Crazy trouble with love part 9

Ladies of the Shade and Peng part 2

Author's note: BTW everyone, before you read this, give my poll a look see. I've been pondering on the idea of setting up my own for extra cash besides my current job. Now IF I go and do that, it would not mean I'm holding back potential chapters for my usual stuff. The only thing you'd pay me, other than being a patron, is the chance at a commission, or commissions, involving oc characters paired with others. I know it's not much, but if you have an oc and wanna see him get it on with fictional girls or guys you like, it would be that kind of stuff. Again though, not one hundred percent sure IF I will go through with it, but if I do, you'll all know. As for price? Once more, that will need more thought into it.

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"Alright ladies, come on. We need to get all of this cleaned up before sunset if we wanna get some distance." Called Song clapping her hands as the girls were in the middle of dismantling the camp site and loading the supplies onto carts. "Come on, the next town is seventy five miles away, remember to put tents on the bottom and food on top!"

"We know, we know, we've done this a million times." Called one as she and several more girls helped break down a tent.

"Hey, has anyone seen Peng and the twins?"

"Peng should be doing his early morning stretches, but the twins? Oh they wouldn't." She groaned. "Who am I kidding, of course they would, someone go check on them, and tell Peng to come help us."

"I'll do it!" Spoke one of them quickly before running off and chuckled in her head. 'This should get me out of doing work for a bit, but if those two are trying to get up and personal with Peng, well that just gives me a bigger reason to stay away and remind those two on what NOT to do.' She thought as she cracked her knuckles.

Meanwhile we cut to Peng who was trying to do his morning stretches, but he had two certain snow leopards trying to distract him. How? By trying to do stretches with him, in front of him, while making sure he could see their rears clear as day, making him look at the ground and trying to ignore the tempting sight.

"Ah, you were right Ping, this makes me feel so gooood~"

"Agreed sister, I feel so limber~"

"G-Glad it's working out for you girls." he spoke with a gulp, raising his arms over his head while crouching down and moved up, looking at the sky. 'Keep it together Peng, just a minute or so and you can tell them you're done. You can't quit too soon or your body will feel off for the rest of the day.'

"Ah, I feel so good, but Peng, could you come here and help me stretch out in a new way~?" asked one with a wink making her sister chuckle.

"Or what about me? I think my legs could use a little help~"

"Y-You could just help each other." He coughed as he kept staring upwards.

They went to answer, but the girl who came to find them stopped and interrupted them.

"What are you two doing? You have to help out like everyone else get to packing."

"Oh, that's today?" Asked one twin as Peng perked up.

"You need help? Sure, I'll be right over." He said, relieved to have an excuse to leave.

"Yeah, Song wanted you to give a hand. After all, the more the merrier, plus those big strong muscles of yours would do wonders." She smiled as Peng walked away before she glared at the twins who smiled innocently. "You two were trying to squeeze some private time out of him, weren't you?"

"No, us? We were just exercising." Said one with a grin.

"Yeah, exercise, happy body happy life."

"You two are liars." Growled the snow leopard. "Yin, Yang, just go help break camp, and no funny business with Peng! I don't want to find him bundled up on your cart and you giving some stupid excuse of 'we were making sure everything was packed up'."

"We weren't-"

"-but now we'll keep that in mind." They said with grins as they began to walk towards camp.

'Those two will be the death of me… or more likely, Peng.'

With said male, he reached camp and went over to the food supply and started to get to work on getting the sack of flours stacked up. He made sure they were all secure as he began to pack them into a crate and load them onto a cart that was parked nearby the tent. It helped get his arms to strain themselves, which is just what he'd been lacking lately.

As he did this he tried not to dwell on the fact that the girls began to pass by the food storage quite frequently as he worked.

"Morning Peng."

"Morning."

"Hey Peng."

"Hey."

"Hi Peng~"

"Peng."

"Morning Peng, keep up the good work."

He gave a wave and lugged a bag of potatoes over to another cart while one of the girls watched and leaned on her parasol.

"Wow Peng, you can lift that pretty easily."

"Thanks, but it's not that heavy." He said with a smile as he set down the potatoes. "Just doing my part."

"Sometimes I'm amazed how so much bigger your muscles are. I mean, us girls usually have some trouble, because we're so much more skinny." She remarked while holding her arm out and running her paw across it. "See? So much more dainty."

"Well that doesn't mean you're not all that weak." He reassured while grabbing another bag. "You all have amazing technique and are more agile than I could ever hope to be, I've seen you sparing, you're all amazing fighters."

"Aww, you sure know what to say to a girl, and so early in the morning too~" She giggled. "You're such a ladies man Peng~" She teased as he began to blush.

"W-Well I'm just making sure it's all set up and ready to go, nothing really big." He said as he shook his head. "W-We can't really move camp and leave all the food behind, can we?"

"Well maybe I could lend a paw or two?"

"W-Well… sure, why not, feel free to help out." He said with a shrug as she perked up.

'Perfect.' she walked over and helped him with the bag he was carrying, making sure he could see her face as they got it into the cart, and repeated it over and over, making sure to give him a seductive look each time he looked up at her. She made sure to help him no matter how big or heavy the crate was, even making sure to get nice and close when he picked up a small bag of chopsticks.

'Well this isn't too bad. We're getting the food loaded up quick, and she's probably just looking at me like that because it's still morning. People tend to squint their eyes when they wake up, I'm positive.' He kept telling himself. 'This is an efficient way to make sure we break down camp fast… and nothing else.'

"Mmmmm, thanks for all the help Peng." She smiled as they got the last of the cooking supplies on the cart. "That really took a lot of work, I'll bet your arms are sore."

"Well only a little bit."

"Here, let me help ease the pain." She said as she moved forward and grabbed one of his arms and started to rub it.

"You don't, oh! Oh…..actually, that feels pretty good." He said as he started to protest, before he began to realize that she was actually helping, and that it felt good.

