Shang was nervous. He looked up and down the hallways. No one was there. Hesitantly he knocked on a door. The door opened to reveal Mei. Shang immediately looked down at his foot paws. He shuffled just a bit.
"What is it Shang?" asked Mei, not unkindly.
"It is dinnertime, right?" Shang said. He immediately felt stupid. Of course it was dinnertime. The tips of his ears felt hot.
"Yes, it is. Did you just need the time?"
"No! Ummm…..do you have plans for dinner?"
"Yes," said Mei. "I was going to go downstairs and eat."
Shang felt stupid again.
"Would you like to go to dinner with me?"
"I do that everyday! Why would you ask me this time….."
"I mean just us, alone, together. Tai was able to get me a rather nice seat in a really good restaurant. It over looks the river and everything…" Shang got quiet at the end of his sentence. "I'm terrible at this."
Mei smiled and then hugged Shang. Shang purred. He stopped. Had he even purred before? Mei saw the look in Shang's face.
"I will go with you to dinner. Let me get ready. Also, was this the first time you've done that?"
"Yeah," said Shang. "Not much happiness in my life. That and I found purring girly."
Mei laughed.
"Well, there is always a first for everything."
Mei walked into her bedroom and shut the door. Shang smiled and leaned back on the wall, breathing hard. He had done it!
Mei jumped for joy. She had hoped that Shang would get the courage to ask her. Now she just needed to find that dress. She rummaged through her stuff.
"Are you looking for this?" asked Mi, smiling.
Mei rushed forward and grabbed the dress.
"Thank you!"
"Your welcome, now go have fun!"
The door opened and Shang saw Mei in a snow white dress. It was simple, yet all the more attractive. A single piece garment, it fitted snug at the top yet opened up a bit at the bottom for easy movement. Her tail was hidden beneath the fabric, giving her a more streamlined form, if that was possible in Shang's opinion. Shang's mouth dropped open but he quickly shut it. Mei looked at Shang. Clearly Shang borrowed some clothes from Kun. They were a bit too big. A black silk tunic and pants were what he wore. Shang's golden tail moved slightly at the bottom, back and forth in quick, jittery movements. This was the first time he ever felt this.
"You look regal almost," said Mei.
"Regal? Maybe, but nothing compared to the jewel in front of me," said Shang without hesitation.
Where did I get that? Shang thought. It must be those stupid poems that Tai made me read before.
They walked to the He-Kan restaurant. It was situated near the Palace. Its entrance was small and inconspicuous. Tai greeted them at the door.
"Sorry, Shang, but I'm going to have to go in there with you two. Don't worry, I have a different seat. I've invited Jingli to come and play chess with me over dinner."
Tai felt a bit funny. He had never been good with girls. Shang was better than him with that stuff. Seeing Shang in the silk pants and tunic were enough to throw him off. Not only that but seeing Mei that close to Shang was a tad bit odd. Yet if his two friends were happy, he was fine with whatever they did.
"The outside isn't what I'd expect," said Shang. He worried that he was making a bad impression.
"Exactly what they want you to think – you just have to see the inside." The goose waiter opened the door and they walked inside. The whole restaurant was two stories high. The back was made of glass so they could see the river below them. The whole place was brightly lit. Shang and Mei weren't able to see the entire thing as they were led up a stair case to the upper floor. They entered a private room with a balcony that hung directly above the river.
"It's beautiful," breathed Mei. "In all my families' wanderings, I have never been in room so wonderful."
Jingli got up from the seat he had been waiting on.
"Glad you like it," replied the crane to the couple. Jingli turned to Tai. "I have set up the chess board. Are you ready for another defeat?"
"Yes, but I am prepared this time."
The tiger and crane left the room and sat down at the table and started the match off. Jingli moved first, then Tai. On the tenth move, Tai was already feeling taxed. Jingli certainly wasn't lying. Tai gritted his teeth and moved again.
The match lasted for three hours. It ended finally in Tai loosing.
"How do you do it?" gasped Tai. This was the second time Jingli beat him.
"You've already asked me that, I told you I would tell you later. I'll clean up the board. You can go get the two."
