Ailurophile
Author note: Its been over a year since my last update. Definitely the longest the longest gap so far, but I've had a lot going on and it's been very stressful. I can only tell you that things happened which I had zero power over, and I've been resting since then. Anyway, it here now, and hopefully the next one will come sooner. A few of you have mentioned spelling and grammar mistakes. I'm sorry, but I can't correct what I don't see, and I havent had a Beta to help me out for some time (Just dropping a hint there).
Thank you for your reviews: Tigerlover, Wise tiger, kamaleen, world-classgeek, Goddess of Imaginary, Ciana wolf, Grrrrlz, Muchleft-unsaid, Ms, FromTheUnknown, whiteblossem443, Remedy's Melody 109, DONOVAN94, Fuhrer-Karen, shade7caos, caleb, SkylaBluefire, Windrider, Grass.
For those of you who have had such positive things to say about the story, thanks!
Looming Passion
It may have been over twenty years ago, but he could see the moment with absolute clarity.
The final exchange between himself and Tai Lung before the snow Leopard laid waste to the Valley had been a look. No words spoken. Shifu had... shrugged in apology, and what else could he have done? There was no conceivable way he could ever make up for a life times worth of unimaginably hard work amounting to nothing. Tai Lung had... looked stupefied, like he suddenly opened his eyes to find himself on another world, exposed to a new unreal vulnerability. The memory haunted Shifu, because it was the crucial moment in which he had pushed his failure toward the proud virtuoso over the tipping point. It had been such a slow and gradual process that he hadn't even noticed the change in Tai Lung, the change that he was responsible for. Oogway had refused him, them, Tai Lung looked to him for support... as he naturally would. He had questioned his master many times over smaller things, yet he couldn't bring himself to do it that one time. Instead of taking any kind of action, Shifu did nothing, brushing off the refusal as though it was nothing. Looking back at that moment the countless times he had, he still didn't quite know the exact emotion he'd felt, for he had felt so many things during that moment. He knew wholeheartedly though that his indifference in that moment brought him nothing but shame now.
Crane gave his comrades an uncertain frown. "We might have to forget it. It's been days since Master Shifu spoke to that guy, and if he was telling the truth, for all we know they could be long gone by now."
Mantis disagreed. "It's the best we've got, and what it is true? We don't have any other leads."
"Sorry, but I'm with Crane on this. We're wasting our time here. I say we move on," Monkey retorted.
Master Shifu watched his students with tired eyes. They had just returned from different parts of the city, and now discussed what little information they had gathered since mooring in.
This was all grating on him... Worrying for Tigress, and learning of Tai Lung survival. Shifu had little time to consider how the latter was possible. He shook his head... Most importantly, they knew that the presence of a Snow Leopard had occupied enough interest in the city to confirm that he had truly been here at some point recently.
As they talked about this, Shifu was mulling over their next plan of action. They could either stay here... or move on. He was torn, franticly leap-froging between both choices. If he stayed they may find out more; after all, they hadn't fully scoured the city, there were still places to investigate... and even if wasn't a safe bet, the chance of information might be crucial in liberating his- his student. This brought him to the other choice... leaving. For all he knew Tai Lung was leagues away from these parts, and had set a course for the next body of land. Staying in Singapore could mean losing track of the snow leopard. If they set a course now, they might be able to keep up, but this too was no certainty- despite Vachir's confidence- since Shifu hadn't a clue as where Tai Lung was going.
He rubbed his temples.
Before he put any more thought into it, he turned to his other two students who stood apart from Mantis, Monkey and Crane. He watched as they talked with one another. The curiosity came because of the smile he could see on Viper face, which had become a rarer sight lately. Po seemed to be telling a tale while gesturing to an oddly shaped object. Whatever he was saying was amusing to her. He considered going over to listen in, but didn't really want to intrude on the upbeat moment they were sharing. It was an uncommon occurence since the start of this fiasco.
Viper noticed him watching, and sent him a questioning look. Caught, he went over to them. "I take it that both you understand the impasse we've met?"
They seemed not to know what he was talking about for a second, but realisation sunk in, and they nodded gravely.
"Then I'd like to hear your thoughts. The others have given theirs, and they are clearly at odds with one another," he told them.
