"What?!" Yelled a small creature at a tiger.

"Yeah, I saw her on the news yesterday," explained the officer.

Shifu stood up angrily, marched out his office and stood before them all. He waited 'til all eyes were on him. "WHO GAVE HER THE INFORMATION!?" He bellowed.

They all looked at him, confused.

"MY DAUGHTER!" he boomed as if that would explain everything.

It must have for a bunch of light bulbs went off over every officer before they started clarifying it wasn't them. Shifu watched them all for a few seconds before he noticed a small group in the corner, avoiding eye contact with him. "TEAM A! I'M LOOKING AT YOU," he roared, getting everyone to stop talking. "Explain yourselves!"

Monkey opened his mouth only to close it very tightly.

Crane covered his face with a wing.

Mantis hid behind a paper.

Viper watched them, affronted. "Cowards!" They didn't answer. She turned to Shifu. "Sorry, Chief, but it's part of our deal."

He looked like he was about to start yelling again, but didn't. Instead, he said, "Everyone get back to what you were doing." Everyone nodded and did so. "You four," he pointed at Team A. "In my office. NOW!"

"What deal," he asked Viper, once they were all in his office and seated.

All four looked at each other shaking their head every now and then. Finally, Crane sighed and had the confidence to speak. "Almost half of the cases we've solved were because of the information she brought us."

With that, Viper had enough courage to add, "She somehow gets all the information we're missing."

"You mean she illegally gets all this information," Shifu corrected.

"With all due respect, Chief, she's good at what she does," Monkey reasoned, showing compassion for his friend.

Mantis had waited patiently for his turn to talk. "And we're thankful that we could obtain the information she knows in return of telling her what we know."

"So you basically just trade information for information?" They all nodded. Shifu sighed. "Of all the things you could have given her," he started, softly. "It had to be THAT!?"

"How could we not," Crane argued. "She gave us a suspect."

"What?"

"A suspect," Mantis repeated.

"It was in the file we sent you last night," Monkey explained.

Shifu looked at them before going to his computer. They had sent him a file? He opened it and scanned through. "Her theories are farfetched and out of the circle she believes in, the photos could have been photo shopped, and the "suspect" could be a hobo."

"She told us that the magic is a fallback and that the last theory is the one she favors," Viper explained.

"The photo shop thing would completely explain the photos of the buildings if it weren't for the fact that Tigress uses an instant camera when taking pictures," Mantis reminded.

"And she explained to us that that person cannot be a hobo," Monkey said.

"The clothing on them is way too expensive," Crane added.

Shifu looked at them all. Of all the things she could be, it had to be a reporter. She would have been a perfect cop. He sighed. "We need to be sure."

"We've already called in an expert," Viper established.

Just then, an officer came in. "There's a woman here saying that she was called here by Team A."

They all looked at each other with smiles.

"Mei Mei," they all cheered once they entered their conference room.

Mei Mei smiled at them all. "Hello, it's great to see you all again. Now, where's Tigress's picture."

"How do you know Tigress took the picture," Mantis asked.

"Only she would be able to get me here," Mei Mei explained with a smirk.

Crane handed her a file. She nodded and looked skeptical through most of it, but then her eyes went wide when she got to the last page. She took the picture out and let the rest of the folder fall. "Oh, my goodness! This is gorgeous."

"What is it," Shifu asked.

"The robe on this mystery person! Why, I've never seen a pattern like it, and we all know I spend my day looking over millions of patterns."

They nodded, it was true. She was a wedding planner.

"Can you tell us anything about it," Crane asked.

"Yes! Especially with this quality! You see, another reason I know Tigress took this photo is because only she can take a shot this perfect." They all nodded in agreement while Shifu just waited for this to go on. "Ok, this is traditional handmade-silk and I can tell because, if you look closely, you'll see that, though it's perfect, some of the stitching is a bit off with some of the leaves because, well, no animal is perfect," she giggled. "A machine wouldn't have been able to do that, the company would have had the silk tossed. Also, it's shinier than it should be under a shade."

"Could anyone be able to get it," aske Shifu.

