Author's note: Hi everybody, thank you so much to those of you who have left reviews- I really appreciate your feedback!
Okay, this chapter is predominantly a Shifu-centric chapter, and it's basically 'the calm before the storm'. Hope you enjoy it!
~..~..~..`..
Chao and his masked bandits settled around their campsite, sorting through the possessions they had obtained throughout the day.
Chao sat amongst his group as they trained, or fought over their prizes, lost in his own thoughts.
The large travelling group they had targeted today…pandas. Chao shook his head. He had thought that all the pandas had been killed by Lord Shen.
'Apparently not', he said to himself drily.
Chao's claws raked the ground beneath him. Something didn't add up here.
First, the earthquake in the mountains… Not overly unusual, but then, there were the other natural disasters in the surrounding villages, which seemed to have no real explanation…not that he was complaining, of course. He and his group had never eaten so well as they had over the past few days, what with refugees travelling to find new homes.
But then this big group of pandas appears…
Ripping off his mask in frustration, the large tiger stood up. Pandas had made fool of him and his group. He'd never fought a panda before, and he'd assumed they would be easy. But, it seemed that pandas have a natural defense against direct attacks.
Casting his eyes over his group, Chao roared for attention. Every tiger in his band froze.
"We were made fools of today," he hissed to them all. "By giant teddy bears!" Turning, he swiftly dealt a blow to the log he had been sitting on, reducing it to splinters and kindling. "And instead of acting like the Great Cats we are, you're behaving like a bunch of rabid dogs!"
"Sir," one of his group put forward carefully, "we have more food and possessions than we have ever had. For the first time, we're actually going to go to sleep with a full stomach. Why are you treating one failed attempt today as a catastrophe?"
Chao lashed out and sent the young tiger flying backward into their campfire.
Screaming in pain, the young tiger rolled to put out the flames that had latched on to him.
"You're a third-born, Cong," Chao growled. "I can't expect a weaker tiger to understand. But a first-born knows," he told his group, "that victory is the only option worth having."
"I couldn't agree more," a cold voice said from behind them.
Turning, Chao found himself face to face with a large crocodile, eyes as black as ink, and flanked by about twenty tigers, standing as still as statues.
In seconds, Chao and his group prepared themselves for a fight.
"Who are you?" Chao demanded. 'And how did I not sense your approach?' he added to himself.
The big crocodile smiled.
"I am the Dragon Sorcerer, Long," he replied coolly. "And I'm recruiting tigers for my army. First-borns are my preferred option, however," those black eyes drifted over the group, "I realize that tigers are rather scattered and in slim pickings nowadays."
"Why would we want to join you?" It wasn't that Chao wasn't interested in a job, with payment, but his gut was telling him not to trust the crocodile before him.
"Well," Long smiled, "I'm not exactly looking for volunteers."
Yells sounded behind him, and Chao turned to see that every weapon that his group possessed had turned themselves on their owners. Chao's own sword was hovering before him, pointed directly at his throat.
"Now," Long stepped forward calmly. "You have two options, my friend," The sorcerer stretched a claw towards the smoldering campfire, causing the flames to leap into the air, creating a giant fire ball.
"You will serve me in my army, and help me reclaim the Valley of Peace, then China, as my own. Or you will burn from the inside out."
Seeing Long's power, Chao felt a shiver of fear travelling up his spine. Though he tried to deny it, telling himself it was anticipation at possibly getting to share in some of that power.
"We're in," he said.
"Good decision," Long smiled. Reaching forward, Long touched the tip of a claw between the bandit leader's eyes.
"Ahh!"
The bandits watched, as what appeared to be lighting travelled from Long and into Chao, spreading throughout the Tiger's body.
Clutching his head, the tiger fell to his knees, fighting furiously against whatever it was inside him.
"There's no point in fighting," Long told him. "You're mine, now."
Slowly, Chao's breathing calmed down, and his muscles relaxed. His group watched as their leader stood up once more.
