Feed a starving hobbyist. Will write more for a review…

Thanks again to KFP Reviewer, who has helped me to realize the fear of Tigress being off-character. I have something planned for it, though. Look forward to that in later chapters, assuming all goes well and they get written.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kung Fu Panda or any of its characters, music, logos, etcetera. This is just for fun. This fanfiction is just that – fiction - and any resemblance to real people or places in real life is coincidental.

LOVE DRUNK

Chapter 4

As he sat in peaceful meditation, Oogway suddenly remembered something and frowned. Two weeks have passed since the arrival of Xiangmao and his students, and thus two weeks since Oogway asked Idaten to see his new skills at his scroll. Every time he asked the boy about it, he was busy. It took the old master until now to realize that the boy was putting it off very discreetly. The child was very nervous about the whole thing, and who wouldn't be? It's not every day that the person who created kung fu asks to see your skill at it.

As he got up from his meditation, he decided that now would be the time to analyze the boy's abilities. After all, Xiangmao announced that because of the terrible weather conditions, and the approaching signs of an early winter, they would be leaving the next day. The children had all planned to head into the village below for dinner, so he wanted to catch them before they departed.

He left the Sacred Hall of Warriors, wondering where the boy could possibly be. Though he may appear to know everything, the old master's time was winding down, and things came to him much slower and in fewer amounts than before. Looking around for Idaten could take forever, as there were many places on the grounds that he could be staked out at. He decided he'd ask someone that would know: Tigress. And he knew exactly where she was.

The training hall was nearly empty, much to Oogway's surprise, until he saw the sun directly above the earth and assumed they were all at lunch. That was when he heard the sound of splintering wood. He walked inside the hall and saw Master Xiangmao and Tigress. This didn't surprise him any. Xiangmao specialized in teaching Tiger style, and Shifu probably asked him to take some alone time with her to give her some pointers and help improve her style. It's not like she needed it, as just two weeks ago she became the first person to ever break one of the Swinging Clubs of Instant Oblivion. She didn't just break it, either. She made mulch out of it. Tigress eagerly accepted the extra help, constantly striving to be better, which also made Oogway frown.

Her insufferable need to improve, to become better and better until she simply can't progress anymore, then move onto something else. Almost like a virus, coming in and depleting the wonder of a technique by learning it quickly and effortlessly, then moving on to something else. The characteristics matched someone else. It almost hurt to say his name…

Tai Lung.

As Oogway observed Tigress and her progress in the arts since she arrived here from the Bau Gu Orphanage, he saw many similarities between the two felines. For one, they were both naturals at kung fu, and spent all of their time doing it. He also saw that they learned techniques easily, mastered them quickly, and performed them flawlessly. Oogway was almost certain that she would become the second student of Shifu's to master all 1000 Scrolls of Kung Fu. And, like Tai Lung before her, it wouldn't be enough for Tigress. Perhaps the most apparent, and most disturbing character flaw of Tai Lung's that Oogway painfully agreed that Tigress shared was why they did it. They did it for a sign of gratitude, a sign of appreciation, a sign of approval from their master. More importantly than that, they did it because they wanted him to show them something he never had before: love, like only a father could give.

Not to mention the fact that they were both stubborn, mean, persistent, and impossible to dissuade once they set their mind to something.

Oogway kicked himself of these silly ponderings and cognitive ramblings to approach Tigress in the hall. She bowed to him, fist in palm, and greeted him the way Shifu taught. Oogway simply smiled, and waited for her to rise up to a stand before continuing with his question.

"Idaten? Last I saw, he's down at the Battle Arena practicing with the bear."

That was perfect for Oogway, a chance to see the boy practice his style without making him nervous. He thanked a very confused Tigress quickly before hobbling as fast as his old legs could carry him down to the Battle Arena.

"Are you sure you're ready?" asked Medvèd.

"Never more so than now," replied a confident Idaten.

