KFP owned by Dreamworks!

Shout out

Martial Arts Tiger : Thank you... your words mean a lot to me :-)

Left for Red : I am sorry, I decided not to include Oogway nor his staff in this, hope you'll forgive me.

Thank you for all the review… here is the chapter I've been wanting to share. Enjoy lots of action and fluff. (And don't forget to leave me a review). Thank you for all who decided to follow and favorite this story, it really propelled me to improve my writing.

In fact, I've thought about a sequel! Around 3-4 more chapter to go in this story.

Also, watched the space on my KFP Drabble, I might post some fragment of interesting scene related to this story there.

Tigress!

Abruptly, the fresh memory of having Tigress mercilessly killed in front of him assailed in his mind. How she was desperately protecting him, how he cradled her listless form, how she pulled her last labored breath, the look of her frozen smile and how broken he was knowing he won't see her again until his temporary term in mortal realm expired. The mental torture surfacing and slowly swallowed the panda forgiving spirit. He felt an uncontrollable rage tampered with pure sorrow, brimming and overtaking all of his senses. He could feel the tremor creeping unto his muscle at the force of emotion.

Without wasting any precious seconds, the Golden Dragon lunged at the serpent. First, he was biting, clawing, flicking his tail… and the cycle continued, increasingly exponential in power. The Dragon pierced his fangs, chomping the thick skin of the monstrous serpent repeatedly. The grotesque creature still stubbornly refused to let go of Tigress. The Dragon moved back and in turn planted another forceful bite, this time, he fired his golden plasma and lacerating the serpent's dense skin mercilessly. Finally, after few minutes of struggle from the relentless attack, the deranged serpent released the captivated bird in order to avenge the Dragon.

The avian infirm body was lay wasted to the side, Po was about to attend her but his avenger was not going to let him.

While Tigress was rudely awakened with a sudden gasp, as her lung battled relentlessly to catch up with previous starvation of air. She felt her neck throbbing with naked pain as she tried to move. From her limited vantage, she watched the ongoing brutal onslaught still taking place. She gathered all her energy, she was resolute not letting Po fought alone…. But her body betrayed her - vicious agony tormented her neck, causing her wing jerked in response. But something touched her….well, more like someone. The touch was gentle, warm, and fuzzy, and within a few minutes all the insufferable pain was gone, and she heard the voice of her savior.

"Well done Xiu, now you must help Lotus…"

She turned her head and meeting the panda's emerald eyes, radiating with multitudes of motherly love. Tigress gave a second thought about taking Zhi to safety first, but the panda seemed to understand her concern.

"Don't worry about me… you have a job to do… a destiny to fulfill." Her eyes were solid and unyielding, Tigress could not even press the resolute look plastered across the panda's usual friendly facade. "You go help him now!" She said again.

She could see the Golden Dragon had become feral, losing control on all his cognitive senses. His breathing was loud and heavy, his eyes narrowed with the unyielding determination to kill. With unrelenting force of anger that had awakened her dormant chi within him, he fired his dangerous energy sphere almost in all direction, shattering the innocent floating islands to fragmented debris. He roared viciously before charging again at the serpent, his attack was ferocious, powerful and brutal, but lacking in precision and accuracy. Tigress knew, Po would run out of chi should he continued the skirmish in likewise fashion, and only a few of his attack actually hit the desired target.

Po, calm down..., I am okay….

The previous eruption of animosity gradually left his being as her voice of reassurance reached his ears.

Tigress...? After a moment of repose, he reluctantly called her with his characteristic gentle tone. His attention now shifted towards her.

I am okay Po, don't you worry…. She said again, Po even could hear a smile in her voice. Don't look at me, ...just hold your battle and distract her.

As he gained his composure, his heart started to reason with his head his next tactical move to trounce the monstrous snake, and of course, the big-hearted panda would prefer the way of peace.

Tigress still laid on the same spot, still pretending to be injured while watching the two ancient-like creatures hoisted still as if they were conversing.

"… you had to let it go of the past Khan…. because it doesn't matter..." The Golden Dragon initiated the truce.

"What are you talking about? Let go of that simpleton that stole his heart and soul? Never…" She rebutted with truculent assertion laced in her voice. The was a clear reflection of intense jealousy in her eyes, the jealousy that did not leave room from rationality. "Dragon Warrior, you would never understand how much you loved someone… until you saw them loving someone else." She exclaimed with stubborn abhorrence.

A moment of deja-vu came upon him, somehow he heard, he felt, he tasted how those tears and pain was like.(**) "Believe me… I do know…." He riposted with much sombre voice.