As Chao raised his head, and opened his eyes, his bandits staggered back in shock, for his eyes were no longer the golden colour of a tiger's, but pure white.
Just like the other tigers who were under Long's command.
"Chao?" one of the bandits asked warily.
"Chao's not here anymore," Long answered, turning to the group. "And neither will any of you be. You are all mine to control."
"Well not me!" One tiger roared before attacking.
Almost lazily, Long summoned the earth beneath their feet, and soon the attacking tiger was pinned to the ground, encased in earth and unable to move.
"That is exactly the kind of spirit and power I want," Long smiled, touching a claw between the tiger's eyes.
"Yao!" The others cried out as their friend was soon taken over as well.
Long turned towards the remaining tigers as Yao calmly stood to attention after being released, his eyes as white as the others under Long's command.
"There is no escape," Long told them, and the statement was made all the more chilling, as the controlled tigers spoke in unison with their master. "You are mine to control."
With a wave of a claw, Long trapped each member of the group of bandits in rock.
No matter how they struggled, the tigers could not get free.
One by one, Long touched a claw between their eyes, sending his chi into their minds.
~..~..~..~..
In the Valley of Peace, the streets were crowded with people as Shifu, Master Bunny and the other kung fu masters walked amongst the refugees, helping people find lodgings. Master Bunny had even called in some help in the form of five of her own students, to help with the organization.
For while the villagers in the Valley of Peace had kindly opened their doors to the refugees, Shifu had to admit that there were quite a deal more than he had first thought.
"The Jade Palace will have to be open to these refugees as well," Shifu commented to Master Bunny.
"Perhaps the village leaders and their families?" she suggested. "Then we can all go over our options for what to do next."
Shifu nodded in agreement before calling Master Crane over.
"Tell the Village Leaders that they are welcome to stay at the Jade Palace with their families," he told his student. "As well as anyone else without a place to stay. We need to go over our options once everyone is settled."
Bowing, Master Crane took off.
~..~..~..~..
Po was weaving his way through the crowds until he reached his father's noodle shop.
Mr. Ping was at his marketing best, selling noodles to the hungry travelers as the bunny family from Wen's village he was boarding, helped out around the restaurant.
"Po!" Mr. Ping hugged his son in delight. "I, uh, see you found the panda village," Mr. Ping gestured to the many pandas that were seated in the restaurant, eating dumplings and slurping noodles hungrily.
"Yeah, I did." Po said proudly. "Now, dad," Po stood aside to allow Xi-Wong and Jia to step through the doorway, "I'd like you to meet my birthfather, Xi-Wong, and my cousin, Jia. Guys, this is my father, Mr Ping."
"Mr. Ping," Xi-Wong came forward and bowed. "It is an honor to finally meet the one who was kind enough to rescue my son. Without you, I would have truly lost him." The panda took the goose's hand warmly in both of his own. "I don't know how I can repay you."
Mr. Ping swallowed anxiously.
"Would you like some noodle soup?" He asked. "It's a secret family recipe."
"Again, you show your kindness, Mr. Ping," Xi-Wong bowed. "Thank you."
Po led his birthfather and cousin to a table, before hurrying onto the kitchen with his father to prepare the meal.
"So dad, what do you think of Xi-Wong?" Po asked eagerly as he cooked. "He's nice, right?"
"Well…yes," Mr. Ping admitted slowly. "He seems very…nice."
Po turned to his father, who was mournfully adding noodles to a pot of boiling water.
"Dad?" Po asked, concerned. "What is it?"
"Nothing, son," Mr. Ping's voice caught and Po realized that his father was crying.
"Dad?"
"I said 'it's nothing!" Mr. Ping exclaimed, turning to face the panda he had found in a radish basket. "You've found your home village, and pandas, just like you, and your father, who's just like you, and your cousin, who's just like you, and now you bring them here… to replace…me."
