Chapter nine: Haunt
-What happened...?- Shifu asked
-I...almost...died...- Tigress said still struggling to talk
-B-but... how?- Po asked, he was also desperate for an answer, and his concern grew more and more.
They helped her stand, although she needed to hold onto one of Po's shoulders to avoid falling to the ground -I-I was...dreaming a-and then...- Tigress began to tell what had happened in that dream, what she had seen and her near-death experience. She had already calmed down, but she was sure she wouldn't sleep tonight, or the following nights ... safe
-Hm...Interesting- Shifu said, stroking his beard with two fingers, the thought for a few seconds, until Po asked a question -Tigress...Do you ever had nightmares before?- Shifu turned to Po in surprise, as if the panda read his mind. Shifu had the same question, although he knew that the answer would be obvious.
-Yes ... but none of them had been like this one- Tigress answered, her eyes were lost in remembering the nightmare, maybe that's why she didn't pay attention to what Master Shifu said.
-Tigress?- Shifu asked, trying to gain her attention again, he managed to receive an apology from her, so he continued. -We must check the lists of criminals, there may be some that we have overlooked, that can really be a danger- He stated, making some questions arise in Tigress, so she asked -Do you think it's someone else who's doing this to me?-
-Well...If you were not able to dream of someone of such features and details, then it wasn't you and someone else did- Shifu answered, that made him think more about what could be happening with her daughter. -But who? I'm the last of my kind, and what I saw there was a tiger- Tigress said moving her hands, alluding to the myth that there are no more tigers in China, -Maybe you were the last known of your kind, until now- Po's comment made her reconsider what had been believed for years, that she was the only one.
-Perhaps, and if you'll excuse me, I'll go to meditate about it, Po stay with her- Master Shifu vanished from the room as he said the word "meditate", it looked like he wanted to start checking those lists as soon as possible.
-And I will meditate too- Tigress stated, while she began to sit in the floor and put her legs in the lotus position, this stunned the panda -What?! You're not going to sleep?-
-You know that I can't rest after what happened- what Tigress said was a little right, but he wasn't going to let her be deprived of sleep, so he started trying to convince her. Each attempt resulted in a "no" from Tigress
-A-And if I sleep with you?- Po proposed an idea before giving up -U-uh I don't think it's a good idea Po, just leave it like that- the idea was a little crazy for her, since she had little physical contact with others.
-But...Master Shifu ordered me to stay with you- Po brought an excuse to stay longer, he didn't want to leave her,knowing what happened and what could happen... and besides ... he couldn't disobey his master. Tigress began to look at Po to convince that it is wrong to sleep in her bed, because... it's hers, and Po began to look at Tigress so that he could stay, and care, for her.
After 1 minute of looks that seemed almost eternal, she gave in, but added her own conditions -Ok, we'll be in bed, but I will not sleep- Tigress's words were like orders, that, like it or not, he had to obey. She stood up and sat on the bed in a lotus position immediately afterwards Po sat on the bed, but slept on it, he didn't took long to stay fully asleep.
Hours passed, and Tigress was meditating in the middle of the night, where silence resembled peace, of course not everything is what it seems. Tigress twitched her ears, as if a sound was bothering her, minutes later she stopped meditating, and opened her eyes. She didn't find anything, but she heard something:
-I apologize for interrupting your sleep a few hours ago, but you left me no other option ...- The tiger that had showed up previously appeared in front of Tigress surprising her instantly, the tiger was just like in the dream... or nightmare, the only thing that was different was a peculiar glow around him, just like a ghost.
Tigress stayed still, but her face showed resentment -I didn't wanted your interview, besides...another option? I bet there were more options rather than "kill"- she replied, but the tiger ignored her and went to the panda was sleeping near Tigress.
-But I could not leave just like that, without giving a little announcement, which it is the cause of my visit - The tiger extended his paw, trying to stroke the soft fur of the panda, immediately, Tigress extended her paw to stop the arm of the stranger, whose presence made her uncomfortable -Don't you dare, or else you will regret it- she said almost snarling
-Are you threatening ME?- he said, emphasizing "me" as he pulled his paw -I call that a warning- Tigress answered, in that sentence the tiger noticed the strong character that Tigress had, and judging by his small smirk, he liked it.
-Leaving THAT aside, I must announce you that the day of your awakening will begin sooner than you think- he tells, raising his arms as he said his "little announcement"
-Awakening?- Tigress asked in her mind, very confused by what he said, and also wondered why she hadn't attacked him after all what he had caused.
-And when your true self rises, the connections you have with THESE will be lost, especially him- he said, pointing to the panda as he said "him", showing some hatred towards the "loved ones" that Tigress had, which infuriated her, and before she took action, the tiger faded; Tigress was about to stand up to find out what happened to him, but she felt something was holding her, someone: Po
-Still awake?- Po asked getting a "yes" from Tigress -C'mon ...rest... please- he began to plead, like a sleepwalker, Po didn't realize that he was holding her paw, Tigress was stunned by that, and slowly began to try releasing her paw -I'm doing this for your safety- Tigress tried to explain, but she was beginning to feel the effects of lack of sleep.
-Your health is worth more than my safety- Po placed his arms around her and slowly began placing her on the bed, Tigress felt tired, so she couldn't do anything but feel the fabric of the bed rubbing her fur.
-I wish it was otherwise- Tigress said in a weak tone, as she slowly closed her eyes and felt the warmth of the panda beside her.
/Author's notes/
Phew! Finally a new episode after all these weeks :P (I don't know why I named this chapter Haunt, or maybe I forgot why), I apologize for the constant repeating of "she" and "her" or "he" and "his" (sometimes doing a 3rd person story has it's disadvantages, y'know...) i hope that you like this episode, please review! and see you later ;)
Responding reviews:
Tigergirl717: I hope you like this chapter too
AlienHeart1915: XD ... Love your attitude... and thank you!
mastertigress444: Thank you!, Are you MasterTigress4444? the one who reviewed chapter 7? *just asking*
CoolPanda22: If by "romance" you mean't kisses and hugs...well no... sorry :'(
Guest: Thank you for your help! (I was very unsure about the rating)
Disclaimer: I do not own every single character I'm using in this chapter, but the creativity and the story is mine... :)
