Ailurophile
Author note: You guys are so kind to me. Great reviews from everyone, even people from way back when I started this story still read it! It's been about five months since my last update, so as per usual I grovel for forgiveness to anyone who 'couldn't wait' which is most of you I think. University is at full speed and it stops for nothing so I have to keep up, guys. If not for that I would have safely updated in October. Sadly for this story, until Christmas I can't give it the full attention you all deserve. I can only continue to grovel.
Like I said I would, I've begun editing previous chapters, which took up a bit of time. Ch 1-4 might read a bit differently, so that's what that it. I think their better now, well I hope so anyway. Some of you might not be happy with the way things go in this chapter, in fact I have knack for hitting the breaks on Tai Lung and Tigress' momentum as soon as things start to get good between them. This chapter also a bit smaller too. Sorry if that's annoying but I always end it on point where it leaves me a good place to carry on from.
Thank you to: Tigergirl713, DOGROCKER12, DONOVAN94, Ciana wolf, KIya, femmebelle, Remedy's Melody 109, FedhaGrulo, SkylaBluefire, jo, Fuhrer-Karen, harlequinwolf, Guests, Feyfa14Frost, Tigergirl713, BabyTgo, PinkTigerGirl (To some of you, thanks for the PM's. They are like a none violent kick in butt, which we all need once a while!)
Near Collision
The droves of people dispersed. Mantis watched them leave, disentranced. "Wanna head back?"
"Yeah," the langur replied absently. He glanced at him and frowned at the spaced out look on his face. He could tell that Monkey hadn't really heard the question. He was deep in thought. Whatever was on his mind must have been interesting... but right now he just wanted to leave. He was just about to snap him out of it when he heard a familiar sounding voice.
"HEY!" Mantis flinched, and glanced around rapidly. "Guys, over here!" He scanned the area, and was quick in finding where the voice originated from. He saw the Dragon warrior waving up at them. "Monkey, Mantis, it's me!"
He poked Monkey, when that failed, he jabbed him the in the crook of the neck, gaining his undivided attention. Monkey glared at him, affronted. Mantis pointed down below. Grumbling to himself, Monkey acquiesced. He blinked when saw Po mixed in with the crowd, yet standing out like no else could. He called up to them loudly. "What are ya doing up there!" Before either of them answered, they looked around and noticed the attention Po was gathering. The Kung Fu masters tried to ignore the looks they were getting... He was about to yell again, but before he did, they saw him switch his attention to the floor― which they weren't able to see due to all the people squashed together.
He pointed up at them while without looking, then crouch slightly, offering his hand.
Out of the crowd, Viper rose on his arm. She perched herself on his shoulders, and looked up at them. She wore a mildly surprised look, but with the smile on her face― unlike them― she obviously wasn't too bothered by Po's yelling... which he was about do again. Monkey went rigid. "Wait there, we'll be down in second!"
In quick time, the langur landed at the bottom with Mantis still on his shoulder. Po and Viper were right there waiting. Monkey beat to them to the punch. "What are you doing here?"
"We were looking for you," Viper answered. "You've been gone all day, and we were worried." Normally that kind of concern would have made any of them scratch their heads, with them being illustrious warriors and all, but with their leader abducted it was understandable that any prolonged absence make would make them a little uneasy.
Mantis looked around. "Where's Crane?"
"He's with Master Shifu, talking logistics, or whatever he said," Po answered.
Cutting off the queue for more questions, the Panda grinned. "Guys, look at this." From behind his back, he pulled oddly shaped... thing. They were clueless as to what it was until he put it on his head and stuck a pose. They all shook their heads.
Viper still hadn't had the chance to ask, "so... what are you doing here?"
Mantis gestured around. "We finished probing some dingy inn, and were on our back to the ship when we ran into some kind of city group meeting." Both herself and Po looked to their insect friend inquisitively. He gave them the summary, with the promise to tell the whole story later. "It was all about how the head of the city―state was sorry for doing such a bad job running the place and was going to make it up to them. He's over... there. See?" Viper turned, and saw... and he could see them. In fact, amongst all the rabble he was looking right at them.
"Him?" She said incredulously.
"Yeah. Why? You don't think he looks the part?" Mantis asked.
She snorted. "No, it's just he's― Never mind... Why is looking at us?"
The serpent wasn't just looking, he boring into them with his faded red appraisal. If not disturbed by the colour, it seemed like a rather plain stare to anyone not on the receiving end. To them, however, it felt severe, like he was critical of their every detail. Monkey glanced at him, not really taking notice. "Maybe if someone wasn't so noisy people wouldn't be staring."
