Note: This is 2020 F-K. I have just run a basic correction for this chapter. I am almost certain there are more errors, but I have cleaned up the most heinous ones. Since I began this story just 2 years ago and through various complaints sent to me, I decided to clean up the entire story a little at a time. This message will appear up to Chapter 44 based on what has been corrected.

This is a pretty odd time for me to post the chapter compared to my usual times, but here it is. A schedule change has drastically changed when I can write, so that is why this chapter took so long to write. I hope you all accept that and bear with me as I work out a schedule that will allow for me to write these chapters. Because it took so long to write, I expect that there are some kinks to this chapter and that it will feel a bit 'weird'. The content of this chapter wasn't what I initially wanted to do for it. I wanted to take more time with these developing scenes, but hopefully you can emphasize with my lack of patience. Again, I will work on improving this portion of the story so it can seem to fit better.

Anyways, past the top note, welcome back. I am happy to see you all for the 44th chapter of this story as I am sure some of you are happy to be reading it soon. I would like to point to the fact this story has just finally passed 400 favorites, another milestone that has just been broken. I never expected that this story would reach anywhere close to that level of popularity, especially since it is OC-centered. So, I would just like to welcome those new people who've decided to reach a more dedicated position in reading this story. I am very thankful that you have decided to hit that favorite button so that others may be able to find the story easier.

Now, I wanted to think of a new system of responding to 'guest' reviews. The two options are that I take a little bit of space up here before the chapter to copy-and-paste the review with my response or since I can edit the review within a 3-day limbo period, I can just respond then. I will leave it up to you guest reviewers to decide on what you want. Please, just let me know the best way for me to respond to your questions and concerns.

Well, this chapter is shifting POV within the chapter. After the normal OC POV, it shifts to mostly focused around Tigress so that we can get her view on what is to happen. I guess this is as good as any place to begin!

Chapter 44: The Answers We Seek

I looked into the embers of the crackling fire. The orange glow lit up my face and provided the warmed that would be welcome at this time of night. However, I didn't feel it at all. My mind wasn't entirely focusing on what was happening around me at all. I was just thinking about the discovery that Tigress and I made only yesterday.

I was able to read into the journal a little more through the breaks we took. Every time I picked it up, I just subjected myself to the horrors of what had happened. Starvation killing billions of people which made even the greatest famines in human history before it look like nothing. Governments collapsed and infighting with the use of all weapons just to keep 'order'. Nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons were used in some cases that annihilated those left in old populations centers. Obviously it just led to further destabilization.

Even though we were destined to die off, we left a legacy that will last forever. We are the reason that things like 'Inner Peace', 'Nerve Attacks', and 'Chi' exist. With that also came the demons that have both helped and devastated the inhabitants that are here now. Speaking of such, the animals that once roamed our world were now the sentient ones following our footsteps all because of how we altered their evolutionary course. They were more… human. Whatever they did, that is what effect it had.

The journal then finishes with the details of how this person fought off an infestation of demons that were bent on killing what remained of the bunker. Not like there was much of a fight seeing as everyone was wasting away. This person was spared the death and was left to collect the dead. Not much happened after then seeing that the writing abruptly ends. I can only assume that was when they died…

"You have been staring into the flame for quite a bit. Are you doing alright?" Tigress was preparing our meal over the fire while drawing some of her attention toward me. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. "I saw that you finished reading the rest of that journal. Did you want to talk about it now?"

I sat there for a second as I contemplated my words carefully. I didn't let any emotion show on my face or any emotional inflection come through my voice, "The nightmares have stopped."

She looked at me with a raised brow, "Well that is good… isn't it?"

I let out a sigh, "It means I got the answers that I needed. I can say for certain that they were not what I wanted."

"I… see. You shouldn't have to be the person to have that burden put on them. No one should have to deal with that all on their own." She handed me my food as I sat there in a lotus position. She joined me at my side as we both began to eat.

"Nothing I can do about it. Now I know what Master Shifu meant that Inner Peace was going to be a difficult and painful journey." I stared at my food for a moment, "But I don't feel any different. I have already accepted that it has happened. I am already reexperiencing the pain of being the last of my kind. What more can I do to achieve Inner Peace?"

