Lion the Mouse
Tai-Lung started to quietly close the door behind him. It was nighttime, and he didn't want to wake the others up. He decided to take a midnight stroll about the Palace grounds. He didn't even get to completely close the door to the barracks before he heard, "What are you doing up this late?" Tai-Lung quickly spun around to see a familiar person. He breathed in a sigh.
"Tigress don't do that! You gave me a heart attack!" He frantically said holding his chest. Tigress gave a tiny smile.
"So why are you out so late?" she asked again.
"Oh, I wanted to take a walk," Tai-Lung said nervously starting walk. Tigress followed him.
"Good, that's exactly what I was going to do," Tigress stated. Tai-Lung looked at her. Of course she was. They walked to the Jade Palace, and said nothing the entire time. Finally, Tai-Lung gave a frustrated sigh and stopped where he was.
"What happened?" he asked. Tigress was completely confused.
"What do you mean what happened?" she asked back.
"You know what I mean. What did I do that was so horrible to you?" Tai-Lung asked.
"I don't understand," Tigress replied.
"Tigress, I know that I wrecked the village and nearly killed you, but there's a specific reason why you're distancing yourself from me," Tai-Lung said.
"I'm not," Tigress denied.
"Yes, you are. When I was Tai-gee, you use to always be within arm length of me. Now I'm lucky if I see you. I'm the same guy. There's a difference about Tai-Lung and Tai-gee with you. Why is that?" Tai-Lung asked. Tigress started to understand.
"You mean, there's another reason I have, other than what you did to the village, that I seem to dislike you," she replied trying to understand.
"Not dislike me, hate me. There's something about me that is giving you emotional trouble. Like something I am or have done to you that you don't like. What is it? Tell me now so I can fix it," Tai-Lung offered. Tigress crossed her arms and looked down on the ground for a moment. She then shook her head.
"You wouldn't be able to fix it," she said starting to walk away. Tai-Lung grabbed her arm and gently brought her back.
"Try me," Tai-Lung said. She was quiet for a while, then Tigress spoke.
"Well," she didn't get far until she heard a sound. "Wait do you hear that?" It sounded like music. They knew Shifu wasn't in the Jade Palace so it had to be someone else. The two cats walked stealthily into the Hall of Heroes. It was lit with candles, giving some light to the dark place. Tai-Lung hid behind the rhino armor and Tigress behind the closest pillar. There in the middle of the room was a mouse playing a harp. He seemed to dance with the music, though he was sitting on the ground. The mouse was much bigger than most mice; Tigress and Tai-lung observed that very quickly. He looked 5'7" judging from the way he was sitting. He was a giant compared to rats. His grey fur was much like Tai-Lung and his ears nearly perfectly round. He quietly played as he quietly sang some unknown song. Tigress was curious and tried to get closer. She got closer but she mistakingly tripped over something. The mouse heard it and started to run. "Wait," Tigress cried out. The mouse stopped. "I'm not going to hurt you." Tigress said coming out of her hiding spot. The mouse looked at her in fear. "Don't be afraid. It's alright." Tigress said stretching out her hand "I'm Tigress. What's your name?" The mouse slowly grabbed her hand and stood up for he had fallen.
"I'm...Lion," he said very slowly and quietly.
"That an...interesting name," Tigress said. "Okay, Tai-Lung, you can come out now." Tai-Lung popped out from his hiding place. He stood his distance so he wouldn't scare Lion and waved his hand kindly.
"Hello, Lion," Tai-Lung said. Lion waved back. "So...how have you been?" Tai-lung was trying to make conservation.
"Good," Lion said quietly. Another silence came.
"So...what brings you to the Jade Palace?" Tigress asked.
"I'm here to be the servant," Lion said. Tai-Lung looked at him amazed.
"You mean you're the one that has been cleaning around here? How are you that fast?" Tai-Lung asked completely interested.
"Well, I have some training. So I guess you can tell Shifu and the others that you've found me," Lion said.
"Well, we don't have to tell them right away. Why don't we get to know you more?" Tai-Lung offered. Lion smiled at this.
"He was wrong about this village," Lion whispered.
"Who was wrong?" asked Tigress.
"Oh, this friend I...know said that this village treated people who are different very badly here. But you are the friendliest people I've met so far," Lion replied. Tai-Lung thought about what he said for a moment.
"I think I know who you are talking about, but for now, Sun's starting to come up. We better get breakfast ready," Tai-Lung reminded.
"Oh, I'll do it. You can watch me cook," the mouse offered. Tai-Lung and Tigress never thought that breakfast could be done so fast so well. Lion moved through the kitchen like a speed demon. Setting the table, cooking the food, sweeping the floors, and washing the leftover dishes. When it was all done, Tigress asked.
"So how do you remind unseen through all of this?"
"Well normally I would do things early so that I wouldn't be seen. But if I hear someone coming like I do now," Lion said after hearing the others coming, "I do this." He jumped to the ceiling and clung to it like a leech. Then he went through a hole cut out that went outside then closed the door behind him. The two cats were amazed. Just then the others came in.
"Wow, did you guys do all this?" Monkey asked. Tai-Lung and Tigress looked at each other.
"No, no we didn't," Tigress fibbed.
"We just found it like this. Must be the new servant," Tai-Lung suggested. The others thought nothing of it and went right on eating.
