Ailurophile

Author note: Hey guys... It been a while hasn't it? In fact this is probably the longest the time it's taken me to update. I really have been trying to stay on top this, but there's been a lot of adversity academically for me, and the short story is all of my course work was scrapped because my clever tutors were teaching us under the wrong curriculum. Seriously, I had to do a year's worth of writen work all over again in a short space! Moving off the boring topic... All I can do is apologise. I really hope you all understand.

Moving on! I had to think about where I was taking this story. You know, brain-storming. Anyway, what I originally planned on doing just didn't feel right to me and I had re-plan certain... stuff. The main change is making it longer because I didn't see it lasting as long as I wanted with me carrying on the way I was.

So yeah. Apart from that, it's all good! I think.

Thank you for your great reviews (and PMs) - KristenTheKittyKat, Mind Assassin, AdelindaMarie1695, Romeo5, TigressLuver, JLWafflezBrony, son of wind, Sek, amore1993, Babycakes22, chica13, anon, evilshope, Toastface, Jess, Reader, Cycloprax, redlaama, tropicalbliss, Annonymous, tanakaL, IluvLot'sOfThings-StarWars, Enigma180. Yet again I'm really sorry I took so long…

Stand Fast

The cannon fire had finally ceased, and heavy silence consumed.

Tigress looked back again at how easily she had been able to ignore the attention of others in the past, sadly it seemed completely impossible now. She hoped she hadn't totally revealed her confusion... She was deeply confused. Not nessesarily by the words them themselves, but the way Tai Lung said them. She Swallowed. It was as if he didn't want to admit it. Tai Lung hadn't made an explaination, he just stood there waiting, and she had no idea what to say.

Everything had become so damned quiet! It may have just been in her head- but why would she need even question herself in such a way?

The worst part was that it was her standing at the center. She felt as though time had suddenly stopped, and nothing would continue until she set things back in motion.

Tai Lung wasn't tense like her, nor did he seem anxious, but she somehow knew that he waiting. He was waiting for her to say something. But what she supposed to say? It wasn't her who had come out with- with that! 'He should be the one to do the talking! Not Me!' He had been the one to say it, after all.

She realised she couldn't move while he was watching her. She just couldn't force herself to action, otherwise... running off would have been the first thing that came to mind. But she quickly remembered her dilemma, and now it seemed that it was even more inescapable. She somehow knew that she would be the one to speak... even though she didn't want to. She still had no idea what she was going to say. Her stomach fell. Could nobody else step in for her? She didn't look away from Tai Lung- she felt as though it would look weak. Instead she mentally hounded for somebody to do something- anything to break the bubble she gotten trapped in.

Finally she opened her mouth- at that exact moment a loud thump started at the stairs leading below deck. Everyone around jumped at the interruption, then Tigress allowed her shoulders to fall. She closed her eyes and sighed.

Everyone present snapped their heads to the stairs, and waited for the one who had interrupted to come up.

Good, the pressure was gone... It only added to her unnerve knowing all of them had been watching. She need break, fighting she could handle, but here there was far too much anxiety for her- the ship was rank with it.

She had naively convinced herself that her worry would diminish, but soon found that it didn't... in fact it was still growing. Tigress knitted her brow, and looked back. Tai Lung hadn't acknowledged the interruption at all. He was still watching at her. Did know how he was making her feel? He was like a predator, single-minded, boring daggers at its prey... He must have seen the relief she'd displayed after the interruption. She had thought he'd looked away. She kept up an impassive expression, but she wasn't willing to meet his eyes any longer. As if she was unaware she pretended his scrutiny went unnoticed, and her eyes followed the noise just like everybody else.

Nisa slithered up with Xiaodan secured quite snuggly between her coils. The frown on the little boy's face clearly let anyone know he didn't like how he was handled.