"Of course, I know what I'm doing, just relax and I'll make you feel fantastic~" She whispered with her tail swishing as she rubbed up and down his arm and lightly digging into the skin without using her claws. Peng sighed as he began to relax and let her work her magic. She came close to moving closer before someone cleared their throat.

"Enjoying yourselves?"

They both looked up to see Song staring at them with frown, arms crossed in annoyance.

"O-oh! Hi So-"

"Didn't I ask you to tear down the latrines, June?"

"Oh! Sorry, I thought you meant-"

"No, I meant YOU." She growled. "Now get to it, NOW."

"Yes ma'am!" She rushed off while Peng saw Song sigh and shake her head.

"I swear, it's like herding cats, you tell them to do one thing and the next I always find them around you Peng."

"Sorry." He said sheepishly. "If it helps she did help me pack up the food supplies."

"Peng…" Song said with a sigh as she rubbed her head. "This can't be happening, you can't just let them weasel into everything you do whenever they want."

"But she did help me get the food loaded up, which means we don't have to worry about that." He argued as she shook her head.

"And did you really need her help? And the rubbing of your arms, that helps us break down camp?"

"Well she did offer."

"But did you really need it?"

"...It did make packing go faster?" He said weakly as she sighed.

"Peng, you need to put your foot down. Being part of this group means we're able to function and deal with each other without any problems, but if they go off and drag you off somewhere, or distract you with their charms, it could be dangerous at the wrong time. In short, you need to know when to make it clear they shouldn't do that." Song said firmly. "It doesn't mean you have to brush them off constantly, you just have to be able to put your foot down and say no now and then, alright?"

Peng saw how serious Song was and slowly nodded. "I understand, it's just…." he rubbed the back of his head and looked down. "I'm not exactly against it, but I don't want it to happen all the time. I mean, the attention is new to me, in total, but I get what you mean. I just don't wanna come across as rude or mean."

"And you won't, I'm not asking you to become an asshole, just...ah! Ok, imagine the twins find you while you are trying to practice your kung fu while they should be working and decide to have some fun, what should you do?"

"Uh...kindly tell them no?"

"No, you need to look them in the eye, keep your voice strong, and make it clear that you need some space to stay in shape. They're big girls, which means they'll understand, but it's only if you speak up and make it clear. Be honest with me, how do you feel if some of the girls flirt with you and distract you from something you want to do?"

"Well… a bit embarrassed and a bit annoyed, but usually I can get right back to what I was doing most of the time."

"But wouldn't it be nice if they stopped themselves? If you can stand firm with them and make it clear that they can't do that all the time, they'll listen." She said with a smile. "Now sure they might still do it now and again, but it won't be constant like it is now, doesn't that sound good?"

"Well….it would be nice if I could do training without them….brushing up close." he admitted with a blush.

"Well then be firm and tell them, but between you and me you'd probably have to strike a deal with them." She sighed as he looked at her in confusion.

"A deal?"

"Just tell them that you would really appreciate to train in peace, but in return they will most likely try to have their fun with you when you aren't, that way they're happy and you get to train."

"But won't they still think it's the same?"

"Maybe, but they might hold off on their own given some time." She said with a shrug. "No ones perfect and we're no exception, and besides, when the ladies of the shade see something they want, they go for it, but you'll just make it worse for yourself if you don't show some backbone soon."

Peng looked at the ground hearing that as Song patted him on the shoulder.

"Give it some thought and talk to me if you want tips. Alright girls! Let's get moving!" she called out to the girls walking away from him. "We have a long way to go to the next town!"

"Right!"

"Peng, can you pull one of the carts?" Song called as the women began to line up the carts into a caravan.

"Can do." He called as he grabbed the cart he had loaded up with food and supplies and got in line.

"Alright everyone, move out!" Song called out before they started to get the carts moving down a path from the area, leading down a slightly steep hill. "Stay together and we'll take a break in a few hours!"

(Later)

It had been a couple of hours since they started moving, the caravan making good time as it was nearing noon as Peng looked at the bamboo forests around them.

'Sometimes I wonder why people don't settle down around here. Feels like these fields go on forever and ever, that's all you really see here.' He thought as he pushed on, looking around and not noticing two sets of eyes watching him from behind.

"Best spot right now, am I right?"

"Indeed, couldn't think of a better spot."

"Wanna try and get some small talk going with him?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Hey Peng, how are you doing, need some help?"

He looked behind at some of the girls with one waving, both of them giving him seductive looks. "Oh, no thanks, I'm doing ok right now."

"Are you sure you don't want some help pushing that big heavy cart?" Yin asked with a smile. 'And he'll cave in three...two...one…'

"Well…." he looked at the cart and opened his mouth, but passed by Song who was standing there and who started walking beside him. "Song? What are you doing here?"

"I decided to come by and make sure no one was lazing behind and set my cart to the side. Is everything going ok on this part?"

"Oh everything is fine, we were just asking Peng if he needed help pushing his cart." Yang said with an innocent smile.

"Hmmm, well it seems like he isn't struggling… but I guess the decision is HIS, isn't it?" Song said as she stared at Peng. "After all, he's a grown boy and can tell if he's having trouble, right?"

Peng saw her raising an eyebrow and looked back at the twins who batted their eyelashes and closed his eyes before taking a deep breath. "Yes, I can tell, and….I'm ok. I can keep on going. This is nothing too big for me."

The twins paused, staring at him in mild shock before grinning.

"So, you finally grew a backbone, huh?"

"About time, things were starting to get predictable and boring~"

Peng looked away while the girls behind the twins noticed the stop and frowned.

"Hey! Keep moving!"

"Don't back everyone up!"

"Sorry!" They called and resumed walking while Song nodded to Peng.

"Good work, you've started the first step to learning. Just remember what I said and it'll be like second nature to you."

"Alright, I will." He said with a nod.

"Good, now then, let's get back to work." She said as she began to move ahead, back to the front.

(Later)

Eventually the group reached an open space with a town just a mile or so away.

"Alright, let's unpack the tents and get ready for bed, we'll set everything up tomorrow morning." Song called out to the group.

The girls agreed and got to work on unpacking with Peng already working on setting up his own tent.