"All right…" Medvèd struck out with insane speed and strength, swinging his great paws at Idaten in a blinding fury of brown fur. You could almost hear his claws tearing apart imaginary flesh, making small enough chunks to be used at the noodle shop in-town. Idaten had no trouble dodging these strikes, much to Medvèd's surprise. After an attempt to bring his large paw down on top of Idaten's head failed, frustration clouded his senses after Idaten reached out and playfully slapped Medvèd's head with a lackadaisical, almost intoxicated movement.

The fight continued, Medvèd striking with furious speed and strength, but never once landing a hit. Idaten would dodge, duck, block, push away, and once he even just fell over to avoid a hit, all the while counterattacking quite effectively. Medvèd had never seen this technique before, and was stunned with the ease Idaten defended with, and the precision he attacked with. He was completely in awe, as was Master Oogway, who seemed to come out of nowhere, smiling and clapping.

Idaten was shocked. Had the old tortoise watched him? Quickly, his face got red beneath his fur, and he searched for a way out. Seeing none, he decided it was time to face the old master.

"Well done, my boy, well done!" Oogway finally reached the floor and the two boys, where Medvèd stood winded, and Idaten stood numb. "I had no idea you were so proficient in that scroll!"

To tell the truth, neither did Idaten. He practiced the scroll out of sight of everyone, and not even Master Xiangmao knew of his progress, nor did anyone else until now. Of course, Idaten's lack of self-confidence led him to believe he was bad, and not a soul could convince him otherwise.

"Thank you, Master," said Idaten with a quick bow," but I'm no good."

"Nonsense! That was the best display I've seen at your age for that style in many years. You have great potential to becoming a grand warrior."

Idaten marveled at the possibility of becoming great, or even just on par with his brother. "Really?"

"Certainly. Xiangmao will help you, as will your friends, I'm sure. Learning a style so rare as this definitely has its advantages, and earns approval from the martial arts community, no matter who is watching it. You could go on to master the fist form, and then possibly even to apply it to weapons…that would certainly be impressive to everyone, especially to Tigress…"

That was all he needed to hear.

The word echoed through the hall, and through the old master's head, like a firecracker going off right in your ear, and for the aging turtle, it hurt just as much: "Master!"

Oogway was not surprised to be disrupted from his meditation by his two former students. It happened so frequently during their youth that it almost felt at home to him now. Still, it had been a while since he had heard the two bickering, probably because Xiangmao had left the Jade Palace to start the Sān Zĭ Temple and School of Kung Fu. He almost regretted the two masters getting into contact. Returning his attention to their petty squabble, he believed he understood the basic idea of the argument. Apparently, they had gotten into an argument concerning their own students. Oogway sighed, then turned to face the two red pandas. "Yes?"

"Master," began Shifu, "I believe that the actions of Xiangmao's students are a negative influence toward mine."

"Oh?" said Oogway questioningly. "How so?"

"They aren't," snapped an obviously infuriated Xiangmao. "They just don't fit the mold of his perfect students."

"Xiangmao…" said Oogway with his soothing, sagely voice. Xiangmao immediately calmed down. "Now, Shifu…tell me what you feel is wrong."

His response was short and simple. "Daichi." This was met by an angered growl from Xiangmao.

"What has Daichi done?" asked Oogway questioningly.

"Well, nothing yet…but I worry that his and his brother's attitude will mislead my students and they will abandon the teachings we raised them with."

"That's utter bullshit!" Xiangmao's outburst was sudden, and erupted throughout the Hall of Warriors as if it were the voice of a displeased thunder god. "You can't blame Daichi or Idaten for something you think could happen."

Again, Oogway said his name, and Xiangmao's rage was abandoned out of respect for his master.

"Continue," said Oogway calmly to Shifu.

"The young one," continued Shifu, "is my greatest concern. He spends most of his free time with Tigress, and I simply do not want my prized student to be subject to such behavior."

