One Of The Five Have Gone all Wrong

Chapter 9 ~ An old friend

Tai Lung walked through the misty forest. The fog rolling near the ground. Only the thick roots of overgrown trees, and large rocks could be seen.

He strolled through there like nothing is watching him. But he knows better then that. It's only been three months since he's last seen Tigress. He figured that he should leave her alone to allow her to sort things out for herself. Most women are either terrified to live on their own, or aren't allowed. Though Tigress did live in the Jade Palace most of her life- minusing the early years at the orphanage.

And that's another thing. The orphanage. He's been there a couple times in his youth but hadn't realized that the building would one day come to some sort of importance. An indirect importance.

He heaved a heavy sigh. It appears there's more to you then meets the eye, eh Tigress? He thought to himself. He may not know a whole lot about Tigress, but that doesn't mean she needs to know that.

He finally makes it to a small cabin that fits a small bedroom, a living room merged into a den. Knocking on the windowsill, a short rooster comes out.

A few clucks and the bird peers out the window to see the large cat standing there.

"You Know better then to knock. Come in, come in. It's been a while."

"Yes well, Chan I've been visiting someone I know. She's just recently moved in not too far from here."

The rooster known as Chan, cocks his head to the side. Curiosity has taken hold of him.

"She? You say?"

"Well yes but not-"

"Details! I must have details!" He bustled rushing to open the door.

"It's nothing like that so calm your feathers." He says coming inside, taking a seat before Chan.

"Oh you're no fun anymore. You used to be a player with the ladies, what happened to that?" Chan asks.

"The whole Dragon Warrior thing. Ring any bells?"

"What bells? I don't hear any bells." Chan said as he jerks his head around, looking for something that's not there.

Chan is only a decade older than Tai Lung. He's been through almost everything that he has yet the old bird resigned long before Tai Lung tore the village apart. And through that course of time he's lost his sanity. Keeping to himself seems to be keeping himself safe. For now.

Unlike Tai Lung, Chan is also very paranoid and chatty. Though he will admit that he doesn't mind it. Who else is going to talk to him? Besides Tigress, now.

"Never mind that. I've come by to ask you if you've heard any rumors of the forest?" Ta kung asked.

Chan stared at him for a moment, his head still cocked to the side. Then he gets up and walks over to a cabinet. He comes back with a few scrolls.

"The forest says many things but the most important ones are drawn out. Though I've been whispered to at night, that Tigress is in trouble."

"How did you know her name?"

"The reason why I quit oh so long ago is because I have visions. They'll show me what could happen in the near future, whisper things to me in my sleep, or I'll black out and they'll take me somewhere. They've become too much at that time, Tai Lung. Though I wish to help a friend in need. Something to repay you for the kindness you've shown me and my craziness."

Chan's words are sincere, and soft spoken. This is different from the usually loud bird. Tai Lung kept quite as Chan further explained. He watched as he opened a scroll.

"I see her. Through the best's eyes. They watch what she does. I can't tell what they feel towards her whether it be hatred or lust. But they have been watching her for some time now. Even in her nightmares do they stalk her. Little does she know she can see too. But the time will come when you'll find her sleeping in a tree."

"That's all?" Tai Lung aks.
Chan lays out a scroll with writing. Possibly a letter?

"Yup."

"Not a hint about what this beast looks like?"

"Well when it past a mirror, it has golden eyes much like yours but nothing I could really see."

"That's an awful lot like me, Chan."

"But I know it's not you because your head isn't fluffy like it is." Chan laughed at the image of Tai Lung having fluff around his head.

As Chan laughed, Tai Lung thought a moment. This worried him. Chan's vsisions aren't wrong. Whatever happens in them, happens in real life as well.

This just makes him wonder, who in their right mind would want to stalk Tigress? She isn't exactly ugly but they'd have to be extremely skilled in the art of hiding to be able to be within close proximity of her for her not to notice someone's presence.

He'll have to keep a close eye on his favorite kitten for the time being. Just to see if he can capture the intruder.

The only downside to Chan's visions is that they are exactly with time and day. This mystery person may not show up for a year or they may come the next night. That is his only problem besides keeping Tigress from knowing.

Glancing down at the scroll again, Tai Lung asks what it was about.

"Just a letter to a friend. He's been worried sick of the last few months for some reason. A private guard is supposed to be coming to get it soon."