"Seriously, Monkey. Look for yourself... don't be obvious, though," she advised. Snorting, Monkey did as she asked. What he saw was a statue poised to chase, a sharp stare, with a dangerous glint. He looked back at her. "Okay, that's creepy." Almost like he could hear, the snake's mouth twitched.
Po, who had been looking the whole time, shivered uncomfortably. "Uh, guys. Let's... get back to the ship. I bet Master Shifu's wondering where we are." They all agreed, but before they set off Viper threw one last look at him.
He hadn't moved an inch, his forked tongue flicked out, gauging, and before she looked away she swore he had a winning smile.
His body's refusal to back down came as no surprise after the thoughts he'd been having... and since he had done nothing to help his anatomy through it's natural course, the discomfort was almost unbearable. That he should have taken matters into his own hands... was beyond any doubt, but without a reason, he avoided it. He wasn't sure why he didn't; the urge to ease his discomfort was mighty.
He felt like an unseasoned youth, and it was all for her...
The snow Leopard stepped out of the tub, dripping. His first action was to shake himself off, then he a grabbed a towel and rubbed himself dry. As he did this he eyed the damaged, yet neatly folded, remains of her uniform. He sighed. Throwing the towel over his shoulder, he approached the garments and picked them up. He could smell her, not just on her clothes, but he could smell her heady scent in the bath too. Gods... She might as well have been in the room with him... He should have followed her, and just done what he wanted, he thought lecherously. A repeat of his actions when he'd first brought here down. She'd have probably liked it.
Becoming conscience of the noise in his throat, he attempted to put it out of his mind, shifting his thoughts on to something else.
She was with Xiaodan at the moment. She liked the boy.
She obviously liked children. That was at least what he saw. Like with most things, he was neither one way or the other, he was fond of Xiaodan though. She had shown clearly that he was someone she did not like, and while that was the case, it did nothing to temper his sizeable ardour, especially when he knew how confused she was. He shook his head. What kind of thoughts were these?
Like a blessing, he was pulled from his bizarre train of thought when he picked up thudding rapidly becoming louder. The falls were patterned in fours, which lead him to think that it might be Hong. When whoever it was reached the door, he did have the intelligence to knock, but with excessive force. Tai Lung frowned. Putting down Tigress' uniform he reached for his own clothes. The knocking persisted. "Alright! Give me a bloody moment!"
The knocking only got harder. He glared at the door. Throwing his pants on, he charged towards it. Just about stopping himself from breaking the it from his hinges, he flung it open."What!?" He paused, then drew forward. "Hong. What is it?"
"You're needed on deck."
Hong's description was vague, explaining that he really wasn't sure what the issue was, only that Tai Lung's attention was required on deck this very instant. He knew to take it seriously, but he hadn't even finished drying himself… He grumbled indistinctly, but heeded the Gorilla's prompts and the two rushed back on deck.
Hong, not too gently, dragged the visitor forward. The goose tried not to tremble between the two of them.
Tai Lung gave him a once over. "What's you're business?"
"T―the Tuanku sent me with an urgent message," he exclaimed.
Raja sent him message... "What is it?"
The goose handed him the scroll. Tai Lung opened it, and began to read. ―Leave now, not safe. There was nothing else written. He narrowed his eyes. This didn't go amiss by either of the two watching him. He looked back at the goose. "Have you read this message?"
The goose shook his head. "My orders were to bring it straight to you without delay."
"I see." He looked thoughtful. Even if he had read it, the goose wouldn't have made sense of something that his own couldn't interpret.
Hong, whose natural disposition was to be silent, felt compelled to ask about the letter. He quietly probed Tai lung about what was written on it.
The snow Leopard shook his head indicating that he himself wasn't even sure. He knew Raja wouldn't have played that kind of joke... so it a genuine warning. His old friend must thought he'd understand whatever meaning the message carried. What on earth could the snake possible have to warn him about? There was hardly any threats here that― It hit him. "We are to set sail immediately."
Hong blinked rapidly. "Now?"
He remained calm. "Yes, now."
The command was so sudden it took him a moment to process it. Hong wanted to know why they were leaving, but if Tai Lung was serious then that was sufficient for him. He would ask questions later. Taking charge of the crew, he barked simple orders that ensured haste an left no room for back chat.
Tai Lung regarded the messenger with blank look. "Tell your master that I commended you for your expeditious timing, and give him my thanks with the promise that I will see him again." The goose preened at the praise, then bowed and took off.
It was only minutes later that the ship was moving out. He eyed the waterfront as the it moved farther from his sight, closed off in his expression. He spun round, and saw Tigress rushing towards him. "Were leaving?"
