Chapter 8: Working On Relationships
Tigress was scanning the area looking for the Black Crystal. Her golden eyes saw nothing in the bushes so she began to check the boulders. Tai-Lung was with her trying to form a sentence. The first time he saw Tigress was on that bridge. At first he thought she was just another one of Shifu's students but once he learned she was Shifu's daughter too. It shocked him when he learned how Tigress was treated.
Shade learned a lot about Tigress as well as the others for she listened well. She told him all about Tigress's story when they were in the dungeon. Tai-Lung learned how Tigress was called a monster for her claws and sharp teeth. That the orphan children feared her because she was strong, even the adults feared her. At first he was happy to hear Shifu adopted her but later learned Shifu denied Tigress the love a father gives a daughter. For Shifu feared she would end up like Tai-Lung. Now Tai-Lung felt worse for not only did he harm innocent lives but he wronged someone who was innocent and that was Tigress.
"Um Tigress, found the crystal yet?" Tai-Lung asked.
"Not yet," she said quickly. She really didn't know what to say to him. The Tai-Lung she fought on the bridge was not the same Tai-Lung that stood a few inches from her. There were so many questions that buzzed and collided in her brain. Mostly about Shifu, like what was he like before Tai-Lung turned and what things did they share? Tigress knew only stories about Tai-Lung and wondered what made him give up such a great life for something as silly as a title. Of course she would say that now but a few years ago she like Tai-Lung at one time knew the Dragon Warrior title meant everything.
"Um okay," Tai-Lung said not being good with conversations. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry for costing her a good life. A small trace of fear entered his mind wandering if he could have killed her parents. When he went on his rampage he killed many people but he forgot exactly who he killed. For all he knew maybe he was the reason Tigress became an orphan to begin with. "I think I will go check over here," Tai-Lung said pointing to another area.
"Okay," Tigress said. Once Tai-Lung left Harmony came walking up.
"Hey Stripes did you find the crystal?" Harmony asked.
"Not yet. How about you, did you find it?" Tigress asked her. Harmony's ears dropped and she shook her head no.
"Listen I have been thinking, maybe once we leave this place we should talk to the Soothsayer," Harmony said. She began looking through the grass trying to find the crystal.
"Why?" Tigress asked.
"Well she knew about Po's past and can see into the future. So, maybe she knows about a tiger village or she could tell us about our past. I mean she seemed like a real smart lady it couldn't hurt to try," Harmony said.
"Look Harmony, I am not saying it is a bad idea for I have always wondered why I was sent to the Bao Gu Orphanage. What if we do find the answers but we may not like them?" Tigress asked.
"I can understand why you would be upset over finding the truth. But Tigress all my life I always wondered why I was the only white tiger. Half my life I didn't think I was a tiger for everyone said tiger were orange with black stripes. But I knew I was a tiger and me and Po traveled to so many places. Not once did I ever see another tiger orange or white. Till I met you if you and I exist maybe more of us exist. I just want to know and see if I can learn why I woke up one day not having a name till Po gave me one. Someone had to be my mom I mean people just don't appear out of thin air. I just need to know and if my parents don't want me at least I will still have my brother, as well as you and the others," Harmony said.
"I can respect that okay, once we get home we will both talk to the Soothsayer and see if she knows anything," Tigress said placing a paw on her shoulder.
"Thanks Stripes I owe you one," Harmony said smiling. The two female tigers began to search for the crystal both wondering if the Soothsayer could help them. Over by the river Tai-Lung looked upset. He had hurt so many people how could he make amends?
"Hey, Tai-Lung; why the long face?" Shade asked frowning. The little mouse climbed up his knee and looked up at him.
"It is nothing Mousy, I am just thinking," Tai-Lung said avoiding eye contact.
"Thinking about what?" she asked.
"I hurt Tigress, Shade when I turned on my father not only did I break his heart but I cost Tigress the love of a father. I feel so stupid choosing power over my family. What was I thinking?" he growled. He placed his face in his paws to hide the tears.
"Hey come on, we all make mistakes and you are making amends by helping us," Shade said gently patting his paws.
"Shade if Golden didn't betray me I probably would still be working for her to kill you and all your friends. How can you trust someone like me?" he asked.
"Well how can you trust me? I have a creepy gift of controlling shadows. When I traveled with my family to other places people thought I was evil. They would see me conjure up my Shadow Warrior and even though I did good people were still afraid of me. People fear what they don't understand. And half the time I was too scared to show my powers for any reason for fear I was evil. But I learned not everyone was scared of me and I was able to be the hero I wanted to be," Shade said.
"But you were never evil you always saved people," Tai-Lung said.
"Yes, but people also thought I could do as much harm. Controlling shadows was seen as evil magic and by my appearance people thought I was a symbol of evil," Shade said her ears dropping.
"That is ridiculous people shouldn't judge you by your appearance they should get to know you and see how great you are," Tai-Lung said firmly.
"See if you think I am good I know you can be good. You like me needed someone to make you be good. I had my family to show me how good I could be," Shade said.
"But who do I have?" Tai-Lung asked.
"You have me and the others and we can keep you on the side of good," Shade said.
"Thanks Shade I wish I knew someone like you when I was a cub. But still how do I make amends to Tigress and Shifu?" he asked.
"Easy just talk to them and show them you changed," she said.
"Okay," he said smiling.
"Shade, what are you doing?" Red asked glaring at Tai-Lung. Feeling the tension Tai-Lung decided to let Shade and Red be alone.
"We were just talking Big Guy, have you found the crystal?" she asked.
"Um no but you should stay with me, I want to make sure you stay safe," Red said.
"Red I am perfectly capable of handling myself, I will be fine," Shade said crossing her arms. "Come on Big Guy ever since we were reunited you have been acting funny. Never leaving me alone and you keep glaring at Tai-Lung, don't think I haven't noticed. So, spill Big Guy what is bothering you," Shade said gently. Before Red could answer Tai-Lung came back with an excited look.
"Guys I found it I was checking the rocks by the river and I saw this," Tai-Lung said holding up a small wooden box. Shade saw it and gently lifted the lid.
Inside was a shiny black crystal and Shade turned to Red and said, "Go tell the others the search is over Tai-Lung found the Black Crystal".
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review. Sorry it has been awhile I will try to update the next chapter soon.