"NO YOU DON'T...!" She barked vindictively, even Po could feel a sudden gush of air disturbed by her anger. "Jia purposefully rejected him…., hurting his feeling…..and that's what make me sick!" She snarled, baring her fangs at the Golden Dragon.

"If you truly loved him… you had to let him be happy with his choice." The Dragon said with deep conviction.

His last word rekindled the potent rage within her chest. She looked into his benevolent emerald eyes, clearly unsuspecting her next move. With her desire to kill, she launched a massive energy sphere which could easily smolder the Golden Dragon scales into cinders.

Po… iron shirt….! Iron shirt….! Tigress warned him desperately, not even sure whether that going to protect him against the incinerating fire, but she just pleaded those words would reach his ears. Knowing there was no time to retaliate with similar strike, the Dragon found his centre and concentrating his chi to shield his entire being. The Dragon staggered slightly from the colossal strength of the attack, cringing with his eyes closed almost resigning to his ill-fated everyone's surprise, the Dragon's form was delineated with faint ruby radiance, and the burning sphere merely just passed through without scalding any of his scales. Then Tigress understood, while Po did not inherit any of her fire element physically, he actually owned it in his chi, thus able to protect him against the similar attack from the burning matter imposed by the serpent.

Seeing her attack had failed miserably, pushing her to step up her game. She moved like a true predator and charged the Golden Dragon with intense vehemence, coiling her body around his and giving it a tight squeeze. The Dragon struggled, and tried to wiggle out of her grip. The enraged serpent pierce her fang into his neck, but before the lethal damage was done, a sudden blitz of vermillion effulgence pass through them. The snake yelp in pain, as she felt a few sharp object lacerating her throat.

She staggered back and freeing her captive to come face to face with her attacker. She was confronted with the determinant stare of the Dragon's cohort, the persistency not to let her better half got hurt. The Fire Bird had sliced the serpent's neck with a metal blade which she retrieved from the tip of her tail. But before she could requite the attack, the bird had dashed into oblivion.

The serpent turned around to see the Dragon still left at the exact same place, not attempting to run away. She met the Dragon's jade eyes that tinted with his auleric glory. She was taken aback for a moment of respite to see there was no hatred there… only unbidden sympathy, deep and kind, in fact, he was ready to forgive her for separating him with the woman he loved and throwing his life into utter chaos.

She thrust her attack forward, sending more smouldering breaths and attempting to plant another lethal bite. The Dragon leaned back at the last second, stumbling backwards from the range of floating rocks behind him as the enraged serpent tried to shred him open with her grotesque fang. With each miss, the serpent grew more infuriated, screeching in fury knowing the Dragon had not attempted to fight back, merely just defending himself. Hastening her speed and ferocity as she tried to catch a moment of recklessness, finding a window when his guard would drop - she just need to be lucky once, and it would be all over.

She moved abruptly into the Dragon's quarter and launching her burning breath in such a close distance, the Dragon was unable to step out of the way, nor doing his iron shirt protection. He yelped in blood-curdling terror as he shook off part of his maw which was charred. His outburst from sudden pain sated her soul, as she saw her attack seared part of his maw. A delightful, diabolical smile gripped her mouth.

Po..!

Tigress, step back…. Calm down, I got this.

What do you mean?! she nearly bakes your head!

Trust me…. Please trust me.

Snarling, the serpent slithered in blinding speed to burn him with another short distance scorching blow, determined to end the epic battle victoriously. The Dragon only managed to block her attack by dodging a rock in between them. Incensed, she leaped, hurling and bouncing off the floating debris, darted towards the Dragon to plant her vicious bite or her searing breaths from every angle.

If she was in the right state of mind, she might have known the Fire Bird was lurking and watching the battle with her calculative mind. The Dragon rolled to thwart her attack, but only to poise a mere distance from her face. She grinned mentally seeing her chance.

Po… watch out!

She launched a gigantic fire sphere that could easily cooked the Dragon alive while Po merely shielding himself again with his fire element iron shirt. But emerging from the massive brilliance was the Fire Bird, flinging with terminal velocity while holding the longest part of her metal tail as her blade, clasping it firmly on her beak. Khan looked down, as she watch the red avian pierced the damning object accurately into her heart. The sharp blade, combined with momentum of power had cause it to perforate through the other side.

There was a momentary fear grasping Khan's mind as she reasoned that her end was near. But it was quickly resolved into peaceful acceptance, instant submission to her fate - that for once she did not have to be strangled in jealousy, lived for decades in constant heartache, hurting badly for every denial to the gesture of her love. The love that had blinded her to imprisoned numerous Kung Fu Masters, murdering countless nobility, and slandering innocent civilians. The love that had put its fetters upon her happiness.

