Eight days have past since the incident on the training room. Since Yuè's talk with Master Shifu he's been acting differently, as if he's more disciplined and structured as well as more open to the other occupants of the Jade Palace. This change has prompted Shifu to be a little more lenient with Yuè's first rule, however he's still keeping a close eye on the wolf. In the passing days the people in the village have become more accustomed to the canine staying in the Jade Palace. That isn't to say they aren't in the least bit still frightened though.
The sun was high in the sky that morning as Yuè walked around the village marketplace, searching for various trinkets he may want but mainly on the hunt for food. Since he's a wolf, Yuè is more used to eating meat, in fact it's his favorite food. He's not very picky about it either, raw or cooked, he'll eat it anyway. However, being the only carnivore in a village full of grazers does present itself as a challenge for the wolf.
As he was looking at apples he caught himself several times staring longingly at the reflection of a nearby pig in the skin of the shiny red fruit. Picturing a slab of ham roasting on a barbecue spit. He shook the vision from his mind and decided on grabbing a sack of apples, laying a bag of gold on the stall counter.
He walked out of the market and into the bustling streets of the village. Yuè noticed that everyone seemed to be unusually busy today. People were carrying crates back and forth, carts loaded with food, fireworks, and paper lanterns hurried down the streets. "Wonder what's goin' on." he said to himself as he made his way through the crowded roads. "They're getting ready." said a figure to his right, surprising Yuè. Instincts kicked in as Yuè dropped the sack and quickly grabbed the figure by his neck and shoved him into a wall to his left.
Getting a clearer look Yuè saw that it was Po, the panda looking at him with a nervous smile. "Dammit Po! What've I told you about sneakin' up on me?" he asked letting go of the panda and picking the sack of apples off the ground and grabbing some that fell out. "Sorry. Couldn't resist." Po said as he got down to help. They both stood up after picking up the last apple. Yuè looked over at Po and snatched an apple out of his hand before he could bite into it. "Hey!" Po protested. Yuè chuckled and tossed the apple up into the air and caught it in his left hand as it fell, "You didn't put any money on the apples so you don't get any apples."
Po looked off and crossed his arms as he pouted making Yuè laugh. "So, what is everyone preparing for?" he asked. Po stayed silent, "Silent treatment, huh?" the panda nodded. Yuè thought for a moment before coming up with a plan, "Fine, tell me what's goin' on and I'll give you an apple." Po's eyes widened and he quickly turned around, "They're preparing for the Full Moon Festival. Now gimme!" he quickly said with his arms stretched out and hands open. "Sounds fun." Yuè said as he bit into the apple in his hand, "Hey! I thought you said I could get an apple if I told you!" Po whined. Yuè chuckled, "Yeah, but I didn't say when. Besides I got a whole sack of apples. You can get one when we get back to the palace." Po pouted again, "Fine." he complained.
Just then they heard a shriek come from the market. Yuè's ears perking up to find its origin. "It's coming from the jewelry stall!" he said as he got on all fours and sprinted toward the scream, Po following on two legs. As they arrived they saw three boars wielding clubs harassing a weasel with light brown fur holding a necklace made of small jewels. "Look, just hand over the cash and the jewels and we'll be on our way. If you do this the easy way we won't hurt you...much." he said with a deep sounding laugh, his accomplices joining in with him. "No way! I busted my a** to save up the money for this. You're not getting anything from me!" the weasel said sticking her tongue out at the thieves.
The leader growled at the weasel and lifted his club to strike the female when, out of nowhere, an apple core hit him in the face. "Who threw that?!" he shouted as he looked around. He looked past the weasel to see a grinning wolf, tossing an apple up in the air and catching it, standing next to a panda with his arms crossed. "I think you should leave these people alone." the wolf said baring his fangs in a toothy smile. "Or face the Dragon Warrior in all of his awesomeness." Po finished, earning a look of confusion from the wolf, "Really? You had to finish up with that?" he asked. The Dragon Warrior looked back innocently, "Yeah. It's my thing." he stated matter-of-factly.
