~~a/n; wHAAAAT? YARART MANAGES TO BUST OUT TWO WORKS IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS? WITH THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER BEING A FILLER WITH TIPO FLOOF? :O
WHY YES, DEAR READERS, YOUR EYES DON'T DECEIVE YOU- I POSTED 2 WORKS IN A ROW IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE- I THINK- NOVEMBER OF 2020? ; w ; this one is kinda short tho and it's more surrounded by the idea someone suggesting a Tigress and Po umbrella scene on tumblr- soooo... yEAH LOL
tbh, I had many ideas when this came to mind, I was thinking of writing this as a one-shot in the canon universe, or a one-shot spin-off of my boyfriend's series, "Class of Honour", sadly tho, I couldn't think of anything for those prompts so I was a bit stuck... until I jumped and suddenly had a revelation, "hey! I wanted to write a few floofy TiPo filler chapters for Lotus! This could be a great way to start! :3"
and so, bc of that revelation, I decided to make this little chapter! I know it doesn't really have anything to do with the current story, but I wanted to make a few chapters on the slices of life that went on between the events with Tigress and Lotus! (whilst, of course, having a flash back sequence as that's gonna also be a common theme in this series :3)
now, before I carry on with the story... hOLY FUDGE DID READING YALLS NICE REVIEWS LIGHT UP MY DAY! I WILL ADMIT I WAS A BIT HESITANT ON THE IDEA OF MAKING ANY MORE WORKS BUT GOODNESS- THE FEEDBACK I GOT- I'M GONNA CRY AAAAA ; w ;
CONSIDERING I GOT A FEW VERY NICE REVIEWS, (AND IN CELEBRATION OF HITTING 50+ REVIEWS) I DECIDED IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE A BIT NOSTALGIC AND REPLY TO WHAT ALL OF YOU HAD TO SAY :D
Dashishen (hai babes :3): gosh reading your review first instantly filled my heart with serotonin- AAAAAA-
I'M GLAD YOU LIKED THIS AND CONSIDERED ME AS UNRUSTY AS I WAS VERY NERVOUS TO POST THE LAST CHAPTER CONSIDERING THE END SEEMED OFF- AT LEAST TO ME- AND IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING TO ME WHEN YOU SAID I IMPROVED A LOT DURING MY HIATUS SO- THANK YOU- FOR THAT- EEEE~
Starless: I know what you were thinking in that last review and- nOPE! STILL HERE, ALIVE AND THRIVING MY GUY! and I thank you for considering me as being shinier teehee! nice to know I still got it UwU
also- I know you also already do this but kEEP BEING AWESOME AS WELL! :D
Footrot Flats: ah, my old buddy! feels good to be back and reply to you! I'm glad you liked the scene with Li Shan and Lily, I kinda wanna plan more backstories with them and their progression in their relationship since there's surprisingly very little info and lore when it comes to their relationship other than the fact that Li Shan loved Lily. and I totally think they were rivals-lovers don't at me- PFFF
OdeClock: first off- wHOA- AAAAA I'M GLAD YOU LIKED THE STORY- YOUR SUPPORT AND FOLLOWING FOR THIS IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED! considering your most recent comment where you think things can only go down hill from here for Lotus and Tigress.. weellllll I can't say much cus shshsh spoilers but~ just be glad that you're only getting filler fluff chapters for now, hehehe ;3
oKAY- I BELIEVE I WENT OVER EVERYTHING! now, Imma just shut up and let you get to reading before I talk yall's ears off LOL- enjoy the chapter! gave a great day/night, and until next time... YARART OUT! ;D
"When it rains," The wise tortoise said to the tiger cub, "It's like the world is feeling the sensation of relief."
This one sentence shook Tigress to her core as she turned behind her during her meditation, only to see the faithful Master Oogway himself, smiling down at her gently whilst covering both their forms with a umbrella.
