A/N: Hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my ragtime gaaaaaaaaal (anybody remember that cartoon? That was my childhood).

If you haven't seen Moana yet, I highly recommend it. The soundtrack alone is enough to make me want to see it again and again (and is what I am listening to while writing).

Anways, onto the story!

Enjoy

Viper tried to keep herself from annoying the Empress, but she couldn't help herself. She had never been to Mongolia before, much less been a prisoner in the Mongolian prison. She was curious.

She learned that the man who had been following her was an agent of the Empress, and that they were currently twenty miles north of the Mongolian-Chinese border. When the Mongolian agent had seen Viper, he panicked, thinking she was a spy, and drugged her in her sleep.

Xué insisted she change into more comfortable clothing, a green vest and black slacks. She was also given a robe to go over top, since the winter chill was beginning to rear its head. When she was done, Xué lead her to her study.

The Imperial Palace of Mongolia was much smaller than the Chinese one. It was more like a winter home. Still, the place was massive. With tall white hallways and massive windows, the place was like an ice castle.

"So," Xué began when they entered her study, "I know why you were in Xiongxang."

"You do?" Viper frowned. Xué gestured for her to sit in the small wooden chair opposite of the desk. The room was a stark contrast to the rest of the mansion, with mahogany walls and dark floors.

"We received a declaration of war from your Emperor three days ago." She sighed. "I assume you are here looking for the Emperor's son."

"Yes, I am. I heard he came through Xiongxang."

"He didn't just come through here." She reached into her desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. Once she had looked it over, she handed it to the master. "My husband chose to remain in the capitol city to train our troops. It has allowed me to do my own digging."

Viper gave the paper a once over, then looked up, eyebrows furrowed. "I do not understand."

"We have had strict border patrol along the Mongolian border for many decades. They only way to come into the country is by either showing travel papers, or by being a citizen. That," She gestured to the paper, "is Ni Chang's application to be a citizen. That piece of paper was almost lost. I caught some of my troops trying to burn that, along with other documents." She sat back in the chair. Viper glanced between her and the paper rapidly.

"So this is bigger than we thought?" She asked softly, shoulders slumping slightly. She was frustrated, mostly. All she wanted to do was find Liang and bring him back. She didn't know there would be a scandal involved, too.

"I am afraid so." Xué looked deep in thought. "Have you been able to get in touch with your friends at the imperial palace?"

"I tried sending a letter, but I do not know if it sent." Viper shrugged.

"I have known your Emperor for many years. He was at our wedding." She stood from her desk. "I have tried writing him, I have tried going to him. He will not listen."

"I can try." Viper told her. Xué looked up in surprise. "I'll take that to him. I'll try to convince him."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes." Viper nodded, determined.

"Well then, I should get you a horse." She replied with a small smile.

Tigress held the parchment in both hands, eyes wide. She read it once more, just to be sure she read it right the first time. She then leaned back against the wall.

It had been two days since her unintended vault heist, and she had somehow managed not to get caught. Liang and she hadn't talked since then, and she and Po hadn't had an actual conversation since then either. She felt absurdly lonely.

That all changed when she received a letter from Viper.

She tucked the letter under her pillow and left her room, determined to find Liang. Instead, she almost ran smack into Po.

"Oh, sorry." She panicked, unsure what else to say.

"Hey, look," He rubbed the back of his head anxiously, "I'm sorry." She looked at him, surprised by his words. "I have my own secrets that I don't share. Why should I be mad at you for doing the same thing?"

She didn't know how to respond, so she just hugged him tightly. He responded in kind and they just stood there in the hallway, clinging to one another.

She pulled away and looked up at him, brown eyes meeting jade ones. "Po, him and I, we're done. There's nothing left between us. Do you believe me?"

"Of course." He replied.

She smiled. "Good, because I missed you."

"I missed you, too."

She may have had a small smile on her face, but her insides were beaming. The last two days without him had been almost intolerable.

"I need to go find Liang. Would you like to come with me?" she asked. He frowned.

"What's up?" he asked.

"It's better that I start from the beginning."

A/N: Shout out to Marionette J2X who wants to do cover art for me! Also, I got a tumblr finally. Follow me-boombamfirepowerme

Sorry this chapter is a little bit shorter