The Christmas Spirit

Chapter 3: Can't you cry?

"Hey guys, check it out!"

The five turned to see Po wearing a red and white outfit, he even wore a hat to go with it; Po smiled and said, "Like it, its a santa clause costume."

"I gotta admit Po, you sure got the stomach for it." Mantis teased

"Very funny, Ichi thought it was a good idea," Po explained. "He said I'd make a great santa."

"So you did it?" Crane asked

"Well... not really," Po answered. "But I'm starting to get why he won't celebrate, its because he can't remember the first christmas he had with his parents."

"I guess that makes since, if I couldn't remember celebrating with my parents I don't think I'd be able to celebrate at all." Viper sighed

"Hey, where's Master Shifu?" Po asked

"He went to check on the kids." Tigress answered

Tigress was right, Shifu was in the training grounds watching the kids talking with each other; he felt happy to see them smile, but he felt regret for not being able to help Ichi. When he saw Ichi left, he walked towards the others and asked, "Where's he going?"

"The bookstore, as usual," Fu sighed. "I wish I could do something, but I don't know how he feels. This'll be my first time celebrating, so I don't know what to do."

"I lost my parents just like him, but I can still remember my first christmas," Ren explained. "Thinking about it makes me happy, but knowing that he can't makes me feel bad about it."

Shifu felt the same way, but after a thought went through his head he said, "Ren, would you happen to know where the white lotus are?"

"I think they're near the bookstore, why?" Ren asked

"If you'll excuse me, I need to go somewhere for a minute." Shifu said, walking away.

Meanwhile, Ichi was in the bookstore, trying to find something new; but Jubei could see the look on his face and said, "Hey Ichi, you sure you don't want to celebrate with the others?"

"I'm sure, I don't want to be a party pooper anyway," Ichi said, smiling. "Hey, isn't there any new action genre?"

"There should be a new one on the left."

"Come on Ichi, this'll be the first time to celebrate as a family," Shiisaa explained. "This'll be fun, you have to."

"But I can't, it wouldn't feel right to me," Ichi sighed. "I think I'll buy this, then I guess I'll see Tian di and the others."

While Ichi bought what he wanted, Shifu was right behind the bookstore; after remembering the first time he met the white lotus he was able to remember the password, when he knocked the door a voice said, "What's the password?"

"Um... new england, clam chowder." Shifu answered, 'They really need a new password.'

"The red or the white?"

"The white, now open the door Mac."

"That you Shifu, why didn't you say so?"

As the door opened, Shifu found the white lotus playing a game of cards; when Tian di saw him he said, "Hey Master Shifu, want to play some old maid?"

"No thank you, I need to ask you a question," Shifu answered. "Can you tell me about Ichi, didn't he ever celebrate christmas before?"

"So he's doing it again?" Juu asked

"Again?"

"Poor comrade, he always keeps it to himself." Don sighed

"Tell me, what are you talking about?" Shifu asked

"The kid was with us for at least two years, and he was a good peacemaker," Tian explained. "But everytime christmas came he acted like he didn't want to celebrate, and everytime I asked why he said that he didn't have the spirit for it. But with that he said 'It's ok, you guys can have fun. I don't we a party pooper anyway.'"

"He'd give you his kind smile right?" Shifu asked

"I wonder why Ichi acts like that, maybe its something from his past?" Mac said, confused

Shifu finally realized the problem, his ears fell down in sadness as he said, "His lost memories, after his parents died he started to forget about his past. That also included his first christmas."

"Poor kid, can't we do anything?" Juu asked

"I don't think he'll let us, with all that emotion he has inside, the only thing that'll help is for him to cry." Tian answered

"I don't think we can ask him that." Mac sighed

"What are you guys talking about?"

The five turned to see Ichi in front of the door, holding a book in his hands; they didn't want to tell him anything, so Shifu smiled and said, "We were talking about old maid."

"Oh can I play, I'm pretty good." Ichi said, smiling

"No way, you nearly robbed me out of house and home when you were younger!" Mac exclaimed

"Let's get going son, it's time to go home." Shifu called

Ichi just followed Shifu back to the jade palace, but Shifu couldn't help but ask. "You gamble for money?"

"Where'd you think I got the money for this book?" Ichi chuckled

To be continued

A little more to learn about Ichi, hope this is good. Chapter 4 coming soon.