Hey everybody!
I really like this chapter… you know what? I'm sounding very selfish. I hate this Chapter! Is that better?

Before you start reading: I want to say thanks to a very special person. She was the one that showed me FanFiction at the beginning. She helped me getting started and she still helps me. She's a fantastic writer and she's the one that inspires me. Thanks, AnimationGirl!

So… Read, enjoy and review!

"First darkness, then redness, then whiteness!"

I do not own Kung Fu Panda… or Tobuscus.

Chapter 5 – Take a deep breath

Tigress didn't sleep that night. Not that she needed any sleep. She could stay awake for many days without needing any sleep. She was lying in her bed and looked up at the floor. She was wondering.

Master Shifu said something about 'The Rulers of The Four Winds'. What was that? Master Proelio knew about it and that just made Tigress even more frustrated. Speaking of which, she hadn't seen Master Proelio since he walked away with her master. Just the thought of the male-tiger's cheeky grin made Tigress furious. She still couldn't believe that he insulted her and the others.

When she saw him first she felt something that reminded her of happiness. The master was a tiger! Another tiger in The Valley of Peace…

Again her thoughts changed subject. The Rulers of The four Winds… Why did the name sound familiar?

Tigress twisted and turned but she couldn't find away to lay comfortable. At the end she stood up. She looked out of the window. The sun was rising up on the sky. Soon she would hear the morning-dong and then she wouldn't have time to think anymore. Then the training would begin. Master Proelio's training would begin.

DONG!

And there it was… Tigress sighed and then she opened the door.

"Good morning Master Shifu!" All the students said to the red panda. Even Po greeted his master that morning.

Tigress expected to see Master Proelio standing right next to Master Shifu but he wasn't there.

"As you know I'm not going to be the one teaching you today," Master Shifu said. "You will find Master Proelio in the training hall after eating your breakfast."

In the dining room.

Tigress wasn't hungry. She wasn't hungry anymore; it was like she had lost all of her appetite. The bread looked very delicate and the others – mostly Po – ate with happiness. Tigress just sat there with an absent look on her face.

"Tigress, don't you wanna eat anything?" Po asked with a worried glance.

"I'm not hungry." And the tiger didn't lie. She wasn't hungry. Not at all.

She didn't want to admit it but she was nervous. What if she couldn't handle Master Proelio's training? The last thing she needed was some more of his impudent comments.

"I'll just go and train," she mumbled and left the room.

There was silent in the room after the feline left. Po had stopped eating and just looked down. The Furious Five looked at each other.

"Is Tigress okay?" Monkey asked while looking at the door.

"I think she is upset about the training," Crane said and took a bite of his bread.

"Why?" Po finally looked up.

"I'm not actually sure," Viper answered.

Tigress walked towards the training hall. Maybe she shouldn't walk inside. She didn't know what to say if Master Proelio was inside too. But she really needed to get free of her frustrations.

She hesitated but then she finally walked inside. As she thought Master Proelio was inside the training hall… with Master Shifu. Tigress stood still.

The masters didn't hear the door opening. They were standing face-to-face but it was only Master Shifu's eyes that were open. His blue eyes were staring into Master Proelio's closed eyes. The male-tiger was breathing that slowly that it could look like he was sleeping while standing up.

Tigress didn't make a sound. What were they doing?

"I am ready to try again," Master Proelio said after a while and opened his eyes.

Master Shifu nodded and raised his guard and Tigress went excited. Were they about to fight?

Master Proelio stared at Master Shifu. And then he attacked that quickly so Tigress didn't even see it until Master Shifu jumped up in the air and in that way he avoided the tiger's hit. The fight began.

It seemed like the masters were fighting about life and death. They hit and kicked and blocked the other's attack fast. Tigress almost couldn't see it.

And then it happened. Tigress didn't believe what her own eyes saw. Master Proelio hit Master Shifu hard while he swept the red panda's legs away so he fell.

Master Proelio quickly held the other master down with putting his hand on Master Shifu's chest. They were both panting and stared at each other. Master Shifu looked just as surprised as Tigress felt.

"You are very strong, young master," That was the only thing the red panda said.

Master Proelio drew back and bowed for the master. The red panda stood up and bowed too.

"I'm sorry for hurting you in front of your student, Master Shifu," Master Proelio said and Tigress froze.

He knew that she was standing there, that she had been there all the time. What should she say to Master Shifu? She desperately tried to find an apology.

Master Shifu turned around and his eyes found Tigress's.

"Why are you here?" he said and Tigress could almost hear that he tried to hold back his anger.

"I…" Tigress was cut off by Master Proelio.

"She came here to train probably because she was angry but then she saw us," Master Proelio said, "She saw that we were about to fight and she wanted to be quiet and see what would happen."

How did he know that?

Instead of saying the question inside of her head out loud Tigress just bowed for the masters.

"I apologize," she said.

"You don't have to," Master Shifu said but Tigress knew that he still were annoyed. "Now you can see why it is good that Master Proelio wants to help you and the others with the training."

Master Proelio didn't smile. Tigress hadn't seen him smile since the fight with the bears.

"I will do the best to train your already excellent students," he said.

"I know you will and I am grateful for that," Master Shifu said and the he left the room.

Master Proelio turned his eyes at Tigress. They were golden; it was the first time Tigress noticed that.

