WOW So glad you all liked Monkey's tale! I enjoyed writing that one. Now for the one most of you have been waiting for! This is by far my longest chapter ever written for this story so I hope you like it. So without Further ado I give you Master Tigress.

Chapter 7

Tigress tells her tale

Four months after Po came to the Palace…

Tigress had been sent by Master Shifu to accompany Po to the village market. They were going there to purchase supplies for the kitchen for that week. Normally they would only need to send one of the Five down for supplies or even just one of the palace servants, but ever since Po had come to the Palace, they needed to buy more than twice the normal amount of groceries. It made Tigress sick knowing that one person could eat so much in such a short time. While Po was eyeing the local wares, Tigress was standing to the side waiting. Her arms crossed, thinking to herself. "This is ridiculous…I could be training right now…instead I'm stuck babysitting this panda…"

She then overheard the panda ask the vendor. "You got any garlic? We're all out at the palace and I can't make my soup without it." The bunny nodded and said sure Po!...Oh wait…guess I should be calling you Dragon Warrior now…My apologies…" Po just put up a hand "Don't worry about it, I'm still me after all, you don't have to call me Dragon Warrior, or nothing." Tigress was shocked…Here this Panda was given the honor she had trained her whole life for and he was still treating it like it was nothing! Tigress's fists clenched when her ear twitched. She turned to see Fung and his Croc bandits trying to rob a jeweler of her wares. "Perfect timing" was all Tigress thought as she ordered to Po "Po! Bandits, at the Jeweler's stand!" Po turned and saw Fung and his goons as he said "Oh yeah! Time for some AWESOMNESS!" As Po set his crates down in front of the bunny he said "Could you watch these please? Thanks!" as Po followed Tigress down the street towards the bandits.

"Look lady, just give us your Jewels and cash box and we won't have to do this the hard way!" Fung ordered as he slammed his hands down onto the stand as the Pig lady cowered in fear. "Please go away! Someone please, help me!" Fung and his cronies just gave her evil grins as he said "Guess we're doing this the hard way!" when he heard a voice "Sounds good to us!" As Fung turned to his right his eyes widened as he saw Po and Tigress standing before them in fighting stances. "Awe man…Why do you guys always have to just show up at the wrong time!?" Po retorted "Valley Protectors, kinda what we do…" Tigress snapped at him though "Panda, focus! We can't let them leave with those jewels." Po looked a bit embarrassed as he re focused "Right, yeah the jewels…sorry. Let's go then!" The two warriors charged as Fung shouted "Don't let them get the jewels!"

As Po took on two of the crocs, Tigress went straight for Fung. Fung had reached for his spear and was swinging it at Tigress who dodged it with relative ease. After knocking the spear out of the crocs hand Fung tried to punch Tigress but she merely held up her paw to stop it. There was a low thud as Fung's hand met Tigress's paw, a sly smirk grew on her face as the croc's own face was twisting in pain. As he pulled his now broken hand back he shouted "OOOOOOUUUUUCHHH! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU MADE OF LADY!?" Tigress just stood there staring down at the croc as he griped his now broken hand "That is the result of twenty years of training you simpleton." But Fung appeared to not have heard her as he was still gripping his hand as he spat "What kind of MONSTER are you!?" Tigress's eyes shot open…it was like her entire world had stopped…no one had called her a monster to her face for years…Tigress began to feel something stir…a long forgotten furry…and it grew as images of her past came hurling towards her all at once. Her fists clenched…she bared her teeth as a low growl escaped her maw. Fung's eyes widened in fear as the Tiger lunged at him. If he wanted to see a monster…shed give him a monster…