She was no coward, with no other choice she closed her eyes… embracing the moment that would liberate her spirit immortal existence from the torture of love she would never have. His face awaited her behind her eyelids, devouring the moment in time when she fell for his charming smile…. his eloquence adulation….his kindness, and his sad smile as he knew she had chosen to hate him. She let a single bead of tear trickled down her prideful eye, as she proclaimed her love one last time and delivering her tormented soul to embrace eternal tranquility.

Xiang… I love you.

The golden blade emitted auric light as it entered the serpent's body, and her form suddenly enveloped by golden luminance and exploded into the ray of nothingness.

Tigress was heaving, her feather singed from the contact with nasty heat.

Po…. sorry we couldn't change her mind...and I had to do what I did.

Tigress looked into his distraught emerald eyes, almost blaming himself for failing yet again to covert the person that had decimated his life and his loved ones.

And both of the avian and the dragon fell unconscious from intense lassitude.

Tai Lung frustratedly stormed out of Tigress' bedroom, leaving Wu Jia who later on decided to join the rest in the kitchen. He climbed up the vertical wall by the window to reach the roof, planning to endeavor whoever the culprit that had caused the slight unrest.

He immediately identified three familiar silhouettes, having a moment of rendezvous atop the student barrack roof. He sighed audibly in irritation, and partially to attract the attention of the regaling party.

"Is that your stealth mode when trying to infiltrate to enemy's encampment?" He remarked with his usual mocking tone.

The three felines in question grinned whimsically, welcoming his uninvited presence. "Ah… handsome, you finally joined us… you are a little late, though." Wan batted her eyes, spelling out her words in much sensuous tone.

The spotted leopard disregarding her comment, crossing his arm in front of his creamy chest tightly. "What do you want? I thought you are heading to Manthai with Jade?" He snapped sharply.

"I did… but I met Wan and Wing on the way… apparently, they were sent by our uncle to come and escort Jia after hearing that you were captured." Su quickly explicated.

"... now that I am out of jail, that won't be necessary… wouldn't it?" He rebutted back, in which Wan boisterously giggled. "Don't you miss us even a tiny weeny bit? Remember handsome, without us… a hero like you would be out of jobs!" She went on. Tai Lung rolled his eyes.

"Let me guess…. You don't want to come clean in front of the Grand Master about us...that we are Jia's side of family, admitted Spots." Wing sneered disdainfully. Tai Lung growled lowly while suppressing a scowl creeping on his face.

"Just let us stay for a few night until Jia ready to come home with us…" Su interjected their bickering while glaring maliciously at her two sisters before they were murdered by the Masters of Jade Palace.

"You can stay with one condition…" He came looming over Su, and pressing his usual arrogant voice sternly."Do not cause any trouble....understand?" He said imperiously. Their musical laughter was his answer, even Su's maw curled with a smile witnessing his obvious frustration.

"Ah, that's can be arranged, Master Tai Lung." Wan finally composed herself, sensical enough to respond in a civil manner.

"You don't have to arrange anything…" The old red panda had appeared in all sudden like a ghost, wiping the resplendent look from the Wu's Sister faces. While Tai Lung exhaled even deeper, thinking the matter had gone from bad to worse now his father was involved.

"So, I take it you heard us." The spotted leopard concluded vapidly. The red panda smiled tightly with his darken voice, however, making an uncharacteristically amusing comment, "... do you think I owned this pair of ears for nothing?" And he went on. "Tomorrow afternoon… we shall speak, and Tai Lung… first thing in the morning, come to my chamber. You three, I shall speak to you separately, as much as Jade Palace was concerned - we never had any business with you." He commanded with finality. Before anyone could utter any objection, the Grand Master had made his dramatic exit… and nowhere to be found.

The next day.

"Tai Lung…"

"Yes, Father…"

"I wish to discuss about Lady Jia…" The old red panda went on. "Are you serious in pursuing her as your potential mate?" Shifu eyed his son seriously. Tai Lung scoffed knowing where the conversation would head to. He wasn't even asking Shifu's diverging opinion on his love life, he already had enough problem accepting his unrequited sentiment since the striped feline employing hard-to-get attitude.

"You know me long enough to be able to answer that question, Father." He replied rather insolently, not even bothered meeting his father's gaze.

"That's what I am fearing…" His father muttered almost inaudibly. Tai Lung nearly barked out in outrage but managed to hold himself, not wanting to cause any upset to their newly found relationship.

"Tai Lung….," Shifu modulated his voice sympathetically, even Tai Lung could hear the repentant edge in his utterance. He regretted to shatter the snow leopard's dream once, and he wasn't keen to do it the second time. "I appreciate you are a grown adult, thus more than capable to decide things pertaining felicitous spouse for yourself. However..., I had to impart my thought on this matter." He paused giving time to his son to digest his words.