"Oh, dad, no." Po was quick to assure his father, wrapping the goose into a bear hug. "You're my father, dad, you know that. Xi-Wong's never going to replace you. I just want to get to know him."
"But he's your father, too" Mr. Ping reminded his son fearfully.
"Yeah, so?' Po asked. "Why can't I have two dads? Most people have two parents, you know."
"But you're still my son?" Mr. Ping asked anxiously. "You're not going to leave?"
"I'm your son, dad." Po told his father firmly. "And I promise: I will never leave you."
Mr. Ping wrapped his wings around his boy as tightly as he could.
"I love you, son," he whispered.
"I love you too, dad,' Po answered, gently setting his father back on the ground with a smile.
"Now," Po challenged. "Let's give these new guys the best noodles at Mr. Ping's!"
"That's my boy!" Mr. Ping cheered as he picked up his ladle. "You know…" he thought aloud. "With all these new people in town, I may have to make an extension on the restaurant to make room for all the extra customers!"
"How about a takeaway?" Po suggested as he chopped. "That way, people can still buy your food, even if the restaurant's full."
A takeaway restaurant? "Now there's an idea…" Mr. Ping considered.
~..~..~..~..
Shifu watched as The Jade Palace gates opened to allow the refugees to enter. Zang, along with the others who served at the palace helped to show people to spare rooms.
"I still don't see why I couldn't have walked," Shifu heard a voice grumble behind him.
"Ming, your leg is still badly broken and there are one thousand steps to the palace," a voice answered. "There is no way you could have made it on your own."
Shifu froze, feeling his breath catch at the back of his throat. He knew that voice…
Turning, the master of the Jade Palace saw a young red panda being carried through the gates on a stretcher, his leg heavily bandaged. Two other red pandas were carrying him.
"I don't like being helpless," the teenage boy grumbled.
"I understand, son," the one who was clearly his father said as the stretcher was gently lain on the courtyard ground. "But sometimes, when you need help, you have to put your pride to one side."
"Let your father and I carry you, Ming," the woman assured the boy gently. "If you rest your leg, you'll recover faster."
Wen stretched his aching muscles, moaning slightly in pain.
"I can treat you for that, if you like," the woman added hesitantly.
"Thank you, Yue-Yan," Wen answered, looking pointedly to his son. "I'm grateful for your help."
"Yue-Yan," Shifu whispered. Po's letter had mentioned someone named Yue-Yan, but Shifu had never dreamed that it would have been…
His eyes travelled to the one called Wen.
Wen… Shifu realized that this must be the one that Yue-Yan had been arranged to marry.
His memory travelled back to the letter that Oogway had delivered to him just after he pledged himself to Kung Fu. He had been shocked to realize that Yue-Yan was risking ostracism from her family to be with him. He hadn't wanted to be the cause of Yue-Yan's family being disgraced and had hoped that, by not replying, she would return home to the life that she deserved.
Seeing the boy on the stretcher, Shifu had to assume that she had.
Shifu swallowed before composing himself. After all, he should be glad that Yue-Yan had married and saved her honour, as well as that of her family.
So why did he, Master of the Jade Palace, feel the need to run and hide?
Yue-Yan looked up from checking Ming's leg to see the greatest Kung Fu teacher in all of China, standing as if frozen, a short distance away.
"Shifu?" Yue-Yan whispered. Hearing the name, Wen turned around.
"So that's Shifu?" Wen asked curiously, and Yue-Yan slowly nodded, trying to breathe.
Shifu came forward slowly, as if approaching a skittish horse.
"Yue-Yan," he greeted, bowing. "Welcome to the Jade Palace."
"Shifu," Yue-Yan bowed, shaking slightly.
Seeing Yue-Yan's discomfort, Wen stepped forward. "Thank you for accepting us," he bowed.
"It is my duty, and my pleasure," Shifu replied formally.
"Oh, yes," Yue-Yan composed herself quickly. "Shifu, may I introduce you to Wen."
