And I'm back.

31 reviews for Chapter 1!?...No words can express my gratitude. It's that kind of response that makes me never want to dissapoint you all with my stories. You all are so incredible.

I apologize for not warning everybody ahead of time but Last week was my summer Vacation to the beach, and since my roommate's dog terminated my Laptop during Fate Can Be So Cruel Part 1, I wasn't able to work on any fics last week. Apologies for not warning you all I was going to be away. but I've spent the past 2 days writing and I now have a few updates for you guys.

Thanks for your patience and Enjoy the read.

Chapter 2

Miscommunication

Shortly after Master Shifu had exited the Barracks, the Furious Five found themselves all sitting around the large wooden table within the barracks kitchen eating their breakfast. Unfortunately, Po had not cooked for them all the night before, due to the Panda wishing to turn in early for the night, which they all now knew was because he had apparently planned on getting an early start on his training with Tai Lung. Therefore, there were no leftovers for the Masters to heat up, much to Mantis's displeasure. Yet they would all make due.

Tigress was seated at the end of the table closest to the doorway, quietly eating her Tofu cubes with a small cup of jasmine tea beside her, while she continued going over all of what she had read about the night before down in the Palace archives. Although she had read through many of the scrolls down there over the past few months, she was still nowhere near close to determining the meaning of this Mark on the back of Po's neck. "Perhaps maybe I should finally try to consult Master Shifu on the matter. If anyone would know if the information the Panda and I seek lies within the Archives, surely Master Shifu would. He has resided here in the Palace the longest and may actually know something."

But as soon as Tigress thought of that, she quickly dismissed it for now. "No…I cannot go and ask Master Shifu without talking to the Panda first…he may not be comfortable asking Shifu for help with this. This is a rather personal matter and I need to respect that…Heck I doubt he's comfortable with me looking into it as much as I have. But perhaps I should at least mention the possibility to him during training today-" "Tigress? Are you listening?"

Tigress immediately looked up from her plate and over to the source of the question, which came from the person sitting across and down the table from her. Viper tilted her head slightly in confusion before Tigress asked, "Apologies, Master Viper. I was…distracted. What was it you were saying?" Viper eyed Tigress curiously for a few seconds before she answered, "I was simply asking if you got enough sleep last night is all. Forgive me for saying this, but you look as if you didn't get much sleep at all."

Tigress immediately frowned when Crane suggested helpfully, "Perhaps you should have turned in early last night too." Tigress immediately looked over to the bird and said quickly, "Thank you Crane, but believe me when I say that I will be just fine." Crane just shrugged his shoulders and continued eating his own meal when Mantis asked, "So why do you look like you've been up all night then Tigress?"

At this point Tigress was getting frustrated with all of the questioning and a quiet growl managed to escape her maw before she sighed and stated, "I hardly see how that is any concern of yours, Mantis, but if you all must know, I was simply down in the palace Archives late last night." Monkey then looked over after taking a sip of his own tea and asked, "Why? What were you doing down there so late for, Tigress?" at this Tigress stood up abruptly and began to gather up her dishes while snapping, "That's my business!" But as soon as the words left her, Tigress realized just how loud she had snapped at them all.

Looking around the table, Tigress saw the somewhat shocked expressions on her comrade's faces and immediately the feline knew she made a mistake. Quickly Tigress sat her dishes down on the counter and turned to bow to her comrades while saying, "Forgive me everyone. I was wrong to snap at you all. Perhaps I truly did not get enough sleep last night."

Nobody said anything right away as the four other Masters simply stared at Tigress, until Viper finally spoke up and said, "It's fine Tigress, truly. We were simply expressing our concern for you, that's all." Tigress nodded briefly before she turned back to her dishes and moved them over to the washtub and said, "It's appreciated but not necessary. Now, we should all hurry over to the training hall before Master Shifu arrives there from his meditation." And with that, the other warriors quickly finished up their own breakfasts and carried their own dishes over to the Washtub to leave for one of the Palace Servants to clean up, before following Master Tigress out of the kitchen and over to the Training Hall.

