Chapter 3: Blood and Ice

I wrote this at 1:30am. Man I love summer! I hope you all enjoy it!

Tigress and Rees had been together in Tigress's room for a few months now. had said a few weeks ago that Rees's room was ready but Rees refused he wanted to stay with Tigress and Tigress was thrilled to have him. Because Rees and her had grown closer to each other since the first day Rees arrived they started to eat together (Behind the caretakers backs),they played more together, and every time someone started messing with Tigress Rees would always stand up for her and take the abuse himself whether it was physical or verbal. But every time Tigress felt guilty that Rees had to always stand up for her and she wanted to help Rees but she was told to not get involved (mostly by Rees) she wanted to get involved but she knew the consequences would be way worse for her than for Rees and for every fight he stopped she felt like she owed Rees a debt for helping her out and keeping her out of trouble and one day she planned to replay that debt in full but these were troubling times and for now she was glad to have Rees's support.

Because in this small orphanage of 50 many of them were being adopted by families and the number quickly dropped to 20 (Ping and Dishi were adopted) at the end of fall and with winter approaching Tigress knew that no families wished to endure the cold in search of a child for children were mainly adopted in the summer and fall. Tigress was doing what she always did at this time of year she cried. Every time a new family would come to adopt they were either so frightened of Tigress that they moved on to the next kid or she was in her room where potential parents would not see her.

"If I didn't know any better I would say the caretakers do that on purpose so I never get adopted!" Tigress sobbed. Every winter she would cry almost every day alone but now that she had Rees comforting her the pain didn't feel as bad as in years past.

"It's ok Tigress we still have each other and I am sure that some family will come by and adopt us" Rees said with a grin.

"But what if it doesn't happen?" Tigress asked "And what's worse what if either one of us gets adopted and we get separated I don't want to lose my first and only friend" Tigress sniffled.

"That will never happen Tigress if someone wants me they're going to have to take you too" Rees said confidently.

"You always know just how to make me feel better. I am so glad to be your friend" Tigress said while giving Rees a quick hug. Night soon came and Rees was sleeping on the floor he had only but one blanket that Mrs. Lu gave him because his original bed would not have fitted in the small cramped room. The cold ground sent a chill down Rees's spine. Tigress woke up when she heard Rees start to mumble.

"Man why is it so cold in here?" Rees asked.

"It's because of my 'window'." Tigress said pointing. Her window was nothing more than three rusting bars of iron that were allowing the freezing cold air and snow to sweep into the room. Later in the night the temperature dropped and Rees started to shiver really bad.

"Are you ok?" Tigress asked her concern growing.

"I'm fine don't worry about it" Rees said with a fake grin.

"You look really cold please take my blanket" Tigress said as she started to take her blanket off.

"No!" Rees exclaimed. Tigress was shocked that he yelled at her.

"I mean you only have one and I don't want you to be cold" Rees said as his teeth chattered.

Tigress knew that she had to do something or else he would get sick, freeze, or worse.

"How about we both use our blankets and sleep together?" Tigress asked.

"I don't know Tigress is that against the rules?" Rees replied.

"Maybe but I don't want you to freeze besides we're not doing anything wrong I promise" Tigress said lifting her sheet. Rees hesitated at first but he needed to warm up so he grabbed his blanket off the ground and laid it over Tigress's sheet and slipped in next to Tigress. A cold chill ran up Tigress's body as she hugged Rees his face was almost frozen and his feet were like icicles and suddenly they were pressed up against her legs.

"Ahhh Rees your feet are freezing!" Tigress screamed as she almost jumped out of her bed.

"Sorry but you offered" Rees said jokingly.

