Leo the Demon Fighter

"Come on, we have a long journey ahead of us," Lee said. Po, Mei, Tigress, and Lee were now traveling to the Jin-Min territory. Then Lee remembered something, "Oh shoot."

"What's the matter?" They all asked in unison.

"I forgot that Leo lives here and he wanted us to visit him," Lee remembered.

"Who's Leo?" Po asked.

"He's this sweet little...well big rat that we found when we were traveling China. I say big because he's about five feet. Very big for a rat," Mei nodded, "But wait we have Tigress."

"That's why I'm worried," Lee said concerned. Before Po or Tigress could say anything else, they came upon a tent with a grey five foot nine inch rat cooking. "Leo! How's it been? Whacha' you doing?" Lee came in this fake mood. Leo's eyebrows quirked in confusion. "I have a friend for you to meet. She's a bit different, but she's friendly." Slowly Tigress and Po emerged from the bushes. The rat immediately hid behind Lee, frightened.

"Monster!" Leo shouted holding Lee's leg tight. Tigress's ears went down.

"She's not a monster," Po defended her.

"No, that's not what he means. You see, when he was a child, his parents were killed right before him by a tiger," Lee sadly explained.

"Wong-Hu?" Po asked. Lee nodded. Tigress felt sorry for the rat.

"Ever since then he's been afraid of tigers," Lee said, "But this one won't hurt you, Leo. She's friendly...to some."

"Really?" Tigress said in a deadpanned voice.

"We're taking you with us so you're not going to be hurt anymore." Mei explained holding the rat's hand. Leo slowly got up. He nodded.

"Okay. I'll go," He said. He packed his things and headed with them offering his freshly made soup to everyone. Of course, Po had to take Tigress's bowl to her since Leo was still scared of her. Leo didn't talk much. He was always sure that he was a good distance from Tigress, though. This just made Tigress more and more depressed. Night came, and the team rested for the night. Tigress was outside looking at the dull light of the embers in the fire pit.

"You seem depressed. I mean, you're showing it more. What's the matter?" Po asked sitting next to her. She sighed.

"It's just Leo. I-"

"Tigress, his parents were killed. You have to understand his fear," Po interrupted her.

"I do. I completely understand, more than anyone. Po, can I tell you something I'm afraid of and not tell anyone?" Tigress asked. Po nodded. She took a deep breath. "I'm...scared...to see where I come from."

"I thought you were excited," Po said.

"I am but I'm also scared. What if I'm a monster even in my own kind's eye? And what if they're just like me?"

"If they are, then I'm going in there with lots of padding," Po joked earning a playful punch from Tigress, "But Tigress I've been there. The people aren't like you...in character wise. They're okay."

"Then there's Leo. What if all the tigers are like Wong-Hu?" Tigress asked tucking in her legs to her chest.

"They aren't. I know your parents aren't like that," Po smiled. Tigress was silent for a while.

"Po, why did my parents leave me at the Orphanage? Did they not want me?" Tigress asked.

"They wanted you more than ever. In fact, when I asked your mother that, she nearly clawed my eye out. They put you at the orphanage because of the war between the Jin-Min and Japan. They couldn't bear seeing you hurt. It was for your own safety. I...made your mother a promise that I would protect you. And I have."

"I just wish I could be seen as something else than...a monster," Tigress whispered. Unaware of Leo listening from the tent, the two went back to bed.

"Good morning everyone. Ready for breakfast?" Lee said cheerfully as Leo cooked the breakfast. Tigress sat looking at the grass, thinking about last night. Then her bowl was past to her. She expected Po to be on the other end, but she looked up to see Leo, smiling timidly. She gently grabbed the bowl and slurped it up. She smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Leo," Tigress thanked. Leo quickly bowed and went back to cooking. He was still afraid of her, but it was a start. Once they were on the road, Po asked the question.

"So, how do you know Leo?"

"He's an excellent fighter. They call him, The Fighting Demon," The wolf explained. Po's mouth dropped.

"You mean the legendary fighter that's scares people just by the looks of his fists. Then sends them flying the next minute! Awesome!" Po exclaimed.

"I know, right!" Lee replied equally excited. Mei rolled her eyes as she whispered over to Tigress.

"Boys," She muttered. Both girls laughed.

"So can I see some of your skills, huh can I? Can I? Pleaseeeee?" Po begged. Leo was thrown back by the groveling. Just then, some bandits jumped out of the bushes and ambushed them.

"Give us your loot," They demanded. Leo cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders as he jumped into the air and came down, pounding the bandit into the dirt. His character and attitude changed dramatically. He snarled and growled and laughed madly as he took out the bandits. He slid under one of them and as the bandit looked down, Leo punched him in the face. When the bandits were all defeated, everyone was in awe.

"That...was...AWESOME!" Po said excitedly. Leo returned to his shy manner.

"Funny, he can take out bandits looking like a crazy menace, but he's afraid of tigers," Tigress said to Mei.

"That's not even the kicker. We've never told him this, but he's actually part tiger," Mei said shocking Tigress.

"You're kidding," Tigress said. Mei shook her head.

"That's part of the reason why he's so tall. That and why he has sharp claws and teeth, and when ever he's in his 'demon mode', his eyes move like tiger cat eyes," Mei explained. Tigress took a good look at rat. His eyes were yellow like most cats, and he did have abnormally sharp claws for a rat.

"Wow, he's afraid of what he is. That's tragic," Tigress lamented.

"Come on, guys," Lee said interrupting their private discussion, "Let's get moving."

to be continued