A/N: And so, here's another chapter. :) NOTE: once you're done head over to my profile; I have a poll there, which you should only check out after this chapter, since it is kind of spoiler-ish. But it will have an effect on the story - I wanted to make it at least a little bit interactive. So if you head over to my profile to vote, you could help determine what turn this story will take. In the future there will be more polls. :)

Anyways, enjoy this chapter! :D


"Hey Tigress, have you seen Po anywhere?" Monkey asked. Tigress didn't reply right away. What could she even say? That he left because of her?

"What do you mean?" she asked, trying her best to sound blunt. She was sitting on the front porch of the palace, simply relaxing in the pleasantly cool morning air.

"I haven't seen him anywhere since yesterday," Monkey replied. "Do you know where he is?"

"… No, I don't, unfortunately," Tigress replied. It wasn't a straight-up lie; she did not know where he was – only why he had left. "Have you not tried to look anywhere around the village?"

Monkey shrugged. "Well… Not really… I guess I should… See you Tigress."

"See you," Tigress replied calmly as Monkey walked towards the palace's main gate. Once he was gone, Tigress sighed to herself. She wished she knew what to do about Po.

Should she go talk to him? Would he listen? Tigress hadn't dared trying to find him, but had tried her best to get back into her new routine as the Master of the palace.

Speaking of which, her new students seemed to fit in quite nicely… at least Peng and Bai Hua. Tigress didn't know why, but it was as if there was some kind of problem, which kept Hui Dao from acting like he was at home… Or even get him to crack the smallest trace of a smile.

Tigress didn't quite understand… and she didn't know what she could do about the young cheetah.

As she kept thinking it all through, Tigress got up and headed for the Hall of Warriors. She casually entered and found that it was empty, since the others were training with the students in the Training Hall.

Tigress made her way up to Shifu's shrine. Just looking at her still made her somewhat miserable on the inside… Yet, one part of her knew she would soon have to leave the past behind.

Tigress didn't want to forget Shifu, but she knew she couldn't keep mourning forever. Tigress stared at the shrine for a moment, taking in all of its details once again. She had been the one who had put it up, but she still enjoyed looking at it.

As she looked at the shrine before her, Tigress softly whispered, "What should I do?"

Tigress waited for a moment, hoping something would hit her as inspiration. As she stared at the shrine, she tried to think… What would Shifu do in a situation like this? What had he ever done for her?

Tigress did remember – when she still lived in the orphanage… Upon his first arrival, what had Shifu done for her? Well Tigress did remember how he had helped her calm down – taught her how to control her temper and her strength.

But Hui Dao didn't have trouble with his temper… But maybe he had trouble with socializing with the other students… It did seem likely, now that Tigress thought about it.

The young cheetah had actually seemed happy, but somehow that had changed when Bai Hua and Peng came to the palace too. Yes, that most likely seemed to be the problem.

Tigress calmly nodded to herself. She would have to find some way to make Hui Dao socialize with the others… but how?


She landed on the rooftop, overlooking the Jade Palace. It looked just like it had when She saw it the last time… although it was quite some time ago. Smirking to herself she watched as someone left the Training Hall.

She didn't recognize this person… This person was an owl, like herself, although seemingly a snowy owl. This younger owl was covered in white feathers all over, although she also had a lot of black ones.

The younger owl was followed by a young snow leopard, making it clear to Her that there were several students at the palace now – just like when She had been one herself.

"Interesting," She muttered to herself. Suddenly someone else exited the Training Hall. This person was a black… feline of some sort. She wasn't quite sure what he was. One would first guess that he was a panther – a black leopard – but knowing several leopards, She saw that he appeared far too skinny to be one.

Watching them, She sensed darkness within them. Somehow, somewhere inside them was a darkness… a darkness that could easily be awakened.


"Hey Hui Dao," Bai Hua called. The black cheetah turned around. Seemingly he was heading for the Peachtree of Heavenly Wisdom.

"What?" he asked calmly and crossed his arms. This already showed that he didn't quite want to talk, making Bai Hua's smile fade a little.

"Well, Peng and I are going to Mr. Ping's noodle shop," Bai Hua said. She stopped for a moment. "Do you want to come along?"

"… No thanks," Hui Dao replied and turned around again, leaving. Bai Hua sighed to herself.

Well at least he was polite and said 'no thanks' instead of just 'no', she thought to herself. She turned to Peng. "Should we get going then?"

"Sure, let's," Peng said, although he did look at Hui Dao before following Bai Hua. Peng didn't get what his deal was. Never had he met someone who was as cold and distant as Hui Dao. No, it just appeared weird to him that anyone could be that way.

Hui Dao continued towards the Peachtree. He didn't understand them… their need for company. Wasn't that a weakness? Displaying that you needed someone else like that?

The black cheetah shrugged it off and continued. But as he walked, Hui Dao felt a strange presence near him. He had no idea why, but he just felt… watched. He stopped... then turned around. No one was there.

Hui Dao looked to the sides… Nope, no one was there. He then looked up, just to be sure… But as expected, no one was there.

Hui Dao sighed to himself… maybe it had just been his imagination.

When he finally reached the Peachtree, Hui Dao sat down and closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of nature for a while. Then suddenly he heard a gust nearby. But this wasn't a natural gust – it was one that was created by a wing. Having trained with Bai Hua, he had learned the difference between these.

"Who are you?" the black cheetah asked. He opened his eyes and scanned the area. "Show yourself."

"You're a sharp one, aren't you?" a female voice asked. Hui Dao got to his feet and looked around. Suddenly something came towards him from the side. Instinctively Hui Dao turned his head before he could dodge. Before long he found himself on his back with someone standing with their one foot on his chest… or rather their one talon.

"Who are you?" Hui Dao growled, trying to get up, but when he felt the sharp talons press against his chest, he hesitated.

"My name is Fenghuang," the owl presented herself. She was covered in dark gray feathers all over with some black ones here and there and some white ones in her face. Her eyes had a clear purple color, taking a lot away from the somewhat plain colors that her feathers had.

"What do you want from me?" Hui Dao asked, trying to get up. Suddenly Fenghuang started gently tapping her talons against his chest, sending chills down his spine.

"I want to ask you something," Fenghuang replied. "You're a student here at Jade Palace, aren't you?"

"And so what if I am?" Hui Dao asked, still struggling to get up.

Fenghuang pressed her talons against his chest once more. "You see, boy, I would like to ask you; why don't you become my student?"

"Tsk, why would I?" Hui Dao asked. "I don't see any reason why I would."

"Do you not wish to become stronger?" Fenghuang asked sneakily. Her tone of voice then changed drastically. "I see great potential in you… and I highly doubt that anyone here could possibly bring it out."

"What makes you so sure about that?" Hui Dao asked.

"I was once a student here at Jade Palace," Fenghuang explained, a gleam in her eyes. "I know how confining these people are towards true power and true talent. All you will ever achieve you'll achieve by yourself, not with their help."

Hui Dao thought about it. To be fairly honest, he hadn't learned utterly much at the Jade Palace… Also, the focus of the Five had quickly switched to Bai Hua and Peng… due to them being 'more experienced' than him.

Was his presence even needed? Come to think of it, Fenghuang did have a good point… but would he join her?

Suddenly Fenghuang lifted her talons off of his chest. Hui Dao carefully got to his feet, his eyes never leaving Fenghuang. She seemed like a formidable foe and if she tried anything…

"So will you join me…?" Her tone hinted that she wanted him to tell her his name.

"… Hui Dao…"

"Hui Dao… Hui Dao, will you become my student?" Fenghuang asked smugly. Hui Dao took a moment to think… Should he, or should he not?