Hey! How are you doing?

This next fanfic is on Crane's POV, about his "apparent greatest fear..."

ooh...

Its kind of weird and introduces one of my ocs, Mei Lang the Siamese Cat!

But, on the plus side, it's a thrilling read and here you get to see Shifu's patient side with his student as he faces his fear.

Enjoy!

*I do not own kfp*

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Crane's POV:

My greatest fear.

This may sound stupid…but my greatest fear…is water.

I know, stupid right?
I know, I know. You're probably thinking: your greatest fear should be dying in battle, punishment, or something like that, and you're probably right! (I mean, I do fear that.)

But seriously, ever since I was born, I hated the water. I hated the way it stuck to my feathers, and the cold feeling you'd get when you'd get out. I hated it, and..ask my parents, or-or even Master Shifu!

They'll tell you.

I always feared the deepness of the water, even when it was so beautiful. I always feared the dark dreaded depths of the sea, ever since I was a small child.

...And there was nothing or no one that was ever going to get me into the water.

Except for a couple of days ago when I was forced with an unmeasurable decision..

To either face my fear, or avoid it at a deadly cost.

*a few days ago..*

Master Shifu and I had gone down to the village together to get some fruit.

(I know, I know, just bear with me.)

I didn't want to go down to the village myself, so Master Shifu joined me (at my request). I always feel safe when I'm with him. He has such a confident, masterly presence that comforts everyone in the village, even me.

Anyways, we were on our way to get some fruit when we passed Mei Lang on our way. So we stopped and said hi, and obviously she talks a ton (because she's a SUPER HYPER SIAMESE CAT) so we were there for a while. Mei Lang eventually asked if we wanted to go out on her boat for a little cruise.

I didn't want to, for I'm scared of the water and I hate going on boats, but I didn't want to be impolite. Master Shifu said that he had things he needed to take care of back up at the palace, but Mei Lang didn't buy Master Shifu's plea to just get the fruit and go back home. Mei Lang is one of those individuals who's just like, "the more the merrier" and one of those optimistic cats.

Maybe it's because she's from Thailand? Maybe she's not used to the selcusive ways of the Guangxi Province inhabitants.

"Master Shifu," I whispered and Master Shifu shot me an inquisitive glance. "I-I don't want to go."

Master Shifu flicked an ear. "Be gentle, Crane." Master Shifu spoke and warned me. "Go along with it. It's Mei Lang, she's doing us a friendly gesture."

I nodded slowly to my teacher, waiting for Mei Lang as she ran inside Ping Chang's hospital. (Ping Chang is a friend of mine who is the village's doctor.

Mei Lang told us she was getting some "stuff".

After she got said "stuff", we headed out onto Mei Lang's wooden boat. I stood close to the mast of the ship, and when Mei Lang took off, I held onto it for dear life. I didn't care if I looked embarrassed, I literally just wanted to quickly accept Mei Lang's "friendly gesture" and go home.

At this point, Master Shifu's training is better than this!

I knelt down to Master Shifu's level and blinked in worry. I knew Master Shifu would always have something wise to tell me. Maybe that would comfort me. "Master,"

Master Shifu blinked. "What's wrong?"

"I'm scared of the water."

"Ah, yes, I know." Master Shifu spoke. "But you must learn to face your fears."

I hoped Master Shifu was kidding, but from his tone and the seriousness in his eyes I knew he wasn't.

I just knew.

I've been with Master Shifu for possibly over ten years now…and I know he wasn't kidding.

Well, anyways, the ride was pretty nice, except for the fact that I hated the water and was literally freaking out.

Yeah, you know-super great.

Mei Lang flicked her ear. "Hey, just a head's up, the water gets a little choppy over here, might wanna come to the indent over here that I'm in."

Holding on to Master Shifu's arm for dear life, I eventually made it into the indent. Mei Lang was steering the ship with the wheel, and below her-where she was standing-there was a drop in the deck.

Mei Lang was right-it was choppy over here, and I felt myself getting even more scared by the minute.

