Say, readers. Apparently there's a KFP web animation coming, officially from Dreamworks, that's called Paws of Destiny. Not a lot of info on it yet, but it sounds interesting. Though I won't be using any material from it most likely.

Now that's out of the way, let's begin.

"Man! After all of that action, I'm quite bored now!" Wan Wu stretched with a pout, yawning as her claws unsheathed and sheathed in a minute. "This sucks. I didn't bathe in as much blood as I'd have liked."

"You're telling me. I haven't had my fill of spilled blood either. All because that stupid brainwashing crap. It wouldn't have felt like a true victory." Wing muttered with an annoyed huff. She wanted to crush those three while they were fully aware it, proving how they've surpassed them. Though considering the circumstances, there was no way they would be able to enjoy the victory in full...but damn, it still felt great to beat their faces in.

"I know, I know, dear sisters. It was a bit of a letdown from my end as well." Su Wu stretched with a slight yawn and slight purr. She wanted to bash Rhino's face in, but she unfortunately needed the large Master to be alive. It simply wasn't as satisfying when they weren't aware of how badly they were being beaten. Then again, this was a time when they weren't street fighters and were actual skilled Kung Fu Masters. She had a feeling that their victory wouldn't be as assured as they thought. Then again, it was because they realized this that they were aware they weren't underestimating them anymore.

Experience is a valuable, if painful, teacher. It is unkind, it is ruthless, and it is unrelenting. But it is a better teacher than most. And she had a feeling that experience is a great part of why Po and his posse grow so quickly. Constant conflict-either they head towards it or it finds them, no middle ground-forces them to adapt and grow quickly in order to survive the many ordeals of this cruel world of theirs.

This is an important lesson that Lian has learned from them. And given how much she's grown, the lesson most definitely stuck, even when they eventually separated. Yes, Lian is turning into a fine young woman. She's even got herself a mate of her own...she quashed how envious she was of the young woman. She wasn't petty enough to be jealius of her student's rather grown-up accomplishment. Besides, Peng's a nice young man, even if he's related to Tai Lung.

Su blinked a few times, then smiled as she stood up and stretched. "Well girls, I know what we're gonna do today."

"What's that, sis?" Wing stretched as well, sliding into her vest and adjusting it a bit, her tail swishing curiously.

Su smiled while tapping her chin, her own tail swishing about. "I seem to recall that a few of those young warriors wished to hear about the story of our connection to Lian. Well, I think we've waited long enough to get to that, don't you ladies agree?~"

"I've got no problem with it. But is Lian gonna be alright with it?" Wan asked curiously, stretching a bit while patting her mouth with a brief yawn.

"Perhaps she'll disagree with the decision. And if she does, well...that's fine. Su shrugged while making her way towards the door. "But if she DOES agree...well...this is a very interesting opportunity for her friends to learn more about her, and more about us as well.~"

"Well, I guess I can kinda understand it...not too sure though." Wan hummed, but otherwise didn't outright disagree with the decision. "...I hope you're not using this opportunity to be with Po again."

"Ya gotta stop teasing the poor panda. He seriously has no idea what you're doing." Wing sighed while shaking her head with her paws raised. "Or do you get some kind of messed-up amusement toying with him, knowing he doesn't understand your intentions, even if they are simply playful?"

"YOUR idea of amusement is biting a chunk out of someone's throat. And you call ME messed up?"

"YOU stabbed a guy through the heart and literally twisted the knife to make it hurt more!"

"I ripped a boar's head off with my bare paws!~" Wan beamed with a raised paw as if what she said was-in her vision-the best thing in the world. The tone of the banter was slightly lost on her, she simply wanted to be a part of it.

"Oh yeah, I remember that!" Wing chuckled while snapping her fingers a few times. "I think that was your initiation test. You cradled it in your lap, petted it and everything. Now THAT'S twisted. Not normal at all!'

"I never claimed to be normal. Neither did you two!"