Tai left the room and walked down the hallway. He wondered how Shang and Mei's first outing went. He turned at the door that had roses outlining it. He slowly opened the door and walked in, his footpads not making any noise on the short carpet. He looked at the dining table. The dishes had been cleared and the candle in the middle still burned. He looked around. They were not there. He walked further into the room. Tai looked at the balcony. There was Shang and Mei watching the sun set down behind the mountains. Shang had Mei in front of him with his arms wrapped lightly around Mei's waist. She had her paws resting on Shang's arms. Both their tails moved slowly back and forth. Shang's fur was standing on end and a peaceful expression was on his face. Mei fur was no different but he saw her shiver once or twice. He heard a low drone. Someone was purring. Tai's ears burned and he backpedaled slowly out of the room, leaving them in peace.
"So, how was your outing with Mei last night?" asked Tai as he pulled back on his longbow.
"It was wonderful," said Shang quietly from beside him, also with longbow in hand.
"That's good. What did you guys talk about?"
Shang looked at Tai.
"Everything from archery to adventure to ourselves! I felt so different. I finally found someone!"
Tai looked forward then he laughed quietly to himself.
"Was it you or Mei that was purring?"
Shang looked forward.
"That was Mei. I don't really purr."
"Really? Because in that case, Mei has a very deep purr."
"I promise you it was Mei. Purring is more of a girl thing." said Shang quickly.
"If you say so," said Tai, giving in. "Though, I think I'll ask Mei."
"Ok, you go do that," said Shang, not betraying anything. He fired his arrow.
"For the record, it was Shang that was purring," said Mei, coming up from behind a tree.
Tai looked at Shang smugly.
"So, still a girly thing?"
"Yes, except when I do it."
"No matter what you do, it still sounds like a furnace running on love when you purr," said Mei, laughing.
Shang fired another arrow. Then dropped his bow. Shang growled just bit and then broke out in a run, chased after Mei. Mei laughed and climbed a tree with a speed that left Tai dizzy.
"C'mon! You will have to catch me if you want me to take that back!" said Mei, taunting Shang playfully.
Tai raised an eyebrow. He still didn't get what love did to you that someone like Shang would chase a girl around like that. He watched as they soared from tree branch to tree branch. Such a childish game, yet it seemed fun for them.
Love is a drug, concluded Tai.
Mei let Shang catch her. They just sat up there on a high branch and let their tails twist together.
"Look's like I'm going to beat you at this contest then," said Tai. His crooked tail gave a few spasms, throwing off his aim as he looked down the bow at the center of the target.
"A contest?" Mei inquired.
Tai stopped and let the string go limp.
"Yeah, Shang is winning so far."
"Let's restart. I'll be able to beat you both!"
Shang grinned at the Mei's wide, sparkling eyes, looking sorrowfully at Shang.
"You wish. I'm not going easy on you. And don't you pull those eyes on me."
Tai picked up his bow and let the arrow fly.
"First one to score. You losers are going to have to be quick to catch up," yelled Tai up at the tree. Tai narrowed his eyes and kept firing at the center. He barely noticed as Mei and Shang began firing at the targets. Their quivers soon ran out and they counted up their points. Shang won with forty points with Tai following behind him with thirty-four. Mei had stopped near the beginning of the competition, wanting Shang to spend some time with his friend instead of her. She just watched as the two friends shot arrows and took a nap.
Tai lay in bed, looking up at the roof. His mother came in.
"How are you doing, Mishi?" asked Sun using Tai's nickname.
"I am doing fine, thank you for asking, mother," Tai replied, not looking at Sun.
"That is good. You seemed just a bit quieter today. Less that you normal are when you're not around Shang and Mei."
Sun sat at the edge of her son's bed, looking out his window to the night sky.
"May I ask how Shang and Mei are doing?"
"You don't have to ask permission about that. They are doing great. Shang is really happy. I'm not sure about Mei, but Mei is enjoying Shang's company a lot."