Tigress easy noticed the troubled look on her face. She must have heard the cannons firing. The poor girl obviously had no idea what was going on. The former situation revolved around her, yet she was the only one who knew nothing about it. After all she had witnessed, including almost being killed, Tigress had been through enough. Nisa deserved to know what was going on; this secrecy was too much! It wasn't right for her and her father. She was well accustomed to wanting to protect those you care for, but there were no excuses now. It was perfectly clear that everything bad thing that could have happened ended up happening. So she decided- If Raja would not be forthcoming with her, then she would be.

Thoughtlessly Nisa let go of Xiaodan. He grinned at his freedom and quickly put a distance between the two of them. She looked out to coast and brought a coil to her mouth.

Raja swallowed. He carefully got her attention. "Nisa..."

Everyone turned their eyes on them now. Tigress blocked out what they were saying and dared to see if he was still watching. His attention was taken, by Xiaodan who was whining about something being unfair. Whatever he was talking about, Tai Lung only seemed to be half listening. She couldn't make out any more than that.

Now that his attention was finally elsewhere she could stop feeling so restless. She breathed out shakily. This was something else... She needed some time on her own. Giving Tai Lung one last look she turned to back to his quarters and made a hasty retreat.

Tai Lung watched absently as the little lion explained- with levity- the miseries he'd been through whilst Tai Lung had been away. What the boy seemed totally unaware of was that his captain wasn't hearing a word he was saying. "En- and then she started messin' with my ears!" Xiaodan shivered. "It was horrible! ..." He blinked and carried on. "Oh! She said I was small and pushy- I mean plushy... And she could just eat me! Why'd she say that? I don't wan' to be..." Xiaodan's stopped his speech. He finally figured out that the captain wasn't listening.

The boy tilted his head in puzzlement. He looked up at him again and saw the daydream he was in. He pulled Tai Lung's pant leg. It didn't seem to work. He tried again a little harder... still nothing. The Xiaodan's ear flattened as he tried to figure out why he was looking that way. He wondered what made his captain daydream.

Tai Lung pushed away the growing air of discomfort that it seemed everyone had contracted. He knew he shouldn't spoke his thoughts on the serpent so literally. It must have sounded absurd. But she did ask, and without putting nearly enough thought into it... he told her the truth. His recent lack of control had got the better him again... made him impetuous. He'd goaded for a reaction, but sensed that she did not like having to share her own opinion... That was if she had one. Unfortunately he didn't get hear whatever she was going to say. When Nisa had appeared Tigress seemed to be relieved. The silent stand-off she insisted on having told him that her guard was up. To be honest receiving total silence from her wasn't exactly what he expected. Instead of her bombarding him with insults or an instant denial, she was speechless. Part of him was disappointed. Where was the fire he found so vivacious about her? 'Hmm Tigress?'

He looked back at her. He frowned. She was gone. He looked around, but couldn't see her. The great leader of the five had run away. Well that fine, she was going nowhere. Tai Lung felt eyes on him. He looked down at Xiaodan to see the boy staring up at him in confusion. He'd momentarily forgotten where he was. Going into his thoughts so deeply had made him less attentive, but even so, he should have sensed how close the cub was. Why was his focus all of sudden so lacking? It seemed that the cub realised Tai Lung now acknowledged him.

"Are you okay?"

Tai Lung was a slight taken by the tone. It sounded as if the boy knew something was wrong. He put on a false grin. "Of course, Xiao nán zǐ, why do you ask?"

"You weren't hearing a word I was saying," the boy exclaimed.

Of course he wasn't... "Hm, what we're saying?"

Xiaodan's curiousness about Tai Lung's absent mind immediately went away. He remembered what he was going tell him before. "Nisa had been treating me like I'm a baby!" he said, throwing his hands up. Tai Lung chuckled. He practically was a baby... He shook his head. Trying to tell him such a thing would not work out so well. He couldn't find it in him to set the boy straight.

Tai Lung's grin turned into a indolent smile. "Maybe you should tell her not to then?"

Xiaodan narrowed his eyes. "I did... But the things she says only became worse!"

