Rain pattered down harshly on the ground and little paws that were scurrying across the stone were scarcely heard above the hailing sound. The small figure jumped as lightning flashed and thunder boomed, and ran faster. Having reached its destination, it opened the sliding bamboo door and stepped inside. It shut the door behind it, and found herself facing a red-panda she knew all too well.

"Tigress. Why are you not training?" he asked.

The figure, Tigress he had called her, rushed to him and embraced him. He was clearly surprised, for he was not ready for the hug, or to find her shaking against him. He knew what was bothering her. Instead of the usual "Go back to training. You are wasting my time", he decided to comfort the child.

"You know, when I was your age... four, is it?" he started. The little tiger nodded. "Well when I was your age, I was afraid of storms, too. I would always go find my Master and yelp when I heard the thunder. I'd always ask him, 'Why are there storms?' and he would chuckle at me, and sing a little song I've become rather fond of over the years."

Thunder cracked again, and Tigress jumped and raced to get under his desk. Shifu followed her and coaxed her out, picked her up, and sat on his bedroll. Softly, he began to sing the tune his Master would sing to him when he was a little child.

"Little child, be not afraid

The rain pounds harsh against the glass

Like an unwanted stranger

There is no danger

I am here tonight

Little child

Be not afraid

Though thunder explodes

And lightning flash

Illuminates your tear stained face

I am here tonight

And someday you'll know

That nature is so

This same rain that draws you near me

Falls on rivers and land

And forests and sand

Makes the beautiful world that you see

In the morning."

Tigress jumped again, and Shifu held her closer to him, as if doing so would keep her protected. She got less tense in response, and he knew it was working.

"Little child

Be not afraid

The storm clouds mask your beloved moon

And its candlelight beams

Still keep pleasant dreams

I am here tonight

Little child

Be not afraid

The wind makes creatures of our trees

And the branches to hands

They're not real, understand

And I am here tonight

And someday you'll know

That nature is so

This same rain that draws you near me

Falls on rivers and land

And forest and sand

Makes the beautiful world that you see

In the morning

For you know, once even I

Was a little child

And I was afraid

But a gentle someone always came

To dry all my tears

Trade sweet sleep the fears

And to give a kiss goodnight

Well, now I am grown

And these years have shown

Rain's a part of how life goes

But it's dark and it's late

So I'll hold you and wait

'til your frightened eyes do close."

Tigress began to sing with him.

"And I hope that you'll know

That nature is so

This same rain that draws you near me

Falls on rivers and land

And forests and sand

Makes the beautiful world that you see

In the morning

Everything's fine in the morning

The rain will be gone in the morning

But I'll still be here in the morning."

As Shifu finished the song, he felt the soft, steady breathing of his student. She was asleep, so he tucked her into his bedroll, and sat at his desk. He finally turned off his desk light and laid down next to her. He kissed her forehead, and fell asleep.