"Indeed. Also, the look on that boss's face was priceless. He wasn't expecting you to actually do it!" Su chuckled, lightly patting her cheek in fondness of the memory. It slipped through their minds that subjects like this are just one of the reasons why people have a very difficult time forming a genuine friendship with them. It only makes Su's fondness for Po-him accepting her as a friend despite how dangerous she was-that more notable. "Gonna be honest, was slightly afraid that would have interfered with our pay, but luckily he was wise enough to know that denying us is a bad idea."

"Hell yeah it is. You don't say no to the Wu Sisters when they want something badly enough." Wing smirked as she lightly clenched her fists while hopping a bit. Then, realizing something, she pouted. "Your playful nature around Po doesn't count, by the way. That's simply never gonna happen."

"Doesn't mean I can't have a little fun.~"

"...Ya know, you keep saying that, yet I'm STILL not completely convinced by it. I suppose that's just my perspective, though." Wing deadpanned while shaking her head with a shrug.

"Why are you girls dilly-dallying and dally-dillying? We've got something to do, don't we? So let's just go ahead and do it!~" Wan said while hopping ahead of both her sisters, causing them to giggle and follow her playfully.

Indeed, Lian was in for quite a day.

Peng slowly opened his eyes as he sits up and rubs them slightly with an admittedly cute feline yawn. He lightly scratched his chin a bit while looking around the room for two very obvious yet close things to his heart. Lian and Bian Zao.

"Zzzzz..."

...Welp, there was Bian Zao, sleeping soundly on a bed of his own, snoring a bit nasally as well. Suppose that comes to it having a big nose and all, but it is as still quite a humorous thing to watch. Nevertheless, it seems that Bian Zao was doing just fine. Now he only needed to look for-

"Morning, Peng." Lian slides the door open from outside and steps in. Peng could tell how much she loved was beginning to relax since she has switched back to her spotted dress instead of her usual vest and pants. She smiled lightly as she moved closer to Peng and lightly patted his cheek. "Hey hey hey. You're not fallin' asleep on me when ya just woke up, are ya? I really don't want to have to deal out it both of you boys being asleep all day."

"You mean you're not gonna wake Bian Zao?"

"He's exerted himself far more than any of us expected him to. Let him sleep for a while." Lian dismissed the idea easily, before taking Peng by the paw and pulling him out of the room. "C'mon, I made us a private breakfast and everything."

"You made breakfast solely for the two of us?"

"Oh don't be so surprised. Before we left on this journey I usually did our cooking AND kicked some major ass while coming home too."

"H-Hey! Don't just count me out like that! I can totally cook for myself!" Peng muttered, though his confidence faded into an embarrassed blush. "I'm...just not as good at it as you are."

"And that's why we're partners. I cover the areas you suck at, and vice versa!~" Lian beamed with folded arms.

"But-"

"Hush. Breakfast first, further discussion later. Go eat." Lian said while lightly pushing his back.

"Ugh, I'm going I'm going..." Peng mumbled while rubbing his shoulder. As pushy as Lian was physically-and figuratively-she really was very caring towards him. He sits down and sees that Lian made some Tofu Pudding along with some Morning Tea. They were made recently, seeing as the latter was still much warmer but overall pleasant on Peng's tongue.

Lian smirked at seeing the pleasured smile on his face. "Hehe. Enjoying them as usual?"

"Of course I am. It's delicious." Peng said honestly while eating quite a bit more.

"Hmph. You're definitely no Po, but you've still got quite a spacey belly to fit all of that. Then again, we all kinda do, in a way."

After a while Peng eventually finishes his breakfast, with Lian finishing at the same time. They both help to clean the dishes afterwards, then simply return to the kitchen to simply enjoy their morning. Lian soon releases an unladylike belch, one that surprised Peng, but caused him to shake his head in amusement.

"Hm. That's not very unladylike, Lady Lian.~"

"Yeah, well I'm not the usual lady, Spots."

"You have as many spots as I do!"

"Yeah, well there's a pretty big difference between us."

"And what's that?"

