Chapter 5

Heaven And the Mother

As soon as they stepped through the Portal they started spinning faster and faster. He felt sick, wanting to get away. His breakfast threatened him in his stomach, and he was scared we wasn't going to make it.

His legs hit the soft grass hard. Forcing him to buckle and hit the ground.

His face landed in something soft though. He looked to she the buckle that lay in between Wu's breasts on his cheek.

He looked up embarrassed at the inappropriate landing area to Wu's face. She had one eyebrow cocked up looking a tad annoyed.

He jumped up avoiding her eye contact as they got up.

'Sky. I'll call Chai Ka to come with me.'

'Why Chai Ka?'

Wu smiled. ' This is his world. A heaven. He would love to see it.'

He understood. Chai Ka waited twenty years away from his world. If Sky spent that time away from home wouldn't he want to be as close as possible too?

He landed up meeting the others back outside Tiens Landing again, Mind on Wu.

As he sat there and Zu helped clean and gather food with the silver Wu left Sky's thoughts wandered to Zu, maybe… just maybe he could find out more about Him and Wu.

'How long have you been in Wu's group, Zu?' Sky asked cafefully. He did not want to almost die again. And Wu wasn't around to save him this time.

Zu looked up coldly. 'A little over a month now.'

'Why?'

'Those reasons are between The Lotus Blossom and I Sky. I do not need to explain myself to anyone but her.' His eyes drifted to the sun. It had begun to set.

'Dawn Star?' Sky asked quietly. She looked over to him with a friendly smile. They had become friends over the last week. ' Where's the market.' He had silver of his own and he was a little bored. So he'd go shopping.

'I'll go with you. I'm bored too.' Dawn Star must have guess.

Zu looked up, his eyes narrowed. ' I shall go as well. In case you two need protection.'

Sky snickered, and lightly joked to Zu, though he was truly terrified to do so. ' What am I? Chopped liver?'

Zu nodded. 'Precisely that. You stupid little kid.'

Sky stepped forward reading for his sabers, he wanted to get back at Zu so bad.

Hou and the Whirlwind stood up. 'We'll all go together.' Hou said. 'I need ingredients for dinner anyway. We can all just go our separate ways when we get there.'

After everyone left Sky felt like he just wanted to be alone.

Walking around the market Courtesans tried to pry him into their rooms and market men tried to sell him deals.

Feeling defeated he sat on the curb with his head in his hands.

His goal had been to find something for Wild Flower, Dawn Star, and Wu. As a thank you for being so gracious to him. He already had a bottle of the strongest oldest wine he could find for Whirlwind and he already gave Hou new pots. He didn't know if he could give anything to Zu though.

Zu's voice floated towards Sky, raising his head he saw Zu measuring a fantastic staff while his plain wooden one slung behind his back. He could hear the merchant yelling. Zu was short some money.

As soon as Zu left out of sight towards camp Sky walked up to the merchant. ' How much for that fabulous staff my good man?'

'200.'

Crap. That was pretty much all he had. That left five coins. 'Would you consider a discount for a traveller.'

The merchant laughed. 'That's what the last guy said. I'll tell you the same. Pay me 200 or get out of here.'

Zu better appreciate this…

He took out five silver coins and threw the 200 on the table. The man threw him the staff and turned to count the money feverishly.

'That was a very kind thing you did.' A soft bell ike voice came from behind him.

He spun expecting to see Wu. But that's not exactly who he got.

It was a young women. She had hair like Wu, and a shape and face like Wu but her eyes were oddly familiar.

'I was trying to get presents for my friends but-'

'But you don't have enough to buy the other ones anything.' The women so much like Wu's cocked one eyebrow like her.

You tell she was a traveller. She had knee high, tan soft cow skin boots. And green tight pants held together with a leather string. And a white kimono top that she had a white sash on her waist and she tucked into her pants.

'No, I only have five silver coins left.' Sky sighed. He'd just have to apologize to the girls.

'I'll tell you what. The girl took off her small tan back pack. I need those five silver to eat. I'll trade you some items I got from the Prosperous East.'

