A/N, Hey there everyone reading this, I welcome you all into the new year, hopefully we all can find something to succeed at and feel good about. Onward!

At the palace...

Training was at an all time high, the majority of the wolves were scattered throughout the training hall with various partners sparring in rotations, learning to move about the battle field without getting cornered. Kirscher stood alongside the few of his men who couldn't walk still and forced them to concentrate on each motion, each deflection of oncoming attacks that was displayed. From the far corner of the hall,

Master Shifu observed the mass of battle hungry canines moving in perfect time now with each of the masters. He began to notice they were beginning to pick up several of the many useful skills the Five were allowing them to learn. Po and Kirscher had an agreement that while the five would not reveal the majority of their attacks, they would give the wolves a solid set of moves that would keep them from injury for the most part. While instruction was not particularly her thing, Tigress had begun steadily working one on one with several wolves, constantly adjusting and positioning their stance. As she demonstrated the high land strike, her focus on the wolves had taken away from other masters around her.

"And then you simply release your energy into your right leg and focus on going through something not just to it, like this!" Her demolition of one of the stands sent debris everywhere, nailing Crane in the head with a rather large chunk, knocking his hat off.

"Hey! Tigress!"

"Sorry Crane."

The bird rolled his eyes and huffed over to retrieve his hat when one wolf grabbed it and leaped over the bird, letting it fall right into place on his head.

"Hmm thank you." He said politely, the wolf bowed and took another attack stance, preparing for the bird's oncoming confrontation. Running toward the Ariel attack straight at him, the wolf sucked in a breath and rolled forward and sprang off his paws into the air, greeting Crane's beak with a dusty under paw. The avian was both surprised and intrigued by this, a grin forming on his beak as he rotated around the foot of the wolf and aimed a wing chop toward the wolf's face. The dog's eyes widened as he saw the impact coming now, the preparation behind it. Feeling his new sense kicking into high gear, the wolf grabbed onto Crane's wing and drug him back down to the floor, landing atop of the bird, both wings spread out.

"urgh, nice one. You're...aauuggh getting better." Crane said weakly as he groaned straightening his spine. The canine smiled,

"I finally got you!" He said with a chuckle, nodding his head in a bow and walking away as others stepped up. The avian hadn't quite expected it to be as much of a workout as it was when the wolves were actually picking up and improvising their skills against them.

They were growing stronger, more confident in their efforts, in each strike they landed against the masters, as if they were releasing some kind of rage they'd held onto for years.

Shifu stepped toward the wolf boss and stopped next to him, still watching the sparring matches.

"It appears your brotherhood is attacking with much ferocity today, any thoughts on why that is?" He asked the wolf without looking at him. Kirscher looked up and watched for a second. Each one of them carried the same energy in their eyes.

Determined.

"Your masters show signs of fatigue, it means to them that they are not invincible. That's their motivation." the red panda gave a small amused nod,

"Do you believe any still carry anger for their losses?" He hadn't been sure why he'd asked it so suddenly and out of the blue but it had been on his mind for a while, looking up at the wolf he awaited an answer.

Kirscher looked out onto the crowd of fighters,

"all their losses were mine as well." He said, turning his head to look down at the master, "I think they all feel angry, betrayed by someone who promised to look out for them. In some ways their situation now worries them."

"How?" Shifu asked.

"Because they aren't sure of what will happen here. You have a group of maniacal foxes after everyone here, people are apparently disappearing, AND-"

"Enough, I understand your concern's Kirscher but know that while you are here, you are safe." The wolf looked down at the grand master, his eye focused and locked in on the red panda.

"...same to you." He said lightly turning his attention back on his pack. As the display of kung fu continued, Kirscher's focus soon became distracted once more, this time to one of the master, Master Tigress to be specific. Seeing the expressions on her face change whenever Po called out something to her or asked a question.

The smallest of a smile was always shown.

Kirscher grinned himself as he took in what seemed to be a small sign of affection for the dragon warrior. Considering his mind was still somewhat wrapped up in the conversation he and the panda head shared earlier, this would prove to be a most valuable bit of information to him. Reminding himself to speak with her afterwards, the dog concentrated once more on the training at hand.

As the session came to an end, both the wolf pack and the five panting and out of breath. The five master approached the gasping pack and gave respective bows.

