I'd like to announce that I'm taking a break from Kung fu Panda FF for the next few weeks, as I'm planning to write a story to get published! I'm also getting into writing poetry (tired of reading depressing poets for school so decided to make my own XD) I hope everything goes well, and I'll keep you guys updated about my progress! I'm not leaving don't worry! But just don't expect anything for KFP for the next while. I'm trying to catch up with my school work as well, plus it feels like I'm abandoning my Ice age one shots, and I need to work on that! Got essays to do too and I have this hike coming up as well as a friends birthday. I'll come on ff every now and again to read others peoples work, and will work on my stories as well, but just not gonna uploading in the Kung fu panda forum for now :3

Chapter 21

"I think I know where this is going." Monkey said slowly. He looked down at Chang, who wriggled about and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "What do you think buddy?" Chang cooed in response, before reaching out for Tigress, whining a little as his eyed half closed. "Okay, okay, go to auntie Tigress..."

Tigress smiled at Chang as he settled in her arms. He laughed and reached for her face as he was held closer to it, and lightly touched her cheeks. Crane and the others smiled as she soon had him against her chest, nearly asleep... "Hello there..." She whispered softly. She lifted him up a little closer, looking towards Monkey as she added softly. "Are you coming home with us?" He pulled himself back a bit, and looked up at her questioningly, eyes big and bright. "Are you?" He giggled and began to chatter excitedly as she laughed and lifted her head a little more to feel the baby wrap his tiny little arms around her neck. "I'll take that as a yes then!"

Viper and Shifu smiled, Monkey folded his arms while grinning, Crane gave a silent 'aw' while his left wing found it's way to sit lightly on his chest at this warm hearted moment, and Mantis jumped atop of the avian's hat. "Just you wait til you and Po have a baby of your own... dotting mom right here." Mantis realised everyone looking at him, including a glare from Shifu, and chuckled nervously, before seeing Tigress with a serious, yet uncomfortable expression. "Am I right?" When he got no response, he swallowed slowly. "Sorry..." He hunched his shoulders when she inhaled, but then gave a questionable 'huh' when she smiled at him.

"Is there something wrong?" Shifu asked softly.

"Thank you for the compliment... why need to apologise?" She turned to Shifu as Chang stirred a little, making himself comfortable, "and no Master, I love that idea... besides..." Her ears picked up at the sound of the guitar and then turned her gaze back to Po and Sapphire standing together, and some of the guests swaying in time with the rhythm. She copied them, making out that she was rocking the baby back and forth. "I'm sure that scenario will materialize very soon..." Viper and the others s-l-o-w-l-y looked at one another, eyes widening a little, but soon also had their gaze on Po and Sapphire;

Po:
I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, "I'll never let you go..."
When all those shadows almost killed your light...
I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone..."
Sapphire closed her eyes, her mind dancing among her element...
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight...
A smile crawling along her face and she took a sharp intake of air...

Sapphire:
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
"Nice song isn't it?"
You'll be alright
Tigress stopped and turned to see where the deep voice was coming from, to see a tiger; tall, handsome, with orange and white fur just like herself... but his eyes were an odd character in themselves. A mixture of brown and... blue?
No one can hurt you now
"I didn't startle you did I?" He asked. Tigress smiled, shifting Chang into anoth position before her arms locked in place.
Come morning light
"No, no." She turned her gaze back to Po and Sapphire. "And yes... the song is beautiful... full of meaning."
You and I'll be safe and sound...

In the duration of the guitar solo, everyone was swaying in sync, even Shifu and the other Masters.

Po:
Don't you dare look out your window darling
Everything's on fire-
The war outside our door keeps raging on...
"I never knew the Dragon Warrior was into singing... learn something new every day." Shang chuckled as he fixed his black and white tunic. "Of course, you would know this... your his wife... right?"
Hold onto this lullaby... Tigress nodded, bowed, having a firm hold on the (now) sleepy monkey. "Tigress, please."
Even when the music's gone...
The tiger bowed back."Shang." Gone...