"I'm taller.~"

"Yes yes, you do like to remind me of that from time to time." Peng chuckled with a roll of his eyes.

Lian chuckled while lightly punching his shoulder. "Yeah. I do. But it's also to emphasize the fact of how adorable you are. I mean, look at this precious wittle face!~" She said while lightly cupping his cheeks and smooshing them slightly, earning a deep blush from him. "Ooohhh! There's a blush! Bonus!~"

"Lian..." Peng whined cutely, his tail briskly waving in anxiousness.

"Oh! A cute whine as well! Yet another bonus!~" Lian smiles softly. She lowered her eyes slightly. "Such an adorable snow leopard, who is kinda dorky at times, with a pretty big heart to match. I'd say that's a pretty great combination when it came to you winning my heart."

"A lot of things led up to that, Lian..."

"I know. It's a pretty big journey...and I'd like to keep enjoying it with you, if you don't mind."

Peng smiles and nods lovingly towards her. " No disagreements here, ma'am."

Lian smirks. Then she closes her eyes and captures Peng's lips in an affectionate kiss. Peng didn't waste any time returning it, sliding his arms around her back, with one paw gently resting on her waist. Both of their tails began slowly, softly waving about as they both began purring as well. Lian kept her paws on his cheeks for a bit longer, before sliding them around his neck and pulling them closer to her. They separated several times to breathe for air, then returned for more. After long, one of Peng's paws boldly went even further south, but she didn't mind at all. She almost encouraged it.

"...Morning make out time, huh?" Both felines panicked and separated with deep blushed as they turned towards the sound of the voice. Bian Zao was up, and has already fixed himself his own tea, and was leaning on the counter, nonchalantly sipping away at it, even taking the time to click his tongue and sigh. "No please, don't stop on my account. I was just grabbing some tea."

"B-Bian Zao...we, uh...w-we weren't...we didn't hear you come in...oh dear..." Peng stuttered nervously, his tail and whiskers twitching rapidly. Lian simply chose to keep quiet, but the embarrassment was very clear on her face as well.

"Guys, relax. I ain't one of those guys who gets all pissy for being a third wheel. I don't have the time or the energy or the care to even try to be one of those guys. Besides, the third wheel does the least amount of work." Bian Zao yawned while scratching his back and sipping more of his tea. "When I'm done, I think I'll just go back to bed."

"Oh come on! You JUST woke up! You can't just go back to sleep!" Lian threw up her paws in exasperation.

"...Know what, you're right." Bian Zao smiled. "I'll bake some cake, THEN go back to bed!"

"...I wanna punch you in the nose SO hard..."

"I'd rather you not. I use my nose to smell."

"Grrrr..."

Bian Zao sipped his tea again, sets the now empty cup down, and clapped slightly. "Alright, come to the main room when you're done. It's story time, so I'm gonna bake some cake and make some tea, cause it's sure to be a long one."

Lian and Peng blinked and looked towards one another, before shrugging and moving towards the main room. They learned that their friends were indeed all gathered in the main room, including Rhino, Ox, and Croc. And the most obvious surprise to Lian was the Wu Sisters, who were each smiling quite comfortably.

"Guys...? What's goin' on?"

"Lian my dear. We invited quite a few of your friends, as well as ours..." She smugly smiled towards Rhino, then continued. "...to share a little story. And you know what story that is, don't you?"

Lian sighed softly, then managed a small smile. "Yes. I know, I know. The story of how the four of us got acquainted. I know how everyone is kinda curious about this."

"Extremely." Ox said with folded arms.

"It does have us quite curious how a well-adjusted young woman ended up friends with the notorious Wu Sisters, the deadliest feminine warriors in China." Croc stated while his tail lightly tapped the ground.

"They were a pretty big inspiration for the Ladies of the Shade fighting style, so it's pretty telling g how deadly they are." Song said with a gentle smile, though the Wu's could very much tell that it was playfully fake.

