I was dreaming and I knew it, but for the first time, I didn't want to wake up…at least not quite yet. The air was a misty blue, and at the moment, everything was peaceful, for nothing moved. For the first time in my life, I could see, but I suppose there was no point. This fantasy world was simply replacing the usual blackness with another color. Nothing seemed to matter; yet everything did.
"Shifu, help me!" a voice cried behind me, and I instinctively twisted to search for it, but I could find nothing. Whoever had yowled at me sounded somewhat like me, and someone I knew, but warped.
"Where are you?" I asked, and felt fear fill me, urging my legs to run now, but I had no idea why. Then, some of the blackness I was so used to arranged itself into a shape that no doubt was a red panda, for it resembled me. As if in a trance, I walked closer, ignoring my urge to leave this dream world.
Several moments passed, but I came to realize, that however far or fast I walked or ran, I could never catch up with the lone figure, though it didn't appear to move.
"Help me!" the voice wailed again, sounding desperate and anguished, but to my surprise, I found my movements getting slower and slower until I couldn't move at all. To my horror, a huge beast, in an unfamiliar shape with blood red eyes, began to race at the smaller one. I struggled to help, but could only watch with unhappiness as the smaller creature was torn at twice.
Bang! A loud sound nearly made me jump, if I could. A bolt that scented of fire, struck the shadow, causing it to disappear. Relieved, I could only gape in surprise as the bits of black reattached themselves into another larger shadow, this time with glowing golden eyes. Similar to its previous shape, it attacked thrice, and I could tell the weaker shadow was fading.
Suddenly able to move again, I turned to see a bright ball of light gleam brightly at the dark shadow, chasing it far off and out of sight. Stiffening, I realized that it was now behind me. Hot breath billowed down my neck fur, causing it to involuntarily rise. I gave a shiver of fear and closed my eyes.
The creature attacked with an impossible speed and strength. Ducking and weaving, I knew that I couldn't hold this up for long. As if sensing my thoughts, the beast caught my shoulder with the edge of its paw, throwing me into nothingness.
"Shifu!" I heard a familiar voice, and struggled against the dark as I fell, trying to open my eyes, and finding it no help whatsoever.
"Ow!" I yelped. As I came out of my dream world, wrapped up in a blanket, and hitting the hard wood floor as I fell. Struggling to untangle myself, I turned to glare at my sister.
"Were you having a bad dream? I couldn't get you to wake up, so I pushed you off the bed…sorry," Ming Yue, my adopted sister called down to me from on top of my bed.
"Yes, I was. Now why did you wake me up?" I asked irritably, trying to cover up my shock and fear that still hovered around from my nightmare.
"What was it about?" she asked curiously.
"Nothing," I growled back. She wouldn't understand how I could see in my dreams and how they were often prophetic.
Sensing I didn't want her to continue questioning me about it, she said simply, "It's time for breakfast," and bounced off of my bed to land on the rolled up ball of sheets I had struggled out of.
"Yow!" I arched my back and my fur stood on end as her foot accidentally squashed my tail.
"What?" she yelped with surprise, cringing a little at my outburst.
"Get off my tail!" I hissed, flattening my ears at the sharp pain that was shooting up it.
"You look like a cat!" she laughed, bursting into hysterics.
"No I don't! Now get off!" I snapped back, trying to pull my sore tail out from under her. I was very unsuccessful.
"You don't know what a cat looks like," she protested. As she mentioned my blindness, I growled angrily at her and swept her feet out from underneath her. Shoving her quickly backwards, I freed my tail and glared at her.
"I may not know what a cat looks like, but I can tell what one is, and I know for sure I do not look like one," I snarled.
"I'm sorry," she squeaked in dismay, knowing that I had got the basic point.
"It's fine," I turned away with my ears still pressed against my head. The other kids acted worse then she accidentally would. They didn't understand that I was not weak because I couldn't see. All of them purposely went out of their way to help me or acted sickeningly sympathetic. Strangely enough, I could almost taste and feel their emotions or feelings, so I knew I was right. This was how they felt…and I despised them for it.
"I really am sorry Shifu…I know you got the meaning. I just don't think sometimes," Ming Yue miserably apologized. Softening slightly, I knew that she really loved me as a brother, and that she was not nearly as bad as the other children. The only reason she was trying not to insult me or hurt my feelings was because she liked me, not that she felt sorry for me.
"I know," I apologetically grinned at her, showing I forgave her and was trying to make it up to her for snarling.
