February 3rd: Happy 16th birthday Nami!
Dear Diary,
Today I should of been celebrating my daughter's sweet 16. I wish her all the best. I want her to have the best birthday ever. I will write down all of our memories together down as her birthday present for me to her in heart. I love you, Nami! Happy Birthday.
A small little girl of about 7 years walked out of the shadows. Her garments hung loosely and her ice blue eyes held hope and something more.
She walled over and shyly gazed at me. I looked at the fox and the young red panda. I was only 10 myself so I'm not really that much older than them. Gently, I stroked her head and gave her a reassuring smile. " I have a better idea," I commented they looked confusedly up at me. "I'm going to the Valley of Peace. I made a promise to someone and I keep promises. I wish to train under Master Tigress and find myself a new family once I get there. So I'll let you travel with me and teach you, if you want to that is? The panda looked excited. "Could you be my mommy and help me find a new home too?" Fox boy chuckled and answered "You might want to see if she'll teach us survival skills first." He glanced over at me for my answer.
"I'll help you two the best I can. I've only been on the streets for about two weeks myself now, but I've been used to being alone and having to fend for myself." They both nodded. My check of the Sun's movement caused me to start giving out orders. "Fox boy, I want you to scout somewhere close by for a place to spend the night." He nodded and replied "Right on it, Mei Xiang. My name is Bingwen and that's Naomi." I nodded in acknowledgement. Naomi pulled my sleeve and asked if she could watch for strangers. I smiled to myself and dipped my head in approval. She stood on my flat rock, while I fished. Just as the sun was creeping behind the tress, Bingwen came back. 'I've found a cozy hollow protected by brambles;" he paused to catch his breath. " I made us some beds out of ferns and a fire." I shot Bingwen an approving glance. "Naomi, Lets go to camp." I called. The child hopped down and raced to catch up. Bingwen smirked slightly and I glanced to find Naomi copying my movement. I smiled on the inside at the sweet little girl. Something about her makes my cold stone heart melt just a bit.
At camp, Bingwen proved himself, a fairly decent cook. The fish was so tender and moist. Naomi and I claimed our sleeping spots while he cooked our dinner though. "So what's your story?" I asked softly. Bingwen looked up and Naomi laid her head in my lap. "Well, We were neighbors, Naomi and I. My folks caught a strange, terrible sickness and died. So I lived with her family. They took me in as if I was one of their own. We were on vacation when the attack happened." I laid my paw on his for a few heartbeats. "No one except me and Naomi survived. Her father's last words to me were, 'Go my son and take care of your sister.' So we ran from the place and hid and tried to journey across China to find someone who would be willing to help us. That's when we started hearing stories of you. A young white tiger by the name of Mei Xiang who fights foes with Kung Fu. And now here we are." Wow. "I'm sorry about your family." I told them what happened with mine and all that fun stuff.
During dinner, I noticed just how skinny they were. Tenderly, I pushed the rest over. Smiling gratefully, my new friends gobbled the rest down. We all went to the shelter to bed down. Bingwen was fast asleep when I entered. I sat down by Naomi to help her fall asleep. Eventually, I scooped her up into my lap and held her. Rocking slightly, I hummed a melody Master Fang played when I was a young cub. That melody always helped me feel at peace and I wanted to share something with the young girl whom I now call my own. Naomi fell asleep nestled into my neck. I gently laid her down and covered her up with some ferns. I doused out the fire and smothered the smoke. "I'll be your mommy until I find you a home." I promised her gently.
It has started snowing. You would have thought that Naomi has never seen snow before. She was so excited and just squealed with happiness while we were playing in it. A panther couple asked me where mine and my friends' parents were. I told them simply that mine disowned me for not being their definition of perfect and their parents are dead. They looked so sad and offered to take us in for the night. I accepted their offer. They had a newborn girl by the name of Dongmei. The couple wanted to help us find an orphanage, but I told a lie saying that I had family in the Valley of Peace further south and she offered to take me and my friends in.
They seemed happy to know that we had at least someone who wanted us. They gave us some winter clothes and money for our journey. They asked Naomi how long we planned on staying. She shared a long look with me and Bingwen before responding. "We plan on staying for the Winter Festival." They were satisfied with that answer.
There are times when I am afraid of being caught stealing food or clothing. Some people actually see me eyeing some of their things and when they see little Naomi and how her clothes are almost nothing but rags now, they just seem to cry a little and offer to clothe us with some warm clothing for the cold months. They are very nice. Bingwen just came in my corner and said that people are beginning to get suspicious. Time to get back on the road. I just hope we've packed enough for a little while.
Naomi didn't have to buy her gift nor steal it. A kind old goat lady gave it to her. The old lady was feeling lonely since her husband recently passed away. When Naomi told her that she was trying to find her brother a birthday present, the goat gave Naomi one of her husband's good hats. It meant so much to her. The sweet lady told Naomi that her husband would have wanted one of their own children to have it, but they have never replied back to her letters. So she felt that her husband would want her to give it to someone else who would need it more or would find sentimental value in it. Naomi thanked her with tears and gave her a big hug. I'm so proud of my daughter. She has one of the biggest hearts around. Right now Bingwen is wearing the hat and playing with the action figures. I put Naomi on guard duty so I could fix us some lunch. After we finish eating and resting, we are going back on the road. Happy birthday Bingwen, my brother in arms, my friend.
Another special day. Today is my daughter's birthday. It is February 3rd and the snow is still falling. The temperature has warmed up some though. I can smell the thaw on the breeze. It won't last long though. Naomi is now an eight year old. She grew one inch. She is a daughter to me. I have warmed up to Bingwen and Naomi so much these past several months. Now back on track.
