Phase One: Continued

"I don't know if that's-"

"Great, I'll show you around," Zan interrupted as he grabbed the wolf's hand. Qiang had a bare chest, black pants, gray fur like Vick, stood at Po's height of 6'2", and was very muscular. He was a very great specimen for the ladies if he wasn't a little shy. It amazed everyone that Tigress went out with him. To describe Qiang was to describe everything that was physically beautiful but inwardly needed some care and touch, and knowing Tigress, that wouldn't work out. This and the reason that Tigress dated him in the first place led him to decide to get out of the relationship. He had just caught up with Monkey and suddenly Zan came and took him around. "So this is the metal shop where Mr. Kia works," Zan said pulling him around the town.

"And this is the clothing shop that we get our cloth and textiles from, very popular," Ai noted, pulling Song around with her.

"Um, Ai I think I know where I am. I've been here before," Song replied.

"Oh, then there's a place where I want you to eat and a person I want you to meet," Ai smiled. Song read this one.

"No, no, no, no, I'm not really interested in something like-"

"No choice! You're coming with me," Ai said pulling her again to the shop.

"I said I'm not hungry," Qiang said, fighting Zan's pull on him. Zan switched around and started pushing him. "You don't give up easily, do you?"

"'Give up'? Never heard of it," Zan chuckled. The two finally got the snow leopard and wolf at the entry of the shop. Zan pushed Qiang into Song. Their eyes locked on each other as they blushed. "Oh, hello Ms. Song, Ai," Zan greeted with a wide smile.

"Hi Zan, who is this," Ai asked cheekily.

"This is Qiang and...you know I think they know what we're trying to do so we'll just leave," Zan said with his cocky smile.

"Zan," Ai said disappointed as they left, "I had a whole speech ready."

"Too bad, let's go," Zan said leaving no room for argument. Song and Qiang laughed nervously.

"Kids," Qiang said. They were silent for a while. "Um...Can I buy you lunch?"

"That would be great," Song smiled. They went in and ordered from O.

"Good morning, how are you? Today we have the lover's cake, two lovebirds in a pie, and love at first sight muffins for our special desserts," the ox said. Song and Qiang looked away in embarrassment. Vick came from the kitchen and grabbed O by the horn.

"They'll have dumplings," He muttered.

"Alright, alright! Just stop pulling my ear," O said. Mr. Ping came to the two at the table.

"Sorry about that," Mr. Ping said getting his paper. "They're friends with Zan and can be very...mischievous sometimes."

"That's okay, Mr. Ping. We'll just have some dumplings," Song said. Mr. Ping nodded and went back to the kitchen. The two were silent for a moment.

"So, you're name is Song," Qiang asked. Song nodded. "My name is Qiang. It's nice to see you."

"Yes, and you too," Song replied. "Listen, I'm not looking for... a special relationship just yet-"

"Oh no, I wasn't going to impose that on you," Qiang interrupted. "I didn't even know anything about their plan until Zan said something. So why are you here?"

"I'm visiting a friend of mine. She contacted me and wanted me to stay here. I'm just not sure that I can," Song said sadly.

"Why's that?"

"Bad memories," She sighed. Qiang picked in his pocket and presented a golden yuan. Song looked at him with a confused face.

"Money for your thoughts," Qiang smiled. She graced a smirk and took the coin.

"I...use to date someone here. It wasn't a bad relationship and he wasn't a bad guy but he...wasn't meant for me, even though he didn't see it."

"You think he dated you to make someone else jealous?"

"No, because he's not like that, but it is something along that line," Song replied.

"Who is he," Qiang asked. Song was silent for a moment as the dumplings from the kitchen came to their table.

"He's...a warrior up at the Jade Palace."

"Well, I know it can't be the bug nor Monkey or Crane. So," It finally dawned on him. "You use to date the Dragon Warrior?" Song nodded as if it weren't a big deal. "Oh dear."

"What's wrong," Song asked looking at his pained face.

"I use to date Tigress." Song was shocked.

"Oh no, this is not going to be good," Ruby murmured to Zan as they were behind the kitchen counter; they had entered from the back.

"Why," Zan asked.

"Because...it's a part of... a girl code to not date a friend's ex-boyfriend," Ruby explained. Zan huffed an air of frustration.

"Well, that won't do," He said as he came from the kitchen table and went over to Song and Qiang's table. Song saw him.

"Oh, hello Zan. I'm sorry to bring your hopes down but-"

"Just listen to me for a while," He interrupted. "Tigress and Po are away for about a month trying to look for my mother. In that time, you guys can get to know each other more." They were about to protest. "Forget any code of anybody. Listen, you both know why those two dated you guys."

"Well, we assume-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, assume my tail feather," Zan interrupted Qiang. "The point is that even if they don't like it, that's not part of your worry. They gave you up, not you." Song and Qiang looked at each other. "One month. Just to be friends. And don't worry about the past. They have to deal with their issues and you two shouldn't have to wait out for them to be separated or together."

"You know, you're right," Song said.

"Of course he is," Ruby muttered to herself from behind the counter, throwing her hands in the air.

"Let's just see where this goes," Qiang smiled. Song smiled back. "So, let's start over. I'm Qiang."

"Song," She replied giggling. Zan returned to the kitchen. Viper and Monkey watched from the entryway. They went away to the Jade Mountain.

"I don't know how he does it, but he did it," Monkey marveled.

"He really is an important addition to the team," Viper smiled to herself.

to be continued.