Blind eyes open, blind eyes shut

Disclaimer: I don't own Kung Fu Panda

It made no sense to him. Repeatedly going over the whole morning incident brought no results to the troubled panda. The fact that he could not remember much from the dream did not help either. He knew something was different this time. Something important.

His gaze shifted to his left arm which he was subconsciously scratching for the past few minutes. That was just another thing that had him puzzled. The pain he felt when he woke up. He considered the option that it was a consequence of his still imperfect new technique. The thought caused his discomfort to grow even stronger. Not to mention that he was entirely sure that he had used his right arm to perform the final move, not left.

There was also the option that it was caused in his fight with the Five – he woke up with Tigress gripping the forepaw, after all. But that did not seem right to him either. Tigress scarcely used her claws in battle, and the pain felt almost like...

Perhaps I'm just still upset about the whole deal, he concluded, sighing tiredly. Wouldn't be the first time I got nervous enough for it to cause somethin' like this. Not to mention I was fighting off two freaking gorillas.

The Dragon Warrior took a look around, taking in the sight of the palace gardens. Everything was covered under the veil of autumn. The colour of fire on the leafs.

Fire...

Po shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He tentatively tightened his grip on the rake in his left paw, wincing at the thought of how long it would take him to finish the task. Considering how unfocused he was, his worries keeping him distracted, his pace was more than discomforting.

Tigress was watching him from afar, so far undiscovered by the panda. She was determined to have a word with him, hopefully clarifying things between them. The conversation they had back in the Wu Dan Mountains after her fateful outburst was still fresh in her mind, but she believed enough time had passed since then. And with what Crane told her...

She stopped in her tracks when she noticed him lay down the rake on the ground and take a stance. For a moment she thought she was discovered, that he somehow heard her, but the feline soon realized that such was not the case.

Po had a look of deep concetration on his face, his right leg moving through the leafs on the ground in a circular motion. Tigress immediately recognized the moves as the Inner Peace technique, remembering how the panda used it back in the Gongmen City harbor. She also noticed that Po repeated the starting moves a few times, his ears twitching in obvious frustration. Now she was sure that the panda's mind was troubled.

Po fought the urge to groan, focusing hard on achieving his goal. On his seventh attempt he finally got it right, his mind reaching the sought state. He could feel the universe in motion around him, the swaying of grass, the wind gently caressing the leafs...

Tigress decided against moving closer, suddenly uncertain about her ability to stay hidden from the Dragon Warrior. She bent lower to the ground, resting on all fours, watching the bear through the space between the leafs of the bush she was hiding behind.

He was starting slowly at first, his arms moving in a gentle motion. The feline's eyes widened slightly when the panda started picking up speed, the moves now becoming unknown to her. She saw traces of other styles, including her own. It was far from the actual tiger style, but the way the bear's paws moved during the punches and thrusts was unmistakably based off hers.

So that's what he's been doing? she asked in her mind. Finding a way to mingle other styles to his own? She frowned as she recalled the discussion they had on their way to defeat Shen: how she told him that hard style was not his thing. Oh Po...

She was snapped back to the present when she noticed another thing about the panda's movements. Or rather their effect.

The wind started to shift noticeably, picking the leafs up from the ground, swirling them around Po in tone to the way his arms swayed. Tigress was instantly reminded of the day Shifu handed Po the Dragon Scroll, using the peach tree petals to bring it down from the dragon statue's mouth.

It didn't take long and almost every fallen leaf was being carried by the wind, creating a sort of ever moving pillar, standing tall with the panda at its center. What came next almost made the tiger gasp in shock. Po slowed down his movements, the wind doing the same, and then he assumed one of Tigress' stances, the one Po's action figure of her was taking. Again, the wind responded, and the leafs in the air took form of a figure standing in the very same position.

A large grin spread over Po's face. His eyes remained closed, but in his mind he knew what he accomplished. Mere moments after, his expression turned serious and he performed a double palm strike. Again, Tigress was strongly reminded of her own style, although there were differences in the execution. She had no time to ponder on that, however, as the wind shifted in reaction to the panda's moves. The leaf figure, already falling apart, scattered completely, the leafs being rapidly thrusted forward in a tight column.

The feline master's muscles tensed when the gust of wind passed by, her mind racing. She now understood why Crane seemed so jumpy about the issue. This was far from the panda's belly-bump techniques or the 'Double Death Strike'. She recalled what she knew about Inner Peace; the scrolls she had read, what Shifu had said when mentioning it during her studies...

A peaceful state of mind and spirit, enabling one to harness the flow of the universe.

The words were getting a whole new meaning to her as she watched the wind seemingly carry out the panda's orders. How could one that was presumably so troubled not only remain able to achieve that state of mind, but master it to such extent, was beyond her.