They were interrupted by the sound of cheering and clapping and turned to see the bandits pinned to the posts of three other stalls by, what looked to be, knives. Yuè looked closer at the scene and saw the weasel standing triumphantly with one her hands on her hip and the other to her side with three small throwing knives in it. She turned around and flashed a smile at Yuè and Po, "Hi Yue. Sorry to steal your thunder like that." she said cheerfully."How do you know my name?" Yuè asked earning a confused look from the weasel. "Really? I know you're old but wow. Didn't expect you to forget me that quick." Yuè cocked an eyebrow at the young lady. Trying to remember her, he carefully inspected the stranger. Her frame was slender but built enough to show she exercises, her fur was light brown except for the fur under her chin leading down her front, finally his eyes spotted a scar on the left shoulder, jogging his memory. "Fan? Wow, I swear I didn't recognize you without your armor and knives hanging off your belt." Yuè said as Fan smiled brightly. "So who's your fluffy friend there?" she asked in a seductive voice as she approached Po and began to rub the fur on his right arm.
Po looked down at the weasel as she began to nuzzle his fur, causing him to blush and eliciting a laugh from Yuè. "That's enough Fan. He's too old for you anyway." Yuè said grabbing Fan by the hand and pulling her away from Po. "Aaaaww. But his fur is sooo soft." she whined. "Maybe you should show a little more respect to the Dragon Warrior than just throwing yourself on him." Yuè scolded.
Fan's eyes grew wide, "This is the Dragon Warrior? I would've thought you'd have turned him in by now. I'm assuming he agreed to help you?" Yuè nodded, "Huh. Anyway I should get going. Gotta get something nice to wear for the festival." she said walking away. "How did you know about the festival and I didn't?" Yuè asked stopping Fan. "Everyone knows about the festival. You're just clueless." she said giggling away.
Yuè shook his head, "That girl..." he said to himself. "Let's get these guys to the Five. They can send them to Chor-Ghom." Po suggested as they started to pull the knives from the posts and used some nearby rope to subdue the bandits.
Later At The Jade Palace...
Yuè was sitting on the cliff the Sacred Peach Tree rested on, watching the sun as it set, signaling the end of the day and beginning of night. His right ear twitched at the sound of a twig snapping behind him, he subtly sniffed the air, "Dammit Po. What have I told you about sneaking up on me?" he asked without turning around. Po stood behind him, "I wasn't sneaking up on you. I just want to know if you're gonna come to the festival with us." Yuè sighed and turned his head to the left, looking at Po with his shinning golden eye, "No." he said disinterestedly, turning back to see the dying sun fall over the horizon. Po sighed, "C'mon Yu. There'll be people there." he said trying to convince Yuè. He only groaned in response, "There'll be food." Po said moving to his right, Yuè turning away and groaning again. Po backed up and threw his hands up in defeat, "Aaww c'mon Yuè. It'll be fun." he whined.
Wanting Po to stop begging Yuè stood up and turned to him, "If I go will you stop whining?" he asked. Po nodded his head excitedly, earning a sigh from Yuè. "Fine. I'll go change and I'll meet you at your dad's place." Po excitedly ran off to make his way to the party in the village. Yuè look off to the east to see the moon rising overhead. He stared at it for a moment before heading to his room to find suitable clothes for the festivities.
An hour into the celebration, Po looked at the entrance to his father's restaurant scoping out the crowd in anticipation for his guest. People all over the village were dressed up in colorful, festive looking clothes to celebrate the Full Moon Festival. Children were lighting firecrackers and there were small stalls set up seemingly everywhere to sell food, trinkets, and other miscellaneous gifts to participants of the festivities. Musicians played in the street, their music creating a light and joyful mood for the occasion.
As Po began to search through the crowd in front of his father's restaurant he noticed the lack of a certain wolf that promised he'd be there. "It doesn't look like he's showing." Tigress said from behind, placing her hand on Po's shoulder to comfort him. Po sighed, "But he promised." he whined. "Maybe he changed his mind." Viper said, the other members of the Furious Five and Master Shifu flanking her sides, "He doesn't strike me as the type to go to parties anyway." Po sat down at an empty table and placed his chin in both his hands as he pouted.
"I can't believe he'd break a promise like that." Po said grumpily, looking down at the ground absently. "Who said I broke my promise?" a voice asked as Po and the others looked up to see Yuè standing before them. His fur looking more smooth and less grizzled than usual, and wearing white pants and a matching white vest. "I don't go back on promises. It's a rule of mine." Po's face brightened up as he walked up and squeezed Yuè in a tight bear hug, lifting him off the ground. "No...hugs..." Yuè choked out as he felt the air being squeezed out of him. "Oh. Sorry." Po said dropping Yuè back to the ground.
