Set between KFP1 & KFP2
Someday
She thought she'd be able to handle it. She was positive she'd be able to handle it. When Master Shifu asked if anyone would be able to help around Bao Gu, the orphanages conditions were getting worse, she was the first to agree. She didn't want other kids growing up like she did but after all, it was a long time ago. Her past was all behind her. She thought she was a different person now.
"We just need a minute." Tigress heard Viper tell Miss Zua, someone who brought back even more pain filled memories to fill her already crushed mind.
"That's fine, dear. We'll just be out in the courtyard. The kids are all still outside."
"Thank you, Miss."
Tigress could feel the sympathetic look Miss Zua was sending her, before the door finally shut. Laying her head against the cracked wall, she shut her eyes tight. Knowing her friends were most likely all starring at her, the last thing she wanted to do was meet their gaze.
However, she could feel sometimes arm holding her back and instantly recognised it as Po's. He was the only one brave enough to wrap his arms around her when she got like this. On normal instinct, she would smack him. However, for once it felt kind of nice and she had to admit; she was getting more used to the Panda's affections.
"How could you live in this dump?" Mantis asked, with what she guessed was wide eyes. Tigress knew everyone else was now glaring at him, and mouthing for him to be quiet. She knew her friends that well.
"It's okay, Ti. Uh, it really isn't that bad."
Of course, Po. Always trying to find a bright side. Clearly he couldn't establish reality from his day dreams; for anyone with a working pair of eyes could see this place was a torture chamber.
His encouragement was followed with blank silence, and Tigress knew no one had any idea what to do. They probably didn't want to say the wrong thing, which they already had.
Standing back up and opening her eyes, Tigress looked down. "Whatever. Let's just get a move on. We have to head back in an hour, anyhow."
Everyone else seemed to accept this, but of course, Po, the persistent panda he was, had some sort of objection.
"But Tigress! We just got here! You spent your childhood life here! Don't you want to at least, I don't know, sit on your bed? Look around?"
The panda immediately regretted it. No one who lived here would want to look around. It was small enough, that with one glance you would see the whole place. And looking at her broken bed, maybe sitting on it wasn't the greatest idea either. It was a good thing he hadn't tried, Po thought.
"My childhood life, was spent at the Jade Palace." Tigress corrected, turning to him. "Not here. Here was the place I wasted away in for years, until I finally found some place to.. call ...home."
Po watched as words slowed down, and soon felt even more regret for bringing it up.
"I'm sorry, Tigress.." He apologised. "I get this is probably really hard for you, and uh.."
"And uh? Unbelievable. Stop making it sound like it kills you just to look at it! HOW DO THINK IT FEELS TO ACTUALLY LIVE HERE?!"
"Um, Horrible?! I don't.. I can't imagine. I mean.." Rubbing the back of his neck, Pi sent a glance to the rest of the Five, having no idea what to say about Tigress' sudden outburst.
"We're just going to step outside.." Crane excused the rest of the five, backing up towards the door. "You guys talk this out.."
Before either could object, the five, excluding Tigress pushed open the door, before slamming it shut. With an eye roll, Tigress turned to Po.
He tried as hard as he could to think of the right words. "I'm sorry." Po defended. "I know what your going to say, I need to learn to keep my mouth shut."
"..You do." Tigress admitted, with a sigh. Her agreement was followed with another minute of silence. "Po, I get your care about.. this. But honestly? I don't. So it would be great if we could get this over with."
She began to walk towards the door, but Po stopped her.
"How can you say that though?" The Dragon Warrior asked, quickly. He suddenly starred at her, holding back his fear of being scolded. "I saw your reaction first walking in here. Everyone did. If you don't care, why wouldn't you act like it right away?"
Not having an answer, the Dragon Warrior continued to talk.
"I get this whole thing is new to you.. Becoming friends, me wanting to be in your personal life." He chuckled, but stopped when Tigress didn't. "But during the 5 months I've been here, I've learned there are things you care about. I'm pretty sure this is one of them."
"I lived here a long time ago." She answered, after another full minute. "Aren't you some super fan? Shouldn't you know everything that's happened to me? To the Five?"
"Not more then then watching Shifu bring you back from the orphanage." Po shrugged.
Falling silent, for nearly 2 full minutes, Po didn't stop looking at her. He hated these awkward pauses, but realized if he wanted to be part of her life, he'd have to get used to them.
Tigress could tell he was starring and had to keep herself focused on the wood floor, to keep from staring back.
"..Look. What happened to me here... Isn't something I wish to discuss right now."
Po nodded, reaching out to touch her shoulder. "Then when?"
Their eyes locking, Tigress took in a deep breath. "I.. I don't know."
"You don't have too. But someday?"
Nodding, Tigress took another glance around her room, before pushing open the door. As soon as she did, however, both her and the panda automatically saw the Five standing there. Rolling her eyes, she pushed past them, with Po following closely behind.