Okay so first off I can't believe I only have now six chapters Posted and already have nearly 50 reviews! Honestly I never expected something like this at all. Some of you have said you like my stories so much you think I should become an actual Author? Seriously!? Not to sound ungrateful because I absolutely am, please don't get the wrong idea...it's just...I really only started writing stuff like this earlier this year...and never even felt comfortable sharing my first story until this past May. so to hear that some of you like my story so much that you think I should share my work with the rest of the world...While I am incredibly honored...I still feel like I'm not anywhere near that good enough...Please don't think I'm ungrateful whatever you do Because when I read those reviews good or bad, It always makes my day knowing people care enough about my stories to share their opinions with me and other readers. anyway, that's just my response to some of the readers who have been giving me amazing reviews and sending me all those PM's You guys are the reason why I never stopped at my first story...So thank you.

Chapter 6 is up and about. Enjoy the read and thanks for the awesome reviews!

Chapter 6

The Leopard and the Panda

Three days after that night…

Ming was making her way up the steep mountain path on her way to what she always used to believe was an abandoned house on the cliff side, Only to recently discover it actually belonged to a fellow Kung Fu Master. She thought it was a bit odd that the house remained empty for so long and was now suddenly occupied yet again. From what Master Kai had said, it had been almost twenty years since anyone had lived in that house. As she continued along the path Ming started to remember the reason why she was even walking up this mountain in the first place.

Three weeks ago…in the Iron Temple

Ming was on her way to the bath house to wash up after the days training in the temple training grounds when she noticed Master Kai sitting in the Gardens having tea with a rather large Black Bear, in brown pants and a blue shirt. Curious, Ming turned down the path and began to head over towards her Master. As she neared the pair, Master Kai looked up and greeted his student "Ah Master Ming, Perfect timing we were just talking about you." As the Master of the temple stood to greet his student while the Black Bear remained seated. Master Kai too was an older snow leopard who wore blue pants and two golden armbands on his wrists. He also wore a gray Masters robe showing he was the Master of the temple. Ming bowed to her Master saying "Master Kai, I have just finished with the days training when I noticed you and your guest here in the gardens, May I ask your name sir?" as Ming turned to the Black Bear.

Master Kai nearly scolded his student for her rude manners when the Black Bear stopped him "It is quite alright Master Kai, She has a right to be cautious of a new face." As the Black Bear turned to Ming and addressed her, his face serious. "Greetings Master Ming, I am Master Brycen, Master of the Bear Style." Ming raised an eyebrow slightly "Bear style? Forgive me Master but I was unaware that particular style was still practiced." Brycen nodded his head saying "It is indeed rare to find one who knows it…in fact…I believe my student and I are the only ones who practice it at this time." Ming then raised an eyebrow again "Your student? Are they here as well?" as Ming looked around. Brycen merely shook his head no as he said "No, I am afraid that I have left them behind so that I may speak to you and your Master about a request I wish to make."

Master Kai then motioned for Ming to sit down next to him as he poured his student a cup of tea. As Ming took it she said, "Thank you Master. And just what kind of request is this, might I ask Master Brycen?" Brycen then took a sip of his tea, as he brought the cup down he looked to Ming saying "Until now, my student has only trained with me and one other master for a short time. But I wish for them to learn how to fight against one of a different Kung Fu style, not just my own. That is why I am here today. I have come to ask Master Kai if he would allow you to become my student's new sparring partner." Ming turned to her Master as he said "Normally I would agree with Master Brycen and have given my consent, however, you must decide whether or not to accept his request, Not I."

Ming was silent for a moment as she considered the request. "Just who is this student of yours Master Brycen?" Brycen's face became even more serious as he said "I cannot tell you…should you refuse to accept my request, my student still must remain a secret." Ming then narrowed her eyes as she said, raising her voice slightly. "You come here seeking my help yet when I ask you a simple question you refuse to give me an answer!? Tell me Master Brycen, why should I agree to help you when you will not be forthcoming with me?" Master Kai then spoke. "You are right to be frustrated Master Ming, however…it is not without reason that Master Brycen must be secretive about his student." Ming turned to her Master with a questioning look, "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

Brycen then answered "Because Master Ming…I am not only my student's Master…But I am also their protector. The whereabouts and details of my student are to remain a secret to all but a select few. That is why, that until I have your word as a Master…I cannot reveal to you any details about my student." Ming just huffed in frustration. "What are they? A lord or something?" Yet Brycen remained silent, his face stone as he continued to stare at Ming waiting for a response. With a heavy sigh she asked "Okay…so you can't tell me who or what they are…can you at least give me the details of my help, should I choose to accept?" Brycen relaxed…though not much. "Of course, you would merely act as my student's new sparring partner for a few hours a day a couple of days a week. Though as I said, they are a rather new student, so I would not ask you to start for about three weeks yet…I am merely here now in case I need to search for another master and make different arrangements."

