A/N: Thanks for sticking guys =). I was supposed to update this about two hours ago, but someone had to use my PC, so I had to wait.

Anyway, to those who asked why nobody has noticed yet. I'm not in to divulging details but they're not supposed to notice. But know this, in all my stories (I think), I always leave it with a happy ending B).

Chapter 3

"Crane! Crane!"

Mantis continued yelling his name, but to no success. He could not hear him for some reason, and he was sure he was within hearing distance.

The chase went on. Mantis tried once more.

"CRANE!"

Crane who was flying in a carefree way, could not help but over hear someone yelling. He stopped his flying and hovered above ground. He eventually spotted the Mantis looking over him. "We're you the one yelling?" He asked.

Mantis was relieved. Finally, he got to him. "Crane! I need to talk to you!"

"Who's Crane?"

"What! What do you mean who's Crane? You're Crane!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Who are you anyway?"

"Me? I'm Mantis! Don't tell you've forgotten."

"Nope. I don't know you."

"What!"

"I'd love to stay and chat but I've got more places to fly." And with that, he sped off

"Crane! Wait!" Again, he was back to chasing the spirit. As he did, he noticed something at the corner of his eye. It was a spirit and it was speeding in the opposite direction. I wonder why that spirit is in a hurry?

Po had been observing her for quite some time now. She had been standing there on the kitchen doing something and he could not know because her face was turned. I wonder what Tigress could be doing in the kitchen. Po knew that the kitchen was not Tigress' thing. He knew her to be one to sneak at night to train, to discipline, but Po was sure that going to the kitchen is not a place to look for discipline. It was a place to eat, a place to laugh and share, a place for fun and enjoyment. It is a place that he is all too familiar with. Something must have given her reason to stay, and he wondered what it could be… until… he thought of something. Could it be? There was only one way to find out.

Mantis was chasing Crane away. They were at the limits of the village. Crane was just flying to fast. "At this rate, we'll be half-way across China."

Mantis paused momentarily, trying to catch his breath. He then noticed more spirits heading for the opposite direction. "Okay, something is definitely going on here." He quickly sprung back into action. "I need to catch up to Crane before it's too late."

Tigress was always the conservative one. Even if she loved something that was not in her nature, she would not show it. She felt that she needed to constantly show that she was strong, that she was still in control and perhaps it may have gotten the best of her. That first bite from Po's dumplings earlier was simply divine. She wanted more but she could not just say she wanted more without making a scene. She felt it was a mistake not to accept Po's offer cause she really wanted more. No. She needed them. The taste was so powerful that her discipline and self-control was just overwhelmed. She had to take another. Even if she had to just eat one dumpling, it would be worth it. And now, she stood beside the kitchen table. Before him were Po's delicious dumplings. She was done looking. "I can't take it anymore!" It was time. She picked up a dumpling, with her paw. Forget etiquette. She could not sleep when all she could think of were dumplings, dumplings and dumplings. She had been craving this all night. On her hand was her prize. Her eyes locked to it and then, it was gone. Tigress had put the dumpling and shoved it to her mouth. All of a sudden, the sensation of its taste returned. The taste, a perfect blend of flavors. It was simply incredible. "I need another one." She said. "Forget that someone sees me. Nobody's even here to see me. I'll just blame it all on Po when they ask." Tigress picked another dumpling, again with her paws. "You're mine! All mine!" She opened her mouth, but before she could drop it,…

"Tigress?"

Tigress was shocked. At the door was Po, who had been staring at her. Tigress blushed in embarrassment. "Po! How long have you been standing there?" she asked on the defensive.

"Long enough to know that you're crazy in love my dumplings."

"I-I…" She tried to explain, but she was caught red handed. What more was there to explain? She was overheard, she's caught holding a dumpling, she's caught eating a dumpling. Nothing more needed to be said. With her head down, she admitted defeat. "I'm so ashamed."

Po then approached her. "There's nothing more wrong with having a little more dumplings, Tigress. All you need to do is asked."

"But you don't understand, I can't show this. It is a sign of weakness. People will see me differently."

"You know what I see, Tigress? I see the strongest and most disciplined kung fu master in all of China. And nothing's going to change that."

Tigress smiled at that. "Has anyone told you how awesome you are?"

