A/N: *peeks out from behind bookshelf* Hello? I'M SO SORRY! I can't even begin to tell you how crazy this week has been. Added to the fact that the procrastination bug bit me in the ass and writing has been a no go. Thanks to a long, thoughtful shower, I know how I am going to continue and eventually end this story. Please bear with me as I continue this. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

ALSO, I have a page on wattpad (same name). I will be posting a new story there, so check it out. Follow me. Leave a comment. Whatever you peeps like to do.

Anyways, I love you guys! Enjoy!

The moon shone rather bright up above, giving the clouds a faint, silvery glow and illuminating the path in front of them. The air was cold and fresh, and snow patches still dotted the ground.

The only sound that could be heard was the thumping of the horse that drew the carriage along. Simple in design, it served them well. Walking would have taken a day or two, time that they did not have. Even with the horses, it would still take them several hours. Shifu, Po, and Viper rested inside, after Tigress insisted she take the reigns. She needed the cold air.

"Hey." She turned her head just enough to watch Po climb up onto the seat beside her. Her peripheral vision remained on the path lest they hit an animal.

"Hello." She replied cooly. "Get any sleep?"

He shrugged. "Some, but not much. Can't stop thinking about tomorrow." He looked at her out of the corners of his eyes.

"You think it's a trap?" She asked, although she knew his answer.

"Of course. It just seems too coincidental not to be."He rested his hands behind him on the seat and leaned back, watching the clouds. "I just hope we make it back in time for the Winter Feast."

"I hope so. I could use some of your dad's soup right about now."

"Me too. And dumplings, and bean buns, and rice cakes, and-"

"Po."

"wontons, and-"

"PO." He jerked his head around to look at her. "We're here." He glanced out ahead at the large towers of the Imperial palace.

(Awkward transition dance ˷. _. ˷)

The first sight they were met with in the main courtyard was Liang, standing alone, hands behind his back. Po helped her awkwardly down from the coach. When she reached the ground, the four of them stood some distance from Liang, as if unsure how to approach him. He made the first move, however, and came over to her to hug her eagerly.

"I am so glad you are here." He breathed, almost like he was relieved. She pulled away and scanned his face, looking for any kind of explanation. His left eye was black and swollen shut. Apart from that and some cut on his cheek, he seemed okay. She wondered what the Emperor had done to him.

"What happened?" She asked.

"I do not know. He reappeared yesterday morning in Xiongxang. Some Chinese officers found him, brought him back here. He's perfectly healthy but for a few scratches." Liang seemed both thrilled and puzzled.

"Does he remember anything?" Shifu asked. He was just as confused as they were.

"No. He remembers leaving for Xiongxang and then finding his way back here. That's about it. Dad is inside seeing to his care. Maybe you could speak to him later?" He gave her a pointed look. She nodded in reply, letting him know that she would get as much information as she could. He smiled and gestured to the palace. "Come inside. You must be hungry."

Had it been anybody but Liang, she would have dropped kicked them across the courtyard and then interrogated then fiercely. Despite her instinct, she trusted Liang. As the others filed towards the doors, she held back. When they were alone, she grabbed Liang's arm.

"What is going on?" she asked. Liang seemed…frightened. Maybe it was because of her?

"I know about as much as you do." He shrugged, panic creeping into his voice. "Father has called off war preparations. The money hasn't been returned though. If he were doing this for the money, he made an awful mistake coming back."

"So it isn't about the money?" She asked. "Could it be that he was really kidnapped?"

"I don't know. Tigress, he's real beaten up. Not physically but mentally. He woke up an hour ago screaming his head off. Started rambling about prison." He sighed, eyes still wide with anxiety. "I think something bigger is going on here."

She sighed and her eyes loked to the ground, as if hoping to find answers written in stone. The only sound was the whispering of the wind through the trees. The door creaked open and she jerked her head up to find Po, peeking his head out.

"You two okay?" He called. Liang nodded.

"We're fine." She called back. He turned to Liang and murmured "Let's go see what's going on."

A/N: Again, super sorry that this is so late and so short. I'll have a second chapter for you babes tomorrow. Love you!