He couldn't think any way to appease the boy. To be honest he'd encourage Xiaodan to act more like a child. If those around treated him like one, then hopefully the cub would recognise it too, and more importantly enjoy it. It wasn't as though it would kill him, and a little contact like Nisa's would do him no harm at all. Xiaodan really didn't get enough of that kind of attention. The idea that the six-year-old considered himself a ripened adult was starting to get silly. Receiving a few... parental comforts may actually be good for him, and if not, he'd just have to endure. He wasn't sure what to say right now. He was finding it hard to think clearly right now. "If you can-"

"Whoa...!" Xiaodan's loud whisper cut him off. The Lion cub's gaze was set out to the ocean. What he saw had him totally enraptured. Tai Lung turned to where he was staring, and went rigid. He was about to tell him to go inside, but the cub ran to ship's rail and jumped up. He hung from it with his arms hooked up his chin. He stared wide-eyed in fascination at the sight. "What's that?" Tai Lung scowled.

"XIAODAN! Get down." Tai Lung demanded.

The boy looked over his shoulder. "But-"

"Now!" He snapped.

He flinched at the uncommon, yet not unheard tone. Xiaodan understood from Tai Lung's voice that he couldn't argue his way out of this. He jumped off the rail looking sullen.

"Go inside now." Xiaodan looked like he wanted to protest, but Tai Lung stopped him before could try.

"Captain's orders."

The boy flinched again and ran past him without a word. The snow leopard turned his attention to blaze, which lit up the near evening sky. He felt a little guilty for snapping at him like that. He couldn't even remember when he'd last raised his voice to the boy. But the hoard of bothersome questions it would have lined up him for wasn't something he wanted to deal with right now. How could he explain to the little boy what he'd done. He had essentially sent a whole army to their deaths. He would have to remember to make it up to him later.

The view of the coast was becoming smaller and smaller. Soon it would completely out of vision, and Raja's problems would go away. He'd certainly be annoyed if there was still an issue now.

He decided to go and see how well Raja was handling his latest problem. Tai Lung look across the deck to where the snake was discussing certain delicate issues with his daughter. His expression was very amusing. Tai Lung supposed that he could take the blame for that... to an extent... Or at least this particular problem was only brought along quicker because of him. He noticed that some of the crew were still ignoring their duties. The subtly which they always seemed to lack only made their nosiness more annoying. He cleared his throat loudly. They all turned to him, clueless that he was the one who had gotten their attention- until they saw. Then came the fear as expected. "I assume you all have something that needs doing, men."

They prepared to move, but one of crewman who didn't seem to share the fears of the others decided to speak on their behalf. "Nope, shifts have changed, were actually on our breaks," the croc informed Tai Lung casually. Jaws dropped. Tai Lung muttered the last bit to himself, then walked closer to the croc wearing hard smile.

"Oh? I suppose I've made mistake," Tai Lung said to himself. Then he addressed the croc. "Mmm... Umm hmm." Yes, I forget that some of you... are new here."

The croc nodded in agreement. "That's right. Joined back in Singapore, sir."

The crewmen's gawking faces grew even larger. Tai Lung's pleasantness died away, and instead the croc saw him sneer. "Well, this calls for an important lesson then."

The croc seemed to sense the danger and became tense. "What is... that?"

Tai Lung shook his head. "It nothing serious, I blame the crew for their lack of common sense. Honestly, they really should have told this. But, I'll tell you now. I would appreciate you'd learnt it next time you decide to speak out. Any new member of MY crew must be savvy to how things work around here."

He looked instantly relieved. "Oh right- ha! So… What is it then?"

Tai Lung took a threatening step closer. "Whenever you refer to me, you will do so with the proper distinction. I am the captain. You will only speak to me once I permit you- or if I have addressed you first. Is that understood?"

The croc shared the expression of all his peers now. "Y-yes... captain."