A vile feeling crept up on him, yet he didn't let it show. "Like I said we would be."
Tigress didn't miss his flat tone, and while what he said was in part true, she still felt that something wasn't right. "Yes, but... no goodbyes?"
Tai Lung shrugged onerously; there was an... execrable foreboding surrounding him. "Raja is a busy man. There was no need to linger."
She had actually been thinking more of Nisa, but that still didn't absolve her curiosity. She crossed her arms, and knitted her brow in suspicion. He knew this was a look she'd used too often. "You said we'd leave tomorrow. So you just... changed your mind?" He was going to respond, but the words never escaped his mouth. He just ended up sighing. By the look on her face, she took avid notice. He watched the shifting emotions on her face, and allowed himself a moment to engage in his now favoured past time. "Are you... alright?" He was pulled back, wondering if he'd heard right. He could he have been mistaken. No... he hadn't. Was that concern?
Whatever it was, he didn't want her suspicion, he had grown tired of it, so he feigned confusion. "I'm fine. Why so you ask?"
She tapped her fingers along her arms. "It's just, well... you seem― never mind."
He almost smiled at how awkward she was acting. "There's no need to worry."
She scoffed in denial. "I'm not worried," she muttered.
No... maybe not. Not entirely... There was something more, it made her nervous.
All this attention she had focussed on him, and as they spoke right this very moment her comrades were now in Singapore. Something intangible snapped in him. He expressed a splenetic leer that lacked any good nature. She back off, but he moved quick enough grab her wrist. Her eyes flicked to and from his face and his grip on her, other than that she made no move and no attempt to fight him off.
He pulled her towards him, gently, but with grip equally firm. Now within close proximity of him, he took hold of her face. She held her breath as he searched for something. He'd looked at her this way before... she was sure of it. His eyes seemed to look into right her, and when she stared back she felt balmy inside. What was he trying to see so fiercely, she wondered. It would remain a mystery, but the truculent assertion he placed on her with out speaking, without saying words, had it's influence over her.
He analysed her sombrely, looking to find any sign of duplicity or a hint of ill-intent. His chest tightened painfully. The look on her face was feverish, it pulled at him deeply. He was powerless to it. Was she... that good? Could it be a pretence...? Was she playing him, leading him into believing that she was seemingly his ignorant prisoner... Did she actually know? Did she... stay to find his weaknesses... Was this Shifu's strategy, his master plan... to wait for the right time to strike. That had been her intention all along, yes? To vanquish him as she had tried to do in Hong Kong... as she had tried to do at the Thread of Hope. She wanted him gone. He let out a tremulous breath... phasing into a growl.
How wicked.
The first thing she became aware of was his grip on her tightening. Too tight. It hurt, and all of a sudden she was brought down to earth. She then saw an unfortunate and familiar darkness in his eyes, pinned on her. "Let go." He didn't let go. He suddenly gripped very tight. She winced, and made to pull him off her face. He sneered, and jerked his paws away. Before she could even think he wrapped an around her nearly taking her off her feet. Her expression was momentarily stuck in surprise, but this was quickly discarded by the roughness of his grip. She felt as like she standing dangerously close to a wild beast. "Tai Lung?" she questioned softly.
The snow Leopard scowled, and took her jaw. "Let me make this clear, you have no power over me. I. Am no one's fool; I do not suffer them, they suffer me," he told her viciously. She was brought up to face level, and now she could stare at into his eyes in a way that discarded any obscurity. She saw how brilliant they were, and how deep they went, like voids with no end. "Remember, you struck me first, so whatever position you're in now is entirely your fault... It's just like our battle on the bridge; you attacked me, and I retaliated, only this time, I haven't you let off..."
Let her off...? Why was he talking about this? She should have been wary of him right now... but she was more thrown off by the sudden hostility than scared. This wasn't flippant anger, this was rage. Her confusion inevitably lead to curiosity. Why was he upset with her? What had she done... She tried to think back, but there was nothing, and if there had been he would have reacted sooner, wouldn't he? Whatever was in his head, it needed to end before he actual did something regrettable. Carefully, she tried to pry him off, but his react to this was to add more force.
She hissed when the discomfort turned into pain. "Don't make the mistake of stirring parts me of that are long dead," he ground out.
Gritting her teeth, she hammered at his wrist with her forearm. He narrowed his eyes. She pulled at him and dug her claws in. "You're hurting me!" She yelled.
His hold slackened immediately, enough for her to break away from him. She glared at him, and without a moment for thought, she threw a punch at his face. What she became aware of a few seconds later was that not only had she hit him square in the jaw, he hadn't responded besides being jolted by the impact. He almost seemed at a loss to the strike he'd received. He touched his lip almost mechanically.
