Chapter 4: An Old Fear

Tigress was still suspicious of Aidan. She didn't know why she cared so much about this lioness's connection to Po. Maybe she was a bit jealous that Po kept this from her and knew if he did he would have a good reason. But not telling her, his girlfriend did hurt her just a bit. Still maybe she was reading too much into this. Maybe that story of Po finding Aidan in the woods and her just wanting to be left alone was the full story. Aidan didn't seem like any kind of threat so maybe she and Po were telling the truth. Tigress began to believe it till later that night when Aidan was put to sleep. Po bought Aidan some new tunics mostly black since Aidan liked black or a deep purple or green. They were putting some of Aidan's stuff in her room which was mostly her staff and cloak. The only thing she had was wooden figurine of a panda that Po made her to calm her at night. The panda looked like Po for Aidan said she wanted something to remind her of him when he couldn't physically be there for her. Po was more than happy to make it for her and gave it to her as a birthday present. He had no idea when her birthday actually was so they decided to make it the day he found her in the woods. Po placed Aidan in her new bed and said they could find some things to place on the walls later. He stroked her fur and kissed her forehead. "Good night sweetie," Po said softly. Since they were alone or at least they thought they were alone Aidan smiled back.

"Night Daddy Po," Aidan said as Tigress hiding in the shadows ears perked up when she heard those words escape Aidan's mouth. Po blew out her candle and Tigress hid in her room so Po wouldn't see her and saw him go into his room. Aidan snuggled under her sheets as her eyes drooped and sleep took her. Then Tigress suspicions were proven as Aidan began to dream. The child trapped in the fire reminded Aidan of the first time she had to set something on fire and how it frightened her.

I was in the woods outside his castle. Guards stood behind us to protect us as he knelt down so he was eye level with me. Since I was three I had been training to use my gift according to him to protect my home and myself. In reality he was just seeing how powerful I truly was. At first it was simple things like lighting torches, forming fireballs in my paws, and walking through fire itself. Now he wanted me to set something on fire. A huge oak tree stood before me and he said", Okay Aidan dear I want you to burn this tree as fast as you can." I nodded thinking nothing of it and a tensed up my paw as I felt the heat forming in my paw. A flame appeared soon forming into a red and orange ball. I threw the ball at the tree as the flames from what I could hear were happily eating away. "Good job Aidan dear, I am proud of you," he said placing a paw on my shoulder squeezing it gently smiling proudly down at me. I smiled for I thought I did something good. Until I saw them in the tree, a family of birds who lived in the tree I just set on fire. They were blue as I saw the father bird and the mother bird flying frantically over their nest. Then I saw the baby bird chirping frantically. His tiny wings could not carry him yet and the flames would eat him.

My eyes went wide with fear as I shouted ", No stop eating, please stop!" The flames heard my plea and they soon vanished and the baby bird was spared. Before he could stop me I climbed what was left of the tree and moved the baby and the nest somewhere safe. The parents were happy but I felt horrible. I could have killed the baby and never would have known it. I climbed back down and faced a very angry him.

"Aidan, why did you stop? Set that tree back on fire this instant!" he yelled his face getting red.

"But Daddy, there was a family in that tree I could have killed them," I explained showing tears.

"Oh grow up and toughen up they are just stupid birds now set that tree back on fire!" he barked.

"But what if that was a house with another family of villagers I would have killed them," I said trying to get him to see reason.

"Who cares you use your gifts how I say now set that tree on fire!" he yelled his face now red.

"No, I won't!" I yelled back. Then I felt the sting of his paw on my face as I fell to the ground.

"Take her to the dungeon till she learns to be an obedient daughter," he said. I cried as I was taken away. Then at the tender age of nine I realized my so called father didn't see me as a daughter but as a weapon.

Tigress heard Aidan talking in her sleep saying," No, I won't do it. There are innocent, please don't make me". Who was she talking too? Tigress wondered. Aidan was sweating as she tossed and turned till Po came out and Tigress hid in her room but left the door open a crack. Po gently woke Aidan out of her nightmare and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her.

He rocked her as he sang," How I love my little Aidan, sweet and precious little Aidan. Honest to goodness I do. Honest to goodness I do". Aidan had her head on Po's chest as her facial expression changed from scared to calm and relax. Now Tigress felt a bit jealous and knew she was right. Aidan was hiding something. She did something to someone and wondered what. She didn't know but knew she had to find out for what if the girl did whatever she did to whoever she was talking to, to Po. Tigress would find out Aidan's secret so she could keep Po safe for Aidan was not normal and whatever she did scared her. Tigress just didn't know how special she was nor of the evil that was hunting her. But soon she would and it would take more than Po's love for Aidan to protect her from the darkness that wanted to swallow her up.

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.