Po was quick to answer. "We shouldn't leave." The panda shook himself, and appeared put-off with something. "I know that if Tigress is gone already, we'd be making a mistake... But, Master, I think that if we don't stay here a little longer then we're gonna miss something," he said passionately.
Shifu blinked. "I see... and this is based on what exactly?"
Po laughed, feeling awkward with his outburst. "I dunno. Just a feeling... I guess," he answered sheepishly.
Shifu turned to Viper, and waited for her answer. She sighed. "I agree with Po, we shouldn't leave just yet."
The red panda smirked candidly. "I'm I to assume that you also, have a 'feeling'?"
Viper rolled her eyes, but smiled back. "Well, I can't really admit to having a feeling. That said, Tai Lung probably doesn't expect us to catch up to him any time soon. So I don't think he'd be in rush to wherever he plans on going," she said prudently. "What I'm getting at, Master, is that they could still be very close, without even knowing it."
Shifu looked sceptical. "You seem to be confident in this."
"Tai Lung strikes me as confident guy."
She didn't know where to start...
Whatever ensued while he'd been off the ship, it had a very negative effect on him. The tears had yet to fall from the cub's eyes, but she knew it was coming. This would have sounded like nothing, however, in Xiaodan's case he wasn't like most children. He would never reduce himself to cry over something that he knew... a child would cry over. Why was he so upset? She looked around briefly to see if anyone was close by, but there was no one to be seen. Good, it meant there wouldn't be another spectacle...
She looked back down at Xiaodan, and spoke quietly. "Xiaodan, please. Tell me what's wrong?"
He shook his headed quickly. She sighed, unsure on how treat the little one. She rubbed the top of his head. "Xiaodan, look at me," she soothed. He peaked slightly, she smiled, which coaxed him to look up further. "Calm down, breathe slowly," she guided. He listened, and eventually settle some. She looked him over for any injuries, there were none.
"If you tell me what's the matter then I promise, I'll make it better."
"Y-you? What about the Captain?" he whispered.
Tigress raised a brow. "Er, yes. Me and him. We will... fix it," she told him awkwardly.
Xiaodan sniffed, and rubbed his glassy eyes. She knew difference between the tears of a thing like a scrapped knee, and those that came with fear. Very clearly he was scared of something. He stared at her, as though searching for some kind of safety. Tigress tried to convey it to him with her eyes. Whatever assurance he wanted, he seemed to find it. "Okay."
She smiled reassuringly. "Good. Now, tell me what happened."
He seemed to fight with himself before deciding to hide his face on her leg. "I was bored, so I left the ship-" he recited the events as well as he could. Tigress appreciated the simplicity of it, because the story was easy to understand. "-After he knocked me, I couldn't find my hat, until I saw it in the water. I don't know how to swim, so couldn't go get it." He frowned sadly. "I got mad, and I threw my Apple at his head- 'cause I had one with me." The next part was where she really began listen. "I thought I could run away, but he was too fast..."
Tigress looked down at the Lion cub with a mixture of worry and confusion. Without thinking, she made out to do what she felt should have been done for him all along, crying aside. She pressed him close, and rubbed little circles around his back soothingly.
If anyone had harmed him... Tigress let out a breath. She had to keep her anger in check. "What happened next?"
"He grabbed me, and started to talk weird. I think he was talking about hurting me... Thought I was a goner. He said that was going to educate me, it didn't sound good, but before he could do that, I was saved."
Tigress frowned. She'd have a few things to teach this man when she faced him. What kind of a person would intend... He had mentioned a Rhino, which may... actually make it easier for her to find him. She must have gone through the city a couple of times by now, albeit rather quickly, but she hadn't seen one Rhino. This meant that a chance encounter with the clearly troubled man would be more easily accomplished if she asked around. She brought her attention to second part. Someone had saved Xiaodan. Perhaps he was still in the area; she could question him if that was the case. "Saved by who-"
"What's this!" A new voice angrily snapped.
Tigress whirled at Tai Lung. She growled. "Don't you know to announce your presence calmly, or are you incapable of that simply act?"
Tai Lung gave her an incredulous stare. "I won't ask again," he warned.
