A/N: Finally over my cold, nailed my job interview, and I'm feeling pretty alright. This calls for a chapter!

This is where things start getting interesting. Again, if you guys have any advice on my writing, don't be shy, let me know.

OH I rated this T because I tend to curse a lot in my head when I write, so I know there will be some curse words flying during this story. Just a warning.

OoOoOoO

Yù awoke very suddenly, as though she had been slapped across the face. Her breathing was ragged from having been startled. She sat up slowly, disoriented.

"Are you alright?" A soft voice spoke from the flap of the tent. A white leopard watched her with mild concern. That must have been what woke her up.

"'M fine." She mumbled. She reached up with a paw and smoothed the fur on her head down. "Where am I?" She frowned.

"Dai Lee. I left clothes next to your mat. As soon as you're done, come out and we'll talk." The leopard disappeared, and Yù was left alone.

Mei Ling was worried that she had scared the young fox in the process of waking her up, despite trying to be gentle. Crane must have noticed her tail flicking in agitation, because he jogged over from the training hall to walk beside her.

"Is everything alright? Is Yù awake?" He asked as they meandered.

"Yes, but I may have scared the girl when I woke her up." Mei Ling replied.

"Nah, don't worry about it. She's in a new place surrounded by people she should be afraid of." His gaze left her. "Speak of the devil!"

Yù had arrived, wearing a pretty blue vest and black pants that once belonged to Mei Ling. She didn't seem nearly as scared as she did when first woke up. In fact, she looked rather curious.

"What is this place?" She asked Crane as she neared them.

"This is Dai Lee," he gestured around them, "AKA the biggest rebel stronghold that China has." Yù couldn't help but giggle as he thrust his wings out dramatically.

"I don't remember coming here at all." She frowned.

"Well, that's because he tried to fly you guys here and you passed out." Mei ling bumped Crane with her elbow. "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry." She said simply, eliciting a chuckle from the feline and avian.

"Well, unfortunately, this place doesn't have five star cuisine, but I can get you a bowl of rice." Mei Ling dipped her head. "Crane, why don't you take her to the command tent. I'll meet you all there." She turned and made her way down another path, while Crane placed his wing on the young fox's shoulders.

"Sorry about trying to fly you here, by the way." He laughed nervously. "So, Yù, I have to ask-have you seen a resistance camp before?"

"Not really." She shrugged. "I have heard of them before. I just didn't realize they were this big."

Aside from about twenty tents, most of the camp they were in was made up of wooden houses that seemed to stretch on for miles. She assumed that this was a town first. It made her wonder how long they had been able to defend this place from the wolves.

"Well, as I said, Dai Lee is the largest. The other camps all move around in order to throw the wolves off their scent. We have enough soldiers to defend this place, so we remain here. This place is entirely self-sufficient. We have fields, a river nearby, and many of the people here were trained at various kung fu schools." He explained.

"But what about the others?" She asked, her eyebrows knitting themselves together. "Why don't you just unite all of the camps?"

"We've been trying that for almost nine years. Dai Lee itself is a culmination of three camps put together."

"But?"

"But," He hesitated, "The wolves are very intelligent. Nine years ago, there were fifty camps that we knew of. Now, there are maybe ten left in all of China. Most of the animals were killed, some were thrown into labor camps. Even if we outnumber the wolves, they are cunning, ruthless, and incredibly strong. This rebellion can't be about brute force anymore. We have had to switch tactics a bit."

"How so?"

"You're about to find out." She had been so engrossed in the conversation that she didn't even realize they had come to a building. It was small, squatty, and old looking. He led her up the stairs and held the door open so she could enter.

"Woah." She murmured, impressed. A massive map sat on one wall, marking out the entirety of China and all its provinces. A small desk had been pushed to the opposite wall, and crowding it was a massive stack of scrolls. Around a large table in the center of the room, stood three animals. Master Shifu she recognized, and assuming the appearance of the other two, they were Jade Palace Masters.

"Ah, you're awake." Shifu spoke first, turning to her with his hands folded behind his back. "I would like to introduce you to Masters Viper and Monkey."

The snake bowed her head from where she perched on the table. Monkey crossed his arms and looked rather pleased. "Nice to have some new blood." He looked around him conspiratorially and lowered his voice. "I'm surrounded by old people."

"Hey!" Viper exclaimed, and Shifu's hand shot out and smacked the ape on the back of the head.

"Where is Mantis?" Crane asked, drowning out Monkey's protests.

"I sent him on an errand." Shifu replied. "He should be back in a few days."

"Where?" Viper frowned.

"To the Imperial City."

OoOoOoO

Tigress wasn't quite sure what she was doing in the throne room, but the gorilla guards had practically dragged her here so obviously it was important.

She kneeled facing the massive gold throne, paws crossed on her lap and head bowed slightly. Her ribs still throbbed, but she didn't dare move.

"Apologies." A cold voice echoed across the hall. She forced herself to remain relaxed, but her heart was pounding in her chest. "My meeting ran long." The white wolf, Bái láng, came to stand in front of her, Kai following him a few paces behind. She suddenly felt bad for the young tiger, having to watch whatever was about to happen. He bent down and forced her to look at him. "Do you know what happened this morning?" He watched her face for any signs of curiosity, but she remained as placid as ever. It irritated him to no end, but he kept his composure. "Some of my men went to the Valley of Peace to, you know, look around." Where is he going with this? She thought. "When they got there, well, it seemed one of your comrades had decided to return home." She fought with every ounce of her being to keep her composure. "He didn't last the night." Monkey's staff clattered to the ground in front of her, broken in two pieces.

"You're lying." She hissed. Was he really that stupid, thinking she would believe that? He must not have realized she would see through his façade so easily, because his expression turned to one of mild surprise.

She didn't feel the slap for a few moments, not until her cheek starting stinging. He had back-handed her so hard she tasted blood in the back of her mouth.

"This little rebellion that your friends think they are getting away with, it won't work." His tone was patronizing, and it made her blood boil. "Everything falls to God in the end, even you." He stood erect, trying to look regal. "When your friends find out about your execution, I'm sure they will feel differently about their cause."

"Wha-" Tigress was suddenly yanked off her feet by one of the guards. She fought and kicked as best she could, but the grip on her arms was harsh. With her bruised ribs, there wasn't much she could do.

"Don't hurt her!" Kai went flying after the wolf and yanked him around. "Please! I need her."

"Quiet." Kai doubled over as Bái láng socked him in the gut. "Ungrateful child. She will be put to death, and you will be Emperor." The wolf pulled roughly on one of the tiger's ears. "You should be thankful." He knocked him back so hard that the tiger landed several paces away on his side.

He staggered back to his feet just as they were hauling Tigress out of the throne room.

"Kai-" She tried calling, but a gorilla whacked her on the back of the head, knocking her unconscious.

"MOTHER!"

A/N: hehehe. Boomie out