Author's Note: Hey guys! Been a while ain't it... Heh heh... Okay, first things first I am sorry for how long it took to make this chapter. I started at the start of the month and it took way too long to do this. I will have to warn you lot that my updates will most likely be less frequent. Final year of uni so I gotta get into gear! Whenever I do have spare time I will try to post whatever I can. I do hope this chapter is worth the wait, cuz for some reason I just had so much trouble getting it the way I wanted it to be.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP (Yay, copyright is annoying am I right?)

Enjoy.

Fear's Unrelenting Grip

Regardless of the horrors that had bled into the mind of master Tigress the night before, the sun pierces through the milky clouds and lights up the sky with its golden splendour. A pinkish hue results from this celestial glow as it melts through the night sky and blesses the valley with the welcoming sight of the dawn; A new day to overpower the darkness of the past.

This delightful brightness finds its way through the rice paper walls of the student barracks and into the kitchen, greeting its two inhabitants as if the terrified tension that had occupied the room mere hours ago never even existed. Sitting by the table, Tigress looks down towards her linked paws in contemplation, the poor feline still trying to understand what had caused that dreadful nightmare in the first place. She had never been this terrified of a potential enemy, nor had she ever been so certain that her friends would fall to such a threat. Perhaps… It isn't the enemy she fears… But rather… She fears what she is capable of. That even after all this time, after attaining inner peace, she can still only see the monster that had plagued the lives of the Bao Gu orphanage and had terrified everyone across China, even her own friends.

"Your tea will be ready in a sec." Her panda's jovial voice snaps her out of this dark rumination, forcing her to look up at his relaxed yet smiling face. She nods, a tiny smile filling her face for a brief second until her thoughts catch back up to her. His effortless joy that would usually warm her heart instead brings flashes of her dream into her head. Reminding her of the devastation she had wreaked at seeing her dead family, something that the panda hadn't done when realising the fate of his kind. Why? Why is he capable of such inner strength whilst she has dedicated her whole life to controlling herself and still remains unsuccessful? "Tigress." Before her mind can delve any deeper into her shame, she hears the panda's voice become far more sombre as he delicately lays his right paw over hers.

Amber orbs look up to see loving jade, deeply concerned beyond measure. "I'm fine, Po." Regardless of her attempt to satisfy his silent question, both can tell that this assurance remains hollow. That the events of that nightmare had truly torn her heart and soul into shreds.

Unable to take her undeniable torment any longer, the dragon warrior asks just as she looks back down to the table, "There was more to that nightmare. Wasn't there?" At his tense whisper, Tigress looks back up and into her love's eyes. Part of her wants to deny it so that she can't put this burden on the kind-hearted panda, but as she looks deeper into his jade orbs, she can already see that there is no point in doing that. He knows that she had hidden something about that dream. He truly did know her better than anyone else.

They stare into each other's eyes for a few seconds more, with Po sending a silent message of comfort in his gaze, letting her know that it's okay. Releasing a soft sigh, Tigress glances back down at her panda's paw softly cradling hers, thankful of his warm touch as she readies herself to relive the moment that stuck in her mind the most. "I…" She clears her throat as her voice croaks in a quivering fear, "I heard… Nuba…" Jade orbs widen at the mention of the white tiger, but the panda keeps his mouth shut in spite of his questions. "I heard her say the exact thing she said… when I had… lost control…" The tiger master's voice devolves into a whisper as she feels tears begin to well up in her eyes. "I saw her standing there… smiling as the rest of the valley burned… but… but she wasn't the only one…" Po begins to lean closer to the feline, slightly tightening his grip on her paw to reassure her of his presence. "I saw… some demon… some thing with blue eyes… staring me down… and an army of wolves…" Tigress' voice begins to shake as she grits her teeth, remembering those manic soldiers, "Laughing as they slaughtered so many people… laughing at the sight of you and the five… All dead…" Heavy breaths exit her mouth as her face morphs into an expression of harrowing despair, "They took away my home… my family… They took you away from me… I…" Po's countenance changes to one of unquestionable worry as rivers begin to pour from Tigress' eyes, "I… I lost control… I…"

The panda master wraps the grieving tiger in a tight embrace, already understanding what she was about to say. She hugs him back as she quietly sobs into his white robes, disgusted at her dream self for her maddened slaughter of the wolf mercenaries and horrified of just how close she had gotten to turning into that monster merely a week ago. "It's okay." Po whispers hoping that the tormented feline can even begin to believe his words, "We're all here, Tigress. You don't have to be afraid… We're not going anywhere."

