A Bad Thing

The two strolled on through the winding roads of the large village before making a left at Mr. Ping's noodle shop. The white goose waved to them while Tigress sat Lei Lei down with her dolls.

"When will I cook with Mr. Ping again?"

Tigress's eyes widened. They had gotten off track with her cooking lessons. The tiger smiled and patted Lei Lei's head. "I'll make sure that-"

"Tigress!" Po and Monkey rushed in. "We need to go! Jiaohua's bandits are here," the panda rasped.

"Lei Lei, I have to go. I'll be right back, don't leave Mr. Ping's sight, understand?" Tigress ordered. The little panda nodded as her tiger mother ran off to deal with the bandits. Lei Lei looked to the kitchen where Mr. Ping was busily handling customers with Li Shan. The tofu and noodles were starting to become a big hit, and the goose had his wings full, hence Tigress's repeated presence. She started playing with her toy, making a little prance with her tiger doll. She propped her head on her hand.

The small panda sighed, "Why can't I go with them?" She looked at her finger and groaned. Previously, she had gotten a splinter that Mantis helped get out, but it still ached. "Maybe I'm too small." She plopped her head onto the table and sighed again.

Then she looked at the entrance. A little black wolf poked its dirty head into the shop, gazing at the food. His eyes watered at the delicious food on the table, but he shook his head and moved closer to the kitchen. He planted his back against the wall, shuffling along it to get to the kitchen. "Hello?"

"AHHH!" The boy jumped into a dragon-fighting stance. Lei Lei looked at him and went into her panda stance with her tiger action figure in her high hand, smiling. "You... you're not going to hurt me, are you?"

"No." The boy lowered his stance. Then his stomach growled. "Are you hungry?" She asked. The wolf boy nodded. Lei Lei walked over to the kitchen, holding the boy's hand. "Mr. Ping! He's hungry!"

The goose raised his eyebrow at the shivering wolf and smiled, "Aww, look at you. Ah, ah, you're dirty. Come now, where are your parents?"

"My dad's coming to get me but...I don't know. I lost him and-"

"Ah, well, your dad wouldn't want you coming home dirty and hungry. Come, let's get you cleaned up." And so the bird did. Li Shan handled the customers while Mr. Ping took the little boy to the back and scrubbed him in a bath. The boy whimpered. "Quit squirming."

Lei Lei watched and giggled from the kitchen exit. The boy bowed his head. "Th-Thank you."

"What's your name, boy?"

"L-Lin."

"Ah, well, I'm Mr. Ping. That peeping panda over there is Lei Lei, who should give us privacy!" The little panda darted away. Mr. Ping shook his head with a sigh, "Ah, kids. You said you don't know where your father is? What does he look like?"

"He looks like me. That's what he's told me."

Ping smiled wider. He didn't know why he'd expect a different answer. After he dried the soapy wolf with a towel and brushed his fur, the goose took Lin back to the kitchen where Li Shan gave him a bowl of soup and his clothes. Slurping up the noodles, the boy's eyes lit up. "This is very good!"

"Ah, ah, no speaking with your mouth full."

"Sorry," Lin timidly said. Lei Lei giggled at him while the wolf boy responded with a wide toothy grin. Lin was about the same height as Lei Lei, maybe a little taller. A tattered pair of dark pants hung to his frame while his torso had an avocado-colored vest fresh from Mr. Ping's wash.

"Sooo what are you doing here?" Lei Lei asked.

"My daddy is taking something. He didn't tell me what."

"Your dad... takes stuff. Isn't that bad?"

"He takes stuff for other people who don't have much money."

The panda tilted her head. "So he... steals for other people?"

"But he's a hero! At least, he's my hero," Lin shyly replied.

Lei Lei smiled, "He sounds good. When can I see him?"

"I... I don't know. Some bandits came and-and we got separated."

Lei Lei tilted her head again and waddled her little feet over to the entrance. The little panda looked up and down the open street and found nothing for a while. The wolf followed quietly. "What are you doing?" Lin asked.

"I'm looking for your daddy."

"He won't be in the streets. He doesn't like the-" Before Lin could finish, a forest green cloaked figure stepped out into the open street. "That's him! Daddy! Daddy!"

"Ah, Lin. There you are," said the cloaked wolf. He pulled off his hood. He was older, a mirror of Lin's eyes and his happy grin. There was a small glint of sheen lost in his older more sweat-matted fur that wasn't present on Lin. A small cut above his eye distinguished him from his son. "And who's this? Did you make a new friend?" smiled the older wolf.

"Yeah! Her name is Lei Lei. She's the white bird's friend. He gave me food and a bath," The boy pointed to the little girl and the goose coming to the entrance.

The older wolf bowed and presented a bag of yuan to Mr. Ping. "I thank you for taking care of my son. I got lost with my... associates. I hope he wasn't too much to handle."

"Of course not. Thank you, thank you, come back anytime," Mr. Ping smiled wide, counting the money.

The older wolf gave a soft smile. He looked down at the little panda girl who quietly examined him all around. "And you must be Lei Lei. Thank you for helping my son."

"You're welcome. Master Tigress says that we should always help."

The older wolf's eyes widened. "You're a student of Master Tigress?"

"No, she and the others look after me."

"The... others being... The Dragon Warrior? Po, I think?" Lei Lei slowly nodded. A feathery wing slowly wrapped around the panda and motioned her behind him.

Mr. Ping squinted at the older wolf, raising his eyebrow. "I think that's enough questioning of the girl, Mr-"

"Oh, I'm sorry," the wolf grinned. "I don't mean to be... what's the word?"

"Suspicious?" Mr. Ping said.

"Yes, that." Lin's father replied. Lin and Lei Lei peaked at each other from behind the adults, silently staring at each other with worry. "But Lei Lei, be careful who you tell that you're friends with Master Tigress or the Dragon Warrior. It may get you in trouble or hurt, okay?" The little panda nodded. "We should be going. Thank you again for taking care of my son."

"Will I see him again?" Lei Lei asked.

Lin's father's smile dipped, "Hopefully, but it might be dangerous."

"We'll keep that in mind," Mr. Ping said carefully, "We'll keep an eye on you, Mr..."

The older wolf smiled warmly, "You can call me... Jiaohua." Mr. Ping's eyes widened as the wolves left. Lin and Lei Lei waved goodbye, but the panda saw Mr. Ping's bloodless face. The goose quickly took Lei Lei into his shop.

"Mr. Ping? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing, dear. I just... I have to talk to Tigress when she gets back. That's all," The goose sighed. Lei Lei gave a small nod but frowned as she watched Mr. Ping absentmindedly walk back to his kitchen. He spoke with Li Shan. Lei Lei couldn't tell what they were saying, but by the sudden flash of shock and anger on the great panda's face, she knew it wasn't good. She looked at her Tigress figure and gave a loud sigh.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Tigess," Lei Lei whispered to the little figure. "I did a bad thing." Though the panda had no idea what, she somehow knew she would be responsible for this issue.

Continued...