"Hey Peng, need some help?" Called one girl as she walked over. "It's easier with more people."

"Uh…." He looked at her and his tent and thought about before and shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm gonna handle it myself. I mean it is my tent after all."

"Peng… your tent is only half as small as the tents we sleep in, and those take at least ten people to set up." She deadpanned. "It's ok to accept some help."

'Well….she's not wrong. I mean it is just setting up a tent after all.' "You're right, I could use the help."

"Cool, let's do this." She said as she began to help him unfold his tent. "So, how has this one been treating you? I know it used to be the old cooking tent so does it smell at night?"

"Not all that much, I've pretty much gotten used to it." He said with a shrug. "It does feel pretty big though for one guy."

"Well, it was the smallest tent we could give you, and we thought you might like a bit of privacy, but if you'd rather come and sleep in one of our tents we'd be happy to obliged." She chuckled. "I just hope you don't mind the twenty some roommates."

Peng gulped hearing that while getting an image and shook his head. "T-That's a nice offer, b-but I better sleep by myself. You know, so it's less….awkward."

"Yeah, we thought that might be the case." She chuckled. "After we get your tent set up I can help you move your stuff in, I think I remember where the girls put your bed."

"You mean the oversized pillow?" He deadpanned.

"Yeah, that one, the really comfortable one."

"As long as it's in one piece, that's all I care about." He said with a sigh. "It's better than the ground, and somehow whenever I ask there seems to be no spare sleeping bags."

"I know, crazy, right." She said as she looked away momentarily.

"Yeah, real crazy." He said as he dropped the subject and just focused on getting the tent up. As he did that Song was sitting in her tent with several other members of the ladies of the shade.

"Alright girls, while camp is getting set up, it's time we get ready for our performance."

"Yeah, we have a few girls scouting out the town, but..."

"But what?"

"It's about Peng." Started one of them, making her groan.

"Tell the twins to leave him alone o-"

"No, it's not about that, our concern is just with him."

"Well don't hold your tongue, speak up."

"Well… we have several concerns about him."

"One being he hasn't experienced one of our 'performances' before."

"I know we went over what we do, but we're concerned on how he'd react to seeing it first hand."

"Yeah, the last thing we want is for him to suddenly have a change of heart and expose us all."

"Plus there's the fact he's a guy, and not...you know, a lady."

Song let out a sigh hearing all this and looked at the ground to let her mind sort through all this. "Ok, we knew this would come up eventually… how about tomorrow we start off small, easy, just hit targets that are either obscenely rich, assholes and so on, and avoid anyone who looks pathetic, innocent and so on."

"So the usual."

"Yeah, but make it really obvious just to Peng, just so he doesn't get cold feet."

"Ok, that might solve that, but what about his gender? You know damn well we've used the whole 'ladies only' rule to keep a ton of creeps away from our group in the past, so what now?"

"Well with our makeup, we could doll up his face, and I'm sure we have some thick kimonos to hide his body frame." Song mused. "It's either that or force him to stay at camp, either way he can't be left on his own."

All of them went silent and tried to mull it over with some rubbing their chins.

"Well….what if we let fate decide?" Offered one girl. "That way we can blame it and he doesn't get mad at us."

"And just how do we let fate decide?"

"Simple, we have Song hold a yen coin, she moves it between her hands behind her back, then she holds the hands in front of us. If we guess which hand correctly has the yen coin Peng wears the kimono, if we guess wrong he stays in camp."

"Well….I can't think of any other method." She said with a sigh. "I just hope this works."

(Later)

"Peng?"

"Yes?"

"So, we need to talk… and please don't get mad."

"Why would I get mad?"

"We… can't let you go into town."

"Why?" He asked as the ladies began to surround him.

"We're the ladies of the shade, and we've given the excuse 'only ladies can travel with us' as a way to keep the creeps away, but if you come into town we lose that excuse."

"Well I get that, but why don't I disguise myself?"

"Well, what if your identity is exposed?" She asked before shaking her head. "Also we didn't think you'd be willing to do it."

"You assumed that, without asking me ahead of time?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"So you would be willing to do it?" She asked in surprise.

"Oh no no, not at all." He held his paws up and shook his head. "I don't wanna even think how that would turn out."

"Then so why are you throwing a fuss over this?" She asked before shaking her head. "Either way, you have to stay here, and to make sure you stay… the twins will be watching over you."

"I'm just saying, making a decision like that without talking to me beforehand is kinda….rude. I'm all for staying, just saying." He said as he sat down.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but you also know who and what we are, and this is the first time we'll be doing a 'performance' when you're capable of stopping us so… we had to make sure you wouldn't."

"Plus we didn't want you to stare too much." Joked one of them. "You know firsthand how provocative we can be when we want to~"

"...no argument there." He said as his face heated up a bit and he looked away.

"Don't worry, we'll only do this the first time, just to make sure you don't suddenly have a change of heart." Song reassured. "Yin, Yang?"

"Yes?" They called, appearing behind Peng.

"You two will be watching over Peng, don't let him out of your sight."

"Yes ma'am." They said as they turned towards him with a grin.

"We'll make sure-"

"-To stay very close~"

"Just not too close!" Growled one of the women.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure to be professional." Yin said with a smile.

"You have our word." Yang said as Peng looked at them hesitantly.

'Somehow I doubt that.'

"Alright, we shouldn't be gone too long, wish us luck." Song said as she left, leaving Peng alone with the twins. 'Good luck Peng.'

Peng saw the twins staring at him and gulped. "Uh….so….I'll just go ahead and see if I can get some pottery made to pass the time."

"How about we help, you can teach us." Yin said with a grin as her sister nodded. "Afterwards we can help each other get clean~"

'Oh no, they're at it again. Ok Peng, just try and do what you did before. Be confident and firm.' He thought as he cleared his throat. "I will show you how to make pots, but we will clean up together separately, no exceptions."

"Aw, now that's just rude." pointed Yin.

"Yeah, Song said we couldn't take our eyes off you, so we have to stay close."