After catching his breath Yuè looked at the warriors in front of him. They were all dressed formally for the festival, Viper with a tiger Lilly flower on her head, Monkey wearing silk purple pants, Crane wearing his trademark straw hat along with with a white vest with black buttons and dark blue pants, Master Shifu wearing an orange robe with a pattern of a dragon flowing from the bottom snaking it's way to the top, and Tigress with a red evening gown.
Yuè did a long whistle at the sight of the fancy attire, "You guys sure know how to go all out for a party. And Tigress look at you with your pretty gown." he said gesturing a hand toward the dress. Tigress scowled, "Watch it! I broke your arm once for getting fresh, I'll do it again." she threatened. Yuè held his hands up defensively and chuckled, "Can't a guy pay you a compliment without getting threatened?" Tigress turned her attention away from the wolf and walked off into the crowd.
Yuè's demeanor dropped, "So, I'm here. Let's get this over with." Po walked beside him and put a hand on his shoulder, "Don't be like that Yue. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself." he said cheerfully. Yuè sighed, "Doubt that." he said cynically under his breath as Po walked him off into the crowd, the other members of the Furious Five and Master Shifu going their separate ways as well.
Po led Yuè through the festival, playing various games of chance and luck such as, a ball toss that Yuè was kicked out of for his spot on accuracy, and a game of darts which he was also kicked out of for the same reason. They stopped at a food stall and paid for a bowl of stuffed dumplings. "She, ishn't thish fun?" Po asked with his mouth full. Yuè looked down at his dumplings after biting into one and finding it stuffed with vegetables. He'd been in the valley for about two weeks now and still wasn't accustomed to the diets of its people. He was more used to eating food with a little more meat in it than what he'd had to eat while he was here.
He grimaced and passed the bowl to Po who looked at him inquisitively, "Not hungry?" he asked. Yuè shrugged, "Nah. Not for that at least." he said gesturing at the dumplings, "I don't get how you grazers do it. How do you go without meat?" Po tilted his head at the question, "Why do you keep saying 'grazers'? What does that mean?" he asked as he shoved more dumplings in his mouth. Yuè scratched the back of his neck and smiled nervously, "Heh, funny thing about that. Uh, see where I come from it's kind of an insult." he explained. "Sho you've been inshulting ush the whole time?!" Po nearly shouted with his mouth full. "Yeah, but it's only offensive if you're a wolf. See, it's because you guys don't eat meat. So I call you 'grazers', 'cus that's sorta what you do. Graze." Yuè clarified, Po still looked a little cross as he ate the rest if the dumplings. "Anyway, wanna keep going? I'm sorta gettin' into this whole festival thing." he said to change the subject.
Without warning a figure came from behind and covered Yuè's eye with their hands, "Guess who?" she said in a sing-song voice. "Dammit Fan. Why does everyone insist on sneakin' up on me today?" Yuè said grumpily, taking the hands off his eyes. He turned around to see the weasel wearing a flowing light blue dress that shimmered in the light of nearby lanterns. She wore several bangles made of silver and gold on her right wrist and the necklace from earlier made of garnets, rubies, and a heart shaped diamond pendant adorned her neck, Yuè was stunned to see how different she looked compared to her normal battle attire of a black leather breastplate with matching leather greaves, bracers, and pauldrons. "Heh, why are you always so grumpy at parties and stuff? I never got that about you." she asked with a bright smile across her muzzle. Yuè rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Let's just go somewhere else already." he said dismissing the question and walking off. Fan's eyes became downcast, her smile gone, "Oh..." Po saw this and became curious, "What was all that about? He was just happy a second ago and poof he's all depressed." he asked Fan looking up with sorrowful eyes, "When he says 'whatever' about certain questions it's because it's about his family and he doesn't want to answer. Something painful usually." Po's eyes widened an he looked off at Yuè leaning against a wall, tapping his foot impatiently. "We're better off just going with him. We shouldn't ask, we'd just ruin his mood even more." Fan said walking to Yuè with a fake smile plastered on her face. Po saw this and followed her example, not wanting to anger the short-tempered wolf even more. Soon Yuè found himself being led in the direction of instruments being played. "Where are you taking me Fan?" he asked as the sound got closer. She only smiled, "It's a surprise to cheer you up Mr. Grumpy-Pants." Yuè only frowned once they reached the source of the music: a dance floor. "I'm not dancing." he said folding his arms and frowning. "C'mon. It'll be fun." Fan said tugging on his arms. "I don't even like the music." he said indifferently and looking away. "Then why's your foot tapping?" Po asked, Yuè looking down to see his foot tapping to the beat of the music. He quickly stopped only for him to feel his tail swishing to the rhythm of the music. Yuè' sighed in defeat, "Fine. But I'm not good at dancing." he said as he was led by Fan to the dance floor.
