I just thought it was a good idea to bring Tigress in for this and also to see Max's bladesmith/wood carving mentor for the first time.

Chapter 8: Try to Connect

The next day, Max was working on sharpening some steel for some swords to make sure they're extra sharp and making it look like it's brand-new and after sharpening several swords, he placed them all to some sword sections and is now ready for carving wooden bo staffs. He begins by carving them down with his knife, measuring them to see what length they're in and carve up the rest of them to the final look of the staff.

After 2 hours of making this staff, he tested it out to make sure it looks and feels like a real weapon and one simple twirl...he could tell that he's got a hand in making weapons.

"How's it coming, Maximus?"

Max looks up and sees this grey wolf walk by and he replied, "Just completed the staff, sir."

He takes a look at what he created and Max was waiting to see if this was up to speed and the old wolf looks at him and said, "You've impressed me yet again. A magnificent specimen."

"Thank you, sir." Max replied.

"Looks like what I've taught you on carving wood seems to pay off. How you went from apprentice to season pro for so many years really surprises me to no limit." the wolf replied.

"I'm somewhat of a fast learner." Max added.

"And it shows. Good work, Maximus." he said.

Minutes later, Max thought it was best to get a little lunch break after carving a lot of wood and sharpening swords and stuff and as he was about to pick a perfect spot, he sees Tigress walking past him and she didn't even notice Max was there until she saw him from behind and Max looks up and said, "Hey, Tigress."

"Max." she only responded.

That tone lets Max know that she still has some animosity against him and he asked, "Still mad at me?"

"What do you think?" she asked, with a cold tone.

Max lets out a deep sigh, but he knows he's never one to hold any types of grudges against her or anyone else and anything else for that matter and he said, "It's been years ago. Why are you still mad at me?"

"You know what you did." Tigress replied.

"About my taking a break from kung-fu?"

Tigress looks up at him and replied, "No...with the fact that you still hold no grudges after everything you suffered and that you set aside kung-fu for wood carving."

Max nodded his head and sees where this was going and he said, "Listen...it's not because I don't want to learn more kung-fu. It's just my way of saying that maybe there's something else for me that I can do and just put it to the side for a while. It's in no means having to give it up for good."

"That really hurt me, Max. I thought it's what you wanted." Tigress replied.

"No...it's what you wanted. Ever since I got into wood carving, you've been kinda resenting me a lot. Especially since I've decided to train on my own. But I don't have anything to hold against you." Max added.

To hear that made Tigress more frustrated and really envious to see that Max is still the same person; never let any suffering in his life deter him and letting it slide and said, "This is what I'm talking about! How is it so easy for you, but it's hard for me?!"

"There's no big answer for that question. What I can say is that I can let the past be the past and just move on. That's it. No questions asked." Max added.

Tigress lets out a sharp exhale and just became really upset with that answer and said, "Why did I even bother seeing you? I can't forgive...and I'm sure I can't forgive you either."

Max didn't really make that a big deal with what she said and told her, "I can only say that I wish nothing but the best for you."

Her heart was still full of emptiness and hatred over her past and she just walked away from Max due to his lighthearted and compassionate heart and though she was a warrior, the visions of her past still haunts her and as she looked at Max, she really wished that she could be as kind, forgiving and gentle hearted as he is.

Max then went on to the village to get some lunch, but as he was walking...he saw the same girl that he had imagined seeing yesterday and as he got a little closer, he accidently tripped to the ground and she fell down as well.

"I am so sorry. I didn't look where I was going." Max replied.

"Don't sweat it."

All of a sudden, the two of them looked at each other in the eyes and they were completely shocked that they were in that same position when they met when they were kids and that's where Max and Saori knew who they're seeing...each other.

"Max?"

"Saori?"

GASP! Can it be? Are they actually reunited? Master of Stories; Akashi, Miyo, Saori and others...weigh in and see this!