Author's note: I don't own Kung Fu Panda (No matter how much I want too) it is only owned by Dreamworks. I only own Mei Wen (Ligress), and my other OCs. Please no flames and leave a review. Enjoy! :D

Ch. 12

On another bright and lovely day, Takami was set up on the Iron barked tree, painfully punching the tree with brused knuckles. With Tigress, every time he stopped punching the wood she would shout and tell him to keep going. Layla was standing beside her as she was watching. Feeling guilty watching him go through this, Layla decided to join him. They continued doing this for some time now.

Entering the training Kaizer walked in wearing yet again a new attire. Clothes that resembles Ryo's old uniform when he ran away to raid the Anonymous Strike Organization's tower.

He was now wear a light gray high-collar long-sleeved zip-up shirt, arm guards that covered his forearms, black cloth hanging from his waist halfway down his knees, gray pants white rope belt tied around his waist holding up both the cloth around his waist and sheathed black sword.

"Kaizer?" A feminine voice called. Turned to look and sees the in-trainee of the Cheetah style, Faith walking towards him. "Good morning Faith." He answered.

"Good morning to you too. Your new look got a girl's attention. How's your first day of being a Master Kai?" She asked.

"Aside from the new clothes, I don't feel any different." Kaizer answered simply. Faith putted her hands behind her back and asked, "What did Shifu give or say to you?"

"He told me to leave that between me and him, I can't tell. But, he provided me these clothes and new katana. He then also gave a few scrolls for me to learn and use." he added.

"Hmm, okay great." Faith said tapping the ball of her foot on the floor. "You not upset with me are you? You know, taking the title from you and Takami" he questioned.

"No, but I am a little disappointed that we didn't make it as Master. I guess it's you now." Faith she said. Kaizer then crossed his arms and was a in thought for a moment. "You do know that Hope is a Master too right."

"What?" She questioned with widen eyes. Kaizer nodded and said. "Yeah, he is the Phoenix Warrior so that makes him automatically Master too." he explained. Hearing the explanation she then face-pawed.

"I never thought of that. Po was the same way when he became the Dragon Warrior. So you wanna spar? Hope is in town right now." She asked.

"Sure" They then walked in the center of the area in the training hall. Near the barracks Kiba was outside of Mei Wen's room door. He the knocked on her door. "Uh Mei, you in there?" he called. Ligress opened the door and looks the wolfdog up and down.

"Yeah, what do you want?" She questioned. Kiba nervously chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Would you like to take a walk with me? We could eat at Mr. Ping's Noodle Shop, my treat?" Kiba offered.

"Fine, lead the way wolf." She stated. With that said both feline and canine walked out of the barracks, down the stairs and into the village. They were now walking side by side through the streets.

"So, you're a hybrid uh?" Kiba asked starting a conversation. She answered with a nod. Kiba then putted his arms behind his head. "Me too."

"What, your are? So I'm not the only one" She exclaimed surprised. Kiba revealed a smile and began explaining. While they were talking they we're entering Mr. Ping's restaurant. noticed them immediately and waddled over to them.

"Kiba, my hungriest customer, let me guess you want your usual ramen noodles ." Mr. Ping figured. "Yes sir!" He answered happily. The goose then laid his eyes on the girl sitting in front of him. "And for you miss?" He asked.

"I'll have the same." she stated.

"Okay coming right up. Okami, table seven has ordered! Make it fast." Mr. Ping requested handing the order to her.

"Trust me, you're going to love the food here." Kiba said with an assured chuckle. For some odd reason Ligress couldn't help but feel different around the white wolf. Like she could open up to him. He seems different from the others.

'He seems so...what's the right word...pure. I know I just met him, but I feel like I can tell him almost anything.' "Kiba is it? You said you're a hybrid too right, have you ever been made fun of all because you're a half-breed?" She asked.

"Well yeah. But that sorta rubbed off on me when I began to ignore it. I have this childhood cheetah friend to thank for that. The villagers here, they don't do that. They accept you for who you are. Just like how I accept you for who you are. Just a girl who's looking for some friends." Kiba explained.

Ligress was overwhelmed of the wolf's suddenly unexpected words of wisdom. She couldn't help but crack a smile. Soon Okami came by with they're food and set them on the table.

"Eat up." Okami said then walked back to make more orders.

"Awesome, lunchtime!" Kiba cheered pulling the chopsticks apart and began devouring his noodles.

"Kiba, what do you think I should do when my aunt gets here?" She questioned with perked up ears. Slurping up rest of the noodles from his chopsticks and looked back at her.

"I'd say; do whatcha gotta do." he answered.

"For whatever choice I make, would you help me?" She asked. Revealing another smile and thumbs-up Kiba stated, "Don't worry. I'll be there to back you up, that's a promise!" He then extended his pinky. She let out a giggle and did the same and connected his and her's. "Guess this makes us friends now." Kiba stated. She nodded in agreement. She picked up her chopsticks and tried some of her noodles.

"This is really good." She commented.

"Told ya." Kiba commented back. They then begun to laugh together. 'I actually found a good friend. One that cares. He reminds me of a puppy.'

In the Jade Palace: Training Courtyard

In front of the Training Hall Takami and Layla was panting heavily in front of the Iron Barked tree Tigress positioned them. Figuring that they had enough, Tigress announced that they could stop. Taking a look at his hands, Takami noticed his knuckles had bloodstains on them. Layla didn't really have any real injures on her's, but was concerned of Takami.

"Taka, are you going to be okay?" She asked place her paws on his arm. Takami shook his hands turned to her. "I'll be fine. They'll heal quickly." Takami then looked at the Iron Barked tree.

"Do you think I can break through this Iron-bark tree with my Supairaru Enso alone?" Takami asked her keeping his eyes on the carved Iron wood.

"I don't know, maybe. Give it a try and see what happens." Layla suggested moving back a few feet. Takami formed the ball red pyrotechnic energy in his paw. He moved forward and slammed the ball of energy into the Ironwood tree creating a hole in the wall.

"You did it!" She said congratulating him.

"But it wasn't strong enough. I can literally obliterate normal trees or eradicate a medium size house, but I could only put a hole through this. I have to get stronger to become a better leader. Layla, can you help me with something?" Takami said.

"Sure and by the way; your already a great leader." She commented.

"Thanks, come on. Lets go somewhere else, I wanna to try something new." Takami stated as they ran off somewhere else.

Phew that's it for this chapter. The next one be the beginning of the ending fight of the story. Hope you liked the chapter. Please leave a review and stick around for the fight, later. ^_^