A few minutes later, the Furious Five were just approaching the training hall when Tigress brought the group to a halt just a few meters away from the Hall steps. The others were about to inquire as to why they had stopped until they looked over to the Courtyard just outside the hall and realized what had grabbed the Feline's attention.

There, stationed in the center of the Courtyard was a single balance post, where a large, muscular, Black and white Panda could be seen wearing a pair of his usual torn black pants and a somewhat tattered black vest, was balancing himself upside down on the post by his right paw, while his left arm was fully extended outward, along with his right leg, while his left leg remained pointed straight up and down, perpendicular to his right arm.

Standing a small distance away from the Panda, stood a tall Snow Leopard in his usual dark purple training pants and iron belt, with his arms crossed as he continued to instruct the Panda in their exercise. "Focus Dragon Warrior, a Warrior must be able to maintain his balance for extended periods of time, as well as his Focus." Po merely grunted in response, as he tried to cease his near constant shaking and wobbling. "This isn't how *Grgnh* that Turtle tried to teach me Balance before!" Tai Lung stared at Po of a long moment before he stepped forward and walked around the post to stand in front of the Panda's face. Once Po heard Tai Lung walk over to him, the Panda managed to crack open his right eye just a little bit and nearly lost his balance immediately when he saw how close Tai Lung suddenly was.

After waiting for Po to recover his balance, Tai Lung then stated, "Balance of one's Body… and balance one's Heart, are two completely different goals to achieve, Po. And trust me when I say, it is far easier to bring balance to one's body than to one's heart. Perfecting one's physical balance takes practice, patience and the desire to push one's self past his limits, but it is possible. Bringing one's heart into balance…is not so easy. I believe that it was the later still that Master Oogway was attempting to teach you."

Po slowly managed to open both of his eyes as he stared at Tai Lung and pondered over his words briefly, before Tai Lung took a step back and brought both of his arms behind his back as he said, "Now…close your eyes." After giving the Snow leopard a curious stare for a moment, Po eventually obeyed and closed both of his eyes, resulting in the panda almost falling over practically immediately once more. Tai Lung then called out as Tigress and the rest of the Five began to approach behind the snow leopard, "Focus, Po…clear your mind of all doubts. Do not concern yourself with falling. Just breathe. Find your center and breathe."

Po merely grunted as a response once more and did as he was told, taking several deep breaths to try and calm his nerves. In moments, Po's shaking body was slowly beginning to cease its constant wobbling, with only an occasional twitch here or there, as the Panda continued to breathe in and out, almost as if he were attempting one of his evening meditation exercises.

"That's it Dragon Warrior, maintain your Center, keep hold of your focus and breathe." Tai Lung instructed. At this point the only sounds now coming from the panda were the sounds of his breathing as he held his position. "Excellent, Po." Tai Lung congratulated as he took a few steps back from the focused Panda and turned to face the other Masters as he said, "Now maintain that balance." In response, Tai Lung just received yet another grunt of acknowledgement from the bear.

Turning from the Panda to his fellow Masters, Tai Lung bowed in greeting before saying, "Good Morning to you all, Masters." The Five all bowed as Tigress replied, "Good Morning Master Tai Lung. I am surprised to see the two of you out here at this time. It wasn't too long ago that Master Shifu and I walked past this very courtyard and no one was around." Tai Lung nodded as Tigress came to stand beside him while he said, "You must have just gone past before we finished running up the Thousand Steps this morning. I must admit, the Dragon Warrior never ceases to amaze me with his ability to keep a pace with me."

Tigress nodded as she called out to the Panda, "Good morning, Dragon Warrior." Upon hearing himself being addressed by the Title he had been given, Po cracked open his left eye and scowled at the Tiger briefly, before he gave the Tiger a slight nod of acknowledgement and then closed his eye once more and resumed his concentrating. Tigress, although she couldn't help but notice the Panda's agitation, then turned to face her brother while the remaining members of the Five took seats along the stairs leading up to the training hall while they waited for their Master to arrive. "Master Shifu was rather surprised to learn that the two of you got an early start on his training today." As Tigress nodded over toward the Panda she was referring to.

