Everthing was still, I couldn't hear a thing for I don't know how long! Could've been minutes or hours or even days! That is, until I heard a voice mutter in the backround. Every part of my body ached. I really hope Shifu doesn't make me do anything else today. I groaned as my senses come back to me. "How'd I get into my bed? And why is everyone staring at me? Okay I'm so confused. What happened?"

Just then, I felt two hands squeeze my own. I looked over to see who it was. "Oh. Hi Shifu." WAIT. WHY IS HE HOLDING MY HAND OH NO HE'S SO GONNA KILL ME FOR OVERSLEEPING AGAIN! "SHIFU?! AHHH!" My hand ripped from his grasp and I jumped out of my bed and into Tigress's arms. Her amber eyes widened in confusion. Well, that was embarrassing and I feel as sore as ever!

She lowered me back onto the matress and my master looked somewhat hurt. Okay, this is just too weird "Forgive me for startling you. Was I hurting you in any way?"

"Uh...not real...wait." I squeezed my eyes shut. My head's pounding! Urgh...I wish that I was still out cold, at least then I wouldn't feel it. "What's up with you? Why are you being so nice and gentle and caring all of a sudden?"

"All of a sudden?"

"Okay." I sighed. "Should I be concered or scared that you can remember this morning?" Shifu just stared at me in guanine confusion. It was almost as if he was not himself. I heard my name being called from the other side of my room so I looked over to Tigress. "I think that Shifu was split in two. With the mirror of Yin and Yang."

"Split in two?"

"Yes. Anyone who looks into the mirror will be split into two different bodies. They will both still be identical to the whole person. It's just that one harbors the yin side of the person and the other the yang." I don't get it and I guess that crane noticed that so he chimed in. "That means that one of the halves will be good and the other one will be the dominate side. The Shifu that has been standing here and hasn't left your side for ten hours straight is the good Shifu." he motioned to him, who gave a simple smile. "I am relieved that you are alright. I was worried sick and had to be here if you regain conscience."

"You...sat here for ten hours?"

"And took care of those wounds." He reached down to get something. Then, I felt a hand carefully slip behind my shoulders and lift me up into a sitting position. Urgh, I hate this medicine! "Here, drink this. It's a muscle relaxer, it will ease the soreness."

"But-" he poured it down a bit too quickly for comfort. I almost choked! "Thanks."

"I know that you need to rest, but could you tell me what my other half did to you?"

The silence of the early morning was disturbed as a loud voice pierced the air.

"GET UP!"

Crane, Monkey, Mantis, Viper and Tigress bolted up out of their beds and reported at the edge of the door as they did everyday. "Good morning Master Shifu." The master only sneered. "Po!"

The dragon warrior clumsily got out of bed and to the door, copying the others. "Good Morning Master...hold on a minute..is it still nighttime?" Shifu's eyes narrowed into slits. One of his ears flicked in annoyance. "That is unimportant right now, you complacent child! You do as your master commands and will address him in the utmost respect. Got it?"

"Y-yes Master Shifu!"

"I want all of you slackers in the training hall, NOW!"

"Master Tigress!"

Tigress got into front position (that's when you stand up with your back straight as a board and one hand curling over the other, which is balled in a fist.) and winced as a cane connected with the top of her head.

"That was pathetic to say the least!" Shifu growled. "I taught you to actually put effort into your counters."

"Viper! You must put more furiousity in your punches! Crane, you're awfully slow today. Monkey, you need to stop playing around and go for the finishing strike. Mantis? Sloppy. Very sloppy! Po! Focus for once when spoken too!"

Each one bowed as they were scolded by their teacher and each received an unnecessary bruise from being hit with the cane. The five exchanged glances, wondering what had grand-master in such an extra bad mood.

"Perhaps a punishment is in order." Shifu said as he pulled on his beard. He turned to Monkey Crane and Viper with an unsettling smirk. "Are you familiar the location of the trading port?" The black haired ribbon dancer tried to remain neutral "The.. one on the other side of the mountain?"

"Yes."