Perhaps I'll try a different approach, thought the feline as she watched as Po made the leafs whirl around him again, letting them fall to the ground creating a large pile. She remained hidden, waiting as the panda bent down to pick up few remaining leafs and added them to the pile. Then, grabbing the rake, he left the gardens, still oblivious to the eyes that kept their gaze on him all the time.

After he got out of her sight, she stood up with a small yet still visible smirk on her face. Talk itself would get one only so far and despite being rather skilled with words, Tigress thought of an alternative way to reach the panda. A way she found much more preferable.

After all, it's been some time since the two of them sparred...

Song would not admit it out loud, but Bai was right. Life has become less exciting by a lot for her since the change she led the Ladies through. The adrenaline she felt rushing through her as she was leading the group of leopards across the treacherous terrain of the rocky cliffs only confirmed it. It reminded her of how dull everything seemed recently. She was not regretting her choice by any means. Thanks to Po Song realized just how much she resented the ways of the dancing group's former leader. And she would not allow herself to forget how much she had to repay the panda for.

Still, that did not mean she was above doubting.

Glancing behind herself, she made sure everyone was keeping up. Song decided for a quicker pace, knowing that although she earned her fellow dancers' respect as their leader, many of them would be frustrated by this errand she led them on. Thus, the quicker they were done with it, the better.

And she was slowly getting annoyed as well. The dancers were following the directions given by Po, as vague as they were, to the letter and yet they were rewarded only with more rock and deep chasms, filled with fog and gaping as mouths threatening to swallow every soul unfortunate enough to fall down into them.

„Song."

The leading leopard suppressed a growl. The last thing she needed right now was Bai stirring up another doubts. The situation was not the best it could be. There was no fruit or any other source of food on the way so far, meaning they were relying solely on the supplies they have brought with themselves. And with the chaotic surroundings, they could be easily going in the wrong direction without realizing it for whole days.

„Not now, Bai," Song spoke in a quiet voice, wanting to keep the morale as high as possible. „We need to say foc-"

„I found something," the leopard interrupted her leader.

Song stopped and turned around, following her comrade's gaze. A half eaten apple was lying on the ground and given how fresh it seemed, the person would not be far. They were on the right path after all. After a quick nod to Bai, Song resumed walking, this time at a much slower pace. With a subtle twitch of her tail she gestured the others to stay alert.

Not much later the leopardess' sensitive ears picked up a noise that was not caused by any of her comrades. A simple snap of a twig somewhere, followed by a bit too loud rustle of leafs. Someone was being clumsy, and they were close...

Song estimated the distance of their follower, then scraped two of her claws agains each other. The gesture was seemingly without reaction.

„Reveal yourself," the leading leopard exclaimed, standing tall and proud. Her parasol remained held tight between her back and the large backpack she carried. „We mean no harm."

There was no answer at first, although she could pick up a few heated whispers, indicating that there were more of them.

„Stay quiet!"

„You just had to drop the apple, did you!"

„Shut up! They'll hear us!"

Not exactly disciplined professionals, it would seem, Song thought to herself. Still, she was not foolish enough to underestimate them.

After a few more moments a large figure emerged from the foliage, a large axe held at ready. It was hard to tell what species the animal was as its whole body was concealed by a green and grey cloak, the colours helping it to blend with its surroundings. The face was hidden behind a large green mask, resembling a dragon's face.

Despite the cover-up, Song found herself smiling inwardly, as the size and the holding of the body strongly reminded her of the species she was searching for.

The large animal stood before Song with no traces of the previously demonstrated clumsiness visible. It towered above her, the blue irises piercing right through her in an intimidating glare. The weapon's blade glistening in the sunlight.

„You have no business here," the sentry, obviously a male, thundered, its voice deep as the gorges below. „I suggest you leave while you still can."

„I believe I actually do have a business with you," the clouded leopardess replied, her tone showing no traces of nervosity. „I have something to deliver to-"

„Perhaps I have not made myself clear," the masked animal harshly interrupted, slamming the dull end of his weapon into the ground. In reaction to that, three more similarly dressed figures came to view, all holding large bows, the arrows at ready. „I said that you should leave."

Song had to fight the urge to sigh. It seemed it would not go so smoothly as she hoped. „I'll have to refuse. I carry a-"

„I won't repeat myself. When I say leave, you leave," the leader sentry readjusted the grip on his weapon. „The only thing that may vary is the amount of limbs you'll be leaving with."

Song frowned. It seemed that their adversary's mind was set and given the circumstances, he had the advantage. It was five leopards with large backpacks on them, their weapons not yet drawn, surrounded by four large animals, three of them ready to let loose their arrows.

