A/n some chapters will be told through a first person perspective. Others normal Pov, finally a few will be a mixture of the two. Please read and review constructive criticism is appreciated.

Chapter 2 Plans and Adapting

Normal Pov

It took longer than the expected week for. Oogway and Faith to even get close to the Valley of Peace. And although the tortoise was old, Faith had a sneaking suspension that the old Kung Fu Master was going even slower than normal for her benefit. Because aside from her physical limitations Faith like many of her time was not use to a lot of walking. That's not to say she was fat neither! But when it came to going somewhere 20 miles or more, cars and other vehicles where her main mode of transportation. But Oogway was patient and gave her tips on breathing, conservating her energy.

One thing bothered Faith though, Oogway said that she was going to become the Dragon Warrior's helper. Po didn't have a helper or assistant in the orginal movies. He had his Master Shifu, the other members of the Furious Five, and Tigress who after the first movie was Po's most trusted confidant and ally. But a personal assistant or helper? That he did not have. And Faith also worried what effect her presence in the world of Kung Fu Panda.

It was just after she and Oogway finally exited the desert, that the old tortoise began talking about her concern. How he knew them, I can't be sure of, but one thing's for sure it was both interesting and slightly creepy that he could seemingly read her thoughts.

"You know, it was no accident that you've arrived at this particular time." He said while leaning his back against a tree. Though it was more like he was inspecting the wood to see which tree had the best bark for making Faith a walking stick.

"Why am I really here?" Faith asked. "None of this is making any sense to me!! And you say that I am supposed to help the Dragon Warrior once their selected?! Look at me!" Faith shouted gesturing to the infirm parts of her body. "Even if you took me on as a student of yours there's no way I would be able to do decent kung fu!"

Oogway was listening while at the same time, not listening. He wanted to make sure that the cane he made for his young companion was sturdy like his own. And while he didn't mind the young lady using his staff, hee knew that if she was using it when they reached a village there were bound to be more uncomfortable questions than just the ones concerning her appearance. Still while he worked he tried to answer her questions truthfully.

"Young Faith, no one ends up where they are without a reason. And while yes, you have limitations, but you also have your own special gifts. There are very few people who can mimic other animals the way I have heard you do these past few weeks. And I noticed that when you get down on all fours you move just as fast. if not faster than some kung fu masters I know. And while kung fu is an important part of our society it's not everything. Don't dwell on what you can't do, focus on what you can do. Trust me, you'll have some important work to do before you know it. Even before the Dragon Warrior is chosen."

As Oogway was talking he had found what he judged to be the perfect tree to make the walking stick from. And as he continued with his work another couple of questions entered Faith's mind.

"Why did you allow Shifu to raise Tai-lung? And when you saw the way Shifu was raising him, pushing him, why didn't you warn him of the potential consciences?" Faith asked quite directly.

Oogway stopped briefly. He had a feeling about this odd creature right from the moment he first saw her. These questions only served to confirm his feeling that this girl was unique. for although many knew of Shifu adoptting Tai-Lung very few just how hard Shifu had pushed the young snow leopard. He decided to answer Faith's questions provided she never repeat what he said unless it absolutely needed to. Faith didn't fully understand the conditons, but agreed anyway. She was too curious not to.

"As for why I allowed Shifu to raise Tai-lung, no one can just ignore an abandoned child. And Shifu lost his parents when he was very young the end result being he felt an instant connection to Tai Lung. As for the unfortunate recent events I tried telling Shifu in private many times to ease up on the boy, but he wouldn't listen. I think it was because he wanted so bad to become known as the teacher and father of the Dragon Warrior. After all, when Shifu was younger that's what he wanted to become. When he finally realized that wasn't going to happen, and that Tai Lung was naturally gifted in kung fu, he saw his chance to turn his son into the ultimate warrior. He didn't want to hear about how building a child's hopes too high could destroy them."

Faith thought about it, and the answer made perfect sense in a way. Sometimes no matter how hard you try to help someone they don't always listen to your advice. Especially when they think they're in the right. But there was one final question that had been bugging her for awhile. So she asked it.

"If you know masters Ox, Croc, and Rhino does that mean you also know the old goat lady known as The Soothsayer who lives in Gongman city?"

Oogway's eyes grew as big as dinner plates. That was all Faith needed to know that he did know the Soothsayer. Which made Faith wonder just how much of the movies were just happenstance, and how much was already known beforehand.But after the initial shock of her figuring that out wore off he handed her the new walking stick and said they had to move on.

Frankly Faith was hoping that they would reach the Valley of Peace soon. Her clothes were getting more and more dirty by the day. Though Oogway did give her one more gift, sort of.

"To help you fit in I'll call you 'Fuyinji Xinyang'. It means 'copier faith'. The copier part I thought of because of your unique talent of being able to mimic other animal sounds. The reason it comes before your first name is just how things work in our culture."

Faith nodded and they continued on their trek through the forest.

After three days they finally were out of the forest. Faith was relieved because that meant she would be able to get some clean clothes soon. But her joy diminished when she saw the imposing building that was the

Bao Gu Orphanage. As the traveling duo was passing that imposing building neither one heard the sounds of children's laughter that normally filled the air.

Oogway sensing something was off, decided to investigate. And as he and Faith drew closer to the building he couldn't help but say, "That's odd. You usually hear the children playing in the courtyard,"

"I think we ought to stop there a moment and see what is going on Master." Faith suggested.

Oogway nodded and they went to the orphanage. The caretaker was surprised to see the great Master Oogway visiting so unexpectedly. She was also a little confused and concerned about the strange creature that was with Oogway, but Oogway simply asked why things seemed off at the orphanage. While he was getting an explanation, Faith went exploring.

She went inside the main building and the minute the children saw her, they ran. Saying things like 'Another monster! It's going to eat us! It's going to hit on the head with it's stick!'

Admittedly that last one sounded slightly good. Teach the children about judging someone who has different from them. But it really wouldn't help so Faith continued on her way.

Finally she reached the room where they kept young Tigress. She could hear the child crying on the other side of the door.

"Are you alright in there?" she asked Tigress.

"What do you care?!" Tigress shot back still crying but trying to be tough at the same time. "Are you just another caretaker whose going to run away at the sight of the Bao Gu Orphanage Monster?!"

Faith saw the little cub and couldn't help feeling sorry for her. It was one thing to watch a scene like this on a DVD short, it was even more heart breaking to experience it.

"No. I just think you're lonely." Faith answer. "And. the others don't understand you. I know what that feels like. But if you'd like, I wanna be your friend. My name is 'Xinyang.' What is yours?"

The little tiger came up to the door, and although she couldn't open it, said 'Tigress'. It was at that moment, the head caretaker came and forced Faith away from the door! Tigress heard things like 'you fool you could have been killed!' And 'that's no child, that is a monster that was left outside 6 years ago because no one wanted it! Not even it's parents!' Thoughts like that broke Tigress's heart, so she stepped away from the door and didn't hear Master Oogway and Faith tell the caretaker that it was wrong to say such things about any child. And Oogway add that he had a solution to the problem.

Closing a/n so Tigress is introduced. Sorry if this is going slow for some readers, but I wanted to establish some things first like how Faith would feel traveling with Oogway, what kind of questions she'd asked, and what might happen if she met tigress first. Again please read and review. Constructive criticism is appreciated.