Tigress thought, "I cannot be that great of council for that since I myself haven't mastered Inner Peace, but perhaps it is beyond the journey. How do you view yourself now that you know what has happened?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. My place here seems even foggier than before. I remember when I first got to this world. I was told that I needed to find balance in my new life, whatever that meant. I believe I have gotten to that point where I knew my place here. Now, I feel like I am back to where I started. I know who I am, that hasn't changed. I just don't know my purpose of being here anymore. Why was I the only human to wake up in this new life? If I have some sort of significant path to follow, what is it and what can one human do that billions of others couldn't?"

Tigress herself began to think on my questions, "I cannot begin to understand your confusion right now." The irritation in her voice was evident that she didn't like being helpless in any type of circumstance. She grabbed my hand, "All I can say to you is that I am here for you. No matter what happens, whatever you go through, I will be by your side through it all. You may not have any human around, but you can always count on me being there for you."

Even through my stress and anguish, a small smile formed on my face. I leaned in so I could kiss Tigress lightly on the cheek, "You just being there will be a little bit of strength that I will desperately need."

Tigress responded with a lighter tone, "I am glad that I can do that for you. We are in this together. I don't even know if we will find any tigers let alone my parents. I don't know where we can even look to being with since that bunker ended up as a dead end."

"Well, chances are that the tigers did help dig up that place since Shen ended up going through there. We can only assume that we are in the right area to look. I have to agree, it is going to be a difficult task looking for a group that doesn't want to be found." I looked up to see that she her mood depressed a little, "If we put our minds to it, we will find them."

Tigress nodded, "Thanks, but I am not sure if that is true or not. This is something that is completely out of our control."

I smiled slightly as I forgot my own worries for now, "Alright, alright. You have a point. Come on, we should both forget all this and just enjoy the rest of the night. It has been a very insane last few days and I would love nothing more than to just relax once."

Tigress let out a sigh as she nodded, "Alright, I will humor you." She thought for a moment, "What do you think is happening at the Jade Palace? Surely something interesting has happened in our absence." As she finished her sentence, she raised the rice and pot from the fire and began to portion what fresh vegetables and tofu. It was the last of it, so we were probably going to have to get some more stuff soon. Anyways, she handed me my bowl.

"Perhaps they are stopping the odd bandits here and there, or maybe they are just going about their training. I don't think Master Shifu would send them on any major mission unless it were truly dire."

Tigress agreed, "I think that is probably what is happening. I didn't think that it would happen, but I miss them. I love how this has just been you and me." She leaned into me as we both ate our food. "It is just that you wonder what is going on with them."

I let out a small breath, "Yeah, I know how you feel. The nice conversations with Crane and Viper, the pranks from Mantis and Monkey, Po's food." We both laughed at that, "I am just kidding. I do miss his constant positivity. Something we could both really go for."

"He does have that infectious personality. I do sort of understand why he was chosen as Dragon Warrior. Sure, I could have done well under that kind of environment. I had the drive to do it." I nodded with agreement, "But he has this raw power and potential that makes him really worthy of the title. He is someone who can change Kung Fu."

"I know it was hard for you to come to that realization." I let out a small bit of laughter, "I do remember the first time you actually spoke to him. It was like you wanted to claw his eyes out."

Tigress smiled, "I was kind of like that with him, wasn't I. You never seemed to have any rough moments with him."

I shrugged, "Don't forget that I was in his shoes not that long before him. We were both put in extremely foreign environments. I just didn't know him that well and I wasn't a person going for the Dragon Warrior title."

Tigress questioned, "How did we even get on this conversation?"

I chuckled, "We were wondering how everyone was doing back at the palace. I get it though, we kind of got sucked up into a conversation. It is good, I think we really needed it."

Tigress nodded, "I agree. I do fell a little better from thinking about our friends. Come on, we should probably prepare for sleep. We might have a lot more walking before this is all done. The earlier we go, the better."

"Yeah, we should probably clean up and head to 'bed'. I do have to say that I will be happy to finally rest with no nightmares." I grabbed some snow to do basic cleaning of my bowl and utensil. It isn't the best cleaning, but it is the best that we can do.

Tigress grabbed my bowl from me and put it with the rest of her items that she had been carrying. While she did this I grabbed some of our sleeping items from my bag. I laid out a blanket in a small, flat area that we would be able to get the best rest we could.

