Hey everyone! Just a short note regarding the story: there will be some differences in the main story, though there won't be drastic changes as seen in the movie. This is a slight AU after all, and I want to make it interesting (hopefully I don't go too far with them!)

Either way, I hope you enjoy this next segment!

Chapter 8: The Valley of Peace

We had to be escorted out of the city because of the bounty on us, and we soon chartered a small boat to get across the body of water separating Juniper City and the world beyond.

This would be the first time Zhen and I would go past the city walls, and we were both excited for what awaited us. The scenery was magnificent…the wide-open space…the fresh air too! It felt like we just entered a different world altogether!

She and I were moving from bow to stern, looking all around at the sights around us; however, a fog soon descended on our vessel, and we decided to rest on the edge.

As I was lost in thought, I looked down to see that my fox companion had dozed off and had rested her head against my side. She looked so peaceful, and I couldn't help but gently move my hand up and down the fur on her head. Zhen had a satisfied grin: adjusting to the touch of my naked hand.

We've barely started and she's already sleeping, heh. I guess with nothing to do we might as well rest, yet…we could also be using this time to formulate a plan of sorts.

The thing about Zhen, though, is that she kind of just winged it when it came to these things (at least while in Juniper City…)

Then a thought crossed me: we have no idea what to expect from this point on…we'll be up against the Dragon Warrior…and we don't know exactly what they're capable of.

I looked down at my furry companion and worry began to fill me: what if we're walking into a battle we have no chance of winning? What if Zhen gets hurt? No…I must think positively, she and I just have to steal the staff and get the heck out of the valley. This ought to be easy for us, we are thieves after all!

As fate would have it…it wouldn't be easy.

Eventually, we reached the other end and we disembarked…soon making our way up a mountain. By now, it was early in the afternoon: we were near the summit about to enter a long road that would lead us to our destination. We didn't even look back…not even to see the cityscape glistening majestically under the bright summer sun…we pressed on.

As we walked, Zhen looked up toward me and asked, "so, what do you think we should say to the Dragon Warrior when we run into them?"

I shrugged. I don't think that should be a priority, heh.

"How about…we expected a challenge, or maybe…the way you look, I bet you run a daycare on the weekends!"

I simply rubbed her head in response as I continued walking. She stopped and looked at me with vengeance in her eyes. She jumped on me and suddenly took off my mask as my hair was unsheathed. The vulpine started messing with my hair before I threw my arms out at her. Sure enough, she jumped off and put her paws on her hips, "there, much better! I won't be staring at a statue the whole trip!"

I brandished my hand to her, demanding she return my grey wolf mask, but she (unsurprisingly) refused.

"Mei, there's nobody around…" I stood my ground…narrowing my eyes to her. Soon, her devilish, mischievous, grin came out in full force, "you want it?" She brandished it like a toy. Oh boy, here we go…

"Come and get it, slowpoke!" She exclaimed, running off as I growled at her. I began chasing the fox as we made our way through the forest trail. I chased her down for what seemed like an eternity. Even running for so long, it didn't take the wind out of us…not even me. My athletic build was used to these physical exertions after all.

Eventually, however, we stopped by a small river and Zhen jumped on top of a boulder as I arrived. I see her looking down at me…throwing the mask up and down to entice me, "give up yet?"

I smirked, stealthily pulling out a pair of bolas, and before she could react…the vixen was trapped by my rope. She tumbled down as I caught her in my arms…giving a soft (confident, smug, and affectionate) smile to her.

Now you're mine, fox!

I took the mask from her and she grumbled, giving an annoyed face back of course, "Yeah, yeah…let it out…if it wasn't for your little device there…I would'a won fair 'n square!"

I set the vixen down to free her before deciding to yield to her initial request: I holster the wolf mask against my belt and she nodded, "there we go, that wasn't so hard now, was it?"

I rolled my eyes before we decided to press on.

It wouldn't be long until it started raining about an hour later…it was raining hard!

We couldn't travel as far under such conditions and night was already coming...this is going to delay us a bit. Yet, what got our hopes up was the distant wide valley that we could barely see in the distance. Zhen had pulled out a map while we were under thick foliage and she pointed to the exact spot, "looks like we're close" she said, closing the brown map and putting it in her bag.

I had my eyes focused squarely on the valley before I heard next to me: "I wonder how we'll break in?"

I look at the smaller animal and shrug. I thought about it, we ought to use the rooftops as cover…it'll be the quickest method of entry and escape. We can take the staff if it's in a building and get out…that's what I'm hoping for…

"You got a plan thought out in your head?" Zhen jokingly asked, but she was somewhat serious. I put my hands on my hips and grumbled to her before she laughed, "well…plan or no plan, we'll be outta there before teatime. Not having a plan is better anyway, it's more fun that way."

I tried to ignore that comment…any other situation I would have agreed. Yet, there's a reason Lady Chameleon chose us for the job too. Stealing something like a staff in a place called "The Valley of Peace" should present a few problems. But, if there's one thing I've learned on the streets it's never to judge a book by its cover…

We've heard stories about the Furious Five…and how they patrolled the valley and were a formidable force. If they're there, it'll certainly complicate things.

For a place called The Valley of Peace, they sure do have a lot of intimidating names for their warriors…

Even so, Zhen and I would rest for the night…we should be in the valley by the afternoon hopefully.

I guess at that moment it dawned upon me that this might be the last time she and I can be at peace until we return to Juniper City. One thing is for sure that we'll both be on the run…I do not doubt that.

We ought to get as much sleep as we can anyway. There was a small cave that could shelter us from the cold and rain, so we decided to rest there.

