AN: Hey guys, Happy Mother's Day from North America. It's a special day for your phenomenal mothers everywhere and they deserve their special day. Always appreciate your family and don't forget to tell your mothers how much you love them. :)I know that my mother won't read this, but I love you Mom :) I hope you guys had fun on Mother's Day!

Just for the special occasion, I will write this chapter in Tigress's POV. Enjoy.

The young Tigress had woken up before the sun had risen and peaked its red, hot face on the slumbering Valley of Peace. She had already completed her stretches, her laps around the valley, and her routine of striking the spiked punching bag. She huffed slightly as she felt the continuous strain against her lean body.

The apprentice of Kung Fu could only hear her silent huff of breaths and reflected on her unusual morning. Master Shifu did not wake her up nor was he in any of the rooms at the Jade Palace. Meanwhile Master Oogway was also absent to do his pilgrimage around the country to visit other Kung Fu Masters. Then there was the fact that Tai Lung had been gone for nearly a year- it had to be close to a year because they celebrated her fourteenth birthday before Tai Lung was forcefully taken away to be imprisoned and today was the day she was turning fifteen.

Tigress usually tried to keep Tai Lung off of her mind as the memories just reminded her of his absence from her life, but today was different. It was different and difficult because he was the reason why she used to love her birthdays during her childhood- no, that wasn't true.

He made her love the day she was born because at the orphanage, the children weren't able to celebrate their birthdays individually. There were far too many kids and the Bao Gu Orphanage had no means to celebrate everyone's birthday. Hence, a single birthday party was held each month for all the children had their birthdays within that specific month. Of course, nobody complained as each child was content to eat cake and run around while screaming and having fun. However, the children at the orphanage were scared of her for her strength and physical differences so Tigress admittedly never had a happy memory of her birthday at the orphanage.

But it all changed the moment she came to Jade Palace... and as she sat on the top of the stair case which was located at the entrance of the Jade Palace, she fondly recalled all the birthdays they celebrated together... especially her first and last birthdays with Tai Lung.

It wasn't too hard as she could remember the day she had turned seven years old. It was the first year she had come to live with Master Shifu, Master Oogway, and Tai Lung. Everything was the same back then, Master Oogway was out consulting other martial art masters while Master Shifu left to complete the issues throughout the city and Tai Lung was around and he was only nine years old. An eleven year old cub that was the first to master the thousand scrolls of Kung Fu; a prodigy, a genius, a star that everyone recognized and honoured as the youngest Kung Fu Master. A young boy who earned his status... and the boy who made her fall in love. And she could remember the day from nine years ago.

Tigress aimlessly wandered around the immensely large palace that was now her new home. It was far too large and grand for a young tigress to be alone in, but she had been fairly warned by the Kung Fu Masters last night that they wouldn't be home due to their hectic schedules. It was rather lonesome, but she understood that they had their duties and responsibilities. Furthermore, she had much to be grateful for so she felt that she had no right to complain about trivial things; like her silly emotions.

Then she found herself passing the training hall- a place she was forbidden to enter. She had watched how hard Tai Lung trained with Master Shifu several hours a day and she often caught him practicing without his mentor's guidance. It was admirable to watch the snow leopard sharpen his skills and his unbelievable amount of ambition as his father always told him, "You're destined for greatness, Tai Lung. Keep practicing hard and make me proud."

She didn't know much about the martial arts although she only had her brutish strength, but despite of her lack of understanding of Kung Fu, even she noticed his innate talent and ability. That was probably why she enjoyed watching him practice and secretly she envied his deep relationship with Master Shifu. However, she once asked, "Tai Lung, why do you work so hard?" while he was practicing one of the skills from the scrolls.

The leopard wiped the sweat from his forehead and proudly said, "My father says that I am destined to be the Dragon Warrior, but I need to work hard to earn the title. I never want to fail him or fail to use my full potential in Kung Fu."

She innocently asked, "What's a Dragon Warrior?"

The young boy also seemed to ponder the question and meekly replied, "I'm not too sure, but father once told me that the Dragon Warrior is the highest title a Kung Fu Master can achieve and the warrior will gain limitless power. So I guess it means to be the strongest warrior."

Tigress smiled at his response and knew what he and Master Shifu foretold was undoubtedly true since Tai Lung already achieved the title of a heroic Kung Fu Master. It was an unprecedented feat that no boy managed to achieve. So she smiled and confidently stated, "I know only Tai Lung can do it!"

Due to his pale fur colour, she could see his cheeks brighten slightly while his long tail twitch nervously as he whispered, "Thanks."