(Nickelback ft. Santana "Into the Night" plays)
As a new song began Fan got close to Yuè, she being about two heads shorter than the wolf, and they placed their two right palms together and his left hand on her hip and her left hand on his back. Yuè began to blush under his grey fur, "Just follow me." she whispered softly as the band began to pick up the music, guitar strumming soulfully with drums joining in. Vocals shortly followed,
"Like a gift from the heavens, it was easy to tell,It was love from above, that could save me from hell,She had fire in her soul it was easy to see,how the devil himself could be pulled out of me,There were drums in the air as she started to dance,Every soul in the room keeping time with their hands..."
Fan led Yuè in the first steps so he could pick up on them. They moved to the side, Yuè looking at their feet nervously to make sure he didn't crush her toes. Fan laughed and kept moving, changing the direction to the other side. "My eyes are up here." she said lifting Yuè's chin so he made eye contact with her. "Sorry. Just don't wanna step on your feet." he said flashing a nervous smile.
"Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,And the voices rang like the angels sing,
We're singing...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,And we danced on into the night,Ay oh ay oh,Ay oh ay oh,And we danced on into the night,"
They continued to dance, this time she let go of Yuè, their palms still touching, and they began to circle each other. As the tempo of the music sped up Fan moved a little quicker, Yuè catching on and matching her speed.
"Like a piece to the puzzle that falls into place, You could tell how we felt from the look on our faces, we was spinning in circles with the moon in our eyes, The room left them moving between you and I, We forgot where we were and we lost track of time, And we sang to the wind as we danced through the night,"
Fan let go of Yuè's hand, "What are you doing?" he asked quietly as she began to sway her hips. This is the part where you let the music move you." she said as she slowly spun, her arms raised into the air.
"And we sang...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
And the voices rang like the angels sing,
We're singing...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay, And we danced on into the night, Ay oh ay oh, Ay oh ay oh, And we danced on into the night, Ay oh ay oh, Ay oh ay oh, And we danced on into the night,"
Yuè looked around to see all the spectators, including Po, looking at the dance floor. "But they're all watching." he whispered. Fan spun up to him, "Pretend they aren't there." she whispered. Yuè took a breath, closed his eyes and cleared his mind. When he opened them everyone was gone and it was just him and Fan. He moved closer to her, his head nodding a little.
The guitar moved into a solo part as Yuè began to dance, swaying his body. "Now you're getting into it!" Fan encouraged, "Now let the music move you." Yuè hunched down and began to move around Fan, "This is a dance we did back home. My home." he grabbed her hand and led her by the palm, repeating the movements from earlier but more subtle.
"Like a gift from the heavens, it was easy to tell, It was love from above, that could save me from hell, She had fire in her soul it was easy to see, how the devil himself could be pulled out of me, There were drums in the air as she started to dance, Every soul in the room keeping time with there hands,"
He suddenly spun in front of her and spun quickly back behind her. Fan giggled as Yuè jumped back in front of her quickly. He moved around Fan again as she began to shake her hips.
Yuè suddenly took Fan's hand into his own and they began to spin in circles on the dance floor. The tempo once again kicked up, nearing its close.
"And we sang...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay, And the voices rang like the angels sing,
We're singing...
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay, And we danced on into the night,"
They spun faster with the tempo, Fan laughing gleefully.
"Ay oh ay oh,
Ay oh ay oh,
And we danced on into the night,
(And the voices rang like the angels sing),
Ay oh ay oh,
Ay oh ay oh,
And we danced on into the night,
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
(Ay oh ay oh),
Ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,"
They slowed to a stop as the music wound down.
"(Ay oh ay oh),
Singing ay oh ay oh ay oh ay,
(Ay oh ay oh),
And we danced on into the night..."