Ming pondered this for a moment when she asked "And where exactly would I be sparring with your student?" Again Brycen's face became serious as he said "Again…I cannot tell you." Ming then furrowed her eyebrows again "Not even a location…you ask for much Master Brycen…especially since you are unwilling to reveal practically any information." Brycen continued to stare at her, his expression unchanged. "You have my reasons…now…will you accept my request?" Ming continued to stare at Brycen clearly not pleased, as Master Kai continued to sip his tea. She had to admit though, this new student had her curious…and perhaps it would be nice to train with an actual partner rather than the iron dummies in the training grounds. With a heavy sigh Ming then stood up and looked at Brycen "…Very well Master Brycen…you have piqued my curiosity. I will agree to spar with your student." Brycen then stood up as he looked down at the leopard "Then before anything else is said. I need your word as a Master, that anything and everything, said, seen, or done around or regarding my student in anyway, that you will not ever discus with another individual…including Master Kai…" Ming then turned to her master who merely nodded his head that he too understood. With another heavy sigh Ming squinted her eyes. "You now ask me to keep secrets from my master?" Brycen narrowed his eyes saying "Master Kai is very well aware of the situation…but yes, I do…" Ming then clenched her fists as she released another breath. "Very well Master Brycen…I Master Ming of the Iron Temple, agree to never breathe a word regarding your student in any way to anyone." Brycen then took her paw and shook it as he said "Thank you for your understanding Master Ming."

Ming then asked "So where am I supposed to go to spar with this student?" Brycen was silent, and for a moment Ming thought he would again deny her an answer, until he said. "Are you aware of the house that watches over the village on the Cliffside to the east?" Ming nodded her head yes as she had seen it many times before. "Yes…" she said as Brycen continued "At the foot of the mountain there is a path that leads to the house. We will be there at that time…when you arrive at the top…that is when you will first meet my student." Ming nodded her head, clearly frustrated that Brycen refused to reveal more, as Brycen turned to Master Kai saying "Thank you for the tea Master Kai, But I must return to my student now, I fear I have been away from them long enough." And with that Brycen bowed to the two masters and left the temple…

Present day…Nearing the mountain top…

As Ming neared the top of the mountain she saw Master Brycen waiting for her a ways in front of the old house which was now in better shape then she last remembered it. Clearly some repairs had been made recently, making the space livable once again. As she approached, Brycen had his arms crossed and a frown on his face as he watched her near him. When she reached him Master Ming bowed to Brycen saying "Master Brycen, it is good to see you once again." As Brycen bowed back saying "Master Ming…thank you for coming." Ming then looked around as she looked for the student.

"So where is this mystery student of yours Master?" As Brycen then narrowed his eyes at her saying. "Before that…I need to make sure that I make myself perfectly clear once more. Upon leaving this Mountain, you are not to breathe a single word about your experiences here to a single soul. Everything you say, see, and do here in the presence of and regarding my student stays on this mountain. Am I clear?" Ming almost growled at the Master but checked herself. Whoever this student was, they had better be worth all this grief. "I understand…" Ming said her eyes narrowed. Brycen stared at her a moment and then said "Very well…follow me…my student is meditating down by the waterfall." as Brycen turned to head down a path to the right of the house with Master Ming following close behind him.

They walked in silence for about five minutes when Ming finally decided to break the silence. "I never realized it was so beautiful up here." as Ming was looking at the trees and flowers along the path. Brycen then spoke his head still facing forward "Yes…it is a rather nice place…My family has lived on this mountain for six generations…My son of course being the seventh, yet he considers home to be elsewhere." Ming then asked "Is it your son that I am to be sparring with Master Brycen?" But the Black bear shook his head no saying "No…Jing is only 6 years old…and he is not a Kung Fu student." as they continued down the path once again in silence. Soon Ming could begin to hear the sound of rushing water as Brycen came to a halt turning to her. "There is also one more thing." Ming's eyes widened and then narrowed as she scoffed "Of course there is." Brycen then said his voice serious. "My student…is special…in the way that they are the last of their kind…I ask that you not bring this up in any way to them…do I have your word?" Ming's face softened a bit. "I guess that would be a rather depressing topic of conversation if it's true..."So Ming nodded her head yes as Brycen said "Thank you…I know I ask much Ming…but I hope you can come to understand it eventually." As Brycen turned and walked through the brush.