"I heard her, it's just...you need space after getting dirty." He spoke before walking over to the tent he had set up for new pottery as they followed. "I mean it IS the reason towns have separate baths."

"No, they have separate baths because a few people were perverts and went too far." Pointed out Yang.

"But we know you're not a pervert, you're too sweet for that~" Cooed Yin, making him cough and look away.

"R-Right, but what about you two?" He said, trying to sound firm and tough, only to make them pause. "I mean, you two DO like to get involved when I'm cleaned, so wouldn't that mean you two are taking the chance to stare at me?"

"Peng, it's rude to accuse two lovely girls who want to make sure you're clean and safe of being perverts."

"Yeah, don't you know better than that?"

Both crossed their arms with frowns, making him feel like a jerk and shirk back. 'Maybe I took it too far?'

'Huh, Peng's really laying his foot down, but he'll have to try harder than that~' Yang thought with a small grin. 'I do like a man who has a bit of a backbone, but we can't let him get arrogant now can we?'

"Look, let's just see what we're like after the pots and go from there." Peng said with a sigh as he sat down only to pause. "Now that I think about it, is there any point in making them? I only made them so I could pay for my travels to find my uncle, and now that I don't have to do that… what now?"

"Well you could do it to hone your craft."

"Yeah, keep yourself from getting rusty. After all, you could be really good at it when you get older."

"Maybe even set up your own little shop-"

"-or teach an apprentice."

"I could, but I never really enjoyed this, I always loved Kung fu, and you can't teach it to just anyone, you have to be a master." He said with a sigh. "And given who my uncle was, they'd never let me teach anyone."

"Don't be like that Peng-"

-you could be a great teacher." They said as they patted his back.

"Thanks, but I doubt I'll ever get the chance." He sighed, right as a light bulb went off in the twins heads.

"Hey, what if you teach us?"

"Yeah! We'll be your students, just promise to be gentle with us~"

Peng blushed the way she said it and opened his mouth to say something, but closed it and took a deep breath before walking back to the tent. "So how about those pots?"

'He'll consider it, guaranteed.'

(Later)

"Peng! I'm so dirty!"

"There's so much clay in my fur!"

"Well that's kinda what you're gonna get used to." Peng said with a sigh. "Making clay pots is a filthy job."

"I hate it!"

"I just wanna be clean!" They whined, making him sweatdrop.

'Aren't these two supposed to be seasoned and hardened bandits?' He wondered while Yang tried to yank clay off her arm and yelped when it took off some hair.

"Ow! I need to get clean now or else I'll be losing patches of hair!"

"Yeah, you really have to soak to get clean." He said with a nod. "Hot water is usually the best."

"Alright, well since we're gonna get cleaned up, you better come with us to save on water. You're looking pretty dirty too." Yin said as Yang nodded.

"Yeah, let's go soak in the big barrel!"

"Girls, please, we're all tired, dirty, please stop trying to play your tri-"

"Just shut up! I am too filthy to try anything just now, and you're helping me get this stupid clay out of my fur!"

Peng let out a deep sigh, took a deep breath, and tried to look them in the eyes and crossed his arms. "No. You both are big girls, older than me, so you can help each other get cleaned up."

"No, if we do that we won't be able to watch yo-"

"I'll be in the barrel next to you cleaning myself, by myself, alone." He cut her off and walked away from them, both of them staring at him with wide eyes.

"Did… did he just say no to us?"

"I think so…."

"...wow, I think he just got way more cuter."

"Agreed, he will be ours~" PurredYang. "He just doesn't know it yet~"

Both of them headed to the barrels while Song and the other ladies made their way back to camp.

"Haha! Yes, we made bank on that place!" Laughed one of the girls. "We'll have to come back here again in a few years!"

"By that time we'd probably have enough money to retire!"

"Yeah, but you can never have too much!"

'I just hope the Twins didn't give Peng too much grief.' Song thought as they began to approach their camp. "Peng, Yin, Yang, where are you?"

"If those two made a move on him, I'm gonna shave off all their fur." Growled one of them. "They know we agreed to make our move on him together."

"Maybe he hid from them in one of the tents."

"Good call, fan out and find him, then meet up in the middle of camp and we'll start dividing up the loot."

"Too late, found him." Spoke one pointing over to Peng who was drying himself off with a towel and feeling refreshed.

"Damn it, they got to him, they had to!" Groaned one. "Oi, Peng, did you sleep with them while we were gone?"

"Huh? Oh hey girls!" He waved with a smile. "How'd it go?"

"We made off like bandits!" Called one with a grin.

One of them set a bag down and let it empty out on the ground, filled to the brim with yen coins and a few necklaces.

"Wait, you took all that from the village?" He asked in surprise. "Isn't that a bit… much?"

"Relax, we didn't take it from people who could barely scrape by. This is all from a lot of rich folk who were practically swimming in this. Nearly half of this came from a pig who literally had servants carrying her around." Laughed one of them. "I bet she's freaking out right now! Serves her right!"

"Come on Peng, dig your paws in and grab a handful." Called one as she led him to the pot. "And be quick, tomorrow we have to get the hell out of here."

"Already?"

"Usually we'd wait a few days, but look at this haul, we're going to want to put some space between us and this town soon."

"But now the big question, did you and the Twins get up close and personal?" Song asked as his face heated up and he began to sputter.

"W-What?! No!"

"Then why were you just cleaned up?"

"I-I was making clay pots, so were the twins! We got filthy!"

"So you bathed together? Bold."

"N-No, we bathed separately!" He denied quickly. "I made that VERY clear!"

"Really? So you turned down a bath with two very beautiful women?"

"Y-Yes, I did."

"Why?" They asked in confusion.

"Uh….I'll start getting my tent ready." he turned and jogged off.

'Huh, I guess my talk to him about standing his ground went a bit too well, he should pick up on a few of the signs the girls are dropping him.'

"So...does this mean we get his share?"

"No, I'll bring it to his tent later." Song said with a sigh.

(Later)

"Alright, and strike forward." Peng called as several of the girls, including the twins copied his stance and motions.

