Chapter 7: Kindred Spirits

Kat wiped away the last remaining tear as she scolded herself for every doing it. Ever since her dad died she never shed a tear after that. She had to be brave for her mom and had to comfort her. Remembering that night brought all that pain back and as much as she fought it she felt the tears falling down her face. This whole thing was messed up. One minute she is jamming with her friends in their garage preparing for the big Fourth of July celebration. Next minute she is in a world where animals talk and walk on two legs. Being befriended by a panda, tiger, snake, monkey, mantis and a well whatever animal Master Shifu was. Got chased by a silver fox who wanted this stupid amulet, almost getting fried by a fire and she still had no idea how to get home. Now Kat could only handle so much but this was one thing she could not. When she felt like this she did the only thing she could do and that was write.

Going into her room she grabbed a notebook and began to write. Kat hadn't written in years. She used to love writing ever since her mom taught her how to read and her dad taught her how to write. That was her dream to become a writer. She would make up stories about her and her friends being turned into butterflies or birds. Just silly stories that made people laugh. But ever since her father was killed, all that went away. Kat's writing turned dark and scary as she wrote about her father's death. Then when she turned about eleven maybe twelve she just stopped writing. But her mom insisted she carry a journal with her just in case Kat needed to write and right now was that time.

While Kat was writing the others were in the dining hall while Zane, the goose page watched over Kat behind her door. "So, what do we do to cheer up Kat?" Monkey asked. Looking around he saw sad faces.

"I don't know when she asked me if Shifu found anything about the amulet and when I said no it was like her soul was crushed," Viper said frowning.

"Well what do you expect she comes from a different world, was chased by a fox, and has no idea if she is even getting back home," Mantis said.

"That is ridiculous Master Shifu will find a way to get Kat home," Tigress said firmly.

"I agree with Tigress, Master Shifu is well a master he will find a way to get Kat home," Po said firmly making Tigress blush for he quickly took her side.

"And what if he doesn't find a way to get her home? What if Kat is stuck here permanently?" Crane asked nervously.

"Then she will stay here one of us will adopt her and teach her Kung Fu if she wants to learn," Tigress stated crossing her arms. She of all people knew what it was like to be different to want to have a family and to be unwanted. If Kat was going to be here forever; then she would become part of their family. Tigress just felt a need to protect the girl maybe it was because of Po melting her heart or how Kat reminded her of a younger version of herself. Quiet, determined, aloof, and smart. Whatever the reason she would let Kat know she was welcomed here.

"I don't think Master Shifu will allow that I mean would he?" Crane asked.

"Of course he will even he wouldn't turn Kat away and if he did my dad would take Kat in he loves kids and Kat could be a waitress and chef heck I can teach her how to cook," Po said smiling.

"Excuse me Masters," Zane said coming in to the room.

"Zane what are you doing here, you are supposed to be guarding Kat," Tigress said sharply.

"Apologies but Kat requested that I not follow her to the restroom but the reason why I am here is that Kat was writing something and whatever she was writing made her cry. I found this notebook and I only read a sentence or two and I think you guys should read it," he said in a worried tone.

"Let me see it," Tigress said as Zane handed her the notebook. She felt wrong about going through Kat's things but maybe if they read it they could figure out what made Kat so upset so she began to read out loud what Kat had written.

Hey journal it is me again. I know it has been a while but I need to write this one out. I am in a world where animals talk and walk on two legs. Tigers don't eat pandas but noodles and dumplings. I made some new friends even a snake named Viper which is odd because I had a fear of snakes. Anyways besides that and being chased by a silver fox who wanted an amulet I wear around my neck that brought me here to this land. That is not the reason I am writing again no I had that dream again. I guess running from that fox in an alleyway and being scared brought it all back. I had the dream where I saw my father being murdered. I was walking down the alleyway with him and I saw the two men.

My dad rushing to help the gray haired man getting beat up by the dark haired man and then it happened. My dad thought he was a hero but it was a setup the two men planned this attack so they could rob my father. I saw the gray haired man spot me from behind the trash can and he tried to tell his partner not to shoot. But it was too late and then I saw my dad fall to the ground as I screamed out at him running over to him. Then the dark haired man pointed his gun at me but the grayed haired man stopped him. I looked up at him and asked "Why?" My dad helped him so why would he shoot him? All he said was", Sorry" and ran away leaving me alone in the dark with my dead father. I wanted to forget that night but I guess I never will. I don't know what will happen now but I do know I will get back home to my mother. For I am not leaving her like dad did for he had no choice when he left us but I do and I am coming home.

The Five and Zane were all in tears when they finished reading the notebook. They couldn't believe it and the tears continued. "Hey guys have you seen my notebook?" Kat asked but stopped dead when she saw Tigress's holding it. Kat's face went pale and then her eyes flamed with anger. In one quick swipe she grabbed her notebook and glared at all of them. "How dare you read my notebook? This is for my eyes only that was private you had no right to read it! I can't believe you all I thought we were friends!" Kat screamed as she glared at all of them.

"Don't be mad at them Ms. Kat it was my fault I saw you writing and while you were writing you were shedding tears. I wanted to see why you were so unhappy so I brought the Masters the notebook as you called it so they could see what was bothering you. It was wrong and I am so ashamed I just wanted to help," Zane said shedding tears looking away from Kat. Now Kat felt bad as she tried to cool her temper.

"It is alright I am sorry for yelling to all of you. But this notebook is for only me to read ever since my father died I wrote only about his death and how I felt no one was supposed to see it. So, please don't touch my stuff. I know you want to help but I have been dealing with this by myself for five years and I don't need any one's help. So, please just let me handle this alone," Kat said trying to remain calm. She knew they wanted to help but this was her battle not theirs even her friends never mentioned her dad or tried to get her to talk about it. Kat handled things alone when it came to her dad. It was just something she always did and as she walked away Tigress spoke up.

"I know how you feel," Tigress said.

"What?" Kat asked.

"I know how you feel angry, sad, scared I felt those things all my life until I hated having emotions," Tigress said.

"You feel like you have to put on a mask so people will never see your pain," Po said.

"Prove to people you can be a somebody," Monkey said.

"Show them you can be strong," Mantis said.

"Make them believe you are not weak," Viper said.

"Show the world what you can do even though the odds are against you," Crane said. Kat was shocked for she had felt that way all her life. These warriors must have gone what she gone through.

"Kat if we tell you our stories will you tell us yours?" Tigress asked.

"You may think you are alone but you are not," Po said.

"We are your friends," Mantis said.

"We can be your family," Viper said.

"We can help you fight your darkness," Monkey said.

"But you got to let us in," Crane said.

"Okay but can I write your stories down so I will never forget them," Kat asked. They all nodded and sat on the floor as Zane went to make some tea as the Five revealed their stories to Kat and she would reveal her story to them.

Author's Note: In the next chapter I will reveal the Five's stories and if I can Kat's I may add some things to the Five's stories so be prepared and don't worry Mario will warn Kat soon. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.