As Ming followed him she emerged from the trees and gasped at the sight before her. There was a magnificent waterfall straight ahead of her with the sunlight casting a small rainbow near the bottom of the fall. As her eyes reached the base of the waterfall, they widened in complete shock. There sitting on a rock out in the middle of the water sat a Black and White Panda with its back to her, wearing yellow shorts and no shirt. As Ming stepped closer she could make out the defined muscles on his back and shoulders and even some on his arms. As Master Brycen came to the water's edge he stopped and stared at the Panda as Ming walked up beside him. After a moment Ming asked "Is…is that...?" As Brycen nodded his head saying "Yes Ming…that is my student, Po…the last Panda in all of China."

Ming was at a loss for words. She had thought she would never get to see a Panda for she had heard they had become extinct, due to a massacre of sorts. Yet here…not thirty feet from where she now stood, sat a Panda boy in meditation who could not be more than 16 or maybe 17 years old. Ming then whispered "He is so young…how old is he?" Ming asked looking to Brycen his eyes never leaving his student. "He is 16…though he will be 17 soon enough. As Brycen turned to her saying "Remember what I said." Ming bowed her head saying "Of course." Realizing that bringing up his race would be a horrible idea for one so young. She wasn't even much older than he was apparently, for she was only 19 years old herself.

Brycen made their presence known by skipping a stone making it land right beside the panda getting his attention, as his ear twitched and he looked down at the stone. The Panda got to his feet and turned to face them a smile on his face which quickly became one of brief surprise when he saw Master Ming standing next to Brycen. Ming saw the Panda despite his muscles, still had a rather round stomach which she decided must have just been normal for a panda. She then noticed the Panda's amulet hanging around his neck on a golden chain and how unique it was as it had an amber stone and a Jade stone within the Yin and Yang halves. As she noticed the Panda was still staring at her, clearly surprised that she was there, she turned to Brycen and asked "You did not tell him I was coming?" Brycen shook his head no saying "I thought I'd surprise him…it has been a while since he has interacted with someone close to his own age."

Brycen then beckoned for Po to come forth. Once Po reached the two Masters his eyes were glued to Master Ming as Brycen spoke "Po my boy, I'd like for you to meet Master Ming of the Iron Temple. She has agreed to help with your training for the immediate future." Po relaxed a bit and bowed in respect to Ming as he said "It is an honor to actually meet you Master Ming." Ming smiled as she said "Thank you Po. I look forward to working with you." as she looked at the panda's face closely she noticed several bags under the panda's Jade colored eyes. "He looks like he hasn't slept well for quite some time…poor thing." as Ming turned to Brycen and asked "So when shall we get started?"

Just then Ming's ears picked up a sound as she turned to see a Black bear cub emerge from the trees. Clearly he was the child Master Brycen mentioned before. "Hey buddy." Po greeted as Jing walked forward smiling at the Panda. Jing then looked to his father saying "Mom said that Lunch is ready and that there is plenty of food for our guest too." As Jing looked to Ming he said with a smile "Hi, my name's Jing, Who are you?" Brycen then smacked the cub across the head lightly saying "I told you this morning Jing, this is Master Ming, and you are to show her the respect she deserves." Jing immediately straightened up and bowed saying "I'm sorry Master Ming, please forgive me…" Ming just smiled saying "That's quite alright Jing." The cub then smiled as he walked over to Po who hefted the cub up onto his back as the four made their way up the path to the house.

Lunch was rather pleasant as Po and Ming sat outside on the porch while the others ate at the table. Hua came out rather periodically making sure the younger ones had plenty to eat while Jing just whined about wanting to eat with Po and Ming, only to be hushed by Brycen. "They sound so normal." Ming observed as Po looked up from his soup asking "Hmm?" Ming then tilted her head inside the house. "Them…for having a Kung Fu Master in the family, they seem to live quite a normal life." Po smiled as he nodded "Yeah, they've been real good to me. I think Hua just wants to make sure my life doesn't change too much too soon…well; I think that's her intention anyway." Ming raised an eyebrow asking "What do you mean." Po was silent for a moment then he said "Well…I've been living with them for almost two months now…but I'm just not used to all this…family stuff... when I look at Hua, Jing and Coach together…I wonder if maybe that could have been my life…if I wasn't left alone in that stupid radish crate…"Po was silent for a moment when he quickly said looking to Ming "Don't get me wrong…I love my dad. And I will always love him, and be grateful to him for raising me…But I still can't help but wonder…I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking about this."