"Well, of course," Mei Mei said, defeating their hope of this being a suspect. "They'd have to be filthy stinking rich, though." Their hope had been rekindled. "Having to pay someone to make you a custom robe with their own silk, taking their time. Do you know how long that would take?! Almost two years. Two years! This is a very old way of doing it, you'd have to be rich or have a time machine to get your hands on something like that."

"How much are talking," Monkey asked.

"Over a billion yuan," she said.

Mantis let a whistle stretch. "That's a whole lot of yuan."

Mei Mei nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, how I wish I knew who made this."

"You've given us more than enough information," Shifu soothed. "Thank you Miss Mei Mei."

She bowed before Crane escorted her out. When Crane came back, they all turned to Shifu.

"This nonsense stops now," he concluded. They were outraged. He heard things like, "You're not serious!" and "You've got to be kidding!" coming from their mouths. The red panda held up a hand to silence them. "I will tell her myself the next time I see her."

"Sir, we need her!" Viper protested.

Shifu shook his head. "No you don't. You're a great team all in yourselves. You just need to work harder. People like her are not welcomed. I don't care if she is my daughter and I don't care that she is your friend. We do not compromise with the likes of reporters. The information they obtain could be false or dangerous for a normal citizen. It ends now! Am I clear?"

"Crystal, Sir," they all answered in sync.

Tigress sat at the table, still looking through the menu. She would have to go somewhere after this so she didn't get dressed too much. She had a shirt on similar to yesterday's except it was purple and more silky and her pants were now a pearly white instead of kaki. She looked up at the door when she heard a bell. It wasn't him. Why was he taking forever? For a man like him, one would think he would be on time. She looked back at the menu.

She wasn't a terrible person, she had given an untraceable phone-call to Team C, who deals with this stuff, about what would happen in an hour. A…resource had told her as much as he could, which wasn't much, so she wasn't able to tell them who to arrest, but she definitely would once her other resources got a whiff of what will happen. She would call Vachir after lunch and tell him to meet her there. She didn't want to call him now. Vachir was a nice friend, but she didn't want anyone knowing that she knew.

She looked up when the bell went off again. It was him. She put on her trademark smile and said, "Well, well, well, I have to say, you sure are late."

Shifu glared at her.

She put on an innocent smile. "What? What did I do?"

"You know what you did," he seethed. "How could you do that? The LPD wasn't going to announce it until another happened."

"I don't see the harm," she explained herself.

"The city is in panic, now, thanks to you," he accused, showing her the harm she couldn't see. "There's a reason we keep things from the public, Tigress. It scares them."

"The people have a right to know what's going on in the universe they live in."

Shifu's ear twitched. "Not if it's going to make them second guess going outside because the "evils" of this world. There are some things the public can't handle, Tigress. Why can't you see that?" All she did was cock a brow. Of course she wouldn't understand, she was a reporter. As long as there was news to tell, a reporter didn't care about other's feelings. Maybe she might care about her own. "That deal you've made with Team A is over."

Her eyes widened. "What?! You can't do that! I have valuable information!"

"Which we will happily take as you get nothing in return except the good feeling of helping the law."

"I deserve to know everything if I'm the one risking my life for all this information."

"No one asked you to."

"All the more reason to be more deserving than anyone else."

"May I take your order," asked a doe.

"Chow mein, please," Tigress said. "With sweet and sour sauce on the side."

"And you, sir?"

"I'll have some eggrolls along with a salad, if you please."

"Alright," said the waitress, writing. "I just need you to sign here," she said, handing the notepad and pen to Tigress.

Tigress signed it as she said, "I didn't know we had to sign for our food." She handed the things back to the doe.

"Oh, you don't," she said with a smile. "I just wanted your autograph. Also, could I have a picture?"

Tigress smiled. "Of course." After all that was done, she turned back to Shifu. "Why can't you just accept that I love my career?"

"Because it's not a career, it's a highway to death."

"So is being a cop."

"At least you'd be dying for a noble cause."

"I'm not gonna die on this job. I'm careful. Those few months in the academy prepared me for somethings so it wasn't completely useless. I have to thank you for that."

