Not said to me

It felt so good to be home again after being away. A week without any contact with the Jade Palace was much too long, especially with the inhabitants who she called her family. Called away on a diplomatic affair, Tigress had bid farewell to head for one of China's bigger cities. Shifu's limp had grown too much for the old fellow, so Tigress hadn't a problem with going in her master's stead.

Recently added to the family was a certain little panda cub who'd followed her home from the Panda Village. Tigress had taken the girl under her wing much like Shifu did at her age, only difference was the amount of affection she poured onto Lei Lei.

It was so hard being a new mother leaving her baby behind but she knew that Lei Lei was in good paws.

The girl whimpered within the arms of Po, who had ruffled her fur before turning a wistful smile to the tiger.

"I'll take great care of her, Ti!" Po promised, adjusting the toddler in his grip so he could cradle her. Lei Lei protested loudly.

"No! Stripey baby!"

"Oh can those eyes get any bigger," Tigress uttered, putting her finger under the whining cub's chin to get her attention. "I'll be back soon Lei Lei, I promise. For now let uncle Po take care of you, alright? Can you be a big girl for me?"

Lei Lei, looking utterly torn apart and conflicted, sniveled softly, "Otay..."

"That a girl sweetie!" The bigger panda exclaimed, playfully spinning her around. "We'll have tons of fun. So much so Shifu is gonna need a whole new level of Inner Peace!"

Tigress smirked at Po and gazed toward Lei Lei who appeared much more happier, though the action figure she held gave a slight noise of protest at how tightly her arms had woven.

"Now you two be good," Tigress instructed, smiling at Po who gave an even toothier grin. "I don't want to be called back because my two cubs became too much."

"Since when did I become your second cub?" Po asked with a childish huff.

"Po, do you even have to ask that?"

He pouted at her good naturedly.

Finally the farewells were exchanged, Po coaxing the tiger into a group hug with he and little Lei Lei. Tigress felt full of emotion as she held and was held in return. She couldn't imagine that leaving them here was so difficult and the moment she stepped foot off the property she longed to be home. The entirety of the trip was spent in nostalgia until she could finally return.

She had grown soft it seemed.

Tigress longed for a warm bath, some delicious noodles from Po and the company of her Kung-fu family to top it off. She was tingling all over in anticipation, her first stop before all else was to see Lei Lei.

She wandered the palace grounds until she found the familiar building of the sleeping barracks. Tigress was going to check the cub's room, knowing she could be found there playing with her dolls [which Po himself had crafted for her!] Sliding the door open she perked her ears, immediately picking up on the giggles of her cub.

Well, and the much more masculine giggling of the Dragon Warrior that accompanied many different sound effects.

"Back you foul beast!" His voice resonated down the hallway and Tigress smiled, deciding to just listen in for awhile. "Hurry princess Lei Lei the evil pig demon is catching up!"

"No!" Lei Lei exclaimed loudly.

He gasped dramatically, "Yes! Hurry!"

An explosion noise that sounded more akin to a sputtering engine followed, Tigress imagined Po's cheeks inflated and tongue sticking out as he made the sound effects.

"Stripey baby in danger!"

"We'll save master Tigress, don't worry!"

The sounds of playing suddenly faded and there was a forlorn little sigh. Tigress felt concerned and carefully she drew closer to the paper doors. Po and Lei Lei were just silhouettes, the smaller panda was slumped over. Tigress pulled the door aside and peeked inside, getting the backs of her two pandas.

"Hey, what's wrong little bean bun?" Po asked, putting down his Po and Viper action figure. "Aren't we going to save Tigress?"

Lei Lei crawled over to a pillow fort nearby to take down an all too familiar striped character. She showed it to Po and she whimpered, "Stripey baby..."

Po put two and two together. His back heaved as he exhaled. "Yeah, I miss her too."

"I love Stripey baby," the girl carried on sadly.

"I love her too," he replied with a fond, gentle tone, surprising Tigress who by now had quietly opened the entire doorway. Still she wasn't noticed. "She'll be home soon, I promise."

Not able to take the somber atmosphere that filled the room any further, she smiled and announced her arrival as she open her arms to them.

"Soon as in now okay?"