As Ming shook her head "Don't be…I'm sorry I brought it up… so who's your father?" Po smiled as he said "Hang on." as he walked into the house. Moments later Po returned bringing out a picture of him and his Dad. As Ming looked at it she noticed the Panda standing next to a gray goose. "Your father is a goose?" Po nodded his head yes saying "Yup, He raised me from the time I was a cub and taught me how to cook some of the best noddle dishes in all of China!" Ming smiled saying "Well perhaps one of these days I shall try one of these dishes of yours." Po smiled as he said "Sure!" as the two sat in silence for a moment as Ming finally asked "That's an interesting amulet Po, where did you get it?" Po smiled as he held the amulet hanging it around his neck "My best friend Tigress gave it to me the night before I left home to come here with Coach." Ming's eyes widened "Tigress? You mean Master Tigress of the Jade Palace!?" Po smiled as he nodded his head "Yup, she's my best friend." as he looked at the amulet again "And I miss her a lot…" as Po's face dropped a bit.

He then shook it off though as he said "By the way, I saw you at this year's tournament! You were amazing. Monkey never stood a chance!" as Ming looked at Po and asked "You know Master Monkey as well?" again Po smiled "Yup I'm friends with the entire Furious Five! How awesome is that!?" Ming smiled for she was indeed impressed. "Very awesome indeed… Tell me…how old is Master Tigress exactly?" Po just looked at her and said "She's 16 like me; we're in the same year in school." Why do you ask?" Ming then slumped her shoulders "No reason…" as she thought to herself "If you don't count getting your tail handed to you by a kid three years younger than you!" at that moment the door slid open and Brycen stepped forward saying "If everyone's through eating I'd like to get started on the sparring training." Po looked up at Brycen and said "Yes sir." Po then got to his feet, taking Ming's dish and his picture, as he walked them into the house and returned to walk down to the Dojo with Brycen and Ming.

Upon entering the Dojo Brycen and Po both bowed before passing through the doorway, as they stepped forward Ming bowed as well, following close behind. Brycen then stood before the statue of his ancestor and turned to the two teenagers as he said to Po, "Master Ming has agreed to act as your new Sparring Partner while we are here in the Northern Mountains Po. I have asked her help with this so that you may experience fighting other warriors of different styles, and not just myself." Po nodded that he understood as Brycen turned to Ming and said. "Master Ming…though Po is a rather new student I do not want you to go easy on him. The boy will never learn if he is given handicaps, understand?" Ming nodded her head saying "I understand Master Brycen." Brycen nodded his head saying "Good. Now, both of you take your positions."

As Ming and Po both walked into the center of the Dojo, each a few paces away from the other they turned to face one another. "Ready yourselves!" Brycen ordered, as Po and Ming got into their respective stances. They waited for what seemed like forever, until finally Brycen cried out "Begin!" Immediately Ming charged Po delivering several claw strikes at the Panda's upper body as Po either dodged or blocked each strike returning a few of his own, actually managing to land a single punch forcing Ming back a couple steps. "Wow, he is actually pretty strong…okay no more messing around." As Ming leaped into the air delivering a high jump kick which Po sidestepped only for Ming to land on her feet and turn around, as she charged the panda yet again. She delivered strike after strike and Po was able to either dodge them or block them as Ming forced him back towards the wall.

The entire time Brycen watched from where he stood. "Come on Po, start pushing back! You can't win in a spar unless you fight back! Move your feet Boy!" Po just answered "Yes Master." as the Panda began delivering several combos of his own, forcing Ming to back into the center of the Dojo. But Po didn't stop there, he continued to throw every combination of punches and kicks he knew trying to get past Ming's guard, but was failing. Ming was impressed. Po was fighting at a level much higher than one who only started their training a couple of months ago. If Ming had to guess just judging by his fighting skills, she would have said maybe six months to a year? "Brycen must be one heck of a teacher. But the panda is still only a novice; he leaves himself open after many of his strikes, time to show him just that." As Ming ducked under one of Po's spin kicks she countered with a powerful punch to the Panda's chest sending Po falling onto his back. "Point Ming…Do see how Ming defeated you Po?" Brycen asked as Ming helped the panda to his feet. "Um…she hit me with a punch to my chest?" Po answered a bit unsure of his answer. Brycen sighed "Yes Po, but do you see how she was able to do so? Ming could have ended this match the moment after you started to fight back. You leave yourself open to too many attacks…Now, Again!" Po bowed to Brycen and said "Yes Master." as Po and Ming went back to the center of the Dojo.

