AN: Hello there. Well, this is the second chapter of the story. It's a little bit different and some things may be explain in here. Sorry it took so long but a lot of things had been happening around here my dog is really sick and we've been really sad mainly because she is just a pup and its our first pet ever. It is really sad to see the pet you love being this sick.

Anyway, thanks for reading and don't forget to review!

Chapter 2

Where Tigress meets confusion

There were whispers all around the Valley of Peace.

The news about Master Eagle and Master Raccoon reached the village in less than a day. Hao, the messenger goose, was devastated at hearing about the death of his Master, while Master Oogway and Master Shifu read the reports about the deaths.

But even after a week the news were still fresh and more pressing matters were the ones that made Master Shifu pressed a private conversation with his old Master. They were in the Hall of Warriors; Oogway was finishing a sequence accompanied by the dim light of a few candles. The Hall was in complete silence as Master Shifu watched with the same amazement as always as Master Oogway made his movements.

"Did you hear the last news, Shifu?" the question came as a surprise and Master Shifu straightened up, clearing his throat. Clearly it didn't matter how busy and concentrated Oogway was he was aware of his surroundings.

"Yes, Master Rhino along with his students took over the investigation." Said Shifu with a frown on his face. "They left yesterday along with the young prince and the Soothsayer,"

Whatever Shifu had said it certainly caught his Master by surprised. The old Turtle stopped all movements and turned his head to the Red Panda, lifting a single eyebrow as he did so.

"Really? Lord Shen and the Soothsayer?" Shifu nodded watching the look of contemplation that took place on Oogway's face. "I see, curious, pretty curious."

Shifu opened his mouth, tempted to ask what was so curious about this, but decided against it. He had more important matters to deal with Master Oogway at the moment.

But even knowing how important it was Shifu didn't dare to bring the matter up. It was more about his respect for his Master and his decisions than anything else. Besides, what has been happening was bad enough to start thinking in a new solution. They will need help, and that help could only come in one way.

"You look trouble, my friend." Shifu almost jumped out of his skin when the voice of Master Oogway came from behind him. The old Turtle had moved fast and placed himself behind the Red Panda.

"What is it that has you so worried?" asked Oogway looking directly into Shifu's eyes.

"Master, these murders…" Shifu trailed off before continuing. "I have a feeling you know exactly who is doing this."

Instead of a negative reaction as Shifu was expecting the Grand Master smiled sadly at him, letting out a tired sigh turning to the way where the candles were still light.

Shifu followed his Master slowly never leaving him out of his sight, wondering if Master Oogway would answer. Even if Shifu was considered a Grand Master he had been named only ten years ago, he was relatively young in comparison to the rest of the Masters conforming the High Council. Shifu knew and noticed some of them were really worried about the dreams and now with these deaths…well, Shifu thought it wise to ask and try to find out anything he could.

"Yes, I know." The answer was a mere whisper that could be heard under the silence of the Hall. "The culprit is someone we know. But as to what exactly is he trying to do, I can't answer."

Shifu nodded his head before continuing, "Master, this new enemy. The way he is killing his victims, the things gone missing after he attacks…we must do something."

His tone of voice was pleading and demanding, trying to make Master Oogway understand how bad the situation was. But the older Master only dedicated his student a smile followed by a longing stare.

"How is Po training going?" Shifu blinked once, twice and then open and close his mouth.

"The…Panda's training?"

"Yes, how is it going?" Shifu looked at his Master with incredulity.

"You want to know how the Panda's training is going?" asked Shifu once again making Master Oogway nodded his head. With a frown of clearly disapproval Shifu decided to answer. "He is a Panda, Master. Even more, he is a Panda training with Masters."

"So, he's doing well?"

Shifu felt his left eyebrow twitched, "No, Master. He is not doing well. If he continues like this soon enough he will end up crippled or dead."

Master Oogway shook his head, chuckling softly as he did so. "Oh, Shifu, aren't you exaggerating?"

"Exage…Exaggerating?" He knew the old Turtle was always trying to see the good in all things. His own vision of the world differed from those around here and Shifu had never been able to understand Master Oogway's motivations.

The fact he was so adamant for the Panda to be in the Jade Palace and, even more, to be part of their training session of the Furious Five was something Shifu didn't, couldn't, understand.

"I'm not exaggerating, Master." Said Shifu taking deep breaths to try and make the Turtle understand. "Master we can't afford any kind of distraction. You said so on the Council's meeting. Whatever is happening, whatever these dreams are…we need to take the right measures."