"Good. I am happy for them. Fei and Mi actually seem to be enjoying it in Mengyou City. With Mei and Shang together, they might just stay. Ah, I enjoy Mi's company. She is a fresh mind to us all. Your father is getting along with Fei as well. The Liulan's are certainly a family to get used to though. Enough of me, I really came into talk about you."
"What about me?" asked Tai, sitting up.
"I've seen that face before. You are hurting, though, I'm not sure what it is. Are you comfortable about telling me?"
Tai took a deep breath.
"Not really."
"That makes it all the worse. You really shouldn't answer to your mother like that."
Sun shoved Tai playfully. Tai smiled weakly. His mother certainly was good at reading him.
"I guess I'm just worried I'll loose Shang as a friend. He and Mei are getting really close."
"As they should be – if they truly love each other. But don't worry. Accept what Shang has done and encourage him, give him help when he needs it. Also, I found that silver knife. Is that for Mei?"
Tai looked up at.
"Yes, but it is for Mei from Shang. I got it for him to give to her."
"Then why haven't you given it to him to give to her. I'm sure he would appreciate the gift," said Sun softly.
"Yeah. Next time I see him, I'll give it to him."
"Good. You still seem distraught. Any thing else on your mind?"
"Childish thoughts are all that's there." Tai pointed to his head. "I am almost twenty-one and yet I am just so childish!"
"No your not! You are just different from the rest, Mishi! You are who you are and there is nothing that can change that, nor would I want to see it change," chided Tai's mother. "And there are no such things as childish thoughts, just childish dreams. But those can be the most magical and moving."
Tai looked away.
"Do you think I will every find someone for me? I never thought about that until I saw how Shang reacts when he is around Mei. It fascinates me that the opposite sex can do so much to a being. Yet, now, I find my heart aching when I see then laughing together."
Tai sighed and looked back at his mother. She just sat there looking at Tai.
"That is normal. Just relax and know that there is someone there for you. Don't drive yourself crazy."
Tai said nothing. There was silence in the room except the sound of the two tigers breathing.
"How do you do it?"
"I am your mother, that is my job, no matter how old you are or young you seem," Sun said. She got up, smiling, and walked out of the room leaving Tai to go to bed.
Tai pulled back the bow and looked down to the center of the target. He breathed in and out, readying himself for the shot. He stopped suddenly and held his breath. He fired. The arrow flew straight and true. It hit the center of the target. Tai smiled at the arrow. It was the fiftieth time today he had hit the center. He walked over and grabbed the arrow from the target, clearing the center for his next shot. He readied the arrow and aimed for the target for the fifty-first time. He let go. It again hit the center. Tai smiled. He was getting much better. An arrow suddenly flew through the air and split Tai's arrow. His ears immediately shot up and he listened for the sound of footsteps or the string being pulled back again. He heard the crackle of leaves and turned in that direction. There was Shang, bow at his side.
"You scared me…..but not much," said Tai, sighing in relief. It hadn't been Curo, thank his ancestors.
"Good, I had little bit of intention to do that," Shang said. He looked down at his feet. "I'm not good with words."
"No, you're much better at scaring the life out of people and then talking civilized like," snorted Tai, then added thoughtfully, "though that does catch your attention and make you listen."
Shang shook his head.
"Listen, I haven't been fair to you. Last night, Mei and I were talking and she brought you up. You know, about how you were doing and the normal pleasantries. I just sat there, not knowing what to say: I didn't know how you were doing."
Tai looked at Shang. His mother was right! Shang was truly a good friend! He had humbled himself enough to apologize to Tai. He let him continue without interruptions.
"Mei turned to me she asked me again how you were doing. I then realized that I had kinda forgot you. I feel really bad. How do I put this…I'm sorry? Will that do?"
Tai laughed loudly. Shang looked hurt. Tai just kept laughing, but told Shang not to look so hurt.
"I'm laughing because of the way you said that. Don't worry. I am doing fine; you can tell Mei that next time you see her. I'm just happy to hear that you haven't forgotten me."
Shang smiled.
"Now, how about we shoot some arrows? I'll do what you want."
Tai grinned mischievously,
"In that case, I'll race you up and down the walls of Mengyou City."
Shang's mouth dropped open.
"Oh ancestors help me," he muttered.
