Author's Note: Dreadfully sorry for the long wait. I've been having a spot of computer trouble lately, but I think everything's done and dusted now. Enjoy.

Pale sunlight spread its glimmering columns over the Valley of Peace.

The morning bell announced the beginning of another "day of respite" for the warriors competing in the San Xue Xiao.

The Jade Palace had pulled ahead of Tian Na by one point. Lee Da was two points behind Tian Na.

"You have performed well, my students," Shifu said approvingly to the warriors gathered in the dormitory hall. "As a treat, I will allow you all the day off after morning training."

Everyone bowed to the aged red panda and set off excitedly towards the training hall.

"This is great," Mantis said happily. "I can't remember the last time we've had any time off!"

Monkey and Po were already making plans to go peeping on the female side of the public baths.

The group of warriors walked across the chilly courtyard towards the training hall.

"Viper," Crane started nervously, "would you like to, um, go out for lunch, erm, this afternoon? I know a nice restaurant in the village, so…"

"I'd love to, Crane," Viper said flirtatiously, and moved her serpentine body closer to the avian.

That's it, Tai Lung thought to himself. I should ask Tigress to go to lunch with me.

Just then, though, the warriors arrived at the training hall and began their routines.

I'll have to ask her later, Tai Lung decided, and set about practicing his favorite forms.

After morning training, everyone stopped by the kitchen for a light breakfast.

Po and Monkey excused themselves quickly, saying that they had some "planning" to do.

Tigress was the next to leave; she was going to go on a walk through the town.

This is my chance, Tai Lung thought, and followed after Tigress.

As they were walking out of the dormitory, they saw Z coming the other way.

Tigress raised a paw in greeting.

Tai Lung decided to stop wasting time.

"Tigress," he said, at exactly the same time as Z.

The panther and the snow leopard looked at each other, surprised.

"You first," Tai Lung said, feeling courteous.

"Thank you," Z said, and then turned towards Tigress. "I was wondering if you had any free time this afternoon," he began, giving Tigress one of his most charming smiles. "A good friend of mine has introduced me to a most pleasant restaurant in this very village, and I thought that perhaps you would like to sample it."

"Certainly," Tigress said, smiling. "I always enjoy exploring the village. Especially if there's a good meal involved."

"Excellent," Z said, and gave Tigress another winning smile. "You can come along too," Z said, noticing Tai Lung's expression of disbelief.

"Naw, that's okay…" Tai Lung mumbled, cursing himself for letting Z talk first.

"Please yourself," Z said, shrugging. "I'll meet you at the gates of the palace at noon," Z said to Tigress, and swaggered away.

Bastard, Tai Lung thought furiously as he watched the lithe panther depart. Stupid Tigress, Tai Lung thought, feeling jealous. She didn't have to do that right in front of me. Of course, how could she have known that I wanted to take her out to lunch? I should have asked her earlier. Stupid me.

"Tai Lung," Tigress said for the third time. "Are you okay? You got this kind of vacant expression all of a sudden."

"Ahem, right, I'm fine, thanks." Tai Lung lied, and set off towards the palace gardens.

As the noon bell sounded over the grounds of the Jade Palace, a very unhappy snow leopard paced back and forth in the palace gardens.

I have to do something, Tai Lung thought, swatting down an orchid. Maybe I should have gone along with them in the end… he continued to himself, dejected. That slick Z… I bet by now he's… ugh! Tai Lung grew angrier thinking about the suave panther. I can't let him win! But what can I do?

Preoccupied, Tai Lung decided to take a walk in the village.

Tai Lung was walking around an expensive part of town, considering reserving a spot at a restaurant called Il Pizzico for the night. I wonder if Tigress likes this kind of food, he wondered, reading a poster listing the reservation prices.

"Excuse me," an ethereal voice said from behind him, "but are you Tai Lung?"

Tai Lung turned around to see a strikingly pretty leopard girl standing there.

"Indeed, I am," Tai Lung said, his fur suddenly feeling hot and prickly.

"I am Seiko," the female leopard introduced herself. "I'm a big fan of yours."

Tai Lung blushed lightly.

"I myself am a kung-fu enthusiast, but I've never really pursued the art seriously," Seiko continued. "Do you eat here often?" she asked, noticing Tai Lung eyeing the reservation prices again.

"Actually, I've never tried this place before," Tai Lung said honestly.

"I hear it's quite nice," Seiko said longingly. "I do wish I could eat here someday."

Don't you dare, Tai Lung thought to himself. This is for Tigress, remember? Tai Lung looked back at Seiko's divine form, and then estimated his chances of actually convincing Tigress to go to dinner with him.

"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Tai Lung offered inevitably.

Seiko's face lit up.

"You would really do that for me?" she said excitedly, giving Tai Lung a magnificent smile.

Tai Lung bowed to Seiko slightly before he went in to Il Pizzico to make reservations for that evening.

As Tai Lung returned, Seiko hooked her arm around his.

"Perhaps until tonight," she said alluringly, "we could get to know each other a bit better."

With that, the two felines departed down the street.

Meanwhile, Tigress and Z were walking around a corner towards the restaurant they would be having lunch at. Tigress was observing the unique architecture of the buildings in this part of town when a delicate female voice distracted her from her thoughts.

"Wow, it's Master Tigress," the voice said.

Tigress turned to the side to see a beautiful leopard girl- arm in arm with Tai Lung.

Tai Lung was looking quite nervous.

"Um, hi Tigress," he said, fidgeting a little.

"Hello," Tigress said coolly, not looking directly at Tai Lung. "Z," she said, turning back around, "let's go. We wouldn't want to interrupt Tai Lung's date, would we?"

"This isn't really, uh, a date, you know," Tai Lung stammered nervously.

"No need to explain, really," Tigress said, and continued down the street with Z.

Tai Lung had to restrain himself from running after her.

Gods, I really am an idiot sometimes.

Later-

Tigress sat with Z at a table in a fancy restaurant.

"You were right," she said. "This place is great."

"I couldn't agree more," Z said, taking a sip of his tea. "There's one thing I'd like to ask you, though."

"Ask me anything," Tigress said, taking a small bite of a croissant she had ordered.

"Did you come here with me just because you wanted to try the restaurant?" Z asked, looking at his plate.

Tigress contemplated his question for a moment before answering.

"I don't think so. I really enjoy your company."

"That makes me feel better," Z said, stirring his tea. "But I assume that someone like you already has someone in her life?"

Tigress thought of Tai Lung walking around with that pretty leopard on his arm.

"Well, I most certainly do not have a boyfriend, if that's what you're asking," Tigress said resolutely.

"I see," Z said, sounding rather pleased.

Neither of them spoke much for the remainder of lunch.

That night-

Tai Lung had enjoyed a meal at Il Pizzico with Seiko, who had been quite keen on seeing Tai Lung again.

The evening would have been so much better if it were with Tigress, Tai Lung thought as he returned up the steps of the Jade Palace. I wonder though, is Seiko interested in me? Argh, what am I thinking? There's only room in my heart for Tigress.

Tai Lung made sure that Tigress's light was off before he returned to his bedroom. He fell into an uneasy sleep, filled with dreams of tigers and leopards.