Lian stretched her arms out as Peng seats himself in a nearby chair, and Lian seats herself in her lap. "You all want to hear the story of me and the Wu's? Alright then. It was a bit overdo anyhow."

"Sure did." Su hummed quietly as she leans forward with a wicked grin. "Now. Before we begin with her...we first have to start with me and my dear sisters..."

(Seven Years Ago)

"Su Wu has escaped! I repeat, SU WU HAS ESCAPED!"

Place a cat within a cage for too long, she'll eventually event her own way out. That's what was going through the felines head as she was running down the hallway in all fours, escaping the facility...while leaving behind quite a bit of corpses in her wake.

They tried to stand in her way of freedom. They died. It was that simple.

A few of them tried to stop her with numerous archers posted around the prison. Not a single one of them managed to touch her even slightly, aside from her voluntarily catching them in her paws and throwing them right back through their hearts, throats, or skills. The first two were her favorites, as they would very briefly comprehend just what exactly killed them before they died. She had these streaks of sadism from time to time.

Either way, once she actually got to them, they were already quite dead, choking on their own blood...served them right.

Once she finally reached the outside of Jinzhou Palace, she could see two familiar figures waiting there for her...and they too we're covered in quite a bit of corpses from those that tried to stop their progress of rescuing their beloved sister. Wing looked satisfied, licking blood from her claws. Wan was simply swaying to and fro like a kitten, but her paws wer more soaked in blood than Wing's.

...Gods, how she missed these two.

"Wing. Wan. My dear sisters have returned to me." Su Wu smiled as the three of them moved towards one another and embraced in a sisterly hug, nuzzling one another's heads.

Wing pulled back while scratching her own head. "It was a bit difficult to get here, ya see. Everyone's been trying to get in our way. It's been so hard trying to get in here without causing a bloody ruckus, but they were prepared for us apparently, so here we are.~"

"It's all over my paws.~" Wan chuckled while clenching her paws open and closed. "Well sis, we've broken out of our prisons again. What now?"

"I'd say we've got about ten minutes before the remaining guards signal our escape and get to the Kung Fu Council. So ladies, I think it's time we've left this kind establishment behind us." Su smirked as she looked back towards the Palace and tauntingly blew a kiss. "Nice spending time with you again. But unfortunately I must be off. Farewell.~" She cooed as she and her sisters jumped into the night, effortlessly blending into the darkness.

Three of the most notorious criminals in China escaped once again. That was beyond worrying and embarrassing. And more than either of those things...it was terrifying.

What are those dastardly villains up to? What sinister scheme have they come up with?

(One Week Later)

"So if we get the bean buns today, we might be able to have room for our rice later." Wan said studiously while munching on several dumplings.

"Yeah, that is if you don't eat them all, you glutton." Wing rolled her eyes while taking some for herself.

"Yes yes, we have quite a bit of food on us, ladies. And perhaps if you're both good, we can even get ourselves some more wine. Quality whine, not that muddy water the previous bar tried to give us." Su huffed. She was still cleaning the blood from that particular incident off of her claws. The Wu's have been on the run for quite a while now, and it's quite clear that they weren't going to be caught again any time soon.

"That guy was a total sham. Trying to sell us some shitty whine like that. Glad we offed him." Wing huffed while sipping said wine, then crudely burping. "So, Su. We've taken the time to collect ourselves. Its been a week, what's our next move already?"

"Yeah sis, all we've been doing is hiding around! When are we actually going to do something with our regained freedom?" Wan whined while sitting back in her chair, dropping another dumpling into her mouth.

Su gently waved down at both of them. "You two are absolutely right. It's time we come up with our latest plan of action. We have to find ourselves some allies so that we aren't completely on our own. Strength in numbers, and we won't survive long on our own, no matter how tough we are."

"So that's our next move? Restarting the whole 'uniting the gangs' plan?"

"...No. While it was quite an ambitious plan I'm sure, it was far too large in scale to work on one single attempt." Su says slowly while lightly rubbing her chin. "If that plan is to work, we need to gain our allies...gradually. We try all in a single go, it only leaves all of them liable to capture at the same time. But if we go one at a time...slowly but steadily..."