"Well, that's a first. But it doesn't excuse you from all you've done."

"Nothing I've ever reported has been my fault."

"You wouldn't have had anything to do with the call this morning about the shooting that will happen in almost an hour…would you?"

She glared at him. "Nothing…has been my fault. If anything, I'm helping you all."

"Illegally, Tigress. I don't even know how many gang members you know. I'm pretty sure I wont be able to count it on one paw. Do you know how dangerous that is? If you were a cop, I'd be able to send back up. But you're not, and there's no telling when I'll find you dead in a ditch someday."

"I'm careful, baba. The academy taught me things and I won't forget it."

"Yet you seem to forget all the money that went into that academy. You got that reporting job the day you graduated. I'll never forget that."

She rolled her eyes. "It's been ten years. Get over it."

"I'll get over it once you find out that being a reporter wasn't for you."

Tigress looked at him. "You'll only get over it when I'm miserable. Baba, do you know how petty that sounds?"

"Why can't you be more like Tai-lung? He accepted the role, why can't you?"

"Because I'm not Tai-lung," she almost yelled. A few people turned to them. "I am me, so I became a reporter."

"You should've become a cop."

She glared at him. He just couldn't understand. Just then, the waitress came back with their food. She looked up at her with a smile. "Thank you, don't go yet." She got out 300 from her purse and handed it to her. That would be enough to pay for both meals. "Whatever change is left is your tip," she said with a smile. The doe looked at her in awe. Tigress stood up and grabbed her meal. Conveniently, this restaurant served their food in Styrofoam containers.

"Where are you going," he asked.

"Somewhere where I don't have to deal with your shit," she answered as she walked away. Which happened to be her apartment, where no one was allowed up to unless she gave consent to the doorman. She took a deep breath when she was finally outside. She knew he wouldn't follow her. He never apologized, which made her wonder why she still cared about his judgment. She started walking to her motor scooter.

Driving home, her food in her basket, she noticed a panda riding a really old bicycle. And not just any panda, it was that panda from the noodle shop, she was sure of it. She sped up a bit and cut him off, causing him to stop, joltingly. He looked at her in surprise and then suddenly looked away. "I know you." And she truly did. He looked remarkably familiar.

"I'm sure you do."

His voice was soft and quiet and he was avoiding eye contact. But she could see those eyes. Those eyes were definitely familiar. Her mind came up with a single word. Ping. And her memory came flooding back. She smiled. "I know who you are!" He looked up at her, his eyes wide and…well, she couldn't find a word for it other than hopeful. "Ping. You're Po Ping!" Something in his eyes told her that she was correct. "The man that used to live across from me when I was a kid!" The expression in his eyes changed. Then she realized how impossible that would be. He would be older, much older. "No, that can't be. You'd be old. But your name is Po Ping, isn't it?"

Po wasn't sure what to do. She was the little tiger living across from him? That was impossible. He never got the girl's name, but he would have sensed it was her. And she had recognized him and he had given confirmation that his name was Po Ping. What should he do? He did the only thing he could do. "I'm his son." Ok, not the only thing he could do, but the only thing that came to mind. Usually he would be able to throw people off for it had been years since they had seen him. But, this time, it hadn't been so long ago. Fifty years, that was enough time. A bit over twenty, that wasn't good. Oh, how he wished he could just peddle away. But he had spoken now and the conversation had started. Oh, boy.

Tigress smiled. "I didn't know he had a son."

"I didn't know he knew a tigress." Why does he keep talking?!

"Well, this is amazing." She could remember all those times that Mr. Ping would throw her ball back to her without a complaint and would greet her back every time she said "hello" on her way to school. "How is he? Is he doing fine?"

"He's, uh…dead." Oh, he just kept making it worse.

"Oh," Tigress said, her mood going down a bit. "How long ago?"

"A few years ago." Great, just great.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Well, there was no backing out now. "Yeah, it's fine, though. I'm over it. Not really, but, yeah…"

"Sorry I brought it up," she apologized. Nothing thickened awkwardness like talking about death.

"No, it's fine. Really. I'm glad to see my father left an impact or so on someone, Mrs…?"

