Opening Theme: Simple and Clean by Utada Hikaru

CHAPTER 48
THE NIGHT OF THEIR LIVES

1 day until the Geng Wu attack...

When she woke up, Tigress could practically feel the air heavy with tension. Geng Wu's attack was tomorrow, and for the first time, she felt somewhat afraid of fighting. She couldn't believe that; she was Tigress for crying out loud. She faced her rampaging half-brother. She fought against a peacock bent on total domination. No battle could ever scare her.

And yet she was scared. She was afraid not of the battle, but how she would react if she came face-to-face with those responsible for her parents' deaths. She was confident of her abilities (she and the others have trained well), but the idea of who she was going to fight made her hesitate.

Despite her worries, she just had to go through this day doing her final preparations for the fight. The morning gone sounded like it always did, and in one swift second, she and the others were out of their rooms. Their "Good morning master" was interrupted by a certain sight; Lin didn't emerge from his room.

Instead, there was a note on his door. It read: "Down at the village to do something. Will be back soon. -Lin"

"This isn't part of the plan." Crane whispered to the others.

"Where could he have gone?" Viper asked out loud.

Shifu cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "If Lin has important matters to deal with, then I guess we should let him. Geng Wu attacks tomorrow, and we must make this last day count."

His students nodded before heading off to breakfast. Everyone was wondering where Lin could've gone especially Tigress who noticed the others whispering to each other behind her back.

"He didn't tell anyone anything?" Po said making the others shake their heads.

"Maybe he's checking up on the place." Mantis suggested.

"No; the place is fine. Maybe he's looking for something to wear." Monkey said.

"Nah, Tigress never really was into clothes." Po commented.

"And just what are all of you whispering about?" Tigress said suddenly stopping and turning to the five of them. They all stopped in their track as she glared at them.

"We were just...uh...talking about..." Po scratched the back of his head nervously.

"The plan tomorrow!" Monkey yelled out getting an idea. Tigress seemed to buy it, but...

"And why am I not in this conversation?" she asked.

"Because Lin's not here!" Crane answered. "I mean, when we split up tomorrow, you're going to be with Po and Lin, so it would be kinda pointless to discuss your part."

Tigress raised an eyebrow and the others held their breaths. "In that case, it should also be pointless for Po to be with you." Said panda looked at the others before looking at Tigress.

Eventually, he walked away from them went to Tigress' side. As the group headed to the dinning hall, Tigress said: "I hope you don't mind if we spar first Po." The latter looked at the group behind him and gulped.


Tigress was just as merciless as ever. A few minutes, she had slammed him on the ground several times all without looking into his eyes. "You're more durable than that Po. How about another round?" she asked him as he laid sprawled on the ground.

"N...no more..." he replied weakly. As he laid there, Tigress heard the doors open. Looking up, she saw Lin enter the hall. She went over to him.

"Lin, where were you; I was worried when you didn't show this morning." she said.

"Yes. I'm sorry for that." Lin replied. "I was er...preparing for tonight." he blurted out.

"Tonight?" Tigress asked. Lin put a paw on her shoulder and walked with her.

He sighed before beginning. "Tigress, now that I think about it, we haven't exactly had a proper date haven't we?"

"Well...that first time didn't really count. That second once went..." She shuddered at that memory.

Lin bit his lip remembering that night. "Well, think of this as a way to make up for that, for all those years we were apart." He smiled at her. "So how about it Tigress? Would you have dinner with me?"

He continued to smile at her. His grin was starting to get contagious; she found one slowly forming on her as well. "I'd love to Lin; it's a date."

Lin gave her a hug after that. "We're leaving after this afternoon's training. You'd better be ready until then." He walked off with a laugh leaving Tigress to smile and resume her own training.

"Dude, what the hell? I got beaten up 'cause of you!" Po said from the ground. Lin hastily helped him to his feet and quickly apologized.


For the first time, Tigress was worried about something she was never worried about before: her outfit.

She did like her usual clothes; they were looked good on her and made practicing Kung Fu easier, but she wished she had something nicer to wear. This wasn't like her at all; Lin should be OK with anything she wore.