"Want to know a secret?" she suddenly crawled up to my ear.
"What?" I asked, momentarily flummoxed that she had changed the conversation entirely.
"You're still a kitty!" she laughed in my ear and twitched her tail with amusement before leaping away.
"Get back here!" I playfully growled, and began to chase her across the room, laughing. She was a lot faster than me, but I was stronger, and took a mighty leap to sail onto her back.
"Get off of me you great lump!" she yelped, trying to twist nimbly away. Not giving her such an easy chance to wriggle away, I pinned her on her stomach and sat on her back.
"Who's a kitty?" I growled with amusement, expecting her to take it back.
"You are, didn't you hear me the first time?" she burst into hysterics. With a pretend yelp of outrage, I lightly boxed her ear.
"Come on, let's go get breakfast now," I said, jumping off her and opening the door so we could pad down the hallway.
"You'll always be a kitty," she merrily sang.
"That's it! I am older than you, and as your elder, I say you have to be kitty," I pretended to speak seriously as I pinned her flat against the wall. This was true. She was adopted nearly a year after I was born, as a playmate. She was also considered my guard though, much as I resented that.
"You can be Shifu the kitty," she playfully teased, ducking as I half-heartedly swung a fist at her ear again.
"And you can be the goose and kitty will eat you," I bared my teeth in a fang filled snarl, advancing on her, whisking my tail back and forth.
"Why am I a goose?" she protested, backing away.
"Because I am kitty and you have hesitated too long. Now I will devour you," I growled and chased her as she squeaked happily. Running into the kitchen, I skidded to a stop so I wouldn't run into the big wooden table.
"Well, hello Shifu Kitty and Ming Yue Goose," our mother greeted us, playing along with our joke.
"Good morning mom," I greeted her.
"So what am I if you are my children, a cat and a goose?" she teased.
"A goat," Ming Yue fell on the floor, laughing. I couldn't hold back a snicker either.
"Well… Go from goose and at from cat would logically make you a goat," I grinned at her.
"Well, anyway, it's time for breakfast you two. I might be home late tonight, so be careful," she told us, coming out of the game and being serious now.
"Why are you going so long?" Ming Yue protested, scooping some rice that mother had passed out in a bowl, before moving it to bump my hand so I could also scoop some into my own rice bowl.
"Now that I own my new rice restaurant, I have to go to work a little earlier and come home a few hours later. Be careful while I'm gone," mother replied. As she padded out of the room, I heard her quietly leave the house.
I started to eat. She made very good food that I normally would try to concentrate on, but her words had irritated me. Since father died of an illness before any of us were alive, and we disliked babysitters, mother let us out to roam the village. I suppose we were lucky to even be allowed out in the streets alone at such young ages, but we all knew, including her, that the village was almost always safe. She was worried for me, I could tell by her emotions, but I can take care of myself.
Several minutes passed, and my sister and I ate in silence, both lost in thought. Finally, she set her dishes in the sink and began to fidget, swishing her tail rapidly along the ground.
"What do you want?" I sighed, knowing she was impatient and wanted something. She ignored me, though, and continued to flick her very long tail back and forth. Finishing breakfast, I put my dishes in the sink next to hers, and turned to face her.
"I have enough money from all those little chores we did to go buy a flute. You know I always listened to others play and liked it," she impatiently answered my question. She did always obsess over the music, though I personally didn't have much love for music…in fact, I wasn't even sure why she was so excited.
"Fine, let's go," I said. Running down the hall, she gave a little bound against the wall as she went to her room to get her money and I went to my room to get mine. I put it in a little bag in my pocket and heard her rush back down the corridor.
"Come on Shifu, what are you doing?" she asked.
Ignoring her, I took my time coming back before saying, "I can get a pair of battle swords now." I wondered if she was surprised and felt a little satisfaction. If I could learn to train well enough with proper weapons, maybe Master Oogway, originator of Kung Fu, would accept me as an apprentice. I knew it was a long shot, but I secretly practiced and worked hard during the night, and found that I was actually pretty good.
"Yes, I know. I've often watched from the tree you use to climb out the window. Even with kitchen knives, you fight pretty well," she added nervously.
"What?" I yelped, flicking my ears back a little with surprise. She must have been very silent and downwind so her scent would not blow to me.