All of them thrust their open palms forward while keeping their balance, all of them getting the moves down pretty easy since Peng had been at this since dawn. He had offered to give them some tips, and they were quick to accept.

"Very good, now try to do that in repeatedly as fast as you can, you want your moves to be a flurry of action that your enemy can't predict." Instructed Peng before he started to let loose a flurry of punches, some of them looking so blurry you could hardly see them. He stopped after a moment before looking at the girls. "Alright, now you try."

All of them tried to send out their own punches as fast as they could like him, but none of them could reach the same speed. One even lost her balance and fell over.

"Ow!"

"This is harder than I thought." Groaned Yin as her arms began to feel sore.

"Come on ladies, just a bit more." Peng called as they let out a groan.

"Can't we take a break?"

"Not yet, we have to keep it up for another hour." He said as the girls groaned.

"I don't think we can keep going, we've been at it for three hours! We have to practice dancing later!"

"My arms are starting to feel like udon noodles."

"Please let us take a break!"

"Well you can if you want, I'm not forcing you to continue, this is all voluntary." He said with a shrug.

And like that, most of them fell down with relief to catch their breath.

"Peeeeng, take us to the baths…" Moaned Yin "I feel gross, help me get clean!".

"Sorry Yin, but I'm busy with my exercises."

"You're always exercising, you're gonna get a cramp!" Groaned Yang. "Come relax with us, get clean and take a nice nap on that comfy bed~"

"Sorry, I can't, and please stop sneaking into my bed." He said with a faint blush as he shook his head. 'Almost every morning I find those two next to me!'

'Man, he's not caving at all!' The two thought with a groan. 'I knew he was standing up a bit more for himself, but now he's become denser than a rock!'

'Alright, I think I'm getting the hang of this. I feel more confident and firm.' He thought happily, not noticing the looks the girls were giving him. 'Alright, no more falling victim to teasing for me!'

'Hmm, time for a more...forward approach~' Thought Yin as she and her sister stood up. "Peng~ Please come help us, we need someone to help undress us and clean us, we'll make sure to reward you~"

"Yeah, we could use some extra hands for all those hard to reach spaces~"

"Nope, sorry, have to train." He said, making them deadpan.

"...SONG! You ruined him!"

Said woman was busy giving her parasol a clean before several of the girls marched over. "Oh, hi girls, what's wr-"

"You ruined Peng!"

"He's a workaholic now!"

"All he does is train and sleep!"

"FIX HIM!"

Song reeled back from the volume and shook her head before standing up. "Calm down girls."

"No! You messed up with your advice on him standing up for himself on the twins teasing, and failed! He's become denser than a rock now! The twins practically offered him free range of themselves and he just kept training!"

"Hey, all I did was try and help him be more confident given how QUICK all of you are to try and tease him."

"Well you messed up on your message, and now he won't listen to us, he doesn't even want to hang out, no teasing involved!"

"Well did any of you think there was a reason?" Song raised an eyebrow. "You do know how old he is, right?"

"Yes! He's young enough that he should be feeling emotions, not acting like a freaking monk! There's standing up for yourself, and then there's what he's doing, closing himself off to everything!"

"I mean he's at an age where his body is changing, and unlike us, his is different. Haven't any of you noticed when you come onto him, he tends to try and keep his back to you and not his front?"

"Yeah, because he's getting excited, we're not idiots, and we also know it's not healthy for him to be ignoring all his emotions!"

Song sighed and rubbed her head. "Alright, I'll talk to him."

"Good!" Huffed Yang. "He's acting like a monk, it's not fun!"

'Fine, I'm going." She sighed as she got up. She walked over to Peng and tapped him on the shoulder. "Peng? Can I talk to you?"

"Hmmm? Oh, sure, I guess I can take a small break from training." He said as he stopped. "What's up?"

"Ok, so remember how I told you to be more confident and firm? To not let the girls sway you so easily?"

"Yeah, and I think I got the hang of it, they won't tease me anymore, I've caught onto all their hints, tricks and teases!"

"Uh-huh…. About that." she glanced at the girls and at Peng before getting an idea. "Say...why don't you move on?"

"Move on?"

"Yeah. Like, now that you're more confident, why don't you do the same to them?" she smirked. "Use what I taught you to turn the tables on them."

"You mean tease them?" He asked in confusion.

"Yep… wait, Peng, I need to ask you something, did you think they were only teasing you?"

"Yeah, what else could they have been doing?"

Song stared at him silently before taking a deep breath, exhaled, and closed her eyes before facepalming. "Honestly it's on me for not expecting this. Peng, they don't just tease you for fun or to get a good laugh, it's because they genuinely like you." She said as he stared at her in shock. "Peng, they were flirting, now a few may have done it because frankly you looked a bit cute when you were flustered, but did you really not pick up any of their signals?"

"What signals?!"

"Like wanting you to come into the baths with them. There's flirting, and then there's that. Most girls wouldn't do that unless it was a sign they really liked someone." She said before shaking her head. "Heck some were sneaking into your bed! I don't know how you missed that one."

"B-B-B-But…" He stuttered, feeling like he was losing his grip on reality. 'Oh my god! They genuinely like me?! I thought they all had a blast just teasing me like a kid! What have I done?!'

"They still do like you, you know that, right? In fact they came to me, blaming me, saying my advice was making you act like a monk." She revealed with Peng snapping out of it. "That's why I think the next step for you is to try and flirt back."

"I-I-I-I…" he stuttered, unsure what to do.

"Go on… ah! Ok, you know the twins? How about you go tease them."

"But...what would I say?"

"Just try saying something that they would say to you." She said as she began to lightly push him towards the twins who were coming out of the baths, towels wrapped around them. "Girls! Peng has something to tell you!"

"Oh really now?" Yin called as she and her sister turned to him. "What, is it how we should have trained harder?"

"Or does it have something to do with our stretches?"

"N-No! Your stretches were good, very good!" He said quickly.

"Thanks, now excuse us, we have to go sleep in our rough hammocks since you banned us from your bed." Huffed Yang.

