……………

…………….

Before I start anything, I would like to thank Luna Goldsun for all of your support. I greatly appreciate your help for taking the trouble to help me out. I greatly appreciate it. Thank you corset-rebellion-follower for your review and yes, Tai Lung will be good and there's more in it.

Chapter 3

--

A shadow slowly crept up the Jade Palace and unknowingly went in to the kitchen. The figure gracefully somersaulted in without obstacle and landed on its feet. He breathed heavily, "Well then, how should I do this?"

Tai Lung walked slowly through the quiet hallway that leads to the rooms that each Kung Fu warrior was assigned to. Everybody was soundly asleep until somebody tapped Tai Lung's shoulder behind him.

Tai Lung got a shock of his life and quickly moved away, "Who's there!" he growled.

"Whoa buddy. Cool it. It's just me" it's the panda.

"You! Why I oughta…"

"Stop" Po put his right paw between him and Tai Lung.

"You need to understand where your position is now. There are 6 powerful Kung Fu warrior here, excluding me that is, and one you. You think you can win?"

That made Tai Lung do 360 degree mind turn around.

"Alright. Fine, you win. What do you want?"

"Right now, I'm tired as I just ate a heavy midnight snack and I don't think eating two days night old rice was a good idea either" Po put his paw on his mouth and started to pretend to gag.

"Anyway, right now I suggest that we settle this tomorrow morning and see how this will work out" with that said Po walked past Tai Lung and in to his room.

My… room? Is it still there?

He slowly walked towards his old room that he had abandon 20 years ago, slowly opened it and saw that nothing actually changed; not much. His old mat was still in place, untouched and there stood his bookshelf. Not much use for bookshelves though as there wasn't many books either. Plain and simple, that's it. A sleeping mat and a bookshelf to complete his stay there in the Jade Palace.

Sigh…my room. Such memories. I remembered curling up in here and cried when Shifu was so hard on me. (A/N: Tai Lung's past; Chapter 1)

Tai Lung did the same and slept a wonderful night.

--

Gong….gong…..

Tai Lung awoke with an instant and quickly gathered himself up and stood right outside his room.

"Good morning master!" Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper, Monkey and Tai Lung said in unison.

"Good morning students and – " Shifu gasped. "Tai Lung!"

"Tai Lung?!" the furious five screamed.

Oh shoot! My old habits are kicking in. What an idiot!

"Get him!" Tigress ordered.

"WAIT!!" Po suddenly ran and stood between him and the furious five.

"Wait! Please wait. Don't be hasty. Can we please talk this over during breakfast? I'm starved. I'm even surprised that I'm up early"

"What are you jabbering about? Tai Lung's alive and right behind you and you take it as if it's nothing. Better yet, you demand for breakfast. Are you crazy" Tigress screamed at Po.

"Wait. It's not like that but if you listen to his side of the story and my side of the story, maybe you might want to reconsider"

Tigress shot a look at Shifu, "Master, what should we do? Tai Lung is dangerous and – "

"Enough" Shifu stopped Tigress. "We'll discuss this over breakfast"

"What? Master, are you out of your mind?"

"Tigress, mind over matter. Actions may speak louder than words but action won't solve everything"

"That's right jiejieTigress. Keke Tai Lung will solve everything" Tai Lung said sarcastically.

--

They all met in the kitchen and discussed while Po cooks breakfast. After Po had told everyone his side of the story, it was Tai Lung's turn.

"Well?" Tigress said impatiently.

Tai Lung scooped up his last spoon of rice and gave a compliment to the chef.

"Tasty. My compliments Mr.Chef. Never have I had much to eat while in Chor-Gom prison"

"Can you please tell us what your side of the story is before you change the subject" Crane suggested. Usually Crane was the most patient of all the five but at this point on, Tai Lung was getting to his nerves.

"Alright" Tai Lung pushed his bowl away from him. "It's easy. I fought Po. Lost. He tricked me with his Wuxi finger hold. I ran away, alive. Ponder upon stuff and now…" Tai Lung stopped and looked at Shifu in his eyes.

"If I can, can I have a second chance?"

"A second chance?" a blurred monkey exclaimed.

"Yes, a second chance. I had much to think about in prison. All I think was revenge and the scroll but after our little talk during the battle, Shifu, I reminisce back your words"

"Shifu" Tigress shot a look at him.

Shifu had his eyes closed and was thinking. All was silent, waiting for something to happen. The cool morning breeze fills in the silent room with fresh air and finally, Shifu opened his eyes and said, "Come with me, Tai Lung"

Shifu got up and walked away. Tai Lung followed suit, leaving the 6 kung fu warrior.

"You crazy?" Mantis jumped in front of Po once the coast is cleared. "You let a lunatic free and he asks for forgiveness. Have you been eating two days old rice?"

"Er….yeah and it doesn't taste very good indeed. Though it is good when you're cooking fried rice. You know, with long beans and onion and eggs and –"

"And getting your brain off the wrong track" Monkey said.

"Po this is serious" this time it was Viper's turn. "You can't let him go. He's dangerous and could very well destroy the valley again"

"Not to mention us and you" Crane put his right wing on his head like he was having a headache.

"Guys, he's got his reasons and I think that they are good intentions. Not bad. I mean, well, yeah he's bad and all but deep down, there's a gentle heart in that bold and strong warrior that he is. It's good if he can stay" Po said while picking up everybody's bowl to wash.

"And he can stay" Shifu stood at the doorway.

"What?! He's staying?! Master, this outrageous" Tigress stood up and pointed a dagger stare Tai Lung.

"He's' staying and that's final. You will learn to live with it and treat him like one of your companions"

"No!" Tigress screamed.

"Come on Tigress. Lighten up. You look so cute when you're angry" the snow leopard announced.

"Grrr"

She's so cute and adorable when she's angry. She has changed a lot when I'm not around. Time has taken its toll on Tigress and it came out beautifully. I love your eyes and now, your smile…