"As much as you try to pay attention to things so you can fight well, not to mention sneak out of the house, you've never realized that you're also showing me too. I can be just as quiet as you sometimes," she giggled, flicking her tail up with amusement at my surprise. Ming Yue was sort of strange about her tail movements, I noticed. When she was happy, it would frisk around; when she was nervous, she would curl it; when she was impatient or exited, she would swish it; when she was sad, she would tuck it as close to her side as possible; when she was amused, it would stand up straight; and when she was angry, it would fluff up with a shuffling noise. Deciding to play a trick on her, I tried not to smirk.
"But not as fast," I growled, unable to keep out a mischievous tone. Dashing as fast as I could to the door, I ran outside and shut it before she could reach me. Holding the door closed, I waited until I picked up the scent I wanted, and let go of the door as I let her turn the knob. I raced off and heard her give a squeak of surprise as she shoved the door hard, only for it to swing wide open, and she was dumped unceremoniously to the ground. She soon picked herself up, but I was already nimbly dodging obstacles and villagers on the way to my destination.
"Hey! Where are you going?" my sister yelped, giggling as she unsuccessfully tried to catch up to me.
"The sword shop. I've picked up the owner' scent," I called back. Slowing a little to give her a chance to catch up, I noticed it did no help whatsoever, and I laughed at her clumsiness as she almost hit someone as she ran by. Feeling the exhilaration of the cool wind, warm sun, and my speed, I almost forgot where I was going.
"Wait up!" Ming Yue yowled with mock annoyance, "If you're not careful, you're going to run right past it!" Skidding to a halt, I stopped and waited as she slowly padded over to me, panting for breath. Promptly, she walked over and tried to stomp on my foot.
"Hey!" I yelped with surprise, and dodged before sweeping out her supporting foot.
"Uff," she gasped as her breath was knocked out of her, "Lighten up!" Helping her up, I gave her a somewhat apologetic grin.
"Don't try to step on me then," I laughed.
"I'm going to the flute store. Do you want to meet me and Baihehua at the pond when you're done?" she asked hopefully, ignoring my previous statement.
"Who's Baihehua?" I asked feeling slightly confused at all the names of her friends.
"You know…" she searched for words to describe whoever it was.
"No, I don't know. That's why I'm asking you," I said curtly.
"She's our new neighbor since the others moved away. You really should try to be more sociable. Baihehua is about my age and she's a fox," she replied.
"Fine, you can bring her," I sighed, "You can also go see if anyone else wants to come. It's a nice summer day." The shoulder high pond was great to swim in with the heat, or I guess in my case, stand and talk. I didn't like all the other kids going too, only to watch me just stand there in the water, but I knew she liked having little pool parties with her friends. I just wouldn't come, but I didn't have to tell her that.
"Bye kitty," she merrily pranced off before I could come out of my thoughts and take a swipe at her ear. She knew I got annoyed with the whole kitty thing.
Walking into the store, I could hear Mrs. Shi, the storeowner, tidying about in some back room.
"Hello Mrs. Shi," I said. To my amusement, I heard her jump at the sound of my voice. In such a small town of mainly geese, red pandas, occasional snow leopards, foxes, and others, most villagers knew each other's names. Mrs. Shi was a pig and I couldn't scent any other customers around at this time of day, making me feel relieved that my purpose didn't have a chance of being shared to all ears.
"Hello Shifu," she greeted me.
"Can you help me find a pair of battle swords?" I asked her shyly. Though I wasn't comfortable about asking for help, I knew it was necessary in this case.
"Why would you need to fight? You aren't old enough to join the emperor's army, and this small town is usually extremely safe," she said, sounding a little confused, but I could tell that she wasn't trying to pry.
"I just want to be good at it," I shrugged, taking care to only tell her part of the truth. If she ever told mother that I told her I wanted to train at the Jade Palace, she would have a fit and never give me any chances to practice.
"Can you describe the type you want?" Mrs. Shi gently asked and my hackles momentarily rose. Her voice told me she was doubtful and only acting out of sympathy, but I needed her help, and so, flattened them again.
"The blades should maybe be half a yard long and maybe one or two inches wide," I told her. As she walked over to a section of the store, small as it was, I heard her I heard her pick up three pairs and come back. She set them on the counter for me and waited as I slowly and carefully ran my fingers along a sword from each pair.
"Thank you," I said, minding my manners, even though I disliked her.
The swords were all beautifully crafted, probably made my red pandas, as they were very good at metalwork. Finally, I chose a pair that had maybe wooden or ivory handles and long, very strong blades. Near the handle, they had rings of iron studs and I grinned. Testing them, I found they were balanced perfectly and were light, yet extremely strong.