Tai Lung smirked. "Good! It's like I said, nothing serious... unless you have no self-preservation. Be sure to tell any other mateys you've come along with." He glared at the rested of them. "Now, then. ALL OF YOU!... On your way!" He watched them as they walked off. Whether they were going back to work or leisure he wasn't too bothered with them at the moment. He could hear some of the cretins muttering to themselves, but didn't try to pick on their words. The boldness that the fresh ones brought with them was undesirable. He knew it could rub off on the others. If they were clever the crew would keep the new-hands informed on how to keep out of his way.

He switched his attention to Raja. It looked like he'd missed most of the conversation. He safely assumed his friend had now told her the truth. "You always keep things from me! You NEVER let me go anywhere and I'm sick of it!"

"Yes, I have concealed many things from you- but all of them ONLY because I wish for you to be safe!" He had confessed it all, and was having hard battle dealing with the aftermath.

Nisa looked hysterical. "Oh, REALLY!? Well, what about never letting me go outside the estate? It's always been this way since I was a little kid!"

"It's as I have expained... Coming here was to put an end to that," he said in gentle tone, obviously trying to turn the circumstances of this outing to his favour.

She was ready to scream at him, but then a strange look appeared in her eyes. Her brief pause did not bode well. Her next words seemed much more deliberate. "So now that these mercenaries are gone and you've taught the Malaysians a lesson, there's no reason I can't leave the palace anymore, right?" She asked in a... confirming tone.

Clearly he didn't like this. Tai Lung never thought it possible, but it almost looked like Raja turned pale. The serpent had the expression of someone who had nowhere run, and he knew it. "Err... It seems to look that way."

Nisa didn't jump for joy as expected, but instead wore snippy smile. "Good. Alright then."

Just like that she left her father alone and went off in direction of the cabin. He almost felt sorry for his friend, but honestly, even Tai Lung recognised that Raja had to let the girl be at some point, allow to her spread her wings, so to speak. Tai Lung made his way towards him. "You let her walk all over you," he drawled.

Raja frowned, but didn't look his way. "Where is Tigress- or did you scare her off?"

Tai Lung snorted. So that was how it was? "In all seriousness, I didn't think you'd get her to let off so easily. She seemed... very upset with you."

Raja faced him. "She was, but I don't think I am let off really... Putting that aside where did the young master of yours run off to?"

"Maybe to my cabin, why do ask?"

Raja made a movement that seemed to resemble a shrug. "... I was merely concerned for her."

He said stayed momentarily silent, and sized up the Black Cobra. "Concerned?"

Raja looked thoughtful. "Hmm, yess. Being at the brunt of your severe fixation for that long would have made anyone else crawl."

He thought he heard something akin to acrimony in Raja's tone, this took him off guard slightly. "What is the premise of this...?"

Raja push himself up and reclined giving him extra height. There was a harsh edge in Raja's voice that had now made itself known. "The way you were watching her. You left it all laid bare! Especially when you were waiting for some great answer which obviously was not going come. It was showed to everyone around you- with a brain enough to see it!" He paused. "It was hard even for me. Your lack of containment in that moment was feable, how you let yourself slip is beyond me... You disapoint me. But I am impressed with her. The poor girl seemed to not be effected in the least by it."

He actually found that he struggled to talk-back to Raja. He could have been totally honest- he couldn't have cared less about anyone else's feelings on the matter, but had difficulty processing things now. "Whatever you saw- and anyone else for that matter, is no one's Business!"

Raja hummed. "Just letting know encase you were... unaware," he said coyly.

"I've heard enough!" He snarled. Tai Lung knew precisely what was implied, and Raja should have known it was a push too far.

"Fine, fine. I'll leave it at that then."

Tai Lung looked him over with disdain. He didn't stay any longer. Pushing himself to walk away- he refrained from letting himself become anymore frustrated. He meant it when he said that it wasn't anybody's business, which made him wonder. What did Raja care about the way he looked at her? And what the hell did he mean it was 'laid bare'? He had practiced hard to display only a few of his... feelings, and had trained equally hard to maintain a degree of control of his anger. He clenched his jaw. No, his vicious side couldn't have been exposed. He hadn't let himself get angry, he knew it, which brought him back to what Raja meant... Whatever the snake saw apparently everyone else saw it too. He made her crawl up? Well not from a visible point view, she appeared to be calm on outside.