Choking on her tears, the tiger master rears her head back from her panda's chest and looks to him with anger clear in her reddened eyes, "You don't know that…" Her hoarse voice sends terrified shivers down Po's spine, the truth of her words ripping through his attempts at comforting her. "We could die at any moment, Po… We almost did against Nuba! And now, Oogway's telling us of something even worse…" She clears her throat as her mind flashes back to the sight of her dead family, forcing more tears to well up within her, "The only reason why I had come back after I lost myself was you… What will happen if I lose you? What will I become when I lose everyone? I… I don't want to be a monster, Po…" Her voice shakes as her lip trembles, the terror from her nightmare gripping her entire body. His heart breaking at her distraught eyes, the dragon warrior pulls her into another embrace. She lays her head on his shoulder, trying desperately to eliminate this fear from her heart to no avail, "What can I do, Po…? What can I do…?"

Jade orbs look to the floor as he ponders on her question. What can she do? What can either of them do? She has already gained inner peace, she had come out of her hardcore shell, what else could they do? Many thoughts flash through the panda's mind, clawing at any potential answer from his thoughts as both warriors hear the howling whistle of the teapot. Against all of his hope, the panda simply can't find an answer. The one time where he truly needs one… and he doesn't have it. "I…" He whispers out, ashamed of his lack of any helpful words to the love of his life. "I don't know…" Tigress shuts her eyes tightly, her hope for any miracle or lightning bolt of a thought to ring in Po's mind had been extinguished. Not that she can blame him though, she doubts even Oogway would have an answer for this situation. "But I will do whatever I can… I promise." He pledges with a tense voice, clearly wanting to give her a better answer. A sad smile crosses Tigress' face, beyond thankful for his limitless kindness, his undying love. She buries her head into the crook of his neck, softly kissing him as she tightens her embrace. In spite of this, Po still stares at the wooden floor, looking in vain for any possible answer to her pleas for help.

"As will I."

Both warriors' eyes widen at the sound of a gruff voice. They both turn their heads to look at the hallway leading out of the kitchen to find grandmaster Shifu standing there, his repaired staff in his right paw and a downtrodden expression littered on his face. The two warriors break their embrace, with Tigress wiping her tears-soaked eyes and clearing her sore throat, "Master. How much did you hear?" She asks, trying to bring back her usually soft but stern tone with little luck.

Stern blue orbs stare at the feline, seeing the pain and fear of the tiger cub he had taken from the orphanage many years ago. Emotions that he had tried so desperately to purge, yet the fear contained within her amber orbs looks just as fresh as it had back then. As if that fear had never truly left. "Enough to know that my teachings… Have been useless…" He whispers out, shameful of how little he has helped his own daughter for all these years.

Clearing her throat once again, Tigress bows to the red panda, "Forgive me, master-

"You are not at fault here, Tigress… I am…" He interrupts the tiger master to her surprise, "I had promised to help you control your emotions, to keep yourself in check… and I have failed… Miserably." Both Po and Tigress can only look at Shifu in pity, already aware of his insurmountable guilt. "But no more… I don't know what we will do exactly… but I promise that I will do everything in my power to make things right… starting now."

Jade and amber orbs widen at the very idea that the red panda could already have some kind of solution. Voicing their silent question, Tigress tenderly asks her father, "What do you suggest we do, master?"

Shifu briefly sighs, knowing that his idea may not be much, but it is certainly better than leaving his daughter to deal with these thoughts on her own. "Meditation, by the peach tree. Hopefully that will help calm your mind." Placing her full trust in her master once again, the tiger warrior bows with fist in palm. Steely blue eyes shift from his tiger daughter over to the panda master, sensing a hidden distress in his chi but what exactly, he couldn't decipher. "If that is okay with you, Po?" He questions, knowing that this will most likely eat into their scheduled training.

"Of course." Po immediately answers, "Anything for Tigress." This heartfelt response earns a miniscule smile from the red panda, happy that his daughter always has him looking out for her.

Blue eyes look to amber before motioning the tiger out towards the heavenly tree, "Follow me." She nods, but before heading out of the kitchen she turns to her love and softly kisses him on the lips. They hold this kiss for a mere second before she turns back, beginning to make her way out of the room.

The dragon warrior looks upon the feline warrior, desperately wanting to say something that could mend the torment eating up her mind but simply cannot find the words to do so. Instead, he can only say, "I love you."

Tigress stops in her tracks and looks back to the panda master before smiling at him. Those words never fail to bring such warmth to her heart, nor does her smile ever fail to brighten the panda's world. A gentle whisper escapes her lips, her adoration for the panda embedded into her words, "I know." With this, the grandmaster and his daughter make their way out of the kitchen.

As they head further and further out of sight, the slight smile that was on Po's face melts into an expression of shame. She needed him and all he could say was I don't know. Seeing the pair of warriors now gone, the panda master scornfully mumbles, "Way to go, Po. Useless again." He walks over to the teapot, his gait sunken and practically hollow before pouring a cup of jasmine tea for himself. After practically downing the usually calming beverage, the panda trudges down towards the barracks in anticipation of the gong's wake up call, mentally berating himself on the way there.