Sky jumped. 'No, I couldn't I-' He stuttered in shock. The girl laughed a musical giggle and opened her back.

' I bought them to sell when I needed the money. Don't worry, I'm a travelling merchant.'

Sky's eyes narrowed. 'That's not what that blade on your hip is saying.' It was the most beautiful blade he'd ever seen.

The girl laughed ' Okay fine. I'm a warrior. But what I say about selling these are true. I got them from a friend to sell.'

Sky considered this. This wouldn't be the first time if he bought these things stolen. And this girl did seem honourable…

'Okay. Let's have a look.'

In the end he bought a pretty faced doll for Wild Flower, A little wooden box to keep the broach that their Master Li gave her for her eighteenth birth day. And a silver bracelet with charms on it. It was too perfect.

It had a little silver charm in the shape of a cloud. Sky. A silver rose for Wild Flower, a little staff for Zu, a gold star for Dawn Star. And a golden Lotus.

He handed the girl five silver and asked. 'What is your name?'

The girl smiled gently. ' You'll find out next time we meet.' And she grabbed her back and walked off along the beach.

Sky watched her stunned. What just happened?

'Sky Sky!' Wild Flower screamed just as soon as he hid the gift away from view of everyone.

He smiled at her 'Hey Wild Flower. What's wrong?'

'Wu's going to try and face the Mother alone!'

Sky shook his head. 'The Mother?'

Wild Flower shrieked and cried. ' There's no time! She's going to Pilgrims Rest now!'

Sky took off into a run, the town and the forest flying by. Rocketing through the grounds he didn't even give ghosts a second glance.

He got sight of the purple outfit right before she stepped into the Rest. ' Wu! WAIT!'

Wu looked around and a screaming and running Sky ran square into her. They toppled over rolling down the ramp into the Rest with a skid.

'What are you doing I told Wild Flower to tell everyone to stay AWAY!' She shrieked pushing him off of her and punching him in the chest.

'She thought you needed help!' Sky yelled back. He did not like angry Wu, and she did not want to make him angry.

' I don't need any help from someone like YOU! I don't need help from ANYONE!'

Sky stopped short. He didn't want to be around her now. He wanted to be as far away from this hateful disgusting version of his new friend.

Hou and Whirlwind ran up as well. Huffing and sputtering. 'We heard loud voices, I hoped there would be some fighting.' Whirlwind looked around hopeful. But this place was quiet.

'Yes, I want all THREE of you to leave. Now.' Wu snapped the command. Sky wondered where all this came from.

Whirlwind snorted. ' Your not getting all the fights. If you don't want us with you find. You go back to the camp and WE'LL deal with the Mother.'

Wu glared at all three of them, and Sky glared right back. Her face went from a tan to a ugly red. It looked like she was about to explode when…

'Fine, Keep up. If you die it's not my fault.' She spun around, stalking off towards an opening that lead to the middle of the hill.

'You coming Sky?' Hou asked quivering. He wanted more protection then Wu and the Whirlwind.

Sky glared at the back of Wu's head as she crossed the building towards the opening. He straightened and answered. ' No. I'll wait here and see if any of those rascals get of out the tunnels.

They left and Zu ran into the Rest. ' Everyone's down here. Dawn Star stayed with Wild Flower. What's going on?'

Maybe it wasn't the wisest, but sky was to angry at Wu to answer nicely. 'None of your business hermit! That's between me and Wu? Or do you think you're the only one who can speak with her?'

There was a thud and multiple screams as tiny feet scampered up the tunnel, and as soon as they saw the two men they attacked.

Danm, Zu was amazing! He could take two out on one swing. Sky struggled to keep pace, slaughtering the little buggers.

They we've and Sky sliced on square in half, blood and guts spraying all over him.

He chopped the head off of another, and another. His clothing died red.

One latched onto Zu's back and he screamed. Sky wiping out all in the area, sliced the thing off of him.

After the fight was over Zu dropped his staff. And his fist rocketed into Sky's face.

'All me a hermit again and I'll kill you little boy!' He went to grab his staff when Sky punched him in the back of the head, forcing Zu on the ground.

