Back with another chapter ! Thanks again to the people who reviewed.

Farseer3669 - Thanks for the advice, I'll try to avoid those words, as I realize they may not sound very well :)

Also, I will not update extremely regularly because I only write when I have the time to do so, which means only in the weekends.

On with the story !

Chapter 3

After this test, Master Shifu taught me a few things, but as he saw that I already knew the basics and a little more, he soon left the Training Hall, which left me to train with the Five. Apart from Tigress who kept her silence – I don't know why and at this point I'm too afraid to ask – all of them gave me some useful advice as I was training on the same devices as them. Monkey even showed me how to use those rings hanged on the ceiling, and I never thought I would be able to get to them, but in the end I managed to hold on them and move around as I could. I promise, one day I will be able to move as fast as him on those.

Afterwards, he asked me to spar against him. I was a bit anxious because I haven't fought against someone who actually knows Kung Fu for a long time, but I think I hid my anxiety quite well (at least I hope so!). Mantis was watching our fight, and it didn't help me to relax. What if I completely fail? Don't worry; you are just a new student while they have been here for years. Even if it doesn't go well, you have a disadvantage in terms of training, so that would be the obvious reason... I spoke to myself. I managed to calm myself down and focus on the fight.

Monkey rushed at me and performed a flying kick. I simply sidestepped and grabbed his ankle, which enabled me to punch a few times on his leg. However he quickly escaped my grasp and hit my chest with his other foot. I got pushed back a little, but that was not much. As he stood his ground, I ran and attempted a leg sweep; he jumped and punched my face. I felt some pain, but it was not enough to make me go away; seeing he was still in the air, I slid on the ground to go to the place where he was about to land, and thanks to this I could kick him quite hard. He went flying but still landed on his feet. The fight went on for quite a while, and surprisingly it went quite well: I got hit very often, but most of the time I could pay him back by thinking fast. However, at some point I got punched and while I was recovering, he rushed at me and made me fall. I managed to hit him while I was down, but it was not enough to send him back, and eventually I couldn't move anymore.

I stopped struggling and he understood this was the end of the fight, as he let go of me and helped me on my feet. We bowed to each other in respect. Afterwards, this was Mantis' turn to comment on what he had seen. I turned to him, and I realized that while we fought, everyone had joined and watched. Mantis spoke first: "This was certainly something to see. What do you think people?" he said, turning to the other three spectators. Crane answered: "I think it's good for someone who hasn't fought in years like Tiger."

I just said: "Thanks. Actually I haven't sparred against anyone who knew Kung Fu in the last seven or eight years, and I'm quite surprised I could do quite well."

Viper went on, smiling: "Well you're certainly not a Master like us just yet, but we could say that you're on the right way." Monkey simply added: "Yeah that's right!"

What surprised me was that Tigress actually spoke: "There certainly were errors in your fight, but overall it is okay. To acquire the level of a Master, you will need to practice more; however, as Viper said, you are on the right way."

As usual, there was no expression on her face, but commenting my performance looked like an improvement. "Thank you all for your comments. And I would gladly accept any help and advice that may help me with my training."

They went back to the Training Hall. I was about to join them but I heard: "Tiger." I turned around and saw Master Shifu. "Yes Master?"

"Master Oogway wants to see you. He is in the Hall of Warriors."

Now I was confused, because I didn't know who Master Oogway was... and I didn't know where the Hall of Warriors was either. "Uh, Master? Where is the Hall of Warriors?" He looked at me, obviously puzzled, and then remembered I was new here. He showed me the way and I went up there.

I entered the Hall of Warriors and walked calmly. On the sides there were some artefacts, and in the back of the Hall there was someone – a... tortoise? - Who managed to balance on a single staff, in front of some sort of pool. I could assume this person was Master Oogway.

Once I was close enough, I asked: "Um... Master Oogway? You wanted to see me?"

He slowly got off of the staff and turned around to face me. I could see that he was very old. He was smiling and spoke very softly: "No, I wanted to meet you, because my old friend Shifu told me there was a new student at the Jade Palace. Would you tell me your name?"

And there we go again, this problem. I tried to look confident enough and answered: "Shifu and the Five call me Tiger."

"Interesting. What about your real name?" I was completely caught off guard by this question. I did not want to speak about this at all...

"I haven't used it much for the last few years, and I would prefer not to talk about this."

"I can only assume it is because of an unpleasant past, isn't it?"

"It is indeed... I know I will probably have to tell the truth about it to everyone, but as for now I would like to keep it for myself until I know the others a little better."

"I understand... at least you know that one day you will need to tell the truth. And I trust you; I am sure that you will when you are ready."

How can he be so sure that I would be able to evoke my past one day? He doesn't know what I have been through... Or does he? This conversation definitely put me ill at ease.

"You should probably head back to the kitchen, because I can see that it is going to be night-time soon enough."

I replied: "You are right. Goodbye, Master Oogway."

I got out of the Hall of Warriors while the old Oogway went back to his meditation. This had been quite strange for me. When I walked in front of the Training Hall, I couldn't hear any sound inside, so I directly went to the kitchen. They were all here, except for Master Shifu, and tonight it looked like Viper was cooking for us. Well, not for Tigress who was eating something else. As we had dinner, people were talking but I didn't really pay attention. The talk I had with Oogway really got me thinking. Moreover, it had forced me to get back to my past, my childhood. Would I ever tell anyone about this?

As soon as we finished having dinner, I went to the little closet where I had put my instruments when I arrived. I picked one and tried to find a spot where I could play without too many disturbances around. After walking a little out of the kitchen, I found a tree that was on a cliff. The place was beautiful and peaceful, the sun was setting on the horizon; this was all I needed. I sat down and started playing. I did not sing though, because I only sing when I'm on stage or when there are people near; when I'm alone, I just prefer to play. One may ask why I do this, or what the difference is. In my opinion, when I have a public, I need to sing to convey my message; conversely, when I am alone, the music itself is enough. It really helped me relax. I closed my eyes and continued playing for a while. When I reopened my eyes, I realized that the sun had now completely disappeared behind the mountains. I turned around and realized that I was not alone.

Viper had been listening. I asked: "How long have you been here for?" She replied: "I don't know, just for a while. Actually, after I had finished eating, I decided to go for a walk and saw you up there, so I just came here. I didn't want to disturb, so I didn't make a noise."

I smiled thankfully and got up, ready to go back to the barracks to get some sleep. While on our way, Viper spoke up again: "You know, I always believed music was just entertaining. But when we saw you play, there was something more. You managed to convey emotions, and I had never seen that before."

I answered: "Thank you, but you know it's been my daily life for years. No wonder I became good at it, just like you guys became good at Kung Fu."

"Yes, I understand, but there was still something special about your performance. I mean, you managed to affect our feelings, even Tigress'. I had not seen her so emotional in years."

I said, smiling: "Really? I guess that's an achievement then."

We exchanged a quick 'Good night' and soon enough we went to sleep. I was satisfied by this day, with the test and all the training, but still a little confused because of the talk with Master Oogway. Anyway, I think I'll find out what to do with my past someday. As to now, I'd better get some rest.