He knew he could project on to others. When he wanted someone to know he felt angry- they knew it. That usually went for any other feeling he wished to advertise. Perhaps he had... done the same this time, without realising. If so, she appeared to have handled it fine whatever he was feeling. Honestly... he didn't what he felt. He had reached his door. Somehow he didn't even know how he had gotten to it without... He was slipping. What she did she think of... what he'd said? Had he made her even more wary of him?

He gripped the handle and pushed the door open. Walking in, he saw her immediately. She squared up, but had her back to him... She wasn't even paying attention to him even though she knew he was there. He frowned. So she was going to ignore him and what he'd said? He couldn't find any signs that gave away her feelings whilst looking at her backside. He'd admit that he would have accepted this, but as he assessed her form, he could see nothing with her wearing those ridiculously man-like clothes.

There was something different about her. He decided to play cautious.

Tigress heard him come in, felt his presence. She frowned in worry, then in Anger at herself, and at him- because now she was unable to rid herself of the affliction he had somehow forced upon her. It was eating at her. She heard his footsteps- felt the vibrations. Why was it every time she felt his eyes on her it made her shake. She at least had the reprieve of it stopping when he wasn't watching, but now even that was failing! The anticipation of waiting for him to reach her; it sent her into an ultra sensitive state. She didn't keep her back to him any longer. Turning to him, she saw Tai Lung stood in front the table. He brought his hands up and began untie the now well-worn bandages. His eyes were on his hands instead of her. For some reason she felt her bold attitude return at that moment.

She had done some more thinking about all that happen, not just the battle, but everything since she'd been taken... and she had come to a decision.

"You left rather hastily." He said lightly.

She was a little surprise he wasn't upset. "Yes. Tai Lu-"

He cut he off. "Did I take you by surprise?" He chuckled. "It seems to be happening a lot with me lately."

She shook her head. "We need to stop."

This seemed to catch Tai Lung off guard, again. He pulled away the last of the bandage and examined his hands. He looked them over, clenching them a few times, then he turned to her. He appeared to be considering her words. "We need towhat?"

Her mouth was set itself into a thin line. "Whatever it is that we have going on between us has to finish," she said slowly.

Tai Lung grunted. He walked around the table and stopped in front her. "Is that so? Then explain first, what exactly it is we have going on. Go on, make it real."

She thought he'd get me angry, but it did not stop her. "I... don't know. But it's not healthy."

The look on his face turned rabid. She knew then that she'd said something to set him off. "That's right! You DON'T know. Neither do I... and if it escapes you, I've also noticed the weakness. How unpoised, how unthinking I've been... It's only gotten worse as time has passed. Good enough reasoning to cease whatever you'd call it," he agreed. "Yet for some greater reason... I wish to explore this." She felt an odd wave of warmth rush through her. "Don't get me wrong, there is part of me that would want nothing more than to cut loose of it, and return to my ordinary way of living, but despite that, I can't stop thinking about you." Her eyes went wide. She could see it... the umbra in his eyes. It may have been well hidden right now, but she could see it practically ready to force its way through.

"That's not-" He grabbed her arms.

"Honestly, why do you keep pushing? You are less wise to it than I am," he said shaking her gently. She could feel his hands shaking were he had hold of her.

She frowned at him and tried free herself, but his grip tightened. "Let me go."

"Why should I?" He pulled her to him. He brought his mouth to her ear. "I know you want to," he whispered. She could feel his breath tickle her neck.

She wasn't at her full strength thus she couldn't exert herself. She could still feel a twitch of irritation at her belly, even though she was hardly moving, and she knew that twitch would turn to fire if she put too much stress on it. The state he was in right now made him unpredictable. She had no idea what he was going to do, and she would only hurt herself worse if she stressed her wound. His arms slipped around her. She tensed. "You said you wouldn't—" She found herself unable to say it.