Po had just finished knocking out the last of the cronies with a blow to the head when he heard a low growl coming from down the street. Po turned his attention and called out "Tigress?" and his eyes widened with fear as he saw Tigress tearing into Fung. "Tigress! Stop!" And Po ran towards her. As he neared her He watched in horror as Tigress was continuing to punch into Fung, and Fung had stopped fighting back…he was out cold." As Tigress brought her fist back she felt a paw grip her wrist "That's enough Tigress, he's down!" She turned her head to see Po staring down at her. His Jade eyes full of worry as she glared into his eyes menacingly. As she continued to stare though, her face began to relax, and her breathing slowed. His eyes weren't judging her, they were… concerned for her? She lowered her fist to the ground as she turned back to the bandit. He was out cold, and he wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. She let him drop as she stood to her feet. Po placed a paw on her shoulder as he said "Tigress…" But before he could utter another word, Tigress dropped to all fours and raced for the safety of the Palace, far away from the fearful stares that followed her as she heard the panda call out to her "Tigress, wait!" but she wouldn't stop, she had to get out of there away from all those eyes…

Three hours later…

Po had been searching for Tigress all afternoon. Once he got back to the palace with the supplies, he headed straight for the training hall thinking that would be the most likely place she would be, working out her frustration. But he only found Viper training on the fields of fire. When he asked if she had seen Tigress she said she hadn't. so Po headed for the Sacred Peach Tree to see if she might be meditating like she sometimes did at its base…no luck there either. Lastly he checked her room. As he knocked on her door Po called out to her "Tigress? You in there? Come one it's Po, open up…Tigress?" Po knew barging into Tigress's room could be deadly, but he risked it anyway. As he slid the door open just a crack to peer in. Tigress wasn't here… "Where the heck is she?" Po asked himself as he left the barracks.

As he was walking the palace grounds something caught his attention. It was the sound of a falling tree off to his left. "Tigress?" Po wondered as he headed off into the forest behind the palace. After walking through the trees for a bit Po eventually came across quite the sight. "Whoa…" was all he could say. He saw like a dozen fallen iron wood trees scattered around forming a new clearing of sorts and standing not fifty yards from where he stood was Tigress, punching and kicking her latest target, not easing up once…

As Po neared her he cleared his throat and called out to Tigress. "Tigress…" Right then Tigress let out a low growl as she felled a thirteenth tree with a mighty punch straight at the trees center. "What do you want Panda?" Po just stopped a little ways away. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't terrified of her right then. I mean if that's what she could do to an Iron wood tree just imagine what she could do to a fluffy soft panda.

Po took a deep breath and started "Tigress, I've been looking for you for hours…you okay?" Tigress just scoffed "I'm fine Panda, now leave me to my training." as she walked over and started hitting a new tree. Po stood there for a moment before asking "Tigress, what happened back there at the market today?" Tigress growled at him a second time saying "None of your business Panda, now leave me alone!" As Po reached forward and put his paw on her shoulder he said "Tigress I just wanna try to-" But he was cut off as Tigress grabbed his paw and threw him over her shoulder, as he landed with a thud "Ooomph. What was that for!?" He asked as he climbed to his feet brushing the dust off his pants. "I said, leave me alone panda!" as she growled at him yet again.

Po finished brushing himself off as he gave her a determined look "Not until you tell me what's up!" Tigress glared at Po menacingly as she slowly began to enter her fighting stance. "Walk…Away…Panda…" Po entered his own stance as he responded rather determined "Not until you let me in!" Tigress's eyes narrowed as she finished "Have it your way…Dragon Warrior." And with that, she charged at the panda. To this day Po had never won in a spar against Tigress. After all, he only had four months of training where she had over twenty years of experience here, or so he was told. But Tigress was off today. Her fists were filled with rage and furry instead of the intense focus he was used to getting hit with every day. That's why Po was still standing and not flat on his back.

As Tigress punched and kicked at the panda, Po was able to read each attack and was able to either block or step to the side. But Po wasn't throwing any punches or kicks her way. He didn't want to fight Tigress, not like this, but he had to let her vent. Tigress didn't express her emotions like others did. On the surface she was hard core, but every once in a while Po could see a spark of emotion as she trained, whether it was pride in overcoming a new challenge or frustration when she couldn't. This was how he was going to get Tigress to tell him what was up. He just hoped she didn't kill him in the process. Lost in his thoughts, Tigress delivered a spin kick, sending Po flying right into an iron wood tree. What she didn't expect was for Po to literally bounce right back at her, and sent her flying into her own tree using his belly.