In the end, she went with her usual attire, but this time, she had her LinkStar half out. It was already evening and was just a few minutes away from her big date with Lin. The threat of Geng Wu still hung in the air, but would put it off for tonight; this night was theirs alone.

After brushing her fur a bit, she heard knocking on her door. She opened it and saw Lin, his LinkStar also out and with his arm extended towards her. "Ready for tonight Tigress?" he asked.

Grinning slightly, she took his paw and walked with him out of the barracks. "It's a good thing Master Shifu allowed this." Lin said as they walked.

"It is. Remember back when we were younger? We kept asking Master Oogway when we wanted to do something together." Tigress said reminiscing about old times.

"It was always much easier to get permission from him." Lin sighed. "I just hope he allows things other than tonight. I've a bad feeling he could end up one of those overprotective-father types."

"Lin, he trusts you. I'm sure he wouldn't worry about how you're treating me." Tigress said.

"That makes sense."

They eventually left the Jade Palace and made it down the stairs. The night was lovely and peaceful. It almost made them forget what was to happen the next day.

"So where exactly are we eating?" Tigress asked.

"In a special place that was prepared for just you and I." Lin replied.

Tigress looked at him confused, but decided to wait until they got to their location. To her delight and surprised, they arrived at a very familiar location to them. It looked pretty much the same, but it was a place that still meant something to them.

"The Jade Blossom?" Tigress said wide-eyed.

Lin just smiled and wordlessly guided her though the restaurant emerging a few moment later in a very familiar scene to them. It was just like back when they were younger. The trees strung with lanterns surrounding a candle-lit table under the stars.

"It's exactly like all those years ago." Tigress said amazed.

"No...it's even better." Lin told her as they went to their own table. They sat down and a waiter took their orders before leaving.

"I hope you're enjoying the evening so far." Lin said.

"I am. This is amazing Lin. How did you get this spot?" Tigress asked looking around.

Lin laughed. "It pays to be friends with the Dragon Warrior." He slid his paw across the table and met hers. He held it tightly. "Tigress..."

She sensed hesitation in his voice, which worried her. "Is something wrong Lin?"

The latter sighed. "I'm sorry; it's just...I hope you're not getting the wrong idea about all of this." He shrugged. "I saw how depressed you've been since last night, and I wanted to do something about it. I hope you don't think that I asked you out because I think we won't survive what will happen tomorrow."

"I don't think that Lin." she said reassuringly. "That hasn't crossed my mind ever since you asked me. This night belongs to us; no thought will ever change that. This is has been an amazing night so far; thank you."

Lin managed to laugh and shook his head. "Oh Tigress, you don't have to thank me. I just love seeing you smile."

That in turn made her smile at him. The waiter then arrived with their meals. He set them down and wished them a pleasant evening before leaving.

They ate in silence enjoying each other's presence. They would sometimes make eye contact, but unlike the times they did back then, neither of them looked away. Sometimes, Lin would just get lose in her eyes for so long, Tigress had to point out he had a noodle dangling from his mouth. Lin ate it up, and the two of them laughed.

As dinner stared to end, Tigress looked around. "Strange; didn't they have a band here?" she asked wondering where they were.

"Yes about that." Lin said beckoning someone inside the restaurant to come out. "Po and the others helped me plan all this, and they said they wanted to help out so..."

Tigress looked and saw Po and the rest of the five standing before them, instruments with each of them. "They insisted on being our band."

"Hey guys. Havin' a good time?" Po asked them carrying a guitar.

"Are you sure this was wise?" Tigress asked nervously to Lin.

"With all honesty, no. But they wanted this, so I say we just let them do their thing." He held her paws and gazed at her.

"Alright then." Po pulled out a small slip of paper. "We got a song request from that guy over there for that girl over there." he said enthusiastically. "OK guys... and..."

As soon as he hit his first note, it was very obvious he had no idea how to use a guitar. The sound actually caused everyone else to wince a bit. "Don't you know how to play that thing?" Mantis asked.

"Hang on; just needs a little tuning that's all." Po said tuning the guitar. He struck another note which was just as bad as the first.

"You're killing the moment here." Viper said annoyed. Po apologized before playing another note.