Oogway didn't say anything, his gaze lingered on Shifu for a moment before the old Turtle moved to the stand where the Thousand Scrolls of Kung Fu were resting. Shifu didn't understand what Oogway wanted to do until he put a group of four scrolls out, reveling a small compartment with a Dragon symbol on it.

"That's…"

"Yes." Was all Oogway said as he pressed it making the hidden door open and revealed another scroll. This one of gold and red colors.

Shifu watched as Master Oogway presented him with the scroll. "Measures had been taken Shifu. But you are so focused on the past and what you believe should be, you haven't been able to see."

"What are you talking about, Master?" asked Shifu confused, his eyes never leaving the scroll. Oogway handed him the scroll, Shifu hold it with trembling hands opening to see its contents.

"This…isn't the Dragon Scroll." Said Shifu his ears lowering in disappointment and confusion. "I thought…"

"Exactly." Said Oogway. "You are so worry about your mistakes and what could have been that you only see what you want to see."

Shifu looked down at the scroll that had strange symbols on it. "My old friend, this scroll is not the one you think it is but…it is the only clue for the real Dragon Warrior to find the original one."

Shifu kept on watching the scroll as Oogway continued, "That's why I couldn't give it to him or even her. It doesn't matter how much they train, how good they are, how hard they and you try…their destiny wasn't to become the legendary warrior."

There was a moment of silence in which all of Shifu's attention was on the scroll he was holding. His mind took him to those moments in which he trained and raised both of his adoptive children. How one of them had left after being denied the title he thought his, and how the other one remained trying to obtain the title Shifu promised her.

He felt sad and broken. He had failed his children in ways he was ashamed to accept and his failures had leaded them into a path Shifu wasn't sure he wanted them to walk in.

Lifting his face Shifu handed the scroll back to Master Oogway, his face was serious with a frown on it. If neither Tigress or Tai Lung were meant to be the Dragon Warrior…the Real one as Master Oogway had identified him, then…

"You can seriously think the panda is the real Dragon Warrior. He isn't a warrior," said Shifu looking at Oogway. "He is just…a Panda and a good cook, "said Shifu contemplative for a moment before shaking his head and returning to the conversation. "But that's beyond the point. He doesn't even know Kung Fu!"

"He isn't a warrior?" repeated Oogway. "You mean to tell me that in the week he's been here he hasn't made any kind of progress? He hasn't …surprised you?"

As soon as he opened his mouth Shifu closed it. If he thought about it, if he really put aside his personal feelings…the Panda had made some progress. He had been able to do some things he would never think someone his weight and size would be able to do. Surprise?

Shifu tilted his head and discovered Master Oogway smiling at him, "Give him a chance, Shifu. Like you say, we can't waste any more time."

Tigress swapped her tail back and forth while she kept her focus on her food. Her ears would twitch once in a while, every time the Panda and the others would laugh or make some kind of comment.

Her nose was filled with the smell of food, the food the Panda had been making since he arrived there. With a quick glance, she observed the timid smile on Po's face, how embarrassed he felt as Viper keep on praising his cooking.

Tigress expression hardened, the Panda and Viper get along so well and, for some reason, this fact annoyed Tigress.

"Oh, Po this is amazing!" commented Viper while taking another spoonful of noodles. "You are an amazing cook!"

Po scratched his cheek smiling softly, "Nah, you should try my dad's secret ingredient soup. Man, that's amazing!"

"Well, I'm all for you inviting us there." Commented Mantis while digging in. "I mean, this is really good and if your dad is even better…"

"I think you're too modest, Po." Said Viper smiling at him while touching him softly on his arm making the panda looked down and then up only to meet Tigress stare focused on the both of them. "Your food is really, really good."

Po could notice Tigress own soup hadn't be touched, his ears fell and his eyes showed the sadness in them. Tigress couldn't look away; she was too focused on Viper's tail and the panda's reaction.

Feeling something inside her snap, Tigress stood up and left, without even looking back when the chair she was sitting fell to the floor. The kitchen was left silent all the present looking at the door where Tigress had just left.

"I…I guess she didn't like the soup, eh?" commented Po with a fake laugh evading everyone else's eyes.

Viper looked at Po and then at the door, frowning. "Don't worry about it, Po. Go on tell us the story you were about to tell."

The Training Hall used to be one of the most peaceful places for Tigress. In here she could just concentrate in her training and lose herself with different fighting sequences.

But now, even training had become a complete headache. Her thoughts were out of control and the images she wanted to bury deep inside her unconscious kept coming with an unnatural insistence. She didn't understand why but it was driving her crazy.

