Hey guys, I'm back. After a helluva long time. Eh, junior college is killing me, and I really have no time for anything I'm honestly just taking some down time to write this. So anyway, I promise I will try to update more often, so hang in there guys, I'll finish this story eventually. For now though, I've been focusing a lot on my training, I have a judo competition coming up early next year, so I may not be updating for quite a while XD

Please forgive me

Taiki grunted as he struck a shadow warrior, reducing it to smoke. He deftly backfisted one, using the momentum of the strike to spin into a tornado kick, hitting the shadow warrior so hard its head came off. He watched as it tumbled across the floor, before rolling to a stop at someone's paws, fading into a wisp.

"You should probably take it easy. You've been training at that crazy pace for almost two days." He felt Tigress's voice wash over him, and felt an instant calming sensation. He turned to face her, and winced as he felt his shins groan in protest. The expression wasn't missed by Tigress, who raised an eyebrow at him.

"You've probably got a shin splint, I told you not to train so hard." She said, walking towards him. She held out the water skin she was holding, and Taiki accepted it with gratitude.

"I can't help it, I'm still angry about what happened." He drank noisily, the water spilling down the sides of his mouth. Tigress made a sound of disgust and wiped away some of the water.

"I understand why you're so angry, but there's not much to be done about it. You can't possibly change an entire city's culture, it's not something you can just do." She said, taking back the skin. Taiki shook his head, turning away from her.

"Maybe I can't, but the lord of this city can. Master Hu is the only one with enough influence to change things, and I intend to make him change them. That means I have to win this fight, no matter what." Taiki clenched his fists, shaking with a silent fury. Tigress placed a paw on his shoulder, and turned him around to face her.

"Listen Taiki, I don't think it's a great idea to do this. Even if you win, the city's culture isn't something that will change simply because Master Hu wishes it. It was likely something that was around long before he was even here, and even if he wished to change it, I doubt he could." She slipped her arms around his waist, pulling him close to her. Taiki hugged her back, squeezing her tightly.

"Maybe so. In all likelihood, you're right and I'm just being foolish and childish. But regardless, I have to try. I have to do everything I can before I even think about quitting. Otherwise, I won't be able to return home and protect the valley, how could I give all to protect them, and not give my all to protect those here?" He muttered burying his face in Tigress's neck. She rubbed soothing circles on his back, and he sighed heavily. He thought back to what Master Hu said, and he felt his temperature rising once more.

Two Days Ago

"You are Tigers." Master Hu said simply. Taiki stood for a moment, dumbfounded, his mouth half open, and stared blankly at him for a moment.

"What does that mean? All Tigers are allowed here? No need to prove if they are worthy?" He shot back, and Master Hu laughed.

"Of course! That is how it has always been. After all, Tigers are the strongest, fastest, hardiest species in the world! As the greatest, there is no need to prove ourselves to others, only to better ourselves." He laughed a booming laugh that reverberated about the courtyard, and Taiki felt a familiar tugging in his gut.

"Calm down, calm down, you can't start a fight here, talk it out with him rationally." Taiki repeated in his head, and he slowly felt the tugging fade. He took a deep breath, calming himself. He stared back up, meeting Master Hu's eyes, and could barely contain himself at the smug look of victory he saw in the Master's eyes.

"Master Hu, I don't think that's a fair assumption to make. Each species has their strengths and their weaknesses. I think it would be unfair to declare the Tiger as the strongest amongst them without having solid evidence." Taiki said coolly, bowing his head in respect. Master Hu chuckled.

"Solid evidence? Our very existence is evidence enough! There is no need to argue over this, only accept the fact that nature has placed before our very eyes! Tigers stand above all, and should rule above all. True, a select few from each species has fought their way into this place and earned the right to train here, but in the end, our Tiger students have always come out on top in the tournaments. What more proof do you need?" The massive tiger leaned down to Taiki's level, staring right into his eyes. Both Tigers' eyes had narrowed into slits, and Taiki was shaking with anger.

"Well then, Master Hu, shouldn't we begin the test?" Taiki turned, startled, to face the voice. Monkey stood before them, arms crossed over his chest, a nonchalant look plastered across his face.

