Chapter 11: Nuts for Nuts

Kai crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. He stared at his father as he did so. Now, they were waiting for Fengbao to start teaching them.

Silvermist came over by him, after glaring at the other kids who whispered while looking at her. It had been two weeks since Silvermist was tortured by the other kids. "So, is your dad going to start teaching us some moves?"

Kai shook his head no. "He's still busy." They watched as Fengbao talked with the guards. The guards wanted to tell Fengbao that their leader wanted him to work extra hours and Fengbao wasn't too happy about that.

"Do you think we should ask him?" Silvermist asked.

"No," he replied. He looked at his friend. "My dad has been busy working and is kind of tired."

Silvermist nodded. "Okay," she replied simply. She looked over by the hall. "How about we have some fun?"

Kai looked at her and smiled. "Absolutely," he said leading the way.

Every once in awhile, they'd go back into the air vents-even though they were still narrow and uncomfortable-to mess with the maids. They always talked near the air vents to cool off while they took a break to gossip. The air vents were connected and sometimes you could hear other people talking.

That's when Kai and Silvermist would start messing around. They'd try and disguise their voices and make up something ridiculous so the maids would start spreading the news.

The two crawled into the air duct and tried to be as quiet as possible. "Ouch," Silvermist muttered.

Kai looked back at the wolf and shushed her. She mouthed, "Sorry."

They continued looking around for some gossiping maids. They spotted some over by the guard's meeting room. The two tried their best to make room for one another. It was very tight in the air ducts. But, nevertheless, they somehow managed to lay side-by-side by the opening. They peered through the thin openings and listened to their conversations.

"Did you see the new outfit Emily wore?" asked one sheep.

"Yes, wasn't it just awful?" asked the other.

"Absolutely dreadful!" the first one agreed. Then they erupted with giggles.

"Ladies, are you going to fix me some lunch or what?" asked the goat, getting impatient.

"Yes master," they both replied in unison. They left to get the meal. Kai's and Silvermist's eyes widened as they saw what was on the tray. Dumplings.

Delicious, mouth-watering, hot and steamy, meat dumplings. They smelled heavenly to Kai and Silvermist.

They hadn't had some in a long awhile. Their latest attempt to snatch some dumplings failed and the worker at the lunch room took the dumplings away. He then started asking others if they'd like dumplings. He no longer let them sit out for people to just take.

Kai grabbed his stomach as it growled. "Shh," Silvermist shushed him.

"It's not my fault," Kai whispered.

The goat looked at the vents and saw the two there. He just looked back down at his food and glanced at them from time to time. He had been wanting to observe Silvermist; to see if she was beginning to unlock her powers.

Silvermist then heard her stomach growl. "Shh," Kai said to her.

She didn't respond. Then, the maids went back to chatting under the air vent. Kai gently elbowed his friend playfully. "Watch this," he whispered.

He got ready to diguise his voice and begin pranking the maids. He tried to sound like an elderly lady, "Did you hear about the guards?"

"No, what?" Silvermist asked, playing along. She was trying to make her voice sound elderly as well.

"The one guard that makes the tools, he's getting married."

"Really? To who?"

The maids listened in, very curious to hear what was happening. "It was," Kai stopped and tried to think of the maids' names. "Kristie."

The two maids gasped. The goat just rolled his eyes. He continued listening while eating his lunch.

The two continued with their prank. "And you know what else?"

"No, what?" Silvermist asked.

"Kristie isn't going to invite any of the other maids. She says they're too...over-dramatic," Kai said.

"Over-dramatic?!" the two maids listening to the two gasped. They were infuriated and decided to confront the two supposedly getting married. They turned to the goat. "Boss, may we be excused?"

Even though he had been listening the whole time, he asked, "Why is this?"

"We want to go and teach someone a lesson!" one maid said, obviously furious.

He nodded to signal that they could go. They stormed off and he watched as Kai and Silvermist grinned at one another and crawled backwards, out of the air ducts.

I will observe them more intently later in the week, he thought to himself. But for now, I shall enjoy my relaxation time. He began eating. Then, two guards came tumbling in. "Sir!"

The goat sighed and moved his plate aside. "What is it you idiots?!"

"It's our weapons! They're all gone!" one guard said.

"Then make new ones," the goat said simply.

"But our guard, the blacksmith, can't. He's being beaten up by two maids," said the other guard.

He just stared at the two guards. He facepalmed and muttered, "Then think of something different."

They didn't hear him. "What?"

"Make something new!" the goat yelled, slamming his fists on the table.

The two were startled and raced out of the room, after crashing into each other of course. The goat sighed. He wished he didn't have such foolish guards.

+:*:+

Silvermist closed her eyes and waited for the surprise Kai was going to show her. She heard metal banging against metal, the sound of Kai struggling, and every one in awhile he'd mutter, "Oh come on!"

"Open your eyes," Kai told her.

