A/N: Greetings once again! This chapter may seem rather short, at least compared to the previous two. The reason is simple: it's a long chapter split in two. And the reason for that is that I don't really have much of a 'Inner Peace' right now, which makes me unable to focus as much on writting these as I'd want to. As such I'm twice as afraid of messing things up, in stories and other matters both, so I decided that I'd rather take smaller, careful steps where it'd be easier to pick up the mistakes. And yes, I mean you. Please, let me know of anything you find wrong. This chapter is in large part focused on Tigress and... while I'm certainly not saying that the other character's are easier to work with... the striped feline simply is the one I'm most afraid of. So, be it good or bad, your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kung Fu Panda

Searching In Reflection

The whole valley was covered under a veil of gray, the gloom brought by the raining clouds causing all the colours to grow dim. The only brightness in the scene came from the feline's fiery eyes as she stood unmoving on the muddy road, glaring at a simple wooden crate and a few spice jars scattered around it. Water continued to pour down, heavy and loud, yet Tigress seemed unfazed by it all, no matter how drenched she already was. Lightning flashed on the horizon, the echoing thunder following mere seconds later, but she remained standing still as a statue, despite the fact that emotions raged inside her. Confusion, sadness... anger.

A sound of flapping wings cut through the splashing of the falling water as the avian landed few steps behind her, the look in his eyes reflecting how frustrated he was with the weather, as well as with the reason why they were out in the open rather than hidden in the palace, warm and dry.

,,Nothing," Crane stated plainly as he glanced around, taking in the sight of the dark sky, covered by clouds as far as he could see.

Tigress acknowledged his report with a mere nod, her eyes still locked on the items lying in front of her. The feathered master eyed her uneasily, the recent events along with what a certain snake dared to call 'revelations' causing him to feel actually concerned for the tiger. Perhaps even more than for the panda. That is, until he was found.

„I suppose you don't have anything either," he asked carefully, trying to sound at least a bit calmer than he actually was. The fact that it seemed as if she hadn't moved the whole time he was searching through the valley did not exactly help.

Tigress sook her head in reply. „The rain has managed to wash away all traces... we can't even really tell which way he's taken like this," she stated in even voice, lifting her gaze to the horizon. The frown was not leaving her face.

Using one of his talons, Crane readjusted his hat, desperately trying to come up with some answers. Seeing as things were, he was slowly starting to admit to himself that the slow, almost passive approach may have not been the best path to take.

The chirping announcing Mantis's arrival brought him out of his thoughts. There wasn't even a need to ask; the expression on the green bug's face made it clear enough what the answer would be.

„No traces of him anywhere in the village," Mantis informed in unusually quiet voice. „Nothin' in his old room either, other than a bit of fur that confirmed what Po's dad said."

„How is he handling it?" Crane asked, honestly worried about the old goose. The avian would have preferred if they never let him know of his son's disappearance, but the circumstances were against them. The restaurant was where the panda was supposedly headed to and subsequently it was the place where he was last seen.

„Viper's trying to comfort him," Mantis answered, jumping to where Crane was standing, using the shelter provided by the bird's body to shield himself from the rain.

„Good. We need to ensure that word about his disappearance doesn't get out," Tigress spoke, her tone still empty and measured. She crossed her arms over her chest, still gazing into the distance, piercing the landscape with her blazing eyes as if it were an enemy.

„Might be hard, the poor guy's decimated," Mantis sighed ruefully, rubbing the back of his head. „Up until this point he believed his big boy went on a date yesterday. Imagine that."

A silent, yet still sharp growl followed the bug's words, causing him and Crane to snap their heads in the feline's direction. She had her eyes closed, taking a deep breath in obvious attempt to quickly regain her composure. Mantis took a step back, while Crane narrowed his eyes in thought. What seemed so absurd to him just weeks ago was now becoming hard to deny.

„We can't let our enemies know that he's mising," the feline continued, acting as if the little flare didn't happen. „Too many people out there could find themselves bold enough to use the opportunity. Not to mention that the still present gorilla threat leaves us with our hands tied for the moment."

„You think he planned it that way?" Mantis asked, bothered by the idea that their panda friend would escape when duty didn't allow them to pursue him.

Tigress tightened the grip on her arms, her frown deepening. „For his own sake, I hope not." Kneeling down, she started picking up the spices and placing them into the crate while uttering commands to her comrades. „Mantis, you stay with Viper. Crane and I are going back to report to Shifu."

Both of them nodded. Mantis proceeded to immediately head for the village. Crane, however, lingered, waiting for the feline to finish picking up the things from the ground. When she stood up, holding the crate in her paws, she raised her brow questioningly, obviously confused by the bird's actions. He was never one to prefer walking, and although she knew that flying in the rain was uncomfortable for him, Tigress would still expect him to want to get back to the palace as fast as possible. The only remaning option was that he had something to ask...

