One Tail at a Time

Kidnapped

I don't know what's happening, because one second Im feeling proud of being really brave, and the next, I am being dragged up into the air and straight into Shifus arms as the hall fills with yelling and pushing people.  Shifu isn't looking all that knowing either, but he's certainly calm, I can feel the beat of his heart against my ear and it is stable and safe, so I try not to worry.  But Im shaking in fear as the yelling grows louder, while Fu Yu has attached himself to the belt buckle on Shifus head and looking even more afraid than me that big scaredy cat.

"What is the meaning of this?" Shifu asks the King man who is now at the base of the stairs and heading our way.

"Mo Yuan!  Are you sure this is Bai Qian?" he asks incredulously while looking at me as if Im a ghost.  His rosy red cheeks are now whiter than the bodice of my new dress.

"She has been with me for over two months, and it is only recently that I have been able to establish her identity.  However......." it was all he got out, because now a big hairy face that looks super angry is up in my face and snarling at me.

"You had better get yourself back to your father before he tears my lands to shreds!" he barks in my face which instantly has me squealing in fear.

Shifus arms protectively pull me closer as he turns us both around to face that scary man.

"Lord Xing!  Mind how you speak to her!" Shifus voice is suddenly cold and fearsome.  I can actually feel the ice from his heart burning that mans beard off his face.  I never thought Shifu could sound like that, but I hate it so much that I immediately begin to cry.

Not because of the others who are now pushing towards us, but because Shifu could sound so mean, its actually terrifying.

"High God Mo Yuan.  You obviously haven't heard." he says angrily at me.  "The day she went missing from the Peach Tree Grove, her father went mad.  Her entire family did, they turned the Grove upside down for her, before he then turned on all of us.  He declared war on every single one of us that attended her birthday party because he thinks we kidnapped her!" he replied loudly which only increased the noise behind him as the others also joined it to tell their version of events.

"I understand that feelings are high right now, but Bai Qian has nothing to do with it, so kindly move back!" Shifu snapped acidly at that man and making him flinch as he quickly stepped back while king man moved closer.

"Since that day, Bai Zhi has been turning their lands upside down in his search for her." he added with a raise of his hand to bring the hall back to order.

The noise slowly lessens as the ones in the back continue to push forward, but one look from Shifu has them also stilling their movements as he lowers his head to look down at me.

"Then in order to bring this entire mess to order, I suggest that we allow Bai Qian to explain what happened." he says softly into my hair.  

Im still crying and my hands are clinging to the lapels on his robe while my head shakes vigorously.

"Shifu....... Im scared......" I whimper into him.

His hand stalls in my hair that he is gently patting and I think I can hear him chuckling softly above me, but I dont dare raise my head to look, Im just too afraid.

"Shifu?" he repeats with a hint of mirth in his tone.

And then I remember.  This is the first time he is hearing me say his name in my girl form, so I guess it must seem strange being called master by me when Im not his Disciple.  But Shifus tone changes again as he slowly takes me towards the stairs where he says his seat is, and though I am scared by the all the people staring at me, I don't feel as if they can actually harm me, because when Shifu moves, they do too.  Out of the way.