Tigress rolled her eyes. His interruption was tactless, and he didn't even seem to care. She looked back at Xiaodan. "Come on now, tell him what you were telling me."
Xiaodan looked between the two of them. He averted his eyes to the ground, suddenly closing off again. Tigress sighed, Tai Lung's disposition however, did not change. "Well?" He chided sharply. The cub winced. Tai Lung angled slightly at the cub's appearance, almost unsure if he was seeing right. He shook his head, easing off a little. "Xiaodan?"
Xiaodan shifted in Tigress' arms. "I... I-" He stopped before his voice cracked.
Tai Lung grimaced. "Alright, enough." He turned his eyes on Tigress who appeared firmly set on ignoring him, instead focusing purely on the little cub in her arms. He didn't pretend that she was aware of him watching her, he knew she felt it. He simply directed his questioning on her. "Tell me," he ordered.
Tigress ignored Tai Lung's demand. She brought her head down to Xiaodan's level. "It's okay, do you want me to tell him?" she whispered.
Xiaodan considered this for second, then nodded quickly.
Tigress turned her eyes back to Tai Lung. "He was harassed by a thug earlier, on the port," she told him.
Tai Lung frowned. "Harassed? By a thug?" He gave Xiaodan a once over. "How long ago? Would this thug still be around?" He asked.
Xiaodan shook his head.
The Snow Leopard paused before asking another question. "Did he harm you, in any way?"
Again, Xiaodan shook his head.
Tai Lung sighed, and rubbed the back of his head. "Well, did he say anything to you?"
Xiaodan hesitated, but gave a nod. Tai Lung gave an insistent gesture for him to speak up. The cub frowned sadly. "He said-" He cleared his throat. He tried his best to imitate, because he didn't really understand what the Rhino meant. As he spoke, both the elder felines bore increasingly disturbed expressions. As angered as she was, Tigress found herself more focused on Tai Lung's reaction. Though put off, he didn't seem totally present to the situation, like he was lost in thought. She considered calling his name out, then he came back.
"Right," Tai Lung breathed. "Fear not, lad. I'm going fix this."
"You're going to kill him," she accused. It slipped out automatically, and sounded more judgemental than she had intended.
He glared at her. It seemed he'd picked up on this. "Of course! I'm Tai Lung. When someone does something I don't like, I end their life. That's my answer to everything, didn't my know?" He jeered.
He was quick to end whole camp of militia not a day ago, though she stopped herself from mentioning that. "Then what will you do?"
He shrugged helplessly. "Oh, I don't know... The most dignitary man in Singapore happens to be my friend, and is here right now, but what help could that be...?"
She frowned. "You've made your point."
Tai Lung snorted. In actuality what she imagined was far too in line with what he'd planned on doing. Her self-righteous contempt towards him was really starting to piss him off... More so because he knew her opinion actually had bearing on him. She would undoubtedly call him out on his reputable lust for violence... He turned to Xiaodan. "Don't worry, lad. This thug will be pay his comeuppance. I said I'd fix this, and so I shall." He leaned down to whisper to the cub. "I wish I could be where you are right now," he told him with a grin.
"Huh, why?" Xiaodan whispered back.
Tai Lung said nothing, only patted the cub's head. Xiaodan blinked, and watched the snow Leopard head back to his cabin. He leaned back into the comfort of soft warmth. "What's he mean?" He asked absently.
Tigress was sure her face was red, easily hearing every word, and that had probably been his intention too. "No idea."
He had been called many things back in his day, but the word Tai Lung had used in his telling had never been one of them. Despite his higher standing among Singapore's veritable people he hadn't truly stepped up to assume stable leadership over them. He had organised a voluntary sector for the cities security, but the pay was minimal, and not many were interested in poorly paid work. He couldn't blame them, his own home's guard weren't much better paid and most of them were drawn with free live quarters and food provided as a plus. To put it simply he allowed the people to do as they pleased most of the time, having more personal concerns to see too, and when someone had an issue regarding the loosely enforced law they rarely refered to him about it.
Perhaps now was the time to change things.
"So? Are going to do something about this or do I have to?" Tai Lung asked.