Xiangmao was furious. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe your 'prized' student would start acting that way of her own will?"

"Did it ever occur to you," countered an equally furious Shifu, "that if you had raised your students correctly, this debacle would not be necessary?"

"They are just my students," said Xiangmao coldly. "They are not my children. It is not my responsibility to raise them!"

"You house them, do you not? They live with you, so it is your duty to bring them up as you see fit!"

"I house them only because they all wanted to be, or are foreign by scores of travel-days, or effectively orphaned by disownment!"

Oogway considered himself a patient tortoise and a calm soul, but it was at that point that he decided he had heard about all he cared to hear from the two. Timing it so it'd slip in between their exchange of put-downs and slanders, he uttered a forceful 'enough,' which stopped both masters of kung fu dead in their tracks. He paused while the noisy echoes escaped into silence, and all was quiet. He then spoke.

"I can see Shifu's point…" began Oogway. A faint smile started to form on Shifu's lips. "…but, Shifu, have you talked to any of Xiangmao's boys?"

The smile disappeared from Shifu's face. "Of course, Master."

"Which ones?"

"I spoke with Daichi earlier today while I trained with him. As I said, his attitude and the language with which he speaks are absolutely atrocious."

"Who else?"

"I spoke to the bear earlier in the week. He had little to say. I attempted conversation with the wolf, but he just outright refused to speak."

"And what about Idaten?"

Shifu seemed confused. "Who?"

"The younger tiger. The one who spends his time with Tigress. You 'greatest concern.'"

"Oh," replied Shifu, realizing who Oogway meant. "Him. Of course."

Xiangmao contained a low growl within his throat. How could Shifu accuse his students of foul behavior when he didn't know them, or even ever talk to them? Daichi, he could understand, but Idaten? The two were so different, and Xiangmao knew more than anyone that Idaten was nothing like his brother. He only hoped Oogway knew this as well.

"Well?" inquired Oogway as he waited for Shifu's lengthy pause to end.

Shifu looked down. "No, Master. I have not."

"No?"

"I have had little opportunity."

"Nonsense, you just never wanted to. And if that truly is the case, then how can you be so sure that he behaves how you fear he does?"

"I…I cannot be sure, Master."

"I know for a fact, Shifu, that Idaten is very much unlike his older brother, because I have talked to Idaten myself, and because I have seen his future in numerous visions since his arrival." Xiangmao was relieved to find that his master believed in Idaten the same as he did. Oogway continued, "talk to him, and I believe you will see the same. You are both dismissed."

The two bowed in perfect unison, a resonant "thank you, Master" escaping each of their lips. Shifu turned and left the Sacred Hall of Warriors, but Xiangmao was compelled to stay, compelled to ask. Xiangmao had always been interested in the future, intrigued by the unknown. He'd always marveled at how visions of what could be come to Oogway. Many a time had he experienced Oogway's future-tellings before, in his youth. He'd let his own imagination determine what the future may hold, usually…but Oogway knew the truth, and Xiangmao needed to know, too.

"Master?" asked Xiangmao softly.

"Yes, my friend?" Oogway was already deep in meditation, but not so deep that he could not carry on a conversation, apparently.

"You said about your vision involving Idaten. I just wanted to know-"

"-what becomes of him in the future."

Having Oogway finish his sentence for him startled Xiangmao, even if only a little.

"Yes, Master."

"I suppose you wouldn't be such a great master if you weren't concerned about your student enough to ask." The old master turned to face his student, a sad look upon his face as he looked to the floor. "From what I already understand, his childhood thus far has been plagued with many sadnesses."

"I suppose so," said Xiangmao, thinking of how Idaten's parents disowned him for wishing to study kung fu under Xiangmao. He knew that something wasn't right about that. How could someone disown their own child, which they gave birth to and tended to for so long, just for something like that? Xiangmao could not even understand how hard it must be for a child in Xiangmao's position. Those parents are all the child knew for their entire life, and to just cast them off to learn how to live by themselves prematurely? It seemed cruel…inhumane, torturous even.