Tai Lung simply turned away from his sister and stared at the Dragon Warrior as he replied distantly, "Was he now?" Tigress nodded as she pried, "You never discussed the Panda's training with him yesterday…did you?" at this Tai Lung remained silent as he continued to stare forward, while Tigress just sighed before saying, "You know…it's only a matter of time before this becomes a serious problem, you going around Master Shifu's back like this with the Panda's training. Eventually he will confront you about it and I have a feeling it will be sooner rather than later."

Tai Lung merely scoffed as he replied, "Let him. If Father has a problem with how I am performing my duties as the Dragon Warrior's Teacher, then let him voice them. Po asked me to stay to teach him how to be a proper Dragon Warrior and that is exactly what I am doing. If Father has a problem with the way I am doing it then let him voice his displeasures. We all know he has no problem doing so." Tigress then started to ask, "What's that supposed to mean-" when all who were present heard a new voice calling over towards them, "There you two are."

Tai Lung and Tigress as well as the rest of the Five looked up and over, while Po just cracked open his left eye once more to see Master Shifu was now making his way over to them all. Once the Red Panda was now standing over amongst his adoptive children, Shifu placed both hands onto the top of his Cane to steady himself, before looking up at Tai Lung with a disappointed frown on his face, while Tai Lung quickly turned to face his Father and bowed while saying, "Good Morning Master."

Shifu nodded as he replied, "Good Morning Master Tai Lung…Dragon Warrior." As Shifu said this, he looked over to the Panda who was still balancing on his post, apparently refusing to climb down to address the Red Panda. Po slowly turned his head to look over at the small Master and just said, "Good Morning." Before he returned to facing forward and closed his eyes once more.

Shifu simply nodded in acknowledgment to the Panda. Out of all of his students, Po was perhaps the only one Shifu would allow to get away without addressing him as "Master Shifu", provided there were no other eyes or ears nearby to witness it. It wasn't that he held Po in a higher regard by any means. It was simply because Shifu was now aware of what the term "Master" had meant to the Panda for the majority of his young life. And although he believed Po now had a better understanding that the word can have multiple meanings, he still allowed Po to address him such as yet another one of his gestures to both the Panda and his Son.

Shifu then turned to face Tai Lung once more and started, "I was unaware that you had planned to begin with the Dragon Warrior's training so early this morning, Tai Lung. I thought we had agreed to discuss such things together so that Misunderstandings such as these would not occur?" As Shifu said this he watched Tai Lung closely as the snow leopard refused to look down at him while he said, "My apologies Master…it must have slipped my mind."

Tigress rolled her eyes at her Brother's response, while Shifu's ear twitched ever so slightly as he detected just the slightest hint of sarcasm in Tai Lung's words. Had this been any of his other students addressing him in such a manner, Shifu would have no problem training them so hard that he would have pushed them to within an inch of their life. But that was the problem. This wasn't just another one of his students. This was his son, whom he had finally been reunited with after 20 years and Shifu's greatest fear was that he would do something to push his son away. And that was something he wasn't willing to risk. Not after only having just gotten Tai Lung back.

Shifu took a deep breath and sighed as he then said, "Very well then, I shall leave you to train the Panda this morning as you see fit, Master Tai Lung. However, the Dragon Warrior will be sparing with the Furious Five this afternoon instead of this morning."

Upon hearing this bit of information, Po's eyes snapped wide open as he nearly shouted, "What!?" But as Po twisted his head around to look over at Shifu, he did it so quickly that he immediately began to lose his balance, forcing the Giant Panda to fall off of the post and onto the ground, back first, resulting in the Panda releasing a painful groan upon impact.

Immediately Tai Lung and Tigress rushed over to the Panda's side while Shifu merely watched with a raised eyebrow. Once Tigress helped Po to sit up, Po looked over at Shifu and asked, "This afternoon? You mean, today?" Shifu nodded as he eyed the bear curiously and said, "Yes…today is what THIS afternoon means Panda." But as soon as Shifu finished speaking, he saw the Panda's face fall into a deep frown as he looked down at the ground briefly and his eyes narrowed.