"How much are these?" I asked her tactfully.
"Ninety yuan," she answered and I felt a small glimmer of relief that I could afford the strong weapons.
"I'd like these then," I told her. Picking up the other two pairs, I heard her go and out them back before returning to the counter again.
"Be careful Shifu," she advised me and I gritted my teeth with anger. She probably knew my mother didn't know about this and was trying to tell me not to get hurt. It was a warning, but I hated when the villagers did that.
"Sure," I said calmly and paid her the ninety of the one hundred yuan that I had in my small bag.
"Bye," she called after me as I walked away.
"Thanks and bye to you too," I said before muttering in a low voice that was impossible for her to hear, "Idiot."
Carrying the swords proudly, I hurried to my house just a little; so not too many of the few villagers that were there would notice what I was carrying. Now that I had the swords, I was determined to put them to good use. Training would be a lot easier with them, and I could practice while Ming Yue, Baihehua, and her other friends had a party at the pond. As I was thinking of her, I could suddenly smell her scent, close!
"Shifu!" Ming Yue yelped as she careened around the corner and into my stomach.
"Uff!" I gasped as she knocked the wind out of me and we both fell on the ground. Untangling myself from her, I growled as I heard one of her friends approaching.
"Why are you going home?" she asked.
"I don't like parties. I'm going home to practice with my new swords," I told her, bristling as the others arrived.
"Hello," a voice said and I wondered who it was.
"Hi," I said back.
"Please come to the pond with us. It'll be fun. We can swim, talk, and play hide and seek," my sister protested.
"Who is he?" the same voice asked her and I growled at the hushed words.
"I'm her brother!" I snapped, "Who are you?"
"My name is Baihehua and I'm a black fox," she explained, "We wouldn't mind if you came." I almost rolled my eyes. She thought I didn't want to intrude and that's why I wasn't coming. She did genuinely want me to come though and I sensed that she seemed to like me. She was okay too, I suppose, considering Ming Yue had some strange friends in the past.
"Fine," I humored her, sighing, and getting up to follow them.
As we made our way through the village, I could hear low murmurings and scent a lot of villagers clustered at one specific area.
"What do you think is going on?" Ming Yue asked.
"I don't know, but let's go see what's happening," Baihehua barked, bursting into a run. Racing ahead, I could hear a lot of words.
"Who would do such a thing?"
"…Poor kids…"
"…So much blood…"
"…Wolf…"
"Why wasn't anyone around to help?"
"Poor Kaihua…"
"Mother!" Ming Yue shrieked, obviously hearing them. I could only stand stiffly, gaping in shock. Hurrying after, I wondered what had happened. She's only hurt…I thought desperately, but that was when I scented the blood. No creature could lose that much and still survive. The acrid salty stench made me feel like vomiting and my head spun.
"She's dead," I could only whisper in a grief stricken voice to my sister.
"What are you talking about? She's fine!" she desperately hissed back, shaking at my words.
About to answer back, I felt the crowd part for us, and knew she could now see mother.
"She's dead," I repeated, feeling so sad that my heart could explode. She could never come back. Who had done this?
"Mother!" she wailed, racing over to sit close to her, trying to wake her somehow.
Anger filled me until I shook with rage. Turning, I heard the fox gasp at the bloody sight before her. Walking to the village doors, I could scent more blood. Either it was another victim or the killer, and I desperately wished it were her murderer, so I could take a painful revenge on the murderer of my mother.
"Shifu, I'm so sorry," Baihehua murmured, fallowing from a short distance behind me.
"Someone said a wolf killed her, and I think I've caught its scent. I am going to kill whoever has done this!" I snarled angrily.
"No! I know you miss your mother, but it's too dangerous!" she protested.
"How could you understand? I don't care! I would fight if there were a hundred wolves that had helped kill her. I can fight," I growled back. Pain and rage filled me, but I needed t do this.
"But you can't see!" she exclaimed.
"I don't need any help to bring justice crashing down on the head of whoever has done this!" I hissed ferociously at her, stopping in my tracks to glare at her.
Turning, I raced into the trees, fallowing the scent, and listening to the sounds around me. Hopefully Baihehua was no longer pursuing me. There was a rustling of grass, and it was only until it became a fast approaching leaf crackle, that I realized the wolf was coming. How good…for me.