Chapter 7: The Howls

It was the next day and Po and Dai were having dinner at Mr. Ping's. It had been a relatively calm day, comparatively. People were starting to see Dai as a person and not just a wolf. Children flocked to her for stories and some adults listened in as well to reminisce on where they were at the time of those tales. Po was seeing her as a friend, definitely. Dai was happy with how far she had come. It wasn't everything, but it was enough.

"Hey, Dai," Po's voice roused her from her thoughts.

"Yeah, Po?" she asked.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go on a walk with me." When she hesitated, he started sputtering. "I mean, it's not a date, it's just that I need to go on patrol. So…"

"I'd love to," Dai replied with a smile.

They started making their way out of the Valley of Peace. They stopped in a bamboo forest for a snack. The sun was setting and it was getting time for them to head back. As they began walking though, there came a sound that could not be mistaken for anything else: howling.

Dai paled. "That's a distress call. I'm sorry, I have to go," she said.

"Wait, let me help!" said Po.

"I won't let you get hurt for me. Just go back and don't follow me." She began running off on all-fours. Po couldn't keep up with her.

He was feeling bad that he couldn't help her, so he started making his way back. The climb up the steps to the Jade Palace were all the lonelier and all the drearier without her there. When he reached the top, however, she was leaning against one of the poles, waiting for him.

"How'd you get up here so fast?" asked Po.

"I had to bail. It was a trap," replied Dai. "I started running back immediately. There are more ways up here than the stairs, you know."

"Yeah, awful ones."

Dai shrugged. "Come on. Let's get inside."

The night seemed to go by peacefully, but Po was roused from his sleep by the sounds of fighting. He realized it was coming from Tigress's room. He threw open the door to his room, then hers, only to find Tigress was not in the room.

Dai came to his side and started inspecting the scene. "Wolves did this," she said.

"Why would they take Tigress?" asked Po.

"My pack most likely did this. They're the only wolves I know with a vendetta against tigers. We resent tigers for, generally, being stronger and more respected than us." Dai looked bitter at this. "They don't want a ransom for her either. They will most likely kill her."

"How'd they catch her so quickly though? Tigress is one of the best kung fu masters I know."

"Where there is a will, there is a way. They probably drugged her. They'll keep her in their camp for a few days, maybe weeks, depending on how angry they are. We never did give tigers quick deaths."

"Dai… have you ever-"

"No. But with how little I tried to stop them, I might as well have." Her face looked thoughtful before she jumped out of the hole in the wall and into the night.

Po followed. "We should get the others. We're going to need the help."

"We don't have to fight, Po. Let me reason with them." She picked up a stick and drew something in the dirt. "This is where they're most likely camped. If not, head north until you reach snow. Father likes the mountains. It makes us feel stronger."

"I'm not letting you do this alone, Dai."

"Why?"

"Because I'm the Dragon Warrior. It's what I do."

Dai sighed. "Fine. Just, please, let's talk with them first."

"You got it."

They ran off. Unbeknownst to them, Master Shifu and the rest of the Furious Five had also made it to Tigress's room. "We're too late!" said Monkey.

"Who would take Tigress?" asked Viper.

Shifu picked up a tuft of gray fur. "Wolf fur. Most likely, Daiyu's pack has kidnapped Tigress," he said.

"What do they want from her? Are they going to ask for a ransom?" asked Crane.

"No. If I'm right, we need to get going now. Wolves have never gotten along well with tigers. They're most likely going to kill her," said Shifu.

"Should we get Po and Dai?" asked Viper.

"No. I don't want either of them involved. They're not going to be able to do what needs to be done," said Shifu. They all regretfully nodded. It was a sad thing, having to fight Dai's family. Yet, it was still almost expected for wolves to do things like this.

Dai and Po, meanwhile, were running across the countryside. "Hey! Hold up!" panted Po.

Dai was panting as well. "We don't have a lot of time here, Po," she said.

"I'm coming… just need to rest a little bit."

"Fine, you rest, I'll keep going." Dai ran off and Po let out a disgruntled groan before following her.

Meanwhile, with Dai's pack, they were transporting a knocked-out Tigress across the snowy mountains. Dai's father stopped to look down at the horizon. With his staff in hand and a sinister smile, he knew what was coming and he knew he would get what he wanted. Dai's brother turned to him and said, "Do you think Dai will come?"

"Of course she will," replied Dai's father. "She's smart enough to know this is a trap, but she must also realize how serious this is. She will come back to us and follow our ways soon enough."

They continued their climb through the mountains until they reached a hidden fortress in a cavern. It was made of metal and wood. There were icicles everywhere and all of the metal was covered in a thin sheen of ice. Snow came down hard and the wind blew through the cavern. It was cold and very little light was able to get in. It was a place made by wolves for wolves. It was in this cavern that Dai's father knew that his daughter would make the biggest decision of her life... and he would make sure she chose correctly.

Things are starting to heat up… or get cold :P Anyway, I hope you will all please keep reading and reviewing, thanks :)

P.S. Any ideas for names for Dai's father and brother? Input would be appreciated. Thanks!