Tigress grabbed some wood we had collected earlier and added it to the fire. She brushed off her paws before sitting in a lotus position on the blanket and stared at me, "Regardless, we should meditate before we get to sleep. It will help you clear your mind." I yawned in response, and she looked at me with a deadpanned expression, "Come on, it will only be for a moment. You will feel clear from it."

I chuckled, "Alright, I guess I could take this moment before bed to do some 'mind clearing.'"

I sat across from Tigress and followed shortly behind has she closed her eyes. We both sat there for a little bit of time in as much silence as we could. The sound of the light breeze and fire were the only things that we could here. I could feel the radiation from the fire on one side of my face and the cool breath of the night on the other. No thoughts passed through my mind other than what I was feeling right now.

While I was playfully snide at Tigress about meditation, this was something that my body and mind needed. I just needed something that wasn't a pressing issue. I needed to bring myself back into the present.

I felt Tigress's paw brush my hand. My eyes opened slowly to see Tigress smiling slightly at me, "I can tell that you were enjoying this. You seemed more relaxed than you have over the past few days."

I quickly laid to my side as I tried to get in a comfortable position. I smiled, "Well, it is one of those things that you dread going into but is fine when you are in the middle of it." I ushered her to lay with me. She shook her head with a small grin on her face. She then laid beside me as I pulled her over to me, "Thank you for suggesting it. You seem to know what is best for me."

She growled a little, "No need to be sarcastic about it. All I told you to do was meditate."

My smiled didn't drop, "Alright, I get that it was a little strong. Still, thanks for the suggestion."

"Of course."

I looked into the fire with slightly tired eyes. Compared to the feeling earlier, I was doing much better. Tigress does seem to have a way of making me feel better in those small, basic ways. I am glad to have her with me in this moment.

I let out a long, tired sigh, "Alright, guess we should try to get some sleep. Night, Ti."

"Good night, Kyle. Try and have a restful night." She leaned back into me as we kept each other warm.

"That shouldn't be a problem."

I closed my eyes as I relaxed my body. The last thing that I remember feeling before dozing off was the warmth of her fur against my skin. A heavenly feeling that I yearned for each and every night.

POV: Tigress

My eyes shot open to see the final embers of the fire burn away. The light breeze hit my face. It pierced deep beyond my fur so that I could easily feel it. The slow chill instantly woke me up and brought my senses to the present. I could feel it deep in my being. Something wasn't right. It was like we were being… watched.

I analyzed my surroundings with a vigilant gaze. It was hard to see beyond the tree line as the light from the moon was unable to penetrate beyond the top layer of the forest kept any light from making it to the ground.

Then I saw the flash of the metal against the light and the nearly unnoticeable whistle. I did a twirl and kicked the incoming arrow into the tree next to the fire. Kyle instantly woke from his slumber; he was a heavy sleeper. He instantly asked in a stern voice, "What is happening?"

"Ambush, we need to move." Without much prompting, Kyle jumped to his feet and I began to run in one direction. He seemed to shuffle through his belongings lightning fast before sprinting after me.

"Where can we possibly lose them?" He asked through his strained voice as he struggled to keep up.

"If we can find out how many there are we can start picking them off. We don't stand a chance while we are on the run like this." I swerved away from some incoming arrows from the pursuers.

He noted through heavy breaths, "They seem to have no problem keeping up with us. We need another plan other than running." A sound of pain was followed when he said that. I turned around to see him hunched over on the ground. I could see the small, dart like arrow sticking out of his thigh. He spoke in a tired voice, "Alright, I guess we can't even run."

I growled out in a worried voice, "Hang in there." I grabbed him as I began to carry his heavy form. My pace was much slower as I began to carry him, but there was not much else I could do. I couldn't fight them off with the possibility of them killing Kyle. I need another option, and quick.

A few arrows pierced the tree next to me as I worked to not get myself hit or Kyle hit. Then, I hit a sharp downslope that I was not entirely prepared for. In the heat of the moment I forgot to realize that I need to keep a keen sense of my surroundings. I lost my footing and we began to slide, roll, and tumble down the hill. I hit a few rocks and bushes, but I didn't sustain any damage.

