Chapter Two: Promises

"Mommy, Daddy where are you?" Shadow asked looking around. She was not in her room but in a dark room. Sitting on a cold rough bed and was scared out of her mind. Getting up she tried to open the door but it was locked and there were bars on her windows. Tears formed but she fought them back. Looking out the window she saw leaving the gray building was her mom and dad. "Mom, Dad help me!" she called. They turned around but their words stung her heart.

"Sorry Shadow but we are leaving you at this orphanage," her dad said.

"We have our real child now so we don't want you anymore," her mom said.

"We are certain some other folks will take you in," her dad said.

"Good bye Shadow," her mom said and they disappeared down the pathway.

"Wait mom, dad, please don't leave me here!" Shadow yelled as tears fell from her face. Then she heard laughter and standing beneath her window was Rick.

"I tried to tell you, once the real kid is born the orphan is left at an orphanage," he called.

"Don't worry Shadow I will save you," Dreamer said as he tried to open the door but it disappeared. Then he tried to climb the wall but he couldn't and Shadow just cried in the darkened room.

She woke up sweating and seeing she was still in her room at the Jade Palace. Not in some horrible orphanage at least not for now. Then her door opened and a small candle appeared as it lit up her room. "Shadow you okay sweetie," her father asked as he sat on her bed. Her mother came in looking at her daughter with concern. Shadow ran into her dad's arms sobbing.

"Please don't send me to an orphanage please," she cried as her tiny body shook with fear.

"What? Why would you say such a thing honey?" Tigress asked her. She picked up Shadow and cradled her in her arms.

"I was so happy to be a big sister but a kid named Rick told me that since I wasn't really your daughter that once the new baby was born. You would get rid of me by sending me to an orphanage and I had a dream that you did," Shadow said still shedding tears. Po and Tigress exchanged worried looks at each other. Both their hearts breaking over what Shadow just said.

"You listen sweetie we would never ever get rid of you. Yes, we did adopt you but you will always be our daughter do you understand us?" Tigress asked her.

"We love you honey and nothing will ever change that," Po told her kissing her forehead. "You are our unexpected miracle and we are your parents never forget that," he added. Shadow let the words sink in but she was still scared. "Did you know me and your mommy were adopted?" Po asked her.

"Yes, Daddy you said Papa Ping adopted you and Grandpa Shifu adopted Mommy," Shadow said.

"That is right and they both loved us just like we love you. So, never think for one second we will ever get rid of you," Tigress said kissing her daughter's forehead. Shadow nodded and was tucked back into bed.

"We promise we will never get rid of you," her dad whispered as he kissed her cheek. Shadow knew her parents loved her and promised never to get rid of her but she was still scared.

Nine months later Shadow sat on the hospital bench in the waiting room on an early spring day. Her Mommy was about to have the baby and Shadow was going to be a big sister, Uncle Crane and Uncle Mantis were playing cards and Uncle Monkey kept looking at the window. Aunt Viper and Grandpa Shifu took turns pacing and then a nurse came in looking at Shadow. "Would you like to see your baby brother?" she asked Shadow. The young panther nodded and timidly went into the room. She immediately washed her paws and saw her mother lying in white bed looking exhausted.

"Hello sweetie," Tigress said to Shadow.

"Hi Mommy," Shadow said kissing her mom's cheek.

"Come here honey there is someone we want you to meet," her dad said holding a small blue bundle. Shadow looked down to see an orange ball of fur looking up at her with jade orbs. He had dad's black rings around his eyes with mom's ears and teeth. A round belly with white fur, had dad's stubby arms and legs but his claws were his mom's. A long orange tail with white streaks was curled on the side of the blanket. "This is your little brother Shadow," her dad said and he placed the bundle in her arms. Once Shadow and her brother's eyes met a spark was made and she felt an instant connection as her brother smiled at her.

"What should we name him honey, since he is your little brother we will let you name him," her mom told her. Shadow was honored by this and tried to think of a good name for her brother. He looked so cute and cuddly and his eyes glistened with a gentle soul. She knew the perfect name for her brother.

"His name is Acandan for it means gentle and that is what he has a gentle soul," Shadow said and the baby smiled liking the name. His parents smiled agreeing to the name. "Hello Acandan, I am Shadow your big sister and I promise to always protect you," she said and kissed his forehead as Acandan purred at his sister. From that moment on a true bond had formed between Shadow and Acandan forever.

Author's Note: Sorry it was so short but hoped you enjoyed this chapter and please review.