex atoms of the coal to form the necessary arrangement for crystallized diamonds," she replied. I stood there like an idiot with my mouth open. "Demi included a few science lessons inside the book as well."

"Of course, he did," I frowned. Krystal kissed me on the cheek to cheer me up.

"It's really beautiful. Thank you."

"You're welcome," I goofily smiled. Krystal just chuckled. I wrote all of this in the journal. I thought that it would be just smooth riding for a while. The next day proved me wrong.

to be continued.