Thank you CookieM2012 for the shout out! I'm so glad you like the story!

Chapter 11

Later that morning..

Jian went home some time after he assisted the noodle maker and his son- and thank the gods above he was out of there as quick as he did, but it was at a price; he needed to talk to Po again about what Azure had said, and had asked if they could meet up to talk. Po was ecstatic to hear this, and told him he would be at the restaurant all day, and he could pop in anytime. Jian said he would be around at some point, but he had stuff to do in the Palace beforehand...

One task that would come to mind would be training, which went by as it normally would; he watched Tigress and the others train once dawn touched the earth with the dim rays of the sun that paved its way through the thick clouds. At least it stopped raining, despite the gloomy weather, and by the time his session began, the ground was dry. There was nothing too interesting about his training today; Tigress and Master Oogway was on stand-by as Master Shifu instructed him through all his exercises, as usual.

Tigress hadn't said anything to Shifu about what happened in the kitchen, and seemingly, Oogway didn't either; instead, both kept a close eyes on him through his warm ups and combat training, and at one point, as the session came to a halt, Jian saw the elderly turtle speaking to Tigress; the context didn't seem too concerning judging by her face, which remained neutral throughout the conversation, but her gaze was on the ground, and no where else, whether that meant anything. Shifu didn't notice, usually if Oogway had something to say to any of them it was strictly confidential, and never got involved.

While she was distracted, Jian quickly bowed to Shifu. "Permission to go to the village Master Shifu?" He asked politely. Shifu narrowed his eyes and Oogway and Tigress stopped talking, and watched them quietly. "You have a meeting with the Furious Five this afternoon, and I wouldn't want to get in the way."

That got him the approval. "Very well, but don't strand too far." Jian nodded obediently, before a second bow ended his intentions of speaking any further, which granted Shifu to take his leave. He didn't move until the three masters made their way out of the courtyard, and towards the Hall of Heroes, and when the coast was clear, he took a deep breath, stretched his digits, and ran for the wall, leapt, and with the aid of his paws, he flipped over the barrier.


Po hummed softly as he carted out several empty boxes the side entrance of the restaurant. With the delivery dock out of service, it was recommended to the goose that any baskets or boxes were to stay outside in an area that they could be pick up, or taken by whoever needed them, as long as it didn't obscure the entrance. Plopping them in a careless stack on the ground, he turned on his heels to leave, but nearly fell over in fright when Jian was suddenly behind him.

"Gah-ha!" He cried, stumbling back. The woolen hat that sat on his head bounced off and hit the ground as his arms rose to shield his face in case he was to attack, but when that didn't occur, his arms slowly retracted back to his sides, and gasped excitedly. "It's you!"

"Is now a good time to talk?" Po nodded enthusiastically, brushing off the apron around his waist, although it wasn't really visible with his belly in the way.

"I'm on my lunch now, so wanna grab some food?" Jian nodded back, not as lively. This wasn't going to be pleasant, but he needed to get some answers, so what choice did he have? "Great!" Po swooped up his hat, and instead of putting it back on his head, he kept it scrunched up in his paw. I'll whip us up something."

...

Jian watched as Po wolfed down yet another dumpling, waiting for him to speak. The panda almost took no notice, and continued to chow down on the steamy goods, while Jian's plate was growing cold. "So," he spoke with a mouthful of food, which grossed the leopard out a little, but he kept himself from squirming. "What did you wanna talk about?"

"What did she mean by 'we'?"

"Who?"

Jian rolled his eyes. "Azure."

"Oh!" Po gulped loudly, patting his chest with a closed fist when he felt the food stopping its travel. "Yeah. She said something like we would meet, and that we would be best pals-" The more he spoke, the more weirded out Jian got, but didn't stop him from talking. They both sat cooped up in the corner of the restaurant, with a plant set in front of Jian to shield himself from the prying eyes of the villagers... or the Master's if they came looking for him. He peeked out every once in a while, just to see his surroundings, but made sure he heard Po, as he let the guy blab the whole time. Some time passed by, and the conversation somehow went in a different direction."I'm a huge fan of the Furious Five. Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane are awesome!" Great, he's the president of their fan club."You'll be awesome too right? I mean I haven't seen you fight yet, but you're being trained by one of the best teacher's in China!"

"Yeah..." Jian rolled his eyes as he prodded one of the dumplings on his plate. His wasn't even hungry, but not wanting to be rude, he got his chopsticks, and one up, taking a bite quickly before placing the half eaten ball back down. He didn't look back up until Po got his attention by inquiring if he was alright. "Yes," he replied, blinking back into focus. "I'm just trying to think as to why she would tell you this."

"I'm sure she told you too?" Po was surprised to see Jian shaking his head slowly. "Oh... weird."

"Azure likes to let me figure things out on my own." All he could do was shrug it off. "I don't get let off that easily."