"You are getting all showing signs of improvement, this fox clan is going to have quite a challenge ahead of them." Said Master Viper with a warm grin across her features. several of the wolves gave sharp toothy grins as they howled with applause. Their behavior settled as the wolf boss walked in front of them and nodded in agreement with the serpent master, from the first fight they'd encountered at the musician's village, their pack felt more in control, more aware and nearly three times as fast knowing what they did now and how cut their motions in half to save seconds on the battlefield. The wolves gathered together in their straight line formation and then exited the room. Just as the last of the canines left, Kirscher came over to Master Tigress who was in the middle of stretching her shoulders.

"Ahem, um Master Tigress?" she turned her head to face him.

"Yes?" The wolf boss gave a small gulp and cleared his throat with a cough, "Ahem I was hoping to speak to you sometime this evening if that is alright with you?" The feline tilted her head slightly, an eyebrow raising at this sudden request.

"Um I suppose, what is this concerning." Kirscher bit his lip slightly with one of his over sized fangs. He couldn't help the fact she always made him a little nervous, everything she did seemed to command respect and while he and his brothers were far from civilized, the effort had to be made.

"It's about the panda. If you'll trust me it's easier to go over this later when we are both ya know..free?" He said this feeling himself wince inside, he always felt somewhat foolish whenever he went to speak to her face to face. The tiger master's features changed to concern when the bear had been brought up. Seeing her about to ask questions the wolf quickly held up a paw.

"Please, I can't say anything now but just know the sooner we get this over with the better it will be for everyone." He said with a comforting grin to ease her mind. The feline eyed him warily.

"Fine, where do you wish to meet?"

"Come to the front doors of our house, we'll go from there."

"Okay."

Several villages away, in a darkened corner of the region.

Smoke and sparks erupted out of a small cave overlooking a colony of foxes. For those who lived in the area, few dared to come near the caves, for it was what lay within the caves that kept the foxes safe. For the most part, those who d welled in the cave kept the colony below safe. Any and all trespassers were snatched up by the group and never seen again, unless you happened to be digging in the right spot several days later.

Even then, finding someone whole was just as rare.

"I want to go home, I just wanna see my family!" cried out one of the several sheep currently locked in a solid metal cage.

"Let us out!"

"Let us go

"PLEASE!"

"I wanna go home!" As the fires in the cave grew, sparks bouncing off the walls and falling down on the cages, dropping onto the scared sheep's wool and singeing them. The prisoners couldn't see more then a few yards in front of them, seeing only shadows pass by without a word, some carrying boxes of all shapes and sizes. Having been trapped in the cage for the last two days, the herd was trembling in fear of what was going to happen next, they couldn't see very much through the dark thick clouds of smoke blowing past them slowly.

*Click-SHIING* The cage shook hard, something had dropped onto it. All eyes peered around from inside the cage, trying to see what was above them when-

The metallic masked fox's head dipped below, upside down staring at all of them with flickering yellow eyes from behind its mask. jumping back against the cold bars of the back, the sheep shivered and sobbed as the unknown fiend stared down at them with not a word. The prisoners could feel the anger pulsing through the predatory animal as it kept it's focus on them.

"Wh-WHAT DO WANT FROM US!" The oldest one cried out, the fox immediately turned it's attention solely on that one, sending him back against the gates. The fox reached into the cage through the steel bars and pulled him forward, forcing him against the door of the cage. Releasing what sounded like a held in breath, the sheep soon realized the fox was smelling him, taking in his scent. Struggling slightly against the fox's grasp, the sheep made no true motions to get away, fearing punishment if he did. As the canine finished breathing in the wool of the prisoner, he soon unlocked the door with the other paw and wrenched him out of the cage.

"Wha- what's going-" It was then that the Fox stood and struck the sheep to the side of the head, the wool burdening animal moaned in pain, only earning another strike to the face again and again until the most vocal of the group fell to the ground. Grabbing him by one leg, the fox turned and dragged him away.

"Where are you taking him!" One of the others demanded, angry more than anything at their kidnappers. Two other foxes came and threw a large thick blanket over the cage, quickly silencing them and eliminating anything and everything from view.

"Let go of me! Let me go right now you BASTARDS!" The sheep fought and dug his hooves into the cold stone floor, bits of it scrapping off from how hard he tried to keep away from where they were bringing him. The two foxes came up behind and beat on the prisoner's front legs, his cries echoing off the walls of cave as he begged for them to stop. Finding him now merely curling into a ball, the foxes all three grabbed the new test subject and brought him into the lab they had set up in the very back of the cave. Once they had finished dragging him into position, the leader stepped forward as the lower ranks tied his hooves to the sides of the wall with chains.