„You don't have anything, then?"

She started walking toward the mountain stairs, shaking her head. „I already told you; the rain has made it close to impossible to track him down."

„I didn't mean physically," Crane decided to elaborate, walking beside the feline. „I'm asking whether you have any idea where he went."

„What makes you think I'd know anything?" she spoke silently, her tone bordering on anger. „He did not trust me anymore than he did to you and the others. He lied to me like he did to everyone."

Whether intended or not, the voice carried more emotion than the avian was used to expect from her. He was getting nervous; this wasn't a situation he was used to face. Handling Mantis's and Monkey's quirks or Po's stumbling was one thing, but this was something he'd rather avoid.

„Tigress, we don't even know if-"

„We don't know anything!" she cut in, her gaze still focused ahead. „We just waited as you and Viper insisted and now he's gone! And we don't have anything but the lies he told us!" Her voice was quiet as she did not want to be heard by any possible passerby, but it still sounded harsh and heated enough.

„What lies?"

She stopped in her tracks at the question, turning her head to look at the avian. He was looking straight back at her, seemingly paying no mind to how drenched he was.

„What lies?" he repeated the question. „What did the two of you talk about before he left?"

Tigress hesitated for a moment, almost as if surprised by the bird's perception, then resumed walking.

„We discussed the War at the Stone Edge Mountains. He was... he claimed he was troubled by the thought of having to decide between obeying the governor and doing what is... right," she answered, the anger completely leaving her voice with the last words. Her frown deepened, however, as she started to realize what Crane was aiming at. There was more to the conversation than a simple lie to lead them astray.

„I see," he muttered silently, his eyes hidden under his hat. Tigress turned her head in his direction again while still walking, anger and confusion making its way back to her tone.

„See what? I don't see how it explains where he went."

„It doesn't," he explained thoughtfully. „The way I see it, he used the war as a cover for the real subject; he was asking you what to do while not telling you what it was about."

She kept walking on, but her eyes grew wide as her mind raced, recalling the whole conversation from yesterday's evening in a new light.

„Tigress," Crane spoke, sounding urgent. „What did you answer him?"

They reached the bottom of the stairs. The feline hesitated for but a moment before she started walking up the mountain, recalling her words. „I didn't really get to fully answer the question. I-"

„What did you say?" he interrupted her, putting emphasis on each word and speaking slowly, as if to a scolded child. This resulted in Tigress stopping and turning to fully face the avian, glaring at him.

They stayed like that for a while, none of them willing to back down in the stare-down. In the end it was Crane who faltered, although he did not back down. „I'm just trying to figure this out."

Tigress remained unmoving for a little longer. Then, turning around and continuing up the stairs, she spoke, „I told him I always took pride in abiding my duty." Her tone was plain, but it lacked its usual strenght.

The next several steps none of them spoke. „So," Crane started, coming to a conclusion, „either he decided it was his duty to leave without telling us..."

„Or he believed that telling us would jeopardize whatever it is he's doing, because it would be our duty to stop him," the feline finished for him, sighing tiredly. „I swear, when I get my hands on him..."

„L-let's just get to the palace first," Crane stopped her, not really wishing to hear the list of the painful things the feline was about to do to the bear.

She just nodded wordlessly, quickening their pace slightly. They finished the rest of the stairs in silence, each going through their own thoughts.

The raining has calmed down slightly, but did not stop. The valley remained gloomy under the clouds of gray, as did the mood of the masters of the Jade Palace. All honest attempts at continuing their training routines and keeping their minds clear were failing; yet another clear proof of just how much has the Dragon Warrior changed their lives. He was a part of the palace, an important part. And now, being gone, it showed more than ever.

After the rather unfruitful morning training the Five found themselves in the kitchen with Jia and Chun, the latter one offering to cook for them. She was one of the very few, or rather the only one, who managed to remain cheerful despite the situation.

„I swear guys, you're making the soup taste bitter even for me with the sour looks on your faces."

„Sorry," Monkey said toward the young feline with a halfhearted chuckle. „It's really good, though. Almost as good as... uh..."

Chun raised her gaze from her lunch toward the primate as his voice trailed off, noticing the sad and embarassed look on his face. Growing annoyed, she forgot her meal for a moment and crossed her arms over her chest, the frown on her face resembling that of her cousin.

„You're impossible. Isn't he the great Dragon Warrior?" she urged, raising her arms for emphasis. „He can take care of himself, right? I mean, how stupid he'd have to be to get himself into some kind of danger he wouldn't be able to handle on his-"

„Oh dear," Mantis cut in grimly, his head hung down. An awkward moment of silence followed, the only sound being heard was that of Monkey's palm impacting with his own face.

Rolling her eyes, Chun continued. „If you're that worried about him, then why don't you go after him?"