"Tigress," she held out a hand and was glad to see that he took it. "And its Miss, not Misses. No ring on this finger." She held up her left paw.

Po nodded. "Well, it was nice talking to you, Miss Tigress-"

"You can just call me Tigress," she interrupted.

He nodded again. "It was nice talking to you, Miss Tigress. But, I have somewhere to be, as you can see."

"Right, right," she said, realizing that she was probably taking up valuable time. "It was nice talking to you, too. I hope to see you soon."

"Only the universe knows if that will happen," he said with a smile as he rode away.

She let out a small snort. Yeah, the universe. Or the complete chance that they just happen to be walking, or riding in the area that they both live in. Honestly, some people are hilarious.

Po walked into the bank holding his check and ID. The first time he ever did this, long ago, he was almost arrested. He didn't know that one needed verification of who they were when they were getting money. People cared a lot about money. That was one thing that hadn't changed. No one had any idea how hard it was getting this ID. Or any verification that he existed. He had only one birth certificate, and every few years he would change the date. Things like that had been hard. They weren't anymore though. This was his last life. He walked over to the open banker that just so happened to be a friend.

"Morning, Ping," said the jaguar. This was Cuzco. He was the same age as Po, sort of. He was in his forties, just as most animals thought Po was. They were friends on account that they somehow always saw each other around. Cuzco also shared his beliefs on how the world was becoming trash.

"Morning, Cuzco," he replied, handing him his check. He looked around. Hardly anyone was here. "Slow day?"

Cuzco nodded as he cashed the check. "Won't be in an hour. Gonna have all the youngsters coming in cashing their checks, too." He handed Po his money. "The boys and I are going out tonight," he started. "You should come. It'll be a fun night of bowling and beer."

Po shook his head. He found out long ago that beer wasn't his thing. "Nah, I'm too much of a light-weight." Is that what they called it?

"You should come anyway. I don't see you anywhere, and when I do, you're alone. You don't got any friends, do you?"

"I like to be alone." And it was the truth. It was painful and depressing, but it was the truth.

Cuzco waved the answer off. "No one likes to be alone. Come on, give me your number, and I'll text you the address."

"Number? Text?" Po was so confused.

Cuzco looked at him incredulously. "You don't got a phone?"

Po shook his head.

Cuzco let out a laugh. "Boy, do you need my help." Cuzco got a sign out from under the desk and placed it on. "Meet me outside."

Po nodded, shoving his banknotes in his wallet.

"Alright," said Cuzco, walking out of the bank. "Let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"To get you a phone," he answered. "It ain't right for a man not to have a phone. How you gonna call your woman?"

"I don't have a woman," Po informed.

Cuzco started walking. "And that's why you're comin' out with me and the boys. Every man needs a woman." Po started following, dragging his bike along. "Mine's got my heart wrapped around her finger. Amazing feeling."

"I've experienced it before," Po assured.

"You had a woman once?"

"Once. The only woman I would ever love. She's gone, though." He could finally accept that now. Accepting things made them easier to talk about.

"Sorry to hear. How'd she go?"

"Died in battle. Would have died sooner had I not been there with her."

"I didn't know you was an army man. Dang, Po, now you really have to come bowling with us. You're my friend, Po, and I love knowing my friends."

Po smiled. "Alright, fine. I'll come."

"Good. We're here, too."

They both walked into a shop full of all kinds of electronics that Po couldn't begin to know. He knew those things with those triangle buttons played those things people called CDs. He knew those rectangle things were phones. Everyone had one and they came in different sizes and colors. He followed Cuzco to a cashier. "Excuse me, Miss," he said to the cashier, who was on her own phone. "I was wondering if you could help me find a phone for my friend, here." He gestured towards Po. "He's new to this world."

The otter put her phone in her pocket and put on a smile. "Why, of course." She turned to Po. "What would you like, sir. We have many different phones all for the choosing. What are you like? Do you like managing your time, or do you tend to be more spontaneous?"

Po thought about it. He was always on a routine, but that's because he didn't want to meet new people and have his heart broken. Those times were over though. "Spontaneous, I guess."