"If you need proof that we are worthy of being trained here, then we'll give it to you. I'll take on your fighters, all four of them. But I'm warning you, you'd best get another twelve ready, so my friends can be tested next." Monkey stepped forward, crouching low into a stance. The four tigers looked to Master Hu, unsure whether to comply to the request of a four on one fight. Master Hu waved his paw dismissively.

"If the monkey desires to take on more than he can handle, then let him. BEGIN!" He boomed, and the tigers sprung forward. Monkey held his ground, and Taiki knew things would not end well.

The first tiger swung a heavy backfist at Monkey, who slipped it with mere contempt. He deftly evaded the next tiger's flying sidekick, and kicked the other in the chest, sending him skidding across the courtyard.

"I was right; they are the type to focus on power rather than technique." Taiki thought to himself as the tigers continued to swing heavy blows at Monkey rather than attempt to change angles or create openings.

"This is why Monkey was so confident that he would win. He could tell that they were used to fighting based on strength rather than skill, and he knew he could easily out-angle them with his agility." Taiki thought to himself with a smirk, a look that wasn't missed by Master Hu. The massive tiger crossed his arms, watching the fight with an almost bored look.

Monkey vaulted over one tiger's head, kicking the one standing behind him in the face, and easily lashing backwards to launch the one behind him into the air. He spun freely, catching the tiger's leg in midair, throwing him into the last combatant. Backflipping, he passed easily over the head of the one he'd kicked before, landing behind him to launch a barrage of strikes into his body, watching as the tiger fell to his knees from the onslaught. The other three tigers were getting to their feet slowly, taking up their stances again. Monkey shook his head, before starting towards them again.

"Enough, this fight is practically over. Stay down." Monkey stopped a few paces away, and the three tigers looked at each other hesitantly. With a barely perceptible nod, the tigers charged again.

The ensuing fight was nothing if not embarrassing. Monkey easily out-maneuvered the tigers, their powerful strikes hitting nothing but air. His counter-attacks were simple and brutal, leaving the three tigers in a bruised heap on the ground. The fight had barely lasted a total of 7 minutes, with Monkey having only taken two clean hits, and Master Hu was forced to acknowledge his abilities. As promised, twelve more tigers were called in to face the rest of the five, and the subsequent matches turned out little different from Monkey's.

Master Hu simply watched, a bored look plastered across his face, completely unimpressed by the battles. He was watching his own students, rather than the members of the five, and mumbling his dissatisfactions to himself each time the tigers took a blow. Taiki seethed with both rage and a silent satisfaction.

"You see? This is why observing different styles is so important to a martial artist!" Taiki spat at Master Hu.

"The abilities, techniques and concepts behind each style can always be learnt from, and your own techniques improved! Your students have only ever fought against each other! The same styles over and over again, and that's why they're losing!" Taiki announced to Master Hu triumphantly, looking smugly at the larger tiger's face. Master Hu barely glanced in his direction.

"That is of no importance. The best style is the tiger style. Their inability to defeat your friends only reflects upon their failure and lack of training. I will be sure to have them properly disciplined for this." Master Hu shrugged off Taiki's comments without a second thought, simply turning away back in the direction of the hall.

"Feel free to use the facilities as you like. You and your companions have earned it. Use them well, for you will face much greater tribulations in the coming time." He announced to them contemptuously, and Taiki growled in response.

"Is that a threat Master Hu?" He said, his fur rising as he growled in response. The massive tiger turned slowly to face him.

"Why of course not, Dragon Warrior, merely a warning. But of course, it can be if you wish it." He shot back, narrowing his eyes as they met Taiki's.

"You want to settle this? I'm here, I'm ready. Though if you do, don't expect to walk away from this." Taiki challenged, squaring himself up to the giant tiger. Master Hu laughed, and deep throaty bellow, and stared down at Taiki over his nose.

"Ah young tiger, you have much to learn about how the world works. I believed that you as a tiger would understand just how superior we are to the others, and that you would finally see the truth with my guidance. Yet you understand nothing. I take pity upon you, for you fail to understand your blood and birth." Master Hu shook his head, and Taiki seethed with a silent rage.