When I came to a complete stop, my instinct was to forget the scratches that I had sustained. I checked over Kyle to see his condition. He didn't receive any injuries from the fall directly, but the arrow was stuck further in his let. A small pained expression was on his face, but he seemed to be mostly out of it.

The sounds of quick footsteps began to echo around me. I recognized that we were both now surrounded. There was absolutely nothing we could do, there was nothing I could do. That doesn't mean I was going to give up.

I propped Kyle up against a tree and then I got in a defensive stance. I was going to do whatever it takes to defend us both. As they all came into view, I was finally able to get a good look at our attackers. They were dressed as bandits, and I am sure that they were bandits. A few boars, crocs, and wolves made up the group.

They seemed to be the typical bandits, but they seemed to be a bit smarter. They had their bows drawn and kept their distance. They recognized the best way to take me on was at a distance. This kind of tactical knowledge was not going to work well for me.

An arrow launched at me as I instinctively palm struck it away. I released a small growl at the surrounding forces to show I am not to be messed with. None of them moved a muscle after that.

The tense feeling held in the air for a moment, then a scream echoed behind me as one of them charged with their weapon raise. I didn't even have to try very hard to kick them against a tree. A loud crack reverberated from their head. Blood began to pour from the wound.

They all seemed to flinch a little but held their ground other than that. I could feel that they were all getting ready to charge me. No matter the odds, I need to hold out against them.

The wind changed, and quiet whistles pierced through as if it were carried by the breeze. Two of them fell down and they all seemed to look around in fear and confusion. More whistles, and five of them fell down. I didn't need to approach any closer to know that they were dead.

I tightened my defense as I got closer to Kyle just in case whoever ambushed these bandits weren't here to also attack me. Come to think of it, I couldn't even hear, see, or smell any of them. It put me even more one edge.

With the final bandits fleeing away, I stood my ground against whoever the ambushers were. Even through the lack of sound or smell I could still tell that they were watching over me, observing if I am a threat or not.

From the shadows, three darkly clothed forms approached me. Their weapons were in their sheaths, their bows on their backs. They walked up as if I weren't ready to strike out at them at any moment.

I couldn't see who they were from underneath their hoods. The lack of light made it near impossible to see any noticeable features to indicate who they were or what they wanted. All I could see were their eyes: orange, red, and green. They glowed from the darkness obscuring their faces.

One of them, the orange-eyed one, spoke in a masculine voice and accusatory tone, "What are you doing in these woods? They are riddled with bandits looking to squeeze the unfortunate out of their valuables."

My eyes narrowed, "We are on a quest-"

The green-eyed one interrupted me with a more feminine voice, "Yes, we already know about your 'quest'. We have been keeping an eye on you since you have come into the forest. We are more concerned as to how you got here."

The red-eyed one looked down at Kyle and approached him, "I recognize that smell. How is it even possible that one of 'them' is alive."

I growled out at them, "What business is it of your of why we are here?! As far as I am concerned, I do not trust any of you." I turned to look at the one close to Kyle, "Get any closer to him and I will pull your lungs through your mouth."

The feminine one looked over at the orange-eyed male, "She is obviously hostile. You cannot be serious about bringing her along."

Bring me along for what? Why are they acting like they are doing me a favor with 'bringing me along'? My thoughts were cut short as the male's voice took authority like a commander talking down to a soldier, "I have already made up my mind about bringing her, and we were already given an order. I am far more hesitant about her companion anyways."

I broke into their conversation, "I am going nowhere with you. Let us continue on our way before things get messy."

The commanding figure out of them all looked over at me, "I might as well break the tension. You were looking for the tigers? Well, you found them." He pulled down his hood to show his orange fur with black strips. His bold look was unique, a few scars here and there showed the combat he had been through. My breath was taken away by my first encounter of someone like me. It was another tiger.

He greeted with a stoic expression, "I believe some introductions are in order. I am Sha-Ren." He pointed to the feminine one first and then to the red-eyed male next as he introduced them respectively, "This one is Rhuya and that one over there is Rho."

I couldn't even form any words, no questions or anything. I just stood there with a flabbergasted look. I have been waiting all my life to meet another tiger. So many scenarios on what I would way or how I would act went out the door. I was just completely silent. I didn't even need to say anything as the one named 'Rhuya' spoke, "We need to get moving. Who knows how many other bandits roam the forest?"