Tigress, during her early teen years, was sitting peacefully under the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom to meditate in order to cope with another difficult day at training with her master, Shifu. Unfortunately for her, as to match her melancholy mood, the sky had started to darken and the world around her started to droop with a depressing drizzle.
When she thought she was at her all time low, on command, she was met under the embrace of a royal red umbrella held by non other than the old tortoise, with a lantern hanging on his staff in his other claw.
She tilted her head up at him in intrigue and confusion, a common expression she would wear in Oogway's presence, one that never failed to make him chuckle. He sat down next to the young feline and continued his word of wisdom, "Sometimes, even the skies, the earth, even the trees feel pain. They feel pressure. They feel strife."
He picked up a fallen peach flower and held it close to him, "That's why we have rain. Having the storm finally unleash and rain down on everything after bottling up their tears in the clouds, it makes the very earth we stand on feel... released from the strife. Refreshed in a sense, if you will. When it comes down to it, even we all need a little rain." He handed the peach flower to the young tiger.
"I... how is this supposed to make me feel better..?" The naive feline finally inquired, causing Oogway to shake his shoulders as he whole-heartedly laughed.
"It's not."
Tigress' face drooped to a dead-pan, admittedly amusing the tortoise. "It's supposed to be an invitation."
"An invitation? To what?"
"To let yourself rain."
And with that, he left the teenage tiger to meditate by the peach tree, leaving her with the drenched fallen flower... and, of course, the umbrella.
Tigress was at the entrance of the Panda Village with the head messenger, Zeng. Whenever he is to exchange letters from her to the Jade Palace and vice versa, time by time he has noticed subtle changes within the feline that he hasn't noticed before. Even with the skies greyed and dulled from the heavy clouds representing a arriving storm, the feline still felt... content. It was actually the first time he felt at ease with the tiger's presence. When he was around the intimidating master, she always had a stone-cold face that symbolised her stone-cold personality... but as time went on, the more he visited, the more that emotionless face slowly etched to a sincere and genuine smile.
She seemed... happier. And in truth she was.
"It's going to rain soon..." She mumbled, looking at the sky. The goose messenger cocked up a feathery eyebrow at the out of context comment, but still nodded respectfully. "Why yes... it indeed is..."
She smiled down at the small messenger, and picked out something from her pocket along with her individual letters for her masters and her comrades... only to reveal two flowers that she picked from the meadow near the village. She knelt down and handed one to the goose unexpectedly. He was taken aback but slowly took the flower into his wing anyway to examine it... his eyes widened at the flower.
"A daffodil...?"
Tigress nodded.
"H-how did you know that it was my—"
"I felt like it would seem fair to learn about your favorite flower, so I asked Oogway." She shrugged.
The duck looked up at the over-towering master, torn between his emotions. "W-why..?"
"Everyone deserves a little kindness. And like that flower... everyone needs a little rain." She grinned kindly. Slowly but surely, Zeng finally broke into a smile and respectfully bowed before he collected the rest of the letters and gave Tigress hers. "Thank you, Mast—"
"Please, just..." Tigress humbly raised her paw up to halt the goose, "Call me Tigress. You were there the moment I was adopted into the Jade Palace, I think we've reached a level of respect for each other to forget about formalities."
Zeng smiled again... she definitely seemed happier. "Thank you, Tigress."
The feline curtly nodded. "Oh... and make sure you give Oogway this as well." She handed him the last flower she had... a peach blossom.
"I thought that this place only had lotuses."
"I thought so too... that is until my student and I, uhm... stumbled upon this meadow that coincidentally had peach trees just like the one at the Jade Palace..." She blushed, not wanting to recite the events that led her and Lotus to finding this luxurious meadow.
Zeng was, yet again, taken back, not by the flowers and extra forms of life here, but the fact that Tigress seemed... less composed, especially with her emotions. He thought nothing of it though, and just nodded his head again in understanding.