He gave her a salacious smile, which was somehow... appealing. "Kiss you—? I did, didn't I? "Well, that certainly is a loss for me. But it's certainly not the only thing I can do to you." He ran hand down her back.

She felt an irrepressible shiver run through her, not out of fear or even disgust, though she wished it had been. The fact was if she had to admit where it came from, she'd have picked the complete opposite. She felt his hands behind her shoulders. They seemed to pause there for a moment. "It's odd... Before I took you, the thought of you was just a passing thing... but now there is no escape." He began kneading his knuckles in. The feeling was... pleasant... and her tension slowly bled away. "You haunt me..." He sighed, almost as though he had trouble saying these things. He brought his hand up to her neck and watched her as she began to un-knot. She felt her muscles become loose—and he became bolder, pressing away her fatigue. He pressed his hips into hers. She felt... hot. Her eyes became heavy-lidded, and he allowed her to sink onto him. "At least you admit that there is something between us," he murmured.

He maneuvered her arms above his so that they were resting over his shoulders. He pushed her chin up so that she would look at him, but she avert her eyes and looked down. "Tigress...?" He leaned down slight to get her attention. She sighed. She felt contented in his grasp...

She was blank for a moment, then a scowl broke out. She quickly pushed herself off him and took a few steps back.

He watched her glower at him as she tried to hide the confliction in her eyes. "I won't let this go any further," she said in hard tone.

This time, Tai Lung was truelly angry. "Perhaps I made a mistake, and shouldn't have said anything!" He spat.

"NO! I've made the mistake... of ever letting you touch me!" She said venomously.

Tai Lung really looked genuinely surprised, whether it from her tone or the words themselves... he actually looked... stunned! It brought her some satisfaction to put him off balance—then he quickly regained composure, displaying an all too familiar look of rage. He was suppressing, she could feel it.

Perhaps she had pushed him too far? But didn't look like he was ready to speak... so, rashly, she went on. "I've allowed myself to forget where I was, and who you are. But isn't going to happen again. You are Tai Lung: the demon of Yōumíng. You destroyed my home, abused and killed so many people without any reservation, any thought of mercy! Innocent people, who never deserved the pain you caused them... You're a monster." Despite being deep in the heat of her words, she took a pause searching his face for any emotion, but he only gave her a look of intense rage. "I am Tigress: a warrior set against ALL your wrong doings. I know my following and it doesn't have anything to do with—with you! I've lived my enture life, uncompromising! I wont let it go now. I've suffered enough... because of you." She had been so senseless lately, and it was all down to him. She was ashamed. Even just now she had almost forgotten what she had been planning to say to him. Fortunately, she managed to keep a level head this time... but what would have happened she had let it go further? What would Tai Lung have done... What would she have let him do?

She grimaced. What would her friends think if they saw her? Or worse! What would Master Shifu think of her if he'd seen what she had done? The very thought sent an icy shiver down her spine.

Not even waiting for to hear what he would say next, she made for the door and rushed out of the room.

Tai Lung did not follow. He let her run. For whatever reason, he couldn't bring himself to go after her.

All of it was true. But he that didn't mean he needed to be reminded of his misdeeds. She saw him in only one light. He knew better... It was also true that she did represent the reverse of his infamy. The 'light to his darkness'- he almost laughed the idea. Image aside, and anything anyone thought him- did not bother him in the least. She may have said that she was his opposite, but did not mean that she truly was. They were very much alike. What he really wanted to know was what she meant by: 'I've suffered enough because of you'. He hadn't treated her cruelly in any way he knew of? It that made no sense, and she couldn't really blame him for getting injured, if that was it. So what in the world had she been talking about? Whatever it was had been enough for her to push him away.

He was still thrown off by her defiance; it was vexing him more and more as time went by. He sighed in frustration. What. Was happening to him? His orthodox was crumbling, but why she the cause of it...

He rubbed his temples. Maybe it would be better for them both... if he got rid her?

Thoughts...?

English - Chinese

Little man - Xiao nán zǐ