Sapphire:
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down...
Tigress and Shang listened in silence for a few seconds, almost willing to let the awkwardness sink in before Shang spoke up again to break it. "This song reminds me of my sisters." Tigress turned to look at him but saw the troubled look on his face, which she soon mirrored as she asked how. "I was an orphan."
You'll be alright...
"Left here with my two sisters; one older, and the other was only a newborn, merely three weeks old. I was only about eight or nine when we woke up to find ourselves here, with no acknowledgement of what was going on... or what happened to our parents." Tigress felt her ears flatten a little. "My older sister... grew ill, and I found out I was being adopted out to my loving and caring family."
No one can hurt you now...
"My sister asked me to take care of the youngest... but my family wouldn't adopt a second child. I refused to leave, but before I knew it, I was gone from both of them. I haven't seen them since..."
Come morning light...
"She must be with me! I swore to take care of her no matter what! No! I promised Mei! I promised Mei!" Tigress manoeuvred Chang into her other arm, before using the arm Chang was in previously to reach out and place a paw on Shang's shoulder. "I'm sorry..." She said softly, earning a gentle smile from Shang.
You and I'll be safe...
"What... was your old sister's..."
and...
"name?"
"Mei..." Tigress felt her heart drop. "Why?"
Sound...
"Who's Mei? Please tell me!" Before Tigress could say anything, Shang was suddenly looking towards the swing not far off the side, with wide eyes.

Oooh, Oooh...La La (La La)
Tigress turned to look at the lonesome, vacant swing... before seeing that smile again, was sitting there, smiling at them and waving happily, eyes glowing.
Oooh, Oooh...
"Can you..." Shang and Tigress glanced at one another... "See that?"
La La (La La) The boy looking down at her had the the mixture of blue and brown in forming in his eyes like some kind of potion being created by gypsies,
Oooh, Oooh, Oooh, Oooh,
but they were hypnotizing and beautiful all the same...
La La (La La)...

Sapphire:
Just close your eyes...
Small guitar solo...
You'll be alright...
Another small solo...
Come morning light-
You and I'll be safe...
Her eyes turned to Tigress.
and...
There was a gleam wiping over her eyes that Tigress couldn't understand, as she passed Chang back to Monkey.
Sound...

Po and Sapphire:
Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh oh-oh...

Sapphire was the only one out of the two who seemed a little shaky when the crowd erupted with applause. Po patted her on the back, in his own usual facade, before pulling her into a hug, whispering 'well done' and 'great job' to her, as she felt the adrenaline draining out of her. She looked around after he let her go, feeling a little light headed, and saw a few people were actually wiping away tears as they paused mid clap. Mei Long walked up behind Sapphire while clapping, and Tigress came forward, wrapping her arms around Sapphire, who hugged her back tightly, slightly shuddering. "You were amazing," Tigress whispered repeatedly, before pulling herself away, and placing reassuring paws on the young girl's shoulders. "You hear me?" Sapphire nodded slowly, breathing out shakily while smiling at the sound of Jun, Lok, Yuki, and Yumi cheering her on. They ran up to her as Tigress stepped out of the way just in time, and let them attack Sapphire with the warmest, and tightest hug she could ever witness upon a person without feeling, and she kept thought on this until she felt Po's paws on her shoulders, and she smiled up at him.

"Well done," she said softly.

The next day...

After what seemed like eternity, Tigress was in her room, packing the few things she had taken with her to the orphanage... to return home... in a different way she, and the others, had first arrived. The sun was gleaming through the window, as her ears picked up Monkey and Po talking outside, while picking up the sound of Chang's cooing as well. Arrived with six... she laughed softly to herself as her paw found it's way to her stomach, with was starting to form a bigger bump, but no one else noticed but Po and herself. She looked up towards the dark ceiling, the smile still on her face at the very thought of one, simple thing; Leaving with eight...