"W-Wait! Y-You uh.."

"Go on Peng, say it."

"You two...uh…." He started before gulping, trying to think of what to say. "You two… can sleep there as long as it uh… it's with me...hotstuff?"

The twins blinked and looked at each other confused and back at him. "Did you-"

"-just ask us to sleep with you?"

"Uh…. yes?"

That made them slowly give devious grins while the other girls went slack jawe.

"Well why didn't you say so earlier~" Cooed Yin as she let her towel drop to the ground.

Peng's eyes widened when he saw her bare body, feeling his face go so hot he felt steam leave his ears.

"Let's go have some fun Peng~" Cooed Yang as she did the same as her sister as they approached him, each grabbing an arm.

"Oh no you two don't!" Called one girls s she approached them.

"Why not, didn't you hear him? Peng wants us~"

"Anyone would say that after a girl just got cleaned up! He wouldn't be saying that if you had clothes on."

"Oh? I didn't see him approaching you, right Peng...Peng?' Yin asked as she turned to see Peng passed out where he stood.

"Ugh…."

"Oh my, I think that was too much for him, let's get him to bed." Yang said as Song stood there in shock.

"I…. maybe I shouldn't have told him to say something the twins would have said…"

"I call dibs on helping him wake up!"

"No way, we get to help him!" Called the twins as they clung to him posessively.

"You knocked him out!"

"No, he knocked himself out! He's just shy and inexperienced, that's all!"

"I'll do it." Song cut in quickly before they could argue.

"What? No! I wanna do it!" Whined Yin.

"No, I will, I'm pulling rank."

"Awwwww!" They groaned as Song made her way forward towards Peng.

"That's right, I'm being mean for making sure the little guy actually has time to recover when he wakes up, how dare I." She said sarcastically. "Now hand him over." She said as the twins let out an agitated hiss.

"Fine." they gave him up as Song held him and walked away with him. "Spoilsport, and he had finally grown the balls to make the first big move."

"Ya think he'll really get firm and peep on us?"

"Maybe, all I know is that sneaking into his bed might get a lot more fun~"

"You two try it and I'll tell Song." Spoke up one of the other girls.

"What?! Oh come on, I know we're not the only ones who do it!"

"Exactly."

"What, so you want him all for yourself, huh?!"

"Perhaps."

"Big time."

"Yes."

"Hypocrites!" Shouted Yang. "You're all pervs, all of you, you're no better than me and Yin!"

"Duh."

"Doesn't mean we have to lean back and let you two try and hog him."

"Plus if Song keeps catching you two she'll only focus on you two, leaving Peng all defenseless~"

Both of them hissed at the others who glared back.

(Later)

"S-So that's not how I'm supposed to flirt?" Peng asked Song, his face red as they both sat in his tent.

"Yup, but having to brace yourself for a reaction like that is something else to keep in mind. I should have expected they would do something….that bold." She sighed. "Though then again I didn't exactly give you much advice, I told you to say something the twins would say, then the next moment you're asking them to sleep with you."

"I-I meant actually sleep, like in my bed, which they and the others keep sneaking into!"

'God Peng is innocent.' She thought and patted his back. "Again, that's on me since I should have predicted that and given you more clear advice."

"So… what should I do next?"

"Something subtle, less bold… try complimenting someone on what they're wearing, or how they look, like Ming Ming." She said as she pointed to the other side of camp where a very tall snow leopard was practicing her dancing.

"Ok….but what if she does what the Twins did?"

"Peng, she's not gonna suddenly strip down. I guarantee it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, just go over there, be nice, and flirt a bit, say nice things about her, and expect her to flirt back, ok? And if you think you can't handle it, politely excuse yourself and leave, ok? Can you do that?"

He looked at her and Ming Ming before taking a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, I think so."

"Good, now get out there and flirt away." Song said with a smile as she nudged him towards her. 'Alright, Ming Ming is a nice girl, even if he messes up a bit this shouldn't end badly…. right?'

'Ok Peng, don't faint. You have to be strong, confidant, and make it clear that you won't give up.' He thought as he approached her, trying to ignore how she towered over him and tried not to stare at her large… assets. "Um… Ming Ming?"

"Yes Peng?" she turned to him with a smile. "How can I help you, do you want to spar?"

"N-No, I just wanted to, uh…" he started, trying to quickly think of what to say. "Wanted to….say….that your….fur looks neat and tidy today."

Ming Ming blinked in surprise before smiling. "Aw, thanks Peng, that's really sweet."

'Is this flirting? Am I doing it right? I should do it again.' He thought as he steeled himself. "Y-Yeah, and your uh… tail looks very healthy today?"

"Oh why thank you. I've been trying to eat a little bit extra bamboo cause I heard it does wonders for your skin." She gushed happily, her tail flicking back and forth. 'Aw, Peng is such a sweetie.'

'Ok, this is probably going a lot better than when I flirted with the twins.' He thought, smiling a little. "Keep up the good work."

"Thanks Peng." She said with a smile. "You're such a sweetie, how about I give you something for making me feel so nice~"

"Oh no, you don't have to do that." He said, growing nervous.

"Of course I don't have to, but I WANT to." She said with a predatory gleam in her eye.

He gulped and found himself picked up by her on both sides of his arms. "N-No, really, I'm good."

"Oh come now, it would be rude of me not to give you something in return for those compliments~" She chuckled as Song watched on nervously.

'Ok, if any clothes come off I'll step in, Peng has this though, right?'

Said boy however suddenly found himself hugged against Ming Ming's chest, head pressed right up in between her chest making his eyes nearly shoot out of his head. 'S-S-S-Soft!'

"You know, being the tallest girl in camp also means I have the largest rack, how do they feel Peng?" She asked teasingly.

Peng tried to speak, but all that came out was muffled.

"Aw, you're too kind Peng." She chuckled, pretending she understood him. "What's that? You want another reward? My aren't you bold~"

'Oh no!' He thought as he tried to refuse, only for every word to be muffled.