Afterwards it didn't take too long for his name to become well known across the country which in turn caused him to carry more responsibilities. Therefore she had not expected Master Tai Lung to effortlessly climb up the stairs to the entrance of the Jade Palace while the sun was setting. To her surprise, she ran towards him and asked, "Master Tai Lung, what are you doing home? I heard you had to go help out the villagers."

He smirked and said, "I already told you not to call me Master Tai Lung... otherwise I can't be myself around you. Just call me what you always called me."

Tigress smiled brightly, just happy to have him home early on her birthday and replied, "Okay, Tai!"

It made her happy to see him smile back and said, "But today's task took longer than I expected... I planned to come pick you up an hour ago."

She cocked her head and asked, "Are we going somewhere?"

Then his expression changed into that of a mischievous boy and answered, "Definitely and I am totally racing you there!"

Tigress was stunned to see him so vigorous and child-like; the cub that first came to the orphanage. It was a side of him that she hadn't seen for a very long time. It was fun to see him smile and laugh loudly as he ran down the staircase on his all fours; usually Master Shifu would have scolded them for being loud and running around... but today was different. She shouted, "No fair, Tai!"

She also laughed freely, feeling happy and blessed for the first time on her birthday, as she also used all of her paws to chase after him. As they descended down the steep stairs case, she could hear festive music playing in the village and delicious scents lingering in the air. To her surprise, Tai Lung pushed himself in the air and dove down much further the steps with a very cocky smile. Watching him, she rolled her eyes and murmured, "Shot off."

Unlike her friend, she couldn't leap so high or far which made him disappear from her sight. Therefore, all she could do was continuously run down until she saw Tai Lung standing downstairs with the other villagers with a big, boyish grin spread across his furry face. She stood stunned by the large audience and they all cheerfully said, "Happy birthday Tigress!"

He approached her with a light pink cymbidium flower and attached the orchid behind her left ear. A generous sheep woman who was a florist also had a twinkle in her eyes as he smiled charmingly. The woman also brought forth a very large cake that was like a piece of art and on top, there were seven brightly lit candles. Other children jumped eagerly for her to blow out the candles. With teary eyes, she grinned as Tai Lung and the other villagers began to sing her a happy birthday song.

Then she noticed all the wonderful decorations, the bright paper lanterns that were hung across the streets. There were also colourful banners and ribbons while energetic music played throughout the village. It was a lot like a festival that were often held in July and August. Tigress shed happy tears and giggled, "You remembered!"

Tai Lung looked very proud and pleased to see her so happy. He replied, "Of course. How could I forget?"

The spectators thinned as he and Tigress walked down the decorated streets. She was more than amazed to see how much work and effort was placed into her party, so she asked, "How did you do this?"

He replied, "Most of the work I do is voluntary so I don't get paid for any of the work I do... so technically a lot of people owe me favours."

Tigress said, "I though you had lots of work to do today though as a Kung Fu Master."

He raised one of his brows and snorted, "It's your birthday and that will always be more important to me than any other tasks..."

Tai Lung turned his gaze and added, "I know that being a Master means responsibilities, but I will always be myself before being a Kung Fu Master, just for you."

She knew that his words went against his oath as a warrior and Master, but she didn't say anything because it truly made her happy to hear those words. It was the first time anyone put so much time and consideration for her. Then throughout the evening, he bought her many delicious treats, played many games together, and danced with her under the moonlight.

Now sad tears cascaded down her cheeks because she missed him and she huffed angrily because she hated how she was crying. She bit her paw to hold her breath as she dared not to begin sobbing this morning.

Then she saw Master Shifu climb up the stairs and noticed her. She immediately stopped her tears and stoically stood up in attention. She controlled her mood and said, "Good morning, Master."

She noticed his fatigued expression and noticed the visible pain on his face too. He silently passed her a card while pacing into the building. Her eyes widened as she recognized the elegant brushstrokes on the parchment paper. It was Tai Lung's. Tigress rushed back to her room with the card and opened and read its content while droplets of tears stained the card:

Hey Birthday Girl,

Happy 15th birthday. Sorry I can't be there this year. I couldn't really go shopping to buy you a gift, but do you remember how I planted the iron-wood trees? I only used them for 3 years and now I want to pass them onto you as my little gift. I've always know how much you liked them. Happy Birthday Tigress.

I really miss you and I've been reflecting about my life. I've been asking myself, when did I change? When did I, in fact, lose my gentleness? I don't know when I did. But I know I will never forget my promise and that I will always love you.

-Tai Lung

Tigress choked as it was evident that she was still on his mind and it still made her happy that he remembered her birthday like a little girl. She faintly confessed to the open space of her vacant room, "I miss you too. And I definitely love you too, Tai Lung."