"Ha ha let's just get some sleep" Tigress said as she drifted off to sleep. Tigress and Rees kept each other warm the rest of the night and for every cold winter night this was going to be their plan to work through it. Morning came but it started to snow and all the caretakers advised all the children to stay in there rooms for safety reasons. All the children received their breakfast in their rooms and many of them were sad that they were not able to play in the snow including Tigress and Rees. But later on in the day the snow stopped falling so they allowed the children to go out and play. All around Tigress and Rees saw the remaining orphans having fun it was rare in winter for the children to be so happy many were bummed to still be living in the orphanage but others wished to think positively like Tigress. Children were running, jumping, and playing games. Tigress and Rees spent the day chasing each other around the courtyard and soon got involved in a large snowball fight.

"There's to many of them" Tigress yelled as she ducked an incoming snowball.

"I'll cover you run!" Rees said. The two were laughing and dominating the playing field many of the other orphans started to get more involved and saw that Tigress the monster had changed and they no longer felt afraid of her. Every since Rees showed them all how great of a person she was they all started to get along with her better. An incoming snowball ht Tigress in the leg and she screamed and fell to the ground.

"Tigress!" Rees yelled as he ran to her. When he got their she was holding her knee.

"Let me see" Rees said. Tigress removed her hand and her knee was bleeding and their a small rock stuck in her leg. Tigress hissed in pain as Rees yanked the rock out of her knee and screamed. "Who would dare to throw a snowball with a rock in it?".

"I did!". Rees turned around to see Lee with a evil smirk on his face.

"I thought I told you that if you ever hurt Tigress again that I would hurt you so prepare to feel the pain" Rees shouted getting into a fighting stance. "Bring it on you stupid kitty cat" Lee mocked. Rees growled as he charged Lee. Lee took his leg and kicked Rees in the stomach making him hunch over then he took him and threw him into a tree.

"Leave him alone!" Tigress yelled as she tried to help but was quickly dropped by her bad knee.

Rees got back up and charged Lee once again Lee tried to grab him in midair but he missed and Rees slashed his claws across Lee's face. Blood started to pour down Lee's face and he screamed as he charged. Lee wanted the fight to be over quick so he was trying to deliver some kind of a kill shot going for his temples and other weak spots. But Rees was to fast and Rees ended up throwing right and left jabs to Lee's midsection ultimately weakening him. Lee threw wild kicks and punches while Rees used combos and techniques. Tigress was amazed on how Rees was doing amazing against a larger more stronger opponent. The fight continued on for a good five minutes but it was soon discovered by a caretaker and they immediately stopped the fight. Both Rees and Lee were bruised and bloody but it was clear that Rees had caused the most damage and had won. Tigress was soon bandaged up as she limped towards Rees. He and her started to limp back to their room but they soon stopped to hear slow rhythmic clapping coming from the front gate. They looked and saw a older fox who was wearing and robe and bifocals. Mrs. Lu approached the stranger and said "Who are you?".

"I am Master Junjie and I am here to look for any promising students that could join my Kung Fu Academy and I saw your little fight and I was wondering if you children would like to have a spot in my academy.

"I'll go!" said Lee. Junjie grinned and hoped the other child would agree as well.

"Can my friend come with me?" Rees asked pointing to Tigress. Junjie looked her over and said.

"I am truly sorry but I don't allow girls in my academy so no she may not come but I assure you that there will be everything you have ever dreamed of at my academy: good food, warm beds, and better yet an education not just in Kung Fu but anything you wish to learn we'll teach." Junjie said hoping to get his point across.

"Although that is a gracious offer sir I would never abandon my friend so I am sorry but I will decline" Rees said. Junjie face twitched.

"Have it your way but I will have you know that I have always gotten my way and I assure you that I will be back" Junjie said as he took Lee and walked out the front door.

"Come on Tigress let's go lay down in our room" Rees said supporting Tigress and her bad knee. Tigress looked back at Junjie and she felt the guilt rise up in her and that she had costed Rees a lot and she knew she had to have a serious conversation with him when they got back to her room.

I really hope you guys review and tell others about my story I know that since this is not Tipo many other people will choose to ignore it but I hope others will help me out by telling others of my story and reviewing and favoriting and following. Thank you all so much have a great night. :)