The morning gong rang throughout the Valley of Peace waking up its inhabitants including young Tigress.
"Good morning Master Shifu." Tigress said as she quickly exited her room and bowed to her master.
"Good morning. Breakfast and then we will be working on your balance until lunch." With that said Shifu walked away as Tigress went to prepare herself some breakfast, nice, bland tofu.
'Eww, why can't I eat something beside tofu for a change? I understand it's suppose to be healthy and give me energy, but there is no taste! Well there is something of a taste, like paper.' Tigress thought this as she ate her tofu quickly before going to the training hall to meet Master Shifu.
"Tigress I want you to walk up and down the 1000 steps while balancing bucket of water on your head. I don't want to see one drop spilled. I will come collect you for lunch." Stated Shifu.
"Yes Master Shifu." And so Tigress started her training showing nothing but a small smile to her master in which he did not return. That didn't mean Tigress was looking forward to this training.
'OK, I guess I have to walk without moving to much and I have to stay straight so the bucket does not fall off. Hmm, I can keep it centered between my ears. That will help it from slipping to the side to much.' Tigress started her task of going up and down the steps with the bucket of water careful not to spill any of its content.
It wasn't until two hours later that something of interest happened. A tall bird decided to land next to Tigress as she was halfway up the stairs. Tigress gave him a glance, but was entirely focused on not spilling the water.
"Say, uhh...what are you doing?" Asked the bird.
"I'm training." replied Tigress.
"This is training?"
"Yes, I am working on my balance. I am not allowed to spill a single drop of water from this bucket."
"That seems a little impossible while walking up the stairs."
"Nothing is impossible. That is what Master Oogway always says."
"Well I guess you can look at it that way, being optimistic. I like it. My name is Bai, what about you?"
"Tigress. Nice to meet you Bai."
"So I am guessing you are a student of the Jade Palace then since you are walking up and down the steps to it."
"That is correct."
"Well that's cool. I guess we are going to be living together then. I am the new student here from the Lee Da Kung Fu Academy." Tigress eyes widened a bit at this and she stopped on the stairs and slowly turned her head towards the bird.
"You are the new student? I was not expecting you to be here so early."
"Well I can fly so it cuts travel time short for me."
"That must be nice. What is it like to soar through the air?" Tigress started walking up the steps once more.
"It is amazing. You can feel the wind blow across your body and the view is amazing! China is so beautiful."
"Wow. I wish I could fly."
"Maybe I can take you up one day just to see what it is like." Bai offered.
"You can do that?" Tigress asked with amazement.
"Ya, well more light weight people than anything, but I could probably take you. You don't look very heavy."
"That would be amazing Bai!" The two finally reached the top of the stairs where Master Oogway and Shifu were waiting.
"Ahh, I see you two met on the stairs. I hope you got acquainted well enough." Spoke Oogway. Tigress took the bucket off her head and bowed to the two masters. Bai bowed in respect as well.
"Yes Master Oogway. Bai is very kind." Bai blushed at this.
"I see, well I think you could be don with training for the day Tigress. You can help Bai around the palace and get to know each other better."
"Of course Master, thank you." Tigress spoke with a sparkle in her eye and smile on her face.
"Have fun." Master Oogway walked away.
"I expect both of you to be on time for dinner tonight and up for the morning gong with plenty of rest in the morning." With that Master Shifu walked off.
"So if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you?" asked Tigress.
Bai looked taken back, "Well I'm a crane."
"A crane? I have never seen one of your kind before. You are very tall for a bird."
Bai laughed, "Well to be fair I have never seen a tiger before either." They reached the room where Bai would be staying.
"I hope you don't mind, but I set up this room for you." said Tigress.
"It's perfect. It faces the sunset which is perfect for me to be able to paint in the evening without having to be outside." Tigress smiled glad that she made her new friend happy with his room.
"Hey Bai, how old are you?"
"Oh, uhh I'm 16. What about you Tigress?"
"16! Cool! I wish I was older, I'm only 12."
"Well being 12 is cool as well. That just means you have more energy compared to me and anyone else who is older."
"Nah, Master Shifu is still faster then me."
"Speed has nothing to do with it. That is based upon the species. Plus you can get faster through practice. You have more energy and a curiosity to do things. I bet you are going to be able to out train me any day." Tigress smiled wide at the crane.
"Thanks Bai! I'm sure you will do amazing as well." With this the two bonded for the rest of the evening before going to bed to prepare for the next day of training with Shifu.