32Hey guys welcome to the next chapter! Thank you so much for the reviews, I do read them all and they keep me writing this story. After so long being out, I'm thinking I'm back! Been through a lot in my adult life and I've matured a good bit and learned from my past mistakes and I'm willing to make a return on the right foot.
Anyway it seems a cult still loyal to Shen may be responsible for the erradication of Lily's people. How will our heroes track these ruthless killers as age creeps up on them? Keep reading to see as I am now adding darker elements since most of this story has been peaceful so far. There is a reason the story has not been as actioned packed and it is due to the fact I am using this as build up to an ultimate climax to my first story. Anyway, with that in mind, let's resume the story.
A few hours had passed as the party reached it's conclusion, and the five began to retreat back to their sleeping quarters. Crane, however, was deep in conversation with the two pandivas that had flirted with him previously, and the avian appeared to be having a good time, despite his initial nervousness. The crane-style master had even learned their names - Su and Song; after getting to know them for a bit, they turned out to be sisters and Song had been encouraging her sibling Su to talk to Crane for some time. After some time, the avian noticed it was getting late, so he bid Su good night before departing to his chambers for the night.
Meanwhile, inside the ping-shan cabin, Zhan was demonstrating the inner peace technique in front of the fire place for Lily, who studied his movements intently. The young female tiger sat on the couch and observed his technique in awe at the way her boyfriend moved a single drop of water around his body in such a graceful manner and she was eager to try it for herself.
"As you can see, Lily, when you do this you gotta clear your mind and let your chi balance itself. In doing so, ask yourself one question, 'who am I'?" Zhan stated with an encouraging smile as he approached her with an outstretched paw.
The nervous but determined tiger took his paw, rising to her feet. "You make it sound so easy... but I'll keep trying." she whispered softly, giving his paw a squeeze before Zhan prepared the cup of water he used for the demonstration.
Lily took a steady breath, then took the inner peace stance and began doing the movements while trying to control her troublesome thoughts. As a single droplet of water was placed on her finger tips, the young tiger did her best to move it around her body like Zhan did, but unfortunately this only triggered her memories further. In her mind, a storm brewed unlike no other, flashes of lightning streaked and thundered across her vivid memories of that terrifying night. There, in the whirlwind, the young tiger stood in the midst of the chaos - beholding the gang of wolves responsible for the murder of her people, and most of all: her beloved parents. Lily could clearly hear her father in the background, like a ghastly echo - his words penetrating her very soul.
"Carry on my wayward daughter, succeed where we have failed. Don't stop running until you find the courage to find justice for our deaths. This cult of bloodshed can only end at the source."
At this point, Lily couldn't take the intense pressure of it all and she collapsed to the floor in tears - shaking spasmatically as her heart shattered. "I'm s-sorry I failed you, father..." she sobbed.
Horrified at the pitiful sight, Zhan reacted quickly - scooping her up in his arms, lovingly holding the young tiger against his chest as her tears began to soak into his monochrome fur. The petrified tiger returned the embrace, holding onto him tightly as if he would disappear from her life forever.
"Shhh it's okay, Lily - I'm right here." Zhan whispered soothingly into her ear. "You didn't fail your father, how can you say that?"
Lily raised her head slightly, her whole body still shaking uncontrollably from the vivid images fresh in her mind. "B-because it's true, Zhan! I'm s-sorry I can't do it. The further I dig, the worse it gets! I'm just not strong enough..." she cried as her vision grew increasingly blurry from her tears.
"Oh, Lily..." he whispered lovingly as he rocked her gently in his arms, trying to calm the upset tiger. "You are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. I know you may not see it yet but it's there..." Zhan replied with an encouraging smile, wiping the tears from her eye with his thumb.
"And I'm sorry if I pushed too hard for you to dig into this - I know this is painful for you." Zhan whispered softly while caressing her flushed cheeks gently.
Lily began to calm down a little at his touch and catch her breath once more, in doing so, she looked up to his eyes with a feint smile and shook her head, "No, it's okay. You're helping me - more than anyone ever has, it's just rough for me and these are memories I've buried and pushed back for years. There's something I saw though - while I was doing the inner peace moves..."
"What is it, love?"
"I saw my parents in my mind - my father told me that I have to find justice for their murder and that the cult can only end at the source. But... I-I don't know what that means." she whispered solemnly while Zhan gently rubbed her back.
"Well I guess that's a mystery that we'll have to find out, but... together this time. You're not alone in this anymore, Lily." the young warrior softly whispered into her ear. "I will speak to my father more about this and see if he can make a connection, ok?" Zhan stated, leaning back from the white tiger, holding her cheeks in his paws.
"Okay... thank you so much, Zhan. This means the world to me, more than you know." Lily whispered, gazing into his glowing, amber eyes that she frequently got lost in.
Zhan smiled, "Anytime. I just hate seeing you like this. I know that we haven't known each other long and we just got together, but I can promise you, I will always be by your side. And there's nothing I wouldn't do to keep you safe." the young warrior said sincerely, returning her loving gaze.