Tigress regained her footing as did the panda and they stared at each other, eyes of amber meeting orbs of Jade. Po then cried out "Tigress just talk to me! All I want to do is help!" Tigress just roared "I don't need some FAT PANDA'S HELP!" as she charged Po again, closing the gap between them. Po was done. He was ending this even if it killed him. As Tigress neared him, Po planted his feet, tightened his buns, took a deep breath, and as Tigress flew at him Po launched her into the air using his belly. Granted he didn't send her near as high as he did Tai Lung, but still high above the tree line. As Tigress fell back to the earth, she landed on her back and allowed a breath to escape. But before she could get up Po was there on top of her. He had her arms pinned with his hands and used his bulk to hold her down. Tigress struggled to break free of Po's grip, but Po wasn't letting her gain an inch. As he pressed down upon her he beseeched her "Tigress please! I just was to help!" Tigress spat back "I said I don't need your help!" as she continued to struggle. Po was getting frustrated now "Tigress, just let… me… in!" Tigress glared, she was furious now. Never had she lost a match to this fool and here he had her pinned to the ground and she couldn't escape. She roared at the panda again "Why do you even care so much!?" But Po was done with this conversation, now he was the one who was angry "BECAUSE I'M YOUR FRIEND TIGRESS!"

Tigress's eyes widened in shock at his words, she watched the panda as he was breathing hard. He was so upset he was on the verge of tears. Then he spoke again "I'm your friend Tigress…and I can see you're in pain… I can see it in your eyes…you may be able to fool the others, but you can't fool me!" Tigress was speechless. As she watched a tear fall down from the panda's face, it landed next to her own. She stared into his Jade eyes as they pleaded to her. "Please Tigress…just let me in…Let me help." Tigress released a heavy sigh as her eyes narrowed. Po still had a firm grip on her as he waited for her response. Finally she looked up at the panda and said calmly "…Let me up Panda…" Po shook his head no saying "Not until we talk about this!" Tigress then looked him in the eyes as she said "I promise I won't run…just let me up…Po." Po's eyes widened at the use of his name and he slowly got up off of her. As she sat forward Po extended one of his paws and she took it as he led her over to a fallen tree where the two sat down.

They sat in silence for what seemed like forever. Finally Po asked "So…what happened today Tigress?" Tigress took a deep breath as she gathered her thoughts. She was never good at opening up to people. In fact if at all possible, she'd rather avoid it at all costs. But Po made it clear that he wasn't gonna leave her be unless she talked to him. So…she told him. "While you were dealing with Fung's cronies…I was taking on Fung. During our confrontation…he said something to me that brought up some…disturbing memories…memories that to this day still haunt me…no matter how much I try to forget them…" Po then asked in his gentle voice "What did he say?" Tigress stared straight ahead, after a moment she said "He called me…he called me a Monster…"

Po was a bit confused "He called you a Monster? I don't understand… why would that hurt you so much?" Tigress was about to throw Po into a tree at the mention of her being hurt by something as frivolous as a word. But she remembered that Po really had no clue as to why it hurt her so she calmed herself. "It hurts Po…because my entire life…the people I have sworn to protect, have referred to me as a Monster…No matter what I do to try and change their minds." Po raised an eyebrow. "Your entire life?" Tigress sighed and said "Yes Po…ever since I was a child, people have treated me like a Monster."

Then Tigress did something she had never done before. She told Po her story… She told him how she had spent the early days of her childhood at the Bao Gu Orphanage. How she was feared because she was incredibly strong for her age. How her claws and her fangs frightened even the caretakers and she would spend much of her time locked in a room. Alone. When she was allowed to leave the room and try to play with the other children, they were all too afraid of her. They called her names, and the one that stuck was Tigress the Monster. Eventually Shifu arrived and took her to the Jade Palace where she learned Kung Fu. As she grew older she began to use her strength to protect people, but anytime she would look at the eyes of the villagers…all she would see were the eyes that saw a monster…never anything else.

