Disclaimer: I still don't own Kung Fu Panda.
A/N: So, it's been like a year since I've posted anything. It wasn't even because I didn't have anything to post. I have a few things just waiting for me to edit and post. Between moving and other things...stuff just didn't get posted and I'm very sorry! I'm not going to promise I'll post a whole bunch of stuff, or how regularly I'll be able to update things, but I'm going to try. Anyways, this fic was originally meant to be a oneshot, but I felt like it was too long to post all at once. So I split it up into short chapters. It comes from chapter 5 of 'Paths to Take'. The sentence is number 40 of that chapter (which probably doesn't make sense if you haven't read that). You don't need to read that chapter to understand this though.
I'm going to stop boring you all now and just say thanks for stopping by to read! This chapter contains POVs from Po and Monkey.
"There's nothing you could have done, Po."
Viper's attempt to comfort him hadn't worked. Po knew she had just been trying to be nice, and trying to get him to stop blaming himself, but even the nicest words couldn't stop the guilt he felt. The most compassionate smile couldn't stop the panic. Only Tigress had that kind of calming effect on him.
But Tigress couldn't make him focus right now.
If she hadn't been watching his back during the fight than she would have been able to watch her own. If he hadn't needed her help than she wouldn't have rushed to him. If he hadn't distracted her than she would have noticed the buffalo in time.
'Nothing you could have done.'
He didn't believe it for an instant. There must have been something he could have done. If their positions had been reversed, Tigress would have found something. But he wasn't Tigress, or Shifu, or one of the Five.
Now Tigress was hurt, laying amongst the debris of an abandoned building, and barely conscious. The remnants of Cai Quan's army were outside somewhere. The warlord wasn't going to give up anytime soon even though Po and the Five had taken half of his army out of the equation already. They were lying in wait now, re-gathering their forces and probably planning their next attack. Meanwhile Po and the others prepared to fight again while also trying to help the wounded feline master.
"Po..."
The panda forced himself to look away from Tigress and over at Monkey. Viper had already left to stand guard by the door, leaving the two of them to sit with Tigress. He'd almost forgotten Monkey was there with him though, and couldn't seem to find any words to reply with.
Monkey POV:
"We can't give up." The words reminded Monkey of something similar that he'd said once before. A time not too long ago when he and the others were chained, hanging from a boat, and had truly believed Po was dead. Hope had been almost nonexistent. He had known Po wouldn't want them to give up hope though, just like this time he knew Tigress wouldn't want any of them to give up on the battle just because she was wounded. She wouldn't tolerate it.
Tigress was always focused, always ready for a fight, and always determined to win. He had only seen her less so once or twice. The most noticeable had been the time on Shen's boat. When they'd lost Po. It would have been her giving the pep talk otherwise.
Now he was seeing the same despondent look on Po's face. The panda's attention was on Tigress, his worry and fear blatantly obvious. Monkey knew his friend wouldn't do well in a fight right now. Po had done a lot for them already though, so he couldn't hold it against him. Tai Lung, bandits, Shen, and more bandits. Po always came through for them. Even in the most unexpected ways and at unexpected times. The Dragon Warrior beat the odds.
Compared to Shen, Cai Quan and his army were nothing. They had numbers, and lots of weapons, but nothing else. Defeating the remaining army should be easy enough...
As long as they were all focused.
He was worried about Tigress, just as he had been saddened by what they'd thought was Po's death, but he also knew they had to keep going. Tigress was still alive at least. She wouldn't be if the warlord managed to get past their defenses though.
"She doesn't look good," Po said. Though it was mostly whispered, there was a tinge of panic in the panda's voice that didn't bode so well.
Monkey placed a paw on his friend's shoulder and forced himself to avoid looking at Tigress. He knew her injuries weren't just a few bruises and scrapes this time. Staring at her would only make him more worried though. And right now he had to be the panda's voice of reason since no one else was around to do it.
"She will be fine," he said. "Tigress is strong."
"Hardcore," Po whispered distractedly while staring at their friend again.
Monkey nodded, and patted the panda's shoulder. "We have to concentrate on getting out of here, so we can get her back to the Jade Palace."
"Yeah. You're right." There was a little more confidence in Po's voice, but he still didn't look away from Tigress. "We should...we should...make a plan."
Monkey looked over to the entrance where Viper was standing watch. "Crane and Mantis are scouting the area now," he told the panda. "We'll know more then."