' Take that you old bastard.' Sky hissed, it felt good to take out his anger on someone. Even though he wasn't mad at Zu anymore. Much.

Zu sprigged and they were on the floor. Sky covered his face and his neck as Zu punched him everywhere.

Zu getting up, took a good kick, making in a crotch shot and ripping Sky's top knot out of his hair so it fell on his face.

Sky gasped as pain shot to the center of his body. Zu picked up his staff and laughed. 'See you later… kid.'

Sky glared at him through the pain and humiliation. If it was the last thing he'd do he'd beat that man.

It was silent for a long time. No doubt that there was blood spilled in the mountain though, Wu was not it any mood for mercy.

Fear struck him down again, as if he was slammed into the earth again. What if Wu died down there, and the last thing that they said was in anger.

Sky forced himself upright as He grabbed his two sabers and walked, very carefully, towards the opening.

More tiny screams. Oh great.

More cannibals came up, but Sky made them come to him. He did not want to take on unnecessary step of pain.

He spun on the spot. Hair flying into his eyes. He would have to get Zu back for the top knot. His knives cut through butter. His robes died red again.

The was a catalytic rumble under neither him as The floor began to shake.

Fearing it was unsafe to remain, Sky quickly ran down through the mountains.

Near the base of the mountain the abandoned entrance to the cave was that was boarded up rumbled.

Sky drew his sabers trying to shake his loose hair out of his eyes so he could see the little bastards.

The boards smashed, and Sky blinded by dust, charged at the shapeless mass coming towards him.

Someone punched him in the face and knocked out Sky like a light.

'Sky? Sky! I'm so sorry! You scared me! Are you awake?'

It was the equal to seeing stars. His vision fogged in and out on Wu's face. She looked concerned with a bloody rag in her hand.

' Yeah, ow.' He gingerly felt his nose. ' That hurts.'

'I'm sorry.' She swept away his long bangs. ' What happened to your top knot?'

Sky though about his and Zu's fight. It in a way was childish and necessary. But telling Wu would sound like telling. No, tat would be our little secret while he kept his side.

'One of the stupid bastards got on my back.' Sky shrugged trying to shrivel down the importance. 'What I miss?'

'The Forest Shadow talked to Lord Yun. Let's go get the wind map.'

She offered him her hand, which he eagerly took, all things considered it felt good to have that small contact. 'Why were you like that before you entered.'

Wu's shoulders slouched. ' I was afraid that someone was going to get hurt, I never ever want anyone hurt because of me, I didn't mean to be mean but if that's the only way then I-'

'You! Stop right there.'

Both of them twirled around, and they drew their weapons.

The Lotus Assassins were there, one with an eye patch on his left eye. His face was burned, and as he talked to Wu it was odd how his mouth just didn't crumble.

-and hunt down that cursed Zu in the area, it might earn me my life.' The Lotus Assassin sneered at Wu.

Her face grew hot. 'What do you know about Sagacious Zu!'

The Lotus Assassin laughed. 'Is that what he's calling himself now? Not a worthy title with the blood he spilled.' He frowned darkly. 'Enough talk! Good bye, Student.'

She weaved again, but this time, for the Assassins she had no mercy. Their blood washed all over her, similarly to how his robes were stained red from the cannibals blood. He took two down, but by the time he was done, the rest were defeated. And Wu walked towards something glistening in the sun.

There was a small clicking sound and her Spirit monk glow shimmered brighter then before, it was more complete.

Wu turned around, she looked stronger again, more wise. Holding her Dragon Amulet, that had one more piece attached to it.

' Let's go get the Wind map Sky.'

'Is everyone ready?' Kang asked as everyone strapped themselves into the Magnificent Dragonfly.

With everyone with smiles on their face. Wild Flower holding her new doll, Wu wearing her bracelet, And Whirlwind making sloping noises as he chugged the wine. Zu, however just accepted the it quietly with a small thanks and a tiny look of regret.

Wild Flower, clutching her doll Lily in her arm tighter, they took off into the night sky for the Imperial City.