Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Kung Fu Panda nor do I own any characters named Byakko, Isis and Thanatos. Leo and Vikki belong to me and me alone. Geez…it's been a long time I've ever written this damn disclaimer.

Chapter 8

Tigress was unusually happy for the past few days and was even humming a tune to herself while walking. This had Viper very concerned but she isn't any busybody to take into account of Tigress's feelings or rather, her emotions. The rest of the five did notice her change in attitude but do not dare to go near.

"I think its one of those changes in period's time where she feels great but when something goes wrong, she'll kill you." Monkey said.

"I think so too, scary…" Mantis shivered.

"Really? Have you too done an analysis on this behavior?" Crane asked.

"Nope." They both said in unison.

"Then how would you know?"

"You wanna try touching her?" Po walked past Crane.

"Not now, no way." Crane quickly said.

"So our analyses are correct." Mantis happily said.

Tai Lung walked by and stopped to look at them, "Don't you guys have anything better to do than talk about Tigress's emotions? Geez…" he shook his head and left them.

"Uh oh… Somebody is jealous I presume?" Crane blinked at Monkey and Mantis.

"Shut up." Tai Lung called out.

From up above the room, a shadow looms in the ceiling where its presences are unknown to the others.

Tigress better enjoy her happiness while it lasted. Tonight, you'll be mine… the shadow grinned.

Night fell again and mostly everybody was quick to bed as today's training regimen was handled by Master Shifu himself and none of them were spared of being beaten up. Though for Tai Lung, it was nothing compared to what he himself had encountered during the past. The only remaining warriors that haven't gone to bed were Tigress, Po and Tai Lung but Tigress didn't want to follow the two men. Po and Tai Lung were jabbering like old buddies in the kitchen while having a midnight snack but Tigress have no intention of staying with those two.

"Who would have known that the strong and evil minded Tai Lung would be friend a big fat panda," she told herself. "The world is turning upside down. Ungh…men and their things."

She walked through the quiet hallway leading to her room while humming a beautiful tune.

(Before it's too late by Goo Goo Dolls; I don't own them either. .)

"Hold on, before it's too late…." She sang, "So live like you mean it, love till you feel it, it's all that I need in my life, so stand – mphft….mzzhft!!" someone had forcefully grabbed her from behind and locked both her hands. Meanwhile another had used a cloth to close her mouth so that she couldn't scream for help. Tigress was breathing fast and could feel the criminal's hot breath behind her neck, "- so stand on the edge with me, would you please, Tigress?" the criminal smiled.

Tigress fought back with her free legs but was stopped by the criminal.

"Oh you're rough Tigress. I like that but you'll just spoil the fun. So, I think I should paralyze some vital points on your body so that you won't fight so hard. Wouldn't that be fun Tigress? Don't worry; you won't miss out on the fun at all. You'll still be conscious, only immobilize. Heheheh……"

"And then Monkey was like dodging every single arrow that Crane had delivered. Left, right, left, right until he missed one and dropped over to the pool of water. It was hilarious I tell ya," Po laughed out.

"I see…" Tai Lung sipped his Oolong tea carefully while hearing Po's whole life experiences.

"Come on buddy. Laugh with me. It ain't fun laughing alone,"

"Hardly amusing panda. If it's funny, I probably might."

"Look like I have to teach you about laughing 101," Po got up and opened his big mouth to let out a big yawn.

"It's late and you're tired; unfortunately, me as well. Let's hit the sack." Tai Lung washed his cup of tea and walked together with Po.

"Tomorrow's a holiday for us, so watcha gonna do huh?" Po asked.

"Special training by myself," he casually answered.

"You've got to be kidding man. Life isn't about Kung Fu, its –"

"It IS about Kung Fu to me," Tai Lung interrupted, "Kung Fuis my life. I live breath, smell and feel about Kung Fu. That's why I'm a warrior and forever shall be."

"Okay, serious make over dude. Tomorrow morning I'm gonna –"Tai Lung puts his strong paws on to Po's mouth to stop him from blabbering anymore. "Shh…"

It took Po a few moments to realize that something odd was going on.

"What is it?" Po whispered. Tai Lung walked through the quiet side walk of the Jade Palace heading towards the courtyard.

"Something's wrong. I can feel it"

Both of them slowly crept up the side walk one foot at a time. Tai Lung's ear twitched and found a sound just around the corner. "Something is behind this corner. Get ready for anything," Tai Lung whispered

"Okay"

"Dear Tigress," the criminal of the shadow that had kidnapped Tigress had tied her on to a big rock and she couldn't move a muscle. He was hurting her badly and Tigress had to go through the whole process of being tortured.

"Who are you…bastard…." She croaked, "You're not Tai Lung."

His image was revealed in the night and spoke, "Of course I'm not. The name's Snow. How'd you like that, hmmm?"