"You good?" Mei Lang turned to me and asked. "You're a little rusty on the seas, eh?"

I nodded. "I-I don't like the water."

"Oh, well too bad!" Mei Lang exclaimed. "Listen, if you feel sick please throw up or whatever over the side. I don't want my boat getting all messed up, thanks so much."

"S-sure, Mei Lang."

"Thanks!" Mei Lang exclaimed, and smiled as her eyes gleamed in amusement. "It's okay, though. For you I'll make an exception."

"Never fear, my student." Master Shifu confidently spoke. "You will be all right. Just remember what I said about facing your fears, hmm?"

I choked out a nod and a response, and a half done bow. "Y-yes, Master."

The boat moved up and down with the waves, whenever it pounded on the water, little droplets came up onto the boat.

"Gosh," Mei Lang let out a sigh. "It's choppy out here. We should be heading back soon."

"C-can we head back now?" I asked.

"Sure." Mei Lang stated. "Good idea not to go any further with these waves!" Mei Lang blinked as she turned around and placed her head on a quick swivel, looking around widely for other boats of dangerous rocks.

Mei Lang swerved onto another path in the water and used the oars to move the boat. With Master Shifu and my help, (I was literally freaking out) we managed to move the boat into the little indent.

The smaller canal.

We followed that down a little ways until there was a circle oasis we could turn around in.

The wind started to pick up, and it started to blow heavily. Mei Lang got the boat around the roundabout and started to head down the weed grasslands for home. Once we got out into a little wider drag, the waves started picking up and bringing us the opposite way we wanted to go-harshly.

The wheel spun out of control, and the wheel started turning in all sorts of places. Mei Lang wasn't even holding onto the handle anymore! Mei Lang let out a gasp as the water poured onto the deck of the boat. Eventually we were so wrapped up in the waves that it was enough to tip the boat over.

I launched up into the air at the first signs of it tipping over, but Mei Lang and Master Shifu weren't as lucky to have wings. Mei Lang and Master Shifu- as well as the boat, crashed down into the water.

I gasped, and as I took a breath as I floated high above the water, I looked for every trace of Master Shifu and Mei Lang, and eventually I saw their heads above the water, flailing widely in the bay as their robes and current pulled them down.

How can I save them? I mean, this whole area is marshland. The ship, for the most part, was kind of still intact, but bits and pieces were floating around the surface.

They were moving fast in the waves. Mei Lang and Master Shifu were struggling to stay above water. Time after time they would disappear, then reappear.

I needed to do something.

And I needed to do it quick.

Master Shifu's situational training lessons, please come to me now!

A plan flashed into my mind as I looked around.

Hurry, Crane! I yelled to myself inside.

I looked around the swarming waves and the rushing river bringing the two of them downwards.

Oh, I wish they both had wings right now.

I swallowed my fear of touching or even being near to the water using the thought of "that Master Shifu and Mei Lang could die, or something!" and, using that to my advantage, dove forward towards the water's surface.

Blindly, and hardly without thinking any further about how petrified I was of the water, I skimmed the water's edge and glanced around for my master and friend.

Eventually catching sight of them and before they dove under again, I grabbed both Mei Lang and Master Shifu by the back of their robes and hurled them out of the water's surface.

"Hold on!" I exclaimed to both of them. Mei Lang and Master Shifu were both holding on to my legs in panic, thank goodness. I kept them low to the water, flying them both down to land and safety. I so hated the cold feeling of the water. I felt a shiver run up my spine as I felt the cold droplets on my wings.

When I placed them down gently on the grass, I bent down and spread my wings out around them. The water was so cold, even both of them were shivering-for the moment, anyways. I glanced into both of their gazes and saw relief and comfort for the moment.

I had did it.

I had did what Master Shifu had said and I had faced my ongoing fear of the water.

Together we walked back to the village, and I have to say, even for the cold water still on me, I was glad I had rescued my friend and master, my family, in a way.

I suppose that's what it took to make me face my fear…

Yay!

I'm so glad Crane was able to straighten himself and face his fear to save Shifu and Mei Lang!

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It is much appreciated!