Closing her eyes she started making the Dragon sequence. It was a movement she had learnt from a very young age, just after Master Shifu told her the legend of the legendary warrior. Of course, according to those stories, the Dragon sequence wasn't even complete and in reality it was a combination of different styles with some focus on different things. But making this always brought peace to Tigress heart.

It was strange, almost as if she knew the movement's way before she really learnt them.

But as she started losing herself in the exercise her mind brought back to her those jade eyes. The ones hunting her dreams and her moments when she was awake. And then the images of the dreams.

"Damn it!"

"Are you okay?" Tigress turned around to see Viper looking at her with a worried frown.

For a moment the Master of the Tiger style was tempted to ignore her friend but the fact they were alone and she really looked worry made her face Viper.

"Yes, I'm okay."

Viper snorted moving towards Tigress without looking away from her. "You know? You are a terrible liar when you have to share something personal."

Tigress tensed up narrowing her eyes she faced Viper with defiance in her face.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Tigress, I know something has been bothering you for more than a week now." Said Viper looking concern, trying to make Tigress understand just how worried she was. "I just want to help."

"Well, you are wrong, Viper. There is nothing bothering me, I'm perfectly fine." Tigress turned around but Viper's next words made her stop.

"We used to talk about anything and everything, Tigress. We used to be…closer, before Tai Lung."

Viper knew she had crossed an unspoken line there, the way Tigress was drawing blood from her paws as she closed her fist tightly was a clear indicator. The room was filled with a pretty tense and uncomfortable silence that was only broken by Tigress heavy breathing.

Lowering her eyes in sadness Viper was about to apologize when Tigress started speaking, "I've been having dreams. Those dreams everyone seems to be having."

Viper listened carefully letting Tigress shared in her own time. For Viper this small revelation wasn't surprising, if she had to bet for someone to be more attuned with Kung Fu and meditation that would be Tigress. Among the others, they always wondered when Master Oogway would realize that Tigress was ready to give the next step and tried to become the Dragon Warrior. But those thoughts were never shared out loud to Master Shifu, Master Oogway and much less Tigress.

However, why would Tigress be so stress for the dreams?

"They are different." She said as if she had been reading Viper's thoughts. "They are…I don't know how to explain, I just know they are different."

This time Tigress did turn around and Viper felt sympathy for her friend as she saw the lost looked in her eyes. "And he is always in there."

"He?" Now Tigress had Viper's undivided attention. Not that she didn't have it before; the thing was Tigress never spoke before of a 'he'. For Master Tigress the 'he's were almost non-existent.

Tigress turned her head to the side looking embarrassed, "yes. He. Look, Viper, the thing is this guy has the same…is…I mean his eyes. Are…"

Well, this was new. Tigress was never one to stutter or look embarrassed or this way. She was used to her friend being more confident, cold and cunning; emotions were a rare trait she only showed to a select group of people. But whatever Tigress was about to say about the eyes of the mysterious guy was cut short as the door of the Training Hall was opened and Po entered the place.

Viper had always been the most observant of the group, usually she was the first one to know when something wasn't okay with one of them and this time wasn't the exception.

Tigress whole demeanor changed, from a nervous almost trustful one to a hard, cold and annoyed mood. The female tiger looked over at Po, shaking her head before leaving the place.

Po stood there, confused as to what had just happened now. "Tigress! Wait!"

Viper watched as Tigress went on all four and ran as fast as her legs and arms would take her. The female turned around to see the panda frowning with his eyes downcast. Time to do some damage control.

"Po, are you okay?"

"I…Master Tigress, she doesn't really like me, eh?" Viper opened her mouth to answer but nothing came. Po nodded his head and bow to Viper. "I'm sorry for bothering you two, Master Viper. I didn't realize you were busy in here."

"Don't be silly, Po. You're one of the students now; you can come here whenever you want." Said Viper trying to reassure Po who looked unconvinced.

"I know you guys think…I shouldn't be here." Viper opened her mouth but Po lifted his hand. "It's okay, I'm not…I mean, it's just you guys are awesome! The best Kung Fu Masters ever! Really, no one can't even compare to you guys!"

Viper watched as Po's eyes gleam with admiration and respect, he smiled at her before scratching the back of his head. "I just wanted to thank you, Master Viper, for allowing me to cook for you and shared some stories. I've gotta go now. Bye."

Viper stood there, her tail massaging her temple while she could hear the rest of the guys training down in the garden. First Tigress and now Po, if she didn't knew better…But she did know and she knew Tigress hated Po while Po seemed to have a huge crush on Tigress.