Sha-Ren nodded and looked at me, "I understand you have a lot of questions. Those can wait until we get a move on. I have already sent a few of my people to get your belongings and bring them to our village. We must move with haste."

Rho asked, "What about this one? He seems to be injured." He analyzed the bolt sticking out of Kyle's thigh, "Seems he was struck with a sedating agent."

"Leave him." He began walking, "He, of all people, shouldn't know about the whereabouts of our village. He could be far too dangerous."

I finally found my voice with a growl, "No! You will not leave him like that. Bring him, or I am not going."

Sha-Ren stopped and seemed to be in thought. He let out a small sigh as he looked back at me, "You do have a fierce spirit. Fine. However, if he wakes and acts against the safety of my village, I will have no choice but to end him. He is far too dangerous to mess around with." He motioned to Rho to grab Kyle which the other tiger did without any delay. He spoke with a little force, "Now, let's go."

I guess I have no choice other than to follow them. This was what I was waiting for anyways, so it isn't like I wasn't going to abandon my mission.

I was still in shock about it all. I never expected to see another tiger in my lifetime, let alone three of them. To have the opportunity of traveling to an entire village full of my own kind brings me a little joy. I don't know if I will see my parents, or if they are alive or not. That was what I wanted, but this is something that brings a feeling of success to me.

I looked over at 'Rho' who was carrying Kyle's form. My smile disappeared from my face as I looked at his relaxed expression. I was happy for myself, but I was deeply sad when I thought about him. I wouldn't tell him when he woke up but meeting more tigers did bring a depressing thought with it.

These were my people and there is always a sense of belonging with your own kind. Viper and Crane have their family and Mantis has his old village that he will travel once and a while to. Po even has his dad and a home that he can always go back to. But Kyle, while he has me, I am all he has. His home is gone, and he is alone as a species. I am unsure how this will all come together, but I have found my people while he got confirmation that his killed themselves off.

"You are awfully quiet back there. I didn't think that we would be that big of a shock to the great Master Tigress." I was taken aback by Sha-Ren's knowledge of who I was. I didn't know how to respond at all, and he only chuckled, "Yeah, we have heard bits and pieces of who you are. It isn't hard to hear about the only tiger known to China, especially when she is a Kung Fu Master."

I took a moment to respond, "Forgive me, I am just not used to being around-"

"-other tigers?" He took my words right out of my mouth. I could only nod in confirmation. He nodded, "There aren't as many of us as their used to be. After Shen found what he was looking for in the mountains, he began to execute any of us who he seemed unfit to mine for the raw metals for him. I still don't know which would be worse, spending eighteen to twenty-hour days working in a tight, dark environment or being put to death."

I asked, "You weren't alive when that was happening?"

He shook his head, "No, I was born after a revolt left a large group of tigers and wolves dead. While that is sad, it did leave the rest of them an opportunity to escape captivity. I was born during the search for a new home. It was unlikely that I was to survive like all other cubs then, but I was part of the few that did."

I decided against asking any more questions. I was just confused how I fit into all of this. How did I end up at Bao Gu Orphanage? Why didn't my parents come back for me when all the tigers were free? I was afraid of the answers to both of those questions, but these were things I needed answered. I have a feeling that they will be answered when we get to the village.

Through the darkness of night and through the dense foliage, I was able to spot a small hole in the side of a cliff. It looked like some sort of cave. Just as I realized we were heading for it, Sha-Ren spoke, "We have to go through a cave network in order to get to the village. It is either that or climb these cliffs."

I looked up and saw the intense view of the cliffsides, it was as if they were made of loose rock and went against nature. I could tell that it would have been an impossible trip to climb those cliffs.

So, we walked into the furthering darkness of the caves. I followed behind the three tigers since they were obviously the guides. I find it interesting that after all this time they still wanted to hide their existence from the rest of the world. I am a tiger and at least one of them was openly against bringing me along. It was a miracle that they agreed to bring Kyle along, they really seemed to have some sort of fear of him…

I analyzed each of the tigers. Sha-Ren was obviously the leader. While he seems to have a stony look about him, he seems to be relatively soft in his demeanor when speaking to others. He is commanding, but still seems somewhat kind. Rho just seemed quiet and serious. He doesn't seemed to argue much with the command of Sha-Ren. Rhuya, on the other hand, seemed to be fierce. It was obvious she put the safety of her village above anything else. I could tell that she was silently glaring at Kyle as Rho carried him. She didn't like the idea of us being brought to the village.

