Chapter 3 Never Forgotten

A/N: This is an idea I've had for a while but I'm not sure if you'll like it very much. Oh well, hope you do anyway.

As soon as she heard him stomping down dark hallway, followed by the slamming of his door, she could tell he and Master Shifu had had another falling out. Over the Dragon Scroll no doubt, as it was becoming a common occurrence. The small, 5-year-old cub sighed and got off of her bed, walking toward her door. Pushing it open, she stared at the door in front of her where she knew her brother stay, more than likely trying not to punch a hole through the wall. It pained her so dearly to see him like this.

She stepped into the hall and slowly pushed open the Tai-Lung's door. As she had anticipated, he was sitting in the corner, clenching and unclenching his fist, a terrible expression on his face. His claws were out and blood was dripping onto the floor from where they had cut his paws. He talked without looking at her. "Tigress." He said, his voice shaking from pure anger. "What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy at the moment?" He was slumped against the wall, his eyes glowing in the night. She approached him slowly and very carefully. Tigress had seen the worst of her brother's moods, and right now, he was unpredictable as to what his reactions may be.

When Tigress had arrived at the Palace seven months ago she completely idolized Tai Lung. He would train with her, show her new techniques, and when she had nightmares about her past he would always be there to comfort her, but when he turned 18, and was eligible for the dragon scroll, things started deteriorating. Grandmaster Oogway would always reject him every time he would perform a demonstration to try and earn it. She could never figure out why, though. He had a perfect form, complete balance, and had mastered all ten thousand scrolls of Kung Fu faster than anyone else . It was true, he had a temper, but weren't fighters supposed to be fierce? She never dared to ask; it was not her place, and she knew it. After every rejection he would do exactly what he was doing now, and she, when he would let her, would come find him, wherever he may be, and try to return the comfort he had once gave to her.

"Tai…" she said, and finally went to sit next to him. He didn't look at her but rather continued to stare at the wall like it leaked venom. She reached and took one of his injured paws. "It'll be okay Tai. You'll get the Dragon scroll one day. I know you will." She said, trying to be positive.

Though he wouldn't look at her, he responded. "Not again." He said, the fury still in his voice.

She was confused. "What?"

"I will not be rejected again," he said. "Never. I have performed sequence after sequence for them and all they ever do is reject me. It will not happen again." When he finally looked at her, she could tell from his eyes that he was about to do something, something bad. "Tigress" he said taking her by the shoulders and looking at her hard. "Whatever happens tonight, know that is isn't against you. But I cannot keep living for something I can never have. Cannot and Will not." He stood and pulled her up with him. His muscles were tense with anticipation.

"Tai what are you talk-", she started.

"Don't ask" he said firmly. "It's better that you don't know."

"O-okay" she said, unsure. "I love you Tai."

He lifted her into his arms and hugged her for a long time. "I love you too, baby sister. Never forget that." He said, and for that moment, all of his anger was gone.

Tigress was crying by the time he put her down. He kissed her forehead gently and exited the room. She just stood there, too stunned to move and heartbroken to anything else. Eventually she managed to walk back to her room and crawl into bed. She pulled the small blanket over her head and forced her eyes closed, though it was a long time before she went to sleep.

)-()-()-()-()-()-()-(

That was the night Tai-Lung attacked the valley. A night Master Tigress remembered so vividly. As she grew thru ought the years she often reflected on that night. The bond she and Tai-lung shared was shattered when she understood what he had done to the valley. She hadn't seen the evil behind it when she was young, too blinded by her love for him. When she and the Furious 5 went to try and stop him after he broke out of prison, as soon as they arrived at the bridge and she saw the wild-eyed, merciless being before her, she could tell that her brother had died a long time ago and was replaced with someone that was fueled only by hatred and revenge. She was forced to put aside their past and fight for the valley, but it nearly killed her inside. Of course, many things had changed since that day so long ago. She was no longer the insecure child trying to find herself that she once was. She was Tigress, Master of the Tiger style and leader of the Furious Five, a fearsome warrior that fought for the people and things she loved. But Tai Lung will forever live in her memories, never fading. He was the first person she had formed a connection with, the first one to hold her hand and hug her. He had supported her in every way he could and inspired her to be what she is today. But most importantly, Tai Lung was the first person to tell her he loved her, before her father, and before her Grandfather.

And for that reason she would never forget him, evil or not.