"So," Shifu bowed slowly. "Wen…you are the one Yue-Yan was arranged to marry?"
Wen bowed, studying the kung fu master before him. "Yes," he answered slowly, "that's correct."
"You two were arranged to be married?" Ming asked curiously, never having heard this story before.
"Yes, son," Wen answered carefully. "We were."
Shifu turned his eyes toward Yue-Yan.
"Uh…it is good to see you, Yue-Yan," he bowed.
"And you," Yue-Yan answered, bowing politely back.
The longer he stared at her, studying her face, the more Shifu felt what could only be described as pure panic rising in his chest.
"Zang!" He called.
"Yes Master Shifu," the goose came forward.
Shifu cleared his throat.
"Please show…Wen…and his family to a spare room," he ordered.
"Yes sir."
Turning, Shifu moved away as quickly as he could without it being clear that he was fleeing.
"Master Shifu!"
Turning, Shifu saw Tigress approaching.
"Ah, Tigress," he greeted with relief. "It's good to see you've returned safely from your journey."
He frowned slightly when he saw the locket hanging around her neck. Tigress had never worn jewelry before.
"Where did you get that necklace?" He asked.
"From me."
Shifu's widened as a second tiger came to stand beside Master Tigress.
"My name is Li," the male tiger bowed, not taking his eyes of the Master of the Jade Palace. "Do you remember me, Master Shifu?"
Shifu stood, composing himself after his moment of surprise.
"Yes," he answered guardedly. "I do remember you."
"Good," Li stepped forward. "Then I would like to speak with you, alone."
His initial reaction was to refuse, but upon seeing the accusing look on Tigress' face, Shifu thought it was time.
"Very well," he answered. "This way."
Li shared a look with his sister before following Shifu to the Peach Tree.
"So," Shifu began, "what do you wish to know, Li?"
The large tiger approached the Kung Fu Master, anger simmering within his eyes.
"Why did you send me away?" He whispered.
Shifu raised an eyebrow.
"You're asking me this now?"
"Well, you didn't give me much opportunity to ask, last time I saw you," Li answered slowly.
Shifu took a breath, making his expression as calm as possible.
"You were not here for the right reasons," he answered.
"How is 'family' the wrong reason?" Li demanded.
"I didn't say the wrong reason," Shifu clarified, "I said it wasn't the right reason."
Li frowned. "I don't understand," he admitted.
Shifu sighed.
"Tai Lung had just been sent to prison, when Oogway found there was a tiger cub causing strife at the Bao Gu Orphanage," he began. "Oogway suggested I go and teach the young cub, and help her control her strength. He said that it may help me heal after losing my son- uh- student."
But Li had caught the slip up.
"And you adopted my sister, yet did not treat her as a daughter."
Shifu remained silent.
Li had had enough.
"How could you do that to a little girl?" He demanded. "How could you adopt Lin and then not even see her as your daughter?"
Shifu frowned,
"Lin?" He asked, curious.
"My sister," Li clarified.
"Hmm," Shifu considered. "So that was what you called her."
"Better than the name you gave her," Li spat sullenly. "'Tigress' isn't even a real name."
"'Tigress' was what those at the Orphanage called her," Shifu explained. "It was the only name she had ever known, and as I was taking her as a student, I saw no point in giving her a new one."
"But you only ever saw her as a student!"Li yelled. "You never treated her like family! If you knew that was how you were going to treat her, why didn't you let me stay? I could have given her the love she needed, growing up."
"She didn't need it," Shifu said slowly, trying to keep his temper. "She's turned out very well, and is one of my best students. And as you came to the Jade Palace for Tigress, rather than for Kung Fu, you would have simply distracted her from her training."
"She did need me!" Li argued. "She told me so herself! Why would you deny Lin the only thing she ever wanted: a father's love?"
"I don't have to justify myself to you," Shifu said coolly.
"No, you have to justify yourself to Lin," Li replied. "And believe me, she will ask, Shifu."