"Well, if you insist on it Peng, I guess I have no choice." She said with a fake sigh as she moved him up a bit so his head was now poking out of her cleavage. "Pucker up~"

His eyes widened even more before finding the girl kissing his face over and over. He tried to protest, his face now red but every other word was cut off by another kiss. This went on for a few minutes before she stopped, looking very pleased.

"There, I'd say that's plenty, for now~" She said as she set down the now very dazed Peng. "Come back any time Peng~"

"No...problem…" He said as he stumbled back to Song and numbly walked past her. "Like…. The twins…"

"At least she kept her clothes on." She sighed as she followed after him.

(Later)

"No, I'm not doing it again! It never ends well for me, every time I just get humiliated, flustered and embarrassed!"

"Which helps you." Song sighed, trying to coach Peng out of his tent. "You just have to hold you ground, don't let them take advantage of the playing field like the other times."

"How?"

"Well, either you start flirting while they're in a position where they can't retaliate OR…. you could slap someone on the ass and run?"

"...I don't think I should be listening to your advice anymore."

Song groaned and shook her head. "Peng, do you wanna keep getting flustered and shy when it comes to girls, or do you wanna grow a pair and grow?"

"Grow of course." He groaned as he stepped out of his tent. "But this isn't working, and it feels weird! You said they all had crushes on me!"

"Eh, I'd say it's more than a crush at this point." She said, making him heat up.

"Not. Helping."

"The point is Peng, is that you need not feel shy. You need to try and move up from flirting. Like….if they hug you or do something that makes you blush, you could try and do something to catch them off guard. For instance, sweep them off their feet."

"... this seems like a bad idea on many levels, for one I'm two feet shorter than the shortest woman here, and two why should I be moving past flirting when I haven't even mastered that?!"

"Peng it's fine, just trust me, or would you rather get advice from the twins?"

"Uh...on second thought, let's give it a try."

"Great, now get out there, start flirting and sweep someone off their feet." Song said with a smile.

"Alright, let's do this!" Peng declared to himself before racing forward. 'This will not end like those other attempts, I will succeed!'

(Five minutes later)

'I have failed horribly!' He thought, currently swarmed by the girls, one of them holding onto him while he had an arm wrapped around her waist. 'How could something so simple fall apart so quick!?'

"I love the new you Pang, so bold yet so shy~"

"Let's take this back to the tent cutie~"

"Hold on! I wanna get swept off my feet next."

"No, it's my turn next!"

"No, mine! I've never been swept off my feet before!"

"Well neither have I!" She growled as Peng tried to set down the girl he was currently holding.

"No! Not yet!" she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't let go on their account."

"Just let go of him! Stop hogging him! Some of us want to have a turn!" Growled one of the girls.

"Girls calm down!" Peng cried, trying to regain order. "This is a bit ridiculous! Can't we just talk this out?"

"Of course we can Peng, as long as OTHERS shut up and wait to get their turn." Growled Yin.

"All I'm doing is sweeping you off your feet! Why are you all wanting me to do it to you?!"

"Because it's bold of you."

"It's a step up from the usual."

"And it's so romantic~"

"Alright ladies, break it up, break it up!" Song called as she moved against the ocean of dangerous dancers. "Let me in, it's time for me to rescue Peng from your insanity once again."

"Hey! It's not insane to be held like a princess!"

"It is when you're all forcing him to do it to you!" She growled. "Peng is not a damn toy for you all to use!"

"But-"

"Back up!" She shouted as she grabbed Peng. "All of you should be ashamed, he is trying to figure out how to return his feelings for you and you are not making this easy! Come on Peng, let's go."

He let Song drag him away while trying to give a wave to the girls who looked disappointed.

"Aw, I wanted a turn.."

"Yeah… maybe she's right though?" Wondered one of them. "Maybe we shouldn't have crowded him like that when he picked Yin up."

"I know, but it's been months! I'm getting tired of waiting damn it!"

"How do you think we feel?!" The others muttered as they began to fume.

"I personally think we've waited long enough! I say we march up to him and tell him how we feel!"

"But doesn't he already have an idea at this point?"

"I meant straight up tell him what we're thinking, what we want, instead of just this mamby pamby flirting and teasing, which is getting us jack squat!"

"Yeah! And if Song tries to stop us I say we remove her as leader!"

"Yeah, enough is enough, we need to be straight forward, no more beating around the bush! We're thieves and warriors damn it, since when did we wait for what we want?!"

"Well it probably would have had sooner if SOME of us didn't make it harder for the rest." remarked one as they turned to the Twins and Ming Ming.

"Hey, we have the balls to act, we agreed not to say it outright but we've been giving him enough hints that he should have said or done something by now!" Groaned Yang.

"That's why we ALL do it, tonight, during dinner."

"Agreed, no matter what happens Peng will know the truth tonight, one way or another." Said Yin as the others nodded, their minds made up.

(Later)

It was night time and a bonfire was currently made in the center of the camp, all of the girls sitting around it and enjoying some beef stew.

"Mmmm, this is really good Peng.' Complimented one girl as Peng dished out some more stew.

"Thanks, I managed to get some fresh ingredients for it, the old ones were starting to go bad."

"Well it tastes great.' Complimented another as the girls began to look around to each other and nod.

"Peng."

"We have to talk to you." Yin and Yang said as he paused as the rest of the girls stood up.

"Ok… about what?"

"About how we've been acting." Ming Ming said as the others nodded. "We want to explain why, and get the truth out into the open."

"Oh! You mean how you feel about me?" He asked, surprising them.

"Yes, we do, do you know how we feel?"

"Well Song DID explain it to me." He said, thinking of how Song had said that they had crushes on him.

"WHAT?! Then why haven't you done anything?!"

"I have! I've been trying to be more confident."

"I meant tell us how you feel! Tell us that you love us too!" Yang shouted, making him freeze.

"L-L-Love?! B-But Song said it was a crush!"

"SONG!" They all growled as they turned to their leader.

"I assumed it was a crush?" She said as she looked away.

"LIAR! You wanted him all for yourself!"

