Hey, you guys. I'd still like to thank you guys for sticking with me through this whole story. I would not be doing what I'm doing if it wasn't for you guys. Thank you so much, and plus, I don't consider this my accomplishment, I consider it ours. So many wonderful ideas came from you guys. If anything, it's our story. I have so many ideas for the second story for this story. I will release the name for it at the end of the chapter. Or now… nahh, at the end of this chapter. Eh, I know you're doing to skip the story and see it and come back anyways xD Let's get on with the story!

-Halfway-

-Tigress' POV-

I joined the Luna CP Kung Fu Academy around summer this year. I have been with them a few months, maybe three. I'm still twenty-eight. We are on a mission now, to stop a splitting army. I believe we are close to wherever we're going. I have a sense that a few of us know. But how can I ever be sure?

We checked out of the inn today. We departed from Yashi Village as well. We stayed pretty quiet, even with the arrival of my old dear friends. And Shifu. But we held small conversations. Dai Lin's expression was emptier than when he first joined us. What was with him. I looked over to Nay Wan. He was talking to Po about our adventures as Luna's Six. I took the chance to fall back with Dai Lin. He was in the very back. He didn't even look up at me when I walked beside him. I raised a hand slowly and placed it on his shoulder. His eyes finally snapped open and looked at me from the side. He didn't turn his head, but he showed a shocked look. I sigh. "Dai Lin, can you please cut the apathy?" My voice kept calm but firm.

He only looked down to the ground. "How about I tell you something you didn't know?" His voice was surprisingly anxious. Only by a little, the rest of it was heavy. I nodded once.

"I used to make wooden figurines." He says. I thought he was smiling, but I was wrong. Why would he bring up this?

"Father was the one who taught me at such a young age. Mother adored it. She knew that that was what I'd do if I was happy. I knew that mother sang when she was happy."

My heart dropped, and I let a little emotion appear on my face. He looked at me. I couldn't read this expression. But I know part of it reminded me of a child. Young, innocent.

Abandoned. I look ahead of us, it's good that more conversations were going on, to drain the sound of ours. He has told me things, but never anything like this.

"I've realized something, Tigress." I stare at his words anxiously.

"I barely know a thing about you."

At that moment I began to shake internally. I felt something, but I had no clue as to what it was. Does he know the story about my parents? I don't even remember. I won't tell him though. I refuse.

I notice the current long pause. "I love to paint."

Where did that come from. I frown and he looks at me. He looks away and smiles a familiar smile. "Well… I've known that for quite a long time now." And he pulls out my bandaged paintbrush from his bag. I stare at it and absentmindedly snatch it from him.

"Where did you get this?" He looks away, keeping his smile.

"I noticed it dropped out of your bag this morning while leaving the city. Tigress… why do you still have this? You told me even though I bandaged it up… it was trash now. So, why do you still have it?"

I look ahead of us. I noticed we slowed down and were further from the others. They were in more enticing conversations now, not really noticing us. I looked at Dai Lin. Then back to my paintbrush. I stopped walking and stirred up a sorrow look. I didn't mean to look sad. But Dai Lin still saw. He stopped walking and turned around to face me completely. The others kept walking. I grasped onto the brush and closed my eyes. I felt a strange heat sensation coming from it. The sun looked amazing through the clouds, and the rolling hills were beautiful as well.

But that still did not distract me from what I was really thinking. I looked back up to Dai Lin now, his eyes were pouring into mine sorrowfully. I've never seen anything so pitiful. Never seen him look at me like this. It was longing. He was reaching out to me and this was the first time I truly noticed.

I take only two slow steps… when I lunged into him wrapping my arms around his neck. He gasps and is still for a moment. The slowly he brings his muscular arms around my waist and holds me tightly. I bury my head into his shoulder, and took in what I left behind so many years ago.

-Dai Lin-

The heat.

From her body. Her stomach pressed against mine with her arms around my neck. I've never received anything like this from her before.

This. This was her showing me… something. She probably didn't even know what it was. My heart beat fast and hard. She could probably feel it.

Can I keep this position forever?

That's all I want. This. Her. Forever. Her body to press against mine, and her show that in some way... she actually needs me.

She needed me in a way. And if I never found out what kind of way that was, it probably wouldn't matter much. I knew what way I needed her in. A loving one. But I'll probably never receive that. And I won't mind AS much if she stayed with me right here forever. I wrapped my arms around her soft, exposed waist and took in as much as I could. I buried my face in her neck. And tears tried to leave my eyes and I fought them. I felt my paws shake and she wrapped her arms around me tighter.

She pulled back and looked into my eyes. She held my gaze for what seemed like forever. She kept her paws around my neck and I kept mine on her hips. I said nothing, for I was afraid at a point she'd realize what this could lead to.

But it was me who realized. I looked ahead of us, the crowd was way ahead of us but paid no attention due to their hilarious talks and stories. I and looked back to her. I looked at her lips and thought of him being on her instantly. I forgot his claim. His hooks. This would be wrong. I instantly snatched my paws away and rubbed the back of my head strangely. She looked at me and nodded. She cleared her throat. There was an awkward silence for a while.

"Uh yes, anyways…" She looked at the disappearing crowd ahead. "Well… for what it's worth… I've missed you. Believe it or not. And I apologize I was not there enough for you. I'm glad you're back." She extended a paw my way and I slowly took it. She looked at me once more then dashed towards the crowd. I heard her tell the others I stopped for more water.

I joined them again and kept my silence. We arrived at another town, but the aura of this one was much, much different.

Screams and smoke descended from what lied ahead, and we all dashed to the scene.

And listening to the gazelle's words, we were halfway to our actual destination.

Okay so you've waited 1,300 something words for this.

The next installment of Tigress Tides would beeeee *Cues drumroll*…

Tigress Tides 2: BullHeart. I don't know what this means to you… or what you can assume from it. But do your best and leave me feedback xD. Thanks you guys! Until next time!