Shifu turned away, unwilling to answer.
"You raised Tai Lung as a son," Li accused.
"And look what became of him!" Shifu snapped, whirling around. "It was my love for him that blinded me to what he was turning into! I couldn't make that mistake again!"
Li's eyes widened at finally getting a glimpse into the great master's way of thinking. But still…
"Lin is not Tai Lung," he felt a growl building at the back of his throat.
"No," Shifu granted. "She's not. I didn't make the same mistake, with her."
"No," Li agreed flatly. "You just made brand new ones."
Shifu scowled at the large tiger.
"I am not perfect," Shifu granted.
"Understatement of the Dynasty," Li spat.
"But I have still given Tigress a better life than you would have, if you had got her out of the orphanage before I did," Shifu finished.
Li swallowed.
"I would have loved her," he stepped forward until he was standing over the Kung Fu Master, "which was the only thing you didn't give her, and the only thing she really needed."
"Duty must come before the heart," Shifu said firmly. "The responsibilities of a Kung Fu Master must always go before your own personal wishes."
"I don't believe that," Li hissed.
"And that," Shifu replied, "is why I sent you away."
Turning, Master Shifu made his way along the path back toward the Jade Palace.
~..~..~..~..
That night, Po was serving up dinner as the inhabitants of the Jade Palace entered the make-shift dining room. The regular kitchen was too small, so the meal was served in the Hall of Warriors, beside the Dragon Mirror Pool.
Tigress made a point of sitting with Li and his family at the far end of the table, as far away from Shifu as she could. Li had told her of their conversation by the Peach Tree, and she was not in the mood to speak with her Master at the moment.
"Yue-Yan?" Master Bunny greeted as her old friend entered, coming forward and bowing eagerly. "Oh, it's so good to see you again!"
"It's great to see you as well, Shu," Yue-Yan smiled.
"Wait," Shifu's attention was caught. "You two know each other?"
"Yue-Yan and I met in Gong Man city," Master Bunny informed him. "She was the one who encouraged me to come to the Jade Palace and train in Kung Fu."
"And I'm glad to see you've achieved you dream, my friend," Yue-Yan smiled happily.
"Gong Man City?" Shifu repeated, confused. "When did you live in Gong Man City, Yue-Yan?"
"Alright, everybody, have a seat!" Po announced to the room. "Dinner is served!"
Master Bunny took Yue-Yan by the arm and escorted her friend to the table.
"I would love to see how your Tai-Chi training has evolved, Yue-Yan," Master Bunny said quietly to her friend. "Would you object to a friendly sparring match?"
"Oh, no, Shu, I'd love to," Yue-Yan agreed happily.
Shifu stared, shocked that two women he thought he knew very well were actually friends and he hadn't even known.
Shifu sat down at the dining table, and found himself between Xi-Wong and Wen.
"Master Shifu," Xi-Wong greeted warmly. "Thank you for inviting us to the Jade Palace."
"Indeed," Wen added, taking a sip of tea that Yue-Yan had just poured. "It is a great honour."
"The honour is mine," Shifu answered formally. "I assure you." He looked up as Yue-Yan poured him a cup of green tea, her movements confident and graceful.
"Do you still take your tea with honey, Shifu?" Yue-Yan asked him, though she avoided his eyes.
"Yes," Shifu replied slowly. "But you are a guest, Yue-Yan, you shouldn't be serving tea."
"Oh, tea is what I do Shifu," Yue-Yan waved the comment off as she went about her work.
"Yue-Yan ran the tea house in our village," Xi-Wong supplied, "as well as the infirmary."
"Really?" Shifu asked, a small smile playing around his mouth. "She has always had a gift for healing."
"Yes, she has," Wen commented, and Shifu started slightly, having forgotten that he was there.
"Uh, how is your son, Wen?" Shifu asked, helping himself to a couple of dumplings.
"He is doing well, thanks to Yue-Yan's care," Wen answered.