As the fox dried her gray fur, I watched silently across from her. This might be one of the few times I'm actually glad I don't have fur…drying it off always looked like it was such a pain! Then again, in my case…having no fur and getting drenched meant that I was freezing…

Consequently, I started shivering a bit. I didn't care about myself at that moment: I crawled to Zhen and helped her with the brush. She rolled her eyes at me in a playful manner (inside she appreciated the help, however.)

"Your fur is matted too…here" she took the brush from me in the blink of an eye and the next thing I know she's behind me brushing my brown hair.

As she did, Zhen looked up at me and smiled…soon standing up. I was still seated down, so she was now slightly taller than me. The gray fox looked down at me as she took out my red butterfly bow and tied my hair into a bun before putting the accessory back.

"That looks a bit better" she stated. Granted, it was more practical having my hair like this, but the reason she did it felt personal. Then, a thousand thoughts filled my mind. I looked deeply into those light brown eyes that she had.

I studied her heart-filled smile…a look that always made me feel happy and like I belonged. A warm grin soon showed itself on my face. We just stood still for a few moments…lost in our thoughts…both of us probably thinking the same thoughts. Zhen was looking down on me and me up toward her.

Before we both knew it, gravity started to take over. We didn't realize what was happening…it seemed as though the cold was inspiring us to find the most warmth possible. Sure enough, we felt our breaths and it sent a shiver down my spine.

A fleeting thought overcame me: why is this happening!? Should we really be doing this? What about the mission? What if we don't survive it, though?

All my life I always felt like I could try saying something to her…something as simple as I love you, but words could never escape my mouth. I was cursed to be a prison for words…even whispers…a world they could never hope to leave. Still, there were other ways to express feelings. If there's one thing that I'm good at in terms of communicating: it's through action…body language.

We were so close to contact that I couldn't believe it! I was hesitating, however…

The fact is…she is a vixen…and I am…whatever the hell I am! Two different animals…foxes probably don't even exist where I'm from!

Ultimately, we decided not to care…we leaned in…ignoring these negative thoughts.

Together, we both thought simultaneously.

Life, however, just needs to be so cruel in its design sometimes. A sudden crack of thunder breaks our trance, and we suddenly hold each other in fright before we realize what has just happened. Our moment prematurely ended. Zhen chuckled nervously in response, moving away slightly, "that caught me off guard…"

I sighed softly to myself, you and me both…

By morning, the rain had ceased, and we left the cave to begin the final leg into the Valley of Peace. By this point, I had to put on my wolf mask, and I made sure to double-check my gear.

Once it was the early afternoon, we were crossing a bridge at sea level into the outskirts of the valley, and it's not long before we found ourselves in a village soon after. I must say, everything had an idyllic aura to it…it's almost like an oasis in the middle of the Gobi Desert.

Compared to Juniper City, it was a simple place…not as grand or even busy as back home. Life seemed to move at a snail's pace here. The inhabitants weren't also as "diverse" as in Juniper City…most were species such as ducks, rabbits, goats, and rams…and I'm sure there are others. I can't imagine seeing wolves here, they would definitely be running this place if they were.

Anyway, Zhen and I searched every white building we could…every little crack in every spot…every alleyway until we decided the last place to look should be the jade building high in the sky. It looked to be a palace of sorts and it was the most flamboyant structure in the region…hard to miss. To us, it seemed to be THE place the Staff of Wisdom would be left in.

The fox and I looked at each other and nodded before we pressed on. The trip to get up to the palace looked punishing enough…it looked as though it would take a while, but she and I were as determined as ever. We made our way, ascending the steps (while also periodically hiding from guards and visitors/villagers walking up and down the path.

After a while, we reached the main gate to the complex (which consisted of two large buildings facing each other with two gold dragon statues on opposite ends.) The problem was…we couldn't get in since the doors were closed; however, Zhen and I saw a tree we could climb to get over the white/blue wall.

It didn't take much effort for us, so we were inside the complex before we both knew it. We dashed through the blue rooftops…evading detection by the inhabitants below. The summit was in plain sight…it wouldn't be long now until we reached the palace.

"I wonder what kind of goodies we'll find in there!" Zhen whispered to me through her blue mask, I nudged her…shaking my head:

We're only here for the staff! We can't start grabbing anything we want, we're on a mission…a VERY important mission!

I make a gesture as if I'm making the shape of the staff, she kind of understands, but soon the fox decides to press on, "you ready?"

I sighed before nodding, ready as I'll ever be Zhen

We began making the final leg up to the "Jade" palace. Just as we reached it, I heard the vulpine whisper in my ear, "watch the entrance…I'll go in and find the staff." I gave an anxious and uncertain look back, but the fox insisted. Soon, she started making for the rooftop as I remained alert nearby. I sat on top of a tree branch, surveying the area.

All around me were carved mountain peaks…so high that you couldn't see some through the cloud cover…and we were so high that I somewhat felt sick from the altitude alone. I'd be lying if I said I DIDN'T enjoy the scenery. I can see why people spend their lives here and for some reason…I could see myself living here.

Before I could think about it further…I sensed somebody walking adjacent to the palace. It was a figure dressed in black and white…carrying what appeared to be…a green…staff!? W-wait, who are they? They are making their way to the entrance…Zhen!

I had to spring into action, they were going to find the fox in there. They opened the doors widely and entered. I quickly climbed a pillar and went along the same route that my companion did.

Needless to say, once I entered the Jade Palace…things would take such an interesting turn…

Alrighty folks! That's the end of this chapter. I think you know what comes next after this, heh.

Take care and have a nice day!