A thud hit the table a few feet behind them, interrupting their conversation and Po sprang to his feet, while Jian crouched low. "Hey tubby!" Jeered a pig, while his two equally ugly brothers laughed at the panda's shocked expression. The leader was downed in a sluggish green tunic and grey patched pants, a large yellow wart parked on the bridge of his nose. "Why don't you stop sitting by your lonesome and do your job? Get us some food, we're starving to death." He turned back to the table proudly as all of them were hooting with laughter over the panda's reaction. Jian narrowed his eyes a little when Po turned back to him.

"I'll be back-"

"No." Jian glared at him. "You stay here."

"What about-"

"You're on your lunch, this isn't your problem."

Po was about to respond before the Pig turned back around. "Hey tub! Didn't you hear me the first time? We want our food!"

"Loud and clear..." Po muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "My dad's probably out back trying to sort out the docking bay, and didn't tell me, so I better-"

Jian's ears flattened as his face morphed into a sorrowful look, before the pig started up again, saying more hurtful comments about the Panda's physical appearance, most of those sharpened arrows were being shot at his weight. "Are they like this all the time?" The Panda looked a little embarrassed, and didn't respond.

"I SAID-" He was cut off when Jian stepped out from behind the plant, tail flickering in annoyance. The pig's tried to hide his laughter, not fazed by him, along with his brother who were no longer cackling, or at least not trying to, squishing their hoofs tightly across their mouths like faulty gags.

"Jian don't-" Po started, but he was quickly ignored.

"In case you didn't notice, we're in the middle of a private conversation, and I would appreciate that you leave my friend here alone, and go eat elsewhere."

"Or else what kid?" The pig smiled almost too confidently as he stood up, barely passing Jian's shoulder level. "Is your Daddy gonna come get out of jail and fight your battles?" Jian's felt his muscles tensing up.

"I'm warning you. Get out." He said through gritted teeth."

"Trying to stop yourself from killing us eh? Go on, I know you want to!" Po stared at the pig in utter shock, begging Jian to just step away.

His brothers weren't spluttering with laughter anymore; they saw Jian's anger growing in his chest as they heard a deep growl echo from his throat. "Jao." One of them hissed, quivering slightly in fear. "What are you doing?!"

"Your precious baby sister isn't around to protect you anymore, so why don't you stand your own ground huh?" The growl got louder, and the pig shuffled back a little, still grinning. "Oh, getting brave now are we?" A fist was starting to peel away from his side, shaking slightly. "Go for it..." the pig laughed again, his eyes wandering elsewhere, before the laugh was trapped on his tongue, his eyes widening. Jian was about to smirk triumphantly, but a sudden presence a few feet away from him stopped him from doing so.

"Step away Jian." He could hear Po gasp again, and his cursed himself in annoyance as he, in bitter defeat, turned around to see Master Tigress standing there, arms crossed.

"Master Tigress!" One of the pig brother's claimed in false relief. "He was about to attack us!"

Jian felt his heart drop a little, as his eyes stared at her, frozen. I'm dead, he thought. Tigress raised a brow, and the pig knew she wasn't buying it... and tried to support the statement.

"We were just minding our business, and was asking the waiter to take our order!" He proceeded to point at Po, who glared at him, but the look was wiped clean off of his face when Tigress turned to look at him.

"They weren't asking- they showed no respect, and were berating him." Jian snapped. "If they're going to-"

"That's enough Jian," she said sternly, before she turned her gaze to Po. His eyes were wide, and his heart was thumping so hard against his chest he almost felt sick, but in a good way. "Is this true?" Her tone was almost soft spoken if it wasn't for the authority coming out heavier. Jian looked over her shoulder to see Po... still quite spellbound, but nodding sincerely.

"Yes," turning his head towards the trio, his also pointed towards Jian. "He didn't do anything wrong... but I want those three out of my restaurant."

"You can't make us!" Jian heard the pigs argue as he moved away from this, and close to Po. "We're not leaving until we get our food!" They continued to bicker, but this time it was towards Tigress, and all Jian could do was watch, before he heard Po whisper something to him.

"This is why Azure said we'd meet. She said to look out for you... and you'll look out for me too." That was just displayed...

"I'm telling you now to leave before you have to spend the night in jail for trespassing."

That got the pigs going, muttering and blaming the leading pig for ruining their dinner plans. Po and Jian watched them leave, before Tigress then looked at Jian, a little sternly, which he shrunk slightly away from, before she looked back up at Po, who kept his mouth shut, but eyes wide. Jian could almost hear the Panda's heart beating from where he stood. "They won't bother you anymore."

"Thank you..." Po managed to whisper, but neither were sure if she heard him, because there was no nod, or verbal confirmation. "See you tomorrow, Jian?" He turned to face him, before nodding with a sincere smile, much to Tigress' confusion.

"Jian. Let's go," the boy started walking, looking back at Po briefly before they left him standing there, alone.


Sunset, at the Peach Tree.

Nothing could beat relaxing under the peach tree, and watching the sun go down. There was nothing better then plucking a ripened peach from the lower branches, and taking in the glorious colors that illuminated the sky, while your taste buds savored every mouthful that was granted by the sweet, sweet fruit. Being one with the silence that surrounded you, or the thoughts of reflection that would flow through your head...