"Nearly ready Ti?" Po asked when he and Monkey walked in. She turned to face them, and Chang immediately started chattering happily as soon as he saw her, flailing his arms in hopes she would hold him, but he accidentally hit Monkey on the cheek. It didn't look like it hurt, and more like a small bump then a smack, but Monkey held his cheek like it did, and looked down at Chang, pretending to be annoyed. "I'll do the rest if you want?"

"Sure."

Besides, Shifu wants to see you, down the hall." She nodded, kissed his cheek, briefly ruffled Chang's head fur, smiled at Monkey, and made her way. She thought about the baby as she walked down the lengthy hallway. The news of the baby had to be told soon, she thought. Obviously to Shifu and Mr Ping first, and then the five... or it could be all at once... Goodness knows how Shifu and the others would react at the news of the Dragon Warrior, and Master Tigress' expecting... but she was excited... they both were.

Viper, Mantis, and Crane were nowhere to be seen when she came into view of the courtyard, but the landlord was there with Shifu and Mei, while Sapphire, the other teenagers, the younger orphans, and a few of the villagers, probably for their own accord. The other Kung Fu Masters had already taken their leave, each given a D.I.Y gift from the orphans as a sign of gratitude... while some of the orphans went with one or two of them! "Ah Master Tigress," the Landlord spoke with a smile that Tigress was sure that had two meanings; one she thought it meant, which was kindness and goodwill, and one that meant the complete opposite. "I just wanted to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed the events here yesterday- and Mei, the Nurses, and the orphans must be grateful for what you have done for them."

Tigress smiled and bowed to him. "I hope all that was done is enough to insure you allow them to stay here- if not, I am willing to pay the fares." She had words with Shifu last night, and he agreed that half their income would go towards the orphanage for anything needed.

"No need my dear," the Landlord presented a scroll to her, and as he spoke, she saw it was a payment form, and he held his paws in a praying gesture as her eyes scanned the parchment, smiling. "The sponsors were more then enough, and I made my promise, and I shall keep it. Construction on fixing this place will be put under way immediately, as well as new furniture, supplies, and toys for the young-uns." Tigress smiled, before looking at Sapphire, Jun, Lok, and the twins, who were looking back at her silently.

"What about the older kids?"

The landlord's smile faded a little while giving a look of question, but when Tigress nodded towards them, he twisted his head to the side, gave an excited 'oh'. "Of course there will be new facilities for children in their age range..." Tigress was about to ask about why he spoke with lack of interest, but Jun piped up something that nearly made her head spin;

"We're leaving Bao Gu Master Tigress!" Yuki and Yumi were jumping excitedly, and Sapphire was smiling brightly, with Lok punching the air beside her. "We got adopted!" They immediately ran for her, but Sapphire must of warned them to be careful, 'cos it wasn't the kind of hug that would knock her over, but it didn't lack the warmth that came with it.

"All together?" Unfortunately, that wasn't the case; Yuki and Yumi were leaving with a female wolf named Topaz, a single mother who had a two sons; also twins, and the same age as Yuki and Yumi, and she had been longing for a daughter, but due to loss of her one and only when her sons were nine, she felt she could never form another relationship, and saw adopting the only option. Seeing the twins, she could never separate them, and they were more then happy to go with her. As for Lok, a wealthy scholar was adopting him, telling him he and his wife had one room in their house that was full to the brim with scrolls, both recreational and educational. Tigress could only imagine Lok falling head over heels when he heard this, and didn't hesitate to go with them. Jun was going to live with this artistic couple, in both arts, and music.

"As for Sapphire..." Shifu spoke up once they broke the hug. "She has been offered to go to live with Jun... but I gave a proposal." Tigress and Sapphire immediately looked at one another. "As the Valley Of Peace is known for it's music orientation, and many well known musicians... I feel that she can come back with us... not just to study music." Shifu slowly eyed Tigress. "I have spoken to Sapphire before, and she has always asked about Kung Fu, and showed interest... and I am willing to offer her a place in the Palace... as a student under Master Tigress and the Dragon Warrior's teachings." Tigress' eyes widened a little, but immediately replied that she was more then happy to do so... but it was up Sapphire. She looked at the girl as she said this... but instead of seeing eyes that were bright and exciting... she saw those eyes, those, big, dark blue orbs... alert, and uncertain. Sapphire held herself by the elbows, her guitar close by the Jun's new parents.