"Now it all makes sense!" Shouted Ming Ming. "That's why he hasn't realized it yet, anytime he comes close you've been misleading him!"

"Hey! Don't go jumping to conclusions! I'm not interested in him like that!"

"Why no? He's an amazing guy!"

"Yeah! I bet you just wanted him all to yourself!"

"He's like a little brother in my eyes." She deadpanned.

"Then why have you been butting in every time we try to get close?!"

"Because I already know the first chance you get? You'll be showing him how to be a man VERY quick, and with no shame."

"You say that like it's a bad thing!" Complained Yin.

"Knowing how many of you there are? It is!" She shouted as she pointed at the petrified Peng. "Look at him! He wouldn't survive!"

"Oh come on, he's got tons of stamina!"

"Uh, ladies?" spoke up Peng with a finger raised.

"What?" They called as they turned back to him eagerly. "What is it Peng?"

He took a deep breath and gave them a firm look. "Look here, I appreciate how you feel for me, but I'm a man, which means that I'm putting my foot down." He stamped his foot on the ground and pointed at them. "Which means you deciding what to do with me without me getting a word in edgewise ends, now."

"Ok, fine, then tell us, we love all love you, we've discussed this thoroughly, what are you going to do about that?" Yang challenged back. "Will you accept it, or do you not feel the same, or are you not going to give us a chance?"

"I'd be lying if I said it's something I haven't given though." He admitted looking down. "I mean, this is something I bet any guy would dream of."

"So what's the hold up, just say you'll love us back!" Called one girl.

"Hey! What did I just say?" He warned her with a low growl, which shut her up. "Look, I'm willing to give this a shot, but I wanna make one thing clear. I am NOT going to play favorites. I wanna give everyone involved equal treatment."

"Sounds good to us!" Called one girl as the others nodded. 'Though he may say that it'll be impossible.''

"And we take it slow."

"...How slow?" Called one cautiously.

"To begin with, nothing more extreme than what's already happened to me for awhile."

"Awwww."

"Hey! You're all asking me to take on over a hundred girlfriends all at once! I think it's fair to start things slowly!"

"...fair point." Conceded Ming Ming as the others nodded slowly.

"And you all have to ease back on the teasing!"

"How much?"

"I-It can't be a daily thing from you all, I can barely survive it now!"

"And no bathing naked together." Song piped up.

"Hey! You don't get to make terms, you aren't part of this!"

"Yeah, and if Peng gets to make all of these demands then we get to make some too!"

"Considering what his position is? I don't think so." Song started, only for them to glare at her.

"No, I am tired of this! You may be the leader, but you are not Peng's owner! You do not make the rules in our relationship if you aren't part of it! Now we love him, but this is a two way street, if he wants to set some boundaries then fine, but we want something out of this as well!"

"Like what?"

"For one we want to show affection without him thinking it's teasing, for example if one of us wants a hug, or to kiss him or just relax with him then we have the right to ask that! And Song can't but in and try to stop us!"

"Yeah!"

"Deal." Peng said. "I'm sorry Song, but they're right, I'm my own person and I shouldn't have to rely on you to protect me."

"Alright, just try not to lose control." She said reluctantly. 'This feels more like two sides of a war negotiating terms rather than a couple setting boundaries.'

(Later)

Peng panted while covered in sweat, and currently doing pull ups. The group had set up a new camp and he had taken off to train after everything was set up.

"Two hundred...ha." he let go and dropped down, taking a moment to catch his breath. "Alright….that covers today's workout."

"Peng~" Called out a voice behind him. "You're done with working out?"

"Yeah, I just got done." he replied glancing behind him. He saw Ming Ming and the twins looking at him with grins. "Alright, what are you three up to?"

"Us? Up to something? Whatever are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about." He said with a sigh. "Let me guess, were you planning on dragging me into a group bath? Or maybe you wanted to help 'clean off my sweat' like last week, or maybe drag me to by bed like thursday?"

"Oh no no no, we just wanted to watch and see if you needed any water to rehydrate, or maybe a towel?" Yin asked with a smile, inwardly cursing. 'Damn it, we've become predictable! We need to step up our game!'

"Oh, then sure, yeah."

Ming Ming walked over and handed him a ladle filled with water, which he eagerly drank it down with a sigh of relief.

"That helps, thank you."

"No problem Peng." She said with a smile. "Now you go clean yourself and rest up, ok?"

"Just no peeking, got it?" he spoke firmly.

"Ugh, fine." The twins sighed as Ming Ming nodded.

"Thanks, see you girls at dinner." He called as he made his way to the baths. 'Huh, that was surprisingly nice.'

"I think I'm getting to really like Peng's serious face. It gives me goosebumps." giggled Ming Ming.

"Yeah, but this isn't as much fun as it used to be, before he was so cute when he got flustered, but now he is used to it!" Groaned Yang.

"Well keep in mind girls. He's good looking now, but what do you think he'll be like when he really grows? Add that to him getting used to us girls, and being more confident, and what do you see happening?" Ming Ming asked the twins perking up. "Yeah, you see what I mean~"

Both of them slowly blushed and gave goofy grins before giggling behind their paws at what their minds conjured up. "Oooh~"

"Yeah, and if he is even half of what Tai lung became then we're in for a good time~"

"Ok, we'll stop complaining." Said Yin. "But that doesn't mean we won't stop having fun, we just need to think of some new ways to get him flustered~"

"Agreed, next time I say we do something new, let's look for ideas at the next town~"

"All the other girls are probably already ahead of you." Ming Ming said with a shrug. 'Honestly at this rate it'll be amazing if Peng survives the month.'

(Later that night)

Peng yawned as he felt something shifting in his bed. He was trying to get back to sleep, but the shifting was making it hard. He opened his eyes and was greeted with a wall of white fur with black spots on it. 'Not again.'

He tried to look around and saw numerous other girls, all of them sleeping around him, thankfully with clothes on. He sighed, knowing there was no easy way out of this, and just closed his eyes.

'I'll deal with them tomorrow.'