Raja wrinkled his nose to avoid laughing. "Dignitary? I'm flattered you look up to me, friend."
The snow Leopard didn't seem amused.
The serpent smirked. "I'll see what I can do. After all, tis small favour. But honestly, I doubt we'll find the culprit."
Tai Lung frowned. "I wasn't aware that Rhino took residence here in such numbers."
Raja shook his head. "They don't, but the city guard told me of near incident while we were away. Apparently there are large number of them that have made port. This wouldn't make finding the thug too difficult, if they are willing to throw their man into the fire. But from the way Dinding described there run in, its seems obvious that they are all as bad as each other."
Tai lung mulled this over. "So it could any of them... I'll be honest with you. I would much rather deal with this myself."
"I know too well, it is in the nature of a parent to protect its child," he told Tai Lung knowingly.
Tai Lung looked confused, then laughed loudly. "You think- Xiaodan isn't my son."
Raja blinked. "Oh, I had assumed wrong then? I apologize."
He ignored the comment entirely, steering back to the former subject. "You said that there was a near incident."
Raja nodded. "A group of them similarly bullied a few citizens, but before things got ugly a group of three vigilantes accosted the ruffians, preventing any harm. By that time the guards had arrived." The snake seemed very interested by the story. "According to Dinding, there were over a dozen rhinos, yet these three were imposing enough to keep them back. The most curious part of this was that in the end it was neither the guards nor the three would-be-heroes that scared them off, it was their leader who had not been present at the start of the ordeal."
He crossed his arms. "If they're all causing such bother then why not-"
"Arrest them? Well that incident was the only one while we've been gone, and we've only just gotten back. But... with that said, to be safe it I could perhaps pay these grubby fellows a visit, and maybe see if we can single out the one who attacked the boy." Then he reluctantly added, "It would be easier if the child were with me, he would only need to at look him from afar and point the finger."
"I'll ask him, but the lad's shaken. If he isn't up to it, I won't pressure him," he told Raja wearily.
Tai Lung looked around the room pensively. He didn't bother lingering further and bid him farewell, leaving the study.
The snake eyed the study's exit. He wondering what tomorrow would bring. Finally, without the threat of an army weighing down on him, he could now take a more active role in the city's running. Now that Nisa was safe, he could do this.
Building up her reputation had taken years, and it had been difficult.
She knew from an early age that in order to be respected as a warrior by all, she would need to earn it, and the journey would be made much harder because she was a woman. But it did nothing to slow her down. Eventually her work paid off, she had made name for herself as a true master and the leader of the greatest group of fighters in all of china. When people looked at her, they were in awe, they saw a hardened warrior, and that was just what she wanted. Yet, despite the value she placed her hard earn reputation, it didn't mean she was above the likes and fancies of normal people.
For example, when someone suggested that she was so frigid that she didn't even like children, Tigress would laugh on the inside. She loved children, and during her spare time- before her kidnapping- enjoyed occasional visits to the orphanage that had once housed her before Shifu had come for her. Tigress had to admit that one day... she'd hoped to have some of her own, but with the life she led, the possibility of a family was pitifully small.
Xiaodan had yet to separate himself from her. Honestly, she didn't know if the cub realised he'd been carried around by her all this time, or if he had and he simply didn't care. It made her smile regardless. Of course, it might have been because he was scared, which he was, but somewhat selfishly she didn't want to ask him since he seemed content at the moment.
She was feeling a little stifled, having been stuck on the ship since they had returned. She eyed the lion cub carefully. "Would you like to go off ship for a while, just around the area?" She asked softly.
Xiaodan seemed to think about it, but didn't seem overly putt-off by the idea. "Okay."
She moved him a bit higher on her hip. "Then let's go," she beamed.
As she walked towards the boarding ramp, she noticed Hong nearby staring at them. She all but froze, almost changing her mind and turning back, but the flare of contempt at her situation made her disregard any reservations she had. She stared right back at him, daring the gorilla to try to stop her. Hong scoffed, as though amused that she would gage him. He merely replied with a look that told her it wasn't him she should worry about.
She sneered at him before marching off the ship.
If Tai Lung didn't want her wandering off then he should have taken greater care in keeping her properly trapped on his ship.