"...Ah. Now I getcha, sis." Wing grinned wickedly.

"Ooohhh...I don't get it." Wan mumbled.

"Of course you don't, dumbass."

"Hey hey, no need to be bitchy about it.~"

"Why you little...!" Wing growled as she suddenly had Wan in a chokehold, the latter gagging and attempting to break out of it.

Su rolled her eyes at the two, before closing them and sighing, taking a sip of her own wine cup, then setting it down. "...Think real hard about proceeding any further, little one." Wing and Wan stopped their bickering and looked towards their sister in confusion. Then they saw the receiver of her veiled warning.

A young snow leopardess cloaked in a ragged blanket was reaching towards Su's personal bag of money. She stopped in her tracks before making eye contact with Su and shivering under the intense killing intent she was giving off. After several moments of indecision, she shook her head and grabs it anyway, before running off on all fours. Wan and Wing we're so awesome by the child's audacity that neither of them thought to give chase.

Su Wu, however, only smirked in amusement. "Well now, we have ourselves a gutsy youngling..."

The young snow leopard panted slightly as she was running in one direction, never once looking back. She didn't bother. Something she sensed within the woman deeply scared her, but she didn't care. All she knew was that she managed to steal quite a bit of money from her in the process. Now if she could just lose them-

"GAH!"

Her thoughts was interrupted by a shadow jumping in front of her and kicking her against the wall, cracking it slightly. She whined while also dropping the bah, before she was held up by the throat by the curious Su Wu, who was shortly joined by Wing and Wan. The latter blinked curiously at her with a tilted head.

"Wowie wow! This kid actually thought she could get away with stealing from the Wu Sisters!~"

"Yeah. She's either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid." Wing huffed. She didn't care either way. "So squirt. Ya looked three deadly infamous assassins in the eye, and thought you could get away with stealing form them. That usually results in a bloody and gory death, which would be shameful to inflict on someone as young as yourself. Now...do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Su Wu watched the girl closely, especially within her eyes, as they were considered will does to the soul. And there was no doubt that the girl was deeply afraid of all three of them. But something even stronger shined through those eyes, something that piqued Su's interest.

Complete unrelenting defiance.

"Fuck off."

Wing blinked owlishly, while Wan seemed just as surprised. "Woooah! Should a kid your age be saying words like that?"

"I'm ten! Why the hell would you care?" The girl muttered while she glared at Su, grabbing the arm holding her neck and attempting to claw at it. "Gah! Lemme go you gold eye, blue eye shitty bastard bitch!"

"Geez...who the hell is this kid...?" Wing muttered while calming down white a quite a bit.

Su hummed softly, before she gingerly released the child, who dropped to the ground and rubbed her throat while coughing. "Rarely have I seen a young one which such fire in her eyes. You're quite an interesting child. Tell me, why did you try to rob from me?" A sudden growl from the young ones belly seemingly answered her. "Ah. So simple, you're hungry."

"Obviously, moron. But it's not for me." She muttered while staring at the ground. "I don't eat first. I have other kids my age that are more hungry than I am...they have to eat first. I eat last, always."

Wan blinked. "Well that doesn't make any sense. If you're hungry and you're out stealing food and money, shouldn't you use it for yourself instead of saving for others?"

The girl narrowed her eyes. "No way. They need it more than I do, and no one else is willing to help us. Only I'm somewhat strong enough to help them, so it's gotta be me. No one else will help. They're all assholes."

Wing huffed. "Heh. That takes quite a bit of luck and determination to see that kind of life through every day. Too bad the former seems to have run out for you."

"Like I give a damn what you think of my luck, fucking dumbass."

"Sheesh..."

Wan tilted her head while leaning forward a bit. "Say. Why are you wearing a blanket?"

"It's all I have to wear right now...I don't have any other clothes of my own..." She muttered while looking at the the ground.

"...Don't you have any parents to look after you all?"

"No."