„We can't," Mantis answered. „We're to stay on alert until the gorilla threat is resolved; we can't just leave the valley."

„Well, he disagrees," she retorted, recieving a glare from Tigress.

„It's not that simple. We have responsibility to protect the people here. Not to mention that us searching for him would help spread the the word of his disappearance, further endangering the valley," the tiger master denounced in a firm tone, seemingly annoyed by her cousins's behaviour, although inwardly she wished she could search for the bear.

„And we don't even know where he went," added Viper sadly, stirring the soup in her bowl with her tail wrapped around her spoon. „Master Shifu has contacted some people he knows to be discreet enough about it, but we have the whole of China to search through..."

With ever worsening mood, Tigress rose from her chair and turned to leave the kitchen.

„Where are you going?" Viper quickly asked, worried about the feline.

„I'm going to meditate," she said plainly, barely glancing back at the reptile as she walked away. Another moment of silence followed until it was Chun who spoke again.

„So... I assume she's not going to eat that?" she indicated toward the no longer present feline's still half full bowl.

Mantis snorted in amusement, although his eyes didn't have the glint. „It's really hard to believe you two are family. I'd really think tigers can't be cheery like you are if you hadn't come."

Chun glanced with a frown to her side, looking at Jia who just stared at the door Tigress disappeared through. The elder tiger's face was firmly set, like that of her daughter usually was. The eyes told a different story, though.

„Someone has to..." the younger feline muttered, barely above a whisper.

„What?" Mantis asked, having not heard her well enough.

„Nothing," she said with a shake of her head, standing up with her and Tigress' bowl in her paws. „Anybody up for seconds?"

As versed as she was in meditating, finding her center and managing to calm herself fairly quickly, she still found no solace. Questions remained unanswered, gaps remained empty. As such it did not really bother her that Viper managed to find her; not that she was hidden or anything, sitting at one of the terraces of the palace with the roof protecting her from what was remaining of the slowly disappearing rain.

„You're overly worried," the feline stated with her eyes still closed despite the fact that she was no longer even trying to meditate.

„Perhaps," answered the snake, slowly slithering to rest beside the tiger. „But can you blame me?"

Tigress opened her eyes, but rather than glancing at her friend, she kept them focused ahead.

„I... talked with Crane," Viper continued with a little hesitation.

„Of course you did," Tigress replied, closing her eyes again. Her tone didn't carry any hint of anger or spite. She sounded relaxed, but Viper doubted that she truly was.

„About that talk you two had yesterday...," Viper started after reconsidering her words long enough, but stopped when the feline let out a tired sigh, opening her crimson eyes again.

„I should have known better... to think I even encouraged him... I wouldn't think he'd decide on something like that based on my opinion of..." the feline trailed off, sighing again. Situation like this really wasn't mentioned in the Kung Fu scrolls she'd read.

„Well, that part is not really that surprising," Viper mused, earning a questioningly raised brow from the tiger. „What? You're the one he's chosen as his role model."

Tigress scoffed, moving her gaze away from the snake. „Abiding duty... and leaving without a word... talk about the irony here."

Viper allowed herself a smirk, if a bit grim, recalling the rather rare times when the Master of the Tiger Style let loose her rebellious side. Like the time she went alone to face Tai Lung...

With another thought crossing her mind, the reptile mustered her courage, preparing herself to ask the question she'd wanted to ask for quite some time.

„Tigress, about him, you..."

„I don't mean to be rude, Viper," Tigress interupted her, closing her eyes again, seemingly resuming her meditation. „But I'd like to be alone now."

„I understand that, but-" the reptile tried to press on, but wasn't allowed to.

„Please do as she says, Master Viper," Jia cut in as she suddenly appeared behind them, her approach somehow unnoticed by the two warriors. Viper's head snapped in the elder tiger's direction, her surprise evident. Tigress merely turned hear head slowly to glance over her shoulder, her face remaining calm. „This is a matter of a tiger pride."

Viper hesitated for a moment. Then, with a few silent parting words, she nodded and slithered away, leaving the two felines alone.

They were just staring silently at each other, Tigress still sitting on the floor, Jia standing with her arms crossed over her chest. The elder tiger looked just like her daughter did when she was scolding Po for something. The fact that the Kung Fu master found herself at the recieving end did nothing to please her.

„Mother, I think you misunderstood-"

„I think you misunderstood me, my dear," Jia interrupted firmly, her face remaining neutral. „I wished to have a word with you. Between four eyes."

„I'd prefer if-"

„Mei Lien," Jia urged softly, silencing the younger tiger immediately. „I did not come here to scold. I'm here to help."

Tigress' eyes softened somewhat, but she said nothing. She just watched wordlessly as Jia stepped forward and took a seat beside her, mimicking her daughter's position somewhat.