A faint taste of copper hit his tongue, and the tip of his finger had a speckle of blood on it.
His eyes slid towards her, followed by the turn of his head. It was an eerily show.
If she was supposed to be worried, it didn't register. She didn't understand why he had done that. It left her feeling immoderately stung, she thought he...
Her breathing had now become heavy. She spewed out barbed words on impulse. "You're wrong about that... Tai Lung. You are a fool. And you do suffer... You're only fooling yourself because in the end you are at fault; you always have been and you know it! You're reminded of it every time you go to sleep― don't try and deny it, I've seen you."
At last, and for the first time since she'd met him, she witnessed what looked to be the last shred of self-control slip away from his face. He looked like a horror, not even human. It struck her sharply. She actually looked away― only for a second. Then she looked back, ignoring her mistake. He regarded her harshly, but he looked normal again. "You don't know a damn thing."
Tigress shook her head with certainty. She shouldn't have put a thought toward his bewildering words, but in spite of obvious danger... an incomprehensible force made her want to go deeper. "But I do. Your tortured moans were proof. It's absurd, but if you can fathom it, I actually felt bad for you." She gave him a regretful look, not put on falsely. "The truth is, you never completely escaped from Chor Gom... did you?" That ended the exchange, and she purposely avoided looking at his face.
As she turned on her heel and walked off she heard nothing from him. She was acutely aware of her own movements and tried not to seem too hurried to be away from her captor. She hardly noticed the awe-filled looks she received from those she passed, more focussed on ignoring the turmoil churning inside her.
Whatever the racket was outside, Shifu knew he'd have to deal with it himself. He had only just started speaking with his students on there investigation when they were cut short by unruly noises. People shouting to be accurate. Mantis stared at the door. "What the heck is that?" The others looked on too, equally concerned. He rubbed his hand down his face. More hassle... Well, he'd put stop it right away. Shifu jumped to his feet.
His students were right on his tail, and even though they had years of experience with their master's renowned temper, they were wary of what was to come. Always the audacious one, Po had words of placation on the tip of his tongue, but Master Shifu was bursting through the door before he could even make a sound.
The Grand Master took notice of the lines of men-at-arms that were on deck, less then twenty he counted, though in his periphery he could see many more on the dock. They all bore the same sigil on their uniforms and looked mildly bridled for the virtually emotionless visages they carried. He found out why they looked like this when he spotted Vachir shouting the odds at someone. He couldn't see who because the rhino was in the way. "What is the meaning of this!" He barked.
"Vachir looked over his shoulder angrily. "We got company," he informed the jaded Kung Fu master, while pointing in front of him.
"I can see that," Shifu said under his breath.
Shifu nearly flinched when said company spoke out. "That voice, I think I've that voice before... Yet, it couldn't who I think it is... because he is far from here," The visitor moved around vachir, and Shifu stared, stricken."-which causes great confusion in me, because I swear I am hearing the voice none other than Master Shifu." Raja smiled genially at him. "What's that look? You seem to be at loss. I've startled you, haven't I?"
The red panda shut his mouth, and opened it again. Nothing came out. The serpent leaned towards Shifu, and raised his brow expectantly.
Regaining composure, he frowned tightly. "Of all people. I never thought I'd see you... Here, or anywhere else."
Raja shrugged. "And here I am, having similar thoughts about you."
"What are you doing here," Shifu asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
"I think you'll find that I'm the one who asks the questions in these parts, but... to avoid confusion, I'll explain." Raja turned his back to Shifu and gestured towards the city. "You see all of that, I rule that." The cobra's glint was far more noticeable now. "To further elaborate, when someone causes trouble in there, I'm the one who sets things right, as any ruler does." He looked over at Vachir, and those that were around him. "For example, when someone commits a crime, that person arrested, and I am the adjudicator."
"You rule Singapore?" Shifu asked, knowing the question was unnecessary. He couldn't help that he found it hard to swallow.
The snake made of noise of affirmation, and feeling of comprehension washed over Po whose face lit up. "Comes with the family. Moving back to the topic, I'll assume that my words have made sense to you, which brings me to-"
The panda cut him off. "Wait a sec! You're that guy, the one we were having a staring contest with before we came back to the ship!" The rest of the Kung Fu masters had known this the moment they laid eyes on him and assumed that it wasn't something anyone would forget about when seeing him again not too long afterwards.