At least, that was Jian's opinion; sunset was his favorite time of the day, and every day, he would religiously come up, usually on his own, or sometimes, Crane or Tigress would join him, and Azure when she was here,to sit and bask in the color. He would rather this down time by himself; it gave him the space to reflect the days events...

This time, he stood at the edge, waiting for his favorite scene to start, while Tigress stood behind him, arms folded.

"I'm sure Shifu's looking for you." Jian tried to usher her away, but nothing was moving her.

"What were you going to do down at that restaurant?" Jian could feel a sigh escaping his throat.

"I needed to talk to the panda." He replied, twisting the upper half of his body to face her.

"What for?"

Jian folded his arms too. "I don't think you have a right to know."

"Watch your tongue." Tigress raised an eyebrow in slight annoyance.

"Anyway, there's nothing to be concerned about. He's not going to hurt me." Jian glared at her. "I just needed to ask him about Azure." This surprised Tigress a little; Azure never said anything about interacting with the panda before she left for the city. "Azure told him that I needed a friend, and he needed me. I'm not sure what for yet, I'm still trying to figure it all out myself."

Tigress didn't seem very sure about it, and watched as Jian leaned against the tree, and looked out over the Valley. "I'm sure you'll realize it in time."

Jian's ears flickered at her words, and he chuckled. "So you're not going to ban me from going to the village?"

Tigress smiled back at him, before moving in closer, watching the valley too. "If there's a purpose for you to be in contact, I won't interrupt." Her left paw came in slow contact with her right wrist behind her back, straightening her posture as she focused on the sea of houses, all curled and twisted in their own little patterns. Jian watched her for a second, before stepping up beside her, and copying her stance jokingly. They both laughed briefly, before letting the silence take over. "I'm sorry." Tigress looked at the boy with a subtle side glance, watching his face contort into a look of remorse.

"What for?"

"For what I said earlier, about mom and Azure." Jian hasn't breathed a word about the wedding, or his visit during the Winter Festival; everything that she heard was from Sying, and never did she get his side of it. "My maternal grandfather was there..."

...

"Your Mother never said anything about your Maternal grandparents being there." He noticed Tigress' ears flatten across her head. "How did it go?"

Jian inhaled softly, before telling her everything. He defended his grandmother, saying she didn't say anything to cause a rift, and how it was all Jian Snr. How he and Azure tried their best to talk to them, and how their mom had attempted to keep them close to one another. "I know it was for our good... but it felt so compressing. Despite all the space we had to get away from him. We could be standing at the other end of the biggest room in all of China, but as soon as he steps in, it's like there's nowhere to run. No where to go..." Tigress didn't interrupt, but instead clung onto every word that crawled out of his mouth. She didn't comment, even when he started talking darkly about him. "I never, in my whole life, hated someone so much, after only talking to them for a short amount of time." That was when he thought about his mom's new husband. He didn't even know the guy, and there, at their first encounter, he hated him. "I hated Li too, but there's nothing to hate about him... he's perfect for Mom. He isn't going to hurt her; he isn't going to run away, and he's not going to get in trouble. I see that now." And what an idiot he felt.

Tigress placed a paw gently on his shoulder. "You were just hurt."

"Yeah... but what point is that now? I'm not going to live with her ever again. Even when I turn twenty, I'm not going to live with her. I'm stuck here.

"Jian, you have that choice to leave..."

"Yeah, but if I did, I'll only ruin the family they have created. I'm trapped." He pulled away from her, and stared at the ground far down below them. "But I'm not the only one, right?"

Tigress shook her head in confusion. "What?"

"We're all in our private traps. You, me, Shifu... crane maybe? I don't know. We're clamped in, and none of us can ever get out. We scratch, and claw, but only at the air, only at each other, and for all of it, we never budge an inch."

Tigress' gaze fell to the ground between them, before looking out sharply to see the sun starting to set. The colors were done so strongly that it was coating Jian's grey fur with all its beauty. "Sometimes we deliberately step into those traps."

"I was born in mine... I don't mind it anymore."

"But Jian... do you?"

He laughed, and when she looked at him again, he had tears rolling down his stiffened cheeks, and a smile was starting to crumble away, along with pieces of his heart. "I do... but I say I don't." Jian felt a jolt run through his body, and he ran, and felt his arms wrapping around Tigress' waist, as he started to sob. Both of them sank to the ground, but it wasn't until then that he felt Tigress enclosing the hug, and his head was placed on her shoulder.

Whatever she said to console him couldn't be heard with the volume of his sobs, and he failed to notice Master Shifu, and Master Oogway standing at the end of the stair trial, watching soundlessly. Oogway's head turned to Shifu, whose ears were lowered, before he turned on his heel, and walked away.


For those who don't know, the "we're all in our private traps" sequence was from Psycho (see here at watch?v=hHTBrFtp6c8) the scene was used in Bastille's cover of "Scrubs" renamed as "No Angels," hence the inspiration for the peach tree scene!

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and do let me know what you think!