"As much as I have an interest in Kung Fu... but it's best for everyone if I didn't..." She took a deep, shaky breath, she gave Tigress a quirky smile, and pressed two letters in her paws slowly. Tigress opened them to find a song piece, and a picture of her in her battle stance, with each of the teenagers in their own stances. What made her smile the most was the "weapons" that each of them held; Tigress had her glorious, but rarely used nun-chucks, Sapphire had her guitar with various music notes playing a few centimetres from her. Jun held two paint brushes in the picture like they were butterfly knives, the twins had whips were various charms, and Lok had scrolls levitating around him as he floated in the air. "Besides... I just feel my heart, and destiny, lies on the path of music and art." Tigress felt her heart twist at the answer, but she and Shifu nodded understandingly, before pulling Sapphire back into a hug.

"Whatever you want... but if you change your mind, you know where to find me." She whispered, patting Sapphire on the back. Tigress felt the girl's head move in the motion of a nod, before pulling away and looking at the rest of them. "I wish you all the best of luck... and please write to me and let me know how everything is going." They all nodded enthusiastically, but them Yuki, probably realizing the reality, and ran for Tigress again, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Thank you..." She whispered. "For everything you have done." Tigress couldn't respond, because the rest of them joined Yuki, and held on like they never wanted to let go. But as Po and the others were coming into view, and soon greeted by hugs from the now adopted teens, Tigress felt an emptiness dwelling within her. In all honesty... Neither did she.

A few months later...

"How is she Viper?" Po asked worriedly, his paws clamped together by both his fingers and sweat, as he stood by the bed, where Tigress was currently resting, her stomach now much bigger then it was before.

"For the third time today Po she's fine." Viper giggled at Tigress' eyes rolling as she sat up slowly. "Just a false alarm." Crane, Mantis, Monkey, Mr Ping, and Shifu were there too, obviously very relieved at the news, and baby Chang, now much bigger and stronger, was sitting beside Tigress on the bed, staring at her stomach in awe.

"B-b-bell-ee-" He chattered. "B-iiiggie?"

"The baby is fine," Viper ignored him briefly. "But I'd say any day now, little Junior will be on his/her way!" Mr. Ping immediately clapped his wings excitedly. The news of the baby came to him the day they returned from Bao Gu... along with everyone else, and he was the first to jump with joy, as the rest just stared at Tigress, holding her (then) small, barely visible bump. "So it's nothing but bed rest now Ti... sorry." The feline smiled.

"That's fine by me," she placed a gentle paw on her stomach, and looked at Chang, who was just reaching out to touch it, but reeled his hand back sharpish, eyed big in surprise. They all chuckled at his innocence, and Monkey soon walked over and scooped him up, saying it was feeding time, and pointed out to Crane it was his turn to make the dinner, as Po simply refused to leave Tigress alone in the house, unless if there was a bandit raid and he was in need of assistance.

"Speaking of food," Po patted his own vast belly. "What do you want tonight Ti?"

"A bowl of noodle soup is fine with me." Tigress replied with a smile. Mr. Ping chuckled, as it was all that she had been asking for, before being waved off by Shifu, telling them all to make their way, and leave Tigress to rest until dinner. Everyone left, but as Shifu walked out, he swiftly left a pile of letters on the bed, smiled at Tigress when she looked at him questioningly, and then made his leave. Po kissed Tigress on the forehead and whispered to her suggestively to get some sleep while he went to make dinner. She nodded and she was soon alone with the letters beside her.