"You could not ask for anyone better than Yue-Yan," Xi-Wong said proudly. "She is the best healer in the village, and completely selfless. Why," he continued, "when Wen's village arrived, refugees from an earthquake, Yue-Yan did everything she could to provide for every person in need, including Wen and his son."
Shifu froze mid-bite as his mind processed what Xi-Wong had just said.
"Wait," he swallowed. "What?"
"Hey dad," Po waved to Xi-Wong from further down the table. "Come here a minute?"
"Please excuse me for a moment," Xi-Wong bowed before getting up to join his son, leaving Shifu with Wen.
Slowly, the Kung Fu Master turned to the village leader beside him, who was calmly finishing his soup.
"You're not married to Yue-Yan, are you?" Shifu asked quietly.
Wen swallowed.
"No," he answered just as quietly. "I am not."
"But you knew that's what I would assume," Shifu pressed, "once I found out who you were."
"I am not responsible for your assumptions," Wen answered calmly before standing. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must take some food for my son."
Wen picked up a bowl of soup and made his way out of the room. Barely had he made it out the door, when he found his path blocked by Shifu.
"Why did you let me assume that you and Yue-Yan were married?" Shifu demanded. "Why didn't you correct me? It could have been quite embarrassing later on."
"Your embarrassment is not mine," Wen answered with dignity. He tried to move on, but Shifu blocked him once more.
"You would have knowingly allowed the Master of the Jade Palace to be humiliated, when he had given you and your son sanctuary in your time of need?" Shifu demanded. "Why?"
Taking a breath, Wen adjusted his glasses nervously, before standing as tall as he could.
"Yue-Yan and I did have had an arranged marriage," Wen began carefully. "But while we did not love each other, we did care about each other. She cared enough to allow me to find love for myself, and I did." He lowered his eyes. 'My wife died three years ago."
"I'm…sorry," Shifu admitted.
"Now, the universe has led me to finding Yue-Yan again," Wen continued. "And I see that while she has travelled, like she always wanted to, and is happy in her work, she still cares for you, Shifu."
Shifu's eyes widened, and he had to take a moment to remember how to breathe.
"She does?"
Wen frowned. "She even remembers how you take your tea."
Shifu lowered his eyes, considering.
"But you refused her," Wen reminded the Kung Fu master pointedly. "You put your Kung Fu before your heart, and you refused her. And something tells me that you haven't changed much over the years." Wen met Shifu's gaze, unafraid. "And I still care enough about Yue-Yan to try and help her avoid getting her heart broken yet again, because of you."
Wen stepped around Shifu and continued on his way, and this time, Shifu let him go.
~..~..~..~
"Something doesn't feel right about all this," Li commented as Master Tigress took him for a tour of the Jade Palace after dinner.
"Which part?" Tigress asked flatly.
"The events that have been occurring lately," Li clarified. "Master Bunny mentioned there were other natural disasters happening around the area. Floods, fires, earthquakes, rock slides…Other villages apparently had some tigers too, and while most of the villagers survived, the tigers disappeared. Their bodies weren't found among the dead."
"What are you trying to say, Li?" Tigress asked her brother, not understanding.
Li sighed, shaking his head.
"I dunno," he admitted. "I probably just paid too much attention to my dad's stories growing up."
"What stories?" Tigress asked interestedly.
At that moment, Da-Xia came running up.
"Get to the training hall, quick!" She told them excitedly. "Master Bunny's fighting Yue-Yan!"
~..~..~..~..~
Yue-Yan had hoped that this would be a private match between Shu and herself, but as soon as Po and Cheng overheard them, Yue-Yan knew that it was going to be a public show.
Sure enough, as she and the first female Council member squared off in the training hall, the room was filled with spectators.
"Go Yue-Yan!"
"Go Master Bunny!"
"This is just a friendly match," Yue-Yan reminded them all.
"We can still cheer you on though, right?" Cheng called from the sidelines, where he was sitting with his brother and sisters.