The otter nodded. "What's more your type, pictures or videos?"

"Pictures, I guess."

"One last question. Are you a talk or text kind of person?"

Po looked at her, confused.

"He's more of a talk person," Cuzco answered for him.

The otter smiled. "I know just the phone." She grabbed a stick and started paddling her way out of behind the counter, revealing that she had been standing on a swively chair. She rolled herself over to a wall full of phones in packages. Using the stick she had used to paddle her way over to it, she lifted it up and hooked it to a package. She brought it down in a swift motion. "A PawPhone. Amazing quality with pictures, very swift when taking photos, different types of filters for your spontaneous moments, comes with PawPrint, comes with AnimalView if you don't like internet explorer. And, finally, holds a maximum of 4gigabytes without an SD card."

Po was staring at her, completely lost. "He'll take it," Cuzco answered for him. "I'll explain it all to you later."

Po nodded.

They followed the otter as she paddled her way back to the counter. She typed something into the machine and put the package over a red light. "The phone, itself, will be 1100 yuan. Picking a service is hard for some people, but I would recommend Pure Mobile, unlimited talk and text and fast internet." Po was still looking lost, but he agreed to it anyways. "The service will be 200 a month. Cash or credit?"

"Credit," said Cuzco, getting his wallet.

Po took out his wallet quicker. "Cash."

"I got this, Po," Cuzco insisted. "You don't have to waste your money."

"I have the money to pay for this, Cuzco," Po argued. "Believe me." Po counted out the bank notes and handed her the money. She started doing whatever the heck she needed to do.

"You sure this ain't gonna put a dent in your lifestyle?"

"I'm completely positive," he answered. "I have money, Cuzco. Before my dad died, he owned his own business," he explained. It wasn't completely a lie. "He left everything to me, but I didn't feel like carrying it on. I have money."

Cuzco nodded with a smile. "Good, you'll be able to afford the first round of drinks."

Shifu sat down and looked at list. Four. Four animals. Victims and witnesses were brought in to identify them. They were the only four caught in the shooting. He was hoping the shooting wouldn't happen since he had more officers on patrol than usual. But it happened. Of course, Tigress was there before anyone else after it ended. He wished she could just stop being so… He didn't want to say stubborn. Persistent, maybe. She took his advice, sometimes.

Someone walked in. "Sir, all witnesses have confirmed the identity of the shooters and have also informed us that there are two more."

Shifu nodded. "Is that all?"

"Yes, sir."

"You may return to your work."

The officer nodded and left the room.

Shifu looked back at all the paperwork. He didn't want to do this today. He looked at his TV. He never really turned it on, but Tigress would be on her own station, having a conversation with some of her colleagues. It wouldn't hurt to watch. He grabbed the remote and turned it on. As expected, Tigress was on the news.

"So tell me," started a young panther, far younger than Tigress. "How on earth did you get there right after the shooting?" She sounded rehearsed. Of course, he could tell she was only there because she was young and new. Everyone loved young and new. But they also loved Tigress. Mix those two together and you get views. He sighed. Reporters.

He watched as Tigress smiled at her. "Most people there would have said that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Well, I think it's quite the opposite for us reporters. Right place, right time. I had just finished lunch with my father and was off driving home. I had to stop at red light, and that's when it started." A very good liar and expert of concealing her feelings. What had this "career" done to her? If she wanted to learn to conceal her feelings, a cop would have been just fine, pretending that the cases you couldn't solve didn't bother you. "There were six of them, I could tell. Even if it was a matter of life and death, my reporting skills took over and I just had to have a peek of who it was."

"Of course you did," Shifu muttered.

"And, like everyone else, I'm waiting to hear exactly what it was about."

"Well, there you have it folks," said the young reporter. "A complete coincidence."

He turned off the TV just as they did a close up on Tigress, her smile pointed at the camera. He sighed. That girl was just too much.

This is going to be the last chapter for a while. Sorry for the inconvenience. But I'll be working on an old fic called "Friendship", which is also a kung fu panda fic. I'm working on rewriting the chapters, so you all can go read it if you want. Until next time!