As Tigress finished her tale she looked at the panda and was startled at what she saw. His eyes were glistening with tears. All Po could say was "Tigress…that's just…awful…" Tigress turned her head to the other side as she spat "Yes well, it's the truth…" As she made to leave Po reached forward and grabbed her arm tightly saying "No it's not…It's NOT true…" Tigress turned to him with a confused look. "What?" Po now had a determined look in his eyes as he continued. "I said it's not true…Tigress you are the furthest thing from ever being a monster." Tigress just stared at the panda. Her eyes slightly widened. Then Po continued.

"Tigress, do you know what I see when I look at you?" Tigress just shook her head as she sat back down while Po still kept his hand on her shoulder. "Tigress when I look at you, I don't see a monster, I see a hero. Ever since I was a kid and you were introduced to the valley as a member of the Furious Five, I have only admired you." Tigress was shocked but her eyes only widened. "You…You did?" Po just smiled "Well heck yeah! Tigress, you were my favorite member of the Furious Five! So strong and cool! Kinda a loner, but still the leader. You're strong sure, but you're more than that. You've devoted yourself to the safety of your home; you risk your life on a daily basis. You train harder than anyone else I've ever seen, and when you either stop a robbery or escort some important person to a palace, you don't ask for as much as a thank you! Tigress, those aren't things that a monster would do…They're what a true hero does…and I think you're one of the greatest heroes in the history of China. Anyone else who thinks otherwise is just not seeing you for you."

Tigress was speechless. How could someone who she has treated like garbage for so long say such kind words to her? "How do you do it Po?" Po just tilted his head. "Do what?" Tigress shifted so that she was sitting more in front of him. "How do you see past all the horrible things I've done to you? Ever since you got here I've been nothing but cruel to you…I don't deserve your kind words. Or your friendship." She turned her head but stopped as Po placed a hand on hers. The action, though she couldn't feel it, it still startled her. "I don't know…My dad always taught me it isn't healthy to hold a grudge…plus I can't blame you for being frustrated at me. I mean I did accept the title of Dragon Warrior, and I know now that you really wanted it." Tigress raised her voice slightly. "Even still Po, that wasn't your fault. You never asked to be the Dragon Warrior and I refused to see that. So again I ask, how are you able to just forgive me!?" Po smiled now and said simply, like it was the easiest thing in the world. "Because you're my friend Tigress, plain and simple."

Tigress just didn't get this guy, but his words made her do something she hadn't done in so long. She smiled…Po's eyes widened slightly as a new smile grew on his face he said "You know…it looks really good on you." Tigress got a confused look on her face. "What?" Po responded still smiling "Your smile…you should wear one more often…" Tigress gasped as her paw instinctively went to her lip and the smile was gone. But Po just chuckled "Well that settles that!" Tigress raised an eyebrow asking "What?" Po grinned "I'm gonna do whatever it takes to make ya smile! Cause you know, monsters don't know how to smile like you do." Tigress was touched, a warm feeling started to grow as she gazed at the panda. It was a small warmth, but it felt nice. "Thanks Pan…Po." Po just smiled and nodded his head saying "No problem…anyway we better get heading back to the palace. I'm sure the others are wondering where I am by now. I promised Mantis I'd make my Secret Ingredient Soup. You just want Tofu tonight, right?" as Po stood up and offered Tigress a hand as she took it. "Actually…I think I'd like to finally try some of that soup…" Po's eyes lit up as he punched a fist into the air shouting "AWESOME! I'll be sure to add extra Secret Ingredient tonight!" And with that the two warriors started to head back to the barracks. Po talking about all the ingredients he'd be using for his soup all the while Tigress walked at his side, listening to her new friend ramble on.