"What is it?" Shifu inquired as he looked over to the Panda who was now looking over at Tai Lung as if asking for assistance. Tai Lung just nodded at the Panda's unspoken plea, before he got to his feet and walked over to the Red Panda and explained, "The thing is, Master, I have already given Po permission to go down into the Village to visit his Father this afternoon, once he completes his morning training of course."

Shifu's eyes widened slightly at this, as he looked over to the Panda who nodded his head slightly while he watched the two discuss the situation. Shifu then turned back to face Tai Lung and asked, "You did, did you?" Tai Lung nodded as he answered, "Yes Master." Shifu stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment before he stared at Tai Lung and said, "It's funny…I don't believe I recall you discussing the Panda leaving the Palace today with me at all either."

Tai Lung turned his own head to the side slightly as he allowed a frustrated growl to escape him before he looked back at Shifu and said, "And that is my fault, not the Panda's. I gave him my word Master and besides, Po hasn't left the Palace for almost a week now." At this, Shifu snapped his head up and countered, "That is hardly true Tai Lung! Why, he was down in the village just the other day!"

At this point, Tigress stepped forward and clarified, "Actually Master, only the Furious Five were dispatched down to the Village the other day to deal with a small bandit problem. Master Tai Lung and the Dragon Warrior were training in the Ironwood Tree forest at the time and you ordered us to deal with the situation ourselves…not that it was any trouble of course." Tigress then turned to ask the Panda as Po got up to his feet, "How long has it been since you visited your Father?"

Po looked over at Tigress briefly as he counted the days in his head and then back over to Shifu as he answered, "6 days I think. A little longer since I've seen Ming and Xiao Po." It was here where Tai Lung then pressed Shifu, "Father…it's only for the afternoon and I gave Po my word." Shifu sighed as he looked over and saw the Panda was watching him extremely closely. Shifu did not doubt the Panda's desire to go and spend time with his Father, having had such few and precious moments with the goose to begin with. Yet Shifu also knew that the Panda would most likely not argue if the Red Panda denied him the free time. But after a quick glance at his own hip, Shifu decided that last thought might seem a bit foolish.

Just then, Crane spoke up from behind Shifu and the old Master had nearly forgotten that the rest of his students were still indeed present. "Um, Master Shifu…Not to try and ruffle any feathers over here, but Po still needs to go down into the Village today regardless." At this both Po and Shifu looked over at the Bird as they both asked in perfect unison, "What?" Viper then slithered down from the steps and over to the Grandmaster as she revealed, "It's true, Master Shifu. The Palace received word yesterday from the Tailor, Chao Fa, that the Dragon Warrior's new training clothes will be ready for him to pick up today, as well as his attire for the upcoming Spring Festival."

Po then quickly turned to Tigress, his face covered in confusion as he asked, "Training clothes? Attire? I don't understand." Tigress was about to explain when Mantis beat her to it, "You know the old goat man that showed up here at the Palace to take your measurements about 2 months back?" Po thought back for a moment as he looked down at the ground and then back up and over towards the insect and said, "You mean the guy with that long ribbon with the numbers on it? Yeah, that was… a strange day." as Po recalled how the goat had him standing still in the Hall of Heroes with his arms and legs outstretched as the goat ran a ribbon all over the Panda's body, shouting off random numbers for Crane to write down.

Viper then said, "It was a tape measure Po, it's one of the many tools a tailor uses to make clothes." Po then asked, "A tailor…like Mrs. Yu? My dad took me to get clothes from her once when I first came to the Valley." Tai Lung nodded as he said, "Precisely." Po then turned to face the snow leopard as he asked, "But…why can't I just get more clothes from Mrs. Yu?" At this point Shifu was rolling his eyes but it was Tigress who stepped forward and said, "Although I'm sure this…Mrs. Yu, makes wonderful clothes. I am also certain that they are not clothes that would be suitable for practicing Kung Fu in." Po just looked at Tigress clearly confused as he then asked, "What do you mean?" but all Tigress did in response was nod towards his torn pants and worn out vest.