Sighing, Yue-Yan looked over at her friend, who shrugged nonchalantly before bowing.
Bowing in return, Yue-Yan took a breath, and got herself ready.
"What is going on in here?" Shifu demanded, pushing himself to the front.
"Master Bunny's gonna spar Yue-Yan," someone told him eagerly.
'What?' Shifu's eyes searched until he saw Yue-Yan assume a ready position.
"But-" he stammered. "Yue-Yan can't fight."
"Oh yes she can, Shifu," Li said firmly from behind him. "Yue-Yan taught every panda in our village. So I suggest you watch and learn."
Silence settled over the room, and soon, everyone was waiting.
Master Bunny was the first to attack. Practically flying across the room, her kicks were too fast to follow. Yue-Yan blocked most, but the last one got her in the side. A worried gasp rose up from the spectators, but Yue-Yan proved she was fine as Master Bunny attacked once more, by deflecting, and sending her flying to one side. It was only because of her fast reflexes that Master Bunny didn't plunge into the spectators gathered.
"Go Yue-Yan!" Li cheered.
The match continued, with the Master of the Bunny style of Kung Fu using her trade mark agility and kicking techniques, and Yue-Yan using her Tai-Chi-style 'absorb and deflect', combined with highly precise strikes, the two fighters were rather evenly matched, each taking a few knocks, but also holding their own against each other.
Eventually, the two came to a standstill, and, in unison, bowed to each other, signaling the end of the match.
"Thank you Master Bunny," Yue-Yan smiled, panting slightly.
"Thank you, Yue-Yan, my friend," Master Bunny bowed.
Cheers erupted from the crowd, for it had been a very entertaining fight.
"That was so cool, Yue-Yan!" Lian ran forward and hugged the red panda. "You nearly redirected Master Bunny through the wall!"
"Master Bunny!" Po cheered. "That was so cool! How fast were those kicks. Awesome!"
"Alright everybody!" Xi-Wong called for attention after a few more minutes of congratulations. "After that very impressive display of skill, it has been a long day for all of us, and I believe it's time to say goodnight."
The kids began to grumble in protest, as their parents led them out of the hall and towards their beds.
Yue-Yan had just said goodnight to Lian and Maylin, when she turned to find Shifu standing before her.
"Shifu,"Yue-Yan greeted, bowing.
"That was…" Shifu began awkwardly, "quite a display of skill, Yue-Yan," he admitted. "Well," Yue-Yan drew herself up proudly. "I have learnt a few things since I last saw you, Shifu."
"Clearly," Shifu said slowly, his ears drooping slightly as he remembered the last time he saw Yue-Yan. Or didn't…
The silence stretched as they continued to regard each other in the now empty hall, both wanting to speak, but not knowing what to say.
"Well," Yue-Yan sighed as she bowed to take her leave. "Goodnight, Shifu."
Shifu grimaced as she turned away. He had always been a coward when it came to her…
Screwing up his courage, Shifu took a deep breath.
"Yue-Yan?" He called.
Yue-Yan paused at the door, looking over her shoulder.
"Yes, Shifu?"
"Umm…" Shifu's mind went blank as he moved forward, as he tried to think of something, anything, to say.
"Have you seen the peach tree?" He asked.
Yue-Yan shook her head.
"Master Oogway planted it. It's my favourite place in the grounds," he told her slowly, folding his arms so she wouldn't see them shaking in the light of the full moon. "Would you like to see it?"
Yue-Yan nodded, smiling.
"I'd love to."
Shifu gestured in the direction of the hill.
"It's this way," he said.
Together, they walked along the path to the peach tree, and Shifu felt memory after memory fill his mind.
"Yue-Yan," he began, "I'm … sorry I never replied to your letter," he told her, his eyes looking across the Valley. 'Even now, you don't have the courage to even look at her' he berated himself.
"It's alright, Shifu," Yue-Yan told him. "It was a long time ago and I've long since forgiven you."