That's what it looked like, at least.

The leader of the Ladies of the Shade tapped two claws against each other, the sound barely audible. The already imatient sentry seemed to notice, but when he saw nothing hapenning afterwards, he decided to utter another, and likely the last, warning.

„You are at a disadvantage. If you wish to get out of here ali-"

„I believe you should reconsider that statement."

The eyes behind the mask widened slightly, first in anger, then in realization as he looked around. Behind each of the three archers stood two more leopards, their parasols in hands, waiting for their leader's signal. It was only when the one wielding the axe turned in their direction that the other three sentries noticed the change in the situation. The tables had been turned.

„Perhaps now I could be allowed to finish what I was going to say?"

Song recieved only an angry grunt as a reply at first. Then, the masked animal spoke in a quiet, yet still deep and stern tone. „You have another thing coming, if you believe we will go down easily. I'm still about to make you leave - one way or another."

„I believe your words. And I have no desire to see them proved," Song answered calmly in a kind tone as she pulled a scroll out of her vest. „As I was trying to say, I carry a message to you and your people," she paused, looking directly into the eyes of the masked panda. „From one of your own."

„One of our own?" the large male replied, sounding more angry than surprised.

„Yes. A panda living in the Valley of Peace recieved a message from your village, telling of its location," she reached out with her arm to hand over the scroll. „And he sent me to deliver his answer."

The bear glared at the scroll in the leopardess' paw as if it was the vilest thing in the world. Sounds of a wood cracking broke the silence as he tightened his grip on the shaft. One of the archers lowered his bow, staring at the lead sentry.

„Guo... we should-" she spoke, the voice revealing her to be a female.

„Silence!"

„But if it's truly from Heng's so-"

„I said shut up!" the large bear interrupted again with a yell, finally turning to face her. „Heng's a fool! I told the old geezer to forget that stupid dream he had! He's risking too much!"

Song watched wordlessly the exchange, hoping the female panda could sway the raging bear. The threat of a battle breaking out was still present and even though it was the leopards who were at advantage now, Song wished no blood would be shed.

After a few more moments of silent waiting, the female spoke again. Her voice was quiet and gentle, yet still somehow firm. „That is for Heng to decide."

Guo seemed to be only more infuriated by those words, but he lowered his weapon nonetheless.

„Who are you?" he asked, his voice losing the strenght it posed.

„A friend of the panda who sent this message," Song replied, handing the scroll over to Guo, who finally accepted it. „My name is Song and these are my fellow members of our dancing group," she continued, gesturing to the other leopards. She purposely left out the name of their party, uncertain of how much these pandas knew about the surrounding world. They still had a bad reputation to haunt them, after all.

„Dancing group," Guo muttered with bitter amusement, hiding the scroll inside his cloak. After gesturing for his fellows to lower their weapons, he turned around, leading the party of pandas and leopards through the treacherous paths.

„Don't expect me to lead you to the village and welcome you with a warm tea, though."

„Guo!"

„Quit interrupting me, woman!" the leading panda hissed through his mask at the female. „We'll lead them to the Wailing Pass, where the other watchers will keep an eye on them. Meanwhile, I'll go to Heng and hand him the message."

While she understood the precautions, Song did not allow herself to lower her guard. The name of the place they were going to be dropped off did nothing to comfort her either.

„Wailing Pass?" asked Bai, voicing her leader's thoughts.

„You'll understand when you're there. The winds there howl like crazy," answered one of the bow-wielding pandas, this time a male, and judging by the voice a young one at that.

Bai glanced worriedly at Song, who only nodded with a stoic expression on her face. Not one of the felines was thrilled about going into place where the shrieks of wind were so loud that it would earn it such a name. The dacers' leader once again reconsidered the pros and cons of her decisions. Yes, she was getting some long time missed excitement, but she also allowed herself and her comrades to be led to a place where their chances of defending themselves would be more than likely non existent. All for him...

„You better pray Heng does not deem your words false," Guo rumbled, his gaze remaining focused forward. „I gave you three warnings and yet you blew your chance to leave."

Song did not falter, but she still felt a chill run down her spine when the panda stopped and turned to face her. „If it turns out you lied, I'm not giving you another one."

She was no coward, but it was hard not to gulp.

„I really hope that did not count as laziness," Po mused with a smirk, putting away the rake and heading for the training hall. „Would be a shame, considering I just came up with a way to make gathering leafs awesome."

„I must say it really is admirable, Dragon Warrior, how far you are taking the whole humility matter."