Tai Lung then revealed, "Chao Fa, has been crafting clothes for Kung Fu Warriors since I was a boy, Dragon Warrior. And I have no doubt that he has fashioned you a few things worthy of the Dragon Warrior name." Po just rolled his eyes as he grumbled an almost inaudible, "Sure." Tai Lung then turned to face Master Shifu and said, "Well then, if the Dragon Warrior must venture into town anyway, I see no harm in him being alowed a few hours with his family, do you Master?"

Shifu glared at Tai Lung briefly before turning back to see the Panda was once again watching him closely and Shifu could easily see that the larger creature's eyes were even more hopeful now. So with yet another heavy sigh, Shifu conceded and said, "Very well, you may go to see your Father today Panda."

As Shifu said this, he watched as the corners of the Panda's mouth slowly began to curve up into a slight smile as Po then said, "Thank you." Shifu nodded before he addressed Tai Lung, "However, I want this to be the last time a … miscommunication, such as this occurs between us, Tai Lung. To make up for the Dragon Warrior missing out on today's sparring practice, you will both be spending tomorrow morning running the Training hall training course in succession. Am I understood, both of you?" Po just nodded quickly while Tai Lung bowed as he said, "We understand…thank you Master Shifu."

Shifu nodded as he then addressed all of his students, "Master Tigress, you will accompany Tai Lung and the Panda to Chao Fa's shop, just in case that old goat has gone overboard again. With the Panda not returning right away, Tai Lung will require assistance retrieving Chao Fa's works for the Dragon Warrior and bringing them back to the Palace. " Tigress nodded in understanding while Po just didn't understand at all. "Overboard?" Po asked while Crane clarified, "Let's just say Chao Fa REALLY likes his work, perhaps a little…too much."

Po was about to ask more when he realized something about what Shifu had just said, "Wait…why do they need to come too?" Tai Lung then folded his arms as he asked slightly offended, "What? Do you not wish for our company?" Po realized he might have offended the Snow Leopard and was about to apologize when Tai Lung raised his paw up and said, "Calm down Po, it was just a joke. I have some other business to take care of in the village anyway so I'd be going all the same." Tigress then looked over to the Panda as she too answered his question, "And I shall be accompanying you for more than just picking up clothes. This is also a perfect opportunity for another lesson for you."

Now Po was really lost. As he tried to make sense of what Tigress had said, Shifu managed to understand completely as he looked over at Tigress and said, "Excellent point, Master Tigress. You three shall depart after your mid-day meal. For now, I want the Five of you in the Training hall at once. We will begin shortly."

The Furious Five all bowed to the Grandmaster while they all responded in perfect unison, "Yes Master." As the Five were making their way away from the courtyard and up the steps into the Training hall, Mantis hopped up and landed on Monkey's shoulder as he then whispered into the Primate's ear, "You know, one of these days you and I really need to explain the whole concept of a Joke to the Big guy. Did you see his face when Tai Lung said that thing about Po not wanting company?"

Monkey just rolled his eyes as he looked over and said, "Cut the guy some slack Mantis. For all we know Po's never heard a joke before, as unlikely as that is. Besides, what Tai Lung said wasn't THAT funny. If you ask me they both need to learn that particular lesson. Mantis nodded as they soon entered the training hall and replied, "I hear that." Before the two separated to begin streatching to prepare for training, while Shifu closed the training hall Doors behind them all, leaving Po and Tai Lung alone outside in the Courtyard once again.

As Po watched the training hall doors close behind the Warriors, he quickly looked over at Tai Lung and asked hopefully, "So…what lesson was Tigress talking about?" Tai Lung could not help but chuckle as he said, "Worry not Panda, you shall see soon enough. Now…we must get back to your training. We still have many hours before Mid-day. At this Po groaned as he looked over at the balance post and asked, "Do I really have to get back up on that thing?"

Tai Lung stared at the Panda briefly before he began to walk a few paces away and turned to face the Panda with his arms still behind his back and declared, "I shall make a proposition to you then Po, should you best me in a sparring match right now, you will be finished with the post for the day. however…should you fall before me, you will spend the rest of the morning practicing your balance on the post, and every time you lose balance and fall, you will be required to climb the Thousand Steps 10 times each.