"And... one more thing... Grandma Panda noticed that you would travel to even the coldest and darkest of places... so in order to keep you warm..." Tigress reached behind her and pulled out a tiny robe, seemingly out of thin air. It was green with a red trim, to help represent Zeng's status, it was about the same size as him, and it was suitable for cold and stormy weather. Zeng gasped, feeling his eyes water at the amount of kindness he was receiving, therefore not hesitating to drop his bag of deliveries and eagerly place it on. He wiggled his arms through the sleeves and tied the red sash to hold his new outfit in place, even taking note of the wooden-carved 'medal' that was painted in gold and labelled "China's Best Messenger." He smiled through his tears and used his wing to wipe his tears.
"This is... perfect. Tell her I'm entirely grateful to have this in my possession." He modestly bowed again.
"I will... Oh, almost forgot!" She suddenly remembered, setting up the little hood over Zeng's head as well. He looked up at her questioningly, to which she just shrugged, understanding his confusion, "Grandma Panda calls it a 'hood'... they're actually a lot more efficient than I thought." She whispered as she felt a rain drop fall on her fur. "Besides, I don't think your messenger hat can resist a drenched head from the weather." She coyly added, admittedly making the messenger laugh.
"You're too kind, Tigress. Thank you. I'll make sure your needs are met and that Oogway receives your flower." He gathered his bag and got ready to take flight. He glanced back one more time at the slightly solemn tiger, "Until we meet again, mast—I-I mean... Tigress."
"Safe travels, Zeng." Tigress professionally stated, and with that, the bird took flight to the skies to start his journey back home...
Home.
Tigress felt her ears drooped as she looked down at all the letters she received. She noticed that all her friends and Master Oogway left her a message... all but one.
Master Shifu.
She sighed. She should have expected that her master wouldn't write to her, it's been four total months since she had stayed here in the Panda Village and yet he hasn't written a single thing to her. She pretended it didn't bother her but... she quickly shook her head. At least she had letters from the people she cared about back home... that's all that matters.
She attempted to cover the scrolls from the rain that started to pour above her, fearing that the waters will simply drench the parchments. She sighed to herself. Her frown etching lower and lower as her mood sunken. With how homesick and melancholy she felt, the rainy weather seemed perfect for her mood. Despite her peace in the Panda Village, she couldn't help but mope as the soggy weather consumed her.
That is until she sensed a shade wash over her and felt the ever falling rain ceased it's trembling on her fur.
She instantly turned her head from that feeling of deja vu that she has felt a few instances being in the Panda Village, surprised but not by much as she caught sight of familiar jade eyes staring back at her with a kind smile.
Lotus stood there with his hood on with his bandaged paws holding up a red umbrella over Tigress' head to protect her from the rain.
"Hey, Ti!" He nicknamed her, to which she was at first she neglected the name, but soon came to have the name rub off on her. It was better than constantly referring her as 'Master' Tigress, that's for sure.
"What are you doing out in the rain? I know your kung fu-y awesomeness doesn't need to worry about this kind of weather but you're gonna catch a cold out here."
Tigress had to pick up a grin of amusement. Either Lotus would just forget that she was practically as hard and cold as stone and he didn't need to care for her the way he did, or he was aware of her hardcore-ness and just went out of his way to care for her anyway, she didn't know. But nevertheless it was amusing how considerate he was for her.
"I don't catch colds. Colds aren't really ideal for a certified kung fu warrior." The feline joked. Lotus chuckled.
Oh how she would never understand why his laugh brought her immediate joy; she would still do whatever she could just to hear that sweet, genuine sound, even if it meant her breaking character and cracking up some humor of her own.
Though she wasn't very keen on the thought from the beginning, dear gods was it worth the fact she went against her own logic anyways to pursue and embrace this part of herself.
"Well, ideal or not, you're still drenched." The panda shot back, causing Tigress to just roll her eyes and look out the entrance again. She leaned her back against the wooden walls that formed the gates Lotus' eyes examined her slightly solemn state. He looked down and saw the letters.