"Unfortunately, he has not seen the last of them. More will come in waves to the boy, especially in early adulthood. He will, however, experience happiness at time between the dark times, to remind him of the light, and restore his will to move on."

Xiangmao was stunned by this news. "What will become of him?"

"That," said Oogway, "is up to him. Try to influence him more."

"What do you mean, Master?"

"Apart from his brother, who rarely takes an interest in him, the boy has no family at all. I'm asking you to be a father to him, Xiangmao. Perhaps if you do, there will be hope for his soul, and in the end, it can be saved…"

Xiangmao was clueless as to what Oogway meant by that last bit. Hope for his soul? What would happen? Would he turn evil? Become possessed? Die? What?

"I don't understand, Master…hope for his soul? What do you mean? Save his soul from what?"

Oogway looked straight into Xiangmao's eyes with a look so horrifying, Xiangmao saw it for weeks afterward. He wasn't expecting what he heard next.

"His brother."

Idaten barely could touch his food. As he sat by the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom, he wondered how he could accomplish progressing in a style that nobody could show him. He followed the diagrams and illustrations on the scroll, but they could only show him so much. The words were needed. But that was impossible for him.

Since he couldn't eat, he decided he'd go find his brother. Meandering across the training grounds and coming up completely unsuccessful, he went back to the guesthouse to ask Master Xiangmao if he knew where Daichi was. Idaten found not his tiny master there, but his brother, doing the last thing he expected Daichi to be doing during the perfect training hours of the daylight: writing.

"Hello, brother," said Idaten as he strolled across the room to Daichi's spot behind the desk. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing, Idaten," said Daichi distractedly. "Just writing a letter." Daichi was focused solely on the letter, and didn't even look away from the letter to dip his brush in the ink. Instinct just guided his brush to the bottle, and allowed him to continue writing effortlessly.

"Who is it you're writing to?" asked Idaten, puzzled.

Daichi broke his gaze from the letter only for a moment to turn and look at Idaten with an irritated look on his face. "Can't you tell?"

Idaten looked at the recipient on the parchment, and squinted. He shook his head to signify he didn't know.

Daichi sighed and turned back around in his seat. "This letter is addressed to Mama and Baba, Idaten.

Idaten felt his heart drop into his stomach. He hadn't realized it, but today was the anniversary of what he called 'The Occurrence.' It was the seventh anniversary, to be exact, of Idaten's father literally throwing him outside of their house. He remembered it well…perhaps too well.

Idaten ran from the guesthouse, feeling sick, like he was going to throw up. Thinking of that time in his life was a terrible crime to him, and he was going to punish his rebellious thoughts with more training and hard qigong. No matter how much he hated it, the thoughts and memories just kept coming, forcing him to engage in torturous reminiscences. It was just one of those things that saddened him, that made him feel that life was sometimes not worth living. No family to love him, no talent in the one thing he spent his entire life working on, and no approval from his brother just made him hate waking up, and beg for sleep every night that rarely ever comes.

Recently, however, he has found a new light. Actually, as of two weeks ago, he has found a new light, in the form of a new friend. He ran into her, quite literally, on the way out of the guesthouse, both of them falling over and into the soft grass. Her laugh made him forget all the sadness, all the regret, all the hatred and rage and fear he had accumulated over the years. As they sat there in the grass, laughing and teasing each other, he looked at her face, and all the negative energy he felt just…melted away. All the thanks went to this new light.

Her name was Tigress. She was every reason why he woke up now, every reason why he longed to dream at night. And there was one thing he knew for sure…

He'd fight to the death for that.

Well, as before, you know what to do. Review, review, review! Then wait, wait, wait! Then read the next chapter, chapter, chapter! The next one will be better, better, better!

I promise.