Chapter 2: Red's Promise
"So, this is the Land of the Lost, sure is cheery," Harmony said sarcastically. She looked around and saw the eerie fog around them and dead trees in the distance.
"Shade, Shade," Red called looking around. His eyes kept moving around searching for the tiny mouse. He kept moving around trying to hear her voice or something. Only darkness was his answer and silence was the only thing he heard. Tears stung his face as he wished Shade was here. On his shoulder and nuzzle his cheek to make him smile. Even to have her call him Big Guy again would be even better. Po and Harmony exchanged worried glances and Po walked over to him.
"Don't worry Red we will find her but first we need a plan okay," Po said gently. Since Red's temper had shown Po had to be careful. Shade was the only one to soothe him which was funny if you think about it. Red being extremely tall and strong and how a creature that came up to his foot could calm him down.
"Okay Po," Red said feeling defeated.
"Since Tigress and I can see better in the dark we will try to find some wood to use for a fire," Snow said.
"We will be right back," Tigress told Po as he kissed her gently.
"Be careful," he told them.
"Well why Stripes and Snow finds wood I am going to see if I can find us some food," Harmony said.
"I will go with you," Tai-Lung said getting up trying to be useful.
"Okay come on," Harmony said and they disappeared. The others stood watch trying to map out their surroundings to get a feel of the area. Soon within an hour Tigress and Snow came back with some wood. Speedy took them and began to make a fire. Within a few moments a roaring fire was made and Harmony with Tai-Lung came back with some odd looking berries. They were the size of coconuts and were a deep blue.
"Are these safe to eat?" Camille asked looking at the fruit.
"I had one they are quite tasty," Tai-Lung said calmly. He could feel Red's eyes glaring at him but when he looked at Red the ox looked away.
"Okay we need a plan," Dark Wind said softly.
"First we need to eat and rest then tomorrow we can find Shade," Po told them. They all agreed for they were all tired. Each one ate the odd fruit and it tasted like a mix between a blueberry and a cherry.
"Before we fall asleep one of us should keep watch in case anything bad comes our way. We know nothing about this place there could be some horrible creatures that live here," Speedy said.
"Okay who wants to take the first watch?" Po asked.
"I will," Red said for he wasn't tired.
"Okay Red, if you hear anything wakes us," Po said. Red nodded and soon his friends and Tai-Lung feel asleep. Soon all he heard was the sound of their gentle breathing as he gazed into the fire. His memories flooding back to him when he remembered how he lost his temper when Shade had died. If it wasn't for Po he would have killed Tai-Lung and not have any feeling of regret. Part of him felt ashamed for he promised Shade he would never lose his temper like that again. The memory of when he last lost his temper like that entered his mind and when he promised Shade he wouldn't lose his temper like that again.
It was right after they split up from the group and lived in that quiet village. Red had a thing for alcohol but not enough to get drunk. Just to have a taste after a hard day working in the field. Shade was never one for the bar scene just came to fetch him when it got late. Now Red was not a violent person but did have a wild streak and alcohol did increase it a bit. One day he got out of control and did something horrible he made Shade cry.
He was at the bar just having one drink and then he would leave no trouble or anything. But one guy a crocodile or maybe a bison he didn't remember it was a huge animal was all he remembered. A simple accident happened and Red took it too seriously. Shade was scurrying over to Red when the other animal almost stepped on her. "Oww my tail," Shade said as she rubbed it gently.
"Sorry mousy didn't see you," said the other animal.
"Why don't you watch where you are going? You could have flattened her!" Red yelled getting in the other animal's face. That day he had two extra drinks for he liked the taste of the alcohol and it was messing with him.
"Easy Red, he said he was sorry," Shade said gently.
"Not good enough he should watch where he is going!" Red snapped. Shade was surprised Red never snapped at her like that. She saw the glassy look in his eyes and knew it was the alcohol talking.
"Look son why don't you and your mousy friend go on home. I am sorry I will be careful," the other animal said trying not to punch Red. The other animal kept looking at Shade and sensed that this Red character wasn't thinking straight.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Red yelled and pushed the other animal to the ground.
"Alright that is it!" the other animal yelled and got up to punch Red but Shade hopped onto his face and begged him not too.
"Please don't he isn't like this I swear just let me take him home please," Shade cried as tears fell from her face.
"Okay mousy go on home," the other animal said and walked off.
"Why did you do that Shade I had everything under control?" Red asked glaring at her. He stopped when he saw the tears and his heart ached.
"Yeah Red about to beat up someone over a misunderstanding is your way of having it under control. I am tired of you drinking I never said a word but you were way out of control. If you keep this up I swear I will leave I am tired of cleaning up your mess," Shade snapped and scurried off on home. Everyone looked at Red with odd glances. Red was shocked would Shade really leave him? They have been through everything together he couldn't imagine his life without her. He had to tell her that he would change. Going on home he heard Shade crying in her room. A sound that would bring him to his knees and grabbing his guitar he began to play a song.
I am insensitive I have a tendency to pay more attention to the things that
I need.
Sometimes I drink too much, sometimes I test your trust, sometimes I dunno
Why you're staying with me?
Shade heard the music and went outside to see what Red was doing now. She saw him sitting in his chair playing his guitar with the saddest look she had ever seen. Wiping away a tear she listened to the rest of his song.
I'm hard to love, hard to love, I don't make it easy, I couldn't do it if I
Stood where you stood
I'm hard to love, hard to love, you say that you need me, I don't deserve
It but I love that you love me. goood
I am a short fuse, I am a wrecking ball crashing into your heart like I do
You're like a Sunday morning full of grace and full of Jesus I wish that I
Could be more like you.
I'm hard to love, hard to love, I don't make it easy, I couldn't do it if I
Stood where you stood,
I'm hard to love, hard to love, you say that you need me, I don't deserve
It but I love that you love me. Goood
Love me good
Girl you've given me a million second chances and I don't ever wanna take
You for granted, I'm just a man, I'm just a man
Hard to love, hard to love, oh I don't make it easy and I couldn't do it if
I stood where you stood.
I'm hard to love, hard to love and you say that you need me, I don't
Deserve it but I love that you love me. good. (x2)
You love me good.
After he played the song he looked up at Shade hoping she knows how much he need her in his life. Smiling she scurried up his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek. "I am so sorry Shade I swear I will change just don't leave me," Red cried holding her in his hand.
"I promise not to leave if you promise me something," Shade said firmly.
"Anything," he said happy that she was staying.
"Promise me you will never lose your temper like that again," Shade said looking up at him.
"Promise heck I won't even drink a drop of alcohol again," Red said holding her close.
"That is my Big Guy," Shade said happily.
Red looked back into the fire as a tear fell from his face. Shade promised to never leave him but Death took her from him. Now he will do whatever it took to get her back and that was another promise he intended to keep.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.