Author's Note: Hi guys... It's been a LONG time I know. Things have been a bit crazy in my life, just know that I am handling it... somewhat. Regardless of that stuff, I'm optimistic that things will work out for me so don't worry. If anything, being able to write this has made me feel so much better about everything. Plus what's been happening with my life has put a damper on my creative side for nearly a whole month now (I WILL get chapter 2 up for clouded minds eventually, I swear!) I'm hoping this is finally me breaking out of it. Anyway, after my last work, I've decided to go a bit more fluffy this time. Hope you guys love it! Oooh! By the way: I kinda break one of my main rules of this collection here, but trust me it's worth it. One last thing, I listened to KFP 3's soundtrack for portrait of mom for this and it is so damn beautiful! I recommend listening to it while reading. Okay, without further adieu...

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP (Dear lord this is just getting obnoxious)

Enjoy.

A Mother's Love

A shiver of fear is often given at the thought of parenthood, whereas others embrace it with open arms, putting themselves wholly to the one they love most whether they be flesh and blood or not.

Orange leaves float through the air, gently swaying to the will of nature's guiding hand that inevitably leads them to the floor of the training hall's courtyard. Wordless cries of goodbyes leave the trees that had once birthed the auburn sheets amplifying the sun's golden glow, now having to see their babies separate from them and lead their own lives whilst they remain until the cycle begins anew in the spring hereafter.

Camouflaged beneath this amber rain is none other than master Tigress, her tai-chi following the flow of the leaves in tandem with a grace only elevated by the decades of work behind each flowing move of her limbs. A small smile can be seen underneath the thin sheets of orange, containing a silent tranquillity that helps her golden qipao shine brighter to match the rising sun.

To have such peace after having to brave Kai's fearsome attack would seem impossible to most. For Tigress however, she had found that in spite of the horrors she had experienced against that madman, she had gained more than she had ever thought possible. Mastery of the long-lost art of chi. Finding herself in a way that truly opened her eyes to what everyone in her life had meant to her. But most importantly, she had found her true family at long last. That alongside-

Crunch!

A certain 'fan' of hers. As her ears twitch at the sound of a leaf being stepped on, the tiger master turns her head to see a little panda girl with a slightly apologetic look on her face. Tigress' smile only grows at Lei-Lei's innocent face, reassuring the little cub that she hasn't interrupted her at all. As expected, the panda girl's expression morphs into a gigantic smile before she jogs towards the 'stripy baby', letting out an adorable giggle as she does so. She stops by Tigress' left side as the warrior resumes her flowing movements, her eyes closed to ensure her concentration.

Fascination takes hold of Lei-Lei's countenance, her eyes growing to incredible levels as she stares in awe at the tranquil tiger before her. So seamless, so… breath-taking. As if she is dancing along to the very breeze itself. This fascination soon turns into excitement as the panda girl widens her stance slightly before trying her best to follow along to the tiger's gentle movements.

Before long, Tigress notices the cub's shuffling feet and looks to see the energetic imitator. Somehow, the feline's smile only grows wider at Lei-Lei's eagerness to be just like her. Within a moments notice, she slows down her flowing paws just enough to allow the panda cub to keep up. With each soft step taken and delicate sway of the arms, the panda and tiger grow more in sync, their shadows tenderly dancing on the floor thanks to the sun's celestial spotlight.

For several minutes the master and eager cub slowly sway along to the autumn's gentle, whistling breeze. She doesn't know why, but for some reason Tigress could never say no to this little bundle of joy. Granted, she has always had a soft spot for children, yet with Lei-Lei she can feel something else. Deep down there is some sort of instinct in her that calls to her, telling her to take care of the little cub for reasons she cannot possibly explain. If it had been her years ago, she may have ignored it, but now she knows better than to simply shrug off that inner voice.

Something that Po, yet another panda close to her heart, has taught her.

Easing into her final tai-chi pose, Tigress turns her head back to Lei-Lei, seeing her exact pose mirrored by the panda cub with a humongous smile plastered on her face. In congratulations, the tiger master slowly blinks and nods her head at the child before bowing respectfully only for her leg to receive a hug in response. As she looks down and sees Lei-lei cuddling up against her leg, Tigress can't help but to pick up the cub in her arms and embrace her back, hearing the excitable cub giggling as she does so. A soothing warmth envelopes the tiger's heart, that feeling deep down now spreading throughout the rest of her body. How? How is it this one adorable little cub is able to bring her such joy? How is it possible?

"Mama."

Amber irises shoot open in response, the tiger wondering if she had heard that correctly. She holds the cub out in front of her, gazing deep into her violet eyes in question until she says it again.

"Mama."

Lei-Lei reaches out for Tigress, desperately wanting to cuddle with her stripy mother for as long as possible. At hearing this a second time, the tiger master's lips slightly tremble for a mere moment, that feeling deep within her heart assuring her that her mind isn't playing tricks on her. To think that this cute cub would ever want her as a mother… It's… How can she even describe it? She can't. All she can do is smile with all of her heart and hug the cub back. As the cub giggles again, that soothing warmth lights a caressing flame within her soul, bringing a happiness that no mother could ever be able to express in mere words. A happiness that forces tears to cascade down her cheeks as she kisses Lei-Lei's forehead, making her giggle again.

A mother and daughter find each other underneath the amber veil of autumn, the trees smiling at the beautiful sight as their children dance alongside the wind with the guide of something that truly cannot be expressed with mere words. Something that can weather any storm. Something that can be everlasting.

A mother's love.

*Wipes away tear* I'm not crying, you're crying! All joking aside, this one-shot has been inspired by... well... both the in move relationship and my own relationship with my mother. We're very close and I love her more than anything (not adopted or anything just to clarify) and well this pretty much inspired me to write this. I hope you all enjoyed this one, there is one more chapter left for this collection and I have a feeling you guys will definitely enjoy that one. Anyways, I hope you all have had a great read and until next time ;)