The music stopped. Yuè and Fan were both panting and laughing. "Had fun?" Fan asked. Yuè chuckled, "I do better with blades but it was still...fun." They were interrupted by the sound of applause. Yuè looked up, his vision registering that people were standing around him. Yuè grinned nervously and rubbed the back of his head. Fan nudged his arm, "Sounds like they liked your dancing."
They both walked off the dance floor and into the crowd. Po quickly ran up and grabbed Yuè, putting him in another bear hug, "THAT WAS AWESOME!" he shouted, "Where'd you learn to dance like that?" Yuè struggled to get out of Po's grasp, "Po...you're crushing me." Po quickly dropped him. Yuè was about to explain but was cut off by slow clapping and a cold sinister voice from behind, "Yes do tell." Yuè turned to face the person behind him, scowling at the sight of the gold furred takin accompanied by two large, armored rhino guards. "Those were some nice moves. Maybe you could teach me some."
"Jong Sung Jai Kai Chow." Yuè growled, his fur spiking up, his ears folding back aggressively, and his claws unsheathing. "How do you do that? Like, say his name perfectly in one go." Yuè ignored him, "What the hell are you doing here?" Jong grabbed a bowl of noodles from a nearby stall, "I'm just here to enjoy the festivities friend. And check up on my best bounty hunter to see how the hunt was going." Yuè looked back at Po and turned back to look at Jong, slurping up his bowl of noodles. "I gave up on that hunt a while ago."
Jong looked up and slurped a noodle hanging from his mouth. He looked at Po then back at Yuè, a scowl forming on his face. "I can see that. Why did you abandon the bounty? I'm sure I offered more than enough for the Dragon Warrior." Yuè growled, "I have my reasons." he said turning to walk away. "Is this about your daughter?" Jong asked, stopping Yuè in his tracks. In a blur of fur and rage Yuè tackled Jong to the ground, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LI!"
Jong looked at the wolf with an unimpressed face, "You made me spill my noodles." Suddenly one of the rhino guard grabbed Yuè by the throat and tossed him back to the ground, the other guard helping Jong up to his feet. Jong brushed himself off, "As I was saying, if this is about that little girl of yours you should give up." Yuè got back to his feet, a rhino blocking his way to Jong. "What the hell are you talking about?" Jong snickered, "I'm saying she's dead."
Yuè was stunned, he had nothing else to say. "No... Y-you're lying!" he shouted. Jong chuckled, "No no, it's true. I even sent one of the best assassins in China. That's how I know she's dead." he said waving a hoof at the distraught wolf. Yuè became quiet. "Why?" he asked softly, "She was just a little girl." Jong walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "You took someone from me so I took someone from you." he whispered in Yuè's ear before walking away.
Yuè fell to his knees and began to cry. Tears streamed down his face and dampened his fur, leaving dark spots in the gray hair. Po came up behind him and placed his hand on Yuè's back, "Don't believe him. He's a known liar." Yuè stood up and wiped the tears from his eyes. He turned to Po, his eyes red and bloodshot, "We're gonna find my little girl. And I swear on my life, if she's really..., I will skin that takin alive." he said, clenching his fists in rage, his claws digging into his flesh and drawing blood. Po and Fan looked at the wolf with worry in their eyes as he stomped off into the crowd, assumingly back to the palace.
Later that night the palace occupants were once again awoken by the howl of a wolf, this time more sorrowful than the time before. Out on the cliff of the Sacred Peach Tree Yuè stood, eyes wet with tears and hands bleeding from his claws. Behind him he heard footsteps approach and cautiously sniffed the air, "Po. Right now is the worst time you could sneak up on me." he growled with his back turned to the panda. "Yuè, what are you doing up here?" he asked. Yue shot him a hard glare and growled at him, "The hell does it sound like? I'm howlin' obviously." he said turning back to look a the village below the cliff.
Po started to step forward but thought against it. "Yue...he's lying. We're gonna find Li. Trust m-" he was interrupted by the angry lupine, "Don't. Say. Another. Word." Yuè commanded, "Right now it's best if you just shut up and leave before I do something I regret." Instead of pressing the matter any further Po left Yuè to his lonesome, knowing the same pain he's feeling. Yuè turned to look at the panda as he left, "Sorry Po. It's just...I need some time to think right now." he said lowly, his ears wilting and his tail hugging his leg. Po looked back at the wolf from the doorway to the Hall of Heroes, "I know Yue." he said in a hushed voice responding to the quiet apology before walking back to the barracks.