Raja nodded in agreement. "Yes, a contest that I won... lest you forget. Now then, I was talking about why I'm here. There have been a series of assaults in the city this passing week. Unfortunately, I haven't been here to deal with them myself, but my men reported that in all cases those responsible can be identified and seen returning here... to your ship. Based on description alone, I can already see five of them." Shifu glanced over his shoulder at his shame-faced students. Raja's own face was set sternly on them. "The rest, while harder to identify specifically were all rhino. Ganging up people I was told-"
He was cut off again, by Viper. "It's not that simple! It was a misunderstanding, and some of us were only trying to defuse the situation. We weren't trying to hurt anyone!"
The serpent looked mildly unimpressed by the interruption. "Yes well, the statements that came from the citizens contradict what you're saying... so I can only really take your word on that," he told her.
"You're here to mete out punishment then?" Shifu asked, an obvious edge to his tone.
"That is exactly why I'm here," he said unapologetically.
Shifu glared at him. "You haven't changed, I see that much."
Raja smiled broadly at that. "Wrong. I have completely changed. You, however, I can see that you're same stubborn rock you have always been Shifu, only more worn out, yes?"
Vachir, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly roared at the snake. "Hey! Whose this guy think he is, coming here and acting all uppity! We don't have to listen to this..."
Raja's mild annoyance at being continually interrupted was now full blown irritation. "I hope that not all of these rude people are your students, Shifu. if so then you've failed in teaching them manners." Then he spoke to Vachir, whose bearing and appearance fit every delinquent stereotype he'd probably ever heard of. "I've already told you who I am. if you're too slow to keep up, then stay silent."
Vachir's nostrils flared was anger. He spoke through his teeth. He loomed over the snake. "Now you listen-"
Raja burst to full height, almost eye to eye with Vachir. His mouth was half open, allowing glimpse of his fangs. "No, I don't think I will! Do not dare to threaten me, swine. Don't forgot who you're talking too... not one of lessers, so I suggest you put yourself in check." He nudged past the clearly infuriated rhino and addressed only Shifu. "Is something the matter? You've been more quiet than my memory serves. Come now, old man. Your the one in charge of this rabble. My appearance can't that awe inspiring."
Truthfully, Shifu had been watching Raja's men, whose grip on their weapons seemed to tightened considerably. He snorted. "It is not."
Removing the hostility from his form, the snake spoke more placidly. "I'm not going to lie, Shifu. These rhino you bring with you are far too suspicious, especially him. I might be overzealous, but my intuition says he's exactly the type to cause trouble," he spoke only enough volume for Shifu to hear.
All of sudden, an image of his adopted daughter came to mind, and Shifu felt tired. "Enough. I don't wish for any aggro. Perhaps we might solve this without difficulty. This may seem bold considering why you're here, but might you be accommodating?"
"Go on, though I promise nothing."
Shifu didn't lie. "We are here because one of my students has been abducted, we tracked down the one who took her to this city. Sadly, we believe that she may be gone from here... I'm asking that since our presence here is an issue, you simply, through punishment, allow us to depart?"
Raja seemed amused by the suggestion, and not really persuaded. "You have a bad reputation for failing you're students, don't you?"
Shifu shook his head. "She isn't just my student, she is my daughter."
The serpent's amusement faded surprisingly. "Oh... Is she? Then I'm sorry to hear that."
He felt weary just talking about it, but he was equally desperate. "I understand that you would have a reluctance to aid me, I will see to that reparations are made if it helps... I know that the people are your priority in these circumstances, and.. our previous encounters weren't without friction. But we- I... need all the help I can get. I know you can't empathise, but there is nothing would not do to bring her home."
Shifu wasn't worn down so much to not notice the odd look on the cobra's face. It could seen as sympathetic... if he were half-witted. "You would be surprised with what I can empathise," Raja sighed. "Perhaps... I might... help you."
The Grand Master looked unconvinced. He felt that something was off about this... but at the same time he detected genuine understanding from the lofty serpent. "You will?"
"It might surprise you, but one does not settle down into a single place without building a nest," he said plainly. Shifu caught on to the meaning of this, as confounded as it was. "You really have changed."
The serpent rolled his eyes. "I will sort out this mess, while you and your most trusted may come to my home and we can discuss this adduction. Everything note worthy comes to me in the end. Give me the details and I'm quite certain you will learn something useful in pursuit of these... kidnappers."
Shifu blinked. "I don't know what to say."
Raja expression went hard. "There is a condition though. The rest of your crew are banned from the city. If they leave the ship I will arrest them."
He thought about it, and couldn't deny the idea had merits. "We might say for one night, but if nothing comes of it then we leave."
They were both in agreement, and set off to the snake's dwelling.
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