They spared for hours that afternoon, Brycen instructing Po the entire time while pointing out his flaws and mistakes while Po did his best to correct them. Ming however couldn't help but feel that the panda might do better in fighting her, if he wasn't fighting fatigue as well. By the end of the day Po had collapsed onto the floor of the Dojo while Ming herself had managed to work up a decent sweat, as she said to the panda, "You're rather talented Po I'll give you that. But you should really consider getting some more sleep. Something tells me you aren't getting enough of it." Po was silent as Brycen walked over to him and helped him up, with Po mumbling, "You have no idea…" when Jing entered the Dojo. After bowing the cub said "Mom says dinner is ready and was wondering if Master Ming would be joining us?" Ming looked to Brycen who just said "We'd be happy to have you Master Ming." So Ming nodded her head saying "I'd love to." as the four once again made their way up to the house.

After dinner everyone was enjoying the evening breeze outside on the porch when Jing ran up to Master Ming saying "Hey Master Ming, check out my new flute!" as he showed the leopard his bamboo flute. Ming admired it a moment and then said "It's very nice Jing, do you play?" Jing shook his head no saying "No, Po won it for me at the festival a few days ago. Hey Po, can you play something?" Po was sitting on the edge of the porch as he looked to Jing. "I don't know buddy…I've never really played one before…" Jing then pleaded with the panda "Awe come on! Pleeeaaaaassssseee!?" as Po stared at Jing for a moment he gave a heavy sigh and said "Oh alright…already made a fool of myself in training today, might as well do so with this too." Ming then said to Po "You didn't make a fool of yourself Po, You only just started learning Kung Fu from what I understand, I've had 10 years of training so don't beat yourself up about today." Po smiled at her as Brycen gave him a slight nod in agreement. Po then turned his attention to the flute as he tried to think of something to play…but only one Melody was coming to mind…

Without thinking Po brought the flute to his lips and began to play. The sound was captivating to say the least. Jing couldn't tear his eyes away from Po as the panda's fingers flew across the nodes while Hua smiled as she tilt her head back listening to the music. As Ming's eyes fell on Brycen however, she saw that his face was very solemn as his eyes stared at Po as if he recognized the tune and couldn't believe Po was playing it before him just now. Ming had to admit, she had never heard the melody before, but to her it sounded so soothing and calm, so why Brycen was so tense at the moment, Ming couldn't understand.

As Brycen listened to the Boy play the flute, his mind was whirling "Po…How on earth do you know that song!? Don't tell me THIS is the melody you remember!?"As Brycen continued to watch the panda as the melody came to a close. As Po brought the flute down from his lips Brycen saw a tear stream down his face. Ming was first to ask "Po…are you alright?" but Po just wiped the tear away with his arm as he said "Y-Yeah…not sure where that came from…" as Po continued to stare at the flute. Hua just said next to Brycen "That was a lovely melody Po dear, where on earth did you learn that?" Po just shook his head no saying "I…I don't know…I just…knew it…" Brycen then asked "That's THE Melody…isn't it boy?" Po just nodded his head yes as he handed Jing his flute.

Ming then asked "what do you mean Master Brycen?" as Brycen got to his feet. "Please excuse me…" as he went back into the house. Ming stood up as well and she said "Well, in any case, I should be going as well. I still have a patrol to do before returning to the temple. As she said her goodbyes she turned to Po saying "Try to get some sleep Po, I want you to be in good health when I return in a few days." Po nodded his head as he gave Ming a smile saying "Believe me, I'll try…be careful tonight…" as Ming nodded her head she turned and left down the mountain path. As Po entered the house he saw Brycen in front of the fireplace as Po said "You okay Coach?" Brycen turned his head and looked at Po with a rather sad expression. "I'm fine boy…try to get some sleep tonight…we have a big day tomorrow." Po was about to ask what he meant when Brycen turned his head back to the fireplace and Po knew the conversation was over. So with a heavy sigh Po left and headed to his bedroll, hoping this night, he wouldn't be plagued by the nightmares.

As Brycen stared into the flames his only thought was "Of all the things for Po to remember…he had to remember his Mother's Lullaby…"

DA DA DAAAAAA! The answer to the Haunting Melody...But with every answer a new question arises...HOW THE HECK DID BRYCEN KNOW THAT!?

So Ming's gonna help Po in training now. Oogway reaches the Mountains in the Next Chapter...can the Masters and the Mysterious SHE help Po with his Nightmares?