Po blinked a few times as he stared at Tai Lung briefly before his face slowly took on a slight smirk as the Panda then replied, "Okay…I don't like that post anyway." At this Po slowly shifted into a ready stance while Tai Lung chuckled lightly as if amused before he too shifted into a ready stance. "Very well Dragon Warrior…Prepare yourself, for I will not be taking it easy on you." Po just rolled his eyes as he grumbled "Of course not."

The two remaining warriors then began to square off with one another, each eyeing up the other and waiting for the other to make the first move. After a moment when neither combatant made any indication that the other was about to move, both Po and Tai Lung immediately pushed forward and charged each other, thus signaling the beginning of the match.

Meanwhile, more than halfway across China…

Kai was quickly making his way over to the Master's Quarters that morning as fast as he dared to move throughout the work camp, stationed at the foot of one of China's richest iron mines. As he moved throughout the many slaves who were trying desperately to move themselves out of his way, his eyes would occasionally drift down towards his now bloodied fists and he would be forced to think abut the task he had just undertook. It wasn't his first time being given such orders before to carry out, and it certainly wouldn't be his last. Not unless he wanted to go back to living amongst the likes of them and that simply was not an option.

In time, Kai finally made it to the building he was rushing to and stopped just outside the door to the 2 story structure. After taking a deep breath, the Gorilla knocked onto the door and waited. In a few seconds the door slowly opened and a young Fox girl was on the opposite side, wearing a brown dress and a cleaning rag in her paw. The girl looked up into the harsh face of the Gorilla standing before her and immediately she recognized him as one of the Master's Enforcers.

The fox quickly bowed as she asked, "S-Sir…how can I help you?" Kai just scoffed as he stepped past the girl who quickly backed away from the massive creature as he said, "I am here to see the Master. He is expecting me at any moment." The Girl nodded fearfully as she started to say, "Y-yes sir. I believe Master Cheng may still be in his private office. If you'll follow me-" But Kai immediately raised his hand and snapped, "I know very well where it is!"

As soon as Kai raised his fist, the girl immediately shied away in fear for two reasons. One, she feared that this particular enforcer would strike her due to her…Ignorance…and two, it was only then did she get a good look at the Gorilla's bloodied fists and the mere sight of the blood was almost enough to make the girl scream. Instead, all the girl did was drop her rag and back up a few more steps.

Kai looked over at the cowering girl for a few more seconds before he turned away and grumbled, "Just get back to your work…slave." And with that, Kai began making his way down one of the halls off to the right, while the Fox girl slowly reached for her dropped rag as she watched him leave, unable to keep herself from shaking. Shaking…and wondering just whose life the Master's…executioner had just taken this time.

As Kai made his way through the building, he passed maybe 3 or 4 more female workers who were busy tending to their daily duties of keeping the Master's Quarters cleaned. Every time he passed one, they would stop what they were doing and bow to the gorilla before going back to whatever it was they were doing. But Kai barely paid attention to this. He was too concerned with what he was going to speak with the Master about at the moment.

Soon Kai made it to his destination and was now standing outside a large wooden door towards the back of the building. After taking a deep breath, Kai rapped on the doorway quickly and waited. It was then that he noticed that some of the blood from his fists had transferred over onto the door but he paid it little mind. One of the slaves would clean it up at some point.

"Enter." The Gorilla heard from the other side of the door and slowly Kai opened the door and stepped inside. After he closed the door behind him, Kai found himself standing inside a rather spacious office with a large desk placed in the back of the room, a few shelves lined with shelves and storage cupboards, and a fireplace was lit just off to his right.

"Ah…Mr. Kai, you have returned. I trust there were no…difficulties?" Kai turned to face the man who had addressed him and saw the familiar, Large Water buffalo seated behind the desk, wearing his usual Gray vest and brown pants, as the buffalo eyed the gorilla expectantly while he looked up from the scroll he had been reading. Kai nodded his head as he stood up straight and replied, "No Master Cheng…the problem was handle without any trouble. He is dead and buried at the edge of the property with the rest of them."