"You must be aware of Wu Jia's background. She is raised with very different philosophy from us. And that's the reason why Manthai was, in most of the time, in a perilous relationship with China. And the last thing you want is to adopt the same relationship under your own roof." He said judiciously and had chosen his words prudently to avoid further contention. Shifu could see his son was severely disappointed at his judgment. "Not to mention that the Wu Sister was actually her family."

"I think that's a little late for that Father, I am not changing my mind." He answered his father obstinately. However there wasn't any maliciousness in his voice, it was a mere declaration of his uncompromising decision. The Grand Master nodded in passive resignation, he knew Tai Lung wouldn't just adhere to his advice even when his reasoning was completely logical and sensible.

"Another thing is, she is the sole heir of the Manthai throne. You might have to leave the Jade Palace and live in the foreign land… in which, the position I have for you in Jade Palace would render-"

"Wait. Father, you are… offering me a… position in Jade Palace?" He couldn't conceal his bewilderment.

"What do you think? Leaving you roaming as a vigilante in Valley of Peace?" The Grand Master retorted with a slight punch of critic. He huffed and face his back towards the leopard. "I actually had been contemplating to step down Tai Lung…. And concentrating on my meditation and other more… spiritual matter. And I want you….to take my role, to train the Dragon Warrior."

"What?" The snow leopard honey eyes widened expressing his incredulity.

"I saw you training and sparring with Po, I believe… your unconventional way to explain things to Dragon Warrior would benefit him to raise as a remarkable warrior. Have a think about it Son…."

"But Dragon Warrior…,-" His father tiny hand raised, interfering his argument before it was fired.

"I know what are you thinking, Son… but believe me, almost nothing could kill that panda. He did this before. But I can't say the same for Tigress." He admitted densely. Tai Lung recalled the battle with Kai that they reenacted with Po's action figure and dumplings, noting that he indeed made it back from Spirit Realm (*).

For a prolonged moment of recess, the snow leopard weighed his option, but he felt a note of fury started to crept on his chest reciting his father remark over the only woman he ever loved. Another part of him felt his dream had been annihilated by an accusation of his ineptitude the same way when he was denied the Dragon Scroll. Fuming in silence, he tread down to the village with no definite destination in mind. While the Grand Master watched his son went off sadly, letting the familiar nagging remorse crippling his mind.

While passing the Ping's establishment, a sudden reminder that he could chop or diced something without the accusation of being a murderous monster came across his mind. It was probably the best option to channel his brimming outburst without massacring the training hall, or killing someone and ended up back in Chorh-Gom. But obviously, with his tunnel vision of restraining his own tantrum, Tai Lung neglected to remember that he shouldn't let a word pass through about the death of Dragon Warrior and Master Tigress - especially to the chatty old goose.

"Oh hi… Master Tai Lung! What a surprise…! Keen to have another go in culinary experience?" The joyous old goose approached him but quickly noting the stormy look anchored unto his countenance, and the lumbering manner he dragged his burly form.

"You looked troubled, what is it?" He lowered his voice discreetly, avoiding his meddlesome customers to hear him. "And… where is my son? I have not seen him for weeks!"

"Uh…. nothing Mr. Ping...something just troubled my mind. Po is fine… He….he is still on a mission." He lamely fibbed, hoping the goose would just take his words without prying for concrete evidence.

"Is what bothering you….. love related?" The old goose chuckled smugly watching the spotted leopard change of demeanor.

"I know as Kung Fu Master, love life could be very hard Master Tai Lung. But, I didn't warrant Po to lifetime celibacy when I approved his apprenticeship with your father…. In fact, I always pressing him time to time about giving me the grand-cubs that had been severely overdue. All of my friends with children about Po's age already graduated as grandfather… but yes, life as a dedicated warrior can be damaging for a relationship." He mindlessly babbled. The topic diversion clearly had extinguished Tai Lung's initial distress, it was quickly long lost and forgotten as they delved into gossiping someone else's private life.

In all honesty, Tai Lung couldn't see the potential even when the panda decided to reside down in the valley. With his lacking point on masculinity department, moreover surrounded by creatures that minuscule by comparison to his colossal size, the panda hardly stood any chance in finding appropriate suitor. So, taking life of celibacy couldn't possibly hurt his future more, couldn't it? But clearly, the old goose was either delusional or straight away demented with the thought of sending his son to Jade palace to bear him grand-cubs. But inexplicably, the image of the panda and his striped sister surfaced in his mind followed by a stocky white tiger, and a muscular orange panda. He absently burst in laughter as his own depiction of his future nieces and nephews.

