Ok so this chapter is a bit of a diviation from the plot line, but I felt bad for Crane and had to give him a quick chapter, so enjoy and thanx to all you readers!

Chapter 6

Comfort for Crane

"Why does that little pest always have to mess with me like that?" I grumbled. "Sure I met Chi, but she's long gone by now. And I could never love her as much as…" I trailed off and looked over at a pair of sparrows nestled together in the crook of a branch. Sighing I walked over to a shadowy patch of grass and sat down. I was never this emotional; I always kept it together. "Why can't she just see? Why couldn't things be different?" I mumbled.

"Because that would have changed your path." I whipped my gaze to the left. There, floating through the grove as a ghostly spirit, was Master Ooguay.

"Master Ooguay?" I chirped, springing to my feet and bowing in respect.

"Hello Crane." The ethereal tortoise smiled and floated closer. "What is it that troubles you?"

"Nothing master. I just needed a moment."

"Nonsense. Even the trees can see you are very upset. Sit down and tell me what weighs on your mind." The ancient master motioned to a sunny patch of greenery that had a few white petals scattered around it.

"Upset? Ha, I wouldn't say upset," I said and did as I was bid.

"I would." Ooguay was clever, I'll give him that.

"Fine." I smiled. "It's just…Lien I guess."

"You are mad at Lien-Hua?"

"No! I could never be angry with her." I snapped, a little too quickly. The tortoise smiled.

"And why is that?"

"Because…because I think I love her."

"Love is a powerful thing." Oogauy's voice floated through the air like the little, white, almond-shaped petals. "What makes you think that?"

"I could sit here for hours and name the ways. The way she laughs makes my stomach drop. The way she walks makes my legs weak. The way she is so kind to every creature, just makes my heart swell in pride. Even when Lord Shen tried to kill us all, and attempted to destroy China, she found it in her heart to save him from the cannon." I explained. "Ever since the day I met her, Lien took my breath away. I always thought it was love, now I know it cannot be."

"Lien is engaged to Shen, so you are correct in that theory" Ooguay stated the sharp truth.

"I know. I knew I could never marry her. I knew we would never be more than friends," I groaned. "But when I met Chi last night, and we talked and, you know, flirted around, I couldn't stop wishing that it was Lien and I together."

"I understand. There is always that yearning in our hearts for what we wish we had." The ageless tortoise consoled. "But Crane, Lien will always value you as one of her closest and most trusted friends. She loves you too, in a way that isn't as ardent as I know you would have hoped, but in a way that only the closest of friends can love one another. To Lien, you are her brother, and that will never change." I nodded, and it finally clicked.

"You know what? You're one hundred percent right." My heart filled with a warm joy; a humble acceptance. "I have been a horrible friend to her since we arrived; I must make it up to her by helping get the search party started."

""I believe in you my boy. Good luck!" Ooguay nodded and bowed to me as I took to the sky.

"Thank you master!" I called as I burst from the white canopy. As I flew I couldn't help but smile. Ooguay always knew how to make us all feel better, and he had. I would always love Lien, but now I knew I could accept loving her as a sister instead. I dove into a loop and heard the sound of a second pair of wings.

"Crane! Master Crane!" I slowed down to see Lien flying towards me.

"Lien! I'm so sorry for flying out on you guys like that. I just needed a moment to think." I said lamely.

"Did Mantis really get to you?" She asked in her big hearted way.

"Naw. I had the idea to get some ginger for the noodle soup. I was just on my way into town to do that." I was a horrible liar, but somehow the peahen bought it.

"Mmmmm! That sounds amazing. I know we can get some fresh at my farm." She changed course quickly and her wings caught a huffing warm gust. "Race you!" She called as she sped forward.

"You have more energy than any creature I've ever met!" I called and was able to catch the same current. "Don't you ever just fly at a normal pace?"

"What fun is that?" She was still several feet ahead of me.

"None, I guess." I replied with a laugh.