My mind instantly went back to why they were bringing me. Sha-Ren said that they were 'ordered' to bring me to the village. Other than the obviousness that they had been spying on us long enough to report back to the village, why did they want me to come to the village? What reason did they feel it necessary for them to expose themselves to me?

It didn't take too long to make it to a gate that blocked our way through the tunnel. Sha-Ren approached the door while the other two stopped. He brushed his paw over the doorway before he knocked in a pattern. A few seconds of silence passed before the door was open to show another tiger wielding a club came into view.

"Good to see you made it back from your mission, Sha-Ren. I was expecting it to take the rest of the night." The guard then seemed to notice me and of who Rho was carrying. "I can see that you brought the girl, but you know better than to bring an outsider. Especially one that is… well, that."

Rhuya smirked and looked over at Sha-Ren, "Yeah, that is what I told him. However, this one refused to go with us unless we brought her 'friend'. Quite frankly, I don't even think we should have brought her."

I let out a small growl as Sha-Ren answered in his own slightly irritated voice, "You have already made your position abundantly clear, Rhuya." He looked back at the guard, "That still doesn't change my position on bringing him with us. I will take full responsibility for whatever may happen while this one is in the village."

The guard thought for a moment before moving out of the way, "You will probably have to answer to the Convener for this decision. I don't think you will be let off lightly…"

Sha-Ren walked right by the guard, "Noted…"

As we passed through the gate, I watched the guard closely. His attention was focused purely on Kyle's unconscious form. He seemed in complete shock at Kyle's existence like he had seen his kind before. I know that they had helped Shen find that bunker, but none of them were alive. Come to think of it, they all seemed to have a negative perception of him.

The exit to the cave came into view as I finally caught a glimpse of open expanse that laid before me. The sun was just starting to light the sky but hadn't yet risen above the horizon. It was just a noticeable first light. The first think that I saw were the rice fields that a had yet to be tended to. A small road went right between the fields and into a light mist up ahead.

I just looked with some curiosity at my surroundings. There were no trees in view that could shade the fields, and rows of rice plants were nicely plotted. I guess I just didn't expect my first glimpse of where my people lived to be farmland.

"I know it isn't exciting, but we have to be completely self-sustaining. Don't worry, we are just approaching the village now." It was as if Sha-Ren was reading my mind. I didn't mind the small banter. I am usually the quiet, observant one, but I was kind of on edge right now. I am not used to being at the complete mercy of another group. Rho and Rhuya didn't help that feeling with their silence, but Sha-Ren seemed to be trying to help me transition. Maybe he sympathized with my current situation.

The first wooden structures came into view. I could see a few tigers starting their daily tasks even though the day had yet to start. They all seemed to stop for a moment to watch us for a little bit of time. By the sounds of it, they don't seem to ever have outsiders. In this moment, I am considered a part of that.

The village square came into view and along with it were some of the guard patrolling the square. A single tiger, one that walked with some authority, approached Sha-Ren with a small smile, "Glad you made it back, Sha-Ren. Did you have a little excitement out there?"

A chuckled escaped Sha-Ren, "There was a little, but nothing too exciting, Fai. I need you to grab the Convener and the rest of the Council. I have completed the task-" He pointed over to me. Fai looked over at me before nodding. Sha-Ren continued before motioning to Kyle, "But we ended up picking up another."

Fai let out a small grunt at noticing the situation. He nodded at Sha-Ren, "I don't think they are going to be all that pleased."

Fai turned around and began to rush away as we waited in the center of the courtyard. Sha-Ren let out a grumble, "As I have been told…"

A small group had begun to circle around the five of us, this included Kyle's unconscious form. They began to look on at us with some sort of astonishment. It was a little disconcerting at the very least. I approached Sha-Ren slowly. I was the most comfortable talking with him, so I asked, "Who is the Convener and the Council?"

"The Convener is just the name of our elected leader. Since the survivors had just escaped Shen with the Emperor did nothing to ease their subjugation, it was decided that an elected leader would be the best alternative form of governing. It is just the name we gave that person of power. The Council are additional figures that help run the village. The Convener is just the one the overlooks the Council and calls them into session."