The female tiger smiled as her eyes glistened slightly at the words he spoke. She then wrapped her arms around his midsection and pulled him into a tender, warm kiss. Zhan returned her kiss, moving his lips along hers passionately, purring softly into her mouth. Zhan ran his paws up and down her back, savoring her sweet taste before slowly breaking the kiss for air, breathing heavily.
"Wow... he whispered breathlessly. "That was some kiss, Lily."
"Yeah... I will say, you're getting better at kissing me." she smirked, gently running a claw down his back, making him shiver some.
Zhan blushed, "You like teasing me don't you?"
Lily snickered, "Of course, but you love it - I can tell by that look on your face."
Zhan nodded coyly before the young tiger softly wrapped her arms around his midsection, and rested her head on his chest. The kung fu warrior returned her tender embrace, laying his head on hers and placing his paws on her lower back - eliciting a gentle purr from her chest which was a feeling like no other.
After a few moments, Lily spoke up, "We'll try the inner peace training again tomorrow, Zhan - this whole thing took a lot out of me."
"I understand, Lily. You must be exhausted." Zhan then gently kissed the top of her head.
Lily nodded and hesitantly broke their warm embrace, "I think I'm gonna go to bed - care to join me?" she smiled sleepily as their combined warmth made her drowsy.
"I would but I don't wanna upset my mother anymore than I have already."
"I understand, Zhan and who knows - maybe one day she'll let us sleep in the same room."
"Perhaps. Well, if you ever need me, you know where I am." Zhan smiled, taking one of her paws into his own.
"Thank you. You always know how to make me feel better. Goodnight my love, sweet dreams."
Zhan pecked her cheek, "Goodnight princess, sweet dreams."
After exchanging loving, soulful looks, the pair dispersed to their respective rooms to get some much-needed rest for the night. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the cottage, on the back porch - Tigress sat in the lotus position, deep in meditation. The candle-lit area flickered softly as a gentle breeze played with the small flames ever so elegantly. Suddenly, the tiger master sensed a familiar presence - it was her beloved panda who tried to remain quiet after noticing her meditative state. The panda master failed at his "stealth-mode" technique however, as a loose board suddenly creaked beneath his feet.
The elegant feline chuckled at his clumsiness as her glowing, amber eyes flickered open, "You're not very sneaky, Po."
The panda slumped, saying, "I was trying to be - I didn't wanna disturb you, Ti."
"It's alright, panda. I always welcome your presence - you are more than welcome to join me." Tigress stated warmly, patting the spot next to her.
Po smiled and accepted her offer sitting beside his loving wife as the two enjoyed their company. After a few moments of peaceful silence Tigress spoke up.
"I hope you enjoyed your birthday today, Po. You deserve more than I could ever give you."
Po smiled and took her paw in his own, "I did but you gave me the best gift of all. That dance... it was something special and I will never forget it."
"Mei Mei helped me with that since I couldn't come up with anything to give you."
"Ohhh I see what you guys were up to now. Thank you - it was very sweet of you, Ti." Po whispered, planting a warm kiss on her cheek.
Tigress smiled as a warmth was beginning to form in her cheeks from his kiss. The panda then wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, and she laid her head on his shoulder affectionately as a gentle purr rose in her chest. After a few moments of enjoying each other's warmth the tiger rose to her feet.
"You ready to go to sleep now, Po? We have a long journey back home tomorrow and a new mission upon us."
The panda nodded, "Yeah I am. I have to send a message to the ruler of Gongmen City to see if he can find out anything about the rogue wolves hunting Lily."
"That's good. We need to get to the bottom of this and protect that young girl." Tigress stated as the pair began walking to their bedroom.
"I think our son Zhan is doing a good job teaching her about inner peace. He's been trying to show her the movements." Po said fondly of his son.
"That's excellent. She'll need inner peace because that kind of trauma doesn't heal easily. I can speak from experience." Tigress stated knowingly as the panda squeezed her paw.
"I know all too well but she's in good hands." Po whispered as they entered their room.
"The very best hands."
The couple then shared a warm, loving kiss on each other's lips before climbing into their bed. The panda then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close and she laid her head against his chest as their body heat mingled causing them to become drowsy and quickly fall asleep. All was peaceful in the Ping-shan cottage despite the looming new threat of savage wolves following a long-deceased warlord. Hope was strong in the warrior's hearts however as family and friendship prevailed over all.
Well that's a wrap for the long-awaited chapter 11! I want to thank you guys for the encouraging reviews; they have motivated me to pick up writing again, and because of that, I'm back and here to stay! I'm sorry I was gone for so long; I've been going through a lot and growing as a person recently. I know it's been well over a few years since I've updated this story, but I can promise I will start updating more frequently now. I will also begin working on or reviving one of my more serious stories, The Crucible. And yes, I have seen the new Kung Fu Panda movie trailer, and I gotta say, I'm not really impressed. It's missing the obvious Furious Five (among other things) that are crucial to the story. However, it could change for the better—who knows? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this update. I'm sorry it was so short, but let me know what you think in the reviews!
-Tipofan4life.