One Tail at a Time

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Today is my last day on Kunlun Mountain, Mama is coming with Papa to collect me this afternoon along with Zhen Zhen, who is now well enough to travel, so I am with Fu Yu helping him to pack our things to take back with us while Shifu quietly reads in his chamber next to the room that has been mine for weeks.  Though Shifu did say, that when I return to study under him permanently, a new chamber like my brothers, will be waiting for me and it will be closest to Shifus chamber.  Fu Yu too will have his own chamber which will be a smaller room off mine now that he too is a part of the Kunlun family which is what Shanhu calls us all.

Its still hard to imagine my brothers and Shifu as my family, but that is what Shanhu says we are, so I feel super special today even though Fu Yu is cramming all his new clothes into his bag in a rush to leave.  I feel sad about leaving my new family behind, but Shanhu said, that time makes no difference when it comes to family.  We are kin forever and to ever.  Thats what he said, so it takes a little of the sadness.

I know he misses his real sister so I don't mind being his little sister if it makes him feel better and besides,  I told him that one day I would like to meet her so she can hear how wonderful her brother is because hes always thinking of her when he looks at me.  Only he reckons she will be super jealous, because I am a Kunlun Disciple and she isn't, because she tried to join with him, only Shifu sent her home with a plate filled with treats and a pretty dress which I think is most kind of him, but she cried hard at not being allowed to stay.

Shrugging my shoulders, I carefully fold my pretty dresses into the big wooden chest that Shifu had Zi Lan make for me.  Its super heavy because its made from teak but it has pretty peach blossoms engraved on the lid, so I don't feel too sad about packing my dresses into it.  I have so many things, that I can't wait to show Zhen Zhen, he will be very surprised at all the pretty hair pins Shifu bought me and theres even fragrances of my very own that Chang Shan made for me and being for girls, means I won't have to share with my big brothers.

Last to go into my big wooden chest is my sword, riding outfit and my Disciple dresses.  Being a girl means I dont have to wear the white gowns like my brothers, but I do have to wear white so all my Kunlun dresses are white silk and still very pretty.  Though I don't think Mama will like them, because she says white is a wasted colour on grubby me, which makes me laugh and Fu Yu scowl because he thinks Im taking too long.

"Xiaobai." Shifus voice calls to me from his chamber which has me scrambling to quickly close the big lid before running into his room where he is waiting for me by the lit hearth.

"Shifu!" I cry out as his arms open wide to catch me.

My dumb eyes are crying again, even though I have no reason to.  I am truly going to miss my Shifu cuddles, so my arms are around his neck and squeezing hard which makes Shifu chuckle softly.

"Why are you crying?   We will see each in a months time, once you have settled back in with your family." he says hugging me a little tighter.  "Your parents and all of your brothers will be here soon, and we dont want them to see your tears do we?  Otherwise they might think you dont want to leave." he says chuckling a little harder.

"But I don't Shifu.  I want to stay here with you and my new brothers, but I also want to go home with Mama and Zhen Zhen and see the Peach Tree Grove again." I say though that only makes Shifu sigh before leading me to the low cushions to sit down on his lap so he can talk to me.

"Xiaobai.  There is a very good reason why you ended up here on my mountain among a temple of men and forced to endure all manner of fears which not only saw you overcome them all, but you gained two extra tails.  So isn't that something to celebrate with your family?" he asks as my tears are gently eased from my face.