"What is all this? What are you doing?" The leader came up beside the terrified sheep and grasped his face with a paw.

"You're going to show me how our friends in the valley are going to react to my little concoction." The sheep's eyes widened.

"Wha- I NO!"

The lead fox took out a small bag from one of the drawers in the desk beside the sheep. Untying the knot and reaching in to scoop up some powder, the fox looked back at the sheep and then tossed some onto the hind leg of the sheep. Confusion set in for the sheep as he only noticed a small tingle along his leg.

Then another powder was introduced on the same area.

"This should take effect fairly quick."

At that moment all the three sheep encased in darkness could hear was shrieking and screaming for several moments. What they were doing to the poor fellow seemed beyond barbaric for within moments the man was pleading at the top of his lungs to be killed. His cries for mercy were soon drowned out by howls of laughter and praise. Standing in a circle, the red and white furred canines joined paws and chanted together as all eyes focused on the now smoking body that hung charred and beyond recognition before them.

"To aid the souls we lost we find the souls to take."

"To aid the souls we lost we find the souls to take."

"To truly restore unity with our clan we shall take the valley."

"To truly restore unity with our clan we shall take the valley."

Back in the wolf house.

Kirscher paced back and forth, feeling less and less confident in his plan as he awaited the feline's appearance. Knowing he would not be able to put this out to her in a sober mindset, he'd decided to invite her to join him and his pack for a little game they'd grown up with.

Would she indulge in something like this?

Could he get the answers he wanted out of her?

Many thoughts ran back and forth through the playground anxiety as he felt himself grow slightly nervous.

Tigress POV

Heading down the halls of the palace the feline ponders what the true reason for his request to see her was.

Had he something of Po's that the bear could not share with her?

Was he merely trying to bait her into some kind of twisted deal with crude plans?

What the hell was this all about?

She approached the wolf dorm, gazing up at it's large hand carved wolf head facing out from above the two large wooden and bolted doors as she entered the doorway. Taking one final look around to check that the area was clear, she promptly knocked and waited for a response. It was still for a second, then the sounds of locks could be heard coming undone and the heavy door slide back. She was somewhat surprised when the boss wolf's youngest, Tyan came to the door.

"Hello master Tigress."

"Good evening Tyan, is Kirscher here?" The young wolf nodded and stepped back with the door, opening it for her. It was her first time actually coming into the "Wolf Den" so to speak, she had been a tad curious of what it looked like since she'd seen the intimidating bolted beam walls raised and the sharpened roof tips. As she gained entry, the feline was somewhat taken back at what she saw. Inside there were several large tables, sleeping quarters along each wall in the make of a padded bed cut into the wall the size of a twin mattress. Her eyes caught sight of a large kitchen along the closest side to the palace and it was decorated with many cast iron pots and pans and one large cauldron.

"Master?" The feline went upright and turned around, her distraction mildly embarrassing her.

"Ahem yes?" Kirscher stood before her,

"I was hoping you would join us, now Tyan gather the other participants and I will explain all of this." Kirscher said with a pleased look on is face. Tigress watched as seven wolfs came in behind Tyan who was pushing a cart of various bottles and jars, her eyebrow raising in question.

"Um Kirscher-"

"In a moment Tigress everyone must sit now and I will explain." Everyone took their spots, Tigress sitting down along with the last of them and trying to wait patiently. Kirscher looked around the room and then grinned.

"Boys do you know what this event is?" many in the group nodded and grinned as well."

"Kir-"

"Alright already Tigress, this is something we in our pack used to play all the time before we and you even met. Nothing bad about it I assure you, well perhaps a tad." He said shining a small toothy smile at her innocently before continuing.

"The way this works is you may request Honesty or Survival. Honesty we are given the chance to come clean with something no matter the reach. You choose survival, you are against two others and must fight while you've chosen an indulgence."

"An indulgence?" The feline's eyes were now locked on the table.

"Yes, there is several drinks on the table, or if you prefer there is this plant that can be smoked." He said holding up a small vile of herbs. Tigress felt her face scrunch into a frown.

"Wait just a second, you expect me to participate in merely nothing more than a drinking game? God's I'm leaving!" As she stood, several small whines were heard around the room. Kirscher spoke up.

