Manchu had just celebrated his thirteenth birthday a week earlier. He had hit his first growth spurt and was finally catching up with his friend in height. The two friends had a rare day off and decided to take themselves to the zoo in Robinson Park since the weather was nice. As required, they had Triad assigned shadows following them. The men following had been specifically instructed to leave the children alone unless interference was absolutely needed.

For their part, the children conducted themselves with respect to those around them. They chatted excitedly over the various animals, pointing out their favorites to each other. As they wandered the zoo, they shared cotton candy and other snacks that were novelties to them. Since they lived in Chinatown, Dee was usually the one who was the minority when walking around. Here, the tables were turned. While the crowd was varied, it was still predominantly of Caucasian decent. This was where the trouble started that day.

"Hey, baby. Whatcha doing with the Chink?" a male voice said as the two left the reptile house.

The two had heard the racial slur before and as they had in the past, they ignored it and kept walking. Jiaoshu had taught them that anyone who used terms such as that were not worth dealing with unless absolutely necessary. Continuing on, they headed to the next display.

"C'mon, baby. Don't be that way. You don't have to pretend to like that scrawny Chink."

Despite her best judgment, Dee turned around and gave the boy a glare. He stood a few feet behind Manchu and her with three of his friends. They looked to be around sixteen and seventeen years old. All of them wore ripped up jeans, t-shirts, and black leather jackets. Manchu turned and took her hand, leading her away from them and out of the zoo.

"They're following us, y'know," Dee said, attempting to take her hand back.

"I know," the boy said, keeping his hold on her. "Let's just get out of here before anything happens."

The two had made it away from the crowd in the zoo when they heard the sound of sneakers slapping the pavement. Glancing back, Manchu and Dee saw the gang of boys headed their way. Before the two could run, the boys had grabbed them, pulling them apart and off the main path.

"Let go of us," demanded Manchu, struggling against the two boys that held him.

"Or what? Worthless Chink," the first boy said, punching Manchu in the stomach. Satisfied when Manchu doubled over coughing, the boy turned to Dee. "Now, baby, why don't you come and hang out with us?"

Dee glared daggers at the older boy as he swaggered up to her. His friend held her arms almost painfully behind her back. A greasy smile coated the boy's features as he focused on her chest. Reaching out, he popped the top buttons open on her shirt. She struggled and tried to kick free, but the boy holding her wrenched her arms, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Baby, don't be that way. You'll like what we've all got to give you," the boy said, running his hands over her breasts.

"Stop!" Dee growled. "You'll regret this!"

All four boys threw their heads back and laughed. From where he was still hunched over, Manchu caught Dee's eye and shook his head at her. She looked at him, grim determination on her face.

Wait, he mouthed to her.

Pursing her lips, she shook her head fiercely. Without warning, she brought her foot back and up into the groin of the boy that held her. He collapsed, shouting a string of curses at her and pulling her off balance for a moment. The two boys holding Manchu reeled back, but kept their hold on the Chinese boy.

For the first time since he had met her, Manchu saw a spark in Dee's eye that he had never before seen. It was a spark of pure hatred and anger. The first boy reached out and grabbed her by the hair before she could catch her balance. That was his first mistake. Twisting like a snake, Dee brought the heel of her hand up into his solar plexus. Gasping, the boy released her and stumbled back.

Manchu and the other boys watched in shock as the boy stupidly reached out to grab her again. This time Dee grabbed the boy's arm. Using it to balance herself, she kicked high into his face. The sound of cartilage snapping was heard clearly as the boy's nose burst. Still holding his arm, she rammed her hand against his stiffened elbow. The three boys watching shuddered in horror at the wet snap of bone as the boy's elbow bent the wrong way.

Barely breathing hard, she released the boy who now collapsed next to his friend; tears of pain streaming down his face. Flecks of blood splattered her face and clothing as she turned her eyes to the two who held Manchu. Her flaming red hair, wild from fighting, and wrathful gaze made Manchu recognize her for her namesake: Xiaohu.

A snarl escaped her lips as she lunged toward the boys. Jumping as if they had just been poked with a sharp stick, the boys released Manchu and took off running. Manchu had to grab a hold of Dee before she took off after the two. She was so wrapped up in getting her revenge on the boys who had tried to hurt her she struck out at him. Deftly he blocked the blow and knocked her to the ground, pinning her.

"Enough!" he ordered. "It's over."

He ignored the groaning and weeping of the two boys she had attacked, concentrating on getting her to calm down. Looking around, he noticed the two guards watching them from a distance. The men made no move to come near them and seemed to be the only ones who had seen anything.

Once it seemed that she had calmed down, he stood and helped her up. Leaf litter was crushed into her hair and clothing, making her looks even more disheveled. He shook his head at her as he pushed her hair back out of her face. Dee's eyes still smoldered with anger as she buttoned her shirt up.

"Let's get back and get you cleaned up, ok?"

Nodding, Dee allowed him to take her hand and led her away from the fight scene. The two men who were their guards waited a few minutes before following. They momentarily stopped where the boys lay. One nudged the leader with the tip of his shoe.

{Stupid boy,} he said, turning the boy on his back.

{Leave them. Jiaoshu will want to hear about this immediately.}

The first man nodded in agreement and the two followed after the children.
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