Cheng nodded as he leaned back into his chair and brought his hooves up to his face and said, "Excellent…though I do wonder just how many more spies the Emperor plans on sending my way. fortunately, imperial guards are easy to spot a mile away. Their pride being their own downfall that is." As Mr. Cheng finished, he stood up and walked around to lean up against the front of his desk and asked, "Now that that pesky matter has been dealt with, do you have the information I asked of you to acquire for me the other day?"

At this Kai nodded and answered, "Yes sir, the next auction is to take place nearby will be in 10 days' time." At this Cheng stood up quickly with a devilish smirk on his face as he said, "Perfect! Our death toll this winter was rather high this year and I've just received word from our…benefactor…that we are to increase our iron output and that means I need more workers. Stronger ones too."

Cheng then began walking over to the Fire place and Kai was just able to catch a quick glimpse of the whip the Master carried with him at all times and failed to suppress a slight shiver. It had been a few years since Kai had felt the merciless sting of the whip but that didn't mean he didn't remember its wrath.

"This will also be a good opportunity for me to scout out some potential…contenders for The Pit. Tell me, how many of my fighters still remain down there?" as Cheng finished his question, he turned to see the Gorilla was now facing away slightly as Kai answered, "Just your Champion, Sir. Everyone else that was sent down there…has already died, be it because of the Ring…or other means."

Cheng nodded as he looked back into the flames and said, "I see…well then…Perhaps then in 2 weeks' time, hopefully I shall be able to host another night for the fights. That should bring in some much needed coin." Kai then lifted his head up and asked, "Sir… Forgive me for asking, but I thought the Benefactor provided you with the Money for the slaves?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng looked up and began staring at the wall above the Mantle for a long moment before he turned back and looked over at the Gorilla and asked, "And just where exactly did you hear this…Mr. Kai?" As Mr. Cheng asked, he slowly began making his way over towards the Gorilla, who was now beginning to sweat as he muttered, "N-n-nowhere Master…It was just a rumor going around the others, I swear." By now, Mr. Cheng had stopped and was now looking up at the gorilla's face with a look that showed Kai that he was contemplating whether or not he should unravel his whip that his hoof was now resting on.

After perhaps the longest moment of Kai's life, Cheng's face slowly twisted into a smirk as he laughed lightly and said, "Heh heh…worry not Mr. Kai. It matters not whether or not you know. I trust that you can be discreet with such information, after all…Ever since giving you the opportunity to escape the labor of the mines you have never given me reason be concerned…yet." At this Kai bowed deeply as he stated while relieved, "Thank you Master." Cheng just smirked again as he began moving over towards his desk once more and said, "No, if you must know, the money that comes from The Pit does not go towards our operation here."

Kai raised an eyebrow in confusion as he then asked, "Then where does it go, Master?" At this point Cheng had finally taken a seat behind his desk as he revealed dismissively yet with a slight smirk on his face, "Why, to me of course. Now…I want you to oversee the work in the upper North tunnel today and do try to move things along up there, the haul from the past two days has seemed to be a bit…lacking." At this Kai bowed to the Water buffalo before saying, "Yes sir, I'll take care of it."

Cheng nodded as he finished, "See that you do." and with that, the gorilla left the Office and the Water buffalo to his thoughts. Once Kai was gone, Cheng then looked back down at the scroll he had been reading as he muttered, "This auction could not have come at a better time. HE wants more iron for whatever reason, but I simply haven't had the bodies to deliver it…but now…I can have both more workers along with a few more fighters…A win- win to be sure…heh heh heh heh heh."

At that moment, Perhaps a mile or so away from Mr. Cheng's camp…

Two Rhino warriors wearing light battle armor were waiting impatiently around their campsite. While one continued tending to the fire, getting it prepared for their midday meal, the second was pacing along the edge of the sight impatiently, looking over the hills edge and down into the encampment they had been watching for the past 8 months.