The Kung Fu Master sighed slithering slowly towards her room. She needed to think and came with solutions from her two main concerns: Tigress and Po.

It didn't take too long for Po to return to the Valley.

He looked back at the Jade Palace and with a sighed turned his back at it and started making his way home. Po dragged himself without any enthusiasm, looking down as his mind kept wandering back to the short but significant time he spent in the Jade Palace. Even if it was only for a few days and things had been tense a part of Po felt happy he got to meet the Furious Five and Master Shifu. Smiling sadly he put out the scroll of the latest comic from the Furious Five. It had the signatures of all of them.

"Po! I'm so glad to see you son!" Po looked up at his father who came running; the goose wrapped his arms around Po before moving back and looking at him up and down.

"Mm, you look thin. Come, I make you some noodles and some bamboo dessert"

"Thanks dad. You don't need to, you know?" said Po following Mr Ping. "I'm not that hungry."

"Not that hungry?" Mr Ping stopped and turned to look closer at Po. "Po, are you all right?"

The sound of the busy street could be heard inside the kitchen as Po sat down with the Comic Scroll in his hand. There was some sadness in Po and Mr Ping could notice the Panda had been hurt.

With a frown and his eyes lowered Po started speaking, "I was just thinking…maybe…this Kung Fu thing isn't for me."

For the old goose things were really bad if Po, a fan boy since he could walk and speak, was calling Kung Fu just a 'thing'. Po merely shrugged and started playing nervously with the scroll.

"I mean, I just…it was cool and all and those moves!" he lifted his head and his jade eyes were gleaming with excitement as he tried to imitate some of the moves. Then his whole demeanor changed to a more depressing one. "But I guess this isn't for me."

Mr Ping watched his son carefully before turning his back and picking up his knife to chop off some of the vegetables for the soup. Times like this one was what made parenthood so difficult. There were times in which as a father he had to make decisions for his son our good. Sometimes it was to help him grow up, even if it hurt him.

"Kung Fu has always been a part of you, Po." The panda lifted his head with his eyes opened in surprise ay his father's words. "I remember the first time you watched the festival. That was the first time you saw Kung Fu."

Po smiled as he too remembered the day Mr Ping took him down to the main square to watch Master Oogway, Shifu and some of the other Masters that were there at that time. It had been the first time he saw the Furious Five before they become Kung Fu legends. Po had been so excited he had gone home fighting all the way and imitating some of the moves proclaiming he would become the best Kung Fu Master ever.

But things had turned out a little differently and due to their lack of money and Po's clumsiness he was never accepted into the academy. Until a week ago when Master Oogway gave him the chance.

"I know is just…"

"Yes?" Po found Mr Ping looking at him waiting for a deeper explanation.

"I don't think…I …" Po couldn't do it. He couldn't say to his father that his idols thought of him as an idiot, a useless fur ball or merely a cook.

"Oh, Po. This is your dream. Is what you've been waiting for far too long, I've seen you dreaming about this and trying to get a chance." Po's dad put a wing on his son's arm.

"I know dad. But it's just…difficult."

Mr Ping wasn't a fool; he knew Po was keeping something up. Mainly because the goose didn't think there was something in this world capable of making Po back down on his decision to study Kung Fu.

"Po, this is something you have to decide for yourself. No one can make you do things you don't want to." Mr Ping smiled softly at his son before patting his paw softly. "Now, stand up and go for a walk. Then when you're back I'll have all your favorite food."

Po nodded his head and decided to follow his father's advice. He really didn't want to stop his training, but if he was honest with himself there hasn't been any kind of training but opportunities for the Mastersto wipe the floor with him.

Deciding that a stroll wasn't such a bad idea Po left his father and went down the Valley to the small, secret clearing he liked to spend his time in.

Tigress hadn't been in this part of the forest in a long time. Not since…since, Tai Lung left.

She walked around the clearing, her eyes looking for the tree the both of them used to train with. Moving closer to the river she found it. There were marks of claws all around it along with the character for tiger. As soon as she touched it memories of a long time ago invaded her mind. Much like her dreams, she saw herself and Tai Lung training, talking, laughing…

Letting her paw slid down slowly she turned around and sat under the shadow of the tree. Crossing her legs and putting her arms in front of her in a meditative stance, Tigress closed her eyes and started meditating.

She really needed something to take her mind off of any kind of thought regarding Tai Lung or the Panda or the both of them.