Tigress found the situation very awkward. She didn't like that he stared at he with that impassive glance. She looked away.

Master Proelio walked closer to her.

"You should stop sneaking around. Master Shifu doesn't like when people doesn't tell him the truth," he said casually like he was talking about the weather.

"I wasn't sneaking around," she snarled.

And then Po opened the door. The others were behind him. They could all feel the bad atmosphere.

"We… We could come back later if…" Po said and looked down.

"No no," Master Proelio smiled again, "Tigress and I were just talking. Your training shall begin now."

Po smiled and he and the others walked inside. They all seemed very excited about the new training.

"First I want to see what you can do," Master Proelio said.

He looked at Po and Mantis that was on the panda's shoulder.

"I'd like to see you two spare against each other."

Then he looked at Viper and Monkey. "You too."

His golden eyes found Crane that Tigress probably should be fighting against.

"You are going to fly trough the rings on the roof, okay?"

Crane nodded and then he spread his wings and flied away.

Tigress was suspicious. If she shouldn't fight what should she then?

"And I want you to train with the dummy," Master Proelio said with his cheeky smile, "Try not to strain yourself."

And then with a single pat on her shoulder he walked towards the others.

Tigress was stunned. Master Proelio didn't just think she was weak. He made fun of her because of it.

With a silent snarl she walked over to the dummy. She really needed to show Master Proelio that she was good.

She raised her hand and tried to punch the dummy as hard as she could. She missed.

"Try again." Tigress turned around and saw Master Proelio. He was smiling and had his hands on his back.

"Try again," He repeated.

Tigress turned her back on him and looked at the dummy. She would really humiliate herself if she missed. She didn't want to humiliate herself.

"Come on. It's just one simple attack."

And Tigress hit the dummy. It didn't move.

"Now take a deep breath and try again."

Tigress snared irritated and looked back at Master Proelio.

He was still smiling his knowingly smile and then he took a dramatic breath that just annoyed Tigress even more.

"Go away. I don't need your help," Tigress snarled.

"Just try it, okay?" he said and the he walked away and started training the others.

Tigress hit the dummy again and again. She ignored the fact that she couldn't really hurt it.

The thing that annoyed her most was that Master Proelio only acted like that in front of her. Like he was teasing her. When Master Shifu was there the male-tiger acted like a real master. When Master Proelio was near Tigress he acted like a foolish boy. He was the first tiger she had ever met and he made her feel bad about herself.

She just continued to push, hit and punch the dummy. At the end she was exhausted.

"Okay students!" Master Proelio said, "The training is over for today. We'll begin again tomorrow."

The others cheered; Master Shifu never quit the training that early. They were about to leave and Tigress took a step forwards to join them but was stopped. Master Proelio stood in front of her and blocked her way out. Her friends stopped too and didn't know if they should leave or stay.

Master Proelio ignored them but just looked into Tigress amber eyes.

"Can I talk with you for a second?" He looked back at the others. "Alone."

The others hurried away.

The male-tiger looked at Tigress again. "Didn't I tell you not to strain yourself?" he asked.

His smile wasn't cheeky or scornful. It was friendly.

"What is it you wanted to talk with me about?" Tigress just asked and looked at the dummy, not him.

"Well…" Master Proelio walked towards the dummy. "I want to talk about your problems."

"I don't have problems." Tigress had but she wouldn't admit it.

"Tigress, stop it," Master Proelio sounded annoyed but was still smiling. "You have problems. That's not good. But I can help you."

Tigress couldn't read his face. He didn't show any feelings.

"How?" she asked.

"I can train you privately and show you how you can make your strength come back," Master Proelio answered with his normal grin.

Tigress hesitated. She didn't want to admit that she needed help. She didn't need help.

You know what you want not what you need.

"Fine, when shall we begin?" Master Proelio's smile became bigger.

"Right now," he said and started walking in a circle around her. "Do you remember when I told you to take a deep breath?"

Tigress nodded while her eyes followed every step he took.

"Now take a deep breath."

Tigress took a deep breath and Master Proelio continued walking around her.

"Good. Now continue doing that," he commanded.

And Tigress did what she was told. She closed her eyes and took one deep breath after the other.

"Good…" Tigress could hear that Master Proelio constantly was walking around her.

"I actually thought that you would say no." The male-tiger's voice was bigger now when she couldn't see.

"You had already told me not to help you. But you really need help."

She could hear a quit laughter coming from Master Proelio's mouth.

"And like you can't see it… You can't even beat the dummy!" Master Proelio seemed to find that amusing and Tigress could feel the anger grow.

"Why do people call you master? If you tried to protect the town you would die too. I mean, if I hadn't come and rescue you and your friends… well, then there wouldn't be any protectors of this town anymore."

Tigress began to shake in anger. Why did he say that? Wasn't he trying to help her?

"Where did Master Shifu found you? He must really be a bad trainer or maybe it's you that is a bad student. But I won't judge you. The dummy is a tough opponent."

And then he laughed. He laughed out loud.

"You will never be as good as me."

Tigress had enough. With an angry roar she opened her eyes and hit Master Proelio so his face was forced to the left.

He didn't say anything. He just stood there while looking at the floor. Tigress stared furious at him and was waiting for a fight. She really wanted to fight him.

But then he just sighed.

"The training is over for today." Master Proelio left the room and Tigress stood back there looking at him leaving.