She woke up before Bingwen and I did. She has started calling Bingwen, "babba" at times. I know that she still sees him as her brother, but I find it cute that he is becoming her father figure after her own dear dad's death. Anyway, she woke me up first by gently shaking me awake. "Mama! Wake up!" I rolled over sleepily towards her and smiled gently. "Good morning, Nami" She smiled and proceeded to wake up Bingwen.
I cooked us some fried onions and rice for breakfast. During the meal, I gave her my present. "Happy Birthday, my daughter." I handed her a small wrapped action figure. A while back we passed by an old burnt down panda village. There was an action figure dropped there. I figured its owner must have lost it. Now it is Naomi's. Her eyes sparkled when she saw that it was a Tigress action figure. "Thank you, Mama! It is so beautiful! I will hold it everyday and take extra good care of it." I just smiled and my eyes gleamed with joy at how happy she was.
Bingwen made her dinner. It was her favorite. It was rice and dumplings. I have never seen that girl's face so happy except the time when I first called her daughter. Right now she is snuggled in bed while I write. Bingwen is standing guard. I'll relieve him of his duty after moon high. I just glanced over to check on Naomi and she is still holding that Tigress doll tightly. There was even a few grains of rice and dumplings on her face. Softly, so I wouldn't awake her, I licked my paw and rubbed her face clean. She smiled in her sleep. I purred softly towards her. I need to put you away for now so I can get some well needed shut eye before my shift.
"Mama!" my babies came rushing over. Namoi was cradling a shocked Wolfess. My children gathered around my broken, bleeding shape in Bingwen's arms. He laid me gently on the ground. Mao Xiang and Chun Hua threw themselves on me sobbing. Xiao Dan just looked away, grief clouding his gaze. Naomi and Owlet bent down close to me. "Hand. Me. Wolfess." I gasped out in agony. Owlet stopped Naomi to see the extent of my injuries. "Mama, I can't fix this!" she sobbed. "Don't Die!" Struggling to breathe and to do this one simple action, I lifted one paw and softly wiped a tear from her face. "I'll. Be. Okay." I couldn't even convince myself. Naomi laid Wolfess against my chest, careful to not hurt me any more than I already was. Monkey found me. His jaw dropped 5 feet as he wheeled around and yelled frantically for Crane to fetch Shifu.
Master Storming Ox has a rather large sized family. He has three daughters and four sons. He and his wife live in Xianggang. His wife and kids were waiting outside the door for us when we arrived. The youngest kid was a little boy who pointed at Wolfess and said, "Baby?" I nodded and held Wolfess out to him. He touched her cheek and when she licked his hoof, he ran back to his mama squealing happily. I gently nudged Naomi forward so they could meet her face to face at last. The younger kids were amazed at how little she was. Naomi hid her face shyly into my cloak and I patted her head before stepping back letting her stand alone. She looked up and when she saw how happy the others were to see her, she smiled and relaxed. Master Storming Ox motioned his family aside so we could go about the tour. He had a rather large house. Then again, he has too in order to have now 8 children plus him and his wife. I took the notes on the scroll with his name. He passed of course. When it became time for Naomi to put her things away, was when she began to cling to me. We were shown to her room where she relaxed without everyone watching her. I started to put her things away and she followed suit. We placed a picture of all of us on her bedside table. She ran one tiny finger across Chun Hua's face and I drew her close. "Ma, she isn't going to make it. Is she?" Her eyes were already tearing up at the thought. "Yes, Naomi. She isn't going to make it with the way things are looking now." Naomi bowed her head softly and sobbed against my chest. I patted her back with one paw and stroked her head with the other. After a few moments, we broke apart. I wiped her eyes and we walked out of the room. I'll keep an eye on her for a little bit, my silent friend. We still have to go to Master Croc's home and Wohop's.
Dear Mama,
I will never be able to tell you how thankful I am. It would take too long. You became my mommy after my own family was murdered before my eyes and taught me that no matter how hard and cruel our past may be it doesn't make us who we are. "Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn't make you who you are. It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be." I'll will always cherish that memory that helped me gain inner peace. I hope that one day, Mama, you too can achieve inner peace. You became my role model and my rock and just everything.
I know that Master Storming Ox and his family are going to become my new family, but you were my mommy first and always will be. Thank you for raising me. Thank you for showing me that love can heal what's broken. Thank you for teaching me Kung Fu. Thank you for teaching me how to take care of myself when I am all grown up. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being my mommy when you were also an orphan too. You gave me a better life and now you've given me a new family. I'll miss you and Bingwen. You two were my Mama and Baba. I'll also miss Uncle Cobra and how when I had a problem he would be there to help me through it. I'll even miss Owlet, Chun Hua, and Xiao Dan! We had so much fun getting into trouble. I'll miss Mao Xiang's late night cuddles and Wolfess the most of all. I had so much fun growing up with you guys.
You may not have my large ears, or fingers, or tiny frame, but you'll always have my heart. I love you so much, Mama. Don't cry for me when I leave please? I couldn't bear to see you cry. I'll already be crying myself when that day comes. I'll come visit you again someday. Oh, and Mama, find someone you love. Like how Po loves Tigress. I want you to find love like that someday. I want you to raise a family with someone you love. I'll be running into your arms the moment I find out that you found your love and all that. I promise you that I'll try to write as often as possible.
Love your blue-eyed baby,
Naomi
Happy birthday, my little blue eyed baby. I hope you are healthy and happy. I love you so so much. Be safe and I will return to you. I promise.