Politics. War. Government. That was all Lianghu had heard at dinner. The meal was quite lengthy, a full five courses. The tigress inwardly sighed as she played around with the intricate carved spoon laid before her. Li Ai herself had taken part in the conversation of a recent raid in a southern village. No one knew who the bandits were nor where they came from. Bai Jian was positive that it was once again the gypsies, but Li Ai pointed out they were position too far north to trouble themselves over a tiny village. Da suggested the Ox clan, they were not too far from the small settlement and were not known for being wealthy. Lianghu shifted uncomfortably, she knew exactly who it was. Jin, and his band of misfits her father called soldiers. Of course the small gypsy girl said nothing and continued to listen to her captors' conversations. Fortunately, the meal was soon over after their talk. Li Ai retired to her bedroom. Bai Jian escorted, rather roughly, Lianghu down to her small room and closed the door after her, locking it.

The gypsy girl sighed as she sat down on her small bed. This room would be her prison until she was rescued by her father. Escape was impossible, there were too many guards posted around the palace to be able to slip away unnoticed. Besides, her injured shoulder would make things difficult to climb over the palace's wall and sprint for freedom. Running away was simply out of the question. All she could do now is wait.

Bai Jian walked back down the hallway, his broad shoulders relaxed as he made his way to his chambers. It had been a long day, and he needed sleep.

As he entered his bedroom, a small pot with a delicate pink and white rose painted on it caught his eye. For some odd reason, it reminded him of Lianghu…perhaps he was just too tired to think straight.

Li Ai gazed into her mirror, trying to find any imperfection in her flawless face. She sighed as she saw her mother's kind eyes staring back at her from the mirror. Her father's strong jaw was hinted in her cheek area, although the radiant smile was clearly his. Li ai closed her eyes, trying to prevent tears from flowing. Memories of her happy childhood came flooding back to her, playing like a movie reel in her mind. She rested her head on the vanity, letting one small tear trickle down her face.

"M-mama, Papa…I-I miss you guys so much…I never even had a chance to say goodbye…"

Most of the tigress's memories were joyful ones, besides the occasional bump or scratch. There was, however, one particular event that had left her both emotional and physical scared for the rest of her life. It was this memory that caused Li Ai to begin to tremble, trying to force it out of her mind.

Warmth. Sunshine. A cool breeze. The young cub sighed with bliss as she leaned against the tree. Cotton white clouds dotted the sky, forming shapes and figuring that lead small children's imagination to figure out what they were. The small tigress opened her youthful green eyes to find a pair similar staring back at her.

"Hey sleepy head," Her thirteen year old brother teased. "Guess who was voted the slowest tiger in all of China?"

Li Ai rolled her eyes and a smirk came upon her freckle spotted face. "Oh don't be so hard on yourself, Bai Jian. You'll get faster in time."

His voice squeaked and cracked as he spoke, the tiger was going through the early stages of what he called 'becoming a man'. "I'm not talking about me! The guys and I decided that you are the slowest of us all."

The tigress quickly stood up, her eyes turning into flames as she put her hands on her hips. "That's is so not true!"

He gave a cocky grin. "Oh really? Then prove it!"

Five minutes later Li Ai found herself braced at a starting line, preteen boys lined up on both sides of her. Her heart raced with adrenaline as she bent down into the starting position. One tiger bent down beside her, giving a gentle smile.

"Uh, goodluck Li Ai."

Li Ai giggled a bit and looked at him. He was Bai Jian's best friend. Even though they were the same age, this feline was already beginning to show faint signs of muscles forming. His father was captain of the guard, so the boy was able to be trained in the art of fighting by the best master in the land. "Thanks Da, but you're going to need ALL the luck you boys can get."

Da rolled his eyes and looked back at the starting line. It was a fairly long race for the children, the finish line far out of sight.

The guard for the royal children raised his hand, clearly enjoying his job at the moment. As soon as his hand came down, the boys and single girl took off. Li Ai's legs were pumping as fast as she could make them. She quickly caught ahead of the slower boys and skidded around the large peach tree curving her path. She giggled as she passed Bai Jian.

"Later Loser!"

Bai Jian didn't answer, but Li Ai didn't mind. She was in first place now and intended to keep it that way. Her bright green eyes spotted the finish line just ahead. Only a few more seconds and I win! She thought, victory screaming in her mind. What she saw next made her freeze in her tracks.

At the finish line lay her mother's limp body in a pool of amber blood.