Crane stood quietly, running his wing along the old Gudi.
It was the last thing left from his father. The Gudi was quite beautiful, shining as the bright sunlight flowed into his new dorm. His father always loved music, a subject Crane possessed no talent in. His father had always been known to play the Gudi, made from the bones of Crane's grandfather.
The flute sitting before him was quite large for normal Gudi's, his grandfather having a wingspan of about eight feet. Crane remembered learning to fly, hoping to grow into the man his father had always expected him to be.
Crane sighed. That was before his father was taken. Taken, and killed.
But, maybe with the help of Mei Ling and the Masters, I'll grow into something my father could be proud of. Maybe now I'll have the chance to fulfill my name.
His name; Ou Tsuru. The name literally meant King Crane, or Crane Crowned. But when he was moved to China; to Lee Da, after he lost everything, his name changed to Crane.
That's what the warden called him; that was his name. And he had grown into it. Besides, that's what they'd be calling him now; Master Crane.
Crane smiled at himself, Be confident, not cocky.
He was a new student, not a master. Not yet anyway.
But he had faith. He had faith in himself, and faith in his abilities. A luxury he had been long deprived of.
Crane put the Gudi and its stand back in their dusty old box and slid it to the back of the large shelf.
Crane had stayed mostly secluded, just like he had always been; but he wasn't doing it because he was afraid to be made fun of or ridiculed, but because he wanted to. HE wanted to study scrolls, he wanted to think inwardly, and he wanted to learn. He learned faster than everybody around him, and that was the way he liked it. He didn't do it for his masters; He didn't do it for the other students; He did it, for himself.
And for Mei Ling of course. No matter how hard he tried, Crane couldn't stop trying to impress her. He wanted to show her she was right; Crane could become a Master, and they both knew it. But the faster he learned the better.
But Crane wasn't just spending all of his time studying. He was spending it finding a purpose. Not a life purpose, or a cosmic purpose, but a purpose as in something to do. Being the student he was, Crane had loads of free time.
But he could never find something to calm him. Calm him when he was embarrassed, when that feeling of being worthless tried to creep its way back into his heart.
Of course the Masters and higher students (such as Mei Ling) were amazed and surprised at how a simple janitor beat a course that dozens of giant, muscular recruits couldn't pass, but the lower students;
They weren't happy about having a novice in their ranks. Students constantly ridiculed Crane about his weaknesses; Skinny legs, small build, the latter. They wanted to break him down. And they'd do anything to do it.
But still, nothing stopped Crane. He believed in himself, his Masters believed in him, and Mei Ling believed in him.
There she is again! In all my thoughts, Mei Ling finds a way to sneak herself in! What is it about her? Is it the fact that she turned my life around with a pep talk and a bat of her beautiful eyes? Or is it that, even though she is a Master at Kung Fu, and a marvel among us students, she still seems to be so much like me? Could I…love her?
Ha! What are you thinking? Falling in love with a Master! She's way out of your league bird!
She always seemed to like me! Why else would she convince me to become a student here?!
She felt sorry for you no doubt! Who wouldn't?
No, she has to feel something for me! Whether it's just a friendship! She finally gave me something to live for!
Careful bird. Remember what happened last time you got close to someone.
A banging at his door snapped Crane out of his traitorous thoughts. He yelled, "Who is it?"
"Who do you think it is?" said a feminine voice.
Crane's eyes lit up. Mei Ling! She's back!
Mei Ling had left to go on a 'field trip'. She went with a few of the masters to check out Jade Palace. When Crane was scared she wouldn't come back, Mei Ling only replied, "Don't worry bird-brain; I'll come back to keep the bullies off ya."
Crane jumped up, his wings beating so he hovered off the ground, and opened the door hastily.
His happiness was crushed at the site of a mountain cat, but not Mei Ling.
"Oh hey Zaria" Zaria was a second-year, and in many of Crane's classes. Zaria was a clumsy, social, but smart girl. This fit the style she studied; Tumbling Chuan. She gave him a crooked smile and said, "Not happy to see me?"
Crane gave back a small smile to his fellow student, "I thought you were…someone else."
She only laughed softly, "Yeah, I know, you wanted me to be Mei Ling"
He blushed at his obviousness and opened his beak before Zaria said, "But she's back, so come on"
She yanked him out of the room and he found himself being dragged outside to the courtyard. "Where are we going!?" He yelled.
"Well, if you want to impress Mei Ling you'll have to be the first one to greet her."
They turned a corner into the main courtyard, the gates at the other end. The gates were opening, and entering was an old pig, accompanied by the warden, and another figure. She was tall for a girl, and even from this distance, Crane could see her well-built figure.
"Mei Ling" Crane gasped. They continued running, Crane now running by his own accord, until he was ten feet in front of the Kung Fu Warrior.
She smiled. He smiled back. Mei Ling bowed low. Crane bowed lower. When they both had returned to their normal standing positions, Mei Ling opened her mouth and said, "Good morning Master"
Crane tilted his head confused as she walked towards him. "Mast-"
"Ah, yes, I suspect your trip was a good one!" Crane looked behind him were a Master stood. When he looked back Mei Ling walked right past Crane, brushing his right wing.
Crane's beak dropped open.
"Ouch" Zaria murmured. "Bummer"