Tigress was pretty conscious there were things more important that the panda or other distractions. Master Shifu had been pretty rough on their training, not only to discourage the panda but also to prepare them for future attacks. The death of two of the Grand Masters and members of the High Council weren't something people were taking lightly. There was something else to this attacks and the rest of the Masters were starting to act against it.

Most of them were at the expectative of Master's Oogway final word. He was the only one who could decide who should be chosen as the Dragon Warrior. Tigress felt her body tingle at the thought of maybe her being the legendary warrior. Tigress opened her eyes growling lowly. She had already passed for this, she wouldn't fool herself again. Last time had been painful enough.

Resting her back against the tree, Tigress puffed tiredly as she put a paw on her eyes. The last few nights had been hard on her; mainly because her dreams had turned out to be something…she couldn't decide if good or bad.

Like always, she was the main protagonist of the dreams, alongside with her there was this mysterious guy. Always making her feel things she didn't understand. As if that wasn't enough the guy had the most amazing eyes. Round, big and emotive with just the perfect shade of green. They were familiar and as Tigress opened her eyes they were looking right at her.

Po and Tigress looked at each other for a long time.

The Panda was wearing a perplex expression while Tigress own was changing into a more annoyed one.

"What are you doing here?" Po closed his mouth even more confused when the both of them spoke at the same time.

Tigress didn't seem to think twice as she stood up and started circling the Panda. "What are you doing here?"

"I…I…" Po stuttered not really knowing how to answer before Tigress pushed him with her paw. "I asked you a question, Panda. Answer me!"

"I usually come here to…think." Mumbled Po as he saw the murderous looked Tigress sent his way.

"Yes, well, this is MY place so leave." For a moment Po's eyes moved to the tree with the claw marks before turning her eyes back at Tigress.

"I know, Master Tigress. But…This is also my place."

"So? I don't care." Po frowned crossing his arms.

"Yes, well, I care because I came here to think." Po tilted his head. "Maybe you can think over there and I can think here. That way we both can share this part of the woods."

"This is great!" exclaimed Tigress annoyed poking Po hard on his chest. "First you get in my way while fighting bandits, then you try to act like a stupid hero, then you go to the Palace and pretend you can even train the way we do and now you want to take my spot for meditation."

"Whoa, wait a sec!" exclaimed Po back caressing his chest as he glared at Tigress who glared back. "I didn't exactly save you or want to behave like a hero! I was just…it was an accident and totally out of my control!"

Tigress huffed but Po continued, this time he pushed Tigress much to the Master's surprise. "And I went to the Palace only because I thought it would be amazing to be beside you and …and train and maybe get to know you! The greatest Master in all China! But now I think you…you're just a…a mean and pretty ugly person!"

She didn't know why it hurt so much. Why her heart seemed to just contract at his words and the way he was looking at her. She gulped and for a moment it seemed she had been defeated. Then, without warning, her eyes narrowed and she launched herself at Po.

Po didn't know how exactly the situation turned into this one. He was only trying to talk, but something about him seemed to always bother Master Tigress. But whatever it was he sure needed to find out soon enough or the Master would finish him on really soon.

For Tigress this was confusing. She had been a Kung Fu Master most of her life and yet this Panda was able to block and parry some of her moves. As the fight kept up their movements turned into a full training mode without either of them noticing.

Po would turned just in time while hit with his right for Tigress to block and counterattack. Their eyes would met once in a while but Tigress would always be the first one to break the contact, usually her attacks were more brutal after those little moments and Po had to do anything to not get seriously hurt.

This was absurd, for Tigress this couldn't be possible. The fighting style, the way he moved, his eyes and his expression it was all too familiar. She knew she had been like this before.

"Ugh!" Going down and stretching her leg she made Po trip with her leg and fall on his back. In less than a minute she was on top of him. Her paws with claws out squeezing the Panda's shoulder. Both of them breathing hard looking into each other's eyes.

The breeze of the afternoon caressing their fur while their faces seemed to be just a few inches away. Tigress was totally lost in these eyes, in the strange feeling in her chest area. The feeling of a hundred butterflies moving wildly in her stomach.

Without thinking she leaned forward under the terrified gaze of Po who didn't know what to do or how to react when Tigress lips brush softly, teasingly…tentatively above his.

It was electrifying, the mere touch of both their lips. A small contact that soon enough made Tigress opened her eyes and realized what she had done.

She was gone before Po could do or say anything.

She ran as fast as her legs and arms could take her. And Po stayed there thinking what the hell had happened.

(Edited 26/09/11 by LardBucket)

So, how was it? Opinions, suggestions, critics and comments are very welcome!