"Guardians?"

"...No..."

"Any official figure that actually bothered to look after you?"

"Why are you so interested in my personal life?! You don't actually care, no one ever cares for us poor kids of low status. So stop fucking pretending like you do. Either kill me and get it over with, or just get the hell away from me!" The young girl shouted at them, but they didn't miss her voice beginning to crack at the end. She was beginning to cry, and was trying her hardest not to. The poor thing seemed highly stressed.

Su hummed as she looked around the area. There were thieves, killers, gang lords, kidnappers, and many shady figures of all sorts inhabited this city. It certainly was NOT a place for a child. Yet here she was. She wasn't doing too well, but she has shown to be excellent at adapting to her situations and making the best out of them.

A trait Su found most impressive.

She kneeled before the child, making her cautiously step back a bit. "I care about you, child."

"...No you don't...don't lie..." She sniffed, glaring at the older feline defiantly. Su only looked amused.

"I'm not lying. In fact...I feel for your plight, young one. You're being forced to grow up much faster than you're prepared for. And I wish to help you however I can." Su Wu says softly as she lightly reached out and pats the child on the head. She sniffed and glared, but didn't reject the gesture. Su Wu lowered her eyes. It seems that the child isn't used to positive physical contact, either. She definitely needed some help. "We can take care of you. Or better yet, we can teach you how to better take care of yourself. If you no longer wish to be weak, then strive to be strong. We can provide that for you, if you're willing to associate yourself with us. And who knows, we might even be able to help your little friends. You DO want to protect them, don't you? Well that can't happen if you're incapable of taking care of yourself. And since no one around here is willing to help you, we have little choice but to take up the mantle."

"..."

"So what do you say, little one? Will you trust in me?" Su Wu requests once again, reaching a paw out to her. The little girl pouted a bit. It was a very risky decision, since she had no one to help her, and the ones most willing to help her are notorious criminals. It definitely wouldn't be a very supported decision...but her survival was first and foremost. Because if she didn't survive, who would else would take care of the other children.

She hesitated no more.

"I'll do it."

Su Wu smiles pleasantly. "Good on you, my dear. Let's redo introductions. My name is Su Wu. My sister's over here are Wing and Wan Wu. We're known as the Wu Sisters. And you are?"

"...Lian. The name's Lian."

"Lian. What a beautiful name!~"

"...Really?"

"Truly my dear. Despite your claims, you're an adorable little feline. Please, allow us to from you into someone who can be strong, beautiful, and dependable. I'll assure you won't regret it. And those bad people who tell you otherwise? Do not worry. Me and my sisters are very good at making those people go away.~"

"You mean maim, cripple, or kill, right?" Lian deadpanned. "Be straight with me. I'm ten, I'm not fucking stupid."

Su Wu smirked. "You know what, kitten? I like you. Come along now." Su gently held her paw and began leading her along, with Wing and Wan following after them, the former sighing.

"Well, this will definitely give us something to do. I wasn't expecting to help take care of some shitty brat...hope this won't be a waste of time." Wing muttered.

"If I'm a shitty brat, you're a shitty witch." Lian glared back at Wing. "You have something to say to me, then just say it to my fucking face, dammit."

Wing's smirk was deadly, yet warmly amused. "I take it back. I think I'm gonna like you."

"Oh YAY! I get to play mother! That should be fun!" Wan clapped cheerfully, skipping alongside them with soft hums.

Lian raised an eyebrow, before then turning up towards Su. "You three are kinda weird. Maybe even crazy."

"Lian Darling...never have we given the impression that we were sane.~" Su Wu says with a gleeful and sinister chuckle.

Indeed, this would serve to be quite an amusing way to spend time.

...So yeah. Lian was NOT a soft-spoken young kitten. Though given the environment she was stuck in, one can hardly blame her. And despite that, her heart is still a good one. It's a pretty rough journey before she becomes much more chill in the present. Especially with the Wu Sisters as her teachers/mothers.

We'll be continuing through that rough journey, next time.