"First of all this is not just a session of getting drunk but to recollect on pasts of each other, ways of us answering our own questions through discussion, the drinks and herbs are merely an ease into conversation, please Master Tigress don't insult this, it's our way of honoring our fallen." he said in a slightly hurt tone, adding to it with looking down at the floor clearly saddened. This had proved to be enough of a move to stop the tiger where she stood, looking around the room Tigress then rolled her eyes and sighed.

"It's that important that I be here?" Several heads nodded,

"It was our thought that seeing as you're the leader of the furious five, that you should be the one to join us in our tradition, take it as a symbol of our allegiance to you and the valley. " Kirscher said with a small smile. Huffing a sigh the feline came back from the door and sat beside Kirscher and Tyan as the rest of the wolf pack settled in next to one another. Taking one of the bottles from the cart, Kirscher opened it and took a sizable drink and looked across the circle before uttering, "Survival."

Several groans were heard and two wolves hesitantly stood and took their stances outside of the circle where there was more room. Kirscher chuckled and then took his position before them, launching into both wolves quickly, one swung to his left while the other kicked low at the same time. The wolf boss leaped up to avoid the kick but timed it wrong, earning a blow to the knee. He had however turned last minute which allowed for the incoming punch to land in his shoulder armor. After quickly pinning both wolves to the floor, he looked up at Tigress and grinned.

"And it's just that easy." Helping his brothers to their feet, he lead them back into the circle. Tyan was next to choose, the wolf looked down at the cart before reaching over and preparing a hookah with the herbs from the cart. Once it had been lit, the wolf took a deep breath in and looked around the room as he held his breath. Releasing it into the air, he blew several smoke rings before answering,

"...Honesty."

A wolf directly across from him looked at him for a moment before asking a question. "Tyan, what do you wish to ask?"

Looking directly across to Tigress, the young wolf cleared his throat,

"Do you trust us, I mean being in your village, around those close to you?" It was a rather blunt and hard hitting question he'd posed to the feline master, only because he was curious to what she would say, if anyone was going to give the truth it would be her. Tigress looked at all the faces turned to her, a few unreadable but many wore the same expression.

Worry.

"To be completely clear at first I didn't think it was a safe idea but it was what Po wanted. The first few weeks I felt nervous having you working with the villagers but I think that's fair. Knowing who you all are now, I think you deserve to be as trusted as we are." She watched as a few wolves smile warmly, reaching over to the cart, she pondered for a while before choosing the smallest bottle of alcohol there was and sipping on it slowly. She'd only drank rice wine before through several Master gatherings held at the palace which had given her a small tolerance but she knew she had to pace herself. Looking around the room as the stone spun, she noticed Kirscher wearing a somewhat cocky smile as if thinking something to himself. Landing on her next, she groaned and took another large sip of the liquor and then answered.

"Honesty."

Playing for several more rounds through the evening, the pack soon grew focused on getting some sleep, many leaving the circle with a bow. Tigress came next to the wolf boss who was currently taking a final drink for the evening.

"Hey you never really told me what you really wanted to talk to me about." The wolf stared at her with a puzzled face for a moment.

"Po?"

Kirscher came to the realization, "Ah sorry about that, meant only to start this off quick so I could get a bit of courage up is all." He said now feeling loosened up enough to get this over with. Tigress, while knowing she had only minutes to get to her room before the last light was put out, waited patiently still for the wolf.

Taking a gulp, he looked into Tigress's eyes,

"What I wanted to ask you regarding the panda is- and don't get mad because I'm only curious-

"Kirscher-"

"Do you love Po?" The wolf flinched with how car crashing into preschool suddenly it felt as it left his mouth.

The tiger stood before him, eyes wide, expression aside from stunned was unrecognizable. Kirscher coughed and tugged on the neckline of his armor slightly. With whatever remaining courage built on the alcohol now fleeing his system, the wolf sheepishly looked to the floor with lowered ears as he had when saying that regrettably foolish thought to the peacock of the new year.

Tigress kept her eyes locked on the wolf, her mind processing and reprocessing the very question he'd so loosely flung out to her.

"I..."

A/N, Thank you for the reviews and feedback so far throughout all of this, currently I'm working on some artwork for this story (why its taking so long in between chapters) but that should be done relatively soon. I do apologize for leaving you on such a cliffhanger but I wanted another chapter to build off of this and not merely have it in a mere paragraph if you can understand. Any and all questions you may send to me and I'll gladly respond. Thanks for all the support and the nominations in the awards, I truly appreciate it!