"Do you need us to go and pick something up for you or bring something there or-"

"No. All I ask is that you three to run there and back before sunrise. Should you fail to complete this task, you will be sent to do this every morning for the next two years and there will be no more breaks for anything during training. Understand?" There is nothing to deliver or send, and there is no reason why you should be standing around here any longer. Go."

Bewildered eyes exchanged glances before sprinting off. It was clear that the graying haired master was not going to let this one off easily and was in not mood for negotiation All of his students would obey without question (or try to) but something was off. No matter how frustrated or stressed the man got, he would never take it out on his students in such a way.

"And for YOU weaklings-" Shifu said. "I want you to run to the dragon warrior's homevillage. in the same amount of time and make it back before the other three. Same standards apply. Now get going!"

Po raised a finger and ventured to open his mouth, about to ask a question before Shifu pinched the Dragon Warrior's lips shut and yanked them down so that he was at eye level with him. "Yes. It IS half way to gongmen city. I DO NOT CARE YOU WILL DO ARE I COMMAND!"

Po brushed his lips with his palm once Shifu released him. He looked down and flinched. 'Blood? Oh man! He's not kidding!' Mantis was almost at the gates. "Com'on Po! Stop standing around, let's go!" Po turned around and did a double take on his master, who bore a pretty smug smirk before joining his peers.

"Crane! Monkey! Viper! Slow DOWN!"

"Huh?" They chimed in unison, slowing almost to a stop.

"Nononono!"

"Don't stop! just slow down!"

"But the sun is almost in the sky! We have 30 seconds to make it up 500 stairs!"

"We have to pass you guys and get there first, or he'll give us your punishments!"

"Don't...worry...!" Po gasped. He felt like he was going to faint of fatigue any moment. "You guys won't get punished. He- HE just wanted it in this order for some crazy reason..."

"Okay but make it quick! We don't have much time!"

The darkness of the early morning had begun to fade away into a light purple to a pinkish light threatening to peer it's self above the horizon The six Kung Fu masters busted through the door, panting and legs wobbling. Po came in first, tripping and tumbling on his way in, landing at Shifu's feet. Lungs burning, muscles aching, and cramping. The poor guy could barely make it up the 1000 stairs that lead up to the jade palace and now, he ran 20 miles, climbed a mountain and swam for a good hour. Even though the others had a significant larger amount of stamina, they there a bit worn out as well.

"You made it." Shifu said in a satisfied tone. He bent down to the black and white haired dragon warrior. "Good." He cooed, resting a hand on his head gently. That gentleness was gone in two seconds and what he did next managed to horrify Viper, Crane, Monkey, Mantis, and even Tigress. Po was yanked hard off of the ground by his scalp by a rough grip."GET ON YOUR FEET." Po was fighting to hold on to his conscientiousness he felt paralyzed Every breath made him want to throw up but Shifu didn't seem to care. "You all go and make breakfast, eat a quickly as possible. You have until the sun reaches there!" He pointed a finger at an angle in the sky, indicating about thirty minutes. Usually they were granted an hour or so, a lenient pace to enjoy it. "You on the other hand will spar with me and not get a single bit of food is you lose."

Po didn't stand a chance. Shifu came at him with little mercy. The boa staff connected with it's target several times and in several places. A nick in the wood caused a cut that would draw blood on top of his head later on and a bruise on his side and arm. Po fell back on his rump, groaning in pain. A rush of wind brushed past his face as the staff came to a halt a couple of centimeters from his face. "You have lost this round. You may go and join the others but DO NOT EAT."

"And that's what..." I could feel a small and sort of sharp thing pop on the top of my tongue followed by a coppery taste. I spat to see a white speck on the side of my bed."Aw MAN! That was my wisdom tooth!"

Just then my stomach growled so loud, that you could probably hear it from down the hall. "Man, am I hungry!" I just remembered that I've missed breakfast, lunch and dinner! I can't get up though...

"That's right, you haven't eaten anything and your body is healing. You need a source of energy in order to recover from this...unfortunate mishap..." Shifu turned to the others and asked them to stay in the room as he left to go and fetch me some leftovers. Good Shifu is pretty kind, yet sensitive. It's just odd seeing him act like this...