"Oh for the love of-" Lin sighed as he got up and went to Po who handed him the guitar. "It's more romantic this way anyway." he said tuning it a bit. After a while, he managed to start playing. As he did he smiled and walked to Tigress.

"We've been apart for more than 20 years Tigress." he told her. "I've spent those years suffering not only from what was done to me but also from what I wanted with me. These words express what I felt during all those years of pain."

"There was only one thing in my mind ever since I became a prisoner. In fact, it was there ever since I left the Valley of Peace. It's the most precious thing in the world to me, the greatest treasure I've ever found, something I'd live for, something I'd fight for, something I'd gladly die for..."

"...You..."

As I watch you move, across the moonlit room
There's so much tenderness in your loving

The others started playing along with him as he sang. Tigress and Lin suddenly felt themselves be thrust back in time to when Lin had to leave her to fulfill his destiny.

Tomorrow I must leave, the dawn knows no reprieve
God give me strength when I am leaving

She closed her eyes and let that memories take over. She remembered pleading with him to let him take her along, but he said that this road was his to walk alone. He had to leave her for a while but promised to return as fast as he could.

So raise your hands to heaven and pray
That we'll be back together someday

She was patient and waited for that day they'd be back together. She spent hours of training just to help fulfill her destiny, to make him proud of her when he came home.

And then she thought he had died.

Tonight, I need your sweet caress
Hold me in the darkness
Tonight, you calm my restlessness
You relieve my sadness

She remembered how broken and shattered she felt inside when she heard of his death, how she laid devastated screaming his name, hoping that he would miraculously show up to take the pain and loneliness away. The memory of the pain overwhelmed her, and she felt her eyes water a bit. She knew he felt that kind of loneliness and pain as well. None of them deserved any of that.

As we move to embrace, tears run down your face
I whisper words of love, so softly

She remembered how he suddenly showed up in the middle of the night with terrible news, but the only thing she cared about was seeing him again.

I can't believe this pain, it's driving me insane
Without your touch, life will be lonely

She opened her eyes and saw him before her smiling at her. She was always there for her to make her hurt go away. Since the time they were cubs to the present, he stayed true to that. He always did whatever it took to make her smile.

So raise your hands to heaven and pray
That we'll be back together someday

As his voice rose to sing the chorus, she suddenly got up and went to him. She put her paws on his waist and pressed her forehead to his. Together, they sang.

Tonight, I need your sweet caress
Hold me in the darkness
Tonight, you calm my restlessness
You relieve my sadness

During that moment, being so close to one another, none of them could describe the feeling. It was only when they were with each other that this feeling existed. This was their love; it was stronger than anything else in the world. Nothing, not 20 years of pain or loneliness, could ever break it.

Morning has come, another day
I must pack my bags and say goodbye...

So raise your hands to heaven and pray
That we'll be back together someday

Tonight, I need your sweet caress
Hold me in the darkness
Tonight, you calm my restlessness
You relieve my sadness

By the time the song was over, they were staring into each others eyes. The others looked at them slightly teary eyed. Viper sniffed a bit and wiped a tear away.

"Lin...I..." She didn't know what to say.

He held her paw. "Misha, I've always loved you since the day we met. The love we shared as childhood friends soon blossomed into what we feel right now. It has withstood everything from time to the forces of destruction. I've loved you before...I love you now...And I will love you forever..."

Lin bent down to place the guitar on the floor, but he remained bent down on one knee. He suddenly pulled a ring out of his pocket and presented it to her.

"...Misha...Will you marry me...?"

The whole area froze with those last four words. Po and the rest of the group just stared at them holding their breaths; Lin said nothing about this to them. Jaws hanging, their eyes darting from Lin to Tigress and then back to him.

She suddenly tackled him to the ground. As Lin felt his back hit the floor, he felt her lips kissing him deeply while her paws held his arms tightly. "You didn't have to ask Lin; of course I'll marry you!" she cried out beaming with joy.

Happiness unlike anything before overwhelmed him. He put his arms around her and kissed her. The others cheered and shouted out happy for the two of them. Viper was squealing with glee, and Mantis shouted at a nearby waiter to fetch a drink while the others gather around the couple. After a while, the two of them got up, and Tigress put on the ring.

"Where...how did you even afford this?" she asked still beaming. The ring was beautiful.