Tai went and got the special climbing gloves they had put in their small wall of equipment. He tossed them to Shang and put his own on.
The next moment they were both huffing and puffing up the walls of the city. The guards positioned there had seen them doing this before, so they put bets on who would reach the top first. Shang got there first, but Tai beat him down.
Canku and Xisong sat next to the Yi River. In the distance, the lights of Mengyou City were visible. The pass they were in hid the army perfectly. The leader of Mengyou City had no idea of what destruction they were about to experience. The two wolves pale eyes burned with vengeance and excitement. Tomorrow night would be the first true step in the path that would lead them to victory. They looked at the map of the City that the spies had put together. The map was rough, but still more accurate than anything they could have normally put together from just outside observation. They drew on the map with charcoal sticks, making plans for when the traitors would open the doors to the City letting the rest of the army make there way into Mengyou.
"Don't you find it ironic that Mengyou City means the City of Allies yet buried within those walls are numbers of traitors just waiting to attack and quench their thirst for blood," said Xisong. "The peace has blinded them to attack and that mistake will lead to their downfall."
"That and the corrupt Council they have," said Canku. "They are fools."
"Still be wary of Kun Zhu," warned Xisong. "He has direct authority over their armed forces in times of battle and war. The Council has no control. During the attack, the spies must act fast."
"And they will….if they don't, they will pay with their lives. Not by our hand though, by Kun's."
"Sir," said a bear guard from behind them.
"What is it?" asked Canku, slightly annoyed.
"We have spotted two citizen's approaching the army."
"What?"
Canku grabbed his telescope and looked down it.
"Where are they?"
"Down by the little estuary from the Yi."
"Right there," said Xisong, moving the telescope to the correct position. "I see them, what are they?"
"A clouded leopard and a Golden cat," said Canku calmly.
"So, what is there to worry about, they are most likely on a date or something like that, they seem young enough. Look, they are even hugging and kissing. Not something a scout or patrol would do," said Xisong turning back to the map.
"Yes, but what if the Golden cat was a Guard and he caught sight of us? What then?"
"A Guard?"
Xisong immediately turned back.
"Yes, he if saw us, he would forget his date and turn back to his duties as a Guard, regardless of the situation."
"Then what do we do, Lord Canku?" asked the bear.
Shang and Mei ran playfully next to the river. This time Mei trying to catch up with Shang who had caught Mei off-guard and had given her a kiss. Mei almost caught up to Shang, yet he swerved into the river. Mei halted and backed away from the water.
"What's the matter? Don't like the water?" taunted Shang and splashed Mei.
"Yeah, never really liked water. How do you like water anyways?"
Shang turned on his back and swam against the current to stay in one place.
"Long story short, I hated water and then I was forced to learn to like it."
"C'mon, tell me the story. We've got all the time in the world."
Shang got out of the water and sat next to Mei, still dripping.
"When I first joined the Guard, we had to do a lot of training. Well, we were about a month into the training and my squad were led to the river. One by one, we were told to get in the water and fight the drill sergeant in the water. I went to the very back of the line. The crocodiles were the best and we had a few in the group. Finally, it was my turn. I refused to get in the water. The sergeant turned red at my refusal and got out of the water. He turned to me and said right in my face,
'Do we have a scaredy cat right here? What? Are you used to lickin' yourself for a bath and then drinking milk out of a damn silver saucer! Why don't you grow some balls and get in the water and face your damn fears!'
"I still refused and he promptly picked me up and dragged me to the river. I fought the entire way, yet the sergeant was very strong. He got to the water's edge and threw me in. I howled and tried to get back to shore, yet he pushed me back in whenever I got too close. I finally gave up and fought him like he wanted. That sergeant went as hard as he could go, banging and bashing at me with whatever he could. I guess you shouldn't piss him off, 'cause I got lots of water down my throat and too many bruises to count. I left that day feeling miserable. A croc sergeant seemed to have the smallest bit of pity in him because every day, he threw me back in the water and helped me. It wasn't the best help, but I am not scared of water anymore."
Shang finished with his tale and saw Mei looking at Shang.