"You know pacing around like that isn't going to make him show up any sooner." The Rhino pacing looked over at his companion that had spoken to him, who was now placing a cooking wok over the fire and snapped, "You think I don't know that? But he was supposed to report in an hour ago…what could have delayed him so-" But before the second Rhino could finish, a dark gray goose wearing a green messengers robe and matching hat landed in-between the two from above and immediately both Rhino's recognized him to be their fellow companion.

"About time! Where the Hell have you been!?" the second Rhino snapped while the first one stood up from the fire and walked over towards the panting goose. "What is it?" The first Rhino asked as he approached the messenger with slight worry covering his face. The goose managed to take a few breaths before he said, "I…I was going to meet the contact inside the camp, just like we arranged…but as soon as I arrived…I…I saw…" but the goose couldn't bring himself to say anything and the second Rhino was about out of patience. "Saw what!? What happened you stupid pile of feathers!?"

But before the first Rhino could reprimand his companion the goose shouted into the second Rhino's face, "I saw HIM beaten to death by the Gorilla! OKAY!? Our guy was found out just like all of the others and is now dead! JUST. LIKE. THE. OTHERS!"

Silence was all that followed after the goose's outburst. The second Rhino was just staring at the goose as he muttered, "So…Cong…is now dead too." The goose just nodded as the Rhino then turned around abruptly and shouted to the skies, "GAAAHH! How are they figuring out who it is we send in there!?" The first Rhino then whispered, "If Cong is dead…then that makes five Members of the Imperial guard now lost." The goose then turned to the first Rhino and said, "I saw the Gorilla burry him myself... He's gone. What are we to do now?"

The Second Rhino walked away a few paces to glare down at the encampment below them, while the first Rhino also stood up and said, "His Majesty's council ordered us that if we lost too many men in this undertaking then we were to seek more…professional assistance." Immediately the Second Rhino turned around and nearly shouted, "Don't even say it!" but the first Rhino snapped back, "What choice do we even have!? We've lost too many good men trying to find the evidence to connect that Buffalo to his buyer. This is our only remaining option!"

The Second Rhino scoffed as he turned away and grumbled, "I never signed up to take orders from the Likes of them." But the First Rhino pointed out, "No, you signed up to follow his Majesties orders…and those are them." Again the second Rhino rolled his eyes in disgust while the first Rhino quickly retreated into his tent for a few moments to write a message.

After signing the message in his name and rank, the Rhino sealed the scroll with the Emperors seal and returned from his tent and presented the Goose with the scroll. As the Rhino handed the scroll to the goose he asked, "Do you believe you can get this scroll to the Jade Palace in the Valley of Peace by sun down?" As the goose was pocketing the scroll he looked up at the Rhino and stated, "It may be a bit of a rush, but I believe so, provided I don't fly into any opposing winds during my travels."

The First Rhino nodded as he then said, "Then Make haste! In the meantime, we shall travel to the trader's village for supplies. If the Jade Palace is able to send help, that is where you must send them to meet up with us. We should be able to be there in about 3 days' time." The Goose then asked as he strapped his messenger's bag shut, "And if the Jade Palace is unable to send help?"

The First Rhino just sighed before he said, "Then we will have to come up with another solution and consult his Majesties council. But regardless if they can help or not, You are to rendezvous with is in the Village, no later than 4 days from now. Do you understand your orders?" The Goose then nodded quickly as he answered, "Yes Commander! I won't let you down." And with that, the goose quickly took flight, and began his long journey to the Valley of Peace.

As the First Rhino watched the goose fly off, the second Rhino walked over from the edge of the Camp site and grumbled,

"I hate working with Kung Fu Masters."

And there is Chapter 2. I know I haven't really given too much insight as to how Po is feeling or what he's thinking about the way his life has been going so far but that is on purpose. The Next chapter will be a more in depth look to how Po is handling his life as the Dragon Warrior. In case some of you weren't clear though, When Po was mentioning someone named, Xiao Po, he was referring to Ming's child. and the reason for why he called the cub that will be revealed in the upcoming chapter.

Thanks for reading everyone! You guys are truly amazing! Remember...

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