A/N: Hey guys! I should have pointed this out earlier, but this is after KFP 3.

So I'm placing this story fifteen years after the events of the first movie. That means in five years, 1,2, and 3 all happened.

I promise, this does matter, because it pertains to this chapter. ANYWAYS enjoy!

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Fifteen years ago (A/N: See, I told you)

Tigress should have known that there was no such thing as peace in the Jade Palace anymore, but that didn't stop her from trying to read scrolls in the empty kitchen.

She was content just sitting there in silence, skimming Oogway's handwriting. That is, until a particular panda walked in.

"Hey, Tigress." He muttered, avoiding eye contact. Despite calling him Master after his fight with Tai Lung, there were still times when she found herself getting irritated at every little thing he said. Sure, she respected him, but she was still unsure if the Dragon Warrior title really belonged to him.

"Hello."

"I hope you don't mind. I still have to clean up from dinner." He gestured to the pot that housed leftover soup and the several dirty bowls that lingered in the sink.

"You're fine." She replied. Her eyes remained attached to the scroll, but the words she read didn't stick with her at all. It had been a struggle to focus all night. She sat back a bit with a frustrated sigh, one he thought was his fault.

"Sorry. I can leave." He went to dry his paws, but she stopped him.
"It's alright. I haven't been able to focus all night." She shrugged. "Do you need help?"

"Nah." He shook his head and grabbed a towel. "I'm done. I was going to make tea, though, for Shifu. You want some?"

"Sure." She replied with a small smile. He turned and grinned at her, excited by the prospect. He was still such a fanboy.

Once the tea had finished, he disappeared for a moment to take a cup to Shifu. Upon his return, he found a cup sitting on the counter waiting for him. Tigress had returned to her seat, and was trying again to read, but no such luck.

"Can I ask you something?" He sat carefully in the seat across from her. She raised her head and looked at him. "What's the Imperial City like?"

She frowned, wondering where the conversation was going. He was watching her, almost giddy. His green eyes were locked on her, waiting for her reply.

"Po, I haven't been since I was a child." She replied. She tried to be kind, but honestly she didn't remember. She was only fifteen and she was only there for one night. "Why do you ask?"

"Master Shifu thinks I'm ready to meet the Emperor." Her cup froze in mid-air, paws clasped around it tightly. "But I'm not really sure."

"I agree." She took a sip, swallowing her pride along with the tea. He just gaped at her.

"What?"

"I think you're ready-barring any bean bun contests." She was referring, of course, to their bean bun battle during lunch- a battle that ended with smashed bean buns all over the wall. "As long as you keep your head on straight and don't get too excited, you'll be fine."

He sat up straighter, still looking a bit dumbfounded. Of course, she was slightly jealous that he got to go. She had been when she was first made a Master, and that was a while ago. However, she trusted Shifu implicitly. If he believed Po was ready, than the panda was ready.

"Let me ask you something-" She cocked her head, watching him curiously. "If you hadn't become the Dragon Warrior, what would you have done? With your life, I mean."

"Well-" He thought for a moment. "-I would open a noodle shop in Shang Zi."

"Why?" She replied, amused.

"Because that's where they get have all the parties for the Emperor. Can you imagine? I've heard the festivals are extravagant!" he was suddenly excited, leaning forward.

"You would have become a noodle seller to watch festivals?" Tigress asked, drinking the last of her tea.

"Yeah, why not?" He shrugged. " Sounds like fun."

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Tigress bolted up so fast that the room started spinning. She was hot and sweaty, and her entire body ached.

"Tigress?" Had that been what woke her up? That voice? Her eyes whipped around until she found him, standing by the end of her bed with wide eyes.

"Shifu?" She sounded breathless, like she had just run a marathon. She was laying on a thick mat on the ground of a tent, and covered by a blanket. Someone had changed her clothing for her. She was wearing a loose-fitting shirt and black pants.

Shifu looked like he had seen a ghost. He walked over slowly until he was by her side, and then he knelt down.

"Where am-" but she was cut off when he did something incredibly unexpected.

He hugged her. Tightly.

It was slightly awkward, seeing as though he had never hugged her before, not even as a child. She placed one paw on his back and hugged him back the only way she knew how.

"I thought you were dead." He pulled away with a scowl. "What happened?"

"Four broken ribs, at least." The raccoon suddenly appeared seemingly from nowhere. "That's what happened. Plus some minor injuries. You've also got evidence of mild malnutrition and your muscles will be weak for a few months, at least until you recover." The old raccoon shook her head. "I don't know what happened, but you were cooped up for a while, weren't you?"

Tigress nodded haltingly.

"Tigress, what happened?" Shifu asked, pleading.

"That's a long story."

"One that she can wait to tell." The raccoon looked at Shifu pointedly. "She needs her rest. Go on."

Shifu looked at her with a mix of surprise and irritation, but he still left the tent.

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"Master Shifu!" Viper was slithering towards him faster than he had seen her move in a long time. "I heard. Is she okay?"

He put a hand up to halt her worrying. "She is resting, but she'll be fine."

"Good." She sighed in relief. "I was worried." When she looked up, though, she saw a grave look on his face. "What's the matter?"

"Tigress," he shook his head, unsure of how to say what he wanted to. "Viper, she was beaten." The snake's eyes went wide. "When she wakes up, I want you there. She will be more willing to speak with you than I."

"Master I-"

"Please." His gaze was pleading. She nodded slowly and he left her there to worry on her own.

OoOoOoO

The ornate red columns and jaded walls seemed too quiet now.

Even the windows, which once showered the hall with golden light, now only illuminated the dust.

His hand rushed over the gold dragons inlaid in the columns, claws scraping along the wood. It felt so empty in there, like the life had been sucked out of the place. He sighed and moved towards the moon pool, happy that it was still clear. Above his head, the dragon statue gaped at him with empty jaws.

Empty?

He frowned. Something had been there. "What happened?" He asked the quiet, but it just echoed back.

Months of trying to come to this place, but he wished he had spared himself the sadness.

The Dragon Warrior had returned home, but it seemed he was alone.