"Are those from the Jade Palace?" He finally asked. Tigress, feeling instantly reminded of her place at the grand palace, frowned even further as she trailed off the the grass beneath her getting soaked with water.
"Yes... yes they are."
Lotus, feeling sympathetic towards his master and (sort-of) friend, hesitatingly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and joined her under the umbrella. Tigress' felt her body jerk and her cheeks light up with a small blush again, but instantly felt herself melt into Lotus' embrace and relaxed her muscles.
The two of them didn't say anything. They just looked out into the dreary and rainy distance. Tigress slowly felt herself lean her head onto Lotus' shoulder as he comfortingly rubbed arm. He did say he would teach Tigress about affection not too long ago, and he definitely did not turn back on that promise. He gently placed his chin on her head.
"I'm sorry." He whispered.
Tigress took a small yet sharp breath, as if she was trying to cease some kind of trembling. She had to admit, as much as she hated to admit it; the spent time with the pandas hasn't only made her a little soft... but a little emotional too.
"It's okay... It's not your fault."
"But you're still trapped here. I know how it feels to be trapped, but at least I'm in the comfort of my home. You're trapped away from your home."
Tigress felt a stray drop slither down her cheek... but it wasn't because of the rain.
She looked up to the sky and took another breath, longer and much soft this time. She sniffed, quickly wiping the tear away before Lotus could notice.
"You know what, Lotus?" The panda hummed in reply, confirming he was listening. "I'm not exactly... trapped here. In fact, the Jade Palace may be my home but I feel more at peace in the farthest village away from the public's eye than I ever felt back at the Valley of Peace... Well, of course, with the exception of Mr. Ping making me feel at ease in the valley."
"Mr. Ping?" Lotus arched up his eyebrow, "Who's that?"
"An eccentric old duck who runs a noodle shop in the Valley." Tigress shrugged, smiling at the fond memories where she would sneak to Mr. Ping's restaurant whenever she was on patrol, "I think you would like him... he's a very good cook and dedicated to his business, plus he would never necessarily care who or what you are as long as you place your yuan on the table so I imagine he's pretty open-minded as well."
Lotus laughed, "Seems like someone who could be a better mentor for me than you would, Ti," He teased, only to get playfully elbowed in the ribs by the feline. It still hurt, unsurprisingly. "I'm kidding! I swear I'm just kidding." He laughed nervously.
"Hmm," Tigress smirked. "I do think you two would get along well, though..."
Her smirked softened into a smile as she looked up into Lotus' eyes, "There's someone else I think you would like to meet too.."
"Who?" Lotus tilted his head to look back into Tigress' ember orbs.
"Master Oogway... you very much remind me of him." Tigress couldn't help but chuckle at the way Lotus' eyes lit up like a thousand fireworks, "DUDE! I WOULD LOVE TO MEET OOGWAY SOMEDAY! HE'S A TOTAL LEGEND AND THE LITERAL EMBODIMENT OF KUNG FU!"
The tiger had to roll her eyes at the big bear's fanboy antics, as she usually did when he would break out like this, but still held her smile. He was so carefree. So high-spirited. He was certainly a lot like Oogway...
But much more easy to understand.
She simply placed her finger pad against Lotus' head, ceasing his bouncing on the spot. "Perhaps someday, I could take you back to the Jade Palace with me and introduce you to everyone."
The panda beamed, "I would love that..."
They both peacefully looked out into the horizon again. They both felt like they would end the conversation at that, until Lotus finally inquired something that struck a chord in the feline.
"Do you miss anyone? Y'know, at the Jade Palace, I mean?"
Tigress' eyes slightly widened at the question and she lowered her gaze. "I... actually... do. I do miss the Furious Five but... I definitely miss Oogway the most... he was the one who really cared for me. He taught me an important lesson."
"What's that?" He asked. Lotus' eyes widened when the feline turned back to him, a drop of water slithering down her cheek. He didn't know if it was honestly from the rain or not.
"To relieve myself with my own rain."