"Don't you laugh now…" The old goose chided bitterly. "...I mean look at you, at the dawn of your child bearing age and still no girlfriend…. and you are one attractive looking leopard with a myriad of accolades. Clearly getting a suitable mate had nothing to do with looks or ability... " While clearly, the old goose had misinterpreted his laughing outburst, but his obnoxious revelation struck the inner cord of his being, slamming his pride hard to the floor. He was immediately silenced. Mr. Ping scooped a bowl of soup and nonchalantly place it in front of the leopard who hardly noticed its existence.

"Don't you ever wonder why your father chose to be a confirmed bachelor despite his previous relationship?" Mr. Ping phlegmatically expounded while moving his cleaver in a fluent manner and massacring the radishes in front of them in mere seconds.

"Did he… ever had a… previous, romantic encounter?" He absently said as if those was the only question occupying his mind. The noodle maker chuckled, made his eccentric headpiece resting on his head rocked comically.

"Sure do, we are all the same Master Tai Lung, regardless his cold and distant facade, your Father capable of love just like anyone else." The leopard just stirring noodle offhandedly, while listening to the goose narration.

"But… the matter was quite… disclosed in such privy. There used to be a girl… your father was often associated with. Back when you were a mere cub. But the relationship had never taken off anywhere… I presume because of the girl past profession - and a notable master as your father wouldn't be a rightful match to her." He said rather reluctantly. The leopard's eyes flicked leaving his previous vapid glances in exchanged to total inquisitiveness, he leaned forward closer to the old goose.

"Can you elaborate Mr. Ping." He queried, lacing his voice with a definite importuning edge. For a moment of repose, the old goose weighing whether it was wise to share such sensitive information to Grand Master's son.

"But you must promise never breathe a word to the Grand Master…" As Tai Lung motioned the acceptance of his condition. The old goose explicated. "She used to be a prostitute… but she had left the Valley long ago. Her name was…. Xin Yue."(*****)

Tai Lung felt a stack of bricks had fallen on his head, he struggled to think straight in his delirium over so many things that bombarded into his ailing mind half an hour ago and now...this!

"Was she… a fox?" He asked almost inaudible to the old goose dwindling sense of hearing.

"Yes, yes…. How do you know?" Mr. Ping reciprocated the question.

"T-that's not important…" He stuttered. The spotted leopard hastily tipped over the entire content of the bowl with the noise and speed that rivaled Po's and belched contentedly before quickly placed his coin on the table and thank the goose.

"You see Master Tai Lung if you don't want to be a bachelor until you well passed your expiry date… you had listened to this more…." The old goose pointing at his heart."...more than this…" and pointed at his head. As he smiled widely receiving Tai Lung's payment. The leopard just nodded phlegmatically, and disappeared in a blink towards the Palace.

"I need to see the Grand Master." The Ox prompted the timid looking goose messenger with his booming voice.

"Do you have an appointment with him? B-because… he is….busy at the moment." The goose stammered, sweeping his glance towards a group of Masters from the Kung Fu Council that he had grown very familiar with.

"No, this is a pressing matter…" The Ox said resolutely and appending his voice with much urgency.

"W-would you mind to wait here?" The goose squeaked almost inaudibly, wearing his desperate imploring voice begging for mercy.

Pounding his weight on the palace's step, the Ox stormed with much threatening tone, "I repeat… this is an important matter, I demand to see the Grand Master now." He barked out commandingly as he towered over the goose who crouched under his shadow in instant fear.

"R-right Master Ox and…. Master Croc, p-please follow m-me." The goose fearfully relented.

"Grand Master Shifu? There are guests urgently wanting to see you." Zeng pushing the door slightly and slowly, while lingered his head by the door frame as if seeking for approval.

"Zeng, could they wait… I am speaking with,-" A revelation of his important guest's arrival overtook his mind. But before Shifu even welcomed his fellow Masters warmly, Master Croc was quick to interrupt his intention, "...so… seemed like the allegation is true." He said with a slight tone of disappointment.

"What?... what's going on?" The look of deep worry and bewilderment dug deep on Shifu's withered face.

"Grand Master, I think you are the one who owes us an explanation…" One of the other Master finally spoke up. The hurt and betrayal were clear in his voice.

"Why Tai Lung is here? And The Wu Sister….? I didn't know you are conspiring with the dark side." Master Ox quickly appended. The Grand Master's eyes snapped opened with outrage as he bounced his disbelief stare for such obscene accusation towards the rest of the Kung Fu Council's member.