"Remember that kid I saved from Fenghuang? His parents said they still owed me." he explained. "I went to them a while ago and asked if I could use their forge."

"Wait..." Tigress looked from him to the ring. "You made this?"

He smiled and nodded. "I wanted to put at least a jewel on it, but I didn't have any on hand..."

"Lin, it's perfect the way it is." She gave him a hug.

"Aww. This is so sweet." Viper said. "And so unfair!" she suddenly shouted starling everyone. "I always thought I'd be the first to get married! Why can't I find a nice decent guy who knows how to treat a girl right?!"

"Uh...maybe you just need to uh...look somewhere closer to home..." Crane said sheepishly scratching the back of his head.

"I...What...?" Viper asked wondering if she heard that right.

The others however weren't paying attention to them and instead continued on celebrating. "Aw man, Shifu's gonna flip when he hears about this." Po said excitedly.

"And what exactly do you mean by 'flip'?" Shifu said suddenly dropping from the branches of a nearby tree

"M-master?" Lin asked. The joy in the air suddenly evaporated as Shifu walked to them, a stern look on his face. Lin let go of Tigress. "Master... I swear I was planning to tell you about this." he stammered. "I...look...you see I..."

"I don't doubt you Lin." Shifu said shutting him up. "You are an excellent student and a fine man, but if you so much as consider doing anything that would hurt Tigress..." He was very intimidating for someone so small; Lin backed away and gulped a bit. "I think you understand what awaits you."

"I do master." Lin responded. Shifu stared at him for a few more seconds before turning to Tigress who backed up a bit. He surveyed her for several seconds before easing up and crossing his arms.

"Good; in that case, you both have my blessings." he said smiling at the two. The joy in the area suddenly returned as fast as it vanished temporarily. Brimming with happiness, Lin picked his future father-in-law and hugged him earning cheers all around.

Eventually, the waiter arrived with their drinks. Po poured everyone a glass and held his up. "Alright guys, to Tigress and Lin! May they love each other forever and stuff...Anyway cheers!"

They had their toast to the couple. This was truly an amazing night for them; nothing could possibly ruin it.


The air was hot and carried the scent of blood. Tigress's body was aching all over. Her arms and legs were covered in numerous cuts, bruises and burns; her mouth tasted her own blood. Panting heavily, she looked around seeing the fallen bodies of warriors, their blood watering the earth.

In front of her stood a tall shadowy figure of a wolf carrying a long sword. For some reason, she felt herself unable to look into its eyes. It raised its sword ready to fight; snarling slightly, she rose to her feet, preparing to fight back.

She charged at him but accidentally met his eyes. Images flashed before her eyes causing her to back away. Unfortunately the wolf slashed at her making a deep cut on her chest.

The blow caused her to stumble and fall on her back. She scrambled away from the wolf who approached her, his sword drawn. Panicking, Tigress saw him raise his sword over his head ready to deliver the killing blow. She raised her arms as if that could shield her from the blow.

A second later, she heard the sound of steel piercing flesh and felt blood cover her. Surprisingly, there was no pain at all. Was she already dead? She gingerly opened her eyes to see what happened.

In front of her was her husband-to-be, a sword right through where his heart was. The sword was withdrawn causing Lin to fall before her, his eyes staring blankly into nothingness.

Horror, fear, agony, despair, fury, loneliness, every possible negative emotion consumed her mind. She paw moved to the side a bit feeling a sword dropped by one of the fallen warrior. Screaming her head off with tears flowing down her face, she grabbed it and rushed at the wolf.

Mysterious shadowy figures appeared between them, But Tigress merely swung her sword and cut them down. With nothing in her way, she rammed the wolf with her shoulder. The two tumbled around for a bit until he was on his back with her right on top of him.

Screaming once again, she plunged her sword again and again and again into his chest. After about a minute, she finally stopped and fell to her side panting heavily. To her surprise, she heard laughing coming from the wolf who was supposed to be dead. The shock of it made her look up seeing him raise a finger to point at something before them.

Po, Shifu, the others...they were all on the ground deadly still, bleeding from wounds on their bodies. Horrified, Tigress looked down at her own paws seeing their blood on them as well as the wolf's.