The panda whirled around, a startled cry escaping his lips. It took him a few moments to realize who it was that surprised him so. The three felines could seem so alike in certain moments it almost scared him. Fortunately there still was more than enough of things that helped to tell them apart. For starters, Tigress scarcely wore robes, or dress... or anything else than her usual training attire, for that matter. And out of the three tigers it was Jia who had the most of white fur on her face.

Thus it became clear to the bear that the stripped feline of advanced age wearing a simple green robe was most likely his comrade's mother.

„I apologize. I did not intend to startle you," the elder tiger said, her voice sincere, yet carrying a sort of pride the panda knew all too well.

„You did not- I just, well, uh..." he stopped himself, realizing he was making a fool out of himself in front of her like he used to in front of Tigress. She really is her mother. It's almost creepy.

„No need to apologize. I was simply lost in thought, is all," he replied after a moment, getting a hold on his composure. „Is there something I can help you with?"

„You could say that. I actually wished to speak with you."

Po felt a little uncertain, not exactly sure what she could want to talk about with him. There was a good possibility that Tigress spoke about him with Jia during her time from the palace and given the state their friendship was in at that time, the Dragon Warrior believed he could have some explaining to do.

„I'd like to thank you, Dragon Warrior, for helping me to reunite with my daughter," Jia spoke, an amused smile tugging at the corner of her lips at the panda's relieved reaction. „I wanted to do so yesterday, but there was not an opportunity good enough."

„I-it's fine, really. I mean, you don't need to mention it. All I did was give her the message-"

„Whether you believe your part in the matter important or not, I am grateful," she interrupted, radiating confidence. It did not bother him, but Po took notice of the fact that she did not seem to feel the need to be overly respectful in the presence of the Dragon Warrior. He was aware that he probably did not earn much of a respect from her by the way he acted since she arrived, the way he froze the day before at the sight of her and the other two felines serving as a good enough example.

„Well, you're welcome, then," he replied with a smile, then frowned as a thought crossed his mind. „If you don't mind me asking, why haven't you tried searching for her yourself once you recovered? I mean, Bao Gu is still standing there till today and-"

She gave him a look that wore a mixture of anger and guilt and he immediately began to mentally scold himself for asking that. He blurted it out in a sudden rush of anger at how long it took the tiger to seek out her daughter, all partially caused by his own conflicted feelings about his family...

„I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-" he started apologizing, but Jia stopped him by raising her paw.

„It's alright. I understand why one would wonder about that," she said, both her tone and expression becoming steady again. „It was also one of the very first question Tigress had asked me upon reaching me. Although in a rather more heated manner..."

Po could only imagine, although it wasn't too hard. He knew well what Tigress could be like when she got mad. And this wasn't a trivial matter.

„The healing took time. A lot of time. And even after being cured I remained... weak... for few more years," the tiger continued, turning her gaze from the panda. „Both physically and emotionally. It is not easy for a tiger to admit such a thing, we tend to put a lot of value to out pride, but... one has to learn that there are more importang things. And the conditions were truly hard."

She refocused her gaze on Po, her eyes boring into his soul. „Understand this: after seeing such a tragedy befall your people and family, it's all too easy to lose your will to fight. If it weren't for Chun needing someone to care for her after her father passed, I might have lost it completely."

„I... understand," Po said after a while, letting Jia's words sink in.

„I'm not sure about that, but I accept your words," she responded, sounding a bit more relaxed. Then, her eyes focused on something behind the bear, a smirk crossing her face. „I believe I will end our conversation here. It seems someone else wants a moment of your time."

Confusion crossed Po's face before being replaced by surprise when he spotted what Jia talked about. The master of the tiger style herself was walking towards them, her eyes clearly set on the panda. Po grew suddenly tense for some reason, uncertain of how to react. He tried to smile, but it soon faltered when the approaching feline got close enough for him to see the signs: the determination shining in her eyes, the odd, almost predatory look on her face, the way she carried herself, so proud and sure of herself...

Gone was the indecisiveness. Right then, his instincts were clear on what he was supposed to do.

They told him to run. Fast.

„Dragon Warrior, mother," she greeted, nodding to each one of them, then focused back on Po. „I believe you are finished with your punishment?"

„Uh, yea-yes."

„Good," her tone was even, measured like usual, but the smile that spread on her face promised trouble. „Then I assume you can join me in training."

Aw... dang it! he shouted inside his mind as he watched her crack her knuckles. He was regretting speeding up the process of cleaning the leafs already. Should have stuck to the rake...

A/N: Greetings! So it's seven chapters now. I feel rather confident about this one, so feel free to set me straight with criticism! Seriously though, be honest with your opinion, I'll be grateful for every mistake you point out. Some of you are just doing their best to spoil me with their reviews... and I'm grateful to you guys, because I would be by no means so eager to continue this if it weren't for you! Thanks! And see you soon!