Chapter 7
It had been several hours since Po and Tigress came upon Song stumbling into the bamboo forest and for the most point; Tigress couldn't fathom what her game was. While they were busy looking and tending to the snow leopard's wounds she spent her time in her room, clutching on to her scroll, wondering what might have happened had she not fought so fiercely…had she not allowed her emotion get the best of her once again then maybe things would have played out differently and now she was facing a grave threat. What would Oogway and Shifu do if Song reveal she was once a member of a gang of pickpockets? She had been down this road before but never did the it seem so real.
"Uh Tigress?"
Po's voice caught her off guard, scarring to the point where she tossed the scroll between her hand until finally taking a firm grip on it, holding the roll of parchment close to her breasts. Turning her head, Tigress gazed upon the panda, and though she did mean to, her eyes narrowed, a frown on her lips.
Somehow able to sense her discomfort, Po took a step back, a sly grin upon his face. "Sorry, I just came by to let you know that Song has woken and is being brought before Oogway and Shifu in the Great Hall and they would like us to be there."
Tigress released a deep sigh. "Right, sorry Po, that does sound like a good idea," she paused to turn her eyes upon her scroll, something she believed to be one of her most valuable treasures. Wouldn't want her making off with any of the palace relics.
Placing her scroll on the bed, Tigress stood up, gave Po a solemn fist palm and made her way out, though as she past him, she felt Po's hand along her arm and her heart felt as though it were about to burst. Why do I have to feel this way about a man I can never have?
"I heard what happened this afternoon," he said, his voice level, though firm, which send a painful shudder down her back. "You know I have a life size version of wooden carving of Mantis I made when I was younger. Maybe you can paint it pink and dip it in perfume to make him think it's a female wanting to mate with him, bite off his head off and lay eggs down his throat."
Tigress found herself chuckling at the thought though her mood drifted back to how she lost control of her emotions which led to the fight in the first place. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Po replied his voice still hard, "Crane and the others acted harshly, unbecoming of what true kung fu warriors are to behave and I promise you that Shifu and I will deal with them. They have to see that regardless of your past you are a part of this team and be treated as such."
Tigress bit her lower lip, fighting the urge to cry. It was not that she was afraid of it, but she couldn't bring herself to do so in front of Po, the one person she cared for so dearly. After a few moments of silence, she brought her arms up to gently push away from Po and gave him a friendly smile.
Po returned the smile. "Good, now let's go see what this snow leopard has to say, maybe she can bring a bit of fun to all this boredom we been having lately."
The smile on Tigress's face vanished quickly replaced with a stern frown as she watched Po walk off. I highly doubt it.
Tigress stood before Grand Master Oogway and his step-father Master Shifu, standing firm and calm, though inside she was fuming, her eyes narrow as if in attempt to burn a hole through Song. Just what is she up to this time? She thought with a low growl. Song sat before the two masters, going on and on about her supposed quandary.
"I come from a family of acrobats, traveling from one village to another, performing our unique style to pay for our stay."
Yeah right, if anything it's to cover up for their acts of thievery.
"During one of our last performance, a stranger appeared with a terrible illness. The local healer attempted to treat the sickness but was unsuccessful, and the virus quickly spread throughout the village. Even my own sisters were stricken with the disease."
A slight shudder swept along Tigress's back. Even if such a thing weren't true, she would never wish for Su's clan to suffer such a fate.
"I and a few others were away from the village at the time tending to other matters so we were able to escape infection and when we learned what happened, we rushed off to find the cure."
"Interesting," Oogway said, "and how did you learn of this cure?"
Yeah Song, just how did you?
Song look a bit flustered for a moment running a hand along the side of her neck. "Well we stumbled upon a duck carrying a scroll, the poor thing was on death's door but was able to use the last of his strength to explain what happened and gave us this scroll," she pause to reach toward her bag.
Tigress's irises narrowed sharply and with swiftly darted from where she stood next to Po to snatch Song's wrist. The two of them just looked into each other eyes, Song held a look of surprise though Tigress could easily make out the signs of mocking and threatening to reveal their past relationship.
"Something wrong young Tigress," Master Oogway said drawing her attention.