"It's good to know I have a man who faces his fears."
Mei lay down on the grass and looked up at the stars. Shang followed suit but on his way down caught a glimpse of something between the Yi River Pass. He sat straight back up and stared long and hard…
"He's looking, the Guard is looking!" said the bear loudly, looking down the telescope.
"Tell the army to extinguish their fires and remain as silent as death or they will be dead!" hissed Canku.
Throughout the camp, fires went out and the normal talk of the army went away instantly. Everything was silent.
"What now? What is the Guard doing?" whispered Xisong.
Canku grabbed the telescope again and looked down it at the Golden cat.
"He is still looking, he's turned back."
Canku grinned but it instantly faded as a soldier near the front of the army started having a coughing fit. The Guard's ears went up and he turned back to face the hidden army.
"Kill whoever is making that noise!" Xisong said quietly but harshly.
Kar, the snow leopard, immediately pulled back on his bow and killed the unfortunate soldier with a swift arrow to the heart. The night was again silent. The Guard looked suspiciously at the Pass yet turned back and joined the clouded leopard once again. The couple left with the Guard still looking back.
"That, was too close," said Canku. "If he would have gotten any closer, we would've had to kill him. Either way, it would have been a loose-loose situation."
"How so, boss?" asked the bear.
"If he got to close, we would have got to kill him and the girl. When they didn't come back, people would get suspicious. Citizens would come out and start searching. As soon as they spotted the bodies or anything suspicious, Kun would be notified and he would lead the Cities forces to our spot, giving us off. If he had noticed us and we didn't kill him the same would happen only faster."
The bear nodded, though still didn't seem to get what the wolf was implying.
"Just go! Leave us alone!"
The bear did an awkward bow and left the two wolves and the snow leopard alone.
"Has the robin told the inside of the City to get ready?" Xisong asked Kar.
"Yes, Your Ladyship. Every animal we have in the City is ready," replied Kar, his blue eyes glowing. "No one has suspected our attack. Though, she did give me a message that I should tell you. The Lord and Lady of Mengyou have had a son. She sees him, the Guard, and the clouded leopard in one of the groves over there. I do not know the correct position, though. The tiger prince, she reports, is good at archery but is soft. He doesn't kill and is unskilled at war. The prince does not know how to defend himself. She said he will be easy to spot as he has a crooked tail due to injury from a fight with a rhino. He will be easy to kill or get rid of. The Guard and clouded leopard are more prone to defend themselves."
"How is this prince going to be easy to get rid of? You just said right now that he got into a fight with a rhino. One doesn't usually get into fight with a rhino with absolutely no training of kung fu or defense."
"He did not go into it willingly. It was sport for the rhino," said Kar. "The tiger prince is a weakling."
Xisong smiled.
"He will be a useful tool for getting the royal couple to bow before us, have him captured too. His friends can be killed."
"Of course. I will give the responsibility to the boar captain for the capture of the prince and the elimination of his friends."
"We will tell him of his squad's task tomorrow. He must not fail. It is crucial now. If any escape, our plans will be void and we will have no choice but to wait, for surprise will be no longer our ally," finished Xisong. "You are dismissed Kar."
"Your Lordships," said Kar, bowing to the two wolves. Turning smartly, he left without another word.
"I find him much better than Siwang," said Canku to Xisong as soon as Kar was out of earshot.
"Yes. I am happy we spared him. Siwang, in retrospect, was an annoyance," said Xisong, slowly shaking her head in agreement.
Canku got up and offered his paw to Xisong. Xisong eyed it. "Why the sudden courtesy?" Xisong's eyes gleamed.
The male wolf gave a toothy grin.
"There is no reason other than to show my devotion to you."
"I doubt that, but I'll accept your offer."
Xisong took Canku's paw and he pulled her close to his body and kissed her passionately. She returned the kiss but broke away soon.
"I knew there was more to that gesture."
"There is more to me than meets the eye," said Canku smoothly.
"Clearly," Xisong said as she walked slowly away.
"Is everything okay?" asked Mei, coming up behind Shang. She rested a paw on the Golden cat's shoulder. "What are you looking at?"
