“What’s this for, Tigress?” Monkey asked as the Five and Po approached the tiger, who was putting several items into a bag.
“I’m going on a trip.” Tigress said. “I’m looking for answers. You’re welcome to come along Po.” Tigress added.
“Really? Me?” Po asked.
“Yes, you.” Tigress said, looking up at Po than continuing to pack.
“Ok,” Po replied, “Where are we going?”
“You tell me.” Tigress said as she shouldered her pack.
“What?” Po asked, confused.
“I need to visit Shen’s Soothsayer. You’re the only one who knows where she lives.”
“Oh, ok.” Po said. “It’ll be a long trip.” He added.
“Yes it will.” Tigress said. “This pack,” she said, patting her backpack, “holds enough food for two weeks. If you plan on only eating for one week, I suggest you pack some food for yourself.”
Po nodded, understanding, then went to get his own pack ready.

The two Kung Fu masters walked towards the doors of the Jade Palace. The rest of the Five followed silently, ready to bid their friends farewell. “We shouldn’t be gone for more than a month.” Tigress said to everyone, keeping her eyes on the doors.
Po looked at the ground worriedly as they approached the doors. Finally he said, “Um, Tigress, about this morning-”
Tigress turned and faced Po. “We have a long way to go, Po, let’s save our energy until we get there.”
Po nodded, and the two jogged down the steps towards the Valley of Peace.

The journey was easy enough, for Tigress that was. They had already traveled to Gongmen city before, which was truly where the journey began. From there would begin the longer excursions as Po tried to recall the journey he’d taken. Tigress had every hope that two days would be the maximum amount of wandering time.
Po and Tigress trekked along the stony, lonely hills, hurried over the snowy peaks, and journeyed through forest and glade. Po kept a considerably good pace this time through, for someone of his size. Tigress kept to her word of keeping talking down to a minimum, though Po kept hoping he could settle things between himself and his favorite Kung Fu master, for better or worse.
One night as they lay in their separate sides of their tent, Po lay awake, looking at his Tigress figurine. He had saved it for the trip. Because Tigress was his hero of heroes. Tigress yawned and rolled over, causing Po to jerk and hide his figurine quickly. Tigress sat up. “Goodmorning Po.”
Po blinked. Morning? It was still dark out. “Uh, hey Tigress.” Po said.
Tigress got up and started shouldering her pack. “What are you doing?” Po asked.
“It’s light enough outside, we should get moving.” Tigress said then headed for the tent exit.
“Wait, Tigress, it’s too dark out.”
“Nonsense,” Tigress said, looking outside. “I can see fine.”
“Yeah, because of your eyes. Your big, glowing…” Po rambled on with adjectives, “…mystical, translucent, beautiful, breathtaking—” He froze.
There was a pause, then Po quickly corrected himself. “Your eyes can see in the dark. Mine can’t. Not fair.”
Tigress smirked. “Then I’ll lead. We’re almost to the lake that will take us to Gongmen City anyway, if you want to rest when we board, be my guest.” With that, Tigress left the tent.

Once the boat had set sail for Gongmen city, Po lay peacefully in it sleeping. Tigress looked at her sleeping companion, then out towards the head of the boat, watching the sun rise. A sea breeze wafted up before the tiger, and Tigress closed her eyes, drinking it in. There was something mystical about early mornings. Tigress blinked, her reverie broken. That was an adjective Po used, wasn’t it?
Tigress looked back at the panda, who was still asleep. He had said that about her eyes. Tigress looked over the side of the boat. Her reflection greeted her. Tigress squinted, then once her eyes focused, pondered. “Hmm.” Po was right. Tigress did have larger eyes. They were a radiant red, very striking in appearance. And Po was right, they did glow in the dark. Tigress smiled. It was a nice compliment Po gave.
Tigress turned upon hearing Po move, but the large panda only yawned and rolled over. Tigress’ eyes widened. Falling out of Po’s pack, which his body was apparently trying to hide, was Tigress’ figurine. Tigress walked over to Po, bent down, and picked the figure up. Though she studied it earlier in the day, it was even more striking to behold again. Why was Po holding onto this?
Tigress set it in Po’s pack and rationalized the solution. Po simply forgot to return it to his room this morning. That was all. Tigress turned back towards the head of the boat then sighed. That was a lie and she knew it. Tigress looked back at Po. She admitted it to herself, Po liked her; more than just a friend.

Tigress sat atop the room that provided shelter on the boat, thinking. How much of a love did Po have for Tigress? Tigress tried to rationalize it away, but then had to ask herself why she wanted to excuse the matter. Tigress’ answer came so quickly she almost reeled where she sat. An old memory of her childhood came to mind.

“Tigress.” Came a voice. Shifu stepped into the room.
“Aren’t you afraid of me?” Little Tigress asked, turning from where she lay huddled in a corner.
“No.” Shifu answered, stepping inside and closing the door.
“You should be,” Tigress snapped, “I’m a monster, that no one wants.”

Shifu loved Tigress, Tigress knew that. Were his methods of being a father a bit lacking? Yes. Did that really affect Tigress much? Tigress looked down.

Little Tigress was excelling in Kung Fu. She quickly learned to hit the targets before her with strength and power, using her energy on making constructive hits. Tigress looked back from where she stood poised at her foster father, only to receive a rod which Shifu used to push Tigress’ limbs to the appropriate height or stance. She was still imperfect. Little Tigress sighed. It was almost like being back at the orphanage.

Yes. Yes it did affect Tigress very much. She was a monster that no one wanted. Shifu didn’t really love her how a father should. Nothing could change that. Although he loved Tigress, and Shifu tried his best to return her love, the hurt caused to her years ago still resonated. Tigress hung her head.