It was an interesting notion to say the least. I wasn't able to really think about it long before Fai broke through the crowd with five other individuals behind him. The crowd gave them a lot of room, the first one behind Fai especially. He seemed to command some sort of respect from the gathering tigers, even Rhuya and Rho bowed slightly.

Sha-Ren approached this figure before bowing. The figure, a larger tiger male, addressed Sha-Ren, "I see you have made it back earlier than expected, and with larger numbers I might add." He looked over me as he seemed to analyze me. His attention was then drawn to Kyle. His expression didn't betray his thoughts, "Must I remind you that there are reasons why you aren't to bring non-tigers here?"

Sha-Ren shook his head, "No, I completely understand why. After watching them for some time, I can firmly say that he will mean no threat to us. It was a rushed decision seeing that he needs some medical attention, but it was the right call. He has even been unconscious since coming here. He doesn't know the village location"

The Convener let out an amused huff, "Yet he will come to know of our existence. It doesn't matter if he intends harm, we have only fables of what they are capable of." Sha-Ren's eyes down casted and his ears drooped. The Convener seemed to think for a moment before proceeding to talk, "I guess we will take this time to learn about his kind then." He motioned to Rhuya and Rho, "Take him to the healers, make sure he is bound to the bed. Keep an eye on him so that we know when he wakes. The Council and I will make a more permanent decision on what to do then."

Both Rhuya and Rho bowed, "Yes, Rong." They both hastily left with Kyle still slouched over Rho's shoulder. I tried to follow, but 'Rong' stopped me in my tracks.

"I assure you that your friend is going to be alright. We intend no harm to him; our code prohibits causing harm to someone who has not shown direct hostility to us. Please let me introduce myself. I am Rong, the Convener of the Council and the leader of this town. I do have to say that I have never met a tiger from the outside."

It took a little effort to moisturize my mouth, "And I have never met another tiger."

Rong let out a huff before turning, "That is because Shen forced us into exile. I am glad that damned bird is finally dead. It does bring me some excitement to know that one of our own was a part of his downfall." He looked at me with a gleam in his eye, "It is an honor to meet you face-to-face, Master Tigress."

I let out my words with some caution, "Should I be concerned that you know who I am?"

He shook his head, "Not at all. We may be separate from the rest of China, but we haven't completely severed our connection with the current events of the country. I even have a few friends on the outside that give us the news once and a while. I even know why you are here."

My heartrate increased slightly from his last sentence. I had no direct response, and I don't know if I should try and confirm if he know or not or just plainly ask if he knew who my parents are. These last few hours have made me feel vulnerable, a feeling that I am not used to and loath the feeling of.

He looked back at the Council. It was as if he were giving a signal with the look, and it seemed to be received. One of the tigers, approached and stopped right beside the Convener. It was an older female, that much was for sure. She seemed a little older than the Convener himself, and her light expression showed a slight nervousness with it. Wait, should I also feel nervous now?

I looked into her eyes to see a shining amber color looking back at me. My heart leaped into my throat; my breathing hitched. I did my best to not react to the person standing right across from me.

Rong smiled at me, "May I put your nerves to ease and assure you that your mission was not in vain. Master Tigress, I would like you to meet Xiulan, your mother."

I know it is a lot of new characters that may or may not play more important roles in the coming chapters, so please bear with the progression. I will work on trying to make this flow a little more and create a more familiar environment. Now, next chapter, how confused will Kyle be to be knocked out by bandits only to awaken in a tiger village. Not to mention that most of them are afraid of him and the rest of them hate him. I wonder why that is... Maybe it will play into Tigress's experience a little.

Anyways, I will continue with the Tiger Village next time and see if I can draw a better picture of it. I tried to get the 'surreal' hard to focus view of Tigress since this is all so overwhelming. She might seem fine, but she is going to be experiencing her stress a little more in the next chapter.

Thank you to all those who favorite, follow, and review the story. It helps me get off my lazy ass to get working on this. It is just awesome to see, even after all this time, that the story can still draw in new people enough for them to add their support. Beyond that, thank you for taking the time to just read this work. Alright, that is it for my routine 'thank you'.

I will see about getting the chapter out faster next time.

Until Next Time.

Forsvaret-Komandir