"Go to HELL"

"Tigress," he closed up to her neck and whispered, "I am hell, I am death itself" he licked Tigress's neck slowly. Tigress squired when he touched her body and wanted to scream when he puts his grubby paws on her breast.

"Isn't this fun Tigress. I know I'm loving this," he grinned.

Suddenly, Tai Lung (real Tai Lung) and Po turned up and saw the most horrible scene that both of them had ever seen.

"What the hell…Tigress!!" Tai Lung ran towards her and stopped in this tracks when he saw his mirrored self, "YOU!!"

Po caught up to him and wasn't expecting to see two Tai Lungs, "Erm.. Buddy, why is there another you?"

"The story I told you before, remember?" he growled.

"Oh yeah…but I thought you said that they got rid of it."

"So I thought they did," Tai Lung growled louder and was in a battle stance already, preparing to attack, "Get your grubby paws off her!"

The other Tai Lung stopped and turned, "My…my…. What a welcome, brother."

"Shut up!" Tai Lung roared.

"You still have your revenge and hatred, as usual."

"What are you doing here? Leo and Vikki were supposed to eliminate you."

"Yes but something came up before that even happened. Oh and FYI, the name's Snow. That's where I was born isn't it? In the snow mountain," Snow glared at Tai Lung, "Where you also left me."

"You are not even supposed to exist." Tai Lung snapped.

"Yes but Vikki spared me," Snow laughed.

Tai Lung turned to Po but not taking his eyes off him, "Po, get ready to grab Tigress."

Po gave an okay sign and got ready.

"You're not getting her back that easily brother."

"Then die!" Tai Lung moved forward and attacked Snow. Snow back flipped and bounced off a nearby rock, kicking Tai Lung but he was faster. He did a one-eighty degree behind him and elbowed his back. Snow recovered from his injury quickly and back swinged at Tai Lung's jaw. Meanwhile, Po slowly but quickly went towards Tigress and untie her. He carried Tigress on his shoulder and ran away from the whole fight.

"You fat panda! Give her back to me!" Snow roared and ran towards Po.

"Gah!" Po screamed but Tai Lung stood in front of him and kicked him in the jaw. Snow flew away a good 100 meter and landed on his belly.

"Don't mess with me." Tai Lung cracked his knuckles.

The injured snow leopard of the shadow got up again and was having breathing difficulties, "Huh…huh…huh… I… will… not… lose!"

"That's enough Snow!" a voice spoke from above. All of them turned to where the voice came from and there stood Vikki, in her usual clothes and gracefully jumped down, landing next to Snow.

"You broke you promise." Tai Lung pointed out.

"And so have you." Vikki causally said.

"A month has not passed and you said I broke the promise? What bull!"

"That promise was never in my terms!" Vikki shouted. "Only Leo's. Not mine."

Tai Lung didn't like this one single bit and he was getting rather impatient.

"Tomorrow Tai Lung. Dateline or else, my Isis and your Byakko will have a fight."

"Who's Isis and Byakko?" Tai Lung asked

"When the time comes and another thing, Snow is your other self. As I have told you about the Arcana, he is death. You have moved on from the Death Arcana towards the Temperance and you should be grateful. Thanatos has chosen Snow as the bringer of death and you as a protector. You better watch out." Vikki swung her arms and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Tai Lung stood there speechless and not saying a word. Who on earth are Isis, Byakko and Thanatos!

"Tai Lung!" Po shouted from behind him, waving his paws, cajoling him to come forth. He quickly ran up towards Po and bent down to carry Tigress onto his arms but Tigress stopped him.

"Tai Lung…." She sobbed

"Tigress…" he wiped away her flowing tears with his paws and looked at her.

"Tai Lung!" she got emotional and landed her head onto Tai Lung's broad chest and cried. She cried like she had never cried before on her entire life. It took Tai Lung by surprised but he accepted it. Po was felling kinda awkward being there at that moment, so he left the two feline by themselves; enjoying each others company. The moon of the night suddenly appeared and the moonlight was shining as brightly as it could.

Tai Lung wasn't very good in this kind of situation but he tried his best to calm Tigress down.

"There, there Tigress. Brother Tai Lung is here. Don't worry, don't' worry. I'll get that bastard, I swear on my life I will."

Tigress sobbed louder and managed to steal a look at Tai Lung. Her face was watery with her own tears and so was Tai Lung's fur chest. Tai Lung looked at Tigress and they gazed at each others beautiful feline eyes.

Your eyes are forever beautiful, Tigress… Tai Lung thought to himself.

His eyes are so masculine and full of compassion. How could I have missed that… Tigress thought to herself.

--

Flames? Suggestions? R & R maybe? I'm always open for suggestions and will do my best to fulfill your wishes. Readers of my story 'Temperance' will have to wait for the next chapter a little bit later. Maybe in two weeks time or somewhat. I don't know. My college life has already started and it's kinda hectic at the start of the week. So, please be patient and hope for the best. Love ya' all. Peace and love.