"I thought I saw something up there, near the Pass. It looked like campfires, more than one of them too," said Shang tersely. He continued to stare at the Pass, straining his eyes to pick out something in the darkness. He thought he heard a faint noise, but it ended almost as soon as it began. Mei joined him looked at the Pass, though she didn't know what he was looking for.
"I don't see anything," said Mei, confused.
"Neither do I….now." Shang didn't look at Mei, but continued to stare forward. "I could have sworn I saw something."
"Relax, it is probably your imagination or a star low on the horizon. Speaking of stars, have you ever seen the red and blue stars of the Jade Mountains? They are the most unusual stars you will ever see. Don't you notice how the stars here are yellow?"
Shang looked at Mei, forgetting the Pass and what he thought he saw in the clouded leopard's gaze. His recently hard, military face turned back to the soft, peaceful expression. Mei then lay back down on the grass. Shang followed again, wanted her touch and warmth. She sidled next to Shang and began to tell him of one of her journeys through the Jade Mountains and how she and her father stared up at the night sky and saw the blue and red stars.
"Why do you think they are that color, instead of yellow?" asked Shang. "I'll bet Tai would know. Oh, Tai told me to tell you that he is doing fine."
Mei cocked her head to the side.
"Why would he tell me that?"
"Remember that other night when you asked me how Tai was doing and I said I didn't know?"
Mei laughed.
"I remember. That's good. I'm happy that you apologized to your friend for leaving him behind. I like that in a guy."
Mei winked at Shang. Shang beamed.
"Looks like I'm your guy."
"That you are. Let's go though, ask Tai."
Tai was looking through his scrolls as Shang and Mei burst into his room. Tai turned.
"What are you guys doing here? I thought you were on a date?"
"We are, but this is the end," said Mei. "We need your thoughts on a question."
Tai's mind ran through all the possible questions that Mei and Shang could have thought up. Marriage? Unlikely. Then what?
"Why are some stars red and blue, while most are yellow?"
Tai laughed.
"There are lots of theories. Some have to do with battles of the heavens and others to do with the gods of the heavens. Most are absolute trash, but are widely accepted."
"So, what's your thought process on it?"
"I was reading some scrolls a while back and I can across a theory that states that the stars are different colors because of temperature difference. A scholar thought of it by noticing how flames were difference colors. He noticed how a blue flame and a red flame seemed to melt different materials at different rates. Most disregard this theory as not true. But, I find that with this simple experiment and through other evidence, this is the truth. Though, I do believe that they could be put there by our ancestors or dragons. Call me crazy, but I think those two might just exist in a parallel with us, only not seen."
Shang and Mei just looked at Tai with dumb expressions. Shang turned to Mei.
"There you have it, my cloud, the stars are different colors because of temperature differences and the ancestors and dragons put them there."
Mei smiled.
"Tai, you just made this the best night ever."
"How so? And why did you ask me that?"
"No reason. And no reason. Well, I have to go, I'll see you guys later," said Mei. She kissed Shang goodnight and gave Tai a quick hug as she left.
"You are lucky, Shang, I must say that."
"Thanks. I have another question for you before I go," Shang said.
"I'm all ears," Tai replied, turning back to his scrolls. "Did you want to know how the friction of the air reduces the speed of an arrow?"
"Are you mocking me?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Just wondering. Here's my real question. Do you remember that ceremonial knife you got from that shop?"
"Yeah, you want it?"
"Yes, but not now. Mei and I were talking on the way down and she thought that it would be nice to have you come along tomorrow. We're going to a tree that towers over the rest to just hang out. The three of us. If you could bring the knife then, that would be great."
Tai shook his head,
"I don't want to intrude on your time with her. I'll give you the knife now."
"Listen, Tai, you wouldn't be intruding. It's not a date. Also, I feel just a bit uncomfortable presenting something to her. You would think that after spending a month with her, I would be fine about doing that. Well, I'm not."
Tai nodded.
"I'll be there, for your own emotional support. Just don't break down in tears or run away, okay? Mei wouldn't like that."
Shang just left at that with Tai laughing loudly behind him.