"No, it's not alright," Shifu told her, finally turning to face the one he had loved so long ago. "I couldn't bear the thought of being the cause of your dishonor. I thought that if I let you go, without a word, you would hate me, and it would be easier for you to move on with your life."
"Hate you?" Yue-Yan repeated in surprise. "I was hurt, to be sure, Shifu, but I could never hate you. You're too honourable for that."
"I'm flattered you regard me so highly," Shifu said. "I really don't deserve it." He sighed. "I've made so many mistakes in my life, Yue-Yan."
"No one's perfect, Shifu," she told him.
"Understatement of the Dynasty," Shifu muttered.
"I've made mistakes too, you know," Yue-Yan continued. "I can't believe how selfish I was, trying to make you leave the Jade Palace for me."
Shifu's head shot up. "What?" Yue-Yan had thought she had been selfish?
"You loved Kung Fu so much," Yue-Yan took a seat at the base of the Peach tree, hanging her head guiltily. "You never said it, but I know how much you wanted to be the Dragon Warrior yourself, and gain the Dragon Scroll. That was your dream…and I tried to take you away from that."
Shifu regarded the woman before him with surprise. How could she think her actions were selfish?
"I was never meant to be the Dragon Warrior, Yue-Yan," he told her gently. "The universe had a greater path for me to take."
"Yes," Yue-Yan smiled, raising her eyes to view the Kung Fu Master. "You're becoming the next Oogway instead."
Shifu's eyes widened.
"I could never hope to be as great as Master Oogway," said humbly.
"Doesn't every student think that of their Master?" Yue-Yan put forward. "And is it not every Master's greatest wish for their student to surpass them? How else would our knowledge and wisdom continue to grow and evolve over the generations?"
Shifu stared at Yue-Yan in awe. She was certainly no longer the wide-eyed girl who sat, enthralled at his stories of kung fu and travel. No, she had travelled and seen the world for herself, and carried the wisdom of her experiences with her now.
"Yes, indeed it is," Shifu agreed softly, before looking up as a movement caught his eye.
A blossom from the peach tree had fallen, and the couple watched as the beautiful flower drifted slowly to the ground.
Cautiously, Shifu picked up the blossom, and handed it silently to Yue-Yan. Smiling in gratitude, Yue-Yan tucked the blossom behind her ear.
"So," Shifu began awkwardly, "where did you learn Tai Chi?"
Yue-Yan smiled.
"Gong Man City," she answered proudly. "That's where I met Shu."
"Tell me the story," Shifu invited, taking a seat under the tree.
~..~..~..~..
Author's note: What did you think?
I was originally planning on just having Shifu say 'goodnight' to Yue-Yan and let her go, cutting out the scene of Shifu and Yue-Yan at the Peach tree, but I figured, after his confrontation with both Li and Wen...I figured something must have gotten through somewhere.
I liked my little addition at the ending with the peach blossom. The Peach Tree, I think, represents Oogway's spirit still overlooking the valley and his students. I think that he would be trying to help Shifu, especially now that both Shifu and Yue-Yan has had time to follow their dreams of travel, study and training. I believe Oogway would want to tell Shifu that it is okay for him to open his heart once more, and try to make up for his past mistakes. The Peach Blossom was just how I would imagine Oogway giving his 'blessing' as it were.
And we'll see how this affects Shifu's decisions later in the story- his old habits of 'duty first' compared to his relatively new path on following the 'duty to his heart'.
What did you think?
I was thinking of extending this chaper to include a key part of the next chapter, but as this one was so Shifu-centric, I didn't want to take that focus away. It also makes this chapter appear more as the 'calm before the storm' which I think will make the next chapter more dramatic.
In the next chapter, it's going to kick into high gear, as the events leading up to the finale will begin to unfold, and yes- finally- Po and the Five will find out that Li is Tigress' brother.
Please leave a review! I love feedback!
Celino.