"No Master," Tigress said calmly releasing her hold on Song who in return shook it several times.
"You've got quite a grip," Song said playfully smiling over at Tigress batting her eyes, "for someone so pretty."
Tigress responded only with a slight growl as she returned to her place.
Song then went back to her bag and revealed a small scroll, presenting it before the two temple masters. "This scroll pointed us to a large fort to the north of here where we could discover the cure for the disease."
Oogway took hold of the scroll, unclipped the lash to pull the parchment down. After looking it over for a moment he handed it back to Song with a slight hum. "I know of this place, it is indeed known for their great healers, though I am unsure why you would need help from us."
"Well you see when we went to the fort; we tried to explain what was going on but the village chief refused to hear us out and even went as far to attack and hunt us half way across his territory. Two of my clan members were caught, and I'm not strong or skilled enough get back in to rescue them," she paused to look about the room, "I really need help."
Tigress was not fooled for a moment. She knew full well that whatever this fort held was nothing more than another priceless relic to add to their ill-gotten collection. She was about to suggest she be tossed out, when she took note of Oogway's thoughtful and caring expression and as she cast her gaze to others, seeing their determine look she feared the slim chance that they might agree to her request.
Please don't.
"Of course we would be pleased to help," Shifu said addressing Song though his eyes drifted toward Tigress, "however most of our warriors are recuperating from a strenuous training exercise."
Tigress mood suddenly shifted and tore her eyes away from him.
"And will spend several more days of training in the hopes of mastering the finer points of respecting their fellow warriors."
Despite her misgiving, Tigress found herself smiling knowing she was completely to blame for what happened, but she still a ripple of shame flowing through her and knew she would for some time to come.
"Also Master Tai Lung will need to remain here to ensure the valley is well protected," Shifu resume, "so that leaves only young Master Po here to help you with this matter."
Tigress's gaze snapped back them. They wouldn't.
"Yes of course," Oogway commented. "Young Po, please join Miss Song in retrieving the means of aiding this afflicted village."
"No!"
All eyes turned to face Tigress, a look of confusion riddling their features.
"Tigress?" Po whispered in a hushed tone gently resting a hand along her shoulders.
Tigress shifted about in attempt to recover from her awkward position. "Sorry, what I meant to say is that Po shouldn't travel alone. If this place is as deadly as Song claims then he'll need all the help he can get."
"You have a point young Tigress," Oogway said running a long finger about his face. "Yet as Shifu stated, Crane and his team are unable to travel and Tai Lung will be needed here…which only leaves you my dear."
A look of shock form on her face. "Me?"
"Absolutely," Shifu offered, "you can provide additional support for Po and in return he can continue your training. As I understand he was the one who first began your understand of kung fu."
Tigress cast her gaze upon Po seeing the sly grin and slight pink hue along his cheeks. Secretly she would love nothing more than to travel with Po even if it was only a mission; however the idea that Song would be joining them kind of ruined the whole experience as it filled her with a sense of fear and dread.
"With permission Masters," Po said drawing Tigress's attention, "I would like to prepare for the journey."
Shifu gave the panda a solemn nod to which Po returned with a fist palm bow and made his way out the back door to the Great Hall.
"Young Tigress?"
Tigress tore her gaze away from the door where Po disappeared to turn her focus on the ancient turtle, "Yes Grand Master?"
"Would you please show Miss Song—"
"Please," Song said in a playful voice, "it's just Song."
Oogway nodded calmly. "Very well, kindly show Song to where she can freshen up and provide her with new clean set of clothing."
Not a chance. Tigress wanted to say with more unsavory word choices, but knew it would be the highest point of rudeness and disloyalty toward her own master and step father, so with a similar fist palm bow, doing her best to maintain a warm friendly smile, Tigress turned her gaze upon the snow leopard with eyes hiding a layer of burning rage and spoke in a low voice, "Please follow me."
Song returned her gaze with a charming smile. "It would be my pleasure," she said standing so that they looked each other in the eye, and as she did, Tigress could see the same burning hatred in the snow leopard's eyes knew she was plotting something.
Maybe it was good thing she was traveling with Po, at least this way she'd be able to keep a very close eye on this thief.
