A Friend Indeed (Kung Fu Panda)

In Need

Tigress quickly surmised that the others wouldn't believe that she could walk all the way back if she kept using Monkey for support. To that end, made a statement of not needing anyone's help to walk back to the Jade Palace. Head held high, she marched, leaving Monkey behind. 

The rest of them shared a concerned glance. "Are you sure you don't need any help?" Crane asked.

"I'm fine," Tigress repeated. 

Silence pervaded the group as they walked. Tigress' breath was coming out just a little ways off-beat, like a drummer that had indulged in a little too much spirits before a performance. She kept her breaths as close to even as possible, but they still came out ragged. Not quite shaking, but definitely tired.

The sun burned across the horizon. The wind whispered its way through the grass. Tigress's focus became narrow, almost trance like. Only the next step in front of her mattered. Not the sinking sun, or the one-thousand steps up the mountain, or the footprints already visible, just the rhythm in front of her. Step, step, step. Breathe in. Breathe out. Step. Breathe. Step. Breathe.

Time became almost meaningless. The shadows to her side lengthened, going from copy images to gangly parodies. The trance was broken by Crane speaking up once again. "Hey, guys? It's almost sunset," he said. Tigress lifted her gaze, and noted without much input that he was correct. The sun was indeed beginning to set. "As much as I hate to say it, I don't think we'll be getting back to the Jade Palace today."

"Maybe we should find an inn and stay the night," Viper offered.

Monkey patted his pants, looking for something. "Anyone have money? I don't know of many inns that take credit."

Mantis shook his head. "Sorry, but wallets aren't a high priority when they're your exact bodyweight."

Monkey looked to Viper who also shook her head. "I use my whole body when I fight. I didn't want to lose mine, so I left it back at the palace."

All three of them looked at Crane. "Please tell me you brought your wallet." 

Crane chuckled nervously. "Sorry, I'm in the same boat as Viper.

Tigress offered a small laugh. "Where would you be without me?" She pulled out her own wallet to show them, before putting it back on her belt.

"Great," Monkey said. "You wouldn't mind footing the bill would you?"

Tigress rolled her eyes, but smiled. "I don't make it a habit to spend money without reason. We make it as far as we can tonight."

She turned around and resumed marching, marking an end to the discussion.

"I'll fly ahead and tell Master Shifu that we might have to spend the night."

Tigress hissed a breath through her teeth. Thankfully, the sound of Crane's wings flapping covered it. She knew, without a doubt, that Shifu would want to talk to her when he found out about her getting cut. She also knew that the conversation would, by no one's metric, be fun.

As the sun sank below the horizon, so too did Crane's words. She glanced up at the sky, noting how Crane almost seemed to turn into a star against the darkening sky as he shrank towards the mountain. 

Keeping her thoughts focused became considerably more difficult. Her rhythm now ran on three-and-a-half time. Step. Step. Step. Shifu is going to be disappointed. Step. Step. Step. You should have seen that swordsman coming. Breath in. Breath out. You're hurt. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Po is going to be worried. Choke on nothing.

Tigress took a moment to clear her throat as discreetly as she could. Clearly, she wasn't nearly as disciplined as she thought. She focused more on inconsequential details, studying them as if they could tell her where that thought had come from.