Back with the Five, Present Day…

Tigress had finished telling her story and the room was silent. No one could say anything…how could they? They knew Tigress had always been distant but never asked her why, whether out of fear or just respect. But to hear how she had such an awful experience as a child, only to have it follow her every day of her life…what do you say to that? Tigress was the first to break the overwhelming silence. "Ever since Po came to the Palace… My life has never been the same. Before him, the only thing that ever mattered to me was Kung Fu. I'd wake up I'd train, meditate, train harder and that was it. I never went out of my way to have fun, or meet people because I knew they just saw me as a Monster. I would just stay in the palace and train. But when Po came, things started to change. Shifu began making me go with him to the market more and more, getting me out of the palace. And Po, instead of just avoiding me or not talking around me, he just couldn't shut up. He'd talk about the most random things. As Tigress smiled softly at the panda as he laid there, her hand still gripping his paw.

"He'd talk about his different recipes, talking about what kind of ingredients he would use or which ones sounded good to him. He'd talk about the latest time he would visit his dad, or how his training with Shifu would be going. There were so many times where his constant rambling would make my hair stand on end and I would want to just punch him in the face to shut him up. But looking back on it now, I realized that although I was cruel to Po, he never once was cruel or hurtful to me. He was always smiling his stupid smile, telling a joke, or tripping over his own two feet. And before too long, I finally had something that I had never had before…" As the others waited for Tigress to finish Crane spoke up "What was that Tigress?" Tigress smiled as she removed the wet rag from the panda's head and began to wrap it up again. When she finished she uttered softly to the panda "…I had a Best Friend…"

Just the Zhang the palace servant slid the door open and rushed in his breathing fast and labored. The Masters stood as Tigress turned to face him "Zhang! What's wrong!?" Zhang was speaking in between breaths "Intruders…in the…Palace…Master Shifu….Hall of Heroes…!" Tigress stepped forward asking in an angered voice. "Who is it!? Who's in the Hall with the Master!?" Zhang looked up at the Tiger and in a voice filled with much terror he whispered "The Lin Quei…" Tigress's eyes shot open and then narrowed as a low growl escaped her maw. The savages that put her friend in this state had the gall to show their faces again, and in her own home! Mantis spoke up "They must be here looking for Po! They're here to finish the job and kill him!" Viper slithered forward saying "Well they got another thing coming if they think I'm letting them lay a finger on my brother," Monkey said "Ditto." Crane stepped forward saying "There is no way they're getting anywhere near my pal." Mantis added "We got to stop these guys! It's our turn to save Po this time." As Mantis put his claw forward he said "For Po." Crane put his wing down on Mantis's claw. "For Po…" Monkey put his hand forward while Viper placed her tail on top of his hand, both of them saying "For our Brother." Everyone looked to Tigress who placed her paw on top saying while looking at the panda her voice steady and fierce. "For my best friend."

The Five broke contact and were heading to the door when Han stepped in. Tigress addressed him. "Han there are intruders in the palace. Stay here with Po and watch over him." Han bowed saying "Yes Master Tigress, I will not leave his side." Master Tigress nodded and turned to Zhang. "Zhang, evacuate the palace staff, get them to safety. We're going to stop the Lin Quei and help Master Shifu." Zhang bowed saying "Yes Master Tigress." and with that Zhang flew off to evacuate the palace. Tigress turned to her friends saying "Let's go!" The Masters left the room with Tigress following but she stopped short at the door and turned to the Panda saying "Don't worry Po…this Time it's my turn to protect you!" and with that Tigress dropped on all fours as she sprinted off after her friends towards the hall of heroes.

Little did Tigress know that the instant she left, a certain Panda's hand twitched, as he began to stir. "ugh…" Po's head shifted slightly, while his eyes opened halfway, as a single word was uttered from his lips. "T-Tigress…"

OH MAN The Lin Quei are back! Can Tigress and the Five get to the Hall in time to help Shifu? And Po's awake! But will he ever see his friends again? Oh I can't wait to write this next Chapter! I'm getting myself excited over this...is that normal?

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