It isn't just the fact he can't help his own girlfriend that has him in this funk. It's the very idea that he can succeed Oogway, someone who had introduced a whole new martial art and brought peace to many. It's the fact that he had barely helped his friends at all when they were facing Nuba… What kind of teacher was he? What hope does he have of matching Oogway's wisdom? Before pondering on these thoughts any more than he already has, the dragon warrior reaches the dormitories of his friends now turned students. He breathes in and out in an attempt to calm his mind, allowing himself to put on a more cheerful expression for them.

Gwong!

Right as the gong rings out throughout the barracks, three doors blast open with Viper, Mantis and Monkey standing at attention. "Good morning, master!" They all call out, ready for whatever their panda friend has planned for the day. A confused expression forms on Po's face, spreading out to the other three warriors at the absence of a certain avian. After a few seconds, the door opposite Viper slowly opens up with Crane practically dragging himself out of the room.

"Good *yawn* good morning, master…" He just about manages his usual morning greeting as his eyes barely keep themselves open, his voice low and sapped of energy.

Whilst Monkey and Mantis' expressions delve into even deeper confusion, Po and Viper give the avian a concerned look. It doesn't take long for any of them to piece together that the bird hasn't slept, but as to why could be anyone's guess. However, the noticeable absence of another warrior draws the attention of the motherly serpent, "Wait, where's Tigress?"

She notices the panda's face fall slightly at her question, concerning her even more as to the feline's current state. "She's meditating with Shifu." Noticing that his answer had gained puzzled looks from all except the practically sleeping Crane, Po assures them with a calm tone, "Don't worry, guys. I'll explain in a bit. Let's just have breakfast first, okay?" Though he gives them his signature cheeky grin, the snake master can see right through it. She decides not to mention it however, understanding how stressed he must be about Tigress and her nightmare, and heads towards the kitchen alongside Monkey and Mantis. Master Crane was just about to follow them until the dragon warrior raises his paw up, "Woah, Crane. We gotta talk."

"Talk… Talk about what?" The avian desperately tries to keep his yellow orbs wide open but keeps finding the allure of sleep too tantalising to be able to fully stay awake.

Po puts his paws on his hips and gives the bird a concerned look as Crane lowers his head slightly, "Crane c'mon, I can tell you haven't slept." He waits for a split second for the bird's response only to hear… snoring. Jade orbs widen in further concern. Oh jeez, what happened to you buddy? With this thought in mind, he loudly calls out, "Crane!" Startling the avian instantly.

A few seconds of silence envelop the room as worried jade and fatigued yellow eyes stare at each other, with Crane now fully aware of the fact he just fell asleep right in front of his panda comrade. Realising that there is no point in trying to hide this from him, the bird sighs deeply before motioning Po into his room with his right wing.

Right as the panda sets foot in the room, his eyes widen to the size of dumplings at the sight of multiple scrolls littering the dorm, filled to the brim with ink. From the looks of the scatter-brained brush strokes, the bird had drawn up battle formations and written strategies for the five… But why? Immediately noticing the befuddled question brimming in Po's jade orbs, Crane answers with exhaustion evident in his timbre, "After Tigress had her nightmare… I wrote…" He yawns midway through his explanation, making him shake his head to force himself awake. "a couple of battle strategies to keep us all together, y'know?"

"Well, that's cool and all, but… Why?" The panda voices his silent question, still concerned that the avian had kept himself up at night to jot this all down.

Crane clears his throat and rubs his eye with a balled-up talon before responding, "When we fought Nuba… When we were separated from each other…" fear wells up within the avian's half-lidded eyes, the kind of fear Po is all too familiar with, "We almost… Died… If we had been able to stick together the whole time... *yawn* we wouldn't have had such a risk…" A look of understanding resonates within the dragon warrior as the bird continues his explanation, "And if this enemy that Oogway warned us about is worse than Nuba… I can't take any chances… I've…" Yellow eyes gaze into jade, making a wordless promise to the panda master, "I've got to protect my family…"

A sombre expression takes up Po's countenance as he lays his right paw upon Crane's shoulder, "I know, man… I know…" The foreign morose tone in the panda's voice catches the avian by surprise, "But… How will you be able to protect us if you can't even stand up properly? Hm?" An approving hum seeps out of the bird master's beak as the dragon warrior ponders a solution to snap him out of his sleep deprived state. After a few moments, Po gains back his wide smile as an idea forms in his head, "How about a nice cup of Oolong tea? That should get you wide awake!"

Seeing his friend's jovial aura return to him, Crane smiles back before practically mumbling, "Thanks, Po. You're the best." Both warriors walk out of the jumbled mess of a room, with Po keeping a guiding paw on Crane's back as they head over to the rest of the five.

Again, sorry for the long wait. I'm hoping that the next chapter will not take anywhere near as long. Also, for halloween... Well, let's just say I've got a bit of a surprise in store. Although it isn't KFP. If any of you are fans of DOOM... Well, I've got a nice one-shot on the way for good ole hallows eve. Until next time :)