Number 82-'Can You Hear Me?'

      Shifu hissed as a warning, ears flattened back against his skull as he backed away into the cement walls. Every step he took made pain roar up his entire body.
     His vision was disoriented and the walls wouldn't stay where they were.
     Giao Xun's menacing glare faded slightly to a rather confused look. “..Kid?”
     The jaguar's voice sounded like it was a dying engine under a black sea.
     I-I can't breathe.. The red panda cub realized with a sudden hot fear piercing is heart.
     Deshi looked concerned. “Boss, what's wrong with the kid?”
     The jaguar shook his head slowly. “I don't know. Take him into the infirmary before putting him back to work.” He gave Shifu another confused look before putting his hands behind his back and strutting back to his lair.
     Deshi leaned over to haul Shifu up by the underarms, but, the cub had other plans.
     Despite the obvious immense pain he was in; Shifu tucked himself into a ball and rolled under the tiger, managing a painful smirk as he tried running to the exit.
     Deshi's shock wore off instantly as he growled and began pursuing the cub. “I can't believe I actually fell for that fake sick routine!”
     It wasn't a routine, Shifu really was sick! He tried to ignore his agony...but he couldn't. His chest locked his lungs and prevented all air from going through, sweat poured own his forehead, fire seared up his chest, arms, and cheeks, and of course the most horrifying symptom; coughing up blood.
     To Deshi's surprise Shifu began swaying back and forth as he ran.
     I can't regain my balance.. The cub's head filled with a deadly haze and an unwanted sleep seemed to be all that welcomed him. “Master..”
     A hand seized him back roughly by the scruff of the neck; he made no effort to fight back.
     A blinding light illuminated the room and Shifu could see the dark silhouette in the white light.
     Is that my Guardian Angel? Even in his distorted vision Shifu could make out the traces of his face.
     “PUT HIM DOWN.” The voice boomed, and the impact of the staff hitting the concrete floor sent out shock waves that made Deshi fall and drop the cub instantly.
     Yes, it was his Guardian Angel, the angel that he wanted protecting him.
     Giao Xun peeked his head from the doorway and then ran into the concrete room. “What is the meaning of this?!” He roared.
     “Master...” Shifu's voice was thick like molasses as he attempted to drag his body towards his master.
     Oogway had him in his arms instantly; inspecting every part of his body. He nearly dropped Shifu in shock from his condition and body temperature. The cub was full of bruises and cuts, his eyes were crusty, his fur was wet with infection from the cuts, blood dribbled down his mouth from coughing so much, and his body was scorching against his jade skin.
     The old tortoise shook his head slowly, his voice shook with anger and grief, “what have you done to him, Giao?” The look on his face was pure pain and helplessness. “He-he's half dead!”
     Oogway shook him, gently. “Shifu, Shifu, can you hear me?”
     Giao Xun smirked, “that's what happens when I don't get what I want, Oogway.” He was shocked to see tears on the old master's face.
     “You will pay dearly for this, Giao.” Oogway's voice was a menacing snarl.
     The jaguar stepped back. Whoa. Was this really Grand Master Oogway? “Well, now, remember what I told you? Love is a very stupid thing, Oogway. Look what it's gotten you into? He's going to die, that I know-”
     “NO, HE IS NOT,” Oogway thundered. “He will NOT die, I am not allowing him to die! He will grow up at the palace and live on as a master to teach his own students!”
     Giao Xun snorted and crossed his arms. “Really. How are you going to do that, now?”
     The old tortoise's bared teeth glare faded into that same helpless look.
     “Tell me, how are you going to do that?”
     Oogway stared at the jaguar for a moment, then, back at the battered and torn half dead cub in his arms.
     “.......I don't know.”