"You will understand in time." He began to turn away, and Taiki stepped forward.

"Then fight me. I'll prove to you that your thinking is flawed, I'll prove to you that you're wrong, that the other species are more than worthy of our respect. I'll prove to you that your Kung Fu is nothing without progress." Taiki announced, setting himself before the master. The Furious Five stared, open mouthed, and Tigress stepped forward.

"Taiki please! Show some respect!" She hissed at him, but Master Hu held up his hand.

"Let the boy do as he wishes. You're a thousand years too early to fight me." He sneered, bending down to Taiki's level and grinning at him. Taiki stared back at him, unflinchingly, and Master Hu laughed again.

"I accept your challenge! It has been ages since someone has so boldly challenged me. We will fight in one week's time. Till then, feel free to use the facilities as you wish. You'll need the extra training anyway." He sneered, turning away from Taiki and walking back to the great hall.

"Just you wait. I'll kick your ass and change this damn school. You'd better believe it." Taiki watched as the massive tiger walked away, his eyes boring holes into his back. Tigress stepped forward, taking hold of Taiki's arm.

"Taiki! I know he's being unreasonable, but he is the Master of this school!" She hissed at him, and Taiki groaned.

"I don't care. He's gone way too far. I won't stand by and let this continue. I'll beat him, I know I will." He pulled his arm out of her grasp, and stalked into the training hall. Tigress watched him go, biting down on her lip till she tasted blood. She watched as he started the orb of shadows, demolishing the shadow warriors as they appeared, and turned to the Five. Monkey shook his head, and the four masters walked into the training hall to join Taiki. Tigress looked on, speechless.

Later That Night

"Was I wrong to say that? I mean he is the Master of this school after all." Tigress thought to herself, running her hands through her fur. She heard a knock on her door, and stood up to open it. Viper stood curled in the doorway, staring up at her.

"Can I come in?" She asked, smiling, and Tigress stepped back to let her in. Viper coiled herself around Tigress, squeezing her tight.

"Sorry sis, but I'm with him on this one. I don't like this place, and I'd have fought that so-called master myself if Taiki didn't already challenge him." She whispered, unfurling herself to sit on the bed. Tigress heaved a sigh.

"I know he's right, but I don't know if it's our place to try to change things. She groaned, passing her hands over her face. Viper smiled gently at her.

"Maybe it isn't. But if we don't do it, then who will? Who else can stand up for those here? They train in martial arts, but lack the proper equipment to do so, and thus they are unable to compete with the tigers that live behind these walls. Then because of this, the tigers see everyone else as weaker than them. Don't you think that that's completely ridiculous and unfair? I do." Viper said, smoothing out the sheets with her tail. Tigress shook her head.

"I know that, and I feel the same way! But at the same time, I've always been taught to respect the masters and their teachings, question them if I wish, but always to respect them. Never to change them! I don't know if what we're doing here is right!" She groaned, dropping her head into her hands. Viper slid off the bed, and slithered out the door. She stopped in the doorway and turned to face Tigress.

"We can help these people. And if we CAN help, we SHOULD help. Think about it sister. I'll see you in the morning." She said, smiling at Tigress before shutting the door.

Tigress sat there for a moment, before dropping down across the bed. She sighed, staring up at the ceiling.

Present Time

Tigress gently pushed Taiki away from herself.

"You're sweaty, get off me." She teased, sticking her tongue out at him, and Taiki laughed. He took her paw in his, and she made a sound of disgust.

"I wasn't kidding about that, go and take a shower." She said, pulling her now damp paw out of his and wiping it on his towel. She grimaced as all that served to do was make her paw even wetter.

Taiki groaned in protest, and started back towards the Orb Of Shadows. Tigress grabbed him by the collar, picking him off his feet and snarled in his face.

"No more training. Go take a shower. Then, you're taking me out for dinner. Are we understood?" She said, her pupils narrowing into slits. Taiki gulped, feeling his fur rising on end.

"Yes ma'am. Clear as day."

That's the end of this chapter. I don't know how to continue from here, so we'll just leave it at that for now. Anyways, chill out, have some ice-cream, and don't forget to follow and review.