As the laughter continued, she screamed into the night so loud, she thought her head might split.


Tigress opened her eyes and found herself back in her room, but the memory of the nightmare and its horrors kept her paralyzed. She stared at the ceiling, her body trembling slightly from the shock of what she just experienced; there was no way she was getting any more sleep.

The date had ended hours ago, and the others should already be fast asleep. Tigress threw off her blanket and silently left her room heading for the one person who could give her any comfort. To her surprise, his room was empty.

She had to find him. She left the barracks and searched all over the palace eventually finding him at Peach Tree Hill. He was lying on his mat, covered by a blanket staring at the stars wondering if everyone would be OK the next day. He heard her approach and looked up.

"Can't sleep?" he asked. When she shook her head, he moved over a bit to his left. Tigress understood this and laid down next to him. Holding his paw tightly, she joined him as they stared at the stars.

"Lin...?" she said turning her head to him. He did the same, and the two stared into each others' eyes before she finished. "I'm scared."

She knew she sounded childish and hated herself for it. Lin just sighed and placed a paw on her cheek. "That's understandable." he said.

"Is it like this before every attack you try to stop?" she asked him.

"It is." he replied. "The fear of whether I would be able to stop an attack or not always kept me up right before the attack."

"That's not the only thing I fear." she told him. Her voice shook slightly. She wasn't used to being this scared about something. She always appeared to be so fearless in the face of danger, but this danger was different. "I'm afraid that the our home and everyone in it will be destroyed. I'm afraid that I'll lose you or anyone of the others."

"But...what...what frightens me the most..." Her breath became ragged, and she found herself unable to speak. Seeing this, Lin pulled her close and let her head rest on his chest, one strong, protective arm around her. That was enough to calm her down.

"I'm afraid...I'll become a monster again."

She felt her eyes water but fought back the tears. Lin sighed and held her tightly, stroking her back gently. "You're not a monster Misha." he said.

"It doesn't mean I might not become one." she said. "I don't think I'd be able to handle it if I lost anyone of you to him..."

Lin was afraid she would start crying, something he hated seeing her do, but she remained strong. He gently held her chin and made her look up at him. "If it's anything Misha, I'm just as terrified of losing someone tomorrow as you are. It's never been like this for me before."

She stared at him for a while. "What do you mean?"

He sighed, his eyes shone with sadness. "I was alone during all the earlier attacks I fought in. But this time, I have you and the others to protect. Without my reflexes...I'm beginning to doubt myself." The sadness in his eyes turned into determination. "But that doesn't mean, I won't fight to the very end tomorrow to protect our home and the future I want to spend with you."

Tigress saw the change in his eyes and understood. Though the fear remained, she tried to channel it into something else. She didn't let it bother her; instead she turned it into the same kind of determination Lin had, into the desire to protect everything and everyone she loved.

But looking into each others' eyes, they could tell that a small amount of fear remained in their hearts. As motivated as they were, that small part would always remain within them. For a long time, they stared at each other, an evening breeze blowing gently.

Tigress then moved up and kissed him. She grabbed him by his shoulders and pulled him close to her. He responded by gripping her back tightly. The kiss was very deep and very passionate. Eventually after about a minute, they both had to stop to get some air. Panting from all that, they just stared at each other, their hearts hammering in their chests.

"I don't want to be afraid tonight." Tigress whispered. Lin moved in and pressed his forehead against hers while holding her cheek, wordlessly saying that he wanted the same thing and asking what he could do to help her. Tigress closed her eyes and placed her paw over the one on her cheek. "Take me now Lin...I want to be yours tonight..."

After a slight paused, he gave her a light kiss and gazed into her eyes. "I love you..." he told her.

She blinked and managed a small smile, the first she had ever since arriving. "I love you too..."

The kiss after that was just as deep and passionate as the first one. As it intensified, their paws that were gripping the other tightly, began moving around, never wanting to let go, always wanting to be held by the paw that would fit them perfectly. And, ready to give themselves fully to the other, Tigress and Lin's love blossomed under the starry night.

Tonight, I need your sweet caress
Hold me in the darkness
Tonight, you calm my restlessness
You relieve my sadness...


The song above was Hands to Heaven by Breath.