"Please gentleman,… it's not what it seemed." The red panda teetered, while egging himself to calm down and reason things logically.

"I was pardoned years ago by the Empress - as requested by Dragon Warrior." The spotted leopard decided to speak for himself.

"And… where is the proof?" Master Chicken challenged the leopard who resisted the urge to growl at him unflinchingly. Even though his patience growing short by the second, Tai Lung curbed his desire to decapitated the Kung Fu Council board members, the leopard sighed heavily before expounding further truth.

"Masters…" Tai Lung addressed them with deceptively revered tone. "The Empress didn't issue me a scroll because of her advisor, Lady Khan - strongly disagree with her decision to lay her pardon…. I was previously was ordered to obliterate Valley of Peace as part of one of Khan underhand mission. But I failed that mission."

"Ok… at least I demanded a word of validation from Dragon Warrior as confirmation." The Masters demanded adamantly.

"Dragon Warrior….,-" Shifu raised his hand to stop Tai Lung spilled more information about Po's whereabouts.

"If you are unable to proof that, I am afraid I refuse to believe you Shifu. I know we'd been acquaintances for a long time. But doesn't close the chance for you to betray our trust."

"Y-you! What makes you think I am benefited with such...lowly action?" Shifu still trying to defend himself.

"I am supposed to be the one who asked you that question…. Why Shifu? why did you betray us?!" Master Croc stepped forward, pressing for Shifu's honest answer.

One of the Wu Sister finally decided to speak up. "We are not here to do any business...spikes. I am here for this lady here… Lady Jia, she is our cousin." But as she thought her explication would clear up some misunderstanding, it just diminished the remaining trust on Shifu's credibility.

"So… now you are even siding the rebellious kingdom of Manthai? Shifu… this is…. atrocious. How long have you been spying us?" Came the voice of Master Bear balefully.

"Wait… gentleman, may I know who sent you here?" Wu Jia raised her voice for the first time, they hardly noticed she was there. Master Ox revealed a scroll with imperial seal. Wu Jia politely requested to see it, and after reading the content she immediately concluded.

"I believe the Grand Master had been framed…. " She said shortly. Everyone eyes immediately widened, and before any masters voiced out their concern over the credibility of her statement, she pulled out a scroll from under her robe. It was the spool she stole from Lord Chin's office.(***) And continued. "My cousins were just here to escort me, and as much as Manthai are concerned… I can guarantee we were siding China all this time. We were trying to disrupt the betrothal between my niece, Empress Xiaxue and our Mongolian counterpart a few days ago."

"W-what?... the Empress is betrothed to a Mongolian King?" Master Ox visibly perturbed.

"Is that means we are going to be ruled by a Mongol King?"

"But our Sheng just signed the letter of acceptance to relinquish the autonomy back to the Imperial City."

"We can't let this happen!"

"Calm down gentlemen, I think there is no use of overreacting now. The betrothal had been interrupted by Dragon Warrior, however, there is a chance of war brewing should the Mongolian King felt strongly about this." Shifu raised his voice of authority.

The rest of the Masters quickly in agreement with him. While Shifu taking note that Wu Jia had acted carefully, cunningly and judiciously. Even Tai Lung registered a glint of gratitude in his Father's eyes when Wu Jia saving his honour and dignity in front of all the Masters.

Both the Dragon and Fire Bird floated in space, and landed magically on the gold island, under the magnificent golden peach tree. They were both worn out, Tigress clipped breath spilling from her chest while Po wasn't any better, his breath was short and laborious. Both creature slumped under the tree for a while. As they struggled to gain their vigour, slowly the gold and red aura swept over them - and physical changes took place. They returned to their original form.

Tigress was the first to realize, she saw her striped arm... and then look at the panda, who perched his back against the trunk of the ancient tree.

"Po are you okay?" The panda alerted hearing her usual calming intonation.

"Tigress…, that was quite something." The panda smiled proudly at his heroine. But the beaming, radiant look was quickly bedraggled as Tigress mentioned the striking reality.

"You had to go back Po, I will find Master Oogway for you… may be-" Her words was silenced at the firm grip on her paw. His jade orbs stared at her like there were many things he wanted to say, but instead with the last energy he had, he lunged, scooping her form entirely and engulfed her in the tenderness of his arms. For a moment she chose to forget her hard core image, she caressed his soft furry back, feeling his warm fur under her numbed paw. The existence of this panda was responsible for the very thing that mellowed her, made her able to once again felt sadness, pain, and love, but she never regretted it. A Dreamy sigh escaping her lips.

But all good things must come to an end.

"The fight is not over Po... they still need you." She encouraged him, although there was an evidence of sorrow in her voice. She in turned looking up at his concern green eyes like he was admitting something important.

