Zaber

The Jin-Min

They had one more day to go, and they rested in a small cave for the night. Leo stood watch just outside when he suddenly heard movement behind him. Soft paw movement. Po is too clumsy, he thought. Lee and Me? He could smell their scents. The only person he didn't know was... Leo immediately got up and started walking away. "Leo, wait," Tigress said. The wolf stopped cold, "Look, I know you are afraid, but you don't have to be. I promise I won't hurt you." Leo never stopped shaking while he sat down facing her. Their sides to the cave and to the forest. "How are you?" She asked kindly.

"Fine." His voice was timid and scared, but Tigress ventured on.

"I'm sorry about what happened to you. Is there any way I can make you more comfortable?" The wolf didn't answer. They sat in silence for a while before Tigress finally sighed, "I know you're afraid. I just... I don't want you to be afraid of me. I was just thinking that... since Wong-Hu made us both orphans that we could... have something to talk about," She said heavily. She kept pulling for teeth.

Leo finally bit though, "You're an orphan, and yet you still live?"

"My mother gave me away before Wong-Hu could find me. Now I'm supposed to be this... great villain to destroy Japan." She stared at the ground.

"The prophecy is probably not what you think it is," Leo said. Tigress lifted her head. He shrugged. "Prophecies tend to be misunderstood. And you're not an orphan anymore. Sure, you grew up an orphan, but it doesn't sound like your parents, whoever they are, are dead."

"I know who my parents are, thanks to Po."

"The Dragon Warrior?" Tigress nodded. "Who are your parents?"

"Qiang and Tigra."

"T-T-T-The she-devil herself!" Leo froze.

Tigress's head tilted, "What do you-"

"Haven't you heard the stories about her?"

"No."

Leo looked at her and sighed. "Well, know that you definitely aren't like your mother. Or at least, I haven't seen you angry like her just yet."

"Is her temper that legendary?"

The wolf laughed nervously, "More than you think."

Tigress smiled and decided to venture further. "What is it like, being half-tiger and half-wolf?"

Leo paused. "How did you know I knew?"

"Even you should know that licking yourself is a feline thing," Tigress smirked.

Leo nervously chuckled, "Well, I don't shed as much. I constantly have to scratch the trees to keep my claws from overgrowing, which adds to the crazy look. I also have no one to talk to. Tigers don't want to be with me because I'm a wolf. Wolves don't want to be with me because I'm a tiger, and everyone doesn't want to be with me because I'm a demon! It's lonely."

"I understand. There was a time where I was alone," Tigress said. "It can be scary."

"Like my fear of tigers," Leo sighed, "I guess... I'm more afraid of my past with tigers than anything else. When I see a tiger, all I can remember is that horrible night. And the worst part is since I'm half-tiger, I sometimes have nightmares of killing my own parents," Leo said quietly. Tigress laid her hand on his shoulder, smiling warmly.

"Don't be afraid. Trust me. Who knows? You may even find a pretty lady you like," Tigress smirked. Leo's laugh turned into a howl that echoed into the night.

The next day, the team came to the tall iron gates of the Jin-Min capital etched with furious tiger decorations. "Are you ready?" Lee asked. Tigress and Leo both took a breath, and the gates opened. The village was full of people bustling about. Ducks, bunnies, pigs, crocs, boars, gorillas, and lots of tigers filled the tight market streets. The tigers were immensely different. Some were fat in the face or gut, some tall and short, others buff or lean. The tigers looked friendly and happy. Though a little more at ease, Leo was still wary of them. While the team got some supplies, a bandit diving into an alley caught Leo's eye. He followed.