That smile Shifu gave her was a sign she had seen before; each time he ever did that, there was always a letter sent from Sapphire and Jun, Lok, or Yuki and Yumi. They had written a few times, and whenever they did, she stared at the song piece and picture she had stuck to the wall, the memories flooding in. The first three were from who she expected, and the final one was from Sapphire alone, which she found unusual, as she always shared parchments with Jun...

Hi Master Tigress!
I hope you and the other Masters are well! Not long now til the baby right? I can't wait to hear from you about him or her!
Have you got anymore names yet? That's been in my mind for a while. I had names running through my head, but I ended up
writing another song instead. Mama is so good at writing these things I don't know what I'd do!
Tigress chuckled at the last bit, and the smile continued to stay on her face as she continued reading. Sapphire was talking about school, and the lessons she is giving Jun in music, and the art lessons Jun was giving her as well... but soon enough, towards the end of the seemingly long letter, much longer the ones she usually got, something in her mind clicked.
You're probably wondering why I turned down the offer at the palace... It's for the best.
Being with you would've been awesome, but there is more to the reason why I said no...
There is more to what I said... you know, me saying I was more of a music lover than being into the
idea of going and learning Kung Fu with you and Po...
I was going to ask if there was any chance I could come to live with you... not as a student, but a daughter...
but when you told me about the baby that day, I decided not to... and I'm glad I didn't ask...
I have thought about coming to the Jade Palace before... but as I went through that box you gave me the day
you got me that guitar... and it held secrets.
Tigress slowly lowered the letter, up until it was sitting on top of her stomach. She looked at the picture on the wall again, Sapphire's stance standing out the most, before looking at the letter again to read the rest.
I don't know if Mei ever read looked in the box, let alone read some of the contents... but I am aware of who my biological parents are. I never told my adopted parents, but I had a few words with Jun, and sent a letter to Lok (We hear from him more often then the twins.) Jun is concerned, and Lok nearly flipped out when he got my letters, and wrote back frequently with endless questions. My biological mother is no concern... as for my father...

Swosh!

Tigress jumped when she heard the swift sound swimming above her head, and she was stuck in her place until she heard something stick into the wall. When she thought it was safe, she turned her head to see an arrow planted into the wall, a foot or so over her head, with a note attached to it. She got up as slowly as she could, eyes on the open window not far from her bed, as she cautiously pulled the arrow out of the wall, and unravelled the note.

I am the reason she said no.

"What..." Tigress looked towards the window again. It was quiet to a certain extent outside, and the sun was slowly pulling itself away with the red sky, ready for the moon to take it's duty with the stars, and the wind rustled gently in the trees not far from her house. Taking in a deep breath, Tigress placed the arrow and note on the bed, and slowly crept towards the open window, holding her stomach protectively as she looked out the window, to find someone a few feet away from her window, just in front of the trees, cloaked, and still in the position of someone ready to shoot an arrow. She narrowed her eyes, leaned forward a little in hopes to see the person's face. "Who goes there?! Who are you?" She called. There was no response, so she said it again, louder this time. "Who are you?! I demand an answer!" There was a faint chuckle crawling into her ears, as this person pulled off the hood, and Tigress gasped. With a small smile stretching across his face, eyes big and observant as Po's voice echoed behind Tigress, asking what was wrong, and who she was talking to. Tigress' eyes widened as he reeled back another arrow, she moved out of the way just in time for it to fly past her, but her reflexes were quick enough to catch it, realize there was another note, and rip it off the weapon, and look back out the window, to see that no one was there. She slowly opened the note, before dropping it, and the arrow, letting it hit the ground with a metal clank, and backing away from the window as Po came running. The note was still on the floor, and he failed to notice it, and the instruments that sat both on the floor, and the bed... at first.

Miss me?

The end...

Or is it?

Safe and Sound (Cover By Landon Austin and Ellie)

And that's the end of this story! I hope everyone enjoys it! Will there be a sequel? Maybe, I do consider doing one after the break but who know :3 if so, what do you think will happen?! Who was that at the end? Who was Shang in the beginning? Who knows... 3:)

If you want a sequel, please show me some love and leave me a review!
Love y'all!