Three weeks after the defeat of Lord Shen, life was slowly going back to normal. The masters had returned to the Jade Palace one week prior. Other than Po and Tigress, no one had sustained any severe injuries. It was very tense as they slowly got back into their routine. The five minus Tigress were training everyday like normal. Po and Tigress had to take it easy for a little while longer before joining. A fact Tigress was far from happy about, Shifu had to threaten her multiple times before she complied, only because if she didn't, she wouldn't be able to train for even longer. On the other hand, Po was very grateful for the break. The others were slightly jealous that they still had to train. Shifu wasn't cutting them any slack either. Currently, it was nighttime and everyone was in their rooms, asleep. Well, except Shifu of course. Ever since Gongmen, he has been very cautious about his students. When he got that horrible feeling and feared they were all dead, he vowed to protect them as much as possible. Therefore, he checks on them every night before he goes to sleep himself.
Shifu slowly crept through the dark hallways toward the Barracks. Although he knew they were all safe and sound in their beds, it put his mind at rest to check. Standing in front of Mantis's room, he quietly slid open the door, then closed it without making a sound. He proceeded to do the same for Crane, Viper, Monkey, and Po. His anxiety lessened each time. He just had to check on Tigress and then he could go to sleep. He opened her door and then started to close it, before he snapped it open and did a double take. The bed was empty. It didn't look like anyone had even been in it tonight. He glanced around her room, nothing was out of place. It didn't look like she had been kidnapped or anything. Where could she possibly be though? It was the middle of the night!
Shifu swore to himself, if he found that child in the training hall in the dead of the night, she would be sorry when he got done with her. Before heading over there, he checked the kitchen and Hall of Warriors. Nothing. He approached the training hall, praying she was in there, though there was no signs of anyone training. He opened the gigantic doors and peered inside. No sign of her either. Now he was starting to panic, worrying for his students safety. He briefly considered alerting the others, but dismissed that thought. He could find her himself. He paced back and forth, pondering where to check next. "CRASH!" He was shocked out of his thoughts, as a loud crash sounded through the air. He looked in the direction of the sound, which was the Ironwood Forest….
'Why would Tigress be down there,' Shifu thought. Oh well, it wouldn't hurt to check it out. As he descended the steps, he could hear more and more noises, of someone...hitting something?
As he moved into the forest, he could clearly see tigress standing in front of a tree, hammering away at it. He noticed she looked like she was about to collapse!
"TIGRESS!" He shouted. Tigress let out a huge gasp and spun around quickly, getting dizzy and falling hard on her backside. She had landed in a huge mud puddle, splashing mud all over her body and face. She looked like a frightened cub. "M-Master Shi-ifu!" She stammered. He charged over to her, looking down at her with a look that resembled a parent about to scold their child. "What on earth are you doing out here?! It's the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!" he scolded. "Do you know how worried I was? I've been looking everywhere for you!" He inhaled deeply, trying to get "ahold of his anger. "You better have a very good explanation for this Ti-" he trailed off, staring at the tree next to Tigress. It was covered in blood, that was slowly dripping down its bark. He blankly stared at it for what seemed like forever, and then whirled back to Tigress, who was now looking anxious, which was very uncharacteristic for her. "Tigress, let me see your paws." he stated calmly, but his tone was emotionless and flat. Tigress shook her head no in defiance and fear, and scooted back more into the mud. She didn't know what to do, she couldn't explain this, especially not to him! "Come here this instant!" he demanded, irritation seeping into his tone. "NO!" she snarled, rapidly scooting back, not caring that she was covering herself in more mud. "You are in enough trouble as it is, I suggest you stop with this attitude and do as I say!" Shifu was confused at her defiant behavior, not realizing it was fear that was driving her, and she wasn't being difficult on purpose. "I don't want to!" she shrieked, "Please don't make me show you!" Shifu looked her up and down, she was shaking and looked as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
"Tigress, please, it's alright, just show me." he spoke with a warm and calm tone, trying to coax her from where she was. "Promise you won't be disappointed?" she asked, trying to collect herself, being this fragile wasn't like her. "I promise, now come, you're covered in mud." Tigress slowly crawled out of the puddle, looking everywhere except at Shifu. "Lets go inside, then we'll take care of you, alright?" He was still very angry and upset, but knew he would make things worse if he took it out on her. "Okay…" she sighed, and got up from the ground.