Chapter 10

In a word, Tigress was alone. The weeks and month that followed after leaving…escaping…Boa Go orphanage had been one of mixed feelings. No longer were there anyone to be afraid of her or call her monster, but there was also no one to talk or laugh with. She no longer need worry about returning to that pitiful excuse of a room, locked away in the dark, however her new home faired less better. The abandoned temple she discovered was in a state of ruin, large holes lined the walls and ceiling, and there were signs of burn marks along the support post. After her first night—crying herself to sleep—she wondered how such a place was still standing. One strong burst of wind would easily be enough to bring it all crumbling down.

Yet she had nowhere else to go.

She dare not return to Boa Go, or any of the nearby villages. Not after what she did, then again she had no desire to do so anyhow. She stayed clear of crowds using what she learned while in the company of some wondering thieves to conceal among the shadows and used the lessons she learned from Shifu on how to steady her hands to pickpocket passing merchants. She wasn't happy with what she was doing, but had to eat and to do that she was forced to become a thief. Her action brought her very little pleasure and only stole what she needed to get by. Often enough she cried herself to sleep haunted by the faces of those she robbed.

She also avoid large village, though when the need was great, Tigress wore a thick large robe and hood, keeping to the shadows whenever possible. She felt a wave of grief and heartache each time a loving family passes her by. Once she spotted a young rabbit and her thoughts drifted back her time with Kusa and when the infant stumble and fall right in her path and Tigress was about to help the pout child up, but the youngling's high pitch cries of pain set her reeling back, images of those hateful glares and loathsome expressions clouding her vision and all she could do was run.

After all Tigress was alone.

She protected her home, whether it was approached from bandits or random merchants attempting to find some place to do business. She used her vast unnatural strength and furious expression to discourage anyone from setting foot inside and soon whispers began to spread of a terrifying monster lurking in the shadows once again sending Tigress into a state of grief and making it all too clear that she would always be along in this world.

Nights proved restless and filled with sorrow and heartache. With very little roof above her head, the cold wind flew unhindered, ruffling her fur and hammered within her ears. Storms were far worse, rain pouring through the gaping holes, drenching her to the bone and the bright flashes of light followed by the booming rumble of thunderclaps kept her awake in a state of blind terror. During her first week of living through one such terrible storm, Tigress cried herself to sleep, screaming for someone…anyone…to come and save her, only to slap herself for her foolishness.

After all, she was alone.

Her only means of escape from this torment was the last remaining domino piece she held close against her breasts. As bad and painful as her life had become, gazing upon the golden imprint of the yin and yang symbol was enough to remind Tigress of one clear truth that though she was alone in life…

She was not a monster.

Tigress stood among the shadows, like every other time she ventured into a village. She hated having to hide like this, the summer heat baking her alive underneath the full body robe and hood, but she dear not reveal herself knowing that it would only cause unwanted panic. Had she not need more supplies to outlast the winter she would have stayed locked away in that run down hobble of a temple she called home.

Shifting deeper into the shadows, Tigress peered into a small bag, briefly shaking it to hear the faint sound of coins jiggling.

Not good, she thought, I'm running low on money again, and it's too crowded to snatch someone's pocket.

Turning her gaze back to the market, Tigress glanced from side to side, picking out the best means of getting what she needed to live another few days while making a quick escape should things turn sour. Sadly the market was well organized, with a number of rhinos keeping watch at every street and alley. Pinching anything in a place like this would be next to impossible.

Her hopes were almost dashed when suddenly a tussle broke out between a pair of wolves and some crocs. She couldn't make out what the cause of the it was but it was loud enough to draw everyone's attention and lure the rhino guards away.

Now's my chance.

Pulling her hood closer around her face, Tigress bolted for the closet stand. "Oh please you must help," Tigress cried, lowering her voice so that it sound old and feeble, "a young sheep has been injured near the glade. You must help him."

The fat pig that own the shop, quickly dropped his crate, heeding Tigress's false pleads and ran off toward the far side of town.

Perfect.

With the tussle still going on—somewhat louder now—Tigress slipped behind the stands of fruit and bread, plucking whole paw full of product, quickly stuffing them into her bag. After a few minutes, Tigress shifted her gaze up as the noise outside began to dim. She didn't have much longer until someone came back and spotted her. As she glanced back down, Tigress spotted a small strong box. An evil grin formed as she knelt down, snapping the lock with but a simple flick of her wrist.

Being super strong does pay off sometimes.

Peering over the shelves once again, Tigress could spot the approach of the rhino guard and quickly snatched one of the sacks of coins, the jingling sound brought on them shifting about caused memories of her time playing with her treasure to float to the surface. She quickly forced them back to the depth of her mind knowing time was running out. Stuffing anything else she had time for, Tigress slipped out the back, glancing over her shoulder one last time to see a group of rhinos lead a band of thugs followed by a rather tall and impressively bulky snow leopard and out of all things a young panda. She had heard tales of panda that dwelled far to the east, but they were mainly spoken as myth or legend, whispered to young children to ward off evil spirits. Tigress had heard all these crazy and outlands stories enough to drive her mad and swore that she would slap the next person upside the head who even hinted at the phrase panda, but now that she laid her eyes upon a living breathing panda, she couldn't help but wonder how much of those stories weren't false.

The panda looked to be about her own age with a plump belly which meant he was well feed and wore fine clothes devoid of any form of dirt or grim so that meant he never perform an honest day labor in his life. She found herself wondering why the panda was even following the snow leopard so closely. Was he a witness to the crime or more possibly just another fan drooling over some big time kung fu hero?

Tigress released a pint up puff of air realizing how foolish she was. She couldn't risk getting caught with a bag of stolen food and handful of gold coins. Now that she got what she came for it was time to move on.

Alone once again like always.