Her silver eyes opened and she saw a group of items leaning against the wall. "Where did you get all of these?"

"Where else?" Kai asked, acting as if it were no big deal. He pointed behind him. She knew what he meant. He was talking about the guards who now feared the two. "You should've seen the two maids beating up on the weapon maker. A blacksmith is what they call him, I think."

"But don't you think we have enough weapons? You already took a few last time," Silvermist reminded him. Kai just crossed his arms and looked away.

"Well, I just thought we should stock up on some so they don't attack us with it," Kai said in his own defense.

"But why would they attack little kids with big weapons?" Silvermist asked, starting to bug him.

"I don't know!" Kai hissed. "It's just a theory."

"What's a theory?" Silvermist asked, making the lion cub facepalm. He was getting tired of this. Before he could explain, they heard a loud noise coming from the other side of the door.

The two looked over by it and walked slowly over to it. Had more guards found their hideout? Kai looked at the door skeptically. He slowly put his ear to the door. He heard the same loud noise and it startled him. He jerked back and he stared wide-eyed at the door in front of him. "Kai, what's wrong?" Silvermist whispered to him.

"There was this loud explosion-like sound out there," he told her. He tried immitating the noise and used his paws to help Silvermist picture it. As he made the boom sound, he stretched out his hands high above him. Even though he was over doing it, she believed him about the sound.

Silvermist shivered at the thought. "I don't wanna open the door."

"C'mon, Misty. We've got to find out," Kai told her, although he had some doubts himself. He looked at the door and swallowed hard. He tried to look brave in front of Silvermist. He didn't want her thinking he was a coward.

Even though that's pretty much what you are, a voice inside his head retorted.

He narrowed his eyes and reached out his paw and grasped the door. He swung it open and didn't see anyone in front of his door. He slowly looked around the corner. He spotted two guards chuckling. One guard held a dark brown, raggedy bag in his hands.

"Man, these things are awesome!" said the guard with the bag in his hands. He took a small item out of the bag and threw it to the ground. There was a loud bang! After the loud clamor, there was only a small puff of smoke eminating from the unknown object. Kai didn't see exactly what they were, but they seemed dangerous.

Kai soon felt something lightly touch his arm. Silvermist was slowly beginning to look as well. They watched as they continued to throw things to the ground. Silvermist and Kai both flinched when they heard the loud noise. It startled them every time, even though they knew what was going to happen. A shiver went up Silvermist's spine.

"What if they use this against us?" she whispered to Kai.

Kai looked back at the weapons. "We have things to protect us. Don't worry, Misty. We'll be fine." Kai looked at his friend as she just looked down, wondering what would happen. He just hoped everything would be okay like he had just said.

+:*:+

Kai and Silvermist stood in between Fengbao and Sue. There was an announcement that required everyone's attention. Soon, the goat that had imprisoned them all here, came into the dark and gloomy room. He coughed and looked around. He must be realizing how bad the conditions are here, Kai thought to himself.

Silvermist grabbed onto Sue's hand as the goat spoke to them. "Attention. I'd like everyone to hear this important announcement. It's for your own good," he chuckled deviously. "There's a new weapon that is going to be given to every guard in this hazy place." The goat looked around the foggy room. He didn't seem pleased to be in it.

"What's so important about a new weapon?" one snow leopard called out angrily. They could all see that he was losing it. His hackles stood out on end, his eyes were wide, and he was shaking. He hadn't been here as long as Fengbao and his family, but this lifestyle was driving this snow leopard insane.

It was sad to see this happen to people here. It happened very often in this dungeon-like place. Fengbao and Sue tried their best to keep Kai and Silvermist from watching it happen. It was hard to watch and it was scary to see the guards dragging the crazed person away. The scary part was that they never came back.

The little kids, and sometimes even the adults, wondered where they were taken. There were rumors that they were taken to a place even worse than this. Silvermist and Kai couldn't really imagine a place more horrible than where they were now.

"For your information, it concerns you because if you don't listen to the guards and more importantly, me, these weapons will be used against you, mercilessly," the goat looked over at the group of guards lined up behind him. "Please show these peasants what I mean."

One guard took a step forward and took a bag that was attatched to his brown leather belt. He loosened the tie that closed the small, tattered bag. He took out the item within it and held it up. Kai and Silvermist tried desperately to see what he held. It was hard to see with the room so dark and hazy. Plus, the object being so small didn't help any.

The guard quickly brought down his arm and his hand let go of the object in a flash. The loud bang sound came from it, but this time the sound and smoke was much bigger. The crowd of captives all took a step back, scared and astonished by this new weapon.

Kai narrowed his eyes at the spot where the weapon had been thrown. They've made some improvements with the weapon, he thought to himself. He didn't like this at all. He could tell his father wasn't either. His paws clenched into fists and Fengbao had an angry expression on his face. While on the other hand, Sue seemed to be like the others in the room. They were scared, nervous, and surprised at this.