She avoided turning left or right through the harbour, and headed directly into the city streets. Walking aimlessly for a while, she found a small market and contented to just look around. There didn't seem to be anything else to do around here. The place was quite dull for the most part, but she had to do something to pass the time. Xiaodan had been very quiet, but she tried to keep him stimulated by asking about the different trinkets displayed on stalls.
"Do you see anything that looks nice?" She asked him.
"No," he answered tonelessly.
She laughed. "I agree, it all looks like junk to me."
The cub smiled, and she felt like she'd won victory for it.
"It is mostly junk, which is why you should come and see my wears. I promise you only finest attire!" She turned, surprised that someone had been listening. A Manul stood behind a stall with pleasant drapes, gesturing at what we're probably the only colourful things in the whole market. Tigress shrugged and came over. The smaller cat smiled welcomingly, then she noticed the child in her arms. "What a handsome little boy!"
Xiaodan frowned. "I'm not a boy," he told her half-heartedly.
The manul smiled. "Oh, well, you don't look like a girl so you can see my confusion."
Before Xiaodan replied, Tigress answered for him. "Appearances can be deceiving, he is truly a man," she said, playfully poking his nose.
Recognition flashed in the woman's eyes. "Ah, I see that now. It very noble of you to be looking after all your mama while she shops, sir," winking at Tigress.
Xiaodan blushed, not used this kind attention expect sometimes from the captain. "Erm."
Tigress really did consider correcting the woman, but it would have been far too tedious to explain the long, rotten story as to why a child that wasn't her's was being carried around by her. She decided to just go with it.
"You don't look like your from around here, if you don't mind me saying." The small cat eyed her curiously.
"I don't, and I'm not. I am from China actually," She explained. "What gave it away?"
"It's those clothes!" She practically exploded. "They look like they were made for a man! Is that what the women in China wear these days?"
Tigress reeled back. "Well, no. But- wait. What's wrong with my clothes?" Though it wasn't said out loud, she somehow felt that it had been an issue lately, which wouldn't bother her, but now that someone had actually made a point to mention it out loud, it did bothered her. She also realised she'd been wearing the same clothes since she'd been gone. All of a sudden, she felt the need to change... which she obviously couldn't do.
"I'm sorry, I meant no offence. While they do... have a sense of style- for how lovely you are- you are dressed too heavily. This place can get a lot hotter since we're in spring, and if everything you wear is like that then you'll definitely be in need of lighter fabrics." She didn't know whether to be offended or flattered. She had to remind herself that this wasn't China, which meant no one knew of her and what she was about.
"I have lots of lovely women's clothes here, and I don't overcharge."
Tigress didn't like that the merchant assumed she didn't already have feminine clothes. It was a big guess for someone who didn't know her. Nor did she appreciate the emphasizing, but she did need a change of clothes... Unfortunately, she had no money.
This was going to be embarrassing... "I'm sorry, but I don't have any money with me."
"It's fortunate that I've brought plenty then, isn't it?"
The Manul eyed him curiously. "And who might you be, sir?"
He smiled charmingly. "Have a guess."
There he was. It was terrifying at how quickly he found her, and were she someone of lesser fortitude- which she was not- his borderline, supernaturally swift appearance might have been disturbing. He looked annoyed with her, which she considered a good thing, because it was a lot better than not knowing what he felt, and with that, what to expect.
"So, did see you see anything?"
She frowned. "What?"
"You want new clothes, yes? I'm asking if there's anything you wish to buy."
He was serious about this, she could tell. The 'we both know you need it' was kept silent. Her captor was obviously aware that she had nothing beside the things she already wore. She wasn't going to turn him down... with no idea when she would be free and when the next time a chance like this would come along, so...
"Well, since your here."
The smirk on his face reminded her that she hated him.
She hadn't put nearly enough thought into it. How had she had intended it to play out? Obviously, he'd try to take advantage, but she made her stance more than clear, and he still wouldn't lay off... It was the very look on his face right now that compelled her to walk ahead of him so that she didn't have to see it. She could feel that damned smug glower the whole way back to ship.
Now they had returned, and instead of feeling elation at no longer having to wear the same things, she only felt frustration.
