A/N: So sorry for the wait! I don't what happened… I just lost my inspiration, I guess… But now I am back! Did you miss me? I missed me! Wait; that's lame… Well, welcome back me.

I do not own Kung Fu Panda.

Stripes of a Tiger
Greed

"Come on; you know you want to do it." The crocodile kept luring her with those comforting or provocation words.

Tigress just glared at her, unable to move as her paws were bound on the other side of the tree, forcing her back to stay against the trunk.

It was now hours since the bandits had captured her and she was too tired to keep coming up with sharp answers. Instead she was just listening, trying to keep the words away from her mind.

She had to admit one thing though; the leader had truly done some research.

She knew everything! About the orphanage, about the 'monster' title, about Master Shifu's cold behavior, and she knew all about her hope and dreams.

It was like she could read her mind.

"Why even keep fighting for him?" the leader asked her. "You know he wouldn't do the same for you."

Tigress only answered with a small hiss.

"Just think about what we could manage together!" the crocodile exclaimed. "You could get whatever you want! We would be unstoppable! So I ask you again; are you willing to become my partner?"

"No," Tigress answered flatly. The next minute she received quite a punch to the stomach, forcing the air out of her lungs. She gasped, but after some seconds she straightened out her back again.

The crocodile was looking at her with a tilted her head. "I don't want to hurt you. But I need to make you realize that you belong here."

"Sure," Tigress answered. "And punching me is the way of doing that."

"Exactly. You see, a punch hurts, but I think we both know what hurts worse." She brought her face closer to the tiger's. "And I am the not the one who gives you that kind of pain."

When Tigress snarled, she turned away to watch her from a distance. "You know that none of them cares, don't you? That's why they haven't showed up yet. They don't need you. But I do. So why don't you just do what is best for yourself?"

"Because I am a warrior," Tigress answered. And by the look of the crocodile's face, it was clear that she actually had not expected an answer. "And I live to protect."

"Ahh… The whole 'other people come before me' thing? Surely, it must be tough. Never to receive anything. But I guess you don't believe you deserve it."

"You are wasting your voice trying to convince me."

"Then I'll waste my voice. Because I think you deserve something. You have spent your whole life trying to impress someone who doesn't care. Here you will actually feel needed. Don't you want to feel that way?"

Tigress did not feel like answering, so she just sent her a glare.

"The Jade Palace isn't your home. A home is where your family is." There came an evil shine in her eyes. "And you don't have any family. So why stay a place where nobody likes you?"

No answer.

"Join our little 'group' and you will use your strength on something useful!"

"Useful?" Tigress snorted. "Stealing, you mean."

"Who doesn't like money? Oh… Isn't there anything you want?" The crocodile studied. "A family; I know. But I know that they can't give you that."

Tigress looked at her with eyes of ice. "And neither can you."

"But here we will worship your skills. You are needed here; you are wanted! Can't you see that? Don't you want that?"

She wanted it. Not to be feared, but loved. That was the thing she had worked for all her life; love. And each time she had been disappointed.

Now somebody was granting her it.

Why say no?

Because she knew it was wrong. Because she knew that not even here she would be loved. They would worship her, yes, but now love.

And she did not need their love.

She needed to fight them, because they were criminals and she was a Kung Fu Master.

And she would always be that.

"I don't want your money. I don't want your worship. There is nothing that you can give me," Tigress said with a steady voice.

The crocodile narrowed her eyes. "I can grant you death if I want."

Tigress snarled. "I rather want that then everything else you have suggested to give me."

"That's what I hate about you Kung Fu Warriors; always so stubborn. We could have become very good partners." She walked away from her and turned to her warriors that were sitting around a campfire. "Boys!" she called and got their attention. She then gave Tigress a sly look. "Do whatever you want," she told her warriors that rose by the news.

They came closer to Tigress with evil smiles on her faces.

She glared coldly at them while making herself ready. Maybe, if they missed with their swords, they would cut her ropes and she would be free…

She did not have the chance to finish the thought as the first croc faced her, holding a war hammer.

Just as he was about to swing, Tigress suddenly felt the ropes fall to the ground. The next second she had placed her fist in the croc's face and he fell backwards.

Then Tigress found herself surrounded by her comrades, all sending her bright smiles.

"Sorry for being late!" Monkey called as he leapt at the closest bandit.

"Did we miss anything?" Viper asked, placing herself near the tiger.

Po stood beside her too. "I mean except the crazy crocodile lady that tried to make you follow her into darkness. Thanks for staying by us by the way."

Tigress grinned. "You are welcome."

A/N: I did not like this piece very much, but I just needed to get something out so I can continue. I wrote this like weeks ago, but now I publish it. Await better one-shots from me than this one.

Next letter; H. Next word; Hero