"But I couldn't leave you here Tigress... I... I need you..." His jade orbs pleading for reaction, his jaw quivered, with barely restrained the wave of heartache, with a cry he couldn't vocalize. Tigress swore, she could even hear his heart break - and it was almost unbearable to see the pain and sorrow, screaming from the very depth of his soul.

"I am sorry Po, as much as I want to... I... couldn't." She struggled to keep the hurt imprinted in her voice. "But I'll be right here... with you." She grabbed his paw in hers and placed it where his heart was. "... you still have a lot of fight,... mission... and bright future ahead of you."

"But...,Tigress... I love you. " His word incited such a contradictory and intense emotion in her. Her eyes were quickly clouded up, blanketed with tears - how could a simple confession could be so hard to digest? And so painful to accept? Her mind racing with memories, happy memories of a time that has long since passed.

Unlike many other times, at this very second, after processing so many riots of emotions that began to well up with her - Tigress was sure of her answer.

She loved him.

He was bold without being arrogant, entertaining without being annoying, endearing without being fake, a great listener without being mute, full of wisdom without being patronising. He was able to captivate her in adorable fashion that melt her heart and a huge ecstatic grin on his amiable face. His unbridled enthusiasm, boundless optimism, and endless forgiveness had touch her hardcore soul. A warm feeling bubbling in her chest and her gut felt oddly tight. There was no reason why she couldn't be brazen, ferocious hardline warrior while still indulging in tenderness and affection that her life much lacking, this did not mean she had lost her edge and being soft.

But how she could tell him? they stood no chance. She was... after all, dead. And Po, the Dragon Warrior, had to move on, return back to his rightful place, to defend China once more, but this time, without her.

She witnessed how broken he was, Po was beyond repair, and it hurt her.

"I am sorry If we were never meant to be..." He said in resignation, while desperation bled through his thoughts and hot torrents of anguished tears began coursing down his cheeks.

She shook her head and stepped forward, closing the gap between them. Almost like the time stop right there and then, both creatures gazing silently into each other eyes, bestowing all the unspoken words and feeling they had kept for each other. He just had to accept the fact he won't ever be with the woman that he loved. Tigress just didn't know what to say, eloquent word, gesture and deeds that show a true devotion and passion, are among the things she woefully needed to learn since she had not own any romantic bone in her body.

May be... maybe they would meet again, in a different life, in different circumstances. But for now, they had to part. Po had to move on with his life, continued his journey, to defeat other villains, to defend China, to be a hero, to fall in love again, to start a family and to leave his legacy. She only could wish the best for him, because this was where her destiny fulfillment, her journey ended, right here... And she'd done well... she kept true to her deeds to protect Dragon Warrior with every ounce of her strength and ability.

Tigress smiled, her sweetest, impeding wave of hurt in her chest, and trying to console the stricken-looking panda, she squeezed his hand gently to try to calm his frazzled nerves, and before he knew it, their muzzle welded together. Her scent overpowering his senses, a soft contentment hum reverberated under his breath, as he felt all his worry and sadness melt away. Po felt her arm slip around his neck so he reciprocated and laced his arm around her waist. She had acted impulsively and in many way irrationally... but she had no regret. It was now or never. They were two different, imperfect creature who were made to perfectly for each other.

Behind her lids, the memory flooded through her mind, numerous mission they had been, how many time they had cheated death, to a simple happy time, watching his lithe movement in the kitchen, beating a pulp out of him in the training hall, sitting underneath peach tree in fake meditation, encouraging him to break his number of bean bun he could stuff into his mouth, counting stars from the barrack's roof, watching him tripped down the thousand steps, and many more clumsy moments which instead pulling embarrassment, had compelled her to admire him even more.

Then all the doubt flew from him, all the insecurity, the guesswork. Tigress might never say it out loud, but she was here. She wanted to be with him, as far as she could tell…., she wanted to be with him forever.

Suddenly she felt a gush of winds swirling around them, they pulled out of the kiss. His jade orbs never falter staring at the form in front of him with great adoration. And that dazzling jade eyes had brought forth light and jovial atmosphere that seemed to cleanse her soul. Both of them watch in awe as the lake around them had turned into a large portal with red and golden yin and yang symbol. (****)

Realizing the tiger pulled out, the panda conscientiously asked.

"...oh gosh, does my breath smell?"

Tigress laughed, "...no Po, but….. I can do it again if you are unsure." Before he could rebut any word of protest, her muzzle mashed into his, this time, a lot more fervent, heated and passionate. Both eyes were closed, but in the darkness burst streaking radiant of fireworks. They let the outburst of overwhelming emotion overtook the motion, as their torso pressing firmly against each other, enjoying such intimate closeness with the person they loved, until their lung yelling for oxygen.