"I know, right." And for a brief moment, they just continued staring at each other's eyes. "Say, Tigress?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you gonna eat that?" Po pointed to the dumpling on her paw.

"Buzz-off, panda. Get your own." Tigress said jokingly. She immediately devoured it. "Say, you're gonna tell this to the others, are you?" She asked, surprisingly, while still chewing with her mouth full.

Po just smiled. She looked cute talking while her mouth was full. "Relax." He said. "Your secret's safe with me."

Crane flew over the mountains with Mantis following just behind. Mantis then had to stop. They were going too far now. The valley was way behind them now. Crane was just too fast and Mantis was just too tired. He could not go on. He would simply have to face his predicament when sunrise would come. He would have to accept his responsibilities. He would have to accept that his friend and comrade is gone.

"Why did you stop?"

Surprisingly, he looked to see that Crane was hovering just on top of him. "I'm tired." He replied. "If you want to fly away, be my guest. I can only do so much."

"If you wanted to rest, you should have asked."

"Wait, you mean to tell me you would've stopped if I asked you?"

"Yep."

"Wait, I thought you were flying away?"

"No. We were playing silly. You're it."

This was getting ridiculous, he thought. "Crane, don't you really remember me?"

"Well, you look familiar, but that's all. But I can tell that you're a nice guy."

"Fascinating."

Mantis and Crane looked to their side. It was the shopkeeper. Apparently, he had caught up, despite the distance. "I was not expecting that you would have any faint recollection of your past."

"Who's he?" Crane asked Mantis.

"Shopkeeper, why does Crane not remember anything?"

"Perhaps, there was something that I've forgotten to mention earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"Allow me to explain. The dreamcatcher allows for the ability to separate oneself from reality. A useful tool for meditation and such, which is why I recommended it to your friend. However useful for meditation, there are some serious side-effects in the separation of spirit to the body and mind. Unfortunately, memory is a function of the mind and to leave the mind means to lose your memory."

"You're not suggesting…"

"Unfortunately, I am. Your friend does not know who he is. Neither has he any recollection of who he was. To perform such meditative exercise, one has to empty his mind before leaving it. So when the spirit is taken away from the mind, he is aware."

"I see. Well it looks like Crane isn't flying away. We we're just..." Mantis looked at Crane and smiled. "Yeah, we we're just playing."

The shopkeeper smiled. "That's… nice." He then looked at the sky. "We best return to your friend's body. The longer we wait, the more they will be."

"They? Who are they?"

"Did you not notice the spirits flying to the Valley of Peace? They can sense your friend's body is up for grabs."

"Then there's no time to waste." He looked at Crane. "How's about a game?"

Crane nodded. "I like games."

"Good, cause this is a racing game. First one to the Jade Palace wins."

"You're on." And with one big swoop, Crane sped back to the Valley of Peace. Mantis and the shopkeeper wasted no time to return back as well. They sped their way down a hill.

"Say, how did you get here so quick anyway?"

"Ah, but a magician never tells his secret."

There was just well over two hours left before sunrise. Mantis, Crane and the Shopkeeper went there way with Crane on the lead. "He's actually enjoying this." Mantis remarked.

"Yes. Such a care-free spirit. Though, they say that a spirit expresses his needs and desires when he does not feel that he is getting enough of it in the physical world." The shopkeeper replied. They soon witness other spirits speeding to the Valley of Peace. "We need to hurry. The more spirits there are, the harder it is for Crane to have a fighting chance. Wandering spirits can sense when a spirit has forfeited its own mind and body. With Crane's spirit no longer linked to his mind, these other spirits would gladly take his place."

"Don't remind me."

"I'm just saying. Once I have activated the dreamcatcher as a gateway, Crane must be the first to enter."

"Yeah?" Mantis looked at Crane who was speeding faster than ever before. "I don't think that's going to be much of a problem."

They look at Crane speeding down. "I must admit, he is fast." Remarked the shopkeeper.

Crane suddenly stopped. Mantis and the shopkeeper soon take notice.

"Crane, why did you stop?"

"Look!" He replied back.

Mantis and the shopkeeper followed and were in awe by what they saw.

"We are here." The shopkeeper replied, seeing that they are now back at the village outskirts.

"And it looks like we've got company." Mantis noticed several dozens of spirits flying around the Jade Palace in the distance.