„I know I hadn't been here for you for a... long... time, but I am your mother," Jia continued, her tone now notably more gentle. „And who else are you supposed to talk to when you refuse to confide in your friends?"

„I'm... confused," Tigress faltered a bit after a short inner struggle.

Jia frowned in response, her eyes narrowing knowingly. „So... you still refuse to accept the truth?"

„What truth?" Tigress asked cooly, her face emotionless. That alone was more of a give away for the elder tiger than the daughter realized.

„Don't give me this act," Jia said firmly, seeming unamused. „Despite my age, my eyes remain sharp enough. And given the situation... they're probably sharper than yours right now."

Tigress shot her mother a glare, highly displeased by the words. „Are you implying that I'm perhaps blind to the truth for some reason?"

„Yes."

The short, indifferently uttered answer caused the younger feline to growl dangerously. Rather than replying in the same manner, however, Jia smirked. This seemed to infuriate Tigress even more.

„Growl all you want," Jia spoke calmly, almost smugly. „But don't forget that, Kung Fu warrior or not, I have mastered this kind of thing long ago. Unlike you."

Tigress huffed in irritation, turning her head to a side. Her tail was lashing.

Jia's smirk slowly faded, her tone turning gentle again. „I remember acting exactly the way you are... admitting will make it easier, you know."

„What's the point there?" Tigress questioned, sounding upset and refusing to look at the other feline. „You seem to be sure that you know exactly what's going on."

„I did not mean to me," Jia corrected, not intimidated by her daughter's anger for a second. „I meant admitting it to yourself."

The words seemed to work as the tiger master turned to face her mother again, her features softening. After looking into each other's eyes for a moment, Tigress cast her gaze downwards...

...sighing in both defeat and victory...

„What am I to do, though?" she asked softly, staring at the floor. „I don't even know where he is now..."

„Perhaps I could help there," Jia offered, straightening her back. She gazed into distance, as if recollecting her thoughts. „I believe I may be part of the reason he left, actually."

Glancing to a side at her daughter, Jia noticed the confused look on her daughter's face. „There were things about the bear's behaviour that seemed... off... to me since the day I first saw him," she explained, recalling the look on Po's face when he was hugging Tigress. „And I discussed some of them with the avian."

Tigress allowed herself a grim smile at the mention of the feathered master. Now more than ever she thought that Mantis was rather accurate when he came up with the 'Mother Hen' nickname.

„I wasn't so sure what to make of it... until the perky insect took me and Jia to the panda's father's restaurant. You can imagine my surprise when I was introduced to the goose."

Tigress just nodded her understanding, waiting for her mother to continue.

„It was then that I began to understand. Him being adopted and acting distantly everytime he saw you and me... or you and Chun get along..."

The younger feline's eyes widened when the realization hit her. „You mean..."

Jia nodded in confirmation, allowing the thoughts to sink in. Tigress' mind raced, recalling all the signs, all the moments... each and every time she called him 'a panda'...

...the hardcore can't understand...

...so hardcore you don't feel anything...

„That ignorant fool," she muttered angrily, cursing the panda for not telling her. For not trusting her enough to tell her.

„Ignorant fool," Jia repeated with a grim smile. „That you fell in love with."

Surprisingly enough, Tigress chuckled, if bitterly, her expression matching that of her mother. „Got any advice for that?"

„Not really," the elder tiger replied, shaking her head. „This isn't something I've mastered. I'd say I had it a bit... easier. While your father was a piece of work in his own right... he was a tiger. Something I knew how to deal with."

„Had anyone told me before it happened... a panda...," another chuckle, followed by a tired sigh.

„I can advise you one thing, though," Jia said after a moment, looking notably serious. Tigress nodded, letting her now that she was listening. „Your pride."

„What of it?"

„Realize its true value."

Tigress pondered it for a moment, then nodded again. „I understand."

„No," Jia shook her head, confusing the younger tiger. „Like most of our kind, you don't. And probably won't until the right time."

Tigress frowned, not exactly pleased with the answer.

„The true value of your pride is... tremendous," Jia spoke sagely, smirking at her daughter's confused expression. As she expected, this was what the younger tiger was most likely thinking herself. After pausing long enough for effect, she continued. „And meaningless."

Tigress leaned back slightly, trying to decipher the meaning of her mother's words. Jia could see this and smiled as she was standing up. „Give it time. It took me years to realize this; I would feel rather disheartened if you got it in just one night."

Letting out a sort of an amused sigh, Tigress stood up as well. „Thank you."

„You're welcome," Jia replied, and despite wishing for it herself, she still stiffened in surprise when Tigress hugged her, even if the embrace lasted just for a few seconds. She remained further unresponding, barely registering what Tigress said next before turning around and leaving the terrace.

„You're welcome...," Jia repeated silently, once Tigress was no longer in sight. „And thank you."