"Mmm… I can taste bean bun…." She hummed and licking her succulent lips, looking perfectly satiated in the embrace of his arms. The giddiness on her chest expanded every moment, as she stared at his enthralling emerald eyes, connecting their soul and looking for the approval she so desperately wanted.

"Tigress… are you trying to eat me? Uh yeah… that's the bean bun your mom gave me in the palace kitchen…. " He grinned shyly. "And yours… something fruity?"

"Well, I've tasted the peach from this tree…you mom gave me..." Tigress gazed pointedly to the gold peach tree with pink foliage. But her arms still clinging tightly to the back of his neck.

"Would you like to….. taste it again?" She said invitingly and broadened her seductive smile. Po eyes lit up on her flirtatious manoeuvre, but not wasting any time for such opportunity, subsequently closed his eyes as he leaned to kiss her again, this time gently and far more deeply - this was his version - careful and tender. She could feel the warmth of his breath gently grazing her fur as his lips lingered over hers, waiting patiently as if they sought her permission. The sound of soft moan and pleasured snarl lulled them like an ethereal hymn, as they engaged in an earnest battle, as their tongues were fighting for dominance.

"Mmmkay…...That was a little tangy… but I like it." He smiled with pure wonderment on his face, both of them gasping for breaths. It's not everyday Po witnessing Tigress acting like a hopeless romantic.

Without another word, he pressed his lips against hers, she closed her eyes and taking the immense pleasure of the declaration of his love. It was such an incredible sensation, although strictly speaking… these wasn't their first kiss, but indeed this was their first sincere kiss. There was no dare, no charade, no agenda… other than to be lost in each other's arm. A kiss… was one simple act to express all those suppressed emotion. Yes, he was still very much funny, goofy, fun loving panda…with occasional callow, infantile act. But this was a different side of him - he was mature, passionate and sophisticated. But another sudden gush of wind disrupted her trail of mind.

"Po... take a look at the lake." Tigress said, capture in instant astonishment at the magnificent sight."... you did it without your staff!"

"... no Tigress,... we did it." The excitement bursting out of his voice. Gold meet jade, and they can only see excitement reflected back. "We can go back…!"

"That's right... you both need to go back." A firm yet gentle unfamiliar voice won Dragon Warrior's attention. An image of his monochromatic self, appeared from behind the Peach Tree.

"Sorry for eavesdropping, but I couldn't really disturb you two..."

"Mom?" Po immediately recognized her. She was exactly like what he remembered in his distant memory.

"I see you two... had made quite an acquaintances…." The female panda teased both blushing panda and tiger.

"You really took a good care of him, thank you... you are the best daughter I ever would have. I wish you both happiness... and enjoyed your time with you tiger mother. I am sure she'll be proud of you as much as I do." She fondled Tigress' cheek gently, witnessing the cub she had a chance to raised and the woman she had blossomed into. And then gazing affectionately at Po while meticulously scrutinizing his features.

"Lotus,... you have grown to such a man. I am sorry I had to leave you so early...but, I wanted to know...that I love you." The air turned somber, as Zhi paw caressed Po's cheek, bestowing her maternal love he was very much deprived.

"I never doubt that any seconds of my life…..love you too Mom." Po beamed.

"Please send regards to your Dad, tell him... I love him." Both creatures entangled in sentimental hugs, before Po held Tigress' paw.

"Let's do this…"

It was a busy sunny day in Valley of Peace. In anticipation of the upcoming winter festival, the citizen of the valley rammed every corner of the market square.

All their attention suddenly withdrew to a swift wind, whirling in an inexplicable manner, followed by a gale of thousand pink petals. Invited by a huge commotion, the Masters quickly gathered up, fearing bandits attacked amidst the citizen.

"What's that…?" Tai Lung looked up the sky in bewilderment. While Shifu, and the rest of the Five, clearly had seen the same thing happened before. The red panda's eyes dilated, his clutched his staff tensely, his chest was tight with excitement. And not just one, but two figure hung down from the portal - suspended midair, until suddenly fell ungracefully to the ground with a loud thud.

That's all for this chapter. What do you think? The kissing scene was the hardest to write... hope it met everyone expectation :-) Yes sorry, took 36 chapter until they finally together... after so many rollercoaster (beware, more to come).

(*****) The herbalist that nurse Tai Lung into health, Chapter 27

(****) Effect of Chi Fusion/Cosmic Blend first recorded in Chapter 6

(***) Referring to Chapter 31

(**) Referring to Chapter 25

(*) Referring to Chapter 21