As if accepting his offer wasn't embarrassing enough. She had been forced to play along as he capitalised on the tailoress' false assumption that he had been her... Well, her man.
Like a sly opportunist, he jumped on it.
She could still feel his hand stroke over her hip. It had just been a touch, little more than that, but she truly hadn't expected to be touched by him again... She remained strong in her conviction, ensuring that he wouldn't trap her in a corner and get his way. She couldn't even manage that...
She was beginning to doubt herself again. There was more than an attraction between them. She would admit it now, but would do nothing more than that. Perhaps it didn't matter what she did. Everytime she told herself she'd put up a fight, it didn't happen. Though maybe- maybe it would be easy just to give in stop the fight...
-No! She cut off that train of thought immediately.
All of a sudden she felt a wave of righteous anger. She whirled on the snow leopard. He raised a brow, seemingly interested by her behaviour.
"I've told you... I made myself perfectly clear, but you obviously don't care... Do not touch me, Tai lung!" The man had the gall to look bewildered, and she was about an inch from resorting to violence. "I don't know what goes on in that head of your's, and don't want to know! Just leave. Me. Be! That can't be too much ask."
He didn't reply right away, instead he seemed to gauge her. "I assume you mean the little act you led me on earlier?" She scowled. "-Yes, that's what I thought. I am sorry you have reacted this strongly, it's was perfectly innocent." Her expression was priceless. "Maybe you should just relax, it's done now. If anything, you should be thanking me," he informed her.
Her jaw all but dropped. "W-what?"
"I was generous enough to pay for your new clothes, which you have yet to show me any gratitude for, and well... the rest was just playing your little game."
That was it. She stormed right up to him, inches from his face. "My little game? I did nothing!"
He smiled lightly. "Right. You wandered off without letting me know, so I assumsed you were looking for attention. I set out to find you, and when I do you are playing 'Janus' with a tailoress." He shook his head. "At no point was it clear you didn't want me to play along. It's not as though I was groping you," he chuckled.
They stared each other down, one set far more bridled than the other. She found herself, and backed-off immediately. It was too vexing. She couldn't help it, her tensions dissolved the longer their eyes stayed connected.
"I told you, but you didn't listen," she replied feebly.
She saw his face soften. "Yes, I understand, but you needn't look to far into it. It really isn't anything to get upset over. I see how things are. In future, I'll be more careful."
She slumped, and shook her head. It would do her no good to allow him the satisfaction of getting any reaction out of her. She given him enough already... "Whatever," she muttered.
Tai Lung wavered between reaching for her and doing what she what she demanded, which was to not go near her. She pulled him out of his indecision when she made to walk out of his cabin. "Wait a moment." She turned back, clearly fed-up. "You have new clothes now, but being brutally honest, you are in dire need of... something else before you change into any of those," he gestured to the bundled pack on the table.
She narrowed her eyes. "What are you rambling about?"
He hid his smile. "Follow me."
Reluctantly, she allowed him to lead her all the way down to the bottom of the ship, specifically to the store. She refused to get too close to him. The last time he'd taken her here was when he...
"Why are we here?" She whispered.
He ignored her, and moved behind one of the shelves. It was too obscured for her to see perfectly, but her night vision was good enough that she could see him grasp at a large object even bigger than him. He grunted as he lifted the thing and brought it round.
The lanterns hung around the room provided a dim light. She observed the way this light ran over him as he came to her. It made it easy to see every line and ridge of muscle on his thick arms, there were many.
He placed the thing in the middle of the room, snapping her attention to it. She glared.
"Are you serious?"
He looked sheepish, at least. "Trust me, you need this for more than a clean. You are tired and injured. You are carrying a lot of tension, and hot water will sooth you. You can't tell me that this doesn't appeal to you," he said dubiously.
He had hot water? Now that she thought about, it was appealing. In fact, the longer she stared at the tub, the more she her imagination took her to the warm, assuasive water. "Alright, but... you'd better not try anything," she sighed.
She watched the change on his face. It was the familiar disarming look that held nothing but dark intent. "I promise, I won't put my hands on your wet, naked body," he told her.
Her heart jumped.
Nope. HEHEHE.