"These nuts are filled with a special powder that gives them their," he paused, took a nut out of the bag and threw it to the ground in front of Fengbao and his family. "Pop."

Fengbao would've tried to fight back, but with the amount of guards behind the goat, his attack would've been vain. He just took a step in front of Kai and Sue did the same with Silvermist. They didn't want the little ones to get hurt. The goat just snickered. He then began to walk away with the guards following him in a march.

Silvermist whispered to Kai, "I think we have to be more careful now."

"That's for sure," Sue said, overhearing Silvermist.

+:*:+

"I'm telling you, they're really good," said Kai, holding out an almond to his friend.

Silvermist shook her head no. "I've had enough of nuts. I'm going crazy because of those things," Silvermist said crossing her arms angrily.

Kai sighed and then put it in his pocket for later. Earlier that day, the kids who had taunted her before were teasing her again. Silvermist began to fight and argue with them until three guards came and broke up the fight with the new weapons. They were all startled by the exploding nuts and backed away as the guards had passed through.

But when the guards weren't looking, one of the kids had swiped a bag of nuts on one of their belts. The bag was tied to the belt, but the child saw it was loose and decided to take the risk of taking it. The child had then thrown one at Silvermist and Kai. The two had fled from the group as they kept throwing them.

Silvermist had so badly wanted to get back at them. "Just once. Just one punch would make me happy," Silvermist growled, recalling the incident.

"Here's your chance," Kai whispered to her.

Silvermist glanced up from the table to find the kid who had thrown nuts at them, approaching. "Hey, your name was Misty right?"

"No," Silvermist said firmly. She glared at the young goose. Kai, knowing that she wouldn't say anything else, finished for her, "Her name is Silvermist."

"Oh, Silvermist. Right," he said, looking away for a moment, trying to remember. He looked back at the angry wolf pup and calm mountain lion cub. "I just wanted to say sorry for being mean to you." He placed the bag on the table. "You can have them. I don't want them."

And with that, he walked away. Silvermist settled down, but she was still cautious. Was that it? She and Kai exchanged a look and stared at the bag. Were there really nuts in there or was it a trick? Her trust with the kids in this dungeon no longer existed. It was only for that short time two weeks ago.

Kai grabbed the bag and hid it under the table on his lap. He slowly opened the bag and looked inside. Silvermist's ears were forward and her eyes wide. She wanted to know what was in there. Kai then showed her a nut. "They're in here alright," Kai said in a low voice, trying not to catch anyone's attention but hers.

Silvermist looked at the nut. She nearly fell off her seat when Kai almost dropped the nut. "Whoops! Heh-heh, sorry," he said nervously, scratching the back of his head.

"Be careful," she told him.

"I will," Kai said. He tied the bag shut and put the one he already took out in his pocket.

The two then got up and went to their hideout since they were done with lunch. They started to go over some new plans since they had to be very careful now. "Okay, so I think we should stop taking so many weapons from the guards." Silvermist nodded her head in agreement. That would only make them even more angry.

"Then they'd think of something even worse," Silvermist added. Kai continued on with his plan.

"We should focus a lot on the blacksmith. We need to know what he's making so we can be one step ahead of them," Kai told her. Kai looked over by the wall which had a long line of weapons leaning against it. "I think we should also pay more attention to which guards are afraid of what."

"Sounds good to me," Silvermist said with a supportive smile.

Kai crossed his arms and smiled confidently in himself. "I know. I made it," he joked. She gave him a light punch in the arm and laughed.

Kai reached into his pockets to get the nut he had saved before. He looked at the nuts. He remembered he had brought one with him as a snack for later. He was almost always hungry.

"You want one?" he asked her, holding out a nut.

Silvermist stared at the food. She liked nuts, but they weren't as good to her as dumplings. She shrugged. "Why not?" She took one nut and watched as Kai began to munch on his already. She carefully placed the nut in her mouth and bit down hard on it.

+:*:+

"Mom! Come quick," Kai said in a hurry. He ran to his mother's side. Sue was talking with Fengbao about the new hours he was going to work.

"What is it, Kai?" Sue asked seeing the worried look on her son's face.

"It's Silvermist. She's hurt really bad. You have to come quick," Kai said tugging her arm.

Sue and Fengbao followed Kai quickly to where Silvermist was in. She was on the ground unconscious and there was some blood coming from her mouth. "What on earth happened?!" Sue asked, bending down to help the wolf pup.

"She ate a nut. I thought it was a normal nut, but it was actually one of those exploding nuts. Before I knew it, there was a loud bang and Silvermist collapsed," Kai explained in a rush. He was so concerned for his friend. His best and only friend here.

"We need to take her to Gwen," Sue said carrying Silvermist in her arms.

Gwen was a nurse who had been captured by the goat years ago. She helped whoever had